Tribute honoring Barbra Streisand

British recording artist Elvis Costello (R) and Canadian jazz musician Diana Krall arrive at the 2011 MusiCares Person of the Year tribute honoring Barbra Streisand in Los Angeles, February 11, 2011. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

Barbra Streisand, Live At The Village Vanguard?

Barbra Streisand rarely appears in live concerts anymore. But on Sept. 26, she's taking the stage at a venue she hasn't played in a really long time: the Village Vanguard. At the legendary New York jazz club, Streisand will perform songs from her new album, a collection of jazz standards and classics called Love is the Answer.
In a telephone interview from the basement venue, proprietor Lorraine Gordon told host Scott Simon the story of Streisand's first appearance at the club. Forty-eight years ago, Streisand approached Lorraine's husband, Max Gordon, then the club owner.

"She wanted to sing down here, and Miles Davis was playing at the time," Gordon says. "And Max asked Miles, as the story goes, if he'd accompany her. And Miles, in his inimitable fashion, says, 'I don't play for no girls.' And he didn't." Eventually, Streisand did get to perform. And while her Village Vanguard debut didn't make her famous, a weeklong stint at Max Gordon's other club, a fancier venue called the Blue Angel, did see her star begin to rise.

Streisand then went into theater, appearing in the show I Can Get It for You Wholesale. "She just jumped from one thing to another, and did it all very well," Lorraine Gordon says. "That was how she started." ordon says the upcoming performance was all Streisand's idea — not that Gordon wasn't delighted. "She's a person who remembers her life, and doesn't forget," Gordon says. "And I think — if I can put thoughts in her head — that she remembers those early days down here, and remembers my husband, I'd like to think."

When pressed to make a request for Streisand's set, Gordon picked a song from Love is the Answer: "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes." The new album, Gordon says, is filled with favorite melodies from her childhood. "I mean, these are beautiful, beautiful compositions and songs that she's singing," she says. "This is not your usual run-of-the-mill music that we hear today." Only a handful of public tickets were made available for the performance — the club's capacity is 123. But if you weren't able to get inside, don't worry: You can watch the concert on Streisand's Web site next week.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113226383&ft=1&f=10002

Barbra Streisand Caught Up In Pet Contest Scandal

Barbra Streisand has been left baffled after fans accused her of rigging a "cute pet" competition so her friend could win a prize to watch her in concert. The veteran singer is due to play at notorious jazz venue Village Vanguard in New York on September 26th- 48 years after she appeared there to open for legendary musician Miles Davis. Two tickets for the gig were put up as top prize in a dog contest - which Streisand's friend Marilyn Smart's pooch Dina won on Monday. Smart boasted about her win on her online blog, telling readers she scooped a "round-trip airfare for two, hotel accommodations, and two tickets to attend Barbra Streisand's concert." However, fans of Streisand were outraged when it emerged Smart is also a dog breeder who supplied the singer with her pet, Sammy. They bombarded Streisand's website with complaints alleging it was "a scam", according to New York Post gossip column PageSix - and competition organizers have now selected a new winner, after Streisand's spokesperson admitted the choice was "inappropriate".

The star's representative, Dick Guttman, says, "Barbra does know Marilyn Smart. Barbra did not participate in the selection because she has been away on a boat in Europe. She knows nothing about this. This was an inappropriate selection and arrangements are being made to rectify the situation. The tickets will be given to the next runner-up." A spokesman from Columbia Records added, "This is a complete accident which I cannot quite believe happened. We had no idea that the winner was Sammy's breeder until it was pointed out to us by fans. Barbra had absolutely nothing to do with this."
http://www.starpulse.com/news/index.php/2009/09/17/barbra_streisand_caught_up_in_pet_contes

Barbra Streisand - Somewhere

Barbra Streisand to Play Village Vanguard Sept. 26

Not since Lorraine Gordon gave Julia Roberts the boot has the Village Vanguard hosted such a mega-celeb: On Saturday, Sept. 26, Barbra Streisand will appear at the famed Greenwich Village haunt to give an exclusive performance for contest winners. According to her official site, this free show marks Streisand’s first club appearance since 1961, when she visited the Vanguard to open for Miles Davis.
The gig coincides with Streisand’s new jazz- and cabaret-centered album, entitled Love Is the Answer and scheduled for release on Sept. 29. The disc features Streisand in collaboration with the Diana Krall quartet and Johnny Mandel. (Pre-ordering the disc or LP is one of four ways to enter to win tickets to the show. For all the options, visit barbrastreisand.com.)
Could this be the beginning of a trend? Bette Midler at the Blue Note perhaps? Or maybe Liza at Jazz Standard?
By Evan Haga
http://jazztimes.com/sections/news/articles/25013-barbra-streisand-to-play-village-vanguard-sept-26