A Most Heartwarming Performance-Susan Boyle

Subject: RE: A Most Heartwarming Performance-Susan Boyle
From: Alice
Date: 16 Apr 09 - 09:28 PM

ATTENTION!! ATTENTION!!

Did I get your attention?

"Cry Me A River" sung by Susan Boyle on a charity CD recording in 1999, now uploaded to You Tube. Only 1000 copies made.
As reported by The Scottish Daily Record newspaper.

Listen to Susan deliver this song!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jI2DxkrgpgQ

wow
I love this woman!

Alice

Subject: RE: A Most Heartwarming Performance-Susan Boyle
From: Genie
Date: 16 Apr 09 - 07:46 PM

I don't like the cigars in the punchbowl either, but I do agree that Susan's sudden immense popularity is partly due to the contrast between (visual) image and vocal excellence-plus-stage presence.   I do hope that she neither finds fame/success limited to '15 minutes' nor feels she has to have some "extreme makeover (complete with lipo, dental caps, etc.) to be a star.
There was a time when some of our biggest stars, both male and female, were not "lookers." Ella Fitzgerald (who was initially told she'd never make it because she was "too fat and too ugly"), Kate Smith, Mama Cass Eliott, Janis Joplin, etc., were accepted for their talent. TV tended to change that, for women especially.   (The men, it seems, when built like Meatloaf or Luther Vandross or as ugly as Steven Tyler or Mick Jagger are still accepted as presentable on video, while the two plus-size women who sang "It's Raining Men" found themselves replaced by the studio in their own video by much slimmer and more glamorous looking women. And nobody seemed to hold Pavarotti's weight against him as an operatic leading man.

Still, if Susan wanted to do either commercial Gospel or musical theatre, I'm not sure her appearance would have to be a big hurdle. Not all major roles in musicals call for a young, glamourous actor/singer, and Gospel music does seem to embrace many an "average-looking" or not-so-svelte singer.   I think Susan's got a great chance of launching a notable career from this exposure. (Especially if Simon Cowell's in her corner.)

Subject: RE: A Most Heartwarming Performance-Susan Boyle
From: Bill H //\\
Date: 16 Apr 09 - 07:05 PM

Not going to throw any cigars in the punchbowl. I just do not like "reality" shows and wish for more of the classic dramatic TV of yore---and which BBC still offers at times. That said---Susan Boyle---WOW.   

This has spread like wildfire on the internet and yesterday NPR covered it at length on radio---dare I say the wireless.

I watched it and was mesmerized.   Like the audience I thought--"...what the hell is this---another wannabe on a second rate (though popular) TV show.   It was like Toscanini had walked on stage wearing a mask and no one knew what greatness would follow. I can only hope she gains some fame and fortune from this since she has the talent that some of the "fluff" people (name your favorites---I nominate Hilton, Spears, etc;) do not.

Bill Hahn

Subject: RE: A Most Heartwarming Performance-Susan Boyle
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 16 Apr 09 - 06:26 PM

Susan has been cornered by the American morning television programs late this week. I watched part of an interview with CBS folks (go to Google News and enter her name and you'll find lots of links to stories). She looked rather cornered, and she needs a coach and some time if people are going to be setting up and doing television interviews. Eye contact doesn't matter for radio, but it does make a difference in television. Now that she's on the horizon, I hope people relax and give her time to catch her breath and get moving in a productive direction!

SRS

Subject: RE: A Most Heartwarming Performance-Susan Boyle
From: Alan Day
Date: 16 Apr 09 - 05:48 PM

There is no marketing folk Andrew.There will be but there isn't now.
Her performance was watched live by millions ,it is acclaimed by millions,nobody was trying to sell anything Andrew this was someone getting up on stage and doing a fantastic performance.She had her chance and delivered. There are many talented people out there,I agree, is that what you are trying to say? If they get up and perform equally as well we can applaud it, you may not .If you did not enjoy it,or you think Elaine Page should have pushed Susan out of the way and sang it,why not say so.Just remember that Elaine Page took her chance in the same way as Susan Boyle, the leading lady being ill and at the last minute Elaine being her understudy took the part and was an immediate success.
You summed it all up nicely Surrey Singer.

