@@scottw9318 ??? I don't think they really care about the actual face looking the same in musical theater unless it's somehow relevant to the plot. That's more of a film thing. The women that have played Eponine all look very different. Or the actresses who played Eurydice in Hadestown, also different. Unless there's a line where Valjean goes "ah, Alas! My older bearded white stalker has found me again" and I missed it.
My personal favourite - Colm Wilkinson. There's something unique to his voice that I can't really describe and if literally anyone else tried to sing the way he does, it would sound awful. But there's something special about him that I don't know how to describe. Objectively the best - Alfie Boe. He sings it in such a healthy and supportive way that it sounds easy that almost doesn't sound that impressive. I notice that people tend to be more impressed when it's obvious that the singer is really trying hard to get a high note because they can hear the effort. For Alfie Boe, it's so easy for him that you don't hear any effort and he just nails it. It almost makes you forget that it is in fact a very high note to sing
davy21 Colm is probably my favorite as well and his little squeak or cut off at the end of it is great lol! Alfie is a powerful tenor and shows it with that note and rightly so he is powerful but I do get what you are saying in the underdog sense of achieving a note that sounds hard to the individual or that takes considerable more effort
The part was actually written for Colm Wilkinson’s voice. It’s a rock opera voice, that’s why he sounds so good singing it. It’s not a true tenor voice which is why Alfie Bo can sing it so well but it doesn’t quite sound right.
C'mon. It's Colm Wilkinson always and forever. He Is Jean Valjean. And the way he does it, it's not opera sounding, it's not forced. It's just perfect.
Timestamps for convenience! (*'s indicate ones i liked) 0:13 Colm Wilkinson * 0:33 Daniel Koek * 0:53 Ivan Rutherford 1:13 Jerzy Jeszke 1:31 Jeff Leyton 1:51 J. Mark McVey 2:13 Ben Platt 2:25 Zac Hamilton * 2:46 Stig Rossen 3:09 Christopher Jacobson 3:29 Victor Hawks 3:46 Ron Sharpe 4:05 Geronimo Rauch 4:24 Alexander Gemignani 4:46 David Gaschen 5:08 Leo Wagner 5:27 Phil Cavill 5:49 Drew Sarich 6:09 Rene Van Kooten 6:26 Adam Bayjou * 6:47 Xavier Mauconduit 7:07 Peter Lockyer 7:26 Jonathan Williams * 7:44 David Shannon 8:00 Chris Murray 8:21 Carlos Vittori 8:43 Killian Donnelly 9:03 Randal Keith * 9:24 Daniel Diges 9:46 John Owen-Jones * 10:06 Hugh Jackman 10:24 Alfie Boe * 10:45 Ramin Karimloo *
Randal Keith at 9:10 had the best staging imo, the way he turns back to face the audience and his coat swoops around like a cape adds to the epic feeling of this reveal
I love Colm Wilkinson, Ramin Karimloo, and Alfie Boe, but my favorite John Owen Jones. He’s so emotional and he always gives me chills when he beats his high notes
I'm of the opinion that Alfie Boe took the ending of the sing to a new level entirely. He just added a more operatic tone to the final note, opening the vowel and adding some killer friggin vibrato. Colm Wilkinson also took the song in a crazy direction with his sharp vocals and incredible range. He made Valjean seem much more desperate and urgent almost as if he were screaming to let the man go. Each iteration is immaculate and this is probably one of the best songs in the musical.
TIMESTAMPS! You're welcome. :) Colm Wilkinson: 0:14 Daniel Koek: 0:33 Ivan Rutherford: 0:54 Jerzy Jeszke: 1:13 Jeff Leyton: 1:31 J. Mark McVey: 1:51 Ben Platt: 2:14 Zac Hamilton: 2:25 Stig Rossen: 2:45 Christopher Jacobson: 3:09 Victor Hawks: 3:28 Ron Sharpe: 3:46 Geronimo Rauch: 4:05 Alexander Gemignani: 4:25 Daniel Gaschen: 4:46 Leo Wagner: 5:08 Phil Cavill: 5:28 Drew Sarich: 5:49 Rene Van Kooten: 6:10 Adam Bayjou: 6:27 Xavier Mauconduit: 6:48 Peter Lockyer: 7:06 Jonathan Williams: 7:26 David Shannon: 7:46 Chris Murray: 8:01 Carlos Vittori: 8:21 Killian Donnelly: 8:43 Randal Keith: 9:04 Daniel Diges: 9:25 John Owen-Jones: 9:46 Hugh Jackman: 10:06 Alfie Boe: 10:24 Ramin Karimloo: 10:45
The clarity of the videos and the quality of sound make it truly impossible to judge equally. All were amazing. Art is not meant to be sport. It's not about who "wins." We all win when simply experience their craft. That's enough!
@@sparklybutter23seriously. Alfie is the end all Valjean. He is spectacular. I could listen to him sing me the dang phone book and be mesmerized by that voice. 🤣
You should do the male part in season of love where he goes “in truth that she learns or in times when he cries, in bridges she burned or the way that she dies.” A who sang it best would be so good.
I recently saw Colm at a concert and he came out in his Jean Val Jean jacket and he sang all of his songs from les mis and oh my goodness it was the most amazing experience ever. He just had so much passion and power in his voice, I wept I’ve always loved Colm and it was something I’ll never forget
I had an crush on Ramin Karimloo.. He sings so clear and so right the notes he look, point and do so right ... I don't know what to say... Leo Wagner it's the same, i'm Brazilian and I watched live Leo Wagner .. it's brilliant 💪
my old teacher and i always used to argue about whether colm wilkinsion or alfie boe was a better jean valjean. i am a staunch supporter of the 10th anniversary cast being the best, she is a fan of the 25th anniversary cast
The whole cast? Jonas included-b/c that’s wild/just flatly wrong. (Imo, 25th Jean Valjean, Javert, Cossette, Marius, and Eponine > 10th and 10th Enjorlas and Grantaire > 25th-Though Maguire and Crivello are brilliant.)
