Favorite "Rose's Turn" On Recording?- Page 3

[Demitri2]

Posted: 7/12/06 at 8:59pm

Hmmm....Merman was a favorite of Irving Berlin, George Gershwin and Cole Porter. Maybe they knew something some of us don't.

[ljay889]

Posted: 7/12/06 at 9:02pm

Well put, Demitri.

I stand firmly by my opinion that people these days can't get into Merman's style of singing because it is now old fashioned. They have been brought up on rock/pop style of belting. That is what they are used to, so ofcourse something so different as Merman's singing is definitely different from what they are used to hearing. And they just don't want to open up and give it a chance.

Anyway, I really love discussing ROSE'S TURN. So we can get back to that. I really wanna hear Kaye Medford in the role!
Updated On: 7/12/06 at 09:02 PM

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 7/12/06 at 9:06pm

Now I can't "open up to it." GREAT.

I love plenty of old fashioned singers from way back when. Just not her.
Updated On: 7/14/06 at 09:06 PM

[friedrichVT]

Posted: 7/12/06 at 9:13pm

I agree, Ethel's voice is one of a kind and even resembled a burlesque trumpet which in its own right is brilliant ,particularly w/this show. Her performance for it's time was groundbreaking,but also remember the WRITING of this tornado-like soliloquy was truly the groundbreaker. I doubt many had seen this type of performance and Ethel was the one who got to deliver it first. However, She was NOT known for her subtelty and nuance ,which is evident in her recording. Raw, Brash, and angry, yes. But there have been others who brought more to the overall humanity of this character...at least on the recordings.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 7/12/06 at 9:13pm

YOu wouldn't have Menzel without Merman. Merman paved the ways for belters everywhere. NOt that I really consider Menzel a legit belter, but still...

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 7/12/06 at 9:15pm

And shouldn't you be bidding on Idina's undies on Ebay, instead of making generic and ignorant comments on Merman?

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 7/12/06 at 9:21pm

I never denied that Ethel Merman was influential and well-received (Though I think you could argue that Menzel's vocals specifically are far more rooted in the likes of Aretha Franklin--which is more a result of gospel churches than it ever will be of Merman--and some old jazz singers. Because. Well. Those are the old roots of her vocal stylings) All I said was that I find her to be incredibly bland.

"And shouldn't you be bidding on Idina's undies on Ebay, instead of making generic and ignorant comments on Merman?"
Keep pulling out the ignorant, judgemental statements, Bobby! I love having Idina Menzel as my avatar because people become so quick to judge upon seeing it. It shows how immature some people can be. More immature than most Idina fans, even! Way to go.

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 7/12/06 at 9:25pm

How does Idina always seem to drag herself into these situations?

Do you think if BWW was around back in the day people would post things like "OMG ETHUL MERMUN DIDNT SIGN FOR ME!!!!!" and "SHUT UP ETHUL MERMN DOESNT SCREEM!!!! U SUK"

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 7/12/06 at 9:34pm

NO, because Broadway only recently became a teen magazine.

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 7/12/06 at 9:36pm

I don't know, BSO. But I didn't drag her into it this time.

Do you think if BWW was around back in the day people would post things like "OMG ETHUL MERMUN DIDNT SIGN FOR ME!!!!!" and "SHUT UP ETHUL MERMN DOESNT SCREEM!!!! U SUK"

Yes. I think in Tony discussions there'd be a lot of "OH EM GEE, she shuld toally win tha TONY this yr becuz she BELTS SOOOOOOOO LOUUUUUD."

And maybe if ebay was around then, people would be bidding on HER undies.

Updated On: 7/12/06 at 09:36 PM

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 7/12/06 at 9:38pm

You're missing the whole point.

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 7/12/06 at 9:40pm

Maybe you're missing my point? Maybe you should explain the point that I'm missing?

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 7/12/06 at 9:45pm

Your idiotic defense of your fangirl mentality.

Ebay wasn't around back then, period. Your what-if's are pointless.

