23. A Star is Born - The Man That Got Away

[mmdillon1]

OMG -- I didn't think I would like this -- but, OMG.... A real stunner. Superb arrangement with hauntingly beautiful chords.... Spectacular vocal.... Wow. I think the softly/loudly comment at the beginning was unnecessary, though. The introduction of the strings at the modulation towards the end was breathtaking. The

1.5 step high note at the end on the word "got" was the only thing I'd eliminate (for emotional and musical reasons). But a magnificent performance, just the same!

[Lindow]

I am getting rather tired with people constantly worshipping people long gone and bashing those that are still there doing such wonderful artistic work as Audra does. Come on people, Garland was one of a kind no question but she belonged to a different time and expressed that time. Audra is of the present and expresses that time just as well. Get over yourselves and love what you have instead of what's gone. In art AND in life!

[leenaluvsu]

11 people are the men that got away.

[loulou2lou]

I was taken by her genuine love for Garland.Audra has a very beautiful voice.Did she say she was going to do a quiet version?She did a wonderful interpretation and she did it with a strong and robust voice.

[Od3tt301]

I like many great singers out there. Audra is one of my favorite singer!!! She's so inspiring! She's Awesome!!! This is one of my favorite song that she sang!!! Love...love...love it!!!

[chocolateapple]

I don't think anyone could ever do "true" justice to this song the way Miss Judy Garland did, not even Liza I think. But this was a wonderful tribute nonetheless. Props to Audra.

[FLBoy46]

Audra's version is lovely. I'm sure Judy would've been impressed.

[awsome107]

The man that got away shouldn't really have too much oprah vocals I like Judy 's version the best.. and Barbra Streisand But I do love Audra though not this song

[smileyraw]

Huge Garland fan, but it does drive me crazy when people aren't open to other renditions. This is a more classical approach...well done, beautiful :)

[rellenoz]

@smileyraw How can anyone not appreciate this? It reminds me of Audra's singing in Ragtime. More classical. A little more melodic. I appreciate both versions too.

[Doylefromhell]

Jeff Buckley's version brought me here

[MainxStreamxDaydream]

She has a beautiful voice.

We're just used to hearing it Judy's way, and yes. But sometimes we have to open our ears and minds.

Audra did a beautiful job though :3

[htshoward]

Of course Audra and Judy have very different voices. Audra has a BEAUTIFUL VOICE, a bit too "clean" for this song (just my taste), but very nice. Nice job!

[mikesterSTLMO]

Couldn't agree more and would even add otherwise great singers like Streisand to your observation. Judy, with her gritty angst and unmatched lung power owns this one.

[hop208]

She didn't sing it "quietly", but I don't mind. GREAT JOB!!!

[jemb2000]

Rosemary Clooney recorded this song twice, in 1963 and 1973. Both versions are great imo.

Ruthie Henshall also did a fine version with her classicaly-influenced vocals comparable to this version.

Btw, the only person who owns a song is the song's writer. Write in capitals all you want - it won't change that fact.

[mint8095]

I don't think she has the voice for this song. At times she was flat and i didn't hear any emotion. Comedown people I am not comparing her to the great Judy. I just don't think she has the voice for this particular song.

Some other songs that she sang were actually good.

[TheSkerne]

People have their own opinions on certain singers singing certain songs and people out there need to respect that.

I have never said this particular singer is trying to be like Judy Garland i am aware that it was a tribute, but it is my opinion to say i feel no singer sings this song as well as Judy as this song was written with Judy in mind.

I like Barbra Straisand but she does not sing this song as well as Judy and i have also heard her singing it

[alzahad]

Audra is nice but there is only one musical phenomenon known as Judy Garland. There isnt even ONE solitary person walking the earth today who can do it justice 'except' the 'mighty' Garland.Judy, with her fabled,UNPARALLELED voice ,has actually lifted this great song into a stratosphere unknown to even its authors,Harold Arlen and Ira Gershwin...pure Garland,and,by extension, pure Genius !!! -- Brad Savage ----Lifelong Judy Garland fan and historian.

[TheSkerne]

No noe sings this a fantastic as JUDY GARLAND

[cdmsinger]

she isn't trying to be as good as Judy. this performance is just an homage to her.

[TheSkerne]

I dont think i was saying she was trying to be as goog as Judy, All i was saying is that

NO ONE SINGS THIS SONG AS FANTASTIC AS JUDY!!!!  THAT IS ALL.

This is my opinion

[cdmsinger]

well in that case, i agree with you completely!

[TheSkerne]

Thank youxx I may like this singer singing something else. you never know.

It is just for some reason Judy Garland has a remarkable voice that says it all when she sings

The man that got away. It takes my breath away. Take care any way xx

[MosesAron]

Hard task! But she tried.

[GilW4U]

Audra's wonderful, and she has three Tony Awards to prove it.

