Checkers Part 9 of 16

[@oanastamat7830]

Josh's version of Anthem is the only one I could listen forever. Words can't describe just how amazing he is. His voice gave me endless waves of chills!

[@craftycathy61]

Josh Groban's "Anthem" is probably my favorite musical performance EVER!!!! Thank you!!!!

[@CHESShireCat]

Anatoly: I don’t leave anything Svetlana: ok, rude, I see how it is

[@fabulousmyriad267]

One night in Bangkok: That song stuck in every 80's kid. I have to agree that Murray Head's version set the bar.

[@anatoleishot]

Oww Josh was SO young back then! (look at that babyface) His performance and acting skills have definitely changed and improved, like just looking how awesome he was at Great Comet last year! And his voice remains perfect.

[@hsagiao123]

I think that’s most technically perfect version of Anthem I’ve ever heard. Not to mention Josh’s voice fits the song perfectly as well.

[@HagbardCeline42]

You're right, but I still wish he'd done the accent.

[@cannedmusic]

I didn't think anyone could top Tommy's.

[@EthanWilliams-eh5jc]

@@cannedmusic holy shit. Agreed. Forgot how insane his 1992 performance is

[@NYCER4LIFE]

The late David Carroll’s “Anthem” in the Broadway production is much better than Groban’s.

[@tristaneverett103]

Try the version by Anthony Warlow. But yes, adding the choir at fff behind him is cool. It's a pretty awesome tune.

[@toniisaacson6282]

I am amazed by the writing of this song. I am Australian, yet every time I hear this sung well, I become a weeping patriotic Russian. And I have never even been to Russia!! The lyrics capture Russia's history unbelievably well. And Josh Groban owns it. (Pity about the electric guitar).

[@melodytannerclark]

Unfortunately, Anthem compared with Pity the Child really underscores the anti-American thrust to the whole musical. It caused my Republican father to walk out of the London production, and his Democrat daughter to leave the NY production. I do love most of the singers in this version, which is why it’s the only one I listen to.

[@simonnorris8076]

1:54 OH MY GOD THAT TRUMPET!!!! Josh is pretty good too

[@garywoolton1875]

One of the best but underrated musical songs of all time.

[@Caulderone]

I'm impressed. Anthem really suits Josh's voice. What an amazing production! Adam Pascal was getting too comfortable on stage. Just the way he looks into the audience...it's like he's at home. What a professional.

[@donnalum4413]

I love it when Josh Groban gets standing ovations...now I can't get that song out of my head.

[@tremorsfan]

"The Queens we use would not excite you" I love that line.

[@Princeofithilien]

I was there for both nights of this concert, it was an experience I will never forget! Someone else who was there later said they talked to one of the security guards (who had tears in her eyes, by the way), who had said she'd worked there for a long time, but had never seen a standing ovation at half time before!

[@alimacoremor]

I feel very identified with Anthem. My country is in a pretty bad shape. But I love it sooo very much, right now I'm not living there, but I have a lot of empathy for Anatoly's feelings towards Russia. I understand what it is to love crazily my nation, even through all the pain, violence, and despair we may be going through.

[@michaelwilliamybarra2409]

You and me both. Though I tend to listen more to the original cover by Tommy Korberg, I can't help but want to listen to this more and more with this whole election going on. In fact, my older sister left a few weeks ago to study abroad in Ireland, and I often joked to myself about trying to stowaway on the plane with her....... Sadly, the last words of this song makes that joke feel to real for me now, even though I'm still here in America. "Let man's petty nations tear themselves apart! My land's only boarder's lie around my heart." Not to sound to rant-like or overstating an fact we all know and hate but honestly, this is the first time I get to vote and it's for the worst possible presidential election I'm sure anyone can think of. I don't feel like I'm making a real decision or expressing my own individual opinion If I vote for Hilary, because I feel everyone's voting her, whom they don't necessarily like, just to bring down the candidate they hate; Like as if she's riding on the coattails of this whole idiocy to get to office. And, furthermore, I don't feel like I completely agree with her policies and yet even saying that right now on this comment is bound to make everyone think I'm a Trump supporter which I'm NOT! I know he's not a good option, but It sounds like I have no other real choice of who to vote; Especially since now, voting for someone other than Hilary, according to the polls, would risk the chance of Trump wining since none of the people that actually listen to him are gonna back down. Okay, my rant is done. But the point is I agree with you, and I'm happy to share this experience, knowing I'm not alone on this. :)

