Barbra Streisand - Streisand: Live In Concert (2 CD's)
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Free Music Notes for Streisand: Live In Concert (2 CD's)
Free Music Review: Barbra Shows She Is Human On This Concert CD
Hit: 5 Stars
I purchased this 2006 two-disc concert along with Bab's other live CD, "Barbra: The Concert" (her 1994 Madison Square Garden NYC recording) this week. Both are wonderful recordings displaying Barbra's inimitable talent and artistry, but there is a noticeable difference between the two recordings.
Most will probably agree when I say her 1994 two-disc NYC set is a technically-superior set showing Barbra's voice in much better light. Her vocal trademarks -- those famous high notes and holding them for eternity -- are in full evidence. Her voice was in better shape, but this shouldn't surprise considering the long gap between the two recordings (1994 and 2006). If I were just listening to both concerts with my EARS, I would rate the 1994 a better bet. If I were listening to both releases with my HEART, the 2006 CD is superior, and it's mostly due to Barbra performing on a more EMOTIONAL level.
For once, Barbra is not afraid to show herself in a human light. On the 2006 recording, she shows noticeable strain on some high notes and her breath control betrays her several times as she tries to hold notes. For some Barbra fans who have come to expect absolute perfection from her, they may be in for a big shock listening to Barbra on the 2006 CD. But hey folks, guess what, Barbra is aging just like everyone else, so of course her voice will change. It's called LIVING !
Streisand has been criticized for being the ultimate controlling-perfectionist, so this flawed performance on the 2006 CD will come as a shock to those who are accustomed to "Perfectionist Barbra". As some reviewers have complained here on Amazon about Barbra's decision to tour at this stage in her career, I actually applaud her courage. I think it comes from finding peace with herself that she is willing to show herself in a human light, hoping her longtime fans will accept her for what she is. So I was genuinely moved by her emotion and conviction to sing--with cracks and flaws--on the 2006 set. Also, when this 2006 concert was made, she was 64 going on 65.
Sound quality on the 2006 two-disc set is also noticeably better than the 1994 NYC concert CD. Both are satisfying listening experiences, but on the 2006 CD, I detect a more spontaneous Barbra who succumbs less to scripted onstage patter and learning to go with the flow of the show. She is connecting with her audience on a more human level. Overall, I would give the 2006 concert CD set 5 stars and 4 stars to the 1994 NYC concert CD. In either case--Bravo, Barbra !!
Free Music Review: BARBRA HITS A HOME RUN
Hit: 5 Stars
Like anyone else reading this, I am a huge Barbra fan
and have been since I first saw the "Funny Girl" movie.
For 40 years I've been thrilled, amused, moved, occasion-
ally disappointed, charmed, and awed by her talent.
I saw her in concert in 1994 at Madison Square Garden,
and it was one of the concert thrills of my life. Her
voice still had such power and magnificence, and to
experience it as it actually emanated from her vocal
cords and into my ears was just a dream come true.
After that I never tried to get tickets to see her
again because I knew it could never be better than
that time. BUT, listening to this CD, I regret
not going to see her last year. Is her voice better?
Absolutely not. As has been discussed in the other
reviews, there are signs of aging that you simply
cannot hide. A bit of huskiness in the lower regis-
ter, and those once-effortless high notes require
a lot more effort. There is simply no comparing the
power of her voice 30 years ago with the way she
sounds now. HOWEVER, I think we need to focus on
what her voice still IS. It is still a beautiful
instrument, more expressive than most other singers
out there. That lush Streisand tone has only gotten
richer, IMHO. Such a sound! And what Mother Nature
has diminished has been more than made up for by
the grace, humor and sublime interpretive skills
that Barbra displays now, as much as ever...maybe more.
I wasn't prepared to be so moved by this recording.
It sounds like she's having the time of her life, and
the song selection includes many songs she hasn't
sung in years. The humor and brass of "Down With Love"
and the bittersweet regret of "Have I Stayed Too
Long At The Fair" are just two highlights. (I think
her special guests Il Divo are dreadful, but whatever.)
I also think that this version of "The Way We Were" is
by far her best live one. After all these years, to
breathe new meaning into that old warhorse....well,
that's what we call "art". If you're expecting the
"Broadway Album" voice, you may be disappointed. But
if you want to hear a singer so alive and geniune that
it will give you a lump in your throat, buy this.
It's a keeper. A+!!
Free Music Review: Our Queen
Hit: 5 Stars
Her Majesty, our Lady Queen Barbra, This double CD of her world tour last year was heart-warming, and as someone who only became a fan of hers less then 10 years ago - I have to say she inspies me still, and her strength of Heart to keep moving, and giving of her heart, which can be literally felt (particularly in her LIVE concerts) - gives me the strength to keep going in the world, with courage.
It was great to hear the original broadway overture to Funny Girl.
And all the old songs that only us Hardcore fans can appreciate.
The ochestrations were adaquete, but they weren't Marvin Hamlisch. Marvin Hamlisch had a polish to his arrangements that couldn't really be beaten, and there is a reason he won grammy awards, and that his two concert tours with Barbra won Emmy awards, etc...
