Americas Got Talent

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redfalcon's avatar
redfalcon
Posts: 1,088
Aug 28, 2010 12:40am
gut;464200 wrote:Yes, I saw his audition. These guys are usually on the show because they can't find work singing. He doesn't hold his notes and he has a limited range, for opera singers. A company would not hire him. He has a very good voice, not good enough for a production but his talent lay in having created this outlandish character that you could put a show around.

I'm by no means an opera snob or an expert, but I've listened to enough to pick-up on differences. The young girl is comparable to other singing talents of her age but you overrate her because you have not heard experienced and trained 30-yr old opera singers. If a girl like that tried to sing Whitney or Mariah, while it would be good you'd immediately hear that she's nowhere near them, at least not yet.

It never fails on these shows. People overrate opera singers because they've heard so few, if any. And while they are obviously better voices than you normally hear, they are to opera what AI contestants are to pop: good but not usually good enough to be in that top 1/2 of 1% or whatever.

Unfortunately, while this may be true for other posters on here, in my case I actually know what I am talking about.

I hold a music degree and have worked in a theater which hosted an opera company. I also sang and toured with a collegiate chorus full of classically trained singers and opera singers. Poppycock could definitely make it as an opera singer, he has an impressive range and great tone and support and style. You are clearly listening to the wrong type of opera singers.

As for the girl, she isn't trying to sing like Whitney or Mariah, she is singing opera and doing a damn fine job. She has some tone issues in the sense that note to note it is somewhat uneven, but this will disappear as she grows older.

Trust me on this, they are both top notch talent, the girl still needs time to stabalize her vocals, poppycock could join an opera company now, and I guarantee I have heard more opera singers than anyone else on this site.

By the way, he already had a small career going before AGT.

http://www.examiner.com/tv-in-national/is-prince-poppycock-the-adam-lambert-of-america-s-got-talent

Prince Poppycock:
John Andrew Quale, otherwise known as Prince Poppycock on America’s Got Talent, has taken the country by storm. In fact, he is one of the most talked about semi-finalists from the current season. In 2006, John Quale was invited to sing at a nightclub in France, with the stipulation that he had to wear a wig. John appeared in a towering powdered confection and sang “Largo al Factoum.” Soon afterwards, he was in high demand. Prince Poppycock is witty and glamorous and his voice is a well-trained, powerful instrument. He has opened for bands like the Desden Dolls and The Sounds; performed at extravagant events like NYC’s Dances of Vice. He has certainly taken America’s Got Talent by storm and his fan base increases each and every day. He currently has close to 10,000 fans on Facebook and 2,000 followers on Twitter. Even AGT judge Piers Morgan gave Prince Poppycock props by saying, “Aside from all the theatrics, you have one of the technically best voices in the competition.”
redfalcon's avatar
redfalcon
Posts: 1,088
Aug 28, 2010 12:41am
gut;464200 wrote:Yes, I saw his audition. These guys are usually on the show because they can't find work singing. He doesn't hold his notes and he has a limited range, for opera singers. A company would not hire him. He has a very good voice, not good enough for a production but his talent lay in having created this outlandish character that you could put a show around.

I'm by no means an opera snob or an expert, but I've listened to enough to pick-up on differences. The young girl is comparable to other singing talents of her age but you overrate her because you have not heard experienced and trained 30-yr old opera singers. If a girl like that tried to sing Whitney or Mariah, while it would be good you'd immediately hear that she's nowhere near them, at least not yet.

It never fails on these shows. People overrate opera singers because they've heard so few, if any. And while they are obviously better voices than you normally hear, they are to opera what AI contestants are to pop: good but not usually good enough to be in that top 1/2 of 1% or whatever.

Unfortunately, while this may be true for other posters on here, in my case I actually know what I am talking about.

I hold a music degree and have worked in a theater which hosted an opera company. I also sang and toured with a collegiate chorus full of classically trained singers and opera singers. Poppycock could definitely make it as an opera singer, he has an impressive range and great tone and support and style. You are clearly listening to the wrong type of opera singers.

As for the girl, she isn't trying to sing like Whitney or Mariah, she is singing opera and doing a damn fine job. She has some tone issues in the sense that note to note it is somewhat uneven, but this will disappear as she grows older.

Trust me on this, they are both top notch talent, the girl still needs time to stabalize her vocals, poppycock could join an opera company now, and I guarantee I have heard more opera singers than anyone else on this site.

