He's good...I prefer Michael Cormick (too bad there's no videos of him on youtube)...but what's wrong with the way he pronounces Boulevard...it sounds alright to me...
I'm a 37 year-old English singer living in Galway, Ireland. I'm working hard on my singing and would very much appreciate any honest critical feedback on my version of Sunset Boulevard here on Youtube (or the other demos)to help me improve. (Just type my name.) It was recorded a while ago now, and every singer must think they can do better later on, but there it's all I have. Thank you very much for any feedback offered. Andrew Hawcroft. (A devout Artist Against Autotune)
This guy is amazing. Everyone should also watch him sing this song in another concert which can be found on tudou. He is able to reinterpret this song and put even more feeling into it a few years later.
@01482842328 I never said he was trained - I said that's how ur sing properly and how ur trained 2 do it. U need 2 sing the open vowel sounds in order 2 open ur throat. If u don't it sounds strangled.
He is amazing..I've been a fan since 9 years of age - he just flows into each character so easily. ..Btw - reason he pronounces 'booulevard' ... simple answer - singing training. You get speech training to learn to pronounce while singing instead of having your accent coming through.
God, no wonder I had a crush on him! Still think he is the best singer ever! I would have loved to see him in this role (with Elaine Paige), but what can you do! I'm seeing him in concert in a month, can hardly wait
Holy shit, he just has that special tone to his voice!!! I don't get tired of hearing him sing. Does he age? I think him and Dick Clark are in it together. They have that magic no-age potion.
Has anyone ever heard Rex Smith sing the role of Joe Gillis? He is absolutely amazing! The Canadian cast recording is phenomenal with Rex Smith and Diane Carol.
I agree the song isn't being sung in context here. It is being sung on a prime time non musical theatre show. It would have been odd for Michael to sing it with the accent.
@iamjumbo18 The reason why he prounounces it Boolevard is because he's singing the correct open vowel sounds you need to be a classical singer. Trained classical singers - even in America - are trained with the English vowel sounds. It's only in the pop world where singers sing with the American accent.
I didn't mean to start a debate. I simply wanted to know. I don't believe one accent is better than another, since no group of human beings is better than another. Just because we happen to pronounce vowels differently doesn't make one way better than another.
@musicalmeg19 I think the way Ball sings it (with the British pronunciation) sounds much better out of context than it sounds Americanized. However, the character is American (from Ohio, no less), so within the context of the musical it should be sung with an American accent. See Hugh Jackman's interpretation for an example. (I think he's an Aussie, so he should be an unbiased third party, right?)
I don't mean to be picky, but can someone who's from England please explain: do you pronounce boulevard like he sings it here? "Boo-levard"? Or is it just Michael's pronounciation?
@musicalmeg19 yeah that is how we pronounce it in the uk. how do youguys in the states pronounce it? bearing in mind that the british way of speaking is the correct way, american accents have changed the way many words are pronouced since the british settled there a few hundred years back.
@BlueEyedPrep a good argument however i still reckon the british way to pronounce words that have been around since before the brits settled in america is the correct way to say them. i believe glenn close also sang this song with the same pronounciation.
@catannelittle Actually, when the States were being settled, the British accent was closer to the modern American accent than the modern English accent. I don't really know why, but that's what they say.
@MuchoMasturbation there wasn't ever, and isn't currently, a "British accent". Everywhere in Great Britain has its own accent, dialect, slang and verbal stresses. In all likelihood, the "American" accent you speak of (though I'd be a hypocrite if I didn't stress that everywhere in America is equally differentiated dialectically) has evolved from the accent of whichever english or irish port communities made the sea voyage to that place.
@rodrigodesante My using the term "British accent" refers to an accent... from Great Britain... Don't assume I'm so ignorant. My point is that back then, "they" (referring to the majority of accents from Great Britain) were closer to the modern "General" American accent... Meaning harsher consonants and less rounded vowel sounds.
Love, love, LOVE Micahael Ball! His voice is just infinitely beyond a gorgeous and meaningful voice! He sings with such passion! That's 70% right there -- but then that tone!
Agreed I love John Barrowman -purrs if only he went our way lo~and huge jackman can really sing but NO on can do this like Michale, same with phantom being Antonio Banderass
I love all of Andrew Lloyd Webber's songs but this is one of my all time favorites I was brought up on them as a kid, long long drives in the car with my mother who had his Cd's. Simply love it
Wow! Ive seen them all and have to say........No of them come close to this spectacular performance.... A concert in the States would be in order... Come to America Michael....Your talent is above all others.... Wonderful.... !
Michael was actually the first one to sing this song, and the first one to record it. He was the first artist that signed with Andrew's record-label: Polydor, when he recorded "love changes everything" and in 1993 he was chosen to record "Sunset Boulevard" as a single to promote the show.
@AwkwardScenario Agree. I love Barrowman's voice, but he sings too much and acts too little in his performances of Sunset Boulevard. Jackmans' acting lovely, much more subtle than Ball's, and it matches the song so well, but Ball has so much charm and his performance is a true performance. Ahhh. If we could only combine them.
