Susan Boyle - Postscript

So, the final of 'Britain's Got Talent' has taken place and the winner is known. As the results were announced, the tension was plain to see on Susan's face. Just a short time ago it was announced that she was awarded second place behind the dance group Diversity. Susan was, as one would expect, magnanimous in defeat.

All the acts were, I must say, very good and I would have found it hard to pick a winner, but the British public chose the dance group. The difference between Susan Boyle and the others, is that she has an enduring talent. If she gets the breaks she deserves, she will still be going strong when all the rest are long forgotten. The general public are notoriously fickle, and always have been. As I think Diversity will find out after the Royal Variety Performance, you can be the world's greatest star today, and yet tomorrow it would be as if you never existed.

I am sorry that Susan Boyle did not win, as I would have enjoyed very much hearing her sing in front of Her Majesty The Queen at the next Royal Variety Performance.

During the last week she has been hounded relentlessly by the Press who seem to have been intent on destroying her. Why this was done no-one seems to know, but the attacks on her were as vicious as only the English press can be. For those who do not know it, The English Press is akin to a pack of jackals in a feeding frenzy when they get their collective teeth into someone, and there are no bounds to the depths of depravity and outright viciousness to which it will stoop. "But you see, it sells newspapers!!!"

The situation got so bad by Wednesday she wanted to drop out of the final, so the organisers of the TV show were forced to move her into a 'safe house' where she could recover and prepare herself for the greatest moment in her life.

A Scottish spinster living in a village in Scotland, who's only ambition in life is to sing for the people finally realised her dream for 99%. The crowning glory would have been the chance to sing for The Queen.

I sincerely hope someone gives her the chance of a recording contract, because she has a voice that should be heard, and if she does bring out a CD, I for one will buy it.

Now after a few short weeks of world-wide fame, she may have to go back to that little Scottish village from whence she came, and get used to 'life after fame', but I hope not. From the letters on her fan website (www.susan-boyle.com/) it would seem she has developed a huge following in America and across the world, and I am glad. If the Brits don't know what a star they have in their midst, I'm happy someone else does.

Her story is like that of Cinderella, and now the clock has struck twelve, but I pray her prince will come along with a recording contract in hand very quickly.

If you wish to see the performance of this remarkable lady please use the following link:

http://www.susan-boyle.com/video/SUSAN-SINGS-I-DREAMED-A-DREAM-B

Good luck Susan, and God bless.

Roy.

Susan Boyle - A Phenomenon

I have just been watching the videos of Susan Boyle's performance on the TV show 'Britain's Got Talent'. Normally I avoid such programmes like the plague, mainly because most contestants have no real talent, and the whole thing stinks of a 'put-up job'. The world-wide furor over a certain frumpy lady of 47 from Scotland prompted me to see what all the fuss is about. Like the rest of the world, it was for me a wake-up call.

During her first performance, I watched with interest the reactions of the judges and audience when she walked out on stage. Her appearance certainly belied her talent, but even so, it was shocking to see the bare-faced derision for this Scottish spinster not only by the judges, but also the audience. I hope for her sake the stage lights prevented her from seeing the looks on peoples faces. But she got the last laugh!

In today's society, to be a successful pop singer you need the looks and body of a model, male or female, and a huge P.R. machine that will force your music down everyone's throats. Without it you have no chance. If you have the body and looks of Beyonce, or the sultry aura of George Michael for example, fake as it all is, you are an instant hit with the fickle music crowd of today. Never mind if you don't have talent, they'll fix that in the recording studio.

It was therefore extremely refreshing to see an average, middle-aged woman come out on stage before an audience with the intention to sing. She had obviously not spent hours in front of the mirror doing her hair and makeup, and getting herself into a sexy dress, she was just, ordinary.

As soon as she started to sing, mouths popped open all over the auditorium. The faces of the judges were a picture in themselves. For someone off the street so to speak, with no formal vocal training or coaching, she stunned them all.

A video of her performance was placed on Youtube, and suddenly she was a world-wide hit. Views of the first video have topped 59 million, which must be a record even for Youtube. After receiving this mega-exposure, it was no surprise that American talk-show hosts were lining up to get her on their programmes.

Since then of course, the next round of the talent show has taken place, and guess what, Susan is through to the final. I think the judges would have been lynched if they hadn't vote her through. Singing 'Memory' from Andrew Lloyd Webber's hit musical 'Cats' she wowed the audience yet again, despite obviously feeling a bit nervous.

Two previously recorded songs have been found by someone, 'Cry Me A River' and 'Killing Me Softly'. I have listened to them all, and I have to say, it is very seldom that I get emotional when I hear a song or piece of music, but these literally brought tears to my eyes.

Whatever you may think of her looks and the way she dresses, she has tremendous talent, and I hope she can make it as a star in her own right. It must have taken a lot of courage to step out onto that stage knowing what the reaction was likely to be. But thank God, there is still justice in the world. She had the last laugh, and I sincerely hope she now has a career as a singer. She deserves it.

Sing little bird, the world is listening.

Roy.