Kris Allen Collaborates with Claude Kelly

his music tastes are on par w. mine…thus he is cool ;)

Okay, so my hope is that he at least works on one song with Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova (Falling Slowly) because even though they don’t write the most mainstream stuff, it’s still really beautiful! I like that he gets to have some input on the songs so far because I trust that he’ll be able to “Allenize” it since he has the musicality to be able to switch some things up.

I love the Twitter-stalking. lol. It’s interesting that Kris is working with a guy who previously worked with Jordin, Kelly and Fantasia, as Kris is a very different type of singer. However, I am intrigued to see what Claude Kelly and Kris come up with. Hmm…I’d be interested in a Kris Allen version of “Circus.” I may be alone on that. :)

I think there’s a link to Claude Kelly’s myspace through his twitter but there was one myspace blog post that I read since I had those exact same thoughts. He basically talks about how people shouldn’t be stuck writing certain types of songs (black people- hip hop, r&b songs; white people- pop/rock songs) and how he likes all kinds of music and likes the challenge. It was actually pretty interesting and also eased my initial questions.

I wonder if EW’s Missy Schwartz is going to keep rolling out more articles with previously unpublished stuff from her interview with Kris? You’d think the musical influences details would have been important to include in the print magazine interview. Kinda makes one think EW is just as calculating in its Kris coverage as it’s been with covering Adam.

On quote in particular made me chuckle:

On growing up musical
My dad was a musician. He was a singer and he played the guitar, so music was always around. I never really wanted to pick up [the guitar] until I was 13. One summer, during the day [when] my parents were working and we were home alone, my brother would go to the pool and hang out with girls and do whatever. I would just hang out in the house. No one had a clue what I was doing. I was teaching myself how to play the guitar.

Heh, even at that age, Kris’ younger brother Daniel was already a player. :laugh_tb:

Does this mean Kris is already recording? Gasp!!! Could there possibly be a late summer single? I might just collapse in shock if they do right by him.

ETA: LisaE, you aren’t alone. Look what he did with the Auto Tuned to hell and back “Heartless”.

I have to admit, I had no idea who Claude Kelly was. Then again, I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t know who most songwriters are anyway (even Kara DioGuardi, before she got on the show).

I am so excited for Krisà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ record I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t know how I can wait until fall.

I love that EW article about Kris. He really is chatty when talking about music, no?

Hi–Long-time lurker; first-time poster. Thanks, mj, for all the hard work you do to keep us all up-to-date!

I wonder if EWà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s Missy Schwartz is going to keep rolling out more articles with previously unpublished stuff from her interview with Kris? Youà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢d think the musical influences details would have been important to include in the print magazine interview. Kinda makes one think EW is just as calculating in its Kris coverage as ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s been with covering Adam.

I’ve been wondering about that, too. It’s clear that Schwartz and Slezak and the whole Idolatry crew are fans of Kris, but the magazine itself has not been as enthusiastic, preferring to stick to the usual boring “talking points” in the print article (Kris is humble; Kris is married; Kris is cute). There should be more mainstream articles that actually shed light on the depth and breadth of Kris’s musical knowledge and how he harnessed and displayed that knowledge so impressively on AI. Right now, it seems like only Idolatry viewers have really gotten a sense of how intelligent and musically savvy Kris is. I wish that weren’t the case, because Kris is so much more than a pretty face. He’s said that he wants to be respected for his music, but how can that happen if no one gets to hear/read his thoughts on music?

What do people think Jive will do with ‘No Boundaries’? I have not heard it on the radio yet. From other articles, it sounds like it is mainly just playing in TN and AR. Do you think Jive is going to start to promote it to radio? or just let it die and release one of these songs that are getting written now to radio in late Summer?

I am torn. I love Kris and want great success for him. I think the song received such negative feedback after the finale, that it is better to let it die but part of me wants the first song he releases to be a success.

those are two of the biggest hits of the past year!
Kris should Allenize “My Life Would Suck Without You” on tour… familiar song, people would love it! A male version would be quite something. LOL.

I am glad to hear they’ve got him some good writers. Now if they just back him up with some good promo (and, no, I don’t care if it IS the Disney set that drives his sales).

I expect some good music from Mr. Allen’s first disc, even if from the AI-machine. I wish he could do an acoustic “Heartless” recording.

I wish he could do an acoustic à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Heartlessà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  recording.

Storm45701: do winners’ albums ever feature a recording of their hit song from the season? Because yes, an acoustic recording of Heartless on his album would be very cool.

