This song was from the Broadway version of "Sunset Boulevard", in which the main character (Norma Desmond) was a faded star of the silent movie days. It was given new lyrics for Barbra to fit the occasion of her return to the concert stage after avoiding it for many, many years due to stage fright. She was 52 years old when she did this two-night concert in Las Vegas. It was such a success she decided to take it on tour. Tickets sold out in a matter of hours (and they weren't cheap!) in every city, among them London, NYC, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Jose, Detroit, and Washington DC.
I saw this concert in Detroit and lucky to have seen her three times since, including her 8/6/2019 in Chicago, which is the last time she appeared in full concert to my knowledge. She is a singular timeless talent. And Gorgeous!
The night I was there in the audience there was: Michael Jackson, Richard Gere, Cindy Crawford, Gregory Peck, Coretta Scott King, Kathie Lee Gifford, Alec Baldwin and Kim Bassinger, Bill Clinton's mother, and many of Barbra's ex-paramours. It was surreal and I remember it vividly 30 years later.
p.s. there were so many famous people at MGM. The concert began a little more than an hour late at just after 9PM. AND as the famous people would walk in, they would be announced as they walked to their seats...the night I was there, 2nd night on Jan 1st, M. Jackson, Elizabeth Taylor, and Gregory Peck were just a few of the famous people who came to the concert. The other guy in this clip you are lookin at, the guy before Douglas, was Stephen Spielberg.
On December 31, 1993, many personalities were present at Barbra's concert, here we can see Virginia Clinton Kelley, Bill Clinton's mother whom Barbra considered her second mother (at 00m54s with her white and black hair) and who was to die 6 days after the concert), Steven Spielberg at 1m48s, and Michael Douglas at 2m00s. It was the same when I attended Barbra's concert in Paris in June 2007, a multitude of French personalities came to honor Barbra with her exceptional presence in France, Charles Aznavour, Michel Legrand, Jean Paul Belmondo, Alain Delon, Régine (the icon of Parisian nightclubs and singer) Jack Lang, Line Renaud, Bernard Kouchner, Cécilia Sarkozy, it was a concert of great elegance because all the women had put on their evening dresses to celebrate Barbra and celebrate an event which would certainly never happen again in the Capital: the exceptional arrival of Barbra in the city of lights for a single and unique concert which I attended and which was unexpected... I have been a fan of Barbra since I was 11 years old, there I was 36, it was a dream come true... En ce 31 décembre 1993, beaucoup de personnalités étaient présentes au concert de Barbra, ici on peut voir Virginia Clinton Kelley, la mère de Bill clinton que Barbra considérait comme sa deuxième maman (à 00m54s avec ses cheveux blancs et noirs) et qui devait décéder 6 jours après le concert), Steven Spielberg à 1m48s, et Michael Douglas à 2m00s. Il en fut de même lorsque j'ai assisté au concert de Barbra à Paris en juin 2007, une multitude de personnalités françaises étaient venu honorer Barbra de sa présence exceptionnelle en France, Charles Aznavour, Michel Legrand, Jean Paul Belmondo, Alain Delon, Régine (l'icone des boîtes de nuits Parisiennes et chanteuse) Jack Lang, Line Renaud, Bernard Kouchner, Cécilia Sarkozy, ce fut un concert d'une grande élégance car toutes les femmes avaient revetu leurs robes de soirée pour célébrer Barbra et célébrer un événement qui ne se reproduirait certainement jamais dans la Capitale : la venue exceptionnelle de Barbra dans la ville lumière pour un seul et unique concert auquel j'assistais et qui était inespéré... Je suis fan de Barbra depuis que j'ai 11 ans, là j'en avais 36, ce fût un rêve qui devenait réalité...
I was 33 on this night, and became a fan at 10, so I'm just behind you. 😊 I remember Barbra introducing Virginia Clinton at the concert. I was shocked just a few days later to wake up to my alarm-radio reporting on her death. It was sad news to hear. Apparently she had breast cancer.
