REAL CUSTOMER REVIEWS (We culled these reviews from various places on the web; you can find the originals yourself if you look for them). BARBRA STREISAND IN THE BEGINNING CLICK HERE TO ORDER 5.0 out of 5 stars "In The Beginning" is the "Living End!" By Amazon Customer on November 3, 2015 Verified Purchase This release is quite a surprise to Barbra fans and mainstream listeners as well. Wonderfully produced with pristine sound quality by an independent label this is an immediate collector's item. The disc is annotated, in detail, and features new photographs. This is quite an insight into the evolution of the greatest entertainer of my time and, perhaps, all time. A wallow for fans, a documentary for mainstream listeners. Highly recommended. 5.0 out of 5 stars A Star From the Beginning: Barbra's Early Recordings By Steven M. Mascaro on July 8, 2015 Verified Purchase Pure Heaven from early Streisand recordings. Most people who love Barbra have loved her from the very beginning. This is an excellent example of her magic when her career first began, and so many of us fell in love with you. I wish she would revisit some of these classics. 5.0 out of 5 stars BARBRA TO THE BARBRA POWER By Kevin on June 18, 2015 Verified Purchase This is what made her famous, with her trumpet in full force, unrestrained by the afterthought of self-examination that weighs down her performances as time passes and each new release, and subsequent introspection, gives her pause regarding her presentation ("NO RIGHT SIDE PROFILE PHOTOS ALLOWED LEST MY NOSE LOOK TOO BIG!"). She seems more organic and less 'mannered' than she does at any time in her career, especially as the 1970's arrive and the BARBRA WHISPER/HUM takes full effect of her voice. 5.0 out of 5 stars Who Knew? By J. Hovey on July 20, 2015 Verified Purchase First - a big shout out to the vendor who is selling this incredible CD. Prompt shipping. Second, the sound on this CD is amazing. What I love most about this CD is Barbra's voice is front and center - where the arrangements are there to complement her and not outdo her. I'm a fan of Barbra's since my teens and her early days. While there are definitely Barbra Streisand albums that I consider my favorites throughout her vast career, I'm still a sucker for her early stuff. So how sweet is it to find this CD. Yes, the recordings are familiar territory and we've all heard them on several of her early albums. BUT these are all different arrangements which is what makes this CD such a "find". I love the Bon Soir recordings because it captures the essence of early Barbra LIVE, but the demos and the initial singles are a treat as well. Not only are the instrumental arrangements different from the recordings we all "know" - especially on the initial singles - but the way she plays with her vocals is like hearing them for the first time. My Coloring Book is one track that really sticks out and I love this arrangement. So overall, I'm very happy with the content and it's so good to hear "early" Barbra in a "new" way. 5.0 out of 5 stars In the Beginning but Not a Beginner. By Jim Andrews on October 23, 2015 Verified Purchase It was Columbia Records' choice not to release Barbra's first album, recorded live, and instead to do a studio album. It was the right choice, but the live album is outstanding in every way and captures Barbra at a time when she was blossoming artistically. So it is fascinating listening. She is every bit the outstanding and inventive artist we know today, but she had yet to polish her art as she proceeded to do. There is no sense here of hearing a new artist feeling her way; she already knows exactly who she is and who she wants to be. As for the RCA demos, they are interesting. And her first four single sides for Columbia should long ago have been in an album. She redid the songs for her first two albums but the single versions stand out on their own. The question at the time was, did she receive her Grammy for "Happy Days Are Here Again" for the single or for the album version? And the answer is, for both. 5.0 out of 5 stars Streisand Starts or Baby Barbra Begins. By Julius Maloney on October 12, 2015 Verified Purchase The recordings are mythical, mentioned often and with reverence when discussed, Barbra Streisand performing at the Bon Soir in 1962. This is Streisand on the cusp of well...everything. This set is recorded just as she began to appear on late night TV, before her duets with Judy Garland on her eponymous short lived show and two years before Funny Girl. Although a version of this performance would appear on 1992's "Just For The Record" box set this was an alternate night with a slightly different track list of which only 8 songs were offered for inclusion at that time. When we consider that these tracks were once considered for official release it is amazing to think we have waited 53 years to hear the complete Bon Soir session. This is Streisand beyond her gay club launch at The Lion with the succinct if unique act that would launch her career. It