Sorry that I didn't post last week. I'm vocal directing a new show that opened at Busch Gardens last week and there was absolutely no time to post.
I wanted start this week with a wonderful cover of Lionel Richie's "HELLO" done by last year's Idol winner DAVID COOK.
I really wanted to do a post on David today. His brother passed away this weekend after fighting a battle with brain cancer. David actually was scheduled to speak at the Race For Hope in DC on Sunday which benefits the National Brain Tumor Society and Accelerate Brain Cancer Cure. Despite his loss or rather because of it he still attended and gave this inspiring speech.
David and his family are in my thoughts and prayers.
DISCO night on Idol... overall really good performances (with the exception of Lil')
Loved Adam, Kris, and really enjoyed Allison too.
Here they are if you missed them...
I've actually been working on a wonderful DISCO show for Busch Gardens Tampa called DANCE TO THE MUSIC. The show opens next Wednesday!!! I helped create it (which has been awesome!!!) and am doing vocal direction for it!! I'll talk more about this next week. Needless to say, there's been a LOT of disco music in my life lately. I feel I could "boogie oogie oogie til you just can't boogie no more!"
So in honor of that new show and Idol Disco night, here are 3 really cool covers of Gloria Gaynor's hit I WILL SURVIVE.
The first is a very popular one by the group CAKE.
Great episode of Idol tonight. Overall I enjoyed all the performances. Adam never ceases to amaze me. BORN TO BE WILD was wonderful. This guy has vocal chords of steel!!
I also was so thrilled to see Kris Allen sing FALLING SLOWLY from one of my favorite movies of all time... ONCE!
I definitely think Paula does her homework after she sees the dress rehearsal to come up with quotes and phrases she wants to use. Actually, I think she has a quote book and takes bits of overused phrases and puts them together to come up with a new phrase that has nothing to do with the situation.
Tonight she told Adam... he "dares to dance in the path of greatness," and that "fortune rewards the brave!"
Here's a great brief montage of Paula and Whitney Houston from their past shows on Bravo!
I was absolutely overwhelmed by Adam's performance of MAD WORLD on Idol this week. Originally performed by Tears for Fears, I first heard the song by Gary Jules as a cover featured in the movie DONNIE DARKO. His version became a number one hit in the UK in 2003.
Here is the Gary Jules version.
Gary heard Adam's version as was very pleased. He said that he was in the other room when the song came on.
"I ran out and I was like, `I knew he was gonna do it! I knew it!' " he recalls. "I've been waiting for years for somebody to do it. I thought David Cook was gonna do it last year for sure. ... As soon as I saw that guy Adam on `American Idol,' I was like, 'Oooh, this could be it.' "
Jules, 40, thinks Lambert put a signature spin on his cover-of-a-cover.
"It was fantastic," he says. "He has a beautiful voice. ... I heard his Michael Jackson cover and I heard some of his other stuff, and I think that he's probably one of the most — if not the most — interesting performer I've ever seen on `American Idol.'"
Personally, I loved everything about this performance. The lyrics of the song speak of the feeling of alienation. His performance reflected this beautifully. The gorgeous lighting (which I have a feeling he had a say in) was the icing on the cake. Adam is a true artist.
...and if you haven't seen it, check out DONNIE DARKO. The original theatrical version and a director's cut are both available on dvd, and both are on the same blu-ray disc. The director's cut makes the plot more easy to understand, but I kind of like the ambiguity of the original. On the original dvd there are some great deleted scenes that add richness to the plot, but I feel the newer version doesn't allow the viewers to make some decisions for themselves. Either way, really great movie. Amazing performances by Jake Gyllenhaal, his sister Maggie, and the wonderful Mary McDonnell as Donnie's mother. Definitely one of my favorite movies. It's one of those films that will stick with you long after you see it. There is also an amazing website to go along with the film.
Motown night on American Idol was really good tonight. Adam Lambert did an amazing rendition of TRACKS OF MY TEARS.
They announced on the show tonight that the versions on itunes this week would be to the original instrumentations. Isn't that basically Karaoke? If this is true, I will be very disappointed because I would love to hear a studio version of Adam doing that song.
Each week itunes offers extended studio versions of the songs as well as videos of the show performances. I usually really dig them. It's very interesting to hear what each performer sounds like in the studio. Sometimes you love a number on the show and then when you hear the studio cut, there is no magic. Other times it's the complete opposite.
You CAN also download free mp3's of the live versions (including Adam's from last night) on the blog www.rickey.org. Many times they often are posted the same night of the show.
A few years back a MOTOWN REMIXED album was released. A second volume followed. The results were varied, but I really dig DJ Smash's remix of Stevie Wonder's SIGNED, SEALED, DELIVERED, I'M YOURS. It's got a great groove and really show's off Stevie's voice (which is not always the case with remix albums.)
Last night American Idol featured songs originally done by members of the Grand Ole Opry. In other words... "Country Night!"
There were some really nice moments. I loved Kris, Anoop, and Adam's middle eastern take on "Ring of Fire" (which I think was a "love-it-or-hate-it" rendition.) I was reminded of another AWESOME cover of RING OF FIRE by folk/Americana artist Allison Moorer. This track is from her cover album MOCKINGBIRD with all music written by women. (Yes RING OF FIRE was actually written by June Carter Cash.)
Steve Lawrence (HUGE HUGE musical hero to me) of Steve and Eydie fame, crooning his way through SHE'S OUT OF MY LIFE. Definitely not his best work, but this version makes me smile. He is SO smooth. Much more on Steve and Eydie in a future post. Check out his cover here!
