that was my thought too. so distracting - like someone yelling in your ear while you're trying to hear her.

I wouldn't call people morons just because many of them have a perfect memory of the earlier versions. People get attached to something they heard long ago and remember in great detail. If you had listened to the incomparable recordings Barbra made in the 1960s you would have that unmatched voice embedded in your head.

I'm afraid you're missing the point. Of course we (many of us) remember the unmatched flexible perfection of Barbra's voice in the 1960's. You can't do 50 years later what you did in your youth. But my God, what Michael is talking about the glorious smoothness of that instrument in 2013 (in this case)! Gorgeous--a miracle that that miracle voice can still thrill a room and sound that magnificent. I remember the past; I just am able to also glory in the present. I'm a life-long Streisand fan. (Yes, Michael was a little naughty to say "morons." But in his fervent fandom he just got carried away. I understand and forgive him totally-- :)

It's was a beautiful song