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Tuesday 17 February 2009

Barbra Concerts Pre-ordering

Barbra Fans! You can now pre-order the 2006 Concert DVD!!!

To pre-order the 3 DVD set of:

2006 Concert
1994 Anaheim
1985 Putting it Together

Use this link: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001TD1XR6?ie=UTF8&tag=barbranewsc02-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B001TD1XR6

If you'd also like to pre-order the BLU-RAY version of the 2006 Concert (you must have a blu-ray DVD player) - please use this link:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001TD1XQW?ie=UTF8&tag=barbranewsc02-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B001TD1XQW

Using the above link will currently get you a 30% discount with Amazon. If they decide to put the prices up, you will be guaranteed the price you pre-order at. If they drop the price, you will get it at the lower price.

Thursday 12 February 2009

Exciting 3 DVD Box Set Coming!

BarbraNews can reveal that an exciting 3-DVD box will be released in the very near future. Some websites are reporting the set will be released in the UK next month... (no information on a US date yet).
-- 2006 Concert DVD (FINALLY!)
-- 1994 Anaheim Concert DVD (Her FINEST live concert in my eyes...)
-- 1985 Putting It Together - Making of the Broadway Album.

I'll have more information very soon!!

Saturday 7 February 2009

Critics Rave About Yentl DVD...


Huffington Post:

BARBRA TAKES CHARGE -- Streisand had a triumphant film directorial debut with the unlikely Yentl ($29.99; MGM), the modest Isaac Bashevis Singer short story turned into a musical starring Streisand as a girl who dresses as a boy so she can go to yeshiva and study. A perfectionist, it's no surprise to see Streisand has delivered a new cut about three minutes longer. But happily she also includes the original theatrical version, as well as an audio commentary and a second disc loaded with extras. Being in charge suits her.

Liz Smith:

The new DVD looks deluxe, bordered in gold, with – natch – a beautiful close-up of Barbra on the cover. This is “The Two-Disc Director’s Extended Edition.”

Here’s what you get: Two versions of the movie … rehearsal footage … deleted scenes (from the private collection of Miss Streisand) … Barbra’s 8mm concept film with optional narration and a feature-length audio commentary track by Barbra and co-producer Rusty Lemorande. In short, a Barbra cornucopia!

As the star’s fans were quick to note at the time, “You gotta be mental not to love ‘Yentl.’”

Mike Clark...USA Today "Platinum Picks" 2/06/09:

"In a famed Oscar snub, neither the picture nor the director Barbra Streisand got nominations, even after Golden Globe wins. But at mimimum, the musical of Isaac Bashevis Singer's Yentl, the Yeshiva Boy cuts The Dresser and Tender Mercies, both '83 nominees.
In perhaps her most engaging performance this side of Funny Girl, Streisand don 1904 male disguise........All well directed, too.
Extras....instructive rehearsal footage...impressive "concept reel", a charming cast/crew thank-you."

Tuesday 3 February 2009

Streisand talks 'Yentl,' new CD and politics

By NEKESA MUMBI MOODY

NEW YORK (AP) — Barbra Streisand remembers the buzz generated before she started filming the musical "Yentl," and it wasn't particularly good.

Despite her superstar status and two Oscars (one best actress trophy, another for composing) she recalls hearing negative comments about whether she could pull off the Herculean task of starring, directing, co-writing and producing the period piece about a Jewish woman who disguises herself as a man to pursue an education.

"Women being actresses, somehow, in certain people's minds, in executives' minds, it's a frivolous job," she said in phone interview. "When you start to handle millions of dollars and production, that probably scared them."

The movie's success should have allayed those fears — "Yentl" garnered Oscar nominations and two Golden Globes. Now, 25 years later, the 66-year-old Streisand is reminiscing about what it took to get the movie made in this week's DVD release. The two-disc set comes with special features like rehearsal scenes and Streisand's commentary.

It's not the only project Streisand is working on these days. She's finishing an upcoming CD being produced by best-selling jazz singer Diana Krall, and she regularly keeps busy with her Web site, which includes the liberal Democrat's musings on politics.

The Associated Press: What was the most challenging part of making "Yentl"?

Streisand: I think it was just getting it made, selling it in America. Because once I came to England, things were really wonderful. They had no fear of a woman being in a powerful position because they had a queen and the prime minister was Margaret Thatcher. Being a woman director there didn't seem to scare them. They were the most supportive, helpful, wonderful group of people. I'm very grateful for that. It wasn't until I came back to America it was an odd thing, directing this movie, before I started and after I finished, and that's really fascinating to me. And look how many years it's taken to even conceive of a women being president in the United States? At that time, you couldn't even conceive of a woman being president of the United States, until two years ago ... but times have changed.

AP: You were a very vocal critic of former President George W. Bush, but said he was very gracious after he gave you a kiss during the Kennedy Center Honors.

Streisand: It still doesn't change my mind about his politics, the ruination of our country. But, he was very disarming and very nice and kind of fun with it.

AP: I didn't see you at the Obama inauguration.

Streisand: I was supposed to go, I was asked to go, but I'm in the middle of this recording ... and I just couldn't go. It was the most thrilling thing to watch this man Obama, Barack Obama, become the president of United States. It's such a wonderful thing for our country and our world. He's so intelligent and so smart, and that is such a change, and such a relief.

AP: Diana Krall is producing your new album. Is she also singing on it?

Streisand: I'm trying to convince her to sing with me, but she's resisting it. She plays the piano for me on several songs, but it's not over yet. I'm still working on her to try to do a duet with me. ... We have to find the right song.

AP: When do you plan to return to film?

Streisand: I'd like to get back to directing. There's something I've been working on for many many years and it's kind of almost time to get back into my directing role and there also is possible a sequel to "Meet the Fockers."

AP: Your stepson, Josh Brolin, is an Oscar nominee this year.

Streisand: Isn't that great? It's so great for him because now win or lose, he is an Oscar-nominated actor, and it's wonderful to get the recognition of your peers.

AP: Are you going to be involved in this year's Oscars?

Streisand: Doubt it. I like to watch from home, eat pizza ... I cuddle up on my couch.

Monday 2 February 2009

A few tidbits on Barbra's New Album...

As earlier reported by BarbraNews.com -- Barbra is currently in the creative process of making her 63rd album. Sessions began in Los Angeles back in November -- and the album is being produced by jazz singer / pianist Diana Krall. Barbra talked about the album during a new USA Today interview...

"This is (Krall's) first time producing," says Streisand, 66, who is executive producer. "She's so good at what she does, and I like her so much as a person. We're working with a small group, like I did when I was a young performer." Tracks in progress include standards such as Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most and In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning.

Barbra talks to USA Today

Barbra talks about the new Yentl DVD which is released tomorrow in the US -- and also talks about the new album... including tidbits on what songs she has recorded...

Read the full interview here: http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2009-02-01-streisand-yentl_N.htm?csp=34

BarbraNews Shop + Review of 2006 Tour.

USA * Canada * UK/Europe
Click here for the European Tour Website from 2007
Click here to read our SPECIAL review of the 2006 Tour -- Excellent pictures.