Paul Potts
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Paul Potts is a mobile-phone salesman in South Wales. A very average guy who loves to sing, with a dream of being an opera singer.
You can watch below his moving audition and semi-final performance in the UK show, "Britain's Got Talent":
You can watch below his moving audition and semi-final performance in the UK show, "Britain's Got Talent":
posted by JT at Saturday, June 16, 2007
77 Comments:
That was amazing. I had goose bumps too. I'm not from the UK and I haven't seen the series - but from those videos I hope he wins. What an incredible talent...
Makes me look forward to hearing the angels worship God in heaven. Just wondering, do we get a 'glorified' voice in the resurrection? I suppose if God can make a sinner righteous, He can make a bad singer good?
I watched his audition on another blog and was blown away with his incredible talent.
His semi-final did the same. What an amazing talent hidden away in South Wales!
Remarkable. Thanks, Justin, for sharing this with us.
For so long this voice was seemingly known and enjoyed by only Paul and God. Now God has seen fit to share this great work of His with us and I am deeply moved. What a joy it was to listen to him sing. Thanks again, Justin.
O LORD, how manifold are your works! In wisdom have you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. (Psalm 104:24)
I vote for paul potts!
God given talent.
Ur right nath, voice of an angel.
His voice draw me closer to God...
How amazing was that!! I sat here in tears as I watched and listened. Not only does this man have one of the most amazing voices I've ever heard, but you can tell he has a heart of gold. I pray God will continue to bless this young mans life, and that at some point he will be used for Gods glory.
Peace,
Tim
I know that folks were moved by the presentation but do yourself a favor and buy a CD of Pavarotti singing "Nessun Dorma". That's real singing! Any decent college voice teacher would out-sing this guy. I do appreciate his passion for singing, though.
Mr. Clay, that's the point. Potts sells cellphones for a living. He's not a trained singer. Of course Pavarotti will sound better.
Just to let you all know.. Paul won the competition! Be interesting to see where he goes from here (probably not back to selling mobiles!!)
Adam, a brother from across the pond
As a college trained bel canto tenor (Hi, Thomas), I have to say, "Wow!" Sure the guy had a number of technical problems that I could easily pick out, but for some cell phone salesman schmoe, that was REALLY GOOD.
Does anyone know if this guy has any professional training? If he doesn't, I would say, based on a few key vocal techniques he exhibited and the beauty of his voice, that this guy is a once-in-a-lifetime phenom!
And I'm really glad he won!
According to his Wikipedia entry, "Recently there has been some controversy as to the 'undiscovered talent' of Mr. Potts as he has sung with the Royal Philharmonic and planned to tour with them. An article in The Sun claimed that some viewers felt the programme had implied that Mr. Potts was an undiscovered talent working as a mobile phone seller, whereas he had appeared in amateur opera productions a few years prior, and had sung in front of Pavarotti as part of an opera masterclass."
I hate to be a downer, but I have to agree somewhat with Thomas Clay. Paul Pott's singing is quite good, but not necessarily amazing. The judges on the show wanted someone who was unassuming with an ordinary job and an extraordinary talent. Guess what, there are thousands of them. I went to school with many. Dr. Caneday can walk down the hall at Northwestern College and listen to some of the most amazing singers who are working toward degrees that would get them unassuming, ordinary jobs. Many of them have been the butt of jokes for many years just like Paul. Even if you're one in a million, there are still, at least, 301 people like you in the U.S.! Just in the U.S.!!
Each person is created in the image of God. And I believe that He has given each one talents and gifts just a little different than everyone else. The world holds up singing talent as something more to be prized than engineering talent or sewing talent or cooking talent or hospitality. I say this as someone who has sung in front of a few people, but who sees more value in most other "unseen" giftings than in the ones that get you in front of a microphone, a crowd and blazing hot lights.
I so look forward to the day when I can sing to my Father and my Savior without sin and from a completely pure heart. But until then, I need to strive for the greatest thing - love.
