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Liza, Billy, Sondheim, Carnegie Hall
Posted by: shocktheatre 05:05 pm EST 11/27/20

Early 90's. Hello, hello, indeed.

I think Madonna "sang" this in the movie.
Link BACK IN BUSINESS
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"Back In Business"
Posted by: reed23 04:15 am EST 11/28/20
In reply to: Liza, Billy, Sondheim, Carnegie Hall - shocktheatre 05:05 pm EST 11/27/20

Sondheim's "Back In Business" was sung in the "Dick Tracy" movie by Janis Siegel, of the Manhattan Transfer; backing her were Cheryl Bentyne, also of the Manhattan Transfer, and Lorraine Feather. Janis did the great vocal arrangement.

Madonna recorded a completely different song, with the same title, on her "Dick Tracy" album (separate from the official movie soundtrack release). I wonder if there's a story there.

I felt that Madonna was an ill fit for the Sondheim songs, and the Sondheim songs were an ill fit for the movie – with the exception of "Back In Business," with its high-octane period hot swing (which is how I prefer the song, as opposed to slow and slinky.)
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I'm surprised by a lot of these reactions
Posted by: DistantDrumming 06:02 pm EST 11/28/20
In reply to: "Back In Business" - reed23 04:15 am EST 11/28/20

I think Sooner or Later and More are both terrific late Sondheim works and Madonna, who is no great actress, was a perfect match on those two numbers. Her Oscars performance, while fun, was a bit overcooked, but her original performance for the soundtrack was fantastic.
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MADONNA in EVITA
Posted by: shocktheatre 12:44 pm EST 11/29/20
In reply to: I'm surprised by a lot of these reactions - DistantDrumming 06:02 pm EST 11/28/20

No one's ever taken Madonna seriously as an actress, but you have to give her this one. She's great.
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I agree, and in case anyone is looking for her album...
Posted by: Quicheo 11:56 am EST 11/29/20
In reply to: I'm surprised by a lot of these reactions - DistantDrumming 06:02 pm EST 11/28/20

...it's called: "I'm Breathless" and features music "inspired by" the movie in addition to "Sooner or Later", "More", and "What Can You Lose"--and, of course, the career highlight "Vogue".

Also, has anyone else wondered if she flubbed a lyric in "More" and they just kept it in?
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Which line in 'More' do you think was flubbed? (NMI)
Posted by: DistantDrumming 04:07 pm EST 11/29/20
In reply to: I agree, and in case anyone is looking for her album... - Quicheo 11:56 am EST 11/29/20

nm
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re: I agree, and in case anyone is looking for her album...
Last Edit: shocktheatre 12:41 pm EST 11/29/20
Posted by: shocktheatre 12:28 pm EST 11/29/20
In reply to: I agree, and in case anyone is looking for her album... - Quicheo 11:56 am EST 11/29/20

It's all coming back to me.......

This album also has "I'm Going Bananas", which I fondly remember for various reasons.

"Vogue" is FROM this album? I'm remembering now it's on there and I wondered why.

I knew I had it on "The Immaculate Collection," which I thought pre-dated DICK TRACY.

Old age. Blah.
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re: I agree, and in case anyone is looking for her album...
Posted by: DistantDrumming 04:06 pm EST 11/29/20
In reply to: re: I agree, and in case anyone is looking for her album... - shocktheatre 12:28 pm EST 11/29/20

Yes, as I recall, Vogue was originally intended to be a B-side for one of the Like A Prayer singles, but when her record company heard it, they knew it was too good to be a B-side and insisted it be its own single, so it got 'tacked on' to I'm Breathless. Maybe this is revisionist history, but it always kinda worked for me -- perhaps because of that brilliant David Fincher-directed video which evokes classic 30s and 40s Hollywood glamour.
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re: I agree, and in case anyone is looking for her album...
Posted by: shocktheatre 04:46 pm EST 11/29/20
In reply to: re: I agree, and in case anyone is looking for her album... - DistantDrumming 04:06 pm EST 11/29/20

For me, "Vogue" is the APOTHEOSIS of Madonna.

