Jules Rules!

*18

“And even if she is rehearsing and recording, you can hear her exploring the possibilities: where to place the emphasis, where to shift gear, how much vibrato to use or not to use, maybe even draining it to a whiter shade of pale to create atmosphere. And the words - always the Andrews hallmark - filled with a very real sense of having been discovered in the actual moment of performance. In that, she was properly taught: ‘You free the singing voice, you bring it forward through the words. Even when you might be having trouble sustaining the line, if you hold on to a word - consonant first, and then a truthful vowel - it’s amazing how the voice will hold up for you.’ And it’s that - the clear enunciation, the open, well lubricated vowels - which gives her voice its perennial freshness. That and the ability to tell a story, to make you - the listener, believe in a lyric. Few could take ‘Edelweiss’ and find some depth in it beyond the fragrant, sentimental little folk song which is still (for some) the stuff of which allergies are made. ‘Honestly, I think it’s a classic little song. It just sort of sits there in the palm of your hand. Ian (Fraser) has given me an impressionistic sound. Everything about it is so evocative. Its strength - and depth - lies in its simplicity, and it becomes a very strong statement about anybody’s homeland.’ Listen to the recording and hear what she manages to convey in the one word - homeland. One suspects that it strikes a deeper chord with her than we know.” - Edward Seckerson, from the Broadway The Music of Richard Rodgers Album

*23

fancifulinclinations:

Opening night of My Fair Lady in London

Look at her! So pretty!!!!!! The fairest ladies of all ladies! <3

*165

How more beauty can a movie contain?

(Source: caliconights)

*34

paesthetic:

I would never post an overexposed, time-coded, deteriorated VHS-ish clip like this, if the rareness and preciousness of it’s contents didn’t far exceed the crudeness of it’s video quality. Dame Julie Andrews, I think, did herself a disservice by being in so many cutesy movie musicals. Here she is doing Sondheim, and she’s just sublime. What a dame.

YES! Dame Julie Andrews + Sondheim! I will always reblog perfection!