This is how Sunset Boulevard is supposed to sound. Barrowman's is awful, and Jackman's is missing something. Ball's is fabulous in my opinion, he holds my attention every second, and I think his acting is stunning. The last note is chilling. This type of voice is how Webber's compositions are supposed to sound, it's a stylistic choice.
I like his voice... but you know, it's just a little too soft for me... I prefer the rough way jackman sings it (even though his voice doesn't really fit the song)
@jessied44 There is a movie: black and white, done in the fifties. But it is not a musical film: it is straight acting with Gloria Swanson as Norma. There really should be a musical movie of this!
Its seems that everyone is over Critical over the Boulevard note each time no matter who seems to be singin, having been learning this for a show of musical numbers, it just happens to be how the Dots are written, everyone that sings it has the same problem, it just comes down to a pronounciation and their own accent that changes things
I actually really enjoyed this version, but I thought he tried to do too much with the actual singing of the words - they leaned together and slurred a bit too much. I do like the smile thought, it's wonderfully ironic. Also, there needs to be more acting in the song and the dramatic gestures aren't subtle enough to make it. Check out John Barrowman's version, it's the best I've seen so far.
What is wrong with you people....this man is amazing and if you were familiar with his work at all you would be able to tell the sarcastic grins from the real smiles........He is the best at all he does.....
@TheBriguy04 He's smiling because he's beginning to go mad. He starts off as a calm normal guy then meets Norma Desmond and begins to go which climaxs at the end (which I won't give away).
Yeah he is good at this song >> pitty the people on here dont agree , did you not see the full vid ?? he is talking about it to tell people what its actually about , then singing the main song in the musical >> But im very sorry if you heard him talkin and lost complete interest what can you do when people have no attention span pfffft !!!! ( as i say a quick slap did no one any harm ! )
I usually love Michael Ball's work, but here, I don't... I like the technique on how instead of doing the usual strong voice at the first sunset boulevard moment, he came throught softly... It was unexpected... However, of all the renditions of this song, I have to go with Hugh Jackman... His voice is great and he really brings the song to life...
Far to aspirate onset (breathy) used here for me personally and not american enough! Plus...he acted the exact same throughout the whole song...no journey, was bored after a minute BUT don't get me wrong...I like Michael Ball, just not when he sings this song ;)
first of all, its not exactly a very detailed description, and second, if i'd wanted a sarcastic and cheeky reply i would have written that on my first post.
a hack screen writer, Joe Gillis, meets Norma Desmond, a faded silent film star. she falls in love with him wile he writes a script for her big "come back." all the while Joe is revamping one of his stories to the screen with Betty Shafer, and they end up in love. When Norma finds out about this romance, she kills Joe in a fit of rage.
he sings the song describing how he feels about everything happening, mainly his disfunctional romance with Norma Desmond.
if you refer to a musical as an opera ithas nothing to do with the pitch in which the music is sung. it refers to whether or not there is spoken word. so even if it was an entirely alto-base show if it had no spoken words it's an opera lol
Les Mis IS an opera. An opera doesn't have anything to do witht the way people sing. An opera is a play where people only sing and don't speak. And in Les Mis there is no talking, just singing. So Les Mis = an opera
Everyone seems to have taken a form of the John, Hugh, Michael Route (I include myself), and I have to say, I think they all just approach the role differently, and they're all awesome.
You can so tell the orchestra is rushing him...he gives them a look a few times at the start being like "why aren't you taking my temppoooo?"
but yes, he owns this and pretty much everything he sings. I don't know if I like him MORE than J.B. I don't think they're really comparable. They take the character differently I feel.
John Barrowmans is the best, but I have to say as much as I love Hugh Jackman I liked his one the least, it's very different to the others and it doesn't sound quite right!
prefer marcus lowe (sp?) who did the concert version for the anv.concert for webber. He was great in it....
Mballs always good, but its not working for me with the microphone and the cabaret preforming style. Barrowman is great to but i sometimes hes to much, (dont hate me for saying it, the rest of the time hes great, just get annoyed when hes to smug...did that make any sense?)
eh, i don't like him, his voice is to smooth to play one of those mad angry wanting singers, i like alan cambell's the best and not just because he's on the musical reflection cd, i also like hugh jackman's
I heard this version first, heard this version a lot before I heard John's version. John's version is cool, but as can be expected, I love Michael's rendition better.
yeah, definitely. I mean, I like this version and the one sung by John Barrowman, but Hugh Jackman . . . oh man, he just sings it with so much emotion and anger. It's my favorite.
I love John's version and after seeing a few comments on his version i thought i would check out this version... personally (have your owen opinion) i don't like this version half as much as Johns.
