All Normas except for Lupone and Close all sound so alike..I'd say this is a pretty generic performance...great but doesn't knock my socks off either...
I've watched all the other norma desmonds on youtube, and while Diahann's does not show any acting/action, it's captured the soul and being of Norma Desmond completely!
Just saw her PBS Special, "The Lady, The Music, The Legend". Although her voice is showing it's age, she puts on a magnificent preformance and it make you want to go back and see her perform in her younger years, as in this performance as Norma Desmond. She's great!
PERFECTION!!!!!!! I wish there was video to go with this. I can just imagine her movements and grand gestures. Vocally she has not equal on this song. MAGIC!!!! You feel as if the great Diahann Carroll has lived this part fully - especially being a woman of color and of a certain age who Hollywood at times has turned it's back on. Yes Ms. Carroll played the hell out of NORMA DESMOND.
Every once in a while, fortunate audience members experience the chill of being present during a singular moment in theatre. I have never forgotten that chill when in 1996, I lucked into being invited to see "Sunset Boulevard" starring Diahann Carroll in Toronto. As a stupid, uninformed aging white woman, I thought this would never fly. I WAS INCREDIBLY WRONG. Thank you so much for posting this song. I thought the title was "In the Early Morning Madness." Excuse me, going to play it again
I have listened to MANY versions of this song in the past few hours, and this is by far the best: the best combination of able, refined singing and honest, artistic emotion. So compelling.
Her portrayal of Norma has a gracefulness that none of the other actresses were able to display. I was captivated by her when I had the good fortune to see her perform live in Toronto.
Diahann Carroll is fantastic! Wish she would perform this role in the west end of London. She is a true lady, she never ages and has a wonderful husky tone to her voice with impecable timing
One of the greatest singers I've ever heard. I've had the terrific pleasure of seeing Diahann Carroll perform many times since I first discovered her in the 70's. What notes she hits. What energy she has.
I had the pleasure of seeing her in the Toronto production. After seeing Elaine Paige, Glenn Close, Petula Clark in this show, I have to say that Miss Carroll was the best. She was amazing!
@MrMusicstone I know everyone is entitled to their opinion but I can't, for the life of me, imagine why you or anyone would say such a comment. I am sure there are many wonderful renditons of this song, but I can't imagine it getting any better. Diahnn Carroll makes the person alive and pulsating. You may not like it but nothing she has ever done sucks, she is to much of a professional. I thinky your comment, is very, very,very wierd and totally wrong.
For those of us in New York who had seen all of the Noras on Broadway, it's such a shame Ms. Carroll did not bring her performance to us. Toronto was such a far way away. I just read her latest book, THE LEGS ARE THE LAST TO GO and she tells some very illuminating stories about what she had to do to get the part.
But now, listen to the magnificent Diahann interpret this song with high style, class, and distinction. She is thrilling!
Still flawless and among the best of the best Norma Desmond's - Ms Carroll give this part her all and thus each night gave a brillant performance - it is also NOT TRUE that she missed or canceled many shows - Diahann Carroll may reprise this role soon in another touring company of Suset - I CANNOT WAIT!!!!
Those of us lucky enough to see the show in Toronto can tell you she was just fantastic in the role, as was Rex Smith. Best production of the show for sure. I gather she didn't have the best time in TO (apparently missed/cancelled quite a few shows) but we sure loved having her in town. The soundtrack CD is the best recording of them all.
Ms. Carroll's performance as Norma Desmond - remains to be the most crisp, clean, and sublime of them all - dramatic and nuanced in the most subtle ways - without ever being over the top - I saw her do this role seven times - always on point and hitting her marks. A true professional with a great love and need for her audience - WE LOVE YOU MS. CARROLL NOW AND ALWAYS.
Diahann Carroll is wonderful there will never be another one of her that's why its so important to praise her and honor her for all that she has given us I don't know why more isn't said or done in her honor and especially in th eblack community!
@menashadude bridges to a place where there are no black, white, straight, gay, or religious communities only a HUMAN COMMUNITY. I can't wait until we are one human community.
