Let’s do an exercise, shall we? 🙂
As we embark on a new chapter (or, rather, volume) of David’s journey, how about we look at David’s first and last performances of Imagine on American Idol, including his 2 conversations with Ryan Seacrest afterwards, and share our impressions?
The point of this exercise is not to say which performance is better (which is pretty pointless – they are the same person for Archusakes!), but to reflect upon how David has changed (or stayed the same) over these 2 years, personally and musically… and to reflect upon our own parallel journeys as fans.
I have some thoughts of my own of course, but I’ll save them for later. See you on the other side…
February 2008:
April 2010:
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(Hey all, don’t forget to wish a happy birthday to a certain rascal :))
Rascal, did you know that your birthday is only 5 days before mine, and Queen Elizabeth’s? Whoonoo?!
In the spirit of revisiting past performances, I just completed uploading all of David’s AI performances (inclusive of intro segments & judges’ comments) to YT -- all in HD format.
Here is the link to the playlist:
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=051EA0D937A7DA55
Enjoy!
Wow Ronald, now you really found a subject I have a million views on, but fortunately for you all I have to go to bed now.
I’ll just leave you with this:
Yes. Somebody went there.
I think so many things remain unchanged, making it even more amazing. His phrasing,tone,pitch, intensity and the integrity of this iconic song are perfection. The birthday boy and other lucky souls, including me, heard him sing Imagine live at Del Mar, at the keyboard, and that was my favorite of all. He was in a fabulous mood, tons of family there that night, and he was kicking off the summer tour with a new band. It made my hair stand up. The same thing happened at Westbury with Mary Did you Know at sound check. The ease with which he goes straight to your heart with a song is what makes him miraculous.
will comment on the post later but wanted to break some news here. back to work … is it 6 pm yet? 🙂
http://www.britweek.org/2010/LA_gala.html?expandable=1
BritWeek Gala Dinner Honoring Sir Richard Branson
Featuring a Live Performance by David Archuleta
Thursday, April 22 • The Beverly Wilshire Beverly Hills
Sir Richard Branson BritWeek is privileged to welcome Sir Richard Branson as guest of honor at the star-studded annual Gala Dinner, which will be held in the elegant Ballroom of the Beverly Wilshire Hotel. The evening will feature many surprise guests, a performance by singing sensation David Archuleta, and a live auction that includes some once-in-a-lifetime travel packages. Proceeds from this evening will benefit two extraordinary charities: Save the Children and Virgin Unite.
How do these things stay under the radar and then “show up” so close to the date of performance. ??? Can’t wait to hear more about this!!
Can’t wait to hear your thoughts ronald.
Where he was at 2 yrs ago as a 17 yr old, absolutely incredible.
There is a multitude of performers out there, even decades older, who could not top that performance.
But the latest Imagine, for me, is his best, pure artistry. A man and his piano, telling a story. He seems to exhibit an even deeper connection to the song -- possibly the result of a more profound understanding of the world and of his place in it.
Ronald -- I’ll be back later to comment on your article, because I just have to, but first…
EMBE: How in the world did you find that photo of David with a FIVE O’CLOCK SHADOW!!!!! OMG, am I seeing things? Is it doctored? I haven’t seen that kind of shadow on David before!
And the Gala -- how amazing is that?!
First of all, My “HAPPY BIRTHDAY” wishes to Rascal for a long and very joyful exciting life!
The drought is over it seems to me. The writing by TDC writers and those who comment has been such a pleasure lately. There is so much hope and excitement in the air.
David has set the tone- Just **IMAGINE**
This is a drive-by posting! Been super busy with work. Not complainin’ no.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you, rascal!!
I hope your birthday celebration continues into the weekend and that you have a blast!
See you all later.
How could the day end without a “happy birthday” rascal?
Marlie…yes..I’ve looked at it …”many” times. I don’t think that it’s stubble we’re looking at…I’d hoped it was, but, I think it’s a lighting issue. Awesome picture, though. I think, as also evidenced by all of the new comments by many, on different sites, that we’ve turned a corner here.
For some reason, I think that we’re going to see something to talk about in David’s next album. Something just tells me that change is in the wind.
WOOT WOOT Rascal, I hope your day brought you joy and laughter! 🙂 Happy Birthday!
DESERTRAT -- thanks for bringing the news re BritWeek Gala Dinner here.
