"Nobody's Side" from CHESS - Jodi Benson & Co.

[@joe2d2]

I occasionally fall down a 'nobody's side' youtube hole and i always come back to this one. What does it for me are the stakes she brings to it that no one else does. She is burning with rage, and as she sings, she truly *realizes* that she's alone. It's shattering and terrifying, but what else can she do but fight? Most versions of this song have a distanced, 'let me tell you something i've learned about life' quality that is fun but not nearly as immediate. And that little bump to the tempo helps it too.

[@daveross3642]

Holy hell, I thought I was the only one who fell down Chess youtube holes! Whoever you are, know that I feel you :-)

[@danielbaskins6601]

Joe LaRue lol I feel like we would be best friends because I spend all of my time watching random ass productions of chess. I 100% agree with you. This bump in tempo gives it so much more urgency and then she TRIPLES that urgency with her intensity and passion because she experiences the song as it happens. This isn’t a park and bark song, it’s a rage song. The man who she loves just abandoned her and no one but Jodi shows the fire Florence has. (Also hot take, Florence is the main character of Chess and no one will ever change my mind lol)

[@daviddavis6171]

The hole is REAL! Great Song!!

[@jimmytwostones]

I'm falling down the chess rabbit hole tonight for maby the 20th time over 25 years, I love it :)

[@angeleyesjg24]

Falling down the rabbit hole tonight. God I love this song.

[@puck1724]

When Ariel finally snaps

[@c.w.r.794]

I like to think is from Little Mermaid 4 where Ariel forms a pact with the other Disney princesses, and they form a divorcè support group.

[@morgansowell3881]

I rewound her "how the cracks begin to show" like 40 times. Amazing.

[@sethzarandona2325]

She is absolutely breathtaking. She played that role with so much passion and heart, and belted those notes like I never could have imagined. It's so hard to believe she was Ariel! But there she is, right there, tackling this huge, powerful role and absolutely slaying it. Bravo, Ms. Benson. Bravo.

[@daveross3642]

She's absolutely my favorite Florence here. Anyone who wants to play this part in 2019 should of course have their own take, but if they wanted to take any inspiration from anyone, I would point them to this performance. Judy Kuhn's Florence is a bit tepid for me. I think the beauty of the character of Florence is the balance (and struggle) of so many emotions - passion, power, strength, sadness, fragility, love, childhood issues, etc. Jodi completely plays to each of these throughout the entire performance. So good.

[@Shroder98]

😳👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 Back in 1998, I was in the children’s chorus for the tour of “Joseph...Dreamcoat” when it rolled through my hometown of Pittsburgh and Jodi Benson was the narrator...her performance was RIDICULOUS!!! And to top it off, she was one of the sweetest human beings EVER! ❤️

[@murphytn]

I played Simeon in that tour and Pittsburgh was a favorite! She was by far the best anchor this show could have ever had and I'm so glad you had that experience when you were a kid!!

[@benjiakre-hill5961]

OMG .. she acts this like a GOD. I love Julia and Idina's performances, but WHOA .. this is the first Ive seen this

[@danielbaskins6601]

I wish there was a recording of this version!!!! Jodi has the BEST Nobody's Side out there. And trust me, I've heard them all haha.

[@daveross3642]

Absolutely agree - Benson is the #1 Florence!

[@princepeterwolf]

absolutely agreed! She owned this role

[@RickBauler]

Jodi Benson is a goddess. Everything she does in perfect

[@Ifedayo1official]

I would say number 2 to Julia Murney

[@Rigazzi]

Absolutely thrilling... BEST VOCAL PERFORMANCE OF THIS SONG I've EVER heard.

[@oscarphile]

How did I not know this version existed??? And more importantly, where the hell has Jodi been all this time????? Come back to Broadway, Jodi; we miss you!

[@jillgold4039]

This was my favorite number to call because of all the floor bump cues!

[@denis65]

I saw her in a production of Chess at Casa Manana in Ft. Worth back in 90's. Rob Marshall directed and choreographed it! It was excellent

[@daveross3642]

This is absolutely one of the best version of Nobody's Side I've ever heard, and I've probably heard about 98% of the recorded versions that are out there. She plays this with such a beautiful mixture of anger, confusion and sheer passion like no-one else!

[@Madamonitor]

Wow this is amazing, I love her but didn't expect her version to be the best of them all! I get what Howard Ashman saw in her, she has chops for days...

[@octaviaatbg2612]

After seeing and hearing literally hundreds of versions of this show, the Long Beach CLO's version remains one of my most favorite. Robert, Jodie and the whole cast performed to a fantastic level. Jodie is my favorite Florence and this is the best version of Nobody's Side, hands-down. She kills it with the ".. But I don't have the nerve to leave!" line.

[@HarringtonTribal]

What the ever loving what? Go Jodi!! She is such a talented woman!

[@whatdoyousuppose]

I keep coming back to this recording, just so perfect!!

[@jonsmith3030]

I wish she would have continued to seek a larger career on Broadway after "Crazy for You."

[@jonsmith3030]

@Robert Lee, Countertenor It's just crazy how dynamic her range and technique were at her peak. Truly impressive.

[@averyman95]

She said “I’m feeling a little singy” and she went and sang. She did that for us.

[@tarablum3089]

I knew she could sing but I had no idea she could sing like this!

[@71crm]

For those of you who just know her as the voice of Ariel, this is a really big and pleasant surprise! I had no idea she did a production of Chess

[@lonellfletcher]

Wish there was a cast recording of this score with her.

