'Favorite' or 'Definitive' rendition of "Being Alive'

[factorykid2]

'Favorite' or 'Definitive' rendition of "Being Alive'#1

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

[castlestreet]

'Favorite' or 'Definitive' rendition of 'Being Alive'#2

Posted: 6/23/11 at 12:22pm

No matter how many times I listen to the CD- LuPones version on the Concert Sondheim has always been my favorite!

[Eris0303]

'Favorite' or 'Definitive' rendition of 'Being Alive'#2

Posted: 6/23/11 at 12:24pm

I 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 We must have different Gods. My God said "do to others what you would have them do to you". Your God seems to have said "My Way or the Highway".

[blacktie]

'Favorite' or 'Definitive' rendition of 'Being Alive'#3

Posted: 6/23/11 at 12:25pm

Norm Lewis from "Sondheim on Sondheim"

[Unknown User]

'Favorite' or 'Definitive' rendition of 'Being Alive'#4

Posted: 6/23/11 at 12:26pm

Obviously, the original BeeGees version from Saturday Night Fever,

[newintown]

'Favorite' or 'Definitive' rendition of 'Being Alive'#5

Posted: 6/23/11 at 12:28pm

Dean Jones.

[PalJoey]

'Favorite' or 'Definitive' rendition of 'Being Alive'#6

Posted: 6/23/11 at 1:15pm

Larry Kert, from the 1972 Sondheim tribute (the Scrabble album):

http://youtu.be/1TvagUwpgGE

[SonofRobbieJ]

'Favorite' or 'Definitive' rendition of 'Being Alive'#7

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]

'Favorite' or 'Definitive' rendition of 'Being Alive'#8

Posted: 6/23/11 at 1:24pm

Dean Jones.

[Katia2]

'Favorite' or 'Definitive' rendition of 'Being Alive'#9

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.

[broadwaybabytn]

'Favorite' or 'Definitive' rendition of 'Being Alive'#10

Posted: 6/23/11 at 2:02pm

Favorite- Raul Esparza or Patti Lupone

Definitive- Dean Jones or Larry Kert

[moljul]

'Favorite' or 'Definitive' rendition of 'Being Alive'#11

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

[Scarywarhol]

'Favorite' or 'Definitive' rendition of 'Being Alive'#12

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.

[Bettyboy72]

'Favorite' or 'Definitive' rendition of 'Being Alive'#13

Posted: 6/23/11 at 4:14pm

Bernadette'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

[Jay Lerner-Z]

'Favorite' or 'Definitive' rendition of 'Being Alive'#14

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 #$$$

[Unknown User]

'Favorite' or 'Definitive' rendition of 'Being Alive'#15

Posted: 6/23/11 at 5:36pm

Would be Raul's if I was on suicide watch.

Jones, or Kert's for the win.

[luvtheEmcee]

'Favorite' or 'Definitive' rendition of 'Being Alive'#16

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.

A work of art is an invitation to love.

Updated On: 6/23/11 at 07:29 PM

[danny10086]

'Favorite' or 'Definitive' rendition of 'Being Alive'#17

Posted: 6/23/11 at 7:30pm

I'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.

[Jordan Catalano]

'Favorite' or 'Definitive' rendition of 'Being Alive'#18

Posted: 6/23/11 at 7:38pm

For me, it's hands down Bernadettes version.

[best12bars]

'Favorite' or 'Definitive' rendition of 'Being Alive'#19

Posted: 6/23/11 at 7:39pm

Dean Jones, followed by Patti LuPone.

"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."

---

blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22

[FrauleinKost]

'Favorite' or 'Definitive' rendition of 'Being Alive'#20

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]

'Favorite' or 'Definitive' rendition of 'Being Alive'#21

Posted: 6/23/11 at 9:38pm

Bernadette 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]

'Favorite' or 'Definitive' rendition of 'Being Alive'#22

Posted: 6/23/11 at 9:59pm

As 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]

'Favorite' or 'Definitive' rendition of 'Being Alive'#23

Posted: 6/23/11 at 10:26pm

Carol Channing's

[ljay889]

'Favorite' or 'Definitive' rendition of 'Being Alive'#24

Posted: 6/23/11 at 10:29pm

Bernadette's is good, but boy does she strain to hit the notes at the end. Patti delivers a flawless vocal, despite some diction issues.