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I'll likely be alone here, BUT...the ONLY way I'd have paid for the number Fantasia sang would be if I were caught in the same room and hadda pay to get out. I couldn't grab the remote quick enough.

Thought MAYBE Syesha might get a lot of votes from people angry with the judges for being obvious last night about the 2 David's, but as expected since the final 12 were announced, these are the 2.

Well, I hoped for a different result but I knew it was unlikely that it would be any different than I predicted.

RESULTS:

David A
David C
Syesha

Is it safe for me to come out from behind the couch, or is that Fantasia woman still roaring like a wounded boar? Horrifying.

http://www.steverobinsonmusic.com/

Fantasia was a total disaster. I used to like to hear her sing when she was on AI. The look, the so-called moves, her voice...and the flaming hair.....just nothing worked for me.

As for the results....I predicted it from the very start. I predict that David Cook will and....should win it all next week.

I was never a fan of Syesha....so her leaving didn't bother me. In fact, I thought it was way overdo. I think she'll do well as a broadway star though. Just can't listen to her doing pop...etc. And her dance moves are appalling. The week she did a Tina Turner song....well, being a major Tina fan...I had to grab the remote and MUTE.

"Why would a "singer" who is trying to prove he can sing, pick a Bob Dylan song? Bob was a great songwriter, but as a vocalist, the guy was terrible: not someone you would try to emulate as a vocalist."

More to the point why would a "singer" feel the need to prove he can sing? I suppose it's because actually singing the song isn't good enough anymore. You have to dazzle people with screeching vocal acrobatics that take unforgiveable liberties with the melody, in order to prove how much technical skill you have. Whether or not it serves the song is of little consequence.

I realise that I'm totally out of step with the public at large on this: play the average consumer a recording of someone like Emmylou Harris, effortlessly caressing a lyric with her voice, and then play a histrionic screamfest by the current flavour-of-the-moment diva. You and I both know who gets the thumbs up.

As far as people emulating Dylan's singing, do we really have the room to list the number of artists who consider him an influence? I think not. I'll be honest, I'm not the world's biggest Dylan afficionado, but I know a great vocal delivery when I hear one, and he's got a slew of them in his catalogue. I consider myself a handy vocalist at times (certainly not a "terrible" one like Bob) but I can tell you this-- I would kill to have just a couple of his vocal performances on my resume. Talk about selling the song; the man has always known how to do it.

Bob Dylan can't sing? My arse.

http://www.steverobinsonmusic.com/

So we have two Davids and no Goliath. Maybe next week AI will at least let them sing a whole song.

Good one, Sam!

Here are my two cents:

I think David Cook is a much better all around musician. And based on that, he should win. BUT I also think David A. needs it more. David C. will do quite well for himself without AI (ala Chris Daughtry), but I think David A. needs the AI machinery to give him a successful launch (and help handle his dad).

Oh well, at the very least, it's looking like Perry's song has an even better chance of being the winner!! Not a peep from him lately....aside from letting him KNOW, they'll have to fly him out, etc., so the winner will have to be informed at least a couple of days in advance!!

Good luck to all participants!! Should be a good show...

Beth

I'm with you .. I don't enjoy listening to Bob Dylan sing; however, he is a wonderful writer. NO ONE should try to emualate BD singing. But by all means, sing his wonderful songs and make them your own! For one .. listen to Shawn Colvin sing, Your Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go.

Back to the topic .. I hope David C wins.

I may be in the minority but I have always liked Bob Dylan's voice, especially when he was younger. It is hard to sing well when you are in your sixties but some people can do it- Bob is not in that group. I remember a soloist in the Cascade Choir in Eugene, Oregon who (10 years ago) at 75 had a voice as clear and pure as a teenager. I don't live in Oregon anymore but I bet he is still singing. When people say your "voice" comes from your soul, I believe them. KD Lang said that about Roy Orbison in a documentary about him on PBS. Other musicians like Bono have said things like, "When he (Orbison) sings, it is like his voice comes from 'somewhere else'. There may be technical prefection, but heart and soul trump it every time.

