Today, terms like “Diva,” “Icon,” and “Legend” are thrown around much too frequently. They need to be reserved for the best of the best. They need to be reserved for the people who have become household names and have remained as such for a significant period of time. Barbra Streisand is more than a diva, icon, and legend. She is an institution. Perhaps the greatest female vocalist of the past thirty-five years, Streisand has succeeded in every medium. While being a Tony winning stage actress as well as an Oscar winning film star, her greatest successes have come in the genre of music. “Barbra Streisand – The Television Specials,” now available from Warner Strategic Marketing, is a five disc DVD set that includes her five network television specials. Each disc is nothing short of magnificent, and includes a detailed booklet with information about the star, the shows, and the impact the singer has made throughout her career.
The first disc features Streisand’s first television special, broadcast on April 28th, 1965, titled “My Name is Barbra.” It includes an introduction from Barbra, in which she discusses the concept for the show along with the state of television at the time. Shown in the original black and white format in which the show first aired, Streisand seems like a veteran and appears very laid back and comfortable. The beauty of “My name is Barbra” lies in the performance of each song. They are never over performed, as the signer trusts her lyrics and the ability of her voice. Set in a three act structure, Streisand shows her visionary side was present from the beginning. Refusing to use guest stars in her special, which was common place at the time, she also designed the show with three distinct acts. The first focusing on the concept of the inner child, the second featuring depression songs performed inside the expensive and well known Bergdorf Goodman department store, and the final act being a straight concert approach. The highlight of the first act is Streisand walking out to a full orchestra to perform her classic song “People.” Act two shows her comic ability with a playful exchange with the audience after performing “I’ve Got the Blues.” The third act includes three songs from her hit Broadway musical, “Funny Girl.” Hearing “You Are Woman (I Am Man),” “Don’t Rain On My Parade,” and “The Music That Makes Me Dance” is nothing short of breathtaking.
After the phenomenal success of the first television special, “Color Me Barbra” followed on March 30, 1966. The title refers to the special being shown in color on television, as well as Streisand’s desire to continue to reinvent herself and the medium. The special again followed a three act structure, with act one taking place in the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Songs include “One Kiss” and a beautifully performed version of the classic standard “Where Or When,” which features Streisand performing surrounded by a number of mirror images. Act two opens with a playful Streisand speaking in French, accompanied by subtitles and her pet dog Sadie. The songs are performed in a circus setting, allowing Streisand to be ringmaster while singing a circus melody that includes “I’ve Grown Accustomed To Her Face,” which is sung to a pig, “Try To Remember,” which is sung to an elephant, and a thoughtful version of “I’ve Stayed Too Long At The Fair,” which features the singer and an empty stage. She breezes through the songs with a playful innocence and close to forty years later, it remains an absolute joy to watch. Act three features Streisand is straight concert form. Dressed in a sleek white dress, she delivers a five song set that includes “Any Place I Hang My Hat Is Home,” “It Had to Be You,” and closes with a heartfelt performance of “Starting Here, Starting Now.”
“The Belle of 14th Street” would follow, first airing on October 11, 1967. The special is set in the world of vaudeville, the popular genre of music that dominated popular culture from the end of the 19th century and lasting until the “Roaring ‘20’s.” Vaudeville is believed to have been born at New York’s 14th Street Theatre, which is the reason for the title of this special. Seeing the audience dressed in period costume gives the special a certain aspect of realism. Streisand fully went out to try her best to recreate every aspect of the vaudeville world as closely as possible. The third special includes guest performers, unlike the first two, and the reason being that vaudeville shows featured a number of performers. Jason Roberts opens the first act, performing “You Are The Apple Of My Eye.” Streisand follows with “Alice Blue Gown,” in which her dress is taken off piece by piece during the performance, leaving her dressed as a scantily clad showgirl. John Bubbles next takes the stage and provides a song and dance number titled, “I’m Going South.” The act closes with Streisand and Roberts performing “We’re Four Americans,” while joined by Lee Allen and Susan Alpern. The highlight of the second act is “Scenes From Shakespeare’s A Taste Of The Tempest,” in which Streisand and Roberts perform a version of the classic play. Act Three brings us Barbra as the main attraction of this vaudeville production. She reaches the highest of highs while performing “Everybody Loves My Baby.” During this special, Streisand more than earns the title of the belle of 14th street.
Her fourth television special would be unlike the previous three. It was a simple concert performance. Then again, as this collection of specials constantly reminds, nothing Streisand does is simple. “Barbra Streisand: A Happening in Central Park” premiered on September 15th, 1968. Before the concert, an introduction is given by Streisand, talking about the problems that plagued the special, from the chance of rain, the fear that no one would show up, as well as possibly losing the audio feed for the show. In the end, everything worked out perfectly, and Streisand delivered a performance that wowed the thousands of fans who filled Central Park’s gigantic Sheep’s Meadow. The crowd cheers wildly when Streisand first graces the stage, dressed in a flowing pink dress. The first line out of her mouth after receiving the ovation was “I didn’t do nothing yet,” which reinforces her as a normal person, just like the thousands sitting in the audience. There is nothing normal about her voice though. In fine form throughout the performance, delivering a knock out performance of “Down With Love,” along with “Cry Me A River,” and a folk song titled “Value,” which is preceded by a monologue in which the performer talks about the song and interacts with the audience. The second act of the show features some of Streisand’s biggest hits, including “People,” which she eases into while talking to the audience, “Silent Night,” in which she is able to turn a Christmas favorite into a perfect fit for her performance, and the closing number, “Happy Days Are Hear Again,” which showcases the sheer power of her voice.
The fifth and final special included in the set is titled “Barbra Streisand…And Other Musical Instruments.” First airing on November 2nd, 1973, we are greeting to seeing Streisand in full blown star mode. Never being one interested in doing the same thing twice, Streisand seemed interested in performing many of her popular hits featuring new arrangements, giving the songs a new life. The show returns to the three act structure. Watching Streisand perform “Piano Practicing” highlights her comic ability and well as her strength as a performer. It leads into a medley that begins with the song “I’ve Got Rhythm,” and then the singer performing with a middle eastern sound accompanying her. The leaps Streisand takes deserve to be applauded, as she is joined by an Irish pipe band at the end of the melody. Act two features Barbra singing “By Myself,” while surrounded by a computer set. The highlight of act two is a duet between Streisand and Ray Charles, performing the classic “Crying Time.” Watching Streisand leaning over the piano being played by Charles creates an added intimacy to the song. Act three brings us the concert performance, which includes Barbra surrounded by an orchestra as she performs “On A Clear Day (You Can See Forever),” and “The Sweetest Sounds,” which is performed in a tight close up of the star. This is an extremely risk taking special, and very much ahead of the time.
'Barbra Streisand –The Television Specials' is a first rate collection from the packaging, to the performances, and the menu screens on each disc. A talent like hers is rare, much like a collection this good. If you asked me for a number from 1 to 10 rating this review, my answer would be an 11.