The best has won a contest for once...thank God the public got it right.
I have watched and rewatch the video clip and each time he stands the hair on the back of my neck and arms on end. This is a man that you will be hearing about for decades to come...not a one night wonder.
Keep it up Paul you are a breath of fresh air.
Thomas Clay is totally wrong and trying to portray his opera intellect on the readers. I did listen to Pavarotti sing Nessun Dorma and was not moved, in fact I shut if off as he and his singing was boring. No emotion. As for technical defects of Paul Potts singing.... who cares? His performance made the hairs on my back stand up. Maybe, just maybe if he cannot satisfy those intellects of opera, Paul Potts may start a new genre of music which is long overdue.
enjoy via the next link his perfomance during the final :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aY6-d2589AI
see the winner declaration via :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mVffJz6MtI
And last but not least a small summary on a great talent and someone that really deserves to see his dreams come true :
Paul Potts
Name: Paul Potts
Age:36
Occupation: Mobile phone salesman
Lives: Port Talbot
Paul first sang opera at the age of 28 for a karaoke competition where he dressed up as Pavarotti.
He went on to perform in Barrymore’s My Kind Of Music (1999). The money he won from the show (£8000) along with his savings was spent on attending various training courses in Italy.
From his Italian opera class he was selected to sing in a master class for Pavarotti and Katia Ricciarelli – who he says were very impressed. Paul reckons he’s spent £20,000 in total to get to where he is today.
Paul has performed in four semi professional operas in the UK and some concerts. His proudest performance was with the philharmonic orchestra in a concert in front of 15, 000 people.
After having appendicitis doctors discovered a benign tumour that was removed. Two weeks after the operation he was back on stage.
A motorbike accident in 2003, in which he broke his collar bone, kept him away from performing and he got left out of the opera circles.
Since his illness, Paul has struggled with money and has never reached his potential, and this is why he has chosen to enter Britain’s Got Talent.
Paul has been married for four years to his wife Julie (26), whom he met in an internet chat room. They have been together for six years in total
Paul has worked at the Carphone warehouse for two years - one year as manager – before that he worked the night shift stacking shelves and personal shopping at Tesco.
Good luck Paul and may Your dreams come true.
"I know that folks were moved by the presentation but do yourself a favor and buy a CD of Pavarotti singing "Nessun Dorma". That's real singing! Any decent college voice teacher would out-sing this guy. I do appreciate his passion for singing, though."
The reason people were moved because Paul Potts was moved to sing. That is real singing.
Technical skill or tonal quality do not move people. Pavarotti would be the first to admit that...in fact he has..:)
Paul Potts has the opportunity to do something that few opera singers have the priviledge to do. He will do what Andre Bocelli did years ago is to bring the honesty and passion of opera music to the masses
I totally agree with Jeff Lassle and Brian.. Pavarotti is unmoving because his singng is mechanical and he only sings for money whereas Paul's singing is passionate and he sings for singing!!
And if Paul has sung opera before with the Royal Philharmonic I dont think he would be working for Carfone Warhouse, the Philharmonic would have hired him full time with a voice like his.. and if he's had singing lessons so what? Why does that matter? Would you stop listening to someone you love to hear sing if you discoverd that they had had lessons? The answer is of course no so please stop going on about it, Paul is amazing no matter what anyone says! So there!!!
I would like to amplify on Anonymus' previous statement about Paul's passion. You can really feel the heart and soul in his singing and for those of us with an ear to hear, ours resonate with it.
Sailor Jim.
What an absoulute brilliant voice! It blew me away ,if only he had shown his earlier!
thomas clay u r an idiot! why do dumb people like u have to ruin amazing moments, u would break down in front of a crowd like that but Paul Potts gave one of the best performances ever seen on television. If he was trained like Pavarotti for many years then he would be better. And for the idiot who says there are "at least 301" Paul Potts in America! WOW! Where are they? Please let Britain know...We are waiting, n waiting n waiting Because ur America's Got Talent is a load of crap... Cant match Paul Potts anyday.