Barbra's voice is sounding strong, and you can feel that she has all the energy and the passion she always had, but yes, there is actually a scratch sound in her voice, that is a little sad to hear, and you know when you hear it, that it is because her voice is tired. Listen to People at the end of Act 1, there is a sharp scratch near the begining of the song that you will want to ignore, i promise you. It could be heard in Julie Andrews' voice in the broadway version of Victor/Victoria, and also for Judy Garland near the end of her career. It is also particularly prevalant in songs that she does every time, like 'People' and 'The Way We Were' (half way through this song you hardly recognise her voice).
and also, 'My Man'.
I still want to listen to this recording alot more before I tire of it, as I did previoulsly with the 1994 concert and also, Timeless. Please don't let this put you off buying it because you should, as a harcore Barbra fan, I guarantee you, it is a true love-letter from her to you.
The songs with Ill Divo are great, and you will love hearing them.
She talks alot about Funny Girl, all those tid-bits are delightful to hear, She also chose all the material well.
She had alot of help, and consideration about the choice of material, and she did really well. Particularly in stringing them together, it sticks out like a saw thumb a bit towards the end, but you'll love it anyway.
Okay, enough from me,
Go, but it, tell me what you think.
Bye
-Raymond.
Free Music Review: Portrait of a mellowing artist - wonderful and melancholy.
Hit: 5 Stars
I've studied the voice for years and years, and have always been literally amazed at the reach and the far-beyond-the-reach results that this one-of-a kind artist has given the world. There never has been, isn't now, nor ever will be another like Barbra Streisand. I've followed her through show music, pop, disco, back to pop, into theater music and movie music, and of course, the treasured, rare live performances, such as this one. I've accepted her personal feelings to be what they are and have cheered her every step of the way and will always do so. So, to have a glorious live recording of her recent concert tour is a joy indeed. The best thing about this recording, other than the utterly flawless technical sheen of the actual sound, is the fact that Barbra Streisand has finally seemed to mellow, to enjoy life, and, most wonderfully, to embrace performing. She sounds charming and relaxed in her spoken passages, and she can still send notes through the roof of the stadium with enormous power and grace. It's a treat to hear songs that she hasn't sung in years and to hear numbers that she's not recorded before. Just about anything that Ms. Streisand chooses to do for the public is a genuine thrill for someone who has been a devout fan for decades. But, and this is the melancholy part, if you've studied her voice for years so much that you know exactly how it has sounded across the almost 45 years she's been a professional, you'll know that her range has diminshed slightly, her top notes have to be finessed without full power, and that the timbre has darkened and deepened. These are not bad things, because she remains the one and only of her kind, and everything existing so clearly in our memory must bear witness to time's effects. But it's heart-tugging for me to hear her age reflected in her singing voice. I've listened to this album repeatedly over the past week, because it's a terrific concert, but I've also found myself with a heavy heart sometimes in hearing the changes in her vocal prowess that are only natural. She is still, and will continue to be, my personal superwoman figure and someone whom I admire more than any words could possibly communicate. But the tears that I now shed when she sings are for both of us, because if Barb's getting older, than I am as well.Free Music Review: The Next Best Thing Than Going To the Concert!
Hit: 5 Stars
I'm sure many Barbra Streisand fans are similar to me- You could either not afford the ticket price, or could simply not go. With this concert possibly being her last concert tour, I was really bummed out that I could not go (and very angry when I found out I would be in Chicago exactly one week after her concert there). When I found out that a CD for the concert tour would be released, I was ecstatic, but wondered, "Would this CD really live up to my crushed dream?"
Well, as you can see by how many stars I gave this CD, it definitely surpassed my expectations (and believe me, my expectations were pretty high). "Streisand: Live in Concert" made you feel like you were in the audience, or possibly even better- The sound quality is superb, and gives every note Barbra sings a rhapsody around your heart. When you listen to the CD, you feel as if she is in the room with you, giving every phase just to you, only you, and letting in melt in your hands.
As for the selection of songs, this is also done well. I enjoyed the old time favorites with a few spicy twists, but still had the familiar sound. My favorites so far are "Down with Love," "Don't Rain on My Parade," and I'm sure there will be many, many, more. I also liked "Funny Girl" which Babs says she hasn't sung since she made the movie by the same title.
"Funny Girl" also brings another point at hand many are thinking about: How is Barbra's voice after all these years? Well, let's just say, if you played "Funny Girl" from the movie soundtrack, and "Funny Girl" from this CD, it would be difficult to differentiate between these two songs (Besides maybe the new sound technology of today). Streisand's voice is still flawless, just like it was 20 years ago. The orchestra is also excellent, making me wish I could be in it! As for Il Divo, I haven't heard much of them, so I'm not going to really say much about them, except that I personally like Babs singing solo.
No matter if you went to the concert or didn't, this CD is for you. It will either remind you greatly of the concert, or create your own memories for you. To all you Barbra Streisand fans out there, I urge you to add "Streisand: Live in Concert" to your music collection.
Happy listening, and enjoy!