The Concert - Live At The MGM Grand

After insisting for years that she didn't enjoy live public performances, Barbra Streisand finally came out of hiding and delivered exactly what all of her fans had been dreaming of - and much more. Despite giving many live performances over the years on television shows and fund-raisers, this was actually the first real concert tour of Streisand's career. She decided it was time to finally conquer her intense stage fright and, at the same time, give something back to the fans who had been begging to see her perform live for years. The show's pricey tickets sold out instantly, and fans eagerly awaited the day of the concert. Little did anyone know that Streisand would not only meet the huge expectations that had been placed before her, but that she would greatly exceed them - the `93-`94 concerts will be forever remembered as one of the best things she has ever done.From the slow emergence of the perfectly-selected opening song "As If We Never Said Goodbye" to appropriately wistful closing selection "For All We Know," Streisand treated her audiences to a spectacular evening. She opened herself up more than she ever had before, and allowed her fans to spend time with the woman behind the superstar. The first act of the show was more like one of her sixties television specials (particularly MY NAME IS BARBRA) than a traditional concert, with insightful and humorous "therapist" monologues peppered throughout the first half. Streisand effectively reminisced about many of the events that shaped her life as an entertainer, and the song selections perfectly complemented the stage dialogue. The songs performed in this half are not the typical "greatest hits" set that most artists perform, but were selected because of what they represent in Streisand's life. It works flawlessly, with the well-known selections ("People," "Evergreen") folding into the context as easily as the lessor-known material ("I'll Know, "Will He Like Me").The second act is performed more like a traditional concert, however Barbra still lets her guard down quite a bit when she discusses her relationships to her son and goddaughter, both of whom she dedicates songs to. Making it's long-awaited debut on DVD (and home video period), this the original New Year's concerts performed at the MGM Grand over two nights. It features a slightly different song listing, with a terrific three-song medley of "I'm In the Mood For Love," "Speak Low," and "Guilty" added to the first act, as well as a brassy rendition of the rarely-performed "What Is This Thing Called Love." There are also some alternate song lyrics and stage dialogue sprinkled throughout, and "Evergreen" is performed during the second act instead of the first. Streisand herself sounds absolutely phenomenal here. I though she sounded wonderful in the later concert that was filmed for HBO (even if she had been fighting laryngitis at the time), but she amazingly sounds even better here. The only minor disappointment is that "Somewhere" and the YENTL medley (both of which became instant show-stoppers) had not yet been added to the song list at the time of this performance.Viewers should take note, the concert that was recorded for the Triple-Platinum-selling double-CD set was performed at Madison Square Garden in New York, in which the fact that she was performing in her own home-city made the show seem even more poignant. The concert that was filmed for the HBO/NBC airing (as well as the original home video release) was performed at Anaheim, Canada, which was the last stop on Streisand's tour. As previously mentioned, she was fighting laryngitis at the time, and, even though there are a couple of scratchy notes, Streisand still sounded phenomenally great. The HBO version of THE CONCERT is the version that won five Emmy awards in addition to the prestigious Peabody award.

I bought this Concert DVD of Barbara Striesand: after reading all the superb reviews posted on the Amazon product page.When it arrived it was very well packaged and undamaged: which is always the worry when ordering items, I suppose most folks think as I do, the Postal services are not very concerned about these products in their system.... so its hit and miss in some cases AS I have had items that never show up I am sad to say.On the evening of receiving this DVD: we sat down to watch this Concert, which opened up in tremendous fashion : from its Titles to its Celebrityguests in the Audience... It makes one think why go and pay astronomicalseat prices, and watch it in some Auditorium on a big screen: when you can sit in your favourite armchair: 3 feet away from Barbara Striesand, as on reflection: thats what you are getting in all reality.The first 1 hour act as the discription on the DVD informed us was beyond words of praisable discription... mind blowing excitment, and tremendous entertainment is my discription of this.After the interval, the 2nd half commenced and ran for 4 minutes: then disaster struck : as my viewing screen FROZE for no apparent reason.I spent best part of 30 minutes endeavouring to get transmission again : but the DVD would not play.... so we gave up on it: very dissapointed to say the least ! ! !The following Morning I E. mailed the company inetvideo.com who are based in Canada.To politly inform them of my experience: and almost instantly I received a very concerned apology from them.... they where sincerely very concerned at my dissapointment: and the un-fortunate up=shod of my tale: is they had not got a replacement to send out to us.My full total outlay was refunded to us instantly !!! with another apology letter: and I think they handled the matter very courteously in my opinion.. they did not require me to forward the faulty item back either.I realise they are only the product distributors anyhow : so I had no axe to grind .I still rate this as top of the range entertainment irrespective of my experience ..... Its 5 Star quality entertainment.