Eduardo M. okay but lea salonga is the best eponine ever, she revitalized the role completely and anyone who plays her is basing their performance off of her
Pretty sure Colm mixed it. There were at least a few of these Valjeans that actually chested the B, and well. Colm is definitely unique and deserving of praise, but he’s certainly not significantly better than half of these other Valjeans, and he’s not better than about a quarter of them. This of course all depends on what we’re qualifying “good” as technically, because a vast majority of them are talented to the point where it becomes personal preference. 😅
This might just be a personal preference, but it feels so much more natural for the final note to be belted in a lower voice- the falsetto feels like it takes the tension and just kind of lets it go rather than let it resolve. The Full Symphonic International Cast Recording (with Gary Morris as JVJ) will always be my fave :)
Italia Ponticorvo his acting is pretty good and his singing is decent.. but he did not fit the role of Jean ValJean... and to me he didn’t have as much vocal range needed for ValJean
Colm Wilkinson IS Valjean in my heart, no one else can come close, although there is some amazing talent in all of these performers. Just the way Colm Wilkinson hits each number like it's a curse word. Peter Lockyer is my second favorite.
I love when they sing it straight tone then vibrato, it's so much more satisfying. I get some singers are classically bel canto trained so it's straight up vibrato, plus it's a healthy way of approaching the note. BUT I love the straight tone, it's....just better y'all.
Definitely Alfie Boe. Both him and Colm were the only ones who seemed to have full control of the note, and Alfie's overall execution was better in my opinion. Also, half the guys either screamed it or used falsetto. And one guy was flat. edit: Yeah, after looking at it again, I was kinda wrong. Boe was still the best, but Colm was a little forced. I'm honestly a little surprised at how 'meh' most of these singers were. There were some good ones (and a small handful of GREAT ones), but most were just kinda meh.
@@berkaysunal5216 I'm not saying that they're the only two who could control their voices. What I'm saying is that they were the only two who seemed to have complete control of the NOTE. I'm not really dissing any of the vocalists here (except for the guy who slid into it, since the slide wasn't well-done). That last note is hard to sing, much less have even sufficient control over. I know from experience how hard it is to sing (I practiced and sang it for an audition and belted it). Those two vocalists in my opinion have the best control of the note; both had perfect or near-perfect resonance, well-formed and firm vibrato, proper diaphragm support and sustain, good tone quality, and proper expression (which is extremely hard to do with such a high note). Again, not saying that nobody else could control their voice, just that those two had the best control of the note.
I wonder if part of it was because they didn't have to act out the scene since theirs' were in concert settings (granted one or two others were also at concerts).
Alfie Bowe is the closest to keeping the integrity of the words. His classical technique also allows for more CORE in his tone. His technique alone puts him way above anyone else. If your a Colm fan and like that spread "mix" up top then Karimloo and Colm are your guys.
They are five that made me eargasm: - Colm Wilkinson - Daniel Koek - Drew Sarich - Randal Keith - Ramin Karimloo Their projection of "OooOoOOOOooOoooonnNNNNNNNNnNeeeEEE" was exceptionally resonant!
Ramin is my favorite, but this wasn't the best video of him. Also, I'm glad Hugh Jackman sang it in a lower key because although it wasn't as impressive, he stayed in a range that was good for his voice. Anytime singers try going out of their range, it never sounds well.
For those who don’t know, just to clarify Ben Platts performance was in his senior year in high school! So considering it was a high school theatre production, I’m going to assume out of all the other students he had the best vocal range to sustain the role, wether or not his tone actually works with the character. But his rendition in the same show of god on high is fantastic, look it up for a much better song then him singing this ^^
Alfie Boe is amazing! I showed my mom this video. She agreed he is the best one. I showed her the 25th anniversary Les Mis concert and at the parts where he belts, it seemed so effortless!
Oh my GOSH I was not expecting that 😂😂 *claps hand to heart and reels off chair* And that was only the first one: Colm!! He’s incredible. SO much emotion in his vocals.
Say what you will but I will *NEVER* get over the way Ramin handles crescendos; starting smooth and finishing with vibrato to add power is just...*chef’s kiss*
First of all: YAAAS THANKS FOR THIS VIDEO. Colm Wilkinson, Daniel Koek, Ron Sharpe, Leo Wagner and Adamn Bayjou were my favorites, because i really like when the singer just scream out the last note and don't try to sing it like an opera high note.
As a musical theatre lay person just wandering in here I have to say Alfie Boe did it best. His voice sounded very clear as well as strong. Many others sounded thin, strained, or flat on the last note, and because of that were not able to convey the emotion of the moment fully.
It’s because he turns or covers the note and doesn’t “belt it” keeping his larynx down. You’ll hear many of them are flat or not quite in the pitch. Some of them, like Colm, blends the note a bit with his head voice or falsetto but not completely allowing it to be more free yet still have a bit of power. People will not like what Boe does because it is an operatic approach but ultimately it’s the most healthy way to approach a full voice tenor B natural.
Oh my gosh, I LOVE that this exists, what a pleasure. This is such a fantastic moment in the show and there are some GREAT deliveries here, but I gotta go Colm Wilkinson. The part was written for him and it shows. Beautiful renditions though!
I want you all, if you please, to picture Wilkinson, Boe, Jackman, and Platt all singing Bring Him Home (completely different styles all). With no context, I would guess the first three were heroic, paternal figures trying to save a young man from danger (correctly, obvs). I'd assume Platt was singing about kidnapping a toddler from a playground lol. Especially if he made those deranged faces like in the evan hansen movie!
I love that you included Drew Sarich! Colm will always be my favorite Jean Valjean:) So many talented performers have played this role and I love so many of them!
