Idol Headlines for 07/12/09

All these reviews that bash kris.Why wont they say something about his voice instead of saying hes no adam lambert? There are many singers today
who are anti-climate.I wish they would focus on kris’s voice and performance.
They seem to be bitter people who liked adam.Go figure.I love kris for not being a adam lambert full of glitter and acting like this is a strip club instead of concert.

Wow what a nasty review by Mercury News. Why didn’t they get someone who actually enjoyed the show to review it? I hope people don’t get mad at Adam for these types of opinions. In this case that reporter is an asshat.

I feel bad for Kris and the other idols who are more than likely reading these reviews. Hopefully they will read just the good ones because the bad ones can be a downer.

Why didn’t they get someone who actually enjoyed the show to review it?

It’s meant to be a serious music concert review. For fan reviews we have the AI blogs.

Why wont they say something about his voice

I think the Average Joe comment included what the reviewer thinks of his voice, ordinary one.

LOL I guess JPfan isn’t going to buy a ticket anytime soon. The reviews this year just get worst.

I love kris for not being a adam lambert full of glitter and acting like this is a strip club instead of concert.

Did anyone else see “adam lambert full of glitter” and think of “Maria full of grace”? Just me? Alright then.

As for reviews: reviewers aren’t obligated to like the show, although condescending reviewers can be irritating. But all of these guys have gottten/will get bad reviews at some point during the next two months.

All these reviews that bash kris.Why wont they say something about his voice instead of saying hes no adam lambert? There are many singers today
who are anti-climate.I wish they would focus on kris’s voice and performance.
They seem to be bitter people who liked adam.Go figure.I love kris for not being a adam lambert full of glitter and acting like this is a strip club instead of concert.

Seriously doubt he was an Adam fan, so his review is based on what he saw, heard, and liked and apparently he didn’t like anyone much.

The review of Adam by Jim Harrington, San Jose Mercury News, may be the best review he’s ever given to an Idol alum in the tour. The rest of the review is similar, not worse to his 2008 review:

Here what he wrote last year about David Cook:

“The last to take the stage was Cook, who greeted fans with his now-famously subdued rock version of Lionel Richie’s “Hello.” He would give the same treatment to Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean.” Both were bores. He also played his new single, “The Time of My Life,” which probably isn’t good enough to be played in a bar.” – Jim Harrington, San Jose Mercury News

It also seems his facts are screwed up. The show was reportly sold out 2 days ago (Santa Rosa paper) and he wrote this:

Next up was the man that seemingly every one in the three-quarter-full house had been waiting for: Lambert.

If it was 3/4 full, maybe accurate, because they don’t sell the tickets behind the stage.

Man, that SJ Mercury-News reviewer hated the concert didn’t he. Even the praise he gave Adam was simply for his stage presence and his potential — he HATED Adam’s vocal style, calling it nauseating. Still, the faint praise he gave Adam was much better than any of the others got.

But he lost me when he compared Allison to Ashlee Simpson and suggested she was ready for Disney Radio. Um, what? Allison is so anti-Disney pop it’s not funny. And he might find Kris a bland John Mayer — but he seems to ignore the fact that Mayer is megasuccessful, not only selling millions of CDs and selling out concerts, but also winning Grammys and AMA awards left and right.

I’m starting just to expect bad reviews for the show. It’s clear most of these reviewers have little respect for AI. Luckily for Kris, Adam and the rest o them, it is the PUBLIC, not the reviews, that determine their future success. As long as the public supports them, they have a chance to build long music careers. And I have a feeling that down the road when they are no longer touring as a group but on their own, the reviews for several of these kids will be a lot more positive.

It’s weird that several of the newspaper reviews have been in stark contrast to the crowd reaction. You’d think the reviewers would at least mention the fact that the crowd seems to enjoy the show — even if the reviewer him/herself doesn’t.

While I understand what Sunn is saying, I don’t think it’s helpul to bash an entire concert. What was he expecting, the Boston Symphony Orchestra? If you know *anything* about Idol, and he clearly doesn’t, it’supposed to be a fun, family-friendly show. No one says it’s God’s gift to music! And while he might have said Adam was the most popular of the Idols that night, he also said he was “nauseating.” Is he the entertainment reporter, or the columnist who reviews classical music?

Yeesh.

I was at the Oakland concert last night.

First, of all, it doesn’t surprise me to see Mercury give such a bad review. Last year they panned the Idols tour as well. There is a certain snobbishness to the music scene here in No Cal.

Second of all, he was dead wrong about Slow Ride. That was one of the largest — if not the largest– positive audience reactions of the night. It embodied what Idol does best; talented young people having a blast.

Third, all that being said, there was some grain of truth here – albeit a small grain. With the exceptions of Matt’s first song and Lil Round’s last song, the audience reaction to the first 6 performers was fairly moderate. People were enjoying themselves and clapping, but virtually no one on their feet. It doesn’t help the show this year that the opening three acts are Michael, Megan and Scott. They all, particularly Megan, have vocal limitations that made for a rocky start.

I thought that the Allison, Adam and Kris were all excellent. It is a little unfortunate that Adam and Kris sing back to back — not because one is better than the other or “should have one,” but because there is no way to bridge the OTT showstopping show that is Adam, to the intimate, acoustic Kris in a way that makes for an effective concert. It’s like being in the middle of watching Phantom of the Opera, to have someone call halt and usher Jack Johnson to the stage. Both are performances worth watching, just not together. It took Kris pretty much his full set for the audience to readjust and by Hey Jude, he had them. But then it was over. I wonder at the wisdom of the the “count down” format this year. It was a easy, but lazy, choice.

Did anyone else see ‘adam lambert full of glitter’  and think of ‘Maria full of grace’ ? Just me? Alright then.

ROFLMAO!!

Even the praise he gave Adam was simply for his stage presence and his potential ‘” he HATED Adam’s vocal style, calling it nauseating.

You see it was exactly the nauseating comment that made this review probably the best I’ve seen for Adam. The guy hates idol, and everything about, he hates Adam’s vocal style but he still had to admit that the guy is a

bona-fide star

He admitted inspite of all his objections to it. In spite of his personal tastes. He stated it as an irrefutable fact. That is the best review any artist can get.

It’s easy to get praise from people who like you, but it’s when the praise comes from those who don’t, that it’s truly flattering.

Wow. The A+E review is merciless. That’s how the writer construes the concert; he’s just doing his job. Welcome to the real world. But as far as what the future holds for these idols, nobody knows.

On this Mercury News review of the Oakland show, I agree with pretty much every word of it. I think the reviewer is spot on. I even agree with him about Lambert’s style of music. I have always found that kind of theatrical style to be a tad nauseating. It’s a testament to Lambert’s immense talent that I not only enjoy his theatrical performances, but I have started to appreciate some performers who have left me scratching my head in the past.

The Ashlee SImpson comparison is perfect. I have always found Allison to be a highly ‘affected’  performer, like she’s putting on some kind of teen-rawk act. It’s the same thing that others have noted as a ‘diction’  issue. I don’t think it’s diction, I think it’s mimicing a style of singing in a self-consiously affected way.

The rest of the review speaks for itself.

The one major misstep of the set _ and the decision can’t be blamed on Lambert _ was when Iraheta was called out for an unbelievably hokey duet of Foghat’s ‘Slow Ride.’  Yet, he recovered nicely by ending his set with a David Bowie medley.

I don’t know about the misstep part, the song can be lame but it’s still one of the top moments of the season for me and for a bunch of other people, the guy has visibly no interest in the tv show so the duet loses a lot of its charm.

Adam is actually pretty much included in that decision, he was the one who picked the song during rock week and he is the one who was happy to sing it during his set.
One of the only “flaws” of Adam is that he sometimes picks some karaoke cheesy songs like Play that funky music, Born to be wild or Slow Ride.

I have always found Allison to be a highly ‘affected’  performer, like she’s putting on some kind of teen-rawk act.

YMMV of course, but I really don’t agree. I love Allison second only to Adam because I think that they both pour themselves into whatever they are singing and while they both have distinct, even idiosyncratic ways of performing, those ways always serve the music.

That said, it’s cool that Adam has managed to make you love him even if you don’t like his style.

If it’s the same Jim Harrington, he liked the S6 tour tons better than this one:

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4176/is_20070726/ai_n19448109/

He loved Haley:

“Her success with country music, coupled with the genre’s willingness to embrace Carrie Underwood, could see Scarnato become Season 6′s breakthrough artist. Her looks, often commented upon by “American Idol” judge Simon Cowell, won’t hurt the cause either”

Now I’m laughing at this guy’s ability to spot future stars. Although it’s hard to believe the same guy wrote both reviews.

The San Jose Mercury News is one of those papers with a more “esteemed” and “erudite” reputation. From what I know about them, I cannot imagine they were excited and ready to go to the Idol concert. I have a feeling there may be some papers who would offer kinder words, even if they weren’t into the show.

Unless the critic is someone who is a fan (or covers Idol during the season), I have a feeling a lot of the reviews will be negative. I don’t understand why a lot of people are complaining how “a fan didn’t write it”. Of course not. Often times, as a critic, you don’t get to chose what you’re reviewing. And I wonder whether or not someone who did not watch the show would walk away happy with what they saw? In a way, it would be like watching an expensive show put on by a cover band.

So I agree with Sunn who said there are the blogs for fan reviews and the papers for real reviews.

Well David Cook has managed to survive Jim Harrington’s bad review from last year’s AI tour just fine, hasn’t he? It would be interesting to see if Harrington has reviewed Cook’s solo tour to see if his opinion changed any.

I think Kris, Adam, et al are ready for bad reviews. They likely don’t take them too much to heart. In fact, they might not even read them — I know both guys said they didn’t read much about themselves after the first few weeks that they were on the tv show.

And this reviewer thought Haley Scarnato would be the breakout star of S6? Um…what? To be honest, I have no idea what Haley is even doing these days…is she even trying to make it in the music business?

Even the praise he gave Adam was simply for his stage presence and his potential ‘” he HATED Adam’s vocal style, calling it nauseating. Still, the faint praise he gave Adam was much better than any of the others got.

His praise for Adam was actually pretty intense, I thought–calling him a “bona fide star” and saying that it would be fascinating to follow him in his career, etc. I agree that I found it odd that he seemed to have such a high opinion of Adam while hating his style, but hwc seems to be saying something similar, so I guess it’s possible.

And if these guys even read the reviews (it would be better for them not to, probably, though they probably do), then I’m sure they are all prepared for bad reviews because they will all get them at some point.

The “public”? The non-AI viewers of the public is far more than AI viewers, if any idol wants to build his career that’s the section they have to focus on, and this review reflects what that section saw from this concert, scornful as it is, they can pick their star.

I do wish he could find something nicer to say to others, oh well.

Oh yeah, I didn’t see the connection between our girl, Allison, and Ashlee, except for their initials. The AI stigma stings, but I hope our idols can make a breakthrough.

Well, Jim Harrington was wrong on TOML and Haley Scarnato’s stardom so…maybe he’s not always right. But at least he’s not afraid to give his opinion.

Here what he wrote last year about David Cook:

‘The last to take the stage was Cook, who greeted fans with his now-famously subdued rock version of Lionel Richie’s ‘Hello.’  He would give the same treatment to Michael Jackson’s ‘Billie Jean.’  Both were bores. He also played his new single, ‘The Time of My Life,’  which probably isn’t good enough to be played in a bar.’  – Jim Harrington, San Jose Mercury News

Thanks for that Q3. It does put it all in perspective, doesn’t it? The man is obviously not a fan of a more organic approach to music.

Reviewers are so outdated, in the internet world, IMO. I suppose they were useful in the past, when it was hard to find out about a movie or concert in advance. Now, they like to fancy themselves as ‘taste makers’, which I find sad and scary. It will NEVER happen that I turn my taste in entertainment over to anyone like Harrington.

Yes, but how much on the non-AI “public” reads reviews to determine who they want to see? Most music fans I know talk to their friends about who they like and what concerts they want to see. Or they go online to stream or download music. I don’t know many people who use newspaper reviews as the main barometer on whether to support a particular musician or band. Word of mouth is more influential in determining a musician’s success than is a review (good or bad).

Great pics of the show. Credit to whoever posted it in the last thread.

http://priyaganesan.blogspot.com/2009/07/american-idol-live-tour-2009-recap.html

Adam was beautiful. His makeup was perfect last night. And his hair grows really fast.

I like this with Alli and this with Kris.

Allison is nothing like ashlee simpson.Allison can sing circles around her.And Allison totally isnt radio disney.Shes to rawk and awesome for disney.Allison and disney should never to be used in the same content.

The review didnt like adams vocal style.I must give him props because i agree.

I don’t know about you but it was his Born to Be Wild performance that got me hooked onto him in the first place. I was never an AI follower, it just happened that I was watching the TV in the background when his performance came on.

As for Play that Funky Music, as much as the song is cheesy, he completely nailed it. He was transitioning between parts that were meant for females and males in the performance flawlessly. It was amazing vocally from a technical perspective. Anyway I don’t think this is the type song he will be singing for his future records. I think it was more a strategic vocal showcase on AI. To show that he could be completely ridiculous on a week where people were singing ballads?

For Slow Ride, I’ve always hated the song, but I think it is the perfect vehicle for duet vocal improvision since the song is pretty much tuneless so you can add whatever flourishes you want to it. And Allison and Adam made me like the song despite its flaws. I do agree somewhat that it’s a bit out of place in his set — there could have been a better song in there — but I guess it’s a crowd pleaser since most of the audience is familiar with it and it was one of the best moments on AI?

Adam is actually pretty much included in that decision, he was the one who picked the song during rock week and he is the one who was happy to sing it during his set.
One of the only ‘flaws’  of Adam is that he sometimes picks some karaoke cheesy songs like Play that funky music, Born to be wild or Slow Ride.

It’s meant to be a serious music concert review. For fan reviews we have the AI blogs.

Word!

Unless the critic is someone who is a fan (or covers Idol during the season), I have a feeling a lot of the reviews will be negative. I don’t understand why a lot of people are complaining how ‘a fan didn’t write it’ . Of course not. Often times, as a critic, you don’t get to chose what you’re reviewing. And I wonder whether or not someone who did not watch the show would walk away happy with what they saw? In a way, it would be like watching an expensive show put on by a cover band.

Exactly!!!

The Mercury News guy was ordered to drive to Sacramento and sit through a concert about a show he does not care about with lots of screaming fans, so of course he’s crabby.

I’m starting just to expect bad reviews for the show. It’s clear most of these reviewers have little respect for AI.

Most people outside of the “AI bubble”–including many in the music industry–have little respect for AI (e.g., it’s a crappy karaoke TV show that foists untalented, undeserving people onto the public on a massive scale and they succeed over more talented people only because of the machine behind them, bla bla, bla). I’m sorry, but it’s true. I prefer honest, unbiased reviews the most. AI fantards need not apply. This guy seems to have accomplished that goal fairly well.

I’ll add that I used to write for a music blog and we used to draw straws to see who would review a former AI contestant. It was a running joke. Often times the singer/material was crappy, but we knew we were going to get spammed with responses calling us the world’s crappiest human being, etc. It was always lame. AI fans will defend the crappiest singers/material. The unforgiving music world won’t do so.

BeckyMD
Jul 12th, 2009 at 11:24 am
Great pics of the show. Credit to whoever posted it in the last thread.

http://priyaganesan.blogspot.com/2009/07/american-idol-live-tour-2009-recap.html

Adam was beautiful. His makeup was perfect last night. And his hair grows really fast.

I like this with Alli and this with Kris.

Thanks for posting. This is my favourite one of Adam. There’s something almost ethereal about the picture.

I’m starting just to expect bad reviews for the show. It’s clear most of these reviewers have little respect for AI.

Probably. However, Adam and Allison seem to be getting almost consistently good-to-excellent reviews, and Kris is not far behind, which is a very nice thing for all of them.

You know the best thing about that review? Not one word about Adam’s sexual orientation. Fianly!

stargirl
Jul 12th, 2009 at 11:26 am
Allison is nothing like ashlee simpson.Allison can sing circles around her.And Allison totally isnt radio disney.Shes to rawk and awesome for disney.Allison and disney should never to be used in the same content.

The review didnt like adams vocal style.I must give him props because i agree.

Remember when Ashley Simpson first started, she was billed as ‘punk rock’? That is hilarious, of course, but perhaps Harrington was calling Allison a faux rocker? That is the only reason I can think of for the A Simpson comparison.

Allison is not a rocker in the Amy Lee mold, but she can definitely hold her own in the pop/rock world of ‘Pink’, IMO. She is also still 17, so she may evolve to the Amy Lee mold or make her own mold. We shall see in time.

“Yes, but how much on the non-AI ‘public’  reads reviews to determine who they want to see?”

It’s totally not about the non-AI public reads reviews, this reviewer being part of that population, it’s about their reaction after they hear or see these idols play on radio or TV, from outside of the show’s format, as any other singers out there. Obviously they can spot who shines.

The show provided no clues to what might happen with the singer’s career ‘“ it still seems equally plausible that he might become the next John Mayer or that we will never hear from him again.

Well that’s one way to cover your @ss. No one can tell the reviewer he was wrong about Kris a year from now.

Now I’m laughing at this guy’s ability to spot future stars. Although it’s hard to believe the same guy wrote both reviews.

Maybe it’s a nom de plume they give to all their concert reviewers because that S6 review is a hilarious find. The guy’s credibility as a serious music critic is shot to shreds with that one. He even seems to lament that the crowd wasn’t into it enough:

Despite the show’s artistic success, the evening underscored the hypothesis that “American Idol” has run its course and is no longer as important to the general public. Sure, it’s still a monster in terms of TV ratings. Yet, this concert wasn’t sold out and the audience didn’t seem as excited as one might expect.

I loved this bit:
Yet, these TV darlings — with the notable exception of Sanjaya Malakar — showed enough to suggest that they have at least a fighting chance to make it in the real world.

Well, we all know how that turned out so far.

