View the awesome performances here
JackRyan4DA at NotingDavid sums it up for me:
1. Less is more — Jive are you listening? See how fiiiine and glorious David sounds when his songs are not peppered with production-what-have-yous & techo tweeks? Leverage the best instrument that your talent has - THE VOICE, THE VOICE - and you could never go wrong.
2. A masterclass vocalist live & in-studio — STUNNING, simply jaw dropping. Seems impossible to achieve but he does sound pitch-perfect in these 5 songs with a full range to play around with, in terms of variety in the song selection & in the technical aspect of the music. It is already hard to believe that he was singing most of these songs live for the first time. But that he could surpass the vocal quality of the recorded version stands to reason that he should come up with a Live Album.
One more thing, let me tell you, his songs are not easy to handle. Crush - he has it down pat. But Crush + ALTNOY & My Hands are punishing in terms of breathing with extended high notes to boot; Where Crush asks for an ethereal quality in its rendition because of the purity of its theme, My Hands & ALTNOY require vocal maturity to lend the depth they require. His new lower registers came in handy here. But both songs have a number of extended high notes as well which David hit with precision. His falsettos and head tones were glorious as he switched from one note to another! NOT easy, gah!
One more thing, let me tell you, his songs are not easy to handle. Crush - he has it down pat. But Crush + ALTNOY & My Hands are punishing in terms of breathing with extended high notes to boot; Where Crush asks for an ethereal quality in its rendition because of the purity of its theme, My Hands & ALTNOY require vocal maturity to lend the depth they require. His new lower registers came in handy here. But both songs have a number of extended high notes as well which David hit with precision. His falsettos and head tones were glorious as he switched from one note to another! NOT easy, gah!
You Can, a deceptively simple song actually requires a measured sensitivity. It is a pretty song (my personal favorite in the basic 12 tracks) and in the hands of some other singer, it could have sounded cheesy . Listening to it w/o looking, he was able to bring out the emotional core of the song but there were segments in the piece where I sensed that he was more conscious of hitting the right notes rather than being authentic. But given his limited experience, this performance is already remarkable. Am sure that given time, he will be able to “let go” to give the likes of You Can the nuance they deserve. Then, it becomes truly transcendent - in the league of WYSYLM.
With TMH — I rest my case! Being in the minority in cheering for this song since the beginning, am glad to note of the converts not only from here but from all over! I believed in the possibilities of this piece, especially in the hands of an artist with David’s caliber. he elevated an originally light-weight song into a gloriously magnificent fun piece! Take note of that 6-sec head tone (counter 3:13), flawlessly followed by more vocal gymnastics in the next 30 secs or so - we’re not worthy! we’re not worthy! Just love it! Now, if David could only get cracking on that guitar so my dreams would have been fulfilled for this song
With TMH — I rest my case! Being in the minority in cheering for this song since the beginning, am glad to note of the converts not only from here but from all over! I believed in the possibilities of this piece, especially in the hands of an artist with David’s caliber. he elevated an originally light-weight song into a gloriously magnificent fun piece! Take note of that 6-sec head tone (counter 3:13), flawlessly followed by more vocal gymnastics in the next 30 secs or so - we’re not worthy! we’re not worthy! Just love it! Now, if David could only get cracking on that guitar so my dreams would have been fulfilled for this song
3. David has transitioned Since IdolDays, his AOL sessions showed a seamless transit into a matured performer. He just oozed more confidence, more self-assurance here. And very relaxed.
It has been said that “he’s very much attuned to what will work for him…and what will not work for him. He trusts his own instincts and doesn’t get caught up in the hype.” Seen as awkward & naive by some, he is often underestimated. And as someone wise once said, do so at your own peril ;).
4) Kudos to the band - they sounded great! Fantastic harmonizing with THE VOICE. It was obvious that they were enjoying the sessions This ones a keeper.
5) Kudos also to the stylist. Dang it! And that’s just about what I have to say about that cos I think I have done enough damage in with my previous posts already. LOL
All in all, David just cemented his stake at the music industry. If there was any doubt as to how he fits in, well his AOL performance just erased those concerns. Not just a fine addition to the talent pool, his likes is actually the much needed shot by the music industry to save it from the manufactured doldrums it is in.
It has been said that “he’s very much attuned to what will work for him…and what will not work for him. He trusts his own instincts and doesn’t get caught up in the hype.” Seen as awkward & naive by some, he is often underestimated. And as someone wise once said, do so at your own peril ;).
4) Kudos to the band - they sounded great! Fantastic harmonizing with THE VOICE. It was obvious that they were enjoying the sessions This ones a keeper.
5) Kudos also to the stylist. Dang it! And that’s just about what I have to say about that cos I think I have done enough damage in with my previous posts already. LOL
All in all, David just cemented his stake at the music industry. If there was any doubt as to how he fits in, well his AOL performance just erased those concerns. Not just a fine addition to the talent pool, his likes is actually the much needed shot by the music industry to save it from the manufactured doldrums it is in.
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