[@somebodytookmyname1]

Fun! 1, I saw Jodi Benson's performance, my first ever trip to Long Beach, when I was little. This is a cool KZbin find. 2, my son and I attended the Long Beach Chess on Sunday at Scottish Rites theater. (We live in LB) just connecting these dots.

[@daveross3642]

Time for my yearly posting to say Thank You to Robert Yacko for posting this and a huge Thank You to Jodi Benson for showing everyone how to really play Florence! Also, how is it possible to get goosebumps on top of goosebumps? So, so good. Hope all is well, Robert! :-)

[@chancetx]

Thanks for sharing this! I saw Jodi perform in CHESS in Dallas the same year and she was outstanding.

[@wickedphant0m]

Hot damn! Get it, Jodi Benson!

[@facts2741]

Her breath control is astonishing.

[@greenmousewitch]

Omg THAT BELT!!! I didn't know she had it in her, so fucking impressive!!!!

[@jasongould407]

Wow this has so much passion. One of my favourite musicals.

[@dianasilva..]

3:04 is INSANE! I’m so glad this recording exists

[@yackorama]

I had an audio recording of us, then I found this bootleg online.

[@dianasilva..]

@@yackorama Amazing!

[@julianakroyd4683]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/g52ypYeun52IeZYsi=LF7tC6MA1_mV6BVK

[@brookemartin6101]

Who knew Ariel could ROCK her pipes out!?. 🤷‍♀️🙎‍♀️🙆‍♀️🧜‍♀️😝🤘🎸🥁🔊😁💗👏

[@yackorama]

She was amazing every night.

[@brookemartin6101]

@@yackorama I'd like to understand the lyrics much better.

[@yackorama]

@@brookemartin6101 This song or the whole score?

[@yackorama]

@@brookemartin6101 genius.com/Chess-in-concert-nobodys-side-lyrics

[@brookemartin6101]

@@yackorama Actually I would like to learn the lyrics to "Someone Else's Story" as well.

[@hillarystone7506]

I just randomly found this.... how did I not know about this....amazing

[@operjunge495]

This is seriously one of the best performances of this piece I've ever heard. Who knew the mousy-voiced "Little Mermaid" had such a set of pipes!!

[@TheAaronLua]

It's crazy right? Actually Part of world was written in a higher originally, but they deemed it too belty for Disney so they made it lower and softer.

[@bway_car08]

Thank you for this. She’s incredible.

[@JoelDeRouffignac]

Best Version Yet :) Love It :D

[@nat_wood23]

Holy crap! Three Disney princesses have played Florence.

[@DorisDayFanatic]

Holy shit!!! Amazing. 😍

[@Seiya174]

holy crap i never seen this before... what an incredible performance

[@kewlbean]

WOW!!!!!!!!!

[@EHH246]

Everyone is talking about Jodi's performance, as they should, but I also love the production as well. I'm a sucker for props and sets that move on their own for scene transitions (even though that was obviously a stage hand getting rid of the chair still seen from behind the curtain at this camera angle) and the chess board lights going out in segments via the musical stings near the end of the song are a nice touch.

[@Ptolichus]

Honestly, she did it best.

[@josephball2623]

Is there anyway I can get a full video? This entire production Is incredible!

[@shannonwynne1613]

Small world; I'm doing a production of CHESS in Long Beach right now!

[@yackorama]

+Shannon Wynne I hope you're loving it as much as we did. We've been trying to put together a reunion concert for next year.

[@maryfletcher5834]

It’s neat that the DV theory is expounded on in this production

[@maryfletcher5834]

DV - Freddie is alcoholic and will ab*se Florence if he is liquored up

[@zakariashartley]

Wow she is just smashing that out. Massive wall of sound. Incredicble I can only imagine what it was like to be there

[@rebeccaanderton4885]

😍😍😍

[@NinjaCoto]

Where did this gem surface from!?

[@yackorama]

From a bootleg of the production found online.

[@NinjaCoto]

Robert Yacko I'm so glad I stumbled on this!

[@SheWookie]

Whoa. Just 😨 stunning! Great video. Thanks for sharing ...what yr was this from?

[@yackorama]

1990

[@whatdoyousuppose]

Jodi absolutely nails this - the definitive version of this song for SURE ❤️

[@jleon51]

Does anyone know what year this is from?

[@yackorama]

Yes, this production was done in the Fall of 1990.

[@jleon51]

@@yackorama thank you so much for replying!!

[@morgansowell3881]

What was the story on this show? Did Freddie win? Did Anatoly win? Florence stab them both? I love Chess, the only musical that you just never know what's going to happen.

[@yackorama]

That tough part is there are no definitive versions. it got radically changed in the transfer to NY because the original director passed away. There is talk from the lyricist that there may be a film of it in the works. Inn our version, Anatoly sacrifices the final game and agrees to go back to his wife to protect his family, but only in exchange for Florence's father. Florence gets her father back in the end thanks to Anatoly's sacrifice..

[@matthewalexander9514]

Anyone have a link for this bootleg?

[@yackorama]

It was only online for a month a few years back. I was lucky enough to snag it in time, when I saw that it was being streamed on Tumblr.

[@matthewalexander9514]

@@yackorama Assuming you downloaded it, could you reupload the files to a website like Mega or google drive?

[@danielbaskins6601]

Can you post the deal from this production?

[@yackorama]

The deal?

[@nathancruz9172]

What year is this?

[@yackorama]

1990

[@nathancruz9172]

Robert Yacko thank you.

[@abandoneddoesntmeanruined]

Is there nothing she can't do?

[@MattysonDreamland]

Ariel went to church on this one. Me: Waving hands back and forth 🙌 Also me: Sing it sister! ✨🎶