I guess he does like the vegas-reviews because he liked the show S6 and said it was organized as a vegas-review. Maybe this year wasn’t cheesy enough? Oh well, it takes all sorts. And here most people thought that Scarnato was popular because of her legs. I guess she had some real fans because the guy is not interested in Megan and her legs go on for miles.

This is my favourite one of Adam. There’s something almost ethereal about the picture.

Thank you fo the picture Sunn. I love the intensity Adam brings to his performances but also delight in the ones that show his enjoyment of the ride, of being there on that stage playing and being where he wants to be. I can only imagine his first solo concert and what that will mean to him.

I’ve reviewed a lot of crap movies and shows and I still don’t know how I would review an Idol concert. Guess we will have to find out this year. But in all seriousness, I don’t know if an Idol show could be fun if you weren’t a fan of the show.

I have to go back and read that review but, out of all the contestants, there is one contestant I think would stand out ANYWHERE as being a huge talent.

Sorry, not talking about Adam Lambert. I’m talking about Allison Iraheta. There is nothing Ashlee Simpson about her and she can hold her own with any of today’s young, popular female vocalists. As someone who used to write a lot of reviews and can ALWAYS find fault with some of the crap shoved down our throats on Idol, I don’t see how you couldn’t walk away being nothing but impressed with that kid in terms of not only her voice, but also her stage presence.

I don’t know about you but it was his Born to Be Wild performance that got me hooked onto him in the first place. I was never an AI follower, it just happened that I was watching the TV in the background when his performance came on.

I didn’t criticize Adam’s take on each of these songs, I agree with you that he made the best out of each, but the reviewer does seem to criticize the song choice first in his review and saying that Adam wasn’t involved in the process of making this song part of his set which is simply false.

It was a running joke. Often times the singer/material was crappy, but we knew we were going to get spammed with responses calling us the world’s crappiest human being, etc. It was always lame. AI fans will defend the crappiest singers/material. The unforgiving music world won’t do so.

LOL, it’s almost a given huh? I could close my eyes and still paraphrase the bulk of the defensive comments that follow such reviews,very predictable stuiff, but funny as hell.

Apart from his take on Allison, I have no problem with the rest of it

I have to say that there are reviews from some states/countries that will really matter to me and some that I can already guess how they are going to go (and for one reason only) and I really won’t care. So far so good…..

I dont mind that kris gets a awful review because many people are still bitterberts and i take it with a grain of salt.My problem is when they dont
review him.when they dont comment on his music style,song choices or
performance.Even his guitar skills in All The Things I Done and his piano
skills in Bright Lights.People just write him off being hes not the one
whos gay and in glitter.Some of these reporters dont make sense.
I hope kris doesnt read these articles because its not even about him
its about him beating adam.

Of coarse people on MJS love the review.Most of you people are adam fans/bittterberts.

I think the reviewer meant Pink and not Ashley simpson cos there is no connection at all. but wow he was harsh .

Both were bores. He also played his new single, ‘The Time of My Life,’  which probably isn’t good enough to be played in a bar.’ 

Well he’s probably right that TOML would never be played in bars but it was good enough to be played on Oprah and the Olympics so I think that beats being played in bars anyway :laugh_tb:

I do agree somewhat that it’s a bit out of place in his set ‘” there could have been a better song in there

Adam’s set would be stronger if he dumped the duet and ended with a headbanger techno rock dance closer like Ooh La La by one of his favorite bands, Goldfrapp:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0Uv3wBjHKc

Or better yet, Madonna’s Ray of Light:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MI0Rcn4e-I

Something that would have blown the roof off with the crowd up and dancing.

Adam did the kid who won a big favor by closing with the Bowie medley. He could have done something that would have made it absolutely impossible to follow:

Whole Lotta Love
Starlight
Mad World
Bowie Medley
Ray of Light

The Mercury News reviewer’s opinion is just that – an opinion. I understand the gist of what he said , and don’t entirely disagree – I do object to the high and mighty tone of the whole piece though.

I’m so tired of being made to feel as though I’m some kind of moron for enjoying American Idol! The show is not some lame reality show, it’s a talent show where talented youngsters can have a shot at achieving their dream.
Why is that something to be sneered at? Isn’t that supposed to be what the fabled “American Dream” is all about?

Most people outside of the ‘AI bubble’ ’“including many in the music industry’“have little respect for AI (e.g., it’s a crappy karaoke TV show that foists untalented, undeserving people onto the public on a massive scale and they succeed over more talented people only because of the machine behind them, bla bla, bla). I’m sorry, but it’s true. I prefer honest, unbiased reviews the most. AI fantards need not apply. This guy seems to have accomplished that goal fairly well.

I used to feel this way until it occurred to me that many current “singers,” who haven’t made it through AI, can’t sing to save their lives. They’re all about showboating, autotuning, doing aerobics rather than performing, and being cute, etc. In contrast, many Idol contestants — especially many who make it into the top 12 — CAN sing. Whatever you think about their other skills most of them are far better than some of their current non-AI counterparts at the heart of it — singing.

And let’s be honest about this, these artists outside of AI are also a part of a machine. What? They don’t have record contracts with big behemoth entertainment conglomerates who push and publicize them and create images? Furthermore, many of the AI singers have also been toiling in the hinterlands for years. Very few have been plucked from their bathrooms, singing into their hairbrushes. So, to say that they have nothing in common with singers who make it without AI is just not true.

Now, I will say one thing, I think many older performers who made it big in the 70′s and 80′s do have a bone of contention with AI singers in that, I think back then you really did have to be multitalented to maintain a career. It’s only when manufactured airbrushed acts took over that “music” began to be about something other than just talent. However, these older artists ALSO have a bone of contention with many current performers, period. Not just Idols. At least — as I’ve said — with the Idol contestants you do get a good singer for your money, if nothing else.

I dont mind that kris gets a awful review because many people are still bitterberts

Not every reviewer who doesn’t like Kris is a bitter Adam fan, just like not every reviewer who doesn’t like Adam is a bitter Kris fan. Sometimes reviewers just don’t like people–I may disagree with them or think that their reasons for disliking something are silly, but they don’t always have ulterior motives.

Even his guitar skills in All The Things I Done

While Kris has great skills with the guitar…he is certainly not exceptional….

Kris shouldnt have to do better than Adam.kris shouldnt be able to be compared to adam.In fact nobody should.Adam will be always be over-pimped and over-rated by critics.Comparing Adam and Kris sets are like comparing Jason Mraz’s concert to a Lady Gaga concert.it just doesnt work.People should stop comparing them all together.But people love to put kris down and under-rate him.I expect nothing less.

Sunn:

“It’s meant to be a serious music concert review. For fan reviews we have the AI blogs.”

Well, for me serious is like a false note. Have you been sarcastic?

I am happy to see that Kris is coming out for the finale, wearing real shoes with actual heels, instead of those Chuck Taylors. I always thought it was interesting that he didn’t mind Adam and his two inch heels, towering over him in his thin soled sneakers. I guess he is just as comfortable in his own skin as Adam says. But, it does make a difference with the shallow public, so I am glad that the Chuck Taylors would be totally inappropriate with that killer black shirt.

Oh ok, so its no longer the judges doing the pimping, its the critics….LMAO!!!

Unless the critic is someone who is a fan (or covers Idol during the season), I have a feeling a lot of the reviews will be negative. I don’t understand why a lot of people are complaining how ‘a fan didn’t write it’ 

When I review the show, I don’t put it through the same filters as I would a typical music concert, because these kids have not started their real music careers yet, and are forced to sing covers.

My favorite reviews are from the TV critics who watched the show and “get” the big karaoke fest in the spirit it was intended: a giant valentine to the fans who followed the show.

I wish they would focus on kris’s voice and performance.
They seem to be bitter people who liked adam.

It is possible, and even entirely plausible, that a reviewer might actually enjoy Adam’s set (including his voice and performance) and not enjoy Kris’ set (including his voice and performance.) And it’s as simple as that. Hard to imagine, apparently, but nonetheless true.

A couple of days ago, when we were discussing what new song Kris would sing, there was some talk about whether you could get fairly current songs cleared. So, this morning, I decided to check the release date of songs that are being sung on the AI tour.

The oldest song is “Georgie” which was written by Hoagy Carmichael way back in 1930 (just goes to show good songs age well). Matt is doing a version derived from the Ray Charles cover of that song which is still the oldest version of a covered song at 1960.

The newest song is, obviously, “No Boundaries” released in May of this year. If we toss that song away (and I see no reason not to), you end up with a pair of songs released last November. Matt’s version of the Fray’s “You Found Me” and Kris’s version of Kayne’s “Heartless”. Released just a month earlier is Lil’s version of “Single Ladies”.

What I find interesting is that all of the songs that the first four singers sing songs that were released in 21st century. So, most of the Idols, when given the chance to pick their own songs regardless of themes, choose fairly current songs. Meanwhile, it’s not surprising that all of the Medley/Group songs harken from 3 decades or more ago. Michael has the most current set consisting of songs released just last year.

Here are the stats (the averages are based on the year of release of the cover version, the percentages are the number of song released in the last 10 years):
Michael Sarver:
“I’m In Love with a Girl” – Gavin DeGraw – Feb, 2008
“Closer” – NeYo – April, 2008
Average age: 2008; 100%

Megan Joy:
‘Put Your Records On’  – Corrine Baily Rae – Feb, 2006
‘Tears Dry on Their Own’  – Amy Winehouse – July, 2007
Average Age: 2007, 100%

Scott MacIntyre:
‘Bend and Break’  – Keane – July, 2005
‘A Thousand Miles’  – Vanessa Carlton – Feb, 2002
Average Age: 2004, 100%

Lil Rounds:
‘Be Without You’  – Mary J Blige – Nov, 2005
‘No One’  – Alicia Keys – Sept, 2007
‘Single Ladies’  – Beyonce – October, 2008
Average Age: 2007, 100%

Anoop Desai:
‘ Always on My Mind’  – Willie Nelson – 1982 (original version, 1972)
‘Mad’  by Ne-Yo – Oct, 2008
‘My Prerogative’  – Bobby Brown – Oct, 1988
Average Age: 1993, 33%

Matt Giraud:
‘Hard to Handle’  – Black Crowes – 1990 (original version, 1968)
‘Georgia’  – Ray Charles – 1960 (original version, 1930)
‘You Found Me’  – The Fray – Nov, 2008
Average Age: 1986 – 33%

Allison Iraheta:
‘So What’  – Pink – August, 2008
‘Cry Baby’  – Janis Joplin – 1971 (original version, 1963)
‘Barracuda’  – Heart – 1977
‘Slow Ride’  – Foghat w/Adam – 1975
Average Age: 1985, 33%
Average Age Including Duet: 1983, 25%

Danny Gokey:
‘P.Y.T.’  – Michael Jackson – September, 1983
‘Maria Maria’  – Santana – Jan, 2005
“What Hurts the Most’  – Rascal Flatts – 2006 (original version, 2003)
‘My Wish’  – Rascal Flatts – 2006
Average Age: 2000, 75%

Adam Lambert:
‘Whole Lotta Love’  – Led Zepplin – Nov, 1969
‘Starlight’  – Muse – Sept, 2006
‘Mad World’  – Tears for Fears/Gary Jules – Dec, 2003 (original version, 1982)
‘Slow Ride’  – Foghat w/ Allison – 1975
Bowie Medley: ‘Life on Mars’  (June, 1973); ‘Fame’  (July, 1975) ‘Let’s Dance’  (Mar, 1983) – 1977
Average Age: 1986, 40%
Average Age Excluding Duet: 1988, 50%

Kris Allen:
‘Heartless’  – Kanye West – Nov, 2008
‘No Boundaries’  – Kris Allen – May, 2009
“All These Things That I’ve Done” – Killers – 2004
‘Bright Lights’  – Matchbox 20 – 2004
‘Ain’t No Sunshine’  – Bill Withers – Sept, 1971
‘Hey Jude’  – The Beatles – August, 1968
Average Age (NoBo): 1992, 60%
Average Age (ATTTID): 1991, 60%

Medley:
Group Medley: ‘Can’t Take My Eyes Off You’  (April, 1967); ‘Tell Her About It’  (1983), Michael sings ‘Suspicious Minds’  (1969), “Beggin’” (Feb, 1967) – 1971.5
‘Don’t Stop Believing’  – Journey – 1981
Average Age: 1976, 0%

Kris shouldnt have to do better than Adam.kris shouldnt be able to be compared to adam.In fact nobody should.Adam will be always be over-pimped and over-rated by critics.Comparing Adam and Kris sets are like comparing Jason Mraz’s concert to a Lady Gaga concert.it just doesnt work.People should stop comparing them all together.But people love to put kris down and under-rate him.I expect nothing less.

These critics have nothing invested in Adam or Kris, they are not ‘pimping’ anyone they are just given their opinion, many will not agree with it and many will find he’s absolutely correct. Unfortunately for Kris fans and us Kradam fans he wasn’t in to Kris.

TopIdolBlog
Jul 12th, 2009 at 11:40 am

I have to go back and read that review but, out of all the contestants, there is one contestant I think would stand out ANYWHERE as being a huge talent.

Sorry, not talking about Adam Lambert. I’m talking about Allison Iraheta. There is nothing Ashlee Simpson about her and she can hold her own with any of today’s young, popular female vocalists. As someone who used to write a lot of reviews and can ALWAYS find fault with some of the crap shoved down our throats on Idol, I don’t see how you couldn’t walk away being nothing but impressed with that kid in terms of not only her voice, but also her stage presence.

Sorry, but Allison’s performances in Oakland were not great. Her voice is too hoarse right now, possibly from the strain of touring. Just watch her performance of “So What”. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nu6sX4Xejyo

Yeah, there are far too many successful musicians out there now who can’t sing without the aid of that Auto-Tune crap. Whoever invented that device should apologize to the music-loving public!

I don’t know if any of these AI8 contestants are going to be successful musicians down the road or whether they will fade away quickly. But I do get tired of feeling like I should apologize for liking AI and supporting my favorites. There are people who bought Paris Hilton’s CD, for god’s sake — and I don’t hear them apologizing! (PS – I apologize to anyone here who might have bought her CD. I simply don’t understand why she’s famous. Her family’s rich – big deal. Girl’s got no talent IMO)

Have you been sarcastic?

No. Frankly I agreed with everything the reviewer said, except I found him a little harsh on Kris and Allison. Not necessarily wrong mind you, just extreme in his dismissal.

I don’t want just fans giving reviews, I want to hear the opinion of the outside world. Which why I never take Richard Rushfield reviews seriously, to me he comes across as just another fan.

I think, when reading critics, you have to know their taste. There are some critics I want to read and find out their take on something because I usually agree with them and I know that my taste runs similar to theirs. If they hate something, I will probably will. But I always read more than one review before I make up my mind.

I do agree with the posters who say the concert is entirely different experience for a non AI T.V. viewer. The reason most of us love the SR duet is because of Adam and Allison’s interaction. You can see the love they have for each other and we all remember the “hug.” I think their vocals are great on it. But without the backstory, would that particular song seem as exciting?

The concert is really a celebration of the T.V. show. Adam, I believe, called the AI tour a showcase and not a concert. I think that is correct. Adam really picked diverse pieces of music to “showcase” his various singing styles.

I also think the reviewers are looking at it objectively. They may not know anyone’s backstory, or how they had a breakout performance “Heartless” on the show. They are judging it based on what the see in front of them and their personal taste in music.

When I review the show, I don’t put it through the same filters as I would a typical music concert, because these kids have not started their real music careers yet, and are forced to sing covers.

I understand and agree to a point. It does require a “willful suspension of disbelief” to pretend that these are real singers for the evening and get in the spirit of an Idol tour show.

On the other hand, they are charging the same $60 cash money as a real concert by a real artist or a real band, so I don’t think it’s unreasonable to judge them by the same standard. It’s not like they are doing free talent show karaoke in the park.

To me, the only interesting thing about Idol is not the manipulative backstories or the legions of lounge singers doing their Stevie Wonder and Bill Withers covers, but when — maybe once every other year or so — a real performer slips through the cracks into the top 10.

My favorite reviews are from the TV critics who watched the show and ‘get’  the big karaoke fest in the spirit it was intended: a giant valentine to the fans who followed the show.

I’m the opposite….I prefer to balance it off with reviews of people outside the bubble..even if they dismiss the show as the karoake fest that it is…it’s easy enough to strip off the contempt and still get some feedback from their reviews

What I get from the TV critics who watched the show is just a repetition of what I get from them all season while the show is on..who wants to hear the same thing over and over again?The likes of Mansfield and Rushfield et al haven’t brought anything new in their tour reviews that i didnt hear all season

Wow what a nasty review by Mercury News. Why didn’t they get someone who actually enjoyed the show to review it?

It isn’t their job to do an American Idol puff piece. If the guy didn’t like the show, he didn’t like it, no big deal. He went and reviewed it through his eyes honestly. There’s no point in AI fans huffing and puffing and getting all bent out of shape every time a reviewer doesn’t love the show or a certain contestant.

If it’s the same Jim Harrington, he liked the S6 tour tons better than this one:

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4176/is_20070726/ai_n19448109/

He loved Haley:

‘Her success with country music, coupled with the genre’s willingness to embrace Carrie Underwood, could see Scarnato become Season 6′s breakthrough artist. Her looks, often commented upon by ‘American Idol’  judge Simon Cowell, won’t hurt the cause either’ 

Uh-oh! It seems that Mr. Harrington’s anointing of Adam as a “bona-fide star” may just be the kiss of death!

To me, the only interesting thing about Idol is not the manipulative backstories or the legions of lounge singers doing their Stevie Wonder and Bill Withers covers

What? Poor Bill Withers hardly gets any love on this show. Unless you call 3 people a legion (the girl who passed out, the first guy to pick a group and the guy who beat the guy you like). That’s not a lot compared to the 230 contestants that made it to the competition rounds.

In Twitterland – I think Adam may reach 100,000 followers today – pretty cool for a guy who barely uses the thing.

@ sunn

“He admitted inspite of all his objections to it. In spite of his personal tastes. He stated it as an irrefutable fact. That is the best review any artist can get.

