By Eli (68.162.98.96) on Wednesday, June 25, 2003 - 09:21 pm: |
It is just me or is Ruben Studdard copying Luther note for note and riff for riff on his single Superstar??
Also it was written that he will no longer wear the trademark "205" shirts because he wants money from the manufacturer who used to be one of his best friends.
Jason Guarini's album is bottoming out at # 20 with disappointing sales figures.
Kelly Clarkson is whining about being tired and overworked.
Clay Aiken has a decent sounding single that entered at #1.
We will all see how it plays out.
By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Wednesday, June 25, 2003 - 09:29 pm: |
I liked Clay's voice, and his humor. I don't have the cd's, any may not get them. Money is the root of most evils.
By stephanie (64.63.221.48) on Wednesday, June 25, 2003 - 11:15 pm: |
Eli
This just proves points that you have made in the past about todays youth and I consider Ruben and Clay to be the better of the lot.
I agree that Ruben is playing the Luther card but I give him his props he is a good singer!!!!
They say that Clays single is outselling Ruebens but not by a WHOLE lot. I think Clay is willing to work and he would be great on Broadway or in the theatre he seems like he is open minded and very versatile. I see Ruben on different shows talking about how tired he is all of the time with interviews and appearances and Clay doesnt complain about being tired. I like Kelly Clarkson and Im glad she is doing nice things for their family but the way they are complaining about their schedules is NOTHING compared to how entertainers had to be in the studio and do shows and do guest appearances at the same time.
These kids have it good compared to being on the road in the old days. So we know the greats can still take them on....
Now Justin I KNEW from day one he wouldnt sell tons of records so that doesnt shock me about his chart placement. I hate to say this but he will be a flash in the pan and wont be remembered. I think if someone picks up Josh he could be a country and western star. Out of all the American Idols Clay Reuben Tamyra Grey and Trenyce have the most holding power in my opinion..
The fact that Rueben is doing Superstar and Clay is doing Bridge Over Troubled Water tells you that there is creativity lacking. Everybody is either singing a remake or sampling one and I hate to say it with the exception of the Rock Community and Country Western. These Idols have a lot to learn and it will be interesting to see who remains in the spotlight.
Stephanie
By Eli (151.197.39.130) on Thursday, June 26, 2003 - 09:10 am: |
I believe that Ruben's attitude will be his downfall.
I have seen him on Philly tv where he snubbed the press on several ocasions and I have heard that he over does the "star trip" when he goes out to restaurants, etc.
These people never had to "pay their dues" and received instant stardom and I believe that most of them will have only a fleeting moment in the sun.
By Karyl (24.26.109.73) on Thursday, June 26, 2003 - 09:44 am: |
Eli, I couldn't agree more about Ruben. I saw him as a presenter on the BET Awards show and he seems a bit overconfident in my book. This is not to say he is not a good singer, but I would like to see more orginality.
By Eli (151.197.39.130) on Thursday, June 26, 2003 - 09:54 am: |
Karyl,
Its all about paying dues and making it the old fashioned way.
Ive seen it time and time again where that sort of thing happens.
Here are the four stages of an artists career.
1. Who is Ruben Studdard
2. Get me Ruben Studdard
3. Get me a young Ruben Studdard
4. Who is Ruben Studdard
Nuff Said!!
By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Thursday, June 26, 2003 - 11:50 am: |
Eli & company:
In time this whole American Idol thing will become a thing of the past and these artists will wind up in the "where-are-they-now" school if they are not careful.
Stephanie is right about the sales - Clay's single barely edged out Ruben's in the record stores I visited here in NYC.
At the risk of sounding morbid, has anyone noticed that the week Ruben won American Idol was the same week Luther Vandross came out of his coma! Imagine this: Ruben wins and Clive Davis (who signed both Ruben & Clay to RCA) gets a phone call on his cell phone - it's Luther saying,"Dammit! I ain't dead yet, fool!"
May real talent persevere always and forever...
Kevin Goins - KevGo
By Eli (151.197.39.130) on Thursday, June 26, 2003 - 12:30 pm: |
Amen Kev!!!!
