Susan Boyle, Hammersmith Apollo, review - Posted inThe Telegraph

Susan Boyle, Hammersmith Apollo, review

Five years after rendering Simon Cowell speechless on Britain's Got Talent, Susan Boyle had the audience on its feet during her first nationwide tour, says Rachel Ward

Susan boyle performs at Hammersmith Apollo 

By Rachel Ward

1:21PM BST 07 Apr 2014

4 Comments

Susan Boyle’s first nationwide tour has been a long time coming. It is five years since she silenced Simon Cowell on Britain’s Got Talent with her incredible audition piece, I Dreamed a Dream. Since then she’s sold almost 20 million albums worldwide, sung for the Queen, performed for the Pope and even duetted with her hero Donny Osmond.

So it was no surprise to see queues snaking around a sold-out Hammersmith Apollo for the London leg of this 19-date tour – despite the rain. Not even wild horses, it seemed, could keep the fans away.

As outlined in an ITV documentary last year, however, getting here has been a struggle for the Scottish singer, who in 2012 was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome. Her crippling anxiety and dread of performing live has prevented her from taking to the stage to tour thus far.

But Boyle is a woman of determination, especially where her singing is concerned. She appeared in a midnight blue, sequinned gown, as a replay of that very first audition reminded us where her journey began. “What’s the dream?” a Simon Cowell voice-over bellowed. “To be a professional singer,” Boyle mimed back. And with that she opened the show with Irene Cara’s Out Here On My Own. Given Boyle’s story, its lyrics – Sometimes I wonder where I’ve been / Who I am, do I fit in? – seemed touchingly apt.

READ: Why Britain can't get enough of TV talent shows

Boyle’s fragility is arguably part of her appeal, but it was her subtly emotive voice that chimed with her audience. The front row were rarely in their seats as she worked through a series of standards and show tunes, backed by a live band. At one point, the whole auditorium, including a group of nuns appearing to recreate a scene from the film Sister Act, rose to dance along to River Deep, Mountain High, a duet which she sung with regular Strictly Come Dancing vocalist Lance Ellington. The innocence of songs such as Over the Rainbow and Bob Dylan’s Make You Feel My Love, meanwhile, best showcased her soaring vocals.

Attempts at jazzier numbers, including That Ole Devil Called Love, were less successful. There were moments, too, when Boyle looked uncertain, and stilted jokes about her cat Pebbles and over-rehearsed links between performances felt mechanical.

She ended the two-hour show with her signature tune, Les Miserables' centrepiece I Dreamed a Dream: the song that started it all. It sounded as stirring as ever. Boyle came second in the 2009 final of Britain’s Got Talent, but as her loving fans will always attest, the winner doesn’t always take it all.

Touring until April 17; buy tickets from Telegraph Tickets

To see the article, copy link:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/live-music-reviews/10749734/Susan-Boyle-Hammersmith-Apollo-review.html

Some comments on the article follow:

• Grace R • 4 minutes ago

  Rachel, You just don't get it, do you? Ms. Susan Boyle did her performance the Susan Boyle way. She doesn't have to be up to anyone's standards. She is Susan Boyle, WHO SHE WAS BORN TO BE - singing for the people and performing a show that the audience loves, as reported after every show. And, to get it, you have to accept Susan for who she is: a brilliant singer, as well as a terrific performer making her audience rock. as reported by attendees. As you wrote, "fragility is arguably part of her appeal" now isn't that part of her success? You should be giving credit for Susan's ability to please the audience in what ever way she chooses, because despite the put downs by writers who miss the point, Susan is an extremely successful, amazing entertainer, a one of a kind, who is kind, thoughtful and compassionate in everything she does. Fans all over the world, love her just as she is. That is the beauty of Ms. Susan Boyle. So please, understand that she is a very unique enchanting singer. Enjoy and embrace what she does, because it is pure, it is outstanding, it is emotional and is is superb.

   

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  Deborah Wilbanks • 2 hours ago

  indications that your audience appreciates you:

  they applaud spontaneously
  they applaud and whistle
  they applaud, whistle, and stomp their feet
  they applaud, whistle, stomp their feet, shout more, more, more
  they applaud, whistle, stomp their feet, shout more, more, more, chant your name,
  and those are just the nuns.
  multiple standing ovations from the local crowd
  they ask for your hand and kiss it
  they line up along the stage to shake your hand.

  indications that you're successful:
  critics credit your success as being "likeable",
  and cling to the obvious and insignificant.

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  Damian Boni • 4 hours ago

  I agree with Deborah Wilbanks. Lets be honest we all have some similar picture of who Susan Boyle is. What is incredible and what should be appreciated but unfortunately this review fails to do is the fact that Susan despite everything proves that Dreams come true. I think author of this review fails to highlighted how well Susan has progressed since her first live appearance, her vocal abilities are without any doubt mind blowing. Susan hard work and vocal training has proven worthwhile. I can easily say that she dwarfs most of the world class signers with her ability to control and she certainly dwarfs them with her share force and the power.

  Standing ovations from more than a half of the present at the show should speak for itself.

  As for the recommendation, if your writing the review about the show you should focus more on the show rather than describe or criticise the person and their problems, issues or insecurities. If you like to focus on a person then you should highlight where the person was and how this show compares to anything previous as it gives other people some essential information they can relate to.

  Well enough lecturing. I rate the show 4/5.

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  Archie Pemberton • 4 hours ago

  Amid all the doom and gloom it's nice to see a performer thrill her audience so effectively. She's a 'one off', for sure, and having overcome many hurdles, definitely deserves her success. Good luck to you, Susan.

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  Deborah Wilbanks • 5 hours ago

  Learn to proofread: 'where for were' . I saw the concert and you failed to highlight the strengths. Your criticisms are weak, petty, and above all, unbalanced.

