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Showtune Sunday: In a diva showdown between LuPone vs. Buckley. whose “Meadowlark” do you prefer?
I knew that both Patti LuPone and Betty Buckley have regularly performed the wonderful song Meadowlark in their concerts for many years now.
But what I did not know until surfing the net just now is that there has been a bit of a tussle in the past between these two great Broadway divas over who originated the song.
Apparently Betty has claimed it was written for her while LuPone claims it because she sang it in the doomed pre-Broadway tour of the disastrous The Baker’s Wife which closed before making it to New York.
LuPone doesn’t mention Buckley in her memoir in the chapter about The Baker’s Wife but that could be because she was too busy maligning her leading man who does sound like a nightmare!
Anyway, the fact is, they are both amazing, I’m a huge fan of both, and I honestly cannot choose between the two versions of the song.
Can you?
Comments
(All comments are reviewed before being published, and I review submissions several times per day.)
Charles B. says:
If it’s Lupone against anyone (with very rare exceptions) it’s always going to be Patti for me. I like this Les Mouches version, but worth hearing as well is the version found on her LIVE CD released in 1993 (with John McDaniel – yep, that John Mc.D. from Rosie Show – as Musical Director). Patti LuPone LIVE worth a listen with highlights including paired down renditions Don’t Cry For Me Argentina and I Dreamed A Dream , a Calling You/Get Here mashup (way pre-Glee), the best version of Lush Life this side of Ella’s, paired with the funny/sad Everything Happens to Me. Also provides a bit of insight to the Norma Desmond to come – she announces in the intro that she’s about the leave LA to be in Sunset Boulevard in London and NY – in the second set closer.
Gaspar Marino says:
Both excellent…impeccible “concert” performance by Betty, but not only a showstopping number by Patti, but an excercise in how to “act” a song. Again, this time I give it up to Patti…the diva divine.
Robert Giannini says:
Patti Lupone’s reaches majestic heights with her version of Meadowlark. What a shame no one on the horizon that compares to Patti.
Grant Taylor says:
I like Roslyn Kind’s version of Meadowlark. I don’t think there is a video but the song on the record is sublime!
Jimmy Cuomo says:
These are both excellent …but for my money nobody sings MEADOWLARK like LIZ CALLAWAY. Pick up her CD “ON AND OFF BROADWAY ‘ and hear her sing the hell out of it !!!!!
JW says:
I agree with Mr. Cuomo. Liz Callaway now OWNS IT!! Her version is breath taking.
JJ says:
I’m a big fan of both ladies and it’s pretty hard to choose which of the two versions is better. I think both are amazing in so many different ways. However, what most people forget is that even though it was written with Betty in mind, she was never cast as Genevieve even though she. On the other hand, it’s not Patti who originated the role but CAROLE DEMAS, who eventually got fired and replaced by the former. So there’s your answer: Carole officially originated the song.
nancy gilmore says:
Betty, always and forever, Betty….