Video: World’s second-biggest celebrity sings again
posted at 8:20 pm on May 24, 2009 by Allahpundit
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Hot off the YouTube presses, three minutes from tonight’s semi-final of “Britain’s Got Talent.” She won the public vote, of course, so she’s through to the finals. The hair’s a bit darker, the wardrobe’s a bit nattier, and whatever that thing was on her lip seems to be gone. But the voice is still there. Exit question: How many days before this clip hits 100 million views?
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That’s just it. The surprise is not that she has such a great voice that it puts all other singers to shame, it doesn’t. The surprise for many younger people raised on MTV images of sexy performers, is that a frumpy old cat lady can sing at all – just as if it violates some rule of nature in their heads that the unattractive landlady to whom you pay rent should also have unattractive vocal cords to match.
Once she becomes a celebrity however, things go downhill for Susan as she will then be unfairly judged on her talent alone, rather than unfairly judged as a frumpy cat lady who can sing on an amateur talent show.
keep the change on May 24, 2009 at 10:55 PM
Seriously? I suppose Lang is OK for what she does, but an amazing voice? If you want to hear a good mezzo (in my opinion) listen to Elina Garanca. Here she is doing a pleasant barcarolle with soprano Natrebko.
jaime on May 24, 2009 at 11:00 PM
Pilgrim:
Actually there’s a vid w/Boyle singing Memories somewhere in the 70’s…i saw it several weeks ago (and compared it then to Babs)….so it’s probably a song she knows/comfortable with.
Re: k d lang, try the London Times January 13, 2008:
Remember we’re talking voice here, not how hot she is, not how lesbian she is.
r keller on May 24, 2009 at 11:01 PM
Tastes are relative, aren’t they?
Natch
Ugly on May 24, 2009 at 11:05 PM
She was obviously nervous at first, and it’s no wonder. Her life has been a roller coaster ride since she last sang. Just imagine the pressure.
Elaine Paige is brilliant, but the only thing she has on Susan Boyle is experience. I suspect when Susan has more experience, she’s going to be brilliant, as well.
kakypat on May 24, 2009 at 11:09 PM
Just noticed this. Bravo.
Ugly on May 24, 2009 at 11:12 PM
jaime …. yes, the context being pop music.
Thanks for the nice link…very nice.
r keller on May 24, 2009 at 11:13 PM
Yeah, apparently they’ve been hyping her narrative and not her voice.
jaime on May 24, 2009 at 11:15 PM
Wow. Thanks for that link.
BrideOfRove on May 24, 2009 at 11:19 PM
You are absolutely right. “Britain’s Got Talent” is a show that showcases everyday people, sifting and sorting through the slogs of mud through potential magnificence to find that rare nugget of raw Talent.
Susan Boyle’s story only adds to the drama and engenders goosebumps with her performances and her innate belief that she really can fulfill her dreams after so many years of being an everyday nobody who started out with a brain injury as a baby, went on to spend her life caring for an ailing mother while her numerous siblings built lives and careers and families, and finally had the chance, in middle age, to shoot for the moon.
Even if she doesn’t win the final, Susan Boyle has already won, especially the hearts and minds of hundreds of millions of us everyday folk who are burdened with the woes of this trying world, but keep looking for that one special upbeat real life story that puts a smile on our faces for days.
You go, girl!
KendraWilder on May 24, 2009 at 11:20 PM
That’s exactly how I feel about Babs. Yes, she has a great voice but all I can hear anymore is that screeching on behalf of Al Gore or was it Kerry? What a stupid *****.
Shay on May 24, 2009 at 11:21 PM
Here’s a compare/contrast: The orginal vs. Madonna … Don’t cry for me Argentina
Patti LuPone
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYTIUgSokf0
r keller on May 24, 2009 at 11:27 PM
Yes, I am judging their voices. That’s why Susan Boyle’s initial “look” never bothered me. I wanted to know if she could sing.
I just listened to Lang on iTunes. And you still want to stick with “amazing”? Her voice is okay, certainly not amazing. Besides, Lang is the wrong person with which to compare Boyle, so is Elina Garanca although she has an amazing voice. The timbre of their voices are completely different. I’d pick someone who sings Broadway or show tunes.
I don’t know where Susan Boyle will fit. Her sudden superstardom definitely gives her an advantage with some name recognition. What’s her genre? niche?
