A Voice in the Musical Wilderness
A Balm For Our Souls
Arch Angels are notorious for using hyperbole whenever we’re enraptured by David’s Voice. There’s even a running joke – “David is the second coming of Jesus.”
Child, please. Let me dial it up a notch: With David on Planet Earth, who needs the second coming of Jesus?
That’s right, I said it (church-going rebel that I am). And no, David “chrianyday” sweetie, don’t take it personally. Keep staying grounded as you read Job 38 (“Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundations … while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?”). See, David is here representing, and in his Voice I hear those morning stars and angels rejoicing at the earth’s foundations.
“The kingdom of heaven is inside you and all around you” (The Gospel According to Thomas).
See, I could forget how toxic and near-the-brink-of-destruction our world is when David sings. When David sings, I could forget the circling of the wagon that descended on Washington on September 12. When David sings, I cannot hear the hate-filled messages seeping through the cracks of our information overload society, nor the corporate-controlled noise pollution passing itself off as current pop music. Amidst the din of this social and cultural breakdown is the Voice crying out in that distant wilderness:
Cuando no estas junto a mi -iii-iiii.
And there in that extended note, my heart melts, and my soul opens. It’s those little “Soul David” licks that spice up a song. A Latina in the fanbase helps a sistah out with the translation: “When you’re not by my side [the world seems different].” And when David is not by our sides, the world is different. It’s just noise that our tone-deaf ears have become accustomed to with our corporate-sponsored hearing aids. But one graceful note, one seductive vocal run, takes us back to the origin of music – the invocation of spirit, the deep-down rumbling where body meets soul in ecstasy, the transcendence from our material world onto another plane. Amazing grace, how sweet the sound… We were once deaf, but now we hear it loud and clear.
Es que te has convertido / En parte de mi alma (You have become part of my heart)
The first whoop and holler rises up from the Spanish-speaking audience, as my hand raises to testify to its meaning before I understood the words. Sing it, David!
And not once, not twice, but three separate times, the audience erupts into spontaneous applause before he even finishes the song. In a week filled with political and musical controversy, hate, rudeness, and disrespect – a week that was designed to celebrate the best in music – David reminded us what music does best. It closes the distance, it fills us up with exultation and longing. It reverberates in its acoustic rendering of love, peace, and soul. A voice in the musical wilderness providing the balm to the heart and a prophecy for all our lost souls.
But the words of the prophets are not written on subway walls. As novelist Toni Morrison once wrote, “In the beginning, there were no words. There was only sound.” And David sounds the trumpet:
Amada mia estoy, oh / Contigo
No translation needed.
Special thanks to Juan M. for the use of his artwork!
ABOUT THIS AUTHOR
Hello Gorgeous, This is perfection. emily
GOSH HG, just GOSH. I love that we all feel the same way. Intersting that Rascal used a syringe on the last thread cuz I posted on FOD that I wanted the beginning sound before the C in the last Contigo IN MY VEINS. See how we all feel the same way?
Can someone with a singing/musical background answer this for me? I have noticed that when David is singing a long note, his tongue forms a cup (Thanks OJS!) and it doesn’t really move all that much but in observing other singers sing, their tongues are just wiggling all over the place and not forming a shape while holding long notes. Ever since Idol I have been checking for this in other vids I watch. Is this a technique, something learned? Is David singing ‘properly’ while the others are not? Thanks.
FG -- I don’t know the technical term for it but I have also noticed that. I used to take singing lessons and I know I was taught that there is a certain “positioning” of the tongue. The front of the tongue should rest behind your teeth and the back part of the palate should go down -- hard to explain…but I do notice David does that.
I raise my hand and testify to you, HG. Beautiful article.
FunnyGirl — Yes, that tongue position is indeed more correct in terms of so-called classical vocal production, but it’s hard to know whether that was learned or natural. Vibrato can be developed, too, but it also can happen naturally. We’d have to ask Dean to know for sure, but my sense from him has always been that David came in nearly “fully formed,” and Dean merely (not to diminish in any way his expertise) sought to guide David away from bad habits and toward techniques that would offer him greater flexibility and stamina.
Just wanted to say thanks Hellogorgeous for a beautiful article! I know if David is not by my side (meaning if I don’t get a chance to listen to him sing at least once for the day) than my day is totally different!! That said, must watch “Contigo” to start my day!!!!
HelloGorgeous, I broke out in spontaneous nods and mental “Amens” several times before I came to the end of this article. Wonderful writing. Beautiful truths.
HG -- Beautiful post! David does indeed provide an ‘escape’ from the day to day harshness of the world when we take the time to really listen to him sing. I cannot just have David’s music on, I must take the time to listen fully with all my senses. Makes for dangerous driving.
“And there in that extended note, my heart melts, and my soul opens.” Might I add to this -- ‘whereby he fills it with happiness and peace.’ He takes the tension right out of me.
Each time I listen to CELD I am more and more inpressed at how the guitarist truly added to this almost acapella performance. In a number of places David’s voice actually leads the guitar, a most beautiful combination. I wonder who came up with the arrangement and how much time they had to practice. Simply stunning. Quite something to see the guitarist smile a couple of times at the end, as if to say ‘a job WELL done’.
HG, beautiful post!! Would love to hear you speak it aloud … from the pulpit, even. Bet you’d rock the house!
Esp. this: “In a week filled with political and musical controversy, hate, rudeness, and disrespect – a week that was designed to celebrate the best in music – David reminded us what music does best. It closes the distance, it fills us up with exultation and longing. It reverberates in its acoustic rendering of love, peace, and soul. A voice in the musical wilderness providing the balm to the heat and a prophecy for all our lost souls.”
Amen to that!!
Good morning everyone, and thanks for your beautiful comments in response to my post. The words just flowed while I was still on my Contigo en la Distancia high.
Consider it a “Sunday Sermon” of sorts since I was busy writing this when I decided to stay home from church.
Keeping the Sabbath at Home with David by your side makes for a beautiful Sunday spent, what can I say.
Beautifully written HG. Your post and Rascal’s latest masterpiece have inspired a wondrous torrent of emotion, joy and celebration from everyone here at TDC. I am at a loss to add anything more other than to say ‘thank you’ to all. It’s been a magnificent past few days in Archuworld!
I’ve read all the words from HG and Rascal…your writings are like serious music to my already happily, highly thankful David music enduced ears! (Did I even say that right? Who knows? Who cares?)
It’s been a lovely time here at TDC this week. Informative..Thanks. Heartwarming..Thanks.
LOVIN’ this ride!
Oh, HG:
Child, please. Let me dial it up a notch: With David on Planet Earth, who needs the second coming of Jesus?
I’m rushing as usual this morning so I can’t stay long enough to fully appreciate what is clearly a great article, but I just wanted to add my “Amen” to the chorus and bow down before your sass.
Awesome line!!
TOfan, are those David’s dress shoes from the ALMA Awards in your avatar? Yummy, weren’t they?
Your opening picture, such a warm, delightful contrast to the sharpness of the hypodermic needle…but the hypodermic needle makes the point!
Thank you HG your writing about David is kind and genle spirited, taking the reader to places that they want to go…
SB
Sheesh HG! No wonder people get freaked out about posting at TDC, especially when someone drops a beautiful bomb like this one!
I really like this…
A voice in the musical wilderness providing the balm to the heat and a prophecy for all our lost souls.
When talking to friends and family I have smilingly referred to David’s music as “my happy place”. I’ve actually had people look at me in wonderment and say that they wish they had something in their lives that would bring them the kind of joy they see on my face when I’m talking about David and his music.
It’s too bad that not everyone hears what we hear…“loud and clear”.
HG: Wow, this is a beautiful post. Every day we get another perspective on this gorgeous performance by David. In the posts and in the comments.
Quick question -- what does the word “chrianyday” mean in this sentence?
“And no, David “chrianyday” sweetie, don’t take it personally.”
HG what a beautiful article! Thank you so much for sharing this.
the excerpt that hit me most was one that contains only four words:
“and my soul opens”
that’s it in a little 4-word nutshell for this woman!!
FG : regarding David’s tongue and mouth position while hitting glory notes, I remember that Masterclass Lady had all the technical know-how/terms for that when she critiqued his AI performances. I believe it was D.’s AI Finale songs that she spoke of. I remember being very intrigued by what she had to say; and she did say David’s techniques were all absolutely correct. She also said that the way he was sitting at the beginning of DLTSGDOM on the steps with one foot in front of the other was good. Very interesting read, esp. for a non-musical expert such as myself.
You should go to her website MasterclassLady.com and check the archives. I am sure they are still there somewhere!
I know there are many experts here at TDC also!! Wish I was one of them! I know very little about music except that I love David’s voice and I cannot stand gritty voices like ____’s.
Have a great day everyone!!
“And no, David “chrianyday” sweetie, don’t take it personally.”
That’s a reference to David’s personal You Tube account. When some of us first encountered it, there was an ongoing debate to decipher what David meant by that screen name. Some of us assumed it meant “Christ Any Day.” It could mean anything, actually, but knowing how seriously (and I imagine literally) David might take his faith, I was basically speaking to David in the second person, as if to say: David, please don’t get offended b/c your music makes me forget about any hereafter or future apocalyptic visions and instead helps me focus on what’s important (the here and now).
Not trying to get into his personal convictions; as I said, the words poured out. I was in “my happy place,” as Joner says.
Anyway, off to a lunch meeting right this minute. Thanks again, everyone.
Until next time!
Joner: Sheesh HG! No wonder people get freaked out about posting at TDC, especially when someone drops a beautiful bomb like this one!
Ummmmmmm……EXACTLY!
HG Sublime piece of writing!
“But one graceful note, one seductive vocal run, takes us back to the origin of music – the invocation of spirit, the deep-down rumbling where body meets soul in ecstasy, the transcendence from our material world onto another plane. Amazing grace, how sweet the sound… We were once deaf, but now we hear it loud and clear.”