Al

Subject: RE: A Most Heartwarming Performance-Susan Boyle
From: Don Firth
Date: 16 Apr 09 - 04:48 PM

Wow! Well spotted, Maggie!

No, I don't think it's just a "chick thing." It's classic ducklings and swans.

Don Firth

Subject: RE: A Most Heartwarming Performance-Susan Boyle
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 16 Apr 09 - 04:34 PM

It occurs to me there is another reason this story is so charming. Anyone else see the shade of Charlotte Vale here? This aspect may be a "chick thing."

SRS

Subject: RE: A Most Heartwarming Performance-Susan Boyle
From: jacqui.c
Date: 16 Apr 09 - 04:12 PM

Nicely put Don.

Subject: RE: A Most Heartwarming Performance-Susan Boyle
From: Don Firth
Date: 16 Apr 09 - 04:05 PM

Sorry to jump your case about this, glueman, but I have to admit I do tend to get a bit irked by the kind of person who insists on spoiling a perfectly good party by tossing a cigar in the punch bowl. I find your comments downright cynical. Maybe you do "know the biz," but so do I. In addition to my singing, I've spent a fair amount of my life in both television and radio studios, both on camera or mic, and in the production and planning end.

I think Marje has the right of it. Undoubtedly the initial screeners knew they had a "live one," but I'm sure the judges and the audience were hit between the eyes with the unexpected.

And I'm afraid that andrewq gets the same award for sourpuss of the month. What's the matter with you people!??

Ms. Boyle sang better—much better—than "well enough." In fact, I've heard a fair amount of Elaine Paige, the singer that Susan Boyle said she wants to emulate. Elaine Paige is a real powerhouse singer with a marvelous voice for the kind of songs she does. And Susan Boyle's singing voice is right up there in terms of strength and quality. Slightly different in the sense that Boyle's voice actually sounds a bit more "youthful" than Paige's.

When a person can sing like that, it doesn't matter what they look like. And the more I heard her sing, the more beautiful she got.

I'm looking forward to hearing much more of her.

Don Firth

Subject: RE: A Most Heartwarming Performance-Susan Boyle
From: Jack Campin
Date: 16 Apr 09 - 04:00 PM

We need another Elaine Page like a hole in the head.

There are many singers with voices as good or better and equally unstereotypical looks who have FAR better taste. (Chris Miles or Gordeanna McCulloch, say).

If she sticks to that schlock I will be following her career with the utmost apathy.

Subject: RE: A Most Heartwarming Performance-Susan Boyle
From: MMario
Date: 16 Apr 09 - 03:17 PM

the 11 million hits on you-tube aren't all due to "media hype" either. Sure - they might not have started without CNN coverage - but then again - they might have.

Subject: RE: A Most Heartwarming Performance-Susan Boyle
From: Surreysinger
Date: 16 Apr 09 - 03:10 PM

Andrewq = there is absolutely nothing ordinary about what she achieved. She sang in front of a 4000 strong audience in the theatre, in front of three fairly intimidating and jaded adjudicators, in front of television cameras ... this is a woman who had only done small scale theatre and village hall type stuff before. She sang a VERY big ballad, with emotional overtones (considering her personal position, also very close to home) in front of an audience that was going nuts .... all enough I would have thought to phase even a seasoned performer... but she kept going, she sold the song, and she didn't falter. There is absolutely NOTHING ordinary about that at all. The marketable story has nothing whatsoever to do with her own personal achievement. All power to her - it cannot have been an easy thing to do, whatever anyone may think of her voice, performance or personal looks and background. She is now faced with super-high expectations from the audience in the next round - and that will not be easy to live up to either. It will be interesting to see how she copes and what she delivers up ... but there is still nothing ORDINARY about what she achieved.

