Barbra Streisand's stunning version of "Cry Me a River", live on TV, 1963 (improved audio)

Barbra Streisand's distinctive theatricality when performing dramatic songs is very evident in this March 24th, 1963 appearance at the Ed Sullivan Show. Everything is simply amazing, from staging to lighting, with Barbra giving it ALL for the cameras. She was on the road at the time, appearing at nightclubs all over the United States. "Cry Me a River" is a song she used to perform every night. It's also the opening song of her first studio album. I upgraded the audio quality for this video. The other version available here on KZbin is also a video of mine but reposted with poor quality. Hope you enjoy it!

[@glentilley4970]

Early Barbra...theatrical! BIG voice you almost would not recognize hearing her later in her career!...this is why she lasted nearly SIX DECADES in show biz...she acts the song as much as she sings it

[@BroadwayGuy]

I'd like to point out that since Barbra started out wanting to be an actress (not a singer per say), her early mentor Barry Dennen advised her to approach each song as if it were a play. Dennen introduced her to the songs and great singers of the 1920's and 1930's, and helped her develop her own distinctive style. Her "theatricality" did not just come out of nowhere. IT was developed and refined.

[@candy9986]

Love early Barbra the most

[@flwrfan1752]

@@BroadwayGuy-You are right.I read she wanted to be an actress more than she wanted to be a singer.She’s both.

[@alphabeta492]

I say this performance when I was 10 years old. My mother was watching and and pointed at the television after and say “ she’s going to be a star”. Mom was right yet again.

[@fob1xxl]

.....and she was only 20 years old. She puts EVERY young female singer today to shame. Her masterful range and vocal artistry is far beyond her years. No wonder she became the legend she is. Pure, honest talent !

[@gailhausmann1329]

Awesome!! . The one & only Barbra Streisand...... Way beyond her years: great range & was so young here. Loved watching The Ed Sullivan show back then...... 60 years on she's one of the best..... Love her.... Thanks for posting this.. 🙏😃

[@fobesq]

Up until then and still, no one has ever heard such a voice and such emotion. At 16 years old, I was a dedicated fan. At 76, sill am.

[@neurada748]

‘Every’ ? lol don’t be ridiculous

[@sg-yq8pm]

@@neurada748 "lol" ? don't be a condescending jerk when making a legitimate point

[@veggigoddess]

Except Aretha

[@haintedhouse2990]

Barbra said she wanted to be an actress waay more than she wanted to be a singer. this version shows she's pretty flawless at both.

[@jameshall9402]

She broke all of the barriers.

[@user-lv1vj3ge9g]

I have a barrier she hasn't broken😮

[@user-lv1vj3ge9g]

I have a barrier she hasn't broken

[@user-lv1vj3ge9g]

😢

[@Carolerivi]

@@user-lv1vj3ge9g What?

[@Altonahh10]

This is live. Who could sing like this today? Barbra´s tonality is amazing and so is her theatricality.

[@MacDinoland]

That is one old soul! That is not the soul of a twenty one year old girl. The depth and understanding she inserts into the lyrics as well as the control of her voice at that age... incomprehensible! Thanks again, Gustavo! The sound, and for that matter, the video, is the best I've seen or heard of this performance on KZbin! Congrats!!

[@charliechilders6630]

There was once more an old🤔 soul in the past who was worldly and knowledgeable of all singing and vocal techniques at the age of seven or eight years old! The first was Judy Garland, who in her childhood Barbra was a huge fan of.🤗💌

[@user-lv1vj3ge9g]

She didn't make the lyrics for cry me a river

[@camogrrl]

Vibrating on closed consonants is so cool

[@donniepoplin1424]

And people ask why I love Barbra. This is the answer.

[@Carolerivi]

yep. And her singing is only a piece of the treasure that she is.

[@brianoneil6659]

The comments on here show a great appreciation for this force of nature talent named Batbra. Her performance here is staggeringly phenomenal. Lucky us to have her share her gift!

[@camille4k]

this is my favorite version of cry me a river. i love how it’s sung differently every time

[@chrisn7259]

In the program notes for Barbra's Kennedy Center honor, Marilyn Bergman (lyricist, "The Way We Were," & the Yentl score) wrote that Streisand was "never a diamond in the rough." Indeed she seems to have emerged with her incomparable vocal and acting arsenals ready to do her bidding at 18. It's as if we were waiting for her, and we didn't even realize it. Somehow, she realized it.

[@brianoneil6659]

So well put by you. I was 14 and saw Barbra in Boston in Funny Girl on its way to Boston. Wow!

[@JacquelineTHarty-kf1vj]

Don't know why, but my eyes smarted right up.... what a voice!

[@GeorgeTennesseeWiseman]

Miss Streisand is simply without parallel! Viva Barbra Streisand!

[@Larreisand]

This should be put on a DVD special by Streisand!

[@jonesy61]

Stunning is absolutely the correct description , Damn she is so good , I got goose bumps all the way through that . She was so young there yet so totally on point with it . I just adore the woman.