Amen. That says it all. Can I get a witness?
HG #18 Ahhhhhh. Thanks for the explanation and the reference. I completely missed that whole Youtube channel screen name thing in the past. Must have been drowning in one of David’s AI performances
Amen!!! and again Amen! Well “preached” HG.
All that has been said in the last few threads about what the Voice can do…I say amen to as well.. Thankful for all of you who are on this ride. The comments about the technical nuances of david’s voice are so interesting to me with my non musical background. I only know this>
“And there in that extended note, my heart melts, and my soul opens.” Might I add to this (thanks awestruck) – ‘whereby he fills it with happiness and peace.’ He takes the tension right out of me.”
Hi all! Had a family emergency and hadn’t been able to post.
Rascal…just read your article loved it.
Being a fluent spanish speaker, I still am blown away by his pronunciation, the double l’s, the s’s, the b in labios, oh my….just perfection.
Are people deaf? I truly believe some have to be not to hear what I hear. Though I must say that my husband (he tolerates my ODD) sat with me and watched, didn’t utter a word through the whole performance, he said “That was good” so happy to hear that from him. My brother who said “He is good but he is no Josh Groban” I wanted to slap him!..during AI days. After viewing CELD brother says “David is not a singer but a gifted vocalist who is better than Groban”, that made me very happy. Don’t think they’ll get ODD, but that’s ok.
HG….lovely…lovely….lovely
“But one graceful note, one seductive vocal run, takes us back to the origin of music – the invocation of spirit, the deep-down rumbling where body meets soul in ecstasy, the transcendence from our material world onto another plane. Amazing grace, how sweet the sound… We were once deaf, but now we hear it loud and clear.”
Angelica…..You’ve got a witness….AMEN!
Just one little thing…
En parte de mi alma (You have become part of my heart)
Alma is not heart…it’s soul.
I read hear often and love it. I feel kind of intimidated because everyone here expresses themselves so eloquently. It is like reading poetry. So. Just have to say, I love this article. It really hits to the core. Expresses much of what I feel and think. I do have some experience with music and appreciate the work David is doing and the comments here. DJAFAN I really love your clarification of the word “alma”. You can really feel that when David sings. He give us his soul, he opens his soul and shares…….So thanks everyone for your comments.
Annie : This is from probably the LEAST eloquent person here at TDC (that’s ok you guys….you don’t have to defend me!!): You done good girl!!!!
Welcome!!
‘Nuff said.
Thanks Jello!
ronaldsf, good eye!! Yes, they are indeed the ALMA treads. As much as I love David’s Converse collection, these were the perfect shoes and the perfect ensemble for the perfect performance.
Thanks annie….you did just fine! Welcome to TDC!
Soul to me has a very much deeper meaning.
TOfan…when at the red carpet the first thing I noticed were his shoes and thought of you…lol They were really nice shoes and he looked great in them.
djafan-I agree -- when you love someone, you do it with your heart -- when you find your soulmate, you do it with every fiber in your being
Just one little thing…
En parte de mi alma (You have become part of my heart)
Alma is not heart…it’s soul.
See, that’s why I was raising my hand to testify. He sang to my soul (and also my heart). I just felt it.
Thanks for the literal translation, djafan!
It occurred to me that part of the problem has been the “dumbing down” of the criteria for good singing. Those of us that have been around for a while were exposed to singers who could really sing. The list is long, but how about the likes of Rosemary Clooney, Vic Damone, Frank Sinatra, Elvis, Sam Cooke, Barbra Streisand, Ella Fitzgerald, judy Garland, Dusty Springfield, Karen Carpenter…….. I could go on for pages. Can you name 5 great singers in the past 25 years? Entire generations have been raised to think that Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliot or Biggy Smalls are what great singing sounds like.
Along comes Mr. Retro, David Archuleta, and a lot of people cannot, based on what they have been force fed to believe, process the quality of his singing. This is why David has such a huge “older” fan base. We hear the greatness in his voice. David has raised the bar to giddy heights.
It will take a while for the real singers to gain wide spread acceptance and inspire other great singers to take the plunge into the music business.
In 1965, I guarantee you that David Archuleta, and not David Cook, would have easily
won that “singing competition” they were on in 2008.
Entire generations have been raised to think that Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliot or Biggy Smalls are what great singing sounds like.
Sorry, Bliss, but you’re mixing up your comparisons here. Missy Elliot and Biggie Smalls (if he were still alive) would be the first to inform you that they are not “singers.” They are rappers and hip-hop producers.
And, as someone who grew up in the Hip Hop Generation, I can attest that they are the few who do what they do quite well.
Now, if you want to get into how our young generation doesn’t know what “great singing” sounds like, then there are countless other “mediocre” singers who don’t sing well that you could point to -- the Madonnas and the Britney Spears -- but who capitalize on the spectacle of being great entertainers.
Just thought to clarify.
HG, Hallelujer!!! (tm Ma’Dear)
#32 blisskasdan…I am always a big fan of your writings especially when you give realistic explnations of the position that David is in partly due to the mindset of many of his listeners…
SB
HG, point taken. However, It’s not what the performers themselves think of their singing that matters here. It is the perception by the consumers of these “artists” that these “stars” are great because, in part, they are great singers, that is the dilemma. It was also not my intent to limit my criticism to one ethnic group. Lousy singers of recent years cut across all cultural and ethnic lines. Britney Spears is the poster child for what I am talking about.
Years ago, being called a “ballad singer” would not have been perceived as a criticism, it would have been high praise. Would Perry Como, Johnny Mathis, or Nat “king” Cole have been insulted if referred to in that way? I doubt it. David was dismissed in many quarters as being limited in his talent because he “only sang ballads”. It was and is pure baloney, but it probably cost him the title. It’s all good, though, pretty soon, “everything old will be new again”. Martin Luther King said it best “No lie can last forever”. Who would have thunk that David Archuleta would be
spearheading a revolution. The poetic justice of it all is delicious.
I hear what you’re saying, Bliss, and I agree with a lot of what you’re saying. But I’m not sure I agree that this young generation, which includes David, are confused about the difference between “great singing” and “great rapping.” I think they know the difference between these two skills quite well.
I do think, though, that they don’t distinguish between how these two distinct genres have been remixed so much so that they’re not always clear how the boundaries get redrawn. And because certains “sounds” are now dictating the pop music scene, it seems that the traditional balladeer has been driven out and off the radar. To me, that’s where the real problems lie, so that when someone like David sings, he gets called “boring.”
Well, what is boring about CELD? That is where I get concerned and where I see the “din of our social and cultural breakdown” coming in, so that a phenomenal Voice like David’s gets marginalized unnecessarily. When I described his Voice as a “voice in the musical wilderness,” this is definitely what comes to mind.
Bliss -- I agree with you that it seems we have been lean on great singers in the last 25 years.
Although I used to be impressed by the vocal gymnastics of Mariah Carey or the way Whitney could belt out a tune, David has shown me that less is more.
While listening to Mariah the other day I wondered who stepped on the cat. (Rascal, please don’t tell the “ex”)
I guess I should have known better than to listen to Mariah after listening to David sing “Contigo”.
HG, thanks for a great post. I love the”who needs the second coming” comment.
Off Topic: For any of you who like Benton Paul, this serendipitous find of mine should be interesting:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7fqi_gT5FU
HG -- This is one sweet piece of writing. Here’e my most favorite part of all --
“…when David is not by our sides, the world is different…..one graceful note, one seductive vocal run, takes us back to the origin of music – the invocation of spirit, the deep-down rumbling where body meets soul in ecstasy, the transcendence from our material world onto another plane. Amazing grace, how sweet the sound… We were once deaf, but now we hear it loud and clear.”
Its as if to say our souls naturally have this resonance with beauty which tends to get overshadowed by the much louder noise of everyday living. However, every so often something comes along which restores the natural order of things -- if only for a little while. David and his talent to create beauty does just that for us and more.
FG -- regarding your query about David’s positioning of his mouth when he sings long notes;his technique is correct.
I am a classical singer and like David, I sing a high voice part. Opera differs from other styles of singing by its extreme attention to detail. Each note has to be shaped correctly in order to produce its best resonance, and that is the ultimate goal. In classical singing, you are explicitly manipulating the breath stream to match the length of notes by positioning the diaphagm, glottis (pharynx), tongue, upper and lower palate, and nasal passage simultaneously. For the best resonance or beauty of high notes in particular, voice teachers always recommend singing through the vowels of words rather than strong enunciation of consonants at that range. To help create that roundness of sound it helps to lower the jaw, with the tongue laying flat against the lower palate and teeth. Its almost like elbowing parts of the mouth out of the way so the tone can come through without hindrance. Therefore the words “contigo” and “estoy” to name a few, are chock full of great vowels to exploit for tonal beauty.
While singers may have a natural ability to reproduce notes on pitch, it requires some training to learn correct technique. This in turn enhances the quality of production for the style of singing involved and the maintainance of healthy vocal cords. David definitely weds proper technique to whatever genre of music he sings, which is why his beautiful tone is never compromised.
My apologies for the length of this post.
Gulp. Oh HG, that is beautifully said. Every single word; perfect.
HG, with the greatest respect, and I know that I now sound like my parents, the notion that there is such a thing as “great rapping” eludes my grasp. I’m sure there is such a thing, and I may well be suffering from “white men can’t jump” disease, but every time a car stops at a light and blasts that hideous, “in your face” venom masquerading as music, I am sure that the world has truly come to an end. Please list a few rap songs that you, a person of taste and refinement, can recommend to educate a clueless guy like me. I just do not get rap or hip hop, regardless of who is “singing” it. Thanking you in advance.
Joner #38 -- Ditto! And the part about Mariah as well. Mariah used to have great tech. when she first burst onto the scene (her mother was an Opera singer), but her later tendencies to breath huskily through songs to sound sexy degraded her vocal quality to a large degree -- even on her latest effort. JMHO.
