David Cook – Christmas in Rockefeller Center – VIDEO

This was great.

You tube is having some problems tonight…

Thank you MJ! Loved both songs, they were beautiful!!

This was STUNNING! I loved it! Rickey has the MP3 download if you all are interested. It’s going straight to my MP3 player!

Oh, I just love this song and Cook did an amazing arrangement of it. Didn’t Cook say one time in an interview that this was his favorite Christmas song?

Thank you MJ!

It was a lovely, lovely version, and DC’s own arrangement. Neal is an awesome guitarist—he managed to replace the children’s choir with his guitar.

Both songs were gorgeous. Awesome job by both David and Neal. And poor David, looks like he’s still getting over that cold…still sounded great! but I bet he’s looking forward to SLEEP, SWEET SWEET SLEEP now that he gets a little break from the promo.

Neal did SO well. He made his guitar sound like a mandolin. And David Cook was awesome, awesome, awesome.

Wow. Just wow. That was niiiiiice. Enough to make me actually start to like the fact that Christmas starts Dec. 3.

You tube is having some problems tonightà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦

I noticed that. It’s not even showing up on this page for me. I happened to catch it live.

Both songs were gorgeous.

Both? What else did he sing? I must’ve missed that.

Neal did SO well. He made his guitar sound like a mandolin. And David Cook was awesome, awesome, awesome.

I just mentioned the same thing over in the DC Message to KC thread. My husband plays mandolin and plays this way sometimes.

That was really great. David sounded great. And Neal? Amazing!

Thank you. That was beautiful.

Lovely; it’s the first time I’m feeling the Christmas cheer.

It’s now showing, yay!
Thanks a lot for that MJ.

It was a really emotional and beautiful one.
And yes, whatever Neal was doing there with the guitar was really awesome.

GettyImages has a really cute picture of him.

I’m in love with this version, and I really had no sentiments about the original. It was so heartfelt and beautiful.
Simply lovely.

Oh, and Neal is amazing. I honestly didn’t know a guitar could sound like that.

I’m not a great fan of John Lennon’s Happy Christmas, War is Over, but I must say that David Cook did a great job on that, must be the best version I heard. The guitar playing by Neal sounds like a technique called tremolo, although the string should really be plucked with three fingers very quickly rather than using a plectrum. A well-known example of tremolo playing here -
Recuerdos de la Alhambra
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jDRRmLoqiE

In NYC, the show was two hours long—in the first hour, DC (with Neal) did Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, in the second (nationally televised) hour, DC (with Neal) did Happy Christmas. Both were excellent, and Rickey’s has a video of Have Yourself…. if you missed it.

Both songs were absolutely beautiful. I’m impressed with Neal’s playing, especially since his hands had to be freezing. I’m so happy to have 2 Cookified Christmas songs to add to my playlist. (Much like the radio stations, I switch to more and more Christmas music as the day approaches.)

GettyImages has a really cute picture of him.

Yeah it does.
Have to say, BF looked and sounded excellent tonight. Taking into account how congested and hoarse he sounded interviewing this morning on Z100, I’m starting to doubt he’s human. I would never have guessed he was sick had I not known it already.

So beautiful. Thanks for sharing.

Cute pic^, thanks Jolene for the link.

DC is SO sincere to the very core, IMO. LOVE IT!!! CAN’T WAIT to download the mp3. Thanks for posting mj! Thanks for the mp3 Rickey!

SHARIG, are you still around. I’m on AI right now! Come chat if you are!

Yahoo has a picture too

WOW. Loved it. Very heartfelt. Vocals spot on. Yes Neal’s accompaniment was excellent. The war is over chant might have been a little too much for this event, so it was cool they were able to allude to it in the guitar work. Love Davids voice and his heart showed in that song.

Cooke did a wonderful job.
Loved his rendition of Lennon’s song.

Thanks for posting the photos, too.

Wow. Those two make quite a pair. David’s vocals were beautiful on both songs and Neal is just awesome! Can we have more Navid appearances puhlease?

Can we have more Navid appearances puhlease?

OMG, you might have just started a gang war with fans of Mavid. I’d run for cover.

