Potty reaction
I went to review Paul Potts at Symphony Hall this week so first did a trawl of the internet for some background on the lad.
It was a bit of a shock. I just could not believe the vitriol out there from some of opera's very own republican guard. Potts' cultural crime, apparently, is to dare to sing opera when he is neither the next Pavarotti nor someone who can point to two decades of voice training under some Italian singing maestro while living in a garret above La Scala. Get a life.
Potts seems a nice, very ordinary bloke who can sing better than most of us and people want to listen to him. He had a bit of good fortune and is enjoying every minute of it. Good luck to him.
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Roger Clarke - Birmingham’s very own Grumpy Old Man on what gets right up his nose.
Thank you so much Mr. Clarke - your review was most genuine - this from one of the very FIRST Paul Potts' fans- in Southern California
You, Mr Clarke, are a Southern gentleman! I liked what you said about OUR SIR PAUL POTTS! another 'from the beginning' fan!
Paul has become an obsession, as I can't seem
to hear him enough. Have his CD in every CD
player in every room. He is with me always. I
too, am so moved by his rare talent. Remember
as recently as eight months ago, he was and is
an amateur performer. Why do people waste so
much time comparing him and belittling him? His
music has made me a happier person and lowered
my blood pressure. You go Paul
Thank you for this nice review.
I like Paul's pure voice with passion.
I have 6 CDs of Paul's "one chance" come from 4 countries. From last year till now, I play Paul's CD everyday!
Keep on going!
Paul Potts is a man with two amazing talents, not only can he sing, he has the kind of story that inspires. IMHO, in this benighted, cynical world, both gifts are priceless...
And while I will conceed that Paul's voice doesn't have the power of an Enrico Caruso, or the technical perfection of a Luciano Pavarotti; he has time to grow and develop. I have every confidence that with tempering, experience (and some added confidence thereby), he can become the Mario Lanza of his time.
In the meanwhile, however, Mr. Potts deserves his time in the sun. Thank you Mr. Clarke for your rational and well reasoned review.
Paul Potts voice is just like the great Mario Lanza, I never get tired of hearing him. Opera snobs, I soon get tired of hearing Pavarotti, and all the other so called greats, in concert he was the greatest, hope he is doing some more soon. I am sick of people who keep saying he is not technically as good as Pavarotti, what do you mean, he sounds better, definately not, Paul Potts I can play daily, and never tire, these technically better singers are not as good as him to listen to.
Being a lad from Oldham where we have Northern running through our bones like Blackpool in a stick of rock, I am not too sure about being called a Southern Gentleman - unless you are a lady from the colonies ma'am, in which case may I be so bold as to present my compliments, kiss your gloved hand and say how much I appreciate the sentiment.
The review by the way is on
http://www.birminghammail.net/what-is-on-in-birmingham/birmingham-gig-reviews/2008/02/13/paul-potts-symphony-hall-97319-20470093/
Paul was probably worth between three and four stars, which is pretty good, but as we don’t do halves or three quarters I felt sure the opera protecion squad out there were just willing me to round his stars up to four.
Yes, Paul is not polished and never claimed to be, but he wows me. There's always room for improvement. Even the great Pavarotti remained a student his whole life. I hope some day Paul does get a "Sir" in front of his name.
Emily in Oregon
Tell the opera purists that, here, in the States, THE PATTI FAMILY ADORES PAUL POTTS! (Real opera buffs should get the meaning of that without any further questions.)
Paul Potts in concert, the greatest, listen to him sing Love Story, you will be in love with him, and the duet with Natasha. I
By the w ay you opera snobs, listened to Pavarotti in concert, sorry, Paul much better. If you do not want to listento Paul, do not log in, you make the most beautiful web out of balance with the chakra.
It is Paul Potts' humanity that emanates in his performances. People do not want to listen to a recording. If you do not want any mistake, then just bring a computer-generated performance with you. People enjoy his delivery because they can connect with him. He has become everybody's baby, eagerly seeing him learn in the world of opera. It is his being that ordinary bloke who can sing that makes him spectacular!