Billy Porter's "Beauty School Dropout"
Billy Porter's "Beauty School Dropout"
#1Billy Porter's "Beauty School Dropout"
Posted: 4/12/07 at 8:10pm
I was reading Seth's Q Guide to Broadway at our local library, and on the book, he mentioned Billy Porter's "Beauty School Dropout." I went to F.Y.E afterwards to check out the CD. Turns out, it will only be the song I like from the recording so I downloaded it from iTunes... and now, as usual, I cant stop playing it. Its so amazing! I never imagined that it could sound soulful and as "gospel-ish!" Amazing. Go and download it.
I think I might download his live album too. Yikes, I have to control myself to spend arghh!
I'm sorry if this appeared to be corny, just wanted to share.
GOD BLESS
sidjones09
Leading Actor Joined: 1/4/07
#2re: Billy Porter's 'Beauty School Dropout'
Posted: 4/12/07 at 8:24pmIt is still one of the most amazing recorded performances that I have ever heard on a Cast recording. Just incredible. Glad that you're getting the chance to experience it for the first time.
#2re: Billy Porter's 'Beauty School Dropout'
Posted: 4/12/07 at 8:30pm
I know I'm in the minority when I say this, but I did not care for Billy's Teen Angel (recording or live) at all. On 2nd viewing of the show, Ty Taylor was on as both Doody and Teen Angel and I liked his interpretation so much better.
TheatreDiva90016
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/10/04
#3re: Billy Porter's 'Beauty School Dropout'
Posted: 4/12/07 at 8:34pm
What Dottie?!
He got a standing O EVERY performance!
And Chino, download "Wings Of Angels". He recorded it BEFORE Celine Dion, and she ripped him off, note for note. I LOVE his version.
#4re: Billy Porter's 'Beauty School Dropout'
Posted: 4/12/07 at 8:34pmweird that Billy was in SFANW and Ty did the cd.
#5re: Billy Porter's 'Beauty School Dropout'
Posted: 4/12/07 at 8:38pmWhen Billy Porter left the show, did the song's arrangement stay the same, or was it a bit different for each performer? I can recall reading on IBDB.com that both Darlene Love and Mary Bond Davis played the Teen Angel at one time, and wa wondering if they did the song different, as well as others who eventually played it?
#6re: Billy Porter's 'Beauty School Dropout'
Posted: 4/12/07 at 9:11pm
Theatredude, SFANW?
Sorry Diva, that's why I said I know that I was in the minority in terms of his performance. To me, his voice is like nails on a blackboard.
commasplice
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/29/04
#7re: Billy Porter's 'Beauty School Dropout'
Posted: 4/12/07 at 9:12pmSongs for a New World, Dottie :)
#8re: Billy Porter's 'Beauty School Dropout'
Posted: 4/12/07 at 9:16pm
SFANW?
and let me say something to you... YFSYSA.
jczelyph
Broadway Star Joined: 10/21/04
#9re: Billy Porter's 'Beauty School Dropout'
Posted: 4/12/07 at 9:19pm
That "Wings of Angels" song is called 'Love Is On the Way' and can be found on Billy's 'Untitled' album, and on Celine's 'Let's Talk About Love' album.
I am a massive fan of Celine and Billy and couldn't possibly choose a favourite. As for Beauty School Dropout, it is definitely in my Top 5 songs of all time. I played Teen Angel in a university production and the MD was kind enough to let me adapt the orchestration (with some well-timed pauses etc) to riff it up, Billy-style. Obviously my version wasn't quite as amazing as his, but I can belt pretty high and I got standing O's every night too. It was such an amazing feeling and I was so pleased that Billy had performed it and given me the inspiration.
Yeah, so, BIG Billy Porter fan here.
#10re: Billy Porter's 'Beauty School Dropout'
Posted: 4/12/07 at 9:36pm
"He got a standing O EVERY performance! "
Not at the performance I attended....
#11re: Billy Porter's 'Beauty School Dropout'
Posted: 4/12/07 at 9:47pmI find him to be fabulous, no one can sing that song like he does. He is very gifted performer. He stayed until Brooke Shields finished her run in Grease! right?
OOTI2004
Broadway Star Joined: 10/29/05
#12re: Billy Porter's 'Beauty School Dropout'
Posted: 4/12/07 at 11:00pmI'm actually with Dottie. I'm not saying that he isn't an amazing performer, because he is, and has such a great voice. However, I do not like his version of Beauty School Drop-out, at all. If I ever listen to the recording, which I only bought to listen to "Since I Don't Have You", I can't skip by his version fast enough.
CurtainPullDowner
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/4/04
#13re: Billy Porter's 'Beauty School Dropout'
Posted: 4/13/07 at 1:46am
Stephan Buntrock is sweating in his Gaston Dressing Room.
NOT...
#14re: Billy Porter's 'Beauty School Dropout'
Posted: 4/13/07 at 1:49amHe should be playing Sebastian in the upcoming LITTLE MERMAID.
-Kad
"I have also met him in person, and I find him to be quite funny actually. Arrogant and often misinformed, but still funny."
-bjh2114 (on Michael Riedel)
friedrichVT
Leading Actor Joined: 5/4/06
#15re: Billy Porter's 'Beauty School Dropout'
Posted: 4/13/07 at 12:24pmHis voice is not in the best of shape these days.
husk_charmer
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/19/06
#16re: Billy Porter's 'Beauty School Dropout'
Posted: 4/13/07 at 12:27pm
After hearing his "Last Midnight" I'm sad that he didn't get to play the Witch in "Into the Woods."
That said, not a fan of is Teen Angel...then again, I'm not a fan of the song either, so he's fighting an uphill battle.
Unknown User
Joined: 12/31/69
CurtainPullDowner
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/4/04
BSoBW2
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/8/04
#19re: Billy Porter's 'Beauty School Dropout'
Posted: 4/13/07 at 1:58pm
I like the gospel version of it. Not sure if I like the idea of it being gospel. But...his version is fantastic and the first time I heard it I was amazed.
His LAST MIDNIGHT is amazing as well.
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