Javier Colon – Crazy, Use Me – VH1 Unplugged

By On 06/30/2011 · 11 Comments · In The Voice

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The Voice makes no bones about the fact that many of their contestants have been struggling in the music business for years.  Javier Colon, who was crowned winner of the NBC competition reality show last night, is exhibit A.

Javier recorded two albums with Capitol records–Javier in 2003 and Left of Center 2006–before he was dropped by the label.

As winner of The Voice, he gets a $100K prize and a brand-new deal with Universal Republic, but lets take a little trip back to 2003, when Javier stopped by the VH1 offices to promote his debut.

Check out his single “Crazy” and a cover of “Use Me”.  Both reveal a smooth, jazzy neo-soul style that was a tad bit out of date by 2003–probably one of the reasons why he didn’t hit it big back then.

It’ll be interesting to see what kind of music Javier and his team produce in 2011.

Use Me – Bill Withers Cover

Crazy – Single

Tags: Javier

 
  • rkt

    Javier got the voice and he can do pop, rock, blues and soul. I think whatever he will do for his new record, he needs to showcase his voice front and center, which his previous albums failed to do. I love the bill withers cover.

  • bazooka joe

    Crazy was a decent hit for javier it reached 90 or so on the hot 100 and left of center reached somewhere in the 90s on the billboard 200

  • St.Lucia

    Interesting. I didn’t care for his first single at the time, Crazy, but I liked the Bill Withers cover of “Use Me”.

    His albums must not at all have been promoted because I don’t even remember hearing about Javier before The Voice.

    Time will tell if winning the show will make him any more successful.

  • ituneit

    If they are serious about a career than yes they will have had some recordings, theater, contracts etc in their background. If you’re not lazy and you really want it then you’ll have had some experience. I never understood why some people got so bent out of shape if an Idol or Voice contestant had stage experience or recording experience. If you get to a certain age and you have done nothing then you don’t deserve to be on the show. IMO

  • Nina1

    Don’t like it, wouldn’t buy it. Hope he changes what he does.

  • abbysee

    I saw him last year when he opened for Taylor. I liked him so I googled him and realized that I had actually heard his song on the radio. My daughter knew who he was right away. I think if he can find a sound current he may do okay, like idol alum who don’t become superstars but have a lucrative career yet the same.

  • dancingqueen

    I have both of those CDs and I’ll buy his new one when it’s released.

  • cowboysfan

    Wow. He was just as boring and forgettable back then as he is now.

  • hicksaholic

    Abbysee,
    Where did he open for Taylor? I think I vaguely remember you posting that before. Maybe he can help Taylor with some exposure if he makes it this time around. They are both great IMO.

  • http://myspace.com/morganmadelynne marymagdalene

    I saw Javier open for Taylor last year also, at the Highline Ballroom in NYC. He was really good!

  • desiree_chick

    This would really not be your kinda of music if you’re not an R&B/Soul gal like I’ve been for years. Keep doing what you do, Javier, and don’t change just to fit everybody’s expectations, or to what is ‘cool’ out there. I was dumbfounded to realize I LOVED “Crazy” when it first came out, forgot it existed, and I’m very glad to rediscover it again. I wish talent like this with this kind of music can make it big on Idol again. Makes me all the more glad he won. :)