I'd say: 1.) JOJ/Jeff Leyton (this video does him NO justice) 2.) Peter Karrie 3.) Hans Peter Janssens 4.) Colm Wilkinson 5.) Drew Sarich 6.) Robert Marien
It is all about the last note and I think Drew nailed it. I always think of Colm when I think of JOJ. But I love Drew. I liked Peter too. I think they all bring something great to the character...so yay for ALL!!!
He was very good as Enjorlas a couple of years ago. Then again, that role is made for someone around his age and he's much more suited for it. I agree 100% with you about him being too awkward as Valjean.
You are right about Dave Willetts..he does such a great job. Theres a great CD with him and Claire Moore singing several of the songs from Les Miz, and they both do a terrific job
@itbejess Yes, he did play that role. And I love Sarich's Who Am I. Who can't? He isn't too young. Not in the slightest. He shows the most emotion I have ever seen, and just because he's not an old person, that does not mean he can't play Valjean. He is quite the actor and singer, and my all time favorite Valjean. JOJ is a close second.
I really love drew sarich, but I'm only completely satisfied with his valjean in "what have I done." My favorite has got to be JOJ. I feel his vocals are usually the strongest and carry the most emotion.
Colm Wilkinson, no matter what anyone says, is Jean Valjean. Anyone else may be a better singer if you think; but Colm's emotion and feeling are beyond any other man. Colm Wilkinson is to Jean Valjean as Michael Crawford is THE phantom of the opera.
I've seen and heard lots of JVJ's over the decades. Saw Colm in London's original company and many of his excellent successors. However, from these samplings I would say that John Owen Jones is the only JVJ who approaches the vocal and emotional depth of Colm. It's a difficult role requiring not only a masterful singer/actor but also a grandness to lead a company of this size in a musical of these proportions. John Own Jones is quite impressive -- and Colm, well, he IS Jean Valjean.
Ranked from Most Impressive to Least: 1. Owen-Jones 2. Marien 3. Sarich 4. Wilkinson 5. Karrie 6. Leyton 7. Janssens (I took points off of him because he didn't even try the high ending)
Colm Wilkinson IS Jean Valjean. The rest are great singers, some technically better than Wilkinson, but only Wilkinson has the true inner passion that makes Valjean live in our hearts.
@JoshA1990 Yes, it does really sound like he said "cry"! It sounds like most of these guys are just trying to sound really deep and throaty to be dramatic, but when they go into falsetto, it ruins it.
Colm is the original Valjean, so he takes the place as the best in many of our hearts, but I have to say that there are people on this video that did a much better job. John Owen-Jones and Drew Sarich? Pretty damn good Valjeans, if you ask me.
Yeah, these are all the greatest VJ's, but Colm and Drew take the cake. JOJ's pretty good too, but he doesn't have enough of the gruffness/emotion behind his voice that Colm and Drew have.
JOJ and Drew Sarich do it for me:) If I had to choose one, I'd say John, because Drew's voice sounds quite young for Valjean... nonetheless, when I hear him sing, my stomach does weird things
John Owen-jones is probably my favorite pick. too much Vibrato for me with Robert. Not a big fan of Hans either but once he gets going he's better. Drew isn't very traditional for his voice but I do like him. I do like peter...what I can hear of it.
The tape of Colm Wilkinson is slowed down, which is why his voice sounds deeper; it's just a poor quality recording. The best ones are not represented here, in my opinion. Bart Shatto, David Michael Felty, and Alfie Boe do great versions.
The recording for Colm doesnt do him justice, the quality is poor and it almost sound as he is yelling, listen to another recording and youll be surprised, hes the best by far. JOJ is the second best. Drew Sarich's tecnique is terrible, I'm surprised how much people like him, I prefer him as Javert.
No, I gotta agree with JSanzLesMis421. Singing Bring Him Home with a gun in your hand is a poor choice. It's not direction. I've never seen another Valjean do it. It was a clear choice. Drew is great, but he def. isn't right for Valjean.
Robert Marien rushes and breaks off his words. Too mcu vibrato. Owen Jones has had opera training. Love his voice and also love Colm's. Jeff also needs to slow down. Impressive voice. Hans Peter Janssens also had opera training although his sound is muffled. But I hate his ending. Not too impressed with Drew Sarich. More of a pop sound.
Perhaps in singing potential Jones surpasses Colm, that I can agree with, but JOJ's style seems very... forced, almost over dramatic, Colm does Who am I, and the entire show, in a much more Valjean way! In my opinion anyway. I agree with you about Drew Sarich, Valjean needs to sound like a MAN, a very English man!
Robert Marien sucks here. His voice is much deeper than that usually. That recording is horrible. Robert usually sounds a lot closer to Colm Wilkinson.
