During the upcoming pledge period, PBS will air three musical specials that are so enjoyable, and so well performed and produced, they may remind those watching of when the major networks regularly broadcast these kinds of shows. Even though commercial broadcast networks have abandoned such musical programming for less costly amateur hours, PBS ably picks up that dropped baton with concerts by Barbra Streisand and Michael Feinstein and a special about how the pre-Beatles folk-music scene grew from a start in Greenwich Village into a preeminent national musical preference...

Because public stations take over more of their scheduling during pledge drives, those interested will have to scan local August schedules to see when the following may be broadcast: Barbra Streisand -- One Night Only at the Village Vanguard; Michael Feinstein: The Sinatra Legacy; Legends of Folk: The Village Scene. (All will air the week of Aug. 8 on New York's WNET, for example, but stations around the country may run them later.)

Streisand's special was recorded two years ago in what has to be one of the smallest venues she has played since she last appeared on stage in the Village in 1962.

"It's hard to have stage fright with practically no stage," she says at the start of the 13-song concert.

Viewers more familiar with arena and stadium concerts may find it interesting to see a how a major singer can deliver a flawless performance without intricate lighting, special effects and amplified instruments -- she is accompanied only by a piano, double bass, drums and guitar. Her voice is as good as ever, and the simple artistry and the setting makes it a concert many will enjoy.

The Feinstein special was recorded earlier this year at a concert hall in Central Indiana and is built around music that has a connection to Frank Sinatra. Backed by a full orchestra and top-notch arrangements of the songs he performs, this is the second musical jewel PBS puts up for its supporters. Feinstein demonstrated his love for and knowledge of music last fall in the three-part PBS Great American Songbook series. Those qualities come through just as enjoyably in this program.

Vintage performance concert and television footage of artists like Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Judy Collins and Richie Havens by itself will make many a Boomer smile while watching Legends of Folk: The Village Scene.

But it's more than a nostalgia fest they'll be enjoying. It's an illustrated history of how this small section of New York City was a loving incubator for popular folk music. In some ways it is a prequel to last March's American Masters installment that traced the movement of pop music from New York to Los Angeles, Troubadours: Carole King/James Taylor and the Rise of the Singer-Songwriter. People who lived through the folk era -- or wish they had -- shouldn't miss this program.

For what seems like too many years, PBS pledge programs did the network's fans no favors by replacing known favorites with one-time shows hosted by self-help gurus, piano teachers and other square pegs in its normally "round-hole" schedule. Are these three new programs indicators of a new programming direction, one that doesn't abandon longterm fans of the network every time stations ask for money?

To answer that question directly might alienate the producers of the aforementioned "square peg" programs. But there may be hope for a direction change hiding between the lines from a PBS programming executive:

"While performing arts programs have always been a part of the PBS schedule, it is true that we are devoting an increasing amount of time and resources to them on the PBS schedule," said Senior Vice President and Chief TV Programming Executive John F. Wilson. "We know our viewers -- Americans from all walks of life -- embrace programs on music, art, dance and performance and we're always seeking to offer them quality entertainment."