America has 301 Paul Potts?!?!? WOW, Where are they? I would like to know... Were waiting, n waiting n waiting n waiting. Please let us know when they perform on television like Paul Potts and we will watch with our eyes open. Until then, just shut ur mouth
Scott and Thomas you both profess to believe you know the answers yet you don't understand this mans heart. His singing may not be technically amazing, but the courage and determination he exhibits here: to be free of the bonds of anonymity, to allow others to enjoy what he was given, and to sing on a stage in front of millions of his peers and would-be naysayers makes him a hero of incredible proportions for all of those who might follow in his footsteps.
I've seen professional operas and oratorios where the lead tenor was not as good as Paul Potts. His low range is a little bit weak, but he sings effortlessly in the upper range, shaping notes with excellent phrasing. I've heard many a tenor strain at the high points of Nessun Dorma or simply be unable to shape and control notes in that range. So no, you won't walk down the halls of music schools and hear hundreds of singers just as good as Paul Potts. He's not the best tenor in the universe, but he's certainly as or more talented than quite a few folks who do this professionally.
...let's face it Scotty and Thomas are nobody's and will be nobody's for the rest of their life...but Potts on the other hand has made it,in and cooled out.
Since everyone judges success by the mighty dollar, I would by a CD by Paul Potts anyday. Could careless about the others.
I like Pavarotti - think he is great. But when I listen to him, the hair on the back of my neck doesn't stand up nor do I tear up, like I do everytime I hear Paul.
I don't care who he has or hasn't sang with - I don't care where he has or hasn't performed.
What is important is the people that never listened to opera before now are getting that experience and they are cheering for someone that brought them that pleasure.
You go Paul -- you make a CD and watch it be a best seller and make your dreams come true! Just include Ava Maria on it.
How can anyone with a voice like that go undiscovered for so long. I cannot understand that when a person is chosen by his class in Italy to sing before Pavarotti, that nobody takes attention in England. Its not as if we have a host of operatic talent in the country, that one can afford to ignore this. I hope they've woken up now.
RE: Paul Potts. I'm an American. If America would promote talent like that of Mr. Potts, I'd take the time to watch television shows such as Americon Idol or America's Got Talent--until America does, thank you Britain for providing us with Mr. Potts.
Sincerely, Dr. Brown
"His expression before he begins to sing is that of a man resigned to disappointment. Even when he smiles, his eyes convey a profound sadness. He has been a nobody all his life. He, and perhaps only he, knows he has greatness inside of him, but he is obviously a humble man, massively insecure, afraid of rejection, unsure of himself outside the cocoon of anonymity. But you get the feeling he also knows that this may be the one chance he gets to escape the cocoon, and as he begins to sing, you can see him fighting down his fear. I think that is the wellspring of the emotion that pervades his performance. He is fighting against a life of obscurity. By the song’s end, what was an average Joe has stepped up, beaten back his fear, and broken through. In those few seconds, he put the void behind him, and his life will probably be changed forever because he called up the courage at that moment to show what he was really made of. We saw greatness, long denied, finally being born."
I was incredibly moved when I heard Paul sing. I do not cry easily, but I wept out of joy and wonder. I hope this can be Paul's song, as it is mine. Surely it sums up his experience, just as it does mine:
"I will exalt you, O Lord,
for you lifted me out of the depths
and did not let my enemies gloat over me.
O Lord my God, I called to you for help
and you healed me.
O Lord, you brought me up from the grave;
you spared me from going down into the pit.
Sing to the Lord, you saints of his;
praise his holy name.
For his anger lasts only a moment,
but his favour lasts a liftime;
weeping may remain for a night,
but rejoicing comes in the morning."
