Customer Reviews

One Voice

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

After battling severe stage fright for the majority of the seventies and eighties, Barbra Streisand finally returned to the concert stage on September 6, 1986 for the "one night only" ONE VOICE concert. The show was heavily publicized in the media, tickets were sold at the astronomically high price of $5000 per couple, and columnists and critics everywhere were anxiously waiting to see if Streisand could overcome her immense performance-phobia and still deliver the goods. Fortunately, all of the hype was more than justified. When Streisand finally took the stage that night and opened the show with a tour de force performance of "Somewhere," every member of the audience was left in awe of the stunning power of this woman's ageless voice.

Though Streisand was visibly and audibly nervous during her first few numbers, nothing could keep her undiminished vocal prowess from shining brightly through. If anything, her occasional jitteriness only made her seem more human. She was supported not by the typical orchestra, but by a small handful of musicians on electronic instruments. This actually provides the majority of the show with a warmer and more intimate feel. With the small band and the limited orchestration, it is Streisand's golden voice that is left at the forefront of the concert - and I wouldn't have it any other way. In addition to a slate of her own signature numbers, Streisand also performs some new material, such as the lovely "A New World" (from the 1954 version of A STAR IS BORN) and the traditional "America the Beautiful," which was the perfect close to the moving evening.

A few more of the evening's many highlights include Barbra's haunting rendition "Send In The Clowns," a relaxed duet with guest Barry Gibb on "What Kind Of Fool," and a surprisingly lively performance of "The Way We Were," with a newer, more contemporary arrangement. Most impressive of all is Barbra's impassioned rendition of "Papa, Can You Hear Me?" that night is one of her most moving performances ever. Barbra also slips into a rare cover of "Over The Rainbow," and does the song more justice than anyone since Judy Garland (whom Barbra dedicates the performance to). Instead of screaming the song out at the top of her lungs like Patti Labelle and Sam Harris, Barbra gives "Over The Rainbow" a beautifully understated performance and makes the number her own.

The profits from ONE VOICE benefitted the Democratic Party, who were at the time trying to make sure a disaster like Chernobyl never happened again. Barbra's often-criticized stage dialogue on the issue may be a little heavy-handed at times, but you can tell she strongly believes every word of it. In particular, her speech proceeding "People," though unoriginal, is very moving nonetheless. It is also a bit disappointing that the disc's runtime is less than an hour, although the parody number "Send Home the Clowns" and Robin Williams' opening monologue seem to be the only major omissions from the evening's set list (and I can certainly live without both).

Other than the short runtime and the sometimes overbearing spoken statements, ONE VOICE is a great presentation of a special concert that will delight fans and even many cynics. In the end, ONE VOICE was a massive success. The concert was filmed and received record-breaking ratings when televised on HBO, while the audio recording of the show peaked at #9 on the Hot 200 and was quickly certified Platinum. Most importantly, ONE VOICE raised over $1.5 million which led Barbra to establish the "Streisand Foundation," which supports numerous charitable organizations.

Yes, "Barbra Streisand The concert" is her best livealbum but One Voice is still a superb live album. It was my secondalbum by Barbra Streisand and is still one of my favourites. Some of her live vocal performances in this album are masterpieces. Send in the clowns is my favourite moment of the album because I love the tune and her performance is so nice.....much better than the studio version....one of her best all time live performances. The version of Over the Rainbow is great too. Other Highlights: the hits Somewhere, Evergreen, Papa can you hear me?, The way we were..... I love this album, her voice in this album, the band, the selection of songs.....the video is excellent, too. A review of the concert in 1986 said that Barbra's voice was still the best. And it was true.

Barbra Streisand puts her whole heart and soul in this performance. One is taken away as she sings "Somewhere," "Evergreen," and "Papa, Can You Hear Me?" Her voice touches deep within and brings you to a level of peace and serenity. So much passion is given to each song she sings.

I especially enjoyed her rendition of "Over the Rainbow." Streisand shares with her audience a bit of reluctance she has in singing this song due to the fact that it is identified with one of the greatest singers of all time who first sang it. She dedicates the song to this wonderful woman (who we all know is Judy Garland and who Barbra had the privilege of working with.)She says, "Who knows...she might even be listening." Those words really touched me. A beautiful song sung by Judy Garland and now being sung by another legend. I once saw them perform together on Judy's television show. I'm sure Judy Garland would have wanted Barbra Streisand to sing the song with all the passion she had. And believe me, she didn't let Judy down. What a tribute! And what a voice!

