He lives in the ocean?
Speaking of talentless. (And can you believe they didn’t even do the super obvious joke of having the zombies come in and be entranced by her singing?)
I know! I was waiting for them to come shambling in.
In an octopus’s garden, as a matter of fact.
Heheh, I rather liked that! And yes, I am absolutely thrilled for Susan Boyle but poking fun at a bit of over-hype isn’t the same as being nasty about her, surely.
My worry about the whole thing is that I hope this lady doesn’t get dragged into too much media mess and, you know, spat out again in a nasty way. However, I suppose it would be a foolish manager indeed who would ruin her nice small-town lady “selling point” if I may put it that way. Hope so. And I truly hope she does well out of it and is very happy. Seems like such a pleasant nice woman.
I’ve watched even more now, and I’ve found one that I love just as much, in a different way. Mostly the ones I saw are in a style of singing that like some others here, I just don’t like, never have. I can appreciate and respect and admire the talent and professionalism involved, but I’m just not into it.
This version though, wow, I fell in love immediately. I only knew that girl from Annie.
That one and Susan’s almost make me want to explore Les Miz a bit more. I can’t. I can’t. I just can’t. If I get into Les Miz and become a fan I’ll absolutely hate myself for missing my big chance to see (rather, pay attention to) the London stage performance. Since I don’t want to hate myself, I can’t do it. RickJay and amarone’s posts make me feel so much better.
However, I would ask, is “Dream” THE big song from the play? Is there any other “must hear” song that I should go looking for a version I like? Or is “Dream” like the “Tomorrow” or the “I Am Telling You That This Is A Really Long-Assed Name For A Song” or “Memory” of Les Miz?
Btw, speaking of Cats, Elaine Paige wants to duet with Susan!
I would like to have seen Susan’s face when she read that. Wow.
You do realize that the talky bits take the place of dialogue, right? They are bridges between songs. There are plenty of memorable melodies. If you don’t like broadway type songs then that is your taste but there are a bunch of different melodies and tunes in the play. In fact now that I am writing this there are a few melodies that are stuck in my head.
I don’t think of that as the big song. It is the big song for that character. I think the best song is probably On My Own. I’m on a computer that can’t go to YouTube but look for the version with Lea Solonga (in case you don’t know her she was the singing voice of Princess Jasmine in Aladin and Mulan). To me anything from the 10th anniversary concert is probably the best you are going to get. They put together a dream cast at the Royal Albert Hall. All stayed in character but it was done in concert style rather than as a play. The other big songs are One Day More (the first act finale), A Little Fall of Rain, Do You Hear the People Sing?, Who Am I? and a few others. The anniversary concert is on DVD and you can probably get it from Netflix but I can’t check that either.
But again, you either like broadway musicals or you don’t. But if you don’t I’m not sure why you would like Susan Boyle more(other than the Rocky storyline). She is trying for that style but doesn’t do it as well. Don’t forget these songs are being acted as well as sung. In Susan’s version it sounds like a mistake near the end when she comes in late. But that is part of the song. It makes sense when someone is acting the part.
Dream is Fantine’s big solo. Most of the major characters get at least one.
This is probably the most famous chorus song from the show, and this is the big first-act showstopper.
I don’t particularly like Broadway musicals (with some exceptions, like Hair and Chicago) but for the ones you’re talking about, I don’t see that she’s “trying for that style” at all. Her’s is not trying to be operatic, and I hate opera (the singing style). Practically everyone else on YouTube was doing it as opera, which is what I couldn’t stand. That’s why I loved Andrea’s version (and I also liked Sammy Davis Jr.'s version) because it wasn’t an operatic style. And that’s one of the reasons I liked Susan’s version. And it’s only one of the million reasons I like Susan in general.
And anyway, Susan isn’t a trained opera singer. Why anyone would compare her to an opera singer (or any trained professional singer with lots of experience) and find her lacking is befuddling to me.
