I'm a curmudgeon

[rhu]

So. Susan Boyle.

I haven't seen the clip that's been making the rounds. Not a "Les Miz" fan. But there was an article in yesterday's NYT, and I've seen comments going around, and there's something about this phenomenon that disturbs me.

Is Miss Boyle's voice so extraordinary on its own? Is she, say, as good as Julie Andrews or, better, Natalie Dessay? Are there similar Internet storms about other great amateur singers and I just missed them?

Or is the whole point of this story that she doesn't fit the physical stereotypes that condition us to expect beauty?

Because if it's the latter, then it seems to me that by watching and being surprised by and impressed by and posting more links to her videos, the audience is participating in exactly the kind of age- and appearance-based prejudice that they are convincing themselves they don't have. The thrill is feeling morally superior to Simon Cowell, I suppose.

Ironically, of course, we used to expect great singers to be heavy and middle-aged. Then came the Deborah Voigt flap.

If you want to admire someone for having a powerful and affecting voice despite having to overcome actual physical limitations, and not just the prejudices that society has ingrained in us, how about Thomas Quasthoff?

Comments

[hatam-soferet.livejournal.com]

Well, what *I* enjoyed was watching all those snooty judges get taken down a peg. She herself was all very well; I wouldn't watch the clip again for the quality of the singing, but I've watched it again for the pleasure of seeing Simon Thingie's jaw drop, on account of I have long considered him a waste of space who gets far too much mileage out of being a total prick.

[jadelennox]

Yes, this, exactly.

[introverte.livejournal.com]

She is very very good, in the Broadway contralto sort of way.

[vettecat.livejournal.com]

I don't have your training, obviously, but I think she has a truly gorgeous voice. (I posted a link last night to a recording she did a few years ago, for charity - try that if you don't like showtunes.)

This is not the first time; there was a similar phenomenon with a previous contestant, who won that year and has since gone on to a successful recording career. Though honestly I think she's even better.

And for me, the pleasure (second to her voice) is in seeing a (wo)man-on-the-street who would not ordinarily get a chance to perform for a large audience getting the recognition that she deserves. It's the whole underdog-rising-from-obscurity thing. I'm happy for her. Her looks are beside the point. (Though it is nice to remind the entertainment industry that you don't have to be young and hot to be worthwhile.)

I think it may also be related to the pilot-landing-on-the-Hudson phenomenon; people are nervous, and looking for something to be glad about.

[jedusor.livejournal.com]

I don't have your training, obviously, but I think she has a truly gorgeous voice.

I doubt even nmHz can evaluate someone's singing without hearing it. :P

[introverte.livejournal.com]

See, it's not just me!

[vettecat.livejournal.com]

Well, I had wondered about that... :-)