Michael Ball--Sunset Boulevard

[@Sarahoxy]

This is my favourite version. His voice is just so full and bodied.

[@06s091]

Michael was actually the first one to sing this song, and the first one to record it. He was the first artist that signed with Andrew's record-label: Polydor, when he recorded "love changes everything" and in 1993 he was chosen to record "Sunset Boulevard" as a single to promote the show.

[@deidreshand4641]

To Me Michael Ball is the the best Male Stage Performer these days! his voice is amazing and has played many different types of roles

[@kevinbailey8827]

I've seen both Michael Ball and Michael Crawford on stage, and while both were excellent, I don't feel as if I've really seen them. I saw them in different productions of The Woman in White, and they were both in fat suits.

[@LoveThatPhantom]

Michael Ball is so incredible. He sings this so well.

[@TheManorBeast]

This one knocks it out of the park The acting and expression within it is perfect aswell as the fullness of his voice

[@wickedismycrack714]

That last note....I am sitting here with my jaw dropped....I don't even know what to say. I knew he was good, but that...dang.

[@ykaiilah]

Holy shit, he just has that special tone to his voice!!! I don't get tired of hearing him sing. Does he age? I think him and Dick Clark are in it together. They have that magic no-age potion.

[@Kizaelemir]

I really love michael ball's voice! this song is one of my favourites of Andrew Lloyd Webber!!!!! Thanks for uploading this video!^_^

[@cargo71]

I just listened Michael's, John's and Hugh's versions, and I like Michael Ball's version the most.

[@carriewhite410]

I absolutely LOVE this. The last note was plain amazing

[@joantroiano7436]

I love it He puts so much emotion in his music

[@LostinMerlinLand]

Man! Who can sing it like him?! He's so awesome.

[@MusicalGeek92]

Him and John Barrowman are my favorites to sing this song.

[@mercifulreddeath]

Baby!Ball is so cute, and his voice is like liquid gold... GUH

[@tegonyan3]

ahhh in michael's voice there's always this raw emotion that comes out so well.

[@musicalmeg19]

Love, love, LOVE Micahael Ball! His voice is just infinitely beyond a gorgeous and meaningful voice! He sings with such passion! That's 70% right there -- but then that tone!

[@leona6280]

I'll have to say this - HE'LL BE THE PERFECT FIYERO. You go, Marius!

[@cargo71]

He's now closer to the Wizard than Fiyero...

[@kevinb1967]

Leona Low omg yes. #noonemournsthewicked

[@UmmOopsy]

Carlos A. Gógola HAHAHAHA OMG LOL

[@pirocantha]

He is an amazing singer.

[@doctoripanema41]

no matter what people say , Michael Ball is by far the best on this version, Jackman is just a movie star trying to be taken seroiusly.

[@rainerzufall376]

I like this version of the song!

[@lsd2772]

This was done years ago. I saw Michael as Joe in the BBC concert version of Sunset in Cork, Ireland in 2004...he was fabulous. There is an audio version available, but it should have been filmed. He was edgy, angry, sarcastic and perfect in the role (maturity kicking in). But the voice and the notes were still there. The finale reprise of the title song was amazing.

[@bzyk1975]

Absolutely brilliant and amazing!

[@ExitSiign]

I love it because I love watching him perform. From the curls to the adorable facial expressions. A little iffy about this song in particular, some pronunciation issues - it's really hard to hear any version that isn't Alan Campbell to be honest.

[@dirty06maggot]

this is best sunset boulevard version. he nails it! michael ball rocks!

[@mariahumphries3009]

Amazing ♥️

[@noreen2k9]

I have to agree, nobody can sing or interpret ALW's music better than the great Michael Ball

[@robnicholas7557]

Generally I prefer the John Barrowman one, but the Michael Ball's last note is the best moment in either

[@arabellabishop]

one of my favourite songs from the musical :-) thanks for uploading it!

[@jessied44]

Jackman, Ball, Barrowman -- This is a great role. They all sing, who can act well enough to land the movie. Just get the darned thing made!!!

[@sunrisesunset51]

Oh. Dear. God. I love him. Beyond what is normal and good.

[@mchudi91]

i love how he sings with so much emotion

[@gingeroneal398]

You hit the nail on the head.

[@stoffermand]

Very good.

[@engatbuf]

as far as voice, there may be better, but i really like the way he sort of looks at the audience, the smirk and the eye contact is so great

[@Holly24tm]

Has anyone ever heard Rex Smith sing the role of Joe Gillis? He is absolutely amazing! The Canadian cast recording is phenomenal with Rex Smith and Diane Carol.

[@MrAnthonymarina]

good worlds,,love english language!good sounds

[@L1C1T1]

@DrinkOmally totally agree.. hes brilliant...

[@nwfbakker]

I totally agree. I think it makes the song sounds too sweet.

[@whjk11b80]

This cynical look on his face... WOW! And this last note is so impressing!

[@julieporter7805]

I love his expressions when he does the "smile a rented smile/Fill someone's glass/Kiss someone's wife/Kiss someone's ass". Also his delivery of "Well I'm a writah." Joe Gillis: the sleaziest Hollywood hustler since Sammy Glick.

