James Snyder in Goodspeed's CAROUSEL- Page 3

[adam.peterson44]

Posted: 8/27/12 at 4:32pm

"Better than this? Really?"

Yes, by far!

[SonofRobbieJ]

Posted: 8/27/12 at 4:42pm

^ Oh, dear.

[EricMontreal22]

Posted: 8/27/12 at 4:51pm

*ducks* I prefer his version too. Changing times I guess--though Raitt's is thrilling. On the Hytner tour I also loved Patrick Wilson's, but I think (and this may be due to memory) I prefer Snyder.

[Smaxie]

Posted: 8/27/12 at 4:51pm

Guess we've entered the land of hyperbole. I'm not even saying anything against James Snyder - from the footage, he looks very good. I thought he sang thrillingly in Fanny at Encores, so I knew he had it in him. I'm also not of the belief that a role's originator is the one and only stamp on a role and no one else can ever compare. That is stifiling to today's artists. But better - "by far"? That, I find incredible. It's also endemic in this country, where a "#1" has to be declared for everything - even best sung "Soliloquys". I can enjoy Snyder and marvel at Raitt, without having to set them against each other in a grudge match.

[SonofRobbieJ]

Posted: 8/27/12 at 4:57pm

'I can enjoy Snyder and marvel at Raitt'

That's sort of perfectly put, isn't it? I would love to see Snyder's full Soliloquy...hell, I'd love to see his entire take on the role. But one can only marvel at Raitt. His striking looks, the easy masculinity and THAT VOICE all combine to make something thrilling.

[Smaxie]

Posted: 8/27/12 at 5:22pm

Keeping in mind that Raitt is on a TV program and not performing the role in context, one choice I'd give to Raitt - I think he gets more of an effect with how feral he looks singing "take it" versus Synder's "taaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaake it," which I didn't quite understand.

I understand the preference that many feel for today's singers and I get James Snyder's appeal here. As Robbie said above, I'd love to see the whole performance. But given the plummy tones of many of Raitt's contemporaries, the sound he produced still strikes me as lush and modern and I'd just encourage anyone to not discount Raitt, while praising Snyder.

Updated On: 8/27/12 at 05:22 PM

[Dollypop]

Posted: 8/27/12 at 6:53pm

Snyder's phrasing may be a result of his rock background. Again, he didn't know he had this voice in him until only a few years ago. A good voice teacher introduced him to it.

I can also attest to the fact that James has avoided recordings and movie versions of CAROUSEL in order to make this his own take on the role.