It’s easy to get praise from people who like you, but it’s when the praise comes from those who don’t, that it’s truly flattering.”

I agree with you on this. I really hope Adam is prepared for life outside AI. It would be tough but i know he got it in him to succeed. So long as the fans are there to support. I for one will continue to do so.

Uh-oh! It seems that Mr. Harrington’s anointing of Adam as a ‘bona-fide star’  may just be the kiss of death!

Or he may break the curse ;p

I don’t want or expect an AI puff piece from a music critic. But I would like to see an objective, balanced review that isn’t condescending in tone. This particular reviewer went in with an anti-AI bias which clearly shows in his review. It wasn’t balanced and it was very dismissive. It would have been nice if he had put a little more thought into his review. But his opinion is his opinion. For his sake, hopefully his paper won’t ask him to cover any more of the AI tours!

i’m with the group that likes to see what non-AI-following reviewers think of the concerts. But these reviews can’t always predict later success. I can’t remember exactly what was written about them, but I highly doubt that Kelly, Carrie and Daughtry were given completely glowing reviews.

So all in all, a couple of bad reviews will not hurt Kris, and I’m pretty amazed at the response that Adam got (I thought he might be savaged by “cool” reviewers – just for being in the AI world).

My favorite reviews are from the TV critics who watched the show and ‘get’  the big karaoke fest in the spirit it was intended: a giant valentine to the fans who followed the show.

When I read a review of a show, or a play, or even a film it’s for two reasons, and two reasons only.
1- to see how a favourite, if indeed I had a favourite involved, has fared with the critics as representatives, of the non-fan public.

2- It’s to see if the event, what ever it maybe, is worth the ticket price.

Reading reviews of devotees wont accomplish either these objectives for me. They’re fun, and they’re reassuring, as well as reinforcing of my own fannish notions. They make me happy and warm, like a lovely old blanket. But, alas, in my view they’re not very useful.

So I prefer the neutral, cold fish critics if you will, for a reality check. I’m not just talking about AI here, I’m talking about cultural, as well as political, events in general.

I understand and agree to a point. It does require a ‘willful suspension of disbelief’  to pretend that these are real singers for the evening and get in the spirit of an Idol tour show.

But they are real singers, although I don’t think Megan Joy or Michael really should be in the top ten. That’s not to say that they are all good performers, all know how to work a stage, all play instruments, all write music, all even select the appropriate music for their styles, etc. They are not all equal in talent. But they are all real singers. I spent five months of my life watching a show in which I can testify to that. It wasn’t all smoke and mirrors and none of them was pulling a Milli Vanilli on us … although I hated the idea of the lip-synched group numbers. That defeats the purpose of the show and leads one down the wrong path.

Thanks for posting. This is my favourite one of Adam. There’s something almost ethereal about the picture.

Sunn, that picture is so ethereal that it’s invisible! I’m just getting a blank screen.

hwc: I even agree with him about Lambert’s style of music. I have always found that kind of theatrical style to be a tad nauseating. It’s a testament to Lambert’s immense talent that I not only enjoy his theatrical performances, but I have started to appreciate some performers who have left me scratching my head in the past.

Yep, that’s basically where I’m at. I’ve like theatrical performances before in very limited contexts, namely opera, but never liked musical theater or theatrical pop music. But what I’ve seen from Adam so far is artistically convincing (usually – like someone said upstream, he makes some hokey choices, too).

Regarding the reviews: I think it’s great if places are sending regular music critics to the shows. Unless these guys are content to have their whole career begin and end with Idol, they need to be stepping into the wider musical world. Obviously, this victory lap tour is not out there yet: largely attended by fans of the TV show, includes numbers from the TV show, staged according to TV show history/expectations, etc. That all makes for a gentle step out for the contestants: like performing for your family – an audience more or less prepared to love you for just being you. Nothing wrong with that. But it’s also good to start getting your toes wet in the wider world. There will be some audience members not really into the TV show, and also some regular music critics. That’s a good thing.

“No one says it’s God’s gift to music!”

Well, here’s the thing. Every single one of these Idol finalists seems to think that he or she deserves a recording contract, probably a major-label one, and a professional career in the music business. They’ve been showcased on national — international! — television and have hordes of fans clamoring for their autographs, which clearly gives them the expectation that, in fact, they should expect this. That they are the creme de la creme.

But I taught in a school with an arts focus, have a performing-arts focus myself, and have lots of friends and several relations who do. Ahd a professional career in music that pays all your bills, not even to *mention* a major-label recording contract, is absolutely “God’s gift” to a performer. And I’ve known tons of people over the years, and know them now, who are every bit as talented as most of the kids from Idol Season 8, have worked every bit as hard if not harder, and know for sure that they will never ever ever as long as they live see such a thing. Even though, as I would swear on several stacks of all the holy books in the world, many of them deserve it at least as much as most of this group (or any group) of Idols.

And when any one of those people that I know performs and gets a review, they get held to a very tough professional standard. That’s what reviews *are*. They’re comparing professional shows to professional shows. Otherwise, why write the reviews? Nobody is going to care about a *non*professional show. And when somebody’s a reviewer, they’ve *seen* all these thousands of very talented people slaving away in the music business. That’s their point of reference, and so you can’t possibly expect them to ignore what they know about the abilities and performance chops of thousands of people out there when they write a review.

It’s completely different from the fan review, whose context usually is “Aw, I watched so and so on tv every single week and I think he’s/she’s *so* cute!!! He/she should be a *star*!” And you know what? Those fan reviews are fun for us fans to read. But they do the Idols absolutely zero good. Quite the opposite. They need to hear how they’re going to be compared, the minute the bloom is off their idol rose — about six months from now or less.

And, yeah, reviewers can be totally wrong about who’s got the most potential and so on. When somebody has potential, that’s all it is — potential. So it’s darned hard to know whether it’ll turn into anything, and sometimes somebody’s potential is still there but not shining out to a particular person yet. But regardless of that, and grumpy or not, professional reviewers at least bring a broader perspective of the whole range of performers out there than most fans do, and if you’re trying to be a pro (at *anything*) you need to at least listen to such perspectives, rather than just to your fangirls and your mom, or you don’t have much hope of living up to whatever potential that you have. Especially when you’re produced by a hype machine like AI.

I am avoiding watching any videos of the show and am trying not to retain the set lists so that when I see the show in September it will be somewhat fresh. I am reading some of these reviews, though, because I suspected the show might have a bit of a balance problem with Kris performing after Adam.

Adam dominated the competition and even the finale with his flash and dazzle. He is a performer and brings excitement to the stage. Kris doesn’t bring the same kind of energy to the stage. So, after Adam gets the audience all juiced up, it’s not at all surprising that Kris’ set is going to feel like a bit of a letdown, at least in terms of excitement. For people like this reviewer who aren’t the least bit invested in Idol, the contrast and audience reaction is possibly more evident than for those of us who understand the peculiar dynamic of this season.

I don’t think the producers could have done anything differently, though. Kris is the winner and the winner always gets the last performance spot. That’s just the way it is, no matter how much of a frenzy the runner-up generates.

Poor Bill Withers

Poor Bill Withers? Good gracious, there are currently 98 — yes, ninety-eight – versions of Ain’t No Sunshine listed in the iTunes store. And, that’s not counting the half-dozen karaoke compilations featuring the song or it’s performance in every Holiday Inn lounge by every Hoiliday Inn lounge singer every night for the last 30 years. Everyone of them, heartfelt.

It’s only one of the most cliche songs in the book.

I don’t know what’s the point of taking the review too seriously. If someone criticizes Kris, then they don’t appreciate the mellowness he brings to his performances. If they criticize Adam, then they don’t appreciate the energy and his OTTness (hehe). What is the point of pulling out hairs over criticism? In being a fan, I think everyone has to prepare themselves for negativity. The stars themselves too – but I think they realize that they are not and cannot be everyone’s cuppa tea.

If you support your Idol, then cheer at their concerts, buy their cds. American Idol isnt something that is supported by everyone. It does have a negative impression on many.

I appreciate reviews that actually criticize (as long as they explain the origin of their criticism). Reviews where everything is lovely and wonderful with butterflies are just writers that are afraid to receive flame messages.

In these reviews, we are going to get a mixture of some music purists who will always turn up their nose at AI and those, such as the staffs of Rolling Stone and the L.A. Times, who have given themselves to the “Dark Side” and found out they kind of like it here. I count myself among those who didn’t really “get” AI before. Although I loved many of the talents I was introduced to through the show, Kelly, most notably.

My initial problem was that they were so cold-blooded in the audition episodes, setting these kids up like bowling pins who obviously DO NOT stand a chance, profiling them, following them around with cameras, giving them false hope just have them make complete fools out of themselves in their auditions.

I met the publisher of an alt-press weekly about a year ago, expecting him to be very jaded and edgy and he said in the first 10 minutes of our conversation that he was obsessed with “American Idol,” and I was like, “What? Really?” Cut to a year later and I’m totally obsessed.

Both reviewers have a place, for sure. Those who have followed the show know the back stories, the range, the growth and the upsets that brought the 10 to the stage. Reviewers who have not seen the show (and it seems at this point is a deliberate, conscious choice) are coming in cold and they are reporting what they see. The Allison ‘“ Ashlee Simpson comparison did make my jaw drop; thought that was the lowest blow he could have given her.

I don’t really get how the purists can still totally dismiss AI, like Sassycatz said, without it we would be held hostage by the corporate package artists that are being shoved down our throats. I do think there is a tremendous disconnect in the music industry, meaning there is A LOT of talent that is busting ass to get noticed and they don’t have the means to do so. AI is brining them that forum and actually making the choice far more democratic than the other corporate packaging machines that dictates to us what we should want.

The take is interesting from someone coming in (semi) cold.

cwg509
Jul 12th, 2009 at 12:26 pm
i’m with the group that likes to see what non-AI-following reviewers think of the concerts. But these reviews can’t always predict later success.

No ofcourse they don’t. All they do is show how much potential they have that’s all. Future success is entirely conditioned on the quality of music they produce, and the amount of marketing and PR involved in selling it. Saying that however, if you’re the kind of artist who’s able to make people want to see you perform live, then you already have a massive advantage imo.

@isisdagmar

“Not every reviewer who doesn’t like Kris is a bitter Adam fan, just like not every reviewer who doesn’t like Adam is a bitter Kris fan. Sometimes reviewers just don’t like people’“I may disagree with them or think that their reasons for disliking something are silly, but they don’t always have ulterior motives.”

Agree with you. I don’t understand why every time there is something nice said about Adam but not about Kris or vise versa it becomes a “bitter” fan thingy. I don’t think so and it shouldn’t be. And when a critic or writer likes Adam – it is not “pimping”. It is simply because they like him. Others will also like the other idols. And that is not “pimping” too.

As for the critics, we really can’t control their opinions. They will think what they think and will write what they will write. Critics normally have their own set of standards. They use this to evaluate performances. Personally, i don’t let it affect me. I support Adam even if i am the last person to support him. I don’t really care what anybody says.

Peace!

will
Jul 12th, 2009 at 12:27 pm

Sunn, that picture is so ethereal that it’s invisible! I’m just getting a blank screen.

Lol! Try this will: http://bit.ly/jlPhV

Poor Bill Withers? Good gracious, there are currently 98 ‘” yes, ninety-eight ‘“ versions of Ain’t No Sunshine listed in the iTunes store.

If you read your original post and my post, we were both talking in reference to the show American Idol and it’s contestants.

We were not discussion iTunes or Holiday Inn lounges. I was merely correcting the misconception in your original statement that there are legions of contestants on AI covering Bill Withers. It struck me as false because I didn’t remember that (yes, poor Stevie gets a lot of coverage, but not Bill).

I just like to challenge misconceptions with facts. Although, one is always free to spin the topic off in a tangent when the facts don’t suit the theorem.

Obviously, this victory lap tour is not out there yet: largely attended by fans of the TV show, includes numbers from the TV show, staged according to TV show history/expectations, etc. That all makes for a gentle step out for the contestants: like performing for your family – an audience more or less prepared to love you for just being you.

i was thinking about this the other day because, for the few real artists to emerge from the show, the Idol Tour can be a career killer — using up the most precious strike while the iron is hot opportunity with a grueling summer that has no relevance to the singer’s career.

However, as I thought about it, it occured to me that the Idol Tour is the career for most Idol wannabees. The only opportunity they will ever have to make real money performing before real audiences, so it’s hard to feel bad for them in any way. I mean, where else is Mehghan Joy going to pocket $50k (or whatever) for a summer of touring?

If some wonderful attendee of tonight’s show could get a really nice hq version of Kris’ All These Things That I’ve Done, I would greatly appreciate it.

Has everyone exhausted their batteries by the end of the show, or are they just too taken by Kris to film his segment?

Whatever the reason, I am hoping for more Kris in the video section tomorrow.

The only review I read so far that really kind of ticked me off was the one in the Toronto paper, by someone who castigated the Vancouver audience for sitting quietly and politely instead of getting raucous — and then proceeded to say the only person worth getting raucous over was Adam. Huh?

Look, the media reviews of the AI concerts are always all over the map, and by critics who did and didn’t see the AI season, and if they did, who hated or loved it. And if they saw it, they probably had favorites like anyone else, though it’s their responsibility in print to be at least somewhat objective.

I’m pretty sure Kris Allen is no idiot, and that he does realize that Adam’s talents are far more suited to a huge arena holding 10,000 people than his own talents are. That doesn’t make him pathetic or a nothing, it just means when the circus is over he needs to appear in more intimate halls and theaters, and work on his presentation more.

I realize a lot of AI fans will want to keep close score of who gets the best write-ups throughout the tour, how many people walk out/stay, and allow their emotions to see-saw with every city-by-city “contest.” That makes for a loooooooong tour, with a lot of vicarious stressthat I personally don’t need! But for some it’s fun.

I just want these kids to have a blast, and then move on to making the best music they can. I don’t think the tour will make or break either Kris or Adam — nor any of the others. If Adam and Kris (and hopefully both) make good records, and have decent management, they could do really really well. If not, they’ll end up where plenty of other Idols have — finding their own niche in show biz, modest though it may be. They’ll still be much better off than before, and have many more devoted fans.

I do think it’s interesting that one of the Sac reviewers realized Adam’s crowd-pleasing style but also admitted she was a little “nauseated” by it. I don’t think it’s for everyone, just as Kris’s music is not.

Even his guitar skills in All The Things I Done and his piano
skills in Bright Lights

He plays the piano and he plays the guitar…..that’s one sentence..nothing more to add, so I’m sure most reviewers can be forgiven for not stating the obvious…..We see he plays the guitar and the piano…..and then what?Heh

Not every reviewer who doesn’t like Kris is a bitter Adam fan, just like not every reviewer who doesn’t like Adam is a bitter Kris fan. Sometimes reviewers just don’t like people’“I may disagree with them or think that their reasons for disliking something are silly, but they don’t always have ulterior motives.

edit: don’t put words in peoples mouths. what happened in other threads is OFF TOPIC

My favorite reviews are from the TV critics who watched the show and ‘get’  the big karaoke fest in the spirit it was intended: a giant valentine to the fans who followed the show.

That may sound like heresy to many newspaper editors — to send a TV critic to review a concert — but I do think in this case it makes more sense. I think the ideal reviewer for these concerts would be someone like Michael Slezak from Entertainment Weekly, a pop-culture writer who covered the show. He’s no pushover, but he also doesn’t have an automatic bias against it, as most music reviewers do.

None of these reviews or concerts matter. Only Idol fans are probably reading the reviews anyway, and their opinions won’t be changed by any review.

What matters is how good their first albums do. I’m sure the contestants know that.

He loved Haley:

And this just proves that every single music/concert review is entirely subjective and in no way a prognostication of success/failure. Eye of the hurricane, meet eye of the beholder.

Until these kids show and prove, it’s all just whistling in the wind.

Lol! Try this will: http://bit.ly/jlPhV

There must be something wonky going on with my computer, because I’m still getting a blank screen, but for some reason birchtree was able to view it. Oh well!

Just as in the show, it’s not the age of the original song that matters, but what the artist does with it now that matters. For instance, I thought it was brilliant the way the group medley was put together, in the way it transitioned from the old school beginning to contemporary sound with “Beggin”. I know they weren’t rapping in 1967. Contrast that with the finale group number, “Don’t Stop Believing”, which was far less interesting, IMO.

People just write him off being hes not the one
whos gay and in glitter.

I’m not sure which review(s) you’re talking about – I read the ones in today’s thread pretty quickly and didn’t pick up on this theme. But it reminded me of something I found interesting in the season and since:

I remember there being two big questions early in the season “can a gay guy win Idol?” and “can a married guy win Idol?” The latter question came up in Daughtry’s season, too, maybe other times. But both questions got press this year. And we now know the answer to one of those questions.

That’s why many (but not all) of Adam’s articles mention the gay thing, and why many (but not all) of Kris’ articles mention his marriage. Neither one is the reason for their popularity or why they get the attention they get, it’s just the story that happens to come with the guy.

My favorite reviews are from the TV critics who watched the show and ‘get’  the big karaoke fest in the spirit it was intended: a giant valentine to the fans who followed the show.

I’m interested in Slezak’s review on the tour. To my surprise, as one of the biggest Alli’ fans as he painted himself the whole season, he didn’t flight to OR for his idol’s first live tour. Maybe having to living through 20 min of Danny’s singing hold him back. Hope he will write something when they come to nyc.

Hi! I was actually at the Oakland concert yesterday and sent my review to MJ a little earlier but I just wanted add some extra thoughts for you guys.

People who buy tickets to the concert are all basically fans of the show and they pretty much know what to expect from watching them on tv. I don’t think they expect all of these idols did suddenly be fantastic even if it was evident that they weren’t on the show. That being said, if you go in wanting to really criticize, compare, whatever, of course you will not enjoy the experience as much. If you go in just to have a good time, you definitely will and you will probably be happy to see that even the people you didn’t like on the show is pretty likable in concert.