Not a fan of My Life Would Suck, so…. Hopefully, what’s written for Kris will be different/better, otherwise to me, this is not encouraging. :-(

Thank you for posting this MJ!! It looks like Twitter will be our friend while we are waiting for the tour to begin. YAY.. I am excited to hear what he comes up with for his first single. I really hope that he is able to do something with Jamie Fox, but not sure if that is still a possibility since they are on different labels (does anyone know?).

. I started listening to him and then started listening to a lot of R&B stuff like Boys II Men, II. I grew up listening to that. I love that. [Singing] à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ll make love to youà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  Probably not a good idea [for a 9-year-old kid]. And then I think my next CD was TLC, Crazy Sexy Cool. My parents were totally cool with it — maybe they didnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t know exactly. They were young and they tried to be cool. [Laughs]

V v cute

What heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s listening to now
A lot of different stuff. Love Coldplay. Coldplayà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s first CD, I think ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s amazing. The Kings of Leon CD is incredible. I like Mutemath a lot. The Kanye CD [808s & Heartbreak], ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s amazing, one of the best of the decade, probably.

Aww, my lil hipster (well for Conway & Idoland) :-)

Storm45701: do winnersà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ albums ever feature a recording of their hit song from the season? Because yes, an acoustic recording of Heartless on his album would be very cool.

I don’t recall any of the winners’ debut albums featuring a track of their hit song from the season. Clay had “Solitaire” and Elliot Yamin had “A Song for You” on their respective debuts, though.

I really hope that he is able to do something with Jamie Fox, but not sure if that is still a possibility since they are on different labels (does anyone know?).

Probably won’t happen. They’re pushing to get the record out by fall, so they’re sticking to their tried-and-tested AI writers and producers. Jordin was able to have a duet with Chris Brown on her album because they are labelmates.

I just realized how close in age I am to Kris. Because I was a 90s R&B girl too.

He basically talks about how people shouldnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t be stuck writing certain types of songs (black people- hip hop, r&b songs; white people- pop/rock songs) and how he likes all kinds of music and likes the challenge. It was actually pretty interesting and also eased my initial questions.

That’s nice to hear. I remember Kris calling the Jason Mraz comparisons lazy and pointing out that just because they are white guys with guitars doesn’t mean their music is similar. So the idea of working with a writer who wants to challenge those easy stereotypes is really interesting and encouraging.

Jason worked with Claude Kelly a month or two ago too, as Claude tweeted about that too. He seems to like them Idols as he was very complimentary of Jason also.

Jason worked with Claude Kelly a month or two ago too, as Claude tweeted about that too. He seems to like them Idols as he was very complimentary of Jason also.

LOL. Or maybe he’s just very diplomatic and realizes that if the Idol sells more units, he’ll make more money.

We’ll never know. I take these twits/tweets with a grain of salt. It’s interesting to get a sneak peak about the albums and tours, but I’m not sure I buy all the sunshine. I’m sure that most professional people are wise enough not to issue the following:

Stuck in the studio with some idiot from Idol who hasn’t a clue what he’s doing. Somebody send me a twit to distract me before I strangle myself with my headphones.

OMG, these are the days I question why I’m in the business. This song is a piece of over-cooked cheese and this guy somehow manages to make it worse? Maybe I should ask them to take my name off of this project.

Why do I keep working with these Idols? This is the eighth one I’ve worked with and they all suck. None of them have IT. This is so going straight to the bargain bin.

For those asking which of the eight Idols I’ve worked with, they were all so forgettable I don’t have a clue. Stop asking and get a life.

Will this day ever end?

Where is my agent. He’s getting fired.

I think I like the green M&Ms best. Maybe if I stuff them in my ears, I can survive the rest of this recording session.

Disclaimer: none of this is a slam on Kris. LOL. I’m just imagining truth in twits.

Thanks for Claude Kelly’s twitters. These are the words I associate with Kris also – Pro, effin Awesome, cool (songs), Incredible, Amazing … and the guy can SING. It seems everyone who has worked with Kris has only praise for him.

I can’t wait to hear Kris’ album when it’s released and what he has in store for us. I have a feeling that just as he ‘surprised’ by winning AI, he’s going to do the same for the critics out there who have a one track mind.

I really enjoyed Missy Scwartz’s interview with Kris. I never saw the print version. Has it been posted anywhere, or is it not out yet?

It’s a shame AI couldn’t get MJ for the finale to sing with Kris. I would have loved to see them sing AND dance together. THough I imagine he would have been major star struck.

