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By Allison
J. Waldman - Exclusively for BarbraNews.
As Barbra's concert tour goes west, it's interesting to note that her
song list isn't set in stone. Some nights have found Barbra dropping
"When the Sun Comes Out" or adding "Smile." Other performances have
included "Woman in the Moon," while "Where or When" is missing in
action. To many fans, this fluidity is infuriating; they want to know
that every show will include every song they've heard Barbra is doing
in this 2006 concert tour.
I'm on the other side of the fence. I prefer the surprise of not
knowing what's coming. In Chicago last night, Barbra decided to
re-insert "Woman in the Moon" into the program. Imagine the shock when
Streisand fans heard Barbra talking about the new Speaker of the House
-- a woman for the first time in American history -- as a preface to
singing a boldly feminine power ballad that in 1976 was completely
relevant. Using the tenor of our times, Barbra found new relevance and
had a good reason to sing "Woman In the Moon." She gave the song new
meaning. That's a surprise performance I wish I had been at, and the
fact that I wasn't, just makes it more special for those who were
there.
You see, friends, we're in a unique position. This isn't just a concert
tour. This is history, part of the Streisand legacy, a link in the
chain of her evolving litany of amazing achievements. Like those fans
who can say, "I was at the Winter Garden in 1964 and saw Barbra in
'Funny Girl," the Chicago fans have something completely their own to
share about Barbra. They were there for that show, that singular
performance.
In my opinion, Barbra's 2006 tour is a gift. I never expected another
concert tour. This has all been gravy. I think since I see things in
this way -- you know, the glass is half-full, not half-empty -- I don't
really get the fans who pick and kvetch (complain). Do you really think
it's sane to count how many songs Barbra sang and weigh that against
how much you paid for your tickets? Was there a promise that Barbra
would do two hours or more and never drop a song? I didn't see that in
the fine print when I bought my ticket. And is it really right to
profess deep love and adoration for Barbra's artistry, then rip apart
the choices she made in putting the show together? Sure, Barbra's not
critic proof. Standing in the spotlight makes her fair game. But why
are critics around the country giving her overall rave reviews, while a
select few fans are only able to search for the negatives?
One of the stranger "negatives" concerns "Stoney End." Early in the
tour, Barbra wasn't doing "Stoney End" at all. In the "Ask Barbra"
section, she was asked if she would sing it again, and she admitted
that she never truly got the song. When I saw her sing a shortened
version in Fort Lauderdale, she made fun of the lyrics as they related
to her personally. When she sang, "I was raised on the good book
Jesus," she adlibbed, "Oy vey," a comic take that made everyone laugh.
Now, apparently, there are "Stoney End" lovers out there who think that
Barbra's comedy is a slap in the face to Laura Nyro, the song's
composer. Come on, get real! Barbra isn't disrespecting Laura Nyro;
she's making fun of Barbra Streisand singing a song about her mother
working the mines! If anything, Barbra contributed greatly to Laura by
doing some of her songs. How do you think composers pay their bills?
Laura was an iconoclastic, meteoric musical star. A brilliant poet who
poured imagery and invective in her lyrics, but like all poetry,
sometimes it's hard to know what the author truly was trying to say. Is
it really so wrong for Barbra to admit that she never understood what
Laura meant with "Stoney End"? I bet Barbra had an easier time
interpreting "I Never Meant To Hurt You".
The bottom line is that we really should be nitpicking. We should be
rejoicing. Look into the future... Who's to say where we'll be 10 years
from now and what will be happening. Embrace the times we're sharing as
you enjoy the remaining concerts Barbra has planned for 2006. That's
what I'm planning to do. So, maybe I'll see you in Las Vegas, friends
-- and you, too, Barbra!
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