Oliver! - As Long As He Needs Me - P.LuPone

For madbassin...I usually only post theatrical performances, but here is LaLuPone in her one woman show taped in Palm Springs for PBS...

[@Zealotta]

I stole the boots, the stockings, garters that hold up the stockings, the pantaloons, the chamise, the shawl, the wig, and THE SHOW. AHAHAHAHAHAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D

[@OverBearin]

I laugh every time.

[@L-O-L-za]

Love how she just EXPLODES at the end!!

[@anneliners138]

Okay, I'm singing this song at school, and it's a pretty darn hard song to sing. And I listen to her, and she is singing this beautifully without looking like she's doing much more than breathing. She hit that C at the end without seeming to change registers at all, which is incredible. This woman is amazing.

[@angrykiwinz6217]

Anne Liners That will probably come with age. As a rule, Patti does not sing above that note very often, so she probably gets away with not changing registers. A training singer who wants to do roles other than those for the musical theatre contralto probably should sing with a mixed-belt.

[@L-O-L-za]

+Angry KiwiNZ really?? isnt most of the Evita songs E5s and above?? and even Sunset Boulevard??

[@Keith_Petersen_Actor]

Angry KiwiNZ I mean, she still has an E based on some of her videos with Seth. In this video she certainly has a higher range than I think you think. She also isn't a contralto. I would definitely say a Mezzo at LEAST because for most of her musical career she had G's F' and E's more regularly than most any other performer. She probably just has gotten so used to the fact the she has to belt that she has a very unnoticeable flip to her lower belting, which isn't uncommon.

[@kes2523]

We can do so much more with a song nowadays thanks to technology - we don't have to be belting it to the back row anymore because of our head mics. You can give a much more nuanced performance and stay easily in your head voice, even with a powerful note. Not that sh'ed ever need one ;)

[@shanedeleon5376]

That's just it; she IS breathing. It's all about breath support.

[@thomasbradley4505]

This is one of my favorite songs and she nails it

[@ferreri26]

that wonderful moment at 3:27 when she unhooks her jaw and the vibrato EXPLODES

[@ilovepattilupone]

i love the song. the dress. and her! OMG she is fabulous!

[@kevinclarke1222]

Bravo,Bravo & Bravo ! This chick is the definition of a" consummate professional "

[@surfcastor]

Nobody can sing this with the heartfelt emotion needed, better than Judy G.

[@walterh.g.2999]

Judy is the best always will be!!!!

[@tenorlovesasoprano]

Well, I happen to love Patti LuPone and the way she sings this song. You should listen her sing "As If We Never Said Goodbye" from this same concert. She OWNS that song.

[@zac613]

she did bust her left blood vessel when she was doing Anything Goes. Patti comes from a time when they didn't have body microphones and you basically had to shout/ belt everything to be heard over a full pit band (compared to the 9 person band nowadays)

[@Empoweredwoman1234]

I’m other words you had to sing with proper technique which should allow you to sing with minimal microphone support. Good on her. She’s better than most singers today.

[@cutiealto2]

She sang THE MESS out of that song! Incredible!

[@csi3willows]

What's wrong with loving yourself and your talent, and she's got the acolades to do so, I don't see her walking around going "I'm Patti Lupone look at me" I think she's pretty down to earth, I can't wait to see her in March!!!

[@ihatepeople4849]

I had the wonderful experience of seeing her near my birthday--No one took me, I bought the tickets. She was at Heinz Hall-a matinee performance--She gave her ALL and I was impressed!!! She was Amazing! That you tube video of her about taking pictures--Yes, I have seen it--Guess what she did at THIS performance? She took the camera, took random pics of the audience, and without a word--or skipping a single note--returned the camera!!! Such a GREAT!

[@johnathansumner5988]

I would keep those pictures forever so I could say I had pictures that Patti Lupone took

[@barnum100]

go back to school.... This performance is beautiful and understated; she is connected to every word she says and doesn't even belt until the end. No one performing today has such great command of the craft as she does.

[@stevecallum7933]

Clearly people who dont understand the character or the song like to criticize someone who has had more success than they have had hot dinners lol.....the song is meant to be sung in this way because the character is a rough and ready wench not some bleeting suprano. This woman has played so many great parts over the last 30 years so who are you lot to judge her? She was a great fauntine a brilliant Norma desmond and a very strong nancy and Evita.....think you can do better...do it!

