WOW!

It doesn’t surprise me at all that David would do this, but it impresses me all the same. Thanks for posting the video, Rascal.

This is what his true artistry is all about. His voice is soaring and his angel wings are wide open. How could you not be touched in your soul by his performance? I am in just amazement once again by his absolutly beautiful voice and feeling he puts in every performance. He radiates with light all around him. David has changed my life and so many others. It’s just so exciting to see all of this happen in front of us!

Thank you Rascal! I love this site! I hope you keep it up! David just keeps getting better and better! What a gift he is…

I just read an article about pleasurable things that trigger a rush of endorphins (running, chocolate, laughing) — they seriously have to add David Archuleta to that list! kccy and rascal, thanks for this clip (and the tears warning), and charuu, “it’s like witnessing all your pain vanish away in utter beauty” — so true.

We’ve always known that David likes to sing with a purpose. What better purpose than to be singing directly to children and families who are in pain and in desperate situations. (Remember him singing to the 9/11 firefighters as a young boy?) And when he does, his gift and genius shine. How many times have we heard Angels? And how many times has he done 6it the same way? And his best comes when no one is looking? (No media cameras anyway)

I think I will live the rest of my life trying to be as ‘in the moment’ as David is on a daily, hourly, minute by minute basis.

Right on the money as usual, Rascal. Can David’s light shine any more brightly? You can just really feel David’s heart when he sings during this performance. Even when I don’t think it’s possible, he continues to amaze and inspire.

Yes, indeed Rascal. Since then David has that WOW! factor. The reason why he is with us now. ‘-)

scriptype #13, to watch and to observe his artistry at work in the studio and by himself is my dream! Especially if he’s at the piano -- I love the instrument. He does all the musical change-up effortlessly. He’s just so in tune and in touch with the music and lyrics. The combination of his pure & magical voice, his musical sensitivity and beautiful soul that he is can only be DYNAMIC in every sense -- blows your mind to pieces. He is the Musical Brilliance missing in today’s music business.

I watched a video of his second rehearsal of “Think of Me” at Rockefeller Center. It illustrates his professionalism. Midway through, he lifts his right arm and points up, laughing to the audience and indicating to them that he will take those notes up in the final performance. Such a pro! He knows to save his voice for the final. A professional never belts it all out in rehearsal. It sounded fabulous, of course!

Can’t wait to hear “Think of Me” on the radio.

Yes, I’m frustated too but there’re always nice people who really know what we feel. I searched through some forums and here’s the link for the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcroxxhe_9w

ttp://www.sendspace.com/file/g2ydc9 (FLV format)

I’ve got them from one of David’s thread
(http://idolforums.com/index.php?showtopic=562170).

Thanks to bieusinh92 and clay_fan4evr from idolforums.com

And Rascal… I can’t thank enough for you sharing thoughts with us

The video has been updated with the new upload.

There’s a video in Rickey.org with David rehearsal-singing “Think of Me” before his performance in Rockefella Center, and his voice there was really, really amazing too. He’s somehow managed to sound even better than he did on the show, and it was taken by home-video! He did improvs on his runs on the spot and each time he sounded terrific. He SO knows what he’s doing (but no surprises there).

http://www.rickey.org/?p=8040

bigsky (comment #25)-- WOW, what’s up indeed!!!?? That is very disturbing. I can only hope it’s because a contract has perhaps actually been signed? I haven’t found any confirmation about the Jive Records deal that was floated as a possibility in various places online. Anybody know if that’s real or not? I can only hope there might be an official site up soon, with downloads from there? That is very weird though, why would ANY songs be removed from iTunes--but especially David’s? OMG

I was also surprised last night when I checked itunes that David’s songs and videos are gone. I do not know what the politics inside itunes, but I am lucky enough I bought all the videos and albums since Shop Around to the finale. I am not bothered anyway, for David’s time will come to soar. Watch our little giant! Just brace all yourself Angels, for we are here for a long journey to enjoy the real CHAMPION! Keep David and all his supporters in your prayers, the best gift for David.

Inspired by David -- right. They turned on him because they thought that somehow DC as idol would be better for ratings and the bottom line. Another post here said they want a rocker as idol because they think AI will gain credibility. = ratings = the bottom line.

