I have to admit to being a little disappointed that David didn’t draw the line at this tacky promotional magazine entitled “Life Story,” from Bauer Publishing. As you might expect, Bauer is the syndicate behind a half-dozen of those popular teen and tween magazines. They also stock your local supermarket with journalistic titans like InTouch Weekly, Woman’s World, and First. Indeed, there is not one publication from this Hamburg, Germany based company that has any redeeming news, literary, or artistic value. It’s all cheese, and aerosol cheese at that.
At best, the photography and styling is undistinguished. In some cases it is downright plebeian: A wall of retro 45 singles with cute genre titles on the labels as a background? Are you kidding me? Talk about phoning it in.
Industry and audience legitimacy won’t necessarily be undermined by appearances in Bauer properties if one has earned market credibility in the first place, but when one is trying to establish a certain authenticity, it most assuredly does not help the case. Once again the responsibility for such decisions must undoubtedly rest with Jive, which continues to telegraph its focus on their own short-term gain at the expense of David’s long-term interests.
aww… Rascal, it’s all about aerosol cheese, fer sher. Just *arful* from what I can see. But I don’t think it will hurt him. Just because he’s… HE. lol (mega-barfy nonetheless)
Here. Maybe this will cheer you up. The first “Touch My Hand” from tonite:
Rascal, does the responsibility lie with Jive or David’s management for greenlighting these types of things?
I really, really hope they do not go so far as to produce David merchandise (lunchboxes, sleeping bags, etc.) That’s not what he’s about. David will have to be very strong in his convictions and firm in his decisionmaking.
beebee- its happy and ninaf….we checked out the link you posted, we have no sound on this computer…. but the vibe of that video reflects the vibe in the crowd- chaotic and frenzied and David was very intense and pumped when he first came out…..tons of cameras, phones obstructing the view….I’m sounding negative, and I do not mean to be- I loved seeing him, but did not appreciate the scene.
I will also say that the vibe was not the same at all for the local band or even Gavin DeGraw. The pushing did not start until the crowd began to anticipate David’s appearance….and then once he came on stage…. forget-about-it…..
Gavin DeGraw was terrific-I was impressed.
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WFM
Rascal, also, looking at that barfy publication, I really have to doubt Team David gave their blessing on it. Maybe it was done without David’s and Jeff’s express consent, and was a decision that fell under a more generalized contractual agreement. Really, tho, it just reaks of illegit in every way to my eye--having seen only the scans, and not reading it. But then I do have my areas of naiveté — maybe they did “ok” it. What do I know? Teenie boppers (and more!) will eat it up. No doubt about that.
(Barfy is my new fave word. We have SF to
blame thank for that…lol)Happy, are you trying to say that David was WONDERFUL… and the “scene” was… barfy perhaps? :p
I wonder if David can insist on no more Standing Room Only gigs? That might make him and everybody in attendance a lot happier.
beebee- why are there lines through your words? should we know what that means?
oooooops! lol (I always goof up that strike thru thingie… sheesh)
Back during Idol, when were anticipating what he’d sing each week, a lot of people wanted David to do covers of a couple of Gavin’s songs.
LOL!!!!!!! I thought it meant something…..
beebee!!! Hi!! hey the video has been taken off already, so quick!
rascal, I hear you, but I’m with beebee, I don’t think it will hurt him. It is unfortunate Jive or whoever thinks it’s a good idea to position David as just another teen star like Miley or the Jo Bros. But anybody who hears him sing live once will never see him again as just another JB or whatever other untalented teen celebrity out there, IMO.
It’s too bad though about David’s beauty (outer and inner) is not captured in better photoshoots instead of these more generic kind. He still looks mighty cute but this is a far cry from the Elle photoshoot.
LOL… Happy it means beebee = nincompoop who should just swear off the “strike thru” code. lol. The line shoulda ended after the first word “blame” … sheesh, you’d think i’d learn. Beebee, step AWAY from the “strike thru”
we are tired and unfocused…. will have more coherent thoughts tomorrow….
its all good…..
we all decided we can’t wait for Carnegie Hall…. 🙂
the screaming was so loud, my ears are still hurting….
did I mention that I loved meeting everyone?
good night all. Thanks for the fun.
ATM
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ok never mind, the video is up. Thanks!
Vermeer, good… I knew it was still there.
OMG, I am LOVING the WFM!
Nitey Nite Happy! REST! And TELL TELL TELL Tomorrow!
