OK, I love three Sweeneys. Len, Johnny, and George. Len owns this song, George owns A Little Priest and The Judge's Return, and Johnny owns Pretty Women. Tell me what you think?
Hearn has TOO TOO much emotion; He is way too much the poet to go through with such a cold scheme. Cariou has the most believable combination of cold determination and passion.
... I've yet to find the original play with Len, but hearing this, he kinda falls flat on a lot of parts. Like, there isn't a lot of emotion in some parts. I kinda judged him straight from this song, but then I heard his "BENJAMIN BARKER" and was like "DAYUM WHAT". I LOVE Hearns Todd most, but I'll definitely say I'll have to REALLY watch the original with Cariou before making a final decision at all.
@poetoffire I couldn't agree with you more. Cerveris ruined Passion in my opinion. But Hearn is definitely better than Depp or Cerveris. Then again doesn't matter when Cariou is the best!!!
Wow thanks for uploading a good sounding vid of this! lol there are hardly any good quality vids from the production with Len in it.
As for the Sweeney comparing, people seriously. STOP IT.
Comparing stage and movie Sweeneys doesnt make sense since stage productions and movies are two totally different things and both require different things. comparing stage and stage Sweeney makes more sense.
Just think... JD doesnt have the voice for stage but Hearn would be too overwhelming in a movie
Len Cariou doesn't sound bored to me! I shudder with pity on his "and I'll never see Johanna" and with fear on "How about a shave?" Just the raw, feral anticipation in the word "shave," and later in "WELCOME to the grave!"... *shudders!*
To me, Cerveris is too detached, like he was a born sociopath. It's difficult for me to feel any empathy for him; he's just inhuman. And without a human Sweeney, the play becomes hollow. No offense to his talent, though -- he's gone one strong voice!
It's possible to keep the emotion (Rage, Frustration, Insanity) and maintain good tone quality. This one, he just seems bored. Michael Cerveris did the best stage version in my opinion. He had a great voice, yet seemed to be a snarling, raving madman, which we all love to see. Johnny Depp's version was amazing, but he was bored throughout the rest of it.
I like this version the best. Len seems like he's got the character's style down very well. I really hate Hearn's version. However, I still really like Depp's version. The Tim Burton film was my first Sweeney experience, so that's why I like those versions a lot, but this is the best version.
I guess. Its true that it is a little disappointing, but he's more like Michael Cerevis, he's more robotic, like he's only trying to do this just to get the judge. But it is a little unexpected, like he does his emotionless act too well. But then again, we can't see what's happening, its just audio, so its not as good. If anyone has the video and audio to this, please let me know.
Well remember.. he's singing in a huge theater (I was there) and he's got to sound good.. Screaming versus singing wouldn't be good.. and also he's inspired and determined, and crazy, more than just pure anger or sadness alone.. besides.. The orchestras music tells the emotional story behind it all..
@Jennylovessheba Depp wasn't salavating; Depp's version was deep and mad and dark and scary-mad, whereas Hearn here is just...wow...seriously extrovert kinda madness.
i love the little back and forth between gosling and nmk. cute. btw i think all 3 of them are good kinda hard to pick, they all have their pro's and cons y'know? combine the the sort of madness that depp portrayed with the singing voice of hearn and that'd be pretty cool. they major pet peeve i had with Depp was Sweeney was supposed to be in his 40's as well as mrs. Lovett. Depp and Carter look relativly young y'know?
his version is a little less yelly than hearns, that is both good and bad. And the music is a little sllower and the instrumentals are simpler. (just observing the facts no bias)
not that i don't appriciate your obsessive compulsive need to edit my text, but i do suggest you waste your time somewhere else and maybe even get a job.
Ummm...when you guys are done, do you want me delete this quarrel or shall I keep it up? I honestly don't care, so it's entirely up to the two of you. Actually...I'm lazy, so it's staying. I work too much and don't have the time or energy to delete...so...do/say what you want.
I was just looking for more Sweeney Todd adaptations earlier today when I stumbled upon this clip and, of course, our funny back-and-forth. Funny for me I mean since clearly it was pretty embarrassing for you.
