OBSESSED!: "Godspell"'s Morgan James and a Mariah Carey Coloratura

www.playbill.co... You probably can't tell from her stunning belt in the current revival of "Godspell," but Morgan James is always game for a little coloratura/
melismatic singing (thanks to her training at Julliard and peer pressure from the conservatory-trained Seth). She shows off her classical/Mariah Carey-hybrid version of Stephen Schwartz's "Turn Back, O Man" (up a step-and-a-half AND up the octave, thankyouverymuch).

[@iambroadwaytrash412]

To all of you thinking she's singing incorrectly, SHE WENT TO JULLIARD. YOU PROBABLY DIDNT. SHES FINE. HER VOICE IS FINE

[@nursegrace7492]

wut's jilliard

[@EdwardCullen667]

IAmBroadwayTrash I just died at this comment!!! She went to Juilliard. You probably didn't. Brava!!!!!!

[@onemercilessming1342]

Nurse Grace--Julliard. It's on the Internet. Look it up.

[@JacobWay-White]

IAmBroadwayTrash Juilliard’s Royal Conservatory of music. It’s a whole branch of music post secondary education spots

[@placeholder9462]

Grace Kidd whateveryousay

[@1thomson]

People, she did say that when at Julliard she realized that she would never be a good opera singer. That's precisely why she changed direction and went into theater and jazz and pop instead. You know ... where her natural talents really lay. And damn, is she good there.

[@Bill_N_ATX]

1thomson , it’s not that she couldn’t sing it but that she wasn’t good at the other languages. Opera is usually in Italian, German, Spanish, or just about anything but English. If you don’t have a good ability for those languages it makes singing them really, really tough to do at the professional opera .

[@plank2683]

Fred Virtuoso if she’s not confident in what she sings why should she continue with a path she doesn’t want to take? and it’s not that she wants to “be a black wannabe” it’s just the style and way she sings it. i think she would know what’s comfortable for her and not some rando on the internet.

[@leif1075]

@@Bill_N_ATX Maybe she just needed more practice and specialized training then right like some foreign language courses or singing articulation courses? wouldn't that have been possible and helped?

[@leif1075]

@Fred Virtuoso Couldn't she have done well in oowra with more specialized training you think like language courses or foreign diction or whatever kind of courses you need for that?

[@Bill_N_ATX]

@Leif Some people learn other languages easily and others don’t. Just like some people are good at math and others are not. I’ve listened to a lot of folks for whom English is not their first or even second language and some can sound very “native” and others will always have an accent, no matter what. Well, many opera fans earn their name and are fanatical. You might sing the notes with perfect pitch but if the words are off by a bit, well they catch it.

[@philskala8938]

sometimes when I listen to Morgan James sing, my soul leaves my body

[@davisbenecke3623]

I’ve literally watched this from 5:55 to the end like over 50 times..

[@emi_zad]

Same

[@boweed70]

It's been 6 months since your post. You've probably quadrupled your views by now.

[@ddnerd0534]

SAME!

[@jvburnes]

Good Lord. This is the most amazing performance I've ever seen by Morgan James. I've seen all of her Postmodern Jukebox work and it's fantastic. I've seen her solo work, but this performance of Turn Back O Man is transcendent. And fun. Bravissima!

[@dochallenstein676]

More breadth than we have seen before.

[@vindicator05]

And she isn't even fat! :)

[@jvburnes]

@@vindicator05 That's why it's not over.

[@ed743-m4t]

I have to say that Ab5 belt had SOUL in it at 6:11

[@WerdnaNiraehs]

I thought she sounded like she was taking a shit.

[@connorlee3507]

+roundandround14 tell me more

[@WerdnaNiraehs]

+Connor Lee Was it love at first sight?

[@connorlee3507]

wow....so interesting. tell me more plz

[@blakefortune6339]

Andrew Shearin that’s called gospel so...

[@EdwardCullen667]

I've lost count the amount of times I've watched this video.....

[@lisabwd9439]

Everyday before go to bed

[@zoebest7857]

I am OBSESSED with this version of Turn Back

[@similispastor]

The directors of Godspell loved it, the critics loved it, and the audience loved it. The "arts" haven't become anything. Any way to express an emotion or a story is a valid way. Haters to the left.

[@alohaisland9999]

that, "yet thowowowoooyoouou" whatever she does literally is the reason I still live

[@maxwellfan55]

Always adored the female singing voice. This is why. I'm absolutely floored by this girl's talent.

[@hannahmaria9021]

What a voice! We love a soulful queen.

