In her Oscar-winning movie Funny Girl, Barbra Streisand as Fanny Brice described herself as "a bagel on a plateful of onion rolls." Last night, CBS served up the Barbra bagel in the one-hour TV special Streisand Live 2006. As music specials go it was a delicious serving of all-time great hits like "Somewhere," "Evergreen," "The Way We Were" and "Don't Rain on My Parade." But at just an hour -- probably 48 minutes considering the commercials -- the show just wasn't enough. It was a smidge of Streisand. I wanted the whole thing.From a marketing point of view, this was probably just what the Streisand camp wanted. On Tuesday, April 28, Sony is releasing a 3-DVD set of Barbra TV concerts, including the full, two-hour-plus version of Streisand Live 2006. So in many ways, the CBS special was an extended preview, an infomercial, a nibble that would make you want to buy the DVD.
It worked. I'm ready to buy right now because watching Streisand in performance reminded me that she's one of a kind, a true original. You know how American Idol's Kara Dioguardi always goes on and on to the contestants about artistry and making the song your own, well that's Streisand in spades. If the Idol contestants were watching on Saturday night -- I would hope they were -- they got a graduate course in how to command a stage, how to pace a song dynamically, how to make the words mean something not only to the singer but the listener as well.
Take a look at how Streisand rallies the audience for the finale, "Don't Rain on My Parade."
Not to belabor the point, but I wish CBS had given Barbra all of Saturday night for the complete show. Maybe that wasn't in the cards, although in the past Streisand has broadcast complete shows, like HBO's The Concert in 1994. Still, in the grand scheme of things, seeing the whole Streisand Live in a three-hour time slot from 8-11 would have been terrific for viewers and wouldn't have hurt sales on iota. The DVD set, released in England a month ago, has been number one on the U.K. charts since its release.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
4-26-2009 @ 6:19PM
Meryll said...
I couldn't agree more !! I had the pleasure and privelage of attending one concert on this tour, and I can honestly say that this truly was just a tease. I do think it accomplished its objective though....it left me wanting more and planning to purchase the cd set on Tuesday. So, I guess what is was in essence was a really well done infomercial. It sold me!
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4-26-2009 @ 9:32PM
Robin Lipman said...
Thanks Allison for your always impeccable review. You are so right about the fact that they should have had the entire concert on TV last night. One hour with all the commercials was such a tease, but it sure was a powerful one! I have been waiting with bated breath for this DVD to come out and now I am going to be RUNNING to the stores on Tuesday to get it and probably watch it every day for the rest of my life!
Barbra Streisand's is so far beyond the greatest talent there ever has been and ever will be and I feel so blessed to have been able to witness this live and in person - (my greatest thrill ever). I am so thrilled that the rest of the world will be now be able to witness this as well.
Thank you again Allison for giving Barbra the recognition she so deserves for this masterpiece of a concert!
Robin Lipman
Coral Springs, Florida
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4-26-2009 @ 10:40PM
Anne Zarraonandia said...
As always when author Allison Waldman writes about Barbra Streisand, she knows what she is talking about. I completely agree that last night's tease was just that. It left me wanting more! Barbra was Barbra, and yes, The Greatest Star! Can't wait for the DVD release!
Anne Z
http://annezontheweb.com
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4-26-2009 @ 10:51PM
shelley said...
I was also lucky enough to be at the concert in Florida. Streisand continues to be the ultimate female recording star. She effortlessly sings her heart out and is unique and fabulous. Also, FYI, Allison Waldman is one of the foremost experts on Barbra Streisand in the country. But don't take my advice, read her book. Can't wait for the DVD set.
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4-26-2009 @ 10:53PM
marcus allison said...
You took the words right out of my mouth!!! What a great show but it just wasn't enough and yes I am buying the DVD no matter what!!!
Marcus
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4-27-2009 @ 12:03AM
Denny Miller said...
A beautiful read Allison. You always capture the essence of Barbra in the written word. Yes, this was indeed a teaser and left us wanting more. Thankfully, we will not have to wait longer than Tuesday to satisfy that need for more. Your advise to idol contestants, who certainly should have made this special a must watch, was spot on. This was one heck of a "graduate course."
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4-27-2009 @ 1:38AM
Linda E. said...
What a show from the "greatest star" by far! You hit it right on the head, Allison. A teaser and pleaser that will definitely send people scrambling to buy the DVD set on Tuesday.
4-30-2009 @ 8:53AM
Eszter (Etuki) said...
Great review Allison! Everybody run to the stores tomorrow!!! You have to have this DVD! On the TV show you only got a glimpse of a genious in work, but life is not whole without seeing this concert all the way through. :)
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4-30-2009 @ 11:33AM
NathalieA said...
I couldn't agree more with Allison - being a Streisand fan, I want the whole thing! Airing the full show would definitely have been a plus, for me and countless fans. But maybe teasing the audience was a good idea - I hear the DVD sales are going extremely well.
4-27-2009 @ 8:25AM
ROGER said...
EVEN AT 64, STREISAND SINGS CIRCLES AROUND ALL OF THE "DIVAS" OF OUR TIME. SHE UNDERSTANDS THAT A WHISPER IS MORE EFFECTIVE THAN A BELT MORE OFTEN THAN NOT. THE FEW GREAT "DIVAS" WE HAVE LEFT-BABS, DIANA ROSS, GLADYS KNIGHT, AND ARETHA COULD TEACH ALL OF THE UP AND COMING AND EVEN THE ESTABLISHED SINGERS A THING OR TWO ABOUT DELIVERY.
BRAVO BARBRA!
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5-18-2009 @ 9:12AM
Donna said...
Webster, or someone, needs to come up with a new dictionary--complete with over-the-top adjectives--because there are no words in our current vocabulary to accurately describe this woman. She's simply beyond words.
Great article, Allison. I was there that night in Fort Lauderdale, and I'm still waiting to exhale.
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4-27-2009 @ 9:22AM
BJSFanIN said...
Great article! I totally agree that it was a great concert appetizer that only left me wanting more. I can't wait to buy the dvd tomorrow! No one today deserves to be called a living legend more than Barbra!
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6-20-2009 @ 11:10PM
Babsfan01 aka Mike said...
I must admit that I was a bit disappointed by all the commercials and how short the CBS concert was. I guess having been to seven (7) live performances in the past and seeing this concert in DC in 2006 I WANTED MORE. Yes, I will go out and buy the DVD when it hits the street. However, that said I heard some comments such as “Oh is that all she is about?” from some gay younguns. LOL
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