Bullied at school, a talent ignored, a man who has known pain and who is full of self doubt, raised up surely by God to share his talent with the world. I do hope and earnestly pray that you, Paul, will sing your thanks to the Lord with all your heart. Stay humble Paul, stay meek and see what great things the Lord will do with you. Thank you Paul and please don't let fame and the world spoil your gentle heart.
Paul has touched the heart of the common man. We love his story. How he overcame trials in his life. Gives us all hope that we to can over come our trials and touch the world.
David - USA
I agree with Jeff. Pavarotti...I can't listen to him and I love opera, especially Puccini.
jesus that was good
are u lot on drugs??!! God doesn't give people talents, he gives them aids and rabies
Jason would like Paul Potts to do a strip tease for him
I am from Romania and I was very impressed that an ordinary guy can sing like that. When I heard him I got goosebumps. Talent and determination. Well done Paul. Good luck!
I'm sorry, but I have to agree with those who point out the pretty average quality of Paul's singing. It's his story that moves people, rather than his actual singing,I think. And the way the show glitzed up his performances, with ticker tape and pyrotechnics only proves that it was neccessary to distract attention away from something.
Please leave phoney religions out of this. This artist has a beautiful voice and has decided to share it with the people. For that I thank him. For those whos talent is critiquing, get a life unless you can do better. Enjoy the ride, paul. It will take you places you've never been before...the creator has plans for you.
Stan has not taken into consideration that Paul Potts has not had the support that Messrs Carreras, Domingo and Pavarotti have had. He has not had the years of training that they had and what he has had, he had to pay for himself. Yes, Paul is not in the same league as the above mentioned, but he has tremendous talent which must be developed. There are not that many up and coming Tenors out there and Pavarotti and Co. are not getting any younger. With the right support and patience, I think Paul has it in him to later fill the gap. He has certainly the most refreshing voice I have ever heard coming out of Great Britain and I don't begrudge him the success he dreams of. I am a great lover of classical music and in particular opera and in these days of rapp and whatever, the artists involved in classical music find it hard to gain recognition; through Pauls success in this show, I think this metier may get the boost it needs, for he has reached a wide audience and emotionally moved it. I do not want this voice to drop into oblivion, it must be nurtured and promoted, such a gift comes so selten.
There are those who love to pull others down. Yes, Paul Potts may not be in the top level and may have some technical problems which he may be able to address with more training, but he has heart and soul and is of a commercial standard. Although Domingo is not considered as good as Pavarotti, I have always prefered Domingo because he is a more dramatic singer with more passion and personal involvement. Each singer brings his or her own style to the performance, and often a singer like Paul Potts can bring the music to the every day man. Live your dream, Paul.
Roberto Benvenuti
I am not, nor have I ever been an opera fan. I have also never been a fan of shows like, American Idol or whatever other kind of talent shows are on TV.
Paul Potts', amazing talent had me crying at my computer. I was so moved by his voice, I made everyone around me listen to it too. They all said the same thing. Awesome! Is it perfect? Probably not. But who cares.
I'd like to see anyone of you naysayers get up there and do what Paul did. I personally will be waiting for his first CD to be released. I am hooked!
as a lifelong musician and music lover, i think that those who cannot see the beauty in paul and his performance have lost some part of their souls. i think i've watched the video about 50 times. i am happy to be alive to see it. it is just beautiful. those who think that art has value without context are misled.
Does anyone know if Paul Potts has any scheduled appearances in the US in the near future?
js2233@aol.com
One thing that may be good about this, aside from giving Paul his 15 minutes of fame, is that there are many comments from people who admit they "aren't opera fans, but" were moved by his performances on this talent show. Maybe these folks will open their minds even more and discover what they've been missing all their lives. God knows, our current popular musical culture could do with a bit of an upgrade. As for Paul, I'm happy for him of course, and hope he won't completely disappear within the next year. I hope he'll prove me wrong, but for those who think he is the next Domingo or Carreras, I think you are overstating his talent a tad.