I was there New Years Eve 1993-94. My Ticket was $1000 First Time seeing her in Concert, so it was worth it. Sounded Great. Have been Fortunate enough to see her 5 more times over the Years!
i saw the same concert later on in new york 2 nights in a row. we were fortunate to go the first night with people who had 5th row tickets (the next night we were in the nosebleed seats). but night one, wow! surrounded by all sorts of celebrities (meryl streep right in front of me), etc... and even the superstars who were there that night were just fans like the rest of us...in awe and wonder, clapping, cheering, yelling. there definitely was magic in the moment as well as magic in the music!! a night to treasure, for sure.
Interesting fact about this song: the lyrics were slightly changed so they applied to her specifically. She also treated the whole concert as a two act play almost where there is a story arc running through it.
I saw Ms. Streisand in 1999 at this same venue. She was MAGNIFICENT as expected. Her voice is spectacular.I agree this was a great opening! Ms. Streisand is a consummate artist. I've heard her speak of being nervous before singing. As I enjoy this performance, I am glad she doesn't show any signs of the anxiety, but delivers wonderfully!
I remember watching this concert on HBO in 94, and it was the first time I had ever heard her sing. From that moment, I was hooked. Her voice is incredible. I believe she was super nervous to do this concert because she had not done a concert in YEARS. And in retrospect, I am in awe of her that she was able to secure the rights to this song, and the ability to alter the lyrics slightly to match this moment, as it comes from the Andrew Lloyd Webber masterpiece that is "Sunset Boulevard," which at the time was a pretty new musical. I guess it just goes to show the power that this woman has. If you get the chance and can find it somewhere, you should watch and react to the entire concert. It's probably her best concert ever.
Fabulous reaction, to a fabulous number from Barbra's opening night after a more than 20 year hiatus from paid performances, except for benefits and fund raisers. I'm so impressed too that you listened to her book...I didn't want it to end, even after 48 hrs... even her speaking voice is divine... pulling you in to listen to every word. Thank you Saeed, for your appreciation of the woman who many call, like the song from "Funny Girl" says, "the greatest star!"
Being there on Jan 1, 1994, during the overture before Barbra came out on stage, there was a 'show' of sorts just watching the Hollywood/music stars coming in to take their seats. Gregory Peck, Michael Jackson, Jay Leno, Don Johnson, Bill Clinton's mom, Coretta Scott King (MLK's widow), Elliott Gould, Tom Hanks, Kathy Lee Gifford, Frank Gifford, Steven Spielberg, Gene Simmons, hundreds more. What a beautiful, magic night and she was in top form.
@@SaeedReacts. Indeed! This was a major event. Vegas was consumed by it for a week. I recall local media saying it was the biggest concert event in Vegas since the return of Elvis in 1969. (That took place at the newly-opened International Hotel which at the time was the largest resort hotel in the world. Elvis's return gig followed another entertainer who was hired to officially open the hotel--Barbra! 😄)
I saw this concert June 26th, 1994 at Madison Square Garden. It was the 25th anniversary of the Stonewall riots, Gay Pride weekend, the Gay Games, and the World Cup soccer tournament. Her opening ovation lasted 9 minutes. The building actually made a humming noise. Haven't experienced anything like it before or since.
i wish i could remember the dates i was there... did you see me? i was the guy with blond hair in row 5 freaking out along with everyone in the building. i remember the opening ovation lasting foreverrrrr.
Yes I was I was there on June 26th myself it's a night I remember my whole life I waited 15 years for her to finally decide to perform live I was able to see her in 2000 and in 2019 there is no other female singer that can compare to Barbra Streisand
Although I was old enough, I was not in that wonderful show, I only have my DVD and I keep it as a great treasure. Barbra is unique, unrepeatable and inimitable. Without a doubt the largest. Spectacular singer, actress and director, who could match her? Greetings from Tandil, Argentina! 🇦🇷🤗
I WAS THERE - on the night President & Mrs. Clinton were in the audience too. It was absolutely ELECTRIC!!!! Thank you for sharing this video, which brings back so many wonderful memories. Btw, she was pitch perfect throughout the entire concert!!! Please react to her Yentl montage from this show. It will blow your mind!!
