Forte

[Libby]

I agree that they could have been more powerful near the end, but I still think they did a great job. I'm glad they did it in Spanish instead of Italian, just to be different. Plus, Fernando speaks Spanish, so it makes sense. And he could coach them all on the pronunciation, too.

The solo tenor who remains seems to have caught on to the whole singing pop songs in Italian thing (though I still haven't seen his performance from last night). He's a pretty good singer too, but I just like Forte better. I suppose the Hayley connection might make me a bit biased, too.

I think Josh Groban is the most likely, but I suppose Andrea Bocelli is possible, too. Or maybe even Jose Carreras or Placido Domingo? No way to tell. I doubt they'd choose Katherine Jenkins, but you never know. If they go for a lady, Hayley is better known to at least Fernando, and also David Foster, though I don't know how much influence DF has on their time on this show. Probably none, otherwise that wouldn't be fair. But, of course, DF used to produce JG, so you never know. Besides, I have a hard time imagining KJ's voice blending with 3 guys' voices without being over-powered.

[Simba]

Katherine Jenkins is more known to David Foster than Hayley is. He even produced an album for her. www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_ycWN9vg6Q Wonderful performance. I can see her voice going better with the guys than Hayley's current singing, though I'd really want Hayley to appear for the publicity that she'll get. And also she'd be singing something classical and operatic, so it'll be a good show.
And usually these celebrity duets call in really big deals, I'm sure majority of the audience won't go YAY! omg it's Hayley! when Hayley appears, though they'll be like 'wow!' after the performance.

And Katherine has already been invited by Rhydian for X factor. Possible candidate much. And I think a fourth male voice won't sound great together with the already complete 3 part vocals of forte. It will either sound too much like a choir or it'll be unpleasant. So a female voice would balance the strong male vocals. And we know who's got the best voice....XD Canto della terra, Hayley and the guys, would be amazing!

EDIT: Wait usually they sing the song they auditioned for right? XD That has to be pie jesu, but then there was that other guy. So it's prayer D:, And who can do it better than Hayley? And fernando has performed that song with her, so he should know! Now I really want hayley to appear XD singing that song.

[Simba]

I was looking at some male ensembles and what a find! www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=SfGTq71VXfo#t=205 They blow forte out of the water. I was wondering why forte didn't work as perfectly as it should've with all the great voices, the problem being that each singer is unknowingly trying to outsing the other, ofcourse they all want to give their best and they have really powerful voices. And sometimes this becomes a little too much, that you wish some parts for sung by just two or one.
As to what I said earlier about a fourth male singer being too much, well I take it back, there were six of these guys and what a bliss.
It's a thing that's common in these harmony groups that come for these talent shows, even with female groups it's a little too much to take however good they are. But then we see Celtic woman, who do perfect harmonies.
Whenever I perform acapellas with my band, people always say the harmonies were a little overpowering, all of you are belting, and stuff like that even though they do compliment that the harmonies were spot on and that individually each are good singers. It's just a very difficult thing to pull off on stage.

[martindn]

The King's Singers have been going for decades, and they are great. Even more interesting in my opinion are anuna, there are usually 18 of them, 9 male and 9 female. Some of the vocal effects the achieve are amazing sometimes you would be sure there was some instrument playing behind them when there isn't.
I wanted to post a link and there are so many. They have done so much amazing stuff. But I've chosen one led by a singer well known to Hayley and CW fans.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvIivVnRQNk

Martin D

[Libby]

Well, for me, after hearing Il Divo and being put off by the guy with the harsh voice, Forte sound great! I know they aren't necessarily the most amazing group out there, but I don't care. I enjoy their sound, and part of my interest in them lies with Hayley, of course.

And David Foster apparently met Hayley in about 2005 or so, so I think DF has most likely known Hayley longer than KJ.

Oh, and it was just announced that Josh Groban and Il Divo will be performing on next week's finale show! I don't think it will be with the other performers, because they always have extra singing acts on the finale. Also, they usually keep the duet partners secret till the night of the finale. But that doesn't mean it won't happen. I'm thinking it's pretty unlikely that Hayley will be on. Just because Fernando has sung with her before doesn't mean that's who they all most want to perform with. Jackie chose Sarah Brightman because she was one of her biggest role models in her line of music.

They don't always sing their audition song on the finale. Jackie and Neal E Boyd did, but they don't all.

[Simba]

Even Jonathan and Charlotte, and many many more. But yeah they don't always do that I guess. And who knew when DF met KJ could have been much earlier.
And about hayley being invited, you're right, they'd probably bring in some bigger deal.

