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"The American Idol CD: Soul Classics Thread!"
Posted by managerr on 04-18-04 at 08:11 PM
LAST EDITED ON 04-18-04 AT 08:14 PM (EST)

Well I just listened to an (illegal) copy of the American Idol CD: Soul Classics. (Twice) Here is my commentary, review. Overall, I actually thought this was the worst CD yet. The production values of the songs are better than ever, but most of the songs themselves are not exciting. Like last season, it's mostly ballads and a lot of them will put you to sleep.

1. Fantasia - "Chain of Fools" - I'm not sure this was the best song selection for her, but it sounded decent. I thought that unlike her live performances, you couldn't feel the emotion in the song coming out of her. Still, like all Fantasia songs, she injected several "Yeah, yeahs" into the song, which was distracting. I would not buy a CD from her if she is going to do this for all of her songs. Overall: B

2. George - "Me and Mrs. Jones" - I have to admit, that I don't like this song, but I enjoyed George singing it, just because it's anything like he has sung on the show and it seems to fit his voice perfectly. I wish he had chosen something that showcased his range though. Overall: B+

3. Diana - "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" - I didn't like this the first time I listened to it, but it seems to get better as you listen to it. It's really typical of all the other Diana robotic performances, but it stands out on the CD because it's one of the few up-tempo songs on the CD. Overall: B-

4. Latoya - "If You Don't Know Me By Now" - Latoya is at the top of her game for this song, and this is the perfect example of why she would win. She sounds beautiful, distinctive and every single note and vocal inflection is perfect. I am buying your CD Latoya! Overall: A

5. Jennifer Hudson - "Neither One Of Us" - Surprisingly, Jennifer picks a fairly subdued song, despite her powerful voice. When it does get to the power vocals part near the end, I felt that she lost control of it again. It's not horrible, but more "early Jennifer" than "late Jennifer". Overall: B-

6. Amy Adams - "You Make Me Feel Brand New" - It's relatively pleasant, but her voice seems rather thin on the song. It could be that the power singerss are early in the CD's and Amy just happens to come after. This song itself is rather plain, Simon would accuse her of putting together a "safe performance". Overall: C+

7. Matt Rogers - "Sitting On the Dock By the Day" - This is one of the shortest songs on the CD for a reason. Looks like they changed the key of the song a bit to match Matt's limited range. He sang it ok, I just don't think he's that good. Overall: D

8. Jasmine Trias - "Midnight Train to Georgia" - I thought this song was indicative of Jasmine's performances during the season. Inconsistent. There are parts of this song where I really liked, but then she'll try to hit a certain note, and she still comes in flat. (Not even the studio could fix it I guess) Also, this isn't the most exciting song in the world. Overall: C+

9. JPL - "My Girl" - I saw the track listing, and I thought this would be a really good song choice for him. It's not. None of his performance charisma comes across when he's singing it. I thought it sounded very amateurish. Overall: D+

10. Camille Velasco - "Until You Come Back To Me" - I figured I had heard the last of the good performances after the first five. I was wrong, there is one more good song on the CD. Surprisingly, it's this one. It's actually my 2nd fave on this CD. Not only is it a peppy song, but you can actually hear what Camille is singing! The vibrato is either fixed or removed by the studio. She hits her high notes, and overall, because you can't see her look of pain when she's singing, you are able to concentrate on her vocals, which makes her much better. Overall: A-

11. Leah Labelle - "Betcha By Golly, Wow" - The first few bars are absolutely beautiful in my opinion. Then it gets slowly worse. By the time she gets to the chorus, the song absolutely falls apart. The chorus sounds absolutely abominable. It's worst than the song she sang on Soul night during the show. Only die hard Leah fans will listen to this song more than once. Overall: F

12. Jon Stevens - "You Are Everything" - I was actually expecting it to be a train wreck like Matt, JPL, and Leah, but it was actually passable. He chose a good song. If you like Jon Stevens, you'll like this song. Overall: C

13. Group Song - "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" - Well if you listen to this song, you'll definitely know who TPTB want to be the Final 4. George, Latoya, Jennifer, and Fantasia get almost all the solos, while the rest of them are relegated to backup. I didn't hear any Jon Stevens or JPL on this song. Overall: B-

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Messages in this discussion
"RE: The American Idol CD: Soul Classics Thread!"
Posted by callalilly3000 on 04-18-04 at 08:20 PM
Thank you for your commentary. It was very insightful.

I am one of the people who actually like John Stevens, and have been wanting to hear his track. So you gave him a C. (not bad)
And Camille got an A-, impressive.

Again thanks.

"RE: The American Idol CD: Soul Classics Thread!"
Posted by rjrabbit on 04-18-04 at 08:26 PM
LAST EDITED ON 04-18-04 AT 08:33 PM (EST)

Thanks for the commentary.

blue14 and camileroxmysox are going to love you for saying Camile sounds good. They finally have someone to agree with them. When is the CD being released?