I just thought I should warn you not to join the debate team your school because (lets be honest) it didn't take me long to point out the hypocrisy of your argument and to leave you in speechless aw at my brilliant and tactical deconstruction of every so called "educated" comeback your limited mind could think of
i was simply bored before, but now i've forgotten about you. well, you are pretty forgetful and boring. but it's ok. maybe you're more fun in real life. nice arguing with you, but now i have other things to do.
don't worry i get it. it's hard to keep coming back to a fight and getting crushed each time. but don't give up hope yet. after all i could die and you would win by default.
honestly, you're not funny, so you might as well just stop trying. you're not winning anything. if anything, you are simply embarrassing yourself even more. so for your own sake, just stop already.
I'm embarrassing myself? look at what you just said. you used to at least try and think of an educated response but this is obviously a desperate attempt to escape with your dignity and end things on your terms without having to admit the fact that i urned what was originally a attack on my spelling into a strike on your own hypocrisy. verry well. i officially release you of all obligation to respond to my comments to help you save face.
perhaps you will one day return a more worthy foe.
R.I.P we hardly knew yee oh fallen youtube commentator. Slain by my hand as I dealt the finishing blow to your character and credibility by overwhelming you with my superior knowledge and debate tactics.
today we honour the day i smashed thy sorry douchebag face into the ground
Look who's still a pretentious cock. I missed your pathetic attempts to insult me when all you do is show how pathetic you are. At least you're not begging me to leave you alone like last time though that was very funny. Lets see how long you last this time around. Btw douche douche douche douche douche douche (well looks like I don't know any other insults, oh well) douche douche douche (hm I think Ive sad this before, guess Im repetitive too, oh well)
i disagree. a lot. george hearn and patti lupone are the best. depp and hbc were good for their version, but if they did it on stage the microphones would be turned up so much that they'd catch audience members coughing. the movie was good, but how hard is it to have a perfect performance when you can do the scene 27 times before it's seen?
Angela is MUCH better than Patti (the version I saw of Patti was awful - she completely destroyed 'My Friends') but to be honest, I'm not a big fan of either of them
Len was very passionate and scary in the show, which I saw twice with him. I like Hearn, but I prefer Len's more fragile portrayal. And - what a beautiful voice! I enjoy watching the old tape; I wish Len had done the TV version.
I prefer Hearn's voice...much more "beautiful" IMO. I like watching the old tapes, but I'm so glad George did the TV version. In 1982, Len's voice was a lot worse.
that may have been due to the staging...in the original introduction (The Ballad of Sweeney Todd) Len as Sweeney would rise from a grave...the dust and dirt probably messed with his voice...
Love Cariou's Sweeney! I know some find it underplayed, but this is the original album, not a live performance. It's a permanent record of the full score exactly as written. He's singing all the correct notes, rather than cry/shout/improvise as if performing on stage. Watch videos from the OBC to hear how much more violent and passionate Cariou's actual version was. Even in this, his voice is so gorgeous and powerful! And its silvery, hoarse quality makes it scary and psychotic. Thanks!
Nice to hear more people appreciate Cariou for the artist he truly is. He is and always will be my favorite Sweeney because, after all, he IS the original.
Cariou is good, but just because he was the original does not make him the best. I do like his performance though, I just think George Hearn has more power to the role.
i hate the way he says "come and...visit your good friend...sweeney." the way hearn is acting out this part in his version, it's like he's a maniacal used car salesman trying as hard as he can to make a sale. lol "COME AND VISIT YOUR GOOD FRIEND SWEENEY!!!!!"
What the hell is wrong with you? Angela Lansbury is an amazing singer and an equally wonderful actress. Her voice and her singing are absolutely perfect for Mrs. Lovett! Her voice seems like it's panicked and frightened, just how it should be for this role. You obviously don't know talent, do you? You'd rather watch Johnny Depp sing, wouldn't you?
I agree. I thought Helena Bonham Carter, although quite lovely in her other roles, wasn't right for Mrs. Lovett. She seemed a bit cocky and not nearly as naive as she should have been. Also Johnny's portrayal was wayyyyyyy too spacey.
You are fucking dumb. I didn't know Johnny Depp played Mrs. Lovett... what an amazing thing! I love George Hearn's Sweeney, but Patti LuPone puts Angela Lansbury to shame. I don't care if she sounds panicked, she still sounds like shit!
