GIG REVIEW: Barbra Streisand
- Posted on July 19, 2007 11:00 AM
- 26 comments
Barbra Streisand
The 02 Arena
July 18th 2007
Review by Katie Spain
The Babs Effect
A few weeks ago, I made the trek to Wembley Arena to find out what a typical Pearl Jam fan looks like. Tonight, I'm off to the 02 Arena with a completely different mission - to determine whether Barbra Streisand is worth five hundred pounds a ticket.
As the tube jangles its way towards Greenwich, I try to guess which of my fellow carriage folk are on their way to the concert. The powers of elimination lend a helping hand... at London Bridge a young couple leave the train. At Bermondsey the woman with a pram disembarks and at Canada Water I'm left with a gaggle of middle-aged women, some men in suits, a few happy 'campers' and a few dear old couples dressed to the nines.
We lose the suits at Canary Wharf. There we have it... oldies, gays, a few loyal youngsters taking their mum out for the night and me. Oh my.
The crowd shuffling towards the O2 Arena is much the same. Pastel trouser suits and floral blouses are out in force. Glistening brooches and leopard print heels also seem to be popular Babs concert attire. As corny as it sounds, the most popular accessory is a beaming smile. Aw... these people have paid up to six hundred pounds a seat and still they're smiling. That, my friends is the Babs effect.
The O2 is packed with places to grab a pre-concert meal or drink and I'm not talking hotdogs. Finding a table however, is impossible so we settle for a stand up Rose or two and a chat with a young Barbra fan.
"I saved so long for this ticket - I love her, I just love her... my husband is at home looking after the kids. I can't afford it but I had to be here."
She has all the CDs, she knows all the songs (after forty-seven years in the business there's a lot of them) and as she reels them off at a rate of excited knots, I wish I did too. While we stay on for one more cheeky glass, our new friend rushes off to secure her seat. It's eight o'clock and the jam-packed bustle has dispersed. We needn't have worried - Her Majesty Streisand is half an hour late on stage. Once a diva; always a diva.
We're so close to the stage we can see her every move. I can't say the same for our neighbours - they must be pushing ninety... but the large screens above the stage capture every Babs moment. Unlike the disastrous camera shots at ‘Live Earth’ and the Diana Concert, these are faultless and capture her flowing black dresses (there's three) and jewels in all their glory. She's wearing my entire lifetime's wages around her neck. A little bit of leg and a lot of diamonds seems to be the key.
The stage surrounds a full orchestra and three bouquets of roses. It's all class in Streisand land and to be honest, it's all the backdrop she needs. At sixty-five she's looking good - but at six hundred pound a ticket, she can afford to. Her cleavage is on show and obviously buoys her vocal chords because her first tune "Starting Here, Starting Now" is impeccable. What a set of pipes. The old man next to us obviously agrees... his booming foghorn voice provides a constant running commentary. Oh, to be ancient.
As she thanks the crowd, Barbra expresses love for the UK "This is one of the few places I speak the native language".
It's my first Streisand experience and I'm impressed by the banter until I spot the tele-prompters (or 'blankets' as she calls them). Now, I'm all for assistance for lyrics but draw the line at chit chat. A friend is positioned behind the stage and his verdict soon hits my mobile phone "This is the most expensive karaoke session I've ever been to". If the songs themselves weren't so good I'd agree. In the few moments that Barbra turns her attention away from the script she shines. Her wit is quick and the interaction with the audience genuine. "This is a free for all - it's like Woodstock". I wasn't at Woodstock but I doubt the crowd there was this well behaved. They're applauding though - and the sound is deafening.
Song wise, there's a mix of old and new - I don't know most of them but a few give my little heart a friendly nudge. I'm sure Andrew Lloyd Webber's view from the front row is priceless - especially when "Music Of The Night" from 'The Phantom Of The Opera' hits his ears.
The audience adoration levels are overwhelming and a few hopefuls proclaim their love from the sidelines. Barbra struggles to hear them but tries her best. "Maybe it's just the accent or just a senior moment. I'm probably a lot older than most of you out there".
