Customer Reviews

Live Concert at the Forum

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This was my first Barbra album, purchased November 12, 1973. I was a freshman in high school and extremely unhappy as I had skipped one year of school (which they LOVED to do in the 60's for some reason) and was socially withdrawn as a result of leaving all my friends behind. Then I discovered Barbra and strangely I never felt that alone ever again. Something about the power of that voice and the force of her personality just hit home with me and began a love affair that has continued without letup until this day. Oh, the thrill of those gatefold albums with all the photos and liner notes, and the accompanying poster which adorned my wall for many years. And the singing!!! Oddly, I mistakenly put on Side Two first instead of Side One and so began with "Didn't We" and "My Man", and that voice just melted me on the spot. The power of Barbra is, to me, often undefinable to others; I've come to believe either people get it or they don't, there's not really an in-between. She's not just a "singer" or an "actress", she's an entire way of life--an inspiration, a comfort, an ongoing pleasure to discover year after year. I'm not even ashamed to admit that I often will re-purchase several copies of my favorite Barbra CDs every year just for the thrill of putting in a fresh one, as if it were a new album! Silly maybe, but it's still fun to get a new Barbra CD in the mail, whether you already own it or not!! This album was a perfect intro. "Starting Here, Starting Now" still soars, as does "On A Clear Day", the funny monologue still tickles, and the electric version of "Stoney End" is quite different from the original. Then the miraculously beautiful segue of "Sing" into "Happy Days.." and my favorite version to date of "People" all make for an unforgettable experience. Even if you're not a fan of live albums, buy this. You won't regret it.

What a gem this is! Not on the best seller list nowadays, but this CD is a joy for anyone who discovers it. This live concert took place in 1972 - amazingly the lady is still in very fine voice 30 years later.

Along with her more recent live recordings of "The Concert" and "Timeless", it seems to me that live performance was (and is) a really great medium for Barbra. That interaction with the audience seems to bring out something special.

Every song in this live recording is great. Barbra belts out classic full-voiced renditions of her signature pieces in "Don't rain on my parade", "On a clear day", "My man", and "People". She also squeezes a huge amount of emotion into ballads like "Starting here, starting now" and "Didn't we?". One can only marvel at the skill required to convey such depth of emotion.

Then there are upbeat cute songs like "Sing", "Make your own kind of music", and "Happy days are here again". But my favourite song on the album is "Stoney end" - so punchy and lively.

Her vocal control and technical skill are as inspiring as her artistic interpretation of the songs. And there is some fun in her humorous banter with the audience too. What an entertainer!

If you ever feel a bit depressed, "go" to this concert and you'll be cured. This is 45 minutes of pure pleasure.

Many will probably prefer the lofty ambitions of her "One Voice" album, or the splendiforous Lioness-in-winter "The Concert" (1994) to this early-70's treat; their loss. This is a funky- diva Streisand, with a great band and backup singers behind her who wanted to dance, which gives a lot of the old chestnuts ("Don't Rain On My Parade" "My Man") a whole new spin. Her material is adult in the best sense, with a wisdom and maturity that helps "Didn't We" "Starting Here Starting Now" pierce the heart, and "Sweet Inspiration/Where You Lead" come off with snap and vigor. Throw in a heavenly opening of "Sing/Make your Own Kind of Music" and a version of "Stoney End" that tops the original, plus some risque pot humor and flirtatious byplay with the audience, and you've got a concert that easily tops the "Happening in Central Park" a scant 3 years earlier.

This is early-Barbra at her best--LIVE, the way we like to hear her. The "Sing/Make Your Own Kind of Music" number gets the evening going on an up beat. Barbra does a jazzy "Don't Rain On My Parade" that's not quite like any other version of that song. A hilarious pot-smoking monologue dates the piece, but it's an earthy Barbra from the 70's!! By the time she mixes "Sing" with her standard "Happy Days" at the concert's end, you're wishing Barbra released more live recordings. It doesn't get better than this.

Barbra Streisand, at her peak, could have very much sung the phonebook and still would have brought people to their feet. Here, however, Streisand brings intelligence into her act. She ventures well beyond her comfort zone and emerges triumphant. Barbra is Sesame Street, Broadway and Rock & Roll and yet every bit of her music seems seamlessly put together. It has been about thirty years since the benefit that ended up in this album, yet it sounds so fresh, so wonderful, so great!

