I'm SO glad there is video of this performance. I have the entire concert on CD (bootleg recording, obviously), and the performers are great. Are there more videos from this presentation???
I enjoy the interpretation of the character in John Barrowman's version, but I prefer the song sung by a baritone, or at least someone with a thicker voice- Raúl just conveys so much emotion in his gorgeous voice...
This was the last show I was in. I played Bobby and I loved the role. This was one of the MOST difficult songs to sing. The rang is huge and very demanding. I LOVE this song and relive being on stage ever night singing it every time I hear it.
I'm liking Barrowman's interpretation better than Esparza's at this point. Does anyone know where I could see the whole of Barrowman's production?
And if anyone has ANY clips from NPH's run (other than the bit on the Tony's) PLEASE let me know! So intrigued by what I saw of him on Sunday, I want to see the rest of that production!
Too much self-pity in this interpretation. Raul interpretation is give a self-realization and passion that goes very well with the situation self discovery of the character.
But yeah, I love both versions. I love the desperation is Raul's version, while I love this version has a bit more of a relevatory, almost positive tone. Both are great.
@trytofly No, it is not possible to love both! Rrrraaarrrggg... It's like "Mortal Combat" or "Soul Caliber" or something. Esparza killed it and all others are failures compared to his awesome!
Anyway, Barrowman's interpretation feels shallow to me. To each his own, but that's just how I feel. Absolutely, it's possible to love both.
People - why don't we stop discussing which man acted the role better and agree on this - Dean Jones, John Barrowman and Raoul Esparza can all sing. What's more, is that they're singing this song - which is a small slice of ABSOLUTE PERFECTION on Stephen Sondheim's part. We should celebrate that man's genius - the actors be damned. I don't care who's singing so long as I can listen to Sondheim's music.
okay....Raul is great! John is great! But, if you read John's book "Anything Goes" you'll find that at the time of this performance Stephen Sonheim himself told John that he performed this role as Sondheim had originally envisioned it. If you have a problem with the performance, take it up with the composer and director himself, Stephen Sondheim. I think he is the best judge.
Sondheim has made some weird judgements about singers though. He's said that Patti LuPone was a Diva with no talent among many other strange comments about very good singers.
I feel like he's a bit too youthful for this song.. I'm feeling it because I ADORE his voice, but this character is a seasoned player, knows the game and is done with the bullshit of playing, I hear someone just singing 'I want!' with Barrowman. Fair enough, but I just wouldn't have casted him in such a role.
thank you for posting this....Sonheim said that this performance was the closest to how he saw Bobby up to this time. And even though I love John's other versions, there is something so visceral in this moment. He really feels the lyric and it shows in this almost too intimate performance. Raul is good, and I'm sure he had a moment like this on Broadway. It just wasn't captured like this one was. Brilliantly done.
this song is amazing, but it is DEATH to sing...GRAH!! Why did sondheim but the highest note on "Be-"? =..( as if G/Ab aren't hard enough for baritones...sigh...one day
I donno. Although I like Raul's version -- the staging is pretty fab and all -- John's just got one hell of a voice. Just beautiful timbre and no tremolo (which can be distracting; no hatin' on me, mkay?) But like others have said, there's no one right way to judge these performances. Both guys gut it, in my opinion.
I must agree with both of you on this. His physical presence and obvious mastery of expressing the proper emotions definetly shines through and makes up for the fact that their is very little movement, though some more would have made this piece a little better. a fine performance, but like any, there are some flaws in it. but hey, thats theatre.
I dont think he is screaming look at me at all as bearprok said. I think just standing there works very well as the emotion in his voice and face are more than adequite enough to put on a show. He is not chewing up scenery he is putting on a fantastic show. And i dont see why people cant ebjoy bth john and rauls version, both are wonderful and diffrent people.
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While I enjoy Barrowman in Torchwood and such, this performance is laughable! In musical theater one does not simply sing the song, one performs the song. Though his voice is adequate, his performance lacks any subtlety. As usual, low-key isn't in his repertoire. He hams it up; his egotism shines through screaming 'look at me look at me'; the proverbial 'chewing up the scenery' so to speak. Partial blame must fall to the director for not addressing it. This is so inappropriate for this piece.
Too much self-pity in this rendition of the song. Raul version gives the self-awareness of the character, the moment of discovery of the self and the victory over his own limitations and fears. It great acting as well as great singing.
Too much self-pity in this rendition of the song. Raul version gives the self-awareness of the character, the moment of discovery of the self and the victory over his own limitations and fears. It's great acting as well as great singing.
I love this version by John, i do think his 'Another Side' is too sped up and lacks the emotion, but is still good. But this is by far the best version...
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Don't love John Barrowman but I'd take his weaker voice over Raul Esparza's....... flat vowels, his cowardly lion sounding, machine gun vibrato that ruin the end of ever note and are missing on every note that needs one desperately, and complete absence of an inkling of acting ability or comedic timing...
