Overview
Dictionary definition of TALENT:
What were the judges really looking for?
With Simon Cowell saying: "If I became Prime Minister I would ban those things" (he was referring to electronic keyboards) and: "I hate organs" - it makes one wonder if talented keyboard players should bother to enter BRITAIN'S GOT TALENT.
Jean Martyn expressed a view in the video she made of her BGT experience saying that the judges were looking for something different in a performance. She is possibly right, and in her case it was a 59 year old granny playing an electronic organ, which really had a piano sound. A sound that perhaps the Musicians' Union could not complain about. The MU has long opposed electronic organs on TV because they are very much aware that when played as they should they could replace a band or full orchestria.
The first instance of 'something different' in keyboards was highted when an unknown player from Cardiff, Michael Machell, attempted to play Starwars. The producers and judges obviously saw the humour in this, which you can see for yourself in the video captured from Youtube. (see menu).
The performance by Graham Blackledge is a good example of the judges looking for something different. Rather than comment - just see the videos of Graham, which are in the menu.
As for Tony Stace and Andrew, well, it has to be said that they had a raw deal. Tony won the British Keyboard Player Awards at the Lyme Bay Experience Keyboard Festival in 2004 and again in 2005 - and that alone says a lot about talent. Simon Cowell is on record for knowing nothing about organ-keyboard festivals - which again says a lot.
In their audition Tony and Andrew were buzzed off in under 9 seconds by the three judges. During that time they played their instruments as they should be played, the sound of a big band. One wonders what would the Musicians' Union would have said IF they were left to continue? It was at this audition that Simon Cowell was heard to say to the judges: "I hate organs" - that too, says a lot.
In the menu are listed ORGAN FESTIVALS - so you can really hear keyboard talent as it really is, including the other side of Jean Martyn.
