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American Idol Finals David vs David
By Per Bristow | May 21, 2008
The grand finale. of American Idol David vs. David as was expected. Watch the videos and read my comments. What can we learn from watching?
David Cook - I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For
For months I’ve been bugging him to step away from the mic stand and really communicate – really own the stage, and finally, that is exactly what he did.Yes! That was the best performance from him in my mind. Now he took on the role of the world class, big stage star that he is there to be. He completely owned the place. Bravo.
David Archuleta - Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me
Did you also feel the energy within you when he stepped up and approached the crowd? What a smart choice to start sitting. That was not sitting because of hiding, like I’ve commented other contestant have done before (when they hide behind the mic stand or instruments throughout the whole song). This was an artistic choice – a brilliant choice – that got us curios and pulled us in and then socked us with an emotional build that was phenomenal.
David Cook – Dream Big
This was his opportunity to rock the place and be a mega star. When standing there strumming the guitar it’s impossible for him to do it. He can’t do anything other than rely on his voice, which obviously is great. If he had gotten us all on our feet, it could have been the most memorable moment of this competition. Now it was only okay.
David Archuleta – In This Moment
Another great performance from David. It’s moving because he is moved. Great energy and true authentic expression.
David Cook - World I Know
I don’t know what he’s thinking playing the guitar in two songs. Just like a song needs to build, a performance needs to build. Here his three song set went downwards after that terrific opening song. He sang this one beautifully and it could be a great recording, but energetically on a big stage it wasn’t the cooking experience he has within him.
David Archuleta. – Imagine
From the first line he had me. Savoring every note, every word, every phrase, every intent of the meaning of the words – and communicating this to us. It doesn’t matter if it’s a ballad or an up-tempo song, it is still is about building the intensity of a song as well as the intensity of a performance. David did just that. Hats off to David Archuleta.
Having said all this it is very possible that David Cook has a bigger fan base. His strength as an artist will be the very fact that he plays the guitar , is a great musician and has great dynamics to his voice. I hope David Archuleta continues developing his voice so it gets stronger and that he also develops a healthier speaking voice so he can continue using his artistic brilliance with even greater dynamics.
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Topics: American Idol, singing, Performance |
May 21st, 2008 at 10:31 pm
Are you kidding? David Cook playing the guitar just proves he’s a real artist and musician. And that’s why he won.
May 21st, 2008 at 11:50 pm
I think the right guy won! However - David Cook will have a brilliant career wether he’d win or loose. Archie may have a tougher time not having won. How can I get your DVD Per?
May 22nd, 2008 at 12:09 am
I don’t really see why it matters who won.They both will end up with record contracts.Ithink cook could of been great but i never saw him sing the right song.he always seemed to be lacking.
May 22nd, 2008 at 12:21 am
I understand what you’re saying about the guitar, but I think that Cook is the one with a serious future ahead of him. Archuleta will get the teen crowd, for a while, and then he’ll vanish.
May 22nd, 2008 at 7:55 am
I am so glad that David Cook won. I have loved him from the beginning. He is going to go very far in with this! Archuleta reminds me of a “teeny-bopper” and Cook is going to be so much more.
May 22nd, 2008 at 8:45 am
I agree with those comments about David Cook and the guitar, I think it weaken his performances. I think they were both good, but glad to see Cook win. He was my favorite from the beginning. I always root for the rockers.
May 22nd, 2008 at 8:58 am
I completely disagree about David Cook and the guitar. He is an actual musician, as opposed to just a singer. I also think his song choices were very smart - he sees how successful Chris Daughtry has been, and is making similar choices. I think that he also knew that if he lost, it wouldn’t necessarily be a bad thing…it made him loosen up and have more fun with the performances (which, of course, made him win)
May 22nd, 2008 at 9:13 am
I was glad that David Cook won. Not only was he the superior talent but I really feel he will be able to make a career out of this instead of fade away like most of the other winners
May 22nd, 2008 at 9:34 am
I think both guys are quite spectacular in their own way. Cook though has an edge that Archuleta is lacking (still - he is young).
I am still unclear of what style Archuleta is doing. Cook’s album I will get for sure - guitar or not! He can do both live and studio recordings. I see that as the problem for a lot of these performers. They may be getting more comfortable performing live, but are they good enough to just listen to?
It will be interesting to see how many in the Top 12 we’ll remember next year this time - anyone remember last years’ I can barely recall the final two?
There will always be a few standouts - this year my bet is on Cook and Castro (possibly Michael Johns). Syesha we’ll see on Broadway!
May 22nd, 2008 at 10:54 am
I disagree about the second performances from each David–I’ve never liked the coronation songs, I think they tend to be incredibly weak lyrically and musically.
So the fact that Cook made his song choice something that actually stuck in my head was huge for me–Archuleta’s song was a whole lot of empty, and while he performed technically well, I would change the station if I heard it on the radio. Not so with Cook’s song, which he made his own.
May 23rd, 2008 at 10:34 am
I actually loved the second performance by David Cook, but not really the one by Archuletta. Cook’s was upbeat and kinda catchy. Honestly, I also would have changed the station if I heard Archuletta’s 2nd song (The Ryan Gilmore one). It was boring to me. Both David’s were fabulous. Someone had to win. Tough to pick, however David Cook is an excellent choice.
May 23rd, 2008 at 2:59 pm
I was sooooo happy that David Cook won!!! He is sooooo adorable! Although, Archuletta was talented, Cook just rock the stage as always!!!!
May 23rd, 2008 at 8:06 pm
Rock on! Nice blog.
May 24th, 2008 at 3:36 am
well, i seem to recall that one rationale for preferring cook over the younger david is that he is probably more immediately marketable than the teenager with an intrusive and overcontrolling parent. also he can make his own decisions, which until he is 18, the younger cannot. however all that side, i actually like cook’s performances a great deal better and feel that he is more versatile than the younger singer, who once he grows out of puppydog eyes, will have to redefine himself seriously!
May 24th, 2008 at 8:26 pm
I’m glad that David C. won. He seems to have more marketability than David A.
May 24th, 2008 at 10:27 pm
Did you see the clips from the Eurovision SOng Contest?
Here is the winner:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=oS2fQ_9M1B4
And here is for you Per, the Swedish entry:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=YaUNVZ6V4Rc
May 25th, 2008 at 9:30 am
Thanks for sharing these clips. I had given up on watching American Idol because of all the extra stuff which detracts from the performances. I just wanted to hear these wonderful singers. Both Davids really performed as the Idols they are. Only one can win the prize but they are bother winners in my mind.
June 17th, 2008 at 3:56 am
Cook will be marketable… coz he sounds like any other rocker in the market. No use comparing a 25-year old bartender with a band with a 17-year old student church singer. If we level the ground on their age alone…I believe the outcome would be very different.
June 17th, 2008 at 11:06 am
Archuleta once again proved that he has the vocal talent, musical interpretation and his emotional connection with his audience. Something that Cook does not seem to have - esp on finale night.
June 17th, 2008 at 11:08 am
Either cook was tire, didn’t really want to win or didn’t have anymore originality to pull out. Finale showed his weaknesses in performancing.
June 17th, 2008 at 11:09 am
Cook was good. Archuleta was superb.