YC
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Just reposting since I didn’t see a new thread (and wanted to give my concert recap in the latest post):
Dang it! My new video camera is acting up and so is my computer! No videos from me tonight. Will try again tomorrow or over the weekend once I figure out the problem.
This will be a loooooooong night. I hope HG will have the strength to go online asap.
Well, since you asked:
My concert buddy was an 11 year old who bugged her stepmom to go with me to see David Archuleta once my friend could no longer accompany me. Needless to say, my tween companion and I had a blast!
It’s great to play the “cool adult” once in a while and I in turn automatically got swept up in the teeny/tweeny crowd. Since I was responsible for someone else’s child, I was doing my best to keep up with her, so she negotiated a closer spot to the stage, and I -- sensing the jam-packed crowd -- immediately looked out for an EXIT sign. I spotted one not far from the stage, so we compromised and ended up only a few feet away, but to the side (stage right).
And we parked ourselves, edging our way as close as we could, everytime someone got out of our way. The first act, however, was just too loud and too generic a rock band, and immediately I knew the sound system was going to mess with David’s vocals. Not optimum, but my tween companion and I could care less. All we could think of was, “David Archuleta!” (And that was what everyone was thinking too!).
Second act -- Gavin McGraw, and SF, you’re right. He’s awesome! He did a really nice acoustic performance on both piano and guitar (how cool would it have been if David did something similar). Gavin was also very generous, for he kept giving shout outs to David, helping to get the crowd in a tizzy.
Finally, my tween buddy and I started jumping up and down, “Is he here yet? Is he here yet?” The audience started chanting “David! David!” Waiting in the wings, I saw Jeff and his infamous hat. I get really excited, and next thing you know… David is up on the stage.
Squeeeee!!! (Cause you know I was screaming with the best of the youngins).
And David was really dressed down tonight (which pretty much went with the flow of the atmosphere and venue -- very blue collar, bar-grungy type setting, if you can picture it). He’s wearing two t-shirts and jeans. And his eyes sparkled whenever they caught the stage lights. GAH!
He opened with TMH, and I was having a hard time balancing the video recording with my having to watch him, you know, LIVE, since I had to take advantage of the You Tube 3D version that was standing in front of me only a few feet away. When he came over on our side of the audience, there was a brief moment he made eye contact. Spontaneously, without even thinking about it, I blew him a kiss at that moment. He could so feel the collective love in the house.
My tween companion blurts out, “OMG! He’s soooo gorgeous!” (Hello Gorgeous indeed!)
I retort, “He is, isn’t he?”
He immediately launches into Works for Me! He also sang You Can, A Thousand Miles (which was beautiful, and the whole crowd sang along, but since the only accompaniment was a keyboard, the sound was much better), Crush (which everyone again sang along too), and ALTNOY.
He went by much too quickly (which is what everyone keeps saying), so if there is anything David needs to work on, it’s his timing and pacing. For instance, Gavin probably sang the same number of songs (unless he had extras, I’m not remembering), but his set felt longer (I know the first act dragged on -- with probably the same number of songs). Why theirs lasted longer is probably the banter (Gavin told stories, and his storytelling was tied to his music, so his banter was much more tolerable).
All this is to say: I wanted more David, and so did everyone else. As soon as David said g’nite all, we were like, “That’s it?!” Needless to say, the crowd started chanting, “David! David! David!” and “We want more! We want more!”
So, he came back with his bashful self and his 1000-watt smile, and graced us with an a capella version of The Christmas Song. Soooo jazzy and smooth and sultry. Gosh! This kid! Vocal wisdom, I’m telling you!
I think it’s also a wonderful thing to keep your audience wanting more.
So, believe it or not, this is my first David Archuleta concert, and I’m definitely planning for concert#2. Preferably with better sound, because I want that David-seeping-into-your-body-and-soul sound that only a high quality surround sound system can deliver.
Not that I’m complaining. I mean, I saw him LIVE! And only a few feet away!
Oh! There was a point during the concert where David humbly asked the crowd to be careful to not crush some young children who were up front, and the crowd backed off. I mean, David can command an audience without screaming, raising his voice, using pyrotechnics, and all that stuff. He just is, and we listen, and we obey. Awww!
When I dropped off my tween companion home, her mom asked, “How was the concert?”
She immediately responded with: “OMG! David Archuleta was amazing!”
When she asked me, I said something to the effect of “OMG! David Archuleta was amazing!”
One tween and one thirtysomething in one night at one event. Not bad.
Go David!