[@jaimeparker2161]

At the time Russia was actually in pretty good shape

[@williamd2989]

@@jaimeparker2161 Not really. If this takes place in 1979, even setting aside the authoritarianism Russia is still suffering from economic stagnation and demographic problems. Moreover, things are going to hit the fan in mere months with the Soviet-Afghan War. Generally the late 70s were where things went downhill once again for the average Russian, and with Gorbachev and Yeltsin succeeding Brezhnev things wouldn't really improve until the 2000s.

[@FlowerofDissolution]

This is a heroic musical moment that made me forget, for a moment, Tommy Körberg, one of the world's greatest tenors to date.

[@wolfhound7919]

Anthem + One night in Bankok = Best part of the musical!!!

[@Madamow]

It is my sincere hope that Chess gets revived on Broadway sometime soon, same with Tommy and Miss Saigon

[@Abonanno24601]

Tommy is awesome. Saw it in Toronto and Detroit. There is a concert where The Who get a bunch of rock stars to preform. They get Billy Idol for cousin Kevin, Patti LaBelle as the Acid Queen, and Elton John does Pinball Wizard. I would recommend looking for it. I saw Miss Saigon 3 times. The last time I saw it, the set design was real different. Jesus Christ Superstar was real good! Did you get a chance to see Roger Waters do The Wall?

[@CamryLong]

They just announced it recently.

[@AlessaM183]

Benjamin Long I heard that. I would love to see Adam come back as Freddie.

[@chiaisannoying]

Guess what

[@in4themusic]

I know Anthem is supposed to be Tommy Korberg's song, but boy, Josh does a fantastic job on this.

[@drwoo6090]

I believe josh owns this! 😊

[@abbiechristopherson3371]

Ramon Karimloo has a wonderful version

[@flingan7512]

Agree this is good but Tommy Körberg is number 1. From sweden:)

[@nataliehalveston5706]

Tommy has that little cry in his voice that wins for me but I'm super impressed with the amount of emotion Josh got from me.

[@AnnJones656]

Josh owns Anthem!

[@Abonanno24601]

Anthem... Best version of this song. Hairs on the back of my neck are chilled.

[@JennEiland]

Every time I watch this performance of One Night in Bangkok, I feel the same frustration: Adam Pascal can't be heard in the chorus, which happens to be in a vocal range his voice shines in. The choral singers are too loud and have no blend at all. It kills what should have been a standout performance.

[@wgfinley]

Agree, definitely sounds like they bring his mic way down or cut it off for the chorus parts.

[@mylastduchess9998]

I can't hear him at all. Wouldn't know he's singing if his lips weren't moving. Im a huge fan. Its a shame.

[@plasticpictureframe]

I have the cast album for this performance and you hear more of him in this video than on the CD.

[@cypherfunc]

As a singer, given how much louder and clearer he is in the verses, i think he was specifically saving his voice during the choruses. Theres no sound guy in the world that would bring the lead's levels up and down like that during a song.

[@RAnderwill]

I knew something was wrong. It’s perfect be something is offfffffff and it’s driving me nuts because is so damn close

[@AlexMyers69]

Every version of One Night In Bangkok that isn't Murray Head feels like karaoke night

[@whitneymouse]

yeah, I was excited to see this song performed, but it's not as good once you're used to the original version.

[@carlocruz3192]

Bro, his Pity the Child is good. This song actually is fast paced so its hard actually to nail.

[@Casutama]

Even though his singing's not up to par in the performance as he had bronchitis, I really enjoy Raúl Esparza's version from 2018. Even with a bad cold, I feel he makes it his own, which (after Murray Head's phenomenal version) is hard to do

[@CultWhatever]

2:40 Jesus could someone check to see if the tuba player is okay after that?