Colm is definitely excellent, but John Owen Jones I think surpasses colm on many levels. Drew Sarich I think is an awful actor and far too "young" and "american" sounding for a show like les mis. A plain awkward Val Jean and Javert from what I've seen.
If you watch the Tenth Anniversary Concert with Colm Wilkinson, there is no question. He is the ultimate Valjean.
Should've put the Hungarian Valjean on here for laughs😂 "2-4-6-0 AHHHHHHHH"
Katie Tucker idk if it was intentional or if he just wasn't trained well enough to support that belt and so it came out as a scream
I'd say:
1.) JOJ/Jeff Leyton (this video does him NO justice)
2.) Peter Karrie
3.) Hans Peter Janssens
4.) Colm Wilkinson
5.) Drew Sarich
6.) Robert Marien
COlm's voice sounds deeper than usual
John Owen Jones is by far the best. WHAT A GLORIOUS GOD.
Colm's voice sounds deeper than usual
The original “Who Am I?” key was in Bb, a half step down from the B key of today. Hope this helps explain it haha.
John Owen Jones...........Ooooooooooooooh Mmmmmmmmmmy Gooooooooooooooooooooood. Who is he? 24601!!!!! Wooooow.
John Owen Jones and Drew Sarich are the best!
It is all about the last note and I think Drew nailed it. I always think of Colm when I think of JOJ. But I love Drew. I liked Peter too. I think they all bring something great to the character...so yay for ALL!!!
JOJ all the way for me, then Colm.
Colm Wilkinson! So glad to see him performing live.
JOJ is absolutely amazing and beats them all.
He was very good as Enjorlas a couple of years ago. Then again, that role is made for someone around his age and he's much more suited for it. I agree 100% with you about him being too awkward as Valjean.
You are right about Dave Willetts..he does such a great job. Theres a great CD with him and Claire Moore singing several of the songs from Les Miz, and they both do a terrific job
I have to say Mr. Drew Sarich is my FAVORITE!
But I cannot wait to see Hugh Panaro tackle the role this summer.
JOHN OWEN JONES!!!!!!!!!!!!
4EVER
@itbejess Yes, he did play that role. And I love Sarich's Who Am I. Who can't? He isn't too young. Not in the slightest. He shows the most emotion I have ever seen, and just because he's not an old person, that does not mean he can't play Valjean. He is quite the actor and singer, and my all time favorite Valjean. JOJ is a close second.
Drew all the way!! I love him!!!!
2:49 = one of the most beautiful notes in the history of musical theater.
Peter Karrie ❤
why the hell don't you make one then?! This vid is great! You can hear it perfectly!
IMHO I think John Owen-Jones is the best Valjean. He really plays the part.
I really love drew sarich, but I'm only completely satisfied with his valjean in "what have I done." My favorite has got to be JOJ. I feel his vocals are usually the strongest and carry the most emotion.
Yes he is. Robert has a beautiful voice. He is French Canadian by the way.
There is only ONE VJ...Colm!
I was thinking the exact same thing. Does he sound like that or is it a bad recording?
Colm Wilkinson, no matter what anyone says, is Jean Valjean.
Anyone else may be a better singer if you think; but Colm's emotion and feeling are beyond any other man.
Colm Wilkinson is to Jean Valjean as Michael Crawford is THE phantom of the opera.
I've seen and heard lots of JVJ's over the decades. Saw Colm in London's original company and many of his excellent successors. However, from these samplings I would say that John Owen Jones is the only JVJ who approaches the vocal and emotional depth of Colm. It's a difficult role requiring not only a masterful singer/actor but also a grandness to lead a company of this size in a musical of these proportions. John Own Jones is quite impressive -- and Colm, well, he IS Jean Valjean.
I hear the cymbal crash, but listen past that and you will hear what I'm talking about.
@LECAPITAINEJACK Isn't he the French Valjean at the end of the 10th Anniversary Concert?
@neilrobinson1976 It is colm. He's just much much older here. I think he reprised the role in his hometown.
Ranked from Most Impressive to Least:
1. Owen-Jones
2. Marien
3. Sarich
4. Wilkinson
5. Karrie
6. Leyton
7. Janssens (I took points off of him because he didn't even try the high ending)
Colm Wilkinson IS Jean Valjean. The rest are great singers, some technically better than Wilkinson, but only Wilkinson has the true inner passion that makes Valjean live in our hearts.
if you do another one of these you for sure have to add Alfie Boe
i love john owen jones
Colm and Drew are the best.
Drew Sarich all the way of those here, with Colm second.
Personally, I love Hugh Panaro as well.
@JoshA1990 Yes, it does really sound like he said "cry"! It sounds like most of these guys are just trying to sound really deep and throaty to be dramatic, but when they go into falsetto, it ruins it.
@costerluver It was taken during previews...all the music was taken down.
John owen jones beats every valjean
Check your ears all! Musically, it ended at #2. JOJ is the bomb!
