Bernadette Peters - 1980 concert - "Pearl's a Singer"

[Marinizzlefoshizzle]

@UncleCharlieOakley I know the song is really heartbreaking, but I have never seen a singer get emotional like that. Its a first for me, and this is why I love her. That's all I got to say about that...

[JollyMe08]

@Marinizzlefoshizzle If you think that's emotional (and it was, no doubt) you should watch her sing Not A Day Goes By. Now that song seems to just tear her apart...or as Simplysims001 said, maybe she's that wonderful of an actress.

[theblueangel28]

i love this so much

[Marinizzlefoshizzle]

I like the "they played it for a week or so, on the local radio" bit. Her voice is just so ahhh there. Ya know?

[Marinizzlefoshizzle]

Woa Woa WOA...why is she crying? When she cries, I want to cry. :(

[UncleCharlieOakley]

@Marinizzlefoshizzle Are you listening to the lyrics?  Good lord.

[CantonFred]

Doesn't get much better than this! Thank you for posting. 

[Gaygarious]

I LOVE MISS PETERS AND WHAT AN ACTRESS SHE IS!!!!!!

[tastyanagram]

I could throttle whoever decided to cut right when Bernadette is shifting to the pathetic mode.

[tastyanagram]

JESUS. Sondheim was right, I don't know how she does it but she can sing and act so seamlessly it's one.

[jennifercraig99]

@tastyanagram Yep..... AAAAAMAZING! Bernadette is a master! Too bad she's been doing so much botox lately that she can't move much of anything anymore.

[Dannii0412]

I absolutely love the Elkie Brooks version of this song and have done since I was a little girl. I was thoroughly disapponted by Bernadette Peters cover.

[mrfowler]

YUK

[Janster59]

Does anyone have her singing Gee Whiz in 1980?

[LisaGlow]

Astounding.

[marktopp]

Am I the only person who thinks this is really over done. Is it really THAT sad a song?

I just don't think it warrents that level of pathos.

The original version (Elkie Brooks 1976) is so understated and stronger for it.

The vocals are much stringer too, maybe its a Brit v Yank thing

[tastyanagram]

@marktopp I don't think it's over-done. I love Elkie Brooks' original version and I think this is a beautiful interpretation of that song. It just shows what a great song it is and what talented performers each woman is. I don't think the vocal differences have to do with national differences, it's just that each singer has a different style. Bernadette is really doing a take on country here with that big Broadway voice of hers...and I'm blown away by her performance.

[jennifercraig99]

@marktopp I don't think it's so much a Brit v Yank thing.... it just depends on how you want to play it. This song is so simply and wonderfully written that is can take on several different levels. Bernadette just chose to take it to the extreme literal side. I can relate.... I'm a performer and every performers dream is to be appreciated and valued. That realization that all your hard work is for nothing and that your dreams will never come true can be crushing.

[jennifercraig99]

@marktopp I've also seen it played as a spoof... where "Pearl" is a washed up drunk. I was directed to play it pretty straight forward then to rip it up in the style of a Janis Joplin at the end (that's how it's written in the stage production of Smokey Joe's Cafe).

[getoutofmyway01]

beauty

[cznvinny]

I'll try and post a better quality version. I have the original LaserDisc of this concert that I copied to DVD and they look sharp, but I don't know the best way to get it into WMV or MP4.

[mickeyjoe22]

Thank you sooooooooooooooooooooooo much for posting this your my hero I have heard about this performance for years and I cant believe its here , STUNNING ...xx

[cznvinny]

I have the whole performance from this 1980 concert which will eventually be posted on YT. Yes, it's quite good with her in that amazing Bob Mackie dress with her cupie doll face and big boobs flying everywhere. You can subscribe to learn of new postings or just search for "Bernadette Peters - 1980 concert" from time to time. I still need to figure out the best way to capture for YT from the DVD that I have made from the laserdisc cuz I'm not satisfied with the video quality of this posting.

[JollyMe08]

@cznvinny lolol, "big boobs flying everywhere"

[BrooklynBoy639]

This is one of my favorite songs of her's, and have always hoped to see her sing it, and now I have. Thanks!

[cznvinny]

I've wondered about that many times. I think this song reminds her of someone lost. Perhaps another talented performer who didn't catch a break.

[Simplysims001]

@cznvinny Or maybe she's that wonderful of an actress:)

[MisstressFurter]

Holy crap. . .she's crying!

[UncleCharlieOakley]

@MisstressFurter Oh, please. She cries on cue on practically every song, like "Not a Day Goes By," "Not a Day Goes By." That said, this is a beautiful performance isn't it?

[MisstressFurter]

Holy crap. . .wow. . .different. . .♥