Before I went home, I got to hang out with Kizzi, Ninaf, Happy, Refnaf, TOfan, Dja and a bunch of other fangirls. That was so much fun, and I’m glad to finally put some faces to the screen names. Kizzi, thank you sooo much for organizing this get together. It was a fantastic end to an amazing night!
I really don’t understand Jive’s theory -- okay, first of all, I’m not against these kinds of publications per se. I doubt people outside their target demographic will wind of them, or that they would have such an effect so repulsive as to overshadow David’s full artistry in people’s eyes when cast in full light.
But I at LEAST want Jive to ALSO highlight his truly phenomenal artistry.
I just watched his Buffalo set from start to finish. Undeniable talent. The mixing of styles, and ESPECIALLY his performance on ATM with his piano skills and later his singing a capella, make it undeniable that he lives and breathes music, loves it, would like nothing better, and is madly talented. None of this was lost on the “tween set” that loved him to pieces that night. Perhaps the execs see their reaction, hears high-pitched screams, and their brains turn off?
I agree with Rascal that David’s younger fans do have an appreciation for his artistry, though they may express it differently (and more fervently) than David’s more mature fans.
Wow, so David has been getting encores? Is that normal for Jingle Thingies?
HG! What a great recap! I can feel your and your tween companion’s excitement, wow! I’m glad you had a blast at your very first David concert!
The screaming is tremendous. Ordinarily I wouldn’t want to hear all that screaming but I’m so happy the audience is loving David. I’m sure it completely energizes him on stage. The sing along is amazing too. The whole setting does look chaotic but it’s live and frenetic and wild, and yet you can hear David’s voice so clearly. Ok, gotta go watch some more. Thanks again HG!
{{{{HG!!}}}} Oh, I LOVE your story. You with your tween pal. 🙂 PERFECT! It’s just so crazy how fast it flies by isn’t it, and you are just not really believing you’re getting him live. lol. (And afterward you find yourself clawing the thin air groping for a replay button that isn’t there. And YOU WANT MORE!) But you have another show right around the corner… another chance to soak it in! Thank you for posting before you retired tonight!
Vermeer, you’re welcome!
Rascal, have you seen the crowds showing up at his concerts? The tweens/teens outnumber us, and I’m not sure that’s necessarily a bad thing. If I had gone to this concert with one of my peers, and not with my friend’s stepdaughter, I may be complaining that we’re a market that’s overlooked. But I see the kind of youthful energy they bring to shows like this, and I really enjoyed myself because it was like being a teenager again (while for my tween buddy, she got to feel all grown up, going to her first pop concert with an adult who wasn’t her parent or even a relative).
If Jive/Azoff wants to tap into that youthful image, more power to them.
Now, does that mean I’m okay with that photo? Absolutely not! It’s so contrived, and David looks like he’s nine instead of 17! I want to know why they can’t capture that same youthful sensuality that can make 11 year olds and thirtysomethings squee their heads off. Somehow, this image doesn’t cut it when it comes to David’s appeal.
Anyway, it’s time I get some shut eye. Will tell you more later.
G’nite all!
There are a couple of pictures in this thing that DO have the 20 and 30 somethings all a twitter. haha! Rascal just didn’t pick the right one. LOL!
That being said…no to the whole thing….for ME.
OTOH…if I was 17, or thereabouts…I’d be first in line. haha! And I was back in the day. Tiger Beat…16 Magazine, etc.
Even Frank Sinatra made similar mags back in his day…when my Mom was all atwitter and HER dad was telling her to “turn that God forsaken noise down!” hahahaha! She graduated HS in 1949 and all the “Bobby Soxers” loved them some Frankie. I took my mom to see him when he hit KC back in the mid 1970s for a concert…bought her a T-shirt and got front row tickets as my birthday gift to her. And she STILL after 30 some years sat there with her mouth open and her eyes sparkling and swooning over him and she loved him until the day he died and loves him still.
These kids buying this magazine today will be there for David 30-40 years from now with their mouths hanging open and eyes sparkling and swooning over him. He’s building a long-term fanbase that will grow with him.
Us older fans will just have to suck it up. haha!
Thank you HG for that awesome report! It’s so great that you finally got to see him for the first time. I just watched the Albany TMH video and the energy was insane!
It kinda had a grungy garage band kind of feel. I like! But it was also kinda scary haha.