is a show built on odd choices of songs from forgotten or abandoned off Broadway shows, lost torch songs and minor entries to the American songbook all performed all out and encompassing everyone of Streisand's early singing idiosyncrasies, notes that are just slightly out of range or swooping up an octave to close out a song ("Happy Days are Here Again" or "When the Sun Comes Out" are good examples of this). Barbra would often refer to herself as an "Actress who sings" and this is evident throughout the performance, what is lovely to hear is that this is a period of Babra Streisand's career that would continue to inform so much of her early work especially those first three Columbia records. This Barbra already encompasses what she would always be know for throughout her career, the uncompromising independence, the belief and commitment to her choices in art and performance, these qualities are already on display here at the Bon Soir. These are not bootleg recordings, each track has been beautifully mastered, an awesome effort by everyone involved to present super rare recordings that many Streisand fans have been longing to hear perfectly presented for your listening pleasure. It is not just that Bon Soir set that is included here but demos made for RCA records (bet they're kicking themselves...) and rare Columbia 45" singles not heard since their initial release in the early Sixties. At a time when it might believed that we have the entirety of an artists catalog at our finger tips it never will cease to amaze me that we can still find lost treasures that continue to inform our understanding of an artists evolution. This release reminds us what a barnstormer Streisand must have been to contemporary ears, that there had never been anyone like her, and that there hasn't been since. Brava. 5.0 out of 5 stars A true piece of history By Cered Shani on July 29, 2015 Verified Purchase For me, it's an honor and a pleasure to own this album! Hearing Barbra when she was so young singing beautifully these old standards. A Sleepin' Bee, I Had Myself A True Love and Soon it's Gonna Rain are simply amazing. The music is flawless and the sound is superb, the recordings are so intimate and they feel like a true piece of history! Any Streisand fan should own this cd. 5.0 out of 5 stars Barbra Streisand in the beginning cd By Rosscoe on August 6, 2015 Verified Purchase Just received my copy, fabulous quality and sound, Barbra's voice is amazing even in the bon soir set, so early in her career, shear magic. the other tracks are also brilliant, I would recommend this to any fan, a real must have. 5.0 out of 5 stars This cd sounds great. Close your eyes and listen on your terrific ... By Kukunsoci on May 29, 2015 Verified Purchase This cd sounds great. Close your eyes and listen on your terrific stereo, and I guarantee, you'll be taken back to the 60's listening to Barbra speaking to you, the audience, just as she did in the Bon Soir. (I am a verified Amazon purchaser.) Use your own judgement, and make your own decisions, don't let others punk you out of buying if you want it. I like the cd, and so does everyone I know who purchased it. Not privy to European laws and how they can produce stuff from public domain, but apparently they can. I purchased mine through Amazon, (a legitimate United States business entity), and it came as promised. SOUNDS WAY, WAY BETTER THAN THOSE CRAPPY U-TUBE CLIPS. It's crystal clear, you can even hear Ms. Streisand's breath in the mic at times- CLEARLY. 5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing! By Jim in SF on June 26, 2015 Verified Purchase I don't have anything to add to what other reviewers have already said. It is thrilling to hear Barbra singing live at the beginning of her career. Such a unique talent! The sound quality on these tracks is excellent. Highly recommended. 5.0 out of 5 stars Whatever happened to Barbara Joan Streisand? By Alfredo Hurtado on July 19, 2015 Verified Purchase Whatever happened to Barbara Joan Streisand? Quite a different angle/take on an almost teenage Barbra Streisand making jokes on stage and singing her out loud, free and careless, interacting with the audience. I love her take on "happy days are here again" when the sun comes out" and "have I stayed too long at the fair?" 5.0 out of 5 stars MUST HAVE THIS FOR STREISAND COLLECTORS By Mike Kenton August 20, 2015 Verified Purchase This is a must have for die hard Streisand fans, which my wife and I are. We had never heard these recordings before. And we wondered why. I ran across this CD on Amazon; otherwise, I would have never know about it. Excellent quality! Wish there was a DVD--that would be incredible, right? 