Barbra Streisand

[Terence Lee]

Here's Barbra singing at the Village Vanguard on Sept 26 to promote her new CD.


New York City’s 7th Avenue was buzzing with excitement on Saturday night, September 26, when Barbra Streisand performed a free concert at the historic Village Vanguard to an audience of 100 of her luckiest fans from around the world, who'd been chosen from tens of thousands of entrants in a variety of contests launched on the artist's website, BarbraStreisand.com.

Crowds and onlookers of all-ages thronged the streets and sidewalks around the venue hoping for glimpses of the legendary performer who'd last performed in Greenwich Village in 1962, and for notables, including former President Bill Clinton and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Chelsea Clinton, Sarah Jessica Park and Nicole Kidman attending the once-in-a-lifetime event.

Streisand decided to return to the Village Vanguard to perform the songs from Love Is The Answer -- her new album of jazz standards and classics -- in the most intimate setting possible. With its astounding acoustics and deeply comfortable vibe, The Village Vanguard -- an epicenter of the New York jazz scene since an all-jazz policy was implemented in 1957 -- was, and is one of the most renowned musical venues in the world.

During her Vanguard concert, Streisand performed songs from her new album, as well as personal favorites and some surprises, in an extraordinarily warm and powerful set, as the artist and her audience shared an evening filled with music, magic and memories. Several people with connection to Barbra’s early Greenwich Village days appeared to present Barbra to thunderous applause including Lorraine Gordon, widow of the Village Vanguard’s owner, Max Gordon; Rick Edelstein, a waiter at the Village Vanguard who arranged for a then-teen-aged Streisand's first audition at the venue, and lastly, Marty Erlichman, Barbra Streisand’s longtime manager, who was introduced to Barbra by Rick Edelstein in 1961. Backed by a small, tightly-honed band, Streisand delivered passionate and unforgettable performances. The full set-list included, in order of performance, “Here’s To Life”, “In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning”, “Gentle Rain”, “Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most”, “If You Go Away”, “Where Do You Start”, “Make Someone Happy”, “My Funny Valentine”, “Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered”, “Evergreen”, “Some Other Time” and “The Way We Were”

[Terence Lee]

A Letter From Barbra

I was just told that Love Is The Answer came out at Number One, and I want to share that honor with all of you.. my fans, my friends.. who have made that possible. I want to share it as well with Diana Krall and Tommy LiPuma and everyone who worked on the album... with Jay Landers and especially my manager Marty Erlichman and my team at Columbia Records. You'd think that getting the news that you've been Number One in five consecutive decades would make you feel old, but this makes me feel young. Thank you all.

Love, Barbra

NEWS UPDATE FROM UK!

'Love Is The Answer', Barbra's 63rd album, has climbed to position 1 on the UK album charts, in its second week.

Here's a note from Barbra...

When the album went to #1 in the States I was surprised and thrilled. To have the same thing happen on "the other side of the pond" is just as exciting.

I've always loved spending time in the UK and it's so gratifying to learn how this album has been embraced. With all my appreciation and thanks! Barbra

[Mark Fox]

Thanks for posting this,Terence-I'd seen the review in part but not all you posted.
In next week's RADIO TIMES,positive views on Barbra,not so positive on Jonathan Ross,saying'.....pity she didn't sing more....';better reviews of the Paul Gambachini radio programme. Absolutely no criticism about Ms.Streisand-how could there be?

[Mark Fox]

Upcoming auction of Barbra's clothing etc.at Julien's-in aid of her charity.

[mariana44]

My double cd arrived yesterday, and I got to listen to it last night. Firstly, I was very disappointed to find no notes inside-absolutley nothing, except track listing.

I thought all the songs were beautiful, even those that I had never heard previously to this release--just one exception "If you go away"--there is not a singer on earth who could make me like this song. On saying that, I think Barbra sounded just great.

My opinion is that It is very much a late-night listening type of cd

"In the wee small hours" remains my favourite track, and I think will always be.

[Mark Fox]

Upcoming auction of Barbra's clothing etc.at Julien's-in aid of her charity.

Auction raised a considerable amount for Barbra's charity,well done BS.

[Terence Lee]

All proceeds from this auction will benefit the Streisand Foundation, founded more than two decades ago by Barbra Streisand the actress/singer/director/composer/activist/philanthropist to aid humanitarian causes worldwide.

[Mark Fox]

5pm BBC RADIO 2 December 28th-THE WAY I AM---interview repeated.

[Mark Fox]

Part one of Paul O'Grady's TV interview with Barbra Streisand last evening.Part two today-three tomorrow.

[Marian]

I enjoyed Paul O'Grady chatting with Barbra. They were more friendly chats than interviews and I think she enjoyed talking about everyday things like strawberries, chickens and tomatoes!
I expect it made a nice change for her from the usual interview.
I heard today that she intends bringing out an album of Alan and Marilyn Bergman songs. I only hope Jack gets his album released first!!

[mariana44]

I would say it would be some time before Barbra releases another studio album--she has only just released one a few months ago.

On saying that, she has already recorded lots of Alan and Marilyn Bergman songs, scattered through her various cds--it would be great to have them re recorded maybe, and some new ones added.

Did they collaberate with her on "Yentl"-I have a feeling that they did.

[Marian]

Yes, the Bergmans wrote the lyrics Marian, I found this..
"Alan and Marilyn were among the first people to read the short story, 'Yentl The Yeshiva Boy' when it was sent to me in 1968 as an idea for a film. They loved it and thought it should be made into a musical," recalls Barbra Streisand. Twelve years later, when the decision was made to interpret Yentl with music, it seemed inevitable for the Bergmans to write the lyrics.
and..
It took no time at all for Barbra Streisand and her close friends, Alan and Marilyn Bergman, to select Michel Legrand as the composer for Yentl. "We had all worked so well together on so many occasions in the past," explains Alan, "that Michel seemed to be the natural choice. He has the uncanny ability to write many melodies for each particular spot that requires music. And we can sense words on the tips of his notes that say exactly what we want to say in our lyrics. Over the years a chemistry, a unique closeness, has developed between us."


Maybe the 'new' album will be a compilation of their songs that Barbra has recorded in the past.
Marian