I will agree with you on some of that point, but listen to other things from Raul career and that's not his style at all. I believe he took a differnt approach to this show, sining wise that is. Raul is a great tenor who compensated to be a baritone. I just think that Raul fits the part of Bobby because of his age, maturity to the part. John B is just too young and too pretty to play this role. I do believe John is a great singer just not a Bobby in my mind.
this is a different interpretation of the song than Esparza's, if you wanna see bobby happy during about what he's realized then watch this, if you wanna see bobby go through a cathartic moment disrupting his lifestyle and realizing its a good thing after, watch esparza's. i love both for different reasons
John Barrowman has a recording of the song on his album Another Side, but he's changed it and made it all up beat and jazzy. It's rubbish compared to this and not true to the original at all.
Yeah, I know. It's really awful -- almost like he's trying to remake the Streisand Broadway Album version (which worked for her, but not at all for him).
i think Raul has better emotions and just acts it better. but there are times, especially near the end where he just sounds terrible. he loses his tone quality and he's singing from the wrong part of this throat. i just don't like it at all and i don't know why anyone would intentionally do that. JB's singing is flawless and his voice is beautiful, even though his acting leaves something to be desired. so i guess it's better to watch raul and listen to JB
mostly agree, but i dont think he intends to sing that way. i think he sounds exhausted and cant really blame him, its a hell of a song. already after the first of the two longest lines ("alooooone") i almost hear R's need to breathe. however it kind of forces out the desperate emotions i miss in JB
It's a question of how you see Bobby. Vocally, this interpretation is pretty traditional but is almost appologetic and so Bobby seems out of place with his co-horts, like a young guy trying to mix with his parents. What I like about Raul's Bobby is that he is their contemporary but continues to treat it all like someone who isn't facing his inevitable maturity. So the song is filled with the loneliness and fear that living on the outside brings. "Want something Bobby!!! "
however i must say that I do prefer raul's version and the emotion you can hear in his voice. john barrowman has a fantastic voice, but i not as preferable for this character.
I also think JB's is more emotional in the face and Raul's is emotional internally. Both create a different yet equally frustrating and tear jerking feeling!
I respect both versions; raul portrays it in a more aggresive way yet equally as emotional and JB does it in a more delicate way. Both are pleasing and true to the character. I personally prefer Raul's more but JB's is equally done well. JB has clear control over his voice over Raul, it can be good but I prefer the struggle in Raul's voice.
I think it's contrived. Very phoney gestures. Beautiful voice, but I don't see the truth in what he's singing at all. He also doesn't appear very...ahem...manly. His gestures and [overacting] facial expressions would be more believable if he was female. Or if he were a little boy. Yes, I think that's it. He's like a little boy throwing a tantrum.
I do prefer Raul's. He's got that aggressive frustration that's necessary for Bobby.
Eh, I personally like his gestures. I think it makes the character. Raul sometimes sacrifices the piece for his aggressiveness and that kindof ruins it for me. But to each their own :)
I actually prefer this version to raul esparza. I don't think he got it *quite* right. He was too aggressive. I know the whole thing about the character is frustration, but . . come on. I hate when raul goes "MOCK!@@!@! me with praise" and also its a"little" out of his comfort range.
That's what I love about John - he takes a song and makes you believe that he's portraying a character or telling a story, he brings it to life in front of your eyes.
Also I really did'nt care for the version's of company or sweeney Todd with the cast playing there own instruments. I think it takes away from the all around music value, and the performance of the actors/singers, simply because its very distracting
I have to say having seen Doyle's version of Sweeney live, I was pulled in by his way of staging with the actors as musicians. It was something new, inventive, and I really found it worked. I found that it served Company REALLY well, especially during Side by Side by Side and Being Alive. There's that saying about making beautiful music together, and to have the married couples have that, but not Bobby, highlights the loneliness that explodes w/ emotion during Being Alive and he plays himself
this is my favorit version of this song...John has so much control of his voice and I think that is the big key to singing this song, I have sang it occationaly and the big key is to not to much vabrato into it and thats what john does...he also knows how to put just the right amont of emotion into it...as for Raul Esparza he had to much vabrato and his voice tends to crack at the end of the song wich indicats not enough training...
I'm not claiming Raul is pitch perfect, though i do MUCH prefer his version over barrowman's. Listen to the G# on "be" in the last few measures of the song, its very underpitch. All I'm saying is you make comparisons between them, saying that Raul "tends to crack", but fail to mention that JB can't even hit the note
oh I think "JB" hits the note much better than "Raul" does any day of the week and yes he may be a bite flat, but name me one singer in this world who has not sang a flat note in there life, I would rather hear a slitly flat or sharp note any day of the week than hear someone crack "which in my oppion is really not hitting the note...
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I'm probably going to get spammed and non-stop harassed for saying this, but I don't think I've ever seen such a poor performance of this song. All I see is "look at me, I'm John Barrowman, I'm really good-looking and my voice is nice so that makes up for my lack of acting capabilities!"
I'm sorry, but who are you to question the abilities of an actor who is in shows with Carol Burnett. Evidently he's doing something right besides his pretty face and pretty voice.
