Here is a nice tribute done by Torreano Lamont:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XqeCOfit1U
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Here is a nice tribute done by Torreano Lamont:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XqeCOfit1U
This is just lovely. Fantastic performance by Mary. Never seen that clip where Flo is signing autograph. Thanks Marv.
Lolololololololololololol
I am not sure if that was in Vietnam or at a VA here in the States.Quote:
Originally Posted by luke
I don't remember Mary or any of the Supremes were in Viet NamQuote:
Originally Posted by marv2
Those shots were from the Orient video.Quote:
Originally Posted by milven
Very well done tribute and the performance from Mary is my favorite rendition of "The Way We Were".
I like this tribute. Mary's rendition of "The Way We Were" is beautiful and touching.
Here is her original performance done on television in the U.K. in late 1979:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhtEpwxWsm0
Sorryy. thats a real forced and very mediocre performance.Quote:
Originally Posted by marv2
To each his own, I reckon. But for me this is as good as this song gets. The only other versions of this song that I like is Donna Summer and a performance Gladys Knight did where she sang "Evergreen" which segued into "The Way We Were". These three are the only ones I can stomach. As for Mary's, she delivers. Her voice is beautiful here and the arrangement really plays to her strengths as a vocalist.Quote:
Originally Posted by Roberta75
I'm surprised Diana Ross never performed this song, with it being so popular. I wonder if I would've liked her version or not.
I really don't like this arrangement of the song at all. To twee for my taste. Mary's vocal here is ok, but nothing special.
As great as Gladys Knight's version is, for me the song will always belong to Babs. Her version of this song on the film soundtrack as opposed to the single is stunning.
Totally agree. Babs does the ultimate versionQuote:
Originally Posted by Ollie9
No-one else comes close, not even Gladys. Mary was brave to attempt it but ultimately foolish. Her vocal limitations are badly exposed. She should leave iconic songs like this to the professionals. I don't think this would have given Babs or Gladys any sleepless nights.
I agree. some songs are so iconic that no matter how hard a worthy artist attempts to reinterpret or perform a song, they'll always be compared to the original.
Like today, it would be a challenge to pull of a successful stage version of Sound Of Music or Grease because the movie and soundtracks are SO ingrained in the general public conscience. Yes of course there have been revivals and they certainly have merit. But everyone still compares them.
And this is probably unjust. but it's a reality. Diana owns Mountain. The supremes own Baby Love. Barbra owns The Way.
Mary probably would have been better served to have sung either one of her OWN songs from the Sups catalog or choose a cover that isn't so immediately identifiable with another artist. i would have LOVED to have heard Mary sing I Keep It Hid or A Love Like Mine in their live performances. And during the Scherrie years, she did do more of the album tracks with her lead.
Did they ever add You Are The Heart Of Me to their stage shows? lots of versions of her lip syncing it on tv. but did they do it on stage live?
on FB someone just mentioned that he was at a show way back in the day and Mary did Don't Let My Teardrops in the show. wow!! it wasn't just done on Mike Douglas
I'd love to know what vocal limitations you are speaking of. She sings the song in a very modulated way, and even flies into her head voice without any trouble. So what is "badly exposed"? Her singing of this song is excellent, and far from foolish. Many people sang this song after it became a hit. Mary's version is a full throated, very well sung version of this song.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bluebrock
I agree. She sounds great. Of course everyone has their likes and dislikes, for whatever reason, but for my tastes Mary does this song very well. Personally I've never understood the Streisand hype. She is certainly a great singer, but she does absolutely nothing for me. I'd rather hear Mary Wilson on any day. She doesn't try to do too much here and her reading of it is very sentimental, if that makes any sense. I ripped the audio from this performance years ago and it was in constant rotation on my ipod for a very long time.Quote:
Originally Posted by thommg
You sound crazy! Mary did an excellent job with this song.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bluebrock
The truth and nothing but the truth Bluebrock.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bluebrock
It's interesting that Streisand covered "Memory" from Cats and "I know Him So Well from Chess, two songs associated with singer Elaine Paige. As in Streisand owning the "The Way We Were", i believe Paige has the definitive version on both of those songs.
Have you seen Streisand live? It is the ultimate concert experience. She is out there in a class of her own. I have seen all the greats live [[well most of them) and no-one comes close. You will disagree and i respect your right to do so, but listening to an average singer like Mary Wilson attempting to sing this most iconic of songs makes my ears bleed. Gladys did a fine fine version, and added her own unique qualities to the song, but even she pales in comparison.Quote:
Originally Posted by RanRan79
Babs will ALWAYS own this song, but i am glad you have somehow derived some pleasure out of this particular take on it. I shall leave it at that.
I don't have any major issue with the quality of Mary's performance. however i most certainly would never label it the most powerful or emotional of all the versions out there. no way. Mary just doesn't compete vocally with a singer like Barbra, and i'm not particularly a B fan. i think i have one or two albums of hers. but her vocal technique, her range, her lyrical interpretation is far beyond Mary's. And i'm not saying Mary is a poor singer. but Barbra is exceptional
In some ways, Barbra has superior vocal techniques to Diana even. I think Diana is a strong overall live performer.
my understanding is that as the 70s progressed [[and certainly once J and L left), Mary was viewing the Sups as a platform for her raise to a solo career. If that was truly her goal, she would have been far better off to try and establish her own songs in the eyes of producers, label chiefs and the public rather than doing covers.