[@chloenicolee1912]

his voice..... *melts*

[@anybelita]

La interpretación de Josh en "Anthem" es impresionante!!!! Cada vez que veo el video tiemblo de emoción :D

[@HazelJessiman]

Josh Groban is awesome singing this song but my heart belongs to Adam Pascal. Thanks SO much for posting this - I saw an amateur production of Chess that just didn't do it justice. This version has made it one of my top 3 (Memphis - currently starring Pascal - which I saw him in - is my number 1)

[@susantraudt3157]

Love his voice and love this song

[@HSMusicalfan95]

it's nice to har Adam Pascal in something new...for example in this song, i think he did awesome! I've never heard him singing that kind of music before.

[@guentherk.1082]

Anthem absolute awesome !!!

[@RomanticLanguages]

listening to this in 2022 when so many people left Russia and Ukraine, perhaps for good. listening to it helps both those staying in their lands and those leaving. God help everyone who is displaced bcs of stupid political reasons , help them carve a niche for themselves and live happily in a foreign country or return home safely when the war is over. It is a terrible reality, our countries should not be enemies.

[@dioscelto]

No man, no madness Though their sad power may prevail Can possess, conquer, my country's heart They rise to fail She is eternal Long before nations' lines were drawn When no flags flew, when no armies stood My land was born And you ask me why I love her Through wars, death, and despair She is the constant, we, who don't care And you wonder will I leave her But how? I cross over borders but I'm still there now How could I leave her? Where would I start? Let man's petty nations tear themselves apart My land's only borders lie around my heart

[@Lockemeister]

Josh Groban nailed this beautiful and meaningful song. Wish I was there in the audience.

[@cannedmusic]

My cat is loving this. (so am I) "Hey, would you like to hear Josh sing Anthem?" "No, that's okay...(I don't want to have to admit that I was brought to tears by an f'n ABBA song...damn them!)"

[@oanastamat7830]

I love Josh's version of Anthem more than the original. Fantastic singer and performance!

[@gabi_bird]

Press: Ok, cool, cool, your country's in your heart, we respect that. But, uh, you are leaving your wife and children... Do they live on in your heart as well?

[@brian_chalega]

"I get my kicks above the waistline, sunshine", 30 seconds later -> 7:53 :D

[@adamwoodworth5758]

Yeah he definitely got felt up on stage

[@bethmckinney983]

Argh!! it's not playing for some reason. Any ideas? (Beth's mom)

[@SarahRifaat]

Not working for me too

[@AnnJones656]

Josh does Anthem best, but I've loved Josh for years. Tommy doesn't bring the same spine chilling fire to that song. It's a powerful song, a powerful message, and Josh's big, out there voice displayed that perfectly! 😍

[@MissSallyB1]

"checkers" what you did there, I saw it :p

[@tpowell7425]

God he’s magic singing anthem 😍

[@thomasbonilla4316]

@Intensive Purposes Groban sounds like he's imitating Robert Goulet in a deep baritone voice.

[@soniasavage5852]

Oh this is the song I've been waiting for❤️

[@mysterysunfurled]

wow, 7:58 when Adam bites his lips, I'm done

[@josesolismusic]

This doesn't want to play.

[@jodiehorton4904]

His voice 😍

[@QuinceM1]

Nailed it!

[@graemeloveland2777]

Just love him

[@Blackhound61]

Haha, wonder what the Queen would've thought with the Albert Hall bathed in red

[@TheHellpoy]

Blackhound61 xD

[@anastrandquist6753]

the Queen was at this performance

[@ciadastelhasvogel7592]

superb !

[@herringsinthewood]

The guy in the straw hat (in One Night) looks like he just walked in off the street.

[@emziroze]

adam pascal is bae

[@StanisMaia]

Heh. This song kinda makes me proud that I'm Russian. And believe me that's a pretty hard thing to do.

[@hjbxl]

Did you leave Russia too?

[@Abonanno24601]

Anthem... great!! One Nigt in Bankok.... eh... not great. I like the orginal Murray Head version better

[@MrShaun42088]

One Night in Bankok is probably the best song in the musical....

