AIN'T NOTHING LIKE THE REAL THING! FAN REVIEW OF SUSAN BOYLE'S CONCERT AT DURHAM, N.C.

I have read many reviews by fans and professional reviewers since Susan Boyle started her US concert tour, but one in particular struck a chord with me.  It was written by Clix Pix, and I have her permission to share it here, with a couple of photographs she took on the night.

"Susan's concert was as unique as she herself is -- it was a warm and inviting atmosphere, with the audience being "right there" with Susan, and boy, did those two hours go by too fast!   Would I go to another Susan concert?  You bet!  Would I follow her all over the country or go over to the UK?  Not just for that one purpose, but hearing her in her own country would be a fun experience, too.

Susan's concert is definitely in a format and at a pace just right for Susan.   Although it is not as polished as most concerts to which we’ve become accustomed, there is a lot of good support from Lance Ellington and the two backup singers as well as the band.  The musicians are terrific and I enjoyed every now and then looking over at Kennedy Aitchison on piano. Susan is able to bring the audience into her sphere, inviting them to listen to her and enjoy her music in the way only she can provide it…..  She's irresistible!  You can't take your eyes off her.  Before I went, I told myself, “OK, I am just going to have to not get  upset if Susan goofs something up, hits a note a little flat or whatever……”  and, amazingly, I was able to do that because Susan was so…..so real, so genuine, so very much just putting herself right out there for all of us, vulnerable and strong at the same time.  She was being herself, giving us the gift of singing something and we had the choice to like it or not like it, accept it or not accept it, with the realization that at the same time this probably meant accepting Susan herself for who she is and what she can and cannot do……  She handled the few goofs very gracefully (at times wittily, too) and brought the audience right along with her…..she had us in the palm of her dainty little hand!  For example, when she started to sing one number and kind of croaked, she immediately stopped, said something like “can we do this again?” and reached for the bottle of water to take a good slug to moisten her throat before continuing…….and on the second go-around, things were just fine. She handled things with humor and that made it all work out well.   Unlike the television show disasters we’ve seen, Susan herself was in control of the timing of all of this in her own show.  She gets a frog in the throat…..no panic, just say something quick to the audience, reach for the water, the band pauses, ready to resume when the star is ready to resume……

Susan comes across as very endearing, quite appealing, just delightfully charming and likable — and very real, very authentic, down-to-earth.   That authenticity is definitely part of her appeal.  She has an engaging personality which floats right out to the audience from the stage.   As she said a long time ago, “with me, what you see is what you get — no airs and graces,” and this holds true even now.   It's truly delightful.   She pours her heart and soul into each performance, and we can see it, hear it, feel it.   Audiences respond well to this.  We sure did in Durham!  The choice of material that was sung and presented gave listeners a wide variety so that as Susan so often says when interviewed about one of her albums, “there’s something for everybody.”  For me, being there and already being well informed about what the set list was and about other details of the show, there wasn't quite a surprise factor -- it was a little different experience than the one the woman on one side of me had.  While I was eagerly anticipating songs that I knew were coming up,  she was only aware of two of Susan's albums, which she had.  (I think IDAD and "The Gift.")    She was very pleased at hearing the songs from the “Hope” album which Susan sang and I assured her that she would really like that entire album, then.  I’ll bet she has already gone out to buy it or has ordered it from Amazon or iTunes.

Susan's voice is glorious, soaring and filled with depth and nuance……amazing!  The timbre of her voice is beautiful and she has definitely learned how to harness that power so that she controls her voice and embraces each song in order to convey meaning and capture emotion.  She really lets that voice soar, too.   That is worth the price of admission, just hearing this.  There is indeed a difference between what we hear on the CDs and what we hear in a concert.

