Patti LuPone singing 'Being Alive'

#1

Patti LuPone singing 'Being Alive'

Posted: 12/31/05 at 3:46pm

I first heard a clip of this a few weeks ago and I was blown away by her AMAZING rendition of 'Being Alive' from COMPANY.

Then I watched the "Sondheim: A Celebration at Carnegie Hall" DVD that my friend had, and it was ten times better to watch her performing it and the applause that she receives. She was one of the best performers in that concert! Her vocal power is incredible.

Anyone else agree/disagree?

Updated On: 12/31/05 at 03:46 PM

#2

re: Patti LuPone singing 'Being Alive'

Posted: 12/31/05 at 3:48pm

That song might as well have been written for her. I've heard many other performers do it (Bernadette Peters, Anthony Warlow and Mandy Patinkin to name just a few) but her version is by far my favorite.

But then, she's my theatrical idol, so I'm biased. :)

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"The power of accurate observation is commonly termed as cynicism by those who do not possess it." -George Bernard Shaw

#3

re: Patti LuPone singing 'Being Alive'

Posted: 12/31/05 at 3:48pm

I adore Patti's version. It is big, bold, and amazing. Still-nobody can get to the emotional core of the song like Bernadette Peters.

#4

re: Patti LuPone singing 'Being Alive'

Posted: 12/31/05 at 3:49pm

I saw her do this live in Atlanta as part of her "Matters of the Heart" tour, or whatever it was called. She blew me away with this song. Incredible!

#5

re: Patti LuPone singing 'Being Alive'

Posted: 12/31/05 at 3:50pm

Is there a key change on the final phrase? Or is that how it is written? It sounds a lot higher than when I've heard it before.

Updated On: 12/31/05 at 03:50 PM

#6

re: Patti LuPone singing 'Being Alive'

Posted: 12/31/05 at 3:53pm

She also performs it on her cd, Patti LuPone Live. Her version is excellent, though I still prefer Dean Jones' above all the others.

#7

re: Patti LuPone singing 'Being Alive'

Posted: 12/31/05 at 4:09pm

Patti's version is terrific. She infuses it with so much passion and desire.

#8

re: Patti LuPone singing 'Being Alive'

Posted: 12/31/05 at 4:39pm

Am I the only one who really prefers a male singing this song?
I mean I love Bernadette's version, but I just think it has more emotional potency when sung by a male.
Anyone agree?

#9

re: Patti LuPone singing 'Being Alive'

Posted: 12/31/05 at 4:41pm

Patti singing anything is amazing!

#10

re: Patti LuPone singing 'Being Alive'

Posted: 12/31/05 at 5:25pm

It is absoluetly beautiful. It is a great song and I like other versions, but she brings something magical to it. That's why she's Patti LuPone!

#11

re: Patti LuPone singing 'Being Alive'

Posted: 12/31/05 at 5:30pm

Yes...hearing a male singing this song is always a wonderful thing...and yes, I do adore Patti's version.

But for me - as said by BobbyBubby - nobody gets to the emotional core of this song like Bernadette Peters does! I could listen to her do this song, over and over and over again and cry every sing time. Patti's version to me is just and in your face, big, brassy, bold and happy to be alive version. Not that there is a THING wrong w/that, but for me Bernadette's emotions just mean sooooo much more.

#12

re: Patti LuPone singing 'Being Alive'

Posted: 12/31/05 at 6:08pm

I love both Patti and Bernadette's versions... I don't think I could choose between them!

#13

re: Patti LuPone singing 'Being Alive'

Posted: 12/31/05 at 6:17pm

I couldn't choose between Patti and Bernadette either...one big and brassy the other so rich with emotion. The women own this song, I have never heard a man sing it with such passion.

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"I hope you're all happy, keeping Alan off the team. Couldn't you, for once, open your minds and hearts and hear something that he couldn't see? I, for one, am glad that Alan is blind, so he can't see what, I am so sad to say, you can't hear." -Jerri Blank

#14

re: Patti LuPone singing 'Being Alive'

Posted: 12/31/05 at 6:19pm

I've never heard Bernadette's version. Is it on a CD?