Subject: RE: A Most Heartwarming Performance-Susan Boyle
From: frogprince
Date: 16 Apr 09 - 03:04 PM

Re the recent post by Beardedbruce: it sounds more and more like the lady has a terrific, intelligent sense of humor to go with the rest.

Glamorous? not at all. Wikipedia says "Glamour originally described a magical-occult spell cast on somebody to make them believe that something or somebody was attractive".

Beautiful? Watch her beaming, when she's totally in the song, and she knows she has the audience wrapped around her finger.

Other unknowns out there who are just as good? Probably; but any of them who are that good aren't a dime a dozen; any of them that good are that many undiscovered treasures.

Subject: RE: A Most Heartwarming Performance-Susan Boyle
From: andrewq
Date: 16 Apr 09 - 02:37 PM

Nothing wrong with ordinariness, Alan. Except when the marketing folk try to persuade us it is the second coming. Ms Boyle sang well enough but only got air time because she looked odd enough to build a marketable story around. Like all of these unreality programmes it is the backstory and how it is cynically mined that sells.

"Roll up, roll up, see the tattooed lady...."

Subject: RE: A Most Heartwarming Performance-Susan Boyle
From: Alan Day
Date: 16 Apr 09 - 02:27 PM

" Ordinariness"? Andrewq
Snobbishness Andrew?
Al

Subject: RE: A Most Heartwarming Performance-Susan Boyle
From: andrewq
Date: 16 Apr 09 - 02:04 PM

It's nice to see an ordinary, unaffected, person show her talent in public despite dowdy looks. The hype machine, though, is incessant and calculated to "do another Paul Potts" for Mr Cowell's ratings and bank balance. It is a good rendition of the song but hardly in the same league as that of many pro performers. I'd wager that you'd find similarly unpackaged talent the length and breadth of the country in many an AmDram society or Find Your Voice evening class. The only difference is that a bit of ordinariness was permitted onto prime time TV in the updated Victorian freak show that the metropolitan sophisticates have named "Britain's Got Talent". Good luck to Ms Boyle, it seems she needs it, but let's hope she doesn't believe the PR machine when her 15 minutes are over...

Subject: RE: A Most Heartwarming Performance-Susan Boyle
From: bseed(charleskratz)
Date: 16 Apr 09 - 01:05 PM

The performance of Ruthie Henshall in the actual play was of course brilliant, but in making any comparison between it and Susan Boyle's rendition you have to remember that Ruthie had a silent audience while Susan had to make her performance heard over the ecstatic screaming of the Britain's Got Talent audience, and had to stay in character and ignore the thrill she must have felt at that response all through the rest of her performance: absolutely amazing, mind blowing. Any of you think you could have accomplished that?

Charles

Subject: RE: A Most Heartwarming Performance-Susan Boyle
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 16 Apr 09 - 12:49 PM

well I have watched the video 3 times now and am still crying. And I don't like show tunes. I am just a soppy old emo-mamma who always falls for the underdog.

She has got magical stuff in that voice and her stage presence.

Subject: RE: A Most Heartwarming Performance-Susan Boyle
From: Teribus
Date: 16 Apr 09 - 12:20 PM

When she announced what song she was going to sing, one of the panel was heard to remark "Big song". The thing that amazed me with the performance was within three lines of lyrics she had the whole audience on their feet applauding like mad. Don't quite know how you'd stage manage that. At forty seconds into the pre-performance interview with Ant & Dec the lady said that she was going to "rock" the audience - she certainly did that. She thought she had the audience after the first verse, she knew it as she paused in the small instrumental interlude before the last verse and then she really let them have it, as beautiful and perfect as watching a Spitfire perform a "victory" roll. The very best of luck and good fortune to her - absolutely magnificent!

