Unexpected Song

[th]

Does anyone know why the music experts would allow the last note of Bernadette singing "Unexpected Song" on the "Song and Dance" cd stay the way it was(which was way bad)? I have always wondered that. I have heard her sing it live a couple of times and she nails it. Just wondering

[spiderdj82]

no clue. But the best version of that song I have EVER HEARD, is anthony warlow's version (Yes, him again ). His last note is like God's gift to humanity.

[musicaltheatreman]

where can i here his version of the song?? thanks :)

[spiderdj82]

musicaltheatreman, I just pm'd you. :)

[jo]

This is one of my favourite songs from ALW.

I classify this, together with HALF A MOMENT, as one of his lesser known compositions but very pleasurable to listen to.

[eyeonbroadway]

That's a special song to me and my blood curdles when I hear Bernadette sing it on Song and Dance! It's painful!

[lvpblues]

I think she hits that last note much MUCH better in "Hey, Mr. Producer!"

[MegGiry]

Denise van Outen's rendition brought tears to my eyes!!!

Meg

[Paul LW]

Haha YES!
When I saw her LIVE at Interlochen a few years ago...
It was like
"...an unexpected song...that..only...we are...heeee---- (pick any random REALLY high note that does not harmonize or fit)))----ing!"
We all kinda looked at each other like..."what?"

silly silly...

[spiderdj82]

If anyone would like to hear Anthony Warlow's version of UNEXPECTED SONG, just PM me and tell me your AIM and I can try to send it to you over the internet. I have only found one place on the internet that has a clip and it is only 20 seconds long and doesn't have the last note.

[lvpblues]

Out of curiosity, when Betty Buckley replaced Bernadette on Broadway, did she go for the high Gb?

[Broadway Matt]

kinda like when Linda Eder sings "Man of La Mancha" live and doesn't quite make it to that crazy high note.

[spiderdj82]

SHE ROCKS THAT SONG on her cd. Whew!!

[musicaltheatreman]

watch my favorite broadway the leading ladies and linda eder hits that high note like nobodys busness!!!!! it aswome!!!! :)

[starlyricist]

yeah...the linda eder performance is one of my favs!

[MargoChanning]

Bernadette's performance in "Song & Dance" was truly remarkable. The role was a killer -- an hour of uninterrupted singing eight times a week. Her performance of "Unexpected Song" in the theatre was near flawless, as I remember, but it certainly was a struggle, so I'm guessing that whatever she did or didn't do on the cast album (it's been a while since I've listened to the LP -- that's right, children, I have it on VINYL which was the only way it came out in them old days), was the result of Bernadette doing what she could with a very tired voice (they probably recorded the cast album on her only day off that week). When she won the Tony, I remember her thanking her vocal coach, saying she couldn't possibly do 8 shows a week without her.

The thing I remember most about the show, though, was her performance of "Tell Me On A Sunday" -- Bernadette, sitting destroyed, crumpled and alone on the floor in the corner of her apartment, tears streaming down her face before the song even began, nose running, voice cracking with emotion, quietly beginning to sing the song, very slowly at first, and then building in power verse by verse, and simply soaring with passion by the end -- it was truly a performing moment to remember.

[NYSinger1]

Sarah Brightman does a great rendition of Unexpected Song as well. It isn't so "broadway" but it is really good.

[InTheMoney]

UNEXPECTED SONG is on Anthony's ACT ONE cd. Must agree with you Spiderdj - it is FANTASTIC!

[DAME]

I have hear tha the album was recorded at the same time she was filmig the tv version of Sunday in The park and doing Song And Dance at night.

Linda does in fact hit the highest notes from La Mancha in concert. Having seen her do it dozens of times, I can say that I have never heard her miss the note at all.

[ponine24601]

howard mcgillin does a GREAT rendition of this song on his cd.

[Broadway Matt]

of the 4 times I've seen Linda in concert, she's 2 and 2. she's hit the highest notes twice and skipped them twice. don't get me wrong, I think she's an amazingly talented singer and i don't expect her to be a machine. this is just nitpicky stuff that sticks with me because I always look forward to that song and the audience reaction when she does hit that high note.

[onlylisab]

Every time I have heard Linda, she gets the note and it just sails! I love it! As for Bernadette, her "Hey Mr Producer" performance was just phenomenal. I only know that version, not her supposed yucky note. Interesting...
However, the reaction some of you are having is similar to mine during Stephanie D'Abruzzo's note at the end of "Fine Fine Line".

[rockfenris2005]

I am passionately in love with Bernadette Peters and anything she does! She is just, when I think about it, the face of true Broadway success and glamour

[Janki]

MegGiry...as much as I hate to say this...why did Denise Van Outens version of that song bring tears to your eyes....she didn't event hit the high note....the two songs I LOVED her singing was "Somewhere, Someplace, Sometime" and "Ready made life"....she was amazing in the show and I hope we'll see her back on stage in London or New York soon!!!