She did many great things since on record, but..............Bette Davis, we love you.

And there ya go.
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oh, 100% agreed...
Posted by: DistantDrumming 07:47 pm EST 11/29/20
In reply to: re: I agree, and in case anyone is looking for her album... - shocktheatre 04:46 pm EST 11/29/20

...when I said that it "worked for me," I meant that I thought Vogue works in the context of the I'm Breathless album even though, as a house song, it is completely different than the pastiche 30s and 40s style numbers that make up the balance of the album, and, so, really should feel out of place. For some reason, it's never felt out of place to me. Its placement as the very last track probably helped, too.

You'll get no debate from me about the song being the apotheosis of her career.
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re: oh, 100% agreed...
Posted by: shocktheatre 06:24 pm EST 11/30/20
In reply to: oh, 100% agreed... - DistantDrumming 07:47 pm EST 11/29/20

I do remember it was the last track, but I thought I'd heard it somewhere else before.

The video is fantastic as well. One of her best. This medium she nailed regularly. I could watch HOURS of Madonna videos.
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re: "Back In Business"
Last Edit: shocktheatre 10:28 am EST 11/28/20
Posted by: shocktheatre 10:21 am EST 11/28/20
In reply to: "Back In Business" - reed23 04:15 am EST 11/28/20

Thanks for clarifying. I saw DICK TRACY only once and don't remember the film version of "Back in Business" at all. I mainly remember the film for its sets, costumes and the bizarre, tortured duet between Madonna and poor Mandy Patinkin.

I'm a big fan of Manhattan Transfer and Ms. Siegel and am chagrined I didn't know this info.

I had a CD "Madonna Sings Dick Tracy" at one time. I don't know why I purchased it, and I didn't play it often. I don't know where the thing is now either.

I actually like a lot of Madonna, but her "rendition" of "Sooner or Later" on the Oscar telecast was not one of her better performances.

I find it fascinating that both Sondheim and Webber won their only Oscars for songs written for Madonna.
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re: "Back In Business"
Posted by: mikem 03:00 pm EST 11/28/20
In reply to: re: "Back In Business" - shocktheatre 10:21 am EST 11/28/20

It's also weird to think that Madonna, whom even her biggest fans would say is not a particularly gifted singer, is one of the very few to introduce two Best Song Oscar winners.

"Back in Business" is used as background music in a montage, so it's not really memorable in the film. There's another Sondheim song, "Live Alone and Like It," that is used similarly. I think "Sooner or Later" is just okay. I think "What Can You Lose" and "More" are much better songs.
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re: "Back In Business"
Posted by: reed23 01:46 pm EST 11/28/20
In reply to: re: "Back In Business" - shocktheatre 10:21 am EST 11/28/20

The original "Back In Business" is on YouTube. On top of the great song, Warren Beatty put together a terrific montage of visuals.
Link Back In Business – Janis Siegel
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DOROTHY LOUDON
Last Edit: shocktheatre 10:57 am EST 11/28/20
Posted by: shocktheatre 10:42 am EST 11/28/20
In reply to: re: "Back In Business" - shocktheatre 10:21 am EST 11/28/20

How did I leave this out of this conversation?

"You Can Drive a Person Crazy"/"Losing My Mind" or "Losing My Mind"/"You Can Drive a Person Crazy" (It doesn't matter.)

She is fantastic on the TV version and she transfers quite well on the CD, but I would have LOVED to have seen that performance live. The vibes must have been insane in the theatre. People probably got dates afterwards. Hilarious!

We are also not mentioning Betty Buckley (yet). There's just so many in this show, it's "crazy, crazy, crazy".