John Does It Betterr .. He Says Boulevard Proplerly [ Hence Being Brought Up In America ;) ] Nahh John Will Always does this one better his whole performance , the words, timing, the lot he just sings it better :)
All the training in the world can't give Michael Ball the blend of edgy anger and laissez faire needed to BE Joe Gillis. Although I'm not a fan of Barrowman's voice--particularly his somewhat flattish top notes--he has JUST the right combination of traits to put this song across PERFECTLY. It's musical THEATRE, remember. Not only does Ball mispronounce 'boulevard' (in the American argot, it's 'bull-uh-vardh'), but his pacing--apologies to the ghost of Sir Noël--is far too fast and unnuanced.
I agree. His use of "Bool-a-avard" is disconcerting. Though a great vocal talent, his characterization seems to lack the subtle wit needed to play Joe. Jackman's interpretation seems a little more on the mark, as does Borrowman's.
This was done years ago. I saw Michael as Joe in the BBC concert version of Sunset in Cork, Ireland in 2004...he was fabulous. There is an audio version available, but it should have been filmed. He was edgy, angry, sarcastic and perfect in the role (maturity kicking in). But the voice and the notes were still there. The finale reprise of the title song was amazing.
I have watched Hugh Jackman and John Barrowmans versions of this song and I have to say I do actually prefer Hugh's, Although he is not trained musically his preformance just has the edge for me, michaels comes in second for me simply because he has a better voice than John.
Michael has been trained by Andrew for his musical style, I've understood he never had formal training until Andrew , umm? discouvered his talent... maybe? I'd like to know more ...by favorite Michael video on you tube is a video called Shangahi Lil, what a fun piece
All I can say is Sir Andrew's training went for naught--at least in this case. I thought Ball did a nice job of 'The Vaults of Heaven' and 'Love Changes Everything', but he's over his head here.
Sunset Blvd is my favorite movie and my favorite theater. I love hugh jackman (Woverine rocks !!!), but I must admit michael is fantastic in this role. I only saw the road show in south florida. Luv ya Mike (and hugh W.R)
Don't agree he is smiling for the camera, it is to show the irony of Joes situation. That he's sold out all his principles. The interpretation is spot on imo.
I prefer this recording to hugh jackmans or jb's... though I don't like the way he clips the vowels on sunset.. But his expression.. presence... top notch
I'm not gonna slate this performance but i like john barrowman's better. John has a growl when he says a rancid smell which i like. I like both as performances go but JB's has a special in my heart as my partner loves him.
at this time of the plot the caracter (Joe Gillis) has "Made it". He is relaxing by the pool with a drink and are content with life. and so would i if i was in his position...
And being the great actor that Michael Ball is, he is obviously in caractor, hence the smile..
a smile is not always a happy one. its called subcontext, and yes, it is widely used in theatre. if you look again, you will probably see a different smile, enjoy. and pardon my english:)
I know enough about theatre and stage acting that subcontext does not equal breaking character with giddy "look at me" smiles when singing about a tragic life gone awry
I have reviewed the smile and still see superbia, not acting
You should also know that every actor interprets each character differently. Certain parts of the lyrics are meant to be sarcastic, and Michael portrays it by smiling. Stop trying to sound smart and appreciate it for what it is.
No one can portray emotion as good as Michael Ball. The way he sounds so angry at himself, and yet so desperate... amazing!!
HedvigRok 2 months ago
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He is amazing! For this song, I listened to John Barrowman, Hugh Jackman but Michael's is my most favorite.
whatshallwecallit 4 months ago
He is amazing! For this song, I listened to John Barrowman, Hugh Jackman but Michael's is my most favorite.
whatshallwecallit 4 months ago
@whatshallwecallit i did exactly the same xD i like hugh jackman's acting better but micheal's sound is amazing!! :D
crazyfriendsbe 3 weeks ago
good worlds,,love english language!good sounds
MrAnthonymarina 4 months ago
He's good...I prefer Michael Cormick (too bad there's no videos of him on youtube)...but what's wrong with the way he pronounces Boulevard...it sounds alright to me...
loopylupin09 4 months ago
who gives a toss its a great song sang by a great singer :0) x
SWIFTY831 4 months ago
I'm a 37 year-old English singer living in Galway, Ireland. I'm working hard on my singing and would very much appreciate any honest critical feedback on my version of Sunset Boulevard here on Youtube (or the other demos)to help me improve. (Just type my name.) It was recorded a while ago now, and every singer must think they can do better later on, but there it's all I have. Thank you very much for any feedback offered. Andrew Hawcroft. (A devout Artist Against Autotune)
GodzookySnr 6 months ago
This guy is amazing. Everyone should also watch him sing this song in another concert which can be found on tudou. He is able to reinterpret this song and put even more feeling into it a few years later.
davidguo 6 months ago in playlist Michael Ball and Les Miserables
BOOOOLUHVAAAAAAHHHDDD
HikariDragonRyuu 7 months ago
stick to marius please that was terrible
eohare1000 7 months ago
@eohare1000 how that was terrible? sincerely
filippo333444555 7 months ago
he's not singing 'boolevard' because of singing training ... cause he's never had any? but i agree, he's amazing<3
01482842328 7 months ago
@01482842328 I never said he was trained - I said that's how ur sing properly and how ur trained 2 do it. U need 2 sing the open vowel sounds in order 2 open ur throat. If u don't it sounds strangled.