"RE: The American Idol CD: Soul Classics Thread!"
Posted by blue14 on 04-19-04 at 00:01 AM
LAST EDITED ON 04-19-04 AT 00:01 AM (EST)

im glad someone agrees with me about camiles song and sorry if I was being rude earlier about saying camile was the best, seriously, im sorry

"RE: The American Idol CD: Soul Classics Thread!"
Posted by rjrabbit on 04-19-04 at 00:15 AM
Sounds like I was being too harsh on Camile. I'll have to give the song a listen.

"RE: The American Idol CD: Soul Classics Thread!"
Posted by greenmonstah on 04-18-04 at 08:49 PM
Thanks for the scoop, manager. I am really interested in George's rendition of "Me and Mrs. Jones". I am not a George fan per se, but I am sure he was spot on in his remake.


*waves* to my rabbit friend...Sox lost today. sigh.

"RE: The American Idol CD: Soul Classics Thread!"
Posted by rjrabbit on 04-18-04 at 10:38 PM
Hey Monstah,
Your Red Sox took 2 of 3 and I'm looking for them to take 3 out of 4 on this series with the Yankees

I can't remember what thread it was but I was sticking up for you when blue thought you were bragging. I think blue is just upset that he can't convince anyone that Camile is the best AI contestant.

"Yeah, I agree..."
Posted by Goooey_Alley on 04-19-04 at 02:55 AM
Camile sounds great on that one... and both LaToya's and Camile's songs are worth listening in this CD.

The others practically gave me a snooze...


"RE: The American Idol CD: Soul Classics Thread!"
Posted by Breezy on 04-19-04 at 10:20 AM
*boggle* Camille sounds good?

Thanks for the input.


Just say no to trolls.


"RE: The American Idol CD: Soul Classics Thread!"
Posted by blue14 on 04-19-04 at 08:34 PM
See, I thought Camile sounded good but no one believed me...it actually DOES sound good in my opinion. Hopefully someone will believe me next time...
"RE: The American Idol CD: Soul Classics Thread!"
Posted by Skeery Klown on 04-19-04 at 08:45 PM
i wasnt a camille fan but she sounds VERY good
seems to me shes has some stage fright issues
the larger the crowd got the worse she sounded
and on this cd JPL......... well we wont go there lol


nuff said


"RE: The American Idol CD: Soul Classics Thread!"
Posted by shedevil on 04-19-04 at 10:33 PM
Camille must be filtered to sound good in my opinion, JPL does not, he sounds good regardless. To me Camille sounds great... when she's muted.


"RE: The American Idol CD: Soul Classics Thread!"
Posted by TeamJoisey on 04-22-04 at 00:10 AM
Will anyone buy this album?
Or are people just too frustrated with the way things are turning out?
"RE: The American Idol CD: Soul Classics Thread!"
Posted by shedevil on 04-30-04 at 04:51 PM
Will anyone buy this album?
Or are people just too frustrated with the way things are turning out?

I'm going to buy it just for the songs performed by Jenn, Latoya,JPL and the group song.


"RE: The American Idol CD: Soul Classics Thread!"
Posted by britneyfan04 on 05-08-04 at 11:09 PM
I am not sure if people are going to buy her cd. I was happy when she left.I hate the way she vibrates her voice.I hate her attidude
"RE: The American Idol CD: Soul Classics Thread!"
Posted by realityluver on 04-29-04 at 02:14 PM
LAST EDITED ON 04-29-04 AT 02:19 PM (EST)

Here is a link to listen to the AI3 CD. It's an interesting mix, much better than I thought it would be. I think the majority sound much better on this CD than they do on the show. Miracles of a studio I guess. There is one that is painful to listen to {cough.JPL.}..., but the rest are ok. Camille sounds much better, and actually John S. wasn't that bad (not great, but not bad).

http://entimg.msn.com/i/asx/audio_streams/AmericanIdol3_soulclassics_MBR.asx


"Nothing comes between me and my TV!!!"

"RE: The American Idol CD: Soul Classics Thread!"
Posted by shedevil on 04-29-04 at 10:30 PM
1. Fantasia - "Chain of Fools" -
I'm not a fan of Fantasia's or her voice but I think she sounded great on this song. I'm impressed. It was pleasant but just kind of boring. I give her a B+

2. George - "Me and Mrs. Jones" -
This is one of my favorite songs. George's version was okay. It was kind of lacking. I give it a C.

3. Diana - "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" -
She sounds good. I never liked this song, I still don't, but her version is okay. She sounds good, less forced. She doesn't sound like she's yelling like she usually does. I do like her voice in general, I'm just not wowed by it. It actually doesn't sound much like her the more I hear of it. I give it a B.