Or am I just being kind?
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Betty Buckley/Harlem Boys Choir
Posted by: Roman 11:03 pm EST 11/28/20
In reply to: DOROTHY LOUDON - shocktheatre 10:42 am EST 11/28/20

This medley is one of the most genuinely moving numbers I have ever heard — and it remains the highlight of this concert. These songs, on their own, are classics, of course. But here, the young men and Miss Buckley elevate them to hymns. I cannot say enough.
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re: Betty Buckley/Harlem Boys Choir
Posted by: Quicheo 11:54 am EST 11/29/20
In reply to: Betty Buckley/Harlem Boys Choir - Roman 11:03 pm EST 11/28/20

And, a reminder, she was a last minute fill in.
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re: Betty Buckley/Harlem Boys Choir
Posted by: shocktheatre 12:29 pm EST 11/29/20
In reply to: re: Betty Buckley/Harlem Boys Choir - Quicheo 11:54 am EST 11/29/20

Wow. Didn't know that. You'd certainly never know it.

Who did she replace?
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re: DOROTHY LOUDON
Posted by: PlazaBoy 12:58 pm EST 11/28/20
In reply to: DOROTHY LOUDON - shocktheatre 10:42 am EST 11/28/20

Loudon expertly performed the material and seamlessly moved from serious to comdeic. However, the Sondheim purist in my had trouble adjusting to the mocking of Losing My Mind. Again, she did it perfectly and it was very funny, but I remember having a slightly uncomfortable feeling. I know I am in the miniority.

Buckley was a highlight for sure. Her soaring voice combined with the chorus really packed an emotional punch. Not sure that the broadcast fully captures the power of the moment. I'd say it was in the top three numbers of the evening based on being there. I'd probably rate it lower on the list if I were only watching the broadacet.
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re: DOROTHY LOUDON
Posted by: Roman 11:07 pm EST 11/28/20
In reply to: re: DOROTHY LOUDON - PlazaBoy 12:58 pm EST 11/28/20

I’m a big London fan — and this is a complete misfire for me. Not a moment of it works for me. I completely concur with it being uncomfortable. I’d have rather her do Worst Pies, capturing her Lovett, if out of context. And then a separate Losing My Mind.

I wasn’t there, but, brother, Buckley and the Harlem Boys Choir resonate so powerfully. It’s very difficult not to get choked up.
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HAROLYN BLACKWELL
Last Edit: shocktheatre 04:41 pm EST 11/28/20
Posted by: shocktheatre 04:34 pm EST 11/28/20
In reply to: re: DOROTHY LOUDON - PlazaBoy 12:58 pm EST 11/28/20

I'm revisiting. Here's Ms. Blackwell. i'd say this is kind of definitive.
Link Green Finch and Linnet Bird
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re: HAROLYN BLACKWELL
Posted by: Alcindoro 09:13 pm EST 11/28/20
In reply to: HAROLYN BLACKWELL - shocktheatre 04:34 pm EST 11/28/20

"I'd say this is kind of definitive."

Kind of. She has no trill (on the "ahh" after "Teach me to be more adaptive") and I'm pretty sure there's one written. But some pretty big name operatic sopranos can't really trill and just fudge it.

But this IS really beautiful, even if the trill is gone.
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re: HAROLYN BLACKWELL
Posted by: pecansforall 10:48 pm EST 11/28/20
In reply to: re: HAROLYN BLACKWELL - Alcindoro 09:13 pm EST 11/28/20

Blackwell's final note in her performance of "Green Finch" made me gasp with joy. Completely unexpected. Sublime.
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re: Liza, Billy, Sondheim, Carnegie Hall
Posted by: JLagow (JLagow@aol.com) 05:13 pm EST 11/27/20
In reply to: Liza, Billy, Sondheim, Carnegie Hall - shocktheatre 05:05 pm EST 11/27/20