I also do not think that it’s jarring or a momentum killer because of following Adam’s set. They are all very different and to me, anyone in the top 6 could have followed Adam and it still would have been great because you kinda know what to expect from each of the idols.

Adam did the kid who won a big favor by closing with the Bowie medley.

You know, I’ve been thinking the same thing actually (although I call the kid who won, Kris. ) To me, that medley seems to end the set on a much more sedate (if you will) tone than I believe Adam would prefer in a solo concert. And, I’ve wondered if that’s intentional, as a sort of segue to Kris’ set.

I do agree with those who find value in reading reviews from non-TV or non-AI enthusiasts, regardless of whether they’re positive or negative. For me, they can provide a window into those minds, giving a view of what the general public may see in the talent each year. I don’t necessarily agree, nor will the future, but I do find those views interesting and potentially informative to everyone involved.

Also, I do find it ironic to be so dismissive of reviews or reviewers because they seem dismissive to some of the Idols. Just sayin’.

I do think it’s interesting that one of the Sac reviewers realized Adam’s crowd-pleasing style but also admitted she was a little ‘nauseated’  by it. I don’t think it’s for everyone, just as Kris’s music is not.

Very true–as gifted as (I think) Adam, Kris, and Allison are, they are not for everyone. However, I do think it is interesting that (again, just IMO) the three most talented people on the season and the only three to be signed are the ones (especially Adam and Allison) getting the best reviews. Hopefully that bodes well for their future tours.

When I review the show, I don’t put it through the same filters as I would a typical music concert, because these kids have not started their real music careers yet, and are forced to sing covers.

My favorite reviews are from the TV critics who watched the show and ‘get’  the big karaoke fest in the spirit it was intended: a giant valentine to the fans who followed the show.

I agree with you, MJ. I think it’s fairly pointless, honestly, to review an AI concert and its performers as one would a concert for another artist or band. These folks are not doing their own music, arranged in a way they have designed. They are putting on a show for the fans of the show. That means that they are going to do some songs they did on the show and maybe one or two other cover songs. So, we can review their vocal skills and their stage presence, but you can’t really say anything about them as artists or as what they will do as performers out on their own.

The goal of the tour is to put on a show for the fans of the show–that is what the concertgoers are paying for. So, for me, a “good” review is one that keeps that in mind.

Michael Jackson also recorded “Ain’t No Sunshine”, and I wondered if this wasn’t also another reason Kris Allen was so familiar with it. Because technically, you could say he did 3 Jackson songs on the show.

I think Kris Allen has a very diverse musical education. The guy knows music. He’s a musician (Maybe I’ve always been partial to him because he plays the viola?), and I think he just wants to play music. And he doesn’t have to do stadium shows, et al.

On a side (yet related) note, I think its about time the government step in and ban the the usage of “Don’t Stop Believing” for at least the next 25 years. I miss the days when you would just hear it in a bar or while flipping through your radio. Ever since “The Sopranos” finale, its gotten out of control.

Kris is not a let down nor underrated. We have read some reviews from the day AI tour started acknowleding Kris’ talent that moves the audience even if Adam is a tough act to follow. Reviews are somewhat subjective. If some of the reviews are not in favor of Kris at the moment, I am very sure that he will get the most love from the critics as the tour shift to middle America and his hometown. As I mentioned in the past, Kris will get the love from the audience in all the tour places while Adam, being a polarizing figure, will not always get that thunderous response but it doesn’t diminish his incredible talent either. It is just a matter of taste. I happen to love Adam’s style. However, both are talented. They just have a different way of expressing their music. Only time will tell who will be more succesful after this AI tour since their next task is not only to capture America but the world.

I like reviews from non-Idol folks, but not the ones who seem biased against the very concept that an Idol concert could be anything other than a waste of time and money. Some reviewers come in as “arts” reviewers but accept the fact that what they are going to see is a concert that is largely (actually, this year, with the deletion of NB, entirely) cover songs. They then evaluate how the performers do within the parameters of that limitation—have they selected good songs for their skills, do they sing well, do they make the songs their own, do they have good stage presence, etc. To me, those are the most useful reviews.

Last year, if Slezak went to a concert, he didn’t say so on EW.

Lol! Try this will: http://bit.ly/jlPhV

There must be something wonky going on with my computer, because I’m still getting a blank screen, but for some reason birchtree was able to view it. Oh well!

Will it’s really large so you may need to scroll around to see the actual picture – that’s what I had to do.

Michael Jackson also recorded ‘Ain’t No Sunshine’ , and I wondered if this wasn’t also another reason Kris Allen was so familiar with it. Because technically, you could say he did 3 Jackson songs on the show.

Kris’ version is very true to Bill Withers original version vs. Michael’s/Jackson 5′s version. It you listen to both versions, it’s clear that Kris’ cover is the original arrangement done in 1971 by Withers.

MJ’s 1972 cover is one of the best but this song has been covered by hundreds of major artists– from the Otis Redding to Sting to version in dozens of languages. It is on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time and in several major movies. It was also the signature song for Shawn Smith on BGT.

Poor Bill Withers? Good gracious, there are currently 98 ‘” yes, ninety-eight ‘“ versions of Ain’t No Sunshine listed in the iTunes store. And, that’s not counting the half-dozen karaoke compilations featuring the song or it’s performance in every Holiday Inn lounge by every Hoiliday Inn lounge singer every night for the last 30 years. Everyone of them, heartfelt.

It’s only one of the most cliche songs in the book.

Have to disagree. It is not one of the most cliche songs in the book. This song has been done so many times because it is a great song. You are, however, quite right when you say most versions are “heartfelt”.

Personally, I like the Lighthouse Family version (used in Notting HIll):

Ain’t No Sunshine When She’s Gone – Lighthouse Family

I’m the opposite’ ¦.I prefer to balance it off with reviews of people outside the bubble..even if they dismiss the show as the karoake fest that it is’ ¦it’s easy enough to strip off the contempt and still get some feedback from their reviews

I agree. When their real albums come out, these are the people that are going to review their CDs. They don’t care what they did on the show, or what “break through” performances they had. It doesn’t matter anymore. Actually, the order they came in on the show doesn’t matter anymore either.

I’m pretty sure Kris Allen is no idiot, and that he does realize that Adam’s talents are far more suited to a huge arena holding 10,000 people than his own talents are. That doesn’t make him pathetic or a nothing, it just means when the circus is over he needs to appear in more intimate halls and theaters, and work on his presentation more.

I think Kris does have the talent to play huge arenas, it just doesn’t work when he’s following Adam. Kris, performing with similar artists, wouldn’t have to worry about such an awkward transition between sets.

Someone suggested that they have a small break between sets to allow people to come off their Adam high, and I think that might be the best way to address the change in energy level.

Adam did the kid who won a big favor by closing with the Bowie medley.

You know, I’ve been thinking the same thing actually (although I call the kid who won, Kris. ) To me, that medley seems to end the set on a much more sedate (if you will) tone than I believe Adam would prefer in a solo concert. And, I’ve wondered if that’s intentional, as a sort of segue to Kris’ set.

Adam said he wanted to show in the Bowie medley what his album would be like. So I think he decided to close his set with the medley because he wanted to leave the audience with that taste. I don’t think this arrangement has anything to do with Kris.

Side note: I have no problem to trade SL with BTBW or “Something that would have blown the roof off with the crowd up and dancing.” I like the interaction btw Adam and Alli but I prefer more Adam time.

I’m not sure I would take a Slezak review all that seriously…I love Slezak and his idolatory videos, mostly for the snarkiness, but I cant take him seriously as a music reviewer or critic..because I see him as someone who’s just very passionate about the show itself and some of the contestants, but half the time, on the music iself, I find his take on things wanting

Poor Bill Withers? Good gracious, there are currently 98 ‘” yes, ninety-eight ‘“ versions of Ain’t No Sunshine listed in the iTunes store. And, that’s not counting the half-dozen karaoke compilations featuring the song or it’s performance in every Holiday Inn lounge by every Hoiliday Inn lounge singer every night for the last 30 years. Everyone of them, heartfelt.

It’s only one of the most cliche songs in the book.

HWC,
Funny you should bring that up. The “Aint No Sunshine” in my iTunes library is a cover by…. of all people David Casidy. It’s really beautiful. I love putting it on the mix when I have people over and making them guess who it is. I need to give a lot of hints… culminating in some mention of “I Think I Love You” before anyone guesses correctly.

Some reviewers come in as ‘arts’  reviewers but accept the fact that what they are going to see is a concert that is largely (actually, this year, with the deletion of NB, entirely) cover songs. They then evaluate how the performers do within the parameters of that limitation’”have they selected good songs for their skills, do they sing well, do they make the songs their own, do they have good stage presence, etc. To me, those are the most useful reviews.

That’s a very good point, FolkFan. I see this as a review of “the show” itself, and how the participants perform in “that show.” Reviewers who evaluate accordingly will inform as to whether the show is a good one, worth seeing, worth the money, etc. And, probably that’s all that can be truly “reviewed,” in the strictest sense, if truth be told.

I still like hearing the thoughts about the performers themselves, against a backdrop of knowledge, appreciation, experience with other like performers in “the real world,” if you will. Maybe that’s unfair in context, and I suspect it can be, if the reviewer cannot offer at least a little contextual balancing to his/her views. After all, none of the Idols are free to perform original music yet. But, if a reviewer makes a comparison, or even a prediction, I’m curious and interested to hear that too.

Of course, I also like to hear the fans speak — fans of the show and fans of the Idols. At some level, we do all cross paths eventually — even if only at the ticket hubs or checkout lines where CDs are sold.

ETA: BeckyMD – “Adam said he wanted to show in the Bowie medley what his album would be like. So I think he decided to close his set with the medley because he wanted to leave the audience with that taste. I don’t think this arrangement has anything to do with Kris.”

Oh I’ve no reason to doubt that’s true. Just as I have no reason to believe, even if Adam ends his set to ease the transition to the softer set from Kris, that Adam would be inclined to tell anyone that.

Have to disagree. It is not one of the most cliche songs in the book. This song has been done so many times because it is a great song. You are, however, quite right when you say most versions are ‘heartfelt’ .

Personally, I like the Lighthouse Family version (used in Notting HIll):

Ain’t No Sunshine When She’s Gone – Lighthouse Family

I think it is very cliche and has been covered to death….so many versions floating around

I agree though, that the Lighthouse family version is one of my favourite versions of i to date

You know, I’ve been thinking the same thing actually (although I call the kid who won, Kris. ) To me, that medley seems to end the set on a much more sedate (if you will) tone than I believe Adam would prefer in a solo concert. And, I’ve wondered if that’s intentional, as a sort of segue to Kris’ set.

I’ve been wondering about that.

a) One possibility is that Adam really is just a theatrical Muse, Freddie Mercury, Bowie singer and that’s all he’s interested in doing. I don’t actually think that’s the case, since he is the one who is always talking about techno and volunteering Goldfrapp as one of his favorite bands. Not to mention that his guitar-player and drummer from Citizen Vein are playing on that Madonna Live 8 YouTube I linked.

b) Somebody made a conscious decision that there would be no techno in Adam’s Idol set — a decision that will (IMO) prove to be a stark contrast to his first album (unless he’s just totally BSing us with his references to Goldfrapp and Thievery Corporation. He obviously could have blown the roof off the venues with either the Goldfrapp boogie woogie or the Madonna dance/techno hit, so somebody had their reasons. Could well have been the Idol producers who wanted to stick to the “Lambert script” from the show (classic rock, theatrical) and not introduce a different element that had not been scripted for the TV series. Could have been concerns about pacing. They didn’t end with Whole Lotta Love, either.

c) The Bowie medley is actually a pretty sophisticated presentation of Lambert’s range. Life on Mars is pure Broadway/cabaret musical theater. Fame is a Prince-style funk/vamp. And, Let’s Dance is a bit of a disco, semi-techno tune. Still, he’s just too involved in the dance/techno scene to not have wanted to showcase one song that had entire crowd bouncing up and down in unison to a heavy synth beat.

The wasted song in the set – from an Adam showcase perspective – is that ghastly Foghat thing.

Regarding the Mercury review:

hero or zero type of review makes me 100% bored

Cliche = “Don’t Stop Believing”

‘Ain’t No Sunshine” is such a boring song to me because it’s so old and has been sung by hundreds of artists over the years (or so it seems to me). It’s a very easy song to sing and the words and melody are repetitive. I think maybe if one is young it might sound new to them? wiki lists 30-50 people who’ve covered it and it’s only a partial list

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ain't_No_Sunshine

I think the song is beneath Kris’ capabilities and I was disappointed that he’s singing it on the tour. I do hope he’s singing Falling Slowly? That was a great song for him, I treasure it on my ipod. I think a song like that could hush a big crowd until you could hear a pin drop.

Jason Castro really held his own singing acoustic in large arenas on his Idol tour, I think the same can be true for Kris, but following Adam would be hard I think, all that energy, but it can be done.

So since this review was in both the Oakland Tribune and San Jose Mercury-News, I guess this means that tonight’s show won’t be reviewed by the San Jose paper?

I was a little disappointed that neither of the SF papers seemed to be at last night’s show. I thought they review stuff in Oakland some times. But maye they didn’t think it was worth it.

After playing Kris’ All These Things about a million times, I am wondering if a co-write with Brandon Flowers has been suggested to him yet?

This song and style really seem to fit him perfectly.

I also wonder if he has perfect pitch, or is he being fed the beginning pitch through his ear monitors? He starts both of his first two songs acapella and right on pitch. That is not easy.

All interesting points, hwc. I don’t find them to be mutually exclusive of each other, but I totally agree that:

The Bowie medley is actually a pretty sophisticated presentation of Lambert’s range. Life on Mars is pure Broadway/cabaret musical theater. Fame is a Prince-style funk/vamp. And, Let’s Dance is a bit of a disco, semi-techno tune. Still, he’s just too involved in the dance/techno scene to not have wanted to showcase one song that had entire crowd bouncing up and down in unison to a heavy synth beat.

I also agree that:

The wasted song in the set – from an Adam showcase perspective – is that ghastly Foghat thing.

Except that, Adam has said he likes to have fun and not take himself too seriously. This duet, however, probably is one reason why he needed to throw such diverse numbers into the Bowie Medley in order to capture and show his broad versatility.

Interesting to muse about… (no pun)

I’ve been trying to keep up with all the concert reviews (though there are just so many of them!) but I thought it was interesting reading the two here – how much more different could you get!

One – blatantly biased against everyone “not named Adam Lambert”, the other fully embracing them all for their abilities. Not that either was exactly Pulitzer material (the love-fest article didn’t really seem to offer any sort of “review” per se, but rather just mentioned what everyone sang.)

Still, it’s always interesting to see what fans of the show and non-fans have to say about it. I like to read the reviews of those who don’t “get” or “like” idol, but at the same time, understanding what the show is, and putting the tour in that context, is kind of essential too.

The fact that Ain’t No Sunshine is horribly cliched doesn’t mean it’s not a great song. It obviously is a great song to have 98 covers for sale on iTunes — and that hardly scratches the surface, I suspect. It is one of the great crowd-pleasers, sending Holiday Inn patrons home thinking that the lounge singer was “pretty darn good” for his heartfelt rendition of a song that is nearly impossible to perform badly.

It’s like Hey Jude. All but guarateed to get the glowsticks waving and the crowd singing “na na…. na na na ha….”

It’s like having the lead die of cancer at the end of a movie. You know that the audiences will be bawlin’.

I dont mind that kris gets a awful review because many people are still bitterberts and i take it with a grain of salt.My problem is when they dont
review him.when they dont comment on his music style,song choices or
performance.Even his guitar skills in All The Things I Done and his piano
skills in Bright Lights.People just write him off being hes not the one
whos gay and in glitter.Some of these reporters dont make sense.
I hope kris doesnt read these articles because its not even about him
its about him beating adam.

Of coarse people on MJS love the review.Most of you people are adam fans/bittterberts.

They don’t care about AI or who won over who. They just review the show as they see it and what he saw was the amazing talent Adam has even though Adam wasn’t his style. And why would this reviewer or any reviewer comment on Kris’s piano and guitar skills. Scott and Matt are much better piano players than Kris is. Also, he didn’t comment on anybody’s song choices except for Slow Ride. What this reviewer is looking at is vocal talent and stage presence which are what Adam has. That is why he got the good reviews over everyone else. Finally, if Kris was gay and in glitter I don’t think it would help him any. He needs stage presence and a voice to get good reviews. Sorry, but that’s the way it is in my humble opinion.

I’m not sure I would take a Slezak review all that seriously’ ¦I love Slezak and his idolatory videos, mostly for the snarkiness, but I cant take him seriously as a music reviewer or critic..because I see him as someone who’s just very passionate about the show itself and some of the contestants, but half the time, on the music iself, I find his take on things wanting

Have to agree: Love Slezak, but didn’t he give Paula’s new song a good review? Just sayin.

The more I think about it, I think Kris should open his act by waiting until the arena is totally silent. Then he should sing a song like Falling Slowly, a beautiful, nuanced, subtle ballad. He should sing it so well that he has the audience in the palm of his hands and when he’s done they jump to their feet for a standing ovation. Then he can launch into more upbeat stuff like Heartless. I have seen other singers do this when they follow a tough act, and if you are good enough, you can totally change the mood of the crowd and make them yours, you can make them almost forget the previous artist, no matter how good they were. I don’t think Kris is experienced enough for this yet, but I think starting with a song like Heartless isn’t different enough to really change the energy in the room and make it his own. He needs to really OWN the arena and make people forget Adam for a little bit.

They don’t care about AI or who won over who. They just review the show as they see it and what he saw was the amazing talent Adam has even though Adam wasn’t his style. And why would this reviewer or any reviewer comment on Kris’s piano and guitar skills. Scott and Matt are much better piano players than Kris is. Also, he didn’t comment on anybody’s song choices except for Slow Ride. What this reviewer is looking at is vocal talent and stage presence which are what Adam has. That is why he got the good reviews over everyone else. Finally, if Kris was gay and in glitter I don’t think it would help him any. He needs stage presence and a voice to get good reviews. Sorry, but that’s the way it is in my humble opinion.