5.0 out of 5 stars Better than the first time! By Rob Worobec on August 29, 2015 Verified Purchase I stopped listening to Streisand a few years back as her sound/performances became more and more manufactured and "perfect." Maybe even boring? I can't thank the producers of this CD enough for providing this glimpse into the stellar and fearless beginnings of this amazing talent. The stories were always out there: the electric club dates, the stage patter, the experimentation with lyric lines in the best jazz tradition. And this CD puts you right back in the middle of it. What incredible backup musicians, especially Peter Daniels who seems is the unsung hero of crafting Streisand's early song picks (after Barry Dennen got her started). You can tell the major difference when you compare the duplicate songs here from the club with Daniels and the hack accompanists in the recording studio, who don't even always get the chords right. Yet Streisand plows right on, as if already imagining the orchestras that will eventually back her up. This CD is truly, as the liner notes say, the Rosetta Stone in Streisand's career. Many thanks for helping these tracks see the light of day (and I can only imagine what negotiations had to occur, with Streisand's also-legendary control issues.) (see Barry Dennen's book on trying to retain his original recordings of her when they were in a relationship, after she opened in"Funny Girl" and was then with Elliot Gould.) 5.0 out of 5 stars She has only gotten better with time and I'm glad she recorded them the ... By Amazon Customer on June 8, 2015 Verified Purchase if you are old enough to remember her back then you will remember some of the songs but the released versions... She has only gotten better with time and I'm glad she recorded them the way she did on her albums At the end of the cd you will hear the more mature more controled voice Sleeping bee always blows me away!!! A young Barbra back then but those of us who love her knew,...yep and she has not disappointed us!!! 5.0 out of 5 stars The Bright Beginning of Ms. Barbra By Sabrina Lizares-Saboon November 12, 2015 Verified Purchase It is nice to go back in time and hear Ms. Streisand as when I first discovered her. A power house voice that was raw at the edges; but....that's what attracted myself along with the rest of the world to her charms. I love listening to this CD and the journey in my mind to when I first fell in love with Barbra. I highly recommend this album to all fans of Ms. Streisand ; old ones and new !! For the new fans this CD will show just how fantastic Ms. Streisand was at the early start of her fantabulous career. Thank you to the producers of this album for such a great *gift and treasure with this album. Listening to this now it brings me back to a wonderful time in my life. I was a sales person working in a *record store back when a few of this LP's *singles were gaining lots of air play on the radio.Thanks again for bringing this album to life again. Appreciate it;......Sabrina 5.0 out of 5 stars This collection of recordings in a wonderful. intimate reminder of the evolution of one of ... By R. Lawlor on November 11, 2015 Verified Purchase A fascinating listen to Streisand at the start of her career. Her extraordinary raw talent is still unbridled at this point; a young artist still mastering her gift. This collection of recordings in a wonderful. intimate reminder of the evolution of one of the world's great voices. Happy to have discovered it and highly recommend it! 5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars By Terry B. on November 7, 2015 Verified Purchase Makes you go back in time to listen to a young Barbra Streisand on the nightclub circuit 2.0 out of 5 stars Okay at best. By Elderbomb on November 3, 2015 Verified Purchase Okay at best. Not worth bothering. 5.0 out of 5 stars A must have for die hard fans. Excellent sound, graphics, packaging By Amazon Customer on November 3, 2015 Verified Purchase A must have for die hard fans. Excellent sound, graphics, packaging. 5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars By John Nicolella on November 2, 2015 Verified Purchase AWESOME !! 5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars By EIDY CAROLINA VEGA on October 29, 2015 Verified Purchase This it's perfect gift 5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars By John Micknowski on October 24, 2015 Verified Purchase ONE FANTASTIC CD so many song that I never heard her sing before ,no doubt here just buy it 5.0 out of 5 stars LOVE IT LOVE By Harriet on October 23, 2015 Verified Purchase LISTENING TO IT AS OF THIS MOMENT. LOVE IT LOVE BARBRA 5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing for a singer who has no formal training By John A. on October 9, 2015 Verified Purchase Incredibly talented even at the very beginning when she had little experience. Amazing for a singer who has no formal training. 5.0 out of 5 stars As others have noted, these are never before releases ... By Robert G. Powell on September 29, 2015 Verified Purchase As others have noted, these are never before releases of songs that La Steisand included on her early albums. It is the (mostly) live recording that makes this an exciting and must-have recording for all fans/devotees of the legend that is Barbra. And, btw, she could buy a drink at the Bon Soir since when these were recorded, the New York City drinking age was still 18 -- though the voting age was 21. 