MsRosiecakes 7 months ago
He is amazing..I've been a fan since 9 years of age - he just flows into each character so easily. ..Btw - reason he pronounces 'booulevard' ... simple answer - singing training. You get speech training to learn to pronounce while singing instead of having your accent coming through.
SuRhaYxxx 8 months ago 3
this is best sunset boulevard version. he nails it! michael ball rocks!
dirty06maggot 8 months ago 2
God, no wonder I had a crush on him! Still think he is the best singer ever! I would have loved to see him in this role (with Elaine Paige), but what can you do! I'm seeing him in concert in a month, can hardly wait
madandmountedNorway 8 months ago
he's the male barbra streissand of west end!
arjaykali 8 months ago
i agree its boulevard, not boolevard in LA.... I guess its pronunciation is different in the UK
rabinowitz17 9 months ago
i love how he sings with so much emotion
mchudi91 10 months ago 2
He looks so young here. But brilliant
Jacquee9 11 months ago 4
Holy shit, he just has that special tone to his voice!!! I don't get tired of hearing him sing. Does he age? I think him and Dick Clark are in it together. They have that magic no-age potion.
ykaiilah 1 year ago 3
Has anyone ever heard Rex Smith sing the role of Joe Gillis? He is absolutely amazing! The Canadian cast recording is phenomenal with Rex Smith and Diane Carol.
Holly24tm 1 year ago
I agree the song isn't being sung in context here. It is being sung on a prime time non musical theatre show. It would have been odd for Michael to sing it with the accent.
Meglig 1 year ago
its pronounced BOULEVARD not BOOLEVARD
iamjumbo18 1 year ago
@iamjumbo18 The reason why he prounounces it Boolevard is because he's singing the correct open vowel sounds you need to be a classical singer. Trained classical singers - even in America - are trained with the English vowel sounds. It's only in the pop world where singers sing with the American accent.
MsRosiecakes 7 months ago
I didn't mean to start a debate. I simply wanted to know. I don't believe one accent is better than another, since no group of human beings is better than another. Just because we happen to pronounce vowels differently doesn't make one way better than another.
musicalmeg19 1 year ago
@musicalmeg19 I think the way Ball sings it (with the British pronunciation) sounds much better out of context than it sounds Americanized. However, the character is American (from Ohio, no less), so within the context of the musical it should be sung with an American accent. See Hugh Jackman's interpretation for an example. (I think he's an Aussie, so he should be an unbiased third party, right?)
desboisjo 1 year ago
@desboisjo :) Excellent points. Thanks!
musicalmeg19 1 year ago
I don't mean to be picky, but can someone who's from England please explain: do you pronounce boulevard like he sings it here? "Boo-levard"? Or is it just Michael's pronounciation?
musicalmeg19 1 year ago
@musicalmeg19 yeah that is how we pronounce it in the uk. how do youguys in the states pronounce it? bearing in mind that the british way of speaking is the correct way, american accents have changed the way many words are pronouced since the british settled there a few hundred years back.
catannelittle 1 year ago
@catannelittle However, since the show is set in the states, wouldn't the correct way be the american way? Just saying
BlueEyedPrep 1 year ago
@BlueEyedPrep a good argument however i still reckon the british way to pronounce words that have been around since before the brits settled in america is the correct way to say them. i believe glenn close also sang this song with the same pronounciation.
catannelittle 1 year ago
@catannelittle Actually, when the States were being settled, the British accent was closer to the modern American accent than the modern English accent. I don't really know why, but that's what they say.
MuchoMasturbation 1 year ago
@MuchoMasturbation there wasn't ever, and isn't currently, a "British accent". Everywhere in Great Britain has its own accent, dialect, slang and verbal stresses. In all likelihood, the "American" accent you speak of (though I'd be a hypocrite if I didn't stress that everywhere in America is equally differentiated dialectically) has evolved from the accent of whichever english or irish port communities made the sea voyage to that place.
rodrigodesante 11 months ago
@rodrigodesante My using the term "British accent" refers to an accent... from Great Britain... Don't assume I'm so ignorant. My point is that back then, "they" (referring to the majority of accents from Great Britain) were closer to the modern "General" American accent... Meaning harsher consonants and less rounded vowel sounds.