Jim: I read that Paul will be performing in the U.S., and that he will be in a recording studio soon making an album which will be available in the U.S.
When Paul Potts sings it is as though he was alone on a mountain top with no one to impress but God.
HI from Canada. I just clicked on this and heard this talented man sing and was totally mesmerized. I heard he one the competition and am looking forward to hearing more of Paul Potts!!!
On my drive into work yesterday, I overheard the story of Paul Potts on the radio. When I arrived at work, I decided to watch his performance on youtube. Quite simply, I was blown away! I am not an opera fan or a fan of reality TV shows, but this guy's performance was incredible. I've heard the 3 Tenors sing, but never have I been moved by someone singing opera...until now. I've probably watched the clip a dozen times now and I am still moved each and every time. For all the naysayers out there...get a life! Here is someone who realized his dream with an unforgettable performance at the most nerveracking moment in his life. Way to go, Paul!! Hope your singing future is just as memorable!
Allow me to paraphrase something blogged by the writer of HBO's Carnival on another site, unrelated to this topic.
We all know so many small people. His words on the topic were right on...
"There will always people out there with dubious agendas who seem hell-bent on creating controversy, and dividing people into nasty little camps.
Generally, these are small people who, steeped in a foul stew of chronic cowardice and underachievement, seem to believe that tearing others down is synonymous with building themselves up."
So for all of you out there who insist on tearing Paul down, plese, resist your own smallness of mind and character and just enjoy the moment, the wonder of it all.
Life does have its beautiful moments, Paul's was one.
Peace, Sean
I am a professional musician and have spent my life being trained in how to communicate some musical sincerity to an audience. It is a skill that many musicians have to work towards. I was happy to see someone who could accomplish this naturally- and I think that is his talent.
incredible and definitly left me speechless.
lol @ brainwashed religious nuts on here hmmm.
Have to say i was really moved by this guy & im happy for him. I agree with others that point out allot of the emotion is do with the moment as much as his actual singing. I mean common guys hes not that good hes just a pop star that will make simon cowell lots of money surely you can see that? At least do yourself the service of seeking out some other artists that
spent there lives working hard & are considered the best among opera circles rather than just the pop stars like mr potts than appear on telly. It seems these days people would rather have some commercial marketed product force fed them through tv these days than dig a little deeper & this is the case with all genres of music.
I think he is great. Simon Cowell is going to make a lot of money for himself. I hope he treats Paul well.
A voice of song and reason? Or, maximum exposure hype?
Paul Potts and producers: Please do not white cap all Paul’s teeth. Crown the chipped tooth, but give us your common self, an identity: so that we can find faith and hope for doing what we love, too!
That said, anyone who sings this well: with constant tonal pitch; diaphragm and full body delivery; formation from the full throat, and absolute control of the craft, has not been singing on only a back 40 acres of South Wales. Discovery of a world-class singer as a working-class car phone salesmen has a wonderful ring of truth, but a hollow center. Professional presentation is not learned by singing on cell phones to exhibit connection clarity, but by operatic experience! Paul Potts’ has four amateur opera productions, a concert for the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, with previous plans for an upcoming summer tour with that Orchestra. That seems key information to a voting public. Maximum exposure productions reminiscent of Simon Cowell’s marketing the “Four Tenors” oratorio singers, if false, seems sacrilege to the emotions of people. We naturally love the “underdog”. Lack of disclosure about his tour and tutelage with operatic masters in Italy was put into double talk: never claimed to be untutored. The ‘umble South Wales operatic singer wails a beautiful line that seems collusion with Simon Cowell’s “Britain's Got Talent”; a sham that appears a shame. What is the rainbow’s end?
If Simon Cowell spent two years forming the “Four Tenors”, he must know the operatic world well, and its up-coming singers, too. My concern is whether Simon Cowell and “Britain's Got Talent” wrongly displayed Paul Pott’s “underdog” status to win us “big-time”, but also covered a past aria aura; all done to give an exuberant public launch of a premier Paul Potts’ CD; with Simon Cowell producing.
