Music
Susan Boyle: 'I Dreamed A Dream'
Released on Monday, Nov 23 2009
Published Tuesday, Nov 24 2009, 17:48 GMT | By Alex Fletcher | 36 comments
A 48-year-old spinster from Blackburn, West Lothian with bushy eyebrows and wispy brown hair, she couldn't have looked any less the popstar on her TV debut. It looked as though she was about to become a punchline - just like at school, where she had been dubbed Simple Susan - as BGT judges Piers Morgan and Amanda Holden gawped on in horror. But then she sang. A couple of million YouTube hits and an all-important Demi Moore re-Tweet later and Boyle was the biggest musical phenomenon of 2009. Her instant transformation into a global star re-energised the TV talent show genre, proving that such programmes can generate stories that are even more surprising than fiction.
The surprises continue on her debut album, which contains more hits than misses among its mixture of pop, religious and West End covers. It would have been easy for Boyle's label to dash off factory-line clones of the title track safe in the knowledge that this record would become a hit on its astounding pre-sales alone. However, someone clearly sees potential in Boyle as an artist beyond 2009, because I Dreamed A Dream has been produced with a subtlety and care too often lacking in reality TV spin-offs. Lead track 'Wild Horses' should have been the giveaway, as Boyle tackles the Stones stalwart with a grace and poise that many thought she lacked after her post-BGT troubles. Even Jagger and Richards fanatics will surely doff their caps to the Scotswoman's rendition of the song, which she claims in her sleevenotes is filled with "irony and bitterness".
Elsewhere, she resists hitching up her skirt for a good ol' knees-up on 'Daydream Believer', preferring to show a previously unseen softer side to her voice and personality. Similarly, her dramatic reworkings of Patty Griffin's folk number 'Up To The Mountain' and a showstopping take on Skeeter Davis's 'End Of The World' will confound her critics - because they genuinely do pack an emotional punch. It's only when the song choices become more predictable ('Cry Me A River', 'Amazing Grace', 'Silent Night') that I Dreamed A Dream loses its sparkle. Performed so many times before by so many great acts, Boyle's straight covers are unmemorable. However, this shouldn't detract from what is, for the most part, an enjoyable and heartwarming album. Whatever music Boyle released it would have fulfilled her life's ambition, but this record is good enough to suggest the dream could last a little while longer yet.
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This is a woman that came down from scotland with no Expectations of winning, the courage she had in doing this I coldent sing in my own house never mind on stage. Then to be thrown into over night stardom she must be amassing woman. Good luck Susan and injoy your journey
Following the sucess of this album ( which is fantastic) Simon should think about doing an international show called " A Search for Susan" or he should call it the "S Factor " instead of the X Factor so that all types of people with vocal talent are able to have a chance at a singing career.
This album shows that Susan has the X Factor.
Great album, but the US and UK albums are a bit hamstrung, missing one of the best tracks on the whole album "Wings to Fly". I can't wait to receive the FULL album, released in Japan. Simon Cowell and Sony should have sorted that copyright nightmare out!
I think Susan Boyle is the most incredible person in the 21st Century. I was thrilled when the pre-purchased CD arrived. Susan's album is AWSOME and so is she. When is the next album coming out?
There is nothing special about SuBo. She can sing but people became interested in her becuase there first impressions were that she would not be able to sing just because of how she looked. Good luck to her - it'll be interesting to see how long she does last in the music industry - especially when she puts out an albumn of original songs.
One only needed to watch the look of absolute awe on the panel after her first ever note on tv. Its a word that has been thrashed but she was awesome. Well done Susan.
My husband and I loved this album. Way to go Susan!
Never judge a book by it's cover. Susan as a fellow Scot, I'm proud of you. You proved you have what it takes - congratulations
A mainstream album, but there's no shame in that. She deserves her success, and will no doubt carry on (sure each subsequent record will well fewer, but from such a solid base it'll take a long time.) Definitely more hits than misses on here. As someone else has noted though, she isn't particularly better than many others out there who at least write their own stuff. That'll be the next hurdle for the Cowell machine to figure out how to incorporate.
Stunning voice, and brilliant debut in my opinion. Five Stars X 2 at least.
shes genuine and beautiful inside and outside and her voice is stunning
The Japanese version of Susan's album actually has a 13th track, "Wings to Fly", which may be, with the possible exception of "Wild Horses", the most beautiful recording she has yet done. It's ethereal, soaring, with a more sophisticated & powerful arrangement than the other songs on the album. It is one more example of Susan's versatility, as it's sung almost entirely in her upper register, so that she sounds like a soprano. It is unfortunate that Sony did not include it on the UK/USA albums due to copyright problems, but you can find it on YouTube. Hopefully it will be released as a single or download soon. It's too beautiful to be hidden.
Susan's voice is the star on this album, no electronic wizardry or over production, just her sweet, hauntingly beautiful voice. I can't decide which track is my favorite because each is different and amazing.
I really like her first CD, because she sings like an angel and she sings with so much emotions, and you can hardly hear her breath! Just amazing!
As long as she wants to sing, I'm on for the ride. I do not like the wailing that too often passes for singing, or the antics that pass for artistry. Susan is the real thing, one of the all-time greats, and I feel honored to be able to watch her from the beginning of her career.
I love Susan Boyle's voice, whatever she sings, and most of these songs are winners. I appreciate the good review (though she should have had at least another star), especially because some critics have seemed to be afraid to look "uncool" by praising the album or recognizing her artistry and emotional impact. She has real talent, and those of us who like quality music will keep listening to her as long as she keeps singing. Rose of England, I completely agree with you - her NY performance showed what a star she is!
Beatifull to listen too, from a pensioner in southern England.
Susan has a beautiful voice but I can't listen to her more than a few minutes at a time. She doesn't have the "it" factor that is needed in the music business. I wish her the best but I wouldn't buy her CD.
nice songs