The first time I watched the Susan Boyle clip and it got to that part, I cringed because I thought “Oh no, she’s forgotten the lyrics!” and thought that little smile of hers was one of embarrassment. But as soon as she started singing again I realized that it was supposed to be that way, and of course now I’ve heard so many different versions I understand completely what it’s about. I’ve also heard how she skipped some lyrics, on purpose, for time.
Thanks for the titles (and the links friedo). I got called into work unexpectedly (I usually work nights) so I’ll have to listen to them later this evening.
There is nothing operatic about it. Especially Lea Solonga. Very much a pop style nothing like opera. She has the pipes to sing opera but that doesn’t play on broadway.
And anyway, Susan isn’t a trained opera singer. Why anyone would compare her to an opera singer (or any trained professional singer with lots of experience) and find her lacking is befuddling to me.
Because most of the stories I’ve seen and any viewer comments talk about contracts and making albums. Now, not after years of training. I am happy for her. I hope she gets a lot out of this. But to call her a great singer is pushing it. Good with potential I would grant you.
Of course.
Hellingshly long bridges between songs that, for me anyway, were completely unmemorable.
Like Equipoise, I am not into Broadway-style musicals much. Also like him, I did like Chicago. I liked Rent also. Having tried and disliked Les Miserables and Cats (now there is a one-song-show with no storyline), I have become able to predict which ones I will like.
I haven’t been to many broadway shows. You will find me listening to Rush or Iron Maiden a lot more then showtunes. But I have seen a few and enjoyed them. 1776, Spamalot, The Full Monty, The Producers I loved. Les Miserables I have seen a couple of times. Very memorable songs and a good story and stage show. Never had a desire to see Cats. I saw the movie of Rent and was disappointed by the songs. From the hype I expected much better. I am not a fan of opera or the operatic style of singing though I do like certain arias. Just to let you know where I am coming from.
I saw a clip the other day that also mentioned Paul Potts who surprised everyone. That was two years ago and it said he is now a millionaire. Is that true? Pretty amazing to go from cell phone salesman to millionaire singing star. If it happened to Paul it can happen to Susan.
Huh?? Did you watch the same clip I did? Susan is good but she’s also 47 and not going to get much better. This kid has pitch, range, timing, sustain, at 12, with years ahead of him to develop his voice and stage presence. I’m happy for Susan’s success but this kid has more potential in the long run. Hopefully early success won’t make him go too crazy.
Yep. His album has sold over 4 million copies worldwide. He seems to be particularly big in Germany, with a million sales there alone.
Hopefully the training won’t, either. Sometimes people who are successful too young have to go through a rude awakening when they confront the work required to keep being successful.
At 12 you’re a great kid and everyone wants the best for you, personally. By 21 all people care about is what you produce, and you have to put that first. That means letting go of a lot of what you thought was good and valuable about yourself - but not everything, so you can go on and not implode on yourself.
Growing up with talent takes a very fine balance - not something life, or art, necessarily encourages. Most of all you need caring people around you, but you also need luck.
That is freaking hilarious. That song, done well, combined with that outfit is just great without saying anything else.
Someone with talent, stage presence, and a decent work ethic can always find some level of success if they don’t go nuts or get bitter when they experience the nasty business side of the entertainment business. At some point you can hopefully put the go and the bullshit aside and be grateful for a chance to do something you love and have a gift for and get paid fr it.
Wow! That can buy a lot of hookers…um I mean,… sorry, that was cynical, that can help a lot of poor people.
What an amazing transformation though. cell phone salesman, sing on the show. Two years later. Millionaire!
There was a local talent show on in Maine years ago and we used to make jokes about how bad some of the people were. They actually did a few tours in Canada and the audience said what they liked about them was knowing they were just average people with regular jobs that liked to sing. I think that’s the attraction of some of this , especially when someone comes out of nowhere with real talent. Even if they’re not awesome compared to highly trained professionals the fact that they’re soooo good as average folks is compelling and uplifting. People like it.
I thought Andrew Johnson was really amazing and the whole being bullied , painfully shy thing added to the story. When they say, the “voice of an angel” this kid is it.