the messiness of reality can't be faked
So, I have the Paul Potts album (yeeeeeeeeeeeee) and I am listening to it and it is making me a smiley. And it makes me think, “really?!” in response to all of you who don’t see it my way. How about this video instead? Does this video tug at your heartstrings? Or are you DEAD INSIDE? :
Please. Please. Implore you to actually hear what I hear.
This morning I bought potato salad, a bean burrito, and cookies. I'm very curious to see which of these items I actually eat for lunch.
commentsAllie loves it when I clean her ears with Q-tips. She's purrrrrrring.
commentsVoodoo doughnut. Nuff said.
commentsShhhh, don't tell anybody, but the landlord just told me there's free cable here. (Not. gonna. do. it.)
comments
Wow!
Maybe it’s my secret desire to sing opera myself, but that performance gave me goose bumps.
Tears. Every single time.
His voice is beautiful, but I also cry because it’s such a happy-ending story despite the appearance of Simon Scowl. And his humility! “I’ve always had problems with confidence.” He’s the complete opposite of the operatic persona. It’s like he came to the show all meek, and was all, “Is it OK if I try to sing for you?”
And then proceeded to blow everyone’s tiny little minds.
If anyone isn’t moved and uplifted by that performance, they had better check to see if they still have a pulse.
Opera experts can argue which singer’s verion of that piece is the best. No one’s version is probably a cats whisker different than another.
The big diference here is that we have one of the “masses” singing opera, not to inflate his ego, but because he likes it and is pleased that folks enjoy it. I will bet, he will become very comfortable on stage, during his tours, and the audiences will love him.
Just as an aside (I won’t mention names, because one shouldn’t speak ill of the dead), one of the most famous voices of the last 50 years was on tour. After the planned performance, he came back to perform an encore and some of his audience shouted out some suggestions from songs he was famous for. His response, said into the microphone was “Hey, I don’t tell you how to dig ditches, do I ?”
I can’t even bear to listen to it for more than a few seconds. Ugh.
ok, I’m a little more sold. The audience still seems a little staged, the way the applause starts off, but that could be explained away by poor editing. When I realize that this is supposed to be an average joe, then the respect is driven up a few notches, and when I think of myself in his place, THEN the goosebumps come, cuz I’d love to go do that.
What’s the word for empathy when it’s done in a positive light?
Mikey, yah, it’s incredible. That particular performance is my favorite of his because you just are NOT expecting it and it’s his innocence of just how good he is that makes the piece special.
K, agreed. Humility is a beautiful quality.
Anonymous, I wish I knew who you were because that was a really great comment. :) The ditch digging comment makes me giggle.
Avi, it’s because you’re not cultured.
sshwah, we crossed comment paths. I’m glad you’re goosebump converted. ;)
I have to agree… that was quite unexpected.
Surprises do come in the oddest shaped packages.
I’m cultured like a mofo!
Dawg, speaking of which: UPS called.
Avi, sure you are, ya hobo. ;)
OK. I’m watching the beginning and JUST as I’m about to maybe FEEL something, that mutherfucking audience goes ape shit and RUINS IT!!
Then they shut up for a while, and at the end there… at the very end… it seemed like he had a soul. And wasn’t just a guy who could sing.
I wish I could watch/listen to him without that dang audience though.
(just checked… yep… have a pulse - and I still like Pavarotti too)
Britt, we English are usually so subtle about our enthusiasm but Paul’s performance is just too moving for us to keep quiet.
I totally get it. And it makes me think that should make me a CD with some of your fave tunes on it so I can get to know the musical side of you more intimately.
Sour, wait, what? Are you asking me for a mix tape?
…or just a Paul Potts mix tape? :)
Well, maybe that’s what ruins it for me.
My first experience with Opera was when my Nana and Poppi took me to La Boheme and I will never forget when that big fat lady in the red dress stepped to the front of the stage and my chair shook. And I cried.
But not like you cry at Beaches or something - these big loud ugly sobs. It was… it was just different. It wells up, naturally, from some place deep and quiet and - I don’t know. To me, it’s beautiful.
I LIKE that Opera makes you feel without the ‘masses’ and ‘enthusiasm’ and hoopla of other things.
It’s overwhelming and refined, all at the same time.
(which, actually, now that i think about it - is what SHOULD make this Potts guy amazing - if I could go listen to him in a room full of mutes. ;-))
Or you could go buy his album and listen to him privately. Ya know, when the kids are with Uncle Adam or something.
Why? Is that bad? Is a mix tape too 80’s? Is it uncool? Does it reveal too much about my feelings for you? Cuz I thought sending you ‘corn’ would have already done that.
I used to be a music teacher, so I’m loving this… opera isn’t for everyone, but it’s so powerful if you give it a chance. I’ve sung this aria before, too (not as well as Potts-y though). Love it. LOVE it.
He’s excellent.