Ms. Diahann Carroll was just brillant in this production - her performance was brillant and totally belieable - give this rendition a careful listen - fote- it is surely the best and most moving - her rendition of With One Look outdoes them all - her reviews where raves across the board - Rex Smith was fabulous as Joe in this production - a very difficult score expertly performed by the great Diva Diahann Carroll
All Normas except for Lupone and Close all sound so alike..I'd say this is a pretty generic performance...great but doesn't knock my socks off either...
gabsylv 2 months ago
@ broadwayssweetheart: Diahann Carroll is a national treasure and I cannot agree more with you.
JazzMaestra 4 months ago
this woman is a d.i.v.a.....love her!
MsWho132 5 months ago
Who's the monkey?????
javier2215042 5 months ago
I've watched all the other norma desmonds on youtube, and while Diahann's does not show any acting/action, it's captured the soul and being of Norma Desmond completely!
dtseluj 5 months ago
@dtseluj She is brilliant , she shows all the emotion in the way Glenn Close does , but think Diahann just has the edge on her!
eponnee 4 months ago
The patient listener is rewarded.
ajb1776 6 months ago
Smoother than butter.
ajb1776 6 months ago
I saw her perform live at a supper club in Disney World- the most beautiful woman I've seen in real life.
eyedelon 6 months ago
Just saw her PBS Special, "The Lady, The Music, The Legend". Although her voice is showing it's age, she puts on a magnificent preformance and it make you want to go back and see her perform in her younger years, as in this performance as Norma Desmond. She's great!
MrJpfs0452 7 months ago
beautifully done. Diahann is always tasteful subtle yet powerfully effective.A great and luminous talent.
intelegentable 7 months ago
PERFECTION!!!!!!! I wish there was video to go with this. I can just imagine her movements and grand gestures. Vocally she has not equal on this song. MAGIC!!!! You feel as if the great Diahann Carroll has lived this part fully - especially being a woman of color and of a certain age who Hollywood at times has turned it's back on. Yes Ms. Carroll played the hell out of NORMA DESMOND.
ramona2400 7 months ago
I'm just wondering , scents Diahann was the first and only black person to portrey norma desmond ,If Vanessa Williams could be the second.
I'M JUST WONDERING.
enolamsamoht 8 months ago
amazing
wish there was video of it
hornybodhisattva 8 months ago
Every once in a while, fortunate audience members experience the chill of being present during a singular moment in theatre. I have never forgotten that chill when in 1996, I lucked into being invited to see "Sunset Boulevard" starring Diahann Carroll in Toronto. As a stupid, uninformed aging white woman, I thought this would never fly. I WAS INCREDIBLY WRONG. Thank you so much for posting this song. I thought the title was "In the Early Morning Madness." Excuse me, going to play it again
jancylou 8 months ago 2
Man them photos are priceless; a true goddess in perfection.
luciano9009 8 months ago
I have listened to MANY versions of this song in the past few hours, and this is by far the best: the best combination of able, refined singing and honest, artistic emotion. So compelling.
JRHhhify 9 months ago
best rendition of this song ever heard!
hollbri2 9 months ago
Her portrayal of Norma has a gracefulness that none of the other actresses were able to display. I was captivated by her when I had the good fortune to see her perform live in Toronto.
genkib 10 months ago
Diahann Carroll is fantastic! Wish she would perform this role in the west end of London. She is a true lady, she never ages and has a wonderful husky tone to her voice with impecable timing
drwhodalek1a 10 months ago
wow, nice, this surprised me.
22professional 10 months ago
One of the greatest singers I've ever heard. I've had the terrific pleasure of seeing Diahann Carroll perform many times since I first discovered her in the 70's. What notes she hits. What energy she has.
gr955716 1 year ago
Diahann Carroll has always been a dynamic talent.
