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Post by martindn on Mar 28, 2012 21:37:19 GMT
Well, sombody had to do it!
I saw part of the first show last saturday, and I have to say I found it a refreshing change from Simon Cowell's talent shows.
For one thing it was actually about talent, not celebrity, and in particular vocal talent. So the judges didn't even get to see the performers at first, they could only hear them. Which is as it should be.
Several of the contestants were quite good, and I think most of them were professional or semi-professional musicians. So as well as singing, some played instruments.
And here's the thing. Some of them were good enough to make you sit up and take notice! The overall musical quality blew BGT and XFactor out of the water. You had to be able to sing approximately in tune to get on the show I suspect. And they weren't hyped to the skies after a mediocre performance like so many on SC's shows. It is a big improvement and I hope it does well.
I read several critics though, and it seems they just didn't get it. One spent the whole artice going on about the clothes the judges wore, nothing about the performers or their quality. Another went on about the lack of "razzamatazz" as if that were somehow a bad thing. Perhaps they should go one further, and do the whole thing to a blank screen - sound only! Some people, too many I'm afrad, just don't seem to get music!
I liked it. What did the rest of you think?
Martin D
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Post by comet on Mar 28, 2012 21:56:11 GMT
The show is still running here in Ireland as The voice of Ireland.
The mentors here are Cian from Westlife, Sharon Corr, Brian Kennedy and Bressie. All are experienced in the music industry.
The four mentors (rather than judges) pick singers for their team based on hearing them, their backs are turned to the performer on their first performance, but they can see the audience response to the performer. When they hear a performance they really like and hit their big red button, their chair rotates and they can then see the performer, all the mentors can hit their "I WANT YOU" button. It is possible none of the mentors will turn, which means the performer is OUT. No need for nasty comments. If more than one mentor turns, it is then up to the performer to pick a mentor that they feel could help them most. Then the training starts and the performers compete against each other over a period of weeks. Eliminating a few every week.
Of course they want you to vote by phone, this is how they finance the programme, one €uro or one £ pound per vote...
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Post by martindn on Mar 28, 2012 22:08:29 GMT
Of course they want you to vote by phone, this is how they finance the programme, one €uro or one £ pound per vote... Well, I never use the phone if I can help it! If they can't set up internet voting, I won't bother. Martin D
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Dave
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Post by Dave on Apr 1, 2012 1:48:42 GMT
Hi everyone, I did watch The Voice for the first time on Saturday evening and I have to say, I think it is a cut above the X-Factor, or Britain's Got Talent (which I also watched). They are both, of course, still at the audition stage. I thought all the acts auditioned put on a good performance, compared to what was on offer on BGT. I shall be only watching The Voice on future Saturdays, though I may check BGT again once the pantomime auditions have concluded. Just my honest opinion. Cheers, Dave
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Post by nicola on Apr 1, 2012 8:24:20 GMT
They had a classical singer on the show yesterday. I thought she was absolutely dreadful though. I wasn't sure if the judges could tell if she was bad or not as none have experience with classical, but none took her on. I was relieved. She was only 17 with absolutely no training though. Perhaps there's potential but I don't know why she was selected by the producers to audition (they were supposed to be selecting the brightest talent only). So much better classical singers out there and I know of at least two more who auditioned for the show and didn't make the studio rounds (and both were ten times better than that girl).
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Post by susieverity on Apr 1, 2012 13:36:57 GMT
I totally agree nicola, I think there is potential, but she had all kinds of problems with breathing and control especially of her vibrato.
Kerry Ellis was on too and I can't believe none of them turned around- she has an amazing voice!
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Post by martindn on Apr 1, 2012 15:12:46 GMT
Yes, I agree, that poor girl was all over the place. But I wasn't surprised when none of the mentors took her on. Even if she had potential, and who knows, with training she might, none of the mentors is involved in classical music, and I doubt any of them would know how to help her.
My fear was that one of them would take her on, and we would end up with another mediocre singer that outsells far better ones. But it didn't happen!
Martin D
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Dave
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Post by Dave on Apr 1, 2012 15:48:16 GMT
Lest I be misunderstood, I should add that I was thinking of the auditioned acts who got through. One or two of them I was dubious about but on the whole, they were good I think and in general were at a higher standard of performance than the acts that got through on BGT. This is not surprising given the different formats but it is one reason why I will watch The Voice next week.
I too shuddered at the Nessun Dorma soprano and I was glad she didn't get through - though it was always a possibility because of her spectacular style, the positive effect that had on much of the audience, and the operatic sound of her voice. If she had been taken on, it would have lowered my respect for the judges and format so I'm glad they refused her.
I didn't see last week's show but I'd expect them to include a classical-style singer who IS good enough to progress, does anyone know if any like that were taken on last week?
Cheers, Dave
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Post by nicola on Apr 1, 2012 17:51:31 GMT
She was the first classical singer on the series and I suspect she'll be the only one. I was angry when I listened to her, as I knew the quality of the other classical singers who auditioned. I found her painful to listen to. Her pitch was all over the place and her voice shrill. I suspect that the people that got to the studio rounds were not so much big talents, but people with the right connections in the industry already.
As soon as I saw Kerry Ellis I said to my partner 'None of them will turn around for her'.
It's been clear from the first episode what kind of voices they will turn around for, and Kerry has a West End background and a bit of old school about her vocal. Whilst very good - not what any of the judges are looking for. I thought that if any would turn around it would be Tom Jones (who seems, by the way, totally out of touch with todays audience judging by the voices he picks) but then she came out with a song choice so dated I didn't even want Tom to turn around for her.
I feel bad for her though. She will have to live that down among her West End circle; a ruthlessly political place. :/
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Post by Caitlin on Apr 2, 2012 0:10:17 GMT
Hey all!
While I haven't seen the UK version I've now seen both seasons of the US version. I love the fact the judges can only hear the performers first. I feel like it forces them to truly focus on their vocal qualities and talent.
In any case, one of the judges actually turned around for an opera singer on this season's US The Voice.
Enjoy the show! Caite
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Dave
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Post by Dave on Apr 9, 2012 16:17:56 GMT
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Post by martindn on Apr 9, 2012 18:36:20 GMT
Good. Although that dancing dog on BGT was good! Martin D
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Post by mihizawi on Apr 30, 2012 17:49:50 GMT
I have a long weekend and could make time to come by and see what's going on here. I watched some of the performances from the show on Youtube. Found the format very interesting. And about a classical singer, on the Irish show Sharon Corr turned around for two such singers, one of them, Vanessa Whelan,. got to the finals. I think she was great, and gave truly outstanding performances throughout the whole show (excepting My Heart Will Go On), including this Nessun Dorma. The song choices for her were quite typical Clasical Crossover, but it is nice to see an adult opera singer getting to a final of a talent show: people still appreciate Opera (at least in Ireland), and it's not just the WOW of a child singing operatically. Now, back to study, got an exam next wednesday. Michal
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Post by martindn on May 2, 2012 21:06:12 GMT
Was disappointed with the latest show. Only about 2 songs i recognised, and even less I enjoyed. Most had little melody, and were deliberately chosen to push the singers out of their comfort zones. Not the best way to get the best out of them...
Martin D
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