I had a whole article written (well, about 70% of one, anyhow), filled with factoids about Barbra Streisand, in anticipation of her upcoming performance, at the T-Mobile Arena, on Saturday, August 6th.  Then, I had a sudden realization – what I recently heard described as a “come-to-Jesus” moment – and decided that anyone who is reading this (or anyone who can read, really) knows all about Barbra Streisand. 

So, I’ve scrapped that article – maybe I’ll resuscitate it, in the future – and instead, I’ve decided to share some of my favorite of La Streisand’s performances, with you.  For Part 1, I’ve chosen a trio of duets, as a hat-tip to her upcoming studio album (her 35th, in case you were counting), Encore: Movie Partners Sing Broadway.

First, the legendary duet between Judy Garland and a young Barbra Streisand, from “Episode 9” of The Judy Garland Show, filmed on October 4th, 1963.  In it, the two “belters” perform a delicious mash-up of a pair of their signature songs – with Garland singing “Get Happy” (the Harold Arlen/Ted Koehler song she sang in Summer Stock), and Streisand singing her pensive version of “Happy Days Are Here, Again” (the 1929 Tin Pan Alley standard, by Milton Ager and Jack Yellin, that owed much of its popularity to FDR’s having it played at the 1932 Democratic National Convention).

Next, is the 1979 disco/soul duet between Streisand and Donna Summer, “No More Tears (Enough is Enough).”  Sadly, after recording the song – that became the fourth Number One hit for both – the duo never performed the song, together.  Fortunately, due to the wonders of computer editing, a fan has put together this YouTube video, for our viewing and listening pleasure.

Finally, is the memorable duet between Streisand and Neil Diamond, “You Don’t Bring Me Flowers” that was such a hit, their live performance at the 1980 Grammy Awards brought the audience to its feet.  This one still gets me, every time.  To my gay, Jewish, seven year old sensibility, it was kinda like watching a duet between Superman and Wonder Woman; and in many ways, it still is.

Barbra: The Music, The Mem’ries, The Magic
T-Mobile Arena | Las Vegas
Saturday, August 6th
Click HERE for info and tickets

Get into it!
#Barbra