I remember when this recording first came out. What a time for Wicked fans. If I remember correctly, we had Eden killing it in LA, Carmen on tour, SJB on Broadway, Dee in Chicago and Kerry in London. All with such unique sounds to their voices and unique options. I feel like over time the Elphaba sound/belt became so "standardized" or "homogenized", it's harder to find the uniqueness that past Elphabas like Julia or Kristy had to their voices and portrayal. I think it also has a lot to do with the production cracking down on riffs and the choices the actresses get to make now. It's unfortunate, I feel like we had more excitement back then. Every single Eden recording came with a new riff, it was so great lol
That’s why I’m excited for Cynthia Erivo’s because you’re right. A lot not all sounds very much the same and what excites me about Cynthia is her voice is soo full and rich and normally you get pingy voices for elphaba so I’m curious to hear a full voice. The only one I can think of is Lindsey Mendez who’s voice was more full than pingy.
Elder Wicked Fan here, and I’d COMPLETELY agree. All the women who have sung this score are incredible in talent, interpretation and ability, for sure. But those 2003-08 Elphabas hit very differently on my heart. Not a question of better or worse, but simply a matter of emotional connection to who was doing it when I first saw it. :)
@@johnrodneyturner6750that’s a very interesting point. Pingy versus chesty, I’d say. A lot of the 03-08 Elphabas are very chesty. Menzel, Espinosa, Murney, Block to name a few. It feels like a lot of women are choosing a headier mix now versus a chestier mix. And it could be the difference between months in the show or years. Erivo feels like a chestier mix. I remember playing recordings of this song for my singing teacher at NYU, and I’d be like, “Chestier mix or headier mix????” I’m sure I exhausted him. 😂 Edit. AND BEAN. HOW CAN I FORGET HER? Chesty mix, I’d say!
I very much agree with this. We used to get so many different sounds and vocal styles.The acting approach to the role was also more varied back then from actress to actress. I think that the supervising directors have gotten kind of homogeneous in the type of notes they give out and the way they like to see the role executed. It seems like there's a very defined Elphaba blueprint now.
I saw her in the San Francisco production and after this song, I was totally speechless during intermission. Only one other time in my 50 plus years in show business did that ever happen to me. It was the first time I saw A Chorus Line. I am so thankful I got to see Eden Espinosa as Elphaba.
Eden’s portrayal always seemed to me much more organic. No two nights with her are ever the same vocally, which is exciting for a performer and when done this way by someone with her talent makes for a more electrifying performance. She was I. Fine voice here and made some really interesting and enjoyable vocal choices compared to when I saw her live (multiple times). She and Dee Roscioli will always remain my two favorite Elphies!
Totally agree that the Elphabas before the 2010’s often had way more variety and unique styles than what we have today which I think is why they had more soul. I fully believe each and everyone of those elphabas because they really let the part play them. I’ve never seen an elphaba I didn’t like, but back then they were so meaningfully individual which is so much of what the show is about. However beyond all of that… Eden flat out knocks everyone else out of the park.
People always like to talk about how Willemijn or Jessica are the best Elphabas but no one can TOUCH Eden’s phrasing or the color of her voice. I’ll take Eden on her best day over the other two on their best days… it’s not even a competition.
I remember when this recording first came out. What a time for Wicked fans. If I remember correctly, we had Eden killing it in LA, Carmen on tour, SJB on Broadway, Dee in Chicago and Kerry in London. All with such unique sounds to their voices and unique options. I feel like over time the Elphaba sound/belt became so "standardized" or "homogenized", it's harder to find the uniqueness that past Elphabas like Julia or Kristy had to their voices and portrayal. I think it also has a lot to do with the production cracking down on riffs and the choices the actresses get to make now. It's unfortunate, I feel like we had more excitement back then. Every single Eden recording came with a new riff, it was so great lol
That’s why I’m excited for Cynthia Erivo’s because you’re right. A lot not all sounds very much the same and what excites me about Cynthia is her voice is soo full and rich and normally you get pingy voices for elphaba so I’m curious to hear a full voice. The only one I can think of is Lindsey Mendez who’s voice was more full than pingy.
Elder Wicked Fan here, and I’d COMPLETELY agree. All the women who have sung this score are incredible in talent, interpretation and ability, for sure. But those 2003-08 Elphabas hit very differently on my heart. Not a question of better or worse, but simply a matter of emotional connection to who was doing it when I first saw it. :)
@@johnrodneyturner6750that’s a very interesting point. Pingy versus chesty, I’d say. A lot of the 03-08 Elphabas are very chesty. Menzel, Espinosa, Murney, Block to name a few. It feels like a lot of women are choosing a headier mix now versus a chestier mix. And it could be the difference between months in the show or years. Erivo feels like a chestier mix. I remember playing recordings of this song for my singing teacher at NYU, and I’d be like, “Chestier mix or headier mix????” I’m sure I exhausted him. 😂
Edit. AND BEAN. HOW CAN I FORGET HER? Chesty mix, I’d say!
I very much agree with this. We used to get so many different sounds and vocal styles.The acting approach to the role was also more varied back then from actress to actress. I think that the supervising directors have gotten kind of homogeneous in the type of notes they give out and the way they like to see the role executed. It seems like there's a very defined Elphaba blueprint now.
THIS❤❤❤ OMG I AGREE SO MUCH
So beautiful! Powerful, yet so airy
I saw her in the San Francisco production and after this song, I was totally speechless during intermission. Only one other time in my 50 plus years in show business did that ever happen to me. It was the first time I saw A Chorus Line. I am so thankful I got to see Eden Espinosa as Elphaba.
I’m seeing a Chorus line at the curve on November 2024
oh god i'm so happy i managed to find the final snippet but not the whole song i feel so thankful.
I've always loved this version of "but til I try I'll never know"
This is an incredible performance from Eden
That "MEeeEE" gave me chills. 5:59
Eden’s portrayal always seemed to me much more organic. No two nights with her are ever the same vocally, which is exciting for a performer and when done this way by someone with her talent makes for a more electrifying performance. She was I. Fine voice here and made some really interesting and enjoyable vocal choices compared to when I saw her live (multiple times). She and Dee Roscioli will always remain my two favorite Elphies!
Totally agree that the Elphabas before the 2010’s often had way more variety and unique styles than what we have today which I think is why they had more soul. I fully believe each and everyone of those elphabas because they really let the part play them. I’ve never seen an elphaba I didn’t like, but back then they were so meaningfully individual which is so much of what the show is about. However beyond all of that… Eden flat out knocks everyone else out of the park.
This was like a week before my first time seeing Wicked in L.A.
People always like to talk about how Willemijn or Jessica are the best Elphabas but no one can TOUCH Eden’s phrasing or the color of her voice. I’ll take Eden on her best day over the other two on their best days… it’s not even a competition.
yeah i’m sorry to everyone else but eden destroys as elphaba. next level
That man in the final second of the recording gets it. 😂
Dru dad passed away