If there's one song in this show that patently DIDN'T need a rewrite, it's the incredible song that is Endgame. Sorry, but I have no clue what they were thinking here.
Very true, Emma. I listened and loved the concept album but this Broadway production was the first time I saw Chess and I liked it very much. Even the depressing ending was in step with Florence being a sacrifice pawn. I've seen various other productions in regional and community theater -- each tweaked and different -- before the current version but I will always be grateful I saw the Broadway version live.
Gotta say I think I like the other rendition of this song better. I mean this is good, but I feel like the other one was much more dramatic. This one drags in a few places. Because of the arrangement, Anatoly's (The Russian's) breakdown was much more impressive in that one too.
Yikes. I can see what they were going for but it translated in all the worse ways. Why put the melody and climax in the middle? That'd be like the 1812 overture having canons in the ballad - ruins any flow of tension. Then there's the lyric rewrites. Yeah, some parts work - after all, this version is more focused on Florence. But it just reads as boring and kind of a waste. The dramatic lyrics of the concept album and concert version are so much more satisfying: "Nothing you have said/is revelation/take my blues as read". The idea to switch this to a mental argument between Freddie and Anatoly could work - but the current lyrics are a sad, wimpy component to the emotional strength they could have.
This version is, honestly, much more epic (in my opinion, of course) the the British one. Don't get me wrong, the whole Broadway production was a mess - but particularly THIS rewrite really DID helped to get this scene better. The chorus, full of angry journalists, Anatoly missing his cue, thoughts about Florence and, of course, change of Russian's mood from London's "I am confident, for God's sake, so what you are all trying to break me?" to Broadway's "Damn it. there's no hope and no way, but it seems like a perfect time for quite an emotional breakdown" - aren't those moments priceless?
@Dylan Who The 2002 Danish recording (which is in English) and the 2008 Royal Albert Hall Concert are the 2 most complete recordings of Chess (based on the original West End show at least).
Alright, rearranging the song and moving the climax halfway is kind of an interesting idea, but it really destroys the momentum. God, this version is just joyless.
Entirely listenable as the singers are competent, but the worst re-write of a song that was ever recorded. No wonder they had to say in the album notes that the lyrics were not sanctioned by Tim Rice - he must have laughed so much at this poor attempt.
Please listen to any other recording based on the West End production (the concept album, the 2002 Danish recording in English, the 2008 Royal Albert Hall Chess in Concert). The Broadway one is just awful!
Original version: "Screw you all, I'm looking out for me!"
This version: "My God, what have I been doing?"
this fills me with truly indescribable rage
If there's one song in this show that patently DIDN'T need a rewrite, it's the incredible song that is Endgame. Sorry, but I have no clue what they were thinking here.
I get that some songs needed tweaking to make more sense on stage, but the Concept Album is more musically pleasing to listen to as a musical work. :(
It’s funny how polarized people are. You love or hate this version, no appeals, no exceptions.
Very true, Emma. I listened and loved the concept album but this Broadway production was the first time I saw Chess and I liked it very much. Even the depressing ending was in step with Florence being a sacrifice pawn. I've seen various other productions in regional and community theater -- each tweaked and different -- before the current version but I will always be grateful I saw the Broadway version live.
5:51 is always a mood in chess
Gotta say I think I like the other rendition of this song better. I mean this is good, but I feel like the other one was much more dramatic. This one drags in a few places. Because of the arrangement, Anatoly's (The Russian's) breakdown was much more impressive in that one too.
what...what is this version? what have they done? nooooo
I'm not impressed that they changed this song to this version - the original was excellent. :/
I hate that they cut out the female solos.
And changed all the lyrics! The song has a complete different meaning here, it’s a shame what Broadway did to this amazing show...
Yikes. I can see what they were going for but it translated in all the worse ways. Why put the melody and climax in the middle? That'd be like the 1812 overture having canons in the ballad - ruins any flow of tension.
Then there's the lyric rewrites. Yeah, some parts work - after all, this version is more focused on Florence. But it just reads as boring and kind of a waste. The dramatic lyrics of the concept album and concert version are so much more satisfying: "Nothing you have said/is revelation/take my blues as read". The idea to switch this to a mental argument between Freddie and Anatoly could work - but the current lyrics are a sad, wimpy component to the emotional strength they could have.
This version is, honestly, much more epic (in my opinion, of course) the the British one.
Don't get me wrong, the whole Broadway production was a mess - but particularly THIS rewrite really DID helped to get this scene better.
The chorus, full of angry journalists, Anatoly missing his cue, thoughts about Florence and, of course, change of Russian's mood from London's "I am confident, for God's sake, so what you are all trying to break me?" to Broadway's "Damn it. there's no hope and no way, but it seems like a perfect time for quite an emotional breakdown" - aren't those moments priceless?
this is an excellent versión of "endgame" dramatic and powerful voice of david carroll
Tommy Körberg - Endgame (Live Chess in concert 1989 Skellefteå, Sweden)
How it should be done
I really want to find a full recording of that show
@Dylan Who The 2002 Danish recording (which is in English) and the 2008 Royal Albert Hall Concert are the 2 most complete recordings of Chess (based on the original West End show at least).
Alright, rearranging the song and moving the climax halfway is kind of an interesting idea, but it really destroys the momentum. God, this version is just joyless.
@VengefulKBM where could one find this "other version"?
th-cam.com/video/qJAw8d2tfGA/w-d-xo.html
wow
Entirely listenable as the singers are competent, but the worst re-write of a song that was ever recorded. No wonder they had to say in the album notes that the lyrics were not sanctioned by Tim Rice - he must have laughed so much at this poor attempt.
Adore this original version!
Rebecca Prozzo This isn't the original version you dilettante.
@@SMASHTHEGAS I'll correct Rebecca's comment: "I adore this song, but only in the original version"
Nick Metzger was SO BEST! NO EXCEPTIONS!
First time listening to this musical and honestly, this song does seem to be written in an odd way...
Please listen to the original version. It's so much better.
Just like the times it was writing about😂
Please listen to any other recording based on the West End production (the concept album, the 2002 Danish recording in English, the 2008 Royal Albert Hall Chess in Concert). The Broadway one is just awful!
oh my how boring, they're defecting
Wtf is this crap. A few nice vocal moments but.....why oh why
dramatic
Christ, no wonder this show flopped on Broadway.
stella this isn’t the real version