Chess Benefit Concert Rehearsal - Nobody´s side

[lcowles]

My God.....that rock scream in the middle of the number. Wow. WHEN is this woman going to get a LEAD role that she originates on Broadway. She has THE BEST belt on Broadway right now and there are a LOT of good ones but this is amazing.

[Judill]

Fricken' fierce.

[jturner901]

Head whip at 2:34 rocks!

[abugslife]

Shona White was amazing in this role :) UK tour.

[CleveNMLActor]

@abugslife we don't care.

[lostsurfc0]

Julia truly puts the emotion into the song. Idina and Judy did not do that as well, regardless if their versions were more "correct." This is true talent.

[Aarondefyinggravity]

loving the alison jiearesque, moment at 2:24

[deltanuxkcrp]

I think the bottom line should be that Julia is amazing, because this is a video of Julia, not of Idina.

[fiyeroberlin]

Sorry, Folks! She is (one of) the Best ever!

[lcowles]

It doesn't matter what singers appear on YouTube, it always seems to turn into people becoming hyper-insecure and comparing singers and interpretations to each other. They're singers, folks. DON'T take these things so seriously. This woman and this performance is drop dead phenominal: Period. That takes nothing away from Idina or anyone else.

[1995BroadwayBaby]

Does she even have a make on or is it just her own power?

[1995BroadwayBaby]

2:20-2:23 should be known as the murney note. I swear to god!!!

[Jimsteinman]

since I first heard it I fell in love with this song. and her version is the best I´ve come across so far

[ABoismier]

Honestly, don't bother responding anymore. I'm sick of flooding Julia's video with comments like this and your hypocrisy astounds me. Go spam somewhere else.

[ABoismier]

Yep, and the "music" in chess is also MUSIC. You know, the kind of thing you put emotion and feeling into, which Idina's performance completely lacked? I don't get why you're cornering me by attacking Julia, as it only forces me to point out flaws in Idina's performance which, considering I love her as a singer, I'd rather not do.

You're claiming/assuming I'm not a musician/don't know what I'm talking about, yet you feel comfortable making statements like "Idina's rarely ever off"? Really?

[Jman383]

@ABoismier you clearly need to go back and read what i defined as being "off". and i'm not spamming anything, you're the one who responded to my initial comment. i'm just stating my opinion. live with it. oh, and if you think that what julia does in this song is "emotion", you need to learn what an emotion really is. because if anything, her florence is a stone wall in this song.

[ABoismier]

@Jman383 You're claiming Idina's performance is better and saying JULIA'S is a stone wall? Lol.

One sentence and you just proved every point I was trying to make and totally discredited whatever "intelligent" points you've been feebly attempting to prove.I have to hand it to you, that was really funny.

[Jman383]

@ABoismier haha once again, you've proven your middle school intelligence level by not understanding what i was saying in the slightest. go back, reread, highlight if you have to. just make sure that little brain of yours isn't working too hard, though i'm sure that won't be a problem lmao.

[ABoismier]

Uh, Julia's A flat is right on the fucking button and doesn't waver at all. I don't know what video you're watching. And since when is an arpeggio dreadful? It's pathetic that you're talking as if you're musically knowledgeable yet managing to spout complete crap.

I love Idina Menzel, don't get me wrong, but she doesn't even HIT the A flat, and her "riffs" are nasally, wimpy, and her acting has no character as Florence.

This performance rocked hers, hands down. Sorry.

[Jman383]

@ABoismier lmao it's hilarious that YOU'RE trying to even argue this. Julia's placement on that Ab is HORRENDOUS.

Don't even use words like "nasally" for

Idina when that's exactly what that Ab is. It's painful. And "arpegio"? What, are you in the middle school band? The notes may in fact be an "arpegio", but they are a riff, or, if you wanna get technical, it's a "melisma", which she executes TERRIBLY. I love Julia, but her "acting", aka feeling herself up, is just uncomfortable. Sorry.

[ABoismier]

@Jman383 Uh, the placement is perfect. Like I said, I don't know what video you're watching. Before you go saying I'm in "middle school", you might want to go ahead and remind yourself of what "pitch" is - considering Idina's off almost a quarter of the time and Julia's is dead on.

And that "melisma" you looked up in your dictionary is actually dead-on, just like her pitch in the rest of the song.

I'm sorry if you're not used to actresses who can actually act. That's not my problem.

[Jman383]

@ABoismier lmao, the placement is dreadful, anyone who sings could tell you that. and no, that riff is also atrocious. girl can belt (to a certain extent) but her riffs are so sloppy. idina's are ALWAYS fluid. and no, idina is rarely ever "iff". she might strain or execute something poorly, but she rarely misses notes. she has absolute pitch after all. and yeah, i totally have a dictionary with me bahaha. i just know terminology, unlike you.

