I just got Sunset Boulevard with Patti Lupone........

[MTVMANN]

Posted: 2/18/05 at 2:12pm

Is it supposed to come with an insert??? I never purchase anything if it says insert missing(that's just how I am). On the other hand, the disc look to be in immaculate condition and I got the whole thing for $9.99....that's a good buy(I think). Also, who is in this cast? It only says Patti and Kevin Anderson....

[baddadnpa]

Posted: 2/18/05 at 2:13pm

Yes, it comes with an insert with lyrics

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 2/18/05 at 3:29pm

Patti as Norma....ahh......I'm getting hot.

Such a good recording. Saw the show 6 times in London in so many days.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 2/18/05 at 3:46pm

I still prefer Glenn....

[baddadnpa]

Posted: 2/18/05 at 3:51pm

Be great it there was a recording with Patti's vocal talent and Glenn's acting ability. That would be perfect. Patti sounds too in control and lucid to be Norma. Glenn sounds desperate and insane.

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 2/18/05 at 3:54pm

Munk, I like Glenn more than most, but Patti will always be my Norma...

[Feodor Sverdlov]

Posted: 2/18/05 at 3:57pm

Acting? Is that what you call what Glenn was doing in that horrible show? Thanks, I couldn't tell.

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 2/19/05 at 12:43am

Patti LuPone is obviously a very talented lady, but she's terrible on this recording. She is totally wrong for Norma Desmond. Her brassy, nasal voice worked well for Reno, Mrs. Lovett, and those other characters, but I'm sorry, they had good reason to replace her for the Broadway run.

[Sant]

Posted: 2/19/05 at 11:10am

The World Premiere Recording of SUNSET BOULEVARD has better arrangement of "With One Look" than the later recordings. It's not hurried, no tempo changes - much better version than Glenn Close's, Diahann Carroll's or Petula Clark's. Elaine Paige has made a brilliant version of the song too, which is something between those to arrangements and sounds fabulous.

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 2/19/05 at 11:12am

I don't like Diahann's recording of Norma. I didn't see her production, so I can't judge what she was like live, but her recording is awful. Patti is still the only Norma for me.

[pattifan2]

Posted: 2/19/05 at 12:38pm

Patti IS Norma....I thought she was heart-breaking in the role...she really managed to convey fragility masquerading as strength all the way through the show until that final scene...just brilliant. I thought she really made magic in 'As If We Never Said Goodbye'...no one will ever sing that score as well as she did.

[Sant]

Posted: 2/19/05 at 12:40pm

I don't like DC's performance (haven't seen her, just heard the recording) either.

What I really like in Patti's recording of "WOL" is that they allowed her to take her time with it and it was done in the original key. I don't like her singing the "this time I'm staying, I'm staying for good", I think it was a little too 'blah'! Could have been more with conviction/attitude.

Barbra's recording is not that bad either. Only she's not 'acting it', as she states in the booklet herself, it is well sung but rather emotionless performance. But I like the melody changes here and there (those "with one look you'll know all you need to know" melody parts).

My favorite version is Elaine's. The most balaced version of the song I've heard. Her voice is not as powerful as Patti's but she gets the job done. It's not in the original key, but doesn't matter, a good version of the song anyway. Only, the last word is more like 'may' than 'me'. Other than that, a fantastic version.

I didn't like Kevin Anderson on the original London Cast recording. He has a great voice but it was a bit I'm-here-just-to-sing-these-songs -kind of performance. Alan Campbell did much better job at it.

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 2/19/05 at 12:42pm

Kevin was a bit raspy, as always. I saw his understudy one of the nights that I went, and thought he was better. DC was just wrong for the role. Elaine was terrific, but PATTI IS NORMA. PATTI IS LIFE.

[pattifan2]

Posted: 2/19/05 at 12:50pm

I know I'm perhaps in a minority here but I really like Kevin Anderson as Joe...I know he's got kind of a 'lazy' interpretation but I thought that really worked with his character..he really got that interpreatation of a 'taker'...I will never forget Patti's final performance. It has to be perhaps my most memorable night in the theatre..the atmosphere was electric. I will never know how she managed to keep it together under the circumstances of her leaving the show - and then there was the set breaking down and everything. I really enjoyed Elaine's interpretation, but it will always be Patti for me....

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 2/19/05 at 12:53pm

I enjoyed Kevin's performance, and thought that he and Patti worked well together on-stage. I do prefer Alan, though. The London production will always be my favorite production. I had ALW's picture on my dart board for quite some time after he fired Patti.