#15

re: Patti LuPone singing 'Being Alive'

Posted: 12/31/05 at 6:59pm

Yeah, I don't know which one...sorry. I love Bernadette's version because at the end you can just hear how she souns like she's faltering but keeps going like a pro. That's the part, heck...the whole thing makes me cry. I'll have to get my hands on a CD with Patti singing it. Carnige Hall one, right?

#16

re: Patti LuPone singing 'Being Alive'

Posted: 12/31/05 at 7:23pm

The Carnegie Hall version is the only time I can say outright I like how Patti LuPone is singing. She normally drives me nuts, so that should give you an idea of how good it is. :) She seemed too rushed when she did it at Wall to Wall Sondheim, though.

I believe Bernadette Peters' version is in Hey, Mr. Producer! Those CDs contain a few other gems as well, so I'd recommend getting them.

Updated On: 12/31/05 at 07:23 PM

#17

re: Patti LuPone singing 'Being Alive'

Posted: 12/31/05 at 7:49pm

it's also on her live concert CDs: "Patti Lupone: Live." But Bernadette's version is definitive.

Updated On: 12/31/05 at 07:49 PM

#18

re: Patti LuPone singing 'Being Alive'

Posted: 12/31/05 at 8:48pm

I totally agree with you shrew. Her performance is my favorite scene from that concert. I did really like Boyd Gaine's version as well for Company at the Roundabout

#19

re: Patti LuPone singing 'Being Alive'

Posted: 12/31/05 at 10:55pm

Bernadette's version is on her CD, Sondheim etc.

It also happens to be my favorite rendition of the song, though I did enjoy Lea Salonga's take on it during a recent concert.

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"Why do you care what people might say? Why try to fit into their design?" (Side Show)

#20

re: Patti LuPone singing 'Being Alive'

Posted: 1/1/06 at 1:21am

I think it was written for a guy and will always sound best with a strong male voice. When I listen to Patti or Bernadette it never seems to fit just right, vocally, thematically. It's a guy's song.

#21

re: Patti LuPone singing 'Being Alive'

Posted: 1/1/06 at 3:59am

I always feel a bit cheated with both Lupone and Peter's versions of the song - because they are only really singing one half of the number - so it's a bit like walking in on the second act. Undoubtedly they sing it well and try to convey the arc of the song...

So, not bad... but give me Dean Jones or Adrian Lester's les than perfect voices to give me the tingles of raw emotion rather than the staged emotion of singing a standard.

#22

re: Patti LuPone singing 'Being Alive'

Posted: 1/1/06 at 7:14am

I think Bernadette's version of this song is by far the best. She just connects with the content of the song and communicates the sentiment beautifully. Her performance of it on 'Hey Mr. Producer' leaves the other performers stunned, you can see Judi Dench's admiration for her.

#23

re: Patti LuPone singing 'Being Alive'

Posted: 1/1/06 at 11:25am

I bought her recording of the song via iTunes. Tis very faboo. I perfer it over Dean Jones'. No offense, but his voice drives me crazy. I am not very fond of his 'Being Alive'.

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"The cynicism you refer to, I acquired the day I discovered I was different from little boys!~All About Eve

#24

re: Patti LuPone singing 'Being Alive'

Posted: 1/1/06 at 11:48am

Difficult to chose between Patti's and Bernadette's version. For sheer power I'd go with Patti but for the emotion it would be Bernadette. The one I find myself listening to more often, though, is Patti's at Carnegie Hall. Good point, too, AngusN - I was in the audience of 'Hey, Mr Producer' and you could see every performer onstage during that Sondheim section totally in awe of Bernadette's performance.

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...fragment of the day...

Updated On: 2/11/06 at 11:48 AM

#25

re: Patti LuPone singing 'Being Alive'

Posted: 1/1/06 at 11:54am

I also thought Patti's Being Alive at the Wall to Wall Sondheim concert was amazing, too.