Having never seen Barbra in concert, this was just like being there! If you are a fan, this is a must have!

I was one of the fortunate people who attended this concert. As best I can tell, this concert is mostly from the January 1 performance, the concert I attended. In particular, I remember her flubbing the lyrics to "Evergreen" that night.Something essential to know in viewing this DVD is that at the time of these two concerts, it was thought that these would be it--there were no plans for a tour that had been made public at the time. There was an excitement in the air that night because we all believed we were witnessing a one (or two) time thing that would not be repeated.I remember being struck with her warmth and connection to to the audience, her ease and comfort with the concert (although, in fact, I don't think she felt that way). At the end of the concert I saw, she told the audience that she had really enjoyed this particular concert, much more than the previous night.I can tell you, we were all wild with excitement. It was an extraordinary concert and extraordinary experience. I highly recommend this DVD, despite the fact that she altered her material in the later tour--added songs from "Yentl" and dropped the Linda Richmond skit.It is was an unforgettable experience (and I saw the "Timeless" Concert from the third row a few years later). Don't miss this opportunity to see what we all saw and felt on January 1, 1994. Now, that night was timeless.

This concert does not disappoint.She is like butta. Voice is stiil good.Also purchased the Anaheim concert from same tour. They have some similarities and some different surprises. Anaheim gets the edge with "Somewhere" and "Yentl medley".

What could I expect? An American borne and bred. Iconic. Maybe too big for her own boots? God bless America? You get the drift.Why oh why couldn't Barbra stick to the music?Yes, her voice is absolutely knock out. No doubts. Even the verbal links she makes between songs, many of which are somewhat more obscure than "greatest hits" are tolerable. But, oh dear.What total drivel when Mike Myers makes an entrance in drag portraying some American critic who dared diss an outfit Streisand had been wearing. Utter rubbish.The we get a pathetic section where Streisand fawns over her son and niece. I felt suitably irritated.Oh no. Bill Clinton. We get shoved down our throats his Mum would you believe and some rubbish about the Clinton administration, including Hilary, and how wonderful it all is.Leave it out, leave it out.Aside from all this (fast forward) excellent singing.

I am not a great fan of most of the songs that Streisand has covered but I have always been in awe of that voice. In this DVD there is nothing particularly 'soaring' in her deliveries but it doesn't matter because everything she does is so naturally perfect which might sound boring but it isn't, you just 'admire' from start to finish. She also engages very well with the audience with jokes, reflections, personal annecdotes etc. It is one of those few DVDs that left me with the sense of something incomplete - I wanted her to carry on and on. We all have things that stick with/touch us. I love listening to Dolly Parton's spoken Smoky Mountain voice bellowing from this diminutive (in parts!) frame. With Streisand I do not think that your Celine Dions/Whitneys can hold a candle to her. Buy this DVD with great picture and sound, fill up the wine glass, turn off the lights, sit down and enjoy. By the way, if you havn't heard them listen to her duet with Bryan Adams (I Finally Found Someone) and Don Johnson (Till I Loved You)

What can you say about Barbra Streisand? What I can say is that I was able to consolidate all that she is, from seeing just this one performance. She is an incredible singer, she is a remarkable actress and she has an astonishing personality. The audience loved her – which was evident, not by their applause alone, but by the unbelievable cheers of joy - and ecstasy. And not just anyone, but stars in their own right and people of standing. This was recorded on 1 January, 1992 – 20 years ago – 30 years into her career, then. I write this in 2014 and Barbra Streisand she has become a legend in her own lifetime. This DVD was like a beautiful experience; it was happiness, it was bliss.

This is a great experience for Streisand lovers . As always her singing is wonderful . I enjoyed the song choices & also the musical arrangements very much . What I didn't enjoy was the comedy sequence with another 'artist' of whom I had never previously heard .

One of the greatest female singers of our time. I thoroughly enjoyed this concert from start to finish. Barbara is an icon in the film and music world....great Christmas present for moms and grans, quick delivery, great product, great price.