Subject: RE: A Most Heartwarming Performance-Susan Boyle
From: beardedbruce
Date: 16 Apr 09 - 12:11 PM

4 hours, 18 minutes ago
   Unlikely singing sensation eyes date with queen

Story Highlights
Unexpected star grabs spotlight with more than 11 million YouTube hits

Susan Boyle fans want her to release an album -- now

Performance on "Britain's Got Talent" won standing ovation
   
(CNN) -- Television and YouTube singing sensation Susan Boyle has promised to be on her best behaviour if she wins the right to sing for the queen.

Susan Boyle sings "I Dreamed a Dream" -- and becomes a worldwide sensation.

The 47-year-old Boyle, who says she has never been kissed, was catapulted into the spotlight after her rendition of "I Dreamed a Dream" from the musical "Les Miserables," on the television show "Britain's Got Talent" at the weekend.

The winner of the show gets to sing for the queen at the Royal Variety Show.

Boyle has a long way to go though -- having just won through to the second round after judge Simon Cowell described her first performance as "extraordinary."

Still, she was already thinking of how she would behave.

"Whatever comes my way, I am ready. It would be lovely to sing for the queen. There would be less of the carry on from me, and more of the singing.

"She is a very regal lady, very nice, so I would be nice too, and just get up there and give it a bit of wellie (try)," Boyle told the show's Web site.

Boyle said she was trying to take her new found fame in her stride.

"It's a challenge. Life is a challenge sometimes but this is different. And I like to test myself.

"If it all gets too much and they lock me up, I want a great big strait-jacket with spots on it. A pink one... and a big zip on the back so I can escape."

A clip of Boyle's performance had more than 11 million views on YouTube by Thursday, and the world's media have beaten a path to her door in Blackburn, West Lothian, Scotland.

Cowell is reportedly already trying to piece together a record deal for Boyle, an unemployed charity worker, who lives with her cat, Pebbles.

For fans of Boyle, who attracted laughs and sniggers when she first appeared on stage before winning a standing ovation, the album cannot come quick enough.

CNN has been inundated with hundreds of messages of support for Boyle.

Simone said: "I've been so depressed all day but hearing this woman sing and reading her story gave me a pick-me-up... I look forward to hearing more of her and I hope to buy her CD as soon as it hits the shelves."

Cynthia wanted Cowell to move quickly.

"She brought tears to my eyes and a lump in my throat. I hope Simon does get her a record contract...I'll buy her CD. Never judge a book by it's cover. Susan Boyle, you go, girl!"

Jim described Boyle's talent as "unbelievable" and "beautiful."

"I wish Susan the very best in her new life and hopefully someone has put her under contract. Thank you for such a beautiful song."

Larry wanted to offer Boyle a kiss.

"I have just heard you sing for the first time -- thanks to CNN -- and I must tell you this: You are a fabulous talent, simply amazing to me that no one took advantage of your voice and passion up until now. I am a happily married man, but if I were not, and if I was in the audience, I can guarantee you that I would ask for a kiss, and if you were gracious enough to indulge me, well that would have been one of the great highlights of my life. Looking forward to the first of many albums."

Subject: RE: A Most Heartwarming Performance-Susan Boyle
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 16 Apr 09 - 12:05 PM

It's nice to see that Teribus agrees with so many Mudcatters about SOMETHING!

Subject: RE: Review: Susan Boyle
From: Teribus
Date: 16 Apr 09 - 11:55 AM

Just saw the other thread, my eyesight must be failing as I did check down through the thread titles before I posted, apologies to all.

Subject: RE: Review: Susan Boyle
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 16 Apr 09 - 11:49 AM

Null point for observation, teribus, there have been two threads on this already (now combined)

Subject: RE: Review: Susan Boyle
From: Stu
Date: 16 Apr 09 - 11:48 AM

There's another thread on this T - this might get bumped onto it.

A complete joy to watch - good on her!

Subject: Review: Susan Boyle
From: Teribus
Date: 16 Apr 09 - 11:45 AM

Surprised that nobody has mentioned this. If you'd like to see someone soar watch and listen to this, the clip is just over 7 minutes long but stick with it for 1 minute 59 seconds to see an entire audience completely astounded:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY

Absolutely brilliant.