[@joyciejd9673]

Paul McKinlay-Durning thank you!

[@ellenkole9186]

@@joyciejd9673 p

[@cynaraslover]

Absolutely, Angela Fischetti, this is indeed "a belter's song," and of the many times Patti has sung it, this is the best.

[@robertschacter7733]

Omgaia, I just could feel her energy going through me. Brava⚡🎶🌹

[@mirriaam]

thanks thanks thanks for uploading these. i enjoyed patti's singing immensely

[@WJGoldstein]

For all the idiots out their who want to pretend that Patti Lupone isnt a good actress or whatever they wanna say...you can go and talk to the drama division at the Juilliard School and see what they say...All these people pretend tha they know what they are talking about but dont...Nancy is NOT supposed to be crying in this seen... she is the strongest character in the show and thats what is coming out in this song, her ability to have strength even when the man she loves treats her like crap.

[@richardgornalle4536]

One classy trooper!

[@kevinclarke1222]

This chick a total professional.Totally studied and trained. A B'way pro.

[@stephaniestanley8041]

With just a piano and that power filling the theater 🎭!!!

[@themaxcollective]

AND THE SHOW

[@marvinking9848]

No one like Patti LuPone... Excellent.

[@NewNickTahoe]

@ComedianDivo1 so well put! judging out of contect performances on this site is a favorite pastime for most..

[@lb2145]

Hands on her hips. She is the boss. Thank you!

[@angelafischettifitness]

What a great version. My very favorite is that of Judy Garland's. A killer. Shirley Bassey did another awesome version. A song that should be sung by belters and goodness knows these ladies are all incredible belters. Not to mention the fact their ranges can soar.

[@miketomaszewski7141]

Perfection

[@Brilchan]

I love her

[@barbaraberenbaum8484]

Amazing outstanding voice

[@machinegunvibrato]

a true diva.

[@CourtneyGrande]

I honestly don't get the point of listening to a video when you know you're just going to criticize her , this may not have been the best role she played but like any other actress she deserves to be treated with respect because there is no denying that she is talented.

[@susanalderman5709]

Unbelievable!

[@dhutchproduction]

Consummate musicianship and interpreter.

[@NewNickTahoe]

@sixeses yes there were more. it was a special for pbs taped in palm springs, ca. it is basicallly the same show that became was Patti LuPone Live on Broadway. The first act were assorted songs with the MerMen, and the second act was all her theater roles.

[@stephaniebridges8407]

Brav the hell O!

[@csi3willows]

Well I loved her as Mrs. Lovett in the Concert Version of Sweeney Todd and I think she has an amazing voice and two Tony's to prove it, I really don't care about her personal life hectic, bitchy or not shes a great talent and I think she's fantastic!!!

[@jtcarey2]

I saw the show live...when she says "this is a stolen costume" the Nancy costume flies in above her.

[@PIANOWIZ1]

I lover her soo much!!! I must say I prefer her other performance of this song in the context of the show. But, of course, she chose to style it differently for a concert than when she did it in the show. It's still amazing!!!

[@Ryanlaskey]

@ILoveYouConradBirdie love...we all want to be patti lupone

[@Rapture1987]

I know it's been a while, but, I totally get what you mean. My own take on it is that she THOUGHT she knew what was BEST for her daughters - and she wanted them to achieve what she herself could not. She revelled in Baby June's success because June was a child who needed ROSE to *TAKE CARE OF HER*. I personally think the reason she came to resent Louise's success was because Louise was a GROWN WOMAN who made it clear that she didn't NEED her mother to take care of her anymore.

[@CharlieChilders-wm9gb]

I flawless, superb with a sound and breath control performance! There are many singers who have sung this song including Eydie gorme, Georgia Brown (who appeared in the London musical) Anita Bryant, and Judy Garland. Technically penny is the best, however Judy Garland (who lionel Bart thought of this while he was writing it for the show used Judy Garland for his inspiration. It is unfair to compare anybody to Judy Garland because she was in a class all her own. Patty was (and is technically along with Edie gorme) is also in a class by her self! She is simply amazing!!😱

[@NewNickTahoe]

WOW. i am shocked at the response. i thought this performance was old news. i'll post more....