This is one of Barbra Streisand's greatest works. I'm sure glad I purchased this gem.

Nancy Draper (Author) A Burden of Silence: My Mother's Battle with AIDS

"One Voice" is Barbra Streisand's third live album, her last before this being "Live Concert at The Forum" released in 1972. This also marked Barbra's first time in 20 years performing live in front of an audience. The concert took place at Barbra's Malibu home in 1986 to benefit one of Barbra's many charities with numerous celebrities in the audience.

The concert was made for both a CD and VHS edition and a few years ago the concert was finally released on DVD.

Highlights include some of Miss Streisand's biggest hits including "People", "Evergreen", "Papa, Can You Hear Me?", and "Happy Days Are Here Again". Barry Gibb joins Barbra on two of their biggest duets, "Guilty" and "What Kind of Fool". Personally, the biggest gem here is Barbra's beautiful rendition of "Over The Rainbow" and how she talks about the lady who made that song such a hit and how they had worked together many years before, the legendary Judy Garland.

The album was a huge smash hitting #9 on Billboard and going double Platinum selling over 2,000,000 copies.

Barbra has got it, and who says Jews are not God's Chosen people, her voice alone is proof of that! This particular CD is beyond good, she is TIMELESS & a few million of us recognize it and appreciate the Lady, for her social stances & her 5 Star voice.

Nothing worse for my sister than to have lost her One Voice CD, especially since it was her favorite. When she mentioned that she had been searching for it and couldn't find I, I knew where I could find it ... at Amazon. It was a very happy reunion this Christmas for my sister and her favorite Barbra Streisand CD.

I am very satisfied with both the content and the delivery company. No problems whatsoever..))

This performance is a tour-de-force. One of our very finest voices and performers at the very top of her game; when she is at her best, there is no one on earth who is better. Sublime, flawless, breathtaking artistry and skill, all wrapped up in a warm, intimate nighttime setting with an appreciative audience, and even crickets audible during the breaks between songs. You won't be sorry.

Barbra Streisand had done this program in September, 1986. It was an event that the many people had attended would never forget. Barbra's voice shines (as always) in this program. It had stated that this was her first full-length concert in twenty years, but she had done several live performances since then. The last one was probably from back in 1972, when Barbra sang for George McGovern. Some of her most memorable staples are sung as well. The Way We Were, Evergreen, People, Happy Days are Here Again are among the few memorable ones, and she also sings Guilty and What Kind of Fool with Barry Gibb. In regards to these two songs, it had been six years since she and Barry had sung them and had been released on her Guilty album. These two songs sounded great in concert form. She also sings Over the Rainbow, which was her dedication to Judy Garland. For Barbra to say, "Who knows, she may even be listening," is very true indeed. I would love to say that Judy herself was listening to that song, and witnessing Barbra singing it. Judy must have been beaming from ear to ear on that. America the Beautiful is the closing song, and Barbra allows the audience to sing along with her. Very touching, and I give the whole program two thumbs up...way up!!!

Recorded after the disaster of Chernobyl in the 80s, Barbra Streisand decided to fight her notorious stage fright and put on a concert for many famous people of the day, and in turn charging $5000 per ticket. However, even though few people would pay that kind of money for one simple concert, Streisand delivers her best, and for that, $5000 is a discount.

Unlike later concerts, where she takes you more on a personal journey through her life, she just comes out and sings her biggest hits, as well as a few other songs. "People" will still move you, "Happy Days are Here Again" sounds great, and "Somewhere" (for the first, and last time, being performed first) really sets the mood for the evening. The new songs are all great too, with "America the Beautiful" being a surprisingly addictive recording.

This concert, however, is not perfect. First off, you get the feeling while listening that you'd get more if you were there, and you would. Also, her nerves are clearly present, even effecting her performance, where she oversings on certain songs (or, on "Happy Days," screams a note at an inopportune time). And seeing that it's a concert for her political causes, it is inevitable that she shoves her sometimes trite views down our throats (even more irritatingly, she seems to be mumbling when she talks throughout the speeches).

Despite it all, though, this is a good live album if you just want a concert with all the hits, even if they are not flawlessly sung. While all Streisand fans will want it, it should not be the first album, either studio or live, of hers you own.