[@TheAmorable]

Morgan has me in love with that rough, jazzy voice-

[@ChellzFieldzz]

Thats not true. I was in a master class that she taught with Tituss Burgess at the BDF summer intensive and she is the sweetest most down to earth person ever =)

[@Jenyth]

Why is it always the "oh-I-only-sing-legit" ladies are always the ones who can BELT THEIR FACES OFF TO THE HIGH HEAVENS OF SASSAFRASSNESS?! (no. thats not a real word. unless it relates to Morgan James' voice.)

[@hudsonsoul3259]

What a fantastic video. Fun, great pianoing (I realise that's not a word) and her voice is extraordinarily versatile. Morgan has been my fav on here for a while now and probably will be for a while longer.

[@DaliaChild]

It's very hard to sing a "Mariah Carey Coloratura" and sound good... In opera "everybody" who got the technique, may sound good.. but to sing popular songs.. the tone, tricks, rasps, and all that stuff are more important

[@jackl.gansner6102]

I would love to see her in an opera

[@rainymornings]

So happy this got recommended to me, I like seeing all the things Morgan can do with her voice!

[@jaykay1053]

Loved the spin around at the end! Fanta-a-a-a-astic!

[@MrVara411]

Saw Morgan sing last night here in San Antonio. You can tell so much training went into that God-given natural talent... this video is a treat to see. She's truly amazing.

[@wbuck]

It's Beethoven's Piano Sonata in C minor, op. 13, aka the "Pathetique," which is what Seth called it.

[@JamesDirks1]

Loved her personal style singing of this song. Obviously trained by the best and already "Blessed" with the pipes.

[@thamilton2010]

I'm 20 years old and I actually remember that episode of Laverne and Shirley from when I was a kid (re-runs of course). So glad that Obsessed is back on youtube!

[@Methos1966]

Morgan James is unbelievable

[@Alienstookmyfridge]

OMG! I can finally put a face to the AMAZING version of Turn Back O Man that I've had in my Spotify playlist for years! #Shook

[@shinnysarah]

doing all those iconic roles would be great, but she definitely deserves to originate a role. an i can't stop watching this... :)

[@kramotakra]

hmmmm Morgan James as Christine Dae ????

[@donnasnaddon3914]

Some of you have never heard the term artistic interpretation....

[@dianaemilia485]

Some of us are just able to divide bullshit from art. This was bullshit. The "Rejoice" alone had me laughing. Never heard something so ridiculous. Händel's turning in his grave.

[@arya7520]

on the other hand, i've heard of her and enjoyed lots of her music. who are you again?

[@kmlanefri1398]

@@dianaemilia485 She literally said that she had no gift for what she learned in Julliard that’s why she went in a different direction. And even still she did a good job. You’re full of bullshit she knows what she’s doing she was just showing a demonstration of what she learned. I can’t stand entitled asses like you who think their opinions are fact. There is no reason to spread unnecessary hate about an artist unless you’re just that unhappy of a person. I would love to see all of you haters do what she just did.

[@RStapleton100]

To the public criticising her methods...she went for flaming JUILLIARD!!!!!!! I'm pretty sure she knows what's she's doing.

[@MattWeisherComposer]

Ruth Stapleton She is very talented for sure. But a person's school shouldn't be an indication of their talent. I've sung with a lot of people from very good schools who were...honestly, absolute trash. Hahah

[@daisymaizedotjpg]

Nobody is saying that the school is a measure of her talent. They're saying that because she went to Juilliard, she knows what she's doing having learned how to do it there. Her talent is obvious without that~

[@onemercilessming1342]

Ruth Stapleton--And, by her own admission, did not do so well at Juillard.

[@meepmeep2525]

+One MercilessMing FUCKING SAVAGE BAHAHAHAHA 😂😂😂😂

[@Platinum400]

MattWeisherComposer It’s not the only indication of talent but it does say something. You’d probably want a lawyer from Harvard over one from a community college for example...

[@HaysHankinson]

6:10 you're welcome 😊🙌🏼 HOLY CRAP I LOVE THIS PLACEMENT!!!

[@The12cheesecakes]

I have watched this 27 times today! Morgan James..... you are incredible!!!

[@PlatoSmash]

This is my favorite! I directed Godspell in college and thought her take was awesome. Add to that what she is teaching those who are still trying or want to learn how to sing...

[@simplycomplicated3262]

OCTAVE UP BRAVA

[@pardieupopper339]

A mini-course in vocal theory. Thanks and well done.

[@gudacheese85]

Was graced by her voice when she performed with PMJ. She's absolutely amazing!