From this concert, I prefer “Sooner of Later” -Karen Ziemba and Bill Irwin.
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re: Liza, Billy, Sondheim, Carnegie Hall
Posted by: pagates 06:55 pm EST 11/27/20
In reply to: re: Liza, Billy, Sondheim, Carnegie Hall - JLagow 05:13 pm EST 11/27/20

I absolutely agree. Ziemba was fabulous here and Irwin delightful. And as another poster observed, the concert was an embarrassment ... well, cornucopia maybe? ... of riches.
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re: Liza, Billy, Sondheim, Carnegie Hall
Posted by: shocktheatre 05:18 pm EST 11/27/20
In reply to: re: Liza, Billy, Sondheim, Carnegie Hall - JLagow 05:13 pm EST 11/27/20

This concert is truly an embarrassment of riches.

There's also Glenn Close's "Send in the Clowns", Patti LuPone's "Being Alive", Bernadette, etc etc.

But for me, the Liza number is tops.
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re: Liza, Billy, Sondheim, Carnegie Hall
Last Edit: keikekaze 08:31 pm EST 11/27/20
Posted by: keikekaze 08:31 pm EST 11/27/20
In reply to: re: Liza, Billy, Sondheim, Carnegie Hall - shocktheatre 05:18 pm EST 11/27/20

If that's the same concert I'm thinking of, I thought Patti LuPone's "Being Alive" was the best I ever heard--by anybody. She really made the lyrics sound like hard-won wisdom that was just now occurring to her, spontaneously, while she sang it. A peerless job of acting a song.
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re: Liza, Billy, Sondheim, Carnegie Hall
Posted by: PlazaBoy 12:11 am EST 11/28/20
In reply to: re: Liza, Billy, Sondheim, Carnegie Hall - keikekaze 08:31 pm EST 11/27/20

I enjoyed her performance, but I remember a review at the time calling her version Being Aloud!
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re: Liza, Billy, Sondheim, Carnegie Hall
Posted by: keikekaze 05:18 pm EST 11/28/20
In reply to: re: Liza, Billy, Sondheim, Carnegie Hall - PlazaBoy 12:11 am EST 11/28/20

I might be thinking of a different LuPone performance of "Being Alive," but the one I remember was particularly quiet. I liked it precisely because she didn't just stand back and belt it to the rafters, but sang it with a sense of quiet wonder, as if the words were only just now occurring to her.
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re: Liza, Billy, Sondheim, Carnegie Hall
Posted by: PlazaBoy 05:42 pm EST 11/28/20
In reply to: re: Liza, Billy, Sondheim, Carnegie Hall - keikekaze 05:18 pm EST 11/28/20

Yes, sounds like it was a different performance. The version at this concert was a lot of belting.
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re: Liza, Billy, Sondheim, Carnegie Hall
Posted by: EvFoDr 09:26 am EST 11/29/20
In reply to: re: Liza, Billy, Sondheim, Carnegie Hall - PlazaBoy 05:42 pm EST 11/28/20

To be fair, the concert version starts softer and builds, it's not all loud. And also to be fair, this is Being Alive, a searing 11 o'clock number that is written to build to an intense and loud climax. And also has a very rousing bridge. I'm not sure what else anyone was expecting from this song.
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re: Liza, Billy, Sondheim, Carnegie Hall
Posted by: shocktheatre 09:33 am EST 11/29/20
In reply to: re: Liza, Billy, Sondheim, Carnegie Hall - EvFoDr 09:26 am EST 11/29/20

Agreed. If "Being Alive" isn't searing, something is off. Clearly that audience loved it.
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re: Liza, Billy, Sondheim, Carnegie Hall
Posted by: TheHarveyBoy 05:46 pm EST 11/27/20
In reply to: re: Liza, Billy, Sondheim, Carnegie Hall - shocktheatre 05:18 pm EST 11/27/20

I was there. It was a truly thrilling event.
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re: Liza, Billy, Sondheim, Carnegie Hall
Posted by: Snowysdad 01:17 am EST 11/28/20
In reply to: re: Liza, Billy, Sondheim, Carnegie Hall - TheHarveyBoy 05:46 pm EST 11/27/20

I am clearly in the minority here but I recently listened to the CDs and found/find it a hit or miss affair. What is good is VERY GOOD, such as the songs mentioned by others and obviously this one by Liza and Billy Stritch, but then there are several that lay a complete egg such as the symphonic selections from Sweeny and a few others.

