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"Idol" singers win by losing themselves in the music
Posted: Jul 23, 2008 in Music
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Attending Tuesday's presentation of "American Idols Live" at Conseco Fieldhouse proved more rewarding than viewing the entire seventh season of the Fox network talent search.
The TV show emphasizes competition, corporate sponsors, celebrity mentors, dysfunctional panelists and restrictive theme nights. This year's concert tour gives 10 singers the chance to perform self-contained mini-concerts across a 3-hour show.
While past "Idols" tours have been little more than shuffles into obscurity for 90 percent of participating vocalists, the current edition boasts young talent enjoying a glimpse of the limelight.
Challenged to sink or swim on their own, a surprising number of finalists glided to safe waters in front of Tuesday's estimated audience of 8,000.
Earthy "Idol" outsider Jason Castro charmed fans by playing the ukulele during a rendition of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow." His versions of Gnarls Barkley's "Crazy" and the Lovin' Spoonful's "Daydream" were similarly stripped down and excellent testaments to minimalism.
Syesha Mercado framed herself in the context of modern R&B royalty when singing tunes popularized by Beyonce Knowles, Alicia Keys and Rihanna. During a show-stopping performance of "If I Ain't Got You," Mercado sounded as if she belonged in such company.
Brooke White delivered a cohesive trilogy of the Beatles' "Let It Be," Feist's "1234" and Coldplay's "Yellow." Although stardom is a long shot for White, she knows how to entertain a large assembly of listeners.
On the topic of pleasing a crowd, rocker Michael Johns made song choice his friend by trotting out Aerosmith anthem "Dream On" and Queen's "We Will Rock You/We Are the Champions." Why "Idol" voters made Johns the season's seventh runner-up remains a mystery.
He's as gifted as the Big Two of David Archuleta and David Cook, a duo that clearly felt the love in Indianapolis.
Archuleta, 17, distinguished himself as a self-assured crooner on selections popularized by Josh Groban and Robbie Williams. He also cleverly bridged Ben E. King's "Stand By Me" to Sean Kingston's recent update, "Beautiful Girls" -- a move that his Fox handlers pooh-poohed during an "Idol" broadcast.
Reigning "American Idol" Cook made multiple references to his Indiana connections amid power ballads "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" (from Aerosmith's catalog) and "Billie Jean" (the Michael Jackson smash as reinterpreted by Chris Cornell).
Oklahoma resident Cook spent the summers of his youth in Kokomo and his brother Adam, a brain-cancer patient, lives in Terre Haute. As David extended the instrumental passage of Foo Fighters track "My Hero," he basked gratefully in Hoosier hospitality.
You reviewed this show and not CrueFest???
yes i,m surprised to david has not been to hardly any shows at verizon. this summer.i went to cruefest and thought kicked major butt all though buckcherry should have played longer. i dint like the way buck cherry sung the new slow song and did a new twist on crazy bitch. but i will allways be a fan of buckcherry i have seen them 7 times now. now david get with the program idols instead of going to cruefest gawwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwd,i saw the first idols show with kelly clarkson.and that was it for me. all those idols concerts are the same your paying to see the tv show you just saw for free i,ll be at foo fighters tonight i hope to see you at mayhem-poison-project revoloution-journey mr lindquist have a great day
David Cook gave a jaw-dropping performance last night, starting with "Hello", which got the crowd to its feet. He took the somewhat cheesy "Time of My Life", which won a songwriting contest for someone else, and made it a pleasure to listen to. I love both last night's rocking "My Hero" and the acoustic version he's done elsewhere. He got the crowd really going. "Billie Jean" was flat amazing as well. He's got an amazing voice and is a very engaging performer, interacting well with the crowd. I have to say that he in particular, and several others as well, performed well beyond what they did on the show, and it was worth going. I feel all 10 had moments where they shone.
I always go to the Idols concert every year and this one is the best. Just about every Idol delivered.
Unlike the poster above me, I was not crazy about Cook. His vocals are just ok. No where near as powerful or as filled with emotion as Chris Daughtry from season 5. But good.
The unlikely standout for me was Castro. What happened to the shy kid we could barely hear on the show? He sounded GREAT! So at ease and what a voice. He does have power and range and before the concert I never would have guessed he would be the stand-out for me. His is music I would buy and listen to.
Archie also sounds better live than on TV. This young man has an incredible gift. He is much more commanding on stage.
Brooke I enjoyed her entire set.
Carly screamed vs sang. Johns how many rock anthems does one need to hear in ones lifetime. Ramielle was way over her head but what an adorable pixie.
I had such a good time.
Thanks for the positive, encouraging article about all the Season 7 Idols, and especially Jason Castro. Jason is, to quote him, "unique and undeniable". Jason is a rare gem; a self-taught, raw, talented new artist who brings a fresh sound to the music arena and I thank American Idol for at least having the good sense to provide the world an opportunity to share in his discovery. Besides his breathtakingly beautiful good looks and awesome talent, Jason has unusual warmth, charm, charisma, humility, and a quirky, goofy sense of humor, which is endearing to his fans. He just flat out has "IT", whatever "IT" is. For me, Jason's cool, smooth, relaxing, comforting, yet sensual and passionate voice transcends the "pop" genre and currently defies classification. I am going to my first Idol concert this summer primarily because I want to hear him perform live. I predict that Jason Castro will be a HUGE star someday and will earn many accolades and awards throughout a long and successful music/movie/TV career. He is a natural talent and a national treasure and I can't wait to buy his first CD.
Interesting review, thanks! I really, really, miss the group numbers but I did enjoy the show as it was. I'll be brave and say that I have a detailed recap/review at my blog for anyone interested: http://pezkat.blogspot.com/2008/07/idols-live-ai7-tour-recap.html. :)