Over the past two years, Susan Boyle has made a substantial impact in the music industry, as well as being an instant YouTube sensation, thanks to her remarkable audition of "I Dreamed a Dream" on the third season of Britain's reality talent search competition, Britain's Got Talent.
The runner-up winner of Season 3 of Britain's Got Talent, Boyle's debut album "I Dreamed a Dream," debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 all-genre charts, and according to Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), as of January 6, 2010, it has sold over four million copies in the United States; moreover, Boyle's "I Dreamed a Dream" garnered a 2011 Grammy award nomination for "Best Pop Vocal Album."
In addition, her sophomore album "The Gift," was released on November 8, 2010, through her record label, Columbia Records, and debuted at the top of the Billboard 200 all-genre charts, achieving the same milestone as her debut CD.
Prior to performing on the Today Show's Toyota Concert Series on Tuesday, November 23, 2010, Susan Boyle was interviewed by Today Show co-host Meredith Vieira, where Boyle revealed that her sophomore album "mostly captured the magic of Christmas, and it enhanced the holiday atmosphere."
Highlight Tracks from Susan Boyle's "The Gift"
Susan Boyle's "The Gift" opens with a cover of Lou Reed's "Perfect Day," which is the album's lead-off single. Following "Perfect Day," is "Hallelujah," song which has been performed twice by American Idol finalists Tim Urban and Lee DeWyze in Season 9 of American Idol, both of whose versions made an impression on then-judge Simon Cowell. Equally remarkable is Boyle's rendition of this classic Leonard Cohen tune, and it's interesting to see it performed from a female standpoint.
Susan Boyle's "The Gift" Includes Five Christmas Tunes
Susan Boyle's sophomore album includes the following five Christmas tunes: "The First Noel," "O Holy Night," "O Come All Ye Faithful," "Away in a Manger," as well as "Do You Hear What I Hear?"
"O Holy Night" showcases Boyle's ability to hit challenging notes, and her beautiful rendition of "The First Noel" is one of the most compelling covers since Vanessa Williams and Patty Loveless covered this song for their Christmas albums "Star Bright" and "Bluegrass, White Snow" respectively.
In "Do You Hear What I Hear?" Boyle duets with Amber Stassi, a New York paramedic woman and mother of three, who won "Susan's Search," a competition which Boyle launched to give a lucky fan an exclusive opportunity to sing with her. Both Stassi and Boyle's voices blend well together and they manage to produce a haunting, yet sultry collaboration.
Her ten-track album closes with Boyle's angelic rendition of the religious hymn "O Come All Ye Faithful."
The Verdict
Susan Boyle's "The Gift" would make the perfect "gift" for any music listener this holiday season. Similar to her debut CD "I Dreamed a Dream," Boyle's voice does not disappoint, and she does all the cover songs on this record justice. The only downside to this album is its short track-listing of ten songs, but hopefully, her future albums will consist of more tracks.
Markos Papadatos - Markos Papadatos holds over six years journalism experience, authoring over 700 articles, many of which are feature profile interviews.
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