Joanne, just to clarify...the quote above was not mine. On the contrary, the aim of my post was to argue that particular point. I suppose I should have credited the original poster. So, as it turns out, you're not with me at all, because I'd still rather listen to Bob Dylan sing "You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go" than Shawn Colvin... and I love Shawn Colvin.
I just think Bob usually makes the songs his own as soon as he records them.
Cheers,
Steve R.

http://www.steverobinsonmusic.com/

Yeah, that was me. I knew I'd probably offend someone when I said that, but we all have our opinions of Bob. He's a major influence to many people for his songwriting - but probably not to anyone who calls themself a singer first and foremost. He will never be in the same class as Pavarotti or Celine Dion, who are singers first and foremost.

Technically, he had limited range, sang flat most of the time, slurred his words often - and was extremely nasal. Could he still deliver the message with conviction? Absolutely! However, he'll never make the list of "Top 100 Singers of the 20th Century" although he'd probably make that top 100 list of songwriters.

...so we have the battle of the Davids. According to some 19 Entertainment contract excerpts I've seen, AI has the OPTION to put any of the top ten under a recording contract, a management contract, and a merchandising contract, so they could both technically get an offer even though only one of them will get the marketing that the "Idol" will get.

I found some interesting pieces of the contracts these people had to sign, at least the one that Kelly Clarkson had to sign, if anyone's interested. 19 Entertainment pretty much owns them body and soul. It includes a gag order on anything they do with 19 Entertainment or anything they learn about the show. Also, having both management AND the recording company contract signed into the same company could be considered a conflict of interest. I'm not sure some of it would even hold up in court as it pretty much amounts to signing yourself into slavery.

"Could he still deliver the message with conviction? Absolutely!"

...not a lot I can add to that really.

I guess it's not enough for a lot of people. I hear the same thing said about Mick Jagger all the time, too. "Jagger can't sing to save his life"...etc. Really? Name me one singer who you'd pick to replace Mick's vocal tracks on "Brown Sugar". You really think anyone could get close to bettering the sound of that record? ( I picked that song off the top of my head; the same is true of maybe a hundred others, but you get my drift). Is Mick what you'd call good technically ? Hardly. Is he a great vocalist? Of course he bloody well is.

I have to go now. I have a fit of the giggles; I just had an image of Josh Groban ripping into "Start Me Up" flash into my head.

All the best,
Steve R.

PS. I have to warn you all that if anyone starts on John Lennon's technical shortcomings it's going to be rapiers at dawn...

http://www.steverobinsonmusic.com/

I can't seem to ignore threads about Bob Dylan's singing

I think he has one of the best voices around - not technically perfect of course, but better able to get the song across than anyone else. Some great examples of his different voices:

Lonesome Death of Hattie Carol (early '60's)
Like a Rolling Stone (mid '60's)
I'll Be Your Baby Tonight (late '60's)
Idiot Wind (mid '70's)
Senor (late '70's)
Everything is Broken (late '80's)
Po' boy (early '00's)

I haven't noticed a big difference in his vocal style between the '90's and now....

If the point is to bring the listener into the song, no one is better (imo, of course)

Scott

I have great respect for Bob Dylan ...from this humble ole singer's perspective, gosh .. on more than one occasion, wanting to sing a Dylan tune, I had to listen to someone else's cover of the tune so I could pick out the actual melody line! LOL


staying on topic.. Hope David C wins

Hey, Beth and all. I've been trying to keep myself distracted but I'll admit to some anxiety the last couple of days. By the way, they would not have to fly me out if my song won, as I am just forty minutes down the road from where they tape. But I just keep telling myself that I have a 5% chance and most sane people would not bet on that! I really want to enjoy the finale shows and not be disappointed, so I am trying to keep perspective. But, again, I will admit that this has been a tougher week than the couple before it (for some reason I was not nervous at all until the last couple of days).

I will be around.

Perry

So I've been too busy to watch the Tuesday performances until now.

Syesha was hands down the best of the three.

David C second.

David A well in the back.

No surprise the results show ranked them in reverse order and Syesha's going home first.