[@donniepoplin1424]

Her timing is A-MAZ-ING

[@ares6953]

Phenomenal singer ! One of the best if not the best ever !

[@TJ1920]

hard to believe it’s been 60 years since this recording on the Ed Sullivan show

[@galegreyson4196]

She doesn’t just sing.She acts.

[@royaljai5009]

She is too cute here 😍 And incredibly talented 💯

[@leafpeeper98]

I am listening to her biography on Audible. The author asserts that Barbara (orginal spelling) did not care about singing in the beginning, she only used it to fund her actiing aspirations. I don't think she had any vocal training as a young woman and she was just a little tiny thing. But that is one HUGE voice. She only started to appreciate her vocal talent when it was explained that singing was just another form of acting. Natural talent just amazes me.

[@jeanwillis7774]

I am listening too…she was far more interested in acting,and then realized her voice was blowing everyone away..and it gave her more bargaining power..she’s very honest,and sometimes quite funny…there are some snippets of her singing which is wonderful in the audiobook.⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@LawsonMarchetti]

She is truly the greatest to ever do it.

[@natalieevelynagate2255]

Bravo....I love Barbra Streisand! Magnificent rendition, for one so young. So much passion! Truly a STAR in the making. No one does it like Barbra!

[@robertsterner2145]

As many times as I've seen this, the cleaned up audio brings out the song's denouement better than I've ever seen before. I love the way she can barely contain the emotions starting at ~3:25, almost as if she wants to stand up and really let loose.

[@conishkee]

4/27/24: She sings the heck out of this song every time, but my favorite rendition was when she sang it in "A Happening in Central Park", umm...she MEANT every word and her facial and hand expressions, especially the part where she sang, "And NOW you say you love me"...WOW, she blew me away! Her flair for enunciating each and every word is phenomenal. Unlike today's music where you have to rewind 'cause, if not, you misunderstand the word the artist was singing, especially in rap, IF you like rap; I don't. Oy Vey! Anyway, my girl, Barbra, I'm a die-hard fan and always will be. Love you! ♥

[@prestonkirksale9993]

Wow, that was amazing. Never seen it and it was magnificent!

[@titasantiniE]

JESUS!!! SHE’S SO YOUNG AND SO TALENTED.

[@louispitalo7401]

She did the talk show circuit with this song and what a song indeed, recorded on her first album the best song on it listen to the trombones on the album version

[@siepkuijpers6990]

Truly one of the great Streisand performances: thank you so much for posting this, Gustavo! Awesome quality!!

[@jchow5966]

What a incredible and totally unique and original singer!!!!!

[@zakkxx1]

All those videos broadcast in Japan have kept their amazing quality. You can’t find a better version. Thanks for sharing it.

[@oscarsoto9551]

Impecable that golden phrasing control at her best a God given talent ❤

[@lawrencegatti8283]

clearest picture and audio I have ever seen and heard on this clip. I like this performance for the way she takes her time, especially in the beginning.

[@alinecare924]

Jazz-star love you amazing interpretation - I cry a river with you Barbra -

[@Piboon11]

Thank you, Gustavo. Wonderful video & superb audio quality. Barbra was and has been magnificent!

[@donniepoplin1424]

Her timing is A-MAZ-ING😍😍

[@richardgornalle4536]

This is a wonderful thrill viewing this.

[@RC-vv6nr]

She can sing !

[@johnclark546]

Young and hungry. That first decade was superb!

[@tenga3tango]

Barbra the best

[@Lava1964]

Wow. That was certainly impressive.

[@michelledotell4572]

Her voice is like pure crystal ❤

[@haintedhouse2990]

love this version, my favorite is the Central Park performance. both give me chills.

[@gloria8183]

She is good. Love her voice❤

[@joshuaalexander6296]

Lol you’re beating me at finding these rare clips. I gotta step up my research. Bravo 🙌🏽 !! Keep ‘em coming

[@d.singler-kron9034]

Just wonderful, Barbra...

[@maxcornise7204]

There will only be one Billie, one Callas, and one Streisand-enough to feast on for centuries. Les monstres sacrées, le tout, voilà!

[@popboy0]

Wow!

[@songbirdy]

I have read she was going through a heartbreak when she sang this song. A first love kind of thing.

[@debbierennox931]

I am reading her book my name is barbra she was is talented beautiful I just like every thing about her ❤️

[@curtgottler9961]

Does she talk about Meet the Fockers in her book?

[@voozoo1606]

Like🧈🧈🧈🧈🧈🧈🧈🧈🧈🧈🧈🧈🧈🧈!!!

[@celticpridedrums]

holy sh..!!!!

[@sophierolier3414]

Just amazing !!!!!

[@jeffbassin630]

Brilliant performance - as always!

[@fabiennebernard1840]

C'est formidable cette capacité que vous avez d'améliorer l'image et le son de ces vidéos! Magic Gustavo! Thank you.

[@nibotgonzalez]

Muchas gracias por seguir revelando tesoros desconocidos de Streisand.

