What should Susan Boyle sing next?

Subject: What should Susan Boyle sing next?
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Apr 09 - 12:58 AM

For those who have happily discussed and speculated about the phenomenal voice and stage presence of Susan Boyle, I think we need to move forward.

What should Susan sing next time?
(I will admit: I think she could ditch this contest and move forward from here, but she may want to follow it through to the end for a lot of good and well-considered reasons).

I've given this some thought and spent some interesting time chasing down songs on YouTube. She can do the big show tunes. She can give the audience what-for. So how about one made famous by Gertrude Lawrence--"The Saga of Jenny" from Lady in the Dark, music by Kurt Weill, lyrics by Ira Gershwin. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7iQ2vjPCQkY

Or how about something from Gypsy? "Everything's Coming Up Roses" has a lot higher center of emotional gravity, so to speak, than her first appearance on Britain's Got Talent, and it's a song sung by an older woman, so it wouldn't be out of place. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1znyr0QQGE&feature=related.

"Send in the clowns" is another one for an older singer. Do you think Sondheim would do for Susan? Here's another Ruthie Henshall performance, showing how a singer can belt it out. I found several versions where it is almost spoken by some singers. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyscZQmRc6w&feature=related. This one might be too subtle for the Britain's Got Talent group, though. Ironic, but subtle.

She could sing "All That Jazz," but the visuals might be tough to pull off. It would require a costume that did the work of distracting the eye. Lots of beads, perhaps. What's interesting is that for all that Susan said she'd like to be successful like Elaine Paige, I am finding more songs from Ruthie Henshall (who I've never heard of before) that are more musically like what I think Susan can sing. Poor photo quality, from the Today Show on NBC in the States.

But another one that is meant for an older character and I think Susan would do a lovely job with is "Memory" from Cats. I love how Betty Buckley (a Fort Worth, Texas, talent) belted this out. She created the American Grizabella on Broadway. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdJRFr3Fs7s. (I remember cracking up Spaw with an offhand remark about Betty Lynn on an Art Thieme thread a while back.) I think this is the one Susan should do. This one is not such good sound, but it is the stage performance in costume. I don't think Susan should try this at home or anyplace else. It's a really tough role, very physically demanding. But I think she would do a marvelous version of the song.

No apologies for suggesting show tunes. They are big songs, they highlight big voices, they're a pleasure to sing and to listen to. Purists need not (and please don't!) comment.

SRS

Subject: RE: What should Susan Boyle sing next?
From: GUEST,jeff
Date: 20 Apr 09 - 01:07 AM

'Stormy Weather'. Controlled power w/plenty of emotional impact w/room to improvise and make it her own. "Somwhere Over The Rainbow' would be a crowd pleaser, but cliched.

Subject: RE: What should Susan Boyle sing next?
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Apr 09 - 01:22 AM

I remember thinking that Eva Cassidy had a kind of strange trajectory in her career. She died way too young, but why wasn't she in the big time before she died? She had a great voice also. (She was also quite young and beautiful--so apparently even those attributes aren't enough, sometimes). Her version of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" is breathtaking, if you haven't heard it. You're correct, I think Susan could do a lush version of it.

SRS

Subject: RE: What should Susan Boyle sing next?
From: Neil D
Date: 20 Apr 09 - 02:04 AM

"La Vie En Rose"

A completely different type of song necessitating the use of an entirely different vocal style would demonstrate range, both musically and emotively.

Subject: RE: What should Susan Boyle sing next?
From: GUEST,jeff
Date: 20 Apr 09 - 02:16 AM

At the risk of 'thread drift' and bombast, Eva Cassidy was/is probably the single best all-around singer of the 20th century. Have friends in DC who knew her and have said she wasn't interested in becoming 'a star' as there were SO many compromises the 'big boys' wanted her to make. She simply wasn't willing to 'play ball'. She knew she was good, not in cocky self-perpetuating way, but wasn't going to be told what and where to sing. She was very much her own woman. That's why she was never a major label act. Be thankful to Chris Biondi's foresight in giving her access to his studio carte blanche and free of charge. Otherwise we wouldn't have the documentation of her other worldly giftings. Physically, she was unimposing, attractive enough, but not a head turner, as they say. A little on the chunky side by showbiz standards, but when she opened her mouth...the whole room would come to a standstill.

