Top positive review
5.0 out of 5 starsProbably the Best of Barbra's Concerts
Reviewed in the United States on February 1, 2014
Every concert Barbra presented has been released on DVD, we all know, so It's easy to make comparisons. Barbra is at her highest comfort level here, and the writing and planning of the concert (nod to co-director Richard Jay-Alexander) shows in Barbra's relaxed mood. She doesn't seem to be intimidated by the audience or how her performance will be interpreted, so she really puts everything into her stylization of each song. Her voice is huskier, she must "set up" for holding her famous long notes, but, by golly!, she can still soar!
This surely will be Barbra's last large-scale concert, and what a spectacular way to take a bow from touring. It was sweet to see Jason sing, and sing with his mom. I wish the extras could've included Roslyn, as I'd've loved to see her perform with her sister. Roslyn was, alas, only in the audience this time. I'm personally not a fan of "classical boy groups" like Il Volo, but their set was short. My favorite, and most touching segment was with Chris Botti. Oh, my goodness, Barbra and Chris' musical interaction was absolutely "tears in the eyes" gorgeous! Huge orchestra, capacity audience, but "Back to Brooklyn" is as intimate as Barbra's jazz club gig.