American Idol Downloads

By On 03/25/2007 · 14 Comments · In American Idol, Blake Lewis, Chris Sligh, Elliott Yamin, Jon Peter Lewis, Taylor Hicks

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Does it bum you out that a favorite Idol performance is only 1 minute 30 seconds long?   Would you just love to hear a full version?   Americanidol.com is making available for download  every Top 12 performance–FULL versions of the songs, recorded in the studio by the Idols–for 99 cents a  download.   It’s a fantastic idea, and a very smart way to compete with the bootleg mp3s of the live  performances that are available all over the net.

I just downloaded  Blake Lewis’s (Team Plaid!) and Chris Sligh’s performances. Their Zombies covers from British Invasion week  are terrific.   As an aside, after listening to the full version of Sligh’s  ”Endless Love” from Top 12 night, I’m  convinced more than ever  that it was beautifully arranged and performed. The full version is  gorgeous.  That  boy can sang.

After you  download Season 6 Idol performances, you can surf to the Idol  alumni page, where you can pickup new releases by  Taylor Hicks, Elliott Yamin,  Jon Peter Lewis  and others. Easy, peasy.

 
  • Lisa B

    I wonder with these downloads being made available whether they will bother with a CD.

    Just thought maybe the album will be the special ‘charity’ performances.

  • star

    I love that they’re offering these. Maybe it’s sort of a trial run for the compilation CD – like, maybe the top-selling track for each finalist will be the one that goes on the CD.

  • bean99

    I got Blake’s Time of the Season and love it. I’m tempted to buy Chris S’s as well. I have several live ones from last season and would have loved to have this option then. I think it’s a great idea because with the compilation album, your favorite will only have one song. This must add more work for everyone, though.

  • JulieR

    Very interesting! Nashville Star has been doing the very same thing, via iTunes. It’s a great idea and well worth the investment if you really like a particular performance.

    I just downloaded Jordin’s “I Who Have Nothing”. It’s fabulous quality.

  • radname

    I thought Chris S’ vocal on his recent track wasn’t that great, it seemed weak compared to his live performances and his recording before. I loved Blakes and Jordins though

  • schmanda

    I didn’t so much like Sligh’s “Endless Love” on the show, mostly because it felt like an incomplete thought. I liked the idea of it and what he was trying to do (effectively a mashup) but it felt to me as if it could have used more time to germinate. Turns out that must have been a function of truncating it to 90 seconds or so because the full version laid all my qualms to rest. It is truly a “Must Download” song.

  • lynnie

    Thanks for the head’s up on the downloads. It gives you a real sense of how these idols will sound on cd, since they are studio recordings using studio tools to brighten and enhance the vocals, and in most cases sound a whole lot better than the tv performances.
    I wonder who is producing these mp3′s, and how much time they are allowed to put into them as far as retakes and post production?

  • http://www.myspace.com/swood1104 Sarah

    I have Blake’s “Time of the Season” in regular rotation on my iTunes, and it fits in perfectly with Beyonce, John Mayer, Amy Winehouse, JT, Evanescence, etc… Just further proof that he has monstrous potential when it comes to radio play and top 40 hits.

    Can’t wait to see what he sings this week in the top 40 genre and if he knocks it out of the park. If he does, for me, he’s cemented his place in the top 2.

  • lynnie

    Sarah, I love Blake’s Time of the Season, as well as Chris S.’s She’s Not There.
    I also downloaded Sanjaya’s Ain’t No Mountain and You Really Got Me, Chris R Don’t Let the Sun Catch You Crying, and Stephanie’s You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me.
    They all sound great!
    What a great idea this was- AI makes a bundle on the downloads (I hope the kids get a cut of the revenue from this), it’s a great marketing tool, they get a sense of how the kids sound in a recording studio, and they keep the fans happy. Win Win Win!

  • lynnie

    Canà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t wait to see what he sings this week in the top 40 genre and if he knocks it out of the park. If he does, for me, heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s cemented his place in the top 2.

    For me, I think it’s down to Blake, Sligh, and, god help me, Sanjaya! I am so over Lakisha and yes, even Melinda. I’m sick of big voice ballads which add nothing to the song. I want to hear great songs with a current twist. It seems the guys are the only ones with the talent and/or guts to do this. I hate to quote Randy, but I want more of that “YO!” factor!

  • lrt

    The performances last week were actually 2 minutes long, not 1.5 minutes as in the past.

  • t2

    I downloaded a good bunch of these from both weeks (sorry no Lakisha or Melinda because just not interested) and I have to say out of the 9 I’ve downloaded Phils voice recorded is incredible and I have “I’m Gonna Make You Love Me” on constant repeat. There’s just an incredible warmth to his recorded voice.

    I’m ashamed to admit it, but Diana Ross was right–Haley’s voice is incredible recorded and Missing You could go on the radio right now.

    However, Blakes’ still my Daddy…

  • RollTide

    I have both of Blake’s songs on my iPod, and they are played over and over every day. I love that they made this available. My girls are loving it too, b/c everytime we get in the car, my youngest says I wanna listen to Blake. :)

    His voice is amazing. I’m not getting the people that think he can’t sing.

    Does anyone know if the videos are compatible with iPods? It says the mp3′s are, but doesn’t say that on the videos.

    Team Plaid!! :)

  • jnd1221

    Blake’s two downloads are awesome. He sounds fantastic recorded. Just put the guy on the radio already! :)

    Chris Sligh and Richardson sound much better than I thought they would as well.