OMG, you might have just started a gang war with fans of Mavid. Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢d run for cover.

Nah. We all know David doesn’t practice bromance monogamy anyway.

Nice song and nice performance. I think he sounded a little hoarse, though. Might have been the cold. Thanks for posting, MJ!

People keep saying BOTH songs…what other song did Cook sing???

Check out Rickey’s for the other performance, played only on NYC TV.

Keel: “Nah. We all know David doesnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t practice bromance monogamy anyway.” Heh!

oh i loved both performances so much!
Neal was… crazy crazy good. They looked so symmetical while they played I’m loving the Navid!!

PLEASE tell me someone, what else did he sing and when????!!!!!

In NYC, the show was two hours longà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’ in the first hour, DC (with Neal) did Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, in the second (nationally televised) hour, DC (with Neal) did Happy Christmas. Both were excellent, and Rickeyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s has a video of Have Yourselfà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦. if you missed it.

Thanks Folkfan….I was really confused as to why Rickey’s had “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and I only saw the other song! :blink_tb: I didn’t think I missed it.

Anyway, loved both songs by Cookie! :wub_tb:

The other song was Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

leome FTW! I considered posting this, but you beat me to it and with a much prettier link than I coulda managed.

Go IdolFanatic, run for the link^, it’s beautiful imo! “Happy Christmas” is even better though, imo.

I thought David did okay, but I don’t think it compares to John Lennon.

Everyone pales in comparison to John Lennon. But he did a great job, him and Neal.

Thanks MJ & leome! I loved both songs. Nicely done.

I thought both performances were beautiful. I’d buy a Christmas cd with those 2 songs, sang by him in a second. Thanks mj for the videos.

I’ll also put this in the news thread, but here’s the SYTYCD routine to Permanent: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXcguI2IEgw

href=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXcguI2IEgw”>

“Permanant” from Jules on DCO used for Canadian SYTYCD. I so know this is the wrong thread, so sorry, wanted DC fans to see it! Hope the link works.

Cut and pasted the link into your browser to view.

FolkFan, you beat me to it because of my lack of link ability! LOL!!

Confession time: I’ve never been particularly enamored of John Lennon’s voice. Brilliant songwriter, not my favorite singer. So, take a great song of his, have a singer that I like sing it, with a good arrangement that fits the singer, and I’ll be a pretty happy camper.

Pretty song. Pretty David. Pretty Nico.

Might as well put this here too..DC is still #1 on HDD’s Vibe Raters list and this is the new blurb:

A.I. Winner seeing strong second week sales with debut album! Added this week to KXXM, WAEB, XMà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s Top 20 on 20. #13 at HAC 160. Top 30 bound at Mainstream going 260. Video impacting now! Press: Blender and RS. CD in stores now. Mgmt: Simon Fuller and Iain Pirie/19 Ent.

Seriously can they stop with the Blender and RS thing considering he’s been in like 5 other magazines since he first appeared on here??

SNIFF. That SYTYCD video is just..wow. And my mind is still reeling from the Almanac cover.

Top 30 bound at Mainstream going 260.

Hm, what does “260″ refer to?

Happy Christmas is one of my favorite Christmas songs and I couldn’t imagine how my favorite guy was going to pull it off…….I should know better than to doubt him. Wow.

I’m going to guess that 260 refers to the increase in spins that LO is getting on the Top 40 format.

Permanent/SYTYCD with judge’s comments—starts around 2:09 after a montage of the one contestant’s time on the show.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9N6nEY0jVo

Folkfan, I guess maybe that’s the problem, I still don’t get David Cook as a brilliant singer. I think he is okay, but I’m not sure he’ll last after the hype of American Idol. I think John Lennon was a great song writer and he added that little extra that song writers do to their own songs.

Mmmm. I get what your saying about songwriters adding something to their own songs, but I don’t always think that’s true. There is scarcely a Dylan song in the world that I don’t like better sung by someone other than Dylan. And some people are just great interpreters. Some of my favorite kd lang songs are covers that she’s done.

Okay, I can’t stop listening to HYAMLC. David’s voice is sooo beautiful on it. Please give us a studio version for Christmas David!