At this point I believe the “knock-out” praising was calculated for a Cook fan back-lash vote as most also believe. Right now I’m willing to believe anything about the whole stinking mess.

Ultimately it’s been David’s exposure vehicle. Nothing can stop him now. Even with further manipulation seeming to play out in front of us wiith the removal of David’s itunes it won’t matter in the end. They intend to make a profit off David’s back. While their ideas of how to achieve that may be different than Team Archuleta’s they will reach a compromise. In the end David gets his career and David gets to sing. Hopefully TPTB willhave thegood sense to let him record some powerful tunes that will resonate with fans and move his career forward.

One bright day in the future, (still not clear on when) David will be free of their clutches. Maybe he’d even stay with them but it would be in the capacity of a superstar renegotiating his contract on his own terms.

One issue with the itunes thing: David is supposed to get a percentage of the take. They shouldkeep their grubby paws off his money that he’s earned. It won’t serve them well when it comes time to renegotiate that contract. Do they think David won’t remember this?

To ‘Inspired by David’: I too have thought about everything you said, reviewing over and over in my head all the plots and schemes the AI production used to ‘cook up’ the win they wanted. But last night as I was falling to sleep, something wonderful occurred to me. I realized what a strong contestant David Archuleta was. The only thing that finally knocked him out was the AI decision, just 11 days before the final Top 2 performance, to ban his father from the studio. If AI had cared about fairness, they would have left things as they had been all during the competition, but they chose to make a decision that would hurt Archuleta. The negative story came too late in the game for Archuleta to recover. But he had recovered from all the other attacks, both on the show and in the media. David Archuleta was extremely formidable, and without such interference, would hold the title today.

AI has shot itself in the foot. Even though they got the result they wanted, they have lost much more: honor, credibility, likability, trust. These are things they won’t get back easily, if at all.

On the other hand, Archuleta walked away a true hero! With all his credibility in place and a world of dedicated fans.

Sorry for the negative vibe for ayone who read my last one. It’s just that all these revelations regarding AI/19 and their continued messing around, really spoil the party. It’s ironic that while David sings at the hospital, it seems that someone is trying to pick his pocket.

It’s also ironic that while it’s AI/19 that got David & DC to all the memorable events in New York, the company’s involvement is like a dark cloud hanging over all the good times. And though I realize that it’s a promo/publicity stint, the uglier aspects of what’s gone on really drag the whole thing down. (for me anyway)

Once again, I can’t help but admire David’s strength in the face of all this. I know I’ve said it before but I now hope Jeff Archuleta’s a bit of a hard-ass. I think David needs that kind of guy on his side with these sharks.

I read that Archie voters were having their votes redirected to Cook. They would dial his #, hear the voice say thanks for voting for #2. Then they would hit redial, so it is the same #, and the voice said thanks for voting for #1! Over and over again! There were several forums chatting about this, and it seemed to happen to a lot of people. I don’t know what to think. Nothing would suprise me, though.

I realize that my main disappointment w/David not winning the title, is just feeling bad for him! I know that ultimately it doesn’t matter. He got everything from AI that he needs! He got the Hybrid, experience, exposure and w/out a doubt will get a recording contract. He doesn’t seem sad at all, and here I was, crying my eyes out, even though I thought Cook would win!! I am 46, and it really shook me up. Kind of disturbing….but hey, what can I say? I have fallen completely for the kid!!

All the behind the scenes tampering w/results, song choices, contestants emotions…the whole sordid mess…What can any of us do about it? My protective instincts make my heart ache for David. How much is he really aware of? Would he care about any of it anyway? He just seems to be so grateful for the opportunity. He seems to have taken the good w/the bad, kept a positive attitude, and ended up on top in spite of everything. WOW. Maybe I could learn a thing or 2 from him, and just keep focusing on everything positive that has happened for him this year! What an incredible experience he is having! The business he is getting into will be filled w/many others like the AI folks, and he will always be dealing w/opposition, dishonesty and a cruel press. In that light, the whole thing is a good experience. What would he say? Something like ‘If it happens, it means I am supposed to learn from it.’ Maybe we can all learn from it too.

