"All This Time" Michelle McManus

[benmcd2000]

I can't believe Michelle won Pop Idol II. Following when I could from Canada, I loved Michelle's voice, but clearly she didn't look like your typical UK female pop star. However after I heard her sing "All This Time," well I truly believe that regardless of this girl’s image, she is a star. The song was again commissioned for the show and I think it's the best "Idol" song yet. The lyrics just work so well for Michelle’s story….and she sings her ass off on it. I smell a UK number one just around the corner.

[Pet Shop Boy]

LOL, you get overexcited about the strangest songs sometimes. This is OK, but i find it quite dull. I'm glad Michelle won, out of the final 4 contenders she was the best, but a lot of my faves went earlier on.

There was another overweight girl, Kim, who came 8th, but she was so much better than Michelle IMO. Just download her performance of 'The One' by Elton John. It's absolutely flawless. Unbelievably, that performance got her voted off. I think it's cos it's not a famous song here, wasn't a big hit. Her rendition of 'River Deep Mountain High' by Tina Turner is also absolutely amazing. What a voice.

The One: www.ukpopstars.co.uk/elton/kim.mp3
River Deep, Mountain High: www.ukpopstars.co.uk/youridol/kim.mp3

Susanne, who came 5th, was also excellent. She had a unique and very emotive vouice. Her best performanes for me were of the Beatles 'Ticket To Ride' and her incredible rendition of 'I don't wanna talk about it' by Rod Stewart. Her voice isn't technically powerful, but the emotion in it is simply stunning.

I don't wanna talk about it: www.ukpopstars.co.uk/wildcard/susanne_wildcard.mp3

Ticket To Ride: www.ukpopstars.co.uk/beatles/susanne.mp3

I'd be very interested in your opinion of those performances Ben, and anyone else who might wanna download em :)

[benmcd2000]

YEAH, I found this post!! I didn’t know where it was. I checked out both of those Kim performances and they were awesome, especially “River Deep Mountain High.” That song is one of the most difficult to sing and I loved her rendition. Susanne has the most haunting tone to her voice….it’s brilliant! Did she end up getting a deal anywhere?

I purchased Michelle’s album “The Meaning of Love” and I was quite impressed. The material they picked for her to sing is outstanding. Clearly though, there is one standout record and that is Diane Warren’s “Invincible.” I would rate the song one of Diane’s best ballads, right up there with “There You’ll Be” and “Because You Loved Me.” I miss hearing ballads like this on the radio in the USA…PLEASE BRING THEM BACK!

[prenatt1166]

The second single will be the title track, due 3/29 in the UK.

Great album. :)