This woman is amazing!

[ronnykmarshall]

If you don't get tears in your eyes .... you might consult your doctor about tear duct issues.


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

[GardeningGal]

1. Wow - that was incredible. nt

[merh]

2. I did get tears in my eyes when I first saw that and I sent it to

everyone I know - Simon's face is what caught my attention, first he was incredulous, like "WTH - what is this" - then he softened and sort of beamed, I don't know if it was the pleasant and happy surprise of her voice and how he felt good about her or if it was the dollar signs he saw when he realized he could sign her up today.

[ronnykmarshall]

3. I love the look on his face.

EVERYONE'S faces. I minute she sang the first note, it was like magic.

[merh]

8. It was magic, wasn't it.

[SeaLyons]

4. Nothing wrong with my tear ducts....she is wonderful...

absolutely beautiful. I could listen to it over and over.

[redqueen]

5. My favorite part is when the guy offstage says something about how shocking it is.

:eyes:

[Gormy Cuss]

80. But it was great when they called Cowell's comment "a lot of tosh."

It is sad that so many were willing to dismiss her based on her looks, her cheekiness, and her age.
I hope that the audience went away with a new appreciation for the aphorism "You can't judge a book by its cover."

[redqueen]

91. I think it's only a very tiny percentage of people

who have a desire to implement that aphorism.

It seems to me that everyone knows it, and many believe it... but very few follow it.

[Arkansas Granny]

6. What a surprise! I didn't expect to hear a voice like that!

[mnhtnbb]

7. Talk about a song choice. Wow. Terrific.

[EastTennesseeDem]

9. If that doesn't bring back memories of Paul Potts, I don't know what does

I love videos like this.

[Orrex]

14. Was that the opera guy? He was pretty amazing, too

I can't stand watching any of the "reality" competitions, but you can't help loving stories like these!

[EastTennesseeDem]

41. Sure was

And I am of the exact same philosophy as you. The reality get-famous-quick shows are publicity stunts (JMHO), but this kind of stuff has to make you smile.

[backtoblue]

10. Wow

What a beautiful voice!

[REDKING]

11. i said it a million times...i think

you have to shine but once,and the lady did....oh and hello
peace rk:+

[merh]

12. Did you read this article on Ms Boyles?

Secret sadness of Britain's Got Talent star
Susan Boyle's performance of Les Miserables song was the first time she had sung since mother's death

The Scots spinster tipped to win Britain’s Got Talent has revealed her show-stopping singing performance was the first in two years following the death of her mother.

Susan Boyle, a 48-year-old church volunteer from Blackburn, West Lothian, said she could not bring herself to sing after the death of her mother Bridget, 91, in 2007.

The show’s judges Simon Cowell, Piers Morgan and Amanda Holden were astonished by her rendition of I Dream A Dream from the musical Les Miserables during auditions for the talent show in Glasgow. Her performance was broadcast on ITV1 last night.

Cowell said her voice was “extraordinary”, while Morgan described her performance as “without a doubt the biggest surprise I have had in three years of this show”.

more @ http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/scotland/article6078159.ece

[lizziegrace]

13. I tear up every time I see that

Never pass judgement if you don't know them. ;)

[MrCoffee]

15. Jump back Fantine!

Way to kick the crap out of it, Susan!

[Dangerously Amused]

16. Thanks. I love those stories.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

17. Why is it so surprising?

I don't understand.

[redqueen]

19. She's not attractive.

That's all I can figure.

I'd love to hear some other answers from people who said it was surprising. I'd love to be wrong.

[MrCoffee]

22. I was more surprised by the difference in her singing/speaking voice

I didn't expect quite such a drastic change.

[Lorien]

25. Plus her singing voice is so youthful and clear

yet she looks ten years older than her actual age. I would have expected that voice from a 30 year old, but not a 47 year old who looks 57.

[Orrex]

26. Additionally

She presented herself as sort of flighty and uncommitted. Then when the music started, out came this incredible voice that sounded nothing like her speaking voice.

Her physical appearance has less to do with it, ultimately.

[Lorien]

70. Well, as someone else pointed out, there are many not-so-pretty famous

singers (Ella Fitzgerald, Pavarotti, Edith Piaf). So, you're right; I think the way that she presented herself had a lot to do with it. One kind of expected Hyacinth Bucket.

Charlotte Church is another one whose voice didn't quite fit-especially when she was younger. Such a mature, controlled voice in a regular little girl's body!