Hello! I just see this in twitter…..please send a message if you want, maybe all this efforts we made now, gonna gift to David the opportunity for more exposure, if at least we can receive a positive feedback from a half of all the sites where we send suggestions. PLEASE?
From John Donvan, ABC correspondent
@JohnDonvanNL still taking nominations: who you would pick as a role model for your kids, and in 7 words or less why. first name that comes to your mind?
Go and see his twitter page , he notice already David
Thanks!:)
Just checked twitter and JohnDonvanNL doesn’t know who David is! We had better send him some great info on this talented great guy!
42/ hi bliss… i’m not a fan of what passes as hip hop or rap these days, but back in the day, there were some great groups, and some powerful rappers and songs whose message still reverberates to this day… as a primer, i’d recommend these seminal rap/hip hop songs and groups…
1. grandmaster flash and the furious 5 -- ”the message”
2. public enemy -- ”fight the power”
3. sugar hill gang -- ”rapper’s delight”
4. eric b. and rakim -- ”paid in full”
5. kurtis blow -- ”the breaks”
hellogorgeous i’m sure will be happy to ”school” you on some other gems…
46/ out of those five primers i listed bliss, ”the message” is the one cited by most critics and listeners as the greatest rap/hip hop song of all time… it’s message is still pretty powerful and relevant almost 30 years after its release…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4o8TeqKhgY
Bliss…The number that Pitbull did on the ALMAS was, IMO a great rap piece. That fact that they had to do it twice due to audio difficulties delighted me because I got to hear it live a second time! Some rap and hip hop is dreadful but so are many other pop, rock and jazz tunes. But some of it is music to my ears…
@JohnDonvanNL is getting some education now! If he didn’t know who David Archuleta was, David’s fans are making sure he will know exactly who he is.
Great choices, GGdoors! I agree “The Message” is the greatest and most influential rap of all time.
Some of my own favorites I would add to the list:
Arrested Development’s “Tennessee”:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g40c6iAEHpc
Digable Planets’ “Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like That)”:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZY0c2ZAeMK4
Monie Love’s “It’s a Shame” (best female emcee EVER!):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UoNpUc0xE5Y
Queen Latifah’s “Just Another Day” (my all time favorite Latifah track):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWp8L6fOLNE
Slick Rick and Doug E. Fresh’s “The Show” (every hip hop fan has to pay homage to this “human beatbox” masterpiece -- a mix of both rapping and beat-boxing):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFG4_YiB6ek
Salt-n-Pepa, who got their start responding to “The Show” with “The Showstopper,” actually had a much better rap called “Tramp”:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvC3Ee5IAvk
The Fugees’ “Fugee-la”:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AvSUCgTgUs
Obviously, I’ve got a bias towards rap from the 1980s and 1990s (AKA “Old School” rap), but there are some good gems from the “New School,” most notably the latest by Jay-Z, featuring Alicia Keys: “Empire State of Mind”:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bm61weFrK4c
Then again, the strength of that “new school” track is the vocals of Alicia Keys and less the rap of Jay-Z. So, that’s my own response to your quest of “great rap,” Bliss.
Not sure this is the proper “schooling,” but these particular tracks mixed good lyrics, rapping, and musical remixes (note that the 1980s/1990s rap songs sampled from a lot of soul/funk/motown classics from the 1960s and the 1970s).
Here are excerpts of the review by MASTERCLASS LADY at
http://masterclasslady.com/
“I have received numerous emails about David Archuleta’s outstanding and inspiring performance of ” Contigo En La Distancia” (With You While You Are Away) at the 2009 ALMA Awards.
Let me just say that, if you have not seen or heard David’s Spanish number, you are in for a very memorable musical treat. David’s artistry continues to enfold and soars to remarkable heights during the performance of this song.
Oftentimes, the refinement of his technical skills astounds me – he never veers from the proper technical approach in his singing style. Yet, at the same time, his voice sounds fluid, relaxed, liberated and soulful.
His Spanish pronunciation is exquisite and meaningful. He feels every word, every nuance and, thus, is the key to David Archuleta’s musical gifts. He is a vocal narrator of the highest order and makes absolutely certain that his musical heart and passion reaches the center of our soul.
And, did you notice the depth of his lower range at the beginning of the main section of the song, as he sang the words “No hay bella melodia”? The rich timbre of his baritone voice has definitely increased in volume – just gorgeous. This will continue to grow and flourish with each passing year.
In closing, the strong visual and aural presentation of this song was extraordinary.”
Thanks for sharing, SF. I was wondering when Masterclass Lady was going to weigh in.
It probably took her this long to pick herself off the floor after that performance. At least she had some company down there…US!!
“In closing, the strong visual and aural presentation of this song was extraordinary.”
Yeah, let’s not forget that visual. Ay, chihuahua!
50/ hg -- brilliant post my sistah!
i’m a southern gal, born and raised in the church, and the ”soul” david has had me raising my hand and ‘testifyin’ many times this past year, watching and hearing his evolution… it’s been hard for me to explain fully to those not coming out of the tradition, but his ”shop around” for me was akin to one of those moments in church on sunday morning, when the lead singer in the choir delivers that soul searing, spiritually moving and roof raising song right before the sermon is delivered -- the song designed to elicit a chorus of ”amens”.. your post captures those feelings exquisitely. amen.
Masterclass Lady was sick which is why it took her a while to write a review.
HG, awesome post! Exquisite writing about an exquisite performance by an exquisite MAN with an exquisite VOICE!
Good night all, and for David, for making this last week & the next few weeks bearable. Thank God for THE VOICE.
Dear lord,
Please take care of David.
Watch over him, protect him from all harm.
Cloak him with your love and give him the strength to endure all that is thrown in his path.
Give David the courage and guidance to say no to those who ask for more than he can reasonably give.
Surround David with loving and supportive people who love him unconditionally as we, his devoted Archangels do.
Separate David from those who have agendas other than for his well being.
Give him rest when he feels weary.
Give him stamina to sustain his hectic pace.
Give him assurance when he feels doubt.
Give him joy when he feels sad and never allow David to feel alone or lonely.
Give us the wisdom to know when and how to do right by David.
Open our eyes and help us in the way we support David so that it’s always in his best interests.
Cloak him always in your protective arms during this time on his journey.
Keep David and and his voice healthy and strong as he fulfills his Destiny which was written in his Book of Life before he was born.
Though we may be unworthy Lord, we humbly pray. Amen
David, hope you have a good night’s sleep with sweet & happy dreams. Thank you for all you do and for who you are. Keep with you all our love, prayers and warm thoughts!
Contigo siempre en la distancia, con amor!
Thanks, GG, SF, and others for “feeling” me and especially for “feeling” David. He always makes sure we “get” it when he sings.
Now, what’s this I’m hearing about Jeff’s “writing” credits on the Christmas album?!
OK, positive thoughts, positive thoughts, positive thoughts…
Let me go back to that “happy place” where David makes me forget everything worrisome…
CELD will be my peace mantra from now on!
ggdoorsfan, thanks for the “heads up”. Not to be melodramatic, but when I saw David singing “Shop Around”, and singing it in a way that would make “Smokey” proud, it was if, to quote Gerald Ford “our long national nightmare was over”. I’ve met David twice. The next time I meet him, I’m going to thank him for showing the world what great songs sound like and how much joy and real emotion can be gleaned from hearing it sung the way he can.
The next time you guys are on You tube, check out the auditions of three young guys trying out for ‘X factor.” Their names are Joseph Mc Elderry, Daryl Johnson, and Ethan Boroian. They all have that David-esque quality.
58/ gotta add one more essential to your rap/hip hop primer bliss, and i think you’ll have everything you need…
kool moe dee’s ”how you like me now”… the james brown backbeat is what drives this track… this guy has a voice tailor made for rap -- one of the best and most distinctive rap voices, up there with chuck d from public enemy…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2XxJNipMxI
HG,checked out a number of your videos. They all had a “real” feel to them and the artists, especially Queen Latifah and Salt-n-Pepa, are very appealing. I remember a song by Salt-n-Pepa called “Let’s Talk About Sex”, which I liked a lot, and Will Smith had a really good song with “Parents Just Don’t Understand”. These are much different than the angry, nasty stuff that
has given “rap” a bad rap (ugh) over the years. I guess I’m just terminally “white”.
Bliss, what! Ya’ll don’t like Kanye’s Gold Digger??? *poofs like BeeBee before the tomatoes hit*
HG -- so beautifully written from the heart & soul (wrote this before dja clarified “mi alma”), more like poetry than prose……”when David is not by our sides, the world is different…..one graceful note, one seductive vocal run, takes us back to the origin of music – the invocation of spirit, the deep-down rumbling where body meets soul in ecstasy, the transcendence from our material world onto another plane. Amazing grace, how sweet the sound… We were once deaf, but now we hear it loud and clear.”
Is this what is referred to as “the purity of his his voice”? It’s like we enter a special place for those who can hear, listen and truly feel the emotions in our souls, regardless of the language in which it is sung. Whenever he sang “Es que te has convertido en parte de mi alma”, my hand would move to my chest (over my heart). Being spanish illiterate, couldn’t understand why. Realizing after mollies interpretation, that he had touched my soul.
”These are much different than the angry, nasty stuff that
has given “rap” a bad rap (ugh) over the years. I guess I’m just terminally “white”.”
lolololol bliss….. it may be just all in the ”getting”… akin to us who ”get” david, his style, his essence, his message, and those -- for myriads of reasons, who don’t… rap back in the day used to be referred to as the cnn of black america. hmmm, ”black” america is not monolithic, and neither is the music that has been borne out of it… some of that music, yes, is incendiary, but one man’s angry and nasty is another man’s cry in the wilderness…
HG and ggdoorsfan -- Thanks for the lesson in rap/hip hop tonight. I watched all the videos and my favorite was definitely
Digable Planets’ “Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like That)”
Reminiscent of the “Beat Generation” with elements of jazz.
