It took Maura Johnston over at Idolator to remind me that I had a photo of Melinda Doolittle’s upcoming album sitting in my email inbox.   Bad me for not checking it out sooner, because the cover–a homage to this classic Bob Dylan album–might be the best AI album cover ever.

Due to a little mix-up over at Amazon, I have a copy of Melinda’s album–a lovingly crafted retro soul, jazz and blues fest that’s a must-have for you old-schoolers out there.

The album, Coming Back to You, drops on February 3, with the single “It’s Your Love” being released to radio on January 20.

 
  • IdolFanatic

    Sweet! I love Melinda and I truly hope she is successful. I wonder what type of radio stations they will pitch her single to? Sorry if that’s a dumb question.

  • http://www.myspace.com/gwendolyndiane GwendolynD

    That really is a cool album cover.

    You actually reminded me that I also have an early copy of that album. I haven’t listened to it because I feel guilty….

    That’s so awesome!

    I wish her the best……

  • oceana

    That is a great cover! I love her voice but not always her song choices. She was a bit “old school” or unimaginative in her choices (to me). But I love her personality and singing ability, and look forward to sampling her new songs.

  • houstonrufus

    I love how the album has the song titles on the cover–very old school. Sounds great. I’m all over it. Sounds like something I need to check out.

  • movin2thabeet

    Yeah, that’s a great album cover. I wonder if Melinda’s “Coming Back to You” will bump into Cook’s “Come Back to Me” on the radio.

  • beesims

    That it is a great cover and it gives her a more hip, contemporary vibe. I would so love for this album to do well. I seriously think she is the best song stylist and maybe the best singer to come out of Idol. I don’t think she ever hit a bad note when she was on Idol, something that couldn’t be said for Jordin or Blake.

  • IdolFanatic

    I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t think she ever hit a bad note when she was on Idol, something that couldnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t be said for Jordin or Blake.

    So true! Hell, I think she’s the ONLY one we can say that about from all seasons.

  • houstonrufus

    Vocally speaking, she was pretty much perfect. I have vague memories of people complaining that she was “too perfect” or something. So perfect that she became boring. Maybe someone can correct me. Whatever the case, she was my choice for season 6. I’ve come to appreciate Jordin for her work ethic and positive attitude, but Melinda surely was one of the most vocally gifted contestants to ever appear on the show.

  • abbysee

    That album cover is incredible. Shoot, I wish it were really an album, like vinyl….old school indeed. I wish her luck. I bet she’s gonna get some buzz with this. Maybe not much radio, but then who knows? I missed the snafu day, I won’t miss her February 3rd.

  • Tiger

    New poster, long-time lurker here. I couldn’t help but comment on Melinda’s album cover….I am so excited for her. I think besides her awesome talent, she is also a great person. People can actually pre-order her CD plus other Melinda-stuff at her website http://melindadoolittle.com/. Her blogs and videos are fun, too!

  • IGetCranked

    Whoever did this cover deserves an A . She looks great! I wish her good luck!

  • cookcricket

    Cool cover!!! Will you remind of us of this again late Jan. early Feb. mj? I have an old console type stereo that was in my home growing up. The needle needs replaced, but if vinyls were still available, well, that would be so much fun!!!

    I didn’t watch AI6, but really enjoyed the footage of Melinda at her cousin’s wedding on the morning show…what an awesome voice!

  • amiroamor

    Nice cover, but I’ll have to say Carnival Ride is better lol

  • LadyBeBop

    That’s cool, waking up to learn that your two favorite idols of all time (Melinda and Taylor) will have new music coming out in the next few months.

    My iPod will be busy. However, I wish those two albums would be coming out in the next week. I’m still hinting for Christmas presents.

  • jokiebird

    I am a huge Dylan fan and impressed that she’s giving a shout-out. I just hope the album lives up to the cover!

  • Lisa

    I can’t wait to buy Mindy’s album. She was my pick for S6. Great album/cd cover. Maybe DC & DA could borrow the person responsible for that cover. Could not hurt, lol.

  • Lisa

    One of the best & funniest things about Melinda isà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦ When fans give her gifts she records these hilarious videoà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s of the gift.

