The Music That Makes Me Dance is superb. While the OBC version is of course magnificent, I prefer Lea's phrasing and the current arrangement with the faster tempo (3:02 vs 3:51). And the orchestration on the original version, while beautiful, was a bit distracting.
TaffyDavenport said: "Seems strange to say it, but "Who Are You Now (Reprise)" is my favorite song in the show now, at least in this production. When I saw it with Beanie, it hardly registered as anything, but with Julie and Lea, it became the emotional high point of the second act, and the main reason it works for me now. Honestly, I think even the second half of the movie would be less of a slog if they included it, although Omar Sharif wasn't half the singer Ramin is. When the harmony clicks, though, it's absolutely gorgeous."
Goosebumps and a little teary. It’s definitely the track I keep coming back to. Really wonderful stuff between two phenomenal singers.
My God, this is glorious. What is it makes you so exquisite? Let me count the ways:
Lea sounds incredible, as do all the other principals. Ramin can step on me and I would still thank him. The entire orchestra is on top of their game. Styne and Merrill's late Golden Age score is the (greatest) star here; even the lesser-known numbers pack a punch. The album works much better without the cheap design, questionable directorial choices, and iffy book, especially in act two.
I will say that there is more of an effect for some of these numbers inside the August Wilson. The comedy of "His Love Makes Me Beautiful" and the stunningly realized bits of dialogue between Brice and Arnstein (and that kiss!) before the final chorus of "People" are missing here, for instance.
It feels refreshing to hear Lea sing her big songs without rowdy audience applause drowning out her money notes. "Cornet Man" is especially right in her wheelhouse.
Ramin sounds great, but he's even better live. I found it a bit weird that "Temporary Arrangement" begins here with "Hey, Mr. Arnstein... here's your ace" instead of starting from the beginning of the "pip with pizazz" motif as in the show: "Please, Fanny, don't hold too tight / Give me some air and some light...", and so on.
Tovah, Jared, and the ensemble do amazing work. "Rat-Tat-Tat-Tat" works better here, and I was finally able to decipher some of Lea's ridiculous "Private Schwartz" schtick. "Henry Street" and "Sadie, Sadie" hold the live edge. Justin Prescott's clever prop moment in the latter always gets a nice laugh: "The owner of an ice box... with a ten-year guarantee." It felt nice to hear the OG ensemblists in this revival, after I saw many swings go on a couple months ago.
All that's left to say is, wow. Wow, wow, wow. The Macy's parade on Thursday better start with Lea marching her band out and beating her drum.
Add me to the chorus who wants a vinyl pressing. This is a stunning recording. I’m thankful we have this with someone who can actually sing the score.
"Oh look at the time, three more intelligent plays just closed and THE ADDAMS FAMILY made another million dollars" -Jackie Hoffman, Broadway.com Audience Awards
Have to say, this new cast recording is insane perfection. Lea completely owns this new FUNNY GIRL without any comparisons to Streisand’s 1964 original. Anyone saying she’s imitating Streisand is a total clueless idiot. The almost-2 minute “Eddie’s Tap” track is pointless as this is an audio recording so his tap dancing can’t be seen, but I respect they wanted Grimes to have a record of his Tony Award nominated performance, even if we can’t see it. Tovah and the rest of the cast truly are magical. Love the bits of dialogue included to give a sense of performance.
BrodyFosse123 said: "The almost-2 minute “Eddie’s Tap” track is pointless as this is an audio recording so his tap dancing can’t be seen, but I respect they wanted Grimes to have a record of his Tony Award nominated performance, even if we can’t see it."
I agree. I would have preferred they include the Entr’acte or curtain call music over the tap track. I understand they wanted to feature Grimes since he was Tony nominated* but it’s a track I’ll be skipping on repeated listenings.
"Anyone saying she’s imitating Streisand is a total clueless idiot."
I completely agree. Before I saw her in the show, I figured that she may try to channel Barbra in her performance and mimic the OBCR, however she definitely created a character all her own, and it was quite impressive. I knew her vocals would be powerful, but was more blown away with the details and the care she took to create a different Fanny from all of her predecessors.
WOW WOW WOW! Listened to the whole album while at the gym. Now, this cast album is perfection. Lea's vocals are insane and she sounds amazing totally giving a STAR-TONY performance coupled with superb support from the original cast.Even the remarkable Tovah Feldshuh elevates the material-songs to another level with her wry humor and sounds great. If you haven't see FG live this stunning recording will give you chills from every number until the act 2 finale where (Lea blows the roof off the Wilson holding that last note) but seeing it live is a whole other electrifying experience! So happy they did this with LEA! It will be nominated for best cast album next season and have a good chance of winning awards... it's that good and will go down as one of the best Broadway cast albums! Hello, Grammy!
"Anything you do, let it it come from you--then it will be new."
Sunday in the Park with George
This is a Tony winning performance. I know people disagreed with my thought that someone could solve the problem re: replacement Tony but I just don’t believe someone can’t solve this. It could be a special Tony or SOMETHING but the Tony awards should be about excellence on Broadway. If they can’t recognise this I do think something is wrong.
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000
There is still something missing in the musical direction of this show. Every performance I've seen of this production (Beanie in person, Julie Benko's public performances, and now this cast recording) there's a certain lyricism missing. Moments just don't seem to land. The place it is most apparent to me in this recording is "Don't Rain on My Parade". Lea has great tone - but the momentum doesn't build in the song the way it should - and by the end it is so rushed that she can barely get out "Nobody, no, nobody" before singing the end of the song while mostly staying on one note instead of alternating notes as written in the score.
Perhaps Rob Berman's into the woods has spoiled me, but as a presentation of the score, this recording really seems to be missing the mark.
kidmanboy said: "There is still something missing in the musical direction of this show. Every performance I've seen of this production (Beanie in person, Julie Benko's public performances, and now this cast recording) there's a certain lyricism missing. Moments just don't seem to land. The place it is most apparent to me in this recording is "Don't Rain on My Parade". Lea has great tone - but the momentum doesn't build in the song the way it should - and by the end it is so rushed that she can barely get out "Nobody, no, nobody" before singing the end of the song while mostly staying on one note instead of alternating notes as written in the score.
Perhaps Rob Berman's into the woods has spoiled me, but as a presentation of the score, this recording really seems to be missing the mark."
Have to disagree as you're missing the mark.
"Anything you do, let it it come from you--then it will be new."
Sunday in the Park with George
Wowza! I have been following the "dramar" of this production from day one but have not seen the show. Never been a huge fan of Lea, but she more than delivers. This is a magnificent recording. Well done to all involved. This will be on my playlist for some time. Bravo!!
CarlosAlberto said: "Ask me why I was shimmying my way down 8th Avenue to the tune of Cornet Man. LOL"
I'm in another country right now but was doing the same while I was running errands around the city earlier lol. Cornet Man is definitely the surprising standout for me.
I'm slowly making my way through the songs. I'll probably run the whole thing on Wednesday when my kitchen will be all Broadway all day as I cook, lol. I'm holding off on the Finale because that is truly my love. Please, don't tell me there's a glitch! That will bum me out so bad!
My only criticism so far is that I wish they would have included the dialog break before that final part of People. I just love how Lea sings that part in the show and it feels like the Fanny/Nicky stuff gives the proper momentum into it (plus I just love dialog on cast recordings, give me that over the tap anytime). Still, I just love the sweetness and warmth with which Lea sings that song. That Fallon performance really transformed me from being that song's #1 hater out here.