Take a gander at this press release for that event:
Live Performance by David Archuleta
David ArchuletaWhen David Archuleta was sixteen years old he auditioned for American Idol, received his golden ticket and headed for Hollywood. He would then go on to win over the hearts of many and become runner up in Season 7. He first hit the music charts when the three songs he performed in the finale (Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me, In This Moment and Imagine) all debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. His versions of Longer, Think of Me and Angels also landed on Billboard’s Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart.
In July 2008, So You Think You Can Dance used David’s cover of Imagine by John Lennon as featured music for a Pas de deux performance. His self-titled album, David Archuleta, was released in November 2008 and debuted at number two on the Billboard Hot 100. The album sold 183,000 copies the first week and quickly went Gold. His first single, Crush, has sold over 1.83 million copies since. Christmas from the Heart was released to rave reviews in October 2009 and is certain to become a Holiday Classic.
David was pleasantly surprised when he was approached to do a Memoir on his journey in life so far! Chords of Strength: A Memoir of Soul, Song and the Power of Perseverance will be released in June 2010. He is currently writing music for his next Album and looking forward to its release this summer.
A staunch supporter of humanitarian endeavors, David is very involved with many Charities, especially those with an emphasis on helping Children around the World.
Is it just me? I find the tone of this PR different from his previous write-ups. I dunno. This is more wholistic, had taken care to include interesting info and even the slant of the copy of the AI segment is more upbeat. No hint of cuteness (which is not really bad by itself, LOL)
All in all, the copy sounds/reads more pro.
Me liking it very much 🙂
EMBE @ #3 = Oh no you didn’t! Please no what-ever o-clock shadow. That will be the death of me
MARLIE @ #8 -- this is the original photo
http://www.mediafire.com/?mzdz5lgmrmm
stubble… i suddenly feel weak….
marlie7: Relax my darling -- it’s a miracle what one can do with photoshop 😉
He looks like a sailor with the outfit and the stubble!
JR: Go lie down. That’s what I did after seeing that.
LOL. Twitter-awesomeness:
@DavidArchie How does it feel to be a superstar?
@Shell_eeeyyy Idk I guess we’ll have to ask one lol.
Oh David 😀
embe: LOL -- I thought it was enhanced, but when I looked at the one JR posted -- the original -- I noticed he actually does have a light shadow in that picture. Of course, not like the one YOU posted!
Below are some thoughts on how I interpreted the 3 AI versions of “Imagine”:
1st -- D is asking us to think about a world he believes in
2nd (Finale) -- It seemed like the holy spirit overtook D’s body to convey a message of unity and peace
3rd -- D is telling us to use our imagination and envision this world that he knows can exist. This performance gives me a feeling similar to one I have when I listen to MLK’s ‘Mountain top’ speech: “I just want to do God’s will. And He’s allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I’ve looked over. And I’ve seen the promised land.”
Hello TDCrs~
Long time no post, but as always, still on the Archutrain and still keeping up with you guys~
I like this thoughtful question…so am trying to go with an immediate gut reaction how it feels to me in contrast, see if I can make sense here LOL..
“Then”..David was still defining himself to us…and there was an element of surprise that shook us all to the next level of DA, quickly,succinctly. We fell in love with him and the wonder of his Voice, and his shy persona between audition and Shop Around..but when he did THIS….I sat in awe…as I realized that week, there was so much more that met the eye here. It seemed this kid was so self-aware to make these two decidedly different musical choices from Shop Around to then come back the next week with this side of himself. It defined it all in a nutshell to me…the scope of him, musically and emotionally. And it still impresses me to this day.
“Now”..He already owns all that. And we KNEW what to expect (though I also expected and wondered what element of change he’d no doubt “decidedly” and wisely bring to it..ah..of course..the piano!) …and now a guy who has already defined himself to us…comes back with another type of “comfortable in his skin” performance. Seasoned. Understated yet powerful…as the first one was too, but again, already owns it. Relaxed. I really felt him enjoy this one…rather than have to “show us something.”
and other little things I just love…
In “Both”…Still David. I’ve said it many a time here; I will ALWAYS look for and love the (Then)little shy wave,(yea,maybe even when he’s 40! ha)..that’s David. And Now…that little humble grin at the end, you captured so nicely in the picture with the last Rascal post on this…I always love his relaxed, authentic demeaner and the way he always humbly and sweetly absorbs it all after he “comes back” from the song.