Subject: RE: A Most Heartwarming Performance-Susan Boyle
From: MMario
Date: 16 Apr 09 - 11:41 AM

I can think of a dozen or so songs I'd like to hear her sing....
Dumbarton's Drums
A Mother's Kiss
Castle of Drumoore

among others....

Subject: RE: A Most Heartwarming Performance-Susan Boyle
From: Bill D
Date: 16 Apr 09 - 11:38 AM

"
Jock o' Hazeldean should, generally speaking, be left alone by all but Dick Gaughan.

Tsk...I was blown away the 1st time I heard Jean Redpath sing it...and we have a friend here who sings it quite well. She is not famous, but neither was Susan Boyle.

I do not & WILL not subscribe to the idea that only certain people should attempt certain songs.

Now...back to Susan Boyle, who I still wish did folk music. Maybe she does.

Subject: RE: A Most Heartwarming Performance-Susan Boyle
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 16 Apr 09 - 11:26 AM

Jock o' Hazeldean should, generally speaking, be left alone by all but Dick Gaughan.

I once used the same accountant that Cameron Mackintosh employs.
I can only assume that he charged the impresario more than he charged me because the accountant was total rubbish at evading the grasping rats 'n' cats and I have subsequently done it myself for a far lower tax bill.

It passes my understanding why anyone would want to sing any of the MOR mush out of his productions in the first place.

Subject: RE: A Most Heartwarming Performance-Susan Boyle
From: Bill D
Date: 16 Apr 09 - 11:16 AM

So.... MY first thought was- does she know any old Scots ballads.

Who would like to her her sing "Jock O' Hazeldean"?

Subject: RE: A Most Heartwarming Performance-Susan Boyle
From: glueman
Date: 16 Apr 09 - 11:14 AM

Oops. I meant to say Simon's mind was probably going ker-ching!£$£$£$£$

Subject: RE: A Most Heartwarming Performance-Susan Boyle
From: SINSULL
Date: 16 Apr 09 - 11:09 AM

I watched some of the other videos from the show and it is definitely a kinder/gentler Simon. He would torn the Evans family apart on American Idol. Loved the Greek Lord of the Dance. I laughed until I cried.

Subject: RE: A Most Heartwarming Performance-Susan Boyle
From: GUEST,USA Supporter
Date: 16 Apr 09 - 10:50 AM

no matter what this woman has a set of pipes and should have a contract, as a loyal viewer of American Idol and America's Got Talent, I've never seen ANYONE and I mean ANYONE with more talent in all the years these shows have been on.

What impressed me the most is that Simon was shocked, he never smiles that much or gives that much praise to anyone on American Idol not that some don't deserve it they do but this lady definately deserves a CONTRACT and I would fly back to London to see her perform the show on stage with the cast as well.

Subject: RE: A Most Heartwarming Performance-Susan Boyle
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 16 Apr 09 - 10:37 AM

I suspect the producers of this program play their cards pretty close to the vest, so to speak, to heighten the effect for any candidates they put forward for consideration. I imagine there were a few production folks watching with glee for the expected initial responses, and the quick turn-around once she opened her mouth.

cloned Stepford Singer!
Ha!

Thanks for the program description, Marje. I don't watch those programs here, so I wouldn't have the routine worked out from this side of the Atlantic. I'm glad to learn that 2 out of 3 does get someone advanced.

SRS

Subject: RE: A Most Heartwarming Performance-Susan Boyle
From: Alice
Date: 16 Apr 09 - 10:04 AM

Here is an interview with one of the judges, Amanda Holden. The question is asked about whether Susan Boyle's image would be made-over. Amanda says, I won't let her go to Simon's hairdresser.

video of interview
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyG2aG_bBjQ

She hopes to have a career like Elaine Page, and I think her voice is better than Elaine Paige's voice.