Had the pleasure of seeing Ramin in Toronto before he left NY… sang bring him home while sitting… only broadway show I’ve been too where the whole audience gave a standing ovation in the middle of the play. Incredible
I saw Randal Keith many years ago during the US tour. I actually saw the show about 3 times while it was in my city (student ticket prices!). I remember that I, ignorantly, felt disappointed the normal Valjean wasn't going to be on for one of the shows - I thought the understudy couldn't be as good. The understudy was Randal Keith. And I loved him so much when he took the stage, he was amazing and I was wondering why he wasn't the main. The clip above doesn't do him justice, he was truly amazing. Colm Wilkinson will always be my favorite in this role, but Randal Keith deserves a thanks for the show he put on.
I'm just focusing on the sound of the last note. I like a strong start with a powerful resonant straight belt that leads into delayed vibrato sustained for at least an equal amount of time. The vibrato should be consistent in amplitude and pitch variance (without sounding wobbly or like they're being shaken). None manage to sing it in that style (but that's my own personal preference and not a slight to their skill and talent). 0:13 Colm Wilkinson - decent but with shallow vibrato and slight tremolo 0:33 Daniel Koek - strong but wide/wobbly vibrato 0:53 Ivan Rutherford - shallow and the note is too short 1:13 Jerzy Jeszke - unstable 1:31 Jeff Leyton - weak sounding, like it needs everything raised up a notch 1:51 J. Mark McVey - weak and wobbles towards the end 2:13 Ben Platt - too much tremolo (the "I" is fine but the "one" is not) 2:25 Zac Hamilton - strong but a bit unstable 2:46 Stig Rossen - huh... sounds like he pulled a muscle and squeezed out a squirm 3:09 Christopher Jacobson - decent start but the ending is lacking 3:29 Victor Hawks - started well but oh dear 3:46 Ron Sharpe - decent 4:05 Geronimo Rauch - strong but straight 4:24 Alexander Gemignani - thin placement and shallow vibrato, a bit unstable 4:46 David Gaschen - OK 5:08 Leo Wagner - strong and expressive but straight 5:27 Phil Cavill - thin vowel placement with shallow vibrato, but the only one with the right balance of straight/vibrato 5:49 Drew Sarich - excellent, a shame the recording isn't better 6:09 Rene Van Kooten - strong but a bit short and shallow 6:26 Adam Bayjou - strong but straight 6:47 Xavier Mauconduit - classical but thin and struggling with wobble 7:07 Peter Lockyer - OK, but vibrato is slightly too strong relative to the belt 7:26 Jonathan Williams - very strong but straight 7:44 David Shannon - vibrato cut short 8:00 Chris Murray - decent with an expressive end 8:21 Carlos Vittori - strong start but the ending is lacking 8:43 Killian Donnelly - vibrato is far too strong relative to the belt 9:03 Randal Keith - strong straight belt (slightly flat) but the delayed vibrato is too short/late 9:24 Daniel Diges - delayed vibrato is too late and wobbly 9:46 John Owen-Jones - strong straight belt but the delayed vibrato is too short/late 10:06 Hugh Jackman - key is lowered, but decent for his own voice recorded in a film context 10:24 Alfie Boe - the most technically proficient B4 and best classical Valjean 10:45 Ramin Karimloo - not his best and his vibrato wobbles on these higher notes
Yeah, Wilkinson and Boe arguably did it best... but are we just going to ignore Drew Sarich? I had never heard of him before right now, but that treble was INCREDIBLE, gave me MAJOR goosebumps.
Ok John, Carlos, Alfie and Daniel stepped on NECKS. Period. And I love Ramin, but this was not it. I really just did not like that scoop into the note. Not for this style and not for this role. You gotta hit it head on like a hammer. We’re not scooping ice cream. But hey I still love him lol
Allan Yarahmady lol let them. I’m a whole music major so technique is key. He hit the note but he shouldn’t have to scoop into it like that lmao not the style for this particular show lmaoooooooo
For me, it has to be Colm. In general, I think the 10th Anniversary concert is probably the best version of Les Mis that there is. Alfie Boe is a close second. Gaschen at 5:01 is pretty excellent, despite the absolutely hideous costume. Vittori at 8:23 gets points for passion and cheekbones.
Colm will always hold a special place in my heart. I was also captivated by Ramin's version. His stance alone on the last note was so powerful, not to mention his amazing voice. I also liked David Koek's voice.
Ineffable intro
Extra as fuck
so spoopy
I LEGITIMATELY SAID WTF OUT LOUD CUZ I WAS LIKE- GOOD OMENS??? IN A MISTER GOLIGHTLY VIDEO?? ITS MORE LIKELY THAN YOU THINK UPSWILVWDLVUWD
I LOVE MY INEFFABLE HUSBANDS
Is that Dylan Saunders as pincer’s laugh
I wish our brains didn't get desensitized by repeated words because now all I hear is
"two four six oooOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA"
TeamPokepals76 after reading this it’s all I hear now
Oh, thank you VERY much for that.
At some point I stopped hearing it and just sat there thinking "...are they all white? Weird. A lot of them look the same too" for some reason
@@morley364 They are playing the same character - of course they are going to look the same.
@@scottw9318 ??? I don't think they really care about the actual face looking the same in musical theater unless it's somehow relevant to the plot. That's more of a film thing. The women that have played Eponine all look very different. Or the actresses who played Eurydice in Hadestown, also different. Unless there's a line where Valjean goes "ah, Alas! My older bearded white stalker has found me again" and I missed it.
I just watched 11 minutes of different people singing the same verse over and over again
That's what this channel does to you!
as you do
Welcome to Mr. GoLightly. Love this channel.
It's so interesting seeing the exact same staging with different actors
Seraphim 2703 likely the same ‘production’ being done in different countries, like when Broadway goes on tour it’s basically an exact copy
can't tell if this is sarcastic LMAO
My personal favourite - Colm Wilkinson. There's something unique to his voice that I can't really describe and if literally anyone else tried to sing the way he does, it would sound awful. But there's something special about him that I don't know how to describe.
