Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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300 of 313 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
IGNORE THE 'PERFECTIONISTS' AND JUST ENJOY THIS ONE, July 31, 2007
This album was released in the UK about 2 weeks ago and it is still selling strongly. There are now, about 60 reviews on amazon.co.uk - most are favourable, but there are few which are less so. The main criticisms being made are given below, together with my own observations :
PP STRUGGLES WITH THE HIGH NOTES - I thought PP occasionally sounded a bit flat and his voice wavered a little (this seemed more noticeable during the first 2 tracks). However, these were fleeting instances only and did not detract from my enjoyment (although more demanding listeners may find this less acceptable). One has to bear in mind also that, with this type of music, the occasional 'slip' becomes more magnified than would be the case with some pop or rock music.
PP's SINGING IS TECHNICALLY INFERIOR - I'm sure there are some people who, because of their knowledge/understanding of operatic music and the requisite vocal skills, can genuinely make such claims. Equally, I'm sure that there are a few others whose claims will be based on nothing more than petty snobbery or misguided elitism, and these people wouldn't recognize 'technical SUPERIORITY' even if they tripped over it in broad daylight.
THE ALBUM SUFFERS FROM POOR PRODUCTION - To an extent, I agree - it could have been better. Whilst the orchestral and choral arrangements are sumptuous, at times they are both 'too forward in the mix' and, now and again, they tend to drown out PP's vocals (but this problem is not persistent throughout the album).
PP IS BEING MARKETED IN A CYNICAL WAY - Well perhaps, but this is nothing new in the music business. It is certainly no justification for downgrading any rating for the album.
PEOPLE ARE BUYING HIS ALBUM BECAUSE THEY 'FEEL SORRY FOR HIM' - Possibly, but a very small minority only. It is more likely that many people are either, making a connection between PP's music and PP the man or, they simply identify with him. I see nothing wrong with this and, if it enhances their enjoyment of his music, then well and good.
Turning to the album itself, this is the first operatic or 'operatic crossover' album I have ever bought. I sometimes listen to this type of music, but not very frequently. I bought 'One Chance' because I saw PP on 'BGT' and I liked his voice. So please bear with me if some of my review is not very meaningful for you.
THE SONGS : They are all beautiful songs - sung in Italian or English plus two sung in Spanish, and they are well known songs - I'm sure many will be very familiar to you. I don't wish to take anything away from PP, but I think the song selection has more than a little to do with the popularity of this album in the UK.
THE VOICE : PP has a strong tenor voice, but not in any overpowering sense (rather the opposite I'd say). I've heard 'Nessun Dorma' sung by Russell Watson and Luciano Pavarotti and, to my untrained ears, they do SOUND better; but, curiously, neither of these versions do as much for me as PP's version (Pavarotti's comes the closest). However, I'll tell you something - whatever vocal weaknesses PP has (real or imagined), he has an emotional quality to his voice that you won't find with most other similar singers ('technically superior' as they may be). I can't quite put my finger on it, but there is something 'quietly moving' about the way in which he sings - I would suggest that THIS is the main reason why most people are buying his album; and, when it comes to MY listening enjoyment, a voice with an emotional edge comes high up on my list. The audience reaction when PP first auditioned and sung 'Nessun Dorma' on 'BGT' (can be viewed on You Tube) is, I think, testament to this.
Some brief comments about selected tracks :
NESSUN DORMA - a song which needs no introduction - poignant and dramatic, an absolute 'stunner'. The vocals are, perhaps, not perfect, but more than competent.
CON TE PARTIRO (Time To Say Goodbye) - a fine rendition of this bittersweet song which many people will associate with Sarah Brightman and Andrea Bocelli. Towards the end, the choir 'kicks in' and I though the sound was too strident; this is a delicate song and the use of a choir, in this manner, is totally inappropriate (fortunately, the effect lasts for only half a minute or so).
OGNUNO SOFFRE (Everybody Hurts) - swirling strings and acoustic guitar accompaniment; the subdued, yet crisp, percussion ensures that this R.E.M. classic still retains some of it's original 'pop character'.
