Marty Thomas is Fantastic!

[muscle23ftl]

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.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 7/2/07 at 9:58am

"star" of WICKED????

[Broadwayboy2631]

Posted: 7/2/07 at 10:03am

It's not that great...

[acrocksyo]

Posted: 7/2/07 at 10:36am

His 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!

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 7/2/07 at 10:43am

He 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!

[popular_elphie]

Posted: 7/2/07 at 11:56am

Marty is amazing, and so funny. He's absolutely amazing in XANADU.

[Jazzysuite82]

Posted: 7/2/07 at 12:31pm

Neither 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]

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!

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 7/2/07 at 3:57pm

Yes, he was in Wicked.

[JRybka]

Posted: 7/2/07 at 5:11pm

i just wish he would allow itunes to release his music then i can buy his cd. I have his dance stuff.

[bjh2114]

Posted: 7/2/07 at 5:17pm

Muscle, 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.

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 7/2/07 at 5:31pm

I got that.

To me, the emsemble members are stars as well.

[TapTapTapioca]

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.

[JRybka]

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...

[JRybka]

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...

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 7/2/07 at 5:53pm

Bring it on, I can take you and 5 more... b*tch

[artscallion]

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.

Updated On: 7/2/07 at 06:05 PM

[My2cents2]

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.