Jason Castro – Flytrap Music Hall – Tulsa OK

That’s great. I hope Jason can put out an EP soon.

The user wasn’t able to get everything, so there are a few missing. But she got most of the important ones (last one is uploading I believe). The one titled “New Song” we just haven’t figured out the title to yet. She missed OTR, but we’ve all heard that a millon times. Also one of his pre-Idol songs that had been reworked a bit.

I wasn’t there, but there were a good 500 or more of us watching it all unfold online last night. A lovely woman who works at the venue ran a live feed for us that had decent sound. So we got to watch it live. There was a feed for Skib too.

As the banter isn’t in these videos, he seemingly decided to play Daydream on the fly after prefacing saying that he hadn’t played it in a long time. In typical Jason fashion he completely blanked on a good part of the words. He was talking a lot and seemed really comfortable in that size venue.

The band is The Heavy Steadies. I think they have been co-writting with Jason. One of the guys in the band also used to be in The Rising with Michael Johns.

brie, thanks for the wonderful information! These are great (still watching). I would love to see Jason live. I also plan to buy whatever he puts out.

I’m interested in seeing Andy Skibs set too. Does anyone know where this can be found? Prob. YT? Thanks!

Thanks for posting these mj!!

His original work is pretty weak. He might have a better shot of getting signed if he starts making friends with skilled songwriters who can write him some good tunes. His entire presentation just comes across amateurish. He’s going to have a tougher time in front of an audience that isn’t already partial to liking anything he does.

I think the last she has “Shine Your Light” is now up as well.

They had the cellcast for Skib’s set, so that might be available somehow. He sounded great, but at that point in time the computer filming it was all the way in the back so you couldn’t see much. He looked like a tiny dot on stage. They moved the computer when Jason came on.

Most of the Castro fans loved Skib though, so I think Andy has a bunch of new fans.

From what I hear, Andy’s dad will be uploading videos of his performance last night. If I find them, I’ll let you know where.

I absolutely love these new songs! I cannot wait for the CD…EP…something to actually buy!

His original work is pretty weak. He might have a better shot of getting signed if he starts making friends with skilled songwriters who can write him some good tunes. His entire presentation just comes across amateurish. Heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s going to have a tougher time in front of an audience that isnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t already partial to liking anything he does.

Pretty much what I was going to say. I agree 100%.
I think his original work is very bland and he could use some help.

One of the guys in the band also used to be in The Rising with Michael Johns.

That may be the reason why when I was listening to Love Uncompromised, one part of it reminded me of a Michael Johns song, Wash Me.

The originals that I like are Sweet Medicine and Love Uncompromised.

Thanks gingerly!

these videos are great..i watched this morning on youtube some other video..horrible video so this was pleasent surprise…love his new songs and revamped old originals…i hope he puts out an album soon either indie or major…just put something out JAsON!!!..im tired of the youtube

One of the guys in the band also used to be in The Rising with Michael Johns.

That may be the reason why when I was listening to Love Uncompromised, one part of it reminded me of a Michael Johns song, Wash Me.

Interesting tibbit. Thanks.

I was just listening to that song. The choruses sound almost exactly the same.

Though to clarify, I have no idea if that Love Uncompromised was co-written with The Heavy Steadies. I know Jason has written with them (as has possibly Brooke), but he’s never really clarified what songs have been a collaboration with them. They’r obviously backing him up for now on everything, not just songs they have had a hand in writing.

Kevin Haaland is the guy from both The Rising and THS.

love uncompromised is one of the most beautiful songs ive ever heard

Andy performing “A Dream of my Home” last night.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ewhb5n3fvrI

Thanks, MJ. Just getting home and catching up. Methinks Jason is in lurve. :tongue1_tb: I think his originals are pretty good. I only expect him to improve.

Being a major Castro fan, I LOVE all of the songs. I also love the way he reworked Hallelujah.

I agree pj. I don’t think even Jason’s fans think his songwriting is perfect at this point, but he’s only going to improve. He already has. His learning curve is amazing IMO. Also it should be kept in mind is this is his first real solo gig, so of course he’s not totally settled into his groove yet.

My favorites of the originals are Love Uncompromised and It’s Alright With Me. I’ve also always had a soft spot for So Fast, which was probably his best received pre-Idol song. The intro is missing here, but it’s about a friend who committed suicide.

