Exactly Angela, Exactly.

Paul Potts and Simon Cowell:  Singing hyped emotion?  H-umm?  

A  SHORT  VERSION

Paul Potts sang. I cried. With him, we reflect on our hopes. But, is he a charade, emoting as an Unknown Unconfident Underdog on U-tube?

Setup: "… the world of show biz seems a million miles away.", "… mobile phone salesman …." at 0.00, youtube.com/watch?v=1k08yxu57NA . He said that he lacked confidence. Simon Cowell said, at 3.51 , "… isn’t a professional, has talent, isn’t aware of it, has a normal job, and then you see something else."  

Paul was wanted and held out: "… I’ve not taken up promotions before because people wanted me to change ….", myspace.com/paul_potts , 6-18 clip, 1.30. He has Confidence & is known!

NBC Today Show: "… I know that you haven’t had formal training, so how did you learn to sing like this?". He ignored their assumption: "Umm, I’ve just always sung, just always sung. My voice has always been my best friend.", 6-21 clip, 2.53; site above.

Paul was elected a Lib. Dem. councillor in Bristol, March 96. Unconfident? bristolwest-libdems.org.uk/news/000338.html

----------

A  LONG  VERSION

As we reflect on Paul Potts, the newly discovered winner of “Britain's Got Talent” [ BGT ] and his beautiful voice, we naturally reflect on our own values and life accomplishments.  What gifts has God given us?  Can the sun warmly shine on our faces?  I cried and replayed videos several times to take in emotions of not only singer, but also judges, and audience.  But, my wonder had a gnawing knowing that did fit neatly into the ‘underdog to top performer’ story I heard in his storyline.

World wide delight came from seeing Paul fully approved; perhaps after being de-valued for years.  Acceptance was as much for his humble slightly tousled persona, and as much for his ardent operatic singing.  But, a charade that falsely elicits my true emotions seems a scam, especially if greedy.  

I heard the story on video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1k08yxu57NA - from the opening set-up, “… the world of show biz seems a million miles away. Its Paul, a mobile phone salesman from South Wales.”.  At 3.51 on the clip, Simon Cowell said, “I like shows where somebody isn’t a professional, has talent, isn’t aware of it, has a normal job, and then you see something else.”  

Paul talked about his dream and that he lacked complete confidence.  We can all identify.  He sang.  Magic.  But, as Simon said, “… then you see something else.”, and like he said:  I saw a former £8,000 prize [ about $16,000 U.S., now ] for Paul from Michael Barrymore’s TV talent show, and extended tutelage from operatic masters in Italy, four amateur opera productions, a concert with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and plans for a summer tour with them.

Obvious.  Amateur talent needs training and experience.  That is worthy!  But my emotions are dialed into this guy who said his dream is to do what he feels he was born to do, and his struggle was with confidence!  Prize money with experience in the craft seems confidence building.  I saw a fellow who wore a humble jacket at his first audition before TV cameras, sans a tuxedo he knows well in opera, yet spiffed at the finals.  But, his voice!  Wait.  A voice is the spoken word, too.

It was implied that he was an unknown without sponsors.  On the British TV interview after Paul won BGT, he was clear, “You know, I’ve not taken up promotions before because people wanted me to change who I was, and I’m determined to be true to myself, because at the end of the day ….”, http://www.myspace.com/paul_potts - June 18 video, set 1.30.  They wanted his talent, and he chose not?  Okay, he can hold out!  But, that seems strong and very confident!  He refused pro-motions and we got e-motions:  shy bullied kid; his best friend was his voice.

Paul’s ‘unknown’ enigma is really sans ‘full disclosure’.  What we know is a hyped ‘underdog’ ‘low confidence’ story that yanks at more money.  If he acts fairly, works hard and has talent, then he hopefully will reap reward.  Paul was elected as a Liberal Democrat councillor in Bristol, the council’s youngest member.  He won their Eastville election in March 1996.  That would have hopefully reaped him confidence.  His friend is his voice?  http://www.bristolwest-libdems.org.uk/news/000338.html

In part, there seems a true innocence.  Did Paul get hijacked by Simon’s production people in the talent search company?  Paul’s disclosure at the same June 18 video above, set at 0.23 near the tape ending [ reverse countdown ] is in response to the interviewer’s statement, “Don‘t forget where you had started.”  Paul responded, “Well, actually - I actually sent you ( the TV station ) a tape.  I actually this [ ? - a tape ? ].  And basically the letter I got back was uh, ‘Sorry.  We’ve already booked the artists for the rest of the season.’”  Note:  1 - Paul seemed forthright and open, and 2 - He had not given up on his dream, but had aggressively marketed himself.  The Simon Cowell production company promo machine does not seem to match that same story toward us, the public who votes.  Paul seems to allow the ruse.