Another You Can
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David to the rescue
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Happy birthday dear David
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ALTNOY
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Crush
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Here’s the full “Chestnut Song” -- audio’s not as good, but oh is his singing sweet in the beginning 🙂
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WFM in Albany is awesome! David has even more energy than in Sacramento, and he changes up the song!
{{{waving at HG}}} -- thank you! thank you! I was about to reply to your post at the previous thread when I could not get into ND for 45minutes!
I know that you must be exhausted after that concert -- exhausted from the HEAT & THE HAWTNESS! Am glad your young companion enjoyed the night 🙂 Who wouldn’t?
Thanks once again.
I think all the songs have been posted by the ever reliable JULIEBUG -- thanks hon. Here are 2 more vids showing —
David showing concern for fans at the front row
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Fans singing happy b-day to our David
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Again thanks for the vids, pics & stories from the Albany contingent!
David Archuleta will be known more for his live performances than his recordings.
So sayeth me….
juliebug hath spoken. lol. And I concur.
just to help you out Juliebug (you’ve been slaving all night collecting vids) here’s Crush:
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Awwww….you beat me. haha!
Thanks….
WFM
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Ooops! That was Buffalo.
But it’s awesome!!!! Gah!
Another “Chestnuts”
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juliebug, it’s awesome alright!! Your “ooops!” worked out for me. Somehow I had not downloaded that one, so thanks!!
She’s just now posting them I think. She was at Buffalo and then Albany.
Good night juliebug and beebee! Thanks for all the vids!
TMH
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RE the mag coverage — it would appear that there is more than 1 unit handling David’s packaging and the left doesn’t know what the right is doing. Or have decided to split the spoils so to speak?
I dunno who between Jive & Azoff/Jeff Mgt is aiming for the tween market and the audience outside the tween market. But I could not imagine that the image handling that David is getting could come from one source. It is too divergent. No look is consistent. And yes, this particular promo -- though impressive in terms of bulk (99 pages of Archuleta + 20 full page posters -- geez!) -- leaves so much to be desired in terms of image handling.
Having said that, am also thinking that perhaps, the “early adapters” (read: us in ArchuPlanet) are the only ones yet who appreciate David’s authenticity?
That in the larger scheme of things RASCAL, precisely because David is a newbie and has yet to reach a certain level of industry and market legitimacy so desired, that it is better for him to get this exposure in outlets such as Bauer’s (J14, Twist, M, Astrogirl, LifeStory for the tween market) now
This is in parallel with the choice that David made when he went pop. He said he is young and he is indeed a Top40 enthusiast -- so why not dabble in that while he is still gaining ground? And it cannot be denied that it is a lucrative market. So to me it makes sense, even if it does not appeal to me.
I just need to remind myself that I am not the PTM (primary target market)- FOR NOW. Once he has proven that he is viable as a “product”, then his once-in-a-generation talent will be the be-all and end-all of the equation in his career decisions. That is how I have made peace with what is going on with his career.
The other thing that consoles me is the fact that the always-tentative tween market will now have a better choice in their entertainment fare -- one that has form and substance; definitely a cut above the rest in that age group.
And what about us early adaptors? We’ll show the way, as always.
Sorry, typo error — “adapters” should be “adaptors” in the 3rd paragraph of my post above (#48)
Better WFM
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He’s done me in for tonight and I have to be at work in 4 hours. Eeeeek!
In the previous thread, there was a wish list of Christmas songs. Well mine is Joyfulm Joyful — the FULL VERSION of it please?
You have seen that Joyful, Joyful video, right? Every time I see where it cuts off at the most exciting part of David’s performance, I can’t help feel that the video uploader attended a course on torture techniques! Aaargh!!!!
juliebug & anyone still looking for quality vids -- I don’t know how to post the you tube vids here but I was downloading the Albany from genevewang (ones you have listed at #40) & she started posting some really good ones from Buffalo -- ALTNOY & TMH. They almost look like they were edited.
jackryan 52 -- that’s the one I’ve been wishing for. I know what you mean. We’ll have to have beebee send a message to David like she did for the “chestnut song”.
Hello Gorgeous, I’m glad you had so much fun at the concert!
I must confess, when I first read about the Albany concert and how insane it seemed, I first had images of the Columbus stampede!;I was concerned for you. I remember reading your posts on how you were looking forward to this concert in a smaller and more intimate venue. Happy to here it was a riot, but a good kind of riot. Thank you for your recap. I am sooo envious of everybody who gets to go to these concerts. Also, I viewed your newest video and I loved it! After viewing, I had a great big lump in my throat.