2nd week at #1 on Vibe-Raters is excellent news. I see one of my other favorites, We the Kings, is there as well.

It’s hard to believe that DC was so hoarse just that morning—I was a bit worried as to how he would sound. It doesn’t seem to matter how he’s feeling. He just gets up there and sings.

Oh my, I didn’t know he was sick earlier. Makes the performance even better, I think.

Folkfan, I do love kd lang. I have listened to “Light On” and wonder when it might grab me. As far as Dylan, I think he is great because he is a story teller, he may not have the best vocals, but he sure does deliver. I guess, I’ll just keep waiting for that song from Cook that might pull me in.
“Happy Christmas” just doesn’t do it for me, of course, I don’t think it was anything more than a song to sing at a special occasion.

That was gorgeous.

Aww, first time I see David in winter clothes. He looks wonderful as always. :lol_ee:

Loved both songs, but Happy Christmas gave that special Christmas warm fuzzy feeling. :biggrin_wp: I wanted him to sing the chorus too, but yes, I will settle for this.

Thanks, MJ!

Awesome performances. David took Happy Christmas, my second least favorite Christmas song and made me flove it. And Neal kicked all kinds of a** with his guitar playing tonight. I would love to have seen this live but it was mobbed when we got there after work so we went to a pub and watched it on their jumbo screens.

I watched Happy Christmas again with volume up. Goosebumps still at David’s emotion. And stupid me, I hadn’t realized it was Neal’s guitar doing the counterpoint. I thought it was a flute or some strings in the background.

In the intro they said it was David’s own personal arrangement. Kudos to David. Beautiful arrangement, beautiful rendition!

Yeah, I love John Lennon but sometimes love what other people do with his songs better. That’s why he and McCartney were so brilliant together…Paul brought the vocals that made the wonderful harmonies and that extra something to John’s voice. I think Lennon would be very pleased with David’s interpretation…..and also that he chose this song. It’s a beautiful, touching, Christmas song. I loved what he added at the end to “come home soon.”

And Cook and Tiemann are going to be brilliant together too…..(I think they already are). I do wish they had acknowledged Neal playing with David.

KOTN anyone?

this was beautiful…great way to start the holidays.

I was surprised DC did Lennon as that is a protest song. I wonder if NBC (aka my very liberal brothers) asked him to do this . “War is over, if you want it” I remember when this song was released. It is “not” a true “happy” Christmas song. KUDOS to whoever pulled this off. DC sounded great.

I didn’t realize he also did “Merry Christmas” you know….Have yourself a merry Little Christmas….It’s on YouTube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHlzVWLPwog

Nice. Loved watching Happy Christmas as it aired, and Merry Little Christmas is beautiful, too. Thanks for posting it. Lovely, lovely.

was surprised DC did Lennon as that is a protest song. I wonder if NBC (aka my very liberal brothers) asked him to do this . à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“War is over, if you want ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  I remember when this song was released. It is à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“notà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  a true à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“happyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  Christmas song. KUDOS to whoever pulled this off. DC sounded great.

I think this was David’s choice entirely. He mentioned in a radio interview recently that, it was his favorite Christmas song. I think he has strong views on war. Read the lyrics to his song Wavelength that he wrote in his late teens early tweens for the band Axium. It is an anti-War song. One of his band members died in Iraq.

With his interview to the Gay/L site, you know he is hardly the kind to shy away from somewhat controversial subjects. He does not lack courage. It was evident in his song choices, his refusal to cave into some of the song suggestions of vocal coaches, producers. That is actually one of the main qualities I admire about him. He will not put anyone down but he will stand up for what he cares about.

WestiesRule – I agree with you, this was a rather subversive choice for such a mainstream show, and I love David even more for it, if that’s possible.

Well, damn you, David Cook. You picked my favorite holiday song and performed it so passionately. Damn you Neal Tiemann, too, for being so talented. You two made me verklempt and everything. I love, love, love this version. Perfect choice, especially when contrasted with the OTT hand waving of Beyonce. (Bleh.) Though I still want a cover of Backdoor Santa and the Snowmiser/Heatmiser song. An Acoustic Christmas with David Cook, anyone? How did he manage to pull that off, in the cold, while he’s sick? Cold meds turn me into a total zombie.