I am going to ficus on all the good things from now on. There is so much to look forward to for David! What an incredible and exciting time for him!! GO DAVID!!!! We are with you all the way!!

I agree with all of you that David is the bright light in all of this. He was from beginning to end. He has a unique gift for taking the good and leaving the bad on the table. It was only because of him that I even watched the show. Seeing him so graceful, kind, thoughtful, and happy has lifted my spirits immensely.

However, I still have trouble with the show. It took a lot out of me. I have never been interested in AI and I didn’t expect to get involved this year. It isn’t AI that I care about — it’s the way it reflects so poorly on American culture, media, and people. All of that depressed me deeply. And it’s a struggle pulling myself out of it.

Then I look at David and listen to his clear voice, and I know what a true human being can be like. And my heart beats again. There is hope.

All of you are right. The only way forward is to focus on David and not give any more energy to that silly TV show.

As for Cook’s popularity, sure, it’s a statement of the level of consciousness that this culture has attained (or not attained, as the case may be!) Disappointing, perhaps, but it’s just human evolution--isn’t there always a wide spectrum of levels of awareness in any culture? DA will lift some of them up, and those he doesn’t…? Well, maybe next week. Maybe next lifetime!

Anyway, I’ll just count my blessings that I’m amongst those who can see those beauuuuuuuuu-ti-ful wings! DA has been--and continues to be--SUCH an inspiration! Even though “Elvis has left the building”, for the moment, his spirit has entered my life right down to a cellular level. I’m writing again, and painting like I don’t know who’s holding the brush anymore. GAH! I love that kid!!!!!

Archie handled himself so well this week. A highlight for me was the sweet look on his face as he sang the last phrase of “Think of Me” to a fan at the Today show. He’s such a giver.

I am another who will avoid watching Idol at all costs. The manipulation was terrible. If there’s an upside to all of this, we Arch fans should feel proud that we didn’t bow to the persuasion.

I too have read many disparate posts by people whose votes were occasionally bumped over to Cook on line #1--enough to make a difference. I never listened past “thank” so who knows what happened to me.

I’ve been ticked all season at the manipulation that I’ve seen on AI. Giving a 17-year-old kid one OLD ballad after another, then not allowing the musical genius to give the songs a current vibe like he wanted to on Longer and Think of Me was pure deviousness. (They let him change TOM but not to the extent he wanted.) Meanwhile Cook is given contemporary songs like the U2 song they first gave to David then switched to Cook, and DC gets lots of current songs to sing. That allows AI to cast David as a one trick pony when he’s anything but. The bad press about his dad that they let run when they knew it to be false. I think Simon, et al, decided David couldn’t handle the spokesman side of the job. All these things convince me they decided at one point that Cook would be more marketable and would boost the show coz he’s a rocker. It irks me because I would have loved to see a fair fight and am convinced David would win that one.

Regardless of their machinations, David will ultimately outshine Cook, in my opinion. Actually, I think Rascal was right. Second is the best possible outcome for David in the situation he faced. He handled the loss with such grace and aplomb that any typical nastiness from Cook fans casts them in a horrible, revealing light. Those who think they don’t care for David’s music can’t help but admire his generousity of spirit. Forces many previously closed minds to give DJ a second look. He’s definitely won Cook’s heart which makes the silver much more palatable. From what I’ve seen, Cook doesn’t try to upstage him (like when they sang Hero he really cut back a bit to let David’s pure voice be heard over the yelling), really showcases DJ a fair bit. I think he knows who deserves the crown and who doesn’t.

David’s genuine admiration and props to DC seems to have evoked a positive backlash. I’ve seen on a number of shows where Cook lauds David. For example, on Leno Cook said that David was such a humble and IMMENSELY TALENTED guy that it was an honor to share the stage with him. On MTV’S TRL he threw his arms around David in a funny, adoring way. Makes him much more palatable to me. Plus, if David thinks Cook is that talented, makes me want to take a second look though no one will ever take DJ’s place in my heart. But maybe Cook will be a Joe Cocker type and do alright.

The one thing that makes me smile about the machinations of AI that robbed David of his deserved title is that someday in the not so distant future, they will realize that they cheated themselves out of signing an Elvis/Sinatra/Billy Joel phenomenon. When that becomes clearly evident (a Best New Artist award next year, Grammies when they come, sales up the wazoo, or something such) and especially when and if Simon finally admits his error in backing Cook over David--I will be dancing in the aisles!!