Crown Paul Potts’ head with an audience for the Queen, and crown his tooth, too. But, I am wondering if Simon Cowell, creator of “The Four Tenors”, “American Idol”, and “X-factor” needs crowned with a lump on the head if he might be responsible for falsely forging public emotion world wide, then getting his contract falsely crowned with world-class revenue. Marketing the “underdog makes it to the top” to a public’s “genuine emotion from the soul” would not be successful if this operatic tenor showed up in his normal tuxedo and announced his years’ of training and experience.
If Paul Potts’ life is formed among a mature opera, then was anything wrongly done? If he might normally wear a tuxedo, yet choose a suit at his first presentation that looked 2 inches too long and hung open to a baggy shirt, is anything wrongly done? Perhaps this is the world-class moment that a worker-class deserves. Why has he not been the desire of music labels, and Royalty; producing money royalties? Perhaps this is the master stroke of manipulation that producers can produce: money by unfair salesmanship. If Paul Potts worked hard, is genuine, and then fairly wins a competition to get a contract, then great. But, if emotions about a “rags to riches” or a supposed ‘nobody’ in the world who “wows the world” is done by contrived hoopla; all to influence our hope and faith in a Horatio Alger type humanity; done at our expense, then my love of life should shout: I enjoy world-class music, but not world-class charades that tweak emotions! Money for mogul Simon Cowell seems the storyline.
The Simon Cowell production camera cuts to a pensive Paul, in a clip for his slick U-tube story: “For the next contestant, the world of show biz seems a million miles away. Its Paul, a mobile phone salesman from South Wales.” Paul tells us that he wants to live a dream; that he feels he was born to be operatic, but lacks confidence. Then a full view shot shows him in his unconfident jacket, long to his torso, and extending onto his hands. Ooh. It is like being taken for an emotional scrubbing in a U-tub
I enjoy talent. I do not enjoy undiscovered covered-up facts. How naïve am I? I might guess that Paul Pott’s personality is silently strong, perhaps reaching a stage long ago in career development where the next step was difficult. The music industry tells entertainers who they should be; not let them be who they are. Would he go along to get along? At age 36, it might be “now or never” in his musical world. What does it take to be big-time in the operatic world: perhaps even known in Britain by Simon Cowell, the marketer who added a fourth tenor to three, and probably available to develop a fifth tenor talent? Have talent, and also, know how to make money. Over-marketing the “underdog” story plays on every person’s good hope for humanity, faith in fair play, and their love of giving support to deserved honest heroic persons. False admiration was traded for money! The voice is beautiful, but the voice of reason far outlasts and deeply blesses us. Manipulated truth and emotions should not bulge fat wallets.
Listening to a well scrubbed production show on U-tube gave me a sense of people’s emotion in the auditorium. The “underdog” effect was as powerful as hearing Paul Potts sing. Talent and emotion sell. At the end of the day, recordings sell. In music history, Manilli Vanilli picked our pockets by lip syncing, but they went down the sink. Emotion by E-motion through U-tube needs a European Union sized plan. Paul Potts looked for a good thing and found it. Did Simon Cowell and company look for a good thing, too, and knowingly set this tenor to falsely tenor his representation? Vanilli was made ill by what was not sung. If world wide response is to a virulent voice, and also to a false persona “song and dance” about an “underdog” who “made it big”, then that was emotional hype. I feel hype tweaked.
SSH
I have never been much for opera until now Mr. Potts has won this American's heart. I have never heard anyone sing with such emotion.
Amanda Holden's tears as Paul sang says it all, the man is amazing and deserves to go all the way to the top!
Paul potts and Mario Lanza, what a duet that would be!
Paul Potts is a really interesting and inspiring guy!
