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70 of 76 found the following review helpful:
 STILL THE GREATEST STAR Sep 19, 2000
By NYC Music Lover
Face it, either you like Barbra Streisand or you don't. There isn't much of a gray area here; this passionate woman has always aroused passion in other people, be it positive or negative. This review is for those of you who like, love, adore, WORSHIP Miss Babs. The rest of you can stop here and go back to your Kid Rock CDs, heaven help you. This wonderful 2 CD set was recorded last December 31/January 1st at the arrival of the New Millennium. Sounding more "live" than most live CD's you hear these days, it finds our Mrs. Brolin in wonderful voice and spirits, breezing her way through a program of hits and less familiar chestnuts. The audience response is rapturous, as would be expected. (I mean, who would spend all that money on tickets and sit on their hands?) And Barbra gives them what they came for, and much more. Alongside such evergreens (sorry) as "The Way We Were", "Papa Can You Hear Me" and "Happy Days Are Here Again" are absolutely gorgeous versions of "Alfie", "I've Got A Crush On You" (sung with a tape of Frank Sinatra), and some songs which longtime fans will remember from her earliest, pre-"Funny Girl" days. These numbers will prove to be the high points of the CD for many. There is a smoldering "Cry Me A River", a jazzy "Lover Come Back To Me", a still funny (though truncated) version of her showstopper "Miss Marmelstein", and best of all, a beautiful rendition of Harold Arlen and Truman Capote's "A Sleepin Bee", the song which won Barbra her first ever singing engagement at The Lion in Greenwich Village some 40 years ago. This version, complete with the verse, is worth the price of the CD alone. Here you hear all the warmth and beauty of this legendary voice, along with the exquisite phrasing that is hers alone. Some may quibble that there is too much between songs patter (and this writer wouldn't disagree), and that a few more songs could have been added to the show, but that's a minor complaint at best. When was the last time you put on a CD and were truly moved by what you heard? From the "Funny Girl" medley to the poignant new song "Every Time You Hear Auld Lang Syne", this is the absolute best from an artist whose best is sublime. So pick up this CD, turn off your phone, pour yourself a glass of wine, and spend an intimate evening with Barbra. She is truly ageless and evergreen.
35 of 37 found the following review helpful:
Excellent Streisand Performance!!! Sep 29, 2000
By crude101
Barbra Streisand's Latest release is HOT!!! Performing all her hits from her first recordings to Broadway to movies and duets- this is a collection of her material from the beginning of her career to present day. It's amazing that she sounds better than ever before- the jokes, the songs, the guest singers (like Lauren Frost) and she still sings at that light speed trademark energetic powerhouse style evident in songs like 'Don't Rain on My Parade' to emotive slow ballads like 'Alfie' and 'The Way We Were'... If you missed this truly TIMELESS concert- or her comeback show in 1994, get this CD and relive the magical voice of this evergreen singer. Just one gripe- Barbra's Ego shows up every now and then but then again, that's our Barbra! Something wonderful indeed!
32 of 37 found the following review helpful:
Superb cd and packaging! Sep 19, 2000
By Jason N Siergey
If you get this CD at your local Barnes and Nobles, you can get an extra CD "Come Rain or Come Shine" from her 2000 Australia concert. Otherwise, the CD is lovely designed, and the booklet is filled with wonderful pictures! Listening to this CD... it makes me feel like I am actually at the concert. (I wish I was!!! Sounds soo much fun to be there!) :) Streisand still have her energy to bring out the best of her ... She also brought out one of her best friend, Shirley Maclaine; Im glad she included her on the CD. Funny and wonderful track on this cd! You will have to find out what im talking about... Streisand includes her oldies-- "Cry Me A River", "A Sleeping Bee", "Miss Marmelstein", and many others!!! This CD also have duets by Sinatra, Diamonds, Dion, Adams, Gibb, and of course, the audience with Auld Lang Syne! Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful!!! Dont miss this one out!!! Streisand fans, add this CD to your collections! I just cant wait for the DVD of this CD to come out in a year or two!!! Happy Days!
5 of 5 found the following review helpful:
A somewhat recent Streisand convert Jan 18, 2001
I find it interesting as to the wide range of reviews for this CD from terrible to spectacular. Well, since I have rated it five stars., I am leaning more towards the spectacular. At 57, Streisand has lost nothing in her ability to sing a song. Yes, she doesn't quite have the range she used to, but that is replaced with a richness that wasn't there years back. There is no one that can touch some of this music as she does. I was especially glad to hear her earlier 'torch' tunes, 'Cry me a River' and 'Lover where can you be'. ASide from 'Alfie'(which is truly spectacular), these are definitely my favorites. I don't always agree with her personal views, but as a performer there is no one that can touch her. This is an entire performance, not just a concert, as she takes you through her career in an entirely different way than she did in the 1994 concert. I was fortunate enough to see her in NY in 94 and this performance ranks right up there. I can;t wait until the video is released.
4 of 4 found the following review helpful:
 The greatest performer of all-time. Jun 10, 2003
By Robert Johnson
I would actually give this excellent concert release four-and-a-half stars. When Barbra decided to give one last major New Year's Eve concert (and subsequent mini-tour), she had a very tough act to follow: Herself! Barbra's 93/94 concerts are one of the best things she has ever done in her extraordinary career, and trying to stage another show must have been very difficult. Not surprisingly, she more than succeeded in giving fans a phenomenal show that managed to give the previous show a run for it's money.
Even more autobiographical than the last time, there were sketches detailing past events from Barbra's life, reminisces with friend Shirely MacLaine, and Barbra's poignant reflections on the father she never knew. However, the main event of evening is defiantly the music, and I wouldn't have it any other way. Once again, the song selection features a good number of surprises (especially "Alfie" and "The Main Event/Fight," neither of which had ever been performed live by Streisand before). Barbra's voice is noticeably thinner now when she enters the very highest part of her range, but she still sounds amazing - her gorgeous tone and incomparable timbre are indeed timeless! The smoky performance of "Cry Me A River," the vocal spender displayed of the terrific "Something Wonderful/Being Alive" medley, and the gorgeous rendition of "Send In The Clowns" are just a few of the highlights in a show overflowing with highlights.
The only reason that this beautifully-packaged two-disc set doesn't receive a 5-star rating is because there are a lot of references to particular visuals that may be confusing to those who haven't actually seen the show. TIMELESS has been released on DVD with a stunning transfer, and I actually recommend anyone interested in the concert to pick up the DVD instead. That way you can experience the "complete" show - visuals and all. I thought it was impossible for Barbra to top her `94 concerts, however she came awfully close to doing just that. TIMELESS is another triumph!
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