Barbra Streisand and Pete Townshend — though drastically different in style — share the bond of being musical artists seldom seen in live performance during recent years. This week that changes as both debut video treatments of rare concert appearances.

Streisand, of course, has taken rare to new heights — she hasn’t performed a full-length concert in public since a benefit for George McGovern in 1972 at the Los Angeles Forum. Even this taped concert is treading the thin line; she sang live on Sept. 6 in the backyard of her scenic Malibu home, but for 500 invited guests.

This show had a political edge to it, too. As Streisand said in her cassette tape invitations to her friends, “I could never imagine myself wanting to sing in public again. But then, I could never imagine, with all our advanced technology, the starvation of bodies and minds and the possibility of nuclear winters in our lives. I could no longer remain silent.”

Thus, everyone on the star-studded guest list — including Jack Nicholson, Jane Fonda, Sally Field, Henry Winkler, Whoopi Goldberg, Bruce Willis, Goldie Hawn, Whitney Houston and former U.S. Rep. Barbara Jordan — shelled out $5,000 each, money Streisand donated to the Hollywood Women’s Political Committee, which distributed it to several Democratic candidates across the country.

WHAT THEY GOT for their money, according to Home Box Office’s 70-minute special, was Streisand in terrific voice singing many of her biggest hits and dishing out political and social philosophies.

Fans viewing the special may want more of “Evergreen” and “The Way We Were” than Streisand’s positions on politics and nuclear war. But they will welcome the chance to see her sing hits such as “Somewhere,” “Something’s Coming,” “People,” “Papa Can You Hear Me?” and “Send in the Clowns,” as well as her duets with Bee Gee Barry Gibb on “Guilty” and “What Kind of Fool.”

Comedian Robin Williams is also featured at the beginning of the show, delivering one of his better monologues that zings the entertainment industry notables in the audience.

A major drawback, however, is the special’s lack of intimacy. Despite the pastoral setting of Streisand’s home, the show hammers in the fact that this was invitation-only, for the select friends of Streisand. The closest the common folk can come is the video, which, despite Streisand’s strong performances, leaves a bit of a chill on the viewer.

TOWNSHEND HAS BEEN a bit more accessible than Streisand. Since the Who broke up in 1982, he has released two solo albums, written a book, performed on a couple benefit records and even reunited with the Who for last year’s Live Aid concerts.

But he really stepped out late last year, putting together a crack 15-piece band called Deep End and doing a brief European tour to promote his (then) new album, “White City.” They were strong shows, featuring Townshend solo material, some rearranged Who songs and surprising covers.

Fortunately, one of the final shows in London was preserved on film and released as a home videocassette — from which Showtime has excerpted an hour of top-notch footage — and an album.

It shows Townshend mellowed and comfortable — though he still does a few of his trademark leaps — and the music reflects it, from the brassy, rhythm ’n’ blues-styled “Won’t Get Fooled Again” to the smooth renditions of “Behind Blue Eyes” and “After the Fire.”

The band — featuring Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour — is what really makes the music special, adding new dimensions and depths to Townshend’s compositions. “Eyesight to the Blind” from “Tommy” is turned into a blues number with wicked harmonica playing by Peter Hope Evans, and the ensemble takes off on a raucous workout of Miles Davis’ “Walkin’.”

Other notable moments come during “Stop Hurting People,” “Face the Face,” “Give Blood” and a solo acoustic version of “Pinball Wizard.” Fans of the album should note, however, that Deep End’s rendition of Robert Parker’s “Barefootin’” isn’t included on the Showtime special.

A mellowed and comfortable Pete Townshend still does a few of his trademark leaps as he appears in excellent footage.

“Pete Townshend’s Deep End” will debut at 12:10 a.m. Thursday on Showtime. Future play dates include Dec. 28 and 31, and Jan. 6 and 12. “Barbra Streisand: One Voice” debuts at 10 p.m. Saturday on Home Box Office, with another show scheduled for Dec. 31.