[@marisaelenenadiejamusiccom3974]

emotion power technique…it seems like perfect singing…but there are so many styles of singing…she is a master at this style

[@victoriamgarza3017]

❤love her voice amazing 🤩

[@sabrinafletcher9335]

The G.O.A.T. Hands down been a fan since I was a child. Gave me the courage to sing

[@bh5606]

Stunning…

[@streisandstar]

‼️♥️

[@rustymonkey2746]

Breathtaking 🎤 💨

[@christophermyers3758]

Bravo! 🤗 No other words are necessary.

[@Branner]

Pure talent.

[@glennlaroche1524]

Goddess.

[@bingovegas4867]

When she was done you can be sure she told Ed how to pronounce her last name!

[@user-jw9ye1em7m]

😅😅😅😅😅😅

[@TJ1920]

Streisand at the top of her game

[@scottcoffinhotmail]

Perfection!

[@RealBigBadJohn]

Lots of memories. This is back when she was not only talented but also likable.

[@mariabarrientos7690]

still is

[@RealBigBadJohn]

@@mariabarrientos7690 -- Disagree, but thanks.

[@mariabarrientos7690]

@@RealBigBadJohn how so

[@richardpatrick2852]

I agree with you John. Really admire her talent, especially in a performance like this, but she became very political and , to me, unlikeable in later years. And that changed my regard for her, unfortunately.

[@akrenwinkle]

@@richardpatrick2852 You're right, or, as it's usually written on these boards, "your right." When a very successful performer gets political, it creates a wedge. Some will disagree, and all of a sudden it colors what we see and hear.

[@mimar3052]

OMG, Babs!

[@germanquintero10121946]

MARAVILLA

[@jasonkendrick681]

Go Barbra!

[@monty033]

these songs like Down With Love, My Colouring Book or also Bewitched and When the Sun Comes Out, come so much better when performed live. The studio recordings are vocally sublime but the true emotions of the actress can only be delivered live! Bravo bravissimo!!!❤

[@user-jw9ye1em7m]

Of all her 30 +studio albums her second one is my favorite. She really belts it out.

[@buck78]

This was much slower than the usual, and she is obviously incredible. But wasn't anyone wondering why the chandelier was swaying back and forth?! hahaha, it was so funny.

[@johnkling6657]

Even back then - Like Buttah!

[@MrKarlsea]

Astonishing

[@jeanmank6342]

Oooh! A new post. Gorgeous! Thank you sooooooo much

[@stevebartley8902]

Wow.

[@nalayat2050]

hypnotic

[@mariaovando5368]

No words….

[@marcysheiner2152]

She was and still is THE best singer in the world of all time!

[@user-jw9ye1em7m]

You’ve got that right!!

[@marymusic8920]

Early Streisand was so talented...before, she became "herself...'

[@user-kf8wb2cq4f]

Barbra...started out an artistic genius and...slowly...became a more normal, pedestrian singer. Strange...how creative people Lose their muse.

[@jeffreynolds4416]

Back when she sounded like she enjoyed singing.

[@jeanmank742]

Good Lord.

[@michellevargas3734]

😍😍😍SUPERB😍😍😍

[@maxlinder5262]

When she was..........

[@JudgeJulieLit]

One samplar from her oeuvre (starting with her early People), why she has a cult fan following. She is sui generis, unique.

[@gayfawkes371]

2:38

[@meninagreen5704]

Where are the microphones in these old studios? I know overhead, but how far away?

[@sammyrnaj]

No one beats Julie London's voice & style for this song! Barbara has good technique but not a special voice.

[@tenga3tango]

Can Gustavo or anyone tell all of us, how the studios of that time captured and recorded Barbra 's beautiful voice, where is the microphone. why is Barbra 's voice so far projecting ?

[@kevinsakolinsky5860]

I love Barbra but it is just so out of the character of the song for me. It's almost overwrought but I admire her having such a distinctive take and committing. Still more than anything it makes me want to hear the original. Julie London getting close to the mike to use her "thimbleful" of a voice get that "over smoked" intimacy that is distinctively hers. London reportedly liked Streisand and I wouldn't be surprised if it was in part because of this cover which is a 180 degree departure from her own version. London's "Warm December" from her most iconic album "Calendar Girl" gets a bit of airplay this time of year, give it a listen if you get the chance it's the perfect antidote to most Christmas music. Kudos to Barbra for always being an original. I haven't delved into the book yet but I loved hearing her talk about Judy Garland on Stern.

[@trilby5546]

Individuality is BS.⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@lorrainem.swartzentruber3077]

Not a lick of vocal training either. Just pure instinctive talent.

[@mikes2034]

I love me some Babs, but this version is just a bit too extra.

[@richardherrell4770]

Sounds like she's yelling at the song. Listen to Ella. It was her song.

[@gelmann2]

Her voice is amazing . . . the Bass Guitar Not so Much

[@trumpiekeith8531]

This is a good interpretation, but Marie Knight's rendition is still the best to me.