[GoddessOfGuinness]

27. I was thinking her voice sounded mature...

Her accent is fairly heavy; but I've often heard singers whose speaking voices were quite different from their singing voices.

I'm thinking she must have had voice lessons at some point, or at least diction lessons.

[MrCoffee]

28. I agree with Lorien, I thought her voice sounded much younger than her age

And for her to have such confidence after her sort of flighty intro bit that she did...a thouroughly impressive performance.

[lumpy]

99. Ella Fitzgerald had the eternally youthful voice, so clear, clean

and true. A rarity.

[Karenina]

94. You've got it backwards! No one should sing in public before the age of 25!

:evilgrin: The first instrument just gets better with age. Even on the decline (shall we say, 70 or so) the knowledge and inner consciousness of stytle will ALWAYS (to my ear) trump bombast!

The visual analogy is Robin Cousins. Remember him?

[GoddessOfGuinness]

29. I've heard "country" singers who shed the accent when speaking...

I think she had lessons at some point in her life.

[MrCoffee]

32. Didn't Paul Potts have formal training?

I'm not knocking the lady, I just thought there was such a dramatic change from her intro bit on stage and the song itself. Honestly, I thought she was going to stumble through the song, based on how/what she spoke before the song. But she killed it.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

34. I'm sure he did...

I figured she was nervous, and that's why she was kind of silly at the beginning.

[merh]

82. about Susan Boyles

But who Susan Boyle is as a person is a story of a good simple woman winning over a bad, complicated society. Ms. Boyle is 48 years old, unemployed, and she says never married or "kissed" which means she's a virgin. I do not laugh here because I think of her more as pure rather than question anyone's desire for her or perceived lack of same.

The Worldwide sensation lives in her childhood home in West Lothian, one of 32 council areas in Scotland, and which has Grapevine, Texas as its sister city according to Wikipedia, meaning they can claim her too.

Ms. Boyle cared for her mother until the elder Boyle's passing in 2007 at the age of 91; her father passed away 10 years before. Living alone, Susan attends church each weekend and it was there that her singing talent developed, and where her late mother encouraged her to sing, but Boyle had reportedly stopped singing and did not know how she would do on that Saturday night she shocked the World.

Susan's life has not been one without pain. Sadly, she was starved of oxygen at birth and has a learning disability because of the accident. Ms. Boyle says she was abused and teased by classmates, and reportedly the scars of their comments remain to this day.

What I identify with about Ms. Boyle is, I myself having lost two fathers (my stepfather and my biological dad) to prostate cancer in 2005, and the same year my Mom was diagnosed with breast cancer (she's still with me), one becomes painfully aware of their own mortality, that of others, and the desire to "make one's mark" becomes ever intense. Susan Boyle's stirring song was as much a testimate to the power of the human sprit and a form of grieving as it was a display of talent. Susan wanted to make her mom smile, but in doing so made mothers all over the World smile -- my Mom called and said Boyle was the next Julie Andrews.

So, in a World of nasty pirates, mean internet commenters, and crazy right-wing extremists, we have to stop and embrace Susan Boyle for making us smile.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/abraham/detail?entry_id=38580

[Orrex]

57. That bastard Paul Potts is responsible for millions of deaths

Oh, wait a minute...

[sazemisery]

85. Mel Tillis stuttered when he spoke but not when he sang. n/t

[AwakeAtLast]

43. Me, too!

That's exactly what I told my husband as I listened to it!

[GoddessOfGuinness]

30. It would be interesting to see

if people had the same reaction if they couldn't see her.

[PassingFair]

33. I was surprised because....

she sounded better than ANY professional
performance of that song that I have
ever heard, and I've heard it more than
a few times, both live and recorded.

You KNEW you were going to be blown away
from the FIRST NOTE.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

35. She did a fine job, however...

I noticed that she had some trouble with the low notes in the tune. The rest was fantastic...it was just the bridge.

In the video, this seems to be underscored by the audience's enthusiasm for her performance. They didn't give her much of a chance to perform before they broke into applause.

[Blue Diadem]

42. She hasn't been able to sing since her Mom passed in 2007. n/t

[GoddessOfGuinness]

54. But the judges don't take that into consideration, I'm sure...

...at least they shouldn't. It wouldn't be fair to everybody else who's had issues or difficulties in the time leading up to the trials.