By Mike Sku (64.9.11.62) on Friday, June 27, 2003 - 07:52 am: |
I have to add this....As far as the Idols go: Everybody has to start somewhere. So what if they are doing cover versions? Haven't all of our favorite stars done cover versions at one time or another? If Marvin hadn't done Grapevine and Diana hadn't done Ain't No Mountain, there would be two great hits missing from our lists.
In Philly, one record store owner told me that the Clay and Ruben singles were released as "cut-outs" and some stores can't even get more copies of those singles once thay have run out, and some have run out. There are also some people just waiting for a full CD rather than buy a single. That's the nature of the business, I guess. Also, I think Clay outselling Ruben by 4 to 1 is a bigger margin than most of us realize. I can see Clay having lots of staying power. His voice is young and fresh and different. Ruben may be a good singer, but at times he sounds hoarse to me. Even Flying Without Wings (another cover--original done by Britain's Westlife, and a much better version) sounds a little tired to me. It will be interesting to see how the full CDs of these men shape up. I know I'll buy them both, but I am sure I'll listen to Clay's more.
By janebse (68.63.4.162) on Friday, June 27, 2003 - 09:36 am: |
Isn't one of the songs on Clay's single an original one? I thought they released both of the songs he sang in the finals (as they did with Reuben) and that one of the songs was an original one he wrote. Well, the term "original" was used. I don't know whether it meant new or that he wrote it.
By BCNYC (152.163.252.68) on Friday, June 27, 2003 - 10:38 am: |
"Original" means that the producers of the TV show own it and assigned it to the singers. "This is the Night" was co-written by Gary Burr, who's a great mainstream Nashville songwriter. Probably started the song with someone like Bryan White in mind.
In their defense, I found that this year's slate of finalists had some degree of talent, unlike the parade of bad mall haircuts last season. There was real drama to it, because it was more of a competition. I also noticed because they often had church background, the finalists knew something about singing harmony and performing with each other, and that speaks well for them. My God, you never saw anything like that last season.
At least they are not letting them come on and rap. Next season they should make a piano, acoustic guitar and electric guitar available, and attract kids with even more musical background. If the singers who don't play complain, they could just tell them: Tough, you will just have to sing that piano player offstage. The show did improve this year, in a real way.
By stephanie (64.63.221.171) on Friday, June 27, 2003 - 10:44 am: |
Hey Mike
I agree with you I DO think Clay has more staying power in the industry as a whole just looking at the guy and watching him you can tell he could do broadway or singing and or commercials I know they say he looks like a nerd but he has the look.
He has nice features and people like his humbleness. I wont lie to you I really wanted Rueben to win and I know this is a BAD reason but I wanted him to win because he is a BIG guy and I guess that made a statement showing that someone on the heavy side can win. I think Rueben has an above average voice and he deserves a better arrangement I dont see anything wrong with his singing but even Luther would get a little tiring with some of his songs. I want to see Rueben get good songs and a great arrangement I can see how people would tire of him easily Clay has a much better presence on stage. If Rueben loses some weight (and I say this because he is always complaining about being tired) I think he will do better. Hey Heavy D is big and this guy dances better than some skinny people and has more energy than some people I have seen before. Again this batch was a lot better than the first season and we cant predict but as far as I can see Clay and Reuben and hopefully Trenyce will have a long future ahead of them. I dont think Justin will be around for another two years unless he is a model!!! Asfar as remakes I agree people have done good remakes but it would have been nice to hear Reuben do something different and Clay something original to start to me that would have been the proof in the pudding. I will say this I didnt think anyone could sing Bridge over Troubled Water better than Art Garfunkel but no even Aretha did it the way Art did it in my opinion but when I saw Clay do it I was blown away. I still prefer Artie's version over anyone but Clay came darn close.
I tell you one guy who should have been a huge star..the guy who did Break My Stride in the 80s..when I bought his album I Dont Speak the Language I thought it was one of the best pop albums Id ever heard in my life. He is not hurting he produced No Doubt and he wrote some of the songs for Disney's Milan so he is doing OK but this guy should have been a pop star for a long time he is a great songwriter..
Stephanie
By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Friday, June 27, 2003 - 11:50 am: |
Stephanie:
The singer/songwriter was Matthew Wilder. He wrote some pretty good pop tunes in the 1980s. I'm sure he still collects decent royalties from "Break My Stride".
