Classical crossover treats by Susan Boyle & The Priests

It took 47-year-old Susan Boyle only six months to go from Britain’s Got Talent to hottest newcomer with a debut album in the hit charts of the world. And to think that all she was doing before all these happened was caring for her sick mother in the old house in Scotland with no thought at all about stardom.

But look at where Susan is now. She is no more the plain Jane who elicited ho-hums when she entered the stage in the talent show. Then she sang I Dreamed A Dream from Les Miserables so beautifully and left even the usually cynical judge Simon Cowell open-mouthed in amazement. Susan is now a beautiful, confident woman who has provided hope to all late bloomers lacking showstopping looks. There is still hope for us yet!!!

Her CD is, of course titled I Dreamed A Dream and it is indeed a dream. She sings beautifully with the pure, clear tones of a young soprano. And I love the way the producers mixed inspirationals, standards and even pop favorites in the album and then allowed Susan’s voice to hold the package together.

Included are I Dreamed A Dream, the breakthrough piece in BGT; the Julie London classic Cry Me A River; the inspirationals How Great Thou Art, Up To The Mountain, Amazing Grace, Who I Was Born To Be and Proud; You’ll See which Madonna co-wrote with David Foster; the ‘60s pop classics Daydream Believer by The Monkees and The End Of The World; and because the CD came out late in November and so close to the Christmas Season, there is a moving Silent Night. I really think Susan should consider doing a full-length Christmas album for next year.

My favorite cut of all though is the first single release. Would you believe that the song is Wild Horses, which Mick Jagger and Keith Richards composed for The Rolling Stones’ album Sticky Fingers ages ago? A Mick and Keith song by Susan Boyle? You will be amazed at the results. Hats off to whoever chose the song. This is one of those thinking out-of-the-box decisions that really paid off.

Meanwhile, I would like to inform all those who enjoyed their self-titled debut album last year that The Priests from Ireland are back. Remember them? They are the Reverend Eugene O’Hagan, administrator of the Parish of Ballyclare and Ballygowan; the Reverend Martin O’Hagan, parish priest of Newtownards and Comber; and the Reverend David Delargy, parish priest of Hannahstown.

They began singing together while students at St. MacNissi’s College and have managed to continue doing so because they all belong to the Diocese of Down and Connor.

Just as Susan is this year’s classical crossover sensation, it was The Priests and their album titled The Priests, who garnered that honor last year. I still play that CD during times when I want to relax or to find relief from all sorts of sounds that I listen to. And with Ave Maria, Panis Angelicus, Pie Jesu, Irish Blessing, Hacia Belen, Be Still My Soul and O Holy Night, it truly sounds amazing.

Harmony is the title of the new album and The Priests stick to the same formula that made the first one a success. Lots of religious stuff in different languages, some inspirationals, a Broadway tune and a blessing. These are performed with simple arrangements and powerful singing from three voices. Of course, they all have the gift of being able to assure the listener that they mean what they are singing about. It is like, they do Gaelic Blessing and you do feel blessed just listening to it.

The other songs included are How Great Thou Art, Te Deum, Gaelic Blessing, Amazing Grace, Bist Du Bei Mir (When Thou Art Near), Benedictus, Stabat Mater, Laudamus Te, Ave Verum Corpus, King Of Kings, Lift Thine Eyes (From Elijah), Silent Night, BI Iosa Im Chroise and You’ll Never Walk Alone.

Best track of all is the Lord’s Prayer. It makes one feel good to have the voices of the priests leading you through the timeless prayer.