I don't care what anyone else says or thinks about her, we felt very lucky to see Babs and hear her in concert last night here in Atlanta on her Streisand Tour 2006!
According to this link, "Barbra Streisand is the music industry's #1 best-selling female artist with 50 Gold, 30 Platinum and 13 Multi-Platinum albums to her credit. She is second in the all-time charts, ahead of The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, exceeded only by Elvis. She continues to be the highest-selling female recording artist ever. Streisand remains the only artist to receive Oscar, Tony, Emmy, Grammy, Golden Globe, Cable Ace, and Peabody Awards, and the American Film Institute's Life Achievement Award."
Donica and I both hoped there wouldn't be any "incident" after hearing of the political heckling in other cities. After all, Atlanta/Georgia is a Republican, Red state and while we tend to lean more toward her persuasion, we dreaded any potential soapbox shenanigans. We needn't have feared a bit. She was full of grace, charm, humor, class and selflessness. The President Bush parody was hysterical and the crowd was totally with her. (BTW, the guy who parodies Bush has been invited by Bush to the White House. At least he can take the joke!)
As if that weren't enough, Il Divo shared the stage! I first discovered them while watching Dancing With the Stars this past Wednesday night, where they were one of the featured artists. After hearing that they were with Barbra on tour, I said to Donica, "OMG! We're gonna hear both of them!"
From the same link above, "Il Divo has become the most successful International musical breakout story of the past few years, selling more than 12 million albums. Conquering the hearts of fans and the charts of nations all around the world, the group has garnered some 80 gold and platinum awards in 33 countries. Their first two albums, Il Divo and Ancora, achieved 26 #1 chart positions Internationally, including a #1 debut in the United States."
The way Streisand and Il Divo segued in and out of each other all evening, sometimes singing with each other, was brilliant. Their operatic style with her unique voice was absolutely astounding.
I died and went to heaven! Twice!!
Barbra Streisand image from onthescene
Il Divo image from mellenevents
Il Divo image from mellenevents
Oh Ginnie... I finally dealt with my camera envy and now you give me something else to pout about! I adore Barbra and Il Divo and would have loved to have gone to the concert. I bought Il Divo just before last Christmas and so enjoy listening to them (and looking at them)! Glad it was wonderful for you!
ReplyDeleteT1: I would have envied anyone who had done the same, if it wasn't me, so I understand. I hope you'll have your day!
ReplyDeleteAnd is that a new profile photo I see?!
It does sound like you had a great evening!
ReplyDeleteOMG!!!!! I AM SO JEALOUS! YOU SAW BABS. Maybe someday I will, too. I have never heard of Il Divo. I will have to check them out. They're good-looking, too. :)
ReplyDeleteTim: It was one of the best concerts ever!
ReplyDeleteJames: HA! We were surrounded by gay guys! You would have loved it. AND YOU'VE GOT TO LISTEN TO IL DIVO! Check out a snippet of them on one of my links in the post. You'll die!
You and D are indeed fortunate to have participated in this concert. How wonderful. Don had heard about the heckling in other cities and thought it was about the Bush impersonator, not Barbra. Is that right? Il Divo looks great too.
ReplyDeleteRuth: It MUST have been the impersonator and not Barbra because she was actually very "innocent" throughout the "interview." But why anyone could heckle him is beyond me because he is an absolute look-and-act-alike. How can you heckle that? How can you heckle someone's real quirks??
ReplyDeleteAnyway, we ARE fortunate. AND, I just found out that someone used my post as a review on the
Il Divo Forum! How cool is that!
Both Orange and I love Il Divo and have 2 of their albums! I especially like the fact that they sing pop songs with their classical voices. Gives it a very special twist.
ReplyDeleteHello- your blog post appeared on my 'google alert' for Il Divo! So glad that you "discovered" the guys on "Dancing with the Stars" and so envious that you were able to see them in concert with Babs! I've seen them twice already and let me tell you, the definite highlights thus far for me!
ReplyDeleteFYI: they have a new album coming out at the end of this month titled, "Siempre." Check it out and tell all of your friends!