I agree. Seriously, I don’t think many people care at this point because they are all on even playing fields right now, all Kris has over Adam is a title and trophy from this point on everyone has to prove themselves.

Last year, the LA reviewer was great because she/he totally “got it”. She went for entertainment and fun, and she said she more than got her money’s worth. The tour is just a conclusion to the Idol karaoke show. Just like in the show, it’s to the Idol’s benefit to sing songs people know. I think that is why so many people like Kris’ set, even if it is a bit cliched. I don’t know of anyone who can listen to Hey Jude and not love it. I think Kris is doing a great job, and his set is perfect. I would have preferred Adam to have more hard rock songs in his set – a few fans have been disappointed he isn’t more outrageous. But, he is singing to a diverse group that don’t all get the fun in what he does.

I think this tour succeeds tremendously in being a gift to Idol fans. That’s it’s purpose. Come winter, many of these fans will possibly be disappointed when their Idol releases their album and it’s not what they wanted. I’ve never seen an Idol release an album that is similar to what they did on Idol. But, at least now they get to enjoy them as they were on Idol. Fun!

Squirrely

I agree. Seriously, I don’t think many people care at this point because they are all on even playing fields right now, all Kris has over Adam is a title and trophy from this point on everyone has to prove themselves.

i dont think kris fans or for that matter even adam fans should worry if they dont get good reviews because its all a part of the game. i agree with Squirrely that kris and adam are on even playing fields and we can only see how successful they are when their records come out.

I don’t get it. If critics love the or an Idol, they are great, they get it. If they write a not-so-glowing report they hate AI, they were “ordered” to be there.

Honestly, how does anyone learn to be better at what they do unless they know the areas that they need to improve? I work with a person who is mediocre at best but because the boss likes him and tells him what a great job he’s doing, he thinks he’s the shit.

Kris was able to drop the NB song because of the bad review from fans and just about anyone. Someone somewhere listened and now the song is not in the show.

The way to grow and get better is not to hear praise, but to hear honest criticism.

People just write him off being hes not the one
whos gay and in glitter.

LOL!!!! Because being gay and wearing glitter is such an advantage in the USA. It couldn’t possibly be that they weren’t impressed by Kris could it? No. That would be inconceivable. :rolleyes_tb:

Chris Daughtry’s versatile voice powers his well-written new disc

Chris Daughtry, Jennifer Hudson, Clay Aiken and recent runner-up Adam Lambert are proof that you don’t have to be the winner on ‘American Idol’  to gain an audience and build a successful music career.

ok i get that the other three have had successful music careers but Adam not yet so. he doesn’t even have a record out yet so i dont understand why people say he’s successful. he maybe in a few months time but not yet.

I agree that this tour is more about celebrating the season and the individual contestants than being a concert purely presented for entertainment value. When I have gone to these shows in the past, it’s been mostly to see one or two people in whom I was somewhat invested, and I’ve enjoyed the experience. The exception to this was Season 6. The only reason I went is because I had a free ticket and I was pretty bored by the entire show. It makes a huge difference in how one experiences the show.

So, for reviewers who are not into Idol and judge the show based on pure entertainment value, it is easy to understand why they would find Kris’ performance somewhat underwhelming after Adam’s. And this is the problem inherent with this particular season. I expected this would happen and it has.

ok i get that the other three have had successful music careers but Adam not yet so. he doesn’t even have a record out yet so i dont understand why people say he’s successful. he maybe in a few months time but not yet.

Like everything else in life, success is measured in increments of time. Whichever point of space and time one inhabits in one’s life, that is the point at which success is measured. Every stage has it’s own test and it’s own measure of success – a successful student, a successful professional, a successful parent…etc.
There’s a reason lifetime achievement awards are given at the end of one’s career not in the middle.

Right now, right this minute, Adam is a successful idol. Will he be a successful recording artist in the future? Who’s to know. We’ll all just have to wait and see. The measure for that stage of his life is yet to come.

I’m guessing the kid who won probably got his Ain’t No Sunshine from Justin Timberlake at the Grammies:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebtY8sz4T60

Kris was able to drop the NB song because of the bad review from fans and just about anyone. Someone somewhere listened and now the song is not in the show.

Which still totally amazes me because American Idol has never been totally about the singers — even the winner — and their wishes and what suits them. All the other winners had to sing the coronation song, although the songs rarely represented who they were as an artist or suited their set. In fact, even the albums they ultimately make include compromises that they might not have normally made if they had more control and they are criticized for that too. Maybe this bodes well for their eventual CDs, but former Idols must have mixed emotions over this. They helped to build this franchise and — each year — they made it more and more legitimate and fought for greater freedom. This current group is benefiting from that.

Maybe to AI fans the tour is more about celebrating the season, but for the idols, as mentioned by many of them in various interviews, that the tour is a showcase of what they want to be and what they want their music to be in the future. So although they are just covering old songs, their song choices can tell a lot, with limitation within the parameter of the whole show.

Both “Ain’t No Sunshine” and “Hey Jude” are great songs but cliche imo. ‘All These Things That I’ve Done’  and ‘Bright Lights’  are in the line of Kris’ AI performances but lack the surprise he promised in his future album. “Heartless” is the only one I found interested but it had been perform in the show. So if Kris views the tour as an opportunity to showcase what would be in his future album, he needs to do more. Based on what I saw in the tour, I don’t think I’ll be buying his CD this fall. But who knows. Maybe with better song-writers and producers, he will surprise us.

I also wonder if he has perfect pitch, or is he being fed the beginning pitch through his ear monitors?

The band is playing the songs to a programmed soundtrack. It would be really dumb to not have a piano feed to the in-ear monitors for any “accapella” start. I recall Kat McPhee getting momentarily verklempt once because the piano wasn’t there for an “accapella” song.

So the reviewer admits to hating Adam’s vocal style, making him nauseous, and yet acknowledges his star power. Not bad.

The band is playing the songs to a programmed soundtrack. It would be really dumb to not have a piano feed to the in-ear monitors for any ‘accapella’  start. I recall Kat McPhee getting momentarily verklempt once because the piano wasn’t there for an ‘accapella’  song.

Well, yes, unless he has perfect pitch. People with perfect pitch can give you any note you ask for at any time. There is also something called perfect relative pitch, in which if you have a known note, you can get from there to the note you need.

edit: dial back the sarcasm

adamlambert San Jose: Get ready for this! 26 minutes ago from web

adamlambert “Dance with me and I’ll Set you Free!!!” 17 minutes ago from web

Well, yes, unless he has perfect pitch. People with perfect pitch can give you any note you ask for at any time. There is also something called perfect relative pitch, in which if you have a known note, you can get from there to the note you need.

I doubt Kris has perfect pitch (he displayed very good pitch generally on the show, though), but he’s very familiar with those songs and it’s only a few lines, so I’m sure he could sing them correctly with or without help from his monitor.

Adam must be in a good mood this morning…he’s tweeted twice!

so I’m sure he could sing them correctly with or without help from his monitor

He probably could, but why would he want to when he has in-ear monitors that could be feeding him the Mormon Tabernacle Choir as background singers to harmonize with during an “accapella” intro? They are trying to put on a good show in big arenas where you can’t hear yourself very well, fifty nights running. They’ve been rehearsing for a month and are using all the tricks.

Here’s the review from the

San Francisco Chronicle

The cynical music lover will argue that comparing “American Idol” lineups is like discussing the merits of different bottles of pink zinfandel….

Lambert came out dressed like he should have been in a dune buggy chasing Mel Gibson across the Australian Outback, and followed Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love” with a medley of David Bowie songs – complete with a fake British accent. But it was still the low-key Allen who flirted with self-parody. As he tinkled the piano to Bill Withers’ “Ain’t No Sunshine,” it sounded instead as if he might be trying to cover Dana Carvey’s “Choppin’ Broccoli.” (Look that one up on YouTube, kids.)

Here’s the Dana Carvey Choppin’ Broccoli YouTube reference:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hz2Dpb1Sdik

Scott and Matt are much better piano players than Kris is.

Very true, but should we say that it’s really good for someone who’s been playing it for less than 2 years…

But it was still the low-key Allen who flirted with self-parody. As he tinkled the piano to Bill Withers’ ‘Ain’t No Sunshine,’  it sounded instead as if he might be trying to cover Dana Carvey’s ‘Choppin’ Broccoli.’  (Look that one up on YouTube, kids.)

Big yawn……

Over the years it has become a common sport to diss the AI contestants in reviews….its considered cool to be anti-Idol. Thus when critics gravitate towards Adam, it doesnt surprise me as he represents a diff type of contestant. It takes nothing away from his talent, I just think his praise has more to do w. the fact that he’s anti-Idol machine………basically, these critics that hate idol are more than eager to give credit to adam bc it makes them (the writers) seem hip and current.

Adam isnt successful as any runner-up yet.All he done is idol so far so people cant say hes successful.Until I see his “great” label and decent hit hes a nobody like the rest of these kids on tour lol.All that talk will do for adam is fans have a bigger ego about his career more than they already have and hold
adam to a higher standard than allison and kris.

I will admit “aint no sunshine” is a over-played song but so is play that funky music .I dont hear Hey Jude much from alot of artst so its not that over-played.
I do think slow-side is over played.I think Kris is the least kakoke person.He doesnt put on a play on stage.

Comparing Adam to Kris in each review is lazy. Some critics throw in some personal bias and results of the sit-o-meter and clap-o-meter from their section. It’s hard not to believe that there isn’t bias involved if people on this very blog still call Kris the guy who won implying that it wasn’t deserved. That is childlish even though the blogger who calls him that seems older judging by his/her taste in music. So, don’t tell me that critics are not biased. Bias is a personal taste with an agenda. One must care (bloggers) or be paid to be biased (press). Of course, there is a large number of internet rats who seek articles about X and post negative comments for sport.

Reading reviews of devotees wont accomplish either these objectives for me. They’re fun, and they’re reassuring, as well as reinforcing of my own fannish notions. They make me happy and warm, like a lovely old blanket. But, alas, in my view they’re not very useful.

I’m not expecting a reviewer to necessarily be a “fan”, I would just like them to understand how the show works. A music critic who spends nearly the entire review describing how confused and annoyed they are isn’t helpful, or interesting to me.

So when those reviewers that slag Adam, we can rest assured that those reviews are cast as professional concert reviews then? Remember Sebastien Bach comparisons, 2 now from “professional music critics”.

I do agree that you are reviewing something that wouldn’t be what most of these kids, even Adam, would do in a real professional concert setting. As a former fan of figure skating I can say it’s like comparing Ice Capades to the Olympics.

ETA I agree with MJ, as a reviewer you should make an attempt to understand what an Idol concert is, just like a festival is different than a stand alone concert or a Vegas act. And one has seen that the better written or fairer reviews are coming from the people who are used to reviewing Idol concerts. Your audience as a reviewer is the potential Idol concert visitor, not the Killers or Bruce Springsteen or TI fans per se though presumably there is overlap, even if just a little. Bwah.

The Idol finalists are confined to the format imposed by Idol. Most singers don’t sing covers. Many singers hate singing covers actually. Singer songwriters write music that they are passionate about and fits their voice and that is why it works. Some people like Adam are blessed with being better song interpreters than others – after all he comes out of 10 years of musical theatre and that was his job, to intrepret the music written by someone else, night after night and try to bring something fresh to the same music, night after night, but it is not most people’s shtick.

On the other hand I do agree that many of the Idol finalists would never have gotten a chance on a stage in the real world and this may indeed be their one and only shot at performing to this level of crowds. But I think most people going to Idol concerts have a pretty good idea what to expect and as someone said, they aren’t expecting that religious experience that is a U2 concert can be when Bono and the boys are on all cylinders and the crowd is too. Crowds also make a big difference in the atmosphere and on the same tour that can be very different every night.

I had no interest in going to an AI concert until last year, I was expecting very little based on the group numbers from the show and I was pleasantly surprised. It was cheesy but there were enough authentic [to me] musical moments to make it worth the drive.

ROFLMAO!!hwc, you’re a bad girl/boy for linking to that song.

Is the SF Chronicle reviewer trying to be funny? Because all his references to Rawlf from the Muppets and Dana Carvey and Adam’s outfit and chasing around Mel Gibson confused me. And it really wasn’t funny — just obnoxious (IMO).

I take it he liked Adam and Matt and he didn’t like Kris, and he ignored everyone else. Which is fine — it’s his opinion. But again, a review from someone who obviously felt he was wasting his time even being there. While they are all entitled to their opinions, is it too much to ask that they write in a way that is less condescending? I’ve seen LOTS of arts reviews in the past that have been very critical without stooping to being condescending toward the musicians and/or the audience. But some of the critics covering the AI tour don’t seem to understand how to do this. I don’t really care if they hate my favorite Idol(s) or not (well, ok, maybe I care a little bit) — I just would like not to be condescended to by the writer.

Kris was able to drop the NB song because of the bad review from fans and just about anyone. Someone somewhere listened and now the song is not in the show.

That’s a point that’s hard to argue with. If reviewers and fans all lied and said “oh, isn’t No Boundaries wonderful” we’d probably still be listening to it.

I’m not sure you can do anything about the odd transition from Adam to Kris. They are what they are and you can’t change it. Adam is probably holding back as it is to suit the PG Idol audience. I think Kris needs smaller venues where people can relax and get into his mellow vibe.

Well, yes, unless he has perfect pitch. People with perfect pitch can give you any note you ask for at any time. There is also something called perfect relative pitch, in which if you have a known note, you can get from there to the note you need.

Kris clearly has a good ear but there is no evidence he has perfect pitch. Even if he did, I strongly doubt that Kris is doing this concert without a reference track on his earpiece.

I’m guessing the kid who won probably got his Ain’t No Sunshine from Justin Timberlake at the Grammies:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebtY8sz4T60

Kris’ version is more like the original than this cover. And no knock on Kris, but he doesn’t have Justin Timberlake’s range. Not even close. That’s because few singers are in JT league.

But if the point is that Kris’ ANS isn’t an original arrangement — of course it’s not, but I never heard Kris claim it was. Just like he never claimed that “Heartless” was an original arrangement — and later created The Fray.

Here’s the review from the

San Francisco Chronicle

Another harsh review and another Idol cynic/disser who still can’t help but praise Adam Lambert. Yes, he didn’t like the JACKET or the accent, but the … talent? Well, he said Adam’s performance was the most memorable and justified the crowd’s response which was to stand during its entirety. I’ll take that as a positive!

I’ll bet both Matt and Danny are clipping this one out and pasting it in their scrapbook! Saying either one of them could have won in another year … they should take that as a positive too! It’s a crumb, but it’s something.

So what did the guy write about the tour last year?

ETA: I do think Adam’s jacket is a little Mad Max-like. But still cool.

It’s interesting that the fan recaps about when the crowd is sitting/standing doesn’t always agree with what the newspaper reviewers are saying. I’ve seen fan reports saying fans sit down through Mad World, for instance, while large portions of the crowd stand for much of Danny”s set. Same for Allison. I’ve also heard that Lil, Anoop and Matt have all had fans up on their feet. The fan reports also have said fans stand for Kris’ Heartless and Bright Lights and Hey Jude (and I assume now for TTTID) but sat through NoBo and ANS.

So what’s the answer? Do I believe the fans who were at the concert, or the critics?

Guess I’ll have to wait and see for myself on Thursday.

Oh, and as for pitch, I don’t think any of the AI8 kids have perfect pitch — as was shown during the tv show. All of them were off pitch at some point in time during their performances — some far less than others, of course. But most of them appear to have a good ear for music and can stay on pitch even a cappala much of the time. Which is way more than I could ever do!

Yay! Another great review for Matt, another day…

The goal of the tour is to put on a show for the fans of the show’“that is what the concertgoers are paying for. So, for me, a ‘good’  review is one that keeps that in mind

Yes, but that is true for every concert – 90% of the attendees are fans of the artist already. But it’s the job of the music critic to attend and put the concert and artist(s) in the larger perspective. The professional music critic is not writing for the fans – they are writing on behalf of wider music audience. We need both perspectives: reviews from fans as well as reviews from “the outside”.

Remember, once the tour is over these folks will be out of the Idol bubble and have to make their way in the music business at large. These critics are trying to assess that place already.

Dana Carvey was great but someone else on the tour reminds me more of his Church Lady skits…. :innocent1_tb:

Does Adam have an accent?

In terms of reviews, you can have 10 fans or 10 so called professional music critics all watch the same concert and come up with 20 different reviews that run the gamut [and we could debate whether all the so called professionals are in fact professional or query what a professional music critic is, with severe cutbacks at all media outlets these days, entertainment always get the first cuts].

Everyone, fan or critic, are going to see the concert differently, starting from what their biases or expectations were going in, where they are sitting and yes what their agenda may or may not be in writing a review.

As for Play that Funky Music, as much as the song is cheesy, he completely nailed it. He was transitioning between parts that were meant for females and males in the performance flawlessly. It was amazing vocally from a technical perspective.

This. I’m not crazy about the arrangement but the studio version leaves no doubt that Adam has a great funk/r&b delivery. But he also has that other-worldly, ethereal sound that is so awesome.

Really would love to see Adam, Kris, Allison, Danny and Matt but the tour’s not coming to Nashville and Memphis is too far away. Dangit!!

I remember liveblogging during the finale and how everyone, everyone hated No Boundaries with a passion. It was hilarious actually. I don’t think even the songs that Archie and Cook sang during the finals and even TOML got that kind of negative response. Should rename it the WTF song.

girlygirl
Jul 12th, 2009 at 4:28 pm
Oh, and as for pitch, I don’t think any of the AI8 kids have perfect pitch ‘” as was shown during the tv show.

I don’t mean to quibble, but having perfect pitch doesn’t mean always singing on pitch. It means being able to recognize and recall a note perfectly. Singing on pitch all the time has more to do with control and experience than perfect pitch.

Most singers don’t sing covers. Many singers hate singing covers actually. Singer songwriters write music that they are passionate about and fits their voice and that is why it works.

