You're probably right - we'll never agree on what constitutes a good singer, well at least while you maintain Chico is. I'll wholeheartedly agree that he's a good performer, but singer? Have you heard something I havent?

I don't know the votes thus far (does anybody?) so hard to comment on who has the bigger fan-base but my point is that so far Chico has failed to deliver on anything but the cheese front, and even that's been painful to watch and listen to at times. What makes you or anyone else think a ballad will be any more believeable or listenable?

I'm not at all worried for Chico should he hopefully perform a ballad this week. He said himself that he would like very much to show a different side and whilst he might not be a good singer in the technical sense, he does have a strong husky voice.

Given that, with the right song sing, he really could put it over very convincingly.

There have over the years been singers of the same ilk as regards not particularly good voices, but if a song is presented in the right way, those shortcomings don't necessarily have to stand in the way of a good performance.
Last edited by Gillypoots : 07-11-2005 at 23:53

Don't be depressed. I really don't believe I lack imagination. I just don't see Chico through the same eyes as you do. I will refrain from casting aspersions on your judgment.

OK!
It was nice to exchange views with you.
Take care
J xxx

If he wants to do a ballad my suggestion would be 'The Sound of Silence'

Seriously, I've posted elsewhere that I've grown to like Chico, but it's definitely because of his stage presence and not his voice.

I'm reminded of Ade Edmonson (sp?) on the last celebrity Fame Academy, although his voice was clearly much worse than even Chico's. When he did the upbeat songs with a lot of moving about it sort of worked as you were carried away by the sheer energy, but when he tried a ballad it fell flatter than one of Nicholas' notes.

Yes it would be 'brave' but it would also ensure he was voted off IMHO

I so agree with those sentiments. I think Chico is working really hard and is starting to take himself more seriously. I thought his version of Kiss was great and I do think he's capable of putting a ballad across. For me, singing is a s much about performance as it is about the voice. and reading Satchmos post made me think of his namesake who's a great example of someone who could put a song across without having a great vocal range. The X Factor should be as much about charisma as vocal skill.

If he can sing it, it would be an excellent move to take. Definitely a risk. I do get the feeling that his voice wavers because of his dancing, so maybe he can pull it off. Can't wait to see it!!!

I have to say I'm really shocked by the amout of people who are actually saying they would like to hear Chico sing a ballad Sometimes I feel like I have stepped into the twilight zone on these forums, is this all an elaborate wind up or something..

He cannot sing. He is just about in tune but he has zero range, he could not sing anything that means his voice has to carry the melody, as a singer he is rubbish, as a singer he should never have been put through to bootcamp, if Sharon is ever silly enough to let him sing a ballad that requires no dancing just a good voice it will be hilariously rubbish because he has an awful voice that is made worse by the fact that his accent and grasp of the English language means that he doesn't even finish the words off properly, it reminds me a little bit of "Stavros" Harry Enfields Greek kebab shop owner from years back.. "Hello Peeps"

Chico should definitely sing a ballad with a simple melody...i'm sticking to my previous suggestion of 'Senza Una Donna' by Zucchero and Paul Young. Zucchero is not the best vocalist either, but it kinda works on this song....

hmmm, a ballad with a simple melody? 3 blind mice?

Zucchero has a far far far better voice than Chico, also had the benefit of PY to help him out, perhaps they could get these 2 to reprise the song again and Chico could dance in the background

Maybe he should sing a ballad, that was originally done , or made famous by people who (I'll be kind here), dont have the best voices in the world

eg

'Windmills of your mind' originally done by Noel Harrison, from the film 'The thomas crown affair'

'Wanderin' star' Lee Marvin. from the musical 'Paint your wagon'

'If' Telly Savalas.

Have to agree with Spiv that while Chicco has some entertainment value, he hasn't really got a good singing voice, no range at all, and could not cope with a ballad unless it were musically very basic. He couldn't manage "Hero"; I think the main reason so many people are suggesting it is because, like Enrique, he has an accent which could have a sexy quality to it! But it's a hard number and to mess it up would do Chicco no favours. He should stick to entertaining and dancing about, the only problem here is that he is running out of "novelty"songs. I would give him The Pussycat Dolls "Dont'cha" or Liberty X "Just a Little". I do think he is taking the place of a more talented artist in the competition, but at least he isn't boring!

Regarding song choices, I don't have a problem with older classic choices, as someone else said, a good song will always be a good song. What I hate is old MOR power ballads and Westlife type stuff; the sort of songs everyone does at auditions(with some tremors and warbling to show what a voice they have!!!) which does just blandify the performers! Using lesser known album tracks would be really interesting, but I think the performances have to be covers of songs the voting public will have heard before; unfamiliar songs do not pull in the same response.

Of course, I do not include erudite musical types such as those contributing to this thread in "voting public";sadly we are a minority!

I truly think Chico could sing the song....and i don't recall Zucchero having a good voice on this particular track...!!!
The guy's got to sing something hasn't he?! It'd be a lot more suitable than 'Hero' which is way beyond Chico's limitations....

The thing is with singers who haven't got great voices is that they have something else that they bring to table, like a feeling of having lived the song, or a knack for portraying the emotion of the song be it angst, sadness, joy or whatever..

The only thing for me that Chico could bring to the table is my dinner if I was at a resort in Spain or somewhere which is where I feel his talent belongs..

Enrique and his father have a nice Latin inflection to their voice, Chico imo has a harsh "manuel from Fawlty Towers" sound

And if he didn't have an accent, would he have ANYTHING to "bring to the table"? (Apart from Spiv's paella?!!)

I think that we can all surmise as to what Chico is, or isn't capable of singing and putting it over successfully.

He seems confident that he can perform a ballad, I don't see any reason to doubt him.

He has an inner belief in himself which keeps him going against adversity.

He obviously has no illusions regarding his vocal range.

He does know how to sell a song. In that regard some of the others on the show could learn a lot from him.

My reason for doubting him is that so far his singing has been awful

Spot on Gillypoots.
When the other contestants have sung ballads, they have been virtually note perfect, but because they put no emotion in whatsoever (especially Shayne) the whole performance has left me cold....
It's fair to say that Chico probably couldn't sing a ballad as well as the others but i suspect he could perform it so much better, so anything he lacks in vocal talent will be made up for elsewhere....

Please not 'windmills of your mind' or 'this guy's in love with you' don't spoil two of my fave songs, incidentally 'if' was originally a Bread song so was written for a guy who really could and can sing(David Gates) beofre kojak got hold of it

I agree Chico needs to show he can do something other than screech and show off his body but I am unable to think what at this moment in time -possibly because I don;t think he can do it anyway

Oh and Satchmo had style, Chico unfortunately just seems to have st vitus dance

I know about 'if'. I want Chico to sing it Kojak style . well he'd have to really, with his voice

Is that because when Chico sings he sounds like he has a lollypop in his mouth?

lol
Actually 'Kojak' speaks the song, doesnt sing it, so would suit Chico 100%

LindyLupin - That is astonishing. Some will say that this was an obvious choice. Yes, this and about 10,000 other songs from the past 50 years. I wonder if someone is looking at the forums just to see what ideas are getiing thrown around.....

WOW!!!! I think so too!

Funnily enough I was just posting soething similar on the JS thread where there's been a general clamour for rock and Bon Jovi in paricular.

Let's face it, if DS forums are representative of viewers they (agents, managers, X Factor lackeys) would be stupid not to read the posts regularly and maybe get some ideas

BTW, having heard far too much of his version of Hero tonight I stick with my previous post before I knew what he was singing - I think it's going to be a dreadful mistake and may well see him being voted off. But we'll see...