5.0 out of 5 stars Rare Early Streisand from 1962 By Richard E. Berger on September 22, 2015 Verified Purchase So happy to have found this collection of early Streisand recordings. This new release In the Beginning actually has her live performance at the Bon Soir that was taped in stereo by Columbia records in 1962 for her first album. Of course they scrapped that idea and instead she released The Barbra Streisand Album. Some of these performances are alternate takes of live tracks contained in her box set Just For The Record. The set featured here is better because it is a full album length of 12 tracks so we can see how the first album would have sounded. All of the songs used in her act eventually turned up on her studio albums from 1963-1965. I was surprised to discover that she was performing Leonard Bernstein's My Name is Barbara as part of her original nightclub act and her pairing with Much More is the same medley heard on her first t.v. special My Name is Barbra! Also for the first time on any release is her witty performance of Harold Arlen's Napoleon, orignally written for the 1937 Broadway show Hooray for What and later used in Lena Horne's Broadway show Jamaica. Barbra probably heard the 1957 cast recording of Jamaica and wisely chose to incorporate this number into her act. All four of her original studio tracks she recorded for Columbia are also on this C.D. The singles Happy Days are Here Again and My Coloring Book as well as their B sides When the Sun Comes Out and Lover Come Back to Me. It is great to hear these versions to compare to what came later on her albums. Happy Days and Coloring Book are more radio friendly than the album versions, more evenly paced rhythmically and timed around three minutes. To compare her later album versions it is clear she wanted to be more experimental and less traditional than was originally conceived in 1962. Sun Comes Out and Lover also have very different arrangements from what Peter Matz eventually devised for Barbra. The Matz sound had more style and substance but did not produce any singles until People in 1964. Ironically these 1962 recordings were singles that unfortunately went nowhere because so few copies were made for distribution! The most rare gems on this release are her originally studio audition demos recorded for RCA in 1962 just before she was signed with Columbia. These recordings show her at her most pure and reveal her original untrained style and instincts which are still evident in later recordings of such songs as I Stayed Too Long at the Fair and Soon It's Gonna Rain. It also has a cute novelty song At the Codfish Ball which has never been heard before on any Streisand release. There are actually decent liner notes which summarize the beginning of her career when she formed her nightclub act and shaped her style through these songs heard on this release. This is a must purchase for any Streisand fan. Now all I need on C.D. are her other non-album singles Funny Girl (recorded in 1964 as promotion for the show but never used in the show), and Our Corner of the Night and Frank Mills from 1968. 5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars By Scott Versa on September 19, 2015 Verified Purchase Great 5.0 out of 5 stars I can't recommend this enough By Song-of-Love on September 12, 2015 Verified Purchase This is an absolutely incredible album!! A full colour snapshot into the early years of Miss Streisand. The sound quality is warm and intimate, as though you are in the front row. Each piece draws you into a time capsule of a bygone era, a loving portrait of an artist on the cusp of greatness. I can't recommend this enough!! Any fan of Barbra would be remiss to not have this in their collection!! 5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars By Roberto Cervera on September 4, 2015 Verified Purchase She has been and always will be the best ever in my eyes. 5.0 out of 5 stars What a great piece of musical history! By T. Harrison on August 24, 2015 Verified Purchase What a great piece of musical history! The sound is so much better than I had anticipated, also, and the packaging was both attractive and informative. All around a great buy for my collection. Now if there was a video version! 5.0 out of 5 stars BARBRA, THE WAY SHE WAS By Priam Farll on August 22, 2015 Verified Purchase Fifty-plus years melted away. It is Barbra as I first remember her in the early-1960s: young and pure and fresh and funny. Many have pirated versions of these tracks, but as produced here, they sound BRAND NEW!!! First-rate sound quality and production. 5.0 out of 5 stars Travel back in time. By Beverly Mangano on August 21, 2015 Verified Purchase Very good album wonderful to hear Barbra in her early years. Heard about this somehow on YouTube if I recall correctly. 