Elliott Yamin's Time

Just when I'm ready to give up on this guy, I run across a song that is just so good that it gives me hope for his career. Elliott Yamin was my pick for Season Three's American Idol winner. It wasn't to be. But the guy's got talent. Yes, I wish he would record his version of A House is Not a Home, but that's another story. 

Give a listen to the new As Time Goes By. So good! 

If you're in a throwback kind of mood, here's his audition tape for Moody's Mood for Love, a very difficult song sung effortlessly.

Totally Hot House Cleaning

The time had come. I had amassed so many CDs, that it was time to be brutal and donate those I really wasn't listening to any longer.   The space for storing discs had run dry, so the pressure I placed on myself was something to act on. 

It was clear that I was storing hundreds of discs but never listening to them. A pattern of not enough time and no longer not enough money either to keep building my collection. The books would be next, but this was a good first step.

In the 80's and 90's, I had become kind of a completest when it came to my favorite artists. Or even one hit wonders- mainly artists discovered on American Idol and such. (Here's looking at you, Elliott Yamin.)

Starting slowly with one box, I picked out discs no longer listened to by America, Gloria Estefan, George Benson, Amy Grant, Michael Bublé  Doobie Brothers, the Eagles, Olivia Newton-John, and more. So many more. Sure, I kept many Greatest Hits packages and every disc by Karen and Richard Carpenter, of course. But for every one I kept, I offloaded seldom listened to discs by Sting, Ambrosia, Neil Diamond, Michael Jackson, various soundtracks and compilations...even some Beatles.  I am sure among the 160 or so discs I donated, there are some gems serious collectors will be wanting.

The aftermath was a sense of release, a bit of sadness for letting go some of my history (isn't it amazing that we music fans associate so much of pieces of our life- good and bad- to our favorite songs?) and ultimately, more space in my life. 

Elliott's "House" Has No Home

After the events of yesterday and the last few days, I went into the gym to blow off a little steam. Plugging in my i-pod, I starting running fast and furious, barely letting the music slip into my mind. And you know, sometimes it's just good to get away from yourself and your circumstances for a bit.  

I wasn't really paying too much attention, but I knew my shuffle mode threw in Sting's "Nothing 'bout Me", a great oldie in Peter Frampton's "Sign Sealed Delivered", and a few others. But in was all in the background.

All of a sudden, on came Elliott Yamin and his incredible live version of "A House Is Not A Home". Immediately, I was back in Season 5 finale of American Idol, hearing his voice soar on the tune... and wondering why the heck this song has never made it to one of his albums.  It's stunning, really- and certainly on par with other artist's renditions, i.e. Luther Vandross, Dionne Warwick, and the Carpenters. (And that last one is really saying something as Karen Carpenter had one of the most warm and emotional voices of all time. Backed with Richard Carpenter's elegantly restrained arrangement, their version of the song set a new standard.)

Perhaps when his new album "Let's Get to What's Real" runs its course, Elliott will go into the studio and record some old school gems that show off his retro side. While you are doing that, Elliott, how about throwing in a remake of "Where Is the Love?" as well. I can only hope this will happen one day soon.

Kris Allen's Vision of Love

American Idol's nice guy Kris Allen seemed this close to pulling a disappearing act. His Live Like We're Dying remains a pretty popular cut on radio, but the album seemed to tank. Time passed.

Now, he's back. Vision of Love is the new single- and it has all the energy and focus of Kris' earlier hit. No, Mariah Carey need not worry. It's not her vision, but one unique to Kris. Hope his album sounds as good!

Elliott Gets Real

Let's Get to What's Real.

There's no doubt in my mind that this man can sing. None whatsoever. He can write. But I wasn't exactly rushing out to buy the American Idol's third studio disc. Gather 'round by Elliott Yamin should have been another hit. First, I'd have to pay import prices as no American based record label wanted it. Secondly, it would have to come from Japan, so I wasn't willing to wait, and the disc eventually fell off my radar. However, an Amazon gift card changed all that, and soon enough, the collection was on its way.

The opening number, Three Words, is effective but doesn't grab my ear the way Fight for Love or Wait for You did when I first heard those earlier releases. Not a good sign. Even though I am a big fan of the voice and love all the background vocals, it just seemed as if Elliott was trying too hard. The rest of the cuts on side one didn't do it for me either.

The disc's title opens the second half and is a pretty fun cut. Later, Self Control had great promise but ends much too quickly at just over two and a quarter minutes.

Just as I was about to call the disc a wash and relegate it to my storage bins, the slow jam 70's groove of Let's Get to What's Real popped into my head, winning me over with its old school elegance and catchy lyrical hook. Philly soul meets modern day R&B, an instantly likable, unexpected hit. Relaxed and comfortable in his own skin, Elliott belongs here- honoring the greats of the past by bringing in new songs with an older style.

