What is amazing is the balance between humour / poignancy / bitterness/ almost tears . The song works on many levels and Elaine Stritch captured each one.
Not a single gesture, expression or intonation is without purpose or out of character or the drift of the lyric. This is a singular argument for employing a veteran to do the heavy lifting. it takes decades to get this good.
She wasn’t even trying here, which I think is what made it her most exquisite performance of all time. She set that top on the table, gave it a spin and let it spin all on its own without trying to “help it” spin. Just positively exquisite….
I watched her earliest recorded version, then this. It’s amazing the compassion for every kind of woman in the second. Her age and wisdom make the performance so perfect. What an incredible talent.
In many ways it is a cruel song, but it is elevated by sympathy, understanding and a very deep empathy. A great song performed by one very great performer. Brava Elaine.
I consider this to be her very best performance of this song - perhaps the best of all time. The delivery is so visceral, you feel the pain and darkness this character is experiencing. Contrast that with Elaine’s dry humor and *exceptional* comedic timing, and you have a rare piece of artwork here. Perhaps by this time, Elaine really had it dialed in. Then again, perhaps Carnegie Hall just does that to people.
Probably one of the best live performances ever. She was a gift. And this song is unflinching in its deep, investigative nature. Fun, funny, and very deep, which makes it even more clever. Sondheim was a genius. So was Stritch. No one played this role like she did.
Elaine was once asked if she gets tired of singing this. She responded “when Sondheim writes you a song, you sing the damn song”. Nobody has yet performed this classic with more empathy, humor, and poignancy.
I met MS Stritch in CT at a hotel where a colleage and I were staying and she was just checking in for her week long performance.....and then I was sooo lucky to see her in LA during her 'at liberty' show. .....I'm lucky
Remember, clearly..sitting at home and watching this 'live' on PBS....and thinking of friends who had seen Ms Stritch perform this on Broadway....she was Excellent....The friends who had seen her performance, stated that this performance, was close to the original. But that in its setting, on stage...DYNAMITE.!! This song is so on-point a critique of that segment of Upper New York Society, ( or of Many others)....and the 'need' to continue to 'drink' just to blind yourself to it, because in ' their eyes'....everybody else, wants to RISE....and be a part of it.
Always loved this number and also when she sang, "I'm Still Here" from Follies. She used to appear on Theater Talk on NY PBS before moving back to her birthplace Detroit shortly before her death. definitely one of a kind!
In re-, re-watching this masterpiece from a Maven, does anyone else sense that under most of the 'bitter' albeit subtle commentary that the character is singing about. That there is still a level of admiration for the 'Survivors'. the 'dinosaurs' who become the 'matrons' or 'elderly matrons', be they straight or gay; who by their tenure, affix themselves in the 'Society Collums' of the 'Times' or "Town & Country". Her angst seems to be more of if she stays put, with in this social strata....just which one of 'these ladies who Lunch', will she become?
She’s the last one she sings about. She gets the pain when she turns the Ken’s on herself. She’s the one who just watches. And drinks scotch. It’s a brilliant monologue. Humanizes her.
@@fergusmurray1828 Indeed :-) The writer didn't like her at the audition and that was before she decided to ad lib by adding some f-bombs to the script.
Just a note to anyone who might want to sing this. Feel free, you’re an amateur or professional by all means. You were saying it for a school play or at the New York metropolitan opera please do. But just know one thing. You will never, ever sing it with as much meaning or drama as this lady! Let there be no mistake just so you know!
@@drstranger7430 What else would be expected from someone like @cindyr3793 ? She wrote a typical comment representative of a person with a feeble mind, without any sense of empathy for anyone or any feeling for life outside of her own pathetic bubble, who knows nothing about the performing arts or culture nor has any appreciation for real, developed talent, let alone knows anything about the specific dramatic context in which the song comes in the order of things in the particular show that the song was written for. That's what class-less ignorant people like her do, probably because that's all they can do. It's sadly pathetic in that she can't even properly put together a sentence that only has eight words.