I dont know if this was planned, but Barbra has released one live album for every decade she's performed in. Consequently each of those live albums represent a different phase of Barbra the singer(who's gone through many phases). This disc represents Barbra's funky 70's phase, she starts her show with the upbeat Sing, rather than the slower Any Place I Hang My Hat is Home, which opened most of her 60's concerts. While most of the songs ARE from the 60's, they're performed with a 70's twist: Dont Rain on my Parade is faster and hipper, Starting Here Starting Now turns into an almost r+b like torch song, Happy Days are Here Again is song joyously, without the irony of her earlier interpretations and People is belter rather than silkily spun. The 70's numbers are both the best and worst tracks on the album. The Sweet Inspiration/Where you Lead medley is a classic example that Barbra wasnt totally out her element with Rock, and Didnt We Almost Make it soars. Unfortunately Stoney End is a boring recreation of the studio version and not really all that compelling. All in all a fabulous live cd

A recording of Barbra's 45 minute performance at a political fund raiser for presidential candidate George McGovern, this disc presents Streisand's most energetic live show yet. Though she was reportedly very nervous about performing that evening, there is no trace of jitters in her voice or demeanor. In fact, I think this may be the most relaxed she has ever been in front of an audience.

She puts fresh twists on a few of her vintage numbers (significantly jazzier arrangements are given to "Don't Rain On My Parade" and "My Man"), and even performs a few new ones ("Sing/Make Your Own Kind of Music," Jimmy Webb's "Didn't We"). The signature songs ("People," "On A Clear Day You Can See Forever") are faithfully performed with remarkable candor, and the "Sweet Inspiration/Where You Lead" medley (which was released as a single and became a Top 40 hit) is absolutely sensational.

Unfortunately, some of the problems that plague most live album mildly surface here as well. The show has no real direction or narrative (and therefore lacks momentum) and there are a couple numbers ("Stoney End") that don't translate as well to the live stage. However, these quibbles are minor and don't prevent LIVE CONCERT AT THE FORUM from being an excellent representation of an excellent performance. Another Gold success for Streisand that later achieved Platinum status when issued on compact disc.

To me this CD and her later One Voice are her 2 best Live offerings. I did not care for her 1996 Tour and it's many CD offerings as that tour focused too much on her Broadway, and other movie related songs and did not feature enough of her more contemporary offerings.

This concert at the LA Forum was part of a larger benefit for the 1972 Presidential Candidate, McGovern, and came at a time when Barbra was already a rare and reluctant live performer.

She mixes up the song well and her set was tight, simple and polished just enough. Her hits are here; People, Happy Days Are Here Again, , covers are here; Sing, Where You Lead, and some rare live reads; On A Clear Day (you can see forever).

The treasure here is Stoney End, after an "appluase-o-meter" duel with Second Hand Rose, Stoney End won, and proved that she can sing just about any genre she chooses to do.

McGovern may have lost, but we all won with this one of a kind live performance.

Hard to believe this concert was actually part of a fundraiser for 1972 Democratic Presidential-nominee George McGovern (who would go on to lose to Nixon). You would never know listening to this incredible CD. Barbra is in GORGEOUS voice, hitting all her signature notes with ease and finesse. There's something about this performance that definitely transcends her earlier concerts in the 1960's. The voice now is a bit more mature and knowing, still singing with plenty of power to spare, but now with a sense of "woman" in her interpretations.

"People" "Don't Rain On My Parade" "Starting Here, Starting Now" now all have a lived-in sense of feeling that her earlier 1960's performances somehow lacked. Her interplay with the audience is PRECIOUS ! Streisand's audience command is definitely underrated with all her talk of stage fright. You wouldn't know it listening to her interaction with the crowd. She's very funny !

The CD becomes invaluable with her rare performances of "Where You Lead" "Stoney End" (one of her biggest "Rock" hits) and the Burt Bacharach composition "Sing" (popularized by the Carpenters), songs she would never sing in public again for some reason. This performance was taped just at the start of Barbra's transition from singing Broadway songs to her attempt to be more "Rock" oriented, so it's a nice combination of songs from both eras in her storied career. A Definitely "Must Have" from one of the greatest entertainers of the last century. Most would not argue with that assessment.

I used to listen to this concert back in the early 70's, when my aunt owned the cassette tape. It is Barbra Streisand at her best, live. Her voice absolutely SOARS and even unusual choices like "Sing", from Sesame Street are a pleasure to listen to as Barbra makes it her own. Witty dialogue, fast-paced production, even a few songs from the 70's (originally done by other artists)that are rarely played on the airwaves these days. Nonetheless they are wonderful and in very capable hands. No matter what you think of Barbra as an actress, or her politics, etc. there is NO DOUBT about her singing talent!!