Les Miserables: Buddy, That Musical Is Fucking Good!

Like most fellas I know, I spend my Tuesday morning pouring over various renditions of Les Miserables covers. Over the past few years, I’ve settled in on a couple as favorites. You see, one cannot simply go with the studio recording of such classics. You must, at times, hear the voices through the lens of realism. That realism can only be captured through one take. Everybody knows the rules. One take. Now, without question, Ruthie Henshall’s rendition at in the 10th Anniversary Concert at the Royal Albert Hall London is the gold standard. But, what about Lea Salonga?

I know. I know. Lea’s voice lacks an inherent rawness for this type of song. A songbird she certainly is but the story of Fantine demands a little grit, a little rasp, and Lea’s voice (traditionally speaking now) doesn’t have that je ne sais quoi that Ruthie exudes. Lea’s rendition has a special place, though. That place is in my heart which is where music and theatre truly live. Does that abode lift Lea’s version above Ruthie’s? Well,,, it’s hard to say.

“Hey Chaps. Any other renditions really get ya going? Emotionally speaking. Anything else really move the needle for ya?”

Well. Although she isn’t classically trained, my ear knows no difference. Buddy, I cant tell ya clearly enough how much joy I get when I hear longtime stoolie Susan Boyle lace up the ole vocal spikes and throw her audible heater right down the middle. It’s a 4-seam vocal fastball and no one can hit it. Some say that it’s the perfect cocktail of Lea and Ruthie. Do I agree? In a word, yes. Yes, I do. Enjoy, folks.