SONDHEIM, In The Style Of…

March 20, 2022 9:13 AM

On March 3, Justin Friello and Andrew Fox released the first of six videos they produced to honor Stephen Sondheim, covering his songs in a variety of styles. Five are currently available. Youtube playlist, individual links inside

There Is No Other Way from Pacific Overtures as a One Man Band Live Looping Cover

Being Alive from Company, as a Pop-Punk song

Lesson #8 from Sunday at the Park with George, in the style of Dave Matthews Band

Johanna from Sweeny Todd as 1980s Synthpop

Everybody Say Don’t from Anyone Can Whistle, Retro J-Pop Version

posted by fings (5 comments total)

The J-Pop one is fantastic.
posted by jonathanhughes at 10:45 AM on March 20, 2022 [1 favorite]

I really liked Being Alive and Lesson 8, and thought Johanna was interesting. The changes in phrasing and tempo (Being Alive, especially) worked really well. I'm less familiar with the other pieces and styles to say anything about them.
posted by beaning at 10:47 AM on March 20, 2022

Yes, I'd echo that Eleri Ward recommendation. It's good enough I've sent a couple of copies out as gifts to friends.

This post is exactly up my alley, and thank you very much!
posted by hippybear at 1:10 PM on March 20, 2022 [1 favorite]

I've also been enjoying Color And Light: Jazz Sketches On Sondheim [YT playlist], which has a mixed bag, most above average, of Sondheim reinterpretations.
posted by hippybear at 1:50 PM on March 20, 2022

And really, I cannot NOT mention Losing My Mind, A Sondheim Disco Fever Dream, which is 45 minutes of the most amazing (some might say fucked-up) mashups and reimaginings of Sondheim songs ever. I cannot love this album enough, honestly.
posted by hippybear at 2:08 PM on March 20, 2022 [3 favorites]