I enjoy your honest heartfelt reactions. Babs is like no other in terms of phrasing and nuances she puts in all of her songs. I recommend another great singer named Linda Eder. Check out her covering the Barbra classic song Don't Rain on my Parade.
I saw Steven Speilberg there too!! What a beautiful song as always from the brilliant Barbra Streisand. The audience were all famous too! No wonder they wanted to see her!!!
Thanks to You tube i have been able to view many if not most of barbra's great appearances and concerts. She is, in my opinion, the best female singer in all the world - she is now retired but at 82 I feel certain she still has that magnificent voice - but knowing barbra she will record but never appear in concert again - and the world has lost a great performer.;
No one put on a classier concert the way ms Barbra Streisand did..it was literally like watching a Broadway show.. thanks Saeed.. she did a New Year concert as well it's on Netflix and its amazing..checkout how many celebrities are in the audience including politicians and actors..Her concerts were a Event
Beautiful singer, Evergreen is also a favourite. Her best selling album was written by the Bee Gees and there are some lovely songs on it . Thankyou for your reaction🥰
Saeed, my man, you have become one of my favorite reaction video reviewers! You truly listen and watch every little detail and then respond honestly and from your heart. You said you'd like to check out more from this concert. This one here you reacted to is from her '93/'94 New Year's Eve and Day concerts. The one I'm recommending you watch next is from her '94 tour of this concert. It was recorded at her last stop in Anaheim, California. This medley literally brought the house down! I saw this concert on her opening night at Madison Square Garden in NYC. Wow! Not embarrassed to admit, this made me shed more than a few tears that night. Enjoy! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-1scD4H03Y08.html
That is very kind of you to say. Thank you! This is another one for my list. I believe Yentl was on it and may be from this concert or another one. I should check.
@@SaeedReacts. Yeah, the Yentl Medley was only in her tour, and not in the two New Year's shows at the MGM. She did a Disney Medley instead in the Vegas shows. The link I left for you is from the tour. It's a good quality video (says up to 4K, but... lol). So, if and when you might do a reaction to the Yentl Medley, the one I left above is a pretty good copy to use. Always looking forward to a new video reaction from you, and not just Barbra!
This is the Vegas one “The Concert” the better recording of this show is the Anaheim one. You should see the “Yentl Medley”. Every famous person in the world attended it. It was the biggest concert ever at that time.
It's too bad you don't live in Honolulu. You would be perfect to star with me in a screenplay I have written. I love watching your reactions. You're a very special guy. Much different than all the rest who do this kind of thing. Good luck Saeed with your channel!
Thanks so much for the kind words. I never acted before, but i sure fantasized about it 😄. And also about going to Hawaii. That must be like a 20 hour flight from Belgium. Amazing how we can connect through these platforms. Have a wonderful day!
She was really nervous there! I think it would be interesting to compare it with the same song, the closing night in Anaheim (What later became the TV special "The Concert"). There she was with a much better/greater voice and security and command)
@@garyj.speziale9168 Her music isnt my genre but she had a fabulous voice when she was younger and its too bad that she developed a disorder- try these guys from MOntreal - good musicians ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-azV0Y7v6wsg.html
@@garyj.speziale9168 This one of Dimash's is short and stunningly beautiful- his voice gives me goosebumps :) ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Cm-1WMq10r0.html
You are so good at this and fun to watch. Check out Lazy Afternoon from the album of the same name for something completely different from her. Also, for a "wow" experience see her finale from her Timeless tour. I was there in the building and I thought the roof was going to blow off and my heart was going to burst at the same time.
@@SaeedReacts. Love Barbra and her politics. She's an adamant fighter for equal rights for everyone. She has a gay son that she stands up for. Politics have no place in this music review
