One Chance (Audio CD)

The title is right... This is an album entitled one chance, and, for fans of Russell Watson who perhaps think that this is what classical vocals are all about, it is OK. For the more discerning, who have listened to most of the tenors from Caruso on and who mourn the passing of perhaps the last of the true greats (Pavarotti,it is little more than a bloke singing in his shower. Paul Potts is an OK singer. Nothing more. Those who saw him on the Royal Variety Show recently should have realised his limitations. Comparing him to the likes of Jose Cura and Andrea Bocelli sees him very much a minor league player. Britain may indeed have talent, and Potts deserved his win in that competition above precocious children, but don't buy this album looking for great classical vocals. For what its worth, this album sees Potts join the ranks of the "cabaret" classical vocalists - Russell Watson, G4, Il Divo, Blake - but its a long, long way from the pinnacle of the craft. In short, if you want a crossover artist who could REALLY sing, buy Mario Lanza. For a great singer, borrow some Caruso, Bjorling, McCormack or Wunderlich from your local library - or buy them through Amazon!

This is not a classical artist, but its ok for a little bit fun I don't care for the nasty reviews that some people have written on Paul Potts, sure he's not a trained classical singer, and it shows, but he's a little man that has come a long way - lets wish him all the best. He at least sings from the heart and doesn't rely on marketing ploys to get him where he is. It's not like some huge corporation has injected money into the tv marketing, he won fair and square on Britains got no talent or whatever it was, so lets give him his due. It's his dream, let him live it!

Paul Potts has heart Paul Potts sings from the heart. From one musician to another, you can have all the training in the world, but if you can not connect through the soul with your music, then that training is meaningless. What Paul brings to the table can not be learned, it is LIVED!!! GOD has BLESSED YOU Paul Potts! Danny Koal, The Rock Brothers

Enjoyable but... The impression that I was left with (and I have NO operatic technical knowledge whatsoever) is that this is a 'nice' album and will bring many thousands of people a lot of joy. It is however pretty clear that if he had not captured the nation's heart on a TV show then he would never have been discovered on talent alone - there are simply too many others much better than this, highly likeable, man. By all means buy it and enjoy but don't expect too much.

Critics be damned! Potts is essentially untrained, unpolished, inexperienced in performance under pressure, obviously somewhat tired and emotionally drained and rushed into a fast recording session to meet marketing demands to get the product out while he's "hot." (A really serious recording session would have taken a couple of weeks, at the least.) And who cares? I've read both the Brit and US reviews. Most have it right. This is a man with so much HEART it spills over into ours. I, too, had a fifty year singing career professionally. I was good, more than good enough to work steadily. But I don't know that I never touched so many hearts, made so many thrill, caused so many tears to blossom on cheeks as has this young guy in one or two performances. Bravissimo! say's I. And I hope that he gets both a high quality agent and vocal teacher who can lead him into the greatness he deserves and prevent the excesses which happens far too often in the music business aimed only at profit. Paul Potts is best of us, one who dreams and KNOWS he dreams. This is what greatness is created from. Not only greatness for this individual, bless him, but greatness for the rest of us who watch as a dream came true and are shown that it is POSSIBLE!!! (I'm over 70 and Potts has got me singing again, something I thought I'd left behind!. It feels WONDERFUL!!!) His performances were nothing less than magic and he drew millions into his dream, showed us that we truly can touch the stars if we hang on to that dream. As for those critics and detractors who cannot get out of their heads and pick away at unimportant details, the ones who have long ago lost their own ability to dream, I can only feel horrible pity for them. They long ago disconnected from their hearts to hide their own hurts and disappointments. SING ON, Paul! I look forward to many more heart ringing performances from you. The Queen is going to be blessed when you sing for her. As you are blessed and have blessed all of us.