No way. George is the best of them all. He has a much more powerful, emotional, and deeper voice, and he looks better in that costume and makeup. Len can't pull off the wig. He can't do the laugh as well as George does; Len does evil Sweeney, George does an almost maniacal version (after all, he's driven by love, loss and revenge).
mmm.....the way I see it, Len can be compared to George Washington. Yeah...that's right. He laid the foundation for future Sweeneys by being the first and showing a vague guideline by how the role should be performed. You have to remember that there was no one to follow in doing this role, so the fact that he WAS so good at it is quite astounding. As for Hearn, he's like all the other Presidents following Washington that everyone love(s/d) like JFK, FDR, etc.
I guess it's personal preference but I don't see how you nor anyone could prefer Cariou over Hearn. Len just sings the song. George acts it. Like the vid above: You don't see him shouting or acting maniacal like Hearn. IDK I don't even think his voice is great anyways [but dont get me wrong I'd love to be able to sing like him]. How do you feel about Depp? I think he plays a WAY TOO YOUNG sweeney.
I'm sorry, I love Len and all, but there is VERY VERY little emotion in this version of the song. I hate to choose favs, but George Hearn is the God of all Todds.
@bohemiawelcumsyou It's all there, it's just pretty subtle. Of course, you have to take into account that this was recorded in a studio, rather than performed in front of an audience.
Cariou doesn't scream enough...
YouGandered101 2 months ago
I love how from 0:01-0:07 Angela is still talking!
CherryOnTop5000 3 months ago
OK, I love three Sweeneys. Len, Johnny, and George. Len owns this song, George owns A Little Priest and The Judge's Return, and Johnny owns Pretty Women. Tell me what you think?
Broadwaypuppet 4 months ago
Hearn has TOO TOO much emotion; He is way too much the poet to go through with such a cold scheme. Cariou has the most believable combination of cold determination and passion.
psychomusicanana 7 months ago
Johnny Depp and Helena took a complete dump on this score. It requires SINGERS!
thehappyphantom84 7 months ago 2
i personally like george because you can feel his anger in this song Len was good and i hate to choose but i choose Hearn
Angelacullen123 7 months ago 2
the best version....johnny depp for an ACTOR did a good job...but as a broadway singer he sucked...george hearn was just ok...
arodoet126 8 months ago
Ah. Such a sweet little show tune. I enjoy humming it at work around coworkers.
blackberryjuice1 10 months ago
... I've yet to find the original play with Len, but hearing this, he kinda falls flat on a lot of parts. Like, there isn't a lot of emotion in some parts. I kinda judged him straight from this song, but then I heard his "BENJAMIN BARKER" and was like "DAYUM WHAT". I LOVE Hearns Todd most, but I'll definitely say I'll have to REALLY watch the original with Cariou before making a final decision at all.
Euron131 10 months ago
awesome =D
titofdeath 10 months ago
hearn seems OVER acted.
johnny has the BEST voice
cariou has more emotion.
my opinions from a die hard fan of sweeney todd <33
RissaRainbows 11 months ago
Personally:
Hearn always arrives OVERDONE,
Depp growled and spat to try to make up for not having a deep enough voice,
Cerveris sounds perpetually depressed in every role (Even during "Happiness" in Passion!),
And Len Cariou owned this.
poetoffire 1 year ago
@poetoffire I couldn't agree with you more. Cerveris ruined Passion in my opinion. But Hearn is definitely better than Depp or Cerveris. Then again doesn't matter when Cariou is the best!!!
arodoet126 5 months ago
Woah, the "I will HAVE YOU, ha ha ha!" friggin gave me chills...
babygrl337 1 year ago
there is only 1 sweeney and that is Hearn
goombamario1 1 year ago 5
I can honestly say that I like George Hearn Better.... Though Len Cariou is good. He is, but Hearn shows a bit more emotion.
MidnightFeyofSummer 1 year ago 4
Wow thanks for uploading a good sounding vid of this! lol there are hardly any good quality vids from the production with Len in it.
As for the Sweeney comparing, people seriously. STOP IT.
Comparing stage and movie Sweeneys doesnt make sense since stage productions and movies are two totally different things and both require different things. comparing stage and stage Sweeney makes more sense.