By the way, he already had a small career going before AGT.

http://www.examiner.com/tv-in-national/is-prince-poppycock-the-adam-lambert-of-america-s-got-talent

Prince Poppycock:
John Andrew Quale, otherwise known as Prince Poppycock on America’s Got Talent, has taken the country by storm. In fact, he is one of the most talked about semi-finalists from the current season. In 2006, John Quale was invited to sing at a nightclub in France, with the stipulation that he had to wear a wig. John appeared in a towering powdered confection and sang “Largo al Factoum.” Soon afterwards, he was in high demand. Prince Poppycock is witty and glamorous and his voice is a well-trained, powerful instrument. He has opened for bands like the Desden Dolls and The Sounds; performed at extravagant events like NYC’s Dances of Vice. He has certainly taken America’s Got Talent by storm and his fan base increases each and every day. He currently has close to 10,000 fans on Facebook and 2,000 followers on Twitter. Even AGT judge Piers Morgan gave Prince Poppycock props by saying, “Aside from all the theatrics, you have one of the technically best voices in the competition.”
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gut
Posts: 15,058
Aug 28, 2010 12:50am
Yeah, he's been doing this act in bars and coffee shops. OK, more than that but I never said he wasn't talented or wouldn't have a career.

But since you've worked in production companies, then surely you recognize that he doesn't hold his notes, his Italian needs work, and he has neither the high-end nor the low-end range. He has a good voice, but Figaro should be sung by a baritone and his voice isn't low enough. He's done well to adapt the songs to his vocal range, but he's no opera singer.

I didn't say the girl wasn't very talented, I said if a girl of comparable talent was trying to sing Whitney you wouldn't have as high of an opinion Yes, she had some tone issues and her diction was terrible - but I'll give a 10-yr old trying to sing Italian a break. She still needs a lot of training and development - not good enough to just grow into an opera singer at this point, but the talent certainly seems to be there.
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gut
Posts: 15,058
Aug 28, 2010 12:55am
Paul Potts struggled, tried and failed to get with an Opera company, maybe even had a few brief stints with one or two. He had training from Pavarotti himself. The opera snobs ripped him, and Potts is far superior to either of these two and especially to that Neil guy that won a few years ago.
redfalcon's avatar
redfalcon
Posts: 1,088
Aug 28, 2010 1:10am
gut;464224 wrote:Yeah, he's been doing this act in bars and coffee shops. OK, more than that but I never said he wasn't talented or wouldn't have a career.

But since you've worked in production companies, then surely you recognize that he doesn't hold his notes, his Italian needs work, and he has neither the high-end nor the low-end range. He has a good voice, but Figaro should be sung by a baritone and his voice isn't low enough. He's done well to adapt the songs to his vocal range, but he's no opera singer.

I didn't say the girl wasn't very talented, I said if a girl of comparable talent was trying to sing Whitney you wouldn't have as high of an opinion Yes, she had some tone issues and her diction was terrible - but I'll give a 10-yr old trying to sing Italian a break. She still needs a lot of training and development - not good enough to just grow into an opera singer at this point.

So we are in agreement that the 10 year old is good, fine. I also agree that figaro should be sung by a Baritone.

That being said, he DOES have an impressive range. The goal of any singer is not to force themselves to the very limits, but to sing comfortably in their range, which poppycock is doing quite well. He in fact holds his notes quite well, and if you go and listen to his original audition you would notice this. He was not feeling well at the vegas audition, and it showed there, but he has completely rebounded. He has a tremendous voice in terms of tone quality, he is a fine tenor singer, and his diction is quite clear. As for his actual pronunciation of Italian, I admit I was not paying attention to this and don't recall, so I can't speak to this, but speaking from the standpoint of someone who has worked around opera and is musically trained in both instrumental and vocal music, very few people nail pronunciation. Unless they are singing for the Met, there is bound to be a couple of mistakes. Seriously, I don't know what makes you think you are qualified to be such a critique, but you are way off base here. This guy has skillz.
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gut
Posts: 15,058
Aug 28, 2010 1:23am
I mostly agree with that. I forgot he was sick. I do agree he has great tone, and maybe he wasn't holding his notes because of the illness. I just haven't seen the range for an opera company tenor. You have to know those guys are a dime a dozen in the professional world. He has a great act, his voice fits great with his act, but in no way would I see him on Broadway or even a decent production.
redfalcon's avatar
redfalcon
Posts: 1,088
Aug 28, 2010 1:34am
That seems like a very fair assessment, I haven't heard him strain his voice and he gets higher each time, but these guys definitely a dime a dozen, but I can see this guy making it. He already has his name out there because of the show, and getting you name out is 10% of what it takes to succeed (the other 90% is who you know). I would agree that I don't see him on Broadway, at least not outside a chorus line, but there are plenty of Opera companies around the world, and I would be willing to bet that if he keeps working at it, he could land a job with a respectable company.

I will say that it depends on how well he can do in another roll. Obviously he won't be able to join an opera company as Prince Poppycock. He is incredibly outgoing, witty and flamboyant while in his character, almost like it is a different person, but outside the get-up he seems quite timid. As long he can maintain his stage presence in another roll, a supporting roll, he should be great.
bases_loaded's avatar
bases_loaded
Posts: 6,912
Sep 7, 2010 9:20pm
Is this really the top 10? how are the sisters still in it? sympathy vote?
gorocks99's avatar
gorocks99
Posts: 10,760
Sep 7, 2010 9:50pm
Anna and Patryk are being a little less creepy this time. Still don't think this is an act for Vegas.
bases_loaded's avatar
bases_loaded
Posts: 6,912
Sep 7, 2010 10:02pm
Enrique is lip syncing
gorocks99's avatar
gorocks99
Posts: 10,760
Sep 7, 2010 10:33pm
Michael Grasso is f'ing good.
NWIndianNation01's avatar
NWIndianNation01
Posts: 996
Sep 10, 2010 12:09pm
Thoughts on the top 4?