Susan Boyle Performs At London’s Hammersmith Apollo To A Packed Audience - By Inquisitr.

Posted in: EntertainmentPosted: April 7, 2014

Susan Boyle Performs At London’s Hammersmith Apollo To A Packed Audience

Susan Boyle, the Scottish singer who rose to fame following her appearance on Britain’s Got Talent back in 2009 has come a long way since then. Recently, the 53-year-old Susan performed to a packed audience at London’s famed Hammersmith Apollo, thereby cherishing her long awaited dream of performing at the venue. Her performance at the Hammersmith Apollo comes just a few months after she performed to packed audiences in her first ever solo concert series in Scotland.

At London, Susan Boyle came elegantly dressed in a midnight blue, floor-length sequined gown. She mesmerized her audience with her vocal range. The concert immediately drew applause from her fans and critics alike, reports the DailyMail. The concert was also interspersed with the unique style of talk and banter that made Susan famous in the first place. The concert was also backed by an orchestra which complemented Boyle’s singing.

Susan’s latest concert at London is part of a 19-Day tour spread across the United Kingdom. Boyle is slated to perform at Plymouth, Stoke, Cambridge and Northampton in the weeks to come as well.

The London performance also comes just four days after Susan celebrated her 53rd birthday at the Leicester De Montfort hall. On the day, she was presented a two tiered cake covered with candles by her management team on stage. The team also presented Boyle with a sash that had the ‘I’m a birthday girl’ phrase on it that she wore for the rest of her performance there. The audience too had joined in the celebrations following which Susan gave them all a customary “Su-Blow.’

In the meantime, another of Susan Boyle’s show was in the news for an unfortunate incident. Before the Manchester concert at the city’s Bridgewater hall, also part of this current tour, a man was taken ill after he was found to have collapsed on his seat. The man was given emergency CPR and an ambulance was called in. While the concert started five minutes late, Susan Boyle wasn’t aware of the mishap. The organizers later thanked the audience at the concert who had helped the man and administered first aid before the medics arrived.

This latest string of pan UK concerts by Susan Boyle comes nearly a year after she performed her first ever solo concert across Scotland. All of them were attended by packed audiences with over 98 percent of the tickets having been sold well in advance

To see article, click link:

http://www.inquisitr.com/1203642/susan-boyle-concert-london/
Read more at http://www.inquisitr.com/1203642/susan-boyle-concert-london/#wtk3k36m7ZA0ppDG.99

Susan Boyle at the City Hall, Newcastle upon Tyne

Her Secret Struggle Documentary Explores Susan Boyle's Pains and Triumphs

AGING WELL

Her Secret StruggleDocumentary Explores Susan Boyle's Pains and Triumphs 

APRIL 4, 2014 – 12:30 PM – 2 COMMENTS

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By STEPHANIE STEPHENS @StephStephens

Susan Boyle live Nottingham royal centre 31/3/14

Multi Million selling artist Susan Boyle wowed the faithful at The Bridgewater Hall

Ms Susan Boyle

Multi Million selling artist Susan Boyle wowed the faithful at The Bridgewater Hall

Susan Boyle has been described as a phenomenon. Now that I have seen her sing live, I am totally in agreement. Tuesday, 25th March 2014, a little Scottish woman took to the stage and stole the hearts of a packed, Bridgewater Hall. I have seen a lot of concerts in my time but don’t believe that I have ever seen such adulation for a performer as I witnessed on Tuesday.

Susan was supported by a small orchestra and two lady backing singers. I had read that Susan’s repertoire would consist of standards, covers and original songs from her five albums. She was quoted as saying that there would be a few surprises. I don’t plan to name all the songs but the biggest surprise for me had to be ‘River Deep, Mountain High’, which, of course is associated with Tina Turner and not a “wee wifie” from Blackburn, West Lothian. 

Her rendition of a Rabbie Burns’, ‘Ae Fond Kiss’, a poem set to music, was hauntingly beautiful.

The audience was mostly in the older bracket but I saw a few youngsters there too. Judging by the standing ovations, yes that should be plural, as there were a few, the audience, I sensed, left The Bridgewater Hall fully satisfied.

Susan Boyle has a voice which, for me, sounds even better live than recorded. Powerful, then sweet, Susan’s voice can reach into your chest and rip out your heart.

Beautifully supported on a couple of songs by The Manchester Show Choir.

Susan Boyle is a phenomenon, for me, that is, official.The finale number 'I dreamed a Dream'reminded us all of how it all started.

The other star of the night was of course,The Bridgewater Hall Manchester.

If you get the chance to see her, then please go. I guarantee that you won’t be disappointed.

For more information.

Reviewed by Canal-st.co.uk on Tue, 25 Mar 2014.

Rating: 5

Canal - St link:

http://www.canal-st.co.uk/Box-office/canal-st-reviews/ms-susan-boyle

Susan Boyle at the City Hall, Newcastle upon Tyne

Fantastic, Brilliant and Magnificent!   

 Ms. Susan Boyle!

Posted in Scotland Now

https://www.facebook.com/ScotlandNow

BREAKING: Susan Boyle in talks to open Salmond's Scottish landmark if Scotland 

become independent:

http://bitly.com/O9F2wi

First Minister Alex Salmond reveals plans of construction of new Scottish landmark

www.scotlandnow.dailyrecord.co.uk

Also:

Bathgate housing boost announced by Scottish Government

• Feb 10, 2014 14:40
• By Debbie Hall

The Scottish Government will invest almost £1m to provide 35 new affordable homes for rent in Bathgate

First Minister Alex Salmond (right) with Mike Bruce from Weslow housing management.

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/west-lothian-bathgate-housing-3131417