A huge, huge thing, too, for me, something which delighted me, is being able to see her moving more around on stage.  Gone is the deer-in-the-headlights look, the standing-stock-still, the sense that if anything changed she would fall apart…… Unlike watching her on TV and holding my breath and hoping she could get through a song, I was relaxed and "in the groove" with her.  She was definitely enjoying the experience of sharing herself and her beautiful voice with the large Durham audience.   I think that one big reason for this is that she’s in control of how things are going to go.  It’s her concert, her own show,  not “DWTS” or “AGT” or some other television show where there are numerous restrictions set in place from the get-go.  Those TV shows operate under time restraints.   A concert is very different. If Susan runs overtime during her concert, no biggie.  If she needs to cough or clear her throat or take a swig of water during the concert, no big deal — everybody waits for her, as she’s the one who is the star here.  If she decides to do a funny little dance move thing or move her arms or hands  around in a different way as the music moves her, no one can say, “stop!  Susan, don’t do that!”  She isn't rushed to perform, she can do things at her own pace.   On the concert stage she is the one in control. She can do what she pleases, move as she pleases and as the music or the song lyrics affect her.  The band follows her lead, it's all about Susan all the way.  It must be a heady experience.  Wow…..

I don't know about the other theatres in which she has been, but in Durham they had two monitors, too, so that even people in the nosebleed section would be able to actually see Susan close up.  I had an ideal seat -- dead-center, about 8 or 9 rows back, and I was especially fortunate to have short little C*** C***** (from another forum)  seated in front of me!  Perfect!! I could easily see Susan with an unobstructed view.  How lucky was THAT?!  :)    I mostly watched Susan on the stage, of course, but occasionally would glance up at the monitors, too.

I think we had about four or five standing ovations;  we all rose to our feet when Susan first appeared -- that opening sequence is brilliant, isn't it? -- and then for at least three songs ("Unchained Melody" for one) and of course at the end, too.    The area of people where I was didn't seem to be as lively as some in other parts of the theatre.  Well, I made up for that, swinging and swaying, tapping and clapping in my seat during "O Happy Day" and "River Deep, Mountain High" in particular.    Those were two of my favorites, of course.  I also loved "Unchained Melody" -- sooooo much more effective than on the album!    Even though I've never been very fond of "Cry Me a River" I really liked hearing Susan doing that one live, and it was beautifully done.  Wow.   "Ae Fond Kiss" was one I was really eager to hear and it was beautiful.  Of course most in that audience wouldn't be familiar with that song but I think they all appreciated it for its beauty anyway.  Susan puts some real emotion into that one.     Another song which I was looking forward to hearing live was "As Long As He Needs Me," and that was wonderful, too.

Susan and Lance did "This is the Moment" and it was a great moment!  :)  It was really fun seeing Lance and Susan dancing, too! (I think that was during "River Deep, Mountain High".)     "Run With the Wind" was very nice -- again, I suspect that one might not be familiar to American audiences.     Although "I Can Only Imagine" will never be a favorite song of mine, I will say that it worked well in the concert and that Susan did a lovely job with it.

Susan sings "Angel" beautifully and touchingly.   Her performance of "The Impossible Dream" was stunning -- much more effective than on the album.   Oh, how could I forget -- when she started singing "Wild Horses" that one brought tears to my eyes.  It was amazing being there in person seeing and hearing her sing this most favorite song!

"Who I Was Born to Be" was where she starts the song out at the piano.  I have mixed feelings about this, to be honest.   I actually prefer the song sung all the way through without the business at the piano, but again it was cute seeing her at the piano and kidding around a bit, too.  She is definitely who she was born to be! 

Of course it was even more amazing seeing and hearing Susan singing the song which brought her to American stages in the first place:  "I Dreamed a Dream."  Beautiful!!!!!  I really like that change in the final line -- it makes a huge difference and it makes much more sense, given how this song has changed Susan's life for the better.  She is indeed living the life she dreamed......."

(Credits: Clix Pix)

I don't think anyone reading this can avoid the very tangible excitement and appreciation that Clix Pix felt watching Susan live in concert.  I know she won't mind me stating that she is someone who "tells it as it is", and it was for this reason that I wanted to include her review in this blog.  Thank you Clix Pix - and thank you Susan Boyle!

SUSAN BOYLE, LIVE IN CONCERT AT THE PLYMOUTH PAVILIONS, APRIL 12th 2014

Amateurs practice until they get it right; professionals practice until they can't get it wrong. (Anon)

Last night I had the very great honour to watch Susan Boyle live in concert at the Plymouth Pavilions, and she got everything right!