Both..The Voice. <3 🙂
Wrap it all up for me, it's still one complete and perfect package!
Tks for keepin' up TDC~~Davidland continues to stir with rumblings of new directions and it's good we've had a little respite to reflect and breathe before getting sideswiped again before we know it..(I'm gearing myself up!)
oops.. test?
just fyi…finally posted again…and it disappeared?
Maybe you have it somewhere…hope so~wanted to “weigh in.”
oh ok…now it’s there…well there’s my usual 3in a row! LOL
amb4dja: I found your comment in the SPAM folder. Not sure why. I just happened to be looking there for something else!
Hi Marlie and tks!
I dunno…”sideswiped” is too violent? 🙂
ha. it happens.
PERFORMANCE THEN: David didn’t have any criteria to fullfill -- except for his own, personal expectations. He was just enjoying the singing and being able to get the message of the song through. He didn’t seem nervous at all, and at times smiled to the audience as if he couldn’t keep a straight face. I think he saw people in the audience glancing up at him, beaming, and as he is David, he of course smiled back. Back then he had this lovely childlike glee when he sang that song.
PERFORMANCE NOW: David sung Imagine because he was asked to. It’s a huge deal that at 17 years of age he was able to choose a song that became his trademark so much so that he was invited to spread his message again. You can hear his voice trembling very slightly in the beginning, but to me that only emphasized the tenderness of his vocals and the lyrics. Still, he was nervous.
Now, he keeps a straight face, only smiling at the audience to highlight certain words or sentences. I can’t help thinking, that if this same performance was on a different stage, not the American Idol one, David would’ve been calmer and less “serious”. I think his “joy” was lost during the first verse, but fortunately he regained that by the second verse. Everything childlike was absent this time. This time David performed with more heat; he was determined to make us believe in the idealistic world he was singing about.
INTERACTION WITH RYAN THEN: As David has said, he was in such euphoria, he barely heard the judges. And he wasn’t aware of all the critique concerning his verbal talents -- he knew he wasn’t a great conversationalist, but didn’t know how people in the media talked about him and his communication skills. He was natural, didn’t mask his excitement or get too nervous about talking
INTERACTION WITH RYAN NOW: I’m sure David has received feedback on his talking and his behaviour during interviews. And that might make him nervous -- to know everyone is searching him for signs of growth regarding both singing and speaking. I hate it when a true artist has to play the part of a celebrity. I don’t get why Simon said (and this was before the finale) Cook would be a more appropriate “Idol”, mentioning how Archie wouldn’t do well when it comes to interviews.
I do not understand why David, a SINGER, would have to be the most eloquent, walking dictionary when that is not the reason why fans are attracted and drawn to him. Mother Theresa was an idol, Einstein was an idol, Dalai Lama is an idol. I haven’t even heard them talk once, but I’m not about to belittle their statuses as three of the biggest inspirations ever. And then there are people like Kanye West who makes money despite the fact that he’s the biggest moron ever when it comes to public behaviour.
It is unfair to morph a genuine talent like David into a celebrity-machine, who has to maintain a certain image that isn’t truly him. His real fans are drawn to him because he is himself and doesn’t try to portray anything else, ever. That’s why he was wayyy to good for American idol.
Oh wow. Again it seems I had subconciously stored up some anger and frustration towards AI, the media, the concept of celebrity and Simon Cowell. My apologies.
I’ll just print this out and hand it to my psychiatrist for analyzation.
Embe: I love this statment. SO TRUE-
“It is unfair to morph a genuine talent like David into a celebrity-machine, who has to maintain a certain image that isn’t truly him. His real fans are drawn to him because he is himself and doesn’t try to portray anything else, ever. That’s why he was wayyy to good for American idol.”
NO ONE, AI, Jive, Azoff or whomever is managing David should try to morph him into an image that is not him. As I have stated before, David is his own best publicist. With David it is like Chritmas morning, where you get the bright red bike you asked Santa for, and then the puppy you secretly prayed for and thought no one knew.
On Imagine Three- I felt the first verse was soft and very understated, like a whisper of a prayer.
You got it Ron, in that very simple way. Just showing it. The same song, the same person, but a world away. It’s exciting thinking about David, what’s he gonna do at 25? The boy becomes the man and he belts it out for us. Take care.
raelovingangels: Oh how I applaud you for taking the time to read all that 😀