NobleApple - By "this guy" do you mean John Barrowman? If so, yeah, I hear your point. But taken as a stand alone - not in the context of the actual show - I can very much see this song as a gay man's anthem. Maybe that's what Barrowman was getting at? And maybe if Company had been written and produced in this day and age Bobby would be gay. It's not a big leap. BTW I'm not the one who gave you the thumbs down. ;)
I see your point. Some songs take on another meaning as a standalone. Great songs have depth, right? But I'm not sure the show could be retold as a gay story. There was a version that wanted to make one of the couples lesbians (the pot smokers, I think), but that request was denied. The show takes place in an entirely heterosexual milieu. Bobby is attracted to some aspect of each of the women in the couples, but is ambivalent about them, too, and about commitment. That's universal, no?
Noahdad61 - Absolutely universal. And that's, for me, the genius of this song and the show as a whole. We each resonate from our own experience - singer and listener alike. BTW for my money the best rendition is Dean Jones in the Company OBC recording. BestArts has the vid posted.
Boppiecat- What I meant was that it kind of takes away the sophistication of Bobby's problems. Being Alive, definitely, as a standalone song, can be applied to any sexuality, but I think that Bobby's problems of connection and commitment to a heterosexual relationship are far less complex if we just assume that Bobby has these problems because he's gay. If Bobby was gay, and his problems were committing to a gay relationship, Company would be equally powerful as a musical.
I found Mr. Esparza's verson moving, too. This is brilliant, though. Thank you so much for posting. By chance, do you have Alice Ripley's "Not Getting Married Today" from this production, which is the best I've ever seen of that song?
For those asking about the costumes, I think the costumer was designing for the 70s, when this was written. The John Doyle version just put everyone in basic New York black, which I think helps convey the universality of the emotions.
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There's no dispute that he can sing, but his acting is rather dry and boring to me. However, I don't think Bobby should be played as over-the-top as Raul made him either. Where's the happy medium? Answer: Dean Jones.
I like the fact that his Bobby is more internal. I mean during this song he ends up convincing himself that he should be married. I think subtlety is the key to a Bobby. He's surrounded by a bunch of crazy characters and he should be a major contrast to them.
I agree he should be subtle and show a contrast against the insanity. But there's a difference between acting subtle and internal, and then just not acting a part. He's not bad really, but it feels like there's something missing that's all.
I will say John Barrowman is INDEED GORGEOUS! and, too, I saw the production with Raul Esparza and he COMPLETELY TOOK MY BREATH AWAY! I was in TEARS at the end of that show! I was SO moved!
DDTC, just out of curiousity when did Sondheim say that? I'm just asking because i've seen an interview in which he says that Adrain Lester (Donmar Warehouse Production) was the best actor ever to play Bobby. :-)
Why does it have to be about better or worse? They're two very different interpretations. If you prefer one, it doesn't necessarily make it better than the other.
the reason i like johns version better than raul's is because bobby is supposed to be vulnerable and not angry, and although songs are always open to interpretation you can clearly hear in the lyrics how vulnerable he is.
He´s thinking about it. He said in an interview at his website that maybe he´ll have a baby with a friend of his. If it doesn´t happen, he and Scott will probably adopt a child at some point.
To be perfectly honest, I was avoiding watching this cuz I'm a die hard Raul fan when it came to Company, but I was most definately surprised and touched by John's very different interpretation.
Have great admiration for Barrowman, but in this song he is nowhere near as good as Adrian Lester, who beats him hands down on acting. Nevertheless, I shall want to hear this again.
i'm sorry, but ALL i can think of is "JACK. JACK, GET OFF THE STAGE. THERE ARE ALIENS TO BE KILLED, TIME AND PLACE, JACK."
MadelineAllTimeLow 1 week ago
Hi This is the first time I've seen this I love John. Thank you for sharing. :)
sweets5153 1 month ago
Love the well timed cough after STOP! Also Soundheim is a genius <3
DoctorDelilahxXx 1 month ago
@UandMeKid
Probably!!
And each one of his lives always make me love him more.
saberdisfrutar1 2 months ago
One of the many lives of Captain Jack Harkness!
UandMeKid 3 months ago 3
wheres this from? love jb xx
TheChesxxx 3 months ago
@TheChesxxx 2002 at the Kennedy centre
lolaRazzYeah 2 months ago
@lolaRazzYeah Oh Cool Thankyou :)
TheChesxxx 1 month ago
John Barrowman stop being so wonderful. <3 ugh I LOVE YOU
(and yeah I love his version and Raul's is that not allowed?)
CorinaJoanBlack 3 months ago
@ttb3090
I'm SO glad there is video of this performance. I have the entire concert on CD (bootleg recording, obviously), and the performers are great. Are there more videos from this presentation???
Blactor 4 months ago
I enjoy the interpretation of the character in John Barrowman's version, but I prefer the song sung by a baritone, or at least someone with a thicker voice- Raúl just conveys so much emotion in his gorgeous voice...
RCohen2299 4 months ago
arg i wish they didnt have that music interlude thing at the end while he was blowing out the candle. but still the song was great
2015PSU 5 months ago
This was the last show I was in. I played Bobby and I loved the role. This was one of the MOST difficult songs to sing. The rang is huge and very demanding. I LOVE this song and relive being on stage ever night singing it every time I hear it.
dickshouse1 6 months ago
I'm liking Barrowman's interpretation better than Esparza's at this point. Does anyone know where I could see the whole of Barrowman's production?