[@gynack]

Fascinating listening, at least to the uninitiated like me. Head voice, chest voice, support, alternating between the two voices and even varying the proportions of each used simultaneously. Producing trills. It makes me wish I'd had singing lessons myself - well almost wish!

[@BethDiane]

According to vocal treatises it's the times, sopranos in the 18th century did belt. So it would be interesting to hear all the soprano Messiah arias done that way.

[@tbraithwaite92]

I know we just had this on facebook but I'm so glad that you agree!!!!!!!!! Thanks for showing me this video, she's amazing!

[@mykelcohen]

Omg! I am Obsessed! Love this video. Still chuckling as a type. You are amazing Seth. Morgan you too!

[@rachel869]

I have literally watched this 10 times in 2 days.. OBSESSED

[@aznboiofpower]

She is amazing! I can't even begin to imagine the vocal stress that she deals with.

[@davisbenecke3623]

aznboiofpower none because she’s singing correctly. She went to the most prestigious classical music school

[@monicacarranco8525]

When she belted out "yeah! Yeah! Yeah!" I FELT IT

[@Spapure]

loved the whole thing; the banter was very interesting.

[@tggold]

Some opinion on legato coloratura: In my opinion, there are two things important: accuracy and power. Doing staccato/onset exercises helps with precision. Sliding through the contour of the line allows for the tone to remain connected and increases power. We often see people overcompensate by using the aspirate h to ensure accuracy (see:choral singing). Other times, we just see people slur through the notes and blame it on their "big voice". Thus, the need for more holistic voice teachers.

[@DStudiosChannel]

she is amazing i saw the saw and met her at the stage door so nice and amazing!

[@notreallyasinger1000]

Wow! Just wow. She's amazing.

[@kerryjay7730]

That colorotura riff at 6:30 though 😍😍

[@GustafB]

This was a gem, fantastic!

[@FirstNameLastName-sc2lm]

I love that growl at the high A

[@OctavinaPlayer]

I love operas... :-)

[@prp134]

I really hope she's on the tour cast being produced !!!

[@antwha5526]

holy crapola. this is amazing

[@eccrlife]

I am personally obssesed with both the rendition of Messiah by Handel as well as Turn Back Old Man. The comments that were made against the renditions are artistically unscrupulous, considering art is defined as "The expression or application of human creative skill and imagination". This concept that this song cannot be sung with a bright belt and an octave higher is absurd and is pre Andrew Loyd Weber when the highest note on Broadway was a Bb.

[@amandagrace31]

Her voice is amazing!

[@Nina_sg]

I saw her in Godspell, she is amazing!

[@crazzisexiecool]

i can't stop listening to 4:40 on, then doing it again. obsessed!!

[@emmakate5]

I noticed that too! Although if there were any situation in which the term 'giving it 110%' could be justified, this is it... Morgan's incredible!!

[@gregmacd2829]

Wow she is so young in this video....

[@youtubepasserby8339]

Oh, he doesn't know vocal technique? I always thought he was a vocal coach lol

[@iamkatietv]

That was incredible!! And so interesting!!

[@MrLightsCAMARAction]

i know, me too! she is absolutely amazing!

[@MCSDISTRIBUTION]

And this was in 2012!!!! MCS LOVES

[@machtschnell7452]

OK, now I get how she has such command of her voice.

[@EklektixTheatreCo]

The SANGIN GAWDS are smiling at this Diva! Wow! That growl and run at 6:12 is giving me my ENTIRE LIFE right now!

[@rafaeljimenez1109]

Cara ! Que é isso brother!! Maravilhosa!

[@vietvet]

And she is so beautiful.

[@Syn3rgy-DMS-HANZ]

Wow! Thanks for upload.

[@denavallejos5935]

I would be happy to able to sing 1/10th of how she does it. Won't be critical because singing is one thing I had always wished I could do. Alas, I was not given that gift.

[@TheNyhm1]

You are simply amazing

[@jlizard89]

i can't stop watching.

[@cjsmith1402]

All of this time that I have been listening to the Godspell cast album and I thought Morgan James was black, now that I actually see who she is, her talent surprises me even more!

[@musicaltheatrefan2k226]

5:55 reminded me of the Nick Jr. promo: She’s the girl with the golden throne. A heart cold as ice, she’s more naughty than nice. She doesn’t sit, she doesn’t stay. This pup’s got new tricks and she’s getting away. She’s the girl with the golden throne. The world’s at HER PAWS ALONE!!!!!

