What a day to be alive. First, I got to see My Boy Steph Curry drop a 50-piece in a Game 7 NBA playoff game. And then My Boy Adam Lambert is a guest mentor and performer[1] on Idol. As to Sunday’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame celebration, for a group of Idolists that... Continue Reading →
This past weekend was the 20th anniversary of the first American Idol’s first album. A lot has changed about Idol and the business the Idolists are seeking to have an impact in, but the dream of pop stardom remains the same. Having seen all 26 of the remaining Idolists, some are starting to breakaway from... Continue Reading →
In my earlier review of High Drama, I said that what makes this album so compelling is Adam’s ability to interpret and interpolate songs in ways that fundamentally reshape them into new creations. So let’s look at each track and how I think he accomplishes that. Holding Out for a Hero. Adam reconstructs Bonnie Tyler’s... Continue Reading →
“If ever there was a sonic surgeon you'd want holding a scalpel to your favourite song, it would be Adam Lambert: he knows where to cut to let his seductive style seep deep.”[1] This is the album I always wanted Adam to make. What made Adam Lambert the most singular and arguably most memorable Idolist... Continue Reading →
So let’s talk about Idol auditions. In the past, I’ve alternated between saying a lot about the audition rounds and saying only a little. Right now I’m leaning towards saying only a little this season because we don’t learn very much about the Idolists from their auditions. We certainly learn much less than the judges... Continue Reading →
It is once again time for my annual ode to self-importance – listing my favorite music of the past year. It was another year of being pleasantly surprised by how often I listen to albums – even though I think they are too long these days (see my old man rant here) – in this era... Continue Reading →
The Missing Mean Judge came ready for Idol Sunday night. On returning home from receiving my second COVID booster, I found the local public radio station playing some Barbra Streisand. Streisand - with her supremely exquisite tone. Streisand - with pitch so perfect, it’s as if she invented the musical scale. Streisand - delivering lyrics... Continue Reading →
Ray's Musings 