VoicesCarry said:

But see, now my question to y'all (becaue I'm a bit confused here) is what 'exactly' were you expecting her to do with the song? Were you expecting a new vocal arrangement, some changes in dynamics, ...I mean WHAT? If it was something done outside of the framework of a film revival, then perhaps (like Patti's rendition of Winner In You from PIPES). Its a song from a broadway musical done for a film adaptation for gawd sakes; I've never heard of anyone expecting earth shattering musical changes in a signature song when there have been revivals of other plays like Chicago, Ain't Misbehavin' Sophistacated Ladies, Mama Mia, Lion King, Dirty Dancing, etc., etc whether it's been in film or on stage. And lets be real: do you honestly think it was the director's and producers' INTENT to break the mold with her performance of that piece? C'mon, we're coming up on the 25th anniversary of one of the most beloved productions on the history of Broadway, and somehow I don't think they wanted to reinvent the wheel rather than stay (fairly) true to the music that inspired a mass following and hopefully expand it to newer audiences who missed the phenomenon when it came to pass some 25 years ago . I may have been a wee one when "AITYIANG" was first performed publically, but baby, I was THERE when Dreamgirls was in all its glory. And frankly, I think Miss Hudson did exactly what she SHOULD HAVE DONE, given the vocal complexity required in this piece, and particularly as it has a HARDCORE emotional mass attachment to it.

Damn, y'all act like its MIA's dub rendition of Savannah Band's 'SUNSHOWER'(now THAT'S something that rouses me to no end!!! I want to CHOKE that child with my bare hands for assaulting Cory Daye's song!)

vainandy said:

Oh lawd, I wouldn't want to have you as MY choir director!!!!! Um, um, um
There is NO appeasing YOU. For NUNTHIN!

Ottensen said:

oh dont try to reason with the unreasonable.

Ottensen said:

If she sets out to copy Holliday's version, it should be on par with that version, and she failed at this IMHO. This is a musical adaptation, so I don't expect drastic changes in the song's structure any more than I would expect for an adaptation of Carousel.

However, the film will be more about subtle acting than grandstanding, and I expect Hudson to excel there.
[Edited 12/18/06 8:26am]

im curious, how many folks have actually seen the film yet?

I still ain't hearing Holliday's vocal stylings in Hudson's version. Some folks just can't be pleased. At any rate...

I'm looking forward to the It's All Over scene. It's the most dramatically satisfying part of the show and I've heard Condon's version handles it superbly. Hopefully I'll be seeing an advance of it this Thursday (to answer your question, Sos, that's why I've made no judgment on the movie), and I'm just hoping for a good show. I'm not setting myself up to expect the best film ever.

I watched the touring production from a few years ago with Frenchie (from AI Season 2) in the Effie role. She was serviceable but not great. Apparently she often called in or just didn't show up. You can get away with that when you're Jennifer Holliday and can really sing, but when you can sorta sing and you're best known for getting rejected from a talent show after pictures of you sticking your fingers in your hoohoo make the rounds, you just can't.

sosgemini said:

i saw it

See?

Its just an opinion, man. Nothing's so unreasonable with that.

Harlepolis said:

I still love ya. I just think you're wronk. Is this gonna be playing near you anytime soon?

TommyRoss said:

Yep, same date as the states if not a couple of days later.

And just when I think I'm the MOST biased one in this bunch

A few more clips


Jennifer Holliday on Rosie O'Donnell in 1996 or 1997. This was around the time that I saw Holliday in concert. She seems a lot more upbeat in this clip than she was when I saw her. She was on a lot of meds at the time and it just wasn't fun or enjoyable.



Jennifer Holliday performing at the White House for the Reagans. Her voice is superb here!



At the Tonys winning Best Choreography, Best Actor in a Musical (Raul Julia is so young in this clip!), Best Featured Actor in a Musical (check out David Allan Grier) and Best Actress in a Musical. I didn't realize Suzanne De Passe was her manager.



Sheryl Lee Ralph, Loretta Devine and Terry Burrell (who replaced Jennifer Holliday) performing the title song on Merv Griffin.

I gotta get outta this fucking thread.


...
[Edited 12/18/06 9:47am]

TommyRoss said:

Good lookin' Miss Ross Its been a minute since I've seen these per4mances(David looked so young )

Harlepolis said:

The last person to call me Miss was some drunk drag queen, but I'll let you call me that. And David was very young looking, wasn't he? I wasn't aware that he was ever even nominated for a Tony.

It's my favorite past-time.

TommyRoss said:

oh shit

Genesia said:

Well, hell, Diana Ross was cast as Dorothy in the Wiz, when Stephanie Mills had already torn up the stage in the Broadway Musical. That was simply ridiculous.
Michael was perfect for the Scarecrow part but Diana needed have a bucket of water thrown on her instead.