His "Bouncing Off The Walls" album was his best & should have done better in sales.
His songwriting was and is his strength and he has done quite well with it. After all, Disney Productions do not hire slouches to write music for their movies.
Kevin Goins - KevGo
By motownboy (64.170.50.18) on Friday, June 27, 2003 - 02:59 pm: |
Well, it is interesting that Clay's single has out sold Ruben's and has been #1 on Billboard's Hot 100 for the past two weeks. Clay is also on the cover of Rolling Stone - this is a bit of a shocker! I hadn't totally realized how mainsteam RS has become. Not that there is anything wrong with this... I think it's great!
As has been said, Ruben's style is too much like Luther Vandross and, upon closer inspection, Donny Hathaway. Ruben has stated that DH is (was) pretty much HIS idol. I also have to add that because of this, I have discovered just how terrific DH was!! I just bought "Extension Of A Man" CD, and how wonderful it is!!
By Eli (141.151.24.197) on Friday, June 27, 2003 - 03:53 pm: |
As a pro songwriter, I feel that Clay would be much more easier to write for and produce.
Ruben is TOO much Lutherized and my gut feeling is that he would come off as a prima donna in the studio. I may be wrong.
I think that Ruben will self destruct due to his massive ego, and Clay will ascend to great heights
By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Monday, June 30, 2003 - 02:45 pm: |
motownboy:
Stop by your nearby Tower or Virgin Megastore and buy the "Donny Hathaway Live" CD that is only available as an import.
Recorded at the Troubadour (LA)and the Bitter End (NYC), it's Donny with his Fender Rhodes, lead vocal and his band - and it's a smoker!
From his version of "What's Going On" to his own "Little Ghetto Boy" he certainly knew how to interpret a song.
And the CD shows that Ruben has a way to go...
Kevin Goins - KevGo
By Rhythm and Blues Showdase (151.204.38.119) on Tuesday, July 01, 2003 - 04:07 pm: |
Clay Aiken's version of "Bridge over Troubled Water" is very good. In fact I think it was the best performance of any of the American Idol's all season. He reminds me of a Vegas style pop singer. RCA seems to be marketing both Clay and Ruben as a package.(Like it's a tie)To be fair and true to the contest, Ruben should clearly be the recognized winner. Interesting how they're positioned at #1 and #2 currently on the charts. However I think they should have had both singers on the cover of Rolling Stone Magazine. I have to agree with the above post I think Aiken will go further, although both singers are in need of better material and Production.
By stephanie (64.63.221.28) on Tuesday, July 01, 2003 - 06:16 pm: |
Rhythm and Blues
I agree with you and since they are on Clive Davis's label I would hope that they would get good material. I mean when Whitney first started (and thats when music was still good) her material was great. Rueben and Clay have a ready made audience so its not like their albums would flop!!! They should get Bobby Eli or Ralph (the terrible terrana twin) to write and produce something for them.
I hope Clive Davis doesnt fall into that trap of supplying second rate material..he is one of the few left who I think would give them something good I mean he let Alicia Keys do her thing and great things happened. I hear Alicia is working with rappers now I hope to GOD that is not true.
I saw her on some show singing with a rapper and it was horrible they should have just let her do the song herself without any rap she is talented she doesnt need that stuff,
Stephanie
By R&B (138.238.41.118) on Wednesday, July 02, 2003 - 11:38 am: |
I HEARD RUBEN FOR THE FIRST TIME LAST NIGHT AND YOU KNOW WHAT....I'M NOT IMPRESSED!!
By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Wednesday, July 02, 2003 - 11:49 am: |
Stephanie:
As long as Alicia Keys' royalty checks have Clive Davis' signature, trust me when I say this "rap phase" she's going through won't last.
Kevin Goins - KevGo
By motownboy (64.170.50.18) on Wednesday, July 02, 2003 - 12:33 pm: |
The trap that Clive Davis and all other label moguls has fallen into is putting out product that is sure to make money, which means more of the same "stuff" that passes for R&B/Soul....Today's youth has been weened on this stuff and that's where the money is.....