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Post by LuckyLadybug on Jul 18, 2012 11:33:06 GMT -8
Michael Dunn sang too? That is awesome. You have intrigued me.
EDIT: Oh gosh, I mean, of course he sang on the show. What I meant was, I didn't know he'd released any albums/sung by himself. Which might not have been what you meant anyway. **headdesk.** He does sing very well on the show! But it's a bit hard for me to fully get a grasp on his voice when I've only heard him singing with Phoebe. (Even though their duets are just lovely!)
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Nydiva
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Post by Nydiva on Jul 18, 2012 14:53:46 GMT -8
I didn't mean that Michael ever released an album. Don't I wish! If he had, I'd pay just about any price to get it!!!
Being a Broadway buff, I'm pretty good at picking out individual voices from multiple singers. It's easier to do so live.
But Michael had enough "rounds" for me to "separate" the sound and get a good idea of his individual voice - which is lovely, mellow and smooth.
Not saying RC is any slouch. Not at all. Just like the overall quality of Michael better. Although I much prefer baritones - there are two singers I've encountered on Broadway that melt me down to the ground when I even think of their voices. No one anyone here has heard of.
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rielle
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Post by rielle on Jul 18, 2012 15:06:25 GMT -8
Michael Dunn sang too? That is awesome. You have intrigued me. EDIT: Oh gosh, I mean, of course he sang on the show. What I meant was, I didn't know he'd released any albums/sung by himself. Which might not have been what you meant anyway. **headdesk.** He does sing very well on the show! But it's a bit hard for me to fully get a grasp on his voice when I've only heard him singing with Phoebe. (Even though their duets are just lovely!) Michael and Phoebe worked together, singing folk music for the most part, in NYC clubs, don't know which ones, but that's where either Garrison or someone else in on the development of W3 found them. I love both their voices, and I'm sure, since they made it look so easy, that they worked hard to achieve their harmonies -- did some chorus singing in hs and college so I know its not even close to easy to do that.
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rielle
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Post by rielle on Jul 18, 2012 15:10:34 GMT -8
I didn't mean that Michael ever released an album. Don't I wish! If he had, I'd pay just about any price to get it!!! Not saying RC is any slouch. Not at all. Just like the overall quality of Michael better. Although I much prefer baritones - there are two singers I've encountered on Broadway that melt me down to the ground when I even think of their voices. No one anyone here has heard of. I'm just guessing here, 'diva, maybe John Cullum is one of those two, is he a baritone, I really am not good at telling. I used to be better and could point out a soprano or an alto [female] Or are we getting further back and maybe its Howard Keel? Love Bdway shows --- well on record and DVD and tv,
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zimmerman
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Post by zimmerman on Jul 19, 2012 16:53:35 GMT -8
I will return here on Saturday afternoon at 4:00 PM Central Time,
Was working on a review to post, but I ran out of time.'
Have a great Friday, and God bless
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Nydiva
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Post by Nydiva on Jul 20, 2012 14:32:35 GMT -8
I didn't mean that Michael ever released an album. Don't I wish! If he had, I'd pay just about any price to get it!!! Not saying RC is any slouch. Not at all. Just like the overall quality of Michael better. Although I much prefer baritones - there are two singers I've encountered on Broadway that melt me down to the ground when I even think of their voices. No one anyone here has heard of. I'm just guessing here, 'diva, maybe John Cullum is one of those two, is he a baritone, I really am not good at telling. I used to be better and could point out a soprano or an alto [female] Or are we getting further back and maybe its Howard Keel? Love Bdway shows --- well on record and DVD and tv, Actually, it's NOT John Cullum - though I like him very much and have known him since 1975! One is an opera singer who I discovered when he went into "Phantom of the Opera". Then he did a regional production of "Shenahdoah" (in the role which John Cullum had originated) and "Sweeney Todd" at City Opera. Haven't seen or heard of him in years. Timothy Nolan. T'other is William Michals, who has done some Broadway and a LOT of concerts and tours throughout the country. But I would give my eye teeth to have seen Ross in one of his musicals - especially as John Adams in 1776. My fave show!
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rielle
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Post by rielle on Jul 20, 2012 19:19:46 GMT -8
Actually, it's NOT John Cullum - though I like him very much and have known him since 1975! One is an opera singer who I discovered when he went into "Phantom of the Opera". Then he did a regional production of "Shenahdoah" (in the role which John Cullum had originated) and "Sweeney Todd" at City Opera. Haven't seen or heard of him in years. Timothy Nolan. T'other is William Michals, who has done some Broadway and a LOT of concerts and tours throughout the country. But I would give my eye teeth to have seen Ross in one of his musicals - especially as John Adams in 1776. My fave show! 1776 is a wonderful show and a favorite of mine, too, I once saw Joel Grey playing John Adams on tour... and of course would have given most of my teeth etc to see Ross play that part, or any other... A couple of years ago I came across the picture below and wanted to share it again, it showed up on ebay and if I recall correctly, shows Ross and an unidentified actor in a production of 1776 performed in Sacramento I think in '78, or maybe '79... around then. Does it look to you folks as if they're both singing?