[sorafsfd]

@Jman383 idina has absolute pitch? yeah maybe when they're done autotuning her haaaa

[Jman383]

@sorafsfd lmao you're right. just like julia has an acting technique. bahhaahahahaha. god, i just watched this video again. her "acting" gets more unbearable every time.

[omglolwhatever]

@Jman383 What are you on about? Julia is one of the most acclaimed MT actresses primarily for her acting abilities. She completely owns any role she takes on and is often considered one of, if not, the best at any character she plays.

[Aarondefyinggravity]

@sorafsfd hi five to you, it would help if idina could get a straight note out

[bwaygammagurl]

@sorafsfd. Idina may very well have absolute pitch. Just because you have absolute pitch, doesn't mean you have the ability to sing perfectly all the time. It simply means you have the ability to identify notes without a reference pitch, or identify non-musical tones, like the humming of a refrigerator, Having perfect pitch makes practicing easier, but it doesn't protect from errors in performances. That said, I've seen some of the Idina performances of this on YT, and they were only OK.

[ABoismier]

@Jman383 Like I said before - I love Idina in some of the other things she's done, but in Chess, she really didn't prove anything. Sorry if I offended you, but it's unfair for you to criticize somebody who gave a decidedly better perfrmance just because you're a fan of the other actress who sang the part.

[Jman383]

@ABoismier *off, and no, the performance is not "decidedly better". it's subjective. i think julia's performance is obnoxious. from the unbearable placement of that Ab, to the choppy "riffs" (if you can even call them that), to the fact that her "acting" consists of her feeling herself up. it's laughable. idina's version is vulnerable, more fluid, and yes, while nasal, quite appropriate, considering that the music in chess is POP.

[angelxschunard]

Do you even go here?

[Jman383]

wtf? bahaha

[Glasscat26]

I am a huge Idina fan, but I do have to say that Julia really does win this round. Her rendition of this song is AMAZING...

[danceboydance]

i have to say i think julia owns this song second place to elaine paige, the only thing thats keeps her in second is the fact that she ruins the end for me with that riff on the last note, she has an amazing voice dont get me wrong but all people tend to do in musicals these days is try and fit in as many riff;s as they can we know they can sing otherwise they wouldent be playing the leads sometimes simple is so much more beauty

[angelxschunard]

I have to disagree with you, only about the riffing. Julia is a rare treat on Broadway nowadays because she DOESN'T riff. It was one riff. Have you ever heard of Eden Espinosa? Shoshana Bean? They have their moments but I don't think either have ever sung a song completely through without ruining it with riffs. Ever. I hate it when people try to "make the song their own" by adding pointless riffs. It takes away from the song and makes the singer look selfish by taking away the intensity.

[deriobamba]

I agree that this is the best rendition I've heard. I'm not a theater buff at all but Julia really gets the song right. Idina tends to oversing (though her belts during the free section at the end are very good) but her voice always sounds nasally to me.

[shmoogle14]

I agree.

[littlepipandcowbell]

Any one who thinks Idina's version is better than this needs their head read. Idina is absolutely terrible - this on the other hand is amazing.

[AdamskiR]

2.20 is a scream and was note perfect anyone who couldnt hear this needs to learn there shit. Wife material!!!!

[GoldenEyes121]

yikes 2:20 the rest is great though.

[AtLastOnTheGround]

Julia owns this song. Judy and Elaine are both wonderful, but they're FAR too well-mannered. Florence is a strong woman, and Julia pwns the role... Pfft. She pwns every role.

And 2:20-2:24 is incredible.

[somethingrocks15]

i like this version more than i like Idina's

[loveandwar007]

HELL yeah!

[lovebette]

Julia Murney is totally AWESOME...

[ChristineRuud]

I adore this song!

[KaitGoes]

Julia looks SO thin here!

Love this.

[LetTheGreenGirlGo]

Julia is a POWERHOUSE!!!

[cgmsg1]

briliant having done a production of the show know how hard the songs are totally amazing

[NARCOusins]

Do you have a copy of your production that you could upload? i am thinking about directing a production of this and I would like to see a staged version.

[katelovestennessee]

julia sounded amazing.

just wondering, where is her microphone? because you cannot see it. just curious.

[Felicity1247]

I don't know, maybe the camera was up close (as implied) or she has one hidden in her hair (which is highly unlikely, since i see no sign and it's not live performance).

[katelovestennessee]

in the rehearsal video of deal, no deal you can see it is hidden in her hair.

[TinorialPeredhil]

Amazing performance. SO POWERFUL!!!!!!!!