MuchoMasturbation 11 months ago
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@catannelittle However, since the show is set in the states, wouldn't the correct way be the American way? Just saying
BlueEyedPrep 1 year ago
Love, love, LOVE Micahael Ball! His voice is just infinitely beyond a gorgeous and meaningful voice! He sings with such passion! That's 70% right there -- but then that tone!
musicalmeg19 1 year ago
He's unique
licomedes 1 year ago
Agreed I love John Barrowman -purrs if only he went our way lo~and huge jackman can really sing but NO on can do this like Michale, same with phantom being Antonio Banderass
LolaofAr 1 year ago
I love all of Andrew Lloyd Webber's songs but this is one of my all time favorites I was brought up on them as a kid, long long drives in the car with my mother who had his Cd's. Simply love it
LolaofAr 1 year ago
Besides his singing, I love his expressions particularly in the "smile a rented smile" bit. :D
AuburnRed1 1 year ago
Wow! Ive seen them all and have to say........No of them come close to this spectacular performance.... A concert in the States would be in order... Come to America Michael....Your talent is above all others.... Wonderful.... !
bardbulky15 1 year ago
Michael was actually the first one to sing this song, and the first one to record it. He was the first artist that signed with Andrew's record-label: Polydor, when he recorded "love changes everything" and in 1993 he was chosen to record "Sunset Boulevard" as a single to promote the show.
06s091 1 year ago
Amazing voice!!!
PPentesilea 1 year ago
Hmm, not my favourite version.
What you need, is John Barrowmans wonderful american voice, Hugh Jackmans acting, and Michael Ball's charm.
AwkwardScenario 1 year ago 4
@AwkwardScenario Agree. I love Barrowman's voice, but he sings too much and acts too little in his performances of Sunset Boulevard. Jackmans' acting lovely, much more subtle than Ball's, and it matches the song so well, but Ball has so much charm and his performance is a true performance. Ahhh. If we could only combine them.
cyaftie 1 year ago 4
Absolutely brilliant and amazing!
bzyk1975 1 year ago 2
He doesn't have the American "angst" to do it, although it's obviously perfect - perhaps a little too perfect,
gentoo1991 1 year ago
This has more heart than Jackman's but Jackman's has a lot more character.
JimBobInc 1 year ago 2
This is how Sunset Boulevard is supposed to sound. Barrowman's is awful, and Jackman's is missing something. Ball's is fabulous in my opinion, he holds my attention every second, and I think his acting is stunning. The last note is chilling. This type of voice is how Webber's compositions are supposed to sound, it's a stylistic choice.
kassiehp0593 1 year ago 5
@kassiehp0593 your completely correct, i agree in every way possible.
juwans15is 1 year ago
I love his voice...it comes out like caramel. But like most other people think it's not suited for this song.
noodlehead123 2 years ago 2
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lol loserer
stardust028 2 years ago
kawiti waefords better singing this than ANYONE !
handirep 2 years ago
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quelayla 2 years ago
wow, i never heard him talk before, it's so odd. haha.
singsongfly 2 years ago
I like his voice... but you know, it's just a little too soft for me... I prefer the rough way jackman sings it (even though his voice doesn't really fit the song)
onepiecebestanime 2 years ago
Jackman, Ball, Barrowman -- This is a great role. They all sing, who can act well enough to land the movie. Just get the darned thing made!!!
jessied44 2 years ago 4
@jessied44 There is a movie: black and white, done in the fifties. But it is not a musical film: it is straight acting with Gloria Swanson as Norma. There really should be a musical movie of this!
8spliced 1 year ago
@8spliced
Yes, great movie, co-written and directed by Billy Wilder. The musical is adapted from it.
yanndick 1 year ago
Its seems that everyone is over Critical over the Boulevard note each time no matter who seems to be singin, having been learning this for a show of musical numbers, it just happens to be how the Dots are written, everyone that sings it has the same problem, it just comes down to a pronounciation and their own accent that changes things
zaphod8eeblebrox 2 years ago
... wow, kris phillips is def the best cover.
jzsun 2 years ago
no matter what people say , Michael Ball is by far the best on this version, Jackman is just a movie star trying to be taken seroiusly.
doctoripanema41 2 years ago
Um. He was a broadway star before he became a movie star.
specialkrj 2 years ago 32
Michael is great and sings like a dream.. but he sings this soooooo British !!... and afterall.. this is sunset boulevard.... great version though
jenneferlee1 2 years ago
I have to agree, nobody can sing or interpret ALW's music better than the great Michael Ball
noreen2k9 2 years ago 61
@noreen2k9 Apart from those people who are better singers and/or better actors.
damens 1 year ago
Are you crazy guys? Michael Ball is one of the best Andrew Lloyd Webber's interpreter (artist).
litiel 2 years ago 4
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Why is he smiling? And why does he keep on saying 'snnnnnset boooooulevard'? It's really annoying!
Hugh Jackman's is the best I've heard of this song. Michael seems to be missing something here.
somwherebeyondthesea 2 years ago
its not booolvard its boulevard
peepo45 2 years ago 4
definitely, but he's a good singer. i liked it when he sang gethsemane.
dhyanabora 2 years ago
he did it right on the recordings i think he just screwed up on this show
FilmRangers 2 years ago
I actually really enjoyed this version, but I thought he tried to do too much with the actual singing of the words - they leaned together and slurred a bit too much. I do like the smile thought, it's wonderfully ironic. Also, there needs to be more acting in the song and the dramatic gestures aren't subtle enough to make it. Check out John Barrowman's version, it's the best I've seen so far.
