14 responses so far ↓

• Chris // Jun 18, 2007 at 3:43 am

  Congrats to Paul Potts, i was playing the song he sang in his very first appearence within the show and everyone i the room at the time stopped what they were doing to listen to him.

  He has a very special talent and all the best to him in the future

• Mike // Jun 18, 2007 at 6:37 am

  Overblown, over-wrought, over-reverbed…

  But not very good.

  He’ll go the way of all chocolate-box “classical” singers, doing schmaltzy songs for people who want to put a bit of “culture’ into their iPods.

  But good luck to him! It’s better than selling phones.

• Mark // Jun 18, 2007 at 8:29 am

  I have nothing but love and respect for Paul Potts. This was a very well deserved win.

• Mike // Jun 18, 2007 at 10:41 am

  Hey Andy,
  This is not a competition to find a replacement for Carreras or Pavarotti, you dolt. Apparently a guy who makes a living judging voices thought it was extraordinary. And he won a TALENT competition. So what if he’ll only make a few million pounds selling some “chocolate-box classical” stuff ? As he tours the world, he’ll be visiting your town and you might get a chance to serve him food and get his autograph … or perhaps complain about his “overblown, over-wrought, over-reverbed” .. what ? besides, Mickey, your first statement does away with the need to start the second sentence with a “but” … anyway, what is it with a$$holes like you not being able to enjoy a success story, of an underdog getting a break ? Is it bitterness because you didn’t get yours ? And if so, could it be because you have got nothing to offer ? or just bad karma from being a dick ?
  ” … It’s better than selling phones.” Aren’t you kind … What a loser!

• Disclose, SSH // Jun 22, 2007 at 5:22 am

  Simon Cowell and Paul Potts: Voices of emotion?

  A charade that elicits my true emotions, especially if greedy, is a scam. “Britain’s Got Talent” show owner, Simon Cowell, recently was crowned with a virtuoso talent search winner, Paul Potts. A mutual prize for both follows, a contract for operatic music to bless the world. “I am Paul Potts” rings true to every person’s value and hope for life. He has a magnificent voice. World class operatic talent does not develop in a vacuum. Is Paul Potts’ “underdog” status formed by Simon Cowell to manipulate emotions, and further fatten pocket books, unfairly? I shed tears and replayed video sections several times to take in the emotions of singer, judges, and audience. The only other event that exceeded my awe and wonder, in a different way, was the 9-11 twin towers attack. I was amazed with Paul Potts’ concentration, constant tonal pitch; diaphragm and full body delivery; formation from the full throat, vibrato control: absolute control of the craft. Hard work showed. Maybe he had been master trained.

  I heard the story at 0.00 on a video, “… the world of show biz seems a million miles away. Its Paul, a mobile phone salesman from South Wales.”, and then from Simon Cowell at 3.51, “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.” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9oxTy7KIAaA&mode=related&search . I found something else. Like normally expected of talent, it was: tutelage with operatic masters in Italy, four amateur opera productions, a concert for the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, with previous plans for an upcoming summer tour with that Orchestra. Okay, but my emotions are for a guy who said that he has a dream to do what he feels he was born to do, but lacks confidence! On his first TV interview after winning “Britain’s Got Talent” [ BTG ] Paul said, “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 Hum? Emotions: unknown underdog singer who was bullied as a kid, and now discovered! He refused promotions? He is silently strong.

  Okay, the music industry often tells entertainers who they should be; not let them be. That is negotiation and their choice. At 36 years old, he needs a good move. Switch camera. Simon Cowell spent 2 years forming the “Four Tenors” from three. Quintessential would be quints, a fifth tenor who has passion to make it big. “American Idol”, Simon’s company, can be British BTG in his old stomping grounds. There is a tenor who has refused promotions! Like a good Indian scout of yore listening for a buffalo stampede, Simon’s ear is tuned to packaging the product. He can hear a stampede and he wants it. Okay, money goes to people who bless us with worth. The 100,000 pound sterling “finders fee” is small compared to the reward. If BGT can showcase a discovery, one amateur, but a mature operatic singer who is not promoted, then perhaps the last drop of bloody money can be wrung from innocence.