    Here is a link to the vids, check it out!

    http://www.youtube.com/doolittletv

    My favs
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFrma2AmPls&feature=channel_page

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_synNKCXXg&feature=channel

  • BootStar

    Fabulous cover! I love her, too, and am hoping she can pull of that “old school vibe” without sounding completely old school, if you get my drift. I will buy it just to support her, though. She is a class act, and although she never instilled the passion in me that some other Idols have, possibly because she was so polished and professional, I would have to agree that she’s probably the most gifted performer of any of the Idols ever. And it really is nice to listen to a singer and be confident that she’s not going to forget her words, lose the beat, or sing off-key!

  • gingerly

    OMG, those videos were seriously funny. I never knew she had it in her. Thanks for sharing those, Lisa.

    She was my pick also for season 6 but not enough to make me vote. I never voted til this year. I didn’t grab her album when it was mistakenly available, because I don’t want to buy it twice and want her to get credit for the sale its first week. I can’t wait though.

  • Tiger

    Those videos ARE funny! Thanks, Lisa!

  • lefty

    The flower video in particular is hysterical! :lol_tb:

  • http://www.myspace.com/gwendolyndiane GwendolynD

    And it really is nice to listen to a singer and be confident that sheà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s not going to forget her words…

    Well she did forget the words once, but covered it quite well….

    Lisa, I had no idea those even existed. Thanks for posting them! Funny Mindy…. I actually love her blogs. They’re hilarious, particularly the one where she sent a text message to all her friends on Valentine’s Day that read, “Happy VD” without even realizing the negative connotation of “VD”…. Hehehe.

    The album sounds really, really old school. Like, I could almost hear the scratchiness of the vinyl record. I hope she can bring that sound back. It’s possible. Either way, I loved what I heard….

  • Lisa

    Your welcome ya’ll. Mindy is so much more than what people saw on AI. She has a great sense of humor!

    VD, I know Gwen!! LOL Her schedule is insane. Who woulda thunk it? I hope there is room in the big world of music for Mindy’s music.

  • BootStar

    Well she did forget the words once, but covered it quite wellà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦.

    LOL, well that’s even better, IMHO! Cook flubbed his words a few times, too, but he always covered it seamlessly. That’s what a true pro does. My point really was just that I could enjoy her performances because I never got nervous for her. Of course, getting nervous for your favorite, and then watching him or her bat it outta the park (like Cook), is part of what gets you invested in them. Come to think of it, that may have been part of Melinda’s downfall.

  • gingerly

    You may be right BootStar. Cook did lots of WTF performances. Maybe it was his plan to make us nervous…undoubtedly it was his plan to hit it out of the ballpark. He didn’t fail.

  • leome

    Awesome cover ideed! My fav from any idol, hands down.

    Now… can’t wait to listen to the album.

  • bigepaz

    One of the BEST former Idol contestant album covers ever!

  • tinawina

    Damn, this is a good idol news day for me. MMMIIINNNDDYYYY DOOOOO!!! LOL. Love that album cover.

  • sparklesgirl2

    Love it! Melinda will always be my favorite Idol contestant.

  • Rosalee

    Although Melinda is a great singer, and her CD cover is very nice, I find that her CD title is very similar to another Season 6 finalist’s CD title – Chris Sligh’s “Running Back to You” (which dropped this past May). I hope this gets noticed and Chris picks up some buzz off of this.

  • wjmtv

    GREAT cover!

    I’m looking forward to this album. Even though I didn’t watch AI until this year, I’ll definitely be buying it. She’s special.

  • Michelle

    Actually, when I hear “Running Back To You” I still think of the old Vanessa Williams song, lol.

    Loved her in S6. Always such a pro. Love the album cover and I’ll be buying to support her, and hope she keeps having a career in music.

  • colette

    I think it’s interesting that folks don’t complain about Amy Winehouse and Duffy and Adele, all those Brit birds, being “too old school,” even though they’re going back to the old Stax/Motown sound too.

    I just hope Melinda gets the attention she well may deserve, from the many who do love this kind of music and are happy to hear a young practitioner nail it.

    Go Mindy Dooo!

  • ruru