She is a funny woman, there's no doubt about it - and it's a side to her I wasn't aware of. It's almost easy to believe she's just one of us... a woman with a lifetime of memories and a life full of ups and downs. Maybe she is... she's just one of the few who truly made the big time. The man in front of me dabs at his eyes as she launches into 'The Way We Were'. We're sitting in a room full of lengthy lifetimes and I can almost feel the Babs-induced memories buzzing about the room.
"This is for those memories"
I grind a halt in my own memory department when four strapping male singers hit the stage. Her "Friends from Broadway" are here to plug the gap while Barbra takes a break and I take it as a cue to follow suit. If only I'd known there'd be a break of epic proportions straight afterwards. I guess changing designer outfits takes time. Maybe she needed to call in a crane to life the jewellery over her barnet.
In the second half, Babs plays the piano in a short but stunning intro, sings to us in French and reads questions submitted by fans before the concert. It's a nice touch and I'm tempted to forgive her for the scripted banter. I can only imagine the buzz that true fans feel when their question is answered. Helen from Oxford even asks what she got her husband James for his birthday (yes, it's today). When quizzed on the black pudding she allegedly tried during the tour, she quickly retorts "Not as good as my mushy peas". Score one to Babs.
Concert moment of the night goes to the lucky Australian who travelled all the way to the UK to see their idol. "When I saw you in America you didn't play 'You Don't Bring Me Flowers'. Please sing it again". Babs delivers - and one fanatic's lifetime is made within a few short minutes of song.
"Somewhere" seals the deal and through the cloud if ticket price disbelief, I feel an overwhelming amount of respect. Her voice is faultless, she is beautiful and she has the O2 Arena in a trance. Wherever I look, there are faces masked in and expression of respect and adoration; how do you argue with that?
Earlier in the evening, I sent a text message to an answer service. It read:
"WHY ARE BARBRA STREISAND TICKETS SO EXPENSIVE?"
As I leave the O2 Arena my pocket starts buzzing. They've found an answer, maybe my job is done. I hastily open the phone for the verdict:
"THERE IS NO JUSTIFICATION FOR THE COST OF BARBRA STREISAND TICKETS. SHE IS UNLIKELY TO TOUR THE UK ANY TIME SOON THOUGH, SO CAN GET AWAY WITH CHARGING LOTS."
There you have it. Somehow, I don't think the crowd need justification. After all, you can't cash in a memory. I'm a new fan... and this is one new memory I'm glad to have.
Were you there? Did you love it? Was it worth the pay packet? tell all in our comments section.
Comments (26)
Andy Whitehead
"This is the most expensive karaoke session I've ever been to"
I'm so funny sometimes it hurts
Posted on July 20, 2007 3:44 PM
Terry Sykes
Reviewers and pundits fail to
mention that high ticket prices for a Barbra Streisand
concert are nothing new. Why
should this tour be any different? Back in 1994 when
she launched her first tour in
over a quarter century, many
long time fans had given up on
the chance to ever see her in concert. Barbra Streisand is a legend (and the greatest star), so naturally her prices
are going to be higher. A rare gem costs more. But I blame a lot of the inflated prices on brokers and scalpers. Back in 1994 when I
saw her first in concert, I paid a broker $150.00 for a $50.00 "nosebleed" seat. And I was thrilled to get it. The
show sold out in mere minutes.
1994's "The Concert" was worth
every penny. I did not see
2000's "Timeless" tour, for it
had few dates and was too far away. I thought that would be
her last tour. In 2006, a fall tour was announced. I was very low on funds and didn't think I would attend.
But at the very last minute, I
hopped in the car and headed for Washington, D.C. I didn't think there would be any tickets, but I got one at the
box office an hour before showtime. Only $100.00. Of
course, they weren't front row. I wasn't expecting them
to be. But still, worth every
penny. I was thrilled to be seeing her in concert again after 13 years. She's never
toured Europe (except London)
before, so naturally there's
ticket hysteria from her European fans. And her fans
don't mind. If I had the money for front row seats, I'd
gladly pay it. IT'S WORTH IT!!
Posted on July 20, 2007 9:13 PM
CHRISTIAN
WELL SHE S BEEN SINGING SO SELDOM IN THE PAST THAT WE HAD TIME TO SAVE MONEY.
