I wanted to love the CD as much as I loved watching Susan Boyle's audition clip on You Tube. But I just couldn't get into it. I listened to it in the car, at home, at work; I was trying to convince myself that I liked Boyle. And then I realized, what I loved most--was her story.
When I played the CD's version of her signature song, "I Dreamed a Dream," I wasn't moved in the same way. It sounded very polished. I preferred the original, raw and powerful performance that brought an audience of haters to its feet, cheering for Boyle. I wanted to relive the moment when an extraordinarily plain Jane gal raised eyebrows and shut up all those who laughed out loud and thought:
"Who does this middle-aged loser think she is? What talent could this lady possibly have with those looks and that body and those clothes?" I could relate to Boyle. I think a lot of people could relate to being pre-judged based on their appearance.
Why you may like this CD:
* Boyle does have talent. She sings clearly and the music doesn't overpower her voice; she is the star.
* There is an eclectic mix of music--from the traditional "Amazing Grace" and "Silent Night" to Madonna's "You'll See" and "Wild Horses" by the Rolling Stones. Although, to me, the songs started to blend together.
* Her rendition of The Monkees' "Daydream Believer" isn't peppy pop; it's wistful, which made me take notice of a song I never cared for before.
* She has jotted down personal comments about her songs in the liner notes. For "Who I Was Born To Be," she wrote (with two "buts"), "Ambition, fate, call it what you will, but but who was I born to be? Mum must have picked this for me."
* There's a lovely picture of Boyle and her mum, although this Susan looks quite different from the one featured on the back of the CD, sitting next to a piano in a dark, ruffled gown.
So, in the end, why 3 stars? I asked myself, "Would I buy this again?" and the answer was no. I'm happier with the You Tube clip.
Get more detail about I Dreamed A Dream.
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