:lol_tb: Kirsten!

I love the Twitter-stalking. lol. Ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s interesting that Kris is working with a guy who previously worked with Jordin, Kelly and Fantasia, as Kris is a very different type of singer.

Just more evidence — as if we needed any — that 19/Sony rely on a stable of journeyman, committee-writing-oriented, competent craftspeople to turn out formulaic stuff for these singers, regardless of who the singers are or what kind of “artists” they may be. Which explains the “okay but kinda meh” nature of even the best of the Idols’ initial albums, in my opinion (Oh, that, and putting out the album in 20 minutes or less…)

(Kara, #1 on the committee-writing hit parade, kind of makes me laugh with her “artist” talk… On the other hand, the music industry being as it is, I completely understand why you’d sign up for the committees even if you did care about art. Gotta earn a living, after all.)

Still, most of these folks do write a decent song from time to time, so you can always hope.

Kirsten, it’s all said so much better with the funny!

Oh he might very well be toeing the company line (though obviously if hates these guys he could just not tweet altogether), but I remember his praise of Jason was just as effusive as it was of Kris. Not trying to make a comparison as they are different artists and etc., but Claude Kelly seems to be the overly effusive type in general.

Nice post there, Kirsten! lol!

Oh he might very well be toeing the company line (though obviously if hates these guys he could just not tweet altogether),

I don’t know that they have the option not to tweet. These folks are mostly freelancers, and about 75 percent of a freelancers’ energy, in any field, tends to go to promotion. Tweeting (truth or lies!) is a relatively painless way to do some of your promo!

Thanks for the news mj. You know, we may end up getting surprises on Kris’s CD. Just like when he said he was going to do Heartless and I gasped in horror. And then he started singing and blew me away.

Storm45701: do winnersà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ albums ever feature a recording of their hit song from the season? Because yes, an acoustic recording of Heartless on his album would be very cool.

Fantasia recorded “You Were Always On My Mind” and “Summertime” for her debut CD.

I think I like the green M&Ms best. Maybe if I stuff them in my ears, I can survive the rest of this recording session.

:lol_tb:

Okay, keyboard shot, Kirsten, you so owe me! LOL!

Great post Kirsten. I think the same thing about twitter/facebook and other internet social sites. lol

Either way, its good to know Kris is starting to work on his debut album, although it doesn’t sound like he’s going to be able to write any of his own songs. Hopefully this album will be successful enough that he can take more time to make his 2nd album his own.

Hmmà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢d be interested in a Kris Allen version of à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Circus.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ 

You know, he could SO make that work :wink_wp:

I’d be surprised if Kris is not writing WITH people, as opposed to them just throwing songs at him to record. He says he’s been writing songs for around 7 years, I think. That would mean that he probably has quite the library of songs available for some of these professional collaborators to help with the polishing. Maybe help with a lyric or two, help with creating a catchy hook, etc. I was encouraged by the Jive press release that they seemed to have some kind of understanding of what it was that made Kris special, and allowing him input in the songs would seem to be a part of harnessing that and creating an album that would both have the best of what Kris has to offer and also please his fans.

I think Kris seems nice enough yet I still find him boring.

Maybe we’ll get lucky and Kris will do MJ on tour. Dance moves and all!

Kris is very intriguing to me and full of surprises and I can’t wait to hear what his first album will be like.

Kirsten you are hilarious. I like how your posts always come with disclaimers at the end!

edit: the answer to somebody who criticizes your idol is NOT to criticize their idol. don’t flame fan wars. dial back the defensiveness

I bought the EW with the Kris interview in it and I can definitely attest to the fact that both of the online stories are more interesting. The article in the print edition was so standard (i.e. we’ve heard it all before) and actually kind of lame. You learn more about Kris from the two online posts by Schwartz.

I can’t imagine why Kris would put “Heartless” on his first album when it’s alreday been on i-Tunes, as a single, for months?

I bought the EW with the Kris interview in it and I can definitely attest to the fact that both of the online stories are more interesting. The article in the print edition was so standard (i.e. weà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ve heard it all before) and actually kind of lame. You learn more about Kris from the two online posts by Schwartz.

Yeah, I was disapointed that the print version was so small :-( In fact, the freaking picture of Kris (which was cute, btw, guitar slung over his shoulder!) took up more space than the actual story!

You’d think they could add more to the story in print and make the picture smaller :rolleyes_wp:

Thanks LisaE. That’s the impression I got from what I had read on EW before it came out. i.e. that the good stuff was online and the print would be a fluff piece. Shame.