Objectively the best - Alfie Boe. He sings it in such a healthy and supportive way that it sounds easy that almost doesn't sound that impressive. I notice that people tend to be more impressed when it's obvious that the singer is really trying hard to get a high note because they can hear the effort. For Alfie Boe, it's so easy for him that you don't hear any effort and he just nails it. It almost makes you forget that it is in fact a very high note to sing
davy21 Colm is probably my favorite as well and his little squeak or cut off at the end of it is great lol! Alfie is a powerful tenor and shows it with that note and rightly so he is powerful but I do get what you are saying in the underdog sense of achieving a note that sounds hard to the individual or that takes considerable more effort
I totally agree. There is a reason they played Valjean at the anniversary concerts!
I skipped all the way to Alfie Boe because I knew it would be the best
Amen!!
The part was actually written for Colm Wilkinson’s voice. It’s a rock opera voice, that’s why he sounds so good singing it. It’s not a true tenor voice which is why Alfie Bo can sing it so well but it doesn’t quite sound right.
Ben Platt’s clip was kinda sorta very cursed
Yes
I mean, maybe an unpopular opinion (maybe not idk) but Ben Platt is overrated. I think he's very talented but honestly not my favourite by a longshot.
@@Kristiekins2he’s a great singer but just miscast here lol. Can’t separate him enough from Evan to see him as Valjean
C'mon. It's Colm Wilkinson always and forever. He Is Jean Valjean. And the way he does it, it's not opera sounding, it's not forced. It's just perfect.
Ramin does it quite well too though **must always protecc celeb crush*
Yasss Colm Wilkinson
YES AND AMEN
AsiaMs Alfie and Ramin are pretty amazing but Colm will always be Valjean to me
@@synnvelange7062 He does everything quite well
*I came at the speed of musical theatre nerd*
what kind of came ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
David Ro why would you even go there?
@@dav9612 sweet jesus😂
@@katelynglass9145 it's called a theatre nut 😩
@@dav9612 WEEZE
Timestamps for convenience! (*'s indicate ones i liked)
0:13 Colm Wilkinson *
0:33 Daniel Koek *
0:53 Ivan Rutherford
1:13 Jerzy Jeszke
1:31 Jeff Leyton
1:51 J. Mark McVey
2:13 Ben Platt
2:25 Zac Hamilton *
2:46 Stig Rossen
3:09 Christopher Jacobson
3:29 Victor Hawks
3:46 Ron Sharpe
4:05 Geronimo Rauch
4:24 Alexander Gemignani
4:46 David Gaschen
5:08 Leo Wagner
5:27 Phil Cavill
5:49 Drew Sarich
6:09 Rene Van Kooten
6:26 Adam Bayjou *
6:47 Xavier Mauconduit
7:07 Peter Lockyer
7:26 Jonathan Williams *
7:44 David Shannon
8:00 Chris Murray
8:21 Carlos Vittori
8:43 Killian Donnelly
9:03 Randal Keith *
9:24 Daniel Diges
9:46 John Owen-Jones *
10:06 Hugh Jackman
10:24 Alfie Boe *
10:45 Ramin Karimloo *
Mica Young I wish I could send you a bouquet for this awesomeness
You're a real one ✌️
You deserve a special award for taking the time to make this list. 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
Wish I’d read ur post before I watch the video, thanks for the effort
I think Alfie Boe won this battle..
I love Ben Platt but just imagining him as Jean ValJean makes me cringe
Micaela Royo same and yet his wasn’t even the worst
He's too young. Actually that's a high school performance not an official production
Maybe he’ll be able to do it in 20 years.
Agreed, he’s more of a Marius
That's 18 year old Ben Platt still in high school we're talkin about
I've seen more men shirtless in the past 11 minutes than I have in the past year
Randal Keith at 9:10 had the best staging imo, the way he turns back to face the audience and his coat swoops around like a cape adds to the epic feeling of this reveal
The note was so clean too!
I searched ur channel for this like yesterday, saw you hadn't done it and now its here????????? Who am I??? A psychic
Emilie Harrison no. You’re 24601
the last one... "And so Javert, you see it's true/My name is Ramin Karimloo"
LMAOOOO
HAHAHAHHA
Lololol totally agree.
Oh god, I was buying groceries while reading this comment and I laughed so hard, everyone nearby was looking at me.
Ramin Karimlooooooooooooooooooo
I love Colm Wilkinson, Ramin Karimloo, and Alfie Boe, but my favorite John Owen Jones. He’s so emotional and he always gives me chills when he beats his high notes
I feel he connects best of all .
JOJ is also my absolute favourite ❤️
Hell yeah
Mine too. Greatest Valjean of all time. He was even voted so by the fans.
JOJ is by far the best
Colm is king always
Last time I was this early, Elphaba still believed the Wizard was wonderful
Last time I was this early Nessarose was still alive
Last time I was this early Christine Daae truly thought the Angel of Music her father had sent for her had come from heaven to tutor her.
Lasvina 36 I WHEEEZED
I wasn’t early, but the last time I was Mercutio was still alive
Colm Wilkinson is the epitome of vocal health and precision. i could listen to him sing that on repeat for hours!
i find the "ripping off tie and shirt" ending so extra
I think they're showing something in their chest
Yeah, he's showing that he's the real Valjean because he was branded on the chest when he was a prisoner.
@@rabdizzle_ i know that
It's still extra though
Right? It kinda makes me a little uncomfortable
Fiction Fiend some versions do it on the forearm instead I think
I'm of the opinion that Alfie Boe took the ending of the sing to a new level entirely. He just added a more operatic tone to the final note, opening the vowel and adding some killer friggin vibrato. Colm Wilkinson also took the song in a crazy direction with his sharp vocals and incredible range. He made Valjean seem much more desperate and urgent almost as if he were screaming to let the man go. Each iteration is immaculate and this is probably one of the best songs in the musical.
