I was completely blown away when I watched this tiny desk performance! I've always loved Angel Desai's version of Another Hundred People with how she's able to keep up with the tempo while still communicating how carefree and almost unhinged her Martha was. Most other versions I've seen felt like the singer was struggling just to keep up (which would definitely be me, so no judgement here!), but the way Bobby found ways to convey meanings and inflections that never would've occurred to me like the "some go away" you mentioned floored me!
He is ACTING the song rather than just singing it at a RECITAL. I would love to see him in the rest of the show to know his character and how he deliveres his spoken lines. I suspect this is his chance as an actor to more fully develop the character he has develoved for the part. Wonderful presentation. I enjoyed your analysis and explanation of what he is doing technically. Thanks for creating this video. Is there a RUclips version available of the entire show? Or even segments?
Fantastic analysis! "Some go away "will never feel the same to me. It stuns me how you can replicate amazing technique, seemingly spontaneously. Great catch about the song not resolving (and who knows what Conte was thinking, and if Mr. Sondheim hated his ending!)
I actually read the "some go away" gesture as someone leaving on a plane. Though it could also refer to death. The beauty is that the character could really have any back story!
This was great! Would you be able to do Raul Esparza's Take Me To The World? I know it was a video recorded during the pandemic for sondheims birthday but I think its so good
I'd really really love to see you react to Shoshana Bean's "Dressing Room Sessions" cover of Finishing the Hat from Sunday in the Park with George. She's absolutely glorious and that performance is really unique, especially since it's a male role :)
His take on “some go away” may have to do with the fact that they were coming back right after Covid had ravaged New York. Gives it a special significance to the audience who may have lost people.
Wonderful, spot on, generous criticism & insights. A pleasure to listen to you. One song that hasn't been explored enough is the Judge's Johanna from Sweeney Todd - sublime music and chord changes under repulsive, twisted thoughts. Also Bernadette Peters' version of Anthony's Johanna from Sweeney - not the more common one she did that usually comes up first on youtube but the way she does it on the Sondheim Etc. album at Carnegie Hall. The way she sings "mistaken" just kills me every time.
I wish I could have had to chance to see this revival live. I have mixed feelings about how he performs this song, and I feel like I'm missing a big part of the context since I haven't seen how he otherwise portrayed the character. What I do like is how conversational he makes it feel, like the words are just coming naturally to him. But I'm not sure how I feel about some of the other decisions. Thank you so much for sharing your analysis! I love hearing your perspective.
There was recently a PBS special about the revival of Company and features a very short clip of Bobby singing the song in the production. I'm not sure if anyone has posted any clips on youtube or not. I happened to come across the special as I was channel surfing but missed the first 10 minutes.
Naturally "my service will explain" is outdated, but I wonder why they changed "I'll text you in the morning" to "I'll message you tomorrow" between the London and Broadway runs of this production. I don't see a difference in meaning between the two, so it seems kind of arbitrary, unless I'm overlooking something.
Would you be willing to analyze Andrew Lloyd Weber’s Aspects of Love? I love this show, but it seems to be one of his least successful shows. Why? Is there any inherent problem with the music?
I didn't like his version when I saw the show on Broadway and I don't like it any more after this analysis. It is totally self indulgent and he is trying too hard.
That feels very in character to me. Idk about this revival, but my understanding of Marta is that she's high on life and carefree almost to the point of being unhinged; wanting to squeeze every drop out of every experience.
@bunji_beans Exactly so. I love "AHP" so much from the original and the John Doyle revival that I had high hopes for this gender-swapped version. Conte's delivery started to take me aback based on my history with the song and the show, but his interpretation of "PJ," the "Marta" role, was exactly this kind of dude who's long-haired, sexy, reckless, and you're going to get involved with him against your better thinking because he's so damn irresistible. It's consonant with the overall take on and tone of the revival and the big switcheroo, and made me a fan of Conte. Also, the thinner orchestrations these days demand something to fill the space the missing instruments leave.
I think he is looking up as a reflection of life and when people get confused and don’t know how to think, they look up or to the side for clarity.
I was completely blown away when I watched this tiny desk performance! I've always loved Angel Desai's version of Another Hundred People with how she's able to keep up with the tempo while still communicating how carefree and almost unhinged her Martha was. Most other versions I've seen felt like the singer was struggling just to keep up (which would definitely be me, so no judgement here!), but the way Bobby found ways to convey meanings and inflections that never would've occurred to me like the "some go away" you mentioned floored me!
You have such a wonderfully clear and exhilarating way of describing and analyzing things!
Wow just discovered this. I appreciate your analysis. There is so much more than the writing in 3 s. 3 rhyming concepts. Thanks for your work on this.
