Marty Thomas is Fantastic!
Marty Thomas is Fantastic!
#1Marty Thomas is Fantastic!
Posted: 7/2/07 at 7:29am
http://youtube.com/watch?v=SaYoGuZtguY
The former host of Therapy's Cattle Call, star of Wicked, The Secret Garden and currently in Xanadu, has a big voice.
"People have their opinions and that doesn't mean that their opinions are wrong or right. I just take it with a grain of salt because opinions are like as*holes, everyone has one".
-Felicia Finley-
CurtainPullDowner
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/4/04
#3re: Marty Thomas is Fantastic!
Posted: 7/2/07 at 10:36amHis cabaret shows are funny. He's very talented, but since he is a skinny little white boy who sounds like a big black woman, he's hard to cast! Wah wah!
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#4re: Marty Thomas is Fantastic!
Posted: 7/2/07 at 10:43amHe has a great voice, it is in the same category as Josh Strickland. Many people think Josh sounds like a black woman. I happen to love both men's voices. Love ya Marty!
"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
popular_elphie
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/3/05
#5re: Marty Thomas is Fantastic!
Posted: 7/2/07 at 11:56amMarty is amazing, and so funny. He's absolutely amazing in XANADU.
Jazzysuite82
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/6/05
#6re: Marty Thomas is Fantastic!
Posted: 7/2/07 at 12:31pmNeither Marty or Josh sound like big black women. LOL they sound like men singing high...that's ok too, although I never really thought Marty had a big voice. I always got sort of lighter, even singing the big stuff. There's nothing wrong with that either. I guess it depends on who else you've heard singing up there.
My2cents2
Swing Joined: 9/15/06
#7re: Marty Thomas is Fantastic!
Posted: 7/2/07 at 12:47pm
Haha. I think Jazzysuite hit the nail on the head. It really all depends on who else you've heard singing. Both Marty and Josh have great voices, however, neither of them sound like big black women. They both have rather thin, light sounds. And although, Marty chooses to sing lots of material that'd sit in the Billy Porter, Jennifer Holiday, Idina Menzel, audition books...it doesn't mean that it's always the most appropriate material for his voice. That being said, his "Love is On the Way" is very pretty - and sounds like a white guy with a great voice. Point blank.
PS - The whole "sounding black" comment is ridiculous and it's that same thinking that pigeon holes many black performers whose voices go against the stereotypical lean back and scream mentality...let's open our minds people!
#8re: Marty Thomas is Fantastic!
Posted: 7/2/07 at 3:57pmYes, he was in Wicked.
"People have their opinions and that doesn't mean that their opinions are wrong or right. I just take it with a grain of salt because opinions are like as*holes, everyone has one".
-Felicia Finley-
#9re: Marty Thomas is Fantastic!
Posted: 7/2/07 at 5:11pmi just wish he would allow itunes to release his music then i can buy his cd. I have his dance stuff.
"Whenever I get gloomy with the state of the world, I think about the arrivals gate at Heathrow Airport. General opinion's starting to make out that we live in a world of hatred and greed, but I don't see that. It seems to me that love is everywhere. Often it's not particularly dignified or newsworthy, but it's always there - fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, husbands and wives, boyfriends, girlfriends, old friends. When the planes hit the Twin Towers, as far as I know none of the phone calls from the people on board were messages of hate or revenge - they were all messages of love. If you look for it, I've got a sneaky feeling you'll find that love actually is all around."
#10re: Marty Thomas is Fantastic!
Posted: 7/2/07 at 5:17pmMuscle, I think CPD was referring to your use of the word "star". Marty was in Wicked, yes...as a swing and then an ensemble member. He was not a "star" of Wicked.
#11re: Marty Thomas is Fantastic!
Posted: 7/2/07 at 5:31pm
I got that.
To me, the emsemble members are stars as well.
"People have their opinions and that doesn't mean that their opinions are wrong or right. I just take it with a grain of salt because opinions are like as*holes, everyone has one".
-Felicia Finley-
TapTapTapioca
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/27/07
#12re: Marty Thomas is Fantastic!
Posted: 7/2/07 at 5:48pm
To me, the emsemble members are stars as well.
