Thanks for that ArtyAttack.

As you'll note from one or two other posts I've posted here tonight, I'm just finding my way around and trying to get up to speed with what's what. (Too much IAC)

I'm still reading posts.....but got to admit, some are almost more repetitive and as bitter as IAC.

Oh well, that's DS for you. Thanks again.

Suppose it's inevitable he'll leave the deadwood behind........surely not yet though?

he would have to stay with them for at least 3 months, and do the tour, that would be in the xfactor contract, i will belive it when it happens, and i think it will, but it will be later rather than sooner

I've been thinking about this, and I don't see how it would work.

You know I've always said that Jon is an outstanding talent, so this is not to take anything away from him, but he is still very young for opera. His voice has some maturing to do, if he were to push it now, he could do himself some damage vocally. So in what direction would he go as a soloist now? Singing limited opera? Adapting his style a bit and doing something else? I very much hope he doesn't do the latter, he is too much of an operatic talent, in a few more years he could really be something.

My point is that, IMO, what makes G4 'work' is the fact that there are four voices, so they can arrange modern songs into 4 part harmonies and present them to the public with a classical approach and in a way not heard before. This is what is 'different' about them in the context of today's music-selling world.

I'd just like to add to those who refer to Matt, Mike and Ben as the 'deadwood', please do not under-estimate them. They are established singers in their own right and the arranging skills and musicianship of G4 is obviously a group effort. It is unfair to dismiss them just because Jon is exceptional.

I agree Spell but someone like Simon Cowell will be seeing the pound signs and he has always preferred Jon on his own. Maybe this country's answer to Josh Groban. Someone who combines Opera with more up to date music.

Maybe, but I hope he doesn't, at least not yet. I kind of like what G4 have together and would love to see them record an album as a group. They work so well together and there is something special there. There isn't another G4 out there, not in the public eye anyway.

There's plenty of time for solo careers - that's the beauty of classical training, you learn how to preserve your voice.

I hope Jon does go into pure opera one day, for purely selfish reasons. He'd make a fab Rodolfo

If Jon went solo now,it would break my heart I love what G4 have!! Surely we will not be denied at least one album?? I don't think I would be able to respect Jon if he went solo now... although I feel that he is loyal... they have stayed with Louie afterall!! (and that's saying a lot!!)

I'm sure at some point in the future Jon will go solo but for the foreseeable future he is part of G4 and they will stay together and make an album - of that I am convinced.

It would be the biggest mistake of Jon's life to sign with Simon Cowell, even for all the money under the Sun! - his debut would be "Unchained Melody"

If it did happen then it eould be like Simon was with Gareth and WILL - let Simon please stick with Steve, and let's see the PROOF IN THE PUDDING and what happens with G4 and Steve in 2005!

J

Dude, if Simon liked Jon so much he should have signed him for Il Divo, but he didn't. G4 WILL stay together, and they DO have a future together.

Would prefer Trevor and his pretend guitar playing!

G4 as a group have more fans collectively than Jon on his own and is the name that is more well known to the general public. Therefor they will make more money as a group, which is all that matters (in the short term at least)

friggin hell whispers corner aint it here, so quick to get it on and then find it aint tru, not that i wud have believed it anyhows. this place is worse than the local brothel for gossip

pm

jon leaves OLD Stevie joins what like that sam and mark thingy yea right! bit like saying he will be doing a duet with Sharon aint it

erm i thinks i have a thought on Jon not making il divo he was not dark enough skinned or had dark hair hed have stuck out like the pope in a brothel. so that is my thoughts not that he werent no gud as even simple simon has said he is SO yer can take that and put it where the sun aint shining, what is it wiv you lot you can not be nice can yer.

peppermint (brandy)

It would make sense for him to go solo, and really he should have ditched the others when it was 'hinted' at him in the first audition.

Music is an image orientated business aswell as talent, and having the operatic equivalent of the ugly sisters gurning next to him, is not an advantage in the long run.


For a group he put together ages ago, which he no doubt asked other people to put together for him, as he is a novice in that field?

I doubt very much that Simon had any contribution into who picked Il Divo - he has admitted he knows nothing about that kind of music.

Jon doesn't exactly fit into the look they have gone for and is a bit young - if Simon viewed auditionees, or knew who was turned down at the time, i will be very surprised

I disagree.