  Not his innocence. Ours. Simon’s announcement at the show that Paul Potts would be recording an album next week was a good business link to the world. It was business. But, to link my emotions of hope and faith and love of humanity, and to link my personal challenges to a hold-out person, without full disclosure of the full story, seems manipulation of my expectations. The history of any contestant near the stage will be known by the producers; in advance. It matters to uncover embarrassing persons, especially when the prize is door money toward a contract. That is what scouts do. This operatic scout might have used the whole BGT platform to launch Paul Potts, with great emotion. All I want is a good spirit, fair to the closing words of Nessun dorma!, which are Vincerò! Vincerò! I will win! I will win!

  The NBC New York city interview of Paul Potts had a normal question, “… so, how did you learn to sing like this?” His answer, “Umm, I’ve always just sung - always sung. My voice has always been my best friend.” Endearing for sure. DEAR ME! The close of the interview followed with a transition piece to NBC’s next show segment, a scene with ironic poignancy: “Greed in America - why some people will do anything in search of easy money.” Perhaps disclosures of Simon and Paul are not as full nor lyrical as other New York city namesakes, but such might have much in common with the MSNBC page item today: “Martha Stewart on grilled chicken done right”. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19054369/ Someone, turn up the heat about “disclosure”.

• Chuck // Jun 30, 2007 at 9:32 pm

  I was most touched by Pauls’ initial tryout especially, seeing him in such innocence and humility seem to share his very soul through his voice. I am always moved to tears when watching this. As he rises to stardom I hope he always keeps that same innocence and selflessness, in short, his soul in his singing. I am reminded also of another singer, Eva Cassidy, whose soulful voice so touches us to the point that I think she must have been an angel. Her singing was her one passion and she never lost that focus. The same seems to be true of Paul. Bravo, Paul!

• Dawn // Jul 26, 2007 at 8:39 pm

  Sometimes a rose is just a rose!

• liz keane // Jul 28, 2007 at 11:26 am

  it was a very good preformance

• Kelly // Sep 20, 2007 at 10:15 pm

  I am a humble nobody , I only kknow when i heard this man sing,, i got choked up, this talent touch my soul,,and reminded me of true gifts of nature, life and a creator ,,which i do not understand, and i love it more than words can say.
  Congradulations to Paul POTTS,

• Maggie Hawkins // Sep 22, 2007 at 7:42 pm

  Paul,
  Let your lovely heart and innocent soul lead you through the maze of fame. Your voice is truly lovely and I hope you have many years of singing for the world. Good luck to you and your sweet supportive wife, Julie.
  Maggie Hawkins

• loz // Sep 28, 2007 at 11:59 am

  hi paully how r u ??? luv u lots x x x love lauren x

• Joan V // Oct 3, 2007 at 11:47 pm

  Paul,
  The chills I had when you sang reminded me of the other beautiful voices I have heard over the years.
  I wish you the very best of luck and I hope all your dreams come true.
  Joan V.

• Nancy Brand // Nov 29, 2007 at 4:10 pm

  My husband and I were moved to tears - Pavarotti reincarnated - the voice is back - bring on more - where can we purchase his recordings - if he has made any - Shame on those who ‘knock’ Paul Potts - regardless of how he was discovered - he is talented and will bring great pleasure to the world with his voice.

• Anthony W // Mar 21, 2008 at 9:33 pm

  Pavarotti reincarnated??? Oh PLEASE! OK, so he has a good voice and I do genuinely wish him well but if you play any recording of Potts just before or just after playing the same piece sung by a real opera singer even the most cloth-eared person can see that Potts is not a real opera singer any more than Bobby Crush, Mrs Mills or Liberace were true classical concert pianists.

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