Barbra Streisand - Higher Ground

As Barbra Streisand's first studio album of mainstream pop material in nine years, Higher Ground is something of an oddity. Instead of devoting herself to Broadway standards or a set of radio-oriented pop tunes, Streisand has crafted a record that she intended as a tribute to the power of music as prayer. It's an ambitious project, but for the most part it works, achieving a surprising grace. Higher Ground comprises both traditional religious songs and new material (even "Tell Him," an overblown duet with Celine Dion, vaguely touches on that theme), with grandiose arrangements by Marvin Hamlisch. Although Streisand and Hamlisch still favor sweeping strings and bold statements -- so much so that many of the songs sound remarkably similar to each other, in terms of dynamics and arrangements -- the album retains its power thanks to her subtle interpretations of melody and lyrics. The end result might not quite match her latter-day masterpieces, but it's another strong addition to her catalog. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide

Name Credits Alan Stein Production Coordination, Project Coordinator Alex Brown Vocals (Background) Alfie Silas ? Andy Grassi Engineer Arif Mardin Orchestral Arrangements, Arranger, Producer Barbara Stout Production Coordination Barbra Streisand Liner Notes, Executive Producer, Producer Bill Airey Smith Choir, Chorus Bill Smith ? Billy Beck Choir, Chorus Bob Zimitti Percussion Bobette Jamison-Harrison ? Bridgette Bryant-Fiddmont ? Byron Smith Organ (Hammond) Carl Graves Choir, Chorus Carmen Carter Choir, Chorus Carmen Tuwillie ? Carmen Twillie Choir, Chorus Carole Lombard Children's Choir Vocals (Background) Cheryl Roach ? Chris Brooke Engineer Dan Shea Keyboard Programming, Sound Design, Drum Programming, Programming, Design Dana Jon Chappelle Engineer Daniel Plaster Choir, Chorus Dann Huff Guitar Datz Pyle, Debbi Orchestra Contractor Dave Reitzas Mixing, Engineer David Foster Producer, Keyboards, Synthesizer, Arranger David Gleeson Engineer David Porter Thomas ? Dean Parks Guitar (Acoustic) Dominic Gonzales Engineer Doug Anderson Choir, Chorus Ed Levy Choir, Chorus Eric Greedy Engineer Eric Rigler Uillean Pipes Ethan Schofer Engineer Felipe Elgueta Engineer Firooz Zahedi Photography Frank Filipetti Mixing Frank Wolf Engineer Fred White ? Glen Marchese Engineer Gloria Gabriel Production Coordination Greg Dennon Engineer Greg Parker Choir, Chorus Greg Phillinganes Keyboards, Piano Greg Thompson Engineer Humberto Gatica Mixing, Engineer Janet Smith Choir, Chorus Jay Landers Executive Producer Jeff Araluce Choir, Chorus Jeff Balding Engineer Jeffrey Ramsey Choir, Chorus Jeremy Lubbock Keyboards, Producer, Conductor, Arranger, Orchestral Arrangements Jessica Williams Vocals (Background) Jim Gilstrap Vocals (Background) Joel Pressman Choir, Chorus John "J.R." Robinson Drums John Aguto Engineer John Mahoney Pre-Programming, ? John St. Marie Choir, Chorus Jon Mooney Engineer Jonathan Mooney Engineer Judith Siirila ? Jules Chaiken Orchestra Contractor Kim Skalecki Coordination Kristle Murden Choir, Chorus Lauren Azeltine Choir, Chorus Lisa Graham Choir, Chorus Lisa Naulls Choir, Chorus Lynn Davis Choir, Chorus, Vocals (Background) Lynn Fiddmont ? Marc Mann Keyboards Mark Beasom Choir, Chorus Mark Eshelman Engineer Mark Hagen Engineer Mark Mann Keyboards Marvin Hamlisch Arranger, Conductor Maxi Anderson Choir, Chorus Maxine Willard Waters ? Meg Gister Choir, Chorus Mervyn Warren Producer, Conductor, Arranger, Piano Michael O'Reilly Engineer Michael Parnin Engineer Mick Guzauski Mixing Mike Fried ? Nancy Donald Art Direction Nancy Roof Production Coordination, Project Coordinator Neil Stubenhaus Bass Norm Dlugatch Engineer Patrick Weber Engineer Patty Zimmitti Orchestra Contractor Paul Bogaev Conductor Paul Falcone Engineer Paul Wertheimer Engineer Pete Escovedo Percussion Pete Matthews Engineer Peter Fletcher Product Manager Peter Michael Escovedo III Percussion Phillip Ingram Vocals (Background) Plaster Dan ? Randee Saint Nicholas Cover Photo, Photography Randy Waldman Piano Reggie Hamilton Bass Renata Buser Personal Assistant Richard Jackson ? Samela Beasom Choir, Chorus Sandy DeCrescent Orchestra Contractor Sara Willard Choir, Chorus Scott Frankfurt Programming, Synthesizer, Percussion Programming, Drum Programming, Keyboards Shawn Murphy Engineer Simon Franglen Drum Programming Stuart Brawley Engineer Sue McLean Engineer Susan Holsonbake Choir, Chorus Susan Mills Choir, Chorus Tony Gonzalez Engineer Troy Gonzalez Engineer Tyson Leeper Engineer Vladimir Meller Mastering Vlado Meller Mastering Walter Afanasieff Arranger, Keyboards, Synthesizer, Synthesizer Programming, Drum Programming, Drums, Bass, Keyboard Programming, Producer, Programming Wendy Knudsen ? Wil Wheaton Choir, Chorus William David Brohn Arranger William Ross Orchestral Arrangements, Conductor, Arranger Yoav Steven Paskowitz Choir, Chorus Yvonne Williams Choir, Chorus