Just think... JD doesnt have the voice for stage but Hearn would be too overwhelming in a movie
imsweeneytodd 1 year ago 9
Len Cariou doesn't sound bored to me! I shudder with pity on his "and I'll never see Johanna" and with fear on "How about a shave?" Just the raw, feral anticipation in the word "shave," and later in "WELCOME to the grave!"... *shudders!*
To me, Cerveris is too detached, like he was a born sociopath. It's difficult for me to feel any empathy for him; he's just inhuman. And without a human Sweeney, the play becomes hollow. No offense to his talent, though -- he's gone one strong voice!
threescoreandten 1 year ago
It's possible to keep the emotion (Rage, Frustration, Insanity) and maintain good tone quality. This one, he just seems bored. Michael Cerveris did the best stage version in my opinion. He had a great voice, yet seemed to be a snarling, raving madman, which we all love to see. Johnny Depp's version was amazing, but he was bored throughout the rest of it.
misterred23 2 years ago
I like this version the best. Len seems like he's got the character's style down very well. I really hate Hearn's version. However, I still really like Depp's version. The Tim Burton film was my first Sweeney experience, so that's why I like those versions a lot, but this is the best version.
JokerAgentOfChaos 2 years ago
LEN RULES!
Ryuzaki40 2 years ago 2
Len is really dark about this. But he doesn't sound angry, which sort of bothers me.
dahuterschuter 2 years ago
I guess. Its true that it is a little disappointing, but he's more like Michael Cerevis, he's more robotic, like he's only trying to do this just to get the judge. But it is a little unexpected, like he does his emotionless act too well. But then again, we can't see what's happening, its just audio, so its not as good. If anyone has the video and audio to this, please let me know.
Ryuzaki40 2 years ago
Well this is the OBR he isn't very animated on it. If you see the video he is very... very angry lol
WarCraftPwns 2 years ago
Well remember.. he's singing in a huge theater (I was there) and he's got to sound good.. Screaming versus singing wouldn't be good.. and also he's inspired and determined, and crazy, more than just pure anger or sadness alone.. besides.. The orchestras music tells the emotional story behind it all..
debs4mysweetbaby 2 years ago
It's a darker, internal insanity rather than George Hearn's "shouting and salavating" outright "losing the plot"
Kimberleg 2 years ago
@Kimberleg you think Hearn was shouting and Salavating? have you heard Depps Interpretation?
Jennylovessheba 1 year ago
@Jennylovessheba Depp wasn't salavating; Depp's version was deep and mad and dark and scary-mad, whereas Hearn here is just...wow...seriously extrovert kinda madness.
Mad comes on many different levels.
Kimberleg 1 year ago
i love the little back and forth between gosling and nmk. cute. btw i think all 3 of them are good kinda hard to pick, they all have their pro's and cons y'know? combine the the sort of madness that depp portrayed with the singing voice of hearn and that'd be pretty cool. they major pet peeve i had with Depp was Sweeney was supposed to be in his 40's as well as mrs. Lovett. Depp and Carter look relativly young y'know?
dyingenglish 3 years ago
goerge hearn is a 1000000000000000000000000000000times better no wonder he replaced him
flornarda 3 years ago
Hearn gets that anger that I love about sweeny.
Depp is better at insane acting but nothing else.
Len here has a somewhat darker way about him in this song at least.
Hearn is the best the the three I'd have to say though as all around.
Phatnick21 3 years ago
As much as I love George Hearn and Johnny Depp's versions of this song, I have to say Len Cariou owns this song.
coolperson50613 3 years ago 22
@coolperson50613 Completely...
xpertbooks 1 year ago
you are so easy. i crushed you then and i will crush you now.
if you ever had anything better to do why would you pick a fight with a guy who hadn't done anything to you. seems like your life is pretty empty.
novamasterking 3 years ago
his version is a little less yelly than hearns, that is both good and bad. And the music is a little sllower and the instrumentals are simpler. (just observing the facts no bias)
Selendomono 4 years ago 3
oh crap...my bad, man.
I meant to click the green thumbs up.
I absolutely agree with you
Sorry about that.
Riw4EVER 4 years ago
ur right. we shouln't be biased........
GEORGE HURN WAS A THOUSAND TIMES BETTER!
......oops
no don't worry len was gd too
novamasterking 4 years ago
at least spell it right.
idiot.
GoslingT 3 years ago
u mind saving the insults 4 an ocasion that warents it.
idiot
novamasterking 3 years ago
yet again, misspelling.
occasion*
warrants*
idiot.
GoslingT 3 years ago
not that i don't appriciate your obsessive compulsive need to edit my text, but i do suggest you waste your time somewhere else and maybe even get a job.
idiot
novamasterking 3 years ago
appreciate*
my OCD can't be helped.
thanks for the understanding.
and i'm too young to get a job.
idiot.
