West Side Story

[Martin]

On yesterday's Radio Four programme Front Row there was a review by Helen Wallace of West Side Story and in particular the last four recordings including this new one, albeit very brief.

Here is the link:

www.bbc.co.uk/radio/aod/radio4_aod.shtml?radio4/frontrow_wed

The review is approx. 15 minutes into the 30 minute programme.

Martin

[grant]

martin said:

On yesterday's Radio Four programme Front Row there was a review by Helen Wallace of West Side Story and in particular the last four recordings including this new one, albeit very brief.

Here is the link:

www.bbc.co.uk/radio/aod/radio4_aod.shtml?radio4/frontrow_wed

The review is approx. 15 minutes into the 30 minute programme.

Martin

I listened to this recording. It starts just on 15 minutes (after the Archers signature tune) but then comes back to it 3 or 4 minutes later. Helen Wallace says she doesn't think Hayley is Broadway material but Connie Fisher is!

Someone else off my Christmas card list!

Best wishes
Grant

[mariannek]

grant said:

martin said:

On yesterday's Radio Four programme Front Row there was a review by Helen Wallace of West Side Story and in particular the last four recordings including this new one, albeit very brief.

Here is the link:

www.bbc.co.uk/radio/aod/radio4_aod.shtml?radio4/frontrow_wed

The review is approx. 15 minutes into the 30 minute programme.

Martin

I listened to this recording. It starts just on 15 minutes (after the Archers signature tune) but then comes back to it 3 or 4 minutes later. Helen Wallace says she doesn't think Hayley is Broadway material but Connie Fisher is!

Someone else off my Christmas card list!

Best wishes
Grant

Helen is never even going on my Christmas Card List, Grant !!
I guess she is entitled to an opinion.
I would prefer Hayley to keep giving concerts and to record albums !!
She is the penultimate solo ARTIST, I believe !! Well, the first and last.
You know what I mean...I hope !!
Love, Marianne

[scoobedoo]

mariannek said:

grant said:

I listened to this recording. It starts just on 15 minutes (after the Archers signature tune) but then comes back to it 3 or 4 minutes later. Helen Wallace says she doesn't think Hayley is Broadway material but Connie Fisher is!

Someone else off my Christmas card list!

Best wishes
Grant

Helen is never even going on my Christmas Card List, Grant !!
I guess she is entitled to an opinion.
I would prefer Hayley to keep giving concerts and to record albums !!
She is the penultimate solo ARTIST, I believe !! Well, the first and last.
You know what I mean...I hope !!
Love, Marianne

Hi Grant & Marianne, I agree with you completely,but I don't think Hayley would be too worried about comments such as that. Hayley is more than happy with the direction her career is going thus far I would think,Hayley is enjoying what she does and has a big following in the UK and other places.

I think Hayley is still in the experimental stage of her career,trying out different music etc, but good on her for doing what she knows best,long may it continue.

Grant, is that radio program “The Archers” still going? goodness me that must be the U K's longest running soap opera by far. That program used to be played here in NZ, but I am not sure if it still is. I haven't heard that program for yonks.

I enjoyed your report from Chichester Grant, well done,

cheers all,

Rodders CH CH NZ

[stevemacdonald]

grant said:

... Helen Wallace says she doesn't think Hayley is Broadway material but Connie Fisher is!...

Maybe Helen's comment can be construed that to sing on Broadway one must have a heavier voice. Most B'Way singers have strong, strident voices that cut through the audience to the back row with ease. There's no room for gentle crossover voices like Hayley's unless she were to toughen up her sound and give bravura performances night after night. This isn't a bad thing at all for her to remain on the more tender side of things!

[graemek]

Even tho I get just as annoyed as anyone else if Hayley's very real gifts are taken lightly, this is quite an interesting review just the same.

It goes thru the different attempts to revive WSS since the 1961 or so original & the perceived shortcomings of each of these.

I thought it was worth isolating the interview onto one Mp3.

Click on the link, enter the 3 letters into the box, press download.
Wait 45 seconds & download.
www.megaupload.com/?d=FX7KRAGJ

Graemek

[Stephany]

Martin, thanks for the alert !!

Graeme, thanks for uploading the mp3.
Actually, I was trying to figure out how this BBC radio player worked to go directly to the 'interesting' part
Phew - I am fortunate that you're there to save me the trouble!!

Stephany

[grant]

scoobedoo said:

I don't think Hayley would be too worried about comments such as that. Hayley is more than happy with the direction her career is going thus far I would think,Hayley is enjoying what she does and has a big following in the UK and other places.

I think Hayley is still in the experimental stage of her career,trying out different music etc, but good on her for doing what she knows best,long may it continue.

Grant, is that radio program “The Archers” still going? goodness me that must be the U K's longest running soap opera by far. That program used to be played here in NZ, but I am not sure if it still is. I haven't heard that program for yonks.

I enjoyed your report from Chichester Grant, well done,

cheers all,

Rodders CH CH NZ

Hi Rodders!

I think you are 'spot on' with everything you say. I would only add that I believe, because Hayley is in the experimental stage of her career, that she could turn her hand to anything she wanted to and do it well.

And yes, The Archers is still going strong though I haven't listened to it for years.

Best wishes
Grant

[roger]

Helen Wallace says she doesn't think Hayley is Broadway material but Connie Fisher is!

Although I believe Hayley would be more than capable of handling the *right* part on Broadway, I think Connie is far more suitable to play many more parts. This is largely for the reasons outlined by Steve M (above). I can therefore see why the comment was made.

Roger

[Dave]

For anyone who is having trouble playing the promo clips of West Wide Story, the long "Tonight" clip is now up at Amazon UK and you can view it here

Not sure if this has been mentioned before but there also seem to be two versions of the album cover...

This one (Amazon)

And a limited edition "glossy sleeve":


This (HMV)

Of course, the glossy one may well contain the Amazon one inside it...

Cheers, Dave

[Stephany]

dave said:

Not sure if this has been mentioned before but there also seem to be two versions of the album cover...

Actually Dave, it has. HERE.

[Martin]

In my opinion it is unfair and biased to compare the new West Side Story to any previous recording. It is quite natural to think that the first version you hear (often the original) is the best as that is your benchmark.

I like the original very much indeed but I will judge this new recording on merit alone. Having said that with Hayley participating it is bound to be fantastic.

Martin

[Belinda]

Hi Marianne,
I have the cd version of the same recording you have,done in the 90's i think

if you look closely it says starring Natalie Wood but shes not singing its Marni Nixon
and for Tony its starring Richard Beymer but its sung by Jim Bryant.

Recorded hollywood august 9-10 1960

I think i bought this cd when kim had to sing I feel Pretty in a local production of mixed show tunes.
So that cd can be filed away and i'll wait for this new improved wonderful version i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

Belinda

[mariannek]

melissa said:

Oops. Looky girls. He's chosen Hayley! LOL. j/k j/k.

Melissa, that's not a nice reminder !!
Now you have totally undone my fantasies !!
Then again, I can't sing so he wouldn't look at me sideways, would he ??!!
I do believe starring Hayley and Vittorio is the best choice that could have been made !! Yeah !
Can I wait for the outcome? I think NOT !!
Love, Marianne

[Dori]

I don't think there's anything going on between Hayley and Vittorio...they just work togther in this big project!!! :2fun:

Dori