[@TaylorJonasLover]

she's so funny.

[@sephyr2006]

@Zealotta The Intro was hilarious! and her strut was classic. #teamLuPone

[@DonJuan1992]

contd. "if it wasnt for me" In Roses Turn. I have never seen any actress play Rose in a way that I did not think deserved a Tony, for she is just a great character, who can be interpreted so many different ways, and played from so many different angles

[@mattdeans9873]

What's that saying we hear a lot now -- "If someone tells you who they are , believe them." I wasn't going to comment until, on the right side, I saw the clip of Judy Garland singing the same song. No one can match Judy. It was like comparing orchids to dandelions. I saw PL live in concert and she lives high in her own mind.

[@seanynjboy]

you know..that dress is HIDEOUS!! but she wears it sooooooo well :) It's patti :) She can work that

[@euqip]

If anyone was ever born to do this....

[@chuckashton8924]

Tight and ruff. Surprised

[@wonderxandra]

A suit top and a ballgown bottom! CLASSIC! I LOVE IT! I LOVE IT !!!!!

[@sixeses]

I wonder if this show is available on CD or DVD. You have four songs from it, but were there more?

[@nathanielofoz]

I agree that Patti is a great vocal talent, definitely one of the best in Broadway history, but with this song...I don't know. I got the vibe that she had no emotional connection to the song and she was just singing the notes. I didn't have the goosebumps that should come from such a powerful song. I honestly recommend the version by Judy Garland from 1964 if you want to get the goosebumps, see an emotional connection and see/hear a legend. I dare you not to feel something.

[@Rapture1987]

Also, barnum, if you want to see a rendition of this song that's "beautiful and understated", where the performer is "connected to every word she says", I suggest you check out JUDY GARLAND'S performance of this classic on her 60s' show. Now THERE'S an immortal artist! And don't let's hyperbolise by saying that "NO ONE has such great command of the craft" as Patti. Have you travelled extensively around the world to even CONSIDER making such a claim? And she DOES belt WELL before the end!

[@mzmiller52]

i love patti lupone, mostly because she is the only performer around that has any presence, so i hate to say georgia brown does this better, as zoe caldwell did maria callas better than patti as well, but thank god she's around and accessible, not like the other broadway/ new york divas that never do public performances. keep entertaining us patti. we need that energy in ny, it's become so technical and plastic.

[@PurpleLover523]

I'm obsessed with her and always be but what is the outfit?

[@johnathansumner5988]

I love it I think it's gorgeous

[@JagGuy2000]

C'mon, if Susan Boyle was a young attractive woman, no one would even be paying any attention to her...her value lies in the surprise realization that beauty can come out from under a rock. the incomparable Ms. Lupone's name should not even be mentioned in the same sentence as Boyle's. Boyle will be forgotten this time next year.

[@italianguy607]

Sammy Davis Jr. is rolling in his grave! This song belonged to him, he sang it great!

[@bwadykstra]

does anyone know if you can get a video of this concert?

[@Rapture1987]

I disagree that Rose's MAIN drive is "success" - she tells Louise that she "just wanted to be noticed", so I don't think it was GREED or success in a MATERIAL sense ULTIMATELY. But as you said, everyone is entitled to their own opinion/interpretation. Anyway, seeing Patti after seeing Bernadette Peters made a HUGE difference. And of course, I am a huge fan of Rosalind Russell's Rose in the 1962 film - who was a flawed, desperate woman, rather than a monster who is occasionally sublime.

[@silvamoonstar]

If you have it, could you post her singing Meadowlark from this performance?

[@seansolis6157]

I only have one problem with this version and it's the piano. Not that it's bad, but that it is just this piano. I just love it with a full orchestra wonderfully done anyway.

[@withonelook1985]

Thousands of fans and several prominent critics would disagree with you. Normally you dont win 2 tonys and get nominated for 3 other (all in lead actress of a Musical) without at least SOME ability to sing. You may not always be able to understand what the hell shes saying but she does indeed convey emotion in her songs.

[@ariates5272]

Judy version the best😍😘

[@supercrunch99]

It's a very strern rendition, but at the same time really well delivered...though a touch deliberate. I hate to compare generally as music is what we make it, but Judy Garland sang this live on her show in about 1966 and it is a far superior performance, but no less compelling than this beautiful piece (and Patti is hilarious!)