I mentioned in my last review that whilst Susan loves the recording studio, she was born to perform on stage, and so it was yesterday evening.  CDs are, by their very nature, compressed digitally.  To my ear they strip away the layers and textures of a singer's voice.  They are 'sanitized' for want of a better adjective. I love Susan's studio recordings, but the comparison between those tracks and her live performance is like comparing night and day. 

The passion that Susan exudes when she sings certain songs has to be witnessed to be believed.  That little lady has a powerful voice that is both compelling and emotive.  I think it was Fred O'Neil who said that there was no emotional filter between Susan and her audience, when she sings.  He expressed that perfectly.  For every song she sings, Susan becomes the song.  It is part of the magic that is Susan Boyle.

Susan Boyle has stage presence, before she even opens her mouth.  Some people are blessed with that; others are not.  It is a gift and one that has been bountifully bestowed upon Susan.  Theatres also have their own characters, therefore the ambience of any venue will affect a sensitive performer in one way or another.  The atmosphere at Plymouth felt more intimate, somehow, and I'm sure Susan picked up on that.  Her manner was more relaxed and she spoke to us in a way that seemed more personal; less scripted.

When Susan appeared at the top of the little staircase, as she had in Manchester, for the opening of the show, I was looking for differences or subtle changes in her routine.  I was very relieved to note that she was wearing lower, thicker-heeled shoes.  We would describe them as court shoes; smart, dressy but much, much easier to walk and stand in.  That might account for the fact that Susan stood far more in this concert than she did in Manchester.  Smart lady!  That, as far as I could tell, was her only concession to having completed three-quarters of what must be a gruelling concert schedule.

I will not review song by song, as I did last time.  That is unnecessary.  What I want to try to do this time is to convey a taste of the atmosphere and frisson in the theatre.  The concert began with Susan silhouetted,  gesturing while the sound track from the BGT audition played.  But then the spotlight hit her and she was there, live.  Even though I saw it before, in last night's setting it was startling and wonderful and intimate.  The music began, she started to sing and we were transported.....

Susan held us in the palm of her small hand over and over again last night.  When 'the voice' is unfettered by constraints, Susan's soars like a bird freed from its cage.  She raises her audience to seemingly unattainable heights and then, just when you think she has reached her apex, she takes you even further.  The difference between the soft, clear bell-like quality of Ae Fond Kiss is contrasted most vividly by River Deep, Mountain High.  Susan put her soul into the latter last night.  Lance Ellington joins her in this, even though it is not officially a duet.  I want, at this point, to give some acknowledgement to Susan's excellent pianist and band but most especially to Lance Ellington.  Lance is professional, has good stage presence and gives a polished performance whilst leaving you in no doubt as to who the star is.  The two of them were certainly on the same wavelength when this number was performed.  Susan produced a visceral, earthy, powerful performance that brought the audience to its feet.  There were no 'red scarf' fans present (that I saw) last night to instigate that. The audience's response seemed genuinely spontaneous and less contrived.  It was the public at large!  She raised the roof! Who knew Li'l Susie Boyle had it in her?

Run Like The Wind has grown on me, since Manchester!  I felt the backing was at a better level last night, and I think that is true across the board.  The Winner Takes It All benefited, particularly, from this.

Unchained Melody, sung live, is unforgettable.  To hear Susan hit that high note in 'I neeeed your love', and to make it appear effortless, bears witness to some excellent vocal techniques, practice and training.  Take a bow, Fred O'Neil, because I am sure it was under your expert guidance that Susan perfected her trade. 

Last, but in no way least, I applaud the Military Wives Choir who performed with Susan last night.  They really are exceptionally good, and their contribution to the show as a whole was a bonus for every audience member in the Plymouth Pavilions.

I have a message for Susan Boyle's management.  We want a CD or DVD of Susan, live in concert - please!  There are a lot of fans unable to attend live performances.  Studio recordings are not a substitute for live recordings.  Too often studio recordings are digitally altered, and the spontaneity and vitality lost.

And to Susan:  last night you gave a performance five years and one day after your BGT audition was televised.  You said, then, that you wanted, "to make the audience rock!"  You made the Plymouth Pavilions rock.  You can go back to the village with your head held high.  You have thousands of Yeses!

SUSAN BOYLE CONCERT, BRIDGEWATER HALL, MANCHESTER, MARCH 25th 2014

Earlier this evening I had the great pleasure to attend Susan's third concert in this tour, at the Bridgewater Hall, Manchester.

