Customer Reviews

One Voice

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

This is one of the few in a handful of "live" albums that Streisand released, and while not astounding, the record does have some endearing moments. Her performance of "Evergreen" and "Somewhere" are both well-sung, though not much differently than the recorded versions. Her pair of duets with Barry Gibb of the Bee Gees are good, but the songs are so light-weight, that it's questionable, why Streisand chose to sing those two songs in lieu of some more weightier material. "Papa Can You Hear Me" is the only song that Streisand performs with any of her brilliance--the singing is urgent and powerful. There are some sour spots on the album--her reading of two Judy Garland classics--"Over the Rainbow" and "It's a New World" show Streisand's propensity of overbearing a lyric, as well as, a general disregard for the reading of the two songs. Also Streisand's "Something's Coming," is sung rather badly, with the singer hitting a few sour notes. Also a debit, is the preachy and long-winded speaches that are sprinkled throughout the concert, as well as, the forced attempts at humor.

ONE VOICE is an above average live recording that has many virtues, as well as faults. Some of the songs with heavily synth arrangements ("Something's Coming," "Guilty") don't translate well to the stage, and there are also a couple of numbers ("Evergreen," "People") that Barbra just plain oversings.

However, the biggest flaw of the show is that Barbra was way too nervous to open the show with "Somewhere." This is vocally challenging number and Barbra can't seem to stay concentrated while performing it. She hits all the notes, but it sounds surprisingly mechanical and forced. This problem would have been avoided had this song been moved to later in the show and had been performed after she had warmed up.
Fortunately, Barbra has learned this lesson and now closes her shows with "Somewhere." Listen to her performances of the song at her 1994 and 2000 concerts - singing it later makes a world of difference.

Thankfully, these are ONE VOICE'S only major flaws. As a matter of fact, there are some outstanding performances to be found here. Some definite highlights include Barbra's haunting rendition "Send In The Clowns," a relaxed duet with guest Barry Gibb on "What Kind Of Fool," and a surprisingly lively performance of "The Way We Were," with a newer, more contemporary arrangement. Barbra's intense performance of "Papa, Can You Hear Me?" that night is possibly one of her most moving performances ever. Barbra also slips into a rare cover of "Over The Rainbow," and does the song more justice than anyone since Judy Garland (whom Barbra dedicates the performance to). Instead of screaming the song out at the top of her lungs like Patti Labelle and Sam Harris, Barbra gives "Over The Rainbow" a beautifully understated performance and makes the number her own.

The profits from ONE VOICE benefited the Democratic Party, who were at the time trying to make sure a disaster like Chernobyl never happened again. Barbra's often-criticized stage dialogue on the issue may be a little heavy-handed at times, but you can tell she strongly believes every word of it. In particular, her speech proceeding "People," though unoriginal, is very moving nonetheless. Other than a few faulty performances and the sometimes overbearing spoken statements, ONE VOICE is good presentation of a quality show that fans will find plenty to enjoy in.

ONE VOICE is an above average live recording that has many virtues, as well as faults. Some of the songs with heavily synth arrangements ("Something's Coming," "Guilty") don't translate well to the stage, and there are also a couple of numbers ("Evergreen," "People") that Barbra just plain oversings.

However, the biggest flaw of the show is that Barbra was way too nervous to open the show with "Somewhere." This is vocally challenging number and Barbra can't seem to stay concentrated while performing it. She hits all the notes, but it sounds surprisingly mechanical and forced. This problem would have been avoided had this song been moved to later in the show and had been performed after she had warmed up.
Fortunately, Barbra has learned this lesson and now closes her shows with "Somewhere." Listen to her performances of the song at her 1994 and 2000 concerts - singing it later makes a world of difference.

Thankfully, these are ONE VOICE'S only major flaws. As a matter of fact, there are some outstanding performances to be found here. Some definite highlights include Barbra's haunting rendition "Send In The Clowns," a relaxed duet with guest Barry Gibb on "What Kind Of Fool," and a surprisingly lively performance of "The Way We Were," with a newer, more contemporary arrangement. Barbra's intense performance of "Papa, Can You Hear Me?" that night is possibly one of her most moving performances ever. Barbra also slips into a rare cover of "Over The Rainbow," and does the song more justice than anyone since Judy Garland (whom Barbra dedicates the performance to). Instead of screaming the song out at the top of her lungs like Patti Labelle and Sam Harris, Barbra gives "Over The Rainbow" a beautifully understated performance and makes the number her own.

The profits from ONE VOICE benefited the Democratic Party, who were at the time trying to make sure a disaster like Chernobyl never happened again. Barbra's often-criticized stage dialogue on the issue may be a little heavy-handed at times, but you can tell she strongly believes every word of it. In particular, her speech proceeding "People," though unoriginal, is very moving nonetheless. Other than a few faulty performances and the sometimes overbearing spoken statements, ONE VOICE is good presentation of a quality show that fans will find plenty to enjoy in.

I have no live CD's in my collection, mainly because i tend to see them as a second-rate greatest hits compilation, not sounding that good and with all of the possible live mistakes vocals get into.
Obviously some of these objections do not relate to Barbra, that's why i have all of her live CD's, still i do not think she really outshines here.
Sure, the album and performance took place to campaign for good causes - and that only should be worth the price of the CD alone... - but if she wanted to put a live CD on the market after all those years of self-hiatus from stage, she should have gone for a longer program at least...
There are positive aspects nevertheless fir the die-hard Streisand fans : she performs very nicely three songs not appearing on any album before (OVER THE RAINBOW, IT'S A NEW WORLD and AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL) and gives you the chance to testify via your cd player what other VIP's paid very dearly to see live on stage by invitation....what better bargain?

Barbra put on this concert at her Malibu home invitation only. The songs are good and the voice. The band is just not that great. I mean, I love a great orchestra behind her when she sings. It's not the best CD but Barbra is still #1!

I must say I dont think this is one of her better performances.
However it is worth purchasing just for the brilliant live version of "Send In The Clowns". It truly is a timeless rendition and not at all dated like the rest of the album.

This concert is truly... amazing. After watching the video and listening to the CD, she is just fab! She didn't have to do this concert.. she wanted to.. it meant alot to her to make money for charities. I certainly don't agree for one second that she over sung on any of the songs... Over The Rainbow, is fabulous! I can't think of the right words... it was just AWESOME!

We have to remember that Barbra gets very nervous at concerts, stage fright also... but this didn't show for one second.

A must for all Barbra fans!!!

This doesn't match up to her superb concerts "The Concert" (1994) and Timeless (2000), but it is still a wonderful collection of Barbra's greatest songs sung live. On this collection, fans are treated to favorites such as Somewhere, People, Evergreen, Guilty, What Kind Of Fool, The Way We Were, as well as other great songs that will be remembered in music history as great music by one of the most distinct, and beautiful voices.

I still don't understand why people consider this to be one of her worst performances. OK, so she over sings occassionally, but one can't help to admit that she still sings with passion for her music and it comes across very clearly that while this charity benefit concert is another one of Ms Streisand's ambitious projects but personally, i can't find much to fault it with, unless you simply think her songs are absolute stinkers. So there, you have it- another fine live performance. Not perfect, mind you but it will do just fine!

Most of this 1986 backyard concert is live recycling. Barbra embarrassingly oversings two Judy Garland songs ("Over the Rainbow," "It's a New World"), and alters an Ira Gershwin lyric, which takes a lot of chutzpah.