Preference- Tara Blaise or Julie Covington?

[Wastedyuthe]

I have read elsewhere of Tara getting a bit of stick for her performance of Beth in the live show. When I watched the live show I was blown away with everything, but especially with 'The Spirit Of Man'. I remember thinking 'blimey- I don't remember it being this catchy!' A few days later I listened to the album, and Julie Covington's performance, and found out why. I know I will get shouted at here, but I definately prefer Tara's performance over Julie's, although both are great. It's a little hard to describe why, but it's to do with Tara singing more closely to the music, if you get my drift, where as Julie is a little more loose. However, as good as Russell Watson was, Phil Lynott had the edge with the Parson. All excellent performances though, don't get me wrong. Anyone agree/disagree?

[Reppu]

I definitely disagree. To me, tara Blaise is one of the worst things of the tour. I just didn't believe her. You know, she should be in despair, dressed almost in rags...she looks and sings like she's having a happy walk in the country. Julie Covington, well, i love her performance, i find it a lot more heart-touching, if that makes any sense. Maybe, and precisely, due to that loosines you mentioned (which indeed is there).

[Wastedyuthe]

I know exactly what you mean regarding Julie's performance, Reppu. Good comments. I think perhaps Julie is more in touch with the emotion of the piece than Tara. For that, yes she is better. I think I still prefer Tara as the closer the singing is to the tune, the better imo. I think it comes down to personal preference in this way, regardless of who has the better singing voice.

[thedonal]

I thought Tara blaise was great at the show- her performance when I saw it was fine. The DVD performance wasn't quite as good, but different nights, different stuff- this is live!

I think that Julie Covington's performance is pretty much unbeatable- it's her voice and delivery. Fantastic.

Now, let's talk about that percussionist again!

[richardburton]

Ya can't beat Julie Covington's original performance of course, but I personally thought Tara Blaise did a fantastic job.

[Scifishocks]

Tara was great at the show I went too as well.. perhaps her performance doesn't translate as well to the DVD as it does live?
Anyway, the brief for the new performers was not to mimic the performances of the original cast members but to make the parts their own. I think they all did so really well.

[thedonal]

admin said:

Anyway, the brief for the new performers was not to mimic the performances of the original cast members but to make the parts their own. I think they all did so really well.

Great point- they all did it in their own way and that's fine. I think though, it's going to be hard to follow an album that has been part of many of our lives for the last 30 odd years.

Even watching Pink Floyd play their own songs from the same period is not the same.... But that's the way the ice cream melts

[Wastedyuthe]

You may have hit upon a good point there Thedonal- those that have been listening to the album for longer will undoubtedly prefer Julie I suppose. I listened to it once or twice when I was little, and still have the original album (used to be my parents, but I have 'borrowed' it). But I only really got back into listening to it again after Spielbergs movie (I read the book after Spielbergs movie too).

[Scifishocks]

That's all very well, but I have been a fan since I was a nipper, (dare I say it) in 1978, and have listened to the album regularly ever since.
And yet I was happy to step back and let new people take over parts I already knew and loved and not judge them (too much anyway) by what had gone before. To me, seeing Jeff Wayne conduct the album, live, with all the CGI, the huge fighting machine, the well-loved characters up on stage, the string section and Herbie Flowers playing THAT bassline, really was enough to give this old fan the willys (and that doesn't happen often!).
I think Tara, Alexis and even Russell did a good job.

[Rocka]

To be honest, I thought Tara seemed to add more passion to the role.
Reckon I still prefer those singing daleks on youtube, though

[killraven]

To the doubters, remember that Tara has had to perform the musical on stage 'in the flesh', whereas we only needed to believe Julie's vocal performance. This was also Tara's first 'acting' part.

To me they were both superbly cast and did a brilliant job.

In terms of outright musicality and emotion I would have to pick Julie, but its a close run thing However, Tara can do both haunting and beautiful as well as cheeky and sassy I would heartily recommend to anyone her debut solo album "Dancing on Tables Barefoot"

... in terms of "Would you?" well for me Tara wins hands down! ;D

KR

[richardburton]

lol aye for me too!

[Spirit of Man]

I think Tara was a very good Beth, although, for me she added a different slant on Beth to what Im used to thinking. I always thought of Beth as just this caring husky voiced woman & Tara for me added alot of "sex appeal" to the role. Ive seen some pics of Julie and read about her in the collectors WoTW, and she was a very attractive woman, but Julie's Beth will always just be the voice to me. Tara's Beth, will stick in my memory as a woman who would definately put spirit in this man