Singer, actress, movie director: Barbra Streisand is unquestionably among the most cherished and respected artists in America, as her many fans would be only too happy to confirm. But the question of the moment is: Is she any good as a jazz vocalist?

"Love Is the Answer," Streisand's first studio album in four years, finds the diva taking on such jazz and pop standards as "In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning," "Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most" and "Here's That Rainy Day."

Streisand enlisted no less a jazz eminence than singer-pianist Diana Krall to produce the album, and a first-rate lineup of accompanists includes pianists Bill Charlap and Alan Broadbent, guitarist Anthony Wilson, bassists Robert Hurst and John Clayton, and drummer Jeff Hamilton.

Perhaps hedging her bets, Streisand has released the album in two versions: a single disc with orchestral arrangements by Johnny Mandel; and a deluxe edition including a second disc on which she's accompanied only by the core jazz combo. "You Must Believe in Spring" appears as a bonus track on the "with strings" disc; otherwise, you can hear the same 12 songs with and without orchestral embellishment.

The difference is significant.

Without strings, "In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning" evocatively captures the melancholy mood suggested by its title, with Streisand delicately finessing the lyrics and Krall contributing a just-right piano solo. But with the orchestra added, this dreamy performance is reduced to an exercise in gooiness. It's like watching a movie with overemphatic soundtrack music.

In fairness, some listeners might not object to such sweetening. But Streisand, who started out working in nightclubs, doesn't need it. Sure, she can be a bit awkward, in much the same way as an opera singer botching a pop song. But nobody expects her to be Billie Holiday.

Still, there are times when Streisand stretches out, when her voice meshes beautifully with the small-group setting, and musical categories simply don't matter. Accompanied by pianist Tamir Hendelman, bassist Clayton and drummer Hamilton, she gets to the essence of "Some Other Time." It's a performance that's all the more affecting for its restraint.

And Streisand maintains a persuasive rapport with pianist Broadbent, Clayton and Hamilton on "Where Do You Start?"

Reportedly, Streisand caused pandemonium recently when she performed material from "Love Is the Answer" at New York's tiny but legendary Village Vanguard jazz club. As a whole, the album doesn't quite merit such a response. But in its best moments, it demonstrates that Streisand indeed has her jazzier side.