When you're selling Bounty paper towels in TV ads in your old age, a lot of younger people, like me, have no idea how talented someone like Nancy Walker really was -- gifted actress - great diction as well.
@@danielstanwyck2812you are so right; those are my two favorites. My other half and I saw the original London production of Follies with Dolores Gray, Daniel Massey, Julia McKenzie, (one of the best Sally Plummers ever) and the show stopping the divine, show-stopping Diana Rigg, and Gray was pretty damn wonderful. Later on we saw Eartha Kitt as Carlotta, and is enormously talented as she was, her Carlotta was simply Eartha being Eartha.
I simply don't think that anyone ever has done this better than Nancy Walker. Listen without watching the slides in the video and hear her incredibly elegant phrasing, her swinging with the band (Plus VELvet sometimes!"), everything about it. Can never ever listen just once. Right now I"m on my 5th time in half an hour. Overused word, but this is genius.
I am in total agreement, Brantley. I have felt this way since I first heard the album in the 1970's and nothing has changed my mind! It is perfection. Always nice to hear from someone who feels the same way.
@@Shahrdad It's amazing how she makes this work despite only hitting 40% of the right notes. Yvonne reportedly had problems with the lyrics, and she made it work as well. I have heard people sing this song flawlessly, but they didn't have that "thing" that Walker and De Carlo had that made it work despite the flaws.
Ms. Walker told a story about this performance. She said she was out on the stage and heard something behind her rushing down the stage. It was her voice, so she just stepped aside and let it out.
I seem to recall reading that Walker was a last minute substitute for this performance and had to learn the song in a single day. Note sure if that's the case, but either way, she nailed it.
Growing up watching tv I enjoyed Nancy Walker and was very surprised to hear her I Hate Men album, which is great. This I very much like too, show stopper!
Nancy Walker was a big musical Broadway star, in her 20s, before she made it big in the movies and then later on TV. She was in the original Broadway stage hit "On The Town"
Oh me, too! I have thought that since the first time I heard it! There used to be a video of Jim Bailey as Judy singing this. I don't know if it's still around, but you could search for it. I won't tell you what I thought until you've seen it (or can't find it)
@burleq This is from a musical tribute to Sondheim (the first, I believe, of many) performed March 11, 1973 at the Shubert Theatre. A marvelous cast and some great performances!
Yes. David Craig was his name. I knew him, I studied with him, he loved Nancy a lot (who was lovely and friendly). A brilliant, witty, very supportive, very demanding teacher - but never a voice teacher as far as I know. He'd been a performer at the beginning of his career, then sequed into teaching. Had a school in Hollywood. He (rather famously) coached Alexis Smith for her "Follies" auditions and the rest is history. David was fabulous.
Having worked on the show in a lowly p.a. position, I can add that of all the stars who performed in the Follies in Concert, Miss Burnett-and only Miss Burnett-required cue cards to get through her song. Badly. That’s what comes from years in tv, I guess. I have to agree that Nancy knocks even Stritch out of the ball park, and that is saying something! But no one, not even Nancy, gets quite what Yvonne DeCarlo gets out of this great song. She has one trump card: unlike Nancy, she sings it beautifully, and in tune!-though I agree that Nancy’s flatness doesn’t matter a fig. (Ann Miller is in there for top honors, too, perhaps no surprise.)
Well, she was the original Hildy in On the Town in 1944 and is terrific on the recording of the show that Bernstein recorded in 1960. And I think she's wonderful in this song.
this is becoming my favorite version. which is saying a LOT. bless her.
Definitely my favorite version!
When you're selling Bounty paper towels in TV ads in your old age, a lot of younger people, like me, have no idea how talented someone like Nancy Walker really was -- gifted actress - great diction as well.
I'm so happy that you have discovered this fabulous lady and hope you enjoyed this performance!
She hit it on the nose. The attitude, singing talent, everything just hit the mark!!!!! So glad to hear this here.
Nancy Walker is The G.O.A.T. !!!! What a thrilling character. She could do anything. An American Master of the craft. 💛
Little Nancy Walker hits a home run! To me, this is the definitive performance of "I'm Still Here."
not better but also great: Dolores Gray
@@danielstanwyck2812you are so right; those are my two favorites. My other half and I saw the original London production of Follies with Dolores Gray, Daniel Massey, Julia McKenzie, (one of the best Sally Plummers ever) and the show stopping the divine, show-stopping Diana Rigg, and Gray was pretty damn wonderful. Later on we saw Eartha Kitt as Carlotta, and is enormously talented as she was, her Carlotta was simply Eartha being Eartha.
A unique and superb talent the likes if which we will never see again.
you can tell it in her voice she's lived every word of this song
"it's called acting, dear" (paraphrasing Laurence Olivier)
I simply don't think that anyone ever has done this better than Nancy Walker. Listen without watching the slides in the video and hear her incredibly elegant phrasing, her swinging with the band (Plus VELvet sometimes!"), everything about it. Can never ever listen just once. Right now I"m on my 5th time in half an hour. Overused word, but this is genius.
Thanks, Brantley! Sorry to say I had no idea of her earlier career. This was great!
I am in total agreement, Brantley. I have felt this way since I first heard the album in the 1970's and nothing has changed my mind! It is perfection. Always nice to hear from someone who feels the same way.
Very nice. She sings it like it was written for her.
Still the best version. Ever. Full stop.