Colm and Alfie
Daniel Koek has to take this one for me
TIMESTAMPS! You're welcome. :)
Colm Wilkinson: 0:14
Daniel Koek: 0:33
Ivan Rutherford: 0:54
Jerzy Jeszke: 1:13
Jeff Leyton: 1:31
J. Mark McVey: 1:51
Ben Platt: 2:14
Zac Hamilton: 2:25
Stig Rossen: 2:45
Christopher Jacobson: 3:09
Victor Hawks: 3:28
Ron Sharpe: 3:46
Geronimo Rauch: 4:05
Alexander Gemignani: 4:25
Daniel Gaschen: 4:46
Leo Wagner: 5:08
Phil Cavill: 5:28
Drew Sarich: 5:49
Rene Van Kooten: 6:10
Adam Bayjou: 6:27
Xavier Mauconduit: 6:48
Peter Lockyer: 7:06
Jonathan Williams: 7:26
David Shannon: 7:46
Chris Murray: 8:01
Carlos Vittori: 8:21
Killian Donnelly: 8:43
Randal Keith: 9:04
Daniel Diges: 9:25
John Owen-Jones: 9:46
Hugh Jackman: 10:06
Alfie Boe: 10:24
Ramin Karimloo: 10:45
The clarity of the videos and the quality of sound make it truly impossible to judge equally. All were amazing. Art is not meant to be sport. It's not about who "wins." We all win when simply experience their craft. That's enough!
Alfie Boe sung the note from a truly deep place. No one else matched him.
finally some alfie appreciation
@@sparklybutter23seriously. Alfie is the end all Valjean. He is spectacular. I could listen to him sing me the dang phone book and be mesmerized by that voice. 🤣
I saw Zac Hamilton live and he was really good In my opinion
so many of these just made me wince and think “oh that was certainly *a* note”
You should do the male part in season of love where he goes “in truth that she learns or in times when he cries, in bridges she burned or the way that she dies.” A who sang it best would be so good.
I recently saw Colm at a concert and he came out in his Jean Val Jean jacket and he sang all of his songs from les mis and oh my goodness it was the most amazing experience ever. He just had so much passion and power in his voice, I wept I’ve always loved Colm and it was something I’ll never forget
This note is so dramatic, I'm obsessed. Love your channel :)
I will die on the Alfie Boe hill. His technique is IMPECCABLE
I had an crush on Ramin Karimloo.. He sings so clear and so right the notes he look, point and do so right ... I don't know what to say... Leo Wagner it's the same, i'm Brazilian and I watched live Leo Wagner .. it's brilliant 💪
Concordo completamente
You are in unnatural lust. Luckily others have healed from that.
@@EmilyGloeggler7984 get help
I have a crush on Ramin rn😮💨
Daniel Koek is extraordinary. The power and clarity in the note. Perfect mix and vibrato.
He really is! Was that a mix? I sounded like a full belt to me.
I love how every javert is just like "oh, this again,great."
my old teacher and i always used to argue about whether colm wilkinsion or alfie boe was a better jean valjean. i am a staunch supporter of the 10th anniversary cast being the best, she is a fan of the 25th anniversary cast
that one annoying soprano except for Nick Jonas. I'm sorry, he just didn't do anything for me.
You’re right and she’s wrong.
The whole cast? Jonas included-b/c that’s wild/just flatly wrong. (Imo, 25th Jean Valjean, Javert, Cossette, Marius, and Eponine > 10th and 10th Enjorlas and Grantaire > 25th-Though Maguire and Crivello are brilliant.)
Eduardo M. okay but lea salonga is the best eponine ever, she revitalized the role completely and anyone who plays her is basing their performance off of her
that one annoying soprano Ahhh, reverse the first 10th and 25th, and I agree. (Basically, only Fraser and Karimloo overtake the 10th.)
Colm, then Alfie. But Alfie has everyone beat in “Bring Him Home.” Remarkable voice and he is the only one who sings it like a real prayer.
Lin Hiril J-O-J sings “Bring Him Home” remarkably well to me
His is my absolute favourite rendition of 'Bring Him Home' for sure.
You are mad
This comment is it. Debate over.
Me: Am I just about to watch 11 minutes of people who aren't as good as Colm Wilkinson?
Me, 11 minutes later: Ya
John Owens Jones and Alfie Boe are quite good, but I agree. The rest were eh.
Pretty sure Colm mixed it. There were at least a few of these Valjeans that actually chested the B, and well. Colm is definitely unique and deserving of praise, but he’s certainly not significantly better than half of these other Valjeans, and he’s not better than about a quarter of them. This of course all depends on what we’re qualifying “good” as technically, because a vast majority of them are talented to the point where it becomes personal preference. 😅
Ryan Lilly sorry but alfie boe is easily the best val jean (obv in my opinion lol) followed by ramin karimloo
TinyTorah you are not supposed to chest a note that high. All the ones that sounded good were mixing it, as any decent tenor should.
But I thought Hugh Jackman was one of the best ones😭
ALFIE.
Alfie's and Colm's are the only 2 that didn't make me grimace at some point, and Alfie's tone and control are out of this world.
This might just be a personal preference, but it feels so much more natural for the final note to be belted in a lower voice- the falsetto feels like it takes the tension and just kind of lets it go rather than let it resolve. The Full Symphonic International Cast Recording (with Gary Morris as JVJ) will always be my fave :)
Agree that Gary Morris is the best. Not Broadway trained yet a magnificent job
Interesting how Gary Morris is your favorite when he's one of the ones who does it in falsetto
I def agree but that’s likely because that note is maaaad high for most men to sing in a belt
completely agree - those who kept it in chest voice (vs head/falsetto) - just way more powerful.