GoslingT 3 years ago
don't care
write some autobiography then. and give it a fun title like:
"my life as a douche" or "why my familly thinks i'm a dick" or even better "why my small penis makes me want to over compensate"
idiot
novamasterking 3 years ago
no one but you sees me as a douche.
and that's your own problem.
my family doesn't think i'm a dick, i'm actually in a very good relationship with my family.
i don't have a small penis, and even if i did, how would you know anything about it?
idiot.
GoslingT 3 years ago
allow me to elaborate:
i think you're a douche because your acting like one
i think your familly hates because i've only said a few words to you and i already want you dead
and i can't imagine anyone who takes spelling as serious as you dosn't have something to compensate for
feel free to edit sense i feel like publishing a paper called "elitists on youtube"
novamasterking 3 years ago
you're*
seriously*
since*
how exactly does a douche act? answer me that.
you're not my family, so of course, i would act different towards you.
maybe i'm just smart, which actually is the case; or maybe i'm compensating for something else, such as the death of a friend and/or family member.
and i'm pretty sure that your paper would fail.
GoslingT 3 years ago
A douche is what I call someone who has just switched to the defensive.
OMG I'm thankful were not related.
You think you're smart? You arrogant douche
You're trying to guilt trip me with the supposed death of friend or family member? Nice try douche
Oh no you're criticizing my hypothetical paper? Whatever will I do now?
novamasterking 3 years ago
is that the only insult you know? douche?
i thank God that we're not as well as you do.
i'm actually in all advanced classes, and doing well in each.
so yea, i think i'm pretty smart.
i never said that someone DID die, i was simply saying, "what if?"
again with the douche. PLEASE gain some originality.
well, now that you know that it won't be a success, just give up on your stupid little hypothetical dream.
GoslingT 3 years ago
douche douche douche douche douche douche douche douche douche douche douche douche
Well I guess I don't know any other insults. Douche
I honestly don't care about your school life. You pretentious cock sucker.
I know that's why I called it a SUPPOSED death. Smartass.
Originality? You used the same "edit text" thing and called me an idiot repeatedly sense you started jabbering. Very original fuck face.
isn't this fun, douche?
novamasterking 3 years ago
o.o
Ummm...when you guys are done, do you want me delete this quarrel or shall I keep it up? I honestly don't care, so it's entirely up to the two of you. Actually...I'm lazy, so it's staying. I work too much and don't have the time or energy to delete...so...do/say what you want.
-Scythe
myscytheissharp 3 years ago
i think it's pretty funny so you can keep it up as far as i'm concerned. great video btw it's hard to find good quality vids of Cariou
novamasterking 3 years ago
Thank you. I'm glad you like it, lol.
myscytheissharp 3 years ago
I was just looking for more Sweeney Todd adaptations earlier today when I stumbled upon this clip and, of course, our funny back-and-forth. Funny for me I mean since clearly it was pretty embarrassing for you.
(Part 2 on next comment)
novamasterking 3 years ago
I just thought I should warn you not to join the debate team your school because (lets be honest) it didn't take me long to point out the hypocrisy of your argument and to leave you in speechless aw at my brilliant and tactical deconstruction of every so called "educated" comeback your limited mind could think of
novamasterking 3 years ago
actually, i'm already on the debate team. i've been on it.
just letting you know.
GoslingT 3 years ago
so you're not going to criticize my previous statements point by point again
novamasterking 3 years ago
you're seriously not even worth it.
i was simply bored before, but now i've forgotten about you. well, you are pretty forgetful and boring. but it's ok. maybe you're more fun in real life. nice arguing with you, but now i have other things to do.
GoslingT 3 years ago
oh i'm sorry i was a little jet lagged and forgot to mention you were a douche
novamasterking 3 years ago
you're funny.
in a bad way.
too bad you're just not interesting.
GoslingT 3 years ago
maybe you have ADD along with OCD. must suck to be a douche to be fixated on something you can't pay attention to douche
novamasterking 3 years ago
no, i just choose not to really pay attention to you anymore. like i've already said, you're not worth it. so just screw off.
GoslingT 3 years ago
don't worry i get it. it's hard to keep coming back to a fight and getting crushed each time. but don't give up hope yet. after all i could die and you would win by default.
novamasterking 3 years ago
honestly, you're not funny, so you might as well just stop trying. you're not winning anything. if anything, you are simply embarrassing yourself even more. so for your own sake, just stop already.