[Demitri2]

Posted: 7/12/06 at 9:47pm

Here's my take. When I was a kid I never cared much for Merman or Martin. I just couldn't see their appeal yet I knew from books and my parents that they were the two reigning queens of the American musical theatre. Then as I grew my horizons broadened. After hearing from more than one of my music teachers that Merman's final song in "Gypsy" was one of the most astonishing things they ever witnessed, I re-examined her musical gifts. Never cared for Mary Martin but one day I was listening to a recording of Fredrica von Stade singing the role of Maria on a studio cast recording of "Sound of Music". Though younger than Martin was when Martin played Maria, Von Stade sounded much too old for the part. Then my friend put on the original Broadway cast recording of the show and said "Now listen". Damn it if Martin didn't sound like a young novice instead of a 47 year old woman. You actually believed Mary and she was able to convey an amazing "youth" in her performance. So before being so strongly opinionated in judging a person's abilities I now sit back and try to recognize what might be or might have been special about them.

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 7/12/06 at 9:51pm

My "fangirl mentality"? That's the funniest thing I've heard all day. Since when and HOW in God's name is my mentality like that of a fangirl? Because I don't agree with you? Because I like Idina Menzel? You're the one acting like a child here. I don't recall taking cheap shots at you.

The ebay thing was a joke. As was BSO's suggestion about message boards. Get a sense of humor?

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 7/12/06 at 9:55pm

Demitri, thank you for your mature response to the whole matter. It's refreshing compared to the childish attacks that have been coming my way.

I happen to like Mary Martin. I understand Merman's influence, but I'm just not a fan. And believe me, I tried to like her.

[ljay889]

Posted: 7/12/06 at 10:02pm

I still think for today's generation of Broadway fans there will be that breaking point where they look beyond the pop musical theatre and yelling wann-a-be belters, and realize how amazing all the Golden Age stars were. They encounter Sondheim, they will encounter Cy Coleman, they will live the beauty of the era, and the beauty of the performers.

Luckily for me, I had this breaking point rather young in life, and I'm so happy I did. If it wasn't for performers like Gwen Verdon, Chita Rivera, Merman, Gertrude Lawrence, Martin, etc... my love of Broadway would just not be the same.

Now what's everybody's favorite ROSE'S TURN? lol

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 7/12/06 at 10:05pm

Merman's Rose's Turn is my favorite. I love the lack of blandness she conveys.

Me, get a sense of humor? How about you get some taste and a new hobby?

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 7/12/06 at 10:06pm

Luckily for me, I had this breaking point rather young in life, and I'm so happy I did.

We get it, ljay. You're quite the young protege of the Golden Era.

Mary Testa could kick Ethel Merman's ass. Discuss. Updated On: 7/12/06 at 10:06 PM

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 7/12/06 at 10:09pm

And still, I hope you're not including me in that bunch of youngsters who can't look past contemporary, pretentious vocal acrobats considering I adore people like Chita Rivera, Julie Andrews, and Patti LuPone to no end and consider Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughan, and Ella Fitzgerald to be some of my all-time favorite vocalists. And Gershwin? Easily one of my absolute favorite composers.

I do agree that a lot of people have yet to have that "breaking point" as you call it. But I certainly have an appreciation for classics.

EDIT:Mary Testa could kick Ethel Merman's ass. Discuss.
AMEN! Updated On: 7/12/06 at 10:09 PM

[ljay889]

Posted: 7/12/06 at 10:12pm

I was making it as a pretty general statement. As I do believe those who hate Merman at one point, will have a breaking point just where they see that Merman really wasn't what they thought she is.

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 7/12/06 at 10:13pm

Yeah, yeah, and I have that hope about people who don't get what's so great about Idina Menzel.

[alterego]

Posted: 7/12/06 at 10:20pm

Ha! My favourite has to be Merman she has the voice and balls for Rose. Next for me is Lansbury (though the tinny sounding orchestra doesn't help) and, don't shoot me but I quite like Tyne Daly despite her vocal flaws. Midler is fine but a somewhat lacking in the dramatics. Peters I found irritating, she's still that cupie doll cutie and always will be.

BSoWS2 - you made me laugh with your ' Ethul Mermun didn't sign for me!!!' quip! I think Ethel would've told them to go forth and multiply.

Posted: 7/12/06 at 10:21pm

just wait til you hear Shannen Doherty's version.

[Chanticleer148]

Posted: 7/13/06 at 12:28am

Ethel Merman is so dramatic and wonderful in Rose's Turn.

Bernadette was also wonderful, and should have won the Tony Award!


Let's Name A Theater For Ethel Merman