Positive messages all and like someone we all know and love, I like positive messages. I also love and admire Will Smith. So, I’m throwing this one onto the heap. I don’t know a thing really, about rap, being terminally white like bliss, but for some reason, whenever I hear Will do it, it makes me feel good.
HG#50 -- I’m sorry but I have to admit that rap (and some hip hop) pretty much turned me off to listening to radio (and music in general) in the late 80′s until 2/2008. My oldest (now 37) was a big fan of rap/hip hop and still is. All the foul language and obscene gestures were uncomprehensible.
However, after listening to ggdors & your playlist, I did recognize one that I enjoyed -- Fugees (esp. those featuring Lauryn Hill). This is one of my favorites -- Killing Me Softly:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ighu4gGlaUE
hello! again me!:)
I just want to share this: I posted yesterday and email for the latingrammy’s, well before posted here i send myself another email to Ms Betty Del Rio, but this time i add 3 videos of david in concert: one singing ‘como la Flor’ ,a second with To be with you i guess it was from Idaho fall6 and a last one with My hands in Manila. She answer me again today(in spanish and made a little translation) :
Hello (my name here), Thank you very much for your information.
I just want to explain you that someone from EVENTUS gonna contact to you about the events of Latin GRAMMY in the schools , what is basically a panel where the artist talk to the HS studens .
I send too your petition to Gabriel Abaroa president of the Academy to see the possibility for david to participate in Award Show the 5 Nov. In Las Vegas
Seguimos en contacto.
I want to know if someone here receive too an answer?
Then the email from the responsible of EVENTUS arrived, so if you know someone in FOD site please pass the information..Why? because i know they know David’s people…i guess.
this is the email (original in in english this time)
Dear (insert my name):
Betty del Rio from the Academy sent me your information and explained that you might be interested in participating in the Latin GRAMMY in the Schools program in Chicago, 10/2/09.
As I am sure she explained Eventus is activating the Latin GRAMMY® in the Schools program on behalf of the Latin Recording Academy®. Please see attached one pager on the Latin GRAMMY® in the Schools program. The event consists of a panel of artists and music industry personnel (managers, agents, etc) speaking to students about their experience in the music industry. The panel lasts about an hour – each panelist speaks for 5-7 minutes. Usually the activity starts at 9:30 a.m. and ends at 12:30 p.m. We will provide ground transportation and refreshments.
As I said we would like to extend the invitation to David Archuleta.
This year’s Latin GRAMMY® in the Schools event in Chicago will be on Friday, September 25th .
Please let us know as soon as you can to make proper arrangements.
Best!
Luisana
ME -they send me a doc with the dates. Let me know please if someone read this message and can help passing the information.THANKS
tibitibis -- sent a comment to abc but they emailed back that they rarely answer emails. Tried to send as a comment about the ALMA’s. Also thanks for all you’ve been doing to try to gain greater exposure for David.
angelica#64 -- love & admire Will Smith, too. That song’s message was very powerful. Something he obviously believes in “Just The Two of Us”. Kind of remember that song, but really did check out of music in the 80′s, 90′s and up to AI7.
tibi -- Sept 25th? Not much notice, unfortunately. Doubt if anyone could arrange that one. Maybe JR or one of the admins could help you contact FOD for the awards show in LV. Just go to “contact us” above and leave an email address with your message.
I would describe myself as open to nearly all types of music, rap being one of them. I am sure there is a lot of rap I’m not familiar with, and so my knowledge is limited -- but I was one of the many millions who listened to Lauryn Hill, who more than any other rapper I know put so much artistry and complexity in her rapping that one couldn’t deny the artistic potential of the medium.
I love, love, love listening to 1:40-2:20 in this video:
Whereas the “black’ music of the 50s, 60s and 70s seemed very inclusive, Rap seems more
of an “inside” thing. Lyrics like “You make me feel brand new” or “Sugar pie, honey bunch, you know that I love you”, although sung by black artists back then, had a more universal message. Lyrics like “i want a gansta bitch” seems a tad restricted, if you get my drift.
Then again, there are so many people that do not get our David. What part of magnificent don’t they get?
Preach it, sister.
Bliss, #72 “Lyrics like “i want a gansta bitch” seems a tad restricted, if you get my drift.” I kinda don’t.
bliss #72, you may want to avoid generalizing too broadly. Many of the examples that others have posted show diversity within the genre.
Much of hip-hop/rap music that one hears on the radio is pre-programmed by a tiny number of mega radio stations--Top 40 fare are packaged to broadly appealing. Unfortunately, in order to appeal to a more mainstream audience, that has often meant reducing it to “party music.” The trend of reducing music to the lowest common denominator seems to exist in all genres in the pop music business.
Ronaldsf #75, I agree. I watched the film Before the Music Dies and they discuss everything you mention. The major labels are primarily run by business/finance execs, not former musicians. They do not cater to music fans, they cater to pop culture fans (e.g., those who like Britney Spears.)
Per this film, what used to be country music is now “too” country; it’s rarely played. There currently are no black bands signed to a major label; the labels believe they can‘t market them. (eg,no Earth, Wind & Fire, Cameo, the Commodores) Female artists must either fall into the singer/songwriter mold or they must be willing to wear little clothing, shake and wear stilettos. Hip hop artists who want to go mainstream are encouraged to rap about women, sex, partying and money/possessions.
Before the Music Dies
http://www.hulu.com/watch/62945/before-the-music-dies
Great post HG! I’m reposting my comment from SoulDavid.
Toni Morrison once wrote, “In the beginning, there were no words. There was only sound.”
I like the Morrison quote. Some of her writing is lyrical and you have to read it as such to get what she’s saying. With David’s CELD, I understood what he was conveying by reading his expressions and listening to the sounds/notes. Now I want to learn Spanish.
Good morning, everyone!
Ronald#71, thanks for adding yet another classic hip hop gem. Anything from Lauryn Hill definitely makes the list.
Bliss, it’s interesting that you view the “black” music from the 50s, 60s, and 70s as “inclusive,” compared to rap music. But, of course it was! The black music that even made it on radio back in the day were deliberately “mainstreamed” to appeal to a white audience. That was Berry Gordy’s MO when establishing Motown -- how to appeal to a white and black audience, and taking advantage of the Civil Rights era when so much was changing in terms of race relations.
Rap/hip hop is urban through and through, but there is something to be said about it seeming to not be “inclusive,” because the reason why it’s all over the place is because young white suburban males (I guess you’re not part of this demographic, are you? haha!) were consuming this music. There’s something about young urban black male expression that appeals to this demographic -- I suspect that the black male body contains all the illicit stuff and forbidden fantasies where they (young white boys) get to project their own desires.
Who knows the appeal? But I did want to clarify that it is mostly young white male audiences driving the market for hip hop (that, plus other youth who now look to it as their pop culture).
HG, What a beautiful article. I love how you weave Job into an article on Contigo en la Distancia! I superimposed an image of Job (and angels) into the top picture and got a very poetic mental imagery. (I am my own R4D. lol)
Thank you and GG for the Rap/Hip Hop 101 and others who provided audio aids. Some of us can definitely use a bit of enlightening regarding this genre. As as mother of two teenagers, I can attest to the fact that the white suburban kids eat this type of music up. It seems its appeal is more generational than racial. Thank your for taking the time to educate us!
Hi everyone. I wanted to publicly apologize to any posters/lurkers/viewers/mods of the TDC livestream video channel for what some may consider inappropriate commentary. I don’t want to be thought of as the creepiest David fan. I’d much prefer to be thought of as descriptive. I think sometimes my idea of just how to do that, to get across my thoughts, is simply too much for some. And, sometimes, maybe it is best to keep our thoughts to overselves. Sadly, though, the whole point of blogging is to gather with others that truly get David, the whole David. To feel like you belong, like you are understood. To keep up on the latest news and do whatever you can to support him. That has always been my goal. I can’t hide my passion for his outer beauty, but I can dial it down.
Thanks and Peace.
ggdoorsfan, #55, “his ‘shop around’ for me was akin to one of those moments in church on sunday morning, when the lead singer in the choir delivers that soul searing, spiritually moving and roof raising song right before the sermon is delivered – the song designed to elicit a chorus of ‘amens’”…
BINGO!!! Thanks for nailing it, gg!
HG,
First of all, let me say that you really outdid yourself with this latest post, and being immensely inspired by David’s CELD has totally revealed itself in your poetic allusions to his heavenly and most significant mission on earth -- to be “a voice in the musical wilderness providing the balm to the heart.” I can no longer count the numerous times his soulful voice has comforted me in my low times, when his voice is the one I would listen to when I needed relief from stressful situations. The lows would almost immediately turn into a high right after a good tearful listen. Rascal said it right that David needs to make us cry. For some mysterious reason, it’s as if it was necessary to shed tears in order to wash away the murk. David’s music is like a cleansing of the soul, and all that it leaves is shiny and bright. I’ve noticed lately that I am hardly in a bad mood after having my dose of David’s music for the day.
With regards to rap music, I am hardly a fan and haven’t had time to watch the YT vids which have been referenced or recommended in this thread. Maybe it has something to do with the irreverence heavily popularized by Eminem’s white rap. I do agree with Desertrat about the commercial pop music industry and the kinds of artists it promotes to earn the big bucks. I recall eating in a restaurant where the music videos being played were mostly those of black male rappers and black female singers. The imagery that constantly hounded you was that of sexism and materialism. (Seriously, no offense, HG. It’s just an observation.) Then David’s Crush went on and it was so wholesome and out of place, such a breath of fresh air. Afterwards, the vids went back to the usual bout of body flaunting and flashiness. It’s the usual formula of “sex sells.”