The man who won the audience's over with his stellar rendition of Moody's Mood for Love should step back and reaccess where he's going musically. With his songwriting skills, terrific voice, and warm personality, Elliott Yamin should make his idols, Stevie Wonder and Donny Hathaway, quite proud. I'm up for one more try...

Download to Donate: Tsunami Relief

Many of us are heartbroken for the people of Japan after the earthquake and tsunami. Most of us cannot hop on a plane and help. But how about an easy way to make a difference in Japan? One of my favorite singers, Elliott Yamin, has included a song for a benefit collection from Donate to Download. You can go there now and pick up his song Self Control as well as more by other artists. Check it out.

Calling American Idol for Lee!

After fairly lackluster performances from some of my favorite recording artists-

Bee Gees, Michael McDonald, Christina Aguilera, Hall & Oates, Alanis Morissette, Carrie Underwood, Chicago, Janet Jackson and Joe Cocker, Lee DeWyze is crowned the 2010 Idol. 

I had a feeling it would be him back on February 27th. Congrats, Lee. Now, go make a great album!

Our 2010 American Idol

All I can say is, Keep it going, Lee! As the weeks go on, I am more convinced than ever that you are the next American Idol.
Admittedly, Crystal Bowersox has a great voice, but she's absolutely all grit, no warmth or charm. Lee DeWyze doesn't smile much either, yet he comes across as a nice guy, an all American type, a young Bruce Springsteen, a working man's man. Can I say it ever clearer? Here's the 2010 Idol coming your way!

New Season, New Idols

Missed the girls night- a guy's gotta have some family time- but I caught the guys tonight.

Having not seen the auditions, there were no preconceived ideas or biases on my end. Not a good night for most of them, however, there are a few standouts.

Love John Park's voice and the style he chooses to sing! But it's got to have a better showcase for it. God Bless the Child is a difficult song, so he just needs to find the right one to show it off. I'll have to give it some thought before I suggest one. (I had always said Adam Lambert should be doing Queen, months before he did!)
Regardless of Kara's cougarness, Casey James is ok. Hope he doesn't buy his publicity too soon. Yes, Simon, it was a good song choice.

Potentially the winner of the season is found in Lee DeWyze. Here's good and honest music by someone who seems to be a good guy. Possesses a man's voice- something sorely missing in much of music lately. Has an awe-shucks personality vaguely familiar of Season Five's super talented Elliott Yamin and last year's Kris Allen.
Since I missed the girls, guess I gotta YouTube it. Stay posted...
(Photo copyright American Idol.)

Gather 'Round for Elliott Yamin

Due today only in Japan, Elliott Yamin's third album of R&B hits the stores. I wondered how long it would be before he had to shop for a label stateside. His first album was a hit, but Fight for Love seemed to disappear before it really began. The third place winner of American Idol (Season Five) may have hit his plateau. His take on Moody's Mood for Love made viewers into voters by the millions, so maybe its time for a smooth jazz album full of classic Motown and 70s soul jams to put him back on the charts. Anyone ready to get his studio recording of A House is Not a Home? I am!

Lovin' It!

One of my favorite songs from one of my favorite artists- and it's now a single. Check out Elliott Yamin's great "Can't Keep On Loving You" from his newest album Fight for Love. Those folks who thought Elliott was a one hit wonder with "Wait for You" will be wonderfully surprised. This man can sing!

ipod shuffled

Like to shake it up a bit every now and then. And it was way overdue, but it finally took American Idol Season Eight to make me shuffle up my ipod. Not since the year of Elliott Yamin and Chris Daughtry has there been such talent!

So adding to the old standbys of Sting and Karen and Richard Carpenter are now Kris Allen and Danny Gokey, in particular. Why now Adam Lambert? Just not a fan of the glam rock thing. Should his disc have a few things as strong as Mad World, I might consider a change of plan.

Certainly, there are some oddities on my ipod shuffle to make the most die-hard of Disney geek blush. One Little Spark from the Imagination pavilion (Epcot), the on board soundtrack from the original version of Space Mountain (Paris), and various odds and ends from Disneyland, Epcot, California Adventure and TokyoDisneySea.

Naturally, it doesn't end there. Jeremy Camp, Chris Tomlin, and Amy Grant give me an inspirational shot, with Michael Buble and Frank Sinatra providing the swing. George Strait still rules and Keith Urban adds a few more songs to my collection.

Can't wait for the traditional onslaught of Fall releases! I am sure A Change is Gonna Come once again.

Revelation

Just listened to Fight for Love, the follow-up album to the debut disc by Elliott Yamin. We all knew the man from American Idol Season Five could sing, but whoa!