And if anyone has ANY clips from NPH's run (other than the bit on the Tony's) PLEASE let me know! So intrigued by what I saw of him on Sunday, I want to see the rest of that production!
Exayevie 7 months ago 3
@Exayevie You know it's showing in movie theaters?
carolcjh1 7 months ago
@Exayevie Do you know it's showing in movie theaters tonight, Sunday and Monday?
carolcjh1 7 months ago
@carolcjh1 Yes. I don't live near any of the theaters showing it though.
Exayevie 7 months ago
Why why why does he have to be gay?!?!?!?!?!
NoraFuego 9 months ago
nice cough in the most dramatic part
MrFlammajamma101 10 months ago 6
First of all, I LOOOOOVEEEE this show!
Secondly, John Barrowman...He is just such an amazing performer...I love this sooo much!
svthetimelady 10 months ago
Too much self-pity in this interpretation. Raul interpretation is give a self-realization and passion that goes very well with the situation self discovery of the character.
hardmonday 10 months ago 3
Barrowman is nothing on Esparza. Raul is a definitive Bobby.
penti77 1 year ago 4
This John is so fabulous in ever roll her does. I'm a big fan.
robertmarc1 1 year ago
wow, Captain Jack is in a DARK place, man.
But yeah, I love both versions. I love the desperation is Raul's version, while I love this version has a bit more of a relevatory, almost positive tone. Both are great.
intactus 1 year ago 2
@trytofly No, it is not possible to love both! Rrrraaarrrggg... It's like "Mortal Combat" or "Soul Caliber" or something. Esparza killed it and all others are failures compared to his awesome!
Anyway, Barrowman's interpretation feels shallow to me. To each his own, but that's just how I feel. Absolutely, it's possible to love both.
(I'm just not one of those people ;)
wannabe1491 1 year ago
@wannabe1491 whoa soul calibur cant even stand up to Mortal combat!
CraigEster 1 year ago
fantastic john !
valece10 1 year ago
People - why don't we stop discussing which man acted the role better and agree on this - Dean Jones, John Barrowman and Raoul Esparza can all sing. What's more, is that they're singing this song - which is a small slice of ABSOLUTE PERFECTION on Stephen Sondheim's part. We should celebrate that man's genius - the actors be damned. I don't care who's singing so long as I can listen to Sondheim's music.
doctorwhofangirl22 1 year ago 18
@doctorwhofangirl22 Amen.
Blactor 1 month ago
I think John Barrowman has a better voice but Raul Esparza is a better actor.
TheActor1000 1 year ago
this is amazing :)
xxx
MollyEmmaKate 1 year ago
So young! -) I like it. really like.
AnnieVesper 1 year ago
oh my god he looks sooooooo young!
Mikazukiful 1 year ago
is anyone mad about that low-cut shirt he's wearing?
didn't think so.
sondheimisGAWD 1 year ago
@sondheimisGAWD it's actually a vest, you can see at 5:04, which I think is even worse :P
ukeplayer91 1 year ago
LOVE IT!
I've always loved Company!
If you think about it, it's the perfect song for Captain Jack Harkness...
FunFlirtyFlute 1 year ago
okay....Raul is great! John is great! But, if you read John's book "Anything Goes" you'll find that at the time of this performance Stephen Sonheim himself told John that he performed this role as Sondheim had originally envisioned it. If you have a problem with the performance, take it up with the composer and director himself, Stephen Sondheim. I think he is the best judge.
aprilliz 1 year ago 4
Sondheim has made some weird judgements about singers though. He's said that Patti LuPone was a Diva with no talent among many other strange comments about very good singers.
phantom4087 1 year ago
Esparza sang it in the original key. Barrowman sang it down a half step.
nicholasmiraculous 1 year ago
And it is possible to like both Julian Ovenden's version and John Barrowman's - it isn't a case of either or!
Banburian1 1 year ago
This production seems to go against Sondheims general rule of casting actors that can kind of sing as opposed to singers who can hardly act.
chamluke1027 1 year ago
I feel like he's a bit too youthful for this song.. I'm feeling it because I ADORE his voice, but this character is a seasoned player, knows the game and is done with the bullshit of playing, I hear someone just singing 'I want!' with Barrowman. Fair enough, but I just wouldn't have casted him in such a role.
klickenpod 1 year ago
I prefer Michael Ball's version of this song. It's amazing...
06s091 1 year ago
......atleast he's pretty.
Leadingdude 1 year ago 5
Eh i don't know. I don't think the last note was nearly strong enough.
JoshuaMars99 1 year ago
my favorite parts are the coughing fits, but awesome.
chupacabrafood 1 year ago
can't act to safe his life, sounds nice tho.