GoslingT 3 years ago
I'm embarrassing myself? look at what you just said. you used to at least try and think of an educated response but this is obviously a desperate attempt to escape with your dignity and end things on your terms without having to admit the fact that i urned what was originally a attack on my spelling into a strike on your own hypocrisy. verry well. i officially release you of all obligation to respond to my comments to help you save face.
perhaps you will one day return a more worthy foe.
novamasterking 3 years ago
R.I.P we hardly knew yee oh fallen youtube commentator. Slain by my hand as I dealt the finishing blow to your character and credibility by overwhelming you with my superior knowledge and debate tactics.
today we honour the day i smashed thy sorry douchebag face into the ground
novamasterking 3 years ago
ha.
it's funny how this all started with your simple stupidity.
once more, ha.
btw... have you learned any insults besides "douche"?
you would almost be a worthy adversary if only you weren't grammatically horrible and overly repetitive.
GoslingT 3 years ago
Look who's still a pretentious cock. I missed your pathetic attempts to insult me when all you do is show how pathetic you are. At least you're not begging me to leave you alone like last time though that was very funny. Lets see how long you last this time around. Btw douche douche douche douche douche douche (well looks like I don't know any other insults, oh well) douche douche douche (hm I think Ive sad this before, guess Im repetitive too, oh well)
novamasterking 3 years ago
1. you probably don't even know what pretentious means
2. you're apparently not smart enough to realize that there were insults and that your patheity started this to begin with.
3. there was no begging; only simple suggestions to stop embarrassing yourself, for you aren't being logical.
4. really... it's old. douche is a word not used anymore. stop trying to make it work. really. it's sad.
5. not to offense: do you realize how ignorant, stupid, and generally mentally ill you are being???
GoslingT 3 years ago
1.Pretentious: arrogant, showy (a.k.a. you)
2.This started because you tried to insult me because of spelling (guess that back fired on you didnt it douche)
3.Embarrassing myself? I saw how snobbish you were about spelling and I thought you needed to be taken down a notch (mission accomplished, douchebag)
4.since it bothers you Ill continue to use the word and you cant stop me (douche)
5.I dont find jokes about metal illness funny (the fact that you do proves that YOU ARE A DOUCHE)
novamasterking 3 years ago
happy new year (douche)
novamasterking 3 years ago
The music was exactly the same for Len and George.
Wilmer
wiseone2 4 years ago
Oops! Accidentally clicked the thumbs-down on ya, Selendomono. But I agree with ya, too.
darthvalor07 3 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
No Match To Johnny And Helen Like !!!
lol
iiLYJohnnyDepp 4 years ago
i disagree. a lot. george hearn and patti lupone are the best. depp and hbc were good for their version, but if they did it on stage the microphones would be turned up so much that they'd catch audience members coughing. the movie was good, but how hard is it to have a perfect performance when you can do the scene 27 times before it's seen?
bwaybabydezz 4 years ago
Agreed! George and Patti are my favorite duo.
InsomniaCafe 3 years ago 2
Because they kick ass. :D
bwaybabydezz 3 years ago
Angela is much better than Patti.. I like both Geogre and Len
091680 2 years ago 3
Angela is MUCH better than Patti (the version I saw of Patti was awful - she completely destroyed 'My Friends') but to be honest, I'm not a big fan of either of them
Kimberleg 2 years ago
I LOVE Len Cariou when he says "and i'll never see Johanna."
Giaconelli3 4 years ago 3
I know! it sounds so AMAZING!!!!
especially when he saids "I will have ventions". lol
grrluver9876 4 years ago
So much better than when Johnny said it. I dunno...something in his voice just...makes you cringe. But Cariou's is so...pained...it's awesome...
myscytheissharp 4 years ago
Len was very passionate and scary in the show, which I saw twice with him. I like Hearn, but I prefer Len's more fragile portrayal. And - what a beautiful voice! I enjoy watching the old tape; I wish Len had done the TV version.
salmonroll 4 years ago 2
I prefer Hearn's voice...much more "beautiful" IMO. I like watching the old tapes, but I'm so glad George did the TV version. In 1982, Len's voice was a lot worse.
ksnygirl 4 years ago
that may have been due to the staging...in the original introduction (The Ballad of Sweeney Todd) Len as Sweeney would rise from a grave...the dust and dirt probably messed with his voice...