If I were near you...I would slap you really really hard.
I shave me Xanadu every morning!
#13re: Marty Thomas is Fantastic!
Posted: 7/2/07 at 5:50pm
other then the fact that your comment about slapping is rude...
i have to say that sometimes the "ensemble" work harder then the stars...
"Whenever I get gloomy with the state of the world, I think about the arrivals gate at Heathrow Airport. General opinion's starting to make out that we live in a world of hatred and greed, but I don't see that. It seems to me that love is everywhere. Often it's not particularly dignified or newsworthy, but it's always there - fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, husbands and wives, boyfriends, girlfriends, old friends. When the planes hit the Twin Towers, as far as I know none of the phone calls from the people on board were messages of hate or revenge - they were all messages of love. If you look for it, I've got a sneaky feeling you'll find that love actually is all around."
#14re: Marty Thomas is Fantastic!
Posted: 7/2/07 at 5:50pm
other then the fact that your comment about slapping is rude...
i have to say that sometimes the "ensemble" work harder then the stars...
"Whenever I get gloomy with the state of the world, I think about the arrivals gate at Heathrow Airport. General opinion's starting to make out that we live in a world of hatred and greed, but I don't see that. It seems to me that love is everywhere. Often it's not particularly dignified or newsworthy, but it's always there - fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, husbands and wives, boyfriends, girlfriends, old friends. When the planes hit the Twin Towers, as far as I know none of the phone calls from the people on board were messages of hate or revenge - they were all messages of love. If you look for it, I've got a sneaky feeling you'll find that love actually is all around."
#15re: Marty Thomas is Fantastic!
Posted: 7/2/07 at 5:53pmBring it on, I can take you and 5 more... b*tch
"People have their opinions and that doesn't mean that their opinions are wrong or right. I just take it with a grain of salt because opinions are like as*holes, everyone has one".
-Felicia Finley-
#16re: Marty Thomas is Fantastic!
Posted: 7/2/07 at 6:05pm
I think he's very talented. I was impressed. Though I can't stand that "idol" style of singing that Misses Holiday and Houston have cursed us with. I often feel as if they aren't really paying attention to what they're singing. The vocalizing rarely fits what they're saying, just fits the "buildup" of the song.
More than that I hate when audiences applaud vocal acrobatics in the middle of a song, as if singing were a sport and they'd just done a triple fatcow.
Art has a double face, of expression and illusion.
Updated On: 7/2/07 at 06:05 PM
My2cents2
Swing Joined: 9/15/06
#17re: Marty Thomas is Fantastic!
Posted: 7/3/07 at 11:26am
There is a time and place for everything. Vocal acrobatics were around long before Holiday or Houston (both who were brought up in the type of churches where such singing is greatly appreciated and respected and in many ways is described as giving God "everything that you've got") In various genres, jazz, gospel, r&b, soul, even opera vocal decorations are quite popular - so I wouldn't blame Holiday or Houston for something that is much bigger than either of them.
And frankly, I'd hardly call what those two ladies are known for "Idol" style singing. While Ms Holiday certain has become almost a caricature of herself today, when she was on top (a la Dreamgirls) - I think it was impossible to not feel every ounce of her emotion whenever she sang. THAT is why audiences responded to her. She was giving the material everything she had - blood, sweat, and tears - night after night. Even though she wasn't the best actress, you felt every minute of her performance - and for that she was rightfully applauded.
The "Idol" kids today don't compare. I do agree that many concern themselves with showing off and forget the connection to the text. Sad to say, there are many voice teachers who encourage this - "add a riff there" mentality. But there is a time and place for everything...
In a show like DREAMGIRLS, the audience is applauding for yes Vocal Acrobatics but they are also (in a good production) verbally reacting because they feel connected to what the actors are singing. It is VERY appropriate in the genre. If you don't like the genre, don't attend the show. 
I apologize for the length of this reponse. All of that to say, yes, while Marty does have a gorgeous voice...he DOES fall into the "Idol" style of singing (as you call it) more often then not - making it all about the new riff and throwing his head back to make sure you know he's got that high note. Marty doesn't have to do all of that...it hardly sounds natural on him for the most part.
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