Brie…”So Fast” is very haunting acoustic. I do believe Jason is pretty green, but a natural. I’ll be buying his music.

I don’t want to agree with the folks saying that the originals are weak, but I must. i loved jason on the show too but I’m not real interested in listening to these new songs much more. For me, Sweet Medicine is the best one. Maybe with better arrangements, better use of background vocals and other instruments beyond the strumming guitar, I’d like them more. Also, I always think that Jason’s voice mic should be boosted.

Good to see Jason though.

He only sang the first 3 verses of Hallelujah. I guess he found the other two offensive, sheeesh.

Long song… projecting?

There are technically 15 written verses to Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah, so I think in a sense all artists pick and choose which ones to cover.

Rufus Wainwright, Jeff Buckley and John Cale all sang the same 5 verses. Just saying….

Cohen changes the verses of the song “Hallelujah” into whichever combination that he chooses at the time.

I love the sentiment behind “Shine Your Light”.

A few weeks ago Stevie Van Zandt said that he liked the new songs that Jason had let him hear.

Wow, who knew Stevie Van Zandt was such a huge AI fan? I read a fan report saying that SVZ was in the audience at Cook’s SNL appearance and that (as Cook himself confirmed) he and his wife gave Cook a book of poetry. Of course, during the season SVZ’s wife apparently donated a guitar for an auction to raise $$ to help Cook’s brother Adam fly to LA.

I feel like I’m commenting way too much here, but this is for Keel. One of Jason’s fans happens to be friends with the Van Zandt family. According to her Maureen Van Zandt is a huge Cookie fan, but the family in general is very supportive of Idol and they try to help the kids out any way they can. Hence Steven booked Jason to be a judge for a Teen Vogue Battle of the Bands event he was sponsoring a few weeks back. I think Jason even stayed with the Van Zandts.

The originals that I like are Sweet Medicine and Love Uncompromised.

Same here (as usual), prime.

Also it should be kept in mind is this is his first real solo gig, so of course heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s not totally settled into his groove yet.

A couple of Ayala Malls gigs should take care of the groove. Are ya reading this, Jason? Heh.

brie200 it’s not possible for you to comment too much when you’re giving us such great info and inside tidbits – thanks so much! MJ thank you so very much for posting all of these! I cannot wait to see Jason live on his, (I certainly hope), eventual tour!

Just a comment on the verses of “Hallelujah”. Why does it matter the reason he left them out? He sang what he sang and he did a nice job. For all we know, knowing Jason, he could only remember the words to so many verses – he chose the ones he could remember the easiest. I’m only saying, it doesn’t really matter. I enjoy music for what I hear, not what is left out. If I cared what was left out, why in the world would I watch AI?

If he doesn’t have better material, I can’t see other than the hard core fans from Idol being interested. I’m surprised at how amateurish Jason still is.

Rufus Wainwright, Jeff Buckley and John Cale all sang the same 5 verses. Just sayingà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦.

Phil Wickham does a pretty sick version of Hallelujah as well– 3 verses.

Someone said that Jason was green but a natural and I could not have said it better. What a freaking breath of fresh air this kid is and there is something about him, something I cant quite put my finger on that draws me to him good looks aside. He has that over used “it” factor I keep hearing about and I loved Daydream Beliver. Like so many others before him its not just the voice. Im talking about someone like Elton (no he isnt Elton) but Elton didnt have the greatest voice ever either but it was his deliverance of the song that got me. John Cougar Mellencamp also didnt have the greatest voice but the songs were terrific and Jason has this connection with his audience which for me at least is 50% of the battle. He has this vulnerable, gentle quality to his voice that makes me want to listen. I think the greats all have that quality and it doesnt necessarily equal a great voice, just a great presence

In a fancy recording studio they could make magic with this kid who, IMHO, has it all. The look, the rawness, the talent and the ability to connect. You cant buy that, you are either blessed with it or your not.

He is very young yet and has a long way to go but I think he can make it. Course, I thought someone else was the 2nd coming of Jesus so what do I know. Except that I really like this kid.

I’m betting that if the sound quality on these were better, Jason would sound a little better. Looking forward to a CD from him.