Nevertheless, for me, the true genius of rap music is that it is poetry in the guise of music. I don’t know if the rap contests that happened in Eminem’s autobiographical movie “8 Mile” are true to life. The impromptu composition of stanzas that have rhyme and rhythm is what amazes me the most. Even if these rap musicians are mostly artists who have not reached a high degree of education, they are ingenious in their use of the spoken word against a background of musicality to produce a catchy song. I’m sure David recognizes this as well which is why he also tried a hand at it in some portions of Barriers.
HG, you referenced that the past week was “filled with political and musical controversy, hate, rudeness, and disrespect”, which I sense is alluded to Kanye, among others. I had not really understood all the hoopla about Kris Allen’s AI8 version of Kanye’s “Heartless” which was greatly applauded and raved about. Then I recently watched Kanye’s music video and then understood why. It is a rap song that hardly had any melody! For Kris to find the melody behind the song and give it the angst the song was all about, this was the ingenuity behind his performance. If Kris hadn’t sung the lyrics as clear as he did, I wouldn’t have understood what the song was about in the video because it was all colorful graphic visuals of Kanye and of women in sexy poses -- the tried and tested formula at work again. And so here lies the relevance of the movie “Before the Music Dies”. I haven’t watched it, but just reading the comments makes me say, “So true…”
So, Amen to what you said HG, “I could forget how toxic and
near-the-brink-of-destruction our world is when David sings.” How true, how true!
Hi ascphil! Just wanted to mention that Kris was performing the Fray’s version of Heartless.
ggdoorsfan #46,
I just wanted to thank you for letting me know about “The Message.” I love it! Wow, it sounds completely modern to my ear, and it was 1982! -- what a trendsetter.
It’s so great that we are having a Hip Hop 101 in a frikkin David Archuleta thread. Whoda thunk? It shows that we are all united by a real appreciation of music, in a wide variety of genres -- a curiosity and love of music that David himself possesses.
Beatboxing (making rhythms only with one’s voice) is one part of hip hop culture that requires a lot of virtuosity. When hearing this video, one hears why the rhythms/beats we hear in hip hop sound the way they sound:
I may get sent to the corner for this, but I’m goin-in any ways…FG, there have been many occasions where I have wanted to comment. My fear is, here, I am WAY intimidated. (Probably incorrect verbage, though I think there will be lurkers or rare commenters who’ll understand). It’s confusing to me at times on what is appropriate.(I have read the rules. Even re-read when I questioned myself.) I consider myself someone who has respect and class. Although I am not the sharpest-tool-in-the-shed, I enjoy this blog more than any other. WHY? Call me a glutton-for-punishment as I continue to “feel the intimidation” whenever I am around these parts.
To get to my point..it may seem at times that one is not appreciated for their comments or there is some censorship from TPTB, I know I can’t stay away. One of the reasons for that Funnygirl, is because of YOUR take on the many DAVIDISMS we all so LOVE. Thanks for listening.
Hey, FG, thanks for bringing the cover by The Fray to my attention! Hmm, now that changes the picture somewhat for me. The instrumentation by The Fray is definitely more moving than the original. Can’t say much about the enunciation of the lyrics by the lead singer though, and I’m sure his style of singing is what makes the group identifiable. However, I still think Kris sang the song clearer and with more emotion. But the kudos for finding the melody should definitely go to The Fray. The song found it’s depth in their cover.
tibitibis -- try sending all the info to fodfrontpage@gmail.com
Thanks for all your efforts in promoting David.
angelofdja -- Thank you so much. Everyone is different in his/her comfort level in posting. It’s all good! Just to clarify -- I have never felt unappreciated and I am totally fine with TPTB cautioning me if they feel it necessary. I want to abide by the rules/conditions as they are in place for good reasons. Sometimes the line is blurred, since everyone’s take on ‘appropriate’ is different.
{{{FG}}} I’m channeling you girl~I feel your pain.
Can anyone say…….
Been there?
(um, I can! *waves*)
It’s a sucky feeling to be sure. Just happy that you have a sunshiny,positive outlook. Can you bottle that and send it my way??? haha
^^^sorry…trying out the italics key and keep forgetting to turn it off…i guess with the back-slash?? (/)?
Anyone techno-bunnies may advise me. Please. Thnaks.
hmmm
Not sure if this is considered rap/hiphop…but it’s one of my favorites.
latest tweet from JohnDonvanNL
update on the Donvan Awards — Role Model Category: overwhelming # of nominations for David Archuleta. Looking at his case now.
HG, i understand what you’re saying re :Motown, etc. I realize that Rap is being fueled by marginalized white kids in the suburbs as much, if not more, than inner city black youth. The problem for me is that the sound of the music is unpleasant and does not touch me in any way.
It hurts my ears as well my soul. I’ve worked in the inner city as a counselor and Social Worker for decades. I’m no country bumpkin. To me, Rap seems to exploit the very people it claims to represent. I may be clueless, but I’m not brain dead (yet).
angelofdja and jello, do not be intimidated by the fine folks on this site. One loving look or one head whip from David, and they (we) become mush This is an open forum for people who love David to come and share their thoughts. You love David. That’s enough to make you a welcome participant. David inspires passion in people. That’s a good thing. I would suggest, however, that you keep your interpretations of any of David’s dreams to yourself.
Oh, now Bliss, that was funny.
The posts at this site are intimadating, but I have this high need to talk about David and David’s music, and the people in my life will tolerate only so much before their eyes roll back in their heads.
Posting at the risk of sounding ‘lesser’ is the lesser of two evils for me.
*intimidating. So much so, that I mispelled a word I know how to spell. See?
Kathy H.
“Posting at the risk of sounding ‘lesser’ is the lesser of two evils for me.” BWAHAHAHA! (I could be lounging on a hammock on the Fiji Islands right now and not feel more ‘comfortable’)Thanks!
To KathyH, Jello, or anyone really…
I have a story to tell that has stayed with me for life and I will relate it in my space here. When I was in highschool we took Chemistry and Physics in our senior years. We had a teacher from Germany who was an immense man, kind in nature generally, but in class he was critical and intimidating to many of us. If you were not as intelligent as him or moreso, he ignored you. He enjoyed debates with those highly involved with the sciences. You were not seen or even there in his eyes. Of course it was a downer for many of us, who were more directed towards the arts, but he had great expectations for all without ever speaking to us. It was then that I knew one lesson in life, that this would probably happen more then once.
Those of us who were involved in athletics, music, drama etc. were great friends but learnt all about intelligence intimidation.
Now for the odd but amusing event that happened recently. Three of my closest friends were with me for lunch one day this summer as she was anxious to try our her new sporty Mercedes Benz. We visited a gravesite next to the site of this teacher. One of my friends stood there and had a speech for the old teacher and somehow it made us smile and brought closure…She said…”You intimidated us for years, we were never smart enough for you, you ignored many of us, but despite that it has been a good life and we didn’t really like you either, so rest well old friend”. We took a few pictures at the other gravesite after placing flowers and acting much younger then our ages, we drove away.
Maybe the thought behind this is that there are many of us here who enjoy all of the posters and it is all of you who make this an interesting and accomplished site.
Write on friends sharing with us all that you have to say.
SB
Jello # 90
To start italic type < followed by i followed by >. To stop italic put < followed by /i followed by >. Good luck.
The same works for bold, but use b.
italic
bold
Go ahead, experiment, it’s fun!
SB #97, it’s the variety of voices here that keeps it interesting. The admins occasionally need to make judgment calls to keep things on an even keel. These judgment calls are bound to cause criticism, but that’s the nature of a blog.
Lurkers, readers and commenters -- please know that ALL of your voices are welcome here. Speak from your heart, or speak from your head, with respect for David and respect for your fellow-commenters, and TDC will be stronger for your presence.
FunnyGirl #80 -- I’ve always enjoyed your posts and your liveblogging on the David Channel. Just wanted to say I’m pretty much “in sync” with you on your passion for his “outer beauty” as well as his “inner beauty”. I’ve always loved your videos. They are gorgeous and most of them are saved as favorites of mine. I like photography and David is a photographer’s dream!!!
SandyBeaches,
You’ve just added a cocktail to my hammock lounging and things couldn’t be more comfy.
Thank-you.
oops FunnyGirl #80 I think the part I said about the videos I meant for Angelica…sorry -- but everything else is TRUE
Liz,
I was not writing about judgement calls because I actually did not even see any judgement calls that were made…I know that the admins. have to guide the conversations to keep them highly respectful.
I do fully understand though the intimidation that some commenters feel in regards to their ability to write adequately enough for posting here and that is unfortunate.
SB
SB and davidfanLiz -- thank you both for the info and stories!!
Oh geez….it’s going on 7 months since I joined TDC…and despite all my ups and downs and ‘etiquette sessions’…..
I love it here!!!
And still immensely enjoy reading everyone’s comments/opinions. Always and forever.
Bliss #93 : Haha! This is the first time you actually “spoke” to me (flailing like a Bliss fangirl here)!! Yowsa, I’m moving up in the world! Believe me, I have had one (count it….uno) dream re: DA, and I will take the contents of that dream to my grave. (a winking smiley would be good here).ha
In my defense, we cannot control our dreams…correct?
The end.
#101 angelofdja …oh, the idea of a cocktail and hammock lounging sounds so wonderful!
SB
Keeping it real, I think it’s important to remember that this site is a “fan” site, not the World Health Organization. It’s devoted to a young guy who we first saw on TV, that we all love and admire, and have been touched by. It ain’t brain surgery! David is all about making people feel welcome and accepted. For any other vibe to permeate a fan site devoted to him is to miss the point completely. Intimidating or marginalizing anyone visiting or posting here should be first on the list of banned behaviors. It would offend the very person we are celebrating.
I don’t know why I didn’t know of this singer before, but I am glad my husband fell in love with her! He forced me to listen and I about died. Sooooo soulful. This is the kind of music we should be hearing -- definitely not a Britney. How have I not heard of Ruthie Foster before?
