This is something weird and wonderfully interesting that I came across a couple weeks ago. It's a "new" song from Hamilton. Sort of. A few years ago, Lynn-Manuel Miranda developed a mutual admiration society friendship with John Kander, the legendary composer who wrote such musicals as Cabaret, Chicago, Kiss of the Spiderwoman and many more (including the song "New York, New York") with his collaborator Fred Ebb, who passed away in 2004. Over time in their lunches and conversations, the idea was brought up offhandedly that Kander and Miranda should write a song together. And then it became more serious. And eventually, Miranda -- who has been clear about his admiration, perhaps idolization of John Kander -- mentioned that there was part of Alexander Hamilton's story that he thought about including in his musical, but it just didn't fit, so he left it alone -- when Hamilton got a big parade in New York City after the the state of New York adopted the U.S. Constitution. And that's the song that he and John Kander wrote together. In essence, a "new" song for Hamilton, called "Cheering for Me Now." There are two videos of the song that stand out, but I'm not sure which to post. One is probably the "official" music video, which begins with Lynn-Manuel Miranda is full costume as Hamilton. The downside for me is that, as a music video, it's intercut with modern-day footage around New York City. And I find that somewhat distracting to the point of the song, though it's fine if you don't know it's from Hamilton, since the song is also about the melting pot of New York and fits well as a song for today. But the main reason for it to get attention is that...well, it's a "new" song for Hamilton.. The other video seems reasonably official, as well, but is much more low key. No cutting away to modern-day New York, just Lynn-Manuel Miranda singing the song at the recording session with the orchestra, cut with behind-the-scenes footage. The downside is that he's not in Hamilton costume, but just a sportcoat and bow tie. I really like him in costume, which adds greatly to the Hamilton sensibility -- but I think I slightly prefer the one with the orchestra that doesn't cut away to modern images, even though they're making a point of what came from the seeds Hamilton helped plant. But -- in the end, you can pick whichever you prefer to watch first (or only), since I'll post them both. (I admit to a bit of a bias with all this. John Kander went to my oft-mentioned summer camp, Camp Nebagamon in Wisconsin, so I've felt a certain, if distance kinship. But that gap has been closed somewhat since when I went to Nebagamon, his nephew John Kander III, a talented fellow in his own right, was there at the time, and we remain friends today, here in Los Angeles.) So, here then are the two videos for you to choose which to watch first, or alone or both.. The one I'll embed first is my ever-so-slight preference, Miranda and orchestra alone. Not just because I slightly prefer it, but also because I think once you've heard the song and know it, seeing the modern images in other video fit together a bit better. But that's just personal taste. Your mileage may vary. And here is the "official" music video in costume, but -- with cutaways.
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AuthorRobert J. Elisberg is a political commentator, screenwriter, novelist, tech writer and also some other things that I just tend to keep forgetting. Feedspot Badge of Honor
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