Lance Ellington opened the show and sang two numbers (I'm Feelin' Good and Luck Be a Lady Tonight) and did an excellent job warming up the crowd at Bridgewater Hall.  The lights dimmed and suddenly Susan appeared elegantly silhouetted against a a purple light at the top of a gentle flight of steps.  The audition dialogue between Susan and Simon was played, while Susan (still in silhouette) gestured as if she was answering him 'live'.

The lights came up, and we could see Susan in a gorgeous dark, soft grey full length dress, sequined heavily over the bodice and graduating down the skirt.  The skirt consisted of two layers, with a lovely, flattering light top layer.  At first I thought the sequins were purple, but that was only the reflection from the light.  As she descended the steps, I could see that the sequins were actually grey, to match the dress.  It was actually very tasteful. Susan is quite narrow-hipped, and is much more slender than she appears on screen - and much prettier!  Her hair was up, but more softly styled than it had been in the first two concerts.  It was far more flattering!

The six-piece band played the opening bars to I Dreamed a Dream, but changed very cleverly into 'Out Here On My Own', which was our first song of the evening.

Susan spoke to us with confidence, and said that she wanted to take us on a journey during the show, and what a journey it turned out to be....
Before she continued, we got a very graceful wiggle.  It was entirely planned, and Susan was in full control of the situation.  The audience clapped and fell at her feet.  She really does have a disarming charm about her.

Susan's second song was 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow' and she sang it beautifully.  I have heard it said that you really do have to hear Susan sing live, and after tonight I agree 100%.  Her recordings are lovely, but her voice is so compressed in them!  The texture of her voice, and tonal quality is exceptional.  She modulates in a way that is seemingly effortless, but it adds so much to a live performance.  Her transitions from chest to head voice were seamless, and she is sustaining her notes much more effectively than she did before.  She looked totally relaxed.  She was enjoying her performance, and so were we!

The third song was 'The Winner Takes It All'.  I have heard arrangements that I personally preferred, but Susan put her heart and soul into it.  When she feels empathy with the lyrics, the raw emotion she releases is tangible. WOW.....!

Next came the duet we all heard Susan sing with Elaine Paige, 'I Know Him So Well' from the musical, Chess.  This time Susan took the lead role and her partner was Annie, who also provided backing for other numbers with Zoe.  It went over very well, and was appreciated by the audience.

'Wild Horses' came next.  Susan certainly nailed that one as well.  She was on top form and gave a performance as good as any I have seen her give before.  She was on a roll and it was absolutely breathtaking.

There was a chair on stage, and Susan sat down.  She sang 'That Ole Devil Called Love' with a piano accompaniment.  It was obvious that she was 'in the groove' and it made me impatient for album no. 6.  (Please, please, let it be Blues and Jazz!)

While Susan was sitting, she sang 'The Way We Were'.  It was superb; Susan in full control and pouring her heart and soul into it with exquisite sensitivity.  All the time the backdrop to the stage was flooded with stars ambient lighting.  Lovely.

The next number was 'Answer Me My Love' (I think.)  I say this because for some reason the band was rather overwhelming and the balance was somewhat lost.  This was the only song in the set in which I had difficulty hearing Susan.  She introduced Annie and Zoe at this point.

Throughout the whole concert, Susan chatted with the audience in between songs, very naturally, and was in full command of the house.  She really has become a professional in every sense of the word.

Next came 'As Long As He Needs Me'.  Susan absolutely nailed it.  Her voice soared and held us all captive.  It would be very easy to envisage her on a stage on Broadway.  Her voice is certainly up to it!

Susan then left the stage. In her absence we had a beautiful violin solo of a Celtic melody. Susan reappeared after that in the soft mulberry caped dress.  That one is absolutely beautiful!

A small choir joined Susan on stage for 'You Raise Me Up'.  Susan sang just as we saw her sing in Texas.  She brought the house down!  The choir rose to the occasion, as well.  It was rather nice, because there were not too many of them.

Next came an intermission of about 20 mins.

When Susan returned on stage, she was wearing a long, black sequined dress with a short train.  She sang a duet with Lance Ellington entitled 'The Perfect Year'.  I think that's the title, but the song was new to me!  I think at this point it is fair to say that Lance is extremely well suited to partnering Susan.  He leaves no one in any doubt as to who the real star is, and I think Susan probably feels very comfortable with him.

