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My American Dream

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Untitled
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
allmusic[1]
BillboardPositive
Entertainment WeeklyMixed[2]
Artistdirect

My American Dream is the debut studio album released by Neal E. Boyd on June 23, 2009.

Background

After Boyd won the third season of America's Got Talent, he was signed to Decca Records. Boyd explained that the name of the album reflects on how he met his dream after winning Talent.[3] Songs included on the album are "God Bless the USA," "Ave Maria," "Amazing Grace," West Side Story's song "Somewhere," and his Talent winning song "Nessun Dorma."

The album was released on the date of the fourth season premiere of Talent, which was June 23, 2009.

Boyd has since gone on tour with Britain's Got Talent winner Paul Potts, and later sang for US President Barack Obama.[4]

Reception

Commercial performance

The album sold 6,000 copies in its first week of release.[5] The album also debuted at #195 on the Billboard 200 and #3 on the Top Classical Albums Chart.

Critical reception

James Manheim of AllMusic says Boyd's talent "leaves an impression on listeners. That's the quality that makes for a crossover star."[1] Stephen Thomas Erlewine called it "an effective showcase for his supple singing if not quite an artistic statement of purpose. Thankfully, Boyd avoids the ersatz Euro-schlock of Il Divo, never trying to have a pop production, instead being happily symphonic."

Track listing

  1. "God Bless the USA" 3:57
  2. "Nessun Dorma" 3:05
  3. "Mama" 3:23
  4. "Somewhere" 3:22
  5. "Il Gladiatore" 3:45
  6. "Bring Him Home" 3:43
  7. "Is Nothing Sacred" 4:12
  8. "Anthem" 3:08
  9. "Sonny Boy" 2:58
  10. "Ave Maria" 4:47
  11. "Amazing Grace" 2:36

Personnel

These are the personnel who helped create the album.

  • Savan Kotecha (Composer)
  • Winston Simone (Executive Producer)
  • Peter Rudge (Representation)
  • Neal E. Boyd (Vocals, Liner Notes)
  • Evelyn de Morgan (A&R)
  • Jeffrey Pescetto (Lyricist)
  • Jon Bailey (Engineer, Mixing, Digital Editing)
  • Justin S. Turner (Legal Counsel)
  • City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra (Choir, Orchestra)

Charts

References

  1. ^ a b My American Dream at AllMusic
  2. ^ Exton, Emily (2009-06-04). "'America's Got Talent' winner Neal E. Boyd's debut: It takes two to review it! | PopWatch | EW.com". Popwatch.ew.com. Retrieved 2012-03-02.
  3. ^ "Neal E. Boyd: My American Dream". YouTube. 2009-06-20. Retrieved 2012-03-02.
  4. ^ "Missourian Neal E. Boyd to perform for President Obama during visit". ksdk.com. 2010-03-09. Retrieved 2012-03-02.
  5. ^ a b Story by Nancy Moen Photos by Nicholas Benner. "MIZZOU Magazine - Heartland star". Mizzoumag.missouri.edu. Retrieved 2012-03-02.