After her appearance at Hollywood's Coconut Grove in August 1963, one reviewer called her "The most fascinating young female singer to come along since Judy Garland." Who was she?

The glowing review came during a pivotal year for the 21-year-old singer. In early 1963, she had released her debut record, "The Barbra Streisand Album," which would go on to win the Grammy for Album of the Year. Her three-week engagement at the legendary Coconut Grove nightclub in Los Angeles was a major West Coast debut, and the press was eager to see if the new Broadway sensation could live up to the hype.

The comparison to Judy Garland by reviewer Robert W. Dana was the highest possible praise, instantly linking the unconventional newcomer to one of the most beloved entertainers of all time. Like Garland, Streisand possessed a powerful, dramatic voice and a stage presence that captivated audiences. She wasn't a conventional pop singer, and the review acknowledged her unique ability to blend stunning vocal talent with raw, emotional storytelling.

This landmark performance and the rave reviews that followed helped cement her meteoric rise. The acclaim proved to be incredibly prescient, as Streisand would soon conquer Broadway in "Funny Girl" and go on to become one of the best-selling and most awarded artists in history, living up to and even surpassing the legendary status predicted for her in that nightclub review.