He is ACTING the song rather than just singing it at a RECITAL. I would love to see him in the rest of the show to know his character and how he deliveres his spoken lines. I suspect this is his chance as an actor to more fully develop the character he has develoved for the part. Wonderful presentation. I enjoyed your analysis and explanation of what he is doing technically. Thanks for creating this video. Is there a RUclips version available of the entire show? Or even segments?
I was fortunate to see this production twice, including from the first row! The cast was absolutely fantastic! Bobby Conte was amazing!
I always thought he was looking toward the flight attendant when he looks up.
WHOA! That makes a lot of sense.
Fantastic analysis! "Some go away "will never feel the same to me. It stuns me how you can replicate amazing technique, seemingly spontaneously. Great catch about the song not resolving (and who knows what Conte was thinking, and if Mr. Sondheim hated his ending!)
So very much appreciate your thorough reviews. 👏🏻👏🏻
the way he acts "should we let it go" is very relatable
I actually read the "some go away" gesture as someone leaving on a plane. Though it could also refer to death. The beauty is that the character could really have any back story!
Yes! I adore this performance!!! 💜
This was great! Would you be able to do Raul Esparza's Take Me To The World? I know it was a video recorded during the pandemic for sondheims birthday but I think its so good
I'd really really love to see you react to Shoshana Bean's "Dressing Room Sessions" cover of Finishing the Hat from Sunday in the Park with George.
She's absolutely glorious and that performance is really unique, especially since it's a male role :)
His take on “some go away” may have to do with the fact that they were coming back right after Covid had ravaged New York. Gives it a special significance to the audience who may have lost people.
Remember Sondheim himself just passed away. Could that be a reason to lookup at that point?
I really enjoy your reactions!
I thought the exact same thing! But Sondheim died a few days after this video was posted, I believe. Great video as always, Mateo!!!
@@lynnlin1800 Wow. Great thought.
@@glpr1Fan of your channel too, Gail!
this was such a great analysis of an amazing interpretation! could you analyse Sara Bareilles’s Moments in the Woods as well?
Wonderful, spot on, generous criticism & insights. A pleasure to listen to you. One song that hasn't been explored enough is the Judge's Johanna from Sweeney Todd - sublime music and chord changes under repulsive, twisted thoughts. Also Bernadette Peters' version of Anthony's Johanna from Sweeney - not the more common one she did that usually comes up first on youtube but the way she does it on the Sondheim Etc. album at Carnegie Hall. The way she sings "mistaken" just kills me every time.
Thank you!!
I wish I could have had to chance to see this revival live. I have mixed feelings about how he performs this song, and I feel like I'm missing a big part of the context since I haven't seen how he otherwise portrayed the character. What I do like is how conversational he makes it feel, like the words are just coming naturally to him. But I'm not sure how I feel about some of the other decisions. Thank you so much for sharing your analysis! I love hearing your perspective.
There was recently a PBS special about the revival of Company and features a very short clip of Bobby singing the song in the production. I'm not sure if anyone has posted any clips on youtube or not. I happened to come across the special as I was channel surfing but missed the first 10 minutes.
"Acting choice" my foot. EVERYBODY who sings this song runs out of air--even Pamela Myers, for whom the song was wrtiten (she played Marta).
Naturally "my service will explain" is outdated, but I wonder why they changed "I'll text you in the morning" to "I'll message you tomorrow" between the London and Broadway runs of this production. I don't see a difference in meaning between the two, so it seems kind of arbitrary, unless I'm overlooking something.
Hmmm, good point… maybe it’s because of how much of a mouthful the word “text” is? That’s just my guess.
Regarding "Some go away..." When did Company debut? cause the 80's was AIDS wiping out a generation of young men...
Company was created in 1970.
Would you be willing to analyze Andrew Lloyd Weber’s Aspects of Love? I love this show, but it seems to be one of his least successful shows. Why? Is there any inherent problem with the music?
I didn't like his version when I saw the show on Broadway and I don't like it any more after this analysis. It is totally self indulgent and he is trying too hard.
That feels very in character to me. Idk about this revival, but my understanding of Marta is that she's high on life and carefree almost to the point of being unhinged; wanting to squeeze every drop out of every experience.
@bunji_beans Exactly so. I love "AHP" so much from the original and the John Doyle revival that I had high hopes for this gender-swapped version. Conte's delivery started to take me aback based on my history with the song and the show, but his interpretation of "PJ," the "Marta" role, was exactly this kind of dude who's long-haired, sexy, reckless, and you're going to get involved with him against your better thinking because he's so damn irresistible. It's consonant with the overall take on and tone of the revival and the big switcheroo, and made me a fan of Conte. Also, the thinner orchestrations these days demand something to fill the space the missing instruments leave.