OMG!! Sorry, Perry... I almost forgot about this excitement!! Anxiety!!?!hah! Betcha that's quite an understatement!!
Good Luck Again!!
Joanne

PERRY!

OMG, I'M a nervous wreck waiting for the news, so I cannot even begin to fathom your anxiety level . I guess that didn't do much for helping you keep perspective, huh?

And golly, with you living right down the ROAD that makes it even last-minutey-er (soon-to-be popular new word).

But look at it this way...if David A. wins and your song doesn't....I would take that song and go straight to head of the David C. line...I'd certainly THINK being in the Top 20 would lend you some extra credibility...

OOOOOH, this is exciting. Keeping my fingers crossed for you!

Beth

P.S. BTW, if you get The Call, and need to process your excitement surreptitiously, feel free to PM me...I won't tell anybody !!

Well...I'm already bored with AI so...but let's hope David Cook wins...(I only saw the end of Fantasia's performance, but it was surely different!)

And Perry best wishes with your song...keep us posted!

I think I looked a little like Simon when watching Fantasia...mouth open in disbelief. It was not my cup of tea, that's for sure.

Good luck, Perry!

Gobsmacked indeed. Might've been worse though, mate --it could've been a duet with Bob Dylan...

http://www.steverobinsonmusic.com/

I have been trying to be open minded about the new "music" that's out there---I was watching Fantasia and TRYING to change my mindset..."OK this is hot" I said to myself trying to convince my brain....BUT...I couldn't understand one thing she said, the song had NOTHING in it for me. Yuck. The winner next week won't matter one bit, they will both have their shot at a career.

So Simon had a dropped jaw, huh? I did not know that. I had the channel change as quickly as I could grab the remote! Glad to hear it. Wonder if anyone did follow up questions about it after the show? He's brazen enough to tell the honest truth! (This is what is called the "NEW" music?!)

Scottie...transporter, please.

So Simon had a dropped jaw, huh? I did not know that. I had the channel change as quickly as I could grab the remote! Glad to hear it. Wonder if anyone did follow up questions about it after the show? He's brazen enough to tell the honest truth! (This is what is called the "NEW" music?!)

Scottie...transporter, please.

"Gobsmacked"? + "Mate?" = "Florida"?

Me thinks you have hopped across The Pond! Gobsmacked is such a great onomatopoeic exclamation!

Cheerio,
Beth

David A won the night and will go on to be very successful irregardless of whether he wins the top billing or not. His voice is a gift to be reckoned with. Not to deviate but the 2nd song David A chose to sing "In This Moment" I could really picture Josh Groban doing and doing very well. I do believe David C would have been wiser chosing Perry's song and I don't say that because he's one of our own, but in all sincerity.

I thought Archuletta was as boring as could be and he will take the title of the worst AI winner ever if he wins. I can't imagine going to his concert even if you paid me.. seriously.. he's that boring and lifeless and has no personality of any kind at all. He couldn't hold the stage with the likes of Miley Cyrus for 30 seconds and not look like a loser. His squinty face and his "gasp" "gasp" "gasp" breathlessness is like fingernails on a chalk board.

David Cook doesn't need to win.. he'll be fine. I actually thought his performance of the Songwriter song was far and away the best performance of the night. The judges clearly were working the agenda all night to crown David A. They ripped David Cook all night the same way the always ripped Syesha, who should have been in the final with David Cook. The whole boxing thing was set up so that Simon could have the last line before the voting started saying that David A. won "in a knockout." That's so bogus it's laughable. But in truth, David Cook was fairly boring in his first and third performances so he did himself no favors. But he was still far more entertaining to watch than David A. Watching paint dry is better than watching David A. "gasp" "gasp" "gasp"

So all that's left is to root for Perry. He has a 1 in 18 chance.. and we all heard Paula say that the song David Cook performed WASN'T the winning song... so let's all keep our fingers crossed. By the way, I think both of the songs performed tonight were written by JPF members... though they aren't active. I do think Emily Shackleford has performed at one of our Roadtrip showcases though.

