Maggie's Farm

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Thursday, June 9. 2011

In the spirit of Susan Boyle


Like everyone else in the audience, if I had been watching 'Britain's Got Talent' when Susan Boyle walked onto the stage, I would have figured this was going to be a total disaster.  A more frumpy, frowzy, middle-aged Scottish woman would be hard to imagine.  Then she starts cackling away and going through some goofy gyrations and you're starting to think that maybe it's going to be some kind of musical comedy skit.  Either way, you know it's going to be just awful.


But then.


 


Hopefully, we all learned a little lesson about stereotypes and preconceived notions that day.


If we didn't, here's lesson two:


 


 

Posted by Dr. Mercury in Our Essays, The Culture, "Culture," Pop Culture and Recreation at 08:20 | Comments (42) | Trackbacks (0)

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Thanks a lot, Dr Merc, for making me start my day with tears in my eyes.
#1 Bird Dog on 2011-06-09 08:40 (Reply)
Sorry, old bud, but look on the bright side:

It can only get better from here.
#2 Dr. Mercury (Link) on 2011-06-09 08:43 (Reply)
My wife wonders why I always cry. I think that seeing the downtrodden and disadvantaged succeed is the most touching thing.

Anyway, you got the waterworks going here too.
#2.1 Big___Al on 2011-06-10 15:10 (Reply)
Didn't "learn" much from the Susan Boyle event. All it did was solidify my view of how shallow we are. People (esp in America) are obsessed with looks and if Susan was a babe, very few people would have given a shit about her fine singing.

Reminds me of the story of Phobe Prince here in Massachsetts. The high schooler took her own life last year and seems to have become the deceased spokesperson for suicidal bullied teens everywhere. Why? Because she was beautiful.

How many dumpy frumpy girls have killed themselves since her? Dozens I'm sure but you don't see their faces on your yahoo news page weekly like Phobe.
#3 Dose Amigo (Link) on 2011-06-09 09:00 (Reply)
Another Boyle clip:

In my 61 years, when it comes to voice dynamics and purity of tone, I have never heard a better singer than Barbra Steisand. While I don't like her schmaltzy music, I bow deeply with respect to her musical talents.

So when you take on Streisand, and manage to pull it off, I think that's something truly special. Doing one of Streisand's most beautiful numbers, 'Memory', Susan Boyle does just that.
#4 Dr. Mercury (Link) on 2011-06-09 09:06 (Reply)
I don't understand how you can like Streisand's singing and not her music. Good singers choose music they like and sing that. They're a package deal.
#4.1 Jack Coupal on 2011-06-09 09:26 (Reply)
JC - I'm a musician of long standing, so it's easy for me to distinguish between the two. And I grew up on the West Coast, so what I grew up with was a far cry from what I'd generally label "the East Coast sound", or maybe "Big City music", so it's understandable that I don't hanker to it.

But as far as her voice goes, I have perfect pitch and can recognize when a note is sung dead on, and Streisand did it like few others. Celine Dion and Anne Murray spring to mind. I don't particularly like their music, either, but I sure like their voices.
#4.1.1 Dr. Mercury (Link) on 2011-06-09 09:49 (Reply)
Merc,

Celine has no soul in her performances. She was raised, from an early age, to "rote learn" her stage presentation. Dull, dull, dull. Nothing has changed since that, except for the staging bells and whistles. All sizzle and no steak.

Anne is not all that different. At least I can listen/watch for a while. Watched her perform her first time on "Sing Along Jubilee", a show out of Halifax, many years ago.

That being said, one has to recognize their collective financial successes.
#4.1.1.1 Garry on 2011-06-09 10:44 (Reply)
I suffer from that condition myself - perfect pitch that is. Drives me crazy sometimes.
#4.1.1.2 Tom Francis on 2011-06-09 12:15 (Reply)
So, do I pick some nice, constantly-in-tune instrument for my own, like a flute or horn?

No, I settle on a 12-string.

Sheesh. :/
#4.1.1.2.1 Dr. Mercury (Link) on 2011-06-09 12:19 (Reply)
I hear you. I have a Gibson 12 string tuned to Open G that I may slide with. Even a Gibson you have to constantly tinker with the tuning while to other folks it sounds just fine.

I don't know about you, but I have retuned a guitar that was electronically tuned because it was just so ever out of tune. :>)

I don't even want to talk about piano.

Hey, speaking of which, did you see that Google tribute to Les Paul - it's pretty cool.
#4.1.1.2.1.1 Roger de Hauteville's Older Brother Joe on 2011-06-09 13:46 (Reply)
Mine's a Washburn Monterey 12-string with Elixir NanoWeb 10-47's. Stays in tune too.
#4.1.1.2.1.1.1 Garry on 2011-06-09 15:48 (Reply)
If you think streisand has the best tonal quality and voice dynamics, its because you haven't paid one wit of attention to a REAL singer: Ella Fitzgerald!

streisand is a music hall singer in the tradition of Ethel Merman, where decent (not extraordinary) tone and VOLUME allow you to become a star!