My feeling is that if a solo opera singer auditioned for X Factor, they might be told 'you're brilliant, but this is the wrong contest'. The whole point of G4 is the close harmonies, the arrangements of modern songs, presenting them in a way we've not heard before. Jon couldn't do that on his own.

There is plenty of time for him to 'go solo', and I'm sure all four lads will have great individual careers in their own right. There isn't an age limit in opera, and their voices wont have fully matured yet.

In the meantime, they have something quite special as 'G4'. I'm confident they know this, and will want to make the most of this time together as a quartet.

Hi Spell what's your excuse for being up so late? I've been in bed for last two days with a fluey thing, and have suddenly perked up. Mustn't disturb any one else, so am curled up with laptop and furry purry thing!

Anyway, now I have you ... what is it (IYHO ) that makes G4 so damn good. This coming from one who has never really been interested in classical music or trained voices and who actively avoids opera ( I blame school - too many forced 'treats' to amuse us!)

But I was captivated by G4 from the first audition - different, and to me like a four man musical instrument. I thought they lost their way a bit during the contest; in fact I remember spotting the week when it seemed as if they were back on track - (and then heard they'd done their own arrangement...).

Now, I think my favourite performance was on Smile, on Sunday. Just them, no adornment and, again, that 'musical instrument' sound.

So, what is the magic ingredient (other than that elusive x factor...?

Lol glad there's another vampire in the house I'm not feeling so hot either, I'm browsing the net in an attempt to take my mind off it. Also have a furry purry (and dribbly ) thing on my knee, and she very kindly keeps trying to help me with my typing !



I'll try and answer that, but I'm still pondering it myself a bit, just can't put my finger on it!

What G4 have first and foremost is four voices that blend remarkably well. Their collective sound is beautiful, and yet each lad could sing solo just as easily. Not always easy to achieve - some solo voices just don't blend very well with others. I doubt very much if this is by accident, but it really is a very superior sound.

Their arranging skills are great, the harmonies are really well thought out in terms of interpretation and the style of the individual voices. For example, they know when to chuck in a suspension or two (the prolongation of one or more tones of a chord into a following chord to create a temporary dissonance), thus creating an instant spine-shiver!

They are true musicians. Their awareness of each other is second to none, they are always 100% together, their phrasing and colour is spot on. I think this is what sets them apart from other quartets/sextets I have heard.

What they do takes real talent and skill, it really is very clever. This is something lacking in Il Divo, what they do will come very easily to them, doesn't exactly take much skill for an opera singer to sing a pop song 'straight'.

G4 are total and utter professionals. They never forget the words, they never allow other activities to perhaps affect the way they perform. Their diction is clear and easily understood, something some classical singers struggle with a bit. They obviously have a love for singing, which takes priority over a desire for fame. I hope they keep hold of this.

They ooze charisma when on stage .

Other than that, you've got me! Like you said, it must be the X Factor!

Thanks They do seem to have the ability to work well together - I was fascinated watching how they prepared themselves for the little bits they did on the Sunday programme. There are identical twins in my family and it reminded me of how they can be!

I'd also agree about their professionalism towards what they do (phew, on home ground now!). They also seem sensible enough to handle whatever comes next - maybe that is because they are each as good as the whole.

I hope when their first big performance comes round that we'll get the opportunity to hear their individual talents as well - all this Jon plus three stuff really annoys me. Even a philistine like me knows that sound couldn't me made unless they were all equally contributing. It must infuriate them no end!

Have you seen them perform live? I can hardly wait - that suspension thing you talked about must be so much better than when through speakers!

Hope you're not feeling to grim - whatever did we do without the internet? I have to use it a lot for my work, and I am utterly hooked. My bank of useless knowledge is now becoming embarrassing - I seem to know things I don't even know I knew!

Well, apart from music that is - I inherited a piano this year and intended taking lessons, but have been to busy. Now that'll keep the neighbours amused...

I'm sure we'll be seeing far less of 'Jon plus three' now X Factor is over. It was a shame that (I felt) some of the finer points of their arrangemebts were lost on the show, drowned out by the backing track, the production team not getting the balance of the sound right etc. I agree with you that less is more with G4, I still personally love their Dublin Creep performance best, and that was the 'original' G4!