While I'm on the subject, how come Billy isn't a major superstar? Everyone he supports is always at their best when he is around (Christine Ebersol, Klea Blackhurst) and then on his own he is always terrific. His first album on DRG and his salute to Mel Torme are favorites and I am going to get the download of his newest release. He just deserves to be a GREAT BIG Cabaret star and he isn't quite, at least not in the league of Steve Ross, and I certainly do not mean to denigrate Mr. Ross who also is great performer, deserving of his accolades.
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Billy Stritch
Posted by: shocktheatre 02:36 am EST 11/28/20
In reply to: re: Liza, Billy, Sondheim, Carnegie Hall - Snowysdad 01:17 am EST 11/28/20

I agree with everything you say. Billy should be close to a household name by now.

Maybe he is satisfied with what his status is and prefers to be in the background (comparatively).
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re: Liza, Billy, Sondheim, Carnegie Hall
Posted by: PlazaBoy 06:31 pm EST 11/27/20
In reply to: re: Liza, Billy, Sondheim, Carnegie Hall - TheHarveyBoy 05:46 pm EST 11/27/20

I was there too and I have to add Madeline Kahn as a highlight for me.

For those that were not there in person, the broadcast re-ordered the songs and dropped a few.
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re: Liza, Billy, Sondheim, Carnegie Hall
Posted by: shocktheatre 12:46 am EST 11/28/20
In reply to: re: Liza, Billy, Sondheim, Carnegie Hall - PlazaBoy 06:31 pm EST 11/27/20

I agree. Kahn's number was wonderfully sung (and staged, albeit minimally).
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re: Liza, Billy, Sondheim, Carnegie Hall
Posted by: PlazaBoy 12:48 am EST 11/28/20
In reply to: re: Liza, Billy, Sondheim, Carnegie Hall - shocktheatre 12:46 am EST 11/28/20

The bouquet toss and catch amazes me every time I watch it. Flawless!
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re: Liza, Billy, Sondheim, Carnegie Hall
Posted by: shocktheatre 01:48 am EST 11/28/20
In reply to: re: Liza, Billy, Sondheim, Carnegie Hall - PlazaBoy 12:48 am EST 11/28/20

No argument there. Precision personified.
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do you recall which songs were not broadcast?
Posted by: DistantDrumming 12:14 am EST 11/28/20
In reply to: re: Liza, Billy, Sondheim, Carnegie Hall - PlazaBoy 06:31 pm EST 11/27/20

thanks
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re: do you recall which songs were not broadcast?
Posted by: EvFoDr 08:57 am EST 11/28/20
In reply to: do you recall which songs were not broadcast? - DistantDrumming 12:14 am EST 11/28/20

There was a time I could have rattled this off by memory, but alas... :-)

Your best bet it to take to google as both the truncated broadcast (as a DVD) and the complete 2 disc audio recordings were commercially released. You should be able to easily find the song list for each and compare them side by side. You can see not only what was cut for the broadcast, but also how the songs were reordered. Note there was also a 1 disc highlights audio CD released. You'll want to be sure you are looking at the 2 disc version for this inquiry.

This is one of my favorite Sondheim concerts. I love the way they brought together the worlds of musical theatre, opera, jazz, cabaret, and even a little alternative, as well as featuring some symphonic treatments. Also so grateful that Garber and Cassidy were on hand to present something from the then-new Assassins, which usually gets ignored in revues (I get why). Sadly, the one number from Pacific Overtures (Pretty Lady) was omitted from the broadcast, but at least it was done!

