Barbra Streisand "The Way We Were"

Does anyone know where the Volume 2 version originated
from? I was stunned when I found the 45 version on
YouTube by how different it was...and that does not even
take into consideration the soundtrack version! Just
how many versions (excluding countless live versions)
exist of this song from Babs?

By the time "Volume 2" was released, I imagine
Columbia listened to whatever Barbra wanted! I do
wonder, though, why she recorded the song so many
times in such a short period - the soundtrack, the
single, the solo album. It doesn't surprise me that
that the song was re-recorded for the single to make
it more radio-friendly. But, that doesn't explain why
they would not include the same version on the album.
You would think that would have been a selling point
for the album if it included the version everyone knew
from the radio.

Does anyone know why the 45 version has never been
released on one of her compilations? There have been
enough compilations released by now that this could
have been included on at least one especially for what
is arguably her biggest hit.

Yes, that's correct. Barbra has total control over what is released from her catalog. I don't think anyone at Sony even compiles any comps on her. Barbra and her manager Jay Landers do. While it's possible Barbra can't stand the hit version, it simply may be that neither is aware that the single is different. There's no outside person (like me, Bill Pitzonka, Joe Marchese) compiling a Babs comp saying "Put on the single version". So it could be just an oversight.

It is odd that Barbra wouldn't want the hit version on any CD. Strange to think the version played on the radio a million times back in the day, and winning her Oscars (and Grammys?) has been lost to the current world - except for those that are still continuining to listen to their 45!

Check your email Gary.