Thank-you for such a well written review of Susan Boyle's 'I Dreamed a Dream' CD. The Japanese got a bonus track on their CD called: 'Wings to Fly'. This is Susan Boyle stunning us all once again with her incredible voice. If you haven't heard it, you can find it on You Tube. An experience not to be missed!

Oddly enough, perhaps the most beautiful song Susan has yet recorded is found only on the Japanese version of this album, because of copyright issues. The song "Wings to Fly" i s ethereal and soaring, with a much better background arrangement that includes brass as well as the ubiquitous strings and piano of the other songs. Many people listening to this for the first time do not believe this is Susan's voice, as it is sung mostly in her upper register. Yet it is, and gives one a new appreciation of this great artist's versatility. The simplicity, clarity, and power of her voice truly makes this secular song a spiritual anthem.

I ordered it through amazon.jp, a rather formidable task (it is not listed in amazon.jp engish section, only in the Japanese area, making it difficult to figure out how to order) and the cost is above $50, but it is worth it. Because the Japanese company owning the copyright would not allow it to be licensed for anything except the exclusive Japanese album, there has been NO promotion in other countries. However there is a groundswell of fans who have heard this, begging Sony to negotiate a world-wide release. It can be found on YouTube, and its fame is spreading strictly by word of mouth.

What a wonderful review! I agree 100%. Susan is a delightful person with an "awsome" talent and that is confirmed by people all over the world! May she have a long and successful career doing what she does best.....bless us all with her song.

As an ardent Susan Boyle fan, I can only say "thank you" for this insightful and concise review. There have been many "music critics" reviewing Miss Boyle albums who obviously have not even listened to it. Some others who have what often passes for music today so ingrained in them that they find it impossible to view this album positively.
I never expected all critics to like Susan's music but I have to say that it is indeed gratifying to read a review like yours.
Those who think Susan is not made of strong enough stuff to survive the industry are in for a rude awakening. This Scottish lassie has a strength of will that makes me stand in awe.
I look forward to the next album and to many years of the joy of listening to Susan Boyle.

As a fan of Susan Boyle, I was disappointed with her album. She used a voice range of less than an octave. I know she has higher notes.

What was the silly voice she was using in Silent Night all about.? There were so many sillibant t's at the end of each line in another song, I couldn't believe that anyone would let that go on the album.

I felt that she must have been hoarse in a couple of songs.

I know she can do better. She should stick with the emotional belting that she did on I Dreamed a Dream. That's her niche. She was trying in this album to be a song stylist, but her limited range (shown) and soft singing truly didn't work.

I look forward to better singing in a future album.

I have exactly the same feeling as yours.

I bought Susan Boyle's album today and could hardly get through the entire CD without falling asleep. True her voice is pure and beautiful, but as a singer she comes off on this CD, as one dimensional and boring. Perhaps a better choice of songs would have made a difference. The first 2 songs on the CD, "Wild Horses" and" I Dreamed A Dream" both beautiful, had me hopeful for the rest of the album. but I was terribly let down by the other tracks.

I hope she puts out another album with some exciting slections, or she will not appeal to enough people to keep her around for very long.

I think Anne, Thaidoct and Beverley Clarke are unfair in blaming Susan Boyle for the general impression the CD makes. In my opinion the sound quality, production, accompaniments and back-up are all doing more to spoil the songs than enhance them. If they'd moved the piano out of the foreground and got a real guitarist and a chorus with non-abrasive tones, the singer's beautiful voice, technical skill and complete sincerity would have shone out. I too hope the next CD is better managed.

the background accompaniment is far too loud. less is better. i wanted to hear susan's sweet voice. to hear consonants is a privilege, especially in "silent night"

Loved Susan's new CD, her voice is amazing!!
Have bought extra copies to give away.
All the very best Susan.

A great disappointment. What happined to that great sound? Insipid performance.

When my wife started playng the CD I had no idea who was singing, despite having listened to her performances many times. I heard hints of Sarah McLachlan, Barbara Streisand and Celine Dion. Particularly suprising to me is that she does not sound like a 48 year old, the renditions have a much more contemporary sound. I would have to say that some of the songs sound overproduced and some of her uniqueness may have been lost but that is not Susan's fault, I'm sure that some of the best talent was brought in to put the album together and they did what they thought would best show her talent. There were a few songs, for example, Cry Me A River, charted no new ground but who would have thought of Wild Horses or expected the rendition of Day Dream Believer?

I think that the song selection was excellent to deliver her message. I have to admit that I wondered if she could do more than I Dreamed a Dream, but I was impressed with her dynamics, her interpretation & technique, the addition of enough embellishment to add interest but not wear it out, going from singing voice to whisper voice to soaring without a seeming limit, the bluesy sound so unlike what we have heard before.

I think that Susan will have the staying power like Barbara Streisand. I look forward to many more albums by Susan. Until then I am greatly enjoying her first album.

I have played music most of my life and allways will be a side man. I saw the video and was amazed and had tears welling up at the end of it all. It was not the underdog becoming a winner on the show. I'm truely amazed as to the prefection and detail this women has in her voice. The album is truely fantastic as her hard earned work shows if anyone has the real ear to listen. As to me she is the VOICE that others will look to as go up to her level. Cant wait for the next album wonder if she can sing some soft hearted but bright Scottish folk tunes

It seems to me that Ms. Boyle was treated with the greatest respect from the producer's of her CD and her fellow musicians. The sound quality is rich and full and Ms. Boyle's warm voice leads it beautifully. There is nothing in this CD that provides any doubt that Ms. Boyle is indeed one our greatest singers ever.