I think he is doing awesome considering he went from learning guitar/singing, to jumping on American idol right away to, writing his own music and having his first show 2 months after idol tour with original music. This guy doesnt have the people around him that the davids have. Jason is basically doing everything himself and he still sounds great.

I guess everyone just has high expectations for him?

I LOVE LOVE LOVE Jason and I have LOVED So Fast since way back when I first discovered his wonderfulness on Idol. He wrote it the night a school mate commited suicide, he was up all night writing it and I love the lyrics, the music. Oh he is going to do so well, I feel it in my bones.

I dont care if anyone else hates him or doesnt get him, I will take him anyway he comes to us

Why were we, why were we so unkind, the words stay with me, LOVE this song, oh, did I already say this. I am just soooo excited to see him out there, thank you thank you MJ

edit: Don’t lecture your fellow posters

Different tastes in music keep the music business going.

The next concert is in 12 days. I’m excited.

I debated leaving a comment on Jason’s new music since it is negative.But even if I’m not a fan, I always give one listen to original music because I’m just interested in the direction they go after the show. I doubt this material will do it for him but if his fans like it, more power to him.

Different tastes, etc., of course.

edit: maybe you need a guidelines refresher

Ok I guess I’m not hearing what all you negative posters are hearing because I think his new material is GREAT. Very catchy. Especially “Shine Your Light” And for Jason to be this good with just a few years playing and writing experience, is very impressive. He always sounds better in studio, so I have no worries these songs will be amazing studio versions. I tell you I have more respect for Castro then Cook or Archie who basically just sing what they are given to sing. That’s not talent in my opinion. Way to go Castro! I can’t wait for your CD. You are the true talent here!!

I also think the material is lacking. The singer-songwriter genre is filled with tons of talented people as both singers and lyricists and I don’t know how Jason is going to fit into that without better songs. It’s an already over-saturated genre that they become a dime a dozen. It takes a lot to stand out and I don’t see anything yet that does.

I do have to question the comment about Cook and Archie just singing what they’re given to sing. Archie contributed to his album (which I think is pretty awesome for a seventeen year old) and Cook wrote a ton on his, along with having probably fifty songwriting credits to his name beyond that with his previous solo album and his stuff with Axium. That’s not singing what’s given. There are plenty of things to criticize both Davids for, but I don’t think that’s one of them.

the Davids have been performing since birth. Tons of experience. David A is 17 but Jason is also young at 21. I think what cc1228 is saying is that if David A was the primary writer on a song..it would not be very good. David Cook does have all those writing credits…but did his songs make his album? I listened to Axium and Davids Analog heart and it wasn’t great. If the Davids wrote their own songs i believe it would recieve the same reaction everyone (besides castro fans)is giving Jason’s material. Like Jason Castro ..without the American Idol machine most people would have never heard of them.

JustA – I know what you mean. This is all Jason on his own, very new yet signs of some real talent. The Davids and others have name after famous name helping them out, if Jason did this good just on his own after singing for only one year, well then the sky is the limit. I do hope some big shot takes the time to help him out but if not I am fine to wait and see where time and maturity brings jason Castro!!

I have more respect for Castro then Cook or Archie who basically just sing what they are given to sing.

Clearly you don’t know much about Cook and Archie. Castro probably needs another 10 years to come up with as much original material as Cook has… and Archie may be 17 but has been involved in some of his songs.

I won’t enjoy a song just because it’s from an artist with lack of experience. And I won’t think a song is good just because I liked the artist covers on a tv show. I liked Jason during AI, I like his voice but he still hasn’t shown me that he can write interesting music on his own. Maybe it’s better to sing other people’s songs while he gets some experience. There’s nothing wrong about it. Just because someone thinks these songs are bland it does not me that someone is a hater.

And it’s not about comparing him to Archie and Cook, it’s about the music world outside AI. There are tons of musicians out there, Archie and Cook are the least of his problems.

You know, tastes differ greatly–it is fair to say that one dislikes a song because one finds it x y or z. It is NOT fair to say that an artist is untalented because you happen not to have an affinity with their style, or because you somehow feel that to like one artist means you must slam all others.

AI Season 7 is over, thankfully, and the competition, such as it was, between the Davids and Jason is OVER. These artists, each with their own very different talents, will each find their own paths.