5.0 out of 5 stars MUST HAVE THIS FOR STREISAND COLLECTORS By Mike Kenton August 20, 2015 Verified Purchase This is a must have for die hard Streisand fans, which my wife and I are. We had never heard these recordings before. And we wondered why. I ran across this CD on Amazon; otherwise, I would have never know about it. Excellent quality! Wish there was a DVD--that would be incredible, right? 5.0 out of 5 stars Really great to hear the beginnings of this once in a ... By Dave14 on August 17, 2015 Verified Purchase Really great to hear the beginnings of this once in a lifetime performer. People who were in these audiences must have left thinking, what did I just see? And when can I see her again. Barbra fans will love it. Music fans should hear it. 5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars By Robert DeLucca on August 7, 2015 Verified Purchase Barbra rocks!!! 5.0 out of 5 stars This CD contains never-before-released live tracks. It's a GEM! By Piboon Jangsawang on August 7, 2015 Verified Purchase This CD contains live tracks that have never officially been released. As a fan, I'm glad I purchased it. Even if there was a CD release of Barbra's worst live performance from either the 60's, 70's, 80's or 90's, it would still be very pleasant to hear (because it IS NEVER bad to true music lovers' sensitive ears). You know, she's a genius -- her standard is higher than ours. In addition, the seller shipped fast! The CD was well-packaged. What else would I ask for? 5.0 out of 5 stars Barbra Streisand in the beging cd By Rosscoe on August 6, 2015 Verified Purchase Just received my copy, fabulous quality and sound, Barbra's voice is amazing even in the bon soir set, so early in her career, shear magic. the other tracks are also brilliant , I would recommend this to any fan, a real must have 5.0 out of 5 stars A must for any Barbra Streisand fan By Upstate NY Music Fan on August 2, 2015 This extraordinary CD should be included in every Barbra Streisand fan’s music collection. It was fascinating to listen to the unreleased tracks for the proposed “Live at the Bon Soir,” which was originally planned to be Ms. Streisand’s debut album. My first impression was that she sounded younger and more unpolished (which is not a criticism, just an observation) than she does on “The Barbra Streisand Album,” even though that was recorded not long after this. Apparently, recording in a studio, with multiple takes and directions from the arranger and conductor, was the reason for this difference. However, it was great to hear her singing live in a club at 20 years old, full of youthfulness and energy and excitement and hopes for her future career. Most of the songs she performed at the Bon Soir were recorded on later studio albums. It was nice to hear “Value,” from “Another Evening with Harry Stoones.” It is an amusing song, which she also performed at the Central Park concert, and is on that album and DVD. “Napoleon” is not a good song at all, and the only real clunker in the set. I would guess that if this had been released as her first album, the four minutes or so of introducing and bantering with the musicians would have been substantially deleted or entirely deleted. It goes on way too long. After listening to this unreleased album, I believe that the powers-that-be at Columbia were correct in their decision to release “The Barbra Streisand Album” as her debut album. The unreleased RCA demos are also a major treat. I have heard many of them on YouTube, but it is wonderful to have them on a disc. She sounds like she is just having a relaxed time (although it probably was anything but). I liked hearing her sing the novelty song, “At the Codfish Ball.” These would have been recorded before she signed with Columbia, and it is interesting to hear the difference in her style in a recording studio with minimal accompaniment and in front of an audience at the Bon Soir. I am glad the A/B singles have finally been re-issued. Many of her arrangements from that period are timeless, but I was taken aback at how much of an early-1960’s time capsule the “My Coloring Book” arrangement is. The sound quality, as well as the cover artwork and insert, are superb. They are as good as any major label release. Thank you, Good Music. 5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars By Darrin Kosanovic on August 1, 2015 Verified Purchase Great cd. 5.0 out of 5 stars What an amazing talent. By Kenneth D. Vandehey on July 30, 2015 Verified Purchase What an amazing talent... this CD takes you back. You can feel how excited she is to perform and be heard. She is so full of life and the songs are fun.. Best of Babs 5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars By Ruthger Tenthof on July 30, 2015 Verified Purchase Wonderful CD of Barbra in her early years. Great Sound Quality and wonderful booklet. Love it! 5.0 out of 5 stars A true piece of history By Vered Shanion July 29, 2015 Verified Purchase For me, it's an honor and a pleasure to own this album! Hearing Barbra when she was so young singing beautifully these old standards. A Sleepin' Bee, I Had Myself A True Love and Soon it's Gonna Rain are simply amazing. The music is flawless and the sound is superb, the recordings are so intimate and they feel like a true piece of history! Any Streisand fan should own this cd. 5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic!!! By Piotr Roszak on July 29, 2015 Verified Purchase Fantastic!!! 