[@DeansLILgirl]

this girls fabulous I love her. I used to sing soprano not im more mezzo that first though

[@stephanie8417]

Met her ❤️

[@monsterorgasm]

Made my DAY!

[@terribrown4178]

Morgan is an assassin of all things vocal; she can handle any type of music.

[@hudsonneuro7796]

This woman is serious!!

[@alittlepip]

i can’t stop replaying 6:14 - 6:17

[@cristiancastro326]

Me encantaria escuchar a esta mujer en vivo, saludos desde Costa Rica, pura vida !!!

[@jonathansinanan4383]

You should have a feature with Haley Reinhart with a similar type segment ! Loved this video

[@williamharris2374]

omg...this lady...im speechless

[@hisfriendfrom_school9382]

6:11 CHILLS LITERAL CHILLS

[@daisymaizedotjpg]

Song's at 5:50, heads up~

[@mackenziebuchter8406]

I NEED HER VOICE!!!!!!!!

[@WerdnaNiraehs]

Listen to the cast recording of Turn Back, O Man, it's so much better.

[@connorlee3507]

+roundandround14 she is the cast recording.....?

[@WerdnaNiraehs]

+Connor Lee That's what I mean. Her performance on it is much better than her performance here.

[@connorlee3507]

how many cast recordings have you been in? mama says pls dont be jelus bb

[@daisymaizedotjpg]

he's literally saying how on the recording she sounds much better. He knows it's her. What aren't you getting?

[@nickiito5201]

5:52 don’t mind me just hitting repeat

[@ernlwjr2]

What a talent!!!

[@MrEricrockinout]

BITCH BETTER WORK IT OUT I am so OBSESSSSSSSED WITH HER!

[@mschmidt62]

Fantastic.

[@cto1usn]

That is Awesome!

[@LiVEiTLOVEiT3bc]

how. does. she. do. that?!?!?!

[@joanember18379]

You're first!

[@niccocello]

operas are boring?come on Seth..

[@RhosynCalypso]

Right? Ew #rude

[@CarSVernon]

found something that makes him not perfect lol!

[@daisymaizedotjpg]

To him they might be. He can know what he's doing without liking it. Besides, he's not an opera singer. He doesn't have to like it lol. He clearly respects it, it just isn't his thing.

[@whatdoyousuppose]

Oh. My. That was incredible! xD

[@TimKoopman10]

Thank you very much!

[@valleyguy1123]

Damn, she be singing like it is no ones business!

[@Johanna.EG.]

She needs to sing the solo in Too Hot Too Handel: The Jazz-Gospel Messiah.

[@lacybug_ra3291]

When she adds chest she has to form her vowels differently as she goes through the runs because if she doesn't then the notes will be harder.

[@falfalcon12]

HOW DO YOU DARE CALLING OPERA BORING

[@NathanSalstone]

I'm in love

[@europop16]

While you are of course entitled to your opinion, I think it's beyond your place to say what a song is 'supposed' to be. An artist may interpret a work however he or she feels is appropriate, and Morgan James' take on it is not only valid, it's breathtaking. It would be boring if every cover of "Turn Back O Man" sounded exactly the same. As for what the arts have become, the arts are meant to be fun and accessable, not a country club for snobby elitists.

[@dianaemilia485]

Blabla....typical excuses of people who want to give everybody the freedom to violate the hell out of good pieces, just because they want to be "artistically free". Such a vague, unscientific bullshit-statement. They would throw you out of any university with an argumentation like that. The "Rejoice" was especially horrible. So bad in taste it was cringeworthy. And yes, you can say what a piece is supposed to be. By looking at the original score. By having background in music and musicology.

[@Keith_Petersen_Actor]

Diana Emilia Well... stephen approved of her casting, and he approved of the rewriting... so if that isn't clue enough that this is good idk what you want?

[@arya7520]

diana emilia, i tried looking on your channel for vids of you singing, so i could compare, but someone seems to have stolen them :(

[@soopersalad2509]

i agree. to be honest, i thought when she first started belting it was fine... but not really the high notes. it's hard to belt above like an E. And deciding to belt something or not is not really an artistic choice, it's more of a technical choice. People have to realize the technique is there to help you express yourself. people can make "turn back o man" sound VERY unique by singing it from the heart and making specific, clear, and genuine acting choices. You make a song come to life by leaning on your body on the important words of the song, and singing each phrase with a destination in mind, using dynamics, and emphasis, etc. To belt the whole time or to sound pretty the whole time is not an artistic vision. Even Elphaba's songs aren't belted the whole time. She is supposed to build up to something.