Erasure : The Game

[Firthy2002]

Seriously having looked at who's in it I'm tipping Andy to do well, maybe even win!

[Patrick Bateman]

We all danced along to our favourite Erasure hits at the school disco – but even these pop credentials can’t prepare Andy for his latest singing challenge.

As one half of synth-pop duo Erasure, Andy toured the world and became a pop icon. He’s also had a successful solo career.

Now he has to prove he can sing opera classics in front of a live TV audience. We’ll certainly have A Little Respect for him if he can!

He may have performed in front of thousands of fans, but Erasure star Andy Bell admits he’s going to be nervous when he performs live in front of a studio audience for Popstar To Operastar.

“I think the first day I’m going to be really nervous!” he admits.”I do get really nervous rehearsing in front of Katherine and Rolando; Rolando is quite bombastic! I was quite enamoured with Katherine even before I met her; she’s a lovely sweet lady, very beautiful and she’s somebody who would have been my best friend in school!”

Having sold millions of records, Andy says that learning a new style of singing has been ‘inspirational’.

He says, “I think the opera way is probably the more naturalistic way of singing so it’s making me rethink the way I sing pop songs …I’m finding it very inspirational”.

“Erasure gigs are quite physical,” he reveals. ”There’s a lot of singing involved because there’s only two of us on stage. The thing about opera singing is that you don’t have to jump around. You’re still and very centred and I like that. I’m really enjoying it, it’s a different way of singing.”

Whilst Andy is enjoying learning a new style of singing, he admits that conquering the various languages is proving tricky.

“I think for me the hardest thing is learning Italian, because I already know Spanish so I put a Spanish accent on the Italian words which is kind of a bit ‘mockney’. I think part of singing is being a parrot - you learn things and repeat them – and I think languages are the same.”

He continues, “I have seen three operas and I do love the theatricality of the whole thing, but to be honest I’ve never really got into the stories. I didn’t realise it was like Shakespeare to singing.”

With a judging panel ready to offer their critique on the contestant’s performances, Andy says that his face will give the viewers an idea of what he thinks of their comments.

He says, “Hopefully I can take it with a pinch of salt, it is quite egotistical, singing, isn’t it? I’m sure you’ll be able to see my thoughts on their comments on my face anyway.”

His face doesn't move much these days though.

A nice video of Andy although somebody must be having a laugh because playing in the background is Pachelbel's Canon. Got a new job at ITV, Undertaker?

http://www.itv.com/popstartooperastar/c ... andy-bell/

[Devices]

I wonder when the album is going to be released. I figured they'd have it finished by the time their tour started, but they're going on tour in a week so if the album's not done by then, looks like it may have to wait until fall.

I don't really know what to expect from them on a new album. I think Vince is more than content to live a reclusive family life in the country, playing with his synth collection in his spare time, and his heart hasn't been in being a pop artist for a long time now. Andy seems the opposite, he wants the limelight and attention and is up for pretty much anything be it karaoke on a gay cruise or a reality tv show. Either that or he needs the money.

[skyhigh]

This is gonna be cringeworthy hide behind a cushion stuff! Can't stick his voice at the minute, wonder if the opera training will improve it?

[Undertaker]

A nice video of Andy although somebody must be having a laugh because playing in the background is Pachelbel's Canon. Got a new job at ITV, Undertaker?

http://www.itv.com/popstartooperastar/c ... andy-bell/

I'd have played Mr blobby

He actually looks very well, does Mr Bell.

[Radiophonic]

He looks like Anthony Cotton's gay uncle. All that fake tan/make up and L'Oréal blonde home hair colour and highlights is not a good look.

[Undertaker]

He looks like Anthony Cotton's gay uncle. All that fake tan/make up and L'Oréal blonde home hair colour and highlights is not a good look.

Nah, that's harsh. In some photo's over the past few years, he's looked a right wreck. It's a big improvement.

[skyhigh]

looks as plastic as max headroom.

[Undertaker]

looks as plastic as max headroom.

lol i reckon he's prepping himself to get the gay voters on his side

[Radiophonic]

He looks like Anthony Cotton's gay uncle. All that fake tan/make up and L'Oréal blonde home hair colour and highlights is not a good look.

Nah, that's harsh. In some photo's over the past few years, he's looked a right wreck. It's a big improvement.

I've no idea what he normally looks like, apart from a poor quality YT in an ill fitting vest, but he is wearing fake tan/make up and hair dye. That is not a good look for a man of 50, just my honest opinion. He looks like an older gay man trying to recapture his youth and it looks bit desperate. Better to get down the gym than just slap on cosmetics and clip your eyebrows.

Good luck to him in the competition. I won't be watching, but I hope it raises his profile/makes him some money/sells more Erasure albums. Or whatever he wants to take from it.

[Firthy2002]

I'll probably watch it.

When's the cash-in re-release of Total Pop! due out?

[Danny C]

Don't you mean "Total Pop! - Featuring Popstar to Operastar's Andy Bell!"

If they had that sticker on, I'd probably buy one just for the comedy value alone.

[Patrick Bateman]

I don't know what you guys are on about. Erasure don't promote their material; their albums receive less publicity than North Korean samizdat. You certainly won't catch them advertising on prime-time ITV for instance, and definitely not during a revolutionary scientific experiment like From Pop Star to Opera Star because that's the kind of thing that would only occur in the ad-breaks of reality TV shows.



*includes Nessun Dorma.

[Undertaker]

Katherine Jenkins = Every blokes wet dream.

[Patrick Bateman]

I knew you'd be watching, Undertaker.

I wouldn't say no to either her or Myleene the MILF.