Susan Boyle possesses many of the same attributes, but hasn't demonstrated the breadth of chops Eva had...yet. Most great singers have 2/3 elements of the 5/6 across the board. Eva had them all...seemimgly w/o effort.

Susan Boyle's performance will go down as one of the greats in TV history as she turned and entire world on it's head in 15 seconds...quite remarkable. We're ALL Susan Boyle at some level which is why she touched such a universal nerve. But if one listens closely one can hear slight pitch struggles w/t low notes in the song...probably because she couldn't hear herself over the applause. The performance wasn't flawless, but it's the first time I've been moved to tears since the opening strains of 'Field's Of Gold' on Eva Cassidy's 'Songbird' CD. Wept through that CD in much the same way I wept through Susan Boyle's performance.

Beauty and purity of spirit personified.

Subject: RE: What should Susan Boyle sing next?
From: breezy
Date: 20 Apr 09 - 04:38 AM

Lets just wait and see shall we.

Maybe she doesn't need this programme as much as it needs her!

Subject: RE: What should Susan Boyle sing next?
From: Jack Blandiver
Date: 20 Apr 09 - 05:54 AM

The sensible thing would be to give up right now. Always leave wanting more - as you all obviously are - drooling on the fringes of another media frenzy as another life-less-ordinary is withered under the scrutiny of the media spotlights. I just hope there'll be someone round to pick up the pieces of the real Susan Boyle when the celebrity circus moves onto the next hapless victim.

And it's not about the voice at all - it's all about the image. Without that no one would be bothered in the slightest.

Subject: RE: What should Susan Boyle sing next?
From: GUEST,jOhn
Date: 20 Apr 09 - 06:01 AM

she should sing something by Black Sabbath or Iron Maiden, or maybe Journey.

Subject: RE: What should Susan Boyle sing next?
From: Piers Plowman
Date: 20 Apr 09 - 06:08 AM

Subject: RE: A Most Heartwarming Performance-Susan Boyle
From: Genie - PM
Date: 18 Apr 09 - 03:02 PM

'But Piers Plowman's reply to my example -- "Walter Mathau can be paired with Sophia Loren as a romantic couple, for instance, but not Bea Arthur with Paul Newman." -- makes my point. Piers said "Oh, I thought Bea Arthur was a very attractive and impressive-looking woman. "
She was (maybe still is), but Bea in her 40s or 50s would not have been cast as a romantic lead opposite a man of the same age who was considered a sex symbol comparable to Sophia Loren, while the movie industry thinks nothing of pairing Jack Nicholson with beautiful 30-something women.    That double standard is alive and well.'

Just for the record, I wasn't arguing with the point you were making, which I think is manifestly true. I've just always liked Bea Arthur's appearance (it occurred to me later that "striking" would have been a better description) and I think she was a fine actress whose TV vehicles didn't do justice to her.

Subject: RE: What should Susan Boyle sing next?
From: scouse
Date: 20 Apr 09 - 06:09 AM

I completely agree with your sentiment Breezy. She's more than the sum of all the shows parts.I shall sit and wait. Someone as special as Susan needs to have someone really knowing the showbiz ropes to guide her. Her voice should not be for some other persons profit!!
As Aye,
Phil.

Subject: RE: What should Susan Boyle sing next?
From: Emma B
Date: 20 Apr 09 - 06:17 AM

I love the singing of Eva Cassidy who could perform wonderful interpretations of jazz, blues, folk, gospel, country and pop classics without any problems (sometimes cringe making) of 'crossover'
It was probably this inability to be put into any single recording genre and her reluctance to limit herself to any single style that hindered the important recording deal

enjoy and thanks for the memory jeff a 'thread drift' well worth it

Personally, I think Susan Boyle should stick to what she obviously does best, there is a large enough audience for that style of singing and a wealth of material to deaw upon.

Subject: RE: What should Susan Boyle sing next?
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 20 Apr 09 - 06:18 AM

In a riposte to "Scotland's got no talent", she should gie it laldy wi' one o' oor Muckle Sangs!