[@loganpocock5028]

Noo way. Endgame! ;D

[@danielclark1314]

Can't help it. Murray Head owns One Night in Bangkok - though Adam does ok.

[@truckingscouser]

+Daniel Clark I've been listening to the soundtrack album for many years, NOBODY can do One Night In Bangkok like Murray Head, Bangkok left me cold too, it just doesn't have the production value of the 'original' :-(

[@AMcGrath82]

I think it's because Adam is playing the character as too happy and too enthusiastic. Murry Head's performance was written to sound angry and sarcastic. Even when Adam's saying "what do you mean? You've seen one polluted, stinking town...." he looks more confused and happy than mocking, and angry. Just a weird way to go when the song's clearly about someone who's disdainful about the place he's in. So I agree: Murray Head nailed it and no one I've seen has ever done it better.

[@anatoleishot]

Alexander McGrath yes that's what I don't like of Adam, how he did One night in Bangkok, he kinda got out of character cuz he's supposed to act different especially at that part

[@anatoleishot]

Daniel Clark also I agree that Murray's the best, definitely Though I still like a lot Zubin Varla's version (from the Danish tour), he's definitely my favourite, maybe because he's the first Freddie I heard :) but obviously Murray's the original Freddie and he's amazing

[@anastrandquist6753]

i heard this before Murray Head's version. i like this better because the original is monotonous.

[@Moyodsreds]

This is amazing

[@KJ-tz7vc]

One Night in Bangkok just sounds so... sedate?... here. It's just a shadow of the Murray Head version form the concept album. Adam Pascal is fine, but the music and chorus are lifeless.

[@viktorberg7424]

Chess Opening song = 2:15 into the clip it starts The Story of Chess Slow 4/4 x7 = intro two instrumental melody parts Aaaaah the part begins 4/4 ×71 = 7 instrumental melodies = intro And in the end we see the game that started by mistake in Hindustan understood in the made by Watters now one The Referee's Lines after the song: The world chess federation, of which I have the honor of being president, announces that the next world championship will take place here in Merano, Italy. The current world champion Fredrick Trumper of the United States of America will defend his title against Anatoly Sergievsky of the Soviet Union. The first player to achieve six victories will be declared champion. The first game will begin on March 27th 1979, welcome world to Merano. Merano Reporter's song Fast bit interlinking with Florence bit lyrics = What did I conclude, his out of his streak His finally, caught up between you and me, his no opponent, as he described, infact he shouldnt have come here, he should have resigned 3x His no one's friend, he shouldn't have come here he should have resigned, Anatolie's first song USA vs Russia song Cheerleader song Chess Game.1 = theme Key: Dm, Gm, Cm, Fm Lots of chromatic Reporter's song.2 Trumper song Global television = lines Florence song = Maybe Im on nobody's side The meeting at the mountain top song Chess Game.1 = theme Key: Dm, Gm, Cm, Fm Lots of chromatic Great Britain/London keyholders song Heaven help my heart Reporters Anthem Florence and Anatolie's song Bangkok Russian party song Global television guys small song Anatolie's wife's song All chess players name song Alekhine Smyslov Fischer Capa blank Kasparov Morphy Chess Game.2 = theme Take my blues red Anthem outro 

[@cupcakequeen0617]

Good Lord, Adam Pascal is hot. 😍

[@nardo218]

god bless that one flat soprano in bangkok.... she's on the struggle bus

[@emperatricemusic8229]

Adam does brilliantly. It's the ensemble that's awful. Again, over sung. No edge. You couldn't find musical theatre actresses that were capable of doing the edgier genre? They're everywhere.

[@JudasFm]

2:15 Is the conductor singing too!? 🤣😁

[@charliel3248]

Probably not but you never know

[@wyy473]

One night in Bangkok was great!

[@thomasbonilla4316]

Is he gonna play Gloomius Maximus in the Rolie Polie Olie: The Great Defender of Fun musical?

[@noahmurphygordon1928]

That is so awkward how the dancers feel Freddie up on stage

[@norbiesison9257]

Bet he loved every second of that!!