He was flown to New York to field key questions form NBC’s Today Show USA , such as:  “… and I know that you haven’t had formal training, so how did you learn to sing like this?”.  He ignored the wrong assumption and said, “Umm, I’ve just always sung - just always sung. My voice has always been my best friend.”, June 21 video at 2.53; same site above.  Endearing.  DEAR  ME!  As Simon said, “has talent, isn’t aware of it ….”.  H-umm.  

The same question about his experience was asked again on the NBC update of June 28 video at 1.10; http://www.myspace.com/paul_potts.  Paul’s same endearing answer was repeated.  The reality seems that he was confident to market himself outside-the-opera-box, in a talent search; marketing as an Unknown Unconfident Underdog.  These three U’s, emoted via U-tube, feels like an emotional scrub in a U-tub.

Humility means to be common and unpretentious, like its root ‘humus’.   People who are ‘earthy’ do not cover over their experiences, help, and friends.  Paul promotes ‘underdog’ and ‘unconfident’ assumptions.  To Paul, what is the worth of his history about master teachers who gave him lessons, on which he spent most of the £8,000 prize money, and stage singers with whom he traveled the Italian operatic circuit http://www.bathopera.co.uk/Past%20Productions/Aida/aida_biographies.htm, and London’s operatic experience, with more having been planned?

Critics comment that Paul is okay for an operatic singer; not extraordinary.  I like his voice.  Paul Potts should have ‘Passion’ for a middle name.  His voice is memorable.  What is extraordinary, though, are hyped emoted feelings.  Some people might say, “That is how the show world sells!  Everyone is Packaged.”  No!  Not here!  Not with true emotions of people around the world, teary eyed for the underdog; not in this case of contestants’ climbing the ranks on rungs of public votes:  and the public paying to vote by telephone!  Purity of spirit should remain pure, not a sham that brings shame to hope and faith in a Horatio Alger type humanity; done at our expense.  I enjoy world-class music, but not world-class charades and emoted stories, for profit!  What is the Paul and Simon story?

British Simon Cowell spent 2 years forming “Four Tenors” called “Il Divo”, a popular package of the operatic world, similar to the Three Singing Tenors.  Producer-scouts know their world, like Indian scouts of yore with ear to ground, listening for distant buffalo runs.  The public stampede matters.  Simon knows the operatic world.  He owns his talent search company, produces, and packages talent.  He knows that both talent and emotion sell.  Did he tweak our emotions through set-up stories to launch a Paul Potts’ Premier CD; with Simon producing more mogul money?  I like full emotions and full disclosures; not half-full false ‘unconfident’ ‘unknown’ ‘underdog’.  Half-full leaves me half-empty.

As BGT showcases this 36 year old mature amateur singer, then perhaps the last drop of bloody money can be wrung from innocence.  Not his innocence.  Ours.  A contestant background video showed Paul in what appeared to be lush South Wales seaside, looking like a CD cover.  Simon Cowell’s announcement at the final show that Paul Potts would be recording an album the next week was lucid business-linkage to the world.  But to link our common emotions for hope in challenges, and our faith in people and love of life:  to a ‘confident’ ‘hold-out promotional’ person who did not disclose his full story, is miserly manipulation.  A contestant who approaches their show stage will be known:  by producers:  and in advance.  Why?  Producers want to uncover upsetting persons, especially when the prize is the doorway to a contract!  They want to develop lead-in pieces about a contestant’s character and history!  I want a good spirit that is fair to the closing of Nessun dorma!:  Vincerò! Vincerò! Vincerò!,  I shall win! I shall win! I shall win!

If Paul Potts fairly wins a competition to get a contract, then great!  The June 21 NBC interview ends near 0.20 with a transition piece to NBC’s next show segment.  The topic was ironically poignant:  “Greed in America:  why some people will do anything in search of easy money.”.  Emotion was hyped, then E-motioned by U-tube.  We cried.  Why?  Good voice, and hyped!  Perhaps disclosures of Paul and Simon were not as lyrically full as some New York city namesakes, but they might have much in common with another June 21 item from MSNBC:  “Martha Stewart on grilled chicken done right” at  http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19054369/ .  Someone, turn up the heat to grill them about “disclosure”, in this case!  The sound of money echoes in my deeply emoted feelings, and charades are shallow sales.

