Colors of the Wind: Judy Kuhn vs. Lea Salonga.
Colors of the Wind: Judy Kuhn vs. Lea Salonga.
beautywickedlover
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/28/07
#1Colors of the Wind: Judy Kuhn vs. Lea Salonga.
Posted: 5/18/11 at 12:18pm
As most of you know Judy Kuhn was the singing voice of Pocahontas in the 1995 film adaptation, and Lea Salonga was the singing voice of Jasmine in "Aladdin" as well as the singing voice of Mulan. I recently came across a video of Lea Salonga singing "Colors of the Wind" live, and I actually think it's very good. I can't decide who's better Lea or Judy. Who do you all think did a better job?
Judy's version:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkV-of_eN2w&feature=related
Lea's version
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkxzGZ-zNpM
#2Colors of the Wind: Judy Kuhn vs. Lea Salonga.
Posted: 5/18/11 at 12:37pmWhy does one have to better? I think the both sound excellent.
beautywickedlover
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/28/07
#2Colors of the Wind: Judy Kuhn vs. Lea Salonga.
Posted: 5/18/11 at 12:53pm^ Both are amazing. Still, I wonder what the film would've been like if Lea had done Pocahontas's singing voice.
#3Colors of the Wind: Judy Kuhn vs. Lea Salonga.
Posted: 5/18/11 at 1:00pmThe exact same but with a different voice? I'm not trying to be cynical. I just think both are good versions, but I think it's a strong film either way. I doubt Lea singing the part would have changed anything.
#4Colors of the Wind: Judy Kuhn vs. Lea Salonga.
Posted: 5/18/11 at 1:04pmAs good as Salonga is, I would choose Judy Kuhn. Disclaimer: given a choice, I would almost always choose Judy Kuhn. Also, Kuhn was a better match for Pocahantas' speaking voice.
"It does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are 20 gods or no god. It neither picks my pocket, nor breaks my leg."
-- Thomas Jefferson
beautywickedlover
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/28/07
#5Colors of the Wind: Judy Kuhn vs. Lea Salonga.
Posted: 5/18/11 at 1:10pm^ Kuhn did not do Pocahontas's speaking voice. Her speaking voice was done by Irene Bedard. Also Jasmine's speaking voice was done by Linda Larkin and Mulan's speaking voice was done by Ming-Na.
Wildcard
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/21/06
#6Colors of the Wind: Judy Kuhn vs. Lea Salonga.
Posted: 5/18/11 at 1:26pmAs beautiful as Lea's rendition is, her voice is more sweet and is appropriate for the Disney characters she has lent her voice to. Pocahontas needs regal confidence and depth that Judy's voice properly fills.
CurtainPullDowner
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/4/04
grandpianoalex
Stand-by Joined: 2/15/10
#8Colors of the Wind: Judy Kuhn vs. Lea Salonga.
Posted: 5/18/11 at 2:13pmYes, yes, YES to Marla Mindelle.
bk
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/20/03
#10Colors of the Wind: Judy Kuhn vs. Lea Salonga.
Posted: 5/18/11 at 2:46pm
"sara ramirez wins!"
I'd go with this, but then I would, wouldn't I? :)
bwayfan7000
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/28/09
#11Colors of the Wind: Judy Kuhn vs. Lea Salonga.
Posted: 5/18/11 at 3:47pmThat Marla Mindelle video is legitimately one of the funniest things I've ever seen.
"Art, in itself, is an attempt to bring order out of chaos."-Stephen Sondheim
#12Colors of the Wind: Judy Kuhn vs. Lea Salonga.
Posted: 5/18/11 at 4:26pm
Kuhn did not do Pocahontas's speaking voice. Her speaking voice was done by Irene Bedard.
I'm positive madbrian is aware of this. What he was saying was that Kuhn's singing voice was a match for the speaking voice of Pocahontas, which was provided by Irene Bedard. He was in no way implying that Kuhn also provided the speaking voice for the character.
eatlasagna
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/6/04
#13Colors of the Wind: Judy Kuhn vs. Lea Salonga.
Posted: 5/18/11 at 5:27pmi always thought disney did a good job of matching speaking voice and singing voice... i always liked demi moore and the woman who sang God Help the Outcasts from Hunchback... good match up there
#14Colors of the Wind: Judy Kuhn vs. Lea Salonga.
Posted: 5/30/11 at 12:29pmJudy! although Lea Salonga is the ultimate Disney princess hands down.... now i always wonder, how come Lea Salonga never had an all Disney themed album????!!!!
#15Colors of the Wind: Judy Kuhn vs. Lea Salonga.
Posted: 5/30/11 at 1:14pmPocahontas I think is one of disney's most underrated films. Yes, there are historical innaccurasies, and the story can be a bit slow. But the animation in stupendous. I think 'colors of the wind' is one of the most brilliant and beautiful musical sequences in any disney film. As for the singing voice, it is hands down Judy Kuhn. She definitly brought a regalty to that voice.
ggersten
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/11/06
#16Colors of the Wind: Judy Kuhn vs. Lea Salonga.
Posted: 5/30/11 at 3:55pm
>>>Yes, there are historical innaccurasies,<<
When this was brought up at an early press conference, Mel Gibson reportedly replied: "There's a talking tree..."
pinoyidol2006
Broadway Star Joined: 5/3/11
#17Colors of the Wind: Judy Kuhn vs. Lea Salonga.
Posted: 5/30/11 at 6:41pm
I love Lea Salonga's rendition of more (but I think that's because of my Filipino bias). If I don't consider the needs of the film and the character, then my vote is Lea.
HOWEVER, if I were asked which one would be a better fit for the movie AND the character, I'd have to say Judy Kuhn, without even stopping to think about it. I do think Lea has the ability to sound tougher, but she is at her best with the sweet songs.
I like your imperturbable perspicacity.
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