Anyone else dislike...

Ethel Merman? Barbra Streisand? Patti Lupone?

I find all three to be extremely overrated. Ethel and Patti can't sing worth a crap, and Barbra just rubs me the wrong way.

Updated On: 11/3/05 at 10:59 PM

have you ever seen streisand in funny girl??? and you still dont absolutely adore her?

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All three of those women have more talent in their pinky finger than Idina Menzel has in her whole body.

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It's one thing not to be a fan of someone's style, but to make a blanket statement that someone "can't sing worth a crap" just sounds immature and ignorant, no matter who one criticizes

With a name like Elphaba...I made an educated guess.

Don't let that make you think I don't like Idina, far from it. But there's no competition between her and the three women named above.

They are theatre legends...Idina is not.

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I don't really get Patti Lupone as a musical performer, but I admit she has a good voice.

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They are LEDGENDS for a reason.

If you don't like them, you are in the minority and best to keep it to yourself.



Kids these days..........

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Ethel was about much more than volume. (Sample the new Decca CD of her 1950/51 singles. The novelty tunes wear a bit thin one after another but Ethel sings the GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES numbers far better that Channing ever did.) Ethel had near flawless diction, and perfect pitch. If her style of performance seems weird now remember she was primarily a comedienne and got her start in 1930 when that style WAS the style.

Barbra is (or was) at her best in her early 60s Columbia albums (and the FUNNY GIRL Ocr on Capitol.) Her 70s/80s pop recitals are less exciting but there's no denying that the lady can sell records!

As for Patti, her diction isn't as good as Ethel's and her voice lacks Barbra's warmth but at her best (EVITA, SWEENEY TODD) she is a powerful stage presence.

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I truthfully don't particurly enjoy Patti. I saw her in Evita and I really didn't take to her performance. Maybe I'll like her better in Sweeny Todd?

After much experience with Patti performances, I have taken her to be one of the most credible performers we have nowadays and Im proud shes back and doing such an amazing job
Ethel Merman should not even be included in this. Unless you were bork way back when, I doubt you can comment on her performances. She was a performer of the times, just like Judy garland and all of the old popular performers. To include her in a list of more recent divas of the last quarter century, it just doesnt fit
Lastly streisand, take her as you want. Shes O.K. nothing to idolize her for though.

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You bet I do.

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Patti LuBonehead and Barbra have presence...I'll give them that. I just wish they could sing and were nice people. The Merm probably had presence too, but her pathetic attempt at "singing" makes my stomach turn.

What part of my statement was childish and ignorant? Was it Patti LuBonehead? Sorry, I couldn't resist. I don't think I need to explain the reasoning behind my opinions. I don't think they're good singers. Ms. Merman's voice gets on my nerves big time, Ms. Lupone has bad diction and not a great voice IMO, and Ms. Streisand just isn't my cup of tea (although I can tolerate her in moderation). As for Barbra and Patti not being nice people, it just seems that way from what I've read. But I've never met either one personally, so I don't really know.