But let’s not kid ourselves—it’s not just the voice. (Think Bob Dylan.) There is definitely something endearing about Susan Boyle. The MTV crowd will sneer at her, but many millions more will not.
conservative pilgrim on May 24, 2009 at 11:30 PM
I have a soft spot for Streisand as well, regardless of her political views. I had a big crush on her when she sang this song (video is set to abandoned things)… I saw her in a movie and fell deeply in crush. I was probably 7 or 8 and knew nothing of politics :)
Ugly on May 24, 2009 at 11:39 PM
Incredible!
hadsil on May 24, 2009 at 11:44 PM
Pilgrim
As usual, it depends on what the definition of “is” is.
In terms of amateur talent, Boyle is very good.
In terms of female popular singers, Lang is very good.
In terms of opera, Garanca is very good.
You mention Dylan…I don’t know if you’re saying he can’t sing, or that he can’t sing conventionally, but is a good singer. (IMHO he’s a very good singer too)
PS…if the reviewer for the London Times says she’s the finest of her generation (and that’s not the first time I’ve read that type of review) I’m not afraid of using the word amazing…but there’s lots of great female voices out there, that’s the beauty of art.
r keller on May 24, 2009 at 11:49 PM
Oh, and I forgot: Patti LuPone…so there’s lots.
r keller on May 24, 2009 at 11:52 PM
So you’re backing down on Lang being “amazing” now? I guess if the London Times says so . . .
No, I think Dylan is an awful singer. He entered the scene at a time in history where his “voice” generated a response and spoke for many people. His popularity has more to do with timing and his songwriting.
Boyle is an amateur, but has the potential to make it professionally. She does need some training, but she has a natural ability.
conservative pilgrim on May 25, 2009 at 12:01 AM
I did not think it was as good, lead up takes too long, but once she gets going, I got goosebumps.
WoosterOh on May 25, 2009 at 12:05 AM
Wasn’t she one of those that promised to leave the country if Bush got elected – and then reneged on that promise? I wouldn’t have missed any of them. I thought we should have sued them all for breach of promise.
sloopy on May 25, 2009 at 12:05 AM
Oh, and I agree, Boyle has a ton of potential. Wonderful, sweet voice.
sloopy on May 25, 2009 at 12:07 AM
WOW!….what an amazing gift.
christene on May 25, 2009 at 12:08 AM
Here’s another good mezzo voice, more on the popular side (jazz), that I consider to be much superior to Lang.
Shirley Horn. It took me a while to find an audio of this online. At the link, to the top right, there’s an audio player. Just click the play button.
jaime on May 25, 2009 at 12:22 AM
conservative pilgrim
I’ve got to go…as I said I’m not afraid of saying she has an amazing voice….but I’m trying to say, let’s get beyond wordsmithing and listen to the artistry of all these women
have a good Memorial Day
r keller on May 25, 2009 at 12:23 AM
jaime ….Shirley Horn was a great and beautiful voice, thanks for the link…
r keller on May 25, 2009 at 12:36 AM
I’m glad people are enjoying her, but she isn’t a good singer to me.
I cringe.
AnninCA on May 25, 2009 at 2:04 AM
Her voice is good, but now that she’s no longer singing a cappella, it’s pretty clear that she has no rhythm whatsoever.
Ronnie on May 25, 2009 at 3:35 AM
I guess it’s like Dancing with the Stars.
Amateur night.
AnninCA on May 25, 2009 at 3:42 AM
Sorry, I’m voting for this Welch singer.
fred5678 on May 25, 2009 at 4:38 AM
For a Scottish old Bird,Susan
has a beautiful voice!
canopfor on May 25, 2009 at 7:26 AM
Resisting the tug of popular sentiment…..
The voice is grating.
I still say we’re all getting played.
rollthedice on May 25, 2009 at 8:07 AM
I don’t like M.O. either, but this is totally out of line.
Regarding Susan Boyle, I used to sing (many, many years ago), and nerves can have a powerful effect on the voice. We also don’t know if she was hearing the accompaniment or if something was dampening it a bit. She was off during the first few notes, but she overcame whatever the problem was and gave a lovely performance. I like her–she’s in an amateur talent show, and she has shown she has talent. These days, I’m glad to listen to almost anyone who isn’t an overdubbed pop tart.
DrMagnolias on May 25, 2009 at 8:28 AM
Not only is she the world’s second-biggest celebrity behind Barry O., but she’s the world’s second-most gorgeous woman, behind Michelle O.
misterpeasea on May 25, 2009 at 8:37 AM
As much as I like her story and her audition, this performance was very uneven. Perhaps she’ll choose a better song and do better next time out…but this was not good.