Fegen 1 year ago
I prefer Glenn close
MrPoto00 1 year ago
I had the pleasure of seeing her in the Toronto production. After seeing Elaine Paige, Glenn Close, Petula Clark in this show, I have to say that Miss Carroll was the best. She was amazing!
u4huggs 1 year ago
@MrMusicstone I know everyone is entitled to their opinion but I can't, for the life of me, imagine why you or anyone would say such a comment. I am sure there are many wonderful renditons of this song, but I can't imagine it getting any better. Diahnn Carroll makes the person alive and pulsating. You may not like it but nothing she has ever done sucks, she is to much of a professional. I thinky your comment, is very, very,very wierd and totally wrong.
sea1song 1 year ago 3
Comment removed
sea1song 1 year ago
@MrMusicstone Nope.
BeevoNYC 1 year ago
For those of us in New York who had seen all of the Noras on Broadway, it's such a shame Ms. Carroll did not bring her performance to us. Toronto was such a far way away. I just read her latest book, THE LEGS ARE THE LAST TO GO and she tells some very illuminating stories about what she had to do to get the part.
But now, listen to the magnificent Diahann interpret this song with high style, class, and distinction. She is thrilling!
showtunestarpower 1 year ago 2
Is there a soundtrack ot this performance?
enolamsamoht 1 year ago
BRAVO!!! BRAVO!!! BRAVO!!!
enolamsamoht 1 year ago
Still flawless and among the best of the best Norma Desmond's - Ms Carroll give this part her all and thus each night gave a brillant performance - it is also NOT TRUE that she missed or canceled many shows - Diahann Carroll may reprise this role soon in another touring company of Suset - I CANNOT WAIT!!!!
ramona2400 1 year ago
Diahann Carroll and Glenn Close are my favorite Norma Desmonds.
RosesNightengales 1 year ago
Those of us lucky enough to see the show in Toronto can tell you she was just fantastic in the role, as was Rex Smith. Best production of the show for sure. I gather she didn't have the best time in TO (apparently missed/cancelled quite a few shows) but we sure loved having her in town. The soundtrack CD is the best recording of them all.
wm4bmtop 1 year ago 2
Ms. Carroll's performance as Norma Desmond - remains to be the most crisp, clean, and sublime of them all - dramatic and nuanced in the most subtle ways - without ever being over the top - I saw her do this role seven times - always on point and hitting her marks. A true professional with a great love and need for her audience - WE LOVE YOU MS. CARROLL NOW AND ALWAYS.
ramona2400 1 year ago
best norma ever!!
broadwaysweetheart 2 years ago 8
@broadwaysweetheart .....No offense to Diahann, I think she's great but Gloria Swanson is Norma Desmond.
jillianryan 1 year ago
Ms Carroll was absolute perfection in this role. The others all put on a kabukki caracature. Dihann understood who Norma really was..
paulbranc 2 years ago 3
Diahann Carroll is superb in this part the pronunciation alone is flawless - she and glen close are the best Norma's.
ramona2400 2 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
I wish I could see this performance on film--live..
menashadude 2 years ago
Diahann Carroll is wonderful there will never be another one of her that's why its so important to praise her and honor her for all that she has given us I don't know why more isn't said or done in her honor and especially in th eblack community!
ifusuckilltellu 2 years ago 6
@ifusuckilltellu to me she has given to the white community as well, I love her and she builds bridges.
menashadude 2 years ago
@menashadude bridges to a place where there are no black, white, straight, gay, or religious communities only a HUMAN COMMUNITY. I can't wait until we are one human community.
menashadude 2 years ago
@ifusuckilltellu Thank you Diahann you are a trailblazer and a trendsetter... your work lives in all of us. We are your future.
menashadude 2 years ago
Ms. Diahann Carroll was just brillant in this production - her performance was brillant and totally belieable - give this rendition a careful listen - fote- it is surely the best and most moving - her rendition of With One Look outdoes them all - her reviews where raves across the board - Rex Smith was fabulous as Joe in this production - a very difficult score expertly performed by the great Diva Diahann Carroll
ramona2400 2 years ago 4
Ms. Carroll is my favorite Norma! Brilliant!
Chriswren9 2 years ago 4