I couldn't agree more!
Except for the frequent off key singing. Nobody beats the original.
Yvonne recall didn't do a bad job but i.must agree with you
@@Shahrdad Remember this was a ONE evening concert, recorded LIVE. Every other recording had long runs or several performances
@@Shahrdad It's amazing how she makes this work despite only hitting 40% of the right notes. Yvonne reportedly had problems with the lyrics, and she made it work as well. I have heard people sing this song flawlessly, but they didn't have that "thing" that Walker and De Carlo had that made it work despite the flaws.
Aunt Angela from The Golden Girls!!
One of the true greats.
lil lady was so wonderful. nobody could compare to nancy walker even when the lady got to sing her very own version of i’m here…
Ms. Walker told a story about this performance. She said she was out on the stage and heard something behind her rushing down the stage. It was her voice, so she just stepped aside and let it out.
rabbitfishtv what an awesome story! Thanks for sharing it.
That's so endearing!
I seem to recall reading that Walker was a last minute substitute for this performance and had to learn the song in a single day. Note sure if that's the case, but either way, she nailed it.
I would rank this among the very best performances of the song--right up there with Elaine Stritch's!
This is my favorite version, but Stritch's is high on my list!
A completely beautiful revelation!
This blew me away!!! Thanks for posting!!
She is one of a kind and in the most superlative of ways.
Growing up watching tv I enjoyed Nancy Walker and was very surprised to hear her I Hate Men album, which is great. This I very much like too, show stopper!
Maurice Heerdink She was fabulous!
Ahhhhh... I have longed to hear this. Many, many thanks whoever you are!!!
You are very welcome. It is still one of my favorites!
Nancy Walker was a big musical Broadway star, in her 20s, before she made it big in the movies and then later on TV. She was in the original Broadway stage hit "On The Town"
Gorgeous!!! What a voice!!
Even the immortal Elaine Stritch couldn't top THIS.
I wish Judy garland had lived to sing this song.
Oh me, too! I have thought that since the first time I heard it! There used to be a video of Jim Bailey as Judy singing this. I don't know if it's still around, but you could search for it. I won't tell you what I thought until you've seen it (or can't find it)
Love her!
Spectacular
@burleq This is from a musical tribute to Sondheim (the first, I believe, of many) performed March 11, 1973 at the Shubert Theatre. A marvelous cast and some great performances!
I seem to remember her husband was a very well-regarded voice teacher and coach.
Yes. David Craig was his name. I knew him, I studied with him, he loved Nancy a lot (who was lovely and friendly). A brilliant, witty, very supportive, very demanding teacher - but never a voice teacher as far as I know. He'd been a performer at the beginning of his career, then sequed into teaching. Had a school in Hollywood. He (rather famously) coached Alexis Smith for her "Follies" auditions and the rest is history. David was fabulous.
She was a lot more than just Ida!
May she R.I.P.
She had a pretty good voice!
"pretty good?" how about better than most who sang this ditty. in addition...she's a great comic actor.
She is The Dame. Ideally cast: a fabulous talent with mixed success. She sings the hell out of this (even if mostly flat -- it hardly matters!).
Alexandra Billings sent me! ❤❤❤❤
Seriously?! OMG, I love her!! Hope you enjoyed the video!
@@farfleI did TY ❤️
Thanks! Is there more available from this? Those tributes in those days are still marvelous to behold!
Carol Burnett did this in the concert version of Follies.
Poorly.
Carol Burnett did an awesome job with "I'm Still Here!" Big and brassy, just the way it's supposed to be, though, the tempo was a tad bit fast.
I was there. She still wasn't as good as Nancy
Having worked on the show in a lowly p.a. position, I can add that of all the stars who performed in the Follies in Concert, Miss Burnett-and only Miss Burnett-required cue cards to get through her song. Badly. That’s what comes from years in tv, I guess.
I have to agree that Nancy knocks even Stritch out of the ball park, and that is saying something! But no one, not even Nancy, gets quite what Yvonne DeCarlo gets out of this great song. She has one trump card: unlike Nancy, she sings it beautifully, and in tune!-though I agree that Nancy’s flatness doesn’t matter a fig. (Ann Miller is in there for top honors, too, perhaps no surprise.)
I can’t find this recording ANYWHERE!
I'm guessing it's not still in print, but it has been released on both vinyl and cd, so maybe ebay?
I've got the original vinyl album with the big production book. 2 record set.
Great condition.
Anybody want it??
everyone and their aunt susan...were waiting for hillary and christie next...
Boy, this is familiar...The Carol Burnett Show? Am I near?
Where can I get a copy of this?
Amazon, Stephen Sondheim tribute album 1973.
i wonder how many actually got the brenda frazier line.
I would guess quite a few at that time, but they did start saying Shirley Temple around this time, I think.
@@farfle i figured out that they use the shirley temple in the british version. i managed to round up just about every version there is.
In 1973 - this audience got it. Listen to the laugh.
Awful, she was not a singer. But I liked her as a comedienne :)
Well, she was the original Hildy in On the Town in 1944 and is terrific on the recording of the show that Bernstein recorded in 1960. And I think she's wonderful in this song.
Love her,But that songs not for her...
Why do u say that? I think it is exactly how it's meant to be preformed
I loved everything Ms. Walker did but this...her voice was really not suited to this song. She sounds too strident and pinched.
I don't think you know what the word strident means.