Although I think all of the acts deserve their spots...I am so tired of of the singers on this show. There are other shows for singers...I just think this show should be more about variety type acts. If I wanted to watch a singing show, I'd watch Idol.

No clue who I think will win this one. My hopes are for Fighting Gravity though.
McFly1955's avatar
McFly1955
Posts: 1,441
Sep 10, 2010 12:18pm
I haven't watched every show or anything, but I hope Fighting Gravity or Michael Grimm win....Poppycock is weird and that opera girl tries to act too mature.....annoying.
gorocks99's avatar
gorocks99
Posts: 10,760
Sep 10, 2010 12:26pm
Opera girl just seems way too coached. I was disappointed that Michael Grasso didn't make it through - he was by far my favorite magician this season, or probably any of the seasons. At this point I'm hoping for Fighting Gravity.
gorocks99's avatar
gorocks99
Posts: 10,760
Sep 14, 2010 9:50pm
Bump. I really like Michael Grimm's performance tonight. That's an act I'd go see.
bases_loaded's avatar
bases_loaded
Posts: 6,912
Sep 14, 2010 9:57pm
Gravity didn't have the "it" factor tonight...not sure what it was about tonight
Leonardo's avatar
Leonardo
Posts: 4,986
Sep 14, 2010 10:11pm
I think Evancho wins it but I want Fighting Gravity.
S
sportchampps
Posts: 7,361
Sep 14, 2010 10:36pm
i want fighting gravity to win they would sell the most seats in vegas i to thought the lil girl came across as staged almost like a lil pagent girl
redfalcon's avatar
redfalcon
Posts: 1,088
Sep 14, 2010 11:05pm
sportchampps;484473 wrote:I want fighting gravity to win. They would sell the most seats in vegas. I too thought the lil girl came across as staged, almost like a lil pagent girl.

Sorry, not trying to be a dick, but I seriously had to read that about eight times before I figured out exactly what you were saying.

I have been pulling for Fighting Gravity the entire time and I am still pulling for them, and I think that they may just pull it off, but that was by far the best performance from Michael Grimm yet. He might just have it.
NWIndianNation01's avatar
NWIndianNation01
Posts: 996
Sep 15, 2010 7:55am
My wife and I both voted for Fighting Gravity. They were our favorite the whole time, but I do agree that Michael Grimm was VERY good last night. I would be okay if he won it. We just hope that neither Evanco or Poppycock wins.
T
Tiernan
Posts: 13,021
Sep 15, 2010 8:57am
Opera chick takes it ...bet the bank.
bases_loaded's avatar
bases_loaded
Posts: 6,912
Sep 15, 2010 9:26am
NWIndianNation01;484634 wrote:My wife and I both voted for Fighting Gravity. They were our favorite the whole time, but I do agree that Michael Grimm was VERY good last night. I would be okay if he won it. We just hope that neither Evanco or Poppycock wins.
What do you have against little girls n gheys?
Leonardo's avatar
Leonardo
Posts: 4,986
Sep 15, 2010 11:55am
Want:
1. Fighting Gravity
2. Michael Grimm
3. Prince Poppycock
4. Jackie Evancho

Think:
1. Jackie Evancho
2. Michael Grimm
3. Fighting Gravity
4. Prince Poppycock
gorocks99's avatar
gorocks99
Posts: 10,760
Sep 15, 2010 12:03pm
I don't get why Piers is all about Jackie. Girl can sing, but that isn't a Vegas act. She should be in front of the Mormon Tabernacle or something.
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gut
Posts: 15,058
Sep 15, 2010 9:13pm
I really like Michael Grimm. For me, he's more interesting and talented than the vast majority of AI contestants - I'd say only a few winners are better (although to be fair he's not forced into genre's that don't fit his style).

The teeny-boppers always get more votes than they should for being young and cute. Also, opera singers have tended to do very well (Susan Boyle much closer to opera than pop, Paul Potts, Neal Boyd). Evancho is WAYYYYY better than Neal Boyd, plus she's a 10-yr old girl...and he won. Poppycock is probably the only one with a legit chance to beat her since he brings something more than opera.

I think Fighting Gravity would be the best Vegas show. With time, a budget and some professional consultants they could really be unbelievable. Poppycock could also be a good show. Evancho would not be a good show but a production company will probably pick her up where she would be a good fit. Hopefully she keeps training and resists the urge to go pop because she has tremendous potential.