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.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
29 comments:
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.
In 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
Well this is a good choice seeing the world is run by clowns.
So 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.
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.
The Clown in Chief is currently making a bit of a fool of himself; something unheard of in the world of Clownery.
She certainly lends it character! I love it.
Afterthought, Cro: I won't ask you whether you sing but are you the whistling kind?
U
I've always been a singer; and still am. I was even a choirboy for a while.
I think I have a wonderful singing voice. I just don't understand why everyone leaves the room when I sing.
Florence Foster-Jenkins thought much the same!
I 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.
I 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'.
With 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.
On its own, it would certainly seem like a strange choice of music.
Brilliant, and great facial expressions. I liked it. She gave it some guts and feeling.
York 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!
The Gal done good!
Yes, all is well in the world.
It's possible to carry almost anything off so long as you do it with confidence. Lee Marvin and Keith Michell come to mind too.
She did fine on that song, not great, but fine. Her eyes are magnificent.
I think it was written for her
Oh. As lovely as she may have been, I can't bear her singing voice.
I think this is how the song sound right to me. You can hear what it means to her.
Wonderful !
parsnip
There are a few notable non-singers who've had great success with 'songs'. Those two are certainly amongst them.
I'm sure that when we met she was wearing huge false eyelashes; unless they are real, of course.
By Sondheim.
She doesn't have a 'singing voice'; that really was her difficulty. Otherwise she does a good job.
It's the character of Desiree coming through perfectly.
I 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.
Post a Comment