[Libby]

Anyway, Josh and Il Divo will be on the actual finale show; they will not be singing with anybody as part of the competition, but only for entertainment (and dragging out a 2-hour show) purposes.

Well, while Hayley was actually promoted here for a time, and KJ herself apparently was only a support act for Hayley on her UK tour, and couldn't even get anyone to take her autograph, it's not likely at all that DF would have met her back then. It's not impossible, but extremely unlikely. I bet she met him when she or whoever decided to promote herself in the US.

[Libby]

Everyone performed twice tonight.

Here are Forte's performances. The Prayer was very good, but they cut out verses, and for some reason the timing didn't seem right to me. But Caruso was outstanding! Sean, the newer guy from Sri Lanka, has the best voice, I think, though Fernando's is very powerful. They have to win, there are other good acts, but none are as good as Forte, imo. The guy named Kenichi seems to be very popular, but other than one performance last week, I just don't really get the excitement, other than that he's unique. Well, anyway, watch Forte's performances below.

The Prayer: www.youtube.com/watch?v=v--V135mtyw

Caruso: www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkfnZ1_uZhc

[Libby]

Forte unfortunately did not win, but got 4th place. I thought Kenichi probably would win, but I at least hoped Forte would get 2nd, anyway.

Hopefully this will make it less likely for Simon Cowell to control their career. David Foster needs to work with them, NOT Simco.

I'll be looking forward to their first album. They're the one tenor group I really like, and would seriously consider buying albums from and going to see live, whenever they get around to that (outside of the AGT tour, which I don't plan on attending, even if they come around here).

[martindn]

Well, Libby, that sort of music is a minority taste. However good you are, you will not win against good "pop" artists. Or even dance troupes or animal acts. It is hard for serious musicians to win against such stuff. They really can't be objectively judged, and most of the people who vote don't know much about music, or perhaps prefer other forms of entertainment. That show is mass market TV, nothing about quality musicianship.

Martin D

[Libby]

Well, 4th place really isn't that bad, when you think of all the hundreds of acts that tried out. They were among the last 6 standing, so it really isn't that bad. And yes, one act that was ahead of Forte, in 3rd place, was a country singer, and country music is very popular in America, as you probably know. The guy is a good singer, too, just not very unique. Of course, the only thing unique about Forte is how they came together, not their style of music (Il Divo, Il Volo, etc.). But I was still surprised he got ahead of Forte, because I just didn't realize he would be that popular.

Anyway, as I said, if this means they'll be safe from Simon Cowell's clutches, I'll be very glad about their placement.

Already, they're saying they have a big announcement coming soon! I have a good feeling about what this might entail.

[Libby]

Unfortunately, since I guess Syco/Simco whatever has first dibs on the GT contestants, Forte have signed with Syco, and are not doing anything with David Foster... yet! I still live in hope.

You have all been so supportive and patient since we finished our run on America's Got Talent!

We are incredibly pleased to announce that we have signed a record deal with SYCO/Columbia Records! We have been in the studio working hard on our self titled debut album since the day we left the show to get something ready for you this season. The album is being produced by the incredible Nick Patric...See More
— with Fernando Varela, Sean Panikkar, Tenor and Josh Page in New York, NY.

[Libby]

Forte have been very busy in the studio this past week (as you can see in the photo in the post above), and are already releasing a single, Caruso, on this upcoming Monday, the 30th! Wow, that's fast! And their debut album will be out November 12th. Also, they are "headlining" the Tim Janis concert at Carnegie Hall November 16th, not to mention their Vegas show.

Well, it is Simon Cowell's record label, and isn't he known for getting his talent show singers albums out in time for the holiday season?

www.justjared.com/2013/09/24/americas-got-talents-forte-gets-record-deal-vegas-show/

[Libby]

Oh, and already Amazon lists their album for pre-order, with a tracklist and everything! I have no idea what the song "Something" is...

1. The Prayer
2. Pie Jesu
3. Somewhere
4. Unchained Melody
5. My Heart Will Go On
6. Caruso
7. Nessun Dorma
8. Bridge Over Troubled Water
9. Something
10. O Holy Night
11. Silent Night

www.amazon.com/Forte/dp/B00FH3UHV2/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_3?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1380398961&sr=1-3-fkmr0&keywords=forte+from+americas+got+talent

[Richard]

Hello Libby!

I bet "Something" is this song by George Harrison:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKAp-jRUp2o

The song has been covered by over 150 artists, making it the second-most covered Beatles song after "Yesterday".

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Something

Richard