If it doesn’t, big whoop. I will still always treasure the joy and inspiration that David has brought me through his music and sweet, strong and uplifting example. How he’s managed these things at age 17 is humbling to me as a woman in my 50s. Love him and admire him greatly.

Oh that’s well said! Thanks, kccy immediately above--I hadn’t run across that statement. A.I. couldn’t tolerate the high vibratory rate from which DA radiates. Authenticity? Truth? Compassion? Vulnerability? Oh no--all too uncomfortable for beings and institutions operating at coarser frequencies. It’s great that they got a big dose of this medicine, though! I’m guessing the effects will continue to resonate within the collective A.I. consciousness. Sorry to get all metaphysical on y’all, that’s the way I see it.

I think that Cook is very aware of the magnitude of David’s talent. After all, he is very smart; he took classes in musical theater; and he is truly an artist himself. I also believe that he truly thought David would win… I might even go so far as to speculate that he believes that David should have won. I also think that David was not blind to all the manipulations that were going on… he is not stupid, and he did relay some of his concerns to his vocal coach. When he appeared calmer than usual on the last results day, I knew that the rumors of the Cook “fix” were probably true. Additionally, David has mentioned on most interviews that he KNEW Cook was going to win. He always counters it with the fact that he has admired Cook all season (which he probably has) and how Cook deserved it, etc. But I still wonder if he was aware that AI wanted Cook to win and had resigned himself to that outcome.

Despite all that, at the end of the day David is a thankful and magnanimous person and he was truly happy with the end result. As he has said himself, “everything happens for a reason”. I don’t know whether Cook is also aware of the powers behind his win, but one might be a bit suspicious with the way he has been so supportive and defensive of David. I do believe that Cook truly likes and cares for David (not to mention sincerely admires him as an artist) regardless of the powers behind AI. And frankly, even if the outcome was fully manipulated, Cook was himself a puppet to it all. He will have his own issues to bear as a result… the little insecurities that come with knowing the truth despite the image or outcome. Cook is a good person and is not the one that should shoulder any blame from fans or anyone else.

AI supposedly wanted a rocker to win to bring credibility to the show. How ironic. Because so many musical artists have openly supported and recognized David’s gift and have expressed their admiration for him as the musical genius that he is. So AI might have gained credibility in the rocker arena or in the eyes of the less musically knowledgeable (but perhaps the musically downloadable), but did they gain or lose credibility in the eyes of the real musical artists in the industry? And more importantaly, did they lose credibility in the eyes of their viewers?

I’ve enjoyed watching and listening to David lately as he bounced off people in interviews. I think he instinctively knows what’s what with the people he encounters. There were many moments this week when he seemed to see right through the person talking to him .

David is still very young, but he has more spiritual maturity, I think, than many of the people he will have to deal with in show business. No doubt he has already come to know just how true that is.

His spirit is beautiful. His voice is beautiful. His presence is like balm.

Hey Oriscus8, I couldnt agree more….example: EW interview. I’m not sure if anyone posted the Star94 radio interview, so just in case someone missed it.

In this interview, David is really a kind soul in the way he responded to Constantine’s remark and hmm..a bit of some insider information on the Stand By Me lyric change fiasco (that was the week when TMZ broke the story about Jeff being banned; so this part really got me mad at AI because it wasnt even Jeff’s suggestion to add the line.)

http://www.star94.com/dynamic/audio/David%20Archuletta.mp3

In the second interview, tha part I wanted to highlight is when he replied to a question, “Cook knows who HE is as an artist. Do you NOT know who you are as an artist quite yet?” As always I love his answers. The part about Natasha Bedingfield was so much fun.

http://www.kiddlive.com/mp3Player/index.html

By the way, 7 recording offers were in the talks?? Who could ask for more!!!

Oh, I know you all have been giving some David Cook some props, mainly for his treatment of David. I think so, too. But sorry to say that he doesnt interest me as an artist or singer, just no connection there.

Another similar vid. This was at a youth camp for troubled teens.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_ZimguGSrA