Regarding the "staging" of the cameras getting reactions, I think the main point is that the judges do not hear the performers before the first time they go on stage, so as Amanda attested, it was a complete surprise to the judges and the audience. Yes, I agree, production crew was aware that they needed to capture reactions, but they do that with the contestants who are given the thumbs down, too. Obviously, she had to pre-audition with the rest of the competitors, so the screening staff knew that she had talent. If you watch video of contestants who are buzzed off right away, you see that the cameras capture audience and judge reactions then, too.

Subject: RE: A Most Heartwarming Performance-Susan Boyle
From: Mooh
Date: 16 Apr 09 - 09:14 AM

The audience isn't so much jaded as shallow and judgemental.

Believe it or not, singing experience "limited to the church choir" can be the best training of all. One learns how to sing harmony, timing, projection, without damaging habits, with dynamics and expression, with humility and purpose. I've seen more than a few such singers.

Susan Boyle is a genuine ray of sunshine. I hope she rides that voice to genuine acceptance, credibility, and success. Being an anti-star might just make her a star.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: A Most Heartwarming Performance-Susan Boyle
From: jacqui.c
Date: 16 Apr 09 - 08:04 AM

We saw this first on the news and have just watched the whole thing for the first time. What an amazing woman! Her personality is as big as her voice and, once she started singing, her looks just didn't matter - I, for one, got carried away by that voice.

I'm glad to see that Cowell is already talking to her about a contract. This is one talent that deserves all the sunlight it can get.

Subject: RE: A Most Heartwarming Performance-Susan Boyle
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 16 Apr 09 - 08:03 AM

Please let us know when the next round comes up!

Subject: RE: A Most Heartwarming Performance-Susan Boyle
From: kendall
Date: 16 Apr 09 - 08:00 AM

Two words. Holy Shit!
Now I know why women weep at weddings. I've never been more impressed by any performer.

Subject: RE: A Most Heartwarming Performance-Susan Boyle
From: Becks
Date: 16 Apr 09 - 07:23 AM

Yep blubbering!

I do wish people wouldnt judge a book by its cover. You don't watch people when they play on your hi-fi! It's what they sound like that matters. For some people looks is all they have, I'd take a talent like that any day.

Becks (also plump!)

Subject: RE: A Most Heartwarming Performance-Susan Boyle
From: Marje
Date: 16 Apr 09 - 04:44 AM

To those who don't know the show: three Yeses from the judges just means that she goes through to the next round - they have to get at least two of the judges to say yes, and it's not always unanimous. Part of the drama of the show revolves around the different standards and expectations of the three judges, and disagreements among them.

And to some extent it is set up in advance - there are thousands od entrants and they get screened at initial auditions before some are selected to perform in front of the panel. The ones shown on TV include the good, the bad and the ugly, as well as the quirky and surprising ones, and also those with and interesting background story. The producers know roughly what category each of the acts comes into and they "milk" the competitors for maximum effect. That's their job, and it doesn't detract from the genuine surprise and humble admiration shown by the panel and the audience in a case like this. She can't have been established or known in any professional sense, or someone would have spoken up by now.

It's certainly got me hooked - I'll be watching next time to see how Susan Boyle gets on. And they'd better not try to turn her into a cloned Stepford Singer!

Marje

Subject: RE: A Most Heartwarming Performance-Susan Boyle
From: GUEST,glueman
Date: 16 Apr 09 - 04:16 AM

Sorry you think I'm being grumpy. I know the biz. The idea the judges weren't cued to expect something and the production floor to collect certain images is mistaken. The cameras were telling a story about a dumpy woman with a brilliant voice performing to a jaded audience.

She still has that brilliant voice though I await Susan Boyle meets Trinny and Suzanna Special.

Subject: RE: A Most Heartwarming Performance-Susan Boyle
From: Don Firth
Date: 15 Apr 09 - 11:32 PM

I love it!

A bit like a replay of Paul Potts. Dumpy little guy with crooked teeth walks out on stage, says he sings opera. Judges roll their eyes and audience members slide down in their seats.

And in both cases, when Paul Potts and Susan Boyle started to sing, in addition to beautiful, strong voices, you could hear the thumps of jaws hitting the floor! Marvelous!!