She clearly has a great deal of talent, and is worthy of being heard...of being given a chance. Still, it wasn't a flawless performance. I got the feeling that she was disappointed that she couldn't cut through in her lower register. I look forward to hearing more of her

[Karenina]

83. Pitched at least +2 too low was my first thought...

certain that her upper register had more brilliance than we got to hear. HOWEVER, if that is REALLY the first vocalizingn she's done in 2 years; no-warm-up-no-run-through-walk-out-there-stone-cold-and-JUST.DO.IT. we're talking some pretty fancy icing on her cake!!!

[merh]

86. She was interviewed on CBS morning show this a.m. and said that she studied in Livingston

She is who she is and I like her rendition of that song better than Elaine Page's.

FYI - she sang the song acappella during the interview and still sounded lovely.
http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4949467n

[Karenina]

92. Her intonation saves her.

She's got great, if unpolished, pipes. May she be protected from the demons in da biz. Thanks for that link!

[merh]

95. From the look on Simon's face

I really think he will protect her, there was just something in his eyes.

Despite those who hate his ego and bravado, I think his honesty is often kinder than making people believe they can make it when they have no talent or just average talent.

[DeepBlueC]

96. I think that's just a local school

It's in the West Lothian area, which is where she is from. I could not find any mention there of a school of music or anything like that.

[merh]

97. It may well be the province or council area she traveled to

to attend school or voice lessons.

thanks

[Blue Diadem]

44. Did you see the story in The Herald?

http://www.theherald.co.uk/features/featuresopinon/display.var.2501746.0.The_beauty_that_matters_is_always_on_the_inside.php

I'm glad someone publicly called people to task over laughing at her in the beginning.

[Genevieve]

55. Thank you so much for the link. :))

[likesmountains 52]

59. Thank you, the article articulates what I couldn't..

[GoddessOfGuinness]

63. And how many other Susan Boyles are out there

who simply won't bother to reach for their dream because they figure they don't stand a chance against Barbie?

Lots, I'll bet.

[ronnykmarshall]

64. Many ....

My friend Cindy might be considered a "Barbie" but she is talented and works her ass off for her music.

Right now she's "sidelined" because she's expecting twins. But I sent her Susan's performance and she loved it. She's laid up in bed waiting for her girls to arrive. She knows talent.

Cindy Alexander is fantastic and I love her. http://www.cindyalexander.com/

[GoddessOfGuinness]

74. She is terrific!

I remember the videos you've posted of hers. You're a great fan and friend to help her out like that.

Best of luck to her with her babies! :hug:

[ronnykmarshall]

76. When she found out she was having twin girls ...

She told her husband ..... "BUILD ANOTHER BATHROOM"!!!

I can't wait to see them!

[Blue Diadem]

72. I hope Susan

inspires them. She stood strong and gave such a beautiful performance even after enduring the crowd's attempt to publicly humiliate her. I suspect most Barbies would have faltered under the same circumstances.

You know, I loved her performance, she has such talent, but I was really impressed with her strength.

[redqueen]

93. I did see excerpts here and there.

This is a very, very depressing subject for me.

I wish I believed that story would make a difference in the way people treat each other and react to strangers... but it's been pointed out and proven again and again throughout history. It's a lesson the vast majority of people seem intent on not learning.

[lumpy]

98. She is unattractive only to those people who believe

that attraction is only of the flesh enhanced by cosmetic embellishment. This lady's beautiful spirit is her attraction embellished by her beautiful voice and ebullient personality.

[Hekate]

61. Aside from her looks and age? The fact that those "talent" shows are full of awkward talentless folk

From the very first note she knocked the audience flat. They just did not see that coming.

Btw, I think as a friend she'd be a treasure: she's got such great attitude and presence. Agewise, she's some years younger than me; in her appearance she reminds me of my late Great-Aunt Eugenie, eyebrows and all.

Hekate

[LynzM]

18. It was phenomenal. What a lesson there, too.

Take that, "book by its cover"... :D

[XemaSab]

20. Terrific

Yeah, I'm a little weepy now. :D

[Wapsie B]

21. Is she going to get a recording contract?

Sad to say that over here unless she looked like Carrie Underwood she'd be passed over no matter how beautiful the voice.

[ronnykmarshall]

37. The look on Simon's face said it all.

He's going to sign her.

[Wapsie B]

40. I'm glad for her. She deserves to make a very good living from her talents.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

23. Wow, my dear Ronny!

Thank you for this!

What an incredible clip...what a grand and moving performance!

And yes, I had tears in my eyes...

I hope she will have an incredible career!


:woohoo:

[ronnykmarshall]

50. I hope she comes to LA one day.

I can see her as a Broadway actress or a Cabaret singer.