Susan's next song was 'Take That Look Off Your Face'.  That little lady has a voice that completely filled the hall!  She moved naturally throughout the evening, and never once looked in the least bit awkward.

Lance joined Susan again for the Phantom of the Opera Duet, 'All I Ask of You'.  It was wonderful!  Susan nailed every note over and over again. Susan might like the recording studio, but she is born to the stage.  You can see her 'lifted' by the audience's applause and interaction.  It is a very emotional experience, watching Susan sing live; a sort of symbiosis taking place between her and 'us'.

Susan then told us that she had been a very quiet, withdrawn child, and that she had attended drama school to give her more confidence.  That makes sense, when you think about it.....

Next came one of my personal favourites, 'Make You Feel My Love'.  The emotion was tangible, again, as it was with 'Run With the Wind', which followed.  Then, just as we felt we had reached emotional saturation, came 'Ae Fond Kiss', sung by Susan, seated again. It was absolutely beautiful......

The pace changed with the next number, 'Unchained Melody'.  When Susan hit that very high note (I need your love) the theatre roared and applauded - it was incredible!!  I think she was wise to sing that particular song when she was well warmed-up.  It really must be a challenge, but she met it and excelled.

Susan then treated us to the little parody of Simon, Piers and Amanda.  Hilarious!  She really is quite a natural comedienne.

'Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me' came next, with Susan backed by Annie and Zoe.  I find it amazing how many genres Susan can actually sing.  She really was extremely good.

Lance joined Susan again to sing 'This Is The Moment', that Susan had previously sung with Donny Osmond.  She had a standing ovation (one of many during the evening's performance) that was richly deserved.  It was fantastic.

Now - I never thought I would say this, but move over Tina Turner!  Susan sang 'River Deep, Mountain High' and it was absolutely brilliant!  She made it her own.  She had the crowd eating out of the palm of her hand.  You really have to see it to believe it, folks, but Susan Boyle sang that song with total conviction.  Breathtaking - truly.

The choir appeared at the back of the stage again.  Susan had left for a couple of mins. and reappeared at the stop of the steps, ready to sing 'You'll Never Walk Alone'.  I have to admit that although this is a song I have never particularly liked, Susan sang it well and with great gravitas.  She was wearing red this time; an A-line dress softly gathered under the bust.  It was extremely flattering, with beaded, loose cap sleeves.

We were all waiting for the next number, and we weren't disappointed; 'Who I Was Born To Be'.  Susan sat at the piano and accompanied herself for the first few lines.  She didn't play perfectly, but she has taken those first, important steps to maybe one day being able to accompany herself for some songs.  She creates a very intimate relationship with her audience, and I'm sure not one person thought any less of her for not getting it 100% right.  She hit one wrong note and said. "Sorry!" and it absolutely won every one of us over.  I think it is because Susan comes across as being one of us, and we all wanted to see her play!  I think it probably takes more courage to do that knowing that you're likely to make a mistake than it does if you are fully proficient.

The last song was, of course, 'I Dreamed a Dream', the song Susan said had gotten her into a lot of trouble!  She sang it far more like she did at the audition than on the first CD, I'm happy to report.  It occurred to me that I have been listening to Susan sing that song now for five years, and it still has the same effect on me.  Gulp!

I have tried to give a detailed review of the evening's concert.  I could write for a week, but I could never convey the magic of hearing Susan sing live and the effect it actually has on the listener.  It is as if this (actually very slight) figure appears on stage, opens her mouth to sing and completely envelops the audience in a cocoon of electricity and emotion.  Susan stands there, and it seems almost as if she is baring her soul, through both the power and sensitivity of her voice.  Her lower register is full of colour and depth whilst her high register is clear and very powerful.  That is quite a combination!  I am so happy that Susan has realised her dream of becoming a professional singer.  This evening this fan totally believes that she has reached her goal, and that there is much to look forward to in the future.

Tonight people cried, cheered, danced in the aisles and left the Bridgewater Hall the better for having experienced something not all of us have the opportunity to witness; the magic created by an evening of listening to Susan Boyle - Professional Singer.