Kiribati42 2 years ago
it's a cynical song, so the smile works
AdeniumObesum 2 years ago
What is wrong with you people....this man is amazing and if you were familiar with his work at all you would be able to tell the sarcastic grins from the real smiles........He is the best at all he does.....
noreen2k9 2 years ago
Ok, it's kinda ok.. but i think he better should keep himself for the "Les Miserables"
Jaspervdk 2 years ago
Not a bad performance, but not my favorite. Michael Ball is missing something in this performance...just not sure what it is.
Still, he is doing a great job! This isn't an easy song and he does it justice. [it's just not my personal favorite]
lemonea 2 years ago
He need to be more cynical and cold!
he is toooo SUNNy here yet good
hornybodhisattva 2 years ago
he's an amazing singer but I wanna wipe that silly smile off his face, to me its not really a happy song.
TheBriguy04 2 years ago
I agree. This song is filled with cynicism and that grin on his face doesn't seem to match.
lemonea 2 years ago
@TheBriguy04 He's smiling because he's beginning to go mad. He starts off as a calm normal guy then meets Norma Desmond and begins to go which climaxs at the end (which I won't give away).
MsRosiecakes 7 months ago
Yeah he is good at this song >> pitty the people on here dont agree , did you not see the full vid ?? he is talking about it to tell people what its actually about , then singing the main song in the musical >> But im very sorry if you heard him talkin and lost complete interest what can you do when people have no attention span pfffft !!!! ( as i say a quick slap did no one any harm ! )
redthongdiva 2 years ago 2
I love this song, awesome job!
drama28king 2 years ago 4
I usually love Michael Ball's work, but here, I don't... I like the technique on how instead of doing the usual strong voice at the first sunset boulevard moment, he came throught softly... It was unexpected... However, of all the renditions of this song, I have to go with Hugh Jackman... His voice is great and he really brings the song to life...
liveOFFapplause 2 years ago
He's "talk singing" I don't really see anything special here.
GoodbyeToBlueberyPie 2 years ago
refering to crAzyXx3 The Opera "Carmen" has spoken words through it
shirleycritch 2 years ago
Far to aspirate onset (breathy) used here for me personally and not american enough! Plus...he acted the exact same throughout the whole song...no journey, was bored after a minute BUT don't get me wrong...I like Michael Ball, just not when he sings this song ;)
jakehollick 2 years ago
not american enough? explain that please
majersusi 2 years ago
The character that sings this song, Joe Gillis, is American and I would of thought he would of sang it in an American accent.
jakehollick 2 years ago
Very good.
stoffermand 2 years ago
That last note....I am sitting here with my jaw dropped....I don't even know what to say. I knew he was good, but that...dang.
wickedismycrack714 2 years ago 5
this is incredible but i think
his voice is too high to fit his song
ehstrmptplyr350 2 years ago
I totally agree. I think it makes the song sounds too sweet.
nwfbakker 2 years ago 2
boulevard* is what i mean.
markjameshowe 2 years ago
what is sunset boulecard about, i mean the story line?
markjameshowe 2 years ago
Watch the first 20 seconds.
Tangocow 2 years ago
well arent you hilarious.
first of all, its not exactly a very detailed description, and second, if i'd wanted a sarcastic and cheeky reply i would have written that on my first post.
markjameshowe 2 years ago
a hack screen writer, Joe Gillis, meets Norma Desmond, a faded silent film star. she falls in love with him wile he writes a script for her big "come back." all the while Joe is revamping one of his stories to the screen with Betty Shafer, and they end up in love. When Norma finds out about this romance, she kills Joe in a fit of rage.
he sings the song describing how he feels about everything happening, mainly his disfunctional romance with Norma Desmond.
BrazilNemoFish 2 years ago
Oh, thankyou (:
Is it one of those musicals where they sing all the way through without any talking?
markjameshowe 2 years ago
"musicals where they sing all the way through without any talking" you can short that all to OPERA. and no it is a musical not an opera.
crAzyXx3 2 years ago
well, there not all operatic. =/
markjameshowe 2 years ago
if you refer to a musical as an opera ithas nothing to do with the pitch in which the music is sung. it refers to whether or not there is spoken word. so even if it was an entirely alto-base show if it had no spoken words it's an opera lol
crAzyXx3 2 years ago
Les Mis isnt an opera and has virtually no libretto in it.
: |
bohiemian12 2 years ago
Les Mis IS an opera. An opera doesn't have anything to do witht the way people sing. An opera is a play where people only sing and don't speak. And in Les Mis there is no talking, just singing. So Les Mis = an opera
:)
chrischico 2 years ago
True! :]
crAzyXx3 2 years ago
Magic Flute IS an opera, isn't it?
And there's talking in it...
kemenyffy 2 years ago
There is some talking, but it's all ad-libbed. Unless you count "Enjolras!" as talking.
becky2shoes 2 years ago
i love michael ball.
and i love this song.
perfect.
RaspberryRainbowS 2 years ago
He is an amazing singer.
pirocantha 2 years ago 3
Everyone seems to have taken a form of the John, Hugh, Michael Route (I include myself), and I have to say, I think they all just approach the role differently, and they're all awesome.
