Barbra: The Concert

This double album is definitive Babs. The voice is beautiful, and the selections inspired and plentiful. The banter that takes place between the songs is concise and fun, the audience reactions are inspiring in their appreciation of this awesome one of kind talent. The background orchestra is lush and full bodied, the perfect accompaniment. Except for a few obscure songs of arguable value near the end , and IMO,a less than satisfying Somewhere, this collection is exceptional. Standout performances include classics such as Happy Days are Here Again, People, He Touched Me, and Evergreen... tunes that span the decades! We cannot wait for a repeat performance soon!

This concert is divided into two parts. At the beginning of each part, fans from the US (part 1) and the UK (part 2) are interviewed. Their clothes are so 90's, it's a dive into the past. Many celebrities attended the concert. Some back stage shots are included, as well.

The orchestra was conducted by Marvin Hamlisch. The concert was interspersed with excerpts from Barbra Streisand's movies, as well as intimate details about her life.

A live album, entitled "The Concert", was released following the tour, in September 1994, through Columbia Records.

Track Listing: Act I "Overture" "As If We Never Said Goodbye" Opening Remarks "I'm Still Here/Everybody Says Don't/Don't Rain on My Parade" "Can't Help Lovin' That Man" "I'll Know" (with Marlon Brando) "People" "Lover Man" Therapist Dialogue #1 "Will He Like Me?" Therapist Dialogue #2 "He Touched Me" "Evergreen" Therapist Dialogue #3 "The Man That Got Away" "On a Clear Day (You Can See Forever)"

Act II "Entr'acte" "The Way We Were" "You Don't Bring Me Flowers" "Lazy Afternoon" Disney Medley: "Once Upon a Dream/When You Wish Upon a Star/Someday My Prince Will Come" "Not While I'm Around" "Ordinary Miracles" Yentl Medley: "Where Is It Written/Papa, Can You Hear Me/Will Someone Ever Look at Me That Way/A Piece of Sky" "Happy Days Are Here Again" "My Man" "For All We Know" "Somewhere"

Barbra Streisand - Love her or hate her, few would deny her talent for singing! Her first concert tour in over two decades was well worth the wait. Opening with "As If We Never Said Goodbye" from "Sunset Boulevard", she had some of the lyrics changed, now instead of the song referring to Norma Desmond's return to the movie studio, it is about Streisand herself returning to the concert stage. The performance was staged very much like a theater production with two "Acts" and Barbra offering an audio biography along the way. She performs one new song, the beautiful "Ordinary Miracles". Among the highlights are a medley from "Yentl", a mesmerizing version of "Lazy Afternoon" and the closing number "Somewhere". In truth, nearly ever song is a gem. Streisand reminds you how moving truly talented vocalists can be. Here's looking forward to her 1999 tour!

There is a reason that Barbra Streisand is the best selling female recoding artist ever. That reason is shown in this concert. It is her first in two decades and the songs that she chose are among the best that she has ever recorded. We all know that she will never get away with never making another stage appearance again. Look at the Emmy Awards. She said that the Timeless concert was her last. Then she appeared without telling anyone (although someone at cnn did find out. It was running on those scrolls at the bottom of the screen the day of the Emmys). There is just too much public demand for her voice. She is quite possibly the greatest singer of her generation. Along with Frank Sinatra, that is.

Count me in as someone who really likes Barbra Streisand and her voice. And this concert is a treasure, for Streisand fans it is a must. Barbra herself is in great voice as you would expect, what is appealing about her is not just her beautiful voice and liquid-like phrasing and breath control but also the remarkable ability to really connect with the song and lyrics and be genuinely poignant at all. You hear all those things here in Barbra: The Concert. It's not just her singing here either, in the talking moments you do have to admire how intimate, honest and personal she is with doses of humour, she has been controversial with her comments but you don't hear any of that here. The songs she sings are sheer beauties, often classic status, and much of them suit Barbra's talents to a tee and speak for themselves. Especially good are Somewhere, Evergreen(one of those cases where the song is better than the film it's from, didn't like the film but love the song), Can't Help Loving Dat Man and As If We Never Said Goodbye, the songs that show off Barbra's voice the best. Barbra: The Concert is shot very nicely and professionally and the sound accommodates the atmosphere of each song. The songs are cleverly arranged and Barbra is accompanied beautifully and sensitively. Barbra: The Concert is not the most spontaneous of concerts but the warm and intimate atmosphere makes that not matter at all. Overall, a must for fans of Barbra Streisand and in all areas it's wonderful. 10/10 Bethany Cox