5.0 out of 5 stars I want to add that the sound-quality... By Mitch Brenner on July 26, 2015 Verified Purchase This is a must-have for the Streisand fan. The other reviewers describe the content, which is fantastic, but I want to add that the sound-quality is first-rate. You'll be very, very happy to have this disc in your collection! 5.0 out of 5 stars Just Wonderful By Otis52 on July 1, 2015 Verified Purchase What a pleasure to hear these historic, fearless performances! The recording quality and liner notes are exemplary. It is fascinating to witness the stylistic beginnings of one of the greatest singers of the last century. 5.0 out of 5 stars *LIVE* AT THE BON SOIR! Barbra *BELTING* Sound Quality *EXCELLENT* By Alex Hon June 22, 2015 Verified Purchase EXCELLENT! Columbia/Sony has missed the boat and this release BARBRA STREISAND: IN THE BEGINNING by Mint Audio is what made Barbra Streisand the toast of NYC back in the day, and forged her singing career during a time when songs like this were dying out and rock and roll was taking over. The first 12 tracks were recorded live at the cabaret, The Bon Soir, which were slated for release on Streisand's first album but were shelved for some reason according to the liner notes in this CD. Tracks 13-21 are demos and you can hear Barbra talking with the sound engineer, etc. I'm not sure if these were all done on the same day but the tracks flow from one to another and sounds as though they were recorded one after the other. The remaining four tracks were singles that were released in limited versions back then, with different arrangements, and never re-released or issued on other albums. So the songs, though well known as part of her repertoire back then, are different takes then the ones us fans are used to. It could be said that these tracks are the ones that make up Barbra's first three albums, so with the exception of the songs "Napoleon" and "At The Codfish Ball" most fans will be familiar with the selection. However, these are all different takes and again the first 12-tracks are recorded LIVE. Also, these are different tracks than what was on BARBRA STREISAND: THE LEGEND BEGINS CD. Sound quality is excellent and the CD was made in the UK. For anyone who would like to know why Streisand's legend endures or why she became such a VOCAL SUPERSTAR, don't bother with her newer albums. Get BARBRA STREISAND: IN THE BEGINNING and you'll understand what captured fans' hearts so long ago. Oh how I wish she would do a new album with material like this: torch, comedic, swing and jazz, with Barbra belting like there's no tomorrow! She'd have another #1 CD in the country. The closest she's come was with her duet with Michael Buble on her last CD PARTNERS, but after that song the rest of the CD was nothing to write home about. Anyway, this is a MUST have for Streisand fans. I suggest buying now before they go out of print or Columbia/Sony slaps an copyright infringement on this company. 5.0 out of 5 stars Rare recordings from a music legend! It's a must have! By Rleedean on June 21, 2015 Verified Purchase I was so excited to get this album. Rare recordings from such a talented and extraordinary artist. I had read about these recordings online but up until now they were never released. Now they have been. Its a great listen and very fun to hear different interpretations of songs that would be later re-recorded for her very first album, The Barbra Streisand Album. This is a must have for every fan. I would recommend it to everyone. 5.0 out of 5 stars A TREASURE By Robert Laferriere on June 21, 2015 This CD is a must have not just for Barbra Streisand lovers but for anyone who loves great music sung in a way never heard before. This is a very rare treat, I have waited many years for these early recordings, they are legendary. Now the wait is over, you can hear it for yourself and in great sound. The CD sounds like it was recorded yesterday the sound is unbelievable for an early 60's recording. This is a treasure in every way, get it while it's still available, this CD will be a collectors item in the future. The art work is great as well. 5.0 out of 5 stars Exhilarating!! By Gary on June 12, 2015 Verified Purchase Thrilling addition to my collection! The sound is wonderful. I love this early period of Barbra's career. The only disappointment is that in the liner notes, it says she was raised in the Bronx? She was raised in Brooklyn! 