John Raitt singing the Soliloquy live(1952)

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John Raitt singing the Soliloquy live(1952)

Posted: 7/14/11 at 12:24pm

I don't know how many of you have heard this, but this gem must be shared!

http://youtu.be/CKCUapUEFkY

Just listen to this and you will know why I am not impressed by the pretty boy pop tenors that are considered leading men on Broadway nowadays. Just LISTEN to that last note. That’s a high b-flat. I don’t know any man on Broadway who can sing a note that high like this (maybe Raul Esparza). It’s out of this world.

Updated On: 7/14/11 at 12:24 PM

John Raitt singing the Soliloquy live(1952)

Posted: 7/14/11 at 12:44pm

Magnificent. They don't make performers like this anymore.

With a little mascara...all your dreams come true.

John Raitt singing the Soliloquy live(1952)

Posted: 7/14/11 at 3:24pm

I may have my stories mixed up, but I think I remember Seth Rudetsky telling an anecdote about Raitt discussing that last note with Richard Rogers, and Rogers wasn't thrilled with Raitt's note, which is higher than what Rogers had written.

"It does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are 20 gods or no god. It neither picks my pocket, nor breaks my leg." -- Thomas Jefferson

John Raitt singing the Soliloquy live(1952)

Posted: 7/14/11 at 3:42pm

raul espara? gimme a break. The guys vibrato is a truck trying to start up. Brian darcy james maybe..thats about it right now..marc kudish maybe younger...no real baritones anymore.

John Raitt singing the Soliloquy live(1952)

Posted: 7/14/11 at 3:55pm

Amazing.

I like your imperturbable perspicacity.

John Raitt singing the Soliloquy live(1952)

Posted: 7/14/11 at 5:08pm

The "Soliloquy" showdown!

Watch them one after another:

John Raitt

(see original post)

Raul Esparza

http://youtu.be/ScUlwS2hdPM

Hugh Jackman

http://youtu.be/3NLJ4hq0Sg0

Gordon MacRae

http://youtu.be/uq0UAdvGdII

Robert Goulet

http://youtu.be/8lYcaQnALYc

Ron Bohmer

http://youtu.be/v2JYaot5y5U

Joey McIntyre (from New Kids on the Block...no, I'm not kidding)

http://youtu.be/lQ1ToWAHYkU

Frank Sinatra (audio only)

http://youtu.be/l1DGLhyPOew

John Raitt singing the Soliloquy live(1952)

Posted: 7/14/11 at 7:25pm

Parts of a televised version of Annie Get Your Gun are on youtube, link is to a part that includes "They Say It's Wonderful" at 8:45. Singers are John Raitt and Mary Martin!!! Wish there were more John Raitt youtubes. What a great singer.
Mary Martin and John Raitt in Annie Get Your Gun

John Raitt singing the Soliloquy live(1952)

Posted: 7/14/11 at 10:44pm

You don't see real baritones on broadway any more because no parts are being written for baritones. And most of the baritone roles in revivals seem to go to the "prettyboy tenors" you speak of.

John Raitt singing the Soliloquy live(1952)

Posted: 7/14/11 at 11:40pm

I'd like to hear Marc Kudisch or Brent Barrett sing it.

#10

John Raitt singing the Soliloquy live(1952)

Posted: 7/14/11 at 11:46pm

It's true, in leading roles anyway, the more pop friendly higher voices are much more the norm.

#11

John Raitt singing the Soliloquy live(1952)

Posted: 7/15/11 at 12:21am

I am so glad I got to see this video, but I'm still going to say that I prefer Raul Esparza's rendition (which I had the privelege of seeing live just this last weekend, it still is in my mind). John Raitt's voice is spectacular, and I agree that one would be hard-pressed to find a voice to match in caliber among today's crop of leading men, however it's the acting that it comes down to for me, and Raul just brings so much to the song acting wise in addition to vocally.

Give me a bottle of bourbon and half a chicken and I'll conquer the world!

#12

John Raitt singing the Soliloquy live(1952)

Posted: 7/15/11 at 12:25am

I think Raitt's version is the best of those youtubes, even though it was recorded live for TV, compared to MacRae's which was for the movie soundtrack. It just seems more powerful than MacRae's, all that singing and he finished so strongly. Raul E's was pretty good considering he was reading the whole time and the accompaniment seemed kind of corny and fast. Hugh Jackman, eh. OK, but not a wow by any means.

The comments on the Raitt youtube are interesting. Big debate about whether he was a tenor or a baritone. Comments say he sounds more like a tenor in "Hey There" (linked), and that Pajama Game role is now considered a tenor role, while the Carousel role is considered a baritone role. And he sings both strongly!

John Raitt sings "Hey There"

Updated On: 7/15/11 at 12:25 AM

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