Obama's iPod Gift to Elizabeth II Fit for a 'Queen', Loaded with 40 Broadway Show Tunes
Obama's iPod Gift to Elizabeth II Fit for a 'Queen', Loaded with 40 Broadway Show Tunes
EddieVarley
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/4/04
#2re: Obama's iPod Gift to Elizabeth II Fit for a 'Queen', Loaded with 40 Broadway Show Tunes
Posted: 4/1/09 at 10:00pm
I was sure this was another BWW April Fools but I was presently suprised.
How hip and classy of him.
You're reminding me of people you hear at the movies asking questions every ten seconds, "Who is that? Why is that guy walking down the street? Who's that lady coming up to him? Uh-oh, why did that car go by? Why is it so dark in this theater?" - FindingNamo on strummergirl
"If artists were machines, then I'm just a different kind of machine...I'd probably be a toaster. Actually, I'd be a toaster oven because they're more versatile. And I like making grilled cheese" -Regina Spektor
"That's, like, twelve shows! ...Or seven." -Crazy SA Fangirl
"They say that just being relaxed is the most important thing [in acting]. I take that to another level, I think kinda like yawning and...like being partially asleep onstage is also good, but whatever." - Sherie Rene Scott
"If artists were machines, then I'm just a different kind of machine...I'd probably be a toaster. Actually, I'd be a toaster oven because they're more versatile. And I like making grilled cheese" -Regina Spektor
"That's, like, twelve shows! ...Or seven." -Crazy SA Fangirl
"They say that just being relaxed is the most important thing [in acting]. I take that to another level, I think kinda like yawning and...like being partially asleep onstage is also good, but whatever." - Sherie Rene Scott
whatever2
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/25/06
#2re: Obama's iPod Gift to Elizabeth II Fit for a 'Queen', Loaded with 40 Broadway Show Tunes
Posted: 4/1/09 at 10:15pm
definitely, there's a lot of thought evidenced in what went on that ipod.
however, when british PM Brown and his family paid a visit to DC about six weeks ago, the Obamas presented their guests with some completely appalling welcome gifts -- the functional equivalent of airport gifts. the faux pas was exacerbated by the fact that the Browns brought some extraordinarily thoughtful gifts for their hosts(which, given the "special relationship" that diplomats alway say exists between the US and the UK, was far more appropriate).
in any case, atonement was required ... so i'm guessing someone at 1600 pennsylvania avenue spent a LOT of time assembling that playlist!
"You, sir, are a moron." (PlayItAgain)
#3re: Obama's iPod Gift to Elizabeth II Fit for a 'Queen', Loaded with 40 Broadway Show Tunes
Posted: 4/1/09 at 10:19pmPretty good playlist!
#4re: Obama's iPod Gift to Elizabeth II Fit for a 'Queen', Loaded with 40 Broadway Show Tunes
Posted: 4/1/09 at 10:24pmAretha Franklin singing I Dreamed a Dream? I can't decide if this is a fail or not.
When I see the phrase "the ____ estate", I imagine a vast mansion in the country full of monocled men and high-collared women receiving letters about productions across the country and doing spit-takes at whatever they contain.
-Kad
Mr Roxy
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/17/03
#5re: Obama's iPod Gift to Elizabeth II Fit for a 'Queen', Loaded with 40 Broadway Show Tunes
Posted: 4/1/09 at 10:25pmNo Wildhorn?
Poster Emeritus
#6re: Obama's iPod Gift to Elizabeth II Fit for a 'Queen', Loaded with 40 Broadway Show Tunes
Posted: 4/1/09 at 10:27pmAlmost all of these are original cast performances. ALMOST all.......
ashbash1990
Broadway Star Joined: 10/15/06
#7re: Obama's iPod Gift to Elizabeth II Fit for a 'Queen', Loaded with 40 Broadway Show Tunes
Posted: 4/1/09 at 10:35pmAs per the CNN.com political ticker: The White House revealed the songs on the iPod were all from the two-disc CD, 'Ultimate Broadway.'
What a night! I was in more laps than a napkin!
#8re: Obama's iPod Gift to Elizabeth II Fit for a 'Queen', Loaded with 40 Bro
Posted: 4/1/09 at 11:27pmYeah I was about to say... I have that CD and those are the tracks off of Ultimate Broadway
CurtainPullDowner
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/4/04
#9re: Obama's iPod Gift to Elizabeth II Fit for a 'Queen', Loaded with 40 Bro
Posted: 4/1/09 at 11:31pm
That's kinda Lame. nothing from
MR. PRESIDENT
or
PURLIE
Can anyone picture the Queen listening to an IPOD?
He should have given her Vinyl, that would be classic!
#10re: Obama's iPod Gift to Elizabeth II Fit for a 'Queen', Loaded with 40 Bro
Posted: 4/2/09 at 8:09am
I like that playlist.
As much as I wish he had given her Glynis Johns's "Send in the Clowns," I'm kind of glad it has Judy Collins's version. It was a pop version, but Sondheim loved it.
#11re: Obama's iPod Gift to Elizabeth II Fit for a 'Queen', Loaded with 40 Bro
Posted: 4/2/09 at 8:14am
As JustAGuy said on the OT board, it's surprising that nothing from 1776 was included. 
