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Off The Record by Mike Farragher

Susan Boyle’s ‘Someone to Watch Over Me’ Boyle-ing with dullness - VIDEO

Posted on Friday, November 11, 2011 at 09:33 AM

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- December 2009 (11 entries)

Susan Boyle

Susan Boyle’s third disc dropped this week. If I followed my mother’s advice to avoid saying anything if I didn’t have anything nice to say, I would stop my review right here.

But what fun is that?

On Someone to Watch Over Me, fans might question who is watching over their heroine nowadays. The disc is awash in syrup, and her vocals sound phoned in on most songs.

Boyle takes on Depeche Mode’s electro-disco classic “Enjoy the Silence” by slowing down the heartbeat and over-emoting the words to create perhaps the worst cover version of a song ever committed to tape.

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There are a couple of bright spots. When Boyle takes on Join Mitchell’s “Both Sides Now,” she is clearly in her element. There’s a soft, introspective story that builds into a crescendo that puts this lioness’s roar to the test.

You would hope she would rise to the occasion on The Righteous Brothers’ “Unchained Melody,” but like most of Someone to Watch Over Me, her interpretation sounds dreary and uninspired.

Writing something bad about Boyle makes you feel inhumane, like killing off animals that have been housed at a shelter for too long. The exuberance the audience feels when they first discovered her voice on Britain’s Got Talent, the rags to riches story, the effervescent personality that bubbles during interviews and that megawatt smile all factor into a feeling of wanting to have this chanteuse win at this late stage career rise.

She’s spunky and fun in the public eye, and I am hoping someone watches over her and encourages her to inject some of that next time she enters into a studio.

Here is the audio for Susan Boyle's cover of Joni Mitchell's 'Both Sides Now':

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18 comments

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Eamonn20a | Nov 30, 2011, 08:18 AM EST

AmericanReader. People that write reviews about music, do NOT need to know how to sing. They just express their opinions and taste. There are thousands of singers like this overated singer. I am NOT a singer, but I know what I like and I am not ashamed to say, this type of singing bores me.

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AmericanReader | Nov 27, 2011, 01:45 PM EST

Those who can sing brilliantly, do. Those who can't, write dull reviews of people who can. I personally like Boyle's new album. And your review: pfffffft!

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irishwriter | Nov 14, 2011, 01:25 AM EST

Thanks for reading, folks! Enjoying the back and forth. I am a fan of hers and hopes she does better next time! :)

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Eamonn20a | Nov 13, 2011, 06:04 AM EST

To JoMichael, It's only dull people that like her singing.The closest she gets to rock is in a stick form. LOL

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Deidra47 | Nov 12, 2011, 04:27 PM EST

To each his own. I happen to like the new CD.

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Nounours | Nov 12, 2011, 01:55 PM EST

As everybody is entitled to his opinion, hereafter mine: Susan Boyle’s 3rd album is absolutely brilliant, yes, yes, it is! I suggest that next time you better follow your mother’s advice.

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Skibberrean | Nov 12, 2011, 09:51 AM EST

DITTO JoMichael, Get over it Farragher, I'll bet you can't even hum in tune!

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GillianX | Nov 12, 2011, 05:07 AM EST

There is an explanation for why Susan sounds like she phoned it in. For three of the tracks, she was given versions by other artists and told to imitate their vocals. Specifically, Cyndi Lauper's version of 'Unchained Melody' - YouTube watch?v=T0GvpdQLw_Q Sara Hickman's version of 'Mad World' - YouTube watch?v=ViL3e-4WUi0 and Susanna & the Magical Orchestra's version of 'Enjoy the Silence' - YouTube watch?v=jzKt7XJSLa4 - and for "Enjoy the Silence' she was actually instructed to "sound weird"!!! So much for artistic freedom and individual interpretation!! Evidently Simon Cowell & company think Susan Boyle doesn't know how to sing a song. Her true fans should be after him with a pitchfork. In the documentary "Susan Boyle - An Unlikely Superstar", Susan asks Simon if he thinks the song "Someone to Watch Over Me" has as much impact as her "Cry Me a River". He just brushes the question off, but clearly she had her doubts. And so she should. That whispery voice is nowhere near the voice we heard in CMAR. Far from being the sophisticated smoky lounge music that she has shown she is stellar at, it's more like "mutton dressed as lamb". Mike, your description "syrupy" is so very apt.