Take a look at his lifestory - a cinderfella story if you may:
http://www.listafterlist.com/tabid/57/listid/7496/Personalities/Paul+Potts+The+Cinderfella+Story.aspx
from www.ListAfterList.com
It must be hard for those that do not come from the Land of Song "Wales" to understand why there is a passion in his voice .....Cymru am Byth ...a Welshwoman living in the US
I'm not an expert on singing, and I don't normally care that much for opera, but Paul's spirit and voice took me into another place. In the last couple of days I have tried to listen to some other opera singers, thinking it would touch me in the same way, and it did not. I even listened to the same songs he sang, and nothing happened. This guy is someone very special. The only ones who give a hoot about technical ability are those who are looking for that instead of the higher meaning of music.
Paul's got a great voice and talent. He won me over with his sincerity and the way he kept his focus, with all the distracting applause and annoying confetti falling around him. Instead of playing to the crowd, he kept his integrity and sang beautifully. Certainly there are better trained and more refined tenors making their mark in the world of classical music. But Paul has been given a unique opportunity to demonstrate with his unique and humble "everyman" appeal that opera is not an antiquated art form, but it is full of passion and can touch and move any and all of us if we'll listen with our hearts.
I watched from my computer and cried as I heard the liquid gold of his voice. Who ever is responsible for getting Paul Potts on stage - bless you. It would have been a tragedy for the world not to have heard his magical voice. I have emailed all of my friends here in Florida and across the US to watch him on You Tube. Congrats, Paul! I'll be in line for your first album!
I have never listened to any Oprah singers for very long. This guy just drew me in. His humbleness reminds me of The Elephant Man film.
Not handsome but the kindness in his heart shows through, the emotion, the Glorious Gift God has given him.
I was just drawn in with this guys emotion and voice.
1st Corinthians 1:27,28,29
27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to ought things that are:
29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.
I will buy this guys first album/cd.
I heard my first opera in Boston, The Barber with Tito Schipa and John Charles Thomas and that dates me enough. I sing myself, mostly choral stuff but have stood behind enough great singers to have gained a little knowldedge about passion and technique. Paul Potts has a ring and a buzz to his tone that makes my hair stand on end. I get the same sensation when I listen to Bjoerling sing Amor ti vieta.
Either by accident or fortuitous circumstances this guy has been thrust into the public hearing--lets not worry about the technicla problems--they can be addressed--I say lets enjoy the beauty--there is enough ugliness in this world--the beauty will refresh us all--"If music be the food of love, sing on, sing on, sing on."
He never claimed to be "untutored". In fact, early on he mentioned the Pavoratti workshop he attended, and that he'd spent 20,000 pounds on singing lessons, but had to give it up due to running out of money. Most contestants on this type show have had training and a bit of experience, or they would never have made it onto the show! Enough already!
The bitterness displyaed here by nay-sayers and technical critics is so sad.
As someone above said, something is horribly missing from your soul if your response to such a gift is to critique the technical aspects, or rag that you've been manipulated because he has had some training, and experience.
Paul has a gorgeous voice and a brilliant talent for pouring his heart and soul into the music. I feel truly blessed to have heard him. And yes, I've listened to the clip many times. The world is a brighter place due to his singing. Rejoice!
Paul Potts WOW! It's not often that I am moved to tears over such a performance; however, I have watched Paul Pott's audition performance over a dozen times now and feel more emotionally moved with each viewing. I cannot wait to get my hands on his CD--bring on that pre-order form NOW!
God has truly blessed this man and I am thrilled to see him recognized for such a gift!
I sincerely hope that what led to Paul's success in the competition had nothing to do with manipulation and deceit as has been suggested by others on here. However, from now on, it's definitely going to be hype all the way. As for Mr Potts being Welsh, he's not. He's from Bristol (England). He just happened to work across the RIver Severn in Wales.
Surely the aim of music is enjoyment and taking people to another place. Paul did this. The techies would have you believe that if you dont fit all the criteria then you are somehow less of a person/performer. it seems that in this "modern" world we tend to focus on process rather than result.