Lol I've been pondering this with Emzy - for some reason I seem to have somewhere in my posession a CD Jon made solo a few years ago, and I'm not entirely sure how I ended up with it. I did see a young tenor sing at a charity concert once that might have been Jon. Other than that, it probably came into my hands from one of my friends at the Guildhall. Or something. I don't know. Some people train-spot. I do it with singers (not literally, you understand!)



I know, it's been a life-line for me since I got ill. Sitting around doing nothing doesn't some too easily to me. Debating online keeps my brain working and chatting to you people keeps me sane



As long as you're better than my next door neighbour - I'm not sure for how much longer I can endure 'Love Changes Everything' over and over again and with plenty of bum notes !

Nice chatting to another insomniac

I haven't played anything since school recorder days and even then I was only picked for the recorder group because i was tall and they were one short for the back row - I was under pain of death if I actually blew on the thing!

The cat is more proficient on the piano than I am!

Next door's children are currently learning 'Walking in the Air' which I hate beyond all description, and it is so annoying that once you get it into your head...

Oh no, even just thinking about it has set me off...

Oh look at the time, I must go to bed - I have a client meeting in town tomorrow that means an early(ish) train. Still after that I'm taking time off until early January. I hate this time of year so I must get my light-box down from the loft.

Have you ever used one? I invested last year and it made such a difference in helping me keep sensible hours!

Take care you - maybe catch up tomorrow night!

Fi

I haven't, but funnily enough was thinking about it the other day. Part of the problem with my illness is my bodyclock frequently scrambles itself up and it leaves me all over the place. If there's any chance it might help me get back in synch with the real world it's definitely worth a thought!

Sleep well, and hopefully catch up soon.

Kate x

[quote=Spellbound

What G4 have first and foremost is four voices that blend remarkably well. Their collective sound is beautiful, and yet each lad could sing solo just as easily. Not always easy to achieve - some solo voices just don't blend very well with others. I doubt very much if this is by accident, but it really is a very superior sound.

Their arranging skills are great, the harmonies are really well thought out in terms of interpretation and the style of the individual voices. For example, they know when to chuck in a suspension or two (the prolongation of one or more tones of a chord into a following chord to create a temporary dissonance), thus creating an instant spine-shiver!

They are true musicians. Their awareness of each other is second to none, they are always 100% together, their phrasing and colour is spot on. I think this is what sets them apart from other quartets/sextets I have heard.

What they do takes real talent and skill, it really is very clever. This is something lacking in Il Divo, what they do will come very easily to them, doesn't exactly take much skill for an opera singer to sing a pop song 'straight'.

G4 are total and utter professionals. They never forget the words, they never allow other activities to perhaps affect the way they perform. Their diction is clear and easily understood, something some classical singers struggle with a bit. They obviously have a love for singing, which takes priority over a desire for fame. I hope they keep hold of this.

They ooze charisma when on stage .

Other than that, you've got me! Like you said, it must be the X Factor![/QUOTE]

Hi Spell - first of all I do hope you are feeling a bit better today.

I always enjoy reading your posts which help me understand exactly where G4 are coming from.

The trouble is to the untrained ear and eye all these technicalities are pretty irrelevant because we just hear the overall sound, which as the programme progressed, looked like John plus 3. I realise this is because Jon has the tenor voice, which cuts through the others so to speak, but the programme re-enforced that concept . I think we are agreed that this was probably deliberate to capitalise on Jon's personal marketability and popularity.

In a recent interview Louis confirmed that any album would contain more opera and less pop. This would seem to contradict the original idea of crossing the two styles and would potentially lose them the younger end of the market.

I agree with you about the backing track and losing the finer nuances of the performance. This is the reason I asked the question "what venue" as I can't see it working very well in anything other than a seated auditorium. In an arena with all that banner waving etc. favoured by the younger element the sound will be racked up so high you won't hear half of the finer points - which are the crux of their performance I think. Here again, I think they might lose their younger audience who probably won't be too keen on 2 hours sitting still!!

I'm afraid I can't agree with your last sentence - I, personally, wouldn't want to watch them but could possibly listen to a more opera based album.

I'm not getting at u honest...but im a littleun and id love to go and see them perform. i appreciate that arenas may not be their best option, but I would be more than happy to go wherever they choose to perform. Hehehe, it'd make me feel quite posh and special sitting in a nice grand hall!