ITIS EXPENSIVE.BUT I VE NEVER REGRETTED THE 5TIMES IVE SEEN HER.AND GUESS WHAT?PEOPLE SHOULD DO WHAT THEY WANT WITH THEIR MONEY
Posted on July 20, 2007 9:45 PM
Alexandra
Streisand is worth any amount of money live. You either get her or you don't- there is no in between. True fans will line up for hours, pay huge prices and leave with the concert with memories to last a lifetime!! Go!
Posted on July 20, 2007 10:31 PM
Craig Harkness
no-one living or dead is worth the money - except Streisand! and I've paid it 3 times in the last year!
Posted on July 21, 2007 1:00 AM
La Nouvelle Heloise
Phew! I declined an invitation to see Babs (from a colleague with a spare tkt) to catch instead the no-teleprompter, no-frills-just-pure-rock Black Rebel Motorcycle Club trio at Somerset House. My friends laughed at me for choosing the GBP25 gig over the GBP500 one but your review seems to confirm I made the right choice... I really am not into mushy peas!
Posted on July 21, 2007 2:31 AM
Kevin Lambert
You cannot put a price on a memory. Seeing Barbra live on stage is the most amazing experience ever! She is stylish, very funny and above all the most amazing singer. Her voice is expressive and powerful, soft and sultry. There is only one Streisand and this is a chance in a lifetime. Worth every single penny and some.
Posted on July 21, 2007 7:22 AM
MONA
BARBRA IS A PRECIOUS GIFT TO ALL HER FANS!!!
THERE IS AND WILL NEVER BE ANOTHER LIKE OUR BARBRA
YES MY HUSBAND AND I WENT TO SEE HER IN MONTREAL,AND YES WE PAID TOP PRICE FOR OUR PRECIOUS TICKETS AND YES IT WAS WORTH EVERY CENT... EVERY CENT...
AND ALTHOUGH I MENTIONED WE PAID TOP PRICE
THERE IS NO PRICE TOO GREAT TO SEE BARBRA..
I WAITED ALL MY LIFE TO SEE HER LIVE ..AND IT WAS A ONE SHOT DEAL.. AND WE WENT FOR IT... AND THE NIGHT COULD NEVER GET GRANDER THAN THAT..
AGAIN SHE IS A PRECIOUS GIFT TO US AS ALL HER FANS ARE TOO HER..
MONA-MONTREAL,CANADA
Posted on July 21, 2007 1:09 PM
Juliet
There are many great singers of our time and then there is one and only BARBRA STREISAND!!!
I was there on thew 18th July It was my first Streisand concert and what a first it was... She is an amazing singer her range is awesome ..This was the best night of my life..And I am doing it all over again on 25th .... Who has the right to tell me how to spend MY money ..Do you see all this fuss over FOOTBALL tickets when some fans pay thousands for a ticket NOOO we dont so people MIND YOUR OWN BUISNESS
Posted on July 21, 2007 1:13 PM
Sheri
There is only one Barbra. Yes, the voice is perfection, but beyond her phenominal voice, her ability to interpret lyrics and deliver them with such emotion is unsurpassed. For me, there is no one else who can deliver a song like Barbra. To experience her live is unforgettable. Another point I would like to make that no one seems to know/remember is that the purpose of this concert tour was to raise money for the many charities and causes that Barbra supports through The Streisand Foundation. She is not personally taking every ticket dollar, she's giving back. Not only giving to her foundation but in the US, she gave money to local charities in each of the cities she vistied. And as for the teleprompters...give her a break. She is 65 years old and if having them gives her the confidence to get out there and sing...who cares? Haven't you ever been in the middle of a conversation and completely lost your train of thought? I have and it wouldn't be fun to do it in front of 20,000 people either. It's not as if she's standing there reading/singing every word from the telepromper...it's there just in case she loses her way.
Sheri, Columbus, Ohio
Posted on July 21, 2007 2:13 PM
MONA
I POSTED ALREADY BUT I HAVE TO AGREE WITH JULIET AND SHERI
WHO HAS THE RIGHT TO TELL US HOW TO SPEND OUR MONEY!!
NO ONE THATS WHO
AND YES SO WHAT SHE USES A TELEPROMPTER...
FOR ME SHE COULD USE IT ALL SHE WANTS AND SHE COULD COME OUT IN A SWEATSUIT AND I WOULD NOT CARE... SHE IS OUR BARBRA AND TOO ME SHE IS THE BEST..