[risenwarrior06]

four

[lilywhitedmb]

Wow, I wasn't sure about this version of the song until 2:55 - 3:30 (ish) she brought out the saddness of the song so well. Oh, that was heart wrenching.

[onlyatclonlara]

If any of you were listening, Audra slipped in that she would "attempt" to do the song between 17 and 20 seconds. I do not believe she thought she could have done it any better.

She was, after all, attempting to do the song.

[Sunnyhappyday]

Not a song for her type of singing. This is a song for someone who has been wronged and sung from the gutt. It's not a sing song opera type of song. Her voice is beautiful but wrong choice for her.

[nclysander]

Have some imagination. Audra sings with her gut, just a different region of the gut, if you will. She emphasizes the sadness at the center of they lyrics. And as an opera fan myself, I don't appreciate the random digs the genre's getting on this thread, from people who don't even know what it is! This is not in the least operatic, and moreover, passion transcends genre boundaries.

[Sunnyhappyday]

Nclysander: I am very sorry if you feel my opinion has offended you. It certainly wasn't meant to be a "random dig" against you or Audra. Whether you agree or disagree we are still entitled to our own opinions, yours and mine. If you felt I insulted you in any way I do appoligize. After reading your comment and listening to Ms. Audra sing this particular song again in the style she had, I still feel the same but that's what makes the world 'go round our different view points. God Bless

[nclysander]

Oh no, I'm not offended. I just wish people wouldn't speak of a singer being "operatic" when they have no idea of what the word really means, and I *do* think she shows passion here, just not the fire and fury type. It's possible she's not right for Arlen's music, which some say needs an "earthier" voice and technique, but she introduced me to his songs, so naturally her interpretations will always have a place for me.

God bless you too. :)

[RomeoJuliet94]

Isn't she also in the newer Annie as the nice lady from Mr Warbucks

[Deadwisper381]

OMG. im sitting here watching this

and im like "whoo iss thatt. ive seen her somewere."

yeah she is in the remake of annie.

she has a BEAUTIFUL voice

[zeebrafeets]

audra mcdonald is a goddess.

[313pookie313]

..I am stunned... I never knew this woman sang.. Isn't she the actress from the short lived tv sitcom, "Party Girl"?

Fab job! Bravo!

[chinesecarrotqueen]

Good, but I think Linda Eder does it better.

[castrato1]

You know this is for everyone. Music is for everyone. Some people like sugar some like vinegar but that said Audra sings from her heart , she is connected to her source. We all have our favorite colors. This is just one of the many in this beautiful world. To put down one's talent or expression is off purpose. We should embrace it and walk towards it. Audra is truth and this truth is available to all of us.

[scootyscoot4]

Yuck, this is awful! If you want to hear a version which is able to live up to the original search for "Jessie The Man That Got Away"

[mmdillons]

Awful, awful, awful! Perfect demonstration of a song written to be sung in chest (voice), butchered by a singer in head voice. The song is a TORCH song, intended, according to Mr. Arlen (the composer), to be belted -- and one cannot belt in head voice. Nice tone to the voice, decent technique, dreadful performance. Some musical works must be left to the big belters! No one voice can sing everything, and part of the musical talent of a good singer is knowing how to choose the right material.

[JimmyCFO]

Thank you mmdillons, you hit the nail on the head. Not everyone can sing every song, and this is terrible, just terrible. This is a torch song meant to be belted. BTW, Harold Arlen, who wrote this song made the comment that he felt only Judy could really sing this song the way it was supposed to be sung, and HE WAS RIGHT!

[Querzeo]

What a brillant explanation of the point! Congratulations! I couldn' say it better. However I like Audra's performances very, very much!! Specially Over The Rainbow, which was sung by the same Judy Garland that performed this The Man That Got Away.

[carr0760]

Let me first say that Judy Garland is amazing and both of these performances are great in their own right.

The one thing that I truly prefer in this performance is that Audra is free to explore the emotion of the song. In A Star is Born, Judy's character is having fun with the band...not emotionally performing the song. That's not it's purpose in the movie.

In the concert setting Audra is able to connect with it and it cuts into your soul.

It wasn't Judy's choice not to...she couldn't.

[camcam200008]

okay firsty i wouldnt go listen to opera because opera sucks and secondly yes this girl is an amazing singer but at some points is pushing towards the opera catagory and its annoying. Judy sang it the good ol americain way. I think you just hate Audra Mcdonald because shes black

[carr0760]

You should really try reading the comments that you are replying to. I happen to think that Audra is fantastic and said as much. I definately don't hate her.

What you are hearing is called vibrato and it is naturally occuring in ALL healthy voices. Vibrato does not make this opera. There is NOTHING about this performance that classifies it as opera. Do some research and you will begin to understand, or, maybe you won't. I'm not sure you could...