Whereas Ella can show more tonal range, scale and varying volume in a single song than streisand has shown in her entire career! And to top it off Ella can swing, scat and blues-ify, streisand can only attempt these modes of vocalization, with limited, if any, success.

Next, you'll be raving about what a "beauty" she is, compared to someone like Catherine Deneurve!
#4.2 Earl T on 2011-06-09 10:41 (Reply)
Ella had a voice that was an instrument. She used a musician's skill in choosing how to use her voice. She could take an ordinary song and turn it into gold.
Streisand just has a voice, usually utilized on lousy songs.

While Streisand's vocal quality may be better than Ella's- I am not going to argue the point- I have ~25 Ella CDs in my collection. Streisand? NOT ONE NANOSECOND.
#4.2.1 Gringo on 2011-06-09 11:11 (Reply)
Merc,

Recently celebrated the 22nd anniversary of your 39th birthday, eh (a la JB)? "La meme chose" here. We're still pups. What month? (Sorry for being off topic).
#4.3 Garry on 2011-06-09 21:24 (Reply)
"(a la JB)"

Jim Beam??

I drink Yukon Jack, m'self.

Early December, with sleet and snow and hail the size of baseballs. Or "Summer", as you call it up there.
#4.3.1 Dr. Mercury (Link) on 2011-06-09 21:33 (Reply)
Merc, my friend,

"(a la JB)" = Jack Benny of course. Month o' May, here.
#4.3.1.1 Garry on 2011-06-10 02:11 (Reply)
Natalie Tran does Britain's Got Talent
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqMpcZtJ3W4
#5 rhhardin (Link) on 2011-06-09 10:02 (Reply)
The original frumpy goofy looking guy singing opera - Paul Potts.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1k08yxu57NA
#6 Tom Francis on 2011-06-09 11:25 (Reply)
Tom.

I've got the URL in the clipboard. You beat me to it. Folks, there's a voice.

I offer Potts sings Caruso.

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

Roy
#6.1 Roy Lofquist on 2011-06-09 11:38 (Reply)
Its interesting - you can tell these are untrained voices, but wow - amazing none the less.
#7 Tom Francis on 2011-06-09 12:13 (Reply)
Earl T & Gringo,

When you describe Ella, that reminds me of Frank Sinatra.

Phrasing and timing were also his long suits.
#8 Jack Coupal on 2011-06-09 14:02 (Reply)
Thanks for that one, Doc. The cynic inside me thinks that those moments should be why we watch those shows, but I suspect the far more common humiliations are what draw many viewers to them. Did I mention that I dislike TV? I do, however, appreciate talent and a tug on the heart.

Hurrah for Susan Boyle and Mr. Choi.

BTW, Earl T., I'm right with you on Ella.
#9 steve in CT on 2011-06-09 15:32 (Reply)
S in CT* -

*and brave enough to admit it

I haven't owned a TV in 5 years. The only two things I watch are 'NCIS' and, formerly, 'Lie To Me'. I download them in hi-def format a few days after airing from one of those "secret spots" on the Internet. I could tell you, but then I'd have to kill you.

And remind me to use the word living the next time I start talking about singers.
#10 Dr. Mercury (Link) on 2011-06-09 15:43 (Reply)
Gar of the Northern Hinterland -

"Stays in tune too."

Just like water, strings don't stretch when it's below 32 F degrees. So your story doesn't count. Back to your igloo! Mush!

Guild F-212, bought in 1968. I put a 'permanent' capo on it a few years later, sacrificing volume for speed. Sucker just flies. Currently running Darco phosphor-bronze lights. I eliminate the bottom E and A high strings and double up the bass strings. If I hit them 'correctly', they don't buzz, but they're just close enough to each other that if I hit them 'just so', they'll actually touch and buzz for a good five seconds. Really cool.

That's right -- you read it here first:

Acoustic fuzz guitar.

I've used an electronic tuner since they were invented back in the 70's. What always intrigues me is that every string tunes perfectly according to the meter, except the four bass strings. The E tunes correctly at -14 cents and the A at -6. Tune them by the meter and they sound awful. I guess that has something to do with harmonics and body characteristics, but I haven't a clue what.
#11 Dr. Mercury (Link) on 2011-06-09 16:06 (Reply)
A good friend of mine Tim Schnautz (a great friend of Carol Kaye by the way) does the same thing with his Guild D-45 - he gets this really funky double buzz that is a very interesting sound.

I have three acoustics - The Gibson twelve string, a Guild D-45 and a, you'll love this, Takamine Jasmine six string. Of the three, the Takamine is one of the best cheapo guitars I've ever played, sounds great, holds tune, well made and its not bad looking. Got it for $60. With the case. Brand new left over. :>)

It's my electrics that are my pride and joys - a '62 Strat in tobacco sunburst, '60 Telecaster in candy apple red, Ibanez Artcore AK-95 and an original '62 Mosrite Joe Maphis model which eventually morphed into the "Ventures" model. With an original Fender Bandmaster amp with the Tweed cover.

