Covering the business of education and training

Paul Potts and Simon Cowell: Singing hyped emotion? H-umm?

As we reflect on Paul Potts, the newly discovered winner of “Britain's Got Talent” [ BGT ] and his beautiful voice, we naturally reflect on our own values and life accomplishments. What gifts has God given us? If we work hard, can the sun warmly shine on our faces? I cried and replayed videos several times to take in emotions of not only singer, but also judges, and audience. But my wonder had a gnawing knowing that did fit neatly into the ‘underdog to top performer’ story I heard in his storyline.

World wide delight and emotions from seeing Paul fully approved; perhaps after being de-valued for years, came as much for his humble slightly tousled persona in the show, and as much for his ardent operatic singing. But, a charade that falsely elicits my true emotions seems a scam, especially if greedy.

I heard the story on video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1k08yxu57NA - from the opening set-up, “… the world of show biz seems a million miles away. Its Paul, a mobile phone salesman from South Wales.”. At 3.51 on the clip, Simon Cowell said, “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.”

On the clip, Paul talked about his dream and how he had lacked confidence. Yes, we identify and all desire encouragement. He sang. Magic. But, as Simon said, “… then you see something else.”, and like he said: I saw a former £8,000 prize [ about $16,000 U.S., now ] for Paul Potts from Michael Barrymore’s TV talent show, and extended tutelage from operatic masters in Italy, four amateur opera productions, a concert with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and plans for a summer tour with them.

Obvious. Amateur talent needs training and experience. That is worthy. But my emotions are dialed into a guy who said his dream is to do what he feels he was born to do, and his feelings had always lacked confidence! Experience and prize money is confidence building. He had plenty since his birth and early identity. I saw a fellow who wore a humble jacket at the semi-finals, sans a tuxedo he knows well in opera, yet spiffed at the finals. But it is the voice! No. It is also the person’s words, too.

It is implied that people did not previously value his talent: an unknown without promotions. On the British TV interview after Paul won BGT, he was clear, “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 - June 17 video, set 1.30. They wanted his talent, and he chose not? Okay, he can negotiate! But, that seems strong-minded; and very confident! He refused pro-motions. We got e-motions: shy bullied kid; his best friend was his voice.

Paul went to New York to field NBC’s basic questions: “… and I know that you haven’t had formal training, so how did you learn to sing like this?”. He ignored their wrong assumption and said, “Umm, I’ve just always sung - just always sung. My voice has always been my best friend.”, June 21 video at 2.53; same site. As Simon said, “has talent, isn’t aware of it ….”. What worth to him are the masters who gave him lessons, on which he spent most of the £8,000 prize money? … and singers with whom he traveled the stage on the Italian operatic circuit, and London’s experiences? If humility means to be unassuming and common with other people, like its root ‘humus’, then earthy and unpretentious people do not cover their history of help from other people. Rather, Paul gives us wrong assumptions.

Critics comment that for operatic singers, Paul is okay; not extraordinary. I like his voice. It is good and memorable! But, what is extraordinary are the hyped emoted feelings. Some people might say, “that is how the show world sells!” No! Not here! Not with true emotions of people around the world, teary eyed for the underdog; not in this case of contestants’ climbing the ranks on rungs of public votes: and the public paying to vote by telephone. Purity of spirit should remain pure, not a sham that brings a shame to hope and faith in Horatio Alger type humanity; at public expense. I enjoy world-class music, but not world-class charades and emoted stories for profit! What is the Paul and Simon story?

British Simon Cowell spent 2 years forming “Four Tenors” or “Il Divo”, a popularized package of the operatic world, similar to the Three Singing Tenors. Producers package talent. He knows that world. He knows that both talent and emotion sell. Did he tweak our emotions through set-up stories to launch a Paul Potts’ premier CD; with Simon producing more mogul money? I like true emotions, meaning full; not half-full false ‘unknown underdog’ ‘discovered’. That half-full leaves me half-empty.

A contestant background video showed Paul in what appeared to be lush South Wales seaside, looking like a CD cover. If BGT showcases this 36 year old mature amateur singer, then perhaps the last drop of bloody money can be wrung from innocence. Not his innocence. Ours. Simon Cowell’s announcement at the final show that Paul Potts would be recording an album the next week was lucid business-linkage to the world. But to link our common emotions for hope in challenges, and our faith in people and love of life: to a ‘confident’ ‘hold-out promotion’ person who did not disclose his full story, is miserly manipulation. A contestant who approaches their stage will be known: by producers: and in advance. They want to uncover upsetting persons, especially when the prize is the doorway to a further contract! They want lead-in pieces about a contestant’s character and history! I want a good spirit that is fair to the closing of Nessun dorma!: Vincerò! Vincerò! Vincerò!, I shall win! I shall win! I shall win!

If we act fairly, work hard and have talent, then hopefully we are rewarded. But, an ‘underdog’ ‘without confidence’ is hyped and yanks at more money. His ‘unknown’ is really sans full disclosure.

If Paul Potts fairly wins a competition to get a contract, then great! The Paul Potts NBC interview ended with a transition piece, to NBC’s next show segment. Its 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.

SSH,

I not only disagree with you, I pity you.

Why can't you just enjoy Paul Potts for what he is or ignore him altogether?

Why do you feel compelled to show the world how cynical and jaded you are?

