Her rendition is perfect - she starts off hesitant, and then uses the music to grow more and more confident and expressive, peaking at just the right second.
Elaine has been able to set a standard very high for any actress to follow her performances. As Eva Peron, as Grizabella, as Norma Desmond, anyone, she's the one they always compare to. She's incredible.
I saw her as Grizabella and Piaf, both performances simply extraordinary. At the PIAF performance, the audience went absolutely wild and gave her a standing ovation. It was a privilege to be in the audience both times.
Having seen Glenn Close, Patti Lupone and Betty Buckley in Sunset Blvd. It is Elaine Paige's performance that is still my favorite. All did fine work but Elaine Norma Desmond was amazing.
Totally agree with you and you nailed it on the head. All of those actresses are great, but no one could compare to what Elaine did with this character and the singing of ....Never said Goodbye.
I saw Elaine in the London production. She was truly incredible. Watching her, it made me wonder why on earth she wasn't chosen for the part originally.
I think the sole reason was she didn’t have an international appeal, she had never been to Broadway until a replacement for Betty was needed. Patti had by then won awards on both the West End and Broadway, much more bankable.
Elaine sings these ALW lyrics like nobody else can. Each phrase she sings about the character, (Norma Desmond) in Sunset Boulevard leaves you wanting to hear more about the story. This has to be one of the most fantastic performances in musical lyrics, the character of silent stage star Norma Desmond. This is her song.
On stage she wore a head mike on her forehead just below the turbans she wore. Excellent performance. No wonder that many believe that Elaine was the best Norma Desmond.
Filmover please give an example of a fantastic singer in that case. I think Elaine has had an incredible voice over her career. Sunset Boulevard was a high point for me re the power of her voice. And her diction has been second to none. Just my opinion.
She really knows how to act out a song like this ! Really professional and committed to the character of ND as u would expect from Elaine . Well done !
Some people are idiots. She is singing in a Theatre that is designed to remonstrate the vocal. Elaine Paige is a Legend and in my books one of the best Norma Desmond's but does anyone have the right to critic when they can't do it themselves. Why wonder how she did it? She did and did it good! Bloody GOOD, SUBLIMELY GOOD EVEN!!!!!!!!!!! LOL X
I saw Elaine Paige in Sunset Blvd in 1995 in London. She won me over and made that my favorite musical of all time. I saw it a lot of times while I was there. She was amazing. Glenn Close is also good and portrays the desperate side of Norma better, but Elaine (to me) has a much better voice. Again Elaine was so amazing. I spent every free moment I had at the Adelphi Theatre (and a lot of British pounds) watching that show. Worth every penny.
Elaine Paige sings the role, Glenn Close acts the role. Its a matter of personal taste. Glenn Close is a vastly superior actress, while Paige is a masterful singer.
UUUGGGHHH I can sing the heck out of this song But frankly, it's meant to be sung by an older woman AND SHE IS AMAZING AND NO ONE SINGS IT BETTER THAN HER. Wow.
I don't know why I'm frightened I know my way around here The cardboard trees, the painted seas, the sound here Yes, a world to rediscover But I'm not in any hurry And I need a moment The whispered conversations In overcrowded hallways The atmosphere is thrilling here as always Feel the early morning madness Feel the magic in the making Why, everything's as if we never said goodbye I've spent so many mornings just trying to resist you I'm trembling now, you can't know how I've missed you Missed the fairytale adventure In this ever-spinning playground We were young together I'm coming out of makeup The light's already burning Not long until the cameras will start turning And the early morning madness And the magic in the making Yes, everything's as if we never said goodbye I don't want to be alone That's all in the past This world's waited long enough I've come home at last! And this time will be bigger And brighter than we knew it So watch me fly, we all know I can do it Could I stop my hands from shaking? Has there ever been a moment With so much to live for? The whispered conversations In overcrowded hallways So much to say, not just today but always We'll have early morning madness We'll have magic in the making Yes, everything's as if we never said goodbye Yes, everything's as if we never said goodbye We taught the world new ways to dream
Ms. Elaine Paige, how I'd like to meet you and kiss you -- with one more look at you. She is one powerful dynamite of a stage performer, armed with such a beautiful singing voice and awesome talent. Love you, Elaine.
It is! This one is still great, but the other one is better, and she really lets her voice belt out in some areas. She is in the long garb and turban in her 40 years on stage celebration. Truly stunning! Don't get me wrong, this one is good too. Listen to them one after the other.....she has not lost a thing!
hi lenoiruk not the 1990 RV performance Sunset premiered in 1993 and EP finished her Broadway run in 97, so this is sometime after that. great performance though so thanks for posting
Brilliant singing, amazing interpretation, thrilling vocal production and vocal control...... Elaine Paige literally has it all and no one could ever touch the interpretation or a performance like this. No one!!!! Lloyd Webber himself said she was the greatest interpreter of this character and his Sunset music score. And then listen to her performance of Memory at the Royal Albert Hall. Another truly amazing performance. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-tqx3LDawgS8.html God bless you, Elaine.
You should see her 40 years on stage celebration, performance. It is incredible. She sings both of these songs as Norma Desmond. I actually like that performance better than this one, even though this one is magnificent, as well!
OK, I will look for the EP performance you point out here...However, if it's even BETTER than this one, it must then obviously be better than PERFECTION!!!
@1dartmouth you can sort of tell by her hairstyle its either 97 or 98 notice she wore that dress and that hair style and colour to the boston pops of dont cry for me argentina anddartmouth good god elaine would not mime this performance
Elaine has a great voice but for me it's Dame Shirley's style and build up to the finish that I always like. Elaine for me is up and down with her highs and lows to much. Each to your own.
@@kevinwilson3609 The character of Desmond was not this angel played by Elaine Page. Her name Norma Desmond has a lot of feelings :grudge, regrets, jealousy. She ended by killing Joe Gillis.Elaine Page is a casting error. Glen Close is the perfect actress for this role. Her voice is full of grudge, regrets.
@@bogratful She great too. Amazing voice. But voices like these tend to overdo the job. Let me make it easier to understand: one can listen to Ella Fitzgerald for hours. A great well tempered voice . Don't missunderstand me. They are all great voices. Sorry my English.