(Sorry you're having such a tough day, glueman. Might I suggest a dose of Metamucil? You'll feel much better in the morning.)

Don Firth

P. S. Just a thought:   Just suppose it was a set-up, which I very seriously doubt. It does not alter the fact that Susan Boyle has an excellent singing voice and she handles it very well.

Subject: RE: A Most Heartwarming Performance-Susan Boyle
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 15 Apr 09 - 11:11 PM

I've never been to Les Miserables, but I did pull up a cast recording on NetFlix to take a look at. I suspect this will boost the attention to that sound track.

Over on YouTube there is a nice 10th Anniversary version with Ruthie Henshall.

SRS

Subject: RE: A Most Heartwarming Performance-Susan Boyle
From: Alice
Date: 15 Apr 09 - 10:38 PM

Here is the video with the cast of Les Miserable discussing Susan's performance.

Watch to the end of this for the cast's comments:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zh533QXr7VM

Subject: RE: A Most Heartwarming Performance-Susan Boyle
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 15 Apr 09 - 10:04 PM

glueman, the audience was filmed also, it was simultaneous cameras and they were cutting back and forth between the cameras on Boyle, on the judges, and the audience reactions. Is that what you consider "contrived?" That's just editing, not a setup. They can predict that there will be some faces they want to bring in to add drama. But it wasn't set up in advance.

Michael, I noticed the last time I saw a clip of Paul Potts, who turned up on that show in 2007, that he had had the chipped tooth fixed and his hair is longer. He dresses better. It'll be interesting to see what kind of makeover Susan encounters.

SRS

Subject: RE: A Most Heartwarming Performance-Susan Boyle
From: bseed(charleskratz)
Date: 15 Apr 09 - 09:21 PM

I was expecting a fine performance from bobad's introduction, but that was one of the most amazing performances I've ever seen--a truly wonderful voice, great interpretation, and how can you account for her stage presence? She was not in the least intimidated--a bit of a quaver during the questioning when she had difficulty completing the phrase "a collation of villages," but when the accompaniment began it was as if she had been singing it on stage nightly for a year's run of the play, and now it was a celebratory closing night.

Charles

Subject: RE: A Most Heartwarming Performance-Susan Boyle
From: Alice
Date: 15 Apr 09 - 09:04 PM

By the way, I also saw a news clip of the cast of Les Miserables watching the video of her performance. If I can find a copy of it, I'll post a link.

Subject: RE: A Most Heartwarming Performance-Susan Boyle
From: Alice
Date: 15 Apr 09 - 08:55 PM

I found the you tube clip yesterday when CNN started reporting it.
I've emailed it to lots of friends.
It is wonderful. I cried.
I've watched it over and over again, as well as finding interviews of Susan on you tube after the performance.
I hope she wins.

Subject: RE: A Most Heartwarming Performance-Susan Boyle
From: Michael Harrison
Date: 15 Apr 09 - 08:47 PM

Stilly River Sage - I appreciate your comments; and, I, for one, have long been a protester on behalf of women in music because talent alone will not get them the same distance as a man - they must look good as well. It's a sad situation but it is the music "business." Truth is that good looks get you places in all walks of life that plain looks - all else being equal - just can't get you.

You did mention two of my favoites, Emmylou and Allison Krause.
I might suggest that you take a look at AK when she first came out compared to the way she looks now - today she looks totally different from 1993 and is much prettier than she used to be. It could be that she matured into a prettier woman, but, knowing this business, I would bet that she was "advised" to make some "changes" and "modifications" to her appearance by the Nashville mafia. Either way, she is a great talent. Cheers,.............mwh

Subject: RE: A Most Heartwarming Performance-Susan Boyle
From: SINSULL
Date: 15 Apr 09 - 08:34 PM

I finally got to see Susan Boyle sing - Barracuda blocked it at the office. I too was in tears. So where has she been for the last forty years? Where did she learn to sing like that?

Her career will be fun to watch.