MovieChat Forums > Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street in Concert (2001) Discussion > Pitching issues ?

Pitching issues ?

posted 17 years ago by puirt-a-beul
5 replies | jump to latest

Was it just me, or did some of the performers in this version have problems on occasion pitching their songs in this concert version ?

I specifically noticed Pirelli fishing around trying to find his key during the shaving competition, though I think he had a few issues in almost every piece he sang; Judge Turpin wandered in the early parts of "Johanna"; and even Patti Lupone lost her key and had to tread musical water a couple of times, most noticeably in the final climax just before she's flung into the oven.

I know you often get this sort of thing with live recordings -- at least, they're more exposed and harder to cover -- but it still surprised me a little.

(I blame foldback speakers, which I've always hated myself in my own performances, and I find can often overwhelm the harmonics and confuse the ear. Not a real fan myself of human voices being amplified.)

[–] SilverRubies 16 years ago

Not a real fan myself of human voices being amplified.)

i don't like hearing my voice amplified b/c i think it doesn't sound like me. i'm sure all of my friends would say the same for theirselves.

You have to say that. You're my mother.
SilverRubies

[–] unstrovenoshen 16 years ago

As a musician myself, i will say what I have said a million times in the past. There is no such thing as a perfect live performance.
It'll never happen, no matter who the performer is.
I blame the fact that people are human, not the speakers.
They did a wonderful job, in general, and I cannot blame them for slipping while doing this incredibly taxing show.

[–] bnkybrdwybby 16 years ago

LaPone was pitchy and Antony was off-kay at times.

Idiots are fun. No wonder every village wants one.

[–] film_junkey18 15 years ago

Antony was the worst. In some songs he was all over the place. He couldn't keep up at all with "Kiss Me"

[–] cookiela2001 14 years ago

It's funny, because I was just thinking the Anthony was good! (Even if he keeps reminding me of Martin Short!) But then, I don't know much about technical singing.

The Joanna here is lovely. Is that a soprano role? Because this performer's voice sounds somehow "earthier", and I often think the Greenfinch song sounds shrill. I liked it in this version very much.