I found the SNARK tuner to be one of the best I've ever used - I don't have to retune it after tuning it - if you get what I mean. :>)
#11.1 Roger de Hauteville's Older Brother Joe on 2011-06-09 19:48 (Reply)
Roger,

Ever heard of a Larrivee acoustic? Beautiful tone and sound. I keep 2 in the igloo here (L09 & L19).

Played an early 60's Gibson "Hummingbird" once...delicious sound.

I envy your collection. Good choices, btw.
#11.1.1 Garry on 2011-06-09 21:08 (Reply)
Merc,

JSYK,

..."perfect pitch" is wot Canucks use to patchup our birch bark canoes!!
#11.2 Garry on 2011-06-09 20:59 (Reply)
Odd. I didn't know they sold white pine tar.

Perhaps it's a regional thing.
#11.2.1 Dr. Mercury (Link) on 2011-06-09 21:03 (Reply)
Merc,

If she don't tune ur intonation is off.
#11.3 Garry on 2011-06-09 21:16 (Reply)
BTW Merc,

H2O does "stretch" when it's below 32F. YSKT.
#11.4 Garry on 2011-06-09 21:27 (Reply)
Expanding ice is part of the two great questions I have for the global warmers:

1. Why is Greenland called 'Greenland'?

2. Why isn't the North Pole as high as Everest?

With it constantly below freezing, and doing nothing but snowing all day long, surely, after a couple of millenia, even accounting for compaction, the damn thing would be as high as Everest.

But it's only a couple of hundred feet high.

It's a miracle!

You know all those articles on 'huge chunks' of the ice cap breaking away that we've been seeing?

The message for the global warmers climate-changers is, it's when they don't break off, is when it's time to start worrying.
#11.4.1 Dr. Mercury (Link) on 2011-06-09 21:42 (Reply)
I agree that the Divine Ella was one of our greatest natural singers. This reminds me of my early childhood when I discovered opera. I was supposed to be taking an afternoon nap [back in the 1930s, mothers followed rules that required this] and I had the radio next to my bed turned on -- because I wasn't supposed to of course]. It was Saturday afternoon and The Metropolitan Opera was on and Rosa Ponselle was singing the lead role in Aida. I had never heard such celestial sounds before, and I fell in love with her and with opera. I found out later that she and her sister had broken into show business as "Those Italian Girls." traveling on the borscht circuit. Caruso chanced to hear her sing, and the rest is history. He saw to it that she sang for the director of the Metropolitan Opera, and soon she was groomed for starring roles. She was always a "natural singer," with perfect pitch, voice production and emotive skills. Like many 'natural singers,' she was embarrassed by the attention, and never truly comfortable with the attention, as Susan Boyle has seemed not to be. But what a gorgeous singer she was.

Marianne
#12 Marianne Matthews on 2011-06-09 16:16 (Reply)
Foe god's sake. She is NOT English. Why is it so hard to understand that England is just the largest country in the UK. She is SCOTTISH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What is the biggest state in the United States... Texas???
How would it be for you if all Americans were referred to as Texans???? What is it with Americans? Is Geography so hard???
#13 Peter Horne on 2011-06-09 17:25 (Reply)
"She is SCOTTISH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Thanks, didn't know that. All fixed.
#13.1 Dr. Mercury (Link) on 2011-06-09 17:29 (Reply)
Peter, it's funny from one who goes on a rant about geography, to make a geography mistake of your own as your main point.

FYI, Alaska is the biggest state in the USA. Take some geography lessons.
#13.2 Big___Al on 2011-06-10 10:22 (Reply)
They don't call you Big Al-aska for nuthin'!
#13.2.1 Dr. Mercury (Link) on 2011-06-10 10:28 (Reply)
It's usually not my style, Merc, but after his dissing Americans I couldn't resist.

And Alaska is about 7 times bigger than all of the UK. How can one miss it?!
#13.2.1.1 Big___Al on 2011-06-10 14:14 (Reply)
While she was born in Scotland, her parents were from Ireland. Which reminds me of Lord Wellington's quote: "Just because one is born in a barn does not make one a horse." [Yes, I know the context in which Lord Wellington made the quote. Which is one reason why I applied his quote here.]
#13.3 Gringo on 2011-06-10 16:52 (Reply)
It kills me to think of that little boy just kicked to the curb like trash. I hope things go better for him now.

Dr. M, I know just what you mean about Ms. Streisand. I, too, love her voice but have no use for the material she usually chooses.
#14 Texan99 (Link) on 2011-06-09 18:06 (Reply)
Don't forget the Goth guy that sang opera, Andrew DeLeon. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8ByVH40t3Q&feature=related
#15 Powerad on 2012-11-08 22:34 (Reply)
I readily admit, that was the last thing I expected to come out of his mouth. Pretty amazing!
#15.1 Dr. Mercury on 2012-11-09 09:12 (Reply)

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