Colm is the original Valjean, so he takes the place as the best in many of our hearts, but I have to say that there are people on this video that did a much better job. John Owen-Jones and Drew Sarich? Pretty damn good Valjeans, if you ask me.
@ajtokarz I don't think so. If you listen to the original London and Broadway recordings Colm sings in the same key that everyone is now used to.
well said mfibill, stig is AMAZING!!!!
Yeah, these are all the greatest VJ's, but Colm and Drew take the cake. JOJ's pretty good too, but he doesn't have enough of the gruffness/emotion behind his voice that Colm and Drew have.
*bows down to Colm Wilkinson*
You gotta add Alfie Boe... Terrific...
HPJ didn't even attempt the money note! What a copout! If he doesn't have the vocal range, why did they cast him?
JOJ and Drew Sarich do it for me:) If I had to choose one, I'd say John, because Drew's voice sounds quite young for Valjean... nonetheless, when I hear him sing, my stomach does weird things
it weird i like jeff leyton's singing, but here his 24601 ends in a weird scream, even though he did it fine at the medley it really ruins it for me.
Jean Valjean... not Javert, right? XD
you need to re pitch colms recording
John Owen Jones is streets ahead of the rest!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Drew Sarich IS SOOO Amazing but I prefer him in more Rock styled shows
You got that right. JOJ's voice is better than Colm's (in my opinion), but you can't match have good Colm plays the role.
John Owen-jones is probably my favorite pick. too much Vibrato for me with Robert. Not a big fan of Hans either but once he gets going he's better. Drew isn't very traditional for his voice but I do like him. I do like peter...what I can hear of it.
The tape of Colm Wilkinson is slowed down, which is why his voice sounds deeper; it's just a poor quality recording. The best ones are not represented here, in my opinion. Bart Shatto, David Michael Felty, and Alfie Boe do great versions.
Ramin Karimloo as well
@LECAPITAINEJACK That explains why he is so fluent in French and English...
I really like Hans Peter Janssens here. I'd prefer this role better than Javert for him.
Colm is the runaway winner
The recording for Colm doesnt do him justice, the quality is poor and it almost sound as he is yelling, listen to another recording and youll be surprised, hes the best by far. JOJ is the second best. Drew Sarich's tecnique is terrible, I'm surprised how much people like him, I prefer him as Javert.
no one can seem do it for me like colm can... i don't know what it is!
Colm's is definitely slowed down, his voice isn't that deep.
He pooped out on the last note
@ironfistofmaiden Interesting info but Andrew Lloyd Webber has nothing to do with Les Miserables. It was produced by Cameron Mackintosh.
Robert Marien sounds like he's sitting on a vibrating massage chair. xD Bit too much vibratto, don't you think?
cant believe alfie boe is not in this list. he is one of the best valjeans vocal-wise. john owen jones and alfie boe are my top 2 favorite valjeans
Personally I like Alfie Boe the best :P. But he wasn't in this video :C
No, I gotta agree with JSanzLesMis421. Singing Bring Him Home with a gun in your hand is a poor choice. It's not direction. I've never seen another Valjean do it. It was a clear choice. Drew is great, but he def. isn't right for Valjean.
Colm was not at his best voice condition here, obviously.
I don't even need to listen to this, Wilkinson and Leyton win by default
Robert Marien rushes and breaks off his words. Too mcu vibrato. Owen Jones has had opera training. Love his voice and also love Colm's. Jeff also needs to slow down. Impressive voice. Hans Peter Janssens also had opera training although his sound is muffled. But I hate his ending. Not too impressed with Drew Sarich. More of a pop sound.
@isabellazanetto JOJ is great but have you seen Alfie Boe
Colm easily
Perhaps in singing potential Jones surpasses Colm, that I can agree with, but JOJ's style seems very... forced, almost over dramatic, Colm does Who am I, and the entire show, in a much more Valjean way! In my opinion anyway. I agree with you about Drew Sarich, Valjean needs to sound like a MAN, a very English man!
colm and JOJ the best by a country mile
hans just doesnt do it for me :/
No Hans Peter Janssens......
Colm Biffed it though
Drew's high B sounded falsetto/too girly.
John Owen Jones...
Sarich then Jones
JEFF LEYTON IS THE BEST!!!
Where the fudge is Alfie Boe? o.O
Robert Marien sucks here. His voice is much deeper than that usually. That recording is horrible. Robert usually sounds a lot closer to Colm Wilkinson.
Colm is definitely excellent, but John Owen Jones I think surpasses colm on many levels. Drew Sarich I think is an awful actor and far too "young" and "american" sounding for a show like les mis. A plain awkward Val Jean and Javert from what I've seen.
o my god drew is the best all the rest sucked drew took home the trophy! the others need singing lessons! ahahah