AngelaA: I suggest you listen to any recording of Nessun Dorma by Pavarotti or any other major opera star before lashing out at people who dislike the voice of Paul Potts. Anyone who has listened to opera performances would know as soon as Mr. Potts opens his mouth to sing that he has a long long way to go before he attains a true operatic voice. I think it's just unfair that the thousands of struggling opera singers around the world who undoubtedly sing better than Mr. Potts and probably have similar heart-warming stories still languish far from the limelight, while Mr. Potts gets fame and a record deal on a mediocre voice. If anything comes out of this whole debacle, I can only hope that some who have yet to be introduced to opera will go out and buy a real operatic record, and be truly wowed. Please go and listen to some professional performances of Nessun Dorma. I promise you will not be disappointed, and I bet you'll no longer think that Paul Potts has the best voice in the world.

SSH writes: "What is extraordinary, though, are hyped emoted feelings."

Some sent me a link to an audition on the talent show, a full month after the show aired. I had no knowledge of Paul Potts. From the first note, the hairs on my body stood up and I got floods of goose bumps running up and down my spine. The man in the video clip, broken teeth and daggy suit, made me cry.

I am a 49yr old, worldly-wise, macho, testosterone-driven Australian male. I have seven children and ride motorbikes, and I am certainly not prone to having my emotions hyped up by anyone, least of all by advertising. My visceral reaction to this man's singing was not influenced by anything other than the man's singing.

Your reaction, on the other hand, mate, is mere sour grapes. Pffft.

Oh brother, here is SSH again bashing Paul Potts on another blog.   S/he has been all over the internet and posting that same garbage full of vicious and false accusations, over and over and over again.  Something is wrong with that picture, especially since it's not true.  

As far as Pavarotti's manager goes, I guess he got a little too successful and it went to his head.   That talent show was looking for amateurs not pros, so what in the heck does he think he's talking about?  The geezer can't even think straight.  I think he's just feeling pangs of envy because he is old, Pavarotti is sick, that party is over and someone new and fresh has come along to capture the world's hearts.  I do hope Pavarotti feels better, but his manager just sounds ridiculous.  

This was an amateur talent show and I would think TRUE opera lovers would have been excited at the response.  I was.  :)   I also pre-ordered Paul's CD.  I hope to hear many more as the years go on.  :):)  

And opera lover, if you know so much, then you know that the first opera composers had very little training and it wasn't until opera houses were built for the masses that secondary performers could support themselves in the art, as well.   Paul Potts has soul, he touched other people's souls, if you can sing that like, people will notice at some point.   His new fans might also become enthused enough to check out other performers, maybe even some you admire.  

BTW, I am not big on comparing one artist to another, because each one's talent is unique.  Some I like, some I don't, it's a matter of personal taste.  I do not think Paul Potts is mediocre and I grew up with opera tenors on the record player and in the home in my Italian/American family.   My brother is also a graduate of Berklee School of Music.  

Speaking of soul... this also brings tears to my eyes.  We'll never hear anything like it again.    

Pavarotti with James Brown

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCIyzNISw1Q

Pavarotti did so much to try and bring opera to the general public, it just amazes me how vicious and petty *some* of his fans and even his manager is behaving over Paul Potts.   Really.   The guy won an amateur contest.  

Paul Potts won not because of his amazing voice but because he done the sympathy thing. Many singers have been bullied, unfortunately its just a part of growing up for some children - which is extremely sad - but this man somehow managed to go to the extreme and keep sucking on that sympathy bone. In my opinion, he should not have won, he should've tried out for The X-Factor - a singing competition - and let someone else with actual unique, and original talent win the competition.

You expect comments like that from grumpy old opera snobs like Breslin. I think others like Katherine Jenkins and Simon Cowell and the public like this article, got it right!!!

What an incredibly moving story and response. When you  look at the faces of the audience at that first audition, you'd think you were looking at the Hollywood movie version instead of a live performance.

It is sad that the Breslins of the world can't celebrate something good and something special. We need more Paul Potts type stories in this world today, not less.

