For their US cities tour in autumn 2006 Barbra Streisand got almost the best reviews of her sensational career. Maybe that had something to do with a kind of 'legends bonus', but I can see her live in Boston in October 2006 and I can only say: the 'Living Legend' gave a grand concert.
Stilsicher dedicated to Barbra Streisand in this concert completely their genre, classic ballads' and musical songs. Songs like 'Unusual Way', 'My Man' 'Starting Here, Starting Now' or 'Have I stayed Too Long At The Fair' have great quality, and provide the Streisand is the best way to play off their talent. Three songs are also completely new to her repertoire, and 15 songs she sings live for the first time.
Streisand's voice sounded on their last POP CD 'Guilty Pleasures' (September 2005) unexpectedly fresh and youthful, she now sounds dark and very mature on this LiveCD. This is again very clearly at this 'serious', the classic song material, but also the fact that her voice became softer and darker mixed. The orchestra sounds dynamic, brilliant, perfect. But her voice is sometimes too much embedded in the dominant compact orchestral sound: its ups are not always optimal to listen for my taste. Nevertheless, there are many moments of vocal brilliance! The ballad 'Funny Girl' sounds perfectly beautiful. Especially the new song 'Unusual Way' are the two typical Streisandqualitäten 'feeling and drama' perfectly united. If only for this song, it's worth it to buy the CD!
As a twenty year old Streisand created their very own style! Up to the present day she has never copied anyone. If today halfway passable singers are often called after their first CD advertising prone as 'exceptional singer' that also proves that is handled by the term 'exceptional singer' very inflationary. This predicate can anyone work out with a CD!
In this context, one should Streisand's new interpretation of the melancholic song 'Have I Stayed Too Long At The Fair' listen. Here it becomes clear what is an exceptional singer. Streisand's vocals, intricately differentiated and yet very natural, just with this song a versatile iridescent mood: it gives the audience a look into the fragile feelings of a man who believes he has missed his connection, someone who does not know exactly where he is now actually is. It is a poignant, precious moment, can convince when Barbra Streisand with such a line of text: '..no daddy dear, you never Could Have Known That I would be successful, yet so very much alone' ......
Even Michel Legrand's masterpiece, 'What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life' interprets masterfully with her 65 years.
Some songs of this concert are jazz-oriented unusual. Thus, the new live versions of 'Come Rain Or Come Shine', 'Down With Love' emphasizes impulsive and jazzy! From 'When The Sun Comes Out', this 'belt-out song' Barbra makes a rousing tour de force: a powerful voice she smashes against the magnificent 58-piece orchestra. (Unfortunately, the bonus song is available in the US only). Now that her voice has become darker and husky, her jazz songs are better than before.
'Cockeyed Optimist' from 'South Pacific' is a rather innocuous ditties in the Broadway musical, but in Barbra's version is racing from middle of her presentation, a musical hurricane over the song. The orchestra and her voice to shine in a brief, ecstatic outburst in competition. Toll !!
Even 'Children Will Listen' a musical song by Sondheim is anything but a simple ballad. The song has vehement tempo changes, as well as strong ups and downs. The melodies change drama and tenderness almost abruptly. But Streisand's voice is experienced with such songs and here it becomes clear that she is a Songstilistin in the truest sense of the word.
This new live CD is a real tribute to the 'old' Broadway 'and also a self-celebration of the marvelous Diva! The CD starts with the furious, ravishingly played overture to 'Funny Girl', the musical which Streisand justified world fame. Barbra sings on this CD all the major songs from 'your' Musical, and thus evokes the very large, nostalgic feelings. And it is amazing that they even interpreted as compelling songs like 'People' and 'My Man' after hundreds ideas: it is a kind of mysterious 'Streisandmagie', or just her professional musical knowledge to these wonderful songs? Voice and gestures in harmony - be relived these stories of disappointment and unfulfilled love in a great performance from her.
Streisand's voice still has vocal elegance and charisma. Even in these concerts she gave again 'ALL', ... but economically. In her early years she impressed critics and fans with almost unseemly, permanently inserted vocal power. Today it maintains a beautiful lower register full of warmth. Her singing has become quieter and more sensitive. Moments when her voice sprayed fortissimo and sparkles, are sized ..... but they are still there!