Subject: RE: What should Susan Boyle sing next?
From: Alan Day
Date: 20 Apr 09 - 06:27 AM

The most interesting thing about these talent contests is that the initial songs are chosen by the artist.X Factor and probably from now on with this talent show, someone else chooses the song and from what I have seen and heard, get it completely wrong. It can be make or break for an artist.If the wrong song is chosen Susan could rapidly lose all her fame overnight,never matching up to the original performance.
Al

Subject: RE: What should Susan Boyle sing next?
From: caitlin rua
Date: 20 Apr 09 - 06:46 AM

Disagree totally with Sinister Supporter. That voice represents solid hard-core talent, the kind you can't fake. An image - whether it's bimbo or underdog-made-good - without talent will fade like the yesterday's-news that it is. But her artistic gift does have staying power on its own.   

Of course looks matter a lot in showbiz. But she doesn't have to go that route these days. Certainly the huge TV exposure and all the hype kick-started her and got our attention: without it we'd never have heard of her, nor would the bigtime US critics and journos . But Susan can opt out of the glitzy thing if she wants to and simply sing, and we will always be able to just listen. With the internet and streaming and individual downloads and all the other ways there are to access music, she has some choices now, and so do we. There's finally some room at the table for outsiders, specialist interests and general asymmetrical pegs who can bypass all the conformist round holes.

Not long ago she'd have had to submit herself to the grinding jaws of the all-powerful Star Machine, but no longer. I wouldn't start writing her epitaph (do I detect a note of gleeful cynicism?) just yet.


PS: I'd like to hear her sing Sunrise Sunset from Fiddler On The Roof, and It's Her Or Me (a.k.a. Now That I've Seen Her) from Miss Saigon. Also Sandy Denny's severely under-rated Ecoute Ecoute - the title of which is highly appropriate. So is the line "(s)he is of value now they say".

Subject: RE: What should Susan Boyle sing next?
From: Jack Blandiver
Date: 20 Apr 09 - 06:55 AM

That voice represents solid hard-core talent, the kind you can't fake.

I disagree; it is a faked voice of the type we're hearing too far much of these days. If it wasn't for the special-needs chic, no one would have batted an eyelid.

do I detect a note of gleeful cynicism?

No note of gleeful cynicism, just utter & abject despair for the impeding fate of poor Susan Boyle and the ghoulish hype to which the whole country (and much of Mudcat) has fallen victim to. I'm not writing her epitaph - the journalists will have written that on the first day of the Boyle circus.

Subject: RE: What should Susan Boyle sing next?
From: caitlin rua
Date: 20 Apr 09 - 07:20 AM

Vocal equipment is something you're born with, or not. You cannot fake a good singing voice (I know a number of people who would love to, and would if they could). The sound she makes is the sound she makes, and if it's not there in the vocal cords no amount of post-production can put it there. But I do take your point about all the window-dressing. "Special-needs chic" is a nice turn of phrase, and I know exactly what you mean. Unfortunately.

But with the variety of alternative forms of listening available now, I really think she can rise above all that and go her own way and still keep an audience interested. Maybe not the kind of audience that fills commercial arenas, but an audience just the same, comprised of individuals all over the world tuning in to her at every hour of the night and day. And I'm sure if you were able to bring them together in one spot and one time they would fill a stadium. Or more.

I really do think it ain't over for her, and doesn't ever necessarily have to be. Though - for the reasons you have given - this does require being perceptive, also making intelligent and realistic choices. I hope she - or anyone genuinely acting on her behalf - will.

Subject: RE: What should Susan Boyle sing next?
From: Alice
Date: 20 Apr 09 - 12:57 PM

Maybe Gershwin's "Someone To Watch Over Me", because with all the hype and exploitation of the media possible, it's appropriate. It would be a good one for her voice. I'd listen to her no matter what she looks like or what her circumstances.... I enjoy all kinds of singing voices, she was born with an instrument I enjoy.

Subject: RE: What should Susan Boyle sing next?
From: breezy
Date: 20 Apr 09 - 01:00 PM

sinister supporter talking out of arsenal end of the stand.

you no nuffinck mate

dont give up any job to be a critic

Subject: RE: What should Susan Boyle sing next?
From: Alice
Date: 20 Apr 09 - 01:03 PM

Nothing faked about Susan's voice. We each have a larynx we are born with. How we use it makes the voice what it can be, but you can't make a tuba out of a high D whistle... we are born with the size and shape of cords we have, the tone and range. Ditto what caitlin rua wrote.