Paul well done and may HE give you strength to go onto greater things
Remember there has never been a monument to a critic
For some of us who are not music technicians, we don't know whether or not to be impressed by Paul's voice. But in a time where I can be impressed or "moved" by someone's talent, I'll choose being moved every time. I have watched and listened to all the clips many times, and the result is always the same. It doesn't matter to me that Paul has had some training and spent time in Italy to sharpen his skills. I can see and hear and feel the passion he has. He is one of those fortunate few who know exactly why they inhabit this planet. Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord.
I, too, went out to You Tube and listened to Pavarotti sing this same song - and found it just left me cold. I think some people have gotten so obsessed with the technical aspects that they lose sight of what really matters - heart! I have watched the vids of him over and over and he still brings tears to my eyes and makes my hair stand on end. I am not an opera lover - but Paul has made a believer of me.
I am not a singer, but a musician who has played in in the pit for a number of operas. I listened to Potts and Pavarotti sing Nessun Dorma back to back and IMHO Potts wins hands down. Why? Because he captures the music - his nuanced performance reflects the emotion and words of the aria. Pavarotti has the better trained and more powerful voice and of course his technique is flawless but his bravura performance misses the essence of the aria - understand the words of the aria and you will see what I mean. Potts' technique has far to go to reach that of Pavarotti, but his musicality is where it needs to be and in the end it is the music after all.
Being a complete novice to opera, and having only heard small pieces of popular artists; I can only humbly say here that what Mr. Potts displays is PASSION - passion for singing, for opera, for doing his absolute best and giving the masses a glimpse of what is in his heart. For that alone I applaud him, I'm moved by that passion and I wish him nothing but the best. Whatever supposed technicalities he lacks, I really don't care and I bet he doesn't either :-)
Paul Potts sang. I cried. With him, we reflect on our hopes, too. 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 a hold-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!
NBC Today Show question: "… I know that you haven’t had formal training, so how did you learn to sing like this?". He ignored their wrong 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 His voice, his friend?
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.
FYI: Paul's first album comes out on July 16 (Monday).
I've just ordered it from Amazon.com because this guy is like all the rest of us; a little guy from nowhere and he deserves something better than flogging carphones.
I had the joy of attending a 3 Tenors concert. It was wonderful but it didn't have the impact of watching Paul Potts on You Tube.
Maureen
I listened to Nessun Dorma sung by Pavarotti and it sounded like the same typical boring opera that never did much for me. But when I heard Paul Potts sings I was captivated and moved to tears. I believe one man sings from his head, and the other from his heart. Can you tell which is which?
I have opera training and it was apparent to me there were obvious flaws in Paul's technique - I just didn't care! No arrogance - just simplicity and strength of purpose. Most tenors and singers in general have an "its all about me" attitude when they sing, but with Paul its all about the song and singing it well! I believe that is his appeal.
I wish this man well! He seems nice enough, and has had the struggles of many average people in the world, however, not all average people can afford to foot the bill for singing lessons in Italy. I would adore being an opera singer, but have not the voice nor the money for singing lessons. Carerras, Domingo, Parvarotti, Bocelli and Lanza, are all opera singers who sing a wide range of musical notes with the greatest of ease, which makes me want to listen to them indefinitely. I find Paul Pott's Opera voice very strained at times to reach high notes, so much so, that it becomes too painful for me to listen. I could tolerate him for only a short time. I do not know if singing lessons will correct this, or if this is where Paul's voice will stay. For now, Paul's voice would be good on a cruise ship, but not Carnegie Hall. I am glad at least he has won money to help him fix his teeth and improve his standard of living.
USA
paul potts is the best singer i have heard, untrained like the three tenors bot strong and gentle, it touches the soul, the chakra which few can. his humble demeanor is rare in the world of showbiz, and this makes me warm up to him more, the annonimous person who said he couldnt listen to him, please dont then, and place your name next time before you spit out your venim
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