Elaine is in her prime here. Pitch perfect, the false frivolity and venomous undertone. And best of all she performs the song, she doesn’t get in its way.
For me, this could be her/the definitive live performance of this song. Her eyes don't miss one flash of the story and she is utterly powerful, clear, terrifying and shattering. She is the pinnacle of actor/singers for me.
Hearing the great Elaine is wonderful. I remember seeing her sing this great song in context in 'Company' on Broadway. The nuances and devastating impact of this brilliant song in the show were extremely powerful. Thank you to the late great Elaine.
My favorite performance of her version. Everything is perfect. Alot of times she can come off as screeching or screaming, but her voice here is perfect!!
You'll often see written that the role of Joanne was written for Elaine. This is true, but what isn't repeated as often is that the role was BASED off Elaine originally. ABSOLUTELY perfect!
other ladies do this almost justice- patty lupone in particular, but elaine makes me quiver, blink, shout, and bless the day she toke ownership of this tune
Love this, but man, the camera work was AWFUL - I mean, why would you choose a wideshot when you close-up on her final "RISE" would be far more effective?
No one could do Ladies Who Lunch like her. I didn't like Patti's version at all- it was too sassy. There has to be a sadness behind it and Elaine conveyed that perfectly.
Nola Chick I agree 100% I said this to some friends and they just looked at me totally cofused as if they didn’t understand why I could think Patti missed the mark with ladies who lunch. It changed the entire feeling and meaning of the song for me, in a bad way. Elaine nailed this song. It’s hers and no one will beat the raw, bitter, sarcastic, emotion she brings
As a Patti fan I disagree. I saw her in her one woman show in Philly this past summer and she did this number and received a standing ovation. I will see her this spring in Company solely to hear her sing it again.😎😎😎
Ditto. Patti was playing for laughs and, although she has the beautiful voice, the wry humor blended with sadness, maybe remorse, maybe resolve...was lost. I believe Elaine IS this lady when she plays her.
I like Patti Lupone as an actress, not as a singer. Her voice is not that great, but what an actress. Elaine,owns this song. Broadway is full of people that do not sing that well, but can talk their way through it. It is a strange art. As a trained singer, I would not want to sing on Broadway, but I would act on it.
@@victordunson719 I am a Patti Lupone fan as well, but she does give you the raw emotions like Elaine. Elaine was Joanne, inside and out. Patti is a great actress, but her voice is not the greatest. That is not an insult, just a critique. These days, anyone can get a standing ovation, just ask Ashanti and Lizzo.
