I went to an opera once. We got there and I was like, "Excuse me? Are we not going to Nashville?"
But even though I'm more Opry than opera, when a sad-faced cellphone salesman named Paul Potts opened his mouth to sing Puccini, I heard a thing of beauty. I tell you, if this man were American, he'd be a policeman. All our non-professional singers with beautiful operatic voices are cops. It's just the way we do division of labor:
....goodness sakes, God bless him.
Posted by: nancy at June 14, 2007 04:36 PMwow...
Posted by: csason at June 14, 2007 07:51 PMThis rather schleppy-looking guy opened his mouth...and turned into Placido Domingo. It gave me chills.
Posted by: Donnah at June 15, 2007 12:01 AMVERY viral, even brit hume used it as his closer video.
Posted by: Wickedpinto at June 15, 2007 12:10 AMTrue Story,
a friend of mine from the Marine Corps, dated this one woman, who was GORGEOUS!!! and she had two brothers who lived with her on occasion.
Well those two brothers were staying with her in between stints as processing workers in alaska for fish factories.
Anyways, I thought that was cool (my friend was very uncomfortable around women, and I'm actually quite a charmer) so I asked the one who was closest to my age (about 22 at the time) how he found that job, and he said "well, he, (pointing at his younger brother) needs to pay legal bills, but I need to pay off college lones"
I initially kinda scoffed cuz well, everyone that wasn't in the service (myself and my friend) were smoking weed at the time.
"what did you go to school for?" I asked the brother who was my age, and mid toke, with the stereotypicaly sniff talk that we believe is a joke, but no, it's real, he said "music."
"you in a band?" I asked
(while exhaling) "no, I'm an opera singer." last bit of hemp smoke leaves his lungs.
I laughed my ASS OFF!!
"BULLS@#T!!"
And I will be damned if the guy didn't take a toke, expell it and start to sing.
THE EFFING GUY WAS AN OPERA SINGER!!!
But what makes it hillarious is that he didn't let go of the joint, he kept toking from it during the pauses.
EFFING AMAZING!! and to my untrained ear, he sounded pretty EFFING GOOD! I think his name was Eric, and he was born in "apple valley" if you guys ever hear an opera singer named "eric" who was born in "apple valley" California, that is in all likelihood him, I don't think there are many opera singers in any city.
I completely re-wrote my stereotype manual because of that.
Posted by: Wickedpinto at June 15, 2007 12:27 AMI saw him on Brit Hume, too. You don't have to like opera to be captivated by the sound this guy can produce. He is the definition of joyful noise.
Clearly his is a voice that transcends music genres. It's absolutely glorious.
Posted by: Donnah at June 15, 2007 11:25 AMok, yanno what i saw in this? At the beginning when Paul said he was gonna sing opera? Amanda what like, ok. The judge (name? John?) rolled his eyes. Simon acted like this was such a big waste of his time. Untill, Paul started singing. What a huge difference in the expressions of the judges by the time he got done!
Hahahahahaha! Good for Paul!
Holy crap! I could watch this over and over! In fact, I have!
Good on him, and God Bless him, indeed!
Posted by: imp at June 15, 2007 02:43 PMok, one more thing and then i'll hush. This guy is sooo unasumming. And despite his "sleppishness" sure does grow on ya fast!
I wonder if this Brit version is like AI? Do they have to sing different styles and types of tunes, or can he stick with opera? I would be curious to hear him on other stuff as well, but dayum he sure hits opera dead head on the nail!
I would love to know how this turns out if there are any British out there who read this! Thanks!
Posted by: imp at June 15, 2007 02:54 PMIt's a variety competition, Imp. In the final he's up against a ventriloquist whose stuffed monkey sings Michael Jackson songs. Lordy.
His company has opened a thread for him on their forum:
http://www.onecompare.com/mobile-phone-forum/showpost.asp?t=316&n=post-for-pottsy
This man should be in a tux, nibbling caviar after a performance. What an extraordinary talent.
He made me cry!
Posted by: Donnah at June 15, 2007 03:23 PMLord, he made me cry, too! DAMN!
I could even almost forgive your curdledcatpisscrustedcracker brain because you posted this, Donnah.
Almost.
Posted by: tree hugging sister at June 15, 2007 04:05 PMPaul is through to Sunday's final.
Here is his semi-final performance:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDB9zwlXrB8
Posted by: Andrew in UK at June 15, 2007 06:52 PMHe performed and won the semi-finals and will be in the finals competing against a monky ventriloquist and singing before Queen Elizabeth. Here's a link to his semi-final performance.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDB9zwlXrB8
Posted by: swampy at June 15, 2007 06:58 PMWOW!Just WOW!
Thank you so much Andrew in Uk and swampy. And thank you again Donnah for starting me off on this.
Oh man, this dude needs some major financial and business advice! To sing before the Queen, a major honor I suppose, and a thrill. But he needs a serious life changing contract.
Donnah, he made me cry too. All six times I watched the first one, and I'm sure on the many times more I watch the link that Andrew and swampy sent.
Ladies and Gentleman:
Paul Potts!!!!!
*standing ovations*
Posted by: imp at June 15, 2007 07:25 PMI didn't cry, but I definately mysted up, cuz I don't like opera, but he was SO compelling, and surprising that you can't HELP but to be moved!
Hell look at simon!
Posted by: Wickedpinto at June 16, 2007 03:29 AMI know.. Simon pencil looked like it gained weight as Paul went into the second stanza.
here is the final.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUyKYB4zYCQ&mode=related&search=
Posted by: csason at June 18, 2007 04:18 PM