I’m hoping Jamie Pugh has a good outing next go round. Natalie Okri is out, which is sad. She sounded drowned out and too nervous the second time out. Sue Son did well…but she sure isn’t a huggy person. Pity, because she’s talented and gorgeous.
I really liked Sophie Mei from 2008, even if she wasn’t the best in the world…but this Latvian ‘belly dancer’ is absolutely terrible. The guys on the panel are keeping her for her assets, not her talent.
Asher on May 25, 2009 at 9:21 AM
Ya, she was a bit uneven on this one. It is a tough song though and just didn’t quite fit her. She was much better with her trial song and with the single she recorded. She’ll have a contract with somebody recording albums. Perhaps a broadwayish type of run as well.
boomer on May 25, 2009 at 9:37 AM
Who keeps the money from the youtube views?
marklmail on May 25, 2009 at 10:01 AM
Susan Boyle opened the song with a bum note and followed it up with a rendition that reminded me of Florence Foster Jenkins:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florence_Foster_Jenkins
uptight on May 25, 2009 at 10:05 AM
Go Susan!
Is there any way we can watch this program here in America? Does BBC America carry it?
Lady Heather on May 25, 2009 at 11:05 AM
Go Susan!
Is there any way we can watch this program here in America? Does BBC America carry it?
Lady Heather on May 25, 2009 at 11:05 AM
She choked a bit, at the beginning, but overall, it was just beautiful.
When a voice, and song give me goosebumps, that is my signal, that it was good. I love this woman, for persevering thru her entire life, and now, to come out on top….is just wonderful!!!
capejasmine on May 25, 2009 at 11:07 AM
DinobotPrime, I was comparing Boyle to Streisand because others were doing the same.
Those who think I should compare what Boyle would sound like if she had the career and training of a Streisand are arguing, well, fantasy. She did not have that training, so there is only the voice to judge. And in that respect, I say that Boyle can’t touch Streisand.
By saying that I don’t think she is the equal of Streisand, I’m not saying that I think she sucks. Or that she deserves to lose. I’d love to see her win this contest.
But that still doesn’t make her the equal of Streisand—who, in turn, could never be the equal of Judy Garland, who I consider the greatest American popular singer of the twentieth century. (Or at least, the one I liked the best, taste and judgment being totally subjective.)
I think a 16-year-old Garland singing “Over the Rainbow” beats just about everyone else. And that was before she grew up and got even better.
Meryl Yourish on May 25, 2009 at 11:17 AM
She seemed unusually nervous~ and hit a handful of clams~ but her first performance still stands as a classic.
Boyle should skip the big show tunes and do “Cry Me a River” which she nailed on the other soundtrack of her voice available online.
This performance could lose her the competition and she might have been better off just releasing a CD fast and going for a world career and not a UK-only show.
profitsbeard on May 25, 2009 at 11:42 AM
Kinda how we all feel when we see your posts. We cringe. You know nothing of honest human emotion. You are an empty barrel always rattling on about your hildebeast talking points. Be gone with you!
DeweyWins on May 25, 2009 at 12:10 PM
BTW, listen to k d lang for a amazing female voice
r keller on May 24, 2009 at 10:30 PM
K D Lang??? Johnette Napolitano has a much better voice. (No, not that idiot who labeled all republicans as right-wing extremists, the Ex Concrete Blonde):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKKSmr_Ssgs
Michelle Dubois on May 25, 2009 at 12:23 PM
I saw the show on her first appearance. I was stunned. Her looks are not what matters. A voice like that brings out the beauty in her. This song was amazing. I thought she was better than crossed eye Bab’s. Susan had a hard life and was trying to get her career going. She took care of her Mom for years. There is also a 6 year old girl that was born with Talent. Her name is Connie Talbot.
She has a web site and you should hear her sing Whitney Houston’s I will always love you. Incrdible!
sheebe on May 25, 2009 at 12:35 PM
Johnette is fantastic!
sheebe on May 25, 2009 at 12:41 PM
She’s a brilliant singer/songwriter, but like many great artists, bewilderingly underrated :(
Michelle Dubois on May 25, 2009 at 1:10 PM
Amen to that!
AdrianG on May 25, 2009 at 1:17 PM
This is not fake nor put on.This is 100% pure GOD given Talent.
thmcbb on May 25, 2009 at 2:09 PM
#1 post of the thread…
anninca… WHOtfau?
jerrytbg on May 25, 2009 at 3:08 PM
Good performance of a hack show tune.