Read the lyrics to his song Wavelength that he wrote in his late teens early tweens for the band Axium.

That’s one of my favorite Axium songs.

David Cook is a phenomenal artist. I said it during the AI show that I thought DC would be bigger than the Beatles. I know there are a bunch of us that have been waiting for a rocker with the old soul + new progressive feel. David Cook is it! We all know about how back in May after idol show DC’s 11 hit songs were in the billboard top 100 which outdid everyone else back to the Beatles. So now David put out a brand new CD and there is a treasure chest of songs there all with the gold touch of DC. Permanent needs to be broadcasted with those Canadian dancers in the US so everyone can see the dance to that beautiful song. I only got to see DC perform the one song at Rockefeller performances, so I will check out Rickey’s for the other one. Neil did great, too. DC picked the best people for his band. BTW, I love DC’s new band. DC must be walking on clouds about now. I love it that DC dedicated that song to the troops, and that he added “come home soon” at the end. He’ll be touring there in a couple of months. I think David is a genuinely nice guy and love it that he has a heart for those who are fighting to keep us a free nation. May God Bless David Cook!

He did it to me (again). The “come home soon” made me cry. Beautiful performance. Hopefully he can stop flying all over the place soon and get some rest (though selfishly I wish we could see him every day). Recycled, germ-infested airplane air ftl.

Wow – Both of those were amazing! I haven’t met a song DC has sung since AI that I haven’t liked but I think I like DC best when he sings acoustic, or with minimal musical back-up. (I used the phrase “since AI” because I didn’t especially care for “Daytripper.”!) I don’t even celebrate xmas but both of those have been downloaded for my listening pleasure!

And not that I’m shallow or superficial or anything but that leather jacket and red scarf need to make more appearances

That was great, it’s awesome hearing David sing songs other than the ones on his albums, it’s like getting a little gift.
Thanks for posting the video, I had to go out last night and wasn’t able to watch that.

I really think David Cook is in a class of his own. I mean, how many rock singers are versatile enough to pull off these performances? His enunciation and phrasing are stellar, and he really knows how to make a song his own. Watching these videos reminded me of his acoustic set for the “A Taste for A Cure” cancer research benefit, right before the AI tour started. Those were truly special. After viewing those, there was no turning back for me on the Cook bandwagon. Ahhh, good times.

Back on topic, did anyone else catch those sweet glances David sent our way through the camera while singing Happy Christmas? Gotta love that eye contact!

Mmm, uncgirl, if you’re trying to figure out if you like David Cook, and LO and Happy Christmas aren’t doing it for you, you might check out Permanent (only the studio versions are available) and either his AOL Sessions or Soundcheck, especially Lie, which is available on both.

Read the lyrics to his song Wavelength that he wrote in his late teens early tweens for the band Axium.

Wavelength is my favorite Axium song. Such a shame that it was never released on a record and only performed live. Here it is if someone hasn’t heard it.

DC related – he did a beautiful acoustic version of Life on the Moon live on Sirius. So pretty.

Boston radio listeners just heard the Cook/Tiemann Happy Christmas on BTMX.

Another two beautiful performances. There is nobody who could listen to Permanent and not say that he is a brilliant singer, songwriter and even if you are a fan of others, there still is no way anyone can deny the obvious.

Come home soon indeed!!! Wow, I love you David Cook. That was lovely.

There is nobody who could listen to Permanent and not say that he is a brilliant singer, songwriter and even if you are a fan of others, there still is no way anyone can deny the obvious.

Well now you’ve just asked for it, haven’t you? For sure, someone will have to come in and contradict you now. That said, it won’t be me denying the obvious. I’m as cookified as they come. Loved this performance and the “come home soon” at the end.

I bought the original on iTunes a few weeks ago, and listened to it closely this morning. There is the mandolin-sounding guitar on the Lennon original – you can hear it in the beginning before Yoko and the kids and the jingle bells start – that’s what Neal is playing. It’s audible again a bit later in the original also. Wikipedia only lists guitars/guitarists, no mandolins for this recording.