[ieatglue44]

Oh man. She really hits that note at 2:20 way stronger than she did at the actual performance. Soooo amazing.

[stakemespike04]

To have that voice...gawd..so amazing...

[TiPerihelion]

God, she's amazing!

[Sing2Life70]

***in awe***

[dancejessicasing]

haha, i love how she riffs it off in the end here but not in the actual show. and she is phenomenal, i love her to death, XD

[GREENHOUSES]

Wow- I LOVE her!!

[BlueJeanBaby012]

Idina really did sound nervous when she sang... Julia seems to connect more and it seems natural for her more.

[lizbuffting]

i think julia is better than idena. She sings it for what it is and doesnt try n add so many frills. amazing performance

[angelxschunard]

Bonus points for spelling her name wrong! Green thumbs up.

[bohemiawelcumsyou]

i wish the chorus in the background wouldn't sing so loud so that we could hear julia's amazing voice in the chorus sections.

[wrightstateboy45]

so sassy!

[SamuelXavier427]

she sounds better here than she does in the actual performance video.

I absolutely HATE when that happens... it's like well great I sang it perfect when no one was here...

[Javaisreve]

wtf cares who is better Julia is fucking phenomenal here

[NickLovellPhoto]

This is my favorite version of this song, with Elaine Page on London bootlegs I've heard a close second. Both of them bring a raw power to the role that is fantastic. Would KILL for a studio version of Julia doing this song!!!

[mountainhopper2003]

Yes! I'd pay good money to have a decent recording of her doing the whole show.

[Rooger86]

She is SO intense.... I love it!

[defying4266]

look...everyone has their own style of singing and i think Julia pulls this song off...she has such a raw talent and it adds so much to the chracter...I saw her in Wicked 3 times and she was flawless...whta is learned is that youtube does not do Julia's voice justice. when you're watching it yourself live...you are speechless...i love her..:)

[laurenlorelai]

Nobody does this song better than Julia. NO ONE.

[EriksChristine]

Go Julia!!!

[jnehila]

My guess is that Idina will be a lot better than Murney, whether you like her or not.

[blckrocker]

the song requires a high range

with stable power

Elaine, and Julia have that

Idina is like all over the place with her vocxals, whiny, pitchy, and gasping

and Judy was just too nice

there was nothing to it....it lacked like passion, and feeling

[SarahIdinaPhreakx3]

did you see Idina live?

[WickedRENThead20]

I love both Idina and Julia, but I definitely prefered Julia's version. Idina seemed really nervous and her rendition of the song was hurt rather than angry. Plus I thought she went a little overboard riff wise. Idina's rendition was really nice, don't get me wrong, but in my opinion Julia's was infinitely better.

[MichaelCrawfordsFan]

Well come on it was Dee's first time playing Florence in Chess. She's never done Chess before. Dee, did amazing job.

[ThruAcceptingRules]

This was also Julia's first time playing Florence in Chess...

[jnehila]

Listen to Judy Kuhn's version and there is just no comparison! Judy's is effortless. Murney's seems strained and nasal and vibrato, which seems to be making up for something her voice naturally lacks. I just don't get her. I guess it comes down to a matter of preference. For instance, I think that all the males in this cast were, hands down, better than the females. Josh...and especially Adam Pascal!!! Hello! Listen to him on Pity the Child! effortless. let's see what Menzel does w/it!

[Dennisjr85]

I totally agree that it comes down to peoples taste and what they think. I love her voice for this song on the rehersal part only not the performance. Some reason i think she lost it a little there. But I still think she is amazing.

[Dennisjr85]

I really like her voice. I don't know why but I think she is really good.

[WickedStarStruck]

I love Julia Murney's voice! She is so amazing. I wish I could have seen her in wicked. WOW! sorry I just can't get over how amazing she is. WOW....

[jnehila]

I just don't think her voice is anywhere near up to snuff with the rest of the cast's. It is a beautiful voice, don't get me wrong. It just sounds like a trained voice, rather than a naturally pure voice. She sounds rather pitchy, in this humble user's opinion

[ieatglue44]

Hm...you think so? I personally think her voice is very raw, and it adds a lot of passion to what she sings.

[cheesewiz123]

I was trying to figure it out myself, because I really don't like her voice, but I couldn't quite put my finger on why. I came to the conclusion that it's not the singing/vocal ability that bothers me cuz that's all great, but rather her actual voice that I am not a fan of (if that makes any sence), which I know, nothing can be done about, and it's just me being weird/picky but yeah... the high note makes me cringe for that reason (sorry, get angry at me all you want).

[Skinny145]

She really Is feeling this song while singing it, You can tell when she really starts singing the chorus. :) :) :) Best version of this song that I've ever heard and would love to see it performed on the west coast by this cast.