I must like really weird bands because almost all of my favorites do covers all the time.

Ryan Adams, who is widely considered to be one of the best songwriters of the decade, does covers all the time: Gram Parsons, Neil Young, Bob Dylan. An Oasis cover Wonderwall and an Alice in Chains cover Down in a Hole have been staples of his recent sets.

Gillian Welch, another very highly respected songwriter, does covers from Neil Young, Dylan, Johnny Cash (Jackson), and Cyndi Lauper (Girls Just Wanna Have Fun).

Steve Earle, another prolific incredible songwriter, just released an entire album of Townes Van Zandt covers. Lyle Lovett, another great songwriter, has released a similar album of covers of Texas songwriters.

Cowboy Junkies have made a career of covers — everything from Patsy Cline to Hank Williams to Waylon Jennings to Lou Reed to Neil Young to George Harrison.

I can’t think of a major band that has not done covers. It’s so cool to hear someone like Jack White do the Dolly Parton song Jolene or the Sonny and Cher/Nancy Sinatra song Bang Bang.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhGnuHuD5Fc

ETA: I do think Adam’s jacket is a little Mad Max-like. But still cool.

It’s total Mad Max but it suits Adam’s concert style. It’s not like he’s going to wear it down the street. Wait, on second thought Adam might actually wear it around town. Haha.

I don’t mean to quibble, but having perfect pitch doesn’t mean always singing on pitch. It means being able to recognize and recall a note perfectly. Singing on pitch all the time has more to do with control and experience than perfect pitch.

This is correct. When I was a kid my piano teacher discovered I had perfect pitch. I could play things from ear and she had me turn my back and played a bunch of notes on the piano and asked me what they were. I could tell easily. You’ll have to trust me when I tell you I do not sing on key.

It’s interesting that the fan recaps about when the crowd is sitting/standing doesn’t always agree with what the newspaper reviewers are saying. I’ve seen fan reports saying fans sit down through Mad World, for instance, while large portions of the crowd stand for much of Danny”s set. Same for Allison. I’ve also heard that Lil, Anoop and Matt have all had fans up on their feet. The fan reports also have said fans stand for Kris’ Heartless and Bright Lights and Hey Jude (and I assume now for TTTID) but sat through NoBo and ANS.

girlygirl, I think it all depends on where you sit. For the most part, reviewers are probably all telling the truth from their seating perspective. If you are on the floor or in front row seats, you may assume everyone is standing because you are surrounded by a sea of standing people and probably can’t see the back rows where people may be sitting. If you are in those back rows, you realize that some people are sitting and would report it as such. Also, excitement usually brings people to their feet and subtle and calm usually make one want to sit down. Both are enjoyable experiences just different reaction to different energies. I try (not always successfully) to take all reviews with a grain of salt because I think it’s impossible to be absolutely objective because we all have our built-in biases.

I actually changed my post later in that I agree completely, many bands thrown in a cover or two just for fun or to break up the concert or sometimes they even have covers on their album or even release them as singles. And they usually find covers that fit in with their set list.

But 90 – 95 per cent of any concert, or the concerts I go to, or any album, unless they do a cover album for fun, which some artists also do, [The Killers apparently are slowly working on a cover album, they say they have about 3 - 4 songs in the can as they say] is original material that was written to make the band/lead singer sound good and of course because they wrote it, they are more passionate about it in general.

In terms of hating to sing covers, I was thinking of the peeps that were competing on the Rockstar series. Most of these singers were people who had already been performing original stuff for years unlike many of the Idol contestants and you could tell many of them struggled, even bristled, with doing covers. that is because the show was looking for singer songwriters as one of their requirements. But they signed up for the show.

One would get the impression for example that many of these singers sucked because they couldn’t do covers but then when you hear their original stuff you realize whoa, seriously underestimated you. And one such singer stated after the show that she really hated doing covers and felt she was losing herself musically. Her original stuff is incredible. Clearly this is not a unique experience to just Rockstar. I am sure many Idol contestants have felt lost or confused by the process.

Plus she wasn’t choosing the covers, in Rockstar there were one song for each contestant and you had to battle it out to get the songs you wanted. Loved it when Toby Rand agreed to streak around the mansion pool in order to get his song choice from Dilana. Bwah.

Less choice than Idol contestants though I am beginning to realize the Idols have much less choice that Simon Cowell will ever let on. At least they have far more choice for the tour itself. The reality however for all Simon’s powers Mark Burnett had better pull in getting better songs in the first place.

Oh, and as for pitch, I don’t think any of the AI8 kids have perfect pitch ‘” as was shown during the tv show. All of them were off pitch at some point in time during their performances ‘” some far less than others, of course. But most of them appear to have a good ear for music and can stay on pitch even a cappala much of the time. Which is way more than I could ever do!

Actually, I agree that Michael, Anoop, Alison, Adam and Kris don’t have many pitch problem. Megan, Danny, Matt, Scott and Lil seem to actually have some trouble staying on key. Danny, who has a great voice, doesn’t seem to have a great ear. Listen to him on last night’s “Don’t Stop” — the not he hits around 2.15 is one for “dying cats”.

As far as I can tell Adam does have perfect pitch and can sign a cappala without a reference track. But with 17 years of vocal training, and his talent, what else should we expect. If you doubt this, listen to his Miramar Star Spangled Banner (a cappella with no reference) or the live video of “Come to Me” (Brigadoon) on YouTube.

BTW I am not saying that Adam is perfect or a virtuoso, because he his not — IMO his main challenge is not technical but his overuse of his upper register and improvising with big high notes that don’t add anything to the performance. For example, he does this in the middle of “Let’s Dance”. however, the crowd roars when he does this so I guess I’m in the minority.

“I try (not always successfully) to take all reviews with a grain of salt because I think it’s impossible to be absolutely objective because we all have our built-in biases.”

- I agree. That’s why when the tour goes to areas where Adam is considered a little off, I’d follow mj’s advice : Don’t read if you can’t take it. He had his share of raving reviews anyway.

Dana Carvey was great but someone else on the tour reminds me more of his Church Lady skits’ ¦.

:clap_tb:

You mean Adam has the Mariah Carey syndrome sometimes?

Now I have to say, Adam’s Mad Max jacket is hot. I don’t think that can be disputed. And Mel Gibson in Max Max, Road Warrior, Beyond the Thunderdome – at his hunky prime. When he just concentrated on drinking and acting.

What’s the Mariah Carey syndrome? I recall Larry King once commented in his show that Adam is the male Celine Dion (maybe because of his impressive vocal range). Btw, in a few minutes Adam’s twitter followers will reach 100K.

b) Somebody made a conscious decision that there would be no techno in Adam’s Idol set ‘” a decision that will (IMO) prove to be a stark contrast to his first album (unless he’s just totally BSing us with his references to Goldfrapp and Thievery Corporation. He obviously could have blown the roof off the venues with either the Goldfrapp boogie woogie or the Madonna dance/techno hit, so somebody had their reasons. Could well have been the Idol producers who wanted to stick to the ‘Lambert script’  from the show (classic rock, theatrical) and not introduce a different element that had not been scripted for the TV series. Could have been concerns about pacing. They didn’t end with Whole Lotta Love, either.

What I’m wondering, mainly due to my own ignorance about techno, is whether it might be outside the skill set of the band. If the combo is the usual (and I think people said it is), and the usual thing is to have some span of {rock, country, pop, R&B}, maybe they aren’t prepared to do more than a half-assed imitation of techno?

I’m not saying that’s it (again, ignorant), but it’s clear from the TV show that there are limits to just how well they can pull off every genre, and while the tour band may be better, it may have it’s limits, too. Or maybe techno is all preprogrammed, for all I know, and they don’t have it in their budget to grab the skills?

Or maybe Adam was just dying to do Muse and Bowie, didn’t get the chance on the show, and this was his chance to do it before he settles in to the album. I wonder if he really was doing a fake British accent. Can’t tell from the videos, but I sure hope not. (but then, an awful lot of British singers sing with fake American accents)

Here is a video of Danny interacting with fans in Vancouver:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTPqXz3ChpY

Well I think Mariah was the pioneer and Celine put her own stamp on it. When Mariah started it, she was the only one really in the pop genre – now many R & B, gospel and jazz performers like to improvise, vocal riffing as they say- can we say Ms. Patti Labelle, but Mariah had that insane vocal range and then everyone started to copy it so that even Mariah dials it back, way back, especially on her recent studio stuff. And frankly since she pioneered her own flavour of riffing she is the only one who is allowed to do it. A lot of of riffing now unless done very judiciously, just sounds dated.

Celine is known for oversinging everything, not just riffing but just seems to make every song anthemic which is why the comedy shows used to spoof her all the time – which may not be fair, because I don’t have her albums, know her whole catalogue of songs or seen her in concert. Maybe she can get soft and sultry or she can finish a song on a soft quiet note and not the big close everytime. I wonder if sometimes people with big voices almost don’t feel comfortable in the lower register or softer volume.

What I’m wondering, mainly due to my own ignorance about techno, is whether it might be outside the skill set of the band. If the combo is the usual (and I think people said it is), and the usual thing is to have some span of {rock, country, pop, R&B}, maybe they aren’t prepared to do more than a half-assed imitation of techno?

You can’t really do techno with a band. You’d need a DJ and/or drum machines, one would think.

I don’t think Adam is doing techno anyway, is he? All he said was “electronic sounds”…so it looks like it will be glam-ish rock and dancy stuff with an electro feel.

Honestly, tour reviews can help contribute to overall hype about each contestant, I don’t think they matter more than the music that Idol will produce combined with smart promo for that music. If anything, it will help lower expectations for Kris making it easier for him to gather attention for good music if he produces it, since more people wouldn’t have been expecting much.

I agree Webster that a lot of the kind of music Adam may have wanted to do as covers would be beyond the skill set of the Idol tour band or the general set up of the show. I do believe a lot of techno music is preprogrammed but not necessarily. All the Idols have to work within those limitations.

Better late than never, but here is the sales figure for David Cook’s record for week ending 7/5/09:

87 COOK*DAVID DAVID COOK 5,341 -3 5,505 1,194,941

Or maybe Adam was just dying to do Muse and Bowie, didn’t get the chance on the show, and this was his chance to do it before he settles in to the album. I wonder if he really was doing a fake British accent. Can’t tell from the videos, but I sure hope not. (but then, an awful lot of British singers sing with fake American accents)

Any English people here that can comment on Adam’s accent, especially on Life on Mars? I can’t really tell, but I’ve read that he does a really good job in accents, like in Brigadoon. Does his accent sound fake?

Comparing Adam to Kris in each review is lazy.

I agree, and if it continues into their solo concerts, it’ll be very annoying. But I think it’s inevitable for reviews of the summer tour that many will go that route:

If the critic has done even the most basic homework going in, they’ll know that this is a concert associated with a singing contest. The whole production is set up to reinforce that: singers sing in order of elimination, with large numbers flashing to remind you, amount of stage time is (roughly) related to longevity in the contest, etc. If it was all about just making the best possible show, there’s all sorts of things they might do differently.

I think the thing that causes some fans to care about whether the winner gets more songs than the runner-up is the same thing that causes some critics to compare how effective they are: they still have the contest on their mind as the background of this show.

That’s not the only reason, of course. Some fans care about stage time only because they just wish they were hearing more from their favorite. Some critics compare the different performers because that’s what they would do in any concert they reviewed: talk about the different parts, what worked, what didn’t, and why. And that often entails saying that somebody on stage was better or worse than somebody else, in their opinion, of course.

On the other hand I do agree that many of the Idol finalists would never have gotten a chance on a stage in the real world and this may indeed be their one and only shot at performing to this level of crowds.

This is an oft-repeated refrain, and it’s by-and-large true, sadly enough. BUT what does this say about the competence of the AI producers and judges that, out of a field of 100,000 auditioners, they can’t seem to fill 36 semi-finalist slots with contestants who have the goods to succeed in the real world? I mainly fault the ridiculously overpaid Simon and Co. for this sad state of affairs.

This past season was more frustrating to me than any previous ones during the semi-final round. Two words: Norman Gentle. Need I say more?

There is also something called perfect relative pitch, in which if you have a known note, you can get from there to the note you need.

You don’t really call this “perfect pitch,” though. It’s just having good relative pitch. And any singer who doesn’t have good relative pitch will be off key and not know it a lot — maybe most! — of the time. Any of these people who can stay on key while singing acapella — or get off key and then come back to the key while singing acapella has good relative pitch. The only one you really call “perfect” though is the ability to sing a named note. That’s something that a lot of instrumentalists have because when you play an instrument all the time many people just sort of pick this up by osmosis — they hear the notes so many times while knowing what they are that they remember. I would think that Kris may well have both of these. But even if he does, I’m sure they give him the note in his ear, anyway. You don’t want to risk the person getting confused with all the noise in these arenas, for one thing.

Honestly, tour reviews can help contribute to overall hype about each contestant, I don’t think they matter more than the music that Idol will produce combined with smart promo for that music.

I totally agree with this. Great reviews now for their performances on this tour will matter much less than the reviews of their music later. At the end of the day, the product will matter much more so than any review.

If anything, it will help lower expectations for Kris making it easier for him to gather attention for good music if he produces it, since more people wouldn’t have been expecting much.

I’m not sure I agree with this sentiment, though. I don’t think lower expectations help any of them. The problem I see with the bad reviews is that sometimes those get stuck in the minds of some non-AI people. So, if they associate an artist with bad reviews, they might be less likely to read the reviews for a new product. That and the AI stigma combined don’t do these guys any favors. I don’t think Kris is going to be the only one with the problem though. I’m an Adam fan completely, but I’m preparing myself for the reviews for when he leaves the current touring geographic region to be not as flattering. His style isn’t for everyone, I know that. So far, he’s gotten “nauseating” and “Sebastian Bach”. (this reference to SB really irked me, not because I don’t think SB can sing great, but because of the whole aids t-shirt controversy and the uglyness that was brought about at that time. Yes, I’m old.) I think in some conservative areas, Adam may not play as well to critics who are not fond of his type of performances. Will it bug me, yeah completely. I’m going to try not to pitch a fit, though, because he has gotten good reviews already. I’ll try to take Adam’s approach to the whole thing as he presented it in his idolatry interview. He said he wasn’t for everybody, it was a little in-your-face and that was fine. Buy the other guy’s record. It’s hard to remember that when reading a bad criticique, but I’d rather think that than spam some reviewer in some city/state who I will never meet to try to change their mind.

Actually, he (Mercury reviewer) complimented Danny’s voice. Interesting.

What?? Adam is popular in the SF Bay area? No, really?! Lol.

No accent=American accent=accepted practice. Any deviation is just that: a deviation. But then again, Adam is known for that, lol.

One cannot really be “too over the top” in rock music/showbiz. More is more.

You can’t really do techno with a band. You’d need a DJ and/or drum machines, one would think

Both the Goldfrapp and the Madonna I posted earlier are live performances. The sequencing is programmed into the synthesizers and triggered by the keyboard player in both cases. The Idol band is using pre-sequenced synthesizer stuff for some of the songs. They are a fantastic band, but they don’t have enough people to everything you are hearing in every song. The keyboard player/band leader does the programming.

They could easily do Goldfrapp’s Ooh La Laa or Madonna’s Ray of Light.

.

Well most singers sing without an accent per se. Most British singers don’t sing with a British accent. I think that most forms of singing transcend accent; singing that is rock or pop and other more global genres of music, at least and not local folk style like reggae. That always amaze me actually. You can hear a band on the radio and then they are interviewed and you find out they are Dutch or Russian or British or Australian and you would never know from the song itself.

Some British bands do like the Sex Pistols and The Clash and Green Day sometimes sounds like they are doing a Clash imitation, just saying. And that is probably because in punk music you are more yelling than singing or it is perhaps a more conscious choice to put in the accent. Like the Pogues, you know they are Irish but you wouldn’t necessarily peg U2 as Irish if you knew nothing about them. I never really pegged David Bowie as singing with an English accent himself though, especially in Let’s Dance. Certainly not a strong accent. Might have to relisten. ETA Just listened to Bowie performing it live, I don’t really catch any British accent.

This is the real world now, folks. You can’t force reviewers to be kind when writing about the winner, and you can’t force them to somehow give Adam a bad review when it simply hasn’t been warranted. Nobody gives a crap about who won, except the avid AI viewers like us.

As for the comments that Kris will get better reviews than Adam in mid-America, I think you are in for a surprise. Although I’m sure they will love him up good in Arkansas.

Kris is going to do well, Allison is going to do well (if both of them get help with their vocal techniques before they hurt themselves) and Adam is going to be a superstar. Trufax (but really just my opinion).

If the critic has done even the most basic homework going in, they’ll know that this is a concert associated with a singing contest.

But why should they do homework? They shouldn’t have to, and obviously don’t, if they are reviewing this strictly as a musical concert. That was the context and the subsequent tone of these two reviews.

Now it so happens that personally I don’t judge an AI concert against other ones due to the fact that yes, by it’s very nature it’s cheesy. There isn’t one song that is original to the artists performning them. That’s not something one would normally see in another rock/pop concert. So yeah, I personally do put this stuff into context.

I would also say in defense of the AI concert and it’s singers, even the weaker ones this year are usually better vocally than a lot of the popular artists these days. I mean during the show all these big time names come out and sound like crap live. So I wish that more reviewers took that kind of thing into consideration if they are going to be looking at it with no AI context.

I’m not sure I agree with this sentiment, though. I don’t think lower expectations help any of them. The problem I see with the bad reviews is that sometimes those get stuck in the minds of some non-AI people. So, if they associate an artist with bad reviews, they might be less likely to read the reviews for a new product. That and the AI stigma combined don’t do these guys any favors.

That’s a good point. I hadn’t thought of it like that. So perhaps if Kris keeps getting these kind of reviews, it could make a dent with a segment of the population on top of the Idol stigma. Still, I’m not sure enough people even read Idol concert reviews for it to matter, especially people who are not fans of the show in the first place. And it certainly won’t be more that the number of people who hear the songs on the radio. At this point I don’t even see it as anti-Kris as much as it is pro-Adam. To me it all blurs together and adds up to one thing… Adam Lambert the the one to watch in this crew, according to the media. That’s the only consensus so far.