Wow -- I can’t believe I posted something here without a David reference. Here goes. I bet David would like this.
Jello #104 -- cool use of bold!
GGDoorsfan, Ronaldsf, HG- thanks for the interesting discussion on hip hop/rap. I am a big fan, especially of 90’s hip hop/rap like Tribe Called Quest, Public Enemy etc. It’s a shame that rap music has essentially been reduced to catchy Soulja Boy-type songs, with a few exceptions of course.
I watched an interested interview of Jay-Z the other day where he said that much today’s rap music is basically becoming equivalent to the hair bands of the 80’s. I thought that was in interesting insight from someone inside the hip hop community and I completely agree with his statement.
Another hip hop singer that hasn’t been mentioned but who I love is Jill Scott.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSYMKUtNuw8
Btw has everyone seen this recent comment from Masterclasslady?
Here’s my favorite part:
It is very rare indeed to hear an 18-year-old MALE singer who possesses such a strong technical hold on his vocal delivery. Yet, it is even more rare to hear someone so young who sings with such depth and maturity. David is truly special and his talent, as I have said so often, is extraordinary. He is a vocal prodigy.
I feel that David will, over the course of time, be remembered as “one of the greatest pop singers” of the 21st century.
betsy -- the Ruthie Foster video was fabulous! Soulful voice and a charming performer. Thanks!
HG -- late to say this, my apologies. I thoroughly enjoyed your rapturous, joyful testifying! Amen a dozen times over!
betsy…
You made up for it….lol
He’s tweeting back and forth with David fans about David….
http://twitter.com/JohnDonvanNL
Jello # 104, I have always enjoyed your posts. I didn’t realize that I had never referred directly to one of them.. Regarding to “dreams” I wasn’t referring to our dreams of David. I was referring to David’s dream that he shared with the universe via Twitter and was analyzed by a few of us Head Shrinker types on this site ( call me Dr. Bliss). I shudder to think of any sharing of the dreams David’s fans have had of him. The Moderation Police would have to work overtime on that one.
My advise would be to stay clear of any videos from Duluth, Milwaukee, or Grand Rapids at least 3 hours before bedtime.
bliss…
I shudder to think of any sharing of the dreams David’s fans have had of him. The Moderation Police would have to work overtime on that one.
add CLED! muy caliente!
CELD….duh….lol
Good advice Bliss #115. Hard to follow, but good!
Woo! Just got home from work, checked out my PEOPLE mag I just got in the mail…there’s a photo of David & Eva Longoria on page 22…for anyone who may be interested. heh!
(It’s just ONE not too large photo…but it still brought a HUGE smile to my tired face)
103/ hi sb…
”I do fully understand though the intimidation that some commenters feel in regards to their ability to write adequately enough for posting here and that is unfortunate.”
i understand it well, hehe, because i still feel inadequate sometimes when posting amongst the likes of rascal, and all you other wonderful, and wonderfully intimidating wordsmiths…
there are some formidable writers who post here, writers who can easily fuse humor, fun, whimsy, superficiality with snark, biting commentary, creativity, and critical thinking into some pretty cohesive and thought provoking posts. this site compels readers, and potential commenters, to take deeper views of david, to dig deeper than just surface issues at times, and examine some things that may make them uncomfortable.
i relish that, because i’m a person who likes the superficial as much as the ”deep dives”, depending on the topic and my mood… don’t change -- this site helps keep my writing skills on point, as well as providing another outlet to express the admiration and love for david.
As an admin who does not write as well as some of the other admins do, I have to say that no one needs to feel intimidated. Because really, they all put their pants on one leg at a time, just like the rest of us.
The thing about a group like this is that there are a variety of skills and thinking styles that work together to make this site fun and unique. I love the comments of those that come up with one-liners just as much as those that write four paragraphs. The funny stories and quips make me chuckle. The video queens (you know who your are -- master and the grasshopper) give us visual imagery and sound that enhance this whole experience.
There are story hounds that find everything on the net about David and link us to those articles. There are those that read every site and keep us posted on the latest and most up-to-date info about David’s whereabouts. We’ve got twitter hounds and video hounds (JR!) that make sure we don’t miss the best David tweets and the clearest videos of his performances. We have the nightly prayer that grounds us all in a daily ritual that we share.
If we all wrote eloquently but couldn’t do any of those other things, we’d have a much less rich experience than we do now. I thank you all for your unique participation.
Well said, Marlie!
This probably belongs on another thread called, Theater of the Absurd but….note to self -- pick up hummus at store tomorrow.
Yes. I actually put it on the grocery list and I don’t even know what it is.
Angelica: ROFLOL
See -- and all for the love of a David Tweet.
angelica -- crushed chickpeas, a little lemon, a little olive oil -- you have yourself a delicious dip -- eaten with flatbread.
Very good.
Note to self…pick up chickpeas, lemon, flatbread.
Thanks betsy! I knew someone here would feel me.
Angelica . September 24, 2009 at 8:39 pm .
The master smiles at the discovery of the grasshoppers latest incarnation of the nightingale.
Abrra
Abrra
Master is cryptic. Is this a riddle I must solve?
Angelica
Everything you need is before your eyes.
Abrra
C’mon even I get that!
Now I find out I’m all wrong!
Is it the smoking hot Honduran Contigo en la Distancia screen cap I whipped up last night gravatar?
HG -- You write so beautifully. Me thinks you could preach the Sunday sermon from any pulpit and rock the house.
SF -- Thanks for the People magazine heads up. I’ll be sure to look for it tomorrow at the airport bookstore.
Totally off topic: Site Admins -- Could we do a Christmas time fundraiser here at TDC? I was thinking of something along the lines of sponsoring a child in need for critical surgery or healthcare treatment. Just a thought.
I’m thinking David must be at a party or something? Why else would he be eating Arabic (hummus) AND Mexican (jalapenos)?
He seriously cracks me up. No word from him for almost 24 hrs, then he just tweets very simply “I love hummus”
Talk about random!
Wonder when he’s coming to Nashville? Just the thought of David being less than a couple of hours away from where I live is strangely comforting. It’s like he brings warmth & sunshine even if it’s cloudy & rainy. Hard to explain what I mean.
Good night & for David…
Dear lord,
Please take care of David.
Watch over him, protect him from all harm.
Cloak him with your love and give him the strength to endure all that is thrown in his path.
Give David the courage and guidance to say no to those who ask for more than he can reasonably give.
Surround David with loving and supportive people who love him unconditionally as we, his devoted Archangels do.
Separate David from those who have agendas other than for his well being.
Give him rest when he feels weary.
Give him stamina to sustain his hectic pace.
Give him assurance when he feels doubt.
Give him joy when he feels sad and never allow David to feel alone or lonely.
Give us the wisdom to know when and how to do right by David.
Open our eyes and help us in the way we support David so that it’s always in his best interests.
Cloak him always in your protective arms during this time on his journey.
Keep David and and his voice healthy and strong as he fulfills his Destiny which was written in his Book of Life before he was born.
Though we may be unworthy Lord, we humbly pray. Amen
David, hope you have a good night’s sleep with sweet & happy dreams. Thank you for all you do and for who you are. Keep with you all our love, prayers and warm thoughts!
Contigo siempre en la distancia, con amor!
Kizzi, Hi there! Safe travels always! As for People, it’s just one photo but oh so thrilling when I saw it!
Sweet dreams to you all!
Angelica
Grasshopper has solved the riddle.
The master smiles at the discovery( sees) of the grasshoppers latest(new) incarnation(avatar) of the nightingale(singer).
Abrra /smiles
Kizzi -- I’ll email you and we’ll see what we can cook up
I LOVE this!
http://www.hollywoodoutbreak.com/2009/09/24/david-archuleta-already-tops-the-christmas-chart/comment-page-1/
Question about the People picture of David and Eva, is her hand on his chest? He is trying to get away and she trying to keep him there?
I found this website tonight while watching David’s “Contigo” video on utube. I’m so glad I did -- it’s beautifully written, the person really does “GET DAVID” and I think a lot of people here would enjoy it. So feel free to take a look:
http://johnchang557.wordpress.com/2009/09/24/contigo-en-la-distancia/
goboywonder #139 -- Both her hands are all over him!
Prescilla Presley, JLo, Eva Longoria . . falling under the spell of THE ARCHULETA. Who will be next? Oh yes, who can forget Kathy Griffin, Showbiz Shelley, never mind. Can’t keep track anymore. Too many others.
HG -- your writing is so, so beautiful it moved me to tears. It says all what I wanted to say but cannot. That dang CELD of the Archulator rendered me speechless for days. So sorry for the rest if this such a belated reaction. I esp like this one: “…when David is not by our sides, the world is different…..one graceful note, one seductive vocal run, takes us back to the origin of music – the invocation of spirit, the deep-down rumbling where body meets soul in ecstasy, the transcendence from our material world onto another plane. Amazing grace, how sweet the sound… We were once deaf, but now we hear it loud and clear.” Thanks a bunch!
And yes “soul” is a better term to use for “alma” rather than “heart” esp in the context of this song.
Which brings me to an observation: most of the translations we have seen of this song are literal and direct. I realize they are mostly for immediate reference only and probably generated by automated translators one finds online.
But we have to remember that translations are never 1 is to 1, esp in sentence construction. Most important I guess is that there are denotative and connotative ways in expressions, esp for Asian and Latin cultures where the connotative aspect is more pronounced.
Got this appreciation from my previous job when we were translating books and marketing collaterals from English to different languages. Also got 5 years of Spanish -- 1 year as an elective in high school and 4 years in college cos it was mandatory at that time. Yup, Spain and the Phils had this agreement for Spanish to be part of our tertiary education. I guess part of their legacy for colonizing us for 300 years… You’d think I’d be fluent with it right? Nope! You lose it when you don’t use it.