DemonHunterDante316 4 years ago
That makes sense, but I don't think it would interfere THAT much. Len Cariou just didn't have George's voice to begin with.
ksnygirl 4 years ago
Love Cariou's Sweeney! I know some find it underplayed, but this is the original album, not a live performance. It's a permanent record of the full score exactly as written. He's singing all the correct notes, rather than cry/shout/improvise as if performing on stage. Watch videos from the OBC to hear how much more violent and passionate Cariou's actual version was. Even in this, his voice is so gorgeous and powerful! And its silvery, hoarse quality makes it scary and psychotic. Thanks!
kiwilerner 4 years ago
Nice to hear more people appreciate Cariou for the artist he truly is. He is and always will be my favorite Sweeney because, after all, he IS the original.
myscytheissharp 4 years ago
Cariou is good, but just because he was the original does not make him the best. I do like his performance though, I just think George Hearn has more power to the role.
Maverick057 4 years ago
i hate the way he says "come and...visit your good friend...sweeney." the way hearn is acting out this part in his version, it's like he's a maniacal used car salesman trying as hard as he can to make a sale. lol "COME AND VISIT YOUR GOOD FRIEND SWEENEY!!!!!"
donavonbray 4 years ago 2
Nooooo! Don't tarnish my views on Hearn like that! ;)
ImhotepsAshes 4 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Why Angela? Her singing is garbage and her talking voice=annoying.
Maverick057 4 years ago
What the hell is wrong with you? Angela Lansbury is an amazing singer and an equally wonderful actress. Her voice and her singing are absolutely perfect for Mrs. Lovett! Her voice seems like it's panicked and frightened, just how it should be for this role. You obviously don't know talent, do you? You'd rather watch Johnny Depp sing, wouldn't you?
The world these days. It's sad.
XOXO
Johanna
Raikotsu 4 years ago
I agree. I thought Helena Bonham Carter, although quite lovely in her other roles, wasn't right for Mrs. Lovett. She seemed a bit cocky and not nearly as naive as she should have been. Also Johnny's portrayal was wayyyyyyy too spacey.
myscytheissharp 4 years ago
You are fucking dumb. I didn't know Johnny Depp played Mrs. Lovett... what an amazing thing! I love George Hearn's Sweeney, but Patti LuPone puts Angela Lansbury to shame. I don't care if she sounds panicked, she still sounds like shit!
Maverick057 4 years ago
len will always be the god of all todds
drummerrobert12345 4 years ago
No way. George is the best of them all. He has a much more powerful, emotional, and deeper voice, and he looks better in that costume and makeup. Len can't pull off the wig. He can't do the laugh as well as George does; Len does evil Sweeney, George does an almost maniacal version (after all, he's driven by love, loss and revenge).
ksnygirl 4 years ago 3
mmm.....the way I see it, Len can be compared to George Washington. Yeah...that's right. He laid the foundation for future Sweeneys by being the first and showing a vague guideline by how the role should be performed. You have to remember that there was no one to follow in doing this role, so the fact that he WAS so good at it is quite astounding. As for Hearn, he's like all the other Presidents following Washington that everyone love(s/d) like JFK, FDR, etc.
myscytheissharp 4 years ago
Yes, that's true. I just don't think Len WAS so good at it, George or no George.
ksnygirl 4 years ago
I guess it's personal preference but I don't see how you nor anyone could prefer Cariou over Hearn. Len just sings the song. George acts it. Like the vid above: You don't see him shouting or acting maniacal like Hearn. IDK I don't even think his voice is great anyways [but dont get me wrong I'd love to be able to sing like him]. How do you feel about Depp? I think he plays a WAY TOO YOUNG sweeney.
bohemiawelcumsyou 4 years ago 2
I'm sorry, I love Len and all, but there is VERY VERY little emotion in this version of the song. I hate to choose favs, but George Hearn is the God of all Todds.
bohemiawelcumsyou 4 years ago 18
i SO agree.
lefevbre 4 years ago 2
@bohemiawelcumsyou It's all there, it's just pretty subtle. Of course, you have to take into account that this was recorded in a studio, rather than performed in front of an audience.
VRNProductions 1 year ago
isn't the picture of George Hearn as Sweeney? it looks a LOT like George.
Laurieluvr 4 years ago
No. It's Len. In my book, it has the same picture and the caption says it's Len. And they DO look alike, don't they? But no. I swear it's Len.
myscytheissharp 4 years ago
It is definitely Len.
ksnygirl 4 years ago