'Favorite' or 'Definitive' rendition of "Being Alive'
'Favorite' or 'Definitive' rendition of "Being Alive'
#1'Favorite' or 'Definitive' rendition of "Being Alive'
Posted: 6/23/11 at 12:19pm
Earlier this week I went to a screening of "Company" with a friend (both loved it). He asked me if there is a definitive recording of the song. I wasn't sure how to answer. Is the OCR considered definitive? - not sure it is for this song...
The first version I heard was Streisand's 'Broadway Album'. Favorite recording is Patti LuPone from "Sondheim: A Celebration", with Bernadette Peters rendition on "Sondheim, Etc." a distant, but notable second.
Wondering what other folks think.
But the world goes 'round
#2'Favorite' or 'Definitive' rendition of 'Being Alive'
Posted: 6/23/11 at 12:22pmNo matter how many times I listen to the CD- LuPones version on the Concert Sondheim has always been my favorite!
#2'Favorite' or 'Definitive' rendition of 'Being Alive'
Posted: 6/23/11 at 12:24pmI love the Stephen Bogardus version from the "Musicality of Sondheim" album
"All our dreams can come true -- if we have the courage to pursue them." -- Walt Disney
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blacktie
Understudy Joined: 6/7/10
#3'Favorite' or 'Definitive' rendition of 'Being Alive'
Posted: 6/23/11 at 12:25pmNorm Lewis from "Sondheim on Sondheim"
Understudy Joined: 12/31/69
#4'Favorite' or 'Definitive' rendition of 'Being Alive'
Posted: 6/23/11 at 12:26pmObviously, the original BeeGees version from Saturday Night Fever,
#6'Favorite' or 'Definitive' rendition of 'Being Alive'
Posted: 6/23/11 at 1:15pm
Larry Kert, from the 1972 Sondheim tribute (the Scrabble album):
http://youtu.be/1TvagUwpgGE
#7'Favorite' or 'Definitive' rendition of 'Being Alive'
Posted: 6/23/11 at 1:18pm
I guess I would go with Dean Jones for definitive.
But for favorite? Hands down Norm Lewis.
JP2
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/2/07
#9'Favorite' or 'Definitive' rendition of 'Being Alive'
Posted: 6/23/11 at 2:01pm
Dean Jones is definitive.
Personally, for some reason I haven't heard a rendition of this that I liked that was sung by a man. Love Streisand's, Peters', and LuPone's though. LuPone's is my favorite.
#10'Favorite' or 'Definitive' rendition of 'Being Alive'
Posted: 6/23/11 at 2:02pm
Favorite- Raul Esparza or Patti Lupone
Definitive- Dean Jones or Larry Kert
moljul
Broadway Star Joined: 5/28/03
#11'Favorite' or 'Definitive' rendition of 'Being Alive'
Posted: 6/23/11 at 2:04pm
Lupone's seems to suffer from her continual difficulties with diction. Of course I heard Bernadette's first so I was probably biased when I first heard Lupone's.
Updated On: 6/23/11 at 02:04 PM
#12'Favorite' or 'Definitive' rendition of 'Being Alive'
Posted: 6/23/11 at 4:12pm
I'm shocked that this hasn't already turned into a thread where people argue about Raul Esparza's performance.
Side note: Raul Esparza's performance is definitive.
#13'Favorite' or 'Definitive' rendition of 'Being Alive'
Posted: 6/23/11 at 4:14pmBernadette's is the definitive version for me. So moving.
"The sexual energy between the mother and son really concerns me!"-random woman behind me at Next to Normal
"I want to meet him after and bang him!"-random woman who exposed her breasts at Rock of Ages, referring to James Carpinello
#14'Favorite' or 'Definitive' rendition of 'Being Alive'
Posted: 6/23/11 at 4:18pm
Bernadette's version is absolutely my favorite - and I would say definitive too (outside of the context of the show).
Wait, what does definitive mean?
Beyoncé is not an ally. Actions speak louder than words, Mrs. Carter. #Dubai #$$$
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
#15'Favorite' or 'Definitive' rendition of 'Being Alive'
Posted: 6/23/11 at 5:36pm
Would be Raul's if I was on suicide watch.
Jones, or Kert's for the win.
#16'Favorite' or 'Definitive' rendition of 'Being Alive'
Posted: 6/23/11 at 7:29pm
Raul, though not just out of partiality to him, and I don't think it's objective so much as determinately personal; I think the first time you see something like that song, in context, performed, it does something to you that nothing can ever recreate. Raul's version tore me up in such a beautiful way, and every time I see or hear it sung, no matter how well, my mind always goes back to him.
Vocally, though, Stokes' version is also really beautiful.
danny10086
Chorus Member Joined: 7/12/05
#17'Favorite' or 'Definitive' rendition of 'Being Alive'
Posted: 6/23/11 at 7:30pmI've always loved Anthony Warlow's version from the On The Boards album. Original orchestrations and sung in full, minus the dialogue and. as always, impeccably sung.
#18'Favorite' or 'Definitive' rendition of 'Being Alive'
Posted: 6/23/11 at 7:38pmFor me, it's hands down Bernadettes version.
#19'Favorite' or 'Definitive' rendition of 'Being Alive'
Posted: 6/23/11 at 7:39pmDean Jones, followed by Patti LuPone.
"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
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#20'Favorite' or 'Definitive' rendition of 'Being Alive'
Posted: 6/23/11 at 9:08pm
Bernadette, hands down. More specifically, this performance:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4iRkwhV3MAE
"I chose and my world was shaken--so what? The choice may have been mistaken, the choosing was not. You have to move on"
blaxx
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/28/05
#21'Favorite' or 'Definitive' rendition of 'Being Alive'
Posted: 6/23/11 at 9:38pmBernadette wins. Patti LuPone = Somebodone to hojhhgd too clojhseeee...
Listen, I don't take my clothes off for anyone, even if it is "artistic". - JANICE
egghumor
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/9/11
#22'Favorite' or 'Definitive' rendition of 'Being Alive'
Posted: 6/23/11 at 9:59pmAs OBCRs go, the original COMPANY just might be my favorite OBCR of all time. That being said, I have a particular fondness for Adrian Lester's performance of "Being Alive" on the far-from-wonderful 1996 OLCR. I assume most others here don't agree as Lester has not been mentioned previously in this discussion. As non-OCRs go, I'm in total agreement about the power of Bernadette's performance as well.
chewy5000
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/1/09
#23'Favorite' or 'Definitive' rendition of 'Being Alive'
Posted: 6/23/11 at 10:26pmCarol Channing's
#24'Favorite' or 'Definitive' rendition of 'Being Alive'
Posted: 6/23/11 at 10:29pmBernadette's is good, but boy does she strain to hit the notes at the end. Patti delivers a flawless vocal, despite some diction issues.
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