Top 5:
Colm Wilkinson
Drew Sarich
John Owen Jones
Ramin Karimloo
Alfie Boe
Colm Wilkonson
John Owen Jones
Alfie Boe
Ramin Karimloo
*no one can tell me otherwise*
FACTS
I’m adding Hugh jackman to this list. Because his acting is wonderful
Italia Ponticorvo true but his vocals aren’t up there with Colm’s
In that order?
Italia Ponticorvo his acting is pretty good and his singing is decent.. but he did not fit the role of Jean ValJean... and to me he didn’t have as much vocal range needed for ValJean
Colm Wilkinson IS Valjean in my heart, no one else can come close, although there is some amazing talent in all of these performers. Just the way Colm Wilkinson hits each number like it's a curse word. Peter Lockyer is my second favorite.
I SAW JOHN OWENS JONES AS VALJEAN AT THE LES MIS STAGED CONERT IN LONDON AND HIS RIFF WAS AMAZING I STILL CANT GET OVER IT AND ITS BEEN A MONTH
Omg he did a riff!??? I saw Alfie boe in the concert but I also wanna book John 😍 tickets are impossible though so... :,)
Amani Hawa yes!
I WANNA GO SO BAD BUT I'M BROKE AND LIVE IN AMERICA
I saw him too, having previously seen Colm in 1987 I thought he was pretty close 2nd to the original JVJ
May I suggest who sang the Trial Before Pilate climax best? (The *"DIE IF YOU WANT TO"* part.)
Yes, absolutely
Yes!!
Yes we need this!!! “You innocent puppetttt!!!”
PLEASE!!!!!
I HAVE A MIGHTY NEED
I love when they sing it straight tone then vibrato, it's so much more satisfying. I get some singers are classically bel canto trained so it's straight up vibrato, plus it's a healthy way of approaching the note. BUT I love the straight tone, it's....just better y'all.
Definitely Alfie Boe. Both him and Colm were the only ones who seemed to have full control of the note, and Alfie's overall execution was better in my opinion. Also, half the guys either screamed it or used falsetto. And one guy was flat.
edit: Yeah, after looking at it again, I was kinda wrong. Boe was still the best, but Colm was a little forced. I'm honestly a little surprised at how 'meh' most of these singers were. There were some good ones (and a small handful of GREAT ones), but most were just kinda meh.
This is correct
Colm is a legend and a half
There are some great voices apart from those two in this video. Claiming there is only two vocals that can command their voice is untrue
@@berkaysunal5216 I'm not saying that they're the only two who could control their voices. What I'm saying is that they were the only two who seemed to have complete control of the NOTE. I'm not really dissing any of the vocalists here (except for the guy who slid into it, since the slide wasn't well-done). That last note is hard to sing, much less have even sufficient control over. I know from experience how hard it is to sing (I practiced and sang it for an audition and belted it). Those two vocalists in my opinion have the best control of the note; both had perfect or near-perfect resonance, well-formed and firm vibrato, proper diaphragm support and sustain, good tone quality, and proper expression (which is extremely hard to do with such a high note). Again, not saying that nobody else could control their voice, just that those two had the best control of the note.
I wonder if part of it was because they didn't have to act out the scene since theirs' were in concert settings (granted one or two others were also at concerts).
Alfie Bowe is the closest to keeping the integrity of the words. His classical technique also allows for more CORE in his tone. His technique alone puts him way above anyone else. If your a Colm fan and like that spread "mix" up top then Karimloo and Colm are your guys.
John Owen Jones is stunning. Seeing him live makes it all better as well.
They are five that made me eargasm:
- Colm Wilkinson
- Daniel Koek
- Drew Sarich
- Randal Keith
- Ramin Karimloo
Their projection of "OooOoOOOOooOoooonnNNNNNNNNnNeeeEEE" was exceptionally resonant!
No Alfie?
K first of all love the intro
Ramin is my favorite, but this wasn't the best video of him. Also, I'm glad Hugh Jackman sang it in a lower key because although it wasn't as impressive, he stayed in a range that was good for his voice. Anytime singers try going out of their range, it never sounds well.
Hugh is one of my favourite actors in this role but right here i would preffer him to stop yelling and open his shirt
I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS FOR SO LONG
BEST EARLY BIRTHDAY PRESENT EVER
For those who don’t know, just to clarify Ben Platts performance was in his senior year in high school! So considering it was a high school theatre production, I’m going to assume out of all the other students he had the best vocal range to sustain the role, wether or not his tone actually works with the character. But his rendition in the same show of god on high is fantastic, look it up for a much better song then him singing this ^^
Valjean's tone are on the dramatic baritone side.
I mean Ben is a baritone, and his voice is super impressive for a young age, but I see him as Marius not Valjean 😂
In fact, JOJ's interpretation is the closest to the character in the original book. He is such a perfect actor.
@@kidkrowtaylor.ৎbaritone? I think not!
@@BringHimHome24601 he has the range but he is a tenor
Alfie Boe is amazing! I showed my mom this video. She agreed he is the best one. I showed her the 25th anniversary Les Mis concert and at the parts where he belts, it seemed so effortless!
I don’t think anybody can top Colm Wilkinson
It’s basically impossible
I gotta say though Alfie Boe is just better. So what if Colm 'is' valjean Alfie is just a better singer
Okay I personally do not like Colm but I see where you're coming from
Blub Fush I definitely can see that, Alfie’s more operatic
Abagail Grace you crazy but ok lmao
@@benwilson6475 Absolutely
Absolutely brutal to put Hugh Jackman in between John Owen-Jones and Alfie Boe lmfaooo
My favorite is still Colm though
So brutal. Truly a massacre.
I thought Jackman did a great job. I'm very casual in my viewing of musicals though.
I think Jackman is pretty good and very overhated, but yeah, that's cruel.
Oh my GOSH I was not expecting that 😂😂
*claps hand to heart and reels off chair*
And that was only the first one: Colm!! He’s incredible. SO much emotion in his vocals.
Valjean: "2-4-6-0-.. Ooooooooooone!"
Court: "...This is the trial for 2460*9*... You're in the wrong building..."
