Barbra Streisand - Timeless (2001)

Picture this: a television screen filled with an image of a mature woman's hand holding the hand of an adolescent girl. Then those hands--and their owners, Barbra Streisand and 15-year-old look-alike and singing sensation Lauren Frost--ascend a flight of stairs that leads (suggestively, at least) to destiny itself. A third of the way up, Barbra releases her surrogate child-self... and watches as the latter climbs the rest of the way, disappearing into her future of possibilities.

Wow. Who else but Streisand could still pull off such an audacious moment of sentimental psychodrama, the way that only a true star could? Yet nestled within the autobiographical meringue of the legendary singer's Millennium's-End concert, performed at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas on December 31, 1999, that scene--and many other such self-referential moments reliving the sundry chapters of Streisand's life and career--is quite moving in its laid-bare honesty. A fuller experience than listening to the double CD of the concert, this video record of a magical night (does anyone remember our collective Y2K anxieties that New Year's Eve?) provides the most bang for the buck when it comes to reliving all those special scenes: surprise guest appearances (Barry Gibb, Bryan Adams, Neil Diamond, and Streisand's son, Jason Gould), duets with Judy Garland and Frank Sinatra (via video footage, of course), an appearance by dance master Savion Glover as Brother Time, a humorous bit with Shirley MacLaine, and several collaborations with Frost. If Timeless: Live from the MGM Grand was indeed, as Streisand claimed, the first step of a short farewell tour that ended in early 2000, it was the perfect way to exit the stage forever. --Tom Keogh Amazon.com essential video

Fantastic

A beautiful concert! There are many unique wonderful segments in this concert. Barbra Streisand always does everything top quality. Never a disappointment. March 28, 2008

Barbra's the greatest star!

Recorded during, and released shortly after what was supposed to be Barbra Streisand's final concert tour, this concert is a highly entertaining work. Unlike her concert masterpiece released 6 years earlier, though, this is more of a career retrospective, with Barbra recollecting her early days, her Funny Girl days, as well as famous duet partners, songs she wrote, and many of her looks and styles of the past. All of her costumes are very beautiful, though truth be told, the satin ball gown she wears in the beginning of the second act is not my favorite. Best of all, she is much funnier this time around, not only making jokes at her expense (the story before "Alfie" reflects this), but also having great monologues in the show (Shirley MacLaine's "Y1K" and "the Clicker Blues" are very amusing). In general, the show is much more relaxed in tone, making it easier to have a good time.

However, I cannot give this concert 5 stars. The main reason is the fact that, unlike The Concert from 1994, this hasn't aged too well. The whole Y2K crisis seems far too ridiculous now, and just isn't as funny. Also, part of what made the show so special was that it was supposed to be Barbra's final one. We all know that she has since toured again, making her "retirement" less special.

But still, this is a very good concert, especially if you want a greatest hits-type experience, rather than a spiritual journey. December 29, 2007

Not to Be Missed

the presentation, the beautiful voice, the unique stage presence - truly a work of art - this is a must see for everyone who really loves music, theatre and art - she is simply the most talented performer of any generation! November 25, 2007

Barbra at her very best

Possibly one of the greatest concerts of all time. Even non Streisand lovers have to attest to that. Contains all of her classics some with new musical arrangements. Her rendition of Somewhere is 'heavenly'. A great addition to any collection. Do yourself a favour and buy it now! March 10, 2007

THE BEST BARBRA CONCERT EVER !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

NOT ONLY IS THIS THE GREATEST BARBRA CONCERT, BUT THIS IS A FANTASTIC SHOW! JUST PLAIN BRILLIANT! I REALLY CAN'T SAY ENOUGH. I HAVE ALL HER CONCERTS AND THIS ONE IS SPECTACULAR!!

DON'T WAIT........BUY IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! September 14, 2006

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