I Dreamed A Dream

Pure Beauty, Unadorned and Without Artifice (643 of 667 Found this Helpful)   November 23, 2009
I Dreamed A Dream, Susan Boyle's debut album, is a showcase for her crystal clear voice, untouched by the technological gimmicks on which so many singers rely. The production is a spare canvas against which her pure, gorgeous vocals are displayed to wonderful effect. The result is an album that owes its power solely to Boyle's self-assured artistry.


In the title track, I Dreamed A Dream, Boyle gives a far different interpretation from her iconic performance on Britain's Got Talent. In her audition, she gave a rendition that was more akin to a soaring anthem than a downtrodden woman's rueful rumination on a ruined life. Here, however, Boyle gives the song a more nuanced interpretation that reflects the despair of dreams unfulfilled and a life shattered by loss. Her vocals are just as assured as in her first performance of the song, yet deeper here and more passionate.


Some of the song choices which may have seemed odd at first glance turned out to have been inspired. The selection of the Rolling Stones' 1971 classic, Wild Horses, must have struck many as a bizarre decision doomed to failure. As listeners know well by now, Boyle, aided by Steve Mac's spartan production, reworked the song into a haunting paean to love and loss. Another seemingly off-the-wall choice was Daydream Believer, first recorded by the Monkees. Here, the sprightly, upbeat tune is transformed by Boyle's gentle, lyrical delivery into a dreamy and contemplative ballad. This, in my opinion, is the track that serves as the best showcase for her talents as her clear, lovely vocals float above the simple piano accompaniment. The effect is intimate, as if we are listening in on the singer's reverie.


Boyle's new rendition of Cry Me A River is stronger and more bitter than the delicate, gentle version she recorded in 1999. While never reaching the furious depths of some other versions of the song, she still conveys the anger of a woman scorned. You'll See is also a delight as Boyle invests Madonna's anthem with her personal pain and determination.


Overall, this is a beautiful album with every track a gem. Fans of Susan Boyle and of good music in general will love her debut effort.

That Magical Moment (340 of 356 Found this Helpful)   November 23, 2009
This debut album of Susan Boyle consists of songs of many genres--from the pops, to the spirituals, to the Broadway hit which made Susan Boyle a singing sensation today. Furthermore, it includes an original work specifically written for Susan Boyle.

The Pops
"Wild Horses" was originally composed by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards for the Rolling Stones, in their 1971 album Sticky Fingers. In this re-arranged version, Susan Boyle gives new meaning to an old song. In her own words, it "conjures up memories of childhood amongst Council Estates, poverty and struggle..." in this hauntingly beautiful rendition of hers.

"Cry Me a River", a popular American torch song originally recorded by Julie London in 1953, was performed by Susan Boyle in a charity event in 1999 and subsequently put on CD. Only a thousand copies were made. Now 10 years later, in her new CD, she again captures the beauty of this jazzy blues ballad written by Arthur Hamilton, in the melancholy of a woman betrayed, just as she did years ago. One wonders: where were the talent scouts in those days? How did they overlook this talented woman?

"You'll See", an international hit written and performed by Madonna in 1995, tells of the determination and sorrow of love betrayed. While Madonna's rendition was filled with determination, Susan Boyle sings the ballad movingly with equal amount of determination and sorrow. It brought tears to my eyes.

"Day Dream Believer" was a song composed by John Stewart of the Kingston Trio and recorded in 1967 by the Monkees, with Davy Jones as the lead. It was sung light-heartedly with a humorous opening. Susan Boyle's soft and dreamy rendition of the song, however, conjures up vision of a half-asleep woman struggling to get out of bed and start the day.

"Proud" was originally performed by Matthew James Thomas who played the part of Jez Tyler in the British musical drama TV series "Britannia High". It was the British version of "Fame". In her song, Susan Boyle captures the spirit of an offspring who pleads for acceptance of his/her parent.

"The End of The World" was a pop hit by the country music crossover vocalist Skeeter Davis in 1962. Accompanied only by a guitar, Susan Boyle's vocal ebbs & flows, like the tide gently lapping the shore. If Skeeter Davis' rendition is like a woman crying over lost love, then that of Susan Boyle is like one sobbing quietly over her loss.

