JULIE COVINGTON ON EVITA

[milkwayusa]

There're a lot of version for this song, but none can beat this powerful original. No words are enough.

[trickofthelight1]

still the first and the very best

[dohaperson]

When you say you didn't like "Patti's version", which one do you mean? Julie Covington sang it once.....it's great. Patti's sung it a million times from the age of 30 to 62...which version are you all referring to? Patti's original recording is completely different from some of her life performances with only a piano.

[plastictrev]

i had a listen to the patti luphone version & didn't like the singing or music. sometimes less is best!

[ignace7N]

THIS IS THE ORIGINAL SONG ,BUT PETULA CLARKE and some of them had interpreted this song

[clerihew10]

That statement is my opinion and i stand by it. That you think it's nuts happens to be yours and by all means stand by that.

[clerihew10]

The strength of this woman's voice is astounding. I saw Patti Lupone perform this on stage and she wasn't in the same league as Julie Covington (how did she not have a massive career)

[dohaperson]

@clerihew10 when?  That statement is nuts

[munlochyprivatehire]

The original, and best.

[kevbhoy05]

no one sings as good as this . just magic and so belivable

[liamcovington1]

Julie is my cousin...I have never met her but she is close in the family as it is my Grandads relative i thinl..Pleased to say im related to her

[rudimamaify]

I listen to just about anyone sing this and feel disappointed. Julie Covington made this her own. I doubt anyone will ever surpass this version.

[kiwibelt]

The thing about Julie's voice is: She has a unique tone and absolute authenticity in her characterisation. She neither oversings, nor tries to impress with vocal acrobatics. She just....is. You could play 100 singers to me, singing the same song and I could pick Julie out of them all. She is unmistakeable, powerful, RAW, true and vulnerable. Such a shame she held back on her studio output. And I would have LOVED to see her play this woman on stage!

[manitogata]

Terrific song

Terrific video

[twin40worty]

juie covington sings it the best. elaine paige is acting it

[lidamama2002]

my fav

[Emmatripp]

Julie Covington's version conveyed what she wanted the people to hear, to believe she was a caring leader's wife, and she did it beautifully. Patti LaPone played her as the cold money hungry, power chasing cynical that she really was. Two interpretations, both magnificently done.

[dohaperson]

@Emmatripp Patti Lupone also played her as how the people wanted to hear....that's the character. But she also played it that those parts were lies. Pay attention to the story before you make such statements.

[PhilK005]

@dohaperson What utter crap......

[dohaperson]

@PhilK005 what intelligence

[PhilK5100]

@dohaperson What ? Intelligence ? ;-) Significantly greater than your own I'd imagine, but that wouldn't be too difficult judging by your choice in singers....

[mjmacarty]

I always get the feeling performers are holding something back when singing this song. Like they don't trust their voice or maybe it's something else. In any case don't get that feeling with Julie. There is a raw unpolished quality here that is awesome. Lea Salonga comes as close as anyone though.

[TheMimifur]

Never understood why she didn't get the film. The best ever version of the song and it makes me cry every time.

[mayhorse66]

Julie Covington - the original and the best!

[BellaSilvery]

beautiful

[traod8]

It's unfortunate that Patti LuPone's version (which is excellent) largely eclipses Julie's performance, which is very solid and groundbreaking.

[pbamse]

@traod8 Patti is a great singer. No doubt about it. But the song needs a less operatic, overdrama kind of mood. Julie found a strange, intimate way to share her deep feelings as Evita, so much vulnerable and real.

[luccaderby]

@pbamse I totally agree with you. This musical a real strange bird, it's not as easy to perform as people think. It's all about interpretation. It needs a voice that's almost a rarity to find: a combination of angelic but also firm, sometimes strong and with lots of feeling pouring through both states of emotion. Patti is too overblown, Sarah is too sweet, Elaine is neither here nor there. Julie is just by far the best. As someone said below, other singers hold back on this, not Julie.

[G58]

@traod8 LuPone's verion is horrible. Her phrasing is diabolical & she over-acts the role. Instead of singing, she tries to make a big EPIC noise. Perfectly suited to a brash American audience maybe, but far too fake to have any real credibility. Julie just sings it from the heart, accurately expresses the lyrics with the correct emotion. The only problem with Julie's recordings is that they were put down in 1976. When I heard it the morning time it was played on radio, I was stunned - still am.