AND I LOVE TO HEAR HER LAUGHT AND TALK AS WELL AS SING
I COULD LISTEN TO HER TALK FOR HOURS.. NO PROBLEM..
I AM VERY SENSITIVE TO ANYONE WHO DARES SAY ANYTHING AGAINST BARBRA....
MONA-MONTREAL
Posted on July 21, 2007 2:38 PM
Tobin
I drove from Oklahoma to Florida to see Barbra. I am 24 years old and I have been waiting 12 years to see her sing. I like that phrase, "A rare gem costs more..." Very true. Barbra is worth every penny...Look how successful the tours have been...If you could raise that kind of money for singing wouldn't you...Barbra charges those prices because people pay for the tickets...47 yers in the business she's worked hard for it, I say she deserves it...She's the best
Posted on July 22, 2007 12:05 AM
MARTINA
I have been a Barbra fan since I was 10 and that was 40 years ago. My mother took me to see Funny Girl and our house was always filled with her music. I saw her twice at Wembley in 1994 and I went to the 02 last Wednesday and had amazing seats 5 rows from the front. I am trying to get another ticket for next Wednesday. However, as much as it pains me to say this, I came away feeling really sad, not disappointed but just sad. I more than likely know the majority of her work off by heart, owning almost every album she has ever recorded and her 94 concert was flawless as if it was coming straight out of the recording studio. On the 18th, there were flaws, not many but they were there and whilst it didn't deter from her brilliance and my continued besottedness, silently I felt I was witnessing a little imperfection and a Barbra who was slowing down a little which inevitably has to come with age. 1994 was jam packed full of her work; on Wednesday she definitely had to pace herself and the material was more sparce. I feel like I am betraying her and as much as I tried to ignore my heavy heart, I couldn't.
Posted on July 22, 2007 3:10 AM
Anne
Barbra was magical and the crowd was ecstatic. That says it all. None of these peple begrudged the price of the tickets, they were going to be there come hell or high water. I have been a fan since Star is Born in 1976 and my dearest wish was to see her live. This I achieved , going to Washington last year which wasn't cheap and the icing on the cake was seeing her this year at the O2.
What's more, I will travel to wherever she is performing and hang the cost. Because she is worth it.
Posted on July 22, 2007 10:19 PM
Donna
I saw Barbra for the first time in Las Vegas last year and have been fortunate enough to get ticket to see her twice for her European Tour...
Dublin was brilliant and I'm getting ready to see her again in London on Wednesday - can't wait!!!!
The tickets aren't cheap but the experience is worth every penny!
If you have the opportunity - go!!!
Posted on July 22, 2007 11:39 PM
Rhoda
Airfare from the US $1300, hotel bill too much to admit, Barbra live, priceless!
No, the high price of the good seats can't be justified, (although the tour expenses are HUGE). But you got it right. There's the Babs effect, and it's worth every penny!
Posted on July 23, 2007 3:02 AM
LORRAINE GREEN
The only good thing about last night at the O2 is the fact that I only spent £100 on my ticket. Barbra came on at 8 20 and finished at 10.15 (then an encore) with two 20 minute breaks. Her voice was amazing even if she didn't sing her most popular songs. Been there, seen her, didn't get the vastly overpriced brochure so do not need to save and see her again!! If you want a bargain, look on E-Bay for tickets for Wednesdays show which they can't even GIVE away now.
Posted on July 23, 2007 12:26 PM
anne earlie
was at the 02 on the18th have been an avid fan since i was 13 41 years ago went to wembley 1994 had a great seat for £105 she was at her peak then this time paid £215 sorely disappointed with my seat too ar away even to be a karaoke if you suffered from vertigo god help you seat being sooo bad took away any atmosphere from the concert didn,t like venue either still love babs but wouldnt go to see her again even if i could afford it prefer to remember her in 1994 choice of songs etc better
Posted on July 23, 2007 8:14 PM
Dominique
I went to the concert on Sunday and it was an amazing experience!!!Her voice and the whole performance is worth every price. Yet, now you realize why she takes years of gaps between the concerts...basically for us to save up for them...lol
The only thing that I found irritating were the four gents from Broadway trying to outsing Barbara - guess it is the effect of singing in musicals for too long ... it ends up in a funny outshouting of one another...