Hybrid429 2 years ago 2
Best version I've ever heard mr Ball is one of the best british singers ever
2x4b4wqp 2 years ago 5
John's version was great... but Michael nailed that last note... his last note's the best out of the three!!!!
MahaPickles 2 years ago 4
You can so tell the orchestra is rushing him...he gives them a look a few times at the start being like "why aren't you taking my temppoooo?"
but yes, he owns this and pretty much everything he sings. I don't know if I like him MORE than J.B. I don't think they're really comparable. They take the character differently I feel.
tggold 2 years ago
John Barrowmans is the best, but I have to say as much as I love Hugh Jackman I liked his one the least, it's very different to the others and it doesn't sound quite right!
Jinx903 2 years ago
I just listened Michael's, John's and Hugh's versions, and I like Michael Ball's version the most.
cargo71 2 years ago 3
Duh. He's Michael Ball! He's the best at nearly everything he sings.
fiyero1990 2 years ago 3
michael ball IS Joe Gillis!
ckbyatt 2 years ago
is it just me or does this feel a lil rushed?
pauleetragic 3 years ago 3
his voice is good but it could be a bit more passionate. no one sings it like ron bohmer! hes amazing. he gets sooo into it! good vid tho! thanks!
merylstreepmygirl 3 years ago
prefer marcus lowe (sp?) who did the concert version for the anv.concert for webber. He was great in it....
Mballs always good, but its not working for me with the microphone and the cabaret preforming style. Barrowman is great to but i sometimes hes to much, (dont hate me for saying it, the rest of the time hes great, just get annoyed when hes to smug...did that make any sense?)
dkgilmorejunkie 3 years ago
Best version I've ever heard.
RossProspekt 3 years ago
as far as voice, there may be better, but i really like the way he sort of looks at the audience, the smirk and the eye contact is so great
engatbuf 3 years ago
your right
countamwras 3 years ago
john barrowman is much better.
MrsFrankLamps 3 years ago
I agree, John Barrowman has a better voice and he really makes us live the song!
MaryzAigredou 3 years ago
eh, i don't like him, his voice is to smooth to play one of those mad angry wanting singers, i like alan cambell's the best and not just because he's on the musical reflection cd, i also like hugh jackman's
kipandvixi 3 years ago
An American accent could be better. But it's gotta be Michael Ball for the Sunset Boulevard!
azzurraying 3 years ago 2
bOOO-levard! haha luv it.
purpletatoe 3 years ago
I heard this version first, heard this version a lot before I heard John's version. John's version is cool, but as can be expected, I love Michael's rendition better.
bmdeleon 3 years ago 2
he can sing but John Barrowman is my favrit vershen
grimreaper42 3 years ago
me too
mentalbird 3 years ago
it dosent work with his acsent it just has to be pure amarican and strong
grimreaper42 3 years ago
so true :)
musicalrapture 3 years ago
YUCK!!! WRONG WRONG.
sopranokate 3 years ago
This is my favourite version. His voice is just so full and bodied.
Sarahoxy 3 years ago 4
Theres something so different about his voice...love it.
Still John Barrowmans version does have more passion I suppose.
Love this song =]
LittleMissRachie 3 years ago 4
Yeah... and little moves that look like they should be performed by an all girl pop group. I hope to god he was embarrassed to do them. :S
elspethsmithe 3 years ago
I loved this rendition and Michael acts the song- what is wrong with you people. I had this on video and accidentaly rubbed it out much to my chagrin
Jacquee9 3 years ago
I think he sings this song best!
he doese it so great!
Lundberg93 3 years ago 2
i prefer jackman's version: more angry and in the role.
llucya73 3 years ago
yeah, definitely. I mean, I like this version and the one sung by John Barrowman, but Hugh Jackman . . . oh man, he just sings it with so much emotion and anger. It's my favorite.
bluedragon1836 3 years ago
I really love michael ball's voice! this song is one of my favourites of Andrew Lloyd Webber!!!!! Thanks for uploading this video!^_^
Kizaelemir 3 years ago
I love John's version and after seeing a few comments on his version i thought i would check out this version... personally (have your owen opinion) i don't like this version half as much as Johns.
doctorwho1994 3 years ago
I absolutely LOVE this. The last note was plain amazing
carriewhite410 3 years ago
singing in musicals is all about interpretation. so michael's version i think is good.
saying that i still prefer john barrowman's!