[@KaraokeKid22]

whats this concert called/

[@Rapture1987]

LOL. I never said, or even suggested, that "capitalising" certain words makes my opinions more exalted. The words that I type in capital letters are the words that I would emphasise if I were to SPEAK. It's only meant to reflect my British-English speaking patterns.

[@csi3willows]

she doesn't seem like that at all, she seems like a very grateful for the gift of a voice and in interviews she gives that to God!! So I do not agree, she's funny and tells great stories of her Broadway years past and present doesn't make her love herself too much, and shouldn't we love ourselves a little bit

[@cam11971]

Guys it was a joke calm down. If you don't like patti then why are you even watching?

[@richiegregory2643]

people like songs... and sometimes they see another perfomer sing it. that's why they watch. it has nothing to do with liking or disliking a person. it's judging the performance.

[@DonJuan1992]

OKay now itll be easier to explain what I meant (before i was trying to type from my blackberry) Yes she wanted to be noticed, which was what I meant by success. Her drive was, I feel, first for herself, then for her children. She wanted the dream shed been chasing all of her life, and when finally her daughter got that dream, she realized just that, her daughter had achieved it, not her. There were parts to Bernadettes performance I liked, esp. certain lines, such as "Why did I do it" till

[@Swizle13]

yes yes yes i completly agree, boyle is an ugly fad that will be forgotten, lupone is timeless.

[@DonJuan1992]

See I agree on this song, though normally I think she does better, idk if its bc this is a concert and not totally in character. As for Gypsy I thought she was AMAZING, her "autopilot" was actually Rose's character of having one thing on her mind, success, and fighting for it

[@singinciaran]

Well I stand by my first opinion of her. If you don't like it well then fine, the world would be a very boring place if we all thought the same now wouldn't it.

[@Rapture1987]

I'm not saying she has to be "in character" - I'm saying this performance lacks LAYERS and NUANCE - which is highly desired in ANY performance setting. About GYPSY - I also saw Bernadette Peters in 2004, and she portrayed Rose as a THREE DIMENSIONAL HUMAN BEING from the very beginning - not just from the middle of the second act. As an actor, I can assure you that Rose is not a ONE-DIMENSIONAL STAGE MUM.....*FAR FROM IT* There is SO MUCH *UNDERLYING* the desire/fight for success!!

[@simplystreeptacular]

@childene One doesn't have to take one's emotions and fly them from the flagpole for everyone to stare at to have true emotion. Patti's Nancy is grittier and more repressed, but that doesn't make her any less true. Judy was all pathos and vulnerability, Patti here is grim determination, Connie Fisher was defiant hope - it's three very different takes on the character, that doesn't make any of them less valid. You may be used to histrionics, but truly great actresses don't *need* them.

[@Rapture1987]

I've seen Patti LuPone on Broadway in SWEENEY TODD as well as in GYPSY. As one of my former voice teachers would probably say, it sounds like her performance here was on "Auto Pilot Mode". That's the same impression I got throughout the first Act of GYPSY, and a good portion of the second Act too. However, she was absolutely phenomenal as Mrs. Lovett in SWEENEY TODD. An absolutely *STELLAR* performance - here, she needs to realise that this song isn't all about belting (a common pitfall)

[@DonJuan1992]

WEll yes, but thats her main drive. I found Pattis layered just PRIMARILY after success. I saw drive, love, greed, as well as many other qualities. Though everyones entitled to their own opinoin

[@ginger1961]

@ginger1961 When I saw her do it in concert a few months ago, she did the song justice. She sang it the way it should have been sung and she was great.

[@blackbeardtwo]

So what you mean is, no ones singing/acting/whatever should ever be criticised by anyone who isn't as successful as them? In that case, no one should criticise Madonna in 'Evita' until they're as successful as her, no one should criticise the scripts of any movies or tv shows until they've written one, no one should criticise the acting in any movie/tv show until they're on tv? That's fine but it shouldn't be one rule for LuPone and one for the rest of the world. I aint criticising her, mind.

[@LuckyDucky917]

I love Patti and her voice is immense - with this version of this song in particular though she falls short of the mark. It's like she's racing through it, eager to move on to whatever's next. Ruthie Henshalls '05 version for the BBC has more depth and feeling but I don't she has the right type of voice for the song. I love Judy Garland singing it but my all time fav is the little known Sonia Swaby, I saw her play Nancy years ago and she nailed it perfectly.