5.0 out of 5 stars She has only gotten better with time and I'm glad she recorded them the ... By Amazon Customer on June 8, 2015 Verified Purchase If you are old enough to remember her back then you will remember some of the songs but the released versions... She has only gotten better with time and I'm glad she recorded them the way she did on her albums At the end of the cd you will hear the more mature more controled voice Sleeping bee always blows me away!!! A young Barbra back then but those of us who love her knew,...yep and she has not disappointed us!!! 5.0 out of 5 stars To die for! By Allen Bardin on June 2, 2015 Verified Purchase When the glorious Felicia Sanders and Mae Barnes were stalwarts at the Bon Soir, this young woman came in and shook the world with her talent. I don't listen to Barbra much now as the recordings are not memorable, but this is to be treasured -- when she was young, hungry and fearless! You will not be disappointed in this amazing release! 5.0 out of 5 stars I LOVE IT! By Nancy Cavin on May 26, 2015 Verified Purchase I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE this CD - after all the hoopla on Facebook about who actually own the rights to the music - cheating Barbra and her managers out of funds - I think anyone who doesn't purchase this CD is a fool. It is a delightful mix of her singing and her ability to talk with the audience at total ease. I have the CD in my car and anytime I will be driving longer than 10 minutes I am listening to it. I would definitely recommend this CD to everyone. 5.0 out of 5 stars Simply AMAZING!! ByRoddy J Shaul on May 24, 2015 Verified Purchase Simply AMAZING!!! How WONDERFUL to hear these songs so many years ago. Love her voice back then....so pure and innocent. EVERY TRUE BARBRA MUST!!! get this CD!!!! You will NOT be disappointed!!! 5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars By Glenn M Shapiro on May 24, 2015 Verified Purchase Great Cd. Barbra's voice is clear as a bell. Very happy to have this!! 5.0 out of 5 stars The intimacy of her early recordings shines By Remy John on May 21, 2015 Verified Purchase I think what I love the most about this collection is the simpicity of many of the arrangements. As with some of the "For The Record" collections her sweet voice is showcased without overdone orchestrations. To me it feels like she's sharing a part of her heart with these songs. Loved it. 5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful CD of Barbra In Her Early Years!! A Truly Enjoyable Experience! By Bob T. on May 20, 2015 Verified Purchase An absolutely wonderful way to hear Barbra singing again in her early years. I love the simple background music for each song and especially the banter that happens between songs. Barbra seems to be having a great time! The choice of songs from the Bon Soir in Greenwich Village are perfect for this cd. The entire cd is most certainly a great representation of Barbra Streisand in the beginning of her career. A must for all Barbra Collectors!! Enjoy, you are in for a rare treat! 4.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic addition to my collection By Charles R. Mooney on May 20, 2015 Verified Purchase One of my best purchases lately! Love hearing these gems! I'm listening it more than I did "Partners". 5.0 out of 5 stars It's Awesome!! Love it!! By Amazon Customer on May 19, 2015 Verified Purchase I just purchased this CD, and it's quite amazing to hear many of these songs for the first time, even being a big fan, as I am. Most of this CD is a live recording which was made back in 1962, and was supposed to be her first actual album, but then they decided not to release it. But finally it has and it's awesome. It has been re-engineered to perfection. I thought I was right there at the Bon Soir listening to her in person. So, thanks for the "new" CD and the chance to finally hear this wonderful music. If there's any other unreleased music of her's that you find and can release, please do!! 5.0 out of 5 stars Barbra Streisand "In the Beginning " a must purchase. By Robin Germon on May 19, 2015 Barbra Streisand has always been one of my favorite artists. She has a voice and a style that is totally unique. Congratulation must go to the developers and producers of this unique music experience.The music mix takes your breath away. This surly is a collectors CD and I am totally convinced that the new generation of young people who have never experienced listening to Barbara Streisand will be over whelmed with her talent and a voice that is totally unique. . 5.0 out of 5 stars I love the lack of orchestration around her voice in the ... By Frank M Walton on May 18, 2015 Verified Purchase I received this gem (quite quickly after ordering) and, as a hardcore fan of 38 years, I'm stunned at not only the quality of the production, but at the raw power of her artistry at such a young age. I love the lack of orchestration around her voice in the demo sessions. I didn't think it was possible to still get chills from songs I've heard so many times. Streisand herself may not have released this project, but it clearly meets her standards for production quality. The overall collectibility of this release should not be missed. 