We purchase whatever music WE like and WE like Paul Potts.  that's showbiz.  :D  

I'm also discovering some other young new singers doing the classical/pop crossover thing and plan to purchase some of their CD's, too.  This is a new trend in music, not a fad or about hard luck stories, and it appeals to all age groups all over the world.   You can't all win contests, so get over it and do something good with your own lives, whatever it is.  

He has a nice voice, but you just can't compare him to Pavarotti.  If Simon Cowell can make harsh comments without knowing anything about music, then why can't the former manager of Pavorotti? It was an honest and knowledgable opinion.  

I really hate it when people say they have no self confidence and then go and sing live on national television.

Hype always disguises lack of real talent.

To truly judge Paul Potts' voice, you would have had to hear his performance alone, without the benefit of visual cues, backstory or creative television editing.  People are often swayed by emotional cues, subtle or otherwise, often without having realised it.

Suppose Potts did not audition as a puffy-cheeked mobile salesman in a too-long suitcoat.  Suppose he were younger, taller and more conventionally handsome, and strode across the stage, smiling confidently?  Now you would have a figure that did not radiate the sincerity and humility to which audiences round the world responded, and I daresay your own reaction to his voice would be different.

Possessing a reasonable familiarity with opera, while helpful, isn't entirely relevant in this context, since the subjectivity of individual taste ultimately determines the "quality" of the performance.  I cannot disagree with people who say they like his voice because my personal preference does not determine what others like or dislike.  I can say only that Potts is not a great singer, but if you look through my CD collection, it is rife with work by other "not great" singers.

If Paul Potts ultimately expands the audience for a musical form with such a rich and lengthy history, then so much the better.  If you purchased "One Chance," then do yourself a favor and purchase Bocelli's "Romanza," and a Pavarotti recording ("Nessun Dorma Arias & Duets," for example) and hear the definitive versions of the pieces used in Potts' televised performances.

I wonder if he can fix his front teeth, or will that srew his singing career?

Perfect voice? The writer of this is an idiot. His is the worst rendition of "Nessun dorma" I've ever heard, no doubt. Richard Tucker had a perfect voice. Jan Peerce had a perfect voice. Ben Heppner has a perfect voice. Paul Potts is a no body with a weak voice that needs microphone amplification to be heard! He'll never sing at the Met or La Scala and that's all that matters for an operatic career these days.

However inspiring Mr Potts's story may be, he's not a particularly good singer.  If you enjoy his voice, and his story resonates with you, then enjoy away!  But please don't tell me he's a great singer because he isn't.  If you think Mr Potts has "soul" (whatever that is) and true, trained professional singers don't, then I don't think you've actually listened to any.

Sincerity is no real substitute for talent and training.

I love Paul Potts' voice and his story. And I get hysterical laughing at the out of touch opera snobs who cannot deal with the fact that he mopped the floor with their darlings who cannot seem to get anyone to come and hear them sing. Seriously, these opera people are like a talking Disney cartoon they are so darned funny. How seriously they take themselves adds to how funny they are, just bewildered, irrelevant people going but but but....

Paul is a talented amateur, but his performance of Nessun Dorma was nowhere near the level of professional opera singers or even voice majors.

What amazes me, though, is how people who routinely watch Simon Cowel denigrate and insult contestants on the show get mad at anybody who dares to dislike their idol. Anybody who doesn't like Paul Potts is immediately labeled "opera snob". Has anybody actually wondered that maybe we simply have a different basis for comparison? That unlike you we don't hear this gorgeous Puccini music for the first time in our lives, but we've heard it perform over and over again by far better singers? That we know and have seen with our own eyes countless more talented young opera singers not be able to make it and having to take a job elsewhere simply because there are far more beautiful voices today than jobs in opera? Have you watched "The Audition" on PBS to see really talented young professional opera singers with superior voices, technique and acting ability and yes, emotion, to struggle and compete in a real opera competition? To work hard trying to achieve perfection?

Randa Harvin -  I am laughing at your arrogant ignorance. Yoiu are snob in your own way - the ignorance, especially arrogant ignorance is a snobbery too. Do you even have a clue how gorgeous how amazing a glorious unamplified voice sound like? As to not getting people to listen to opera - all Met HD broadcasts to movie theaters are sold out until the end of the year. So do many of Met performances. Opera will survive without you, but you are missing a world of beauty.