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Eamonn20a | Nov 12, 2011, 04:38 AM EST

I am not a fan of the overated Boyle. Yes she can sing, but there are lots of singers like her all over the world. She is too middle of the road for my taste.The song" Lilac Wine" was a hit for Elkie Brooks ,and in my opinion the best version. Boyle should not have even tried to cover it.

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GillianX | Nov 12, 2011, 03:30 AM EST

There is an explanation for why Susan sounds like she phoned it in. For three of the tracks, she was given versions by other artists and told to imitate their vocals. Specifically, Cyndi Lauper's version of 'Unchained Melody' - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0GvpdQLw_Q Sara Hickman's version of 'Mad World' - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ViL3e-4WUi0 and Susanna & the Magical Orchestra's version of 'Enjoy the Silence' - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzKt7XJSLa4 - and for "Enjoy the Silence' she was actually instructed to "sound weird"!!! So much for artistic freedom and individual interpretation!! Evidently Simon Cowell & company think Susan Boyle doesn't know how to sing a song. Her true fans should be after him with a pitchfork. In the documentary "Susan Boyle - An Unlikely Superstar", Susan asks Simon if he thinks the song "Someone to Watch Over Me" has as much impact as her "Cry Me a River". He just brushes the question off, but clearly she had her doubts. And so she should. That whispery voice is nowhere near the voice we heard in CMAR. Far from being the sophisticated smoky lounge music that she has shown she is stellar at, it's more like "mutton dressed as lamb". Mike, your description "syrupy" is so very apt.

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JoMichael | Nov 11, 2011, 02:34 PM EST

It is only dull to people who do not recognize that almost every song is difficult to sing musically, with sharps and flats galore, and she hit every note perfectly. The purpose of this album is to highlight how versatile she is in that there is a song from so many different genres on it - from theater to rock. Her voice is beautiful and the orchestration is a pleasure to hear!

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henry1982 | Nov 11, 2011, 02:26 PM EST

Mike, we are all entitled to our opinions. I personally love every song on her album. You should really take the advice from your Mom. Mom can't be wrong.

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Amber44 | Nov 11, 2011, 01:09 PM EST

Mike, I'm really sorry you don't like this. But I can't imagine why not, as there is truly something here for everyone to not only like but to love. I'm afraid you're depriving your readers of the chance to decide for themselves, and I know if they aren't discouraged by your "I woke up in a bad mood" take, they will be surprised and pleased by this album. "Enjoy the Silence" is a case in point, as it has become an absolute favorite of many. "Lilac Wine" is a sultry surprise, and "Autumn" is a piece of nostalgic beauty. Her dramatic touch is fantastic in "You Have To Be There" and "Return." I think this album is on a whole new level of excellence.

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martyPA | Nov 11, 2011, 12:45 PM EST

I'm so glad that I never pay attention to reviews. Had I done that I would have denied myself the great pleasure of owning and enjoying this absolutely beautiful album.

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stevieboy49 | Nov 11, 2011, 12:37 PM EST

If I followed my mother’s advice to avoid saying anything if I didn’t have anything nice to say, I would stop this comment right now - but that would spoil my fun! Mr. Farragher, you are entitled to your opinion. Unfortunately, your opinion is at odd with mine and, I suspect the vast majority who have listened to this CD and admired it for its greatness. Oh! and by the way that includes the composer of "Enjoy The Silence" himself! Next time, listen to your Mother and dinnae say a thing! Then you might just avoid talking TOSH!

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