[@meiyuc22]

best joe

[@juwans15is]

@kassiehp0593 your completely correct, i agree in every way possible.

[@purpletatoe]

bOOO-levard! haha luv it.

[@waynedev1621]

Kevin Anderson 'The Original Joe Gillis!' acted the role Best!x

[@sunny70299]

Well if we are talking about the musical technically *Michael Ball was* "the orginal Joe Gillis"

[@anorian7992]

Wow

[@Tolkien_gay]

@rodrigodesante My using the term "British accent" refers to an accent... from Great Britain... Don't assume I'm so ignorant. My point is that back then, "they" (referring to the majority of accents from Great Britain) were closer to the modern "General" American accent... Meaning harsher consonants and less rounded vowel sounds.

[@musicalmeg19]

@desboisjo :) Excellent points. Thanks!

[@catannelittle]

@BlueEyedPrep a good argument however i still reckon the british way to pronounce words that have been around since before the brits settled in america is the correct way to say them. i believe glenn close also sang this song with the same pronounciation.

[@8spliced]

@jessied44 There is a movie: black and white, done in the fifties. But it is not a musical film: it is straight acting with Gloria Swanson as Norma. There really should be a musical movie of this!

[@catannelittle]

@musicalmeg19 yeah that is how we pronounce it in the uk. how do youguys in the states pronounce it? bearing in mind that the british way of speaking is the correct way, american accents have changed the way many words are pronouced since the british settled there a few hundred years back.

[@greatharlekin]

your right

[@noreen2k9]

What is wrong with you people....this man is amazing and if you were familiar with his work at all you would be able to tell the sarcastic grins from the real smiles........He is the best at all he does.....

[@Tolkien_gay]

@catannelittle Actually, when the States were being settled, the British accent was closer to the modern American accent than the modern English accent. I don't really know why, but that's what they say.

[@crAzyXx3]

True! :]

[@doncoyne]

Do you know that for sure? In any case, it should be pronounced the way it's pronounced in Hollywood. Kevin Anderson, who played opposite Patti Lupone in the world premiere recording, does a great job.

[@doncoyne]

Hard to believe that no one corrected his pronunciation of Booooolevard before he went public with this.

[@KM-hp3sj]

It is correct, only Americans pronounce it different.

[@markjameshowe]

Oh, thankyou (: Is it one of those musicals where they sing all the way through without any talking?

[@superdresser]

at this time of the plot the caracter (Joe Gillis) has "Made it". He is relaxing by the pool with a drink and are content with life. and so would i if i was in his position... And being the great actor that Michael Ball is, he is obviously in caractor, hence the smile..

[@inzezvie3172]

Sure I came out here to make my name Wanted my pool, my dose of fame Wanted my parking space at Warner's But after a year, a one room hell A murphy bed, a rancid smell Wallpaper peeling at the corners Sunset Boulevard, twisting boulevard Secretive and rich, a little scary Sunset Boulevard, tempting boulevard Waiting there to swallow the unwary Dreams are not enough to win a war Out here they're always keeping score Beneath the tan the battle rages Smile a rented smile, fill someone's glass Kiss someone's wife, kiss someone's ass We do whatever pays the wages Sunset Boulevard, headline boulevard Getting here is only the beginning Sunset Boulevard, jackpot boulevard Once you've won you have to go on winning You think I've sold out? Dead right I've sold out! I just keep waiting for the right offer Comfortable quarters, regular rations 24-hour Five Star room service And if I'm honest, I like the lady I can't help being touched by her folly I'm treading water, taking the money Watching her sun set... Well, I'm a writer! L.A.'s changed a lot over the years Since those brave gold rush pioneers Came in their creaky covered wagons Far as they could go end of the line Their dreams were yours, their dreams were mine But in those dreams were hidden dragons Sunset Boulevard, frenzied boulevard Swamped with every kind of false emotion Sunset Boulevard, brutal boulevard Just like you, we'll wind up in the ocean She was sinking fast, I threw a rope Now I have suits and she has hope It seemed an elegant solution One day this must end, it isn't real Still I'll enjoy a hearty meal Before tomorrrow's execution Sunset Boulevard, ruthless boulevard Destination for the stony-hearted Sunset Boulevard, lethal boulevard Everyone's forgotten how they started Here on Sunset Boulevard...!

[@OfficialVinceStudios]

I love barrowman

[@bmdeleon]

I heard this version first, heard this version a lot before I heard John's version. John's version is cool, but as can be expected, I love Michael's rendition better.

[@HikariDragonRyuu]

BOOOOLUHVAAAAAAHHHDDD

[@girl920]

What is this video clip from?

[@Aaron_R]

i agree its boulevard, not boolevard in LA.... I guess its pronunciation is different in the UK

[@BlueEyedPrep]

@catannelittle However, since the show is set in the states, wouldn't the correct way be the american way? Just saying

[@AppleCheese12345678]

or combine them all and make the super singer / actor to sing sunset boulevard

[@sunrisesunset51]

mm, agreed.