[Blue Diadem]

24. Now that woman has talent! Great voice! n/t

[NanceGreggs]

31. I can't thank you enough ...

... for turning me on to this!!!

:hi:

[ronnykmarshall]

46. She has a fan club already!!

The You Tube video has over 3,000,000 hits.

She is gem.



http://www.susan-boyle.com/

[NanceGreggs]

47. TOTALLY!!!

This clip has had me in a GREAT mood all day!!!

[ronnykmarshall]

49. She is my new idol.

I just love this woman.

[NanceGreggs]

52. This entire clip ...

... is SO inspirational.

Just heard from a friend who turns 48 tomorrow - said she was just given a wake-up call that being a woman of a certain age doesn't preclude the idea that you can reach your dreams and highest goals at ANY age.

[Mollis]

68. Over 4.6 million now

:D

[Mollis]

69. dupe

[ThomCat]

36. That was wonderful to listen to.

I hope she gets a nice music career out of this. And I hope it benefits HER, not just a record company. She has a wonderful voice, and it's clear that she's worked hard to train it. :)

[Mad_Dem_X]

38. She is truly blessed with an incredible gift. n/t

[BuelahWitch]

39. I'm crying after watching that

Very inspiring.

[S n o w b a l l]

45. Amazing is right!!

Beautiful! And not just her voice.

[crim son]

48. I had the same reaction as you when I watched her this morning.

And yes, I was surprised to hear that song, and that voice, issue from the rather dowdy woman who, seconds before, had made a childish joke and swiveled her hips like she was nineteen. Turns out, she's ageless. I'm hoping this is only one of many great surprises in her life.

[ronnykmarshall]

51. The responce to her performance is amazing.

There are fan site popping up right and left all over the place.

I think I'll start a Yahoo group for her.

[crim son]

53. Cool. Do it!

Nice to see you, ronnyk.

[ronnykmarshall]

60. Here ya go ....

http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/susanboyle/

I have some friends that have joined. It's all in good fun ... some of them can be snarky!

[merh]

88. Here, you need to watch her interview on the CBS early show

she sang again, acappela.
http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4949467n

[Barack_America]

56. So I've watched that video about 5 times now...

And I still cry every fucking time.

:cry:

[Hekate]

58. 5th Rec, guys. I Am Blown Away.

:cry:

[ronnykmarshall]

65. My eyes are red from crying.

She was on ABC network news tonight!!

[Muttocracy]

62. here's the TV show's website - lots of great stuff!

http://talent.itv.com/

[emilyg]

66. Super!!!

[friedgreentomatoes]

67. so is this guy!

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

[orleans]

71. k&r n/t ...wow...

[Haole Girl]

73. Spectacular

Thank you for sharing that. :-)

[elleng]

75. CHILLS at the same point, every time I listen.

:woohoo:

[patricia92243]

77. Thans you so much for posting. I have sent a link to several people already. Simply wonderful!

[Captain Hilts]

78. Yes, she is. nt

[applegrove]

79. I loved it. Seen it three times already. I like the one with the kid still a tiny bit more. But not

much. They are both awsome.

[mentalsolstice]

81. Wow!

I would buy an album with her singing show tunes, opera, religious/holiday music (I'm thinking "Ave Maria", "O Holy Night", "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel"), in a NY second. Imagine pairing her with Andrea Boccelli.

As far as physical beauty goes, I have never found a person to be 100% unattractive, except for maybe Dick Cheney. Susan Boyle has gorgeous eyes and a wonderful, mischievous smile.

[MedleyMisty]

87. I think for me it'd be Rush Limbaugh

I can't find anything attractive there. I know I'll have reached my goal of universal love and empathy when I can look at him and feel something other than disgust.

As for Susan Boyle - I think she's lovely inside and outside, and I hope that her reflected light helps all of our souls shine a bit brighter.

[SeattleGirl]

84. I have watched this video about 10 times tonight.

I cannot get enough of her.

She is

absolutely

amazing!!!

[Midlodemocrat]

89. 12 million hits. I think 1 million are just mine. She's amazing.

[ananda]

90. Very lovely and poignant..

But now that she's shown she has real talent,
the pull to be glamorized will be huge.

I mean.. nobody could resist Oprah, and no one
on tv has been able to resist it.

I love her guts.. and her natural look.
I wish more people would just be themselves.

[DeepBlueC]

100. I'm dreaming a dream myself

It's about redemption, resurrection, about Fantine and about Susan Boyle.