I love the Gladys Knight version. She made it her own. However the ultimate version is Barbra Streisand’s. Barbra Streisand’s version is a classic.
while Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You isn't quite the iconic song of Way We Were, it was again a cover and in the show for far too long. Sure mary did a great job with it and especially the ending in her head voice
but she did an glorious ending on I Keep it Hid using her head voice. And what if she'd taken Heart Like Mine and worked with the arrangers to build it up into a bigger song? Now we have some tracks that are really hers and could start to help create a more defined vocal identity.
In Diana's 70s shows, she did a great job of combining the Lady material with other jazz and r&b greats. Why didn't Mary work to establish something of more impact in their live shows for her spotlight? Eyes and the little line about men being fav things was cute, but why wasn't the show structured so that it wasn't a random one-off solo for her but something to really dig into and display her talents?
That would have helped to give her more identity with the general public, with motown management and with other labels.
I like Mary's voice and singing better than Barbara Streisand. Here is a Streisand song Mary covered, in her own way.....to perfection in my opinion:Quote:
Originally Posted by sup_fan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2h00ExZUaWc
Hey Marv, in the comments section of this video, you say that you contributed to Mary's DREAMGIRL, MY LIFE AS A SUPREME. Did you contribute pictures, or something more?Quote:
Originally Posted by marv2
Great video and educating comments. You sure know your showtunes marv2. Thanks for sharing.Quote:
Originally Posted by marv2
Ghost writer or Diane expert advisor?Quote:
Originally Posted by milven
Sometimes there are just no words........Quote:
Originally Posted by marv2
... except ... hee hee hee hee!!Quote:
Originally Posted by Bluebrock
Barbra Streisands version of Somewhere is the best version Ive EVER heard. Brings me to tears.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bluebrock
Fondly,
Roberta
Totally agree Ms Roberta.Quote:
Originally Posted by Roberta75
I was totally honoured to be asked to look after Ms Streisand on her recent visit to the UK. I had never met her previously, and i do not mind admitting that i was nervous as hell at the prospect of meeting her, but she was everything i could have wished for and more. It was one of the highlights of my life.
The concert was also spectacular. It was an unforgettable few days in which i also got to meet Celine Dion and Lionel Richie. My only disappointment was not meeting Stevie Wonder who was strictly off limits.
Ms Streisands voice is the greatest voice i have ever heard. No-one comes close.
God Bless you Roberta xx
I am PLOTZING with jealousy! Streisand is a once-in-a-lifetime talent and I've been lucky to attend 4 of her shows here in the NYC hometown area. Her voice is superb in it's own self and beyond that, like Aretha she knows how to use her voice to superb advantage. Did you get full body goosebumps upon first hearing her voice live?Quote:
Originally Posted by Bluebrock
I had actually seen her live twice previously, and yes i did get the full body goosebumps each and every time, but this was the first and probably last time that i was actually hands on and personally involved. I am not allowed to say much about it , but the experience will stay with me for the rest of my life.Quote:
Originally Posted by PeaceNHarmony
Im real proud of you my dear Bluebrock. What a privilege to look after a legend like Ms Streisand. Shes an amazing vocalist a great humanatarian and a lifelong Democrat and activist so shes ticked all boxes for me. God bless you my friend and remember the cream always rises to the top and you are the cream my dear. Ross and Streisand!!!! You couldnt work for two greater legends.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bluebrock
TYours, with every good wish always.
Roberta
I found Mary's version in Post 1 quite impressive and I just don't see the point in comparing it with anyone else's version.
[[If I must mention anyone else's version, I must say that I've seen Gladys Knight perform this live, and Gladys's live version is better than her recorded one.)
I agree with this. Mary's version is a nice surprise.Quote:
Originally Posted by 144man
Thank you for your kind words Ms Roberta.Quote:
Originally Posted by Roberta75
Ms Streisand was an amazing lady. She is involved in so many worthy activities, and unlike many artists i have met she seemed genuinely happy and contented. That is quite rare. It was probably the professional highlight of my career. Best wishes to you.
[QUOTE=Bluebrock;530698]
I was totally honoured to be asked to look after Ms Streisand on her recent visit to the UK. I had never met her previously, and i do not mind admitting that i was nervous as hell at the prospect of meeting her, but she was everything i could have wished for and more. It was one of the highlights of my life.
I recently saw Barbara at Hyde Park and she was terrific. "The Man That Got Away" really got to me. I met her very briefly in 82 when a close friend of my ex was the costume designer on Yentl.
As far as motown songs are concerned, Babs sings a rousing version of motown classic "Shake Me Wake Me" and a nice version of "You And I". So wish Diana had recorded that song...
[QUOTE=Ollie9;531020]Yes, I love Barbra's WMSM from the 'Lazy Afternoon' lp [[a favorite) as well as YAI Great interpretations.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bluebrock
[QUOTE=PeaceNHarmony;531035]I don't thnk she has covered as many Motown tunes as perhaps she should have done. Her first love is for Broadway Tunes, but i love her more on the more pop orientated material. A matter of personal taste i guess.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ollie9
[QUOTE=Ollie9;531020]That was the same show that i was involved with Ollie. Glad you enjoyed it Ms Streisand was on vintage form both on and off the stage.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bluebrock