Keep Dreaming your Dream, Susan Boyle

In case you don't remember, Susan Boyle was the Scots Youtube sensation in April 2009, as a contestant on the British show, "Britain's Got Talent."  Those of you who watch American Idol, the American version of BGT, already understand the set-up.

If you've lived under a rock like me and only got hooked on the American Idol show in the last year or so, and don't know how it works, here's an overview.

For several months during a year, 3 and most recently, 4 judges (in the U.S.A.) locate to one major city in various areas of the country and anybody who thinks they can carry a tune turns out with hopes of making it big.  Some make it through the pre-screening process, and generally those are the people who stand the most chance of being on the televised show where contestants are eliminated one by one, each week, as their vocal talents are put to the test and equally lauded or shredded depending on the mood of the judges.

Sometimes, really interesting people make it through the screening process and those of us watching from the comfort of our living rooms can see the looks on the faces of the judges as they attempt, often unsuccessfully, to not laugh at the contestant.  Some can't carry a tune in a bucket, others are so outrageous in personality or dress that I'm sure some joker who gave them a microphone and sent them in to the judges must have been laughing himself to tears.

For Susan Boyle, her entrance on the stage of the set for Britain's Got Talent was just such a moment.

She was a 47-year-old unemployed woman. She had a frizzy brown permanant, or perhaps just an unflattering hair style remniscent of a character in a 1940s period BBC production.  Her figure was what I would call matronly but not at all horrific. Her dress was likely something worn only for special occasions, and too formal for church - but perfect for such an audition.  She wore minimal, if any, make up.  Her hose was dark against her off-white shoes.  The judges looked askance at each other. The audience tittered and grimaced as Susan Boyle announced that she wanted to be as "great as Elaine Pearce."

Jaws were dropping after Susan sang the first notes of her song, "I Dreamed a Dream," from the musical, "Les Miserable."   Susan was sassy, she was confident, she had a style all her own.  And with all that, was a natural shyness that covered a "cheekiness" that also won over the judges - as if her vocal talents weren't enough. By the end of the first verse, the entire theatre was on their feet, eyes glued to the stage in rapt attention as Boyle belted out her song like a professional, with a controlled abandon that few can manage.

Well, long ramble short - Susan didn't win "Britain's Got Talent," and was understandably devastated.  Her hopes had been high since the audition, media attention had built up the tension, and there were regular confidence boosts of how Susan would win this comptetition hands down.  When she was announced runner-up, Susan suffered a break-down.

People got cruel after that. 

I was saddened by the response of the general public, but not having access to British publications and what-not, I didn't have any idea of what life had been like for Susan Boyle during her contestant days, and the time immediately afterward.

I scoured the Internet for Susan Boyle, hoping to hear her amazing vocals online.  I was disappointed, and gradually, Susan Boyle drifted from my thoughts until just last week, when I was Christmas shopping.  In a small downtown shop I found a CD by Susan Boyle near the register.  The store owner and I chatted about Susan, and agreed that she had an incredible voice.  We talked about how amazing her audition had been, and the perceptions that others had of her - that she was an object of ridicule until she sang.

Even after she sang, some ridiculed her.

So sad for them, it is their loss if they ignore the talents of Susan Boyle. 

I am enjoying her CD, titled "I Dreamed a Dream," and am looking forward to purchasing anything else she releases.  Her cover of "Wild Horses," originally a Rolling Stones tune, is magnificent.   There is something in Boyle's vocals that brings out the longing, the yearning that the lyrics of "Wild Horses" can inspire.

"Cry me a River" likewise makes a listener think that Boyle has "been there, done that," with a broken heart - and while she may feel wistful over the fickleness of a lover, she'll make sure she gets even with him, too.

I was really surprised to hear a Madonna song on the CD - but "You'll See" is there, and I have to say I hope that Madonna gives up on this song herself, and turns it over completely to Susan Boyle.  She has a full-bodied voice with excellent tone to carry this tune well, in comparison to the thin and nasally vocals of Madonna.

The religious selections that are here are standards, Amazing Grace is beautifully done as is Silent Night.  My only disappointment was not getting to enjoy Boyle's voice for all verses of How Great Thou Art.  For some reason, only the chorus of that song is recorded, and while very powerful, I really wanted to hear the entire hymn.  Daydream Believer is ok, but it has never been my favorite song no matter who sings it - so don't trust my judgement on that one.

Others may be hesitant to purchase a CD "sight unseen," and prefer to hear a few tracks before committing to the $14.95 price tag (at the small downtown shop, where I live).  Anyone visiting Susan Boyle's site will be able to click "music" and hear some of her CD.

If you like a solo vocalist with simple musical arrangements (primarily piano and orchestral strings) you will enjoy this offering.  There are no distracting back-up vocals to compete with, just the dulcet and powerful tones of Susan Boyle.

Be amazed, too, at the physical transformation.  Boyle sports a stylish new hairstyle, and what looks to be a beaded dress. 

She's absolutely beautiful - but anyone who knew her before her appearance on Britain's Got Talent or Youtube already knew that.

Keep dreaming your dream, Susan Boyle, and please - share it with the rest of us.