The text on this page originally appeared in 2000 on “The Barbra Streisand Music Guide” website and was written by Mark Iskowitz. Thanks to Mark, it is reproduced here ...
Barbra Streisand invited veteran ABC journalist Barbara Walters to her Central Park West triplex for their sixth interview in 25 years. They first talked on NBC's Today
in February 1975. Since then, Walters has held interviews with Barbra exclusively for ABC in 1976, 1985, 1993, and 1997. On November 3, 2000, with the general election just a few days away, politics was Barbra's major concern but Walters also wanted to discuss why Barbra had ended her public concert career in September and other topics.
The 15-minute 20/20 feature, A High Note, began with high praise from Walters, who said Barbra is considered by many as the greatest entertainer in the world today. Launching into rarely seen "Something's Coming" footage from Barbra's September 27, 2000 show at Madison Square Garden, Walters asked Streisand why she was so adamant about no longer performing in concert. Of course, Barbra answered honestly, echoing sentiments she has previously expressed about live performing being tough work, uncomfortable (she loathes high heels), and causing worry about her appearance and voice (which she's never pampered). "I like the idea that I could go out on top," Streisand said, implying that it's wiser to quit while she can still deliver the goods. Of course, her audience has always had high expectations, but she told Walters that she has felt good enough about her performance quality of late. An admitted Streisand music fan, Walters wondered, "Don't you think you're great?" Barbra humbly replied, "I don't know if I'm great; I'm very good." Nevertheless, she assured Walters that her concert days were really over, despite what cynics may say — "Why should I do something I don't enjoy doing at this stage in my life?"
Wisely, Walters gave us an overview of Barbra's future plans, which clearly do not include retirement from being an artist and entertainer. "I like recording. It's very private. I love singing with an orchestra," Streisand answered when Walters inquired about future albums. In addition to acting, directing, and producing films, Barbra confirmed that an upcoming Barbra's Boutique will present a self-designed clothing line.
As in many of Barbra's recent interviews, her fatherless childhood was explored a bit, Streisand describing it as a "complete void" whose shoes no one can ever fill. They briefly discussed the three-page poem on the power of love, which Barbra's father sent to his girlfriend years before marrying Barbra's mother and which plays a major inspirational role in Barbra's Timeless
concert. Streisand's memorable and frightening 1979 experience with a New York psychic was also recounted. She believes that her father communicated with her, spelling out his name on a Oujia board presumably — "Manny," followed by "Sorry" and then "Sing" and "Proud."