Do you think you are smarter than everyone else and figured out the hype and hoax that the rest of the world completely missed?

Bottom line: We know about hype and greed (and capitalism) and we don't care. We like Paul Potts and his singing.

Go ahead and be miserable all by yourself. We won't be joining you.

Love to all.

Listen. Paul Potts is an inspiration. Period. End of story. I don't care if he had singing lessons with Pavarotti. I don't care if he had a previous lifetime as the Marquis de Sade. He is spectacular in his courage. He is spectacular in his voice. But most of all he is spectacular in his humility!
I can only say that if some of the so-called celebrities had even half of this man's talent and a good dose of humility because after all it is God given, then the world would be a much happier and more
accepting place.
Congratulations Paul. I think you're really amazing. And I will follow very carefully with great interest and enthusiasm all of your future successes.

Also, you have an adorable wife!

Karen from Massachusetts

A voice like that doesn't develop without training and practice. So it's only normal that Paul sang a lot and that he got lessons when he had the money for it. That he trained with Pavarotti only speaks for him. Pavarotti probably listened to him first before he decided to teach him. So we can safely assume, Paul could sing pretty damn well before Pavarotti gave him the time of day, so to speak.

Leaving some of the lessons and his previous performances out, is just the way it works. Like a good book, leave some things to the imagination of the reader; it makes a better story.

And if you are interviewed on TV, in a situations as exciting like those, you are probably happy if you remember your name. I think he did very well and he sounded sincere. Heck, he was working for a living selling cell phones!

I just want to know why Pavarotti didn't take him under his wing - big mistake or was Paul already too good?
Comparing his singing to Pavarotti, the latter is more likely.

The first guy who blogged has sent the identical comment to many other discussions. It is frustrating that he has to spread his misinformed twaddle all over the place. The hits on the YouTube audition video are now at 7.4 million and each day new people come and leave comments to record their pleasure and amazement. His new CD came out today (7/16) in the U.K. at the top of the charts and his fans in the U.S. are chomping at the bit to get their hands on a copy -- almost exclusively because of hearing him on YouTube.

The answer to why from SSH's comments, can be found on my blog http://vista.powerblogs.com/posts/1185332856.shtml

Also, a tribute to his love of value, if not in himself, in the music he chose to sing.

Galt

I enjoyed Paul Pott's performance. I'm surprised that the conspiracy, dark shadow's type have appeared here. Just another case of a talentless wannabe something, somebody,
trying to harpoon someone of their way up...oh, they just can't stand it, on their slip/sliding way down.

Ed
Melba, Idaho

I just finished listening to Paul Pott's One Chance album. It was fantastic. He showed his true ability as a singer on a competitive level with today's greats of opera, and I have no doubt that he will improve, though he certainly doesn't need to, because now he can devote full time to his music. But to improve means to be remembered as one of the world's greatest tenors, not that he isn't a beautiful-voiced professional right now. The One Chance album clearly shows his wonderful talent.

The dork who wrote this article should be editing army manuals in a closet with one light bulb overhead, wearing a green visor cap. His attempts at sounding clever slipped me into absolute boredom, so much so, I couldn't finish it.

His is a talent that is a no-talent and one wonders how he ever got a job writing.

If I said he was disgusting, it would be a compliment compared to what he really is.

Sorry, old boy, but I'm a critic too, only my abilities are far superior to yours.

Bravo Paul Potts for your wonderful voice. I listen to you everyday, and cry each time. You are such an inspiration to like of us who have always felt different and lacked confidence. Simon cowell cold heart was filled with warm, I could see it on his face. Be blessed as you journey through your new life

My son is a classicly trained singer. He has toured in Europe and performs regularly in the US. He has been paid for performances. All that notwithstanding, he can't earn a living performing and few have that privilege. Paul Potts deserves everything he achieves. He has labored to learn his art and, even if he had a few opportunities, believe me, the sweat and effort he has put into his singing far outweighs any small recognition he has had in the past.

I have attended many concerts and heard many early music and opera singers and he is the first to make me cry. I purchased his album and love it. My son thinks he is extraordinary.

The criticisms offered by the first poster here reveal a lack of heart and knowledge.

Correction to my above comments: I am criticizing Bill Belew, not "the first poster."

His voice is wanderfull... better tha Pavarotti

SSH's comments can be found on a number of blogs all over the place and they are just as idiotic and incorrect there as they are here. The responses to his comments have thankfully been equally rejected as well everywhere else.

SSH,

Go suck a lemon. I remember the critics always smeared John Wayne for his patriotism but the fans loved him and kept seeing his movies and the millions of fans will be spending money to hear Paul Potts as I have done. Paul Potts is a breath of fresh air. Paul Potts will make all these critics look silly and poor while he makes millions.

Mr Potts will develop into a fine singer with experience and time. I wish him well
on his voyage through life to join the ranks of other Welsh stars.

Thanks

Well, OBVIOUSLY, he had had some training. I sing myself and I know you don't sing like that by accident! You also don't learn that technique by singing in the church choir. It is interesting to know where he studied, but I already knew that he HAD!

Well, OBVIOUSLY, he had had some training. I sing myself and I know you don't sing like that by accident! You also don't learn that technique by singing in the church choir. It is interesting to know where he studied, but I already knew that he HAD!