All in all the concert as I said was magnificent, her voice and technique is trully breathtaking. She has been and always will be one of the greatest singers in the world.
Posted on July 24, 2007 11:11 AM
Twinny
I felt incredibly guilty when I arrived surrounding by hard-core Babs fans when i'm not, nor had i paid for a ticket. Streisand fans, i see, are actually more like a cult than anything else. But they're not a homogenous lump of fake-eared trekkies (what would they wear? plastic noses?). Young and old, straight and gay, groups and couples, all classes of society... personally, with such a wide appeal, I though it almost abhorrent to charge such a large price. But then i was told a large part of the money will be going to charity and the performance is, quite simply outstanding, the ultimate show-stopper.
I think there is just the slightest rasp to her voice occassionally, and very occassionally, a result of her age perhaps and it was quite an understated performance. The costumes not as brash and glam as one might expect; the set was nondescript. Who needs the distractions of the set, when one of the best voices in the world is on stage? Streisand gave a first class performance. After years watching what i thought were terrific "diva-like" singers on programmes like X-Factor you realise that no-one - not even the good ones - comes close. Her notes and volume are reached effortlessly. At times it was breathtaking.
I'm so pleased I had the opportunity to go, and I am from now on, an out Bab fan. Now to Amazon for a Funny Girl CD...
Posted on July 26, 2007 1:08 PM
Julie
I took my mum along to the O2 last night (wed) for her birthday. I've never really been a fan but I was brought up with Streisand normally playing in the background some where. My god..this woman has the most powerful and moving voice I have ever heard on a live performance. She was absolutely amazing from start to finish. Why are people bleating on about her using a autocue and the price of the tickets?? So what....does the autocue give her THAT voice? Were you forced to buy a ticket? No!!! This woman is a truly amazing artist. How many of todays artists will still be performing when they are 65 I wonder! Well worth the £125 I paid for each ticket...after seeing her last night, I would quite happily pay triple - a truly amazing evening!
Posted on July 26, 2007 1:52 PM
Christopher C. Chisholm
There is only one Streisand and there will never be another. I paid £6500 for three sound check tickets and they were worth every penny although I must admit we were looked after better at Madison Square Garden last October - the night she told the heckler to "Shut the f**k up!". Go Babs! She really let him have it.
Posted on July 26, 2007 2:12 PM
Fiona Kersh
Travelled from Manchester to see Barbra on Sunday 22nd. What a night! Truly magnificent. (Manchester concert was only announced after we had bought our tickets for London and paid for hotel which was non-refundable).
I went to see her in Florida in October 2006 and was disappointed with her choice of songs. I only knew 6 out of the whole concert and I have been a fan since being a kid and I am 44 now! I felt at that concert she indulged herself with the choice of songs rather than the audience.
The London show was a completely different event. I knew all the songs bar 2 and I really felt a part of the eveing.
She is truly a remarkable performer, one i never thought I would be lucky enough to see once never mind twice.
I think what I am trying to say is that it was a privilege to attend and long may she continue giving her many fans the enjoyment they get when hearing her wonderful voice.
Posted on July 26, 2007 4:57 PM
Lyn Walker
Well what can I say Out of this world, barbra was worth every penny.The whole experience was a dream come true.The songs were amazing.Thank You Barbra
Posted on July 26, 2007 10:33 PM
Yohanna
Strange that same "Australian" was in the audience when I saw it. And he STILL had not heard "You dont bring me flowers", he must be deaf or have a Very short memory.
Posted on July 27, 2007 1:09 PM
mark
i went to see barbra a london 18th it was a dream come true been a big fan for nearly 30 years now and never thought i would get a chance to see her live it was mesmerising i could not take my eyes of the screen i even shed a tear when she first took to the stage it was that much of a dream come true that i thought would never happen only spend £250.00 on tickets all i could afford and spend night in a hotel but it was worth every penny and much more and if i could afford it i would do it all again her voice was amazing regardless of the costand how can people moan about price of the tickeks she is a legend and worth every penny and more to see a talent like this barbra forever truly amazing truly the best concert i have ever seen and proberly ever will
Posted on September 14, 2007 9:38 PM
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