4. Latoya - "If You Don't Know Me By Now" -
One of my favorite songs of all time. She sounds very pretty. I would like to see her do this song live. She reminds me of Monica. It's not amazing but it's really good. I don't care for the ending. I give it an A.

5. Jennifer Hudson - "Neither One Of Us" -
She sounds beautiful and very classy. I love it. What can I say? I'm such a huge fan of her voice. I loved the ending, very soft and pretty.It wasn't the best I've heard from her, but one of the best. A

6. Amy Adams - "You Make Me Feel Brand New" -
Another one of my favorite songs. She sounds very pretty, but I don't think songs like this one do much for her voice. She always comes off sounding weak. She needs to stick to songs like "Sin Wagon". That song really showed off her talent. B

7. Matt Rogers - "Sitting On the Dock By the Day" -
I like this song, but not when he sings it. It was okay. I prefer Opera Matt. I give it a D.

8. Jasmine Trias - "Midnight Train to Georgia" -
I'm not impressed with her version of this song. I don't think it was a good choice for her. She didn't sound bad, but she didn't sound good either. It was okay. I give it a C+.

9. JPL - "My Girl" -
I think he sounded great. I love his voice! It wasn't spectacular but I enjoyed it. I give it a B.

10. Camille Velasco - "Until You Come Back To Me" -
She sounded the same to me on this c.d. that she does live, shaky. I don't care for that type of voice. I'd rather hear her sing "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road". After listening to that MP3 I grew to love her version of it. For this song I give it a C. It sounded very amateur.

11. Leah Labelle - "Betcha By Golly, Wow" -
She sounded great until she got to the first chorus and the rest of the song reminded me why I don't like her voice. I give it an F-.

12. Jon Stevens - "You Are Everything" -
Another song I love. He sounded really good but I know what he sounds like live and that's what matters to me, not what someone sounds like filtered. I give it a B.


13. Group Song - "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" -
I liked it a lot. The solos were great. I give it an A.


"RE: The American Idol CD: Soul Classics Thread!"
Posted by uberspoon on 04-30-04 at 00:00 AM
LAST EDITED ON 04-30-04 AT 00:01 AM (EST)

SheDevil,
you're one of my favorite posters on this site..and i think i just realized why. we have very similar tastes.
the only reason i mention this now, is i noticed your comment about Camile's Goodbye Yellow Brick Road. I have that on mp3 as well, and it has a similar effect on me. i HATED it on the show, but after the fact- i listened to it again and it seems like it has this really haunting / touching quality to it.

and it seems i am rambling.
but yeah, i agree with ya..ESPECIALLY on J-Hud.

*edited to correct grammar.

"RE: The American Idol CD: Soul Classics Thread!"
Posted by shedevil on 04-30-04 at 00:13 AM
SheDevil,you're one of my favorite posters on this site..and i think i just realized why. we have very similar tastes.
the only reason i mention this now, is i noticed your comment about Camile's Goodbye Yellow Brick Road. I have that on mp3 as well, and it has a similar effect on me. i HATED it on the show, but after the fact- i listened to it again and it seems like it has this really haunting / touching quality to it.
and it seems i am rambling. but yeah, i agree with ya ESPECIALLY on J-Hud.

Awww how sweet thanks. I hated her version of "G.Y.B.R." on the show too, but my sister wanted me to snag the MP3 I listened to it again and really enjoyed it and now I love it. J-Hud rocks!


"RE: The American Idol CD: Soul Classics Thread!"
Posted by stormysatan on 04-29-04 at 02:22 PM
I bought the cd. And it's worth the money especially CAMILLE'S and to some extent latoya's rendition.
JASMINE'S performance was good too. The rest were just ok.
"RE: The American Idol CD: Soul Classics Thread!"
Posted by callalilly3000 on 05-08-04 at 08:44 PM
LAST EDITED ON 05-08-04 AT 08:46 PM (EST)

So, the sales figures are out. I find it very interesting that the CD sold 55% less than the previous season.

Could it be that the original comments by the judges "these are the best contestents of all seasons", may not be true. Sales figures tells all.

I haven't heard the CD, nor do I care too. I haven't been to impressed with anyone this season. Maybe other people share my thoughts, as you would think that if everyone who watches AI, would at least purchase the CD it would be #1 on the Billboard charts. It came in at #10.

I couldn't click on the link to read the entire artical, so I am not sure, did the CD from last season debut at #1?

My opionion is, that the reason it didn't fare so well this year, is because there is no clear cut winner. Last season I knew within just a couple of weeks that the final two would be Ruben and Clay, and I think last years CD sold better purely on the strength of Clay and Ruben alone.

But that is just my opionion.


(edited because of spelling issues, I hope I corrected it.)