5.0 out of 5 stars I love this CD By Diane Bertoldi on May 18, 2015 Verified Purchase I just finished listening to Barbra Streisand-in The Beginning! I love this CD! It's so amazing to hear the different renditions of her songs, or songs I've never heard before!! I'm always so excited to hear her earlier work!! Our fabulous Barbra!!! 5.0 out of 5 stars I am VERY pleased. The audio quality is excellent and there are ... By Beachglass on May 17, 2015 Verified Purchase Well, I received this and wasn't sure what to expect. I am VERY pleased. The audio quality is excellent and there are a few older songs that have a different arrangement that I have never heard before and I am quite happy with this CD. If you love her older music, when her voice was young and fresh, this will not disappoint you. Job well done!!!! 5.0 out of 5 stars Great aural pic of her early years!!!! By Saunders Jones Jr. on May 13, 2015 WOW!!! I have always loved her voice and her delivery with the "coloratura" she has in her later recordings. In these, its more of the "core" sound which is rich and smooth. Also love the outtakes and the bubbly personality coming thru. A must have for someone who loves her stuff!!! 5.0 out of 5 stars EARLY STREISAND SOUNDS GREAT. By Karl Johansen on May 13, 2015 The first Streisand album I ever bought was A Happening In Central Park which was recorded live. On this new release we have several Live tracks from Barbra and as always sounding pure and clear. I always liked her versions of A Taste Of Honey and Happy Days Are Here Again to name just a few, so to have different versions on this new release is a great addition to our music collections and the icing on the cake is the label it's released on is trustworthy for the best possible sound.! 5.0 out of 5 stars How it all began By Dean on May 12, 2015 I have to admit that over the years I have had mixed emotions about Barbra Streisand. I loved her in "The Way We Were" but disliked "A Star Is Born." She has certainly had a varied career and nobody can dispute she's had an incredible amount of success in whatever project she's undertaken. This is one smart lady -- very cultured, into refined things like art, decor, etc. So I must confess I've always been a bit curious as to how she became an icon, coming as she did from a sad and impoverished background. This new CD release explains a lot. Barbra was/is obviously a natural talent. She has said that singing was no big deal to her -- she wanted to be an actress, and she didn't work at her music as hard as she did her acting. But you'd never know it from listening to her vocal performances on this unusual and most refreshing CD, "Barbra Streisand In The Beginning." At the incredibly young age of 20 (could she even legally buy a drink in the clubs where she was performing?) she obviously has already mastered her vocal techniques. She simply commands her voice to do what she wants with it, and it complies readily. Some artists study a lifetime to be able to do the things Barbra can be heard doing with her vocal chords on this fun retrospective CD, which proves once and for all that she obviously was born with a very special gift. And was smart enough to know how to share it with the rest of us. Streisand fans should not miss this release. They will be ecstatic! 5.0 out of 5 stars A well-deserved toast to an artist whose creativity has marked two centuries By Lawrence on May 12, 2015 What a pleasure to hear these historic performances by a young Barbra Streisand! All recorded before the end of 1962, these glimpses into a twentyish Streisand still developing into a voice that would mark mid-century pop are a reminder that at age seventy-three in 2015 Streisand has now entered into the rarified club of historic artists whose early work will be more and more sought after. Of the twenty-five songs heard on Barbra Streisand In the Beginning – Unreleased LIVE from the Bon Soir, demos & rarities twenty-one have never before been commercially released. These very rare tracks include ones from the New York nightclub the Bon Soir, RCA demos, and rare singles. On the Bon Soir recordings, Streisand displays youthful charm and humor that beguile the listener; the RCA demos reveal a Streisand in the recording studio before Columbia signed her; and the rare singles demonstrate what the future Streisand would be capable of – both pop and jazz, especially on the swinging “Lover Come Back to Me.” This prestige release brings these half-century old tapes to new life. In all, here is a unique voice heard on a unique CD. Like fellow singer Judy Garland, whose earliest demos I had the pleasure of unearthing and releasing in the past few years, Streisand on these early sides allows music lovers to discover a voice like no other just before stardom and celebrity. Streisand was hungry to make it in 1962, and in 2015 we are hungry to hear the beginnings of what would be an astounding and long career. Barbra Streisand In the Beginning is a well-deserved toast to an artist whose creativity has marked two centuries. Lawrence Schulman – music producer, critic, translator Copyright 2021 by Good Music (EU)