@websurfin9575 She was cast by Stephen Sondheim, considered one of the toughest critics of performers, and praised by him because she knew how to act the lyrics. She’s singing words - telling a story - not hitting notes.
What is amazing is the balance between humour / poignancy / bitterness/ almost tears . The song works on many levels and Elaine Stritch captured each one.
ლ,
ლ,ლმმ
If you've ever seen a performance in person, you know this for sure!
well. she got it right the first time. one would think an amazing performer could do it again. she is kinda talented after all.
She was a powerhouse, love me some Elaine!
Not a single gesture, expression or intonation is without purpose or out of character or the drift of the lyric. This is a singular argument for employing a veteran to do the heavy lifting. it takes decades to get this good.
She was absolutely amazing
Well said.👍
Word. She’s deliberate, unflappable - that’s what skill, talent, and experience look like.
She wasn’t even trying here, which I think is what made it her most exquisite performance of all time. She set that top on the table, gave it a spin and let it spin all on its own without trying to “help it” spin. Just positively exquisite….
I think I should use the part where she sings "Rise," as my alarm in the morning.
hahahahahhha
One step ahead of you there
She's singing that to a penis but suit yourself honey!
Funny! And you'd WANT to get up!
Hahahahahaahahahaah
I watched her earliest recorded version, then this. It’s amazing the compassion for every kind of woman in the second. Her age and wisdom make the performance so perfect. What an incredible talent.
Rest in piece Elaine. Only you bring the gravitas this song deserves.
And, she brings the absolute disdain for "the ladies" they all deserve. She was in every way a great dame!
Perfect words!
In many ways it is a cruel song, but it is elevated by sympathy, understanding and a very deep empathy. A great song performed by one very great performer. Brava Elaine.
Elaine version so apt by one hell of a performer
I consider this to be her very best performance of this song - perhaps the best of all time. The delivery is so visceral, you feel the pain and darkness this character is experiencing. Contrast that with Elaine’s dry humor and *exceptional* comedic timing, and you have a rare piece of artwork here. Perhaps by this time, Elaine really had it dialed in. Then again, perhaps Carnegie Hall just does that to people.
her aaaaaaaaaaaahh is the most untouchable part. i havent heard one attack it like her
C.HER.STORY That's what I sound like when I stub my toe. I just can't do it on command like she can.
because it's a dude. Take a closer look. A man in drag, like most all of the A-list broadway "broads"
Probably one of the best live performances ever. She was a gift. And this song is unflinching in its deep, investigative nature. Fun, funny, and very deep, which makes it even more clever. Sondheim was a genius. So was Stritch. No one played this role like she did.
Man, I wish I had seen her do this. Have just loved this song for so many years. What delivery. She isn't to be replaced.
She's gorgeous and so is her suit.
Dior
Love your suit.
Elaine was once asked if she gets tired of singing this. She responded “when Sondheim writes you a song, you sing the damn song”. Nobody has yet performed this classic with more empathy, humor, and poignancy.
Each time she sang this, it got better and better. The meaning deeper and deeper. Am amazing talent.
The late great ... MARVELOUS Elaine Stritch! What a career and life. And so damn funny. She is missed... RIP
Love her! This version of this song of my favorite because she nails every nuance. What a gift she was!
Masterpiece of song sung by a remarkable performer.
Such talent . They just don’t make em like this anymore. Fabulous. 🥰
I met MS Stritch in CT at a hotel where a colleage and I were staying and she was just checking in for her week long performance.....and then I was sooo lucky to see her in LA during her 'at liberty' show. .....I'm lucky
An amazing talent that will now live forever.
Remember, clearly..sitting at home and watching this 'live' on PBS....and thinking of friends who had seen Ms Stritch perform this on Broadway....she was Excellent....The friends who had seen her performance, stated that this performance, was close to the original. But that in its setting, on stage...DYNAMITE.!! This song is so on-point a critique of that segment of Upper New York Society, ( or of Many others)....and the 'need' to continue to 'drink' just to blind yourself to it, because in ' their eyes'....everybody else, wants to RISE....and be a part of it.