Nice that David played this in such a classic NYC setting, and just a few days before the anniversary of John’s death. I wonder if he might hear from Yoko?

Mmm. I would never say that someone could not have a different opinion than me on a particular song or singer. But I do think that Permanent is a great song beautifully sung with a lot of emotion.

An Acoustic Christmas with David Cook, anyone? How did he manage to pull that off, in the cold, while heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s sick? Cold meds turn me into a total zombie.

Yes x3! and, he’s a total pro plus being magical is how he pulled off the second. Those of us used to staring at him for long periods could tell he wasn’t 100%. But he did awesome anyway. I suppose “on national tv in front of millions of people”: all in a day’s work

Very short interview with NYC Fox Affiliate:

http://www.myfoxny.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=7998705&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=VSTY&pageId=3.2.1

He really does seem to be enjoying this whole experience.

Heh, I see Neal wondering around in the background on the Fox interview. He’s kind of the Silent Bob to Cookie’s Jay right now. Sort of.

DC related – he did a beautiful acoustic version of Life on the Moon live on Sirius. So pretty.

Just listened to this. Wow, acoustic David is just soooo wonderful. But then I don’t like a lot of “noise” in my music; clear and clean gets me every time.

And, as already noted by others, he looks so handsome in that jacket and scarf.

DC related – he did a beautiful acoustic version of Life on the Moon live on Sirius. So pretty.

Does anyone have an MP3 of this? That performance gave me chill bumps! It was amazing.

LOTM hadn’t been one of my favorites but I have been really liking it the more I hear it. I almost didn’t bother listening to the acoustic version but it was awesome! I love when he goes into his falsetto. Thank you to everyone who supplies these great links, they always make my day!

There is nobody who could listen to Permanent and not say that he is a brilliant singer, songwriter and even if you are a fan of others, there still is no way anyone can deny the obvious.

Your Mileage May Vary. ALWAYS. Statements like this just invite others to challenge you.

Please avoid making baiting, generalizations like this here.

Thank you.

I dislike the hyperbolic fan-driven statements because I tend to roll my eyes, so attempted to play devil’s advocate. I will not.

I will say that Cook’s performance is one of my favorite covers of a Lennon song. Sarah McLachlan’s version is ethereal and wistful, Cook’s interpretation gives gravitas to the subtext. Purist that I am, that’s high enough praise indeed.

Acoustic Dave is my Fave. LOL Casting my vote for Acoustic Christmas and David Cook Unplugged. :biggrin_wp:

Thanks to all for all the links!

ETA: rickey has an mp3 for all — including acoustic Life on the Moon~

can someone please tell me how to save the rickey mp3s on my mac? i don’t have a “right click” option and i must have a lotm acoustic version for my ipod. beautiful. gives me the chills. thanks! perhaps my age is being revealed a bit. signed, too old to be an obsessive fan.

I love his rendition of this song.
Great performance!
Thank you.

I don’t know about Rickey’s mp3, but this is my version and I daresay it’s pretty good quality: Acoustic LOTM

cookmerized — It’s been a while since I had my Macbook (and I miss it!) but I think you can hold “ctrl” key while clicking and that’s the same as a right-click.

^^^ I was wondering about that. I just gave up and decided the links at Rickey’s didn’t work for me (and was hoping, and waiting, for some fellow fans from this site to make those links available here instead). Will definitely be trying that from home tonight. Thanks for the tip, Michelle!

They are definitely worth getting. My AcousticDave playlist is filling out nicely….

David did such a nice job and I love his choice of song! Yes, he is brave for expressing his views.

David Cook is a phenomenal artist. I said it during the AI show that I thought DC would be bigger than the Beatles.

This is not meant as a criticism. :smile_wp: When I was a young teen, I hated the “The Beatles are better than Elvis” controversy. It is near impossible to compare a group to an individual artist. There are some legends that are so powerful, comparisons fall short.

You know, I was one of those who sort of wished that there were more raw acoustic tracks on DC’s record.

Now I realize we were gonna get real live acoustic versions of the songs anyway. Ahh I love being a DC fan!