1 day ago
Friday, 27 March 2020
Send in the Clowns - Glynis Johns
What prompted yesterday's posting was hearing Stephen Sondheim talking about this song, and Ms Johns.
He knew that Glynis's 'singing voice' wasn't her greatest strength. As we can all hear, she does have great difficulty holding a note, so part of his work was restricting the lyrics to single words with single notes.
She is definitely out of her comfort zone, and she somewhat labours at the song; even though it has 'charm'. Personally I prefer her version to all the hundreds of others; but that's probably because we once spent a delightful half hour in each others company. Here she is.
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It mystifies me why some people do stuff they know they aren't good at. It's why I don't sing. Not even when I am on my own.
ReplyDeleteIn a previous life the only times I did was at home under the Christmas tree (carols), in church and at school because I really liked my music teacher. Legend. She herself was, outside her day job, an accomplished opera singer. So I succumbed to her charms and joined the school choir at the worst age (seventeen/eighteen). Initially she put me into the Alt section but, short of males, she'd occasionally put me into Bariton. Whatever that is when it's at home. Glynis Johns would have fitted right into the line up.
U
She was never a musical actress; just a good thespian. I can't imagine why she was chosen for the role; regardless of her obvious talent. The part of Desiree could have been played by countless Broadways stars, all with good voices. However, I think the choice of Ms Johns was brilliant.
DeleteAfterthought, Cro: I won't ask you whether you sing but are you the whistling kind?
DeleteU
I've always been a singer; and still am. I was even a choirboy for a while.
DeleteWell this is a good choice seeing the world is run by clowns.
ReplyDeleteThe Clown in Chief is currently making a bit of a fool of himself; something unheard of in the world of Clownery.
DeleteYork has fallen. Mystery surrounds whereabouts of Sussex. The Crown Jewels are Scotia. Lord Boris has the galloping Chinese virus. O my God.My kingdom for a horse!
DeleteYes, all is well in the world.
DeleteSo that's Glynnis Johns. The name was familiar and now so is the face. A wonderful English actress. I think she does well with the song.
ReplyDeleteShe certainly lends it character! I love it.
DeleteI think I have a wonderful singing voice. I just don't understand why everyone leaves the room when I sing.
ReplyDeleteFlorence Foster-Jenkins thought much the same!
DeleteI think this song needs to be sung like this. I wouldn't like to hear it sung by a strong, clear voice. I think Judi Dench does a fine rendition also.
ReplyDeleteI like the Judi Dench version too; she has a slightly wavering voice which also gives the song character. You're right; it shouldn't be too 'perfect'.
DeleteWith all this self-isolation and good weather I was so busy yesterday that I missed your post. Now remedied. I can see why this version means something to you.
ReplyDeleteOn its own, it would certainly seem like a strange choice of music.
DeleteBrilliant, and great facial expressions. I liked it. She gave it some guts and feeling.
ReplyDeleteThe Gal done good!
DeleteIt's possible to carry almost anything off so long as you do it with confidence. Lee Marvin and Keith Michell come to mind too.
ReplyDeleteThere are a few notable non-singers who've had great success with 'songs'. Those two are certainly amongst them.
DeleteShe did fine on that song, not great, but fine. Her eyes are magnificent.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure that when we met she was wearing huge false eyelashes; unless they are real, of course.
DeleteI think it was written for her
ReplyDeleteBy Sondheim.
DeleteOh. As lovely as she may have been, I can't bear her singing voice.
ReplyDeleteShe doesn't have a 'singing voice'; that really was her difficulty. Otherwise she does a good job.
DeleteI think this is how the song sound right to me. You can hear what it means to her.
ReplyDeleteWonderful !
parsnip
It's the character of Desiree coming through perfectly.
DeleteI went to see A Little Night Music several years ago in London when a friend of mine was one of the Olivier Award judges and could get free tickets. Honor Blackman was playing the female lead and, as I love the song, I was looking forward to hearing her rendition. The joke was on me as Ms Blackman Has no musical ability and "talked" the song. I was bitterly disappointed but enjoyed the play experience overall. It's just interesting that Sondheim wrote it for someone with limited ability, yet it's still such a haunting and beautiful song.
ReplyDelete