Barbra Streisand's transition into mainstream pop was not an easy one. Having carved a niche singing decades-old standards, costuming herself in flowing gowns, Cleopatra eye make-up, and sky-high hairdos, she had established what the public expected of Streisand.But she was unsatisfied. After sticking her big toe into the waters of pop-rock wih the ill-received "What About Today?" album, she jumped headlong into Carole King, Gordon Lightfoot, and Arethra Franklin territory. The results are stunning."Stoney End" opens with "I Don't Know Where I Stand," by Joni Mitchell. Streisands velvet shudder renders the song haunting and beautiful. Later, she attacks "If You Could Read My Mind," not with the complacency of a guitar-strumming balladeer, but with fully-orchestrated anger and sarcasm. On this cut, her timing and phrasing are never better. Clipping off ends of words and stanzas, she evokes the feel of a woman left teeter-tottering on the chasm created by emotional abandonment. Later cuts, such as "Free the People" show the singer's ability to handle spirituals, previously thought to be the territory of black singers. While Streisand doesn't attempt to "sing black," she uses all her dramatic resources to pull the meanings out of these songs with all the fire and veracity of Aretha Franklin in top form.All in all, the album is mixed bag. Yet, all the ingredients are pleasing -- standing well alone, and yet adding a perverse sense of continuity to the whole project. When Streisand ends the disc with the lovely "I'll Be Home," one is easily reminded of the ability this great lady has to caress the listener's ears with her incredible smoothness and control.This may be a mixed bag, but nothing in it could possibly offend anyone. Miss Streisand seems to finally be comfortable in her own skin -- a young, vital woman singing of issues and feelings that affect the young. Perhaps, more than ever, she is where she belongs.