[@MaggyShannon]

I have never understood what the Russian meant in this song. It seems as though he’s saying he only cares about himself. Can someone explain?

[@RomanticLanguages]

a great question! i guess it can be looked at from different angles:) on the one hand, your version is true, as the character was leaving for the US at that point - so, his message would be "take care of yourself first of all, do what you need to survive, and the land/nation takes care of itself and will live":) on the other hand, he`s praising everything in Russia that cannot be clamped down on by either KGB or "petty nation"`s or some people`s ambitions (that is, culture, language etc.) - this is smth he, as other representatives of "intelligentsia" carries in his heart forever *listened to the song for 3 times while writing this:)

[@MaggyShannon]

@@RomanticLanguages Thank you. You say Anatoli is praising the things about Russia that cannot be controlled by KGB, government, so on. I realize as an American, I tend to mentally unify my nation and my government. The United States is so very young. In contrast, tsars, governments, dynasties, economic systems have come and gone for thousands of years, yet Russia persists. In this way, showing the Soviet flag misled me. Anatoli's love is not for communism and its utopian vision, nor is is loyalty to his government. He’s thinking about landscape, culture, people, and history. Perhaps he is thinking of Mir? (Noun which means world but can also refer to village, as in “my whole world.”) Thank you, Mariya. I am thinking of this proverb “God is high above, and the tsar is far away.”

[@RomanticLanguages]

you`re welcome! yes, I prefer to think he means this when performing his speech - he says "she (Russia) is the constant", and I think he means "many regimes came and went, but the people and the land and the language stayed". mir (if you mean the Russian word) can mean the world, the people in the whole world, or peace You know there is a monument to Walt Whitman on Moscow State University campus stating his quote about our countries: "You Russians and we Americans - our countries so distant, so unlike at first glance - such a difference in social and political conditions, and our respective methods of moral and practical development the last hundred years; and yet in certain features, and vastest ones, so resembling each other" :) I think that`s very true. we Russians tend to unify ourselves mentally with the country image and the government a lot. The US is amazing in the way that it`s a very young nation , probably unconscious of the great sorrows and lessons taught by history unlike countries like Russia, but doing great on the world arena. I guess it`s the people AND the government who make difference, kudos to those who do.

[@AMcGrath82]

Man Leila Ben Harris is adorable in this.

[@sublimeade]

99% of comments: Anthem 😴 Elite 1%: One night in Bangkok

[@thomasbonilla4316]

Josh Groban sounds like Luciano Pavarotti.

[@tomoliviero706]

How easy would it have been to make a mess of Bangkok? I'm seriously impressed.

[@TheDeadlyDelilah]

Got to disagree with that - I think every part of it is the best!

[@jammin023]

The Act 2 overture is alright, but nowhere near as good as the original album version. As for One Night In Bangkok - not very well done at all. Shame, the rest of this concert is great, but for some reason they really dropped the ball on this one. And where the hell is the flute in the breakdown? It's conspicuous by its absence. Was someone ill that night?

[@horsegranola]

WHO is the random dude in the cowboy hat

[@kiitoskusipää]

Why does Freddy sound like Harold Hill in One Night In Bangkok- In any case its great tho👍👍

[@licentia1963]

This number stinks on hot ice - except for the dancers

[@mastergwaha]

vinyl shakerz mix

[@sskoog]

I love ONIB -- but I think this particular performance is weak. Pascal dominates in all his other 2003/2008 pieces.

[@resathe6760]

That's not fair. Russia already got a great anthem and with this they get another one

[@melodytannerclark]

Resa The What's not fair is Russia is represented by that beautiful song and mine is represented by Freddie Trumper. I like the musical, but fair it isn't.

[@JF-sh2sm]

This is a universal anthem, it works for every country

[@rbee3936]

Checkers??? Or Draughts everywhere else outside of America... Didn't realise draughts counters had the same names as Chess Pieces...

[@tin9600]

Ken's gonna kill as Anatoly :D

[@lowberrymix]

Tin lovesVIXX Oh yes! I'm SO exited about it! I love the way he sang Anthem! And it's just! I want to watch it so bad but I can't!