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Nydiva
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Post by Nydiva on Jul 21, 2012 6:00:10 GMT -8
Actually, it's NOT John Cullum - though I like him very much and have known him since 1975! One is an opera singer who I discovered when he went into "Phantom of the Opera". Then he did a regional production of "Shenahdoah" (in the role which John Cullum had originated) and "Sweeney Todd" at City Opera. Haven't seen or heard of him in years. Timothy Nolan. T'other is William Michals, who has done some Broadway and a LOT of concerts and tours throughout the country. But I would give my eye teeth to have seen Ross in one of his musicals - especially as John Adams in 1776. My fave show! 1776 is a wonderful show and a favorite of mine, too, I once saw Joel Grey playing John Adams on tour... and of course would have given most of my teeth etc to see Ross play that part, or any other... A couple of years ago I came across the picture below and wanted to share it again, it showed up on ebay and if I recall correctly, shows Ross and an unidentified actor in a production of 1776 performed in Sacramento I think in '78, or maybe '79... around then. Does it look to you folks as if they're both singing? Lovely! I've actually seen and copied that photo off the Sacamento Music Circus site - but they revamped it and it's gone now. So I guess I'll delete that bookmark. Joel Grey as Adams? I believe you, but don't think he would have been a great fit - and I very much like him. Met him too - he's friendly and fun. In the most recent Broadway production, Brent Spiner (of Star Trek fame) was Adams and did an excellent job. I wish Brent would do Broadway again. He was a wise ass (in a humorous way) and loved to tease me, but I became fond of him. Dunno if he'd still remember me - been quite some time. Nope. That's not one of the musical numbers. Unless they drastically changed the staging. I only saw the show over 35 times!! None of Adams's songs were done sitting. But Franklin and Adams did quibble with each other (especially on Franklin's part). On what a wonderful show. And I'll counter with a photo from the production Ross did in Milwaukee:
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Nydiva
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Post by Nydiva on Jul 21, 2012 6:24:45 GMT -8
Okay, you've got me in SUCH a 1776 mood now. Here's a clip from the 1998 Tonys with a slightly shortened version of "Sit Down John". Incidentally, the John Adams in this clip is the actor who took over the role after Brent left. Michael McCormick is my favorite John Adams (not having seen Ross). Now try picturing Ross in the role. I'm not sure how he would have done with the singing (though it doesn't really call for a trained voice), but I know he would have acted the heck out of the role! www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XDKpk2qEOU&feature=share
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rielle
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Post by rielle on Jul 21, 2012 9:57:13 GMT -8
Okay, you've got me in SUCH a 1776 mood now. Here's a clip from the 1998 Tonys with a slightly shortened version of "Sit Down John". Incidentally, the John Adams in this clip is the actor who took over the role after Brent left. Michael McCormick is my favorite John Adams (not having seen Ross). Now try picturing Ross in the role. I'm not sure how he would have done with the singing (though it doesn't really call for a trained voice), but I know he would have acted the heck out of the role! www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XDKpk2qEOU&feature=shareWell, Wm. Daniels who played Adams on B'dway and in the film could hardly be called a strong singer... so no, I don't think the part calls for a virtuoso. The part John Cullum played so wonderfully well, 'Neddy Rutledge' that needs a powerful voice especially for the show-stopper -about the Triangle Trade - makes me shiver every time I hear it. I've always thought Ross had a fine voice, only he wasn't, apparently a trained singer, his voice was trained for sure, but not in the same way, and so sometimes, singing it could be a bit reedy... as in the ep where Artie impersonates the opera singer... He didn't really 'essay' singing parts on stage, as I recall, Nathan Detroit, for example doesn't need to be a strong voice [despite Sinatra doing the film] but Skye Masterson that guy had better be able to 'belt it'... Ross as John Adams is a delightful thing to imagine. ... hmmm... new thread idea hatching... ;D that's really a wonderful pic of Ross in costume... I bet he had one heck of a time in the part.
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Nydiva
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Post by Nydiva on Jul 21, 2012 15:05:23 GMT -8
William Daniels is generally acknowledged to be THE quintessential John Adams and he IS brilliant; but I never saw him live and Mike McC's performance just grabbed me by the heart.
In an odd way, though Mike looks nothing like Ross, he reminds me of him in that I've since seen him in a myriad of roles and he never uses the same characteristics twice. I call him the "Chameleon" (he loves that).
Now you all know that I absolutely adore Ross, but in all honesty I wouldn't call his a fine voice. Serviceable with greater potential is closer to the mark. I'd call it a "musical comedy" voice; i.e., he can carry a tune and "sell" a song (which is usually more important than "sounding pretty"). But unless he took vocal lessons later in life, from the little I've been able to hear, he wasn't comfortable with sustained notes and tended to stray off key. He was dynamite with patter songs, though, and I would have loved to hear him tackle "Modern Major General" from "Pirates of Penzance".
Yeah - you can "growl" Adams and Nathan Detriot, but one had better be able to belt Rutledge and Sky.
I actually theorize that Ross did take vocal lessons after WWW, since one particular musical he did later (I Do, I Do) would have called for a greater level of vocal prowess than I've heard him display previously. If only, if only, if only I could hear him sing "My Cup Runneth Over" - to me, one of the most beautiful show tunes. Simple, quiet and gorgeous!
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Post by LuckyLadybug on Jul 21, 2012 22:30:01 GMT -8
Michael and Phoebe worked together, singing folk music for the most part, in NYC clubs, don't know which ones, but that's where either Garrison or someone else in on the development of W3 found them. I love both their voices, and I'm sure, since they made it look so easy, that they worked hard to achieve their harmonies -- did some chorus singing in hs and college so I know its not even close to easy to do that. Indeed. It's awesome that's how they were found for the show! Harmonies are extremely difficult, yes. I love their duets very much and am in awe of how they managed to pull them off. As a singer myself, I also know how complicated it can be.
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