nataliegul 3 years ago
John Does It Betterr .. He Says Boulevard Proplerly [ Hence Being Brought Up In America ;) ] Nahh John Will Always does this one better his whole performance , the words, timing, the lot he just sings it better :)
pinkx07 3 years ago
yh i have to agree, by the end of this the way he says boulevard gets on my nerves.... I prefer John's too LOL
HarrietTennant 3 years ago
Haha Same :D
I Cant Listen To It He Sings It TOTALLY WRONG ! :D
pinkx07 3 years ago
I think Michael is a better singer than Barrowman but for some reason I like Barrowman's version more
NickyFontana 3 years ago
All the training in the world can't give Michael Ball the blend of edgy anger and laissez faire needed to BE Joe Gillis. Although I'm not a fan of Barrowman's voice--particularly his somewhat flattish top notes--he has JUST the right combination of traits to put this song across PERFECTLY. It's musical THEATRE, remember. Not only does Ball mispronounce 'boulevard' (in the American argot, it's 'bull-uh-vardh'), but his pacing--apologies to the ghost of Sir Noël--is far too fast and unnuanced.
sverigregrabb 3 years ago
I agree. His use of "Bool-a-avard" is disconcerting. Though a great vocal talent, his characterization seems to lack the subtle wit needed to play Joe. Jackman's interpretation seems a little more on the mark, as does Borrowman's.
farrarhound 3 years ago
This was done years ago. I saw Michael as Joe in the BBC concert version of Sunset in Cork, Ireland in 2004...he was fabulous. There is an audio version available, but it should have been filmed. He was edgy, angry, sarcastic and perfect in the role (maturity kicking in). But the voice and the notes were still there. The finale reprise of the title song was amazing.
lsd2772 3 years ago
I have watched Hugh Jackman and John Barrowmans versions of this song and I have to say I do actually prefer Hugh's, Although he is not trained musically his preformance just has the edge for me, michaels comes in second for me simply because he has a better voice than John.
nannybebe74 3 years ago
ahhh in michael's voice there's always this raw emotion that comes out so well. <3
tegonyan3 3 years ago
Michael has been trained by Andrew for his musical style, I've understood he never had formal training until Andrew , umm? discouvered his talent... maybe? I'd like to know more ...by favorite Michael video on you tube is a video called Shangahi Lil, what a fun piece
smoker954 3 years ago
All I can say is Sir Andrew's training went for naught--at least in this case. I thought Ball did a nice job of 'The Vaults of Heaven' and 'Love Changes Everything', but he's over his head here.
sverigregrabb 3 years ago
Sunset Blvd is my favorite movie and my favorite theater. I love hugh jackman (Woverine rocks !!!), but I must admit michael is fantastic in this role. I only saw the road show in south florida. Luv ya Mike (and hugh W.R)
smoker954 3 years ago
yes go michael!!!
Wolfie1889 3 years ago
Don't agree he is smiling for the camera, it is to show the irony of Joes situation. That he's sold out all his principles. The interpretation is spot on imo.
lola1125 3 years ago
It's not bad, but I find his 'booolevard' kind of annoying.
Skypeace89 3 years ago
not that i like johnbarrowman...I HATE HIM
Carrot200 3 years ago
john barrowmans version is more intense and raw....AND BETTER SINGING!!!
Carrot200 3 years ago
I prefer this recording to hugh jackmans or jb's... though I don't like the way he clips the vowels on sunset.. But his expression.. presence... top notch
nothing5sg 3 years ago
I'm not gonna slate this performance but i like john barrowman's better. John has a growl when he says a rancid smell which i like. I like both as performances go but JB's has a special in my heart as my partner loves him.
mjjfan69 3 years ago
why's he smiling? this is a tragic, harrowing song, and here he is grinning like a schoolboy who just saw his first set of tits!
musical theater is one part music, & at least one part theatre
triptenator 3 years ago
at this time of the plot the caracter (Joe Gillis) has "Made it". He is relaxing by the pool with a drink and are content with life. and so would i if i was in his position...
And being the great actor that Michael Ball is, he is obviously in caractor, hence the smile..
superdresser 3 years ago 2
thanks for the book report. I'm plenty familiar with the plotline.
his interpretation of this song is shit, and his smiling is for the camera.
triptenator 3 years ago
a smile is not always a happy one. its called subcontext, and yes, it is widely used in theatre. if you look again, you will probably see a different smile, enjoy. and pardon my english:)
terjesweet 3 years ago
I know enough about theatre and stage acting that subcontext does not equal breaking character with giddy "look at me" smiles when singing about a tragic life gone awry
I have reviewed the smile and still see superbia, not acting
triptenator 3 years ago
You should also know that every actor interprets each character differently. Certain parts of the lyrics are meant to be sarcastic, and Michael portrays it by smiling. Stop trying to sound smart and appreciate it for what it is.
tinytimton 3 years ago 4
one of my favourite songs from the musical :-)
thanks for uploading it!
arabellabishop 3 years ago
I like JB's.
charklotter 3 years ago
me too :)
EvieGenius 3 years ago
What is this video clip from?
girl920 3 years ago
A bit of family bias is great, but actually better than Michael Ball is just a tiny bit unlikely! lol!
But if your brother is even a fraction as good, then you should record him so that others can appreciate him too.
OneAndFutureMe 3 years ago
My younger brother sang that song in a competition and sang it so much better than this. and hes only 17
mitchelley123 3 years ago
I dont believe you LOL
dirty06maggot 3 years ago