[@tin9600]

me neither T T

[@lowberrymix]

Tin lovesVIXX I hope that they make a movie version out of it. Even if the chance is low but I would really low to see it.

[@tin9600]

that would be awesome!!!!!

[@hannahhall3987]

Sorry but... whose Ken?

[@БабушкаИграет-ъ7ю]

What name this actor in white?

[@badgerfann3618]

Adam Pascal

[@rosiemo211]

@ Sarah Parker agreed!!!!!

[@hjalleboy95]

Josh Groban does Anthem very well, but I will always think that Tommy Körgerg does the best version, without doubt!

[@ericshang7744]

I checked Tommy's versions, Tommy was great, except Josh's version is much clear with enunciation and clear on notes. Tommy's version has a more wild sense.

[@sskoog]

I was just about to post this very thing. Groban's great in the rest of the musical, but Korberg owns this tune.

[@thesupercoach]

The guy singing One Night in Bangkok can sing as he's done remarkably well in some of the other pieces, but it seems like he was just phoning it in for this effort.

[@Ditrix88]

Why did Anatoly defect?

[@JF-sh2sm]

Because he couldn’t stand continue living in his dear country while seeing it being corrupted by the hypocrisy of politics.

[@radioban]

Oof, that "One night in Bangkok" was... not good.

[@rbee3936]

I've got to agree somewhat. He was kind of singing the words that should have just been spoken. Why didn't someone have the nerve to tell him?

[@toniisaacson6282]

Never mic a chorus! Where's the flute? And I never liked the "Tyrolean spas" version.

[@lamardon9723]

One night in Bahn Pattaya...

[@bbmonkey14]

Anthem always makes me want to marry a Russian so my children will have russian blood and be proud communists.

[@dportass]

One thing I don't get is they have Thai style dancers but then very quickly bring on the western dancers relegating them to the background out of sight

[@thereyougoagain1280]

Because the song is in part about tourists.

[@anastrandquist6753]

i love one night in bangkok

[@alfredchan6698]

It sounds more like one night in Arabia or one night in India. Knowledge of anthropology is very important if one has to compose a song which depicts the geography. The composer obviously doesn't.

[@thastayapongsak4422]

Alfred Chan the lyrics are accurate though. The dancers' costume are stupid though.

[@elisabethnerolk2283]

@@thastayapongsak4422 indeed, the costumes looked like they were being reused from JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT

[@RiddlersApprentice]

You wonder will I leave her, but how? I cross over borders but I'm still there now. How could I leave her? Where would I start? Let man's petty nations tear themselves apart. My Land's only borders lie around my heart. SCOTTISH INDEPENDENCE 2014

[@danehcangra]

the worst performance of One Night in Bangkok I've ever heard

[@cooldesertknight]

Still so disappointed! Newer Chess versions are just sh*t!!

[@adamwoodworth5758]

Seriously missed the mark on this song. The "one hit wonder" that put Chess on the map. Yes Josh did Anthem proud, but this is the Show stoping number and it failed Miserably. I'm standing by my fealing that without Josh this whole redo is just barely okay and only a little better than passable. Sorry to troll but the original recording was a 10 out of 10, this was at best a 6 for Josh Groban otherwise a 4 or worce 🙄

[@ericshang7744]

Anthem 人之初，无纷乱 然而恶念终胜于善 开始征服占有我们的土地 人谓兴起实为败 她永远不朽 先于国境划定之前 旗帜尚未飘扬，军队不成队伍 我们的土地已经诞生 你问我为何深爱于她 因为战争，死亡和绝望 她永不改变 我们却从不在乎 你问是否要弃她而去， 但我如何才能？ 我穿越边界但我依然在那儿 我怎能离她而去 我要在何处启程 让人类渺小的国家毁灭吧 我们国度的边界只在心中

[@richardzilver8919]

Yikes, the One night in bangkok is rather terrible compared to Murray's... even the tempo is off. Ugh.... Would had been so disappointed had I been there. It was actually painful to listen to..... Also Korberg rules when it comes to Anthem. No competition.