Love Me Tender

 

Barbara Streisand (72)

 

What a fantastically, beautiful collection of songs by such a talented artist.  When I first heard Barbara Streisand had released another album out at the age of 72, I wondered what she could sound like and wondered if her voice had stood the test of time ...

Lately there has been a steady stream of mature women songstresses (Kate Bush, Agnetha Fältskog, Annie Lennox, Cher and Tina Turner).  Through collaboration with their men-folk and encouragement of their loyal fans, they’ve been confident enough to make their dreams come true.  And it was so wonderful to hear that Barbara Streisand was going to do her bit, too.

As soon as I knew Ms Streisand had released an album, I didn’t hesitate to get online, on Amazon, and buy a CD.  But, in this day and age of instant gratification, I couldn’t wait a week for postie to deliver - so got modern technology (chiefly unavailable during the time when Barbara was warbling her way through the 60s, 70s and 80s), to work to download it soon after my order had been processed.

 

 

Kate Bush (56) 

 

The whole album of soul-filled songs brought back memories of an era when life seemed more simple and serene, a time when we were not so hurried and could believe in the miracle of love.  Barbara’s sincere voice is filled with the essence of soul.  She has this uncanny ability to make a fictional love song appear very real indeed.  When I watched the video of her behind the scenes with the smoothly melodic Michael Bublé, I was struck by the similarities in resemblance between these two stars and two other actors, Jennifer Anniston and Justin Timberlake.  Perhaps there’s a biographic movie in the making there at some point in the future?  (Oh, pretty please?)

 

 

                                                                       

Agnetha Fältskog (64)

 

 

Given that I've bought nearly every album by these ladies listed here, both in their younger days, hey days and (now) latter days, I just can’t help but point out that their wonderful albums seem to be giving a hint to the media-savvy moguls that real people want to look up to and emulate real people - not the factory production line of pretty-plastic-parade-painfully-puny-peroxide blondes.  Therefore, I think it’s safe to say, the fashion industry hasn’t got such a strangle-hold over people’s minds the way it thinks it has.  These women (Kate, Agnetha, Annie, Tina and, of course, Barbara) seem not to be what the media want you to see covering their magazines. 

 

                                                                   

Annie Lennox (60)

These are mature ladies, supposedly past their ‘prime’, and seemingly so totally relaxed in their own skin that it’s a real pleasure to be able to enjoy their talents once again.  These women don’t appear to have had much done along the cosmetic lines (except for Cher, of course, but given the industry they are in ...), yet, they ooze a kind of deep inner appeal that certainly has not faded.  In fact, the magic they were able to weave around everyone's hearts with their soul-filled musical tones is still as strong as ever - perhaps more so.  And they still look absolutely gorgeous.  What a blessing it is that they were all confident enough to give us another chance to hear and see them again.

 

 

 

Tina Turner (75)

 

Yes, beautiful Barbara still has it – by the bucket load.  And these confident and, it must be said, beautiful women, appear to be leading the way yet again.  It is such a refreshing change it gives one inspiration and a renewed hope for the future of the whole of mankind.

 

Cher (68)

 

Thank you ladies!  

 

PS Don't you think it would be a good idea for these ladies to collaborate (with a few other older ladies) and make one beautifully huge album, together?

 

© Kaye Bewley 2014