Brian

I have to agree with you Brian, it was really unbelievable to see how the judges just praised David A. to highest heaven and picked a bit on David Cook. I just don't get it. I feel like David A. has been hand selected to win and they just made sure of it but saying what they did. Unfortunately that will probably be how it all goes down. Bummer! I thought David Cook picked a great catchy song from the 20 songs. Once again the judges were critical of the song itself and saying....."you did what you could with what you had to work with". Ouch! to the songwriter. This is all a bit painful for me to watch.

I look forward to tomorrows winning song, hopefull it will be Perry's. It would be a great match for David Cook.

Tammy

www.tammyedwards.com
www.myspace.com/tammyedwards2

"Time of My Life" was the winning song as stated in the USA Today article I posted in my American Idol thread. I did not win, but I did make the top 10 and, yes, believe it or not, Syesha picked my song as the one she would sing if she made it through to the finals (they had the three pick one of the top 10 songs and she picked mine).

I have posted some further thoughts and thanks in my AI thread, so please take a look if you get a chance. If you don't, know I am thankful for the support here and the education of the experienced members, as I am a new songwriter and I have much to learn.

Perry

First - Perry - congrats on making it to the top ten, and for getting THAT close to having your song sung on a major tv show.

Well, I was sort disappointed with tonight's show. I felt that David Cook either, stepped back to let the kid win... or knew that the die was cast. Not that he didn't perform well, he just didn't step out and wow me like he has in the past... and who knows, maybe it's better to be #2 & have a little more artistic freedom.

I felt they chose a rather limited song for him to perform in "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For". There's so many songs he could have rocked, and while that is a nice song... just didn't thrill me. I found myself feeling slightly disappointed at the end of it.

He chose to sing "Dream Big" and I thought he put all of himself into it. Not sure if the song really sold "him" as a performer.

In his last song... he chose to sing something new, and did a good job of it.

In my educated opinion, David Cook has a very memorable voice, it's unique, it's his own. He is also a skilled musician. In both those areas he shines out & is a clear winner. He's not a cookie cutter model of someone else. His integrity and musicality will see him through and I think we will hear more of him.

David A - naturally they gave him the ballad he could sing sweetly, 'Don't Let the Sun Go Down On Me'. I do think he sang it with his heart & soul. As I said, his voice is not as striking as David Cs in timbre. I also knew what he was going to do vocally before he did it. However, I felt he did put more of himself into the performance of his first song than David C did.

"This Moment" - was a better original song than the one David C sang, as it really seemed to fit the moment, and you could feel the audience responding to it - and really that's what it is all about, when all is said and done. He sang it to them and they soaked it up. It was sort of a la Josh Groban and showed some of the quality in his voice.

"Imagine" - I didn't think he sang this as well as he did the first time I heard it.

It was an emotional show to watch, a big moment for both these people. And whatever we think about the show, these two guys did their best to bring it. We all know David A will win. I suppose I will still hope that the superb talents of David C will earn him the Idol crown, but I doubt it.

PS - did anyone else notice that in the playback, the first clip they played of David C was off key, and they only showed verse sections without a lot of umph, and for David A, they played chorus parts/endings. Or was it just me?

Imagine all the people voting for the kid
You may think it's unfair but that's that way it is.

Like we predicted, David Cook doesn't really want to be saddled with the AI title. He said, "as far as I'm concerned the contest is over". Then he went out and proved it with a screeching half-hearted performance while David Archuletta sang his heart out. I don't know what you folks heard that I didn't. David A sang like he wanted to win and David Cook went through the motions. Simon had to complete the night's boxing theme when he suggested that "Imagine" was the knock out punch but I think David Cook took a fall. To quote George Bush, "Done deal". Archuletta is the 2008 American Idol winner. Woopee! And now back to my regularly scheduled distractions.

Perry: Sorry to hear that your song didn't win. But just like David C. doesn't need to win to be successful, you don't need to win to be a successful songwriter. All of the songs at your site are top notch. I think "Proud to be a father of a son like me" is another winner.