The Spirituals
The spirituality of Susan Boyle shines through the spiritual and sacred songs in this album. They include the Christian hymns "How Great Thou Art", "Amazing Grace", and the Christmas tune "Silent Night". But the most inspiring selection is "Up to the Mountain", written by American singer-songwriter Patty Griffin. This song was inspired by the speech, "I've been to the mountaintop" by Martin Luther King, Jr., given on the day before his assassination in Memphis, Tennessee in 1968. Accompanied by a piano and supported by a chorus, Susan Boyle brings forth the emotion & spirituality surrounding MLK's speech.

The Original
"Who I Was Born To Be" is the answer to the critics who label Susan Boyle (quite unkindly) as cover or karaoke singer. It was written specifically for Susan Boyle by American singer-songwriter Audra Mae, grand niece of Judy Garland. Accompanied by a beautiful tune at the piano and supported by a chorus and an orchestra, the song showcases the full vocal range of the talented Susan Boyle. This piece is a harbinger of things to come. Established songwriters will beat a path to the door of Susan Boyle, pleading for the chance to showcase their new songs. Susan Boyle fans are in for a treat.

The Broadway Hit
Of course, we can't forget the Broadway hit, "I Dreamed a Dream" from Les Miserables, which made Susan Boyle famous, or vice versa. Contrary to the soaring rendition in her performance on BGT, this album version is softer and more contemplative, but every bit as powerful and moving.

The Album Art
Susan Boyle was all dolled up in these Bazaar photo shoots at Cliveden, the luxurious Italianate mansion just outside of London. That is the way Susan Boyle fans want to visualize her, while listening to her angelic voice. I especially like the picture of her, dressed in a gorgeous gown, sitting by a piano, surrounded by fine things, ready to perform for her audience--a dream finally come true for a great artist.

That Magical Moment
Susan Boyle has earned her place as one of the great singers of our time. I have the feeling that this debut album of hers, with songs of many genres, is here just to whet our appetite. I am looking forward to hearing more of her, perhaps a second album on Broadway hits and sacred songs, and a Christmas album just in time to catch Christmas 2010. The Sony Music studio did a great job to capture her angelic voice on CD. What it didn't and couldn't do was to capture the magic of the moment when Simon Cowell raised his eyebrows, Amanda Holden dropped her jaw, Piers Morgan clapped enthusiastically, and the audience cheered wildly as Susan Boyle sang "I Dreamed a Dream" during her audition on BGT. That magical moment lives in the memories of hundreds of million of fans who had watched her performance on YouTube.

Footnote: For a more in-depth review on "What I was born to be" by Big Al, please follow this link:
http://www.amazon.com/Who-I-Was-Born-Be/product-reviews/B002XSWNMK/ref=cm_cr_pr_recent?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=0&sortBy=bySubmissionDateDescending

"Its NEVER too late" (140 of 153 Found this Helpful)   November 23, 2009
I Dreamed a Dream does not dissapoint Susan Boyle fans.The songs we heard over the last couple of months "I Dreamed a Dream", "Cry me a River" and the Rolling Stones "Wild Horses",are included,but some of the pleasent surprises, Madonna's "You'll See,"about being abused as a child, The Monkees `Daydream Believer' and an original recording, "Who I Was Born To Be" are fantastic.This CD gives everyone hope who has talent,who's not 16 and wears a size 0 .If you have the gift,Its never too late .

Beautiful, Fantastic Album ! (38 of 38 Found this Helpful)   November 23, 2009
I have been a Susan Boyle fan since her audition on Britain's Got Talent. To this point, I have been saving Susan's YouTube music videos to hold me over till my pre-ordered Albums arrived. They arrived today ! One for myself and the others for Christmas gifts. How wonderful to be be able to plug the I Dreamed A Dream CD into my CD player and to finally listen to the fantastic clarity of Susan's beautiful, natural voice. My favorites are IDAD, Wild Horses, Who I Was Born To Be, Cry Me A River, Amazing Grace & You'll See, however the entire album is wonderful from start to finish. Silent Night will get a lot of play in our home for the Christmas Holidays. Susan is not only an exceptional talent but is also an exceptional person who truly deserves the love and success she is now enjoying. Wonderful Susan, hope this is only the first of many more albums to come. Merry Christmas to you in Scotland.

Pure Beauty (58 of 61 Found this Helpful)   November 23, 2009
Susan Boyle's album arrived today and I have to say that the sheer beauty of it brought me to tears. If you thought that little tidbit we got from Britains Got Talent was fabulous, you ain't heard nothin' yet folks. Incredible, absolutely incredible. EVERYONE needs to buy it - it's a gift to the world.