Kornwolf91 1 year ago
I would love to hear Dean Jones sing this again. He was the top of the tops. Amen!!
pannyy55 1 year ago
thank you for posting this....Sonheim said that this performance was the closest to how he saw Bobby up to this time. And even though I love John's other versions, there is something so visceral in this moment. He really feels the lyric and it shows in this almost too intimate performance. Raul is good, and I'm sure he had a moment like this on Broadway. It just wasn't captured like this one was. Brilliantly done.
aprilliz 1 year ago 4
totally agree lifeisart37! I cheat and sing this song a tone down :P
richdavies3293 1 year ago
It sounds pretty but dude has nothing on Esparza's acting
bsatterwhite92 2 years ago 2
@bsatterwhite92 THANK YOU! this guy doesn't understand where Bobby comes from
Kornwolf91 1 year ago
this song is amazing, but it is DEATH to sing...GRAH!! Why did sondheim but the highest note on "Be-"? =..( as if G/Ab aren't hard enough for baritones...sigh...one day
lifeisart37 2 years ago
@lifeisart37 in the original arrangement, the song is a minor third lower with "Be" on an F. Both John Barrowman and Raul Esparza took it up.
MikeTheAnnoying 1 year ago
I donno. Although I like Raul's version -- the staging is pretty fab and all -- John's just got one hell of a voice. Just beautiful timbre and no tremolo (which can be distracting; no hatin' on me, mkay?) But like others have said, there's no one right way to judge these performances. Both guys gut it, in my opinion.
odetotove 2 years ago 3
i remember when.........barrowman was before me in singing lessons. He has a shit hot voice. Mary Hammond Agrees. xxx
pjshades 2 years ago 2
I must agree with both of you on this. His physical presence and obvious mastery of expressing the proper emotions definetly shines through and makes up for the fact that their is very little movement, though some more would have made this piece a little better. a fine performance, but like any, there are some flaws in it. but hey, thats theatre.
thetruedelicous 2 years ago 5
I dont think he is screaming look at me at all as bearprok said. I think just standing there works very well as the emotion in his voice and face are more than adequite enough to put on a show. He is not chewing up scenery he is putting on a fantastic show. And i dont see why people cant ebjoy bth john and rauls version, both are wonderful and diffrent people.
loobabum 2 years ago 6
MEH
aasjb4ever 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
While I enjoy Barrowman in Torchwood and such, this performance is laughable! In musical theater one does not simply sing the song, one performs the song. Though his voice is adequate, his performance lacks any subtlety. As usual, low-key isn't in his repertoire. He hams it up; his egotism shines through screaming 'look at me look at me'; the proverbial 'chewing up the scenery' so to speak. Partial blame must fall to the director for not addressing it. This is so inappropriate for this piece.
bearpork 2 years ago
i love his voice! So clean and solid! what is the key at the end? is it the same as the one raul sings?
lifeisart37 2 years ago 4
You know it's possible to love Raul's version AND John Barrowman's version.
I love them both and appreciate them both, and couldn't possibly choose which i like better.
trytofly 2 years ago 64
I agree. I really like both of them.
numberdomino 2 years ago
@trytofly
Too much self-pity in this rendition of the song. Raul version gives the self-awareness of the character, the moment of discovery of the self and the victory over his own limitations and fears. It great acting as well as great singing.
hardmonday 10 months ago
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@trytofly
Too much self-pity in this rendition of the song. Raul version gives the self-awareness of the character, the moment of discovery of the self and the victory over his own limitations and fears. It's great acting as well as great singing.
hardmonday 10 months ago
@trytofly - And some of us loved George Chakiris in the original tour (not to mention having seen Elaine Stritch live singing Ladies Who Lunch).
rowanorre 5 months ago
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i love JB but he just killed the final high notes!!! to plain, unlike raul, he almost went operatic on that song
armandofarras 2 years ago
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Raul Esparza is GOD ok? Barrowman should stick to BBC and ease up on the eye makeup.
rellenoz 2 years ago
I know Raul is great but that's a little too much
Bluebaritone 2 years ago
ok, well maybe not God, Maybe...
rellenoz 2 years ago
It's called stage make-up... or he'd look awful!
xcxhxoxcxkxyx 2 years ago
I think John Barrowman singing this is rather ironic. Very deep within Capt. Jack's psyche this song plays lol.
Ymaryn 2 years ago
omg its captain jack! lol
jazzymcjazzster 2 years ago
I love this version by John, i do think his 'Another Side' is too sped up and lacks the emotion, but is still good. But this is by far the best version...
xcxhxoxcxkxyx 2 years ago
watch bernadette peters!! waaaayyy better
kikay2493 2 years ago
Could someone please get me Raul Esparaza. This is definitely much weaker than the PBS version
ebergsven 2 years ago
just google youtube to mp3
wainblatrobert 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Don't love John Barrowman but I'd take his weaker voice over Raul Esparza's....... flat vowels, his cowardly lion sounding, machine gun vibrato that ruin the end of ever note and are missing on every note that needs one desperately, and complete absence of an inkling of acting ability or comedic timing...
TBon3Supl3x 2 years ago
I will agree with you on some of that point, but listen to other things from Raul career and that's not his style at all. I believe he took a differnt approach to this show, sining wise that is. Raul is a great tenor who compensated to be a baritone. I just think that Raul fits the part of Bobby because of his age, maturity to the part. John B is just too young and too pretty to play this role. I do believe John is a great singer just not a Bobby in my mind.
ebergsven 2 years ago 5
finally someone i agree with!!
smeggers0329 2 years ago 2
The acting is high-school calibre. Weak, slightly self-indulgent, boring.
