One Chance - Dark Publications

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Editorial Reviews:

Amazon.com
Britain's Got Talent winner Paul Potts has spent most of his life feeling 'insignificant'. Bullied at school for being 'different', he realized growing up that he had one true friend and that was his voice. Singing was his escape. He was able to lose himself in his own little world - the vicious words of his tormentors replaced by hauntingly beautiful lyrics and melodies that lifted his heart and spirit. It was a love, a passion, a lifeline that would follow Paul into adulthood and help him through many more periods of adversity.

Though it's fair to say that when Paul strolled awkwardly - almost apologetically - onto the Cardiff stage for his first Britain's Got Talent audition a week before that final, in his now infamous 35 Tesco suit, and announced to Simon and fellow judges Amanda Holden and Piers Morgan that he was going to sing opera, they never thought for one minute they were looking at their winner. Until he opened his mouth and started to sing.

Paul Potts Photos

Album Description
Former cell phone salesman and now Britians Got Talent winner Paul Potts has spent most of his life feeling insignificant and bullied, but says that his voice was always his one true friend, a voice that Simon Cowell calls simply magical.

Album Description
Former call phone salesman, cancer survivor and now Britians Got Talent winner Paul Potts has spent most of his life feeling insignificant and bullied, but says that his voice was always his one true friend, a voice that Simon Cowell calls simply magical.

Customer Reviews: Read 473 more reviews...

4 out of 5 stars

Bewitched and bewildered September 20, 2007
601 out of 616 found this review helpful

I dunno what it is about this guy. I'm 5 decades old, been singing in vocal ensembles that perform challenging music for more than 30 years, been around loads of wonderful, highly trained operatic voices and I agree with many of the criticisms written elsewhere of this album (the brit version at any rate; not many reviews of the US version so far, too early).

I agree there are some production issues on this CD; I agree the guy has some technical issues that should be addressed as he matures as an artist. He can be a little thin & forced, esp in the high register. There are a few pitch problems, again mostly up high. I prefer his Italian to his English -- I think his English diction is a little odd actually. And given the rush to production, coming on the heels of a personal whirlwind, I can't help thinking the pressure and the tiredness had some effect on the finished product.

And yet, and yet -- what is this "hair standing up on the back of the neck" thing?

From his throat to my autonomic nervous system, without requiring a pass through the brain. It is an amazing gift that this man has, to elicit such a profound emotional reaction in the listener. The Nella Fantasia is just heartbreakingly lovely. The last note on "Music of the Night" is absolutely beautifully rendered. I also liked the Cavatina a good deal.

I can (and do) greatly admire the recordings of many more technically perfect singers. My brain tells me I should naturally prefer listening to those recordings. My gut just tells me to keep this one on the CD player and hit the replay button again....

5 out of 5 stars

New talent ---Paul Potts --Spine Tingling Joy September 18, 2007
408 out of 414 found this review helpful

Some say only a few will buy this CD for the sentimental story of an overnight sensation from Simon Cowell's British talent show. Some hardcore opera snobs may pass, sighting technical imperfections; after all this CD was put together and released in the UK in a record-breaking 3-4 weeks to capitalize on the show's success. Others may pass, saying that they don't like opera.

I say to everyone-- get this album simply for sheer listening pleasure. There are so many moments of pure spine tingling joy here to miss for the sake of hyper-critical nit-picking. A voice imbued, even polished from life, filled with emotion and, yes, charged with physical athleticism- as demonstrated by set of lungs that can hold such notes to infinity and in perfect pitch-- is a rarity not to be missed.

Each time after reading some of the few negative reactions to Paul Potts, I go back for a listen, admittedly expecting to be disappointed, at least a little, and, each time, I am transported, by the hauntingly beautiful vocals and pure emotion captured here; emotion transmitted directly to one's heart and soul through an, as yet, undiscovered seventh sense. Technically "superior" singers can only hope for this intense, hardwired connection, whereas Paul natural ability is blessed with it is spades.

In the end, it finally dawned on me how ridiculous it is to look for third party validation for feelings that are so inexplicable, but yet so vitally undeniable. Enjoy this one folks and never mind the critics. No rules, just sublime listening pleasure. This is a fantastic debut album, with quite a variety. Hopefully the first in a long line of future recordings.

5 out of 5 stars

Breathtakingly beautiful September 20, 2007
244 out of 249 found this review helpful

I first heard of Paul Potts when I was given a You Tube link. I am completely unfamiliar with this type of music. I thought I was losing my mind when chills danced up my spine and tears came to my eyes as he sang. It was only after reading online that I realized Paul's voice has the same effect on many people.

The CD came today...I have no idea what he is saying, who else has sang the most of the songs....I just know is voice is breathtakingly beautiful. I am amazed that I bought anything having to do with opera...and that I did is a testament to Paul.

And in response to something he said in one of his videos...Yes, Paul, you are someone. Someone magnificent!

3 out of 5 stars

Sing Opera? Then do it! October 31, 2007
87 out of 98 found this review helpful

Let me preface my review with the statement that I like Paul Potts. He has a wonderful instrument, albeit in need of some further training. However, it is strong and clear and that overcomes many technical shortcomings.

However, my lower grading is because of the nature of the album itself.

First, it is extremely obvious that this CD was produced as a "strike while the iron is hot" response to Mr. Potts' amazing impact on the listening public. Technically, it is a mishmash of poor mixing, overly loud orchestration and arrangements that sound like the vocal and orchestral arrangers weren't even in the same town, much less same room. It appears that their marching orders were to get the CD out there on the streets, quick, before the public forgets him.

Second, the power in Mr. Potts' voice is his tour de force. With the skimpy recording techniques used and lack of response tuning, they have taken most of his best completely out, to the extent that he sounds thin in many places.

Third; I must assign to whomever picked the music: I can recall Paul, almost timidly, announcing that he was there "to sing opera" in response to Judge Amanda's question. Then, Paul, why not do it? Aside from Nessun Dorma, played on every PC from here to Katmandu, there was not another aria on the album! The other music, although lovely, was what one normally finds as the; "Look, I can sing pop, too!" on operatic sampler albums. One, maybe two, numbers, though, not the entire CD! Was he trying to channel Il Divo and Josh Groban, or actually trying to sing opera?

Hopefully, Mr. Potts is not a flash in the pan, but will continue his studies and exercise his naturally lovely voice on opera stages and in recording studios for years to come. But, when presented with a chance like this, I do not think the producers of the CD gave him the vehicle he deserves.

5 out of 5 stars

Paul Potts is a breath of fresh air! September 30, 2007
71 out of 71 found this review helpful

I accidentally ran into Paul Pott's audition piece "Nessun Dorma" in youtube today and I was just blown away. I really didn't care for his job (which I later learned was a phone salesman). Most of his detractors lend his success from his "rags to riches" story which millions find adorable. I disagree. He certainly has the voice; a kind of raw talent that will improve in years to come. However, that is not his crowd draw. There is something about his singing that reaches into your soul; a visceral experience that I haven't heard even from Pavarotti himself (and I have heard tenors all my life). I find it embarassing that I was actually moved to tears when I heard him sing. There is a human quality in his voice, something that is absent in technically skilled tenors; he shows you that it's okay not to be perfect; that imperfection can sometimes be a good thing. His tracks are easy to listen to and his high notes are right on pitch. He is a lighter tenor than Luciano Pavarotti or Placido Domingo, but he renders his belt notes with the ease of a pro. He truly is a diamond in the rough; a breath of fresh air in a world of noise disguised as music.

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