[traod8]

@G58 I don't know if I'd say LuPone is horrible, but I respect your opinion. She is certainly very different in her approach. I think it's important to keep in mind that Julie only did the part in a recording studio, whereas Patti had to muscle her voice for 6 shows every week. LuPone has stated that it was a very difficult role for her vocally, so she had to really push herself to get it, and at times did over-exert herself. But hey, I enjoy both of them for their uniqueness.

[dohaperson]

@G58 exactly what are you basing this opinion on? LuPone won the Tony, became a superstar because of it, and is still revered for her performance as Evita. Her version of Don't Cry For Me is at times even softer and less brash than Covington's. Her phrasing? Hard to criticize the phrasing of someone who barely needs to breathe to sing an entire song. These comparisons are ridiculous.

[G58]

@dohaperson You're American. You're used to overacting divas. For all I know you are one. But LuPone's really is a horribly substandard performance. Clearly it's not that difficult to win a Tony! I've just played both again to see if I was even slightly wrong. I'm not. The phrasing [which has nothing to do with breathing] is rushed and utterly devoid of appropriate emotion and timing. Really horrible. So it's actually your comparison that is as ridiculous as your statements about breathing.

[dohaperson]

@G58 FIrst, I'm not American. Second, how many Tonys do you have? Third, are you comparing LuPone's cast recording or a live performance or when she's 60 or a bad youtube recording or what? Fourth, everyone can have their opinion and I'm sure you feel good thinking you are superior because you disagree with millions who think LuPone is amazing...and Covington is amazing too.

[PhilK005]

@dohaperson Tony's ???? Given out to yanks for actually taking a dozen attempts to get it right instead of a hundred.

Lapone overdoes every note and made me cringe listening to her abysmal version.

Covington was the first and best.

No one else got within light years of her portrayal. Not even Elaine Paige, who screeched it in comparison.

[PhilK005]

@traod8 You Patti by any chance ?

Julie's version has never even been approached, never mind bettered.

Each to their own, of course. But even Elaine paige screeched this compared to Julie Covington.

And as for Madonna - Patti whosits is better to be compared to.

[fauxsham]

as others have said, IMHO, no other version comes anywhere near this one, there is so much pain in her voice (which was, I understand, very real) and maybe thats the key, you have to FEEL, not just sing.

[Watchthis7777777]

Oh what a wonderful power music has if used correctly

[santosmaggard1]

I am almost at tears with this performance and the photos, Eva Peron was an icon she was a hero and her life came to an end far to quickly rest in peace...

[krakenwave]

The likes of Shirley Bassey and Madonna tried hard to not embarrass themselves with this song (Shirely entirely failed there IMHO)- & bland Elaine Paige made it her signature number .

But no-one can come close to the fragile beauty of this heart-felt performance by Julie Covington. It doesn't surprise me to hear now of her sadnesses and troubles - the unavoidable traces of true emotion can be heard in her voice even with her exquisite control.

[TheCannonFist]

Probably the greatest vocal performance of all time.

[iamrobert123]

Thank you Julie xxx wow

[popazz1]

Absolutely THE definitive Evita! It is the stand-alone performance.It takes me right back to my teens listening to this.BRAVO Covington.Simply stunning!

[mannail888]

The only other "pop" femele singer to compare favorably with Streisand, sadly, her career never took wing under the impact of "Don't cry ....".

[CapitanFiro]

MALVINAS ARGENTINAS ! ESPAÑA EN DEUDA CON LA ARGENTINA

[skii6868]

@samdba

Thank you for that.

Get well Julie and thank you for the gift you gave us.

[pbamse]

Thanks for you kind words, Grannymeverleaves.

[grannyneverleaves]

Evita ! Evita ! - A lovely rendition by Ms. Covington. I was born in 1925. Young adults today seem to have the world pass so fast across their i-pads or computers - during the 40's and early 50's we saw a world at war and some of the good became bad. As Evita was chastized for being Fascist [we had our own McCarthy and his Communist hearings before her death in 1952] her positive legacy was set and was fulfilled in the 1st female Presidency in Argentina. Rest in Peace, Evita ! Argentina !!

[pbamse]

What kind of problems had she ?

[johnnyyen]

The best version by far. Pity she had problems, she definitely had talent.