[camcam200008]

All I am saying is to a person who has never studied opera or listened to it before but only heard stero types of it, some parts of this performence sounds like it to me! The vibrato being high and repeditive makes it sound a little like opera! Okay! Im sorry its just my opinion everyones entilted to one. And I dont want to do research on opera because I dont like it and frankly dont care. I am a huge fan of music and enjoy many types including this. I think Audra is wonderfully talented artist.

[garzaeduardo]

please,don't flatter youself,there are those who actually perform and those who blather,such as yourself.

[Gale1543]

I never thought anyone could do justice to this song like Judy did. I was wrong. Audra's amazing, but i love Judy's rendition more because it's a classic and it's Judy Garland.

[robertantonnyc]

just a wonderful rendition. She is so powerful and poignant.

[moe4psu23]

more than just 100 year old British people like opera. that's a bit of a close-minded way of looking at audra. she's classically trained, and therefore can sing any style...it just has a classical feel to it.

[Misty15big]

Audra is so gorgeous and what a breathtaking voice. Magnificent!!

[babyend]

Her voice isn't bad. The problem is that this song isn't for this type of voice...

Is something kinda blues...and jaz...her voice is tottally not for that.

But I thout pretty from her part to make this "tribute" to the great Judy Garland.

Good girl, if I was her I would done the same thing that she done.

I preffer Judy yet

[camcam200008]

she is a good siger but almost does opera with it and no one likes opera except 100 year old british people

[carr0760]

First, yes, she is classically/operatically trained but she made a name for herself on the broadway stage, not in opera.

Second, this is NO WHERE EVEN CLOSE to an opera performance. GO listen to some opera and then you'll realize just how clueless you are.

This is what a REAL singer sounds like as opposed to the studio-created crap that's on the radio.

[Dominicano1197]

I LOVE HER. she's beautiful and so is Judy Garland

[JeffyJeffjeffm31191]

she does this song well

[Misty15big]

I know she's not Judy but seriously Audra did such an amazing job with the song. It was very beautiful.

[razzledazzle200]

Sorry, too operatic. But thanks for trying. We all love Judy.

[atlblkprync1981]

I agree completely. If she would just not sing like that...

[encorebc]

Get off your fucking highhorse. And learn to appreciate an incredible interpretation. Just because you're too lame to look at a song apart from the original recording hardly merits a "thanks for trying."

Some people are just such disgusting idiots. razzledazzle200, that includes you, as well as atlblkprync1981.

Tomorrow, I hope you step outside of your tiny little box and think of a way that you can contribute something to the world that exists outside of your tiny, little, flacid life.

[atlblkprync1981]

It sucks, and if America buys this mess then I'll jump from the Empire State Building. I am trying to help!!!

[encorebc]

It might be nice if you did jump from the Empire State Building.

[robertantonnyc]

you'd better jump then. She sells like hot cakes and has several Tony awards to boot.

[freefromfolsom]

ok, when i listen to judy do this song, i think its amazing, and i always thought it was just judy who was the amazing part.

BUT now i hear this song with a diferent singer, i realise it wasnt just judy that made the song amazing...its the song its self...now i know why people call it the greatest ever written!!

a truly amazing and beautiful song!

[alfieism]

i love her low notes. Makes me wonder what she'd sound like if she weren't trained classically.

[roninjoey]

She'd sound like a million other people, which is probably what you want.

[alfieism]

wow. Merry Christmas? I love her voice, but I also have this thing called imagination where I like to question, invent. It's actually pretty cool.

[roninjoey]

Are you crazy? That's what she does... sings beatifically. She can DO any sound she wants to, this is the one she prefers to do and what she is famous for. If you want to hear another sound go find another performer.

[alfieism]

woops, no one said I didn't love her voice.

[roninjoey]

Whoops, never said you didn't. You were complaining though, so I suggested you find another singer who satisfied your active imagination.

[carr0760]

I don't see complaining from anyone other than you. Alfie merely pondered what her voice would sound like without all of the training. I have often wondered the same thing about myself.........it was just a thought and you jumped down their throat.

[roninjoey]

...like two months ago.

She's awesome. Her voice is what it is, and I think she's terrific at what she does.

[wwwwalterfarinait]

Meravigliosa!!! Brava ed inusuale. Very Good!!!

[makulko]

Beautiful!

[JimmyCFO]

A wonderful tribute to Judy. This song is sheer genius by Harold Arlen and Ira Gershwin, one of the best blues song ever written.

[JeffyJeffjeffm31191]

chills i have chills

[johnmana97]

Nice video. She definitely has power. But for tags you NEED to put Judy Garland as a tag!

[1SECRETBILLY]

Oh'my Audra Sizzzzled in her role as Lizzzy in the play 110 degrees in the shade even when the rain came

[hams0392]

I liked Judy's better.

[pete422188]

Judy's is legendary... I feel like this is more of a tribute. She doesn't attempt to match Judy's and this is a different arrangement of the song.

[blessedswimmer]

wonderful talent and presence. effortless and wonderful rendition.

[lointhecity]

lovely