This is the work I've been waiting for. Quite the surprise! Elliott wraps his warm but manly voice around some pretty excellent tunes. The title song is really the first great one on the album, but it just keeps getting better. From You Say all the way through Someday, the artistry and heart felt delivery result in a disc that is stronger than the first one. No sophomore slump here! Production is crisp and styles are varied. But it is Elliott's voice that's the defining element, and it is used to wonderful effect on all the backgound vocals.

The biggest revelation? Elliott can write them as well as sing them. In fact, the best songs here come right from his pen.

Fight for Love

Anything good is worth fighting for- and waiting for. But now that wait is over. Head to your closest music department today and pick up a copy of this new disc from Elliott Yamin. This man can sing! It's Blue-eyed Soul at its best.

All American Boy

Nice piece on USA Today about Kris Allen, American Idol, and how he stacks up compared to the previous front runners, Danny Gokey and Adam Lambert (very well, thank you). Shades of Chris Daughtry and Elliott Yamin from Season Five. Go here.

American Idle

Middle of the night and much is on my mind. I can't get Danny Gokey and his strong version of Michael Jackson's PYT (Pretty Young Thing) out of my head. Is this Season Eight's new American Idol? Could be- yet, I've been wrong before. In the past, I would have put money on Chris Daughtry or even dark horse favorite Elliott Yamin to take the crown in Season Five. Yet, this guys seems to have the goods.

What else at 4am? Why do I even really care about construction at California Adventure, the cartooning of Walt Disney World, the economic plans of President Obama, and I'm ashamed to say, the pending cheap remake of our tired kitchen with worn paint, chipped countertop and leaky faucet? Good questions.

Let me guess. Boredom, too much television and forgetting about what is really important. Faithfulness, kindness, mercy, and caring for the needs of others. How easily I forget the bigger things! Oh God, hear my prayer and keep me heart atuned to you. It is so easy to be led astray by things deemed important in our brains by what we see and take in versus the things we know if we stop and focus on what is important to you. Glad it's Sunday morning and a time for spending an hour or two focused on you. Thank you, Lord Jesus, Creator of the Universe, for putting up with me!

Idol Starts to Warm Up

Let's just say that Season Eight of American Idol looks, well, interesting. Early standouts include Danny Gokey and Alexis Grace, although I'm sure the next couple of weeks will bring some surprises. Of course, once the Top Twelve hits, things really get fun- lots of stretching due to the competitors being forced to sing genres they don't feel comfortable in or songs they don't really like. The stress alone will cause some to break or just show off their bad side. Of course, if you've hung out here long enough, you know I am a big fan of Elliott Yamin and Chris Daughtry from Season Five. Not only could these guys sing, they remained good guys with tender hearts; their pride and ego in check all the way through. One of the true measures of a man is humility and grace.

High Hopes for Music in 2009

OK, Sting, you and the rest of the Police made your millions and proved you could still really rock the world. Time for you to step back into the pop world again as a soloist. You've had your fun, now let's get going. (Please...)

What else do I hope for? How about a Whitney Houston album as strong as My Love is Your Love? Can't wait to find out if she still has it. Her last two- including a very ordinary Christmas album- have been mediocre at best. Hope her private life has calmed down enough so she can focus- and stay sober.

Calling Mr. Yamin, Mr. Elliott Yamin. Time for some blue-eyed soul again. I hear this one's to have a bit more of a pop flair. How about a remake or two to give us some old school? House is Not a Home? Some Stevie Wonder cover? A great duet with someone more worthy than that Katharine girl? Anxiously awaiting another outing.

Of course, I'd love something to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Karen and Richard Carpenter's first disc, but who am I kidding?
More to add to my list: Norah Jones, Daughtry, Queen Latifah, Michael Buble, Gloria Estefan, Paul McCartney, etc.

I'd even settle for some great new artists- if they could make me stand up and take notice. Requirement number 1: Must be able to sing it live, no studio tricks. Requirement number 2: Gotta be able to understand the lyrics.
High Hopes, yes, High Hopes.

One Busy Guy

According to our friends over at E-Train Station, Mr. Elliott Yamin has alot on his plate these days. In Japan, his album is finally out and doing great-the disc includes a new song Home, (not the Michael Buble' megahit). His souped up Christmas album My Kind of Holiday will soon be easy to find. Last and certainly not least, the man's cutting a new album due for Spring 2009 release. Of course his fans have wish list favories, and I am not an exception. My choice? A studio version of "A House is Not a Home", the old Burt Bacharach/Luther Vandross classic.

Move Over, Elton John

Wanna hear the definitive version of "Can You Feel the Love Tonight?" Well, have a listen to the amazing version by Elliott Yamin. Yes, Elton gets props for writing a good song, but Elliott elevates this to a new level. Epic.