But the singing is great.
AtLastOnTheGround 2 years ago
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not true i've seen high school students out perform him its a straight foward flat emotion when the song REVOLVES around internal conflict
cnmaster01 2 years ago
yes but another side is more of a pop album than a theatre album
huckingharkness 2 years ago
This give me chills.
hogwartsianhobbit 2 years ago
this is a different interpretation of the song than Esparza's, if you wanna see bobby happy during about what he's realized then watch this, if you wanna see bobby go through a cathartic moment disrupting his lifestyle and realizing its a good thing after, watch esparza's. i love both for different reasons
tomtom1354 2 years ago 29
Agreed. There are so many ways to interpret the song and they're all so interesting to see.
yelanates 2 years ago
I agree...that's the amazing thing about Sondheim...he always let things more open:)
wainblatrobert 2 years ago
Best version of this classic I've ever seen -- can't stop watching it. If only there were a professional recording of this (?)...
patrickjs68 2 years ago
John Barrowman has a recording of the song on his album Another Side, but he's changed it and made it all up beat and jazzy. It's rubbish compared to this and not true to the original at all.
mckaysam1 2 years ago
Yeah, I know. It's really awful -- almost like he's trying to remake the Streisand Broadway Album version (which worked for her, but not at all for him).
patrickjs68 2 years ago
Comment removed
endlesswonder30 2 years ago
there is something to be said about Raul's subtlety.
cranbessy88 2 years ago 2
i think Raul has better emotions and just acts it better. but there are times, especially near the end where he just sounds terrible. he loses his tone quality and he's singing from the wrong part of this throat. i just don't like it at all and i don't know why anyone would intentionally do that. JB's singing is flawless and his voice is beautiful, even though his acting leaves something to be desired. so i guess it's better to watch raul and listen to JB
ruggierosp 2 years ago 3
mostly agree, but i dont think he intends to sing that way. i think he sounds exhausted and cant really blame him, its a hell of a song. already after the first of the two longest lines ("alooooone") i almost hear R's need to breathe. however it kind of forces out the desperate emotions i miss in JB
Luppichini 2 years ago 2
i love this.
guacamoleroxmysox 3 years ago 2
It's a question of how you see Bobby. Vocally, this interpretation is pretty traditional but is almost appologetic and so Bobby seems out of place with his co-horts, like a young guy trying to mix with his parents. What I like about Raul's Bobby is that he is their contemporary but continues to treat it all like someone who isn't facing his inevitable maturity. So the song is filled with the loneliness and fear that living on the outside brings. "Want something Bobby!!! "
breiver 3 years ago 2
love john barrowman!!!
however i must say that I do prefer raul's version and the emotion you can hear in his voice. john barrowman has a fantastic voice, but i not as preferable for this character.
boredom747 3 years ago 2
Comment removed
jkbs123 3 years ago 2
I also think JB's is more emotional in the face and Raul's is emotional internally. Both create a different yet equally frustrating and tear jerking feeling!
whatdoaido 3 years ago
I respect both versions; raul portrays it in a more aggresive way yet equally as emotional and JB does it in a more delicate way. Both are pleasing and true to the character. I personally prefer Raul's more but JB's is equally done well. JB has clear control over his voice over Raul, it can be good but I prefer the struggle in Raul's voice.
Great Musical
whatdoaido 3 years ago
I think it's contrived. Very phoney gestures. Beautiful voice, but I don't see the truth in what he's singing at all. He also doesn't appear very...ahem...manly. His gestures and [overacting] facial expressions would be more believable if he was female. Or if he were a little boy. Yes, I think that's it. He's like a little boy throwing a tantrum.
I do prefer Raul's. He's got that aggressive frustration that's necessary for Bobby.
JennytheSoprano 3 years ago
Eh, I personally like his gestures. I think it makes the character. Raul sometimes sacrifices the piece for his aggressiveness and that kindof ruins it for me. But to each their own :)
jkbs123 3 years ago 3
I actually prefer this version to raul esparza. I don't think he got it *quite* right. He was too aggressive. I know the whole thing about the character is frustration, but . . come on. I hate when raul goes "MOCK!@@!@! me with praise" and also its a"little" out of his comfort range.
maxegg2 3 years ago
That's what I love about John - he takes a song and makes you believe that he's portraying a character or telling a story, he brings it to life in front of your eyes.
fieldsfan336 3 years ago 3
Also I really did'nt care for the version's of company or sweeney Todd with the cast playing there own instruments. I think it takes away from the all around music value, and the performance of the actors/singers, simply because its very distracting
theatreguy0029 3 years ago
I have to say having seen Doyle's version of Sweeney live, I was pulled in by his way of staging with the actors as musicians. It was something new, inventive, and I really found it worked. I found that it served Company REALLY well, especially during Side by Side by Side and Being Alive. There's that saying about making beautiful music together, and to have the married couples have that, but not Bobby, highlights the loneliness that explodes w/ emotion during Being Alive and he plays himself
phhs07 3 years ago 2
this is my favorit version of this song...John has so much control of his voice and I think that is the big key to singing this song, I have sang it occationaly and the big key is to not to much vabrato into it and thats what john does...he also knows how to put just the right amont of emotion into it...as for Raul Esparza he had to much vabrato and his voice tends to crack at the end of the song wich indicats not enough training...
theatreguy0029 3 years ago
you fail to mention that john is a quartertone flat at the end of the song...