[@ActorsWithIssuespodcast]

Earl Carpenter's version is pretty amazing as well. Both are top-notch performers.

[@musicalmeg19]

I don't mean to be picky, but can someone who's from England please explain: do you pronounce boulevard like he sings it here? "Boo-levard"? Or is it just Michael's pronounciation?

[@markjameshowe]

what is sunset boulecard about, i mean the story line?

[@lilmissrachie]

Theres something so different about his voice...love it. Still John Barrowmans version does have more passion I suppose. Love this song =]

[@crazyfriendsbe]

@whatshallwecallit i did exactly the same xD i like hugh jackman's acting better but micheal's sound is amazing!! :D

[@ladybebetter]

Definitive!

[@chrischico]

Les Mis IS an opera. An opera doesn't have anything to do witht the way people sing. An opera is a play where people only sing and don't speak. And in Les Mis there is no talking, just singing. So Les Mis = an opera :)

[@go2997]

Feel bad for the singer... conductor needs to learn how to follow the singer not the other way around. WAY TOO FAST.... brutal boulevard indeed

[@benediktcz]

actually he always sings this song fast and i must say i like it this way a lot more then the slower versions

[@JustinVillamil]

I actually really enjoyed this version, but I thought he tried to do too much with the actual singing of the words - they leaned together and slurred a bit too much. I do like the smile thought, it's wonderfully ironic. Also, there needs to be more acting in the song and the dramatic gestures aren't subtle enough to make it. Check out John Barrowman's version, it's the best I've seen so far.

[@charklotter]

I like JB's.

[@merylstreepmygirl]

his voice is good but it could be a bit more passionate. no one sings it like ron bohmer! hes amazing. he gets sooo into it! good vid tho! thanks!

[@dhyanabora]

definitely, but he's a good singer. i liked it when he sang gethsemane.

[@musicalmeg19]

I didn't mean to start a debate. I simply wanted to know. I don't believe one accent is better than another, since no group of human beings is better than another. Just because we happen to pronounce vowels differently doesn't make one way better than another.

[@tggold]

You can so tell the orchestra is rushing him...he gives them a look a few times at the start being like "why aren't you taking my temppoooo?" but yes, he owns this and pretty much everything he sings. I don't know if I like him MORE than J.B. I don't think they're really comparable. They take the character differently I feel.

[@rodrigodesante]

@MuchoMasturbation there wasn't ever, and isn't currently, a "British accent". Everywhere in Great Britain has its own accent, dialect, slang and verbal stresses. In all likelihood, the "American" accent you speak of (though I'd be a hypocrite if I didn't stress that everywhere in America is equally differentiated dialectically) has evolved from the accent of whichever english or irish port communities made the sea voyage to that place.

[@loopylupin09]

He's good...I prefer Michael Cormick (too bad there's no videos of him on youtube)...but what's wrong with the way he pronounces Boulevard...it sounds alright to me...

[@azzurraying]

An American accent could be better. But it's gotta be Michael Ball for the Sunset Boulevard!

[@damens]

@noreen2k9 Apart from those people who are better singers and/or better actors.

[@01482842328]

he's not singing 'boolevard' because of singing training ... cause he's never had any? but i agree, he's amazing

[@crAzyXx3]

if you refer to a musical as an opera ithas nothing to do with the pitch in which the music is sung. it refers to whether or not there is spoken word. so even if it was an entirely alto-base show if it had no spoken words it's an opera lol

[@dkgilmorejunkie]

prefer marcus lowe (sp?) who did the concert version for the anv.concert for webber. He was great in it.... Mballs always good, but its not working for me with the microphone and the cabaret preforming style. Barrowman is great to but i sometimes hes to much, (dont hate me for saying it, the rest of the time hes great, just get annoyed when hes to smug...did that make any sense?)

[@markjameshowe]

boulevard* is what i mean.

[@nataliegul]

singing in musicals is all about interpretation. so michael's version i think is good. saying that i still prefer john barrowman's!

[@Tangocow]

Watch the first 20 seconds.

[@jzsun]

... wow, kris phillips is def the best cover.

[@MaryzAigredou]

I agree, John Barrowman has a better voice and he really makes us live the song!

[@dragonofblood]

@noreen2k9 Alan Campbell > Michael Ball.

[@MrVictorPhineas]

I usually really don't like Michael Ball, but I agree with @kassiehp0593 that this is so much better than Barrowman and Jackman. Although I must say that this isn't perfection to me, a little bit of overacting to my taste.

[@specialkrj]

Um. He was a broadway star before he became a movie star.

[@majersusi]

not american enough? explain that please

[@litiel]

Are you crazy guys? Michael Ball is one of the best Andrew Lloyd Webber's interpreter (artist).

[@markjameshowe]

well, there not all operatic. =/

[@crAzyXx3]

"musicals where they sing all the way through without any talking" you can short that all to OPERA. and no it is a musical not an opera.

[@TheSamo199]

John barrowman is not Scottish...

[@adam4757]

He is by birth