Kevin

I couldn't believe how much the judges were "pimping" Archie -ALL of them. A Knockout? Hardly. The way things were going, Simon probably would have criticized Cookie doing "Billie Jean" as "predictable", although how predictable was "Imagine"? I was bored listening to him sing it. The judges actually made fools out of themselves, IMHO, because they were SO obviously pimping their or the producer's fave.

I do think that Cookie wasn't as concerned about winning and therefore didn't go full out that last 1/4 mile. It's possible he also knew that the winner had been pre-selected. #2 may actually have a bit more artistic freedom with whatever deal they get. That said, I will buy Cookie's CD and won't buy Archie's. Maybe the tweenies will buy it.

Sorry about your song, Perry. It's a good song and maybe Syesha will record it. You just know she'll get a deal as well.

I will bet they have set a new record for number of votes. I was unable to get through ANY of the 3 numbers for Cookie (busy signals) until after 10:30pm - and I've NEVER had trouble getting through since I have an AT&T phone line.

Update...I just checked several sites: dialidol, aol, and knbc. On all three sites, they are predicting David Cook to win - and not by just a small margin either.

Maybe the obviousness of the judges' bias ticked off the David C fans (it did ME!) and they voted more. I know I voted more than I ever have on AI. [that redial button worked pretty well while I watched a DVR recording of Dancing With the Stars finale - ]

In a post-performance interview, Archie actually said he disagreed with Simon's diss of Cookie's performance: "I think Simon's opinion is just one opinion, and just because Simon didn't think it was his [David Cook's] best, I think America and millions of viewers will disagree with him. And I disagree with Simon, too. He was awesome."

So there IS hope...

Personally, I think these two are closer in talent than most of the other years' final two.

I did notice that Vikki and we were talking about it immediately when it happened. I always watch carefully and have found bias previously against certain contestants and for others. But this was one of the most obvious manipulations I have ever seen. It would be nice to have the fans throw their chosen one out with the trash. But would they actually let David Cook win? When they are so blatantly lying as judges and putting an agenda out there and setting up pre-scripted lines before the performances even happen.. it's hard to put anything past them. Perhaps there's some legal language that allows "producer" discretion in the final voting.. they're so secretive anything is possible.

Now that Perry's song is out of the running I've pretty much lost motivation for the finale. Even if David Cook wins it's still been more bummer than fun this year. The manipulation all season has been more and more transparent. Why can ANY of these shows just judge honestly? If only we could get non-puppets acting as judges.

Brian

Perusing the AI boards, it seems that a LOT of people were p.o'ed about the pimping. Several people who said they normally don't vote ended up voting for DC - just because of Simon's remark about the "Knockout".

One person said he got in about 5000 votes for DC using two cell phones and text messaging. Another claimed over 2500 votes; several said they voted over 500 times. I sure hope they have a flat rate plan for messaging...

There's bias everywhere Brian, even on this board, sure perrys song was good and he is an active member of JPF but there are other songs in the competition that were good if not better IMO, sucks that he lost, maybe Syesha will cut it, as for the finals
Does it really matter who wins anyways, anybody whos exposed to idol has a good shot at getting a record deal, that Baylie Brown girl from last idol didn't get past the top 24 If I remember correctly she's looking for songs for her debut album on a major label, Kellie Pickler has country hits, she came in 6th, daughtry has hits,Josh Gracin 4th, it goes on and on like this
This competition is bigger than all of us combined in finding talent, not just finding one winner, it also employs a lot of people, producers,writers,directors,songwriters etc
Who cares if it's not judged honestly, it's better run than the american government that is for sure, I think you guys have missed the purpose of this show,they want to make money and create as many stars as possible, do they care what we or you think? you're gonna watch it anyways LOL just my opinion

dialidol has DC winning by a landslide

So you used an American Idol discussion to slam the United States Airun?

It's not a slam if it's the truth and by the way I said American Government, and your whole country agrees with me so nice try, you're pratically saying American Idol is being manipulated because the artist you don't want to win is probably going to win and because perrys song didn't get chosen therefore no free publicity for JPF and you talk about them being biased..

Why does T U N E S M I T H get edited out of a post?

