Search - Barbra Streisand: Live in Concert 2006 [Blu-ray] on Blu-ray

Barbra's First Blu-ray is a Stunner!

M. Iskowitz | 05/03/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Live In Concert 2006 far surpasses all previous Barbra Streisand concerts released on home video in the artistry of its production, from Barbra's marvelous performance to appealing staging, elegant lighting, dazzling sound, and overall warmth. Indeed, the Blu-ray presentation is the ideal way to enjoy the show, as it realizes the true enhanced resolution captured by the many high definition cameras in Sunrise, Florida's BankAtlantic Center on that special night in October 2006. Seeing the amazing concert in its entirety relives the memorable evening my wife and I shared with Barbra in Atlanta only a week later and promises to be a wondrous experience for first-timers. Barbra's complete program is here, including her humor-filled Q&A with the audience via note cards, shout-outs, and a surprise short version of "Stoney End." The George Bush comedy sketch is excluded but not missed, while the bonus features include Barbra's extraordinarily delicate "Nobody's Heart (Belongs To Me)" backed only by piano, "When The Sun Comes Out" (an early `60s concert number), and "The Woman In The Moon" filmed with regular lighting and standard definition at L.A.'s Staples Center at the end of the tour. Barbra delivers an inspiring introduction to the song and to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Senator Barbara Boxer in the audience. Il Divo's "My Way" appears right before "Come Rain Or Come Shine," with their other two songs viewable among the bonus features. "The People Behind The Scenes" is a neat 6-minute segment with comments about Barbra from manager Marty Erlichman ("I still get goosebumps"), Jay Landers ("She discovered new meaning in songs she sang when she was younger"), director Gary Smith ("This is forever and should be"), Richard Jay Alexander, and conductor-arranger Bill Ross. Marge Tabankin, The Streisand Foundation's executive director, speaks for 10 enlightening minutes mainly about Barbra.

While we have enjoyed the Live In Concert 2006 CD for two years, the concert on video, particularly in full 1080p HD only available on Blu-ray, really brings you front and center, and Barbra's musical performances are truly compelling. "Funny Girl," sung for the first time in 40 years, is almost all in close-up and sounds as poignant as ever. Another highlight, although often performed, is "The Way We Were" with a gliding camera move from one side of Barbra to the other. Throughout the concert, the multiple camera work is flawless and flowing, with graceful editing, harkening back to classic television and concert videos with long-lasting shots that allow us to savor each lyric instead of today's quick-cutting style. "Unusual Way" is definitely one of the highlights, as one camera pulls in and pushes out and another captures Barbra's figure from the sides and her contented smile at the song's conclusion. "Don't Rain On My Parade (reprise)" is a perfect first encore, a sheer delight and bare-footed triumph. For the final encore, "Smile," Barbra and the audience focus attention on Samantha, her darling white poodle/bichon, whose great affection for Barbra is also evident elsewhere in the program. Barbra's final performance of the evening is sublime and further conveys a renewed emotional connection with her adoring audience."

Great on Blu-Ray!!!!

Christopher Giannaris | Honolulu, HI USA | 04/02/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I bought this recently from Amazon UK since I did not want to wait till June. The concert is amazing. The high def of Blu-Ray is awesome!! The only thing I have to comment on is that I believe some of the big notes have been doctored to make Barbra sound better. Having owned the CD of the same concert for two years now I am quite aware of the fact that this concert doesn't show Barbra in the best voice of her career. To give her credit she is 65, and Barbra Streisand on a bad day is still better than most other singers out there.

The DVD version seems to have the flaws corrected. Don't get me wrong, I like this. But at the end of "Somewhere" during the big last note, Barbra's microphone is nowhere near her mouth and she's still in mid-note. Definitely embelished. But like I said, it's probably 98% undoctored. And I'd definitely recommend it to any Barbra fan."

Streisand bluray 2006 concert a MUST!

D. Giguere | Detroit | 04/09/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Wow!! Incredible New Streisand concert on bluray.I was tired of waitng for the American release and not getting it till sometime in JULY (due to the television special) and Yep there are edits here and there but thats nothing new or unordinary, try to forget the process and just enjoy this great Musical presentation.For some reason Amazon UK says its only region 2 but that is not true, several of us in the USA with USA blu ray players played the Europe disc & it works just fine , it is region free.Ive had several people, friends and family members say how this concert is different, Barbra is carefree, funnier and more of an actress in her songs,shes not so serious or a perfectionist like in the past, Shes like a kid again kicking off her shoes and kicking up her legs, singing songs she wouldnt touch before like Stoney End and Woman in the Moon, Barbra Amazes again A+"

Simply The Best

Kenneth Christensen | CT, USA | 04/17/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This concert is glorious! Some of the best live versions of Streisand's great songs! At her age to look and sound like this is amazing!!!!! Long live the Queen"