Artist: Susan Boyle
Album: I Dreamed A Dream
Release Date: 11.23.09

To be honest, no, I Dreamed A Dream isn’t anything spectacular or out-of-this-world. It isn’t a work of musical genius that will be heralded in the halls of music as revolutionary or trendy. It isn’t innovative, it’s not the “hot new thing”. What it is, however, is great music and above all else, it’s a testament to the human spirit. Boyle’s story is one of a misunderstood child who became a dutiful daughter, and remained a steadfast believer. She spent years caring for her own aging and ailing parents before the universe granted her a reprieve and allowed her to share her musical talents on the world’s stage. Some might attribute Boyle’s success to the “right place, right time” theorem; we live in a time where everyone needs something to inspire them, some proof that life does indeed get better for all of us regardless of status or class. It’s an innate human need, but much more prevalent given the world’s economic state of affairs. Seeing Susan Boyle come from such humble beginnings and realizing her dreams way beyond what many would consider her prime is nothing short of inspirational, fulfilling that need in all of us to hold on to faith and continue dreaming.

To date she’s sold over 6 million albums and the numbers are steadily rising. I Dreamed A Dream is an album of cover songs, mostly very true to the original arrangements with a few exceptions like her rendition of Daydream Believer by the Monkees. The gift is in Boyle’s delivery, mostly controlled and tranquil. She belts out the big notes on Wild Horses, and dials up the jazzy lounge singer chops on Julie London’s Cry Me A River. Her renditions of classics like Amazing Grace and the Christmas classic Silent Night are also noteworthy. The album is overall very soothing and peaceful, delightfully pure music. I won’t say it’s for everyone but if you like a bit of diversity with your audible bliss, give I Dreamed A Dream a listen, it doesn’t disappoint.

Sound-Savvy rates I Dreamed A Dream with 4 out of 5 platinum headphones.

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