Subject: RE: What should Susan Boyle sing next?
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Apr 09 - 01:30 PM

Those low notes aren't easy to hit, and in the versions I compared it to I didn't hear any of the singers lean on those notes. They pushed down to them as well as they could, glad, I suspect, to be done with them.

I started this thread to ask about what people thought she should sing next. Maybe Sinister and Diane would like to start their own nay-sayer thread somewhere else and leave the rest of us to enjoy our speculation.

Yeah, I know, dream on. They get too much pleasure out of being negative, of delivering the thumb to the eye.

We've looked at musicals, but the Big Band songs are also a wealth of possibility. Some of the ones that Doris Day, Ella Fitzgerald, and others used to sing would work. Especially after hearing the tones she worked over in "Cry Me A River."

SRS

Subject: RE: What should Susan Boyle sing next?
From: kendall
Date: 20 Apr 09 - 01:33 PM

Old Russian proverb: "Is no should. Is only is."

Subject: RE: What should Susan Boyle sing next?
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 20 Apr 09 - 01:40 PM

Lowlands away my John
76 trombones
I am sure sooner or later she will do Amazing Grace. Probably quite well.
Scotia's greatest hits..Loch Lomand, Road to the Isles etc.

Subject: RE: What should Susan Boyle sing next?
From: Alice
Date: 20 Apr 09 - 01:58 PM

Stardust

Subject: RE: What should Susan Boyle sing next?
From: frogprince
Date: 20 Apr 09 - 02:17 PM

I know this is just for fun, but at the risk of being a little serious, I hope she sings....

                Whatshewantsta

Subject: RE: What should Susan Boyle sing next?
From: Tug the Cox
Date: 20 Apr 09 - 02:22 PM

Good one Kendall!. If we rephrase the question to say 'What would you like to hear', I think she could do a cracking 'Rose of Allandale'.

Subject: RE: What should Susan Boyle sing next?
From: Rafflesbear
Date: 20 Apr 09 - 02:22 PM

Old Maid in the Garret :-)

Subject: RE: What should Susan Boyle sing next?
From: katlaughing
Date: 20 Apr 09 - 02:23 PM

Sentimental Journey

Subject: RE: What should Susan Boyle sing next?
From: Art Thieme
Date: 20 Apr 09 - 02:27 PM

"I'm Gonna Pick Poor Robin Clean"

"The Death Of Queen Jane"

"Waltzing With Bears"

"Cocaine"

"Panama Limited"

"Boyle Them Cabbage Down"

(>Art Thieme<)

Subject: RE: What should Susan Boyle sing next?
From: Art Thieme
Date: 20 Apr 09 - 02:34 PM

Oh, and also:

"The Internationale"

and "That's The Ticket" (by me!)

Art

Subject: RE: What should Susan Boyle sing next?
From: Don Firth
Date: 20 Apr 09 - 02:40 PM

I think "Memory," from Cats would be a very good one for Susan. I know there are people out there who don't like the music of Andrew Lloyd Webber, but for every one, I think you'll find several hundred who do. No matter how you slice it, he has written some really fine, evocative songs.

Just because some songs are well-liked by a lot of people doesn't mean they aren't, by all musical and esthetic standards, good songs. The idea that simply because many people like them is proof that they are "schlock" is nothing more than elitist snobbism and reveals a sad ignorance of the musical and poetic qualities that make for a good song.

Here's another rendition of "Memory" sung by Elaine Paige, the singer Susan wants to be as famous as. I think Susan could do this very well indeed. And with a little attention to detail, even better than Elaine Paige.

"Memory."

However—I think Susan probably already has a good idea of what she's going to do next. I'll trust her judgment.

Don Firth

P. S. May the cynics and nay-sayers simmer in their own bile. They are, as the old song says, "more to be pitied than censured."

Subject: What should Susan Boyle sing? - Memory (Cats)
From: Genie
Date: 20 Apr 09 - 02:51 PM

Maggie, it's interesting that you suggested Grizabella's song "Memory" for Susan and then referenced Betty Buckley's version.   The first version version of that song I ever saw/heard (from the actual musical) was that of Susan's ideal, Elaine Paige.   

Grizabella (Elaine Paige) sings "Memory"
Elaine Paige as Grizabella: "Memory" (reprise)

Subject: RE: What should Susan Boyle sing next?
From: Genie
Date: 20 Apr 09 - 03:00 PM

Don, you must have been posting while I was in process of formatting my like-minded post. (It took me a while to sort through the YouTubes to find the best videos of Elaine Paige as Grizabella.)