POR TI SERE (You Raise Me Up) - despite being sung in Spanish, there's a distinct Gaelic feel to this song (weird - maybe, but it works); PP's vocals are as close to perfection as any sane person could reasonably expect. Again, the choir is introduced towards the end, but this time to good effect - more in keeping with the slightly dramatic mood of this song.
CAVATINA - a beautifully wistful song which is featured on the soundtrack of 'The Deer Hunter'. Sonically, I thought this was one of the best tracks - lovely, fluent acoustic guitar, PP's vocals are flawless and his delivery is nothing short of exquisite; and the vocal/orchestral balance is first class.
The remaining songs are all highly enjoyable; everyone will have their own favourites, mine were : 'Nessun Dorma', 'Por Ti Sere', and 'Cavatina'.
If you like 'operatic crossover' music, then I think you will enjoy this album - the only possible downside being that you may already have most of the songs by other artists (but I still think it's worthwhile listening to PP's renditions of these songs). Just ignore what the 'perfectionists' might have to say and ENJOY. I don't care if PP isn't 'technically perfect', and anyone who thinks he can't sing must be crazy. The enjoyment of music is not simply a matter of monitoring it's technical proficiency; it is, more than anything, an emotional experience - it's how it makes you FEEL. OK, I'll concede that this might not be 'serious' operatic music, but how many 'regular' listeners, to popular music, really want this anyway ? I doubt very much whether this, or PP's lack of classical training, will in any way diminish the pleasure to be had from this album. For casual listeners, who might want only 2 or 3 representative albums in their collection, this is a 'must have'.
I'm only giving 'One Chance' 4-stars - I thought there were some very occasional flaws in PP's vocals, and sometimes (and ONLY sometimes), I thought the production left something to be desired. Neither of these 'deficiencies', by themselves, would merit the deduction of one star but, when considering them together, I think it would be misleading to give a higher rating; conversely, giving a rating of 3-stars or less, would be doing PP and his music a disservice.
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77 of 81 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Just got mine today and it was well worth the wait! , July 31, 2007
Actually, I'm surprised they got this one out so quickly after his incredible win on Britain's Got Talent. If you are waiting to buy this in the United States, I believe it isn't due for release till Sept but I just couldn't wait.
I know there will be critics of Potts (each to his or her own) but I think the great strength of this CD is that it may (finally) bring opera to the masses again and perhaps that is why they stuck with so many classic works. Potts does a fine job, at least as well (or better) than his performances on television. For those who are longtime opera lovers, they may find fault with some of his notes or delivery but please consider that this man does not have a long career backed by professional production and that the CD was put out rather quickly.
PLEASE BE AWARE THE SONGS ARE SUNG IN ITALIAN. For me, that makes the CD even more special because I can focus on the emotion and not the lyrics.
Here are my favorites and my thoughts:
Nessun Dorma - the song that stunned the world. It says something that this rather humble man's performance was forwarded to people via email, on video sites and had a record number of viewings - and for opera, not even rock or country music! Definitely a surprise that the average person took to this so well, except that his voice was (and IS) truly stunning. This piece is hauntingly lovely.
Con de Partiro (Time To Say Goodbye) - I wish he'd sung without so much accompaniment but other than that, I have no complaints. A love song that I could listen to again and again.
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85 of 91 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Astounding debut album, August 1, 2007
This album gets 4 stars because the engineers tried too hard to drown out Mr. Potts in the second selection. I also wish there had been at least one more real opera hit. "Nessun Dorma" is sung really well, including a small chorus in the interlude of the aria. The balance of the album is Italian (or Spanish) schlock. Good schlock, please understand, but standard pop stuff. Sort of a solo version of "Il Divo."
The difference here is Potts himself. His voice is ever so slightly reedy. He does have the timbre and size of voice to pull off his signature tune, "Nessun Dorma", but I'd hate to see him try the entire opera. Unlike say Mario Lanza, when he tackles the more intimate songs, he lets the focus shift away from all-out operatic singing. yet he never gets the "microphone" voice that Boccelli uses at times. Potts is just able to tune his sound to the material at hand. He is always connected emotionally, too, which some greater singers than he is can't say. I have many complete operas in my collection, and yet I bought this album because I found his performing to be quite moving. Pity Paul Potts? Never! He is a real singer and not the product of some over processed sound machine.
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