I've been listening to the Patti LuPone 'Live' double CD which she released in 1993, recorded in Los Angeles as she was getting ready to leave for London ("Sunset Boulevard". I was previously familiar with LuPone from the 'Evita' and 'Anything Goes' cast albums, and was excited when she released this.
I'm not sure what it is, but there's always been something 'off' with this concert CD, as much as I try to really love it. Though her singing is as wonderful as can be, it seems she tries too hard to connect with her audience. I don't love the choice of songs, either - especially in Act 1.
(The very end when she quotes Norma Desmond, though, is breathtaking!).
I'm curious as to what others think of this CD. Is it one you play often (I listen to it every three or four years) ? Do you enjoy the CD?
Did anyone see this particular concert those two nights in LA (January 1993) ?
This album is actually one of my all time favorite Broadway performers in concert! I think the song selection is brilliant and the stories and such she put together with Scott Wittman were perfect!
Even though she is not my choice for Norma (I fall into the Glenn/Betty camp) I adore her as a performer. I think this album is great because it captures her at a time BEFORE the Sunset debacle while she was on a high that I think really soars on this recording.
I love the one intro where she mentions (paraphrasing) "The musical was based on Stud Terkel's book 'Working', written by Stephen Schwartz-What was thinking?!?!"
"The 54th Street[theatre] had a rep as. . .where old musicals went to die." -Smaxie
This is one of my favorite recordings of all time! Thanks for bringing it up! Her performance of Heaven is one of my favorite things ever. I should dig this up and give it a little remaster. I remember the quality was a bit off, the performance is vintage Patti though.
Isn't this essentially the same show she did at the Walter Kerr in '95, post-Sunset?
She did a costume bit where dresses from her shows were lowered from the flies and she explained them. When she got to Norma's, she hit it with a pointer, looked at the audience, and said, "I wish you could've seen me!"
Thank you for reminding me of this recording. I listened to it last night from start to finish. Her anecdotes on the 6 month preview tour of "The Baker's Wife" left me in tears!!! Priceless stuff!
Also, for anyone who's wondering- this entire live album is on Spotify! Just search Patti LuPone Live and the full 2 disc recording is available in glorious form.
nmartin said: "Isn't this essentially the same show she did at the Walter Kerr in '95, post-Sunset?
She did a costume bit where dresses from her shows were lowered from the flies and she explained them. When she got to Norma's, she hit it with a pointer, looked at the audience, and said, "I wish you could've seen me!""
I think the Bway show was based on this one, and it was also recorded for PBS. But I hadn't heard/seen the dress bit! I'd be curious if there were other differences.
I really want to love this album, and there are some songs which blow me away - but I'm still not enjoying it as a whole. 'The dress' sequence comes across as 'too scripted' for me (though everyone here seems to enjoy this) though I do laugh out loud every time I hear her talk about the '25 people' who were scattered throughout the Kennedy Center Theater for 'The Robber Bridegroom'.
Is the PBS performance available on DVD? I didn't know she did a performance back then for PBS.
David10086 said: "I guess I'm the odd man out on this one! LOL
I really want to love this album, and there are some songs which blow me away - but I'm still not enjoying it as a whole. 'The dress' sequence comes across as 'too scripted' for me (though everyone here seems to enjoy this) though I do laugh out loud every time I hear her talk about the '25 people' who were scattered throughout the Kennedy Center Theater for 'The Robber Bridegroom'.
The '"25 people" who were scattered throughout the Kennedy Center Theater was for "The Baker's Wife."
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Posted: 8/20/19 at 10:25pm