Swing Joined: 4/3/06
Daphne Rubin-Vega
Swing Joined: 12/31/69
With regards to Daphne's voice, I truly think it depends on the context. I generally like her voice on the Rent OBCR because, as it's been pointed out so many times before, her voice fits the character so well. I can't get through more than a song of her solo work, though.
Daphne
Mariah Carey
Sarah Brightman
Michael Crawford
Adam Pascal
Daphne Rubin-Vega
Carol Channing
Ana Gasteyer
I'd rather hear babies crying as they are dipped into hot wax then thrown onto a bed of nails than listen to Idina sing another note.
That was a bit drastic, but oh how true it is.
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/23/05
Raul Julia--that's not singing. That's warbling!!!!!!!!!
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
Raul Esparza does have a fast vibrato, but it is only really noticeable when he is belting f5 and up. It does get to be a bit much. He also sings a little throaty sometimes, sounding a bit like Kermit the Frog. But, again, he is unique and in his lower register has a great tone.
I'm so glad I'm not the only one who made the Kermit the Frog comparison. It's not consistent, by any means, and anybody who frequents this board knows that I think Raúl has one of the most beautiful, versatile voices I have ever heard -- crazy vibrato, motor-in-the-throat and all -- but sometimes he does things that make me go "... why are you making that noise?"
Broadway Star Joined: 1/28/06
I think she is a very talented performer, but, for some reason, I can't listen to Sutton Foster.
I've seen a lot of posts that praise Idina Menzel's work in Lippa's "Wild Party," but I've found that her voice makes me cringe more on that recording than on any other.
Stand-by Joined: 10/10/06
a lot of the people you guys mention i would not really call respected singers...well i guess if ur on broadway you are considered that...i suppose...well anyway a lot of the people you mention are not really "singers first" or "mainly singers'
and ethel merman...while i do not like her...was the FIRST to do what she did..belt and be so loud...she was innovative...
and bernadette...definately considered actor first! though in her beginnings when she was very young had a much more pleasant voice...great instrument...bad technique...cuz her acting comes first
anyhhoo my choices
1) kristin chenoweth...not very impressive to me...im sure theres better opera/belter girls out there
2) kerry butler...kill me if she is ariel
3) daphne...who i used to defend as good for what she does (though not a technical singer)...now is going around singing les mis! wtf that aint your thing lady....minus points!
4)hmm maybe more later
Mandy Patinkin Mandy Patinkin Mandy Patinkin Mandy Patinkin Mandy Patinkin Mandy Patinkin Mandy Patinkin Mandy Patinkin Mandy Patinkin Mandy Patinkin Mandy Patinkin Mandy Patinkin Mandy Patinkin Mandy Patinkin Mandy Patinkin Mandy Patinkin Mandy Patinkin Mandy Patinkin Mandy Patinkin Mandy Patinkin Mandy Patinkin Mandy Patinkin Mandy Patinkin Mandy Patinkin Mandy Patinkin Mandy Patinkin Mandy Patinkin Mandy Patinkin Mandy Patinkin Mandy Patinkin Mandy Patinkin Mandy Patinkin Mandy Patinkin Mandy Patinkin Mandy Patinkin Mandy Patinkin Mandy Patinkin Mandy Patinkin Mandy Patinkin Mandy Patinkin Mandy Patinkin Mandy Patinkin Mandy Patinkin Mandy Patinkin Mandy Patinkin Mandy Patinkin Mandy Patinkin Mandy Patinkin Mandy Patinkin Mandy Patinkin Mandy Patinkin Mandy Patinkin Mandy Patinkin Mandy Patinkin Mandy Patinkin Mandy Patinkin
Did I mention Mandy Patinkin?
Daphne Rubin-Vega. I was just watching the Les Mis rehearsal footage on Broadway.com (I WANT TO SEE IT, why do I live in the Western desert?!?!) and... good lord, her voice makes me want to poke my ears out. I'm SURE they could have picked a Fantine who doesn't sound like she has a 40-year pack-a-day habit.
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/18/04
I think Bernadette Peters is great and she has stage presence, however I find her voice to be grating at times. I can't listen to the Gypsy recording without having to cringe. From her singing to her awful line-delivery where she sounds as if she's playing Rose drunk, I think that recording was just off.
Idina Menzel I like at times, but many times I just find her to be doing the same yelling over and over again. Even in Aida, she couldn't play the character straight and had to add the Maureen riff she does in EVERYTHING. And let's not forget the constant gasps. It's like "I'm *gasp* flying high *gasp* Defying *gasp* Gravity! *huge gasp*
I'm one of her bigger fans, but Kristin Chenoweth, I feel, sounds really bad on CD recordings. Maybe it's the music selection or the way the studio is processing her voice to the CD, but she sounds thin and on the Wicked CD, a lot more nasal and grating. However, when she does the more classic route and when she sings live, I find her to be a whole lot better.
To me, a lot of things are forgiven for singers who have tendencies to be annoying or grating if they fit the character and have those things give the character depth and personality.
In that respect, I cut Patti Lupone a lot of slack because from what I've heard and seen, she sells the hell out of her characters. However, I don't think I could listen to her sing for a long time. I can't word this right, but she can sound loopy and her diction is just really awful.
Oh, and Hugh Jackman! Someone please tell me his appeal? I think his voice is one of the most obnoxious sounding voices ever to grace the stage. I can't find anything redeemable in his singing voice. I guess it helps to be a "hunk".
Bebe Neuwirth
"..jazzzzzzzzzzzzz"
Sarah Brightman: (from Forbidden Broadway Strikes Back!--...."I should be charged with a crime for.... what I have done.... to opera and Phantom on stage....It's time I said...good...bye... pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeezzzzzzzzze!!!)
Daphne Rubiu Vega (Oh my God Fantine!!!!)
Hugh Jackman
Mandy Patinkin
Eden Espinoza
Antonio Banderas (well, I dont know if he s a respected singer)
Christine Andreas
Bernadette Peters
Mandy Patinkin
Eden Esscreamosa
Shoshona Scream
Updated On: 10/17/06 at 10:37 AM
Andrea Bocelli- his intonation stinks.
Broadway Star Joined: 10/15/06
Barbra Cook and Patti Lupone!!
I agree with Barbara Cook...her intonation stinks too, imo.
Bocelli doesn't even have a consistent vibrato. Ugh.
I would also like to add Iscreama Menzel.
Broadway Star Joined: 2/1/06
Patti LuPone
Frances Ruffelle
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