Valjean: "Shit."
That would be funny 🤣
You should do the last couple lines of "Why God, Why?" From Miss Saigon next!
Say what you will but I will *NEVER* get over the way Ramin handles crescendos; starting smooth and finishing with vibrato to add power is just...*chef’s kiss*
Colm Wilkinson is the original and therefore will always be the OG. Especially that little yell at the end ❤️ But Daniel Koeck killed it too.
First of all: YAAAS THANKS FOR THIS VIDEO.
Colm Wilkinson, Daniel Koek, Ron Sharpe, Leo Wagner and Adamn Bayjou were my favorites, because i really like when the singer just scream out the last note and don't try to sing it like an opera high note.
As a musical theatre lay person just wandering in here I have to say Alfie Boe did it best. His voice sounded very clear as well as strong. Many others sounded thin, strained, or flat on the last note, and because of that were not able to convey the emotion of the moment fully.
It’s because he turns or covers the note and doesn’t “belt it” keeping his larynx down. You’ll hear many of them are flat or not quite in the pitch. Some of them, like Colm, blends the note a bit with his head voice or falsetto but not completely allowing it to be more free yet still have a bit of power. People will not like what Boe does because it is an operatic approach but ultimately it’s the most healthy way to approach a full voice tenor B natural.
Killian Donnelly is soo good why is no one talking about him?? And he was in the movie as well as one of the students
I can't be the only one who loves John Owen jones! The man has such a powerful and crisp and clear voice that he never loses control over!
JettytheYeti saw him recently at the staged concert..... he was AMAZING!
Ice Maiden i know right! He needs more supporters for best valjean!
by far the best is JOJ far better than anyone else even though most are very good
Lol I wasn’t expecting Ben Platt and got a bit excited 🙃
I know right! I wasn't looking at the screen but I recognized his voice, looked, and got super excited.
He did amazingly specially of you consider this was a high school production, like what????
I did not come here to get flashed by a bunch of old guys.
Then this musical might not be for you.
Scott W, I love the musical, I just forgot this part included lots of chest.
@@Liletter I personally didn't mind it when Ramin Karimloo was Valjean tho :^)
Creepy old guy?
or did you?
It's crazy that some of these guys have such a clean belt, that note is not easy to hit so suddenly without building up to it.
09:46 John Owen Jones!!
O WR yess, he’s from my town!
My boy Peter Lockyer in the thumbnail answering the question before the video has even started
"Who sang the "Waiting" Part the best?" I Know its Today. Shrek The Musical.
Please!!!!!
Yeeessss!
Ivanna Claudette but there isn’t enough good productions to compare
@@biav Sure?
Let's see:
Original one: ruclips.net/video/s8XsEEuQfWI/видео.html
Argentina: ruclips.net/video/dqVFgY4PCio/видео.html
Espain: ruclips.net/video/OOcih_rqH8Q/видео.html
Freshmen Girls: ruclips.net/video/m7Lyc1SFd3s/видео.html
Spring Recital: ruclips.net/video/dGbc6d_DmJA/видео.html
Gay version 1: ruclips.net/video/9V0_vZZinBs/видео.html
Gay version 2: ruclips.net/video/j2laMLLddIc/видео.html
Spirit YCP: ruclips.net/video/3uW0ZinvLbw/видео.html
International Tour: ruclips.net/video/St_zpal2DBE/видео.html
Arts Center: ruclips.net/video/e6pQ0pOG7c8/видео.html
National Tour: ruclips.net/video/VpML9ppPvok/видео.html
University High School: ruclips.net/video/GEUwcphi0-o/видео.html
Ann Abor Civic Theatre: ruclips.net/video/kMxPrul67VA/видео.html
UHS Unionville HS 2016: ruclips.net/video/WXr-TWmcA54/видео.html
Some Audition: ruclips.net/video/1iLjZ_-4cVE/видео.html
Rosemount High School: ruclips.net/video/oYJ9SOBCqdo/видео.html
Feinstein's/ 54 Below: ruclips.net/video/NHe13t0_lsI/видео.html
Another Feinstein's/ 54 Below: ruclips.net/video/oMTfRCZKxlM/видео.html
AMDA 2014 D4 Musical Showcase: ruclips.net/video/fuv_BiLCU0g/видео.html
Agedout Cabaret: ruclips.net/video/dvYLPU0NubE/видео.html
The Jordan-Elbridge Musical Players: ruclips.net/video/1XRybaFAwZM/видео.html
JCHS: ruclips.net/video/oP04k2gZogQ/видео.html
Anothers:
ruclips.net/video/Nknd14E1J2k/видео.html
A cover: ruclips.net/video/eHBvGSEABd0/видео.html
ruclips.net/video/zcVNGoteR3Y/видео.html
Oh my goodness, the CHILLS! Love this.
The obvious answer is if course me giving a one man performance of Les Mis in the car alone.
Oh my gosh, I LOVE that this exists, what a pleasure. This is such a fantastic moment in the show and there are some GREAT deliveries here, but I gotta go Colm Wilkinson. The part was written for him and it shows. Beautiful renditions though!
I want you all, if you please, to picture Wilkinson, Boe, Jackman, and Platt all singing Bring Him Home (completely different styles all). With no context, I would guess the first three were heroic, paternal figures trying to save a young man from danger (correctly, obvs). I'd assume Platt was singing about kidnapping a toddler from a playground lol. Especially if he made those deranged faces like in the evan hansen movie!
I love that you included Drew Sarich! Colm will always be my favorite Jean Valjean:) So many talented performers have played this role and I love so many of them!
I most go with the phenomenal Alfie Boe! The sense of relaxation going into the note is strong, manly, and fully controlled.
Love how Colm squeaks at the end. His reaction is like: “Oh yeah! Nailed it!”
Drew Sarich is my #1
Derek S he shook me!!!!
