Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
MY FIRST ALBUM, April 23, 2008
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unhappy as I had skipped one year of school (which they LOVED to do in the 60's for some reason) and was socially withdrawn as a result of leaving all my friends behind.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.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A great time with the greatest star, January 20, 1999
By A Customer
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.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Quintessential Barbra, July 31, 2001
By A Customer
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.
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