Which Gypsy?

[Angel Dumott Schunard]

Posted: 11/13/04 at 1:27pm

Which cast recording of GYPSY should I buy, Ethel Merman or Bernadette Peters?

[TheaterGeek91]

Posted: 11/13/04 at 1:39pm

I have only listened to the Ethel Merman recording a few times, but I own the Bernadette one and I really enjoy it. I think Bernadette did a very nice job with the role vocally.

[Hope]

Posted: 11/13/04 at 1:40pm

They are both very different. Some will argue EM version is the best recording of Gypsy.
For me Bernadette Peters is the only "Rose" I've seen on stage so I will go with hers. Also b/c I really like her! But her live performance was much better than the cd. But the cd is nice too. Although, for me B. Midler's version is a close second. I think Merman scream the role too much (again, others will argue that you had to see Merman's performance to truly get-it.)

Or, you can do what I've done and buy them all!

Either way, good luck with your decision!

[timote316]

Posted: 11/13/04 at 1:53pm

Personally, I'd go with Bernadette.

[Plum]

Posted: 11/13/04 at 1:57pm

Ethel Merman.

As much as I adore Ms. Peters, she did far better on stage than on the recording- and Merman is the only Rose who was ever able to really sing the score full-out.

Of course, if I were you I'd get both and the Angela Lansbury recording to boot, but Merman would be the first I'd buy.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 11/13/04 at 3:17pm

Bernadette's

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 11/13/04 at 3:19pm

Merman and then Lansbury's.

[PJ]

Posted: 11/13/04 at 3:25pm

I believe the earlier recordings must be heard as well as Bernadette's. I was introduced to Gypsy ala Lansbury, so her recording is my favorite, I believe. I saw Bernadette live, and I must agree w/ others, she doesn't sound as good as she did in the theatre.

[synchrogirl]

Posted: 11/13/04 at 3:26pm

No love for Tyne Daly? ;o)

I haven't heard Merman's, I'd go Bette, Bernadette, then Angela (though that could change as I haven't listened to her version as much)

[edenespinosalover]

Posted: 11/13/04 at 3:52pm

The first Gypsy CD that I bought was with Bette Midler. I have the movie as well and I personally think she does an excellent job. I saw Bernadette Peters do the role and I have the CD with her as well. I honestly don't like the way that Bernadette sounds anymore. WAY WAY WAAAY too much tension in her voice. It almost hurts listening to her. I would buy Bernadette's though just because it has more. But beware...it's not always so great sounding.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 11/13/04 at 4:05pm

I would prefer the recording with Bernadette. In addition, I think the sound quality is overall better than older recordings.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 11/13/04 at 5:08pm

Bernadette hands down.

I can only listen to the Ethel Merman one for about two minutes and then I have to turn it off because I have such a headache from her screeching, but maybe that's just me.

[Plum]

Posted: 11/13/04 at 5:50pm

I can easily see why some people are irritated by Merman's voice, but I wouldn't call it screechy. More like strident. :P But then again, lots of people are irritated by Peters' voice, too.

Like I said, I'd take Merman's version because she's the only one who could really fully handle the part.

[_Angel_]

Posted: 11/13/04 at 8:15pm

wow! this is a tough one.
they all have there pluses and minuses.
the OBC w/Merman has Merman but not Gypsy's show stopping strip routine, for example.
i have all of them:

Merman
Lansbury
Russell
Daly
and
Peters

i wished the Papermill revival starring Betty Buckley would have been recorded, she was amazing.

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 11/13/04 at 8:18pm

I agree about wishing to have had teh buckley version recorded.

I like the Peters recording because I have a thing for David Burtka.

[VeuveClicquot]

Posted: 11/14/04 at 6:46am

There are great things on all six of the GYPSY recordings. (_Angel_, you left out the Midler version in your list).

Personally, my favorite recording is the Lansbury version. I too wish that Buckley's performance had been preserved, as she was my favorite Rose (followed closely by Linda Lavin).

But if you have to choose, it's probably best to go with the original Merman recording. I think that one needs to know a musical from its origins before you can appreciate other versions of it, and while I cannot say which recording you will ultimately prefer, I think it's important to "start at the very beginning," as it were.

In my opinion, there is no bad recording of GYPSY. One can debate the qualities of various Roses ad infinitum, and no one will concur. For instance, I personally felt that Tyne Daly's Rose was extremely overrated, but many people point to her as the best of all possible Roses. Arthur Laurents, the author of GYPSY, spoke of Betty Buckley's performance as "execrable," was reportedly disappointed with Bernadette's take on the role, and adored Tyne Daly. I happen to disagree with Mr. Laurents on all counts. But you have to make up your own mind, and listening to other people's opinions (which, in the case of GYPSY, tend to be extreme) is an exercise in futility.

Whichever you decide, please remember that regardless of what the liner notes say, and despite what Arthur Laurents often claims, the actual title of the song is "You Gotta GET a Gimmick," not "You gotta HAVE a gimmick." Updated On: 11/14/04 at 06:46 AM

[sndtrklvr]

Posted: 11/14/04 at 9:42am

I'll give the same answer as I've given before -- buy them all. But if you can't

1. Merman -- the original. Get goosebumps when she sings "curtain up"

2. Lansbury -- "For me, For me" tragic

3. Midler -- This doesn't get mentioned alot but she does a great job. Probably the best real singer of all of them

4. Daly -- Christa Moore is terrific. Daly bring griiiit.

5. Bernadette -- I just don't think what she had on stage translates well to record. If only the power she has at the Tony awards doing Rose's turn could be captured.

I am sure others will disagree and sometimes I really like the Daly version more and sometimes the Lansbury. Again it is fun to listen to them all and hear 5 very different performers play the greatest female role in musical theatre.

[Elphaba3]

Posted: 11/14/04 at 9:47am

Bernadette! I can't stand Ethel's voice.

[PJ]

Posted: 11/14/04 at 1:23pm

I still get chills when I listen to Angela's "Rose's Turn." There's just something about the way she yells "For Me" at the end that gets me every time.

[MagicToDo82]

Posted: 11/14/04 at 2:02pm

I'm partial to the Bette Midler version, just because I think she's amazing!

[Glebb]

Posted: 11/14/04 at 2:04pm

Midler sings it very well, but Angela acts the daylights out of it.