....but the world goes 'round
#12re: Obama's iPod Gift to Elizabeth II Fit for a 'Queen', Loaded with 40 Bro
Posted: 4/2/09 at 9:11am
The Obamas also gave the Queen a rare songbook signed by Richard Rogers.
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/toby_harnden/blog/2009/04/01/barack_obamas_gift_for_the_queen_an_ipod_your_majesty
"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
#13re: Obama's iPod Gift to Elizabeth II Fit for a 'Queen', Loaded with 40 Bro
Posted: 4/2/09 at 9:44amWhich songbook is it, I wonder?
#14re: Obama's iPod Gift to Elizabeth II Fit for a 'Queen', Loaded with 40 Bro
Posted: 4/2/09 at 10:10am
Wow, and nothing from The FIX discussing American Politics at its best???
Hmmm... and no Schwartz...
I once heard someone describe her (Ruthie Henshall) singing as sounding as though she's trying to swallow a whole meatball slightly larger than her windpipe. (The same person compared Michael Ball's singing to sounding as though he's sitting on a washing machine on spin cycle and Colm Wilkinson's to a man with a paralyzed lip trying to eat cottage cheese.) --- Schmerg_The_Impaler
#15re: Obama's iPod Gift to Elizabeth II Fit for a 'Queen', Loaded with 40 Bro
Posted: 4/2/09 at 12:27pmAs Laura is broadway said, it's not like he individually chose those songs. They were taken directly from a generic broadway compilation album highlighting songs from from the most popular musicals of the last 60 years called "Ultimate Broadway"
"I'm an American, Damnit!!! And if it's three things I don't believe in, it's quitting and math."
Gothampc
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/20/03
#16re: Obama's iPod Gift to Elizabeth II Fit for a 'Queen', Loaded with 40 Bro
Posted: 4/2/09 at 12:50pm
Oh joy. The Queen gets music she could have laid in bed and downloaded off the internet.
If anyone ever tells you that you put too much Parmesan cheese on your pasta, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
#17re: Obama's iPod Gift to Elizabeth II Fit for a 'Queen', Loaded with 40 Bro
Posted: 4/2/09 at 1:14pmUnlike you, Goth, the Queen in question NEVER lies in bed and downloads music.
MamasDoin'Fine
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/28/08
#18re: Obama's iPod Gift to Elizabeth II Fit for a 'Queen', Loaded with 40 Bro
Posted: 4/2/09 at 1:14pm
She very rarely goes to the theatre and doesn't particularly like musicals.
Her favorite song is 'People Will Say We're In Love' as it reminds her of her honeymoon and that isn't even on there!
A lot of time and thought went in to that one!
#19re: Obama's iPod Gift to Elizabeth II Fit for a 'Queen', Loaded with 40 Bro
Posted: 4/2/09 at 1:29pm
Im actually shocked it's an iPod and not an iPhone!
And true, SHE is not going to download anything! It's her minstrels that will download the stuff for her...
I once heard someone describe her (Ruthie Henshall) singing as sounding as though she's trying to swallow a whole meatball slightly larger than her windpipe. (The same person compared Michael Ball's singing to sounding as though he's sitting on a washing machine on spin cycle and Colm Wilkinson's to a man with a paralyzed lip trying to eat cottage cheese.) --- Schmerg_The_Impaler
#20re: Obama's iPod Gift to Elizabeth II Fit for a 'Queen', Loaded with 40 Bro
Posted: 4/2/09 at 2:07pm
I think this is all pretty much wonderful, I do.
However:
What book was it that they gave her? Specifically? I want to know..........
And regarding the iPod:
1. Don't they hold more than 40 songs?
2. If they thought that she wanted "Ultimate Broadway," they should have just given her the CD.
3. Adding 1 and 2 together: If they wanted to give her a lot of Broadway music on an iPod, somebody should have taken more than 5 minutes and gotten creative with this! Am I wrong?
#21re: Obama's iPod Gift to Elizabeth II Fit for a 'Queen', Loaded with 40 Bro
Posted: 4/2/09 at 2:08pm
Oh, and to Lotte:
I'm assuming you meant "minions" and not "minstrels." If she has minstrels, they should perform this stuff live!!!
#22re: Obama's iPod Gift to Elizabeth II Fit for a 'Queen', Loaded with 40 Bro
Posted: 4/2/09 at 2:12pmI read that the iPod also contained video content documenting her last trip to the US.
"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
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
#23re: Obama's iPod Gift to Elizabeth II Fit for a 'Queen', Loaded with 40 Bro
Posted: 4/2/09 at 2:15pmactually, mamasdoin'fine, it's been reported that Her Majesty is a HUGE fan of showtunes and musicals.
MamasDoin'Fine
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/28/08
#24re: Obama's iPod Gift to Elizabeth II Fit for a 'Queen', Loaded with 40 Bro
Posted: 4/2/09 at 3:30pm
Actually the reports you are reading are wrong. She only likes plays, OK! She adored Rowan Atkinson in 'The Sneeze' and returned a second time.
I worked at the Prince Of Wales when she came to the opening night and she quit happily explained to people that night she's not a lover of musicals and would much rather see a good comedy/play.
They visit the theatre every 18 months or less.
Updated On: 4/2/09 at 03:30 PM
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