Subject: RE: What should Susan Boyle sing next?
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Apr 09 - 03:04 PM

I compared the two, Buckley and Paige, and thought Buckley had more power in her version, so I defaulted to the American version because I liked it better. Paige is good, but doesn't have the passion in the song that Betty does.

SRS

Subject: RE: What should Susan Boyle sing next?
From: Don Firth
Date: 20 Apr 09 - 03:20 PM

Right, Genie. Great minds tend to think in similar channels. . . .

Don Firth

Subject: RE: What should Susan Boyle sing next?
From: Genie
Date: 20 Apr 09 - 03:24 PM

So true, Art. ; )

Subject: RE: What should Susan Boyle sing next?
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Apr 09 - 03:34 PM

Paige isn't bad, though. . .

Subject: RE: What should Susan Boyle sing next?
From: bseed(charleskratz)
Date: 20 Apr 09 - 03:39 PM

With the blues chops she hinted at on "Cry Me a River," how about "Can't Help Lovin' That Man of Mine" from _Showboat_? Oh, and of course "Summertime."

Charles

Subject: RE: What should Susan Boyle sing next?
From: GUEST, Cy Nick
Date: 20 Apr 09 - 04:10 PM

How about she steers clear of everything suggested here ... she needs votes from normal people to win.

Subject: RE: What should Susan Boyle sing next?
From: Don Firth
Date: 20 Apr 09 - 04:35 PM

Elaine Paige has, of course, become very aware of Susan Boyle, and there is a word going around that the two of them may record some songs together.

Don Firth

Subject: RE: What should Susan Boyle sing next?
From: Genie
Date: 20 Apr 09 - 04:52 PM

Oops. Don, I called you "Art."   Sorry.
(Well, maybe you are, but that's not your name.) ; )

G


As for whether Paige's or Buckley's "Memory" is better, I think it's just two different interpretations of the same role. Paige's "Grizabella" seems softer and more vulnerable, and her rendition of Grizabella's theme song reflects that.   I kind of prefer that, but it doesn't make that one "better."

Subject: RE: What should Susan Boyle sing next?
From: Genie
Date: 20 Apr 09 - 04:55 PM

Maybe Susan and Elaine could record that duet "Loathing" from "Wicked."   I think they'd sound great!

Subject: RE: What should Susan Boyle sing next?
From: greg stephens
Date: 20 Apr 09 - 04:56 PM

"Ae fond kiss"?

Subject: RE: What should Susan Boyle sing next?
From: Genie
Date: 20 Apr 09 - 05:03 PM

Maybe she could pick a Celine Dion song or something like that, that has been a pop hit within the past 20 years.   She could probably do some great sea chanteys, but I don't know how much market there is for that (especially on BGT).

Subject: RE: What should Susan Boyle sing next?
From: Emma B
Date: 20 Apr 09 - 05:12 PM

oh please Greg let that stay one of my favourite songs

Ae Fond Kiss

Subject: RE: What should Susan Boyle sing next?
From: Jeri
Date: 20 Apr 09 - 05:44 PM

Somewhere Over the Rainbow
Istanbul, Not Constaniople
I'm Just a Girl Who Can't Sa... nah, bad idea
Joni's 'Clouds'

Let me think some more. (I think Ae Fond Kiss would probably sound good.)

Subject: RE: What should Susan Boyle sing next?
From: greg stephens
Date: 20 Apr 09 - 05:45 PM

Sorry, Emma. Just a little flight of fancy. I'll revert to being sensible, how about "Donald Where's Yer Troosers?"

Subject: RE: What should Susan Boyle sing next?
From: Emma B
Date: 20 Apr 09 - 05:49 PM

LOL!

Subject: RE: What should Susan Boyle sing next?
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Apr 09 - 06:04 PM

Do you suppose Susan has a sense of humor?

Just an idea. . .

Subject: RE: What should Susan Boyle sing next?
From: Alice
Date: 20 Apr 09 - 06:39 PM

What A Wonderful World

Subject: RE: What should Susan Boyle sing next?
From: NormanD
Date: 20 Apr 09 - 06:49 PM

"The Internationale".

I see Art has already suggested it.