BroadwayVBtime 3 years ago
how do you figure that....his pitch is dead on perfect...Raul goes in and out of pitch so much its scarry
theatreguy0029 3 years ago
I'm not claiming Raul is pitch perfect, though i do MUCH prefer his version over barrowman's. Listen to the G# on "be" in the last few measures of the song, its very underpitch. All I'm saying is you make comparisons between them, saying that Raul "tends to crack", but fail to mention that JB can't even hit the note
BroadwayVBtime 3 years ago
oh I think "JB" hits the note much better than "Raul" does any day of the week and yes he may be a bite flat, but name me one singer in this world who has not sang a flat note in there life, I would rather hear a slitly flat or sharp note any day of the week than hear someone crack "which in my oppion is really not hitting the note...
theatreguy0029 3 years ago
He is perfectly in tune
jkbs123 3 years ago 3
good attempt.
tho i like Raul's better.
MrsCullen1121 3 years ago 2
Patti LuPone kicks ass at this song.
laluponeista88 3 years ago 2
This comment has received too many negative votes show
I'm probably going to get spammed and non-stop harassed for saying this, but I don't think I've ever seen such a poor performance of this song. All I see is "look at me, I'm John Barrowman, I'm really good-looking and my voice is nice so that makes up for my lack of acting capabilities!"
AtLastOnTheGround 3 years ago
I'm sorry, but who are you to question the abilities of an actor who is in shows with Carol Burnett. Evidently he's doing something right besides his pretty face and pretty voice.
tarot3n 3 years ago
He is not only a good looking guy, he has a lot of talent so shut up
hatorl 3 years ago 3
This comment has received too many negative votes show
I can't believe this guy actually asked Sondheim if Bobby was gay. That would completely defeat the point of even having Company.
NobleApple 3 years ago
NobleApple - By "this guy" do you mean John Barrowman? If so, yeah, I hear your point. But taken as a stand alone - not in the context of the actual show - I can very much see this song as a gay man's anthem. Maybe that's what Barrowman was getting at? And maybe if Company had been written and produced in this day and age Bobby would be gay. It's not a big leap. BTW I'm not the one who gave you the thumbs down. ;)
boppiecat 3 years ago
I see your point. Some songs take on another meaning as a standalone. Great songs have depth, right? But I'm not sure the show could be retold as a gay story. There was a version that wanted to make one of the couples lesbians (the pot smokers, I think), but that request was denied. The show takes place in an entirely heterosexual milieu. Bobby is attracted to some aspect of each of the women in the couples, but is ambivalent about them, too, and about commitment. That's universal, no?
noahsdad61 3 years ago
Noahdad61 - Absolutely universal. And that's, for me, the genius of this song and the show as a whole. We each resonate from our own experience - singer and listener alike. BTW for my money the best rendition is Dean Jones in the Company OBC recording. BestArts has the vid posted.
boppiecat 3 years ago
Boppiecat- What I meant was that it kind of takes away the sophistication of Bobby's problems. Being Alive, definitely, as a standalone song, can be applied to any sexuality, but I think that Bobby's problems of connection and commitment to a heterosexual relationship are far less complex if we just assume that Bobby has these problems because he's gay. If Bobby was gay, and his problems were committing to a gay relationship, Company would be equally powerful as a musical.
NobleApple 3 years ago
The singing is very nice. But I just wasn't moved by this version like I was with Dean's and Raul's.
bohemiawelcumsyou 3 years ago
Check the round version from "Putting it Together" a Sondheim's musical review. Pretty good, I think.
marcosbabu 3 years ago
I saw it in person and was absolutely devastated. I think he does a fine job, though Mr. Esparza does, too.
noahsdad61 3 years ago 3
Having seen Ezparza's version..I know alot of people think he did a better job of this, but really...I disagree. Raul was just too...angry.
doctorwhofangirl22 3 years ago 4
Yeah, he seemed to be yelling most of the time.
shmoogle14 3 years ago
I found Mr. Esparza's verson moving, too. This is brilliant, though. Thank you so much for posting. By chance, do you have Alice Ripley's "Not Getting Married Today" from this production, which is the best I've ever seen of that song?
