Barbra Streisand - A Happening in Central Park Review

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(More customer reviews)Barbra's sensational once-in-a-lifetime Central Park concert in front of an audience of over 130,000 people deserves a better presentation on compact disc. The first problem is that Barbra performed for two and half hours that night, yet only 37 minutes of the show are included on the album. Yes, I realize that this is as much of the show that would fit on a vinyl record in 1968, but I certainly feel that now (in the compact disc age) that the entire, full-length concert should be issued on two CDs. Another problem is this disc's passable, yet disappointing sound quality.
The fault lies in the source tape, which Columbia Records recorded separately from CBS TV, who broadcasted the show on television. There is noticeable hissing and even some distortion present, which distracts from the intimacy of the show at times. Barbra's performance is outstanding and deserves to be heard in it's entirety with the best sound quality possible.
I wish Columbia would get a hold of the CBS master tapes (which, though imperfect, are an improvement) and master a new disc from it. A HAPPENING, audio flaws and all, is definitely worth listening to because the concert is so terrific. However I would advise Streisand fans to consider hunting down the currently out-of-print CBS/Fox videocassette or the Pioneer laserdisc of the show. The video is also edited (to 55 minutes), but at least it offers the visuals and better sound quality as well.

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On the evening of June 17,1967, Barbra Streisand and 150,000 of the "luckiest people in the world" gathered together in Central Park's massive Sheep's Meadow for a once-in-a-lifetime outdoor concert event. If New York were a kingdom, Barbra was its reigning queen. It was the most attended concert event of its time. Track Listings:The Nearness Of You [Act 1] Down With Love [Act 1] Love Is like A New Born Child [Act 1] Cry Me A River [Act 1] Folk Monologue/Value [Act 1] I Can See It [Act 1] Love Is A Bore [Act 2] He Touched Me [Act 2] A Schloon For The Gumpert [Act 2] I'm All Smiles [Act 2] Marty The Martian [Act 2] Natural Sounds [Act 2] Second Hand Rose [Act 2] People [Act 2] Silent Night (Sleep In Heavenly Peace) [Act 2] Happy Days Are Here Again [Act 2]

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