The Greatest Showman Soundtrack REIMAGINED

[jo]

Atlantic has just released the reimagined version of A MILLION DREAMS, with PINK --





It is a pleasant version, but what made the song so powerful and memorable are the visual imagery connected with that song as well as the circumstances in which the song was sung. It embodied a young boy's yearnings amidst the difficulties he encountered in his young life...and eventually mirrored his ambitions and romantic outlook as a young man wanting to see a great future for himself and his loved ones.

To be honest, there have been other covers done by young people which have appealed to me because they are poignant renditions of young people's inspirations and aspirations.

But I guess so many pop song culture fans may not have been in touch yet with the movie and the original soundtrack, so this album may be an effort to reach out to them.


Jo

[jo]

Here's the official upload by Atlantic Records of A MILLION DREAMS -- now ranked second in hits ( 76 million), after The Greatest Show ( 85 million hits) and followed by This Is Me ( 71 million hits) on YouTube.




Even without the visual imagery, this is a very nuanced and poignant rendition of the song. Someone commented on an upload of the movie clip that this was the very best part of the movie!

It is well-loved! And there is so much emotional resonance, no matter what age you are!

Uploading it here, in case you want a comparison with PINK's version.


Jo

[jo]

Here's a video of Pink and her daughter during the recording of A MILLION DREAMS. It sounds more appealing compared to her solo recording.

The GREATEST SHOWMAN creative team for the musical score ( Gracey, Pasek, Paul, producer Wells) are there to support her.

www.today.com/popculture/watch-pink-daughter-willow-sing-together-heartwarming-video-t140501



I miss the two little girls who played the daughters of Phineas and Charity. Their singing had a dreamy air about it.


PS : Hugh doesn't seem to have any part in this at all? He who guided the film project (and workshopped the songs) through its long gestation period of 8 years before the movie was released? Maybe he will eventually acknowledge the album on social media?


Jo

[jo]

Finally --

Hugh alerts his social media followers about THE GREATEST SHOWMAN - REIMAGINED!

http://instagram.com/p/BpUbsUBH_CN

[jo]

Btw, if you are from overseas -- it is currently UNAVAILABLE to pre-order with AMAZON-US but AVAILABLE on Amazon-UK.


Jo

[jo]

An opposite view --

[jo]

A lot of fans have expressed the same sentiment -- about the unexpected thrill they get when Hugh comes in with his booming voice and starts singing " Every night I lie in bed/The brightest colors fill my head..."

A wonderful transition, too, from Ziv Zaifman's boyish tones to Hugh's high baritone!

[jo]

Many social media sentiments ( check out responses on the Facebook Page of HJ and Twitter) of this sort --

Maybe the timing is too soon? Let the original soundtrack reap all the honors and universal admiration first. For one, the GRAMMY is slated only on December 5 and it seems The Greatest Showman is on the ballot.

Why the hurry? The soundtrack album was released only last December 8, 2017 -- and it has not been a year yet. The album is # 20 on Billboard 200 and has not faded from the scene - it actually improved by 1 slot for this week's reporting.


Jo

[jo]

[jo]

This is not an official upload by Atlantic Records -- could be a leaked copy?

Sorry...it lacks the sense of excitement and anticipation that the original brought to listeners.


Jo

[jo]

Compare with the original --





Hugh is not just singing the song, but acting it out

[hughmanity]

I really like Pink's cover of A MILLION DREAMS, but to me, this GREATEST SHOW rendition is a very bland cover.

[jo]

[jo]

On a neutral note ( meaning, no favoritism in place ) -- it will be difficult for any cover to have a stronger appeal ( other than vocal quality) compared to the original song from a movie soundtrack!

The songs from a movie musical, just like in musical theatre, should either tell a story ( or advance the plot) or enhance characterization. When you hear a song from the soundtrack sung, the vision of the movie imagery and the circumstances in which it is sung acts on your emotional compass and enhances your appreciation of the song. Also, importantly, the actor is acting out the song ( such as in the case of the Jackman version) and that makes the performance even more remarkable - even when it is just a recording, Hugh tends to act out the dramatic highlights of the song and the scene -- so one gets a fuller appreciation of the song value! While a cover, even if it came from a live performance such as a concert, still suffers from the comparison.


Take for example, THE GREATEST SHOW. When you hear the original version, instantly you are taken to the circus setting with all the various noises identified with the setting ( such as the clip-clopping of the horses feet, the joyous yells of the crowd, the body language of the performer, even Jackman's facial expressions and body movements) are all working on your key senses ( see/hear) to get a full appreciation of the setting. Whereas a studio cover is a recording in a vacumn. Even a concert performance, while slightly more relevant, still will not evoke the spectacle shown in that first scene -- including the multitude of performers, clad in eye-popping costumes, all the audience shrills and yells combining to give us the full spectacle.

I have observed that many kids, including the very young, when they try to do their own cover of THE GREATEST SHOW, will try to copy Hugh's twirling body , the way with the cane, and the hat and even the body slide... before they concentrate on the singing. It is the sense of celebration which appeals the most to them!


Then you add someone like Hugh Jackman, a born performer and 4th wall-breaker -- that makes the comparison even harder to put on an even footing. Fortunately, too, the song was written in a contemporary tone, so any pop-star cover cannot sound that much different.


What can beat the original version? Maybe, just maybe, if Hugh Jackman recreates the opening scene live on stage on Broadway!


Jo

[jo]

Kelly Clarkson's version of NEVER ENOUGH

[jo]

[jo]

LOL -- they had to tell the whole success story of THE GREATEST SHOWMAN , at the cinemas, home entertainment, and album sales/streaming, at singalongs, and all the self-made videos to introduce the rationale for THE GREATEST SHOWMAN REIMAGINED, due for release Friday November 16, 2018!


www.eonline.com/news/987308/how-the-greatest-showman-defied-bad-reviews-and-an-even-worse-start-to-become-an-unlikely-cult-classic

[jo]

I watched the movie again today

Because I received an email from Amazon.uk that my copies are on the way across the seas

Jo

[jo]

http://instagram.com/p/BqNVmBUHXe9

Sorry - I have also ordered this version,

but nothing beats the breathless excitement and sense of wonder as when we first heard that "Whoa...oh...oh...oh" and saw that famous ringmaster silhouette … and heard the clip-clopping sound of the prancing horses... and gasped as the 3-ring circus appeared on view... and smiled broadly as we saw Barnum with the breathless "Do you want to go?!!"


Jo

[jo]

[jo]

[jo]

[jo]

[jo]

Oh no


Country music concert...or campfire song ??


What happened to the anthemic and dramatic highlights?!!

[jo]