Anw, CELD was written by Cesar Portillo de la Luz, a Cuban composer sometime in the 50′s and records show it was 1st sung by Andy Russell. Even a Gabriel Marquez book mentioned it and translated the title as “Far Apart” — interesting eh?
So this is my attempt in translating CELD:
With You Though Far Part
Not a moment of the day exists
In which you are apart from me
The world seems different
When you are not with me
There is no beautiful melody
That does not remind me of you
Nor do I want to hear it
If you’re not listening to it, too.
It’s just that you have become
Part of my (very) soul
Nothing else consoles me
If you are not there too.
Your lips have more worth*
Than the sun and the stars*
Beloved I am with you
Though (we’re) far apart/Though you’re far away
Because you have become
Part of my (very) soul
Nothing else consoles me
If you are not there too
Your lips have more worth*
Than the sun and the stars*
Beloved I am with you
Though (we’re) far apart/Though you’re far away
Beloved I am with you
Though (we’re) far apart/Though you’re far away
I am with you, mmmhmm
*RONALD/VEE/ASCPHIL/OTHER PINOY LURKERS -- The direct Tagalog/Filipino translation of these 2 lines goes like this:
Mas alla de tus labios
“Higit pa ang iyong mga labi”
Del sol y las estrellas
“Sa araw at mga bituin”
Unfortunately, I could not think of a direct English translation. So the phrase “Más allá de tus labios” speaks of the significance of the beloved’s lips vs the sun and the stars; It is not about any physical measure. The sense of worth or essence of the beloved’s lips is implied. See what I mean by denotative and connotative ways of expression? I just would like to highlight this because it is for me David’s best sung line out of this beautiful love song.
Sorry if this bored you. Am still in the vortex and loving it
Perdoname.
JR, Your lips have more worth
Than the sun and the star
This was the one line I still didn’t get with the other translations (Beyond your lips, the sun and stars). Now it makes sense. Thanks you.
Marlie #121 : When I was younger I would actually sit on the edge of the bed and put both pants legs on at once!! (I know, I know…go figure…lol)!
Bliss #115 : Ooohhhh….need blushing emoticon inserted here!!! Now everyone here and all lurkers know I’ve had one of those ‘naughty’ dreams!! I remember now that it was the interpretation of HIS dream that caused all the commotion a while back. Oh well….par for the course with me! BTW, I love reading your posts and find myself agreeing with most every one of them. Thank you.
jello: See, we now can check off another undiscovered talent among our group -- the two-legged pants hop
kizzi . September 24, 2009 at 9:58 pm .
I have held on to 2 autographed Japan cd’s for 6 months, just waiting for a way to use them for charity. I will gladly donate them to raise cash for a cause.
/tosses 2 Cd’s into the pot
Abrra
Sorry if this bored you. Am still in the vortex and loving it Perdoname.
Bored??!!! Never! Thanks so much, JR, for offering a meaningful translation and also for your kind words.
Good morning everyone! I’m up early getting ready for a weekend trip.
Hope your weekend is an enjoyable one!
jackryan4da Thanks for the translation. I have been reading so many of them and I wanted to know exactly what the song was about. I wish someone would ask David to put the translation on his myspace, or post it somewhere we can read it.
Jackryan thank you so much for that translation. It makes a lot more sense now and those words are really beautiful.
JR!!! thank you for this translation… wowza!
Kizzi, fundraising FTW…
jello, thanks for your kind words. As David matures as both an artist and a person, I think the restrictions of what is deemed “appropriate” to discuss about him will be lifted. In my personal life, I am actually very defensive about David and very protective of his integrity. I understand the need to monitor what is written about him here. I just have a different opinion about the criteria being used to do so. It’s all good, though. I love sharing my love for David with other people who love him.
JR -- Thank you for translating Contigo en la Distancia. All the other translations I have read have left me feeling something was missing, like something was lost in the translation. Now the song matches everything he communicated completely. David made me understand, and you have helped me realize just how well he did that.
“Your lips have more worth than the sun and the stars”..I get it! Jackryan4da, Your translation helped me to understand something I was missing with every listen. Thanks!
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a295/soundscene/David%20Archuleta/davidgrin.gif
Oops…smilin’ David didn’t post correctly! More than likely I am the reason!! Ha! Ha! ( I’m learnin’…one-step-at-a-time!)
JR….THANK YOU! Great job!
I debated whether I should just do my own translation for it to convey the beautiful meaning, specially….
Mas alla de tus labios
Del sol y las estrellas
to….
Your lips have more worth*
Than the sun and the stars*
Seeing David’s mouth and lips form the words to sing this verse, alla pronounced aja..soft j and the soft b in labios, then hearing the wonderful haunting sound coming from him and the meaning, the emotion in his voice is more than I can handle which is why so many are stuck in CELD vortex.
JR -- thanks for that translation. This has added more depth of meaning for me.
Does anyone else wake up and go to sleep with Contigo? I mean, with it playing in your head from memory? It is a constant, gentle crooning in my soul.
Tweet from JohnDonvanNL
1. It’s settled” YES to David Archuleta. He gets a Donvan Award 4 real quality Your many accolades check out. Great role model. Thanks to all.
Wonder what this means…
davidfanLiz…
It is a constant, gentle crooning in my soul.
Oh yes…
djafan- This description you wrote. All of a sudden it is very warm in here. Oh my!
“Seeing David”s mouth and lips form the words to sing this verse, alla pronounced aja..soft j and the soft b in labios, then hearing the wonderful haunting sound coming from him and the meaning, the emotion in his voice is more than I can handle which is why so many are stuck in CELD vortex.”
Liz,I grew up in Honduras and when I was a teenager,boys used to serenade girlfriends with songs like CELD;but never like David singing it. Love it.Ummm good memories .sigh!
Jackryan-Thanks for that re-translation. Wish I had that before I posted a the video with ‘what I thought were the correct english translated lyric.’ Those make more sense. Just goes to show that my Spanglish skills really are limited to what’s on the most recent Taco Bell drive-thru menu.
Like (apparently ALOT of people), I am kinda obsessed with this song. I seriously can’t get it out of my head. Wake up singing it, go to bed humming it, and everything else in between.
Definitely (like djafan said) “Stuck in the CELD vortex.”
To people who say (and have said to me), “you just like anything he (David) does, (this is true) whether it’s good or not”, I defy you to find anything not good about CELD. He just IS that good!
I loved reading all the comments in this thread, particularly the suggestions as to other artists that people are recommending others to listen to. This proves that this isn’t just a ‘David worship site’ (even if he is compared to the second coming of Jesus or lack there of),”Testify HG!”, but this is really an all music appreciation site. Hell, my second favorite band right now is probably as far from David as possible, ‘Muse’, but I’m guessin’ I could probably find commonalities there too.
FOD is reporting that due to high demand, Amazon is limiting purchase of Christmas from the Heart to only 3 per customer. There is an exchange of emails posted. Won’t this result in limited sales? That hardly seems fair. I will be buying mine from Target or Wal Mart as usual but…just sayin. Maybe we should flood Amazon with emails. But wait, according to their logic, that might cause them to limit purchase to just 1 per order. Geez Louise. What to do?
Angelica, I have a feeling that once the Xmas album is reviewed, the floodgates will open and the demand for the CD will skyrocket. I find it hard to believe that in this day and age, a record company would not be able to print as many CDs as was in demand.
I think the thing that keeps sucking me into the CELD vortex is that David looks as good singing it as he sounds. It feels like this is him. Each time I view it, I see some little naunce that I didn’t notice before. Like the way he slightly bends his right knee just before the first time he sings “Del soy y los estrellas”. That is just so full of (((THUD))).
Did everyone know that Bob Dylan is releasing a Christmas Album the same day, titled “Christmas In The Heart”? If I’m being redundant, sorry, but that is pretty strange. I guess musical geniuses think alike.
http://fansofdavid.com/
*Note from FOD: Clearly, the problem lies with Amazon’s suppliers not supplying them with enough CDs to meet the demand; thus, Amazon is going to limit the product to 3 per customer in order to satisfy as many customers as possible. Forgive me if I’m being ignorant, but shouldn’t Amazon be able to sell as many CDs to customers as the customers demand, and then just order more CDs from the suppliers when they see they have dipped below a certain point?
***** Bold mine.
bliss -- I believe, according to Amazon, demand for the CD has already skyrocketed.
Jive. What did the little bird say when he flew into David’s room?
Kizzi #133
Abrra #147
I’m in. I have an autographed T-shirt I’d like to throw in the pot. Black T -- David signed it in white.
I am loving this idea Kizzi.
Waaaay back when I ordered his debut CD through Amazon there was a four-CD limit … I think it’s just one of their policies.
It’s only been listed on the Canadian amazon.ca for two days and has already rocketed up to #9 on their sales ranking (Bob Dylan’s is at #779 … sorry, Happy & Nina!).
JesseQ,
Yup, we’ve known about the Dylan christmas album. Maybe you’d like to check out the snippets here (Try reading the comments of the YT vid while you listen. There are some hilarious lines there!):
Good afternoon folks! I haven’t been by in a long while, but I just wanted to share this. I haven’t yet read above, so my apologies if it’s a duplicate.
I saw at Snarkies that David won John Donvan’s “Role Model Award” and I found this link in my travels. I thought it interesting to see the props and comments in favor of David for the award:
http://celebritytwitter.com/twitter/John-Donvan
Bliss#164,
When the floodgates open, I hope rave reviews will abound and suggest to have the cd cover re-done. I just can’t help but say that I’ve seen better work from the graphic artists of the fanbase.
I’m going out on a limb here… a tasteful one albeit, and I know I am risking admonishment (which I kinda like actually…) but did anyone see “Cougar Town” the other night? I ONLY mention it because the young man at the center had a more than fleeting resemblance of someone we all know and love. NOT that he would put himself in that position, I’m just sayin’ but I couldn’t help but have a big smile on my face through the whole second half of that show.