[MsBkirk]

I was disappointed that Sinead O' Connor credited Elaine Paige for this when doing the sleeve notes for the 'Am I Not Your Girl' album - I would have thought Sinead would have fancied JC as Dee in Rock Follies!

[rissie72]

wow

[henrylo917]

She's the best I've ever heard. She just embedded herself all to the feeling of the song.

[aristagirl]

beautiful

[michaeal053]

Julie sings this so well because she took Eva Peron into her mind and sings with conviction sadly for the world her psychosis overtook her and the world lost a truly great performer

[nancyfloressantos]

Remembering 1977.

[nancyfloressantos]

Remembering 1977 with this song........forever treasured and cherished.

[Fegen]

@nancyfloressantos I have a dvd of the movie. Have always liked the song.

[13thCasualty]

Her's is my personal favorite performance...even over Madonna and Elaine Paige and Patti LuPone...and yes, even Lea Salonga's, though she's my second.

[jeaniebaby001]

The original version is interesting to listen to, the phrasing especially... but i like Karen Carpenter's version the most, because of her voice quality.

[paulencba]

totalmente de acuerdo!!!!

[GoddessofCoruscant]

Wonderful musical about a horrible woman. But politics aside, I love this song. Julie Covington is my favorite version of the song, Patti LuPone is second, and Madonna's remixes are third. Unfortunately Madonna didn't understand who Eva Peron really was...

[gayfunguy]

Julie Covngton, how I remember seeing her on television signing this beautiful song, she is the real voice and the only one who had the power the ammazing jukue, missing her dearly, but she has left us many wonderful songs with her talent, No other like her, Thanks Julie

[tekato71]

could have been stephanie lawrence in 1982

[MeAndYouMusic]

Tina, Sis - you will always be a part of me in my mind and <3 - Miss and love you forever - Your twin <3

[macivor73]

the most beautiful song in my humble opinion the best from that genius andrew lloyd webber.

[macvatu]

It doesn't really matter who sing the song, all credit must go to the composer - such a brilliant piece of artistic work, just amazing ! So far I've loved all the different versions I've heard, and I cannot say that for any other song, I'm afraid !!

[sambda]

To answer the person below, sadly Julie suffered with some mental-health issues and was a very reluctant performer and semi-reclusive. This is why she didn't do "more" and why she turned down the stage role. So sadly we were denied seeing her do more roles on TV etc - her own choice.

[pbamse]

Thanks for the update .

[harfarhs]

That's kinda ironic because JC had a very early start, first performing on TV when she was still studying at Cambridge. Very sorry to hear about her troubles..

[DorrisDiaz]

@sambda Thanks for that explanation, I've always wondered why she didn't fulfill a promising career and what happened to her.

[Atrineas]

@sambda I thought the reason she didn't accept the stage role was because she thought it would dimmish the impact of this version?

[Insane4189]

This song has been covered way to much. Most covers sound good.

But this one, really, touches your soul in every way. The emotion, the drama.. it's just perfection. ( yes normally perfection is boring, but not this one ).

This song, in my opinion, doesn't reflect just her story. But it reflects stories from alot of people.

This song is THE MOST legendary song ever.

[serenahawamdeh]

I love this song, and her version is the only one that I listen to!

[miketittley]

This is still the best version. I get goose bumps just listening to Julie.

[ngaitom09]

I couldn't remember how many time I had listened to this song singing by Julie covington in 1976. The original is always the best, so she's the best.

[harfarhs]

@ngaitom09 - the original is not "always the best", far from it, but JC really does nail this completely.

[tomburley]

@harfarhs By definition "the original" is always the best - it is the only version that is prformed the way the composer intended it to be performed. Other versions that come later are merely adaptations on someone elses composition, perhaps 'modernized' or enhanced to a greater or less extent - without an original you don't get versions.

More powerful singers often sound better and enhancements to the original score give a song a different characteristic but only the original has meaning

[harfarhs]

@tomburley - no, I'm afraid you're completely wrong. The composer has no monopoly on good ideas for arrangement, style of playing, etc. No-one think the Nerves' version of "Hanging on the Telephone" is better than Blondie's, even though (writer) Jack Lee was a member of the Nerves.

[23751]

Remember this being produced at Olympic Studios in Barnes, london..she is the best vocalist ever singing this song!!