I haven't seen your post on the forum yet...haha, yes, I am a member of the site. If you have had a chance to browse through it, in the Lounge, sometimes the members of Il Divo DO post to say hello! It's the closest most of us will ever get to them! btw: aren't they GORGEOUS?! My fave is the French guy, SEBASTIEN...sigh.
Anyways, glad to hear that their fan base is growing...tell all of your friends!
Thanks to you, we have just downloaded about 20 MP3 titles from Streisand. Thanks for reminding us how great she is and love from Veenendaal, Holland :-)
ReplyDeleteoh ginnie, it sounds like so much fun! I'm glad you guys got to go and got to have double the excitement! Yes they are both great.... :)
ReplyDeleteCS: And to think we just found out about them! Where have we been??? Donica has just downloaded them onto iTunes for her iPod!
ReplyDeleteMnM: WOW. You have honored me with your most rewarding comment. Thanks for stopping by and giving so much info. We have heard about their new album and will be sure to download it for ourselves. YES, they are gorgeous! :)
CS: And one of them is Swiss, as I recall! And you're in Holland right now?! Don't you just love how we find what makes each other tick, no matter where we are in the world! :)
ET: Double the excitement hits the nail on the head!
You are my soul sister! I am 43 years old, live in Illinois and I love everything about your blog. I have never written a comment to anyone like this, mainly because I am so slow to learn how find a blog, let alone respond to one. I just did a search for Il Divo and found your blog. I didn't find any reference to I.D. for awhile. I, first saw your other musical favorites, movies, etc. and liked what I saw. You are a cool grandma!
ReplyDeleteI just discovered Il Divo on DWTS Wednesday night as well. What a thrill to find out you were seeing them Friday. Well, I am not a big fan of Barbra, not a fan at all really, but that's okay.
I think your photos are lovely and your travel fascinating.
Awww, Susan! After just reading some "constructive criticism" on my photoblog, I have now read your comment, so I feel like I'm on a roller coaster. You have definitely made my day! Don't you love it when we find soul sisters when we least expect it?! I am very honoroed that you stopped by, read, AND left a comment. Thank you so much. Believe it or not, I have a two-year older sister named Susan who also lives in Illinois, in the Chicago area. It's a small world after all!
ReplyDeleteGinnie,
ReplyDeletewhen I was growing up I read a lot, and there was a book or series, I don't even remember exactly, but the main character's name was Ginnie and I thought that was such a cool name. I think it was about a girl who set up a babysitting business.
Your pictures are wonderful and I love the way you respond to kids. Maybe you can look at my blog at lostgroovecreek.blogspot.com sometime.
I hate to admit this, but I'm going to have to get hold of a CD of the Il Divos as I haven't heard of them... *hangs head in shame* :) Very cool that you are used as a review on their forum!!
ReplyDelete.
Susan: You are so sweet and yes, I have looked at your travel blog. I tried to leave a comment yesterday but Blogger or my computer was acting up. I'll try again in a minute.
ReplyDeleteDW: Well, don't be "shamed" because I had never heard of them myself till last week! And now I can't get enough of them!!!
I loooove Barbara! When I was a young lass, my girlfriends and I would get tipsy on Boone's Farm and sing at the top of our lungs, "People, people who need people..." and "Was there a moment when I cut you down, NO! Played around, NO! What have I done? I only apologize, for having been the last to know," and this is where we didn't know the words quite right, "I have to go, and get some money!... What kind of fool..." Gosh, it's been a good 15 years since I've bellowed Barbara Striesand with a good friend. Those were the days!
ReplyDeleteRegarding Il Divo- what a treat! I bet you would enjoy my favorite Portuguese chamber music by MadreDeus. I recommend the album El Espiritu de Paz. We have Rhapsody, which is wonderful because you can listen to music and decide what you want to purchase online.
ReplyDeleteRachel: You are so hysterical. I can just see you bellowing Barbra!
ReplyDeleteI've not heard of MadreDeus but will check them out, just because you recommend them! Thanks. Nor have I heard about Rhapsody. I'll have to tell Donica about that.