It also seems to me that Ms. Boyle's choice of songs was just what she wanted-her liner notes show that each of these songs has some personal meaning to her, and that they strike a chord in each of us for the same reasons. I have played this CD over and over many times on several occasions and it never disappoints.

I so think the background singers were too loud as well as the piano in some of the songs and am sure will be remedied in future CDs. In the fact that this CD was meant as a showcase for Ms. Boyle, it fulfills all that entails. It has left me ravenous for her next CD and I am anxious to see what she has in store for us on that one.

I concur with this reviewer whole-heartedly.

I love this debut album. Susan's voice is a delight. I like the different song styles and the shades of interpretation. They are honest, emotive and tell her story. Susan has taught us not to prejudge, that you don't have to be a stereotype to be appreciated or successful. A life so ordinary can be extraordinary if one takes the chance to live their dream. Over three million albums sold in two months speaks for itself.

To those who are 'disappointed' or 'bored' with this album, please pass it on to someone who appreciates the gift that is Susan's voice.

ok I played the cd over and over...there were of course some favourites. the chorus in the background? who were they? why not more of how great thou art, . The cd is lovely, but some of the songs obscure. I expected more familiar stuff to tell the truth...I still love it, and play it in the car...very consoling.

Good review! I got the album and I am impressed greatly. What makes it even better is her genuine notations in the cover notes. I wanted to make one observation about her phrasing. Anyone who performs music knows that timing and nuanced phrasing is all important to presentation. This lady has a natural gift that goes far beyond the critics. I was amused by some of the critics (elsewhere) who picked at the album. The criticisms melt away with a careful listen. Each track has it's own special charm, but for me "Up To The Mountain" is the most telling in terms of her raw talent. Her ability to 'feel' the transitions and exceptional phrasing is 'heavenly' to be sure. I could only wish I were in the backup choir to help frame her voice! As far as her choosing "covers" for her first album, the only thing I can say about that is the original writers are honored by having such a naturally talented artist represent them.

No matter how many times I watch her on you tube or listen to her album it still sends chills down my spine and a tear to my eye. What a truly God given gift!!!!! If you can't appreciate this woman's voice as well as her story then you are the one with the problem not her. Susan Boyle is the best underestimated story to come out of Scotland since Harry Potter!!!!!!!!!

I purchased this album because I was curious and because I wanted to support Susan Boyle. I own no other album that remotely resembles the pieces on this CD. I lean towards hip hop/rap and hard rock.

Having said that, I think this album stands as a testament to true talent. Her voice is so clear and so pure through all the tracks.

The first listen, I found the songs slow. It didn't mean that much. A few more listens and I found the album sad. Then, later I just became entranced by her voice, the lyrics (choices for songs) and the power of hearing the control in her voice. We listen to so much "crap" in terms of peoples true singing ability and ability to carry a note. This album is a reminder of what a singer sounds like. I listen to this CD through my Ipod. The nuances to her voice control are so apparent that way.

I am glad she chose these songs herself. I find each song moving and very personal. Wild Horses is spectacular. You'll see (which I never heard as a Madonna song) is unbelievable. Proud is equally awesome. The slowing down of Daydream Believer is great and actually one of my favourite songs on the CD. The hymns are great and the standards of Silent Night and Amazing Grace make me realize why they have lasted for years as songs played at Christmas or at Funerals. Basically, every single song is an awesome selection and fits with the mood she is trying to convey. To me, I hear both pain and hope in every song.

If you decide to check it out, give it a few listens. As with anything, what you hear will evolve as you become more attuned to the various songs and the style of the music she chose.

Nice, balanced review. Mind you, its only the first one I've looked at on the net. I've only just acquired the CD, but playing it has become semi-compulsive (if that's a valid expression). I read a lot of classical reviews and some of the other types.
So much claptrap and pseudo intelligent teenage posturing bedevils the pop universe. Miss Boyle has a similar gift to Doris Day in that she seems to sing/speak to an individual personally. She definitely has that gift. The voice seems to harden when she puts some 'oomph' into it, but she certainly has the power. I'd rather hear her fairly steely tones than the harsh sound of dear old Cilla when she pushed hard. When Susan Boyle does it softly though - ah its so attractive.
The chosen songs seem to cover a wide range of popular genres, despite the generally slow tempi. I think the version of "Daydream Believer" is a revelation. I expect you're familiar with the cover of "Satisfaction" by Cat Power. Well, in a similar way, Susan's rendering of the Stewart song gets to the heart of the matter. I'm not criticizing the Monkees' original - its great - but the slow intimate approach makes the lyrics mean so much more.
The warbling clones of Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey et al pall after a while. Their maxim appears to be :' Why sing one note when fourteen or more will do?'
Fortunately, we're getting back to some artists who actually sing a song more or less 'straight', putting some proper projection across instead of all the fake emotion!
I wonder if we'll hear any more from Miss Boyle? We ought to.