By far the most entertaining idol performance so far this year...
...the vocal stylings of Mr. Normund Gentle (Nick Mitchell!)
(Sorry for the annoying arrow in the video. This was the best quality video I found of the performance)
I love the use of the set and the shout out to Doogie Howser (Neil Patrick Harris was in the audience.) I also love the build up to the last note and then... BAM.... a simple short "me."
... but most of all I love the look on his Dad's face the first time the camera shows him. (It happens here at the 0:58 mark)
Yes, Nick is not the best singer on the show, and did not make it into the final 12 tonight. I was very entertained by his performance, and was hoping for at least a couple more power ballad diva moments.
IDOL has "officially begun." No more joke auditions (and "Bikini Girl" is off the show!) This week was "Hollywood Week." Last night was group night where the contestants team up in small groups and do a number.
Here are 2 of my favorite performances of the night - A Cappella Style!
MELINDA DOOLITTLE (my favorite American Idol Contestant EVER) finally came out with her debut cd today... and it is wonderful! Well worth the wait! She appeared in Season 6 (the year of Blake Lewis and winner Jordin Sparks.)
One of the most polished AND SWEETEST contestants to appear on the show, her album has a wonderful retro soul vibe to it. The album is pretty much all covers, but they aren't your typical ones. She has 2 tunes by blues legend Robert Johnson, two old Sammy Cahn numbers originally made famous by Doris Day and Sarah Vaughan, a Johnny Mathis song and a diverse mix of plenty others. You can hear her love of Gladys Knight and Tina Turner throughout the album.
Here's footage of her back from the show doing MY FUNNY VALENTINE... absolutely brilliant.
"So You Think You Can Dance" is wonderful this year. Yes Nigel and Mary can be crazy (and LOUD) at times, but they actually know what they are talking about (unlike their American Idol counterparts... sorry Paula and Randy) The judges encourage the contestants to do better and the audience is exposed to all kinds of dance during the process. It's a win-win situation for everyone. I find the show very musically gratifying.
Cat Deeley (the host) is adorably chic. I feel she really cares about the contestants where Seacrest tries to be witty at the contestants expense.
The result show (on Wednesdays) is packed with amazing group numbers, a guest dance artist, and a guest musical artist.
and choreographer Mia Michaels is a genius!!!
Here are my favorite routines so far this year...
Joshua and Katee dancing to "No Air" - choreography by Tabitha and Napolean
Mark and Chelsie "Bleeding Love" - choreography by Tabitha and Napolean
Joshua and Katee "Hometown Girl" - choreography by Mia Michaels
Twitch and Katee "Mercy" - choreography by Mia Michaels
SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE airs Wednesdays and Thursdays on FOX for two more weeks!
Girls (and guys) love guys with guitars. I'm not just talking about a "rockstar" leading the band. No, I'm talking about modern day troubadours like John Mayer and Jack Johnson, and... (new release alert) Jason Mraz.
JASON MRAZ has a wonderful quirky style about him and this is definitely evident on his new album entitled "We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things." He has released the first 2 sections as EP's online and the entire album hits stores today. This is going to be a big hit this summer. It features a duet with "Bubbly" Colbie Caillat and this very catchy hit "I'm Yours"
Here are some other recent releases by guys with guitars.
NEWTON FAULKNER-
Already a hit in the U.K., he has a great style of strumming, picking, and slapping (the guitar that is!) His debut is called "Hand Built by Robots."
JUSTIN NOZUKA-
This 19 year old Canadian wrote an album on the many facets of love. Dedicated to his single mom Holly (aww!), his debut album "Holly" is a great mix of folk, pop, and soul.
Also here are a couple of fav's of mine in the past few years....
KYLE RIABKO-
Kyle is another Canadian teen with amazing soul in his voice. Anne Murray look out! The Canadians are representing! He released this amazing debut in 2005 and is about to hit broadway as Jonathan Groff's replacement in "Spring Awakening."
JONNY LANG-
This guy is fabulous. Originally from Fargo, ND (Dakota representing!!), he released his debut "Lie To Me" at 15! He is now a world renowned blues guitarist. My favorite album of his is "Long Time Coming" which actually is a bit of a turn from his normal bluesy self. After taking a 5 year break from recording, he found God and love. This album has a bit more of a contemporary feel and the lyrics reflect the changes in his life.
Here's of cover of Stevie Wonder's "Livin in the City"
While we're one the subject, I have to give props to recent idol sendoff Jason Castro. While he may not have been a "superstar vocalist," this guy had great musicality and a great style. Cannot wait to hear what kind of album he puts out. He gave a great rendition of Jeff Buckley's "Hallelujah." My two favorite performances of his would have to be from Dolly week and Inspirational week.
I felt he did a wonderful job with Dolly's "Travelin' Thru." He really "got" this song... and I feel the song (Oscar nominated from the film "Transamerica") is a very underrated gem from Dolly's songbook.
Also he was WONDERFUL on an "IZ" inspired rendition of "Over the Rainbow" He was flawless and really tapped into the hope of the song.
That's it for now. There are many more I could list.... but that will be a future blog.
I will try and be more regular about postings. Look for a new post at least every Tuesday..... NEW RELEASE DAY.... or as I like to think of it - "Weekly Christmas!" (I love new releases!) I may sometimes post on other days, but will try to at least post on Monday night or Tuesday.