OK admin, you all know me very well and that is pretty benign, but hit me if you must!
mikesd: Thwap! (just kidding) I don’t think there is a single thing that is in your comment that is out of line, is there? Geez, you guys are all sensitive about speaking out.
Well…did you see the show??
LOL No, and so….I have no reference…but just saying our spicy nacho resembles someone in a show (regardless of the compromising position the person was in) is completely innocuous.
I have had this song rolling around in my head since David commented that he had not heard it since he recorded it. I got to wondering if it had some meaning for him that he didn’t care to revisit. Just speculation, mind you, but it does seem to be the orphan song.
I dedicate this to the children.
Abrra
Abrra: A friend of yours and mine posted this on her facebook page….I watched it three times in a row. I absolutely love it!
ascphil #170, I want to hear more of Bob Dylan, really I do — that is, more of his previous works. I’m sorry to BD fans out there, but this Christmas album sounds like it will be a lot of fun, the way the Ethel Merman Disco Album was fun. Sorry if I offend anybody here.
marlie7 . September 25, 2009 at 8:22 pm .
Thanks! How cryptic! I really stressed over it being something completely different.
Abrra
Hey glad to see that you guys liked the re-translation
JesseQ -- love the Muse, too. Matt Bellamy has a pretty unique voice and some of their songs are loud and some are quieter and meaningful. But I looooove Supermassive Blackhole. It is my afternoon antidote — you know that part of the day when even caffeine sometimes does not do it for you? LOL. Thanks to Twilight, Muse have gained more fans.
I wish soon for a big movie to have one of David’s songs to be its theme song or at least be part of its OST.
bubbly #161: What a lovely story. A song like that would woo any young girl easily, I would think. I am guessing that this is a song that David grew up with, one that he knows from his childhood.
Does anyone remember what song it was that he couldn’t finish when he was visiting Honduras years ago? The one that his mom had to finish for him? Was it Contigo?
Master,
What a beautiful tribute to our troops. You have captured the message of hope and the need for real heroes in this world David expresses in this song and in his life.
I am honored to be your grasshopper.
Angelica . September 25, 2009 at 9:58 pm
Master turns and bows to Grasshopper. Much appreciation for words of kindness and honor.
Abrra
For your enjoyment..I LMAO!!
SF: Hilarious!
SF, I saw that today, too! I was crackin’-up!!! =D
Liz #182, yep it was Contigo…
OMG SF, thanks for the day brightener! This video is adorable and hysterical, and so what I needed to lighten my mood.
Deeply dismayed and saddened by the article on Short Takes, particularly when I consider that it could get back to David. He doesn’t deserve this kind of disrespect, even if it isn’t directly leveled at him.
Abrra -- just discovered your new vid because I subscribed… BRAVO!!!!!!! (I had gone to YT to look for something else, now I can’t remember what!! heh heh Another Aarpie shot down by David!)
Abrra, loved your new video! It’s awesome!
Seems to me David is just a little bored. Why do I think this? He said he was unusually tired the other night and was going to bed earlier than normal. David is a night owl, not a morning person, but still is always up bright & early except he “slept in” today. He has said he gets by on a few hours sleep…so being tired, going to bed early, sleeping in…all unusual for David. methinks David is itching to get back on the road. He lives & breathes to sing for audiences, no matter the size. It’s what he was born to do.
My question is…when will we get confirmation about a tour?
Still over a month before the rescheduled concerts and I am seriouly going through major withdrawals!
I know chances are there’s no one reading THIS thread, but I have a question…who all are going to see David in Providence on 10/30? I know several people had to cancel, but I’m curious about who will still be there.
Ticketmaster is offering refunds until 9/30 and I believe the ILAA-VIP is doing the same…so,
I’m wondering if perhaps a new tour schedule has not been decided on because perhaps there may be many more cancellations if the new tour venues are in close proximity to the rescheduled venues? I mean..a concert with Demi or a solo concert..a no-brainer, right?
I guess I’m just anxious for confirmation that there IS in fact, a solo winter tour in the works.
Have a great day! PEACE!
Abrra, I also think your new video is sooooo good. Thank you for making it and sharing it!
SF: I agree with you about David being bored. I saw signs of this awhile ago when he was running like 2 times a day and the change in his sleeping/waking habits. I believe he is itching to get going once again and revisit his fans via concerts!! I cannot wait!
SF: I suspect we won’t hear about the new concert dates until AFTER the date has passed to get refunds on the rescheduled concerts. They know we would do that….I wouldn’t have to think long if there is a solo concert near me versus a David/Demi concert I already have tickets to (and I do!)
I am channeling you today SF. My theory is that the new tour dates will not be announced until after Sept. 30th for that exact reason. Yup, I suppose it is a no-brainer to everyone…including TPTB. I guess this means we have to give them some credit……lol
Marlie! Coke!!
@Mjohnsmusic Here in SLC again I love this city. @ The Murray tonight & my bud @davidarchie is coming down tonight will be good to see him
31 minutes ago from web
I do have to admit it was a smart move…if the venue is not S/O, it WILL BE NOW! I know I WOULD buy a ticket just for a chance for a glimpse of David!
OR a DUMB move…however you want to look at it! hahaha!
BTW..I do not follow MJ..this was retweeted by another twitter whom I DO follow.
ascphil -- Thanks for the link! Funny stuff.. Right after I wrote that comment I quick searched and saw that topic had long since come and gone. Sometimes I forget to look before I leap, (or type). Oh well I would only think it would help David’s sales and probably vice versa. I mean they’ll probably be on the same “seasonal rack”, and if they are stocked by a dyslexic Walmart, Target, etc, employee; they may end up right next to each other. (Dylan, David).. haha. No yells about me being anti-dyslexia anybody. Some of my best friends are lysdexic…?
JackRyan -- Definitely can unwind (in a screaming sort of way) to some Muse. I would love to see, (and am sure I will), see DA on a killer (Oscar worthy) OST. I mean ‘Crush’ on the ‘New In Town’ promo reel was just a stepping stone to Scorsese.
My message to all the lurkers out there who feel uncomfortable about posting here. You’re not going to find sloppier writing than mine. Many of my paragraphs are ramblely (?), miss-used punctuations (when do you properly use a semi-colon anyway?) and where I can make a point with 5 words, I’ll take twenty. My point here is -- please post. I fell in love with David’s music and I had noone to share the experience with. I fell in love with the writings of many of the posters, too numerous to name. They were able to say the things I was feeling, but could not. My first attempts were stilted but I was still warmly received.
(The ruler hasn’t swung my way yet) and I’m with ggdoorsfan- posting here has helped me with my writing,(Dictionary.com is your friend) so please don’t hesitate to join in- the water is fine.
HG- this post is a wonderful example of what I was mentioning. Your words help me to understand why David’s music touches me so deeply. Thank you.
And, one more thing (sorry). I’m trying to make a Spanish Cd to go with David’s performance and I was hoping some of you could name some artists that I should add to my CD. So far, I’ve got Santana, which doesn’t quite fit with Contigo, though that man is an artist extraodinaire.
See what I mean about sloppy writing.
Cutter: Oooh, great idea, that Spanish CD. I’ll look forward to what the others might suggest, too. Mine might be a Spanish playlist, but it’s the same thing
best tweet yet
avidArchieBenton is a cool French-speaking/singing cat. Michael Johns is up next!10 minutes ago from txt
cutter12 -- My message to all the lurkers out there who feel uncomfortable about posting here. You’re not going to find sloppier writing than mine.
ha, ha ,ha
actually i think my writing is the worse of all the posters here, but i just grateful with the Admin. for let me post even with my lenguage limitations. 
About the tour dates someone said in IDF that gonna be out soon and that they gonna use theaters and least one nice theater….my guess for the last one? Utah maybe?
cutter12 . about your spanish Cd you need to find boleros, thats is gonna fit with david performance luis Miguel (la barca, historia de un amor, te extrano), andrea Bocelli have too some boleros in spanish ( somos novios, te extrano, besame mucho),Ildivo, luis fernando Velasco(Para que no me olvides), christian Castro,Armando Manzanero. i hope this can help you with your choices.
Note: I really hope David can sing te extrano (i miss you) some day, is a very truly beautiful song.
LOOK! More impressive buzz for David and another step away from Little Archie.
http://www.latina.com/blogs/vivo-por-tivo/7-sexiest-latin-reality-tv-stars
Tibitibis -- Oh, good call- I love Andrea Bocelli’s voice; it’s glorious. Thanks for the other suggestions, I’ll check them out.
I could not locate te extrano on youtube, but I’m still curious, so I’ll have to see if I can locate it somewhere on the web.
Cutter12 -- try these links for Te Extrano. I’ll try to locate the version I saw long time ago that has a better video
Tibitibis and cutter12: There is always Marc Anthony:
Selena
Julio Iglesias
Ricky Martin
Jose Feliciano
Rickie Valens
Gloria Estefan
Juan Luis Guerra
Chano Lobato (Flamenco)
Roberto Carlos (Pop/Rock)
Thalia
Juanes
Alejandro Sanz
JR: Wow, what a list! (off to youtube)
Thanks for all the wonderful suggestions and Marlie, I think Marc Anthony’s “You Sang to Me” is one of the most romantic songs of all time.
And guess what I found over on youtube?
Man, I wish I would have been able to go to the concert.
The master of restraint…and respect and all things wonderful.
(and he is having him some fun!)
And this…
cutter12: #211 -- that last 4 seconds when David let’s loose -- he just floors me with his musicality. And he was so (too?) careful not to overstep his bounds up on stage. Gotta love him.
JR -- Thanks for the videos! That is a very pretty song. I too, would love to hear David sing this one also. Also, loved all your suggestions. I added Enrique Iglesias to the list also. I really enjoyed his song “Ballamos”.