Samuel Ramey - Joey, Joey, Joey ( The Most Happy Fella - Frank Loesser )

Song of Joe
1993

[@robertchamberlain7202]

Peggy lee nailed this song

[@MrManorAvenue]

I'll still vote for Art Lund's original rendition; in this one I find myself focus on the attempts to sound operatic rather than the music and lyrics.

[@chocolatesouljah]

Yes! Art Lund wins!

[@sprezzatura8755]

Gorgeous voice but too dark and foghorn-like for this piece. Art Lund far more beautiful.

[@harryfishback8173]

Everyone is entitled to their opinion but the vocal quality is far too heavy. This character is a playboy a wanderer he flies with the wind. This vocal quality would be perfect for Porgy and Bess perhaps but certainly not for Most Happy Fella

[@chocolatesouljah]

I agree! And even Porgy and Bess has a role, Sportin' Life, that doesn't call for a heavily trained voice. That breezy, ne'er do well quality is missing from this version.

[@aneamarlivana172]

@@chocolatesouljah I think he meant for Ramey to sing Porgy, not Sportin' Life.

[@chocolatesouljah]

Anea Marlivana good point. That makes more sense, thanks for pointing it out!

[@tamolyn5141]

@@chocolatesouljah In saying that Ramey's vocal quality is far too heavy, Harry Fishback meant that the voice itself is too heavy, not that it's heavily trained.

[@chocolatesouljah]

@@tamolyn5141 I see your point but there is a personal preference I have for certain roles that don't have either happening. A voice with a "heavy" and "heavy training" can sound great as Eugene Onegin, which I think Mr. Onegin has done well with. For this "lighter" musical theatre sound I am not a fan but I've certainly appreciated Mr. Ramey in other roles.

[@bartmacaluso]

Romantic brutalism

[@LiveArtistVocal1]

Can you say over-singing?

[@Timthebaritone]

you are just wrong lol. It's real supported singing, something this genre needs more of

[@harryfishback8173]

+Tim Ayres-Kerr with all due respect wtf are you saying the character is a young wanderer the instrumental in the original production is reminiscent of a breeze the vocal quality in this version is dark and heavy and woefull.

[@chocolatesouljah]

I agree. I like Samuel Ramey in operatic roles but not for this. It does feel over sung in part to not only his so called "supported" singing but because of the vocal chops he developed as an opera singer. Ramey is basically a bass and the song calls for a baritone, more of a musical theatre pop voiced one. I think the original Art Lund a tough act to follow. I recently saw a regional youth production with 20 something Joey who was also very good.

[@robertchamberlain7202]

Peg

[@ItsWayMoreThanMusic]

Listen to Seth MacFarlane's version for instant relief. Sorry Sam, this one is not working out.