For those asking about the costumes, I think the costumer was designing for the 70s, when this was written. The John Doyle version just put everyone in basic New York black, which I think helps convey the universality of the emotions.
noahsdad61 3 years ago
1 billion times better than Raul Esparza will ever be!
mrm4052 3 years ago
step aside fan girl
quasi0 2 years ago
Nice to see this song actually sung well. By geez there are a lot of crappy versions out there (vocally i mean)
mykat2 3 years ago 3
I absolutely love this. If I can see the depth of the actor's message I fall for them. Exactly what he does.
iman92 3 years ago 4
I think Larry Kert the original Robert who got the Tony Nom was the best! He just right.
boyStaRR 3 years ago
when was this?...he looks alot younger...
actressindemaking 3 years ago
2002 Sondheim festival at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. It was great!!
noahsdad61 3 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
There's no dispute that he can sing, but his acting is rather dry and boring to me. However, I don't think Bobby should be played as over-the-top as Raul made him either. Where's the happy medium? Answer: Dean Jones.
bohemiawelcumsyou 3 years ago
Ummm...
I like the fact that his Bobby is more internal. I mean during this song he ends up convincing himself that he should be married. I think subtlety is the key to a Bobby. He's surrounded by a bunch of crazy characters and he should be a major contrast to them.
spacemonkey110 3 years ago 2
I agree he should be subtle and show a contrast against the insanity. But there's a difference between acting subtle and internal, and then just not acting a part. He's not bad really, but it feels like there's something missing that's all.
bohemiawelcumsyou 3 years ago
I see what you mean, and I agree. :)
spacemonkey110 3 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
i hate him hes so annoying....
but he has a great voice!
MushroomLake 3 years ago
I recently was awarded most annoying person on television actually, and I can see how some people would find him irritating, but I don't.
doctorwhofangirl22 3 years ago
Sorry. HE was awarded most annoying person on television
doctorwhofangirl22 3 years ago
I will say John Barrowman is INDEED GORGEOUS! and, too, I saw the production with Raul Esparza and he COMPLETELY TOOK MY BREATH AWAY! I was in TEARS at the end of that show! I was SO moved!
laughert9 3 years ago 5
DDTC, just out of curiousity when did Sondheim say that? I'm just asking because i've seen an interview in which he says that Adrain Lester (Donmar Warehouse Production) was the best actor ever to play Bobby. :-)
SRadders 3 years ago
Why does it have to be about better or worse? They're two very different interpretations. If you prefer one, it doesn't necessarily make it better than the other.
pagerbear 3 years ago 12
Thank You, I agree.
cu449708 3 years ago
the reason i like johns version better than raul's is because bobby is supposed to be vulnerable and not angry, and although songs are always open to interpretation you can clearly hear in the lyrics how vulnerable he is.
ohoknow 3 years ago 2
i'm in love with John Barrowman!!
it's a shame such a gorgeous man won't have children =(
bryonythompson 3 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
because even though they'll be pretty, they'll have to go through the hell of life, as the song shows a piece of...
snhajar 3 years ago
He´s thinking about it. He said in an interview at his website that maybe he´ll have a baby with a friend of his. If it doesn´t happen, he and Scott will probably adopt a child at some point.
TuppenceBeresford 3 years ago 3
To be perfectly honest, I was avoiding watching this cuz I'm a die hard Raul fan when it came to Company, but I was most definately surprised and touched by John's very different interpretation.
cluelessrachel 3 years ago
I prefer the simplicity and powerful strokes on the piano as Raul Esparza is playing and singing with great emotion in the Broadway revival.
tinytimton 3 years ago 3
made me cry. fantastic.
JennaLeighhh 3 years ago
I like John and all....but after the Great Performances broadcast, I'm convinced that Raul's version may damn near be definitive.
ziggysane66 3 years ago 7
He looks so young!!! And gorgeous and amazing, as usual.
KateKilpat 3 years ago 4
I <3 Barrowman :)
jazzitlikeopera 3 years ago
is he cryin in this ??
alexdaws 4 years ago
I think he is. which makes it the all more powerful.
shmoogle14 4 years ago
what is this from???
alexdaws 4 years ago
Company
Sharpei97 4 years ago
is that avalible on DVD??
alexdaws 4 years ago
I wish.
shmoogle14 4 years ago
lol
x
alexdaws 4 years ago
Better than I thought he would be! But I still prefer Raul Esparza singing.
laughifyouwant 4 years ago 3
Have great admiration for Barrowman, but in this song he is nowhere near as good as Adrian Lester, who beats him hands down on acting. Nevertheless, I shall want to hear this again.
ronwilliams753 4 years ago
he kind of looks like Tom Cruise. A more talented, better looking Tom Cruise
JoshiesJem 4 years ago 2
and he's taller than Tom Cruise :) hehe
enkii82 3 years ago
he's so cute, is he gay? i think he still looks good in 40 though
enkii82 4 years ago
Yeah, he's gay.
But I agree, you'd never think he's 40!
Neyne92 4 years ago
wish there's more clones of him.... or more gay like him, don't hate me girls for saying this
enkii82 4 years ago 3
don't worry i'm a girl and i don't mind you saying that ;)
Neyne92 4 years ago
is he 40??? *wonders*
KashyaCharsi 4 years ago
he is 41 on the 11th March
Maxwell241 4 years ago
...wait...forty? WHAT.?
vnally 3 years ago
he's 40 now, and he still looks pretty young and hot. btw, he's gay, FOR SURE. i think he got engaged to a guy architect
enkii82 3 years ago 2
41, isn't he? and they got a civil partnership last year, I think it was.
Griffisndefeat 3 years ago 3