I frankly love this woman simply because she’s a genuine, plucky, and down to earth Scot. I’d love just to sit down and have tea with her and talk about music. She’s not the best in the world, but she’s genuine.
Those who are judging her by the American Pop Idol standards are simply missing the point. Image is NOT everything, and we miss out when we forget that.
Ye Go, Lass!
tickleddragon on May 25, 2009 at 4:33 PM
Oh, and speaking of European Music contests, I HAVE to say, I think the Estonians got ROBBED at Eurovision.
#6 – Urban Symphony (Estonia)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIzYqFewvAs
VS.
#1 – Alexander Rybak (Norway)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uiH4BFTELME
tickleddragon on May 25, 2009 at 4:37 PM
Have you guys heard Greg Pritchard from the same show? He’s another person who’s voice is far different than how many people judge him based on appearance.
He’s very unique, to say the least!
EarthToZoey on May 25, 2009 at 6:21 PM
Susan’s voice broke a couple times in the beginning, and she ran ahead of the orchestra a bit and then got her legs back and finished with her beautiful bell of a voice
I just love this woman. I hope she doesn’t change too much. Right now there is a surprising intimacy in her phrasing and when she is on beat it is brilliant
I have no affection for Streisand’s thin tight voice which could work as a smoke alarm in my house. Garland had a great talent, more talent than Streisand, but Garland had a desperate push of the rhythm I find depressing. I can’t listen to Garland because it is like listening to someone in a nervous breakdown, very not happy even when she is smiling. She had that clutching nervous manner like someone who moving in to ask you for drug money at the bus stop
I enjoyed Garland’s movies with Mickey Rooney. He helped neutralize the wierdness
Susan is a genuine talent, a lovely voice with emotional phrasing. I would rather hear hear a rough voice that understood the music, than a perfected voice that missed opportunities. I heard Jessye Norman live, and was left flat, but I am bowled over by Callas/von Karajan. A screech from Callas was worth ten smooth Handel arias from Sutherland
If Susan records something not too grand, I may find myself buying a DVD after having given up the practice
entagor on May 25, 2009 at 6:50 PM
I like your style.
Judy Garland was one of a kind. And she did get better with age. Garland belting out “What now, My Love,” later in life, is one of the most affecting popular ballad experiences you’ll ever have.
I’m partial to Midler and Sinatra too, but Judy G. was the best.
J.E. Dyer on May 25, 2009 at 8:08 PM
Did you know the show-stopper in The Harvey Girls—the one where the cast of hundreds sang and danced on and beside a moving train—was done in one take?
Garland was a consummate professional before the drugs got to her. And she was highly under-rated as an actress. Go watch her supporting part in Judgment At Nuremberg to see how amazing she was. She could do it all—sing, dance, act.
She’s on my list of “deceased people you’d most like to have lunch with”. Judy Garland, Mark Twain, and my great-grandfather.
Meryl Yourish on May 25, 2009 at 9:18 PM
Laura Nyro. That girl could sing.
Stephen M on May 25, 2009 at 9:26 PM
You all are probably youngsters, but Ethyl Merman could belt out tunes as well. She sang God Bless America like no one has ever sang it. :)
sheebe on May 26, 2009 at 1:45 AM
It will only take two days. It will hit a million hits on the 26th. :) :) :)
Theophile on May 26, 2009 at 6:27 AM
I’m over Susan Boyle.
chunderroad on May 26, 2009 at 12:26 PM
Who’s the biggest? The One?
Aronne on May 26, 2009 at 12:35 PM
You sir, know nothing about music. Memories is not opera, it is from the Broadway musical “Cats”. It has no relation to opera at all. And for all you
know-it-alls, Andrew Lloyd Webber is a very talented songwriter, and very well thought of by those of us who are musicians.
This woman was obviously nervous. She has a beautiful natural voice, just needs a bit of training to be professional. The only problem I see with her performance other then nerves, (which can only be related to, if you have ever sung in front of a large audience), is that Memories is a bit low pitched for her. However, she sang it well, and should be complemented on her performance, not put down for it. Kudos to her for having the nerve to get up and perform in front of God and everyone!
Susanboo on May 26, 2009 at 3:19 PM
Stavros Flatley will be on tonight…iirc. That’s who I’m hoping will get through to the next round.
Asher on May 26, 2009 at 4:27 PM
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