Nice buzzkill, Kirsten :(

Thanks LisaE. Thatà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s the impression I got from what I had read on EW before it came out. i.e. that the good stuff was online and the print would be a fluff piece. Shame.

They seem to believe that the bulk of the audience is in it only for fluff, hot-celeb stuff, and scandal or pseudo-scandal. Unfortunately, they’ve probably done copious marketing research that proves they’re right.

Seriously, I know for a fact that the wonkiest publications in the world — that include nothing but statistics and dry quotes from sociologists and lobbyists, and such — sell many more copies and get more page views when they run pieces related to sexuality, violence especially gun violence, and drugs and alcohol. Even though these pubs are read only by wonks or by no-wonks completing some kind of wonky work or school assignment! Even though there will be *nothing* in the article the least bit titillating.

That being the case, I think we’ll always have to look for the interesting music line in the online versions. And not on the front page of those either.

And just becauseà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦ On adjusting to overnight heartthrob status
I always try to take it with a grain of salt, because being that is not going to get me anywhere. I just hope I can put out good music. Ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s weird. But [my wife is] amazing at dealing with it. They ask her for her autograph as well. [Laughs]

I know what you’re trying to say about that, Sweetie, but I couldn’t disagree more. :smile_wp:

And can I say that it does my heart good to hear someone not dissing Coldplay? Cuz I think they’re awesome.

So excited for Kris!! While he’s not my fave, I do like his music and plan to support all 3 of the current signees with my wallet!

There should be more mainstream articles that actually shed light on the depth and breadth of Krisà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s musical knowledge and how he harnessed and displayed that knowledge so impressively on AI.

I agree, but I think that Kris going to have to earn this sort of focus on his music. And I truly believe he will. But for now, both his musical gifts and Adam’s are overshadowed by the more tabloid/personal stuff, in part because their recording careers have not begun.

One thing we have learned about our Kris: he does have the fire in the belly, though much more quietly and unobtrusively than other contestants. It’s clear from his Idolatry interviews that when he needed a clutch hit, he got one. He knew how to make a splash musically, on a show where it’s so, so easy to take a wrong turn and wind up in the dumpster.

I think the Twitters should be nicely salted too. What can you really say in a line or two? Glad the guy isn’t dissing working with Kris, but why the heck would he? It’s his royalties on the line.

I really hope, though, that they use a lot of Kris’s own material and allow him a few covers. NEW is not always BETTER.

The fact that he likes MuteMath makes up for the suckage that is Coldplay =)

Am I the only Kris fan who loved “Come Together”?? I’m hoping for something along those lines on his album too.

I LOVED “Come Together” and listen to it all the time on my iPod. This was just another example of the judges not giving Kris any credit so as to try to make the audience believe that Kris wasn’t “good enough” as Simon said in an interview. Fortunately, the audience proved to be smarter than the judges.

Yay Kris! (Yay Kradison!)

I am a bit worried… I think Kris has it in him to make really good music, but he is in risk of falling in the overproduced, recipe-song category. All the signed idols risk that and I guess every year you hope they wont. Still, I haven’t seen anyone able to escape that destiny. I hate to be a pessimistic but I don’t expect much from the coming idol albums.

Couldn’t agree with you more Eileen99! “Heartless” is my ringtone and I love it, but “Come Together” is on repeat on my iPod.

Love Allison too!

Heh, even at that age, Krisà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ younger brother Daniel was already a player. :laugh_tb:

:lol_tb: little did they know Kris was at work on his sekkrit-girlmagnet weapon of destruction… (i.e., the guitar)

Just more evidence à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’  as if we needed any à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’  that 19/Sony rely on a stable of journeyman, committee-writing-oriented, competent craftspeople to turn out formulaic stuff for these singers, regardless of who the singers are or what kind of à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“artistsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  they may be. Which explains the à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“okay but kinda mehà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  nature of even the best of the Idolsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ initial albums, in my opinion (Oh, that, and putting out the album in 20 minutes or lessà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦)

And producers too! we should find out soon who is working on Kris’ project.

It always happens for Idol first cd’s, I guess they figure they make up for it w/the massive exposure via the show and the pretty decent promotional push around album launch. But that’s why it’s so important to survive to the second album where you get a little more time and freedom.

Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢d be surprised if Kris is not writing WITH people, as opposed to them just throwing songs at him to record.

The twitter evidence seems to point to him working with the writers, so that’s a good sign. If they were just handing him stuff he could just show up to pick out songs and record, no need for these hours-long in-studio sessions so early in the game.

