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Post by Russell Letson on May 28, 2015 15:26:01 GMT -5
Good advice about singing the song.
I never watched American Idol (partly because of stuff like the critique at the end of the clip).
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Post by fauxmaha on May 28, 2015 15:43:33 GMT -5
"My advice to you is...don't sing notes that are not in the chord."
Yeah, easy for you to say, Harry.
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Post by brucemacneill on May 28, 2015 16:21:44 GMT -5
"My advice to you is...don't sing notes that are not in the chord."
That would completely eliminate country.
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Post by millring on May 28, 2015 17:28:27 GMT -5
I know American Idol isn't exactly every music lover's cup of meat -- especially if you are of the demographic who would actually get my cultural allusion. And for all the reasons often given for disliking it, I get it. There's lots of bad music (this year was a particularly stinky stinker), immature singers, teeny-bopper sensibilities in fashion and song choice.
On the other hand, I like variety shows. I like talent shows.
I also like to hear good singers. And for as bad as many of them have been in the past, there have also been some real gems. Sure, they're mostly only gems if you have a tolerance for American pop music. But gems none-the-less.
And the year that that video was taken from (the year Connick was a mentor -- the year before he became a judge) had one of the best (if not THE best) vocalist that AI has ever come up with -- Candice Glover (the one who was going to sing "You've Changed") has a stellar voice that I think transcends both her generation and the expectations and standards of AI.
But as to Harry Connick and his advice:
I don't disagree with him in the clip. The contestants are trying to stand out in a talent contest and Connick is, instead, conceiving a well-made recording. To some extent the wiser contestant just nods their head graciously at Connick's advice and then goes and gives the voting audience what they expect to hear and what will win them another round, given the context of the contest.
As a judge, Connick is sometimes brilliant and witty, but more often (too often) stealing the spotlight from the contestants (and everyone else, for that matter) with untimely joking and hamming it up. As a judge he more often than not comes across as a hammer in search of a nail. He tries to show off his musical expertise (and few are as expert as he), but even I who have only a cursory knowledge of music can recognize the many times he's making up shit.
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Post by dickt on May 28, 2015 17:42:01 GMT -5
Compared to Mariah Carey, Steven Tyler, Simon Cowles, or this year's mentor he is a frigging genius.
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Post by millring on May 28, 2015 17:53:12 GMT -5
Compared to Mariah Carey, Steven Tyler, Simon Cowles, or this year's mentor he is a frigging genius. Well, yeah, there is that. |
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Post by Russell Letson on May 28, 2015 18:00:14 GMT -5
What the voting audience expects to hear is pretty much stuff that I would cross six lanes of traffic at rush hour, blindfolded, to avoid. Though I get John's point about prudent approach, which also probably applies to life in show biz generally. Art, schmart--where's the demo with the dough?
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Post by Lonnie on May 28, 2015 18:33:28 GMT -5
The best advice Harry gives (and I think it's all good advice) is to KNOW WHAT THE SONG IS ABOUT.
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Post by Russell Letson on May 28, 2015 18:42:04 GMT -5
"Know the melody" might win by a nose--if I never hear another Mariah-Carey-inspired melisma-fest I'll be happy. All gravy and no taters.
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Post by RickW on May 28, 2015 18:44:17 GMT -5
We watched AI for years. For much the same reasons as John. There was always some great performances that were transcendent. Lots of drivel. And real people chasing a dream that was hugely important to them.
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Post by millring on May 28, 2015 18:46:53 GMT -5
"All chops and no gravy" -Harry Connick
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Post by jdd2 on May 29, 2015 5:59:40 GMT -5
We've never seen other than the odd youtube clip of something off of "AI".
Gosh, what have we missed?
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Post by jdd2 on May 29, 2015 6:28:35 GMT -5
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Post by millring on May 29, 2015 6:40:53 GMT -5
Not surprising. She was perhaps the worse judge in a season of really bad judges. She was even more embarrassing to watch than Paula Abdul at her worst.
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Post by jdd2 on May 29, 2015 6:52:27 GMT -5
Who cares? Or has even heard about this?
((I guess people who watch (a lot of !!) TV.))
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Post by jdd2 on May 29, 2015 6:54:27 GMT -5
Not surprising. She was perhaps the worse judge in a season of really bad judges. She was even more embarrassing to watch than Paula Abdul at her worst. Sounds like you're an AI expert--that AI is one of your favorite shows? |
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Post by millring on May 29, 2015 6:59:55 GMT -5
Yes, I am an AI expert. I also happen to have mastered the frying of eggs, shop-vaccing, and pronouncing difficult Latin words. Additionally, I possess amazingly quick hands on the basketball court and can slam dunk the ball behind my head if the goal is set at 8'. I've been known to howl at the moon so convincingly that wolves gathered at my feet begging me to go on....that I was just getting to the good part. Mosquitoes don't bite me and ticks can't latch on. Snakes flee when I rattle. The sun rises at my front yard and sets at my back yard. Anyone who wants solar power has to get it from me. I invented gravity.
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Post by PaulKay on May 29, 2015 8:20:08 GMT -5
I've always like the show in spite of all the bad performances and song choices. Mostly for those special song moments for the truely talented singers. But I guess next season will be its last. So it won't matter much longer.
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Post by dradtke on May 29, 2015 8:41:04 GMT -5
One thing that struck me watching AI was when they cut away to a Coke commercial where a woman sang jazz about the joys of drinking Coke in a performance that ran rings around any of the contestants. There was a no-name talented singer, getting paid well because it was a national commercial, most likely making a decent living as a performer, before going back to the hoopla about the next momentary celebrity star.
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Post by millring on May 29, 2015 8:45:36 GMT -5
I wonder how many folks who have started to appreciate the Postmodern Jukebox videos are aware of the number of AI alum who are performing in them?
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