[spassy13]

the only version:::::::::::::::

[hadagi0]

Julie Covington version excels the best

[czahnie]

This entire recording is a credit to Ms Covington's street fighting whore-of-a-performance!!!! Does anyone have the Buenos Aires or Rainbow High numbers?

[RickHarner]

Julie Covington and Paloma San Basilio are the best Evitas!

[Chutson353]

Nobody who has interpreted this role has done so as well as Julie Covington - it was a great loss to the musical theater that she did not accept the role on stage.

[dokontra]

The first version of Evita it far better than everything else.

[hectorhamish]

I remember the first time I heard this... many years ago! I have since heard numerous versions from many respected and talented artists... However... All have come up short: in fact, none have come close to the original! Julie Covington has no peer!

[dogssteve]

outstandingly astounding.

[23751]

I am sure this was recorded at the Olympic sound studios in Barnes, west london. Julie was fantastic singing on this

original album..I played it constantly.

[scubasurfski]

(Cont from my last comment) Elaine Paige had (still has) a great voice. But I would vote Julie Covington being the best in singing this song.

Thank you, pbmase, for posting this video. I remember seeing some of these pics on newspaper. And if I remember rightly these photos appeared on the 'Evita' musical I saw in London.

[scubasurfski]

I first heard this song on the radio in 1977. I taped it from the radio and kept listening to it. I have since lost that tape and I didn't know who it was who sang it so beautifully, until now.

When Evita was on stage in London I went to see it in 1982 (or 83?) but the name of the girl who played Evita did not register in my memory. All I could remember was that this Evita on stage did not sound like the one I heard on the radio. Now I know it was Elaine Paige whom I saw in the musical.

[Chatharsis]

If you saw Evita in 82 or 83 it wasn't Ms. Paige that you saw. She played the role for only 20 months after opening in June 1978.

[AppraiserVicki]

I've heard most versions of this song by the most famous artists, from Elaine Paige to Patti DuPone, from Madonna to even Olivia Newton-John. ABSOLUTELY NO ONE COMES EVEN CLOSE TO JULIE COVINGTON'S INTERPRETATION. Julie's nailed it perfect: vocals, power and feeling. Thank you, Julie. Your rendition is by far the best one ever.

[Carpentersfan2003]

The only other person that could be put at the same level of Julia Covington is the late Karen Carpenter.. but that is just my homble opinon

[ElaLa44]

@AppraiserVicki Julie did a splendid job singing this song. Her soft voice sounds almost flawless. Sarah Brightman's 1995 performance in Italy is also great. Please go to Raresbvideos and see for yourself. :)

[ljnrr]

@AppraiserVicki Yep, you got that right. Couldn't agree more

[Downtamun]

Princess of Argentina , I love you

[topspin1963]

Please someone post Julie singing Rainbow High, which was the B side of the single released in Australia in 1978.

[buffalopauln]

I think it must have been the B side on the UK single too, as my grandmother had it. Thats when I first heard it as a very young boy and fell in love with Julie's versions. I would dearly love to hear it too. Shame my gran's old records have all gone!!

[hectorhamish]

No-one has, or in my opinion, ever will, better or equal this performance. Julie Covington is in a league of her own. Outstanding!!!!

[cairnswk]

i agree wholeheartedly! hectorhamish.

Marvellous

[HARSHREALITYSLAP]

I've waited a long time for someone to do this justice.

This video is really, really good.

[cairnswk]

Definitely. A great collection of images.

[aizomc27]

Superb.... So much better than that other hag's version. Sends shivers up my spine everytime I hear it!! :D

[DRpokeme]

I brought this LP when it came out in my country. I feel in love with this version and feel that no other versin can match. Yes i know its a studio version, but hell, its soo bloody good..

[wichywoo]

one of the best songs ever and what a performance by julie it is the best in my opinion . very powerful emotional song . great

[furzkram]

That's the version that introduced this song to me, back in 77/78 ... later on it was really hard to find a trace of crediting her, as almost all only knew and mentioned Elaine Paige. But that was before the internet started, until even only a few years ago. Thanks god Julie is now better known and credited on the web ...

[BoratBrother]

when is Susan Boyle going to do this..Simon Cowell take note!!!!

[unihjelde]

I could'nt agree more!!

[mistyvermillion]

original and by far the best rendition.

[gobby04]

wow the power of Julie is awsome, sung with feeling, the best version ive ever heard by far.