Comments on: Melinda Doolittle to Perform at Feinstein’s, New York City – VIDEO

By: colette

colette — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:11:49 +0000

carolinacharms — “Home” is a tough song, and she might have had a cold or whatever. I don’t think you can diagnose a vocal node on the basis of one poorly recorded tune. Because she’s such an experienced pro, I have to believe she knows a lot about taking care of her voice.

I’m thrilled with this thread, because I too felt Melinda got the shaft — not perhaps from AI, which wanted a poppy young thing and pushed Jordin, but from not getting signed by Anti or some Universal or some other label that would put some muscle behind her. With that great voice, and her lovely personality, she should have been out there plugging her great album on major TV shows like Letterman, etc.

A Grammy nom would be fantastic for her, though it isn’t the end-all. Another wonderful R & B sing (young but old school) named Ryan Shaw was nominated, and though it offered him a boost he’s still struggling to get that big platform.

It’s fascinating to me how so many people (young & old) adore Motown, and new R & B stars like Adele and Duffy, and yet seem unaware or uninterested in some of our homegrown singers of equal ability. It does indeed say a lot about the shallowness of the current music industry.

Just for kicks, though, here’s Ryan Shaw — who by the way you can hear on a TV commercial these days (can’t remember for what) singing a bang-up version of “Knock on Wood”). He and Melinda could be the new Otis & Carla!:

SOUL MUSIC LOVERS — THIS IS A TREAT! “We Got Love” (Grammy nominated cut) by Ryan Shaw:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2kPxI78eZE&feature=PlayList&p=00E82F557AFD56E7&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=48

By: gingerly

gingerly — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:42:06 +0000

Melinda was definitely my favorite Season 6. I think another reason she didn’t win was because when you start out with a performance as good as the one JosieX posted on top 24, there’s not much growth to be shown. I know people on this site have posted many times that the ones who do the best are the ones who show growth throughout the competition. Unfortunately for her, Melinda was always that good.

By: abbysee

abbysee — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:41:46 +0000

The delightful Ms. Doolittle. Wow, I wonder could I get an early holiday gift……Mindy @ Feinstein’s, perfect together! Well I can dream!

By: Mtlfan

Mtlfan — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 05:29:50 +0000

She’s is such a talented singer. I was so disappointed when she was voted off. Would love to see her in a place like that.. what a treat!

By: SybilTrelawney

SybilTrelawney — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 04:36:33 +0000

Melinda is incredibly talented. She didn’t win, I think, because she was a little older and not as pretty as Jordin. Sad, unfair, but there is is. Feinstein’s is a lovely place to see a singer, it’s very intimate.

By: jammasta

jammasta — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 04:11:51 +0000

I’m still ticked that she apparently isn’t that famous. She deserves so much, she’s easily in my top 5 Idol favorites of all time.

By: JosieX

JosieX — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 02:02:07 +0000

I think that Melinda is absolutely incredible, I love her. When I started watching AI for the first time this past year, I knew nothing about it, couldn’t have told you if Taylor or Jordin were a girl or a boy even. I saw mentions of all these people though and was curious, so when I found the website “What Not to Sing”, I started looking up some of the performances on their highest rated performance list. I believe that the song linked to below was the first time I ever saw Melinda, and I am pretty sure I sat there with my mouth hanging open in shock. How could I not have heard about her? How could she have lost to Jordin (no offense, she’s a lovely girl). Still a mystery, but I love this performance and I know it’s a matter of taste, but I have not seen any other Idol performance that impressed me more than this one. If there are any other Idol relative newbies out there like me, check Melinda out, she is amazing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=an3DC79oHOY

By: mzbet

mzbet — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 02:01:03 +0000

Here’s a video of Melinda performing “Home” on AI. Paula was actually moved to tears.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNWu76bwCRo

I really must go purchase her CD.

By: carolinacharms

carolinacharms — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 01:42:15 +0000

edit is not working. it’s vibrato, sorry.

By: carolinacharms

carolinacharms — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 01:39:46 +0000

She’s a force of nature, granted, and I think she should rightly be compared with a young Gladys Knight or Oleta Adams. However, do I detect a possible early or developing vocal node? The final note is flat. And the note leading up is strained. With the final sustain, it appears that she physically can’t raise up the note the 1/8th or so needed. The vibratto is very warbly. We all know that Mindy does not have pitch problems, so I do wonder what’s going on. I hope she rests that gift of hers.

By: Duke

Duke — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 01:30:58 +0000

Id love to see her in a setting like that. I bet its amazing. What a fucking voice.

By: lydia

lydia — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 01:28:20 +0000

I was sick to my stomach when Melinda got voted off Idol. I agree, that she is the best “singer” ever on the show (this is supported by her WNTS score). Loved this performance. She really deserves so much more success than she has achieved. I really don’t understand the modern music scene.

By: mzbet

mzbet — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 01:25:41 +0000

Melinda Doolittle, in my opinion, is absolutely the best singer *ever* on AI– bar none. I was in absolute disbelief when she was voted off. Go to youtube and find anything with her. She is terrific! Just spent the last hour enjoying her music all over again.

Oh, and I like the way she sings if you can’t tell

By: CFIdolsfan

CFIdolsfan — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 23:00:24 +0000

I love many of the idols, but in my opinion, Melinda is the best vocalist to come through AI. I wish her huge success, or at least the ability to make a good living with that incredible voice.

Agreed. She is amazing. And my apologies for posting the link about the Grammy submissions twice. Old computer acting up.

By: CFIdolsfan

CFIdolsfan — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 22:57:42 +0000

And anyone heard yet about a possible Grammy nom for her album? there was some light buzz about that’ ¦.

mj posted a list some time back, which is at the thread below. There may have been a previous link, as well as some extra info in the comments of this link. But yes, Melinda is on the list for submissions. I believe that Dec. 2 is the day that nominations will be announced, with the awards show happening on Jan. 31.

http://mjsbigblog.com/more-grammy-submissions.htm