Knowing When To Leave - "Promises, Promises"

[scarecro9]

I've heard a few versions of this song but so far this one is my favorite. :)

Bridget

[barriobajaj]

If I remember correctly, Bacharach and David wrote all the songs on Promises Promises but they were arranged by Jonathan Tunick.

He turned this into a patter song and i doubt most singers could tackle this version without passing out. I wonder if she did this in one take.

The version Dionne did with Burt is a lot smoother but this one by Jill just grabs me.

[lvmfah]

@barriobajaj

Tuick credits Bacharach with providing strict directions even to what the drums should be doing. He says he leaned lavishly from Bacharach and started using all that in his subsequent work. (Bacharach, a consumate perfectionst, invited young talented Tunick to follow his guidance, even teaching him how to read, never mind write, the drum charts.)

For this and everything else, I believe Bacharach is by far the greatest pop arranger of all-time.

[edadam]

jill o'hara sang it BROADWAY style. dionne sang it POP 40 style intentionally. why sing it in the same fashion as it was portrayed nightly on stage? apples and oranges.

[Romeogirl1]

@edadam And Kristin Chenoweth put a VERY good original B-way spin on it.

[robinycus]

Jill O'Hara owns these songs... always will. Her voice is so original. So perfect for the piece and period. And she still sounds great.

[maida1982a]

Loved Kristen in ths show but this is the definitive version. Jill just perfects this one. In character 100%.

[TruthSerum101]

@maida1982a Definitive? Dionne Warwick's version is far better.

[maida1982a]

@TruthSerum101 Nope-saw Jill in the original, Kristen in the new one and own the DIonne version: Jill trumps the all, Easily.

[TruthSerum101]

@maida1982a I've had the Cast CD for years and her voice (Jill's) is pedestrian at best.

[maida1982a]

@TruthSerum101 you must be a kid; ever actually heard Jill sing in person? dopey if you think warwick surpasses jill.

[TruthSerum101]

@maida1982a Why would I want to hear her in person? Voices like that are a nickle a dozen. Please! The same goes for that other Jill who created Sally in Cabaret.

[maida1982a]

@TruthSerum101 if you understood that Sally Bowles's character was not supposed to be a good singer, you might get some respect here, but you are clearly a dope. Jill created the role in the London production of PP in 1970, the show ran in NYC for almost 4 years. Ever hear of the Tonys?

[TruthSerum101]

@maida1982a Librettos notwithstanding, my point is that neither Jill is what I would consider a fine singer.

As far as the Tonys go - No, Ive never heard of them. I saw Toni Collette in The Wild Party but she spells it with an "i". I don't know any other Tonys on Broadway. What are their last names?

[maida1982a]

@TruthSerum101 you're a New Yorker; you should know better. but you are young and perhaps will learn.

[TruthSerum101]

@maida1982a Within the context of theatre/Fran Kubelik, Jill's vocals are just fine, it's the DEFINITIVE claim that I ain't buying. Miss Warwick's is my favorite.  I also enjoy LIz Callaway's version.

[jemb2000]

@maida1982a Betty Buckley originated the role in the London production.

[SidFortune]

Original cast versions of songs, as in this instance, usally deliver a level of dramatic flare that are more alive than subsequent covers. Jill O'Hara hits a home run here.

[SooperDooperDave]

Love this song - thanks for this wonderful slice of Burt B from the soundtrack/show. xx