Simple Joys of Maidenhood-Meg Bussert

[buhbuhbilly]

awesome



[newtonduck1]

I loved this version growing up...much better to have seen this first over that terrible movie. Richard Harris was great here.

[iamnowchristine]

@newtonduck1 I don't understand why everyone bashes the movie version. The talk about production in the special features on the dvd made it clear for me that when they were casting the movie, they knew and admitted to casting Guenevere for her appearance and not her voice. The only serious problem I have is that they dubbed Lance's voice and not Guenevere's.

[hrprada]

Meg's voice is a whole more vibrant than Vanessas's. On the other hand Vanessas's closeups are more sexy. They failed to get any good close ups of Megan and the video quality is poor but other than that she looks great.. 

[DJDizzy113]

I remember seeing this version on the stage! Lovely!

[valeriemeachum]

Still the closest thing we have to a definitive version of this show. <3 <3 <3 If they hadn't cut "Fie on Goodness" it would be perfect. I cry so many times, and Harris' rendition of the "Resolution" soliloquy gives me chills every time. Fell in love with in on HBO as a little girl, still hoping to play Genny someday!

[pricefan2007]

This is my acting teacher at NYU.

[lydialikespancakes]

I think everyone bashing Vanessa Redgrave is a bit too far. It's not worth it- I think the movie and the broadway version are both great.

[vampirerule117]

I love how she calls War simple sweet joys and trivial joys...I don't know whether to laugh or cry over the fact that in the end Saint Jenebive (SP) answered her prayers.

[themasterbower]

It didn't look like she was thinking enough about the lyrics.....I don't know, not my favorite.

[Ahneiiah]

My favorite thing about this song is that it foreshadows the entire musical. She truly ends up having all of her "simple joys"

[Juliaflo]

Somehow, I picture John Hurt playing King Arthur.

[Operalover12002]

No actress can sing this better than Julie Andrews.

[kjack30]

She has a pretty tone quality but her loud gasps of breath are kind of obnoxious. I still prefer Dame Julie Andrews.

[FosseFabulous]

I studied under her this past summer with NYU's musical theatre department :)

[Pbrinco]

Wow so beautiful!

[pietravis]

I'd never seen or heard this song before, I think she's got a gorgeous voice, I'm buying the soundtrack now :)

[musicalpositron]

Too fast...

[alto19]

I agree; it's particularly noticeable during the dialogue. It also sounds like she's trying to slow down, but the orchestra keeps rushing her.

[suchasimplesong]

Maybe it's just me, but doesn't she sound like an old woman?

[VolleyKate1311]

i think it's just you

[gremlinatemysocks]

well, suchasimplesong isn't the only one who thinks that, not that the song isn't nice.

[EpsiKepsi]

I love this and how Meg looks excited and happy singing about guys dying for her... and then calls them "simple joys". Meg just has a great voice and fits the part really well!

[EmeraldSky33]

I think her voice is beautiful, but her loud breathing drives me nuts. It's probably the silly corset's fault. I never figured out how they breathe in those!

[AZtrumpetgoddess]

corsets are really nasty and hard to wear, not to mention incredibly painful

[EmeraldSky33]

I've heard they can be comfortable if they fit perfectly, but regardless of that, I would never want to sing in one! :-D

[AZtrumpetgoddess]

i guess it would help if it fit perfectly, i've never had one that fit properly, so they were really painful for me personally, I'd never want to sing in 1 either, that would take more control and breath support than i care to think of :)

[EmeraldSky33]

Personally I find the Victorian-corset sort of hourglass figure beautiful, but I wouldn't want to wear a corset except perhaps for a few days in a show in which I didn't have to sing or maybe for a one-night costume. I think the trick is that they make the corsets so they fit more tightly in places that aren't as crucial to expand for breathing, like the lower abs, which are more for contracting to expel the air around the belly area, and the hips. Just a hypothesis, though.

[lilygolightly]

Actually, if it's not overtightened, a corset provides wonderful support while singing.

[EmeraldSky33]

Huh! Cool. Thanks, lilygolightly! Have you sung in a corset? I would think that would encourage pressing your abs into it, which I understand is not ideal since you don't want overextension of the abdomen. But can you explain more about how it works/feels?

[rosekalt]

Different kinds of corsets are easier/harder to sing in; Victorian corsets tighten all the way down through the hips, and are far from ideal. Usually corsets sit at the natural waist and hit mid-chest, which makes it very easy to breathe 'under the corset', and helps with support.