Now of course whether they turn out to be right is a different story.

What?? Adam is popular in the SF Bay area? No, really?! Lol.

Actually, all of the reviews so far, even the ones that were lukewarm about Adam commented on the crowd’s enthusiastic response to Adam. I don’t think all the concerts have been in the bay area.

Both the Goldfrapp and the Madonna I posted earlier are live performances. The sequencing is programmed into the synthesizers and triggered by the keyboard player in both cases. The Idol band is using pre-sequenced synthesizer stuff for some of the songs. They are a fantastic band, but they don’t have enough people to everything you are hearing in every song. The keyboard player/band leader does the programming.

They could easily do Goldfrapp’s Ooh La Laa or Madonna’s Ray of Light.

Yeah, I guess you are right. They could just have the keyboardist hit a button and let the whole thing play.

At this point I don’t even see it as anti-Kris as much as it is pro-Adam.

I completely agree with this. I don’t see most of the reviews as being Anti-Kris, I think the common consensus is that it is jarring to the audience to have such a tempo/performance style change without any break in between. We, having seen the show, know the complete different types of artists that Kris and Adam are, both talented but completely different. We’re prepared for the change, because we’ve heard each of them during the season. The average newspaper critic hasn’t. It would be nice if production could be done to somehow separate their performances somehow. Kris still has to go last of course, but why not show something like the clip on the finale show where they showed Kris’s journey on American Idol. They’ve got the big screens to do it and that clip on the finale reminded me how much I like Kris and how far he had come. Once that ends, spotlight Kris on the stage starting Heartless. You’ve calmed the crowd some and eased the transition.

Or maybe that’s a stupid idea…lol.

Actually, I do think that reviewers (at least the good ones) tend to do some homework before most concert reviews. I love reviews, including music reviews, and you’ll see concert reviews that reference an act’s background, recording history, charting history, etc. So, no, I don’t think that it is that much to expect a reviewer to at least understand the parameters in which the Idol contestants are performing, just as a reviewer may be expected to know whether a given performer is a new artist or experienced, is making a departure from his/her usual genre, etc.

CindyM==Not all of the concerts have been in SF Bay area?? Really? Haha…JK, JK. No, I was simply making the rather obvious observation that Adam should have been the most popular there in Rice-a-roniville. And he was! And great for him! But with respect to your point about general, historical audience reaction vis-a-vis Adam, I would point out that all of the concerts thusfar have been on the West Coast of North America. Ok, ok. But let’s not get it twisted: I do believe that Adam will continue to be amongst the most popular of the Idols even as the group travels into Mormon country, the Heartland, the Bible Belt South and up through the Mid-Atlantic. And I know for certain that he’ll be #1 in the NE corridor.

I do agree Truthiness that many of the peeps on AI are often better than what the major labels are pushing and it would be refreshing to see that acknowledged.

That is the harsh reality of show business whether music or acting. There are thousands of talented singers and actors out there that just never get the break, the prime spots are just too few, and there are many untalented singers and overrated actors who are getting the breaks based on looks or family connections or notoriety and people will buy mediocre that’s packaged right. You can add the art world to that as well. Lot of gimmicky artists out there that people get sucked into squeeing about and buying their overpriced work and guys like Van Gogh died not seeing their work acknowledged in their life time.

American Idol unearths a few of those gems that might not have received that break otherwise but even Idol is essentially “casting” the competition to meet goals other than musical talent. Just look at Season 8 – we got the quirky chick, the oil rigger family man, the R & B diva wannabe, an Indian American hip hopper, the teenage rocker chick with pink hair, the gay glittery guy, the gospel widow, the blind guy, the rock soul dude and the plaid wearing laid back married guy from Arkansas. Have we covered all the demographics there?

Someone mentioned could Idol find 36 contestants that could survive in the real world of music – but the reality is there are super talented people in the world of the music right now, who got those record deals without a reality show, that are having trouble surviving. There are established artists who are having trouble keeping their record deals or ruining their careers like Amy Winehouse. So how can we ever know who is truly ready for the real world of music. Or what is the real world of music. Selling platinum albums and filling stadiums or making a decent living from doing something you love.

As for the comments that Kris will get better reviews than Adam in mid-America, I think you are in for a surprise.

I will have to disagree with you there. I think the Christian states are going to chew him up and spit him out (expect the theatrical and OTT comments to be flying!) Homophobia will be alive and well and I truly expect nothing less.

At this point it does not matter to me. He has been well received by the crowds so far, by the media and by the industry.

I never really pegged David Bowie as singing with an English accent himself though, especially in Let’s Dance. Certainly not a strong accent. Might have to relisten. ETA Just listened to Bowie performing it live, I don’t really catch any British accent.

Adam sings “Life on Mars” with a British accent, and Bowie’s accent was more noticable when he sang “Life on Mars.” (esp. the studio version). Adam sang “Come to Me, Bend to Me” with a Scottish accent. It adds to the song LOM as it is more Bowie-esque , then he does “Fame” as half Bowie half Adam, then “Let’s Dance” is all modern and all Adam.

In this live version his British accent is more pronounced:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIFmNRDuM3Y

Oakland review from Santa Rosa Press Democrat

For people who don’t know the Bay Area, this is the largest paper North of San Francisco. It is by a writer who is also an Idol fan.

Idol Tour storms through Oakland

But why should they do homework? They shouldn’t have to, and obviously don’t, if they are reviewing this strictly as a musical concert. That was the context and the subsequent tone of these two reviews.

This surprises me. I have only in my life ever done exactly one concert review for publication, and, not knowing what was expected, I did some homework – read up on the band, listened to a few songs, etc. I just assumed that that would make it easier for me to evaluate it, but maybe I was off base. I wonder what the norm is among professional critics, all question of AI concert aside. Do they typically go in cold, with no background on who they’re going to go hear, or what kind of concert it is, etc? I have no clue, and it never occurred to me before.

That said, I’m glad to hear what regular old music critics say about the show (along with fan recaps, too). Ultimately, as a reader of these things, it’s not about what any one in particular says. It’s getting the breadth of opinion that is interesting. Especially since I won’t be able to hear it for myself.

What I’d really like to hear, and probably won’t, because why would they bother? is a recap from someone who is neither a professional critic nor a fan of AI or some contestant. Some regular old music lover who, for whatever reason, got dragged along.

Yeah, I guess you are right. They could just have the keyboardist hit a button and let the whole thing play.

That might explain, then, why he’s not doing that stuff: seems like it would be a total buzz-kill for the singer to sing to canned track, and it would defeat the whole point of doing a live performance. Not having the forces to do it live is definitely a good reason to not do it at all, esp. given that there’s no shortage of other good stuff to do.

Any English people here that can comment on Adam’s accent, especially on Life on Mars?

Here!
There is a hint of the mother tongue in his accent. But it’s more for the phrasing and the cadence of the song than a mimic I think.

Bowie has a very strong south london accent that is obvious even when he sings, and the phrasing and cadence of his earlier music especially such as Life On Mars, is weighted to the accent. A bit like when Italian opera is translated into english, the phrasing remains that of the Italian language not the english.

I remember reading last year that a one reviewer was a classical music reviewer and he drew the short straw and had to review AI. Guess how he related his “distain” for anything idol. Come on folks. These reviews mean nothing. When the real music comes out in the fall, then reviews will mean something. As to any of these kids being “super stars” or “rock gods” get a grip. They do covers! Let’s see what they do in the “real world”.

There is a local critic for our local newspaper (KC area) that supposidly (sp) is a a wonderful critic, very fair, blah blah blah. I have yet to see him give David Cook (or for that matter any of AI kids) any decent reviews, and this is a local boy! Some people (so called critics included) just don’t get what AI is and will alway hold that against anyone from that show.

As to Simon and Co. and their “talent” show. Until they go back to singing and stop with all the drama and bad talent they pass into the top 36, (Norman, Tatiana, or and Bikini Girl) IMO, critics will never take the kids from AI seriously.

I never really pegged David Bowie as singing with an English accent himself though, especially in Let’s Dance. Certainly not a strong accent. Might have to relisten. ETA Just listened to Bowie performing it live, I don’t really catch any British accent.

Adam sings ‘Life on Mars’  with a British accent, and Bowie’s accent was more noticable when he sang ‘Life on Mars.’  (esp. the studio version). Adam sang ‘Come to Me, Bend to Me’  with a Scottish accent. It adds to the song LOM as it is more Bowie-esque , then he does ‘Fame’  as half Bowie half Adam, then ‘Let’s Dance’  is all modern and all Adam.

Yuo know, I am not certain that the Chronical’s reviewer got this — or he just chose to ignore it.

I really appreciate how Adam uses the accent, arrangement and a few very literal Bowie hand gestures to first establish a Bowie-esque character, then transitions thru Fame to a much more contemporary, electronic Adamized version of “Let’s Dance”. I don’t think everything is worked out on this medley but it seems to be getting better as the tour goes on.

As a major Bowie fan, I was not completely thrilled when Adam announced that he was doing this Bowie medley in the tour — and update it with some contemporary electronic element. I really didn’t think he would do justice to LOM (I was so wrong!), Fame is not my fav Bowie song (still isn’t but I guess the crowd likes it) and I thought Let’s Dance might be a bit karaoke (not). My only complaint with the Bowie set is that I want the full LOM and Let’s Dance!

Am I the only one who thinks there isn’t going to be a vastly different reaction to Adam in middle America/Deep South/Bible Belt than there has been in the Pacific NW/Northern California?

I’ve lived in several different states, ranging from East Coast to middle America to West Coast, and have met probably as many homophobic people in California and New York as I have in Kansas. I live in L.A. and was disgusted when the gay marriage ban was passed. Gay marriage, by the way, is legal in at least one state in middle America.

IMO, it’s an overgeneralization to assume people in the Bible Belt or middle America are more homophobic than people in other parts of the country. There will be people everywhere who love Adam, and those who don’t. Just as it is for the other contestants. I assume Danny and Kris may get more support in Milwaukee and Little Rock, respectively, than Adam — but that would be more because their hometowns will want to support them — it won’t have much to do with them not liking/welcoming Adam. And I expect Adam to get a lot of cheers in those places — as he should since he’s very talented.

I will have to disagree with you there. I think the Christian states are going to chew him up and spit him out (expect the theatrical and OTT comments to be flying!) Homophobia will be alive and well and I truly expect nothing less.

I should preface this with the fact that I was born and raised in Los Angeles and haven’t even been to the Christian/southern states with the exception of Tennessee when I visited a friend in college there. Even then I was in Nashville which is a good-sized city.

Having said that, I worry about the reaction to Adam in some of these states. I admit it’s all based on stereotypes which isn’t really fair. I hope I’ll be laughing at myself in a few weeks time.

I definitely like the Oakland review better than the Mercury review. I am surprised that the reviewer called Matt Giraud ‘shockingly bad’. He seems to be getting relatively good words from the other writers.

girlygirl
Jul 12th, 2009 at 7:04 pm
Am I the only one who thinks there isn’t going to be a vastly different reaction to Adam in middle America/Deep South/Bible Belt than there has been in the Pacific NW/Northern California?

I’m british, but I lived in NC, Durham and Chapel hill, for 2 years during my post grad. And I think, according to my perception of that region, there will be a different reaction to Adam. I’m expecting some scathing reviews once the tour reaches the Bible-belt.

You may be right, Sunn. I don’t think Lady Gaga and Goldfrapp are quite as successful in parts of the south, as they are in the San Fransisco Bay area. I really don’t expect any scathing reviews, though.

Am I the only one who thinks there isn’t going to be a vastly different reaction to Adam in middle America/Deep South/Bible Belt than there has been in the Pacific NW/Northern California?

No. I’m from TN and I flove Adam. I’m quite sure I’m not alone.

Am I the only one who thinks there isn’t going to be a vastly different reaction to Adam in middle America/Deep South/Bible Belt than there has been in the Pacific NW/Northern California?

If lived all over the country, and I completely agree. And I think the reaction to Adam will be the same across the country. If anything, I think he might get a bigger response in the South than he is getting on the West Coast. In my experiences, West Coast audiences tend to be the most laid-back. Particurly the Bay area.

I guess we’ll learn something when the tour goes to Utah later this week.

I’ll have to watch that video because I am not sure how I would dig the accent thing. It is one thing if you were born British or Scottish. Go Proclaimers!

I do find it sad that people are predicting a negative reaction to Adam in certain parts of the US. I hope you are wrong.

I mean I am sure many gay or rocking or raunchy types have toured in all these places before. Has NIN never done Utah? Madonna? KISS with their tongues and makeup and platform shoes? Has Elton John never performed in the American South? Marilyn Manson? Okay the Sex Pistols had a tough time but that was in the late 1970s and they probably deserved it.

Is the tour hitting Ohio? If they are, then Adam may not fare so well.

Utah, struck as quite a mixture when I visited, Quite a few arty liberal people have reside there for some reason.

Where else is the tour going? Can someone educate me.

I just had the most insipid idea ever…No Boundaries was dropped because it was doing Kris, and the whole AI show, no favors? Probably. The AI machine is going forward and listening to the serious reviews? And so far, only Adam gets good reviews from “serious” critics for the Adam Lambert and the Nameless Others’ Show? The kid who won got favors from Adam because Adam chose not have a showstopping last song enough to feed the energy for the whole world?

Ehhh…What if AI drops all those “nameless others” from the tour altogether? Including the Ashlee Simpson wannabe and that kid who won?

Good thing it doesn’t work that way. The tour is still called the American Idol Tour, whether or not the singers are palatable enough to suit the critics’ tastes. Good or bad reviews, the show will go on, with all the nameless others. Yay!

You may be right, Sunn. I don’t think Lady Gaga and Goldfrapp are quite as successful in parts of the south, as they are in the San Fransisco Bay area. I really don’t expect any scathing reviews, though.

I think that Adam will get a great reception in the South. And Lady Gaga is incredibly popular in the South. Here a couple of quote from Lady Gaga’s Atlanta concert.

On April 9, 2009, the Fame Ball Tour descended upon “Hotlanta” for its very last stop. The show, which had been sold-out for months …

It is rare to see such admiration and enthusiasm for a new, pop artist on their first headlining tour. Now, more than ever, with Lady GaGa’s arrival on the music scene, pop performance art will be pushed to superior heights.

lavender1960 Jul 12th, 2009 at 7:27 pm

I’ll have to watch that video because I am not sure how I would dig the accent thing. It is one thing if you were born British or Scottish. Go Proclaimers!

Brigadoon is set in a Scottish village, hence Adam going the extra mile and singing with a Scottish accent, even to the “achh” in the song where some people think he is taking a deep breath, LOL! And IMO signing LOM with an accent is spot on especially if you are going to transition people into your updating Bowie songs.

Where else is the tour going? Can someone educate me.

Here’s a link to the concert tour cities:

http://www.americanidol.com/news/view/pid/1632

Is the tour hitting Ohio? If they are, then Adam may not fare so well.

Utah, struck as quite a mixture when I visited, Quite a few arty liberal people have reside there for some reason.

The tour goes to Cleveland and Columbus — although I don’t know why Ohio would be a problem.

Utah is by most measures the most politically conservative state in the US — and Adam will get a great reception there, too. As hopefully Megan will since she the hometown girl.

Sunn Jul 12th, 2009 at 7:34 pm

Is the tour hitting Ohio? If they are, then Adam may not fare so well.

Utah, struck as quite a mixture when I visited, Quite a few arty liberal people have reside there for some reason.

Where else is the tour going? Can someone educate me.

Two shows in Ohio, Columbus and Cleveland. St. Louis and Kansas City, Missouri. Rosemont, Illinois. Indianapolis, Indiana. Michigan and Wisconsin, Dallas, TX , Tulsa, OK, N. Little Rock, AR, Memphis, TN, Tampa, FL, Sunrise, FL , Duluth, GA, Charlotte, NC and Greensboro, NC.
The rest of the tour is on the North East Coast.

lavender1960 Jul 12th, 2009 at 7:27 pm

I’ll have to watch that video because I am not sure how I would dig the accent thing. It is one thing if you were born British or Scottish. Go Proclaimers!

And he was playing a Scot in Brigadoon, hence the accent which is excellant. Recommend you listen to the performance. Even if don’t like Adam, it is beautiful. Here’s the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJYyqzUr6jU

Q3, read my post again. I said PARTS of the south. The south is not a monolith. According to the Dial Idol state by state map, Adam won some southern states, with Tennessee and Florida coming to mind.

Thank you adamland

The tour goes to Cleveland and Columbus ‘” although I don’t know why Ohio would be a problem.

Just my impression from my visit there. I drove through, spending a couple of nights in the state, and I found it racially segregated (voluntarily ofcourse) and a bit weary of outsiders. Even my english accent caused a bit of a stir. LOL!
I should say though, that the only major city I passed through was Cleveland, I’ve never been to Columbus.

I’m certain that Lady Gaga is not equally popular all over the south or all over California. But she has a ton of fans all over the south, as does Adam.

The AI tour, includng Adam, will be well received in the South. According to Dial Idol FWIW Adam won the final vote in Mississippi, Alabama, Louisianna, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Florida (the top part is in the South).

That might explain, then, why he’s not doing that stuff: seems like it would be a total buzz-kill for the singer to sing to canned track, and it would defeat the whole point of doing a live performance.

I really don’t think that’s what I wrote. You won’t find a bigger cheerleader for Dave Kochanski, Aaron Spears, and the Idol Live Tour band. I think they are incredible, operating under very trying conditions with mostly amateur singers.

Kochanski did an interview on the old Gray Charles site years ago, where he explained how they do it. The music is 90 % live, but there are songs where they run out of musicians. For example, if they need organ and piano or piano and strings on a song, they’ve only got one keyboard player, so they will do a synthesizer midi track for one of the instruments. Same thing if they need rythym and lead guitar or doubled rythym guitars or whatever. It’s only a four piece band (plus two back-ground singers) and they are trying to play everything from Led Zeppelin to David Bowie to Brittney Spears (who Kochaniski toured with) to Rascal Flatts to Corrine Bailey Rae.