I had originally recorded the broadcast from PBS onto a VHS tape and it was watched every day after school for many months...sometimes to my parents dismay. And it has, for me, the definitive versions of Being Alive* and Not A Day Goes By.

*caveat that I think this is the definitive version of the shortened version of this song. A true definitive version would have to include the whole song, and for that I would go with Larry Kert's
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re: do you recall which songs were not broadcast?
Posted by: shocktheatre 10:32 am EST 11/28/20
In reply to: re: do you recall which songs were not broadcast? - EvFoDr 08:57 am EST 11/28/20

I'm so happy I started this thread. It is bringing back tons of good memories.

I agree with you that Ms. Peters SLAYS "Not a Day Goes By."
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re: do you recall which songs were not broadcast?
Posted by: shocktheatre 12:40 am EST 11/28/20
In reply to: do you recall which songs were not broadcast? - DistantDrumming 12:14 am EST 11/28/20

Liza and Billy had two songs: "Back in Business" and "Water Under the Bridge".

My memoroy is fuzzy, but I believe "Bridge" is from something never produced called "Singing Out Loud."

"Bridge" was not aired. It is on the CD. The performance of it is fine, but you can see (hear) why they cut it from the already jammed roster on the broadcast.

There may have been others, I don't know. I was not lucky enough to attend.
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re: do you recall which songs were not broadcast?
Last Edit: altonido 05:58 pm EST 11/28/20
Posted by: altonido 05:56 pm EST 11/28/20
In reply to: re: do you recall which songs were not broadcast? - shocktheatre 12:40 am EST 11/28/20

Liza's "Water Under the Bridge" was shown as a bonus during a PBS pledge telecast. See link below.

Note that this concert features the first three musical Norma Desmonds: Patti, Glenn, and Betty. They would all be doing "Sunset Boulevard" within two or three years after this concert.
Link Water Under the Bridge
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"Water Under The Bridge"/"Singing Out Loud"
Posted by: shocktheatre 08:34 am EST 11/29/20
In reply to: re: do you recall which songs were not broadcast? - altonido 05:56 pm EST 11/28/20

What a lovely way to wake up on Sunday morning. Thanks for posting (and discovering!) that video.

The song is much better than I remembered. Stritch is such a great collaborator for Liza, and she sings this superbly (no surprise there).

And whatever became of "Singing Out Loud"?
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re: do you recall which songs were not broadcast?
Posted by: PlazaBoy 12:36 am EST 11/28/20
In reply to: do you recall which songs were not broadcast? - DistantDrumming 12:14 am EST 11/28/20

Let's see. It's a bit hazy, so I may not get this right.

I believe there was a version of I Never Do Anything Twice by a group called Betty.

Liza sang Water Under the Bridge. Is that in the broadcast?

There was more of Bill Irwin than appears in the broadcast. There's a sequence before he goes in Sooner or Later.

I'll see if I can dig up my program.
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re: do you recall which songs were not broadcast?
Posted by: shocktheatre 12:41 am EST 11/28/20
In reply to: re: do you recall which songs were not broadcast? - PlazaBoy 12:36 am EST 11/28/20

Yes! The Betty song. It's great, but I guess they were just not well known enough.
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re: do you recall which songs were not broadcast?
Posted by: blue70 03:15 pm EST 11/28/20
In reply to: re: do you recall which songs were not broadcast? - shocktheatre 12:41 am EST 11/28/20

I don't think this arrangement adds anything to the song.
Link Betty - I never do anything twice
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BETTY SONDHEIM
Posted by: shocktheatre 04:17 pm EST 11/28/20
In reply to: re: do you recall which songs were not broadcast? - blue70 03:15 pm EST 11/28/20

Thanks for putting this on. It still works for me.
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