To my way of thinking, Jason has made a wonderful start. In less than 3 months he has managed to write and rewrite a nice handful of catchy songs–he clearly has a gift for coming up with good musical hooks–and is practicing and honing his performance skills. (All this is all and only since the end of the AI tour, mind you.) And as was said above, Jason has consistently sounded better in the studio (which is NOT due to mixing tricks, as attested to more than once by Michael Orland), so I am very much looking forward to listening to his first CD.

I am so proud of Jason…he sounded beautiful on Saturday in Tusla (you can tell he’s been working on improving his vocals). Loved many of the songs he performed, especially “Shine Your Light” and “So Fast”. I know he’s performing with Patti LaBelle this month and with all of these “connections”, my hope and prayer is that someone will take him under their wing, mentor him and he will blossom even further. I believe he has all the makings of a great music artist (composing, performing and connection) with his audiences that make him so appealing. Well done, JC! I can’t wait to hear and see much more of you in the future.

Reminder:

This isn’t a fan thread, nor is my blog a fan blog.

Do not hassle or criticize the posters who are stopping by to criticize Jason. If it bothers you, maybe you shouldn’t be reading.

Also, fans who start fan wars as a reaction to their favorite being criticized will have their posts deleted or moderated.

This isn’t the AI boards or IDF. Please read the guidelines:

http://mjsbigblog.com/?page_id=1172

The subject of this thread is JASON CASTRO, not the Davids, please stay on Topic

Sweet Jason, I loved you on American Idol, but you need to buy a clue. Please find a vocal coach and a manager as soon as possible. It will be well worth the investment.

Wow, haven’t always followed Jason, but I think he has some great songs here!

Jason’s been performing for a long time. Wasn’t he in a band prior to AI? He’s just amateurish and his lyrics scream for a professional songwriter. I suspect strongly he’s on about minute 13 of his 15 minutes of fame. After giving the videos another look, he seems no different than any number of guys who play guitar and sing hokey songs at the local coffee joint. Jack Johnson stands out. John Mayer stands out. They are great artists and songwriters. I hope Jason doesn’t have any trouble getting back into Texas A&M.

Yes, Parts of “Uncompromised” sounds just like “Wash Me” which happens to be one of my fav songs!!

Yes Jason performed for years, in a band, in the back, on drums – not vocals. If Jason was jumping on his 15 minutes of fame he would have done a quick turnaround album, got it out in 10 days like Kristy or a couple of months like others(not the Davids, I love them I do). He is taking his time and screw the 15 minutes, he is shooting for longevity and I for one cannot wait to see what course this takes. Good or bad, (bad and I wont buy it) but I am thinking by what he has done here in all its amaturish glory, it will be good and worth the wait because Jason is the total package, looks, charm and talent, oh and most definitely brains so Texas A & M would be proud to have him back if need be but I dont see the need as of yet

Hey Niall,
Yes, Castro was in a band–playing drums— for years. He has been singing for about 3 years now. And he is doing a lot with his 15 mins. You mention John Mayer and Jack Johnson. I don’t think any of those guys are complaining about their careers. As for Jason’s writing, I think he has serious potential. Love Uncompromised and It’s Alright with Me are really good. As good as any of the stuff I hear on the top 40 radio. Though I would love to see what he would come up with some of the leading song writers in the business or in collaboration with other artists.

I just wanted to say that my daughter and i were lucky enough to hear Jason sing a solo acoustic version of “love uncompromised”, several months ago. it was in a much smaller setting, and we had the good luck to be sitting within a couple feet of him while he was singing, and the song was truly beautiful. we have been waiting since we first heard it to hear it again. Jason’s voice is very unique, and very beautiful, and the emotion in his voice when he sang this song was unbelievable.

We were so excited to have that opportunity, and to meet him. his soul is luminous, and his voice is magical. we will be buying anything he puts out

I love Jason and I hope he finds his way to sustained success. He is quite young still — I suppose I’d compare him more to Mraz. I think he’ll grow as a songwriter. He has the right attitude. Go get ‘em, Jason!

So exciting!
“Love Uncompromised” is going to be his first single and will be released on iTunes on TUESDAY!
I got an email from his mailing list last night! And he will sing it on IDOL LIVE on Wednesday!!