[@bwadykstra]

lol. i know, right? her spiel about les mis practically word for word too. haha.

[@phantomlover1000]

She is such a DIVA but i love her anyway

[@lisareed5669]

You can't compete.

[@less01]

she is controling the notes and the breath with her teeths it makes the notes come as forced or maybe is my perception can somebody tell me about this?

[@dannybex]

very funny...and so true. Thanks for the laugh. Methinks Lupone has some anger management issues as well...

[@kingdaddie]

patti's version was ok. if you want to hear how the song SHOULD be sung... look for judy garland's 1964 performance on her tv show. THAT is how you should sing this song...

[@The101genco]

Actually the year is 1968...

[@MrVitor1563]

the year she played Nancy

[@angelafischettifitness]

Actually this is not 1968. Far from it.

[@The101genco]

The movie OLIVER! was mad in 1968 that's where the song is from.

[@angelafischettifitness]

The original stage production was in London, in 1960. It moved to Broadway in 1962. You might enjoy the recording of that Broadway production. Georgia Brown's version of As Long as He Needs me is really raw. Nancy was a whore and one can really get the sense of the pain she endured as a whore when singing this song. I hope you like it.

[@brianoneil6659]

When she says 1984 she means the revival year when she played Nancy. That's why she said "From this next musical..I stole the whatever, whatever." Her performance was Spring of 1984

[@SwanofHollywood]

@futurefiyero115 it may be a big no but an even bigger one is breaking character

[@riptonks]

@Jigglesw Oh I'm quite aware. Where in my comment did I imply that I was not sure of that? Perhaps you'd ought to read comments more thoroughly before replying.

[@MadameDiableret]

I knows a version of the song but its kinda lost teh charcater by jazzing it up. It was different. Im still undecided on it to be honest but maybe Im just to used to the show version.

[@StageJockey]

Get ya ferbratto out :S!????

[@zyrians]

Lack emotion

[@stevecallum2951]

I've heard some dreadful Nancy's and some great ones over the last thirty five years since I played Oliver. I loved my Nancy, still friends today. I have my opinion of this version and it matches my opinion of Georgia Browns version. That's all I'll say.

[@andrewross1291]

How sad that such a talented artist could so disrespect a classic piece. Miss Lupone may have being a concert, not a theatrical performance

[@andrewross1291]

Hands on hips , not good enough. Bassey paid more respect to the lyrics/story.

[@Rapture1987]

Do you have acclaimed-university degrees in Theatre, Cinema or Music? I have travelled to over 40 different countries in the world, and I've been EXPOSED to a MYRIAD of different, highly-skilled performers ACROSS THE GLOBE, so I have a very high "comparison level". I'm not some Yankee Doodle Dandy who has been cloistered in America all my life (I'm not saying that you are such a person, but my point is that I have both EDUCATION, experience *AND* EXPOSURE).

[@MrMusicstone]

LOL Yeah I get what you mean I kinda feel like she rushes through songs alot and half asses them but the thing is her half assing is so good she can get away with it. That Lupone for ya. I still loved the performance though, very powerful voice.

[@mixerdude007]

The best and ONLY best version of this song was sung by Gillian Burns in the 1978 version of Oliver in the west end. i should know cause i was in it and watch her every night!

[@mjjoseph5027]

actually, you didn't steal the show...i saw you in it and you didn't steal the show. not at all.

[@thewzrdofoz]

I feel like this rendition is a complete mess! I've only ever heard Judy Garland's brilliant version, and in my opinion nothing compares. Judy feels the emotion of the song, Patti seems to just throw the lines away. Her voice is great, though, but I don't feel anything when watching Patti.

[@davidrlfield]

it's a different interpretation and arrangement, she's singing a great song not plowing thru it , and I do admit no one compares to J G

[@dangervich]

Irene Kral (NOT Diana)

[@themaxcollective]

but a weird rendition

[@chazbachman5534]

Max Malanaphy MAX 😍 yes I agree with you lol...very strange rendition

[@DukeofYar]

So, I don't like Patti usually, singing. However, when she's talking, I like her more. I just don't like her voice. At all.