TMZ says there were almost 100 million votes last night. This is from the tmz.com site:

"George Michael is performing on tonight's "Idol" finale, but he ain't "the biggest star in the world" that Executive Producer Nigel Lythgoe has been touting -- our spies tell us, it's "Iron Man" Robert Downey Jr.

TMZ moles say the finale will include a virtual hologram of Gladys Knight singing "Midnight Train to Georgia" with Ben Stiller, Jack Black and Downey Jr. singing backup as the Pips. Holy Nat King Cole! "Idol" did this last season when Celine Dion sang along side a virtual undead Elvis. For the record, Gladys Knight is still alive.

We're told the Jonas Brothers, ZZ Top, Seal, Bryan Adams, One Republic, Jordin Sparks and Carrie Underwood will also perform before David Archuleta (or possibly maybe, but not likely, Cook) is crowned the winner."

OK, so I'm taking a risk putting myself out there as the overwhelming minority on the board, but to add balance.

I'm a huge Archuleta fan. I don't think he's arrived artistically by any stretch, but I consider him to have a unique vocal quality. I have bought every single one of his I-tunes songs. (But then, for context, I also love Clay Aiken and Josh Groban, just for the pure vocal ability)

I enjoy and respect David Cook, but to me, he sounds quite similar to any of 100 grunge, alt and contemporary christian artists (from SubPob stuff up to christian acts like MercyMe and 3rd Day.) It's a marketable, familiar sound, but not a new sound.

I can't think of anyone else that sounds like Archuleta, the mixture of classical purity and soulful runs, the high register with a bit of rasp in it. I hear a little Steve Perry, in the rasp.

Anyhow, as a pure vocalist, I think little David has the ability to be on Celine Dion's level, which no other AI contestent yet has quite had. With time. He's a young, not yet free, person. Let's hope he gets some time and space to use that instrument artistically.

But I thought I'd add a constrasting view.

I think it's funny how everyone believes all these little leaks and pieces of information that they're hearing on tv or the radio or internet gossip sites, nobody knows who is going to win, just because a website states david cook has more votes, tell me who their source is, this kind of stuff happens all the time with wrestling pay per views and shows etc, TMZ says this, votefortheworst says this, someone says they voted 500 times, people you will just have to watch the finale, no one knows anything about anything they just wanna be in the mix
Will be interesting though I wish it wasn't 2 hours

I'm pretty sure Kelly Clarkson is on Celines level when It comes to vocal, plus Archuletas runs sound like Eva Cassidys

Airun, friend, I think maybe you do not mean to write with the "tone" that your writing sometimes reflects. I think you make some good points (occasionally :), but as I have had to do at times, I suggest you just re-read what you write before you post it, just to make sure it conveys what you really want it to convey.

I know my opinion was unsolicited, and I hope I have properly conveyed the spirit/"tone" in which my message was intended.

Perry

Tell ya what...i would hate to be a record producer/engineer recording David A....with his ol "pappy" looking over your shoulder...Well done Perry,you have a bright future ahead of you in this songwriting Game...with or without A.I. ...David C. is by far the best singer (if he takes it in his head)to be,..but lately, he has came across as TOO laid back..or is it just me?seems to have thrown the towel in, a couple of weeks back!..That wee Guy, David A...you know,how can i put it?...i think he will end up, just irritating people,once the novelty has worn off..once he discards the "cuddly pup" syndrome,when you hear his voice it will be a vocal itch that you just want to scratch.imho.he will have the shelf life musical wise,of a block of butter in a microwave....i just cannot see that wee guy "cracking it"...especially with his loving "pappa" hanging around like a bad smell!....David C..is a far better musical bet in the long term,personally i think he will do pretty well...Perry IF i were you,i'd be rattlin his cage to release your song on his album...he is the only possible candidate to do it justice,on the choices you have at the minute (A.I.wise that is)but you never know who may pop out the "long grass" to record it...All The Best.....Terry....

who won
I DVRed it and didn't record the show after it
it ended right before ryan announced the winner

David Cook by 12 million votes, he deserved it...mj

I tell it like it is perry, I can't apologize if you don't like that, either Davids deserved to win, good for them both, they'll be stars