Album Description: Former cell phone salesman and now Britians Got Talent winner Paul Potts has spent most of his life feeling insignificant and bullied, but says that his voice was always his one true friend, a voice that Simon Cowell calls simply magical.
Amazon.com: Britain's Got Talent winner Paul Potts has spent most of his life feeling 'insignificant'. Bullied at school for being 'different', he realized growing up that he had one true friend and that was his voice. Singing was his escape. He was able to lose himself in his own little world - the vicious words of his tormentors replaced by hauntingly beautiful lyrics and melodies that lifted his heart and spirit. It was a love, a passion, a lifeline that would follow Paul into adulthood and help him through many more periods of adversity.
Though it's fair to say that when Paul strolled awkwardly - almost apologetically - onto the Cardiff stage for his first Britain’s Got Talent audition a week before that final, in his now infamous £35 Tesco suit, and announced to Simon and fellow judges Amanda Holden and Piers Morgan that he was going to sing opera, they never thought for one minute they were looking at their winner. Until he opened his mouth and started to sing.
ONE CHANCE? Like millions of other people (apparently), I'm a sucker for a good "ugly duckling" story. And Paul Potts' story is certainly that--forget the fact that that very story was rather cynically played upon by Simon Cowell and the producers of BRITAIN'S GOT TALENT. Turns out that Paul did have more training and stage experience than we might have first been led to believe. He had major roles in amateur productions and had even studied in Italy for a time where he had occasion to sing before Pavarotti.
The core of the tale WAS true, however. He had certainly had a few moments of (amateur level) glory before he autioned for Cowell and Co., but he still wound up back at Carphone Warehouse. And even if the programs judges knew how well Potts could sing in advance (and pretty much feigned astonishment for the camera), one thing that clearly was NOT faked was Paul's awkwardness and timidity onstage. Until he opened his mouth to sing, that is.
Great story. Great television. I watched that danged YouTube clip for weeks on end, with my eyes welling up each time . So why do I find myself so disappointed in the CD? Well, as almost everyone has acknowledged, it was something of a rush job. It's no secret that he was recording it within a week of winning the prize. And it shipped in little more than a month after the contest. How much thought could have really gone into such a project? And how much care?
There is absolutely nothing surprising or inspired about the song selection. Of course, it was understood that "Nessun Dorma" and "Time To Say Goodbye," the two numbers performed on the show and seen around the world on YouTube, would have to be included on the CD. They're both stirring, although those who were quick to point out that his version of "Dorma" proved that he was no Pavarotti seem to have a point. Here and elsewhere his vocal does seem a bit pinched at points. And is it just me, or is there a hint of an echo effect here and there (throughout the album, I mean)?
Of course, Paul Potts' appeal is not solely due to his mastery of technique (and realistically, at his age, no matter how much training he gets now, he will almost certainly never reach Pavarotti level). However brilliantly he pulled off his televised performances, though, it seems clear that he will have to face the fact that the recording studio is a completely different--and much less forgiving--environment. That's not to say it can't be done, but he will probably need different, and more sensitive handlers than the Cowell crew.
And fresh material wouldn't be a bad idea at all.
I'm by no means a musical snob, so when I talk about Potts' limitations, I do so with a lot of hope that such an engaging performer can find a way to transcend them. I'm often amazed at how precisely certain critics and scholars can analyze the strengths and weaknesses in a given singer's voice, and I can't pretend to even begin to do that. But I do notice some here, some which you might expect (stuggling a bit with the high notes) and some I don't understand at all (why are his most awkward moments in the English language songs, for instance).
I'm not sure that Paul Potts will ever be able to carve out a career in the classical/operatic world. That would likely require a lot of catch up training, and time's a-wasting on that front. On the other hand, it would be disappointing to see him stick to the "classical-lite" of a Bocelli or Brightman. How many versions of "Time To Say Goodbye" does anyone need to hear anyway?
So I wish Paul Potts a lot of luck in his future endeavors. I don't begrudge him his talent show entree into the big time. (How else was it going to happen?) But I do hope the industry doesn't just chew him up and spit him out. There's music in this man's soul, and it'd be nice to see him have a chance to make it.
5 stars plus I love this cd. It is not the world's best but after a long day it is a pleasure to listen to. O Holy Night brings me to tears it is so beautiful. God gave us a great gift in Paul Potts.
..............GOLD STANDARD....... ....... NETFLIX......AMAZON....are MY gold standard..companys like shell are ruining what used to be THE AMERICAN WAY...remember .. MA BELL..they were the BEST...last june i made a 100.00 payment to SHELL OIL COMPANY..it was taken out of my account days later..they said they never got it ??????????????phone CALLS ect .bank SENT THEM PAPERWORK...an phone calls.....it went over FIVE months as ...UNPAID.. i do NOT STOP AT A SHELL STATION anymore....please AMAZON.....i believe in the name .....AMAZON.......you are my prime rib..an my trust..john locke ..san diego calif .. usa AN YES ...PAUL POTTS..your dream can come true....the american way......god bless britain....love ya
Awsome Voice Paul Potts has an amazing voice - it brings tears to my eyes to listen to him. He really connects with his audience. Waiting for his next CD.
Paul Potts I've never enjoyed opera but Paul Potts made me a opera lover. Know you will go on to do great things. I give you 6 STARS! Ruth Watts
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