Oh, and I’m of the camp that is okay if “No Boundaries” just disappears :)

I’m not sure how the “Come Together” subject came up, but yeah it’s pretty amazing. That was definitely one of the nights I threw my remote control at the TV during judges comments. lol.

I also LOVED ‘Come Together’. I recall one of the few times Nigel Lithgow tweeted about AI this year was to say he was angry at Simon for calling it boring.

Am I the only Kris fan who loved à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Come Togetherà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ?? Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m hoping for something along those lines on his album too.

Ditto! Totally under-rated by the judges. “What’s Goin’ On” also — loved it when he stopped strumming and did a shout of: “War is not the answer!”

Song writing has been the downfall of sooooo many idols. They sound so great on Idol because they are singing songs that are proven hits. They get on their own and not so much for a lot of them. Corney lyrics, songs with little or no hook.. almost monotone.

Good thing about Kris is that he has shown he can take a song and work it out. He is the best at telling a story in a song. The feeling, yearning.

Eva Cassidy has a song that would be a fabulous cover for him. I know I know, he doesn’t have the vocal chops she has..but the song could be reworked. I can just hear him doing it. “Say Goodbye”. By songwriter and violin craftsman Steve Digman. It is quite catchy and has a clever little play on words in it. I orginally thought Elliott Yamin would be a good match but Kris far outshines him in the story telling dept…which this song needs.

You are so right Tara.

Bob Dylan said in a recent interview that one thing he misses in a lot of pop music is people having something to say in songs. And I don’t think he meant politically.

Repetitive choruses that are basically about life sucking, or love sucking, or don’t two-time me, or I’m bringing sexy back, or love is battlefield…..what does it all mean? Nothing.

Kris chose mostly meaningful songs on AI, story songs. Dylan’s “Make You Feel My Love” is a ballad about trying to be worthy of someone’s love. Even “How Sweet It Is” isn’t a throw-away — it’s an ecstatic thank you to someone, for “shelter” and “affection.” And “Falling Slowly” is deep stuff.

Toss-off songs with cute hooks have their place, of course. But songs that really come from the heart, or the wit, are in short supply on the top of the charts. That’s why when an Adele sings something as poignant as “Chasing Pavements,” or Corinne Bailey-Rae encourages a sister to blossom in “Put Your Records On,” it seems so fresh.

sorry for the sermon, but I really hope Kris keeps the faith on this…. :doh_tb:

He has a fight ahead of him, that’s for sure. We have seen the stuff that comes out of the idol machine.

I love that song, Put Your Records On. One of the only good reviews for…on my gosh… I have forgotten her name… do I need more coffee, lol…. She got the good review because the song was so good, it stood on its on regardless of the singing. Megan… phew… Quirkey girl….. the song worked for her.

Hmm — not sure who sang it on Idol, but it was a wonderful hit for Corinne, who sadly has kind of disappeared since her musician husband died of a heroin overdose. And she’s always been totally clean and anti-drug. Boy, life is cruel….

Loved the EW article, mj. Thanks! I looooooove Kings of Leon, and I love that he gives props to Kanye’s “808′s and Heartbreak” as an amazing album (if that album does not win album of the year at the Grammys next year – if it’s eligible – it will be a travesty.).

I’m definitely interested to see what he comes up with musically. I think it will be an album I’ll reallly like.

someone upthread asked if he’s the only one who likes come together….

you’re not alone my dear, i so so so love it! it’s catchy and cool, definitely a repeat in my ipod….simon calling it “like eating ice for lunch” is non-sense, it was definitely memorable and fun….and leaves me wanting for more…

and oh, i hope and pray and im crossing my fingers kris will put out a very very damn good album, i so want it to be a success, in sales and in awards… a girl can dream right? this guy is amazing and i sure hope he will have a successful career ahead of him…

Ditto! Totally under-rated by the judges. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Whatà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s Goinà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ Onà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  also à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’  loved it when he stopped strumming and did a shout of: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“War is not the answer!à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ 

Yes, I agree wholeheartedly! “What’s Goin’ On” absolutely did not get the praise it deserved. I have downloaded both the vid and the studio of this.

helaena Jun 10th, 2009 at 11:17 pm

and oh, i hope and pray and im crossing my fingers kris will put out a very very damn good album, i so want it to be a success, in sales and in awardsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦ a girl can dream right? this guy is amazing and i sure hope he will have a successful career ahead of himà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦

Yes, me too! You know I’ll even take success with one or two or three singles, but I know as a fan I’m love the entire album.