Archive for the ‘Music’ tag
Los Angeles Metro Introduces Red Line Late Night
Kristin Chenowith: “Hopelessly Devoted To You”
In this video, her comedy and pipes are on fine display here. As is my sadness over the cancellation of Pushing Daisies.
Brokeback Opera Break Down — I Can’t Quit You, Oh, Wait, I Just Did
Brokeback Breakdown at the New York City Opera
The New York City Opera has canceled plans for Brokeback Mountain: The Opera:
Back in June, it was announced that Charles Wuorinen was commissioned to write an opera adaptation of the popular film Brokeback Mountain.
…
Then in September, following a meeting of New York City Opera’s Board of Directors Mortier, announced that City Opera would be commissioning Philip Glass to compose a new opera, The Perfect American which imaginatively explores the life and career of Walt Disney.
I can’t say I’m a fan of the movie. Something about the pastoral scenes put me off after many attempts.
Nevertheless, I wonder if the opera has a chorus of singing sheep.
The Tammy Grimes Show (1 of 3)
I saw Tammy Grimes recently for the first time in “Can’t Stop the Music” on my DVR.
I’m moderately obsessed with her arch, upper class speaking voice.
Somehow, in uncertain economic times, it’s soothing to listen to people who’s major care seems to be getting an allowance and picking shoes.
Diva Moment: Jennifer Holliday
After comparing Whitney Houston’s rendition of a Holliday song yesterday, I thought it would be fair game to look at and list to Ms. Holliday singing a song not her own.
This is, of course, a song from Jekyll & Hyde, the much maligned Broadway show from the much maligned composers Frank Wildhorn and one of the most wildly underrated lyricists, Leslie Bricusse.
Oddly, despite this being a woman singing it, it doesn’t seem to fulfill my criteria for being a re-definitive version. Holliday has great pipes, but like some of the greatest contraltos, she has an almost baritonal quality to her voice. So changing up the vocal category doesn’t launch this to a new level as a version.
On the other hand, the video is priceless because the guys introducing the song set it up as a song all about football.
A Broadway “me, me, me” song! Having a powerhouse black Broadway and gospel diva singing an anthem with the husky guys tossing ball and tackling each other is just too priceless. And sweet, for all of its unintentional irony.
Diva Moment: Whitney Houston Diva Medley
Three songs, one huge Diva turn:
- Porgy I’s Your Woman (Porgy and Bess)
- And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going (Dreamgirls)
- I Have Nothing (The Bodyguard)
If the date is to be believed, then 2/3 of the songs were in movies, but now all of them are.
Whitney, as the woman who completely redefined Dolly Parton’s signature song and country and movie classic “I Will Always Love You” into a pop-gospel anthem for American Idol contestants and karaoke singers to fail and flail at, it’s interesting to see her take on the Jennifer Holiday signature song from Dreamgirls.
Honestly, I think she sounds great. But she’s doing a great version of another person’s song. With the song from Porgy and Bess, she’s doing a wonderful version of a true pop song that has been sung in all the pop idioms as well as grand opera. Of course, the Bodyguard song has not really been attempted by another major recording artist. Or even a minor light on the horizon.
Were the World Mine
This looks cute.
Takes the idea of Puck and Midsummer Nights Dream and flips it on its orientation.
Shakespeare has always been a great example of a playwright who breaks the fourth wall in soliloquy, and musicals do the same thing. I wonder if the cinematic form will work for combining elements of the Bard and Broadway.
Or will it be Moulin Rouge-esque?
Alas, not open in LA in time for Halloween.
McCain & Obama — Age Appropriate TV? Or PR?
Marc Ambinder comments on the John McCain’s report pop taste in EW and also Obama taste in EW:
In reading his post, which focuses on the young and hip, au courrant choices of McCain and the age old classic taste of Obama, I wondered if what we were seeing was each campaign spinning taste in public to attract the demographics they don’t do so well with: McCain with kids and Obama with geezers.
But in reading the sources, I see something different.
Shoshanna Bean: Johanna by Sondheim
One of my favorite YouTube artists is Shoshanna Bean. I’ve seen her live in cabaret situations, but have seen more of her on YouTube. She has an excellent belt voice and wonderful riffs, but this version of Johanna is a delightful surprise to hear.
Tags: ShoshannaBean, Broadway, Sondheim, music, video, YouTube
Social Media — What is it Good For? (for me)
A blogger I read wrote a great article about his looking back at 3 months without blogging. I’ve been out of writing real posts for at least that long, what with directing/producing my play with music (yeah, wrote the songs, too).
Social Media — What is it Good For?
Below the jump is my look at all of the social media I’ve been using.
