While Scotland native Susan Boyle may have only been awarded second place in the 2009 segment of “Britain’s Got Talent,” one only has to look as far as multi-platinum “American Idol” runner-up Clay Aiken to know winning isn’t everything.

Boyle’s first album release, I Dreamed a Dream, is a continuation of the performances that stunned audiences and judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and Piers Morgan week after week. The album gets its name from the “Les Mis?rables” song which made every Boyle critic crawl back into their hovels of prejudice and superficiality after her confident and flawless vocal solo proved their mindless remarks to be unfounded, a breaking point for Boyle in the competition.

Show tunes often get a bad rap — this badmouthing probably hit its peak in 2008 when Disney Cruise Line decided that turning “Toy Story” into a full-length musical would be a good idea — but listening to Boyle sing “I Dreamed a Dream” brings back the magic, the music and the masterpiece of the original musical. Her strong and even voice, especially within the acoustic confines of a recording studio, beautifully evokes the drama and sorrow of the piece as it was written to be performed. Even someone who is emotionally deficient cannot deny being brought to tears, or at least an acute case of the chills, from this song and many others on the album.

Boyle’s selections showcased her prowess in many genres, as she covers songs which jump from Mick Jagger to Christian hymns. “You’ll See” brings out Boyle’s tough side, while “Proud” is as sentimental and tender as a song can get.

“Daydream Believer,” written by John Stewart, is one track that might have been a questionable choice for Boyle — it could even be called boring by the second verse. Every slow, serious bar that she croons, while spot-on pitch wise, just makes one ache to hear The Monkees do it right. Effortless, carefree rock ‘n’ roll is one area on the musical spectrum Boyle hasn’t necessarily proved herself capable of thus far.

There is one song on the album, “Who I Was Born to Be,” that was written especially for Boyle. While this composition does well to tell the struggle of the singer’s long-deserved success, it might be nice in her next album for her to do a bit of songwriting of her own — which would put her above mere TV fame.

“The End of the World” is a few years early, going by 2012 apocalypse predictions, yet it is a pretty rendition just the same. She never misses a note while gently weaving this musical lullaby.

Boyle finishes up with a pure toned and crystal clear rendition of “Silent Night,” just in time for the holidays. With the same grainy recordings of breathy, high-vibrato wintry ballads and clich?d Christmas tunes being broadcast on a cosmic loop by every radio station these days, this version of the traditional carol is a breath of fresh air — free from any jingling sleigh bells or ho ho ho’s. Even the Scrooges and Grinches of the world will be curling up to the last track of I Dreamed a Dream this season.

Her lifestyle, living alone but for her cat, is clearly irrelevant when she sings, and her appearance is simply darling and dollish on her album cover. It is so apparent she enters a world completely her own through song, and she has revealed this in her first album. If all Boyle wanted was a chance to prove herself, she got it and more.

3 1/2 out of 5 stars.