[EmeraldSky33]

Oh. Cool! Thanks for a definitive answer. :-D Does it help keep the ribcage lifted and open, then? That makes more sense.

[electrixmaddie]

Meg Busset is working with my University class at the moment and she is absolutely brilliant!!

[reynardbleu]

This was my version of Camelot. I watched it over and over.

[Broadwaygirl7117]

It's just the fact that she and Andrews are both Brittish. The similaritties end there.

[toolegit2quit]

Meg isn't British! She's American, and imitation is the strongest form of flattery...she was doing her best Julie Andrews, badly in my estimation.

[Broadwaygirl7117]

Sorry, I ment to say that they have both been cast as Brits. Her "accent" has been developed over time, through coaching and vocal teachings, and no, will never be the same as a true brit. I realize that I did not make myself clear, and apologize for any confusion.

[AmelieMermaid]

I love Meg Bussert's version of this song. I love her subtlety. I've seen too many women with great voices butcher this song because they were over dramatic. I love how Meg looks so sweet and girlish while singing about men dying for her. Very demure, reminds me of Scarlett O'Hara. Lance and Ginny are so suited for each other. Both selfish people, but in a funny endearing way.

[iveyspam]

Oh my gosh, you're right...she's channeling Vivian Leigh as well as Julie Andrews! :)

[christinerahman]

I love this video she has a beautiful voice!! I am going this for music festival this year:)

[defyinggravity319]

thank you so much for adding this! i'm singing this song for a vocal recital in the spring,a dn this really helps! meg bussert is fabulous, and sounds alot like julie andrews!

[defyinggravity319]

and**

[edogawaboy1]

very, very good! i'm prejudiced to the julie andrews version. but this one rocks. yes, eerily julie. the vowel formations. vanessa redgrave's version - please let that one die a peaceful death.

[yasegirl]

SHe does sound like Andrews!!

[broadwayannie111]

My goodness, she sounds like Julie Andrews! Same sort of vowel formation....it's funny!

Wow, she's wonderful!

[revmary]

I remember watching this on our cable channel WOR from NYC in the 1980's

[brightblonde24]

Her voice sounds just like Julie Andrews'

[MollyOmigosh]

Thanks so much for posting this, it's so good. :)

[Cavic1980]

Yes. Meg plays the part of Carlotta in Phantom (Yeston/Kopit)

[oxopopularxo]

wow pretty good ive only seen 1 other version of this song though....

[ladyinred16185]

Do you know if they plan to put this one on dvd anytime soon

[jin91kazama]

I don't think movies could ruin the musical, movies could let people from the whole world know this musical!

[Fightflipnfold]

I agree with GrobanPhreak! The movie ruined this musical. This stage version redeems it; it is a travesty that most people have only seen the movie, and not a stage version. And it baffles me that no one has released this HBO classic on DVD. I don't want the movie to be the legacy of such a great musical!

Thanks for uploading!

[GrobanPhreak11284]

Acorn Media released this little gem on DVD not too long ago. It is a little pricey but worth the cost.

[Fightflipnfold]

Thanks for the tip! It just arrived today.

[blackpython]

This version uses the script from the film.

[MusicalLover6]

This video is so amazing. I love Richard Harris. And Meg Bussert sounds so lovely.

[xcountrybabex]

no im not, i think she has a great voice and anyway people can have their own opinions

[xcountrybabex]

she has a beautiful voice! but i prefer this song sung by vanessa redgrave from the film version i think her voice fits tghe sonng better

[GrobanPhreak11284]

Are you high? She couldn't sing. That movie flopped.

[qzzzzq]

I agree with you GrobanPhreak11284. This one is much better.

Alas, Acorn doesn't send to Australia.

[usagismile]

FINALLY! someone who agrees with me!

[feilog]

@xcountrybabex Please tell me you're joking.

[dgivy]

@xcountrybabex

I agree with you...I think that redgrave did a better job...even though it was a completely different style and tone. I love her in the part better....such regal grace and beauty.

[BettinaBalser]

@xcountrybabex Sorry, but the movie version sucked balls.

[magneticllama]

i love her!

[GrobanPhreak11284]

Not entirely sure.

[buffyphantom]

Isn't Meg Bussert in the original cast of Phantom by Yeston Kopit?

Beautiful song!

[broadwayboy1]

yeah...she was Carlotta