The guys in the Idol tour band are not chopped liver. Here’s drummer Aaron Spears playing with Usher and James Brown at the Grammies. He’s as good a drummer as you’ll ever hear:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Actdg2of4Bs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4KUXICy2vc

Is the tour hitting Ohio? If they are, then Adam may not fare so well.

Hey, I’m from Ohio and yes it’s coming here. I don’t see him having trouble with the reviews here. I guess my only question is even if reviewers don’t like him in different areas does this mean it has to with him as a person? I think not. Just like some of these reviews we’ve been reading some reviewers may just have a bias for a different type of music.

The guys in the Idol tour band are not chopped liver. Here’s drummer Aaron Spears playing with Usher and James Brown at the Grammies. He’s as good a drummer as you’ll ever hear.

I am a huge fan of Aaron Spears — he’s one of the best. The band and the production team have done a great job on this tour.

Actually, one of the things I really don’t like on this tour is that they drop the curtain and hide the band for part of Kris’ set. I would rather see them the whole time.

I don’t know why Ohio would have a problem with Adam, but I’ve noticed it’s a very AI friendly state overall.
It seems to me that everytime a reviewer says something negative about someone, the fans try to find a reason why the reviewer said that, anything but accept the fact that sometimes there are people out there who simply didn’t enjoy the show or certain performances. Reviewers are people who give opinions. They are not right or wrong, it’s really just their opinion.

Q3 Jul 12th, 2009 at 8:32 pm

The guys in the Idol tour band are not chopped liver. Here’s drummer Aaron Spears playing with Usher and James Brown at the Grammies. He’s as good a drummer as you’ll ever hear.

I am a huge fan of Aaron Spears ‘” he’s one of the best. The band and the production team have done a great job on this tour.

Actually, one of the things I really don’t like on this tour is that they drop the curtain and hide the band for part of Kris’ set. I would rather see them the whole time.

I agree. That is one of the things I live about Adam and his set…he visually includes the band in WLL and on Let’s Dance by either singing along side/among them or pointing to them.

I don’t know if this qualifies as news, but thought that it fit here best.

1ofgodsanointed – tweet earlier today:

If u wanna know the secret to how I used my iPhone to capture live footage of the AI concert. Watch my ustream show on Monday 3:30pm pst

I’m going to defend the good old USA for a moment. We are not all the red-necked, uneducated, racially and lifestyle bigots that are often portrayed in the movies that are the measuring device that many outside of the US see and use.

The USA is full of very diverse people who have many differing points of view, religious influences, social and political platforms. We are white, black, red, yellow, brown, old and young, male and female and a few undecideds. We are liberal and conservative, old school and OTT forward thinking. We are gay, straight, bi, and non-sexual. We go to church on Sunday or spend the day skiing or wake boarding, work during the week or live off of our family inheritence, visit honky tonk bars or 5 star restaurants on Friday, spend Saturdays on the golf course or at the nascar races. And these are just the people that live on my street.

I think everyone will be pleasantly surprised that all of the idols will be treated very nicely by the fans no matter where they are performing. All of the idols will be cheered and clapped for. None of the idols will be booed. Reviews may favor one idol over another, but social and religious issues won’t be the reason for the reviews. Adam won’t be tarred and feathered and run out of town, Danny and Kris won’t be presented with halos and wings and the opposite won’t happen either.

Us Americans may appear backwards or not as forward thinking as other countries and we may get caught up in stupid debates that eventually sort themselves out….but that is because we are a passionate lot and love to debate and argue as well as kiss and make-up. We are as close to one another as we were in the hours of 9/11, and as far apart as we are on election night. But, for the most part we are nice and kind and appreciative of the 10 kids who have worked so hard to get where they are.

It’s only a four piece band (plus two back-ground singers)

It’s been a five piece band since at least S5. The two back-ground singers were added in Season 6. Dave plays the keyboard (1), Aaron plays drum (2), Dude on Guitar who is featured in the jams (3), Dude who plays the other keyboard instrument (organ? 4) and dude who plays the bass (I think it’s a bass, over by the drummer, 5).

You can clearly see the drummer and bass player here (guitar player that normally stands between the keyboards has come out to jam and his back is to the photographer) and the other three in the usual positions are shown in the header picture for Anastasia’s recap here.

Just nitpicking the numbers and facts as usual.

Very nice post Tess.

This is the only statement that I do not agree with:

Reviews may favor one idol over another, but social and religious issues won’t be the reason for the reviews

I am almost certain this will happen at least once.

Most people who actually buy a ticket to the concerts are fans of Idol so most likely there will be a rousing welcome for all of them. It’s the local (south, Bible belt) newspapers who would most likely be overly “conservative” in their reviews, not so much the fans. I wonder how Adam will be received in Little Rock though…. But Megan, tatoos and all, is from Utah, right? I have been there several times (Salt Lake) and skiied in the pretty liberal Park Cities area — most all the guys and gals working in the ski shops, etc. had earrings and snow boards, i.e. laid back ski bum cool.

And he was playing a Scot in Brigadoon, hence the accent which is excellant. Recommend you listen to the performance. Even if don’t like Adam, it is beautiful. Here’s the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJYyqzUr6jU

I did not notice the British accent in LOM just how clear his diction is but I have no doubt he could do an excellent accent if he needed to. I hadn’t listened to his Brigadoon in a while and I had forgotten how stunning it is especially for a live recording. I dare any Adam hater to listen to this.

If adam gets a bad review in southern than the reporter is homophobic? I know its hard to believe since adam is god and the reason music is invented but not everyone loves his style or performances.

Reviews may favor one idol over another, but social and religious issues won’t be the reason for the reviews

I am almost certain this will happen at least once.

We won’t know that unless a reporter/reviewer actually owns up to that in the review or uses obvious code words. I think in this day and age both are unlikely, even if the bias is there.

As someone who has lived in only two states (Alabama & Illinois) in areas (Bible-Belt & Midwest) that are often stereotyped on this blog and other Idol sites, I gotta say I think Adam will be just fine everywhere he goes. If a reviewer doesn’t like him, it doesn’t mean they’re homophobic. That’s like saying someone who doesn’t like Lil is racist.

If a reviewer doesn’t like him, it doesn’t mean they’re homophobic. That’s like saying someone who doesn’t like Lil is racist.

Or that someone who doesn’t like Kris is just someone bitter who likes Adam.

ETA: I do think Adam’s jacket is a little Mad Max-like. But still cool.

His whole outfit gives the imagery of MM, and I agree I love it too. These critics are harsh but I’m loving that they still see the potential in Adam.

Frankly, I have kind of been more worried about the reviews from the West Coast areas of LA and San Diego where it is pretty hard to impress anyone….movie stars and famous musicians are a dime a dozen and it seems to be that you have to really stand out to draw in much of a fan base (especially LA.) Now San Diego may show lots of love to Adam due to his roots, but not so sure about LA. Have been looking forward to hearing how well he is critiqued. Or not, as the case may be.

Dude who plays the other keyboard instrument (organ? 4)

Good catch.

He’s actually got at least three keyboards, one of which appears to be a portable organ. There are two more on a rack next to the guitarist.

In addition to a keyboard, Kochanski also has an Apple laptop computer. I suspect that this stores and plays ProTools (or whatever) midi files for the whole show.

I’d like to think that any negative reviews any of the AI kids get ae because that person either simply hates AI in general, and/or s/he simply doesn’t connect to that particular musician’s style/performance/personality. Hopefully issues not related to the music can be left out of it. That may be a litle naive of him, but it’s my hope anyway.

At least the Santa Rosa reviewer semed positie. He liked both Adam and Kris from what I could tell. I guess he’s going to have a follow up to what he’s already posted here? He just gives a general overview of the concert, saying that Adam and Kris were the best but not going into any detail on anyone at all.

http://idol.blogs.pressdemocrat.com/10159/idol-tour-storms-through-oakland/

By the way, are there twitters (tweeters?) and a cell cast for tonight’s show?

By the way, are there twitters (tweeters?) and a cell cast for tonight’s show?

Yep. I posted the link to the cellcast in the Oakland thread.

All these reviews that bash kris.Why wont they say something about his voice instead of saying hes no adam lambert?

‘Cause they want to feel they had a part should Lambert become a mega-star. (Fat chance of that.) Sorry; but I would much rather be a Taylor Hicks, who makes a great living, doing what he loves instead of a superstar who is so large, they cannot leave his/her home and ends up like Presley and Jackson.

Keep those small club gigs coming!!!

I really don’t think that’s what I wrote. You won’t find a bigger cheerleader for Dave Kochanski, Aaron Spears, and the Idol Live Tour band. I think they are incredible, operating under very trying conditions with mostly amateur singers.

My comment was in direct response to someone else’s summary to the effect that they could just plug it in and let it run (ie a whole techno track). That is what would be pointless Karaoke, imo. It’s not a question of the talent of the band – they could have canned Hendrix on guitar and it’d be worse than a lead far worse than the guy in this band.

I’m not dissing the band, but any ensemble has limitations of what it can do live. Maybe they don’t have the skills to cover every genre equally well, maybe they don’t have the forces to cover every instrument, even if they do have the skills. But putting any instrument in as a canned midi track has a significant trade-off, unless I’m really misunderstanding the technology.

If it’s a live synth line that Kochanski is playing (as opposed to the actual instrument being synthesized) no problem. It’s real-time. If it’s a pre-canned track that they play along with, you’ve taken certain kinds of improv off the table. That’s not the end of the world – that track may add more than any improv could, and most of these singers aren’t that skilled at improv anyway. And Adam (and possibly the others, I’ve not listened to that many videos yet) is showing that he’s finding plenty of spaces to riff in as it is. It’s the best thing about Slow Ride – it’s such a nothing tune that no thinking musician can sing it straight without going brain dead – so we get their ideas.

But, just to show that I’m not too worried about the effect of the canned tracks. I was a Taylor fan in season 5 and was interested in whether he’d be able to do any freestyle on the tour. I distinctly remember giving my computer a metaphorical high 5 when I saw a video where he clearly gave the band a cue to not take the usual transition (he screamed “stay right there” several times) so that he could wander off on some bit of improv for awhile, and they followed him. I don’t know if that took turning off a canned track, or if, as I suspect is the case, there were none on that number. But I was impressed with the band.

And I agree with Q3 – dropping a curtain to separate the band is not a good move. Anything that separates the singer from the band has negative effects on how the music is delivered. Just because it’s live doesn’t mean it’s living.

Lambert needs a handler to keep his mouth shut. First it was the “stick it in” comment and then yesterday on twitter, he refers to women as “twats.” Not too cool, kiddo.

Lambert needs a handler to keep his mouth shut. First it was the ‘stick it in’  comment and then yesterday on twitter, he refers to women as ‘twats.’  Not too cool, kiddo

He didn’t refer to women as twats. He was talking about twitter, and twits. Also, twat has more than one meaning.

According to wikipedia

A fool, synonymous with the word twit – ‘You are a real twat and a half’ (often used in the UK

One should think before they type. Especially if they want to be a big star.

Which “twat” should we choose when speaking of women?

The C word or A fool?

Nola, he wasn’t talking about women at all. He was talking about twitter. I’m not sure where you are getting your information from.

Here is the uninterrupted video of Adam’s set in Oakland (broken into 3 parts). Sorry, I’m just getting home . . . If you play them back-to-back you’ll get the feel of the whole set. There is some sound and video distortion (sitting in the first row has it pluses and minuses ‘“ you can see the performers up close, but don’t get the wider angles or the full sound effects. . . )

Intro, Whole Lotta Love, Starlight
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Xqz8xvenWY

Mad World, Slow Ride
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HuHPFis9kJU

Bowie Medley
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UsAjttToZG4

Finale
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RkOollPM6z8

Enjoy!!! :clap_tb:

It looks like Archie has been busy today working on his Christmas album with Kurt Bestor, based on these two tweets from Kurt Bestor…

Producing David Archuleta on a piece of music I arranged. He’s blowing me away!
about 6 hours ago

Back from recording David A’s vocals on two songs for his new CD. Still can’t believe he’s only 18 – such vocal maturity!
about 3 hours ago

Who is Kurt Bestor, you ask? Here are some impressive data on him…

Perhaps best known for his innovative interpretation of seasonal carols found in his popular 5-CD boxed set The Complete Kurt Bestor Christmas, the Utah based composer and performer launched his career writing music for television and movies. His credits include more than 40 film scores and more than 40 themes for national TV programs and commercials. It is Bestor’s music that has introduced NFL Monday Night Football, and National Geographic Explorer; he scored TBS’s Wild! Life Adventures and the IMAX film The Great American West. He also was given the Outstanding Film Score Award at the New York Film and Television Festival for his music for PBS’s A More Perfect Union. Bestor was awarded an Emmy ® for his collaboration with Sam Cardon on the original music for ABC’s coverage of the 1988 Winter Olympics.
You can read more about him HERE.

What the heck’s a “twat”???

Small gigs are good. Have you seen Adam at Upright Cabaret? I would have loved to have seen Adam there. At least I would have had a chance of getting his autograph. LOL.

Also, I think Adam is doing what he loves and was doing what he loves, just like Taylor Hicks. Singers like to sing right???

LOL. Adam isn’t talking about female anatomy when saying “twat”… it’s a twitter thing. I kinda think Adam has little interest in that part of a woman’s anatomy. I also suspect there’s not a sexist bone in his body, although I don’t know him.

I hope Adam doesn’t develop a filter to please the masses. Ick.

True, pj, which is why twat would slip out so easily.

I think he is a prick. Wonder how many definitions of prick there are. LOL

True, pj, which is why twat would slip out so easily.

I think he is a prick. Wonder how many definitions of prick there are. LOL

There are probably a few definitions of prick, twat and bitch. It all depends on the context used. I really don’t think Adam meant any disrespect to women. He is way too close to his mom and has very close women friends.

I guess I’m going to have to re-evaluate myself and my lingo. I’m probably a twat, bitch and prick rolled into one! Yet even my Mom loves me. Bless her.

ETA: I don’t use the F-word in her presence, though. LOL.

but I would much rather be a Taylor Hicks, who makes a great living, doing what he loves instead of a superstar who is so large, they cannot leave his/her home and ends up like Presley and Jackson.

Well, I don’t think “Taylor Hicks” or “Elvis: The Rotund Later Years” are the only two options available to Adam and Allison and Kris.

If it’s a live synth line that Kochanski is playing (as opposed to the actual instrument being synthesized) no problem.

What’s a live synth line when the keyboard is connected to a professional studio software package and both are triggering midi files? Push a key to trigger sampled violins that play along with what whaever chord changes you are playing. Is that a live synth line? The borders get very blurry.

Here’s the keyboard workstation Kochanski is using for the Idol tour — interfaced to the computer software package. Towards the end of this demo when he starts layering patterns ask yourself “what does playing live mean?”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKn-ElQE0NQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmTynawZFKk

In the interview with Kochanski during Taylor’s tour, he said that the use of some backing track instrumentation varied from song to song. Remember, I don’t think they had background singers on that tour, so all harmony vocals were midi generated.

I’m just saying that this band would have no problem at all playing the Madonna or Goldfrapp techno dance songs that I linked. As with those live performances, there would be some use of synthesizer midi tracks.

Having said that, I worry about the reaction to Adam in some of these states. I admit it’s all based on stereotypes which isn’t really fair. I hope I’ll be laughing at myself in a few weeks time.

I also hope he’ll still be well received in the midwest/south, but think we’ll see a lot more love for Kris and Danny there, and Adam may be 2nd behind Kris, rather than number 1 in some of those areas.

But I know every area can be surprisingly different – I live on the east coast, pretty eclectic area, yet I know of AI fans who seemed offput by Adam. It was unfortunate. Not that everyone has to love the guy, but just not be rude just because of his sexual preference (which they kind of were).

Which still totally amazes me because American Idol has never been totally about the singers ‘” even the winner ‘” and their wishes and what suits them. All the other winners had to sing the coronation song, although the songs rarely represented who they were as an artist or suited their set.

I must say I was VERY surprised that NoBo was cut from the program – that has never happened before, and when I told other AI fan friends of mine, they said, “But every year’s song is crappy, and it always makes the tour, regardless.” Just makes me wonder how bad it really did come across on tour (hard to tell just from the vids). I actually didn’t mind the song TOO much, listening to it from the itunes download.

Still, I have to wonder if it didn’t have just a little to do with Adam performing right before him, and having such a high energy, well-received set. NoBo was probably unfairly handicapping Kris even more than in previous years – so they gave him a free pass by letting him do something else.

Why is the twat comment coming up now? Adam wrote that on his twitter July 8. He defines the term for him “when I read lame, boring tweets I call them TWATS.”

Thanks for those standing up for the Midwest and South. I do get tired of people presuming Adam may not get the same response when he comes to the midwest. Let me assure you – he will be just fine here. Contrary to what some think Missouri knows good music and a good singer when we hear it. And the artists respond to it.

Nola, Adam used “twat” to describe bad twits, and wrote, that he also sends “twats” I did not get any impression that he was being disrespectful in any way, while your calling him prick is not very nice

It is unfortunate that twat as been co-opted by Twitterers as a whole, as a verb and a noun, because it does have another not so nice usage. Tweet is so much sweeter – just like fag means something different to Brits than North Americans. And I even try to avoid the use of the word root because it has a whole other meaning in Australia.

In terms of the AI tour band, they are quite good and the issue of live vs tracks on tour is a fascinating one. I was quite disappointed when The Edge demonstrated in a documentary of U2 prepping for the Vertigo tour how he had all the various guitar sounds from different songs programmed into a computer and he could use his wah wah pedal to change for each song and I’m thinking, is that like cheating sort of? Then I thought that is how a band with only 2 guitars make such a large sound. And many many drummers, live awesome drummers use drum programs as they are playing – not sure how that works but they are all very open about it so it must be a pretty standard thing.

Nola writes of her dislike of Adam in every post. Ignore her.