<p>According to this interview with Piers Morgan, the judges did not know in advance what to expect.</p>
<p>[Piers</a> Morgan on Susan Boyle: ‘She can do whatever she wants now’ | Showbiz News and Scoop | Studio and Network Dish | EW.com](<a href=“http://hollywoodinsider.ew.com/2009/04/piers-morgan-on.html]Piers”>http://hollywoodinsider.ew.com/2009/04/piers-morgan-on.html)</p>
<p>And the makeover has begun:</p>
<p>[Susan</a> Boyle’s makeover and a new song | Hypertext - Pop culture in the Internet age](<a href=“http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/technology_internetcritic/2009/04/susan-boyles-makeover-and-a-new-song.html]Susan”>http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/technology_internetcritic/2009/04/susan-boyles-makeover-and-a-new-song.html)</p>
<p>… or at least the subtle attempts at it!</p>
<p>Thank you for the expert comments, lorelei. I was wondering how knowledgable people responded to her singing. I find myself really drawn to it - I can’t stop replaying her songs, and I am going to immediately buy any CD she puts out. Why? I don’t really know. She just sounds wonderful to me. Part of it is the lack of “gimmicks” and showing off - for the latter, think Whitney Houston or Linda Eder (both of whom I enjoy listening to, but they use their spectacular voices for fireworks). Susan’s singing seems more pure.</p>
<p>What do you mean by “phrasing”? I’ve often wondered what that meant.</p>
<p>She uses the music as a vehicle for the text. She starts a “phrase” of language and the flow is ruled by the words, their meaning, their emphasis, nuance…the music is prescribed by the inflection of the language, it seems natural and it flows…if it goes up, it is because the meaning of the text can only be communicated through that extra intensity or thrill of higher or soaring. She controls how the phrase of music through her caress of language and what it means to her…and that is the honesty part…you believe her, none of it is affect or artificial. The cadence of her language give the music its momentum…think of how she does the opening phrase “I dream a dream”, the urgency she conveys which continues through what she is trying to express, what it means to her. </p>
<p>Someone earlier commented about whether she would be so appealing if the discordance was not so great between her rather unglamorous look and her wondrous sound. I would be more inclined to wonder that, too, until I heard the “Cry me a river”…no visuals, just a poignancy of longing. I pictured a glamorous person wearing a gown, crooning into a microphone…but the message of the song, the longing, the sorrow, is the human condition and experience, not just what happens to svelte, well groomed, beautiful people…the feelings apply to all. She brings these feelings home, absolutely, at least for me.</p>
<p>Phrasing…Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald had great phrasing. I’ve always disliked the way the Barbra Streisand tortures a song.</p>
<p>Lorelei, I agree that the Lloyd Weber possibilities are very theatrical, but that seems to be the way people go in these competitions. Most of the time, the judges seem to peg singers in a single style, and nothing else will do. I didn’t see the original broadcasts of Bianca Ryan, for example, but on YouTube I loved her Janis Joplin cover. But she was rounded criticized by the judges for it. </p>
<p>The Cry Me a River recording is really different from the Les Miz piece, but superb. I wonder, though, whether they’ll accept that change in style from her…or will they continue to expect and demand the power ballad?</p>
<p>Agree Consolation. These are competitions and the audience even more than the judges will probably demand another power ballad. I believe that they use the audience vote in the final rounds.</p>
<p>I rather think they will trust her instincts, with some guidance, availability of music, etc. She is older, and that commands a degree of respect…rather doubt she will be intimidated or coerced into anything. Part of her appeal is her uniqueness. We shall see. Interesting that in the interviews she has given to stateside networks, when they are quizzing her about music, make-overs, etc., she is very calm with her “wait and see”…not coy, already sturdy with her assurance. She is her own woman.</p>
<p>wow, cry me a river was amazing.</p>
<p>Thank you Lorelei for your excellent explanation of phrasing. She had me at “I dream a dream” and now I know why.</p>
<p>Thank you, lorelei - that was fascinating! I will be re-reading it until I really understand it, but I have a glimmer of understanding now. Maybe this is why Louis Armstrong’s “Wonderful World” moves me so much, even though his voice is more of a croak? I’ll be listening differently from now on.</p>
<p>In case this is a hint of things to come, on Larry King she sang My Heart Will Go On.
[Video</a> - Breaking News Videos from CNN.com](<a href=“Video News - CNN”>Video News - CNN)</p>
<p>There is also a link on the page to the whole 12 minute interview.</p>
<p>When you hear a singer with a good voice who bores you, it is possibly because they let the music dictate the phrasing, as an instrumentalist would do. Conversely, the best instrumentalists have been taught or learned to sign their lines, put a subtext to it, use human communication through how the breath is used making sound. However, I would disagree with Consolation about Barbra Streisand torturing a song…I think she uses her sound to convey the meaning, a plaintive cry…not everyone’s cup of tea aesthetically, but her vehicle of communication, not just text phrasing. IMHO</p>
<p>Oh, a great example of singer who is not peak vocally anymore, but who mesmerizes us all is Aretha Franklin…but in her case it is the rhythmic energy which clearly throbs through her body into ours. Amazing experience! </p>
<p>With Susan Boyle, when she has done these a cappella singing clips during recent interviews, it is less successful…we can sense her counting her entrances…she can hear the rest of the music, the orchestration in her own mind, but it becomes less organic, more metronomic. She needs the support of the orchestra to free herself. IMHO</p>
<p>There is a funny video related to this if you go to the Late Night with Jimmy Fallon site.</p>
<p>soozie, that video is hilarious! Thank you for pointing it out.</p>
<p>Susan may have some competition, in the form of an adorable, dimpled, 12 year-old Welsh boy named Shaheen Jafargholi. I think you can find him on youtube. Simon gave him a standing ovation.</p>
<p>He’s a cute kid with a marvelous voice. My vote still would go to Susan. I think that the boy sounds a lot like Michael Jackson. Susan sounds like herself.</p>
<p>I watched Shaheen and thought he was also amazing. I have to ask, why did Simon stop him and how was it that the boy just happened to have the music for the next song? I do think Simon knew that he had another song prepared; Pierce seemed surprised though.</p>
<p>I’ll take Susan over the kid any day. She more than sings, she gets the music and lyrics. I hope she goes far and gets a real chance to perform.</p>
<p>Will Elaine Paige sing a duet with Susan Boyle?</p>
<p>[Playbill</a> News: Will Elaine Paige Duet with YouTube Sensation Susan Boyle?](<a href=“http://www.playbill.com/news/article/128426.html]Playbill”>http://www.playbill.com/news/article/128426.html)</p>
<p>Shaheen is cute, but wow, he’s going to kill his pipes if he continues to sing the way he does. He needs training. I think he’s probably gotten some, but not good training; he needs someone better.</p>