YES! It's so ineffably sad, it makes me cry. It also makes me realize how very fortunate i have been never to have a part of it.
Oh. My. God! Love her. Love this! She has completely absorbed this song and then explodes it out like a nuclear bomb to the heart.
This ladies and gentlemen is what's called: Sheer Perfection. 👏 Hope Elaine and Stephen are toasting each other in heaven. 🙏
One word for her style: Guile. She never missed a beat.
I met here once in New Haven and saw her perform '.....at Liberty...' in Century City. Elaine is truly a Broadway treasure
Miss you Elaine!
Always loved this number and also when she sang, "I'm Still Here" from Follies. She used to appear on Theater Talk on NY PBS before moving back to her birthplace Detroit shortly before her death. definitely one of a kind!
I miss you Ms. Stritch!!!!
This is like my fav version
I see my gran, Joan, a wonderful pianist in this. I wonder what her voice would’ve been like. English-American and glamorous……..
I love this song
Wowww Elaine what a girl you were
Brilliant.
I love it
My spirit animal
So nice...
In re-, re-watching this masterpiece from a Maven, does anyone else sense that under most of the 'bitter' albeit subtle commentary that the character is singing about. That there is still a level of admiration for the 'Survivors'. the 'dinosaurs' who become the 'matrons' or 'elderly matrons', be they straight or gay; who by their tenure, affix themselves in the 'Society Collums' of the 'Times' or "Town & Country". Her angst seems to be more of if she stays put, with in this social strata....just which one of 'these ladies who Lunch', will she become?
...or is already.
She’s the last one she sings about. She gets the pain when she turns the Ken’s on herself. She’s the one who just watches. And drinks scotch. It’s a brilliant monologue. Humanizes her.
And doing it "up in the key" 28 years after the original cast album was recorded.
The Bad microphone... didn't help. I'm surprised she didn't Stop. But..she Killed it.
Loveee
Perfection
According to Sondheim, when Elaine first heard this song, she thought 'a piece of Mahler's' was a pastry.
What is it?
A piece of music by the composer Gustav Mahler@@kymanim.1381
A little trivia. Elaine turned the role as Dorothy in The Golden Girl's. She said it was a big mistake in her career.
She didn’t turn it down, she often said she botched the audition.
@@fergusmurray1828 Indeed :-) The writer didn't like her at the audition and that was before she decided to ad lib by adding some f-bombs to the script.
Hi
Ouch that first note 😆 I’m guessing she couldn’t hear herself properly!! Cause that’s not typical of this great lady!
3:44
Jordan Peckham when I get to school and think about all the homework I forgot to do
I when
Just a note to anyone who might want to sing this. Feel free, you’re an amateur or professional by all means. You were saying it for a school play or at the New York metropolitan opera please do. But just know one thing. You will never, ever sing it with as much meaning or drama as this lady! Let there be no mistake just so you know!
wtf is wrong with the miking?
This was a transwomen making fun of women
Cindy, your bible says to love one another, not to bring people down. Yall really are the biggest hypocrites.
@@drstranger7430 What else would be expected from someone like @cindyr3793 ? She wrote a typical comment representative of a person with a feeble mind, without any sense of empathy for anyone or any feeling for life outside of her own pathetic bubble, who knows nothing about the performing arts or culture nor has any appreciation for real, developed talent, let alone knows anything about the specific dramatic context in which the song comes in the order of things in the particular show that the song was written for. That's what class-less ignorant people like her do, probably because that's all they can do. It's sadly pathetic in that she can't even properly put together a sentence that only has eight words.
Elaine has an awful singing voice! She must have had other talents of some kind?
JAJAJAJAAJ UNO QUE NO ENETNDIO nadaaaaaaaaaaa!
JAJAJAJA QUEEEEE, está loco! jajajajaja
Maybe you could learn something about the musical theater and who's in it and why before you just go off and make a total fool of yourself too.
@@bblegacy BURP! You feel better now?!
@websurfin9575 She was cast by Stephen Sondheim, considered one of the toughest critics of performers, and praised by him because she knew how to act the lyrics. She’s singing words - telling a story - not hitting notes.