Rivera Or Williams? SPIDER WOMAN Vocals.

I find it interesting how people's opinions differ on whos Spider Woman's vocals they prefer.

Chita Rivera is the ultimate, but I think Vanessa Williams does a passable job on her cast recording.

The score couldn't fit Chita's voice any better. It fits like a glove. Obviously the show and score were constructed around Chita. It shows. Rivera's eerie low keys are so haunting and chilling. Rivera's perfect vibrato, and flawless diction is absolutely stunning. Some say she sounds "too old." I know the character shouldn't have been that old. But I think Chita sounds more eerie than old. Ofcourse at this time Chita couldn't belt like she did wonderfully in WSS, Birdie, and Chicago. Still, Chita gives the songs the "Chita flavor," and power. Her title song is AMAZING. Chita's "A Visit" is another favorite of mine.

Vanessa's is a wonderful R&B vocalist. I think she is also great for the theatre. The problem is, the songs loose the haunting eerie chill they had with Vanessa's new keys. It may sound odd, but when I'm listening to the Chita recording I sometimes have to sit back and close my eyes to take it all in, and it absolutely sweeps me. Vanessa's verisons of these songs don't have the same effect on me. Vanessa was definitely more age appropriate for the role. But at her times her vocals are just TOO R&B and smooth for the role. She does give a nice title song though. With Chita, I really care about what the character was trying to express with her lyrics, the same does not go for Vanessa - I feel like I'm listening to a R&B recording. I love Vanessa in general though.

Well since I'm bored and felt like discussing this in depth. Whos Spider Woman vocals do you prefer? Chita Rivera or Vanessa Williams?

Updated On: 2/28/06 at 11:55 PM

I love Chita Rivera but I liked Vanessa in the role alot more. I thought she was perfect. She was beyond any expectations I had for her. I thought she was brillant. Chita was awesome too but i perfered Williams, so that is why i lisen to my Williams cd more often.

I was first exposed to the Vanessa Williams copy many years ago and became so wrapped up in it, I went out and bought the Chita Rivera version also. I think I maybe partially biased to the Williams version simply because it was the first thing I heard and it had quite an impact on me.

After being proposed this question and evaluating though, I honestly don't think I can pick one over the other. Chita Rivera is a legend for many reasons and I do believe this CD showcases what makes her and defines her capabilites ridiculously well. She's very much haunting as mentioned before. Very sexy, and from what I've seen had an amazing presense in this show. Fabulous renditions of the songs that fit her voice fit beautifully.

I do think Vanessa Williams offers a great deal also. To me she seems to drip with seduction in both vocal quality and appearance. Her voice is very soothing and in turn comes off both somewhat haunting and romantic. However, she's doesn't apply her character with as much versatility in numbers like 'Good Times'. It seems somewhat awkward to me. But with numbers like 'Where You Are', she shines.

Another plus to the Williams version in my opinion, which I realize has nothing to do with her, is that Brian Stokes Mitchell's amazing performance as Valantine is preserved. For me, either Howard McGillan or Brent Carver make beautifully talented Molinas. Just my thoughts!

Updated On: 3/1/06 at 01:15 AM

Vanessa Williams is my pick!

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true. I forgot she's a trained dancer. But anyway, I still think Chita is more known for her dancing than her singing though she can do both and Williams is more known for her singing than her dancing though she can do both, too.

"And we all know after seeing the revival of "Into the Woods" that Williams is a better singer than actress."

I thought she was an excellent actress. I loved her in Into the Woods. I thought she brought a diffrent level to the witch. I actually thought she had brillant moments. When she sang "Stay with Me" I got chills because she made the relationship of mother and daughter very real. I did not feel she was playing just the witch but a mother.

I need to get the OBC. But, I have the Vanessa Williams CD because (as I understand it) it has more of the show on it. It also has Brian Stokes Mitchell as Valentin and Howard McGillin as Molina.

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I have a problem with Chita's vocals on Spider Woman i find them too raucous, when she sings i think of The Rink and wish for something a little more stylised. This thread has prompted me to want to check out the Vanessa Williams version PDQ...

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Updated On: 3/1/06 at 11:30 AM

NO!!! I was hoping I wasn't the only one

In my eyes, Crivello can do no wrong.

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A bit of a threadjack, but was a CD for The Visit ever released?

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Wish I could've seen it :/

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Director Harold Prince said in the New York Times that Vanessa's contract was extended because since she took over the leading role, sales went up over a 20%. She had to record "The Sweetest Days" while she was starring in "Kiss..." just an interesting fact i wanted to share.

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Updated On: 3/1/06 at 01:19 PM