[kristian131071]

SHe needs more cigarettes about 40 lbs and to gargle some bleach who cares about range it's al about balls !!! Needs a little Bonnie Tyler. Director needs shooting she's not even close to pissed off enough. Nice voice but should stick to Wicked or some other wet shite

[Sebastianswain]

So your philosophy for good singing is... vocal damage? And, by the way, her G-sharp at 2:20 was completely ballsy! In addition, you apparently are deaf to vibrato if you think she's not gritty enough!

[cjcher]

It's too bad her high note was sort of drowned out in the live performance, because I hardly even noticed it til I saw this vid. OMG!

[XenaSocioPath]

I know,,, it was this big crescendo,,, she looked great in the lighting effects,,, and then they overbalanced the orchestra for her voice! ugh!

[XenaSocioPath]

Julia Murney and that high G sharp...so hot... need cold shower now.

[Kellywhit]

My god. Her high note is just dreadful!

[ieatglue44]

Her pants look like they're straight out of the 70s, ahahaha. Not that that's a bad thing!

God this woman is great.

[angelxschunard]

She's wearing pants? All I noticed was the g sharp.

[msumedanthro]

elaine paige has no vibrato. it's wild.

[bluebettle]

I always feel like an idiot when people who actually know stuff about singing comment in this broadway videos.

What is a vibrato and why is it wild that she doesn't have it?

[stugieharen]

a vibrato is when the vocal tone produces a slight rapid variation in pitch - like a trill, sort of.

[americanboy99]

brilliant.

[ThruAcceptingRules]

One word: AMAZING!!!!

[dansingajb]

Well, the note is on the right pitch, but perhaps distantcousin meant the sound itself- normally one sings a G# in head voice, with a pure vowell, but I can't for the life of me figure out what combination of placement and vowell shape got her that sound. I prefer a bel canto sound myself, but there is no denying that this is impressive.

[AnonymousActor]

she has a very unique vocal placement and vibrato. i honestly feel that for high notes she just buckles down and lets it rip. i worked with a girl who has a very similar voice, and that's what she tells me she does haha.

[dansingajb]

That still doesn't really tell me what she does, but thanks anyway. Lucky girl with the similar voice!

[mattykap6689]

u should check your pitch pipe...because she is dead on with the G# octive jump @ 2:20.

[BethanyJane92]

which key is this in?

[patchchat]

Wow! She can sing! I wasn't familiar with her at all. Just happened upon her thru surfing Adam Pascal (my heart)stuff. Read some of you guys'comments and went to find more about this Julia chick. Saw her Elphaba. Really something. I'm not a Broadway Babe. I'm an L.A. girl, so I can't toss around Bway actors' names like you guys can. Hope you don't mind me learning from you!

[DistantCousin]

That caterwaul at 2.20 is hideous! She misses the note!

Otherwise it's great!

[dramarat]

That caterwaul is a clean octave jump before the warble - and a high G# to boot.

Wowza.

[DistantCousin]

I've heard it done better on the Danish cast recording.

[jturner901]

Sounds clean to me too.

[AnonymousActor]

completely in tune and on pitch... and quite impressive.

[Charisma2805]

shes is fantastic

[jimmers205]

why did they have this benefit concert? when was it? and why did they choose chess?

[Rooger86]

listen. I like this rehearsal better then the actual performance... Both are amazing but this is... like... wow

[ZONEACE]

the fact that there is no commercial audio recording of this concert is simply criminal

[angeleyez101]

shes so amazing im obsessed with her!!

shes my idol

[NateL72]

This is one of my favorite songs that she sings!!

[ksnygirl]

me too

[jessicasmd917]

this is the best video i have ever seen! please never take it down!!!

[imsfelp10]

she brings so much to this song! i love it!!!

[juliamurneylover]

I LOVE HER! SHE IS MY IDOL!!!

[chellegoesmoo]

Too great. Thank you so much for this. :]

[Charisma2805]

i love julia

[pottersbaby9109]

Oh. . . . Well, I feel ridiculous. ^^; I just saw the grey sweater and assumed from the other videos. *shrug* my bad. ;)

[pottersbaby9109]

Who's hand did I see disappear off to the left? ;) Was that Josh Groban? lol. Julia is great, she has an amazing voice. Just one thing: Did she kiss Josh Groban!? If so, I am totally jealous right now. And the other girl he kissed on the cheek in the play. :\ That's just my luck too. Eh

[Casiopea009]

That was Adam Pascal leaving. Josh and Julia didn´t kiss.

[chrisampm]

OK. That is brilliant. Thanks.

[tamoshan]

thank you