Had the pleasure of seeing Ramin in Toronto before he left NY… sang bring him home while sitting… only broadway show I’ve been too where the whole audience gave a standing ovation in the middle of the play. Incredible
"TWOO FOUUUR SIX O OOOOOOONEAAAH"
The clarity in Sarich is amazing
I love Alfie Boes version
His operatic vocals give me the chills and his stage presence is very confident
Colm Wilkinson is a forever legend, dat finishing note alone is just a total masterpiece.
Alfie Boe's Valjean was brilliant, with an operatic quality
I saw Randal Keith many years ago during the US tour. I actually saw the show about 3 times while it was in my city (student ticket prices!). I remember that I, ignorantly, felt disappointed the normal Valjean wasn't going to be on for one of the shows - I thought the understudy couldn't be as good. The understudy was Randal Keith. And I loved him so much when he took the stage, he was amazing and I was wondering why he wasn't the main. The clip above doesn't do him justice, he was truly amazing. Colm Wilkinson will always be my favorite in this role, but Randal Keith deserves a thanks for the show he put on.
I love you Peter Lockyer goes up on the “more”
I'm just focusing on the sound of the last note. I like a strong start with a powerful resonant straight belt that leads into delayed vibrato sustained for at least an equal amount of time. The vibrato should be consistent in amplitude and pitch variance (without sounding wobbly or like they're being shaken).
None manage to sing it in that style (but that's my own personal preference and not a slight to their skill and talent).
0:13 Colm Wilkinson - decent but with shallow vibrato and slight tremolo
0:33 Daniel Koek - strong but wide/wobbly vibrato
0:53 Ivan Rutherford - shallow and the note is too short
1:13 Jerzy Jeszke - unstable
1:31 Jeff Leyton - weak sounding, like it needs everything raised up a notch
1:51 J. Mark McVey - weak and wobbles towards the end
2:13 Ben Platt - too much tremolo (the "I" is fine but the "one" is not)
2:25 Zac Hamilton - strong but a bit unstable
2:46 Stig Rossen - huh... sounds like he pulled a muscle and squeezed out a squirm
3:09 Christopher Jacobson - decent start but the ending is lacking
3:29 Victor Hawks - started well but oh dear
3:46 Ron Sharpe - decent
4:05 Geronimo Rauch - strong but straight
4:24 Alexander Gemignani - thin placement and shallow vibrato, a bit unstable
4:46 David Gaschen - OK
5:08 Leo Wagner - strong and expressive but straight
5:27 Phil Cavill - thin vowel placement with shallow vibrato, but the only one with the right balance of straight/vibrato
5:49 Drew Sarich - excellent, a shame the recording isn't better
6:09 Rene Van Kooten - strong but a bit short and shallow
6:26 Adam Bayjou - strong but straight
6:47 Xavier Mauconduit - classical but thin and struggling with wobble
7:07 Peter Lockyer - OK, but vibrato is slightly too strong relative to the belt
7:26 Jonathan Williams - very strong but straight
7:44 David Shannon - vibrato cut short
8:00 Chris Murray - decent with an expressive end
8:21 Carlos Vittori - strong start but the ending is lacking
8:43 Killian Donnelly - vibrato is far too strong relative to the belt
9:03 Randal Keith - strong straight belt (slightly flat) but the delayed vibrato is too short/late
9:24 Daniel Diges - delayed vibrato is too late and wobbly
9:46 John Owen-Jones - strong straight belt but the delayed vibrato is too short/late
10:06 Hugh Jackman - key is lowered, but decent for his own voice recorded in a film context
10:24 Alfie Boe - the most technically proficient B4 and best classical Valjean
10:45 Ramin Karimloo - not his best and his vibrato wobbles on these higher notes
John Owen Jones, Colm Wilkinson, Adam Bayjou, Alfie Boe, Ramin Karimloo
Wow! I really enjoyed this comparison. Thank you. If i had to pick my favs, I’d go w/ Colm, Ivan, Randal, and JOJ ☺️
Yeah, Wilkinson and Boe arguably did it best... but are we just going to ignore Drew Sarich? I had never heard of him before right now, but that treble was INCREDIBLE, gave me MAJOR goosebumps.
We love the ad being placed during Hugh Jackman’s part. Very considerate:)
Ok John, Carlos, Alfie and Daniel stepped on NECKS. Period. And I love Ramin, but this was not it. I really just did not like that scoop into the note. Not for this style and not for this role. You gotta hit it head on like a hammer. We’re not scooping ice cream. But hey I still love him lol
Yay, me too. I might have missed one or two.
The Ramin stans are going to come for you
Allan Yarahmady lol let them. I’m a whole music major so technique is key. He hit the note but he shouldn’t have to scoop into it like that lmao not the style for this particular show lmaoooooooo
@@mackenzie.kuykendoll Colm is where it's at
David Ro yessss his was amazing too
Thanks for putting all of these together. My shower footage has 29.3 hours left to upload... fingers crossed!
For me, it has to be Colm. In general, I think the 10th Anniversary concert is probably the best version of Les Mis that there is. Alfie Boe is a close second.
Gaschen at 5:01 is pretty excellent, despite the absolutely hideous costume.
Vittori at 8:23 gets points for passion and cheekbones.
Colm will always hold a special place in my heart. I was also captivated by Ramin's version. His stance alone on the last note was so powerful, not to mention his amazing voice. I also liked David Koek's voice.
My favorite is Colm Wilkinson, I feel like he was just born to play Jean ValJean. His voice is so unique.
Alfie nails it in my books but all pretty damn good. Bravo!
Colm Wilkinson takes the cake, but Alfie Boe and Ramin Karimloo did very well as well!
Alfie Boe has been my favorite Valjean for so long and this video has not changed my mind 😄
Alfie Boe has it in my opinion. His voice is just so rich and even after hearing 11 minutes of the same verse, his ending sounded so unique.
I love how Ramin after helping the falsely accused guy up, gives him a couple of pats like "good man".