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Heather Headley Singing "Memory"

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#2

Heather Headley Singing

Posted: 8/5/16 at 10:46pm

Thank you, thank you, thank you for this, Jordan. She is an absolute treasure. One of the greatest.

#4

Heather Headley Singing

Posted: 8/5/16 at 11:40pm

PThespian said: "
For me Laurie Beechman will always be the definitive Grizabella. She would always sing and act the hell out of that song. I used to get chills watching her every night. "

I can't recall who posted a video of her singing Memory in the previews thread for Cats (forgive me whoever you are) and I completely agree, she sounded gorgeous!

#5

Heather Headley Singing

Posted: 8/5/16 at 11:53pm

Sorry for the double post, I forgot to comment on Heather Headley's performance! I thought she did a beautiful job, but (and I know that nobody is saying this, don't hate me!) I don't think I'd like her version of Memory if she were to play Grizabella, as in, if she were to sing it in the context of the show... It was beautiful, but not very Grizabella-like. If that makes any sense...

#7

Heather Headley Singing

Posted: 8/6/16 at 12:27am

Yaaaaaassss!!!!! Yaaaaaassssse!!! This gave me life!!!! Yaaaaaassss!!!!!

#8

Heather Headley Singing

Posted: 8/6/16 at 12:29am

I literally cannot stop replaying her "Touch me, it's so easy to leave me..."

#9

Heather Headley Singing

Posted: 8/6/16 at 12:32am

I can't stop, either. I honest to God think this might be the best version of this song that's ever been done. It's like she's giving a masterclass in EVERYTHING for four minutes.

#10

Heather Headley Singing

Posted: 8/6/16 at 2:46am

That was utterly spellbinding. She did what Buckley was able to do - find a channel deep into a cypher of a character and make a song with nonsensical lyrics ("like a flower when the dawn is breaking / the memory is fading" - do flowers "fade" in the morning? What is the similarity between the two?) really mean something. She feels it, so we do too. And her vocals... Such pristine beauty. She truly is a shining talent who deserves even more praise.

"Sticks and stones, sister. Here, have a Valium." - Patti LuPone, a Memoir
#11

Heather Headley Singing

Posted: 8/6/16 at 3:15am

Sally Durant Plummer said: "That was utterly spellbinding. She did what Buckley was able to do - find a channel deep into a cypher of a character and make a song with nonsensical lyrics ("like a flower when the dawn is breaking / the memory is fading" - do flowers "fade" in the morning? What is the similarity between the two?) really mean something. She feels it, so we do too. And her vocals... Such pristine beauty. She truly is a shining talent who deserves even more praise.



"

I've always thought that the lyric that you're talking about wasn't meant to be taken literally. The flower is dying (fading) with the new day, symbolizing Grizabella's moving forward into her new life. That was just my interpretation. I don't know for sure though, all I know is it's a beautiful part of a beautiful song, of a beautiful musical, IMO.

#13

Heather Headley Singing

Posted: 8/6/16 at 5:55am

I found this video clip (from the Today Show with Katie Couric). This is a long clip, with a photo montage and a short interview. This rendition is beautifully stunning. It's heartbreaking that such a treasure has been gone for such a long time. THIS is a good example of how "Memory" can be done. It will bring tears to your eyes. https://youtu.be/tB4JrDNj3Tw The performance begins at around 4:52.

"Noel [Coward] and I were in Paris once. Adjoining rooms, of course. One night, I felt mischievous, so I knocked on Noel's door, and he asked, 'Who is it?' I lowered my voice and said 'Hotel detective. Have you got a gentleman in your room?' He answered, 'Just a minute, I'll ask him.'" (Beatrice Lillie)

Updated On: 8/6/16 at 05:55 AM

#14

Heather Headley Singing

Posted: 8/6/16 at 11:21am

Does anyone know if currently Heather is essentially doing all performances? (Barring unseen circumstances?) looking to go Sunday.

Someone also mentioned to me (while in the Hamilton cancellation line) that there has been a line for Color Purple rush tickets lately. Anyone know if this is true? I just want to make sure we plan accordingly. Thanks in advance!!

#15

Heather Headley Singing

Posted: 8/6/16 at 11:43am

Cassandra, not sure about rush for the show, but Heather has impeccable attendance at The Color Purple.

#16

Heather Headley Singing

Posted: 8/6/16 at 11:46am

I have no doubt! I saw her in AIDA like 5 times and listen to the soundtrack almost daily, still. I'm incredibly excited to see her in The Color Purple, but will be devastated if I go and she isn't performing that day. Heather Headley Singing

BroadwayConcierge said: "Cassandra, not sure about rush for the show, but Heather has impeccable attendance at The Color Purple.



"

#17

Heather Headley Singing

Posted: 8/6/16 at 12:25pm

^^ if anything, at least you can continue to listen to her on the AIDA soundtrack.

#18

Heather Headley Singing

Posted: 8/6/16 at 12:27pm

Jordan Catalano said: "I honest to God think this might be the best version of this song that's ever been done. "

I definitely agree. Although I also agree with the camp that honors Laurie Beechman. Laurie Beechman. What a talent and a gift she had.

The aspect I find most outstanding about Headley's performance is her command and use of tone color. I'm gonna gush like a schoolgirl (which I usually hate to read in a post), but I find her choices for when to use a bright, reedy tone and when to apply a darker, flute-y color so exquisitely effective in this performance.

I also got the chills when she sang, "Touch me...", but I expect that in anyone's performance. It's written into the song - if a singer doesn't, or can't produce the chills at that point, they shouldn't be singing it. What I didn't expect however, was the extended phrasing when she sang, "...and soon it will be morn-innnnnngin the daylight...". Holy cow. That was just beautiful, and perked me up by being so unexpected.

#19

Heather Headley Singing

Posted: 8/6/16 at 12:39pm

Heather's version is soo hauntingly beautiful. It truly is perfection. She understands the pain, passion, sorrow and all that needs to be put into this song. Powerful!!!

Darreyl with an L!
#20

Heather Headley Singing

Posted: 8/6/16 at 3:23pm

I didn't see her in Aida (only saw the tour), but I do remember seeing her in the original cast of The Lion King. Her "Shadowland" was thrilling in a way I haven't experienced with the couple of other Nalas that I've seen, and brought about the same kinds of chills that I got watching this performance.

#21

Heather Headley Singing

Posted: 8/6/16 at 3:26pm

I'm sure! She's incredible! I can't wait to see her live again! :)

#23

Heather Headley Singing

Posted: 8/6/16 at 6:33pm

I'm not that impressed. I think she makes a lot of unnatural choices and there's a disconnect between the lyrics and the sounds she makes. (windbe............gins to moan), and also certain high notes are completely separated from the rest of the word or sentence, which annoys me."Memory, all a- LOOOOOOONE", too straight, hard and disconnected from the word before. Then, "I can smIIIIIILE", same story. Completely disconnected. She should connect more with the lyrics.

The climax is great though, powerful. That's were it starts to sound good.

#24

Heather Headley Singing

Posted: 8/6/16 at 7:51pm

This is too campy for words. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hF6XoYUZ7n4 Celine Dion singing "Memory", dressed as Grizbella.

"Noel [Coward] and I were in Paris once. Adjoining rooms, of course. One night, I felt mischievous, so I knocked on Noel's door, and he asked, 'Who is it?' I lowered my voice and said 'Hotel detective. Have you got a gentleman in your room?' He answered, 'Just a minute, I'll ask him.'" (Beatrice Lillie)

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