Awestruck -- thank you for the heads up on the newest entry of Bianca’s blog, way back a few posts ago.( Things have been moving rather quickly around here lately)
I am hearing this week is the last of the year for VH1’s top 20 countdown. The following week they’ll recap the year.
Don’t you think it would be great if David could finish out the season at #1. 😀
http://www.vh1.com/shows/series/top_20_countdown/vote.jhtml
I still want it though haha
That photo -- it’s the first time that I thought the look on his face transmits the thought…
“This is ridiculous”
jackryan4DA -- #48 -- You make a well-reasoned argument with many truisms. But the whole thing comes down to one question for me: Would the likes of John Mayer, Jason Mraz, Nora Jones, John Legend, Eva Cassidy — etc. — ever have allowed themselves to be marketed in such a context? Not on your life.
chenson — LOL, but of course!
Chestnuts: Holy gingerbread cookies, he’s such a star (does anyone who ever appears in those stupid teen magazines have this kind of talent?). Next time, however, we are going into production with the tee-shirt that archu_adorable made for me for the Manchester show, and giving them out at the door of the venue:
When you’re screaming, you can’t hear him sing!
betsey — bingo. that is exactly what I was going for.
Good morning, All.
Relating to the “magazine”…I have to agree with juliebug that “These kids buying this magazine today will be there for David 30-40 years from now with their mouths hanging open and eyes sparkling and swooning over him. He’s building a long-term fanbase that will grow with him.
Us older fans will just have to suck it up. haha!”
No matter how much we love David and understand his artistry we will not be the long term market that David needs. My gosh, I was 15 when the Beatles and the Beach Boys came out, younger for Elvis, a little older for my revered Pink Floyd, but these are the entertainers I grew up with and still listen to. I think I saw lunch boxes, dolls, paper dolls, fan mags, etc. for these guys and in my eyes it never hurt their cred.
We just need to sit back and let David’s career settle into its natural progression. He, obviously, likes the “Teen Idol” moniker since he is still a teen himself. We, his older devoted fans, just need to remember back to our youth and look at David that way. All of this isn’t going to hurt him, and in many ways it will help him have fans for his life….obviously he’ll be around a lot longer than me!
Aw heck. Cheesy, yes. And if you’d told me last December that I’d make a special trip across town to buy such a product showcasing a seventeen-year old singer, I’d have insisted that one of us was cuh-RAY-zee.
But I want the dang thing too, despite the fact that I’m in the category of fans who is encouraged by her fanaticism for David to live healthy and stay young so I can enjoy.
HG..I was so very happy after reading your report! After the initial reports came in after the concert, it sounded like it was not a “comfortable” situation, ie.. “mosh pit? I wanted so much for all the ND ladies to have an awesome nite with David and it looks like you did!
Also glad to hear you liked Gavin! After David, he was my fav of the Houston concert.
Anxious to read the reports from Kizzi, and all the others. And about the AFTER DAVID PARTY…bet David’s ears were burning!! haha!
These Jingle concerts have me spinning..David is exceeding expectations..mine anyway. I admit I was nervous for him and how he would do since he is the only act at all these concerts with no experience other than the AI tour, and the youngest I buh-lieve. What was I thinking? He never ceases to amaze! For him to sing a Christmas song at each of his sets (except Sac) was pure genius! None of the other acts could or would have done the same thing..and acapella, no less! Gives the non-fans a glimpse of why we love THE VOICE!
I’m still having a problem trying to compose myself when I try to write a comment for Gift to David’s family..How do you thank them for the sacrifices they have gone through? For the gift THEY GAVE to us, the world, ME? I just can’t find the words…I will, but it’s not easy!
When you’re screaming, you can’t hear him sing!
But you really can! I screamed, and I heard him crystal clear over the din! His voice is that pure and that powerful. The louder we get, the stronger he brings it!
I don’t know. Maybe because I’ve gone to churches where the point of the singer/choir is to get the audience riled up and shouting their appreciation -- rather than sit back in contemplative silence -- this doesn’t feel so jarring. It’s all good!
Good morning everyone! Obviously I’m still on my David high from last night. Thank you Lord for good good weather! I wake up this morning to find there’s a winter storm advisory in effect. Thank you Snow for delaying your presence by 24 hours! 🙂
Still processing the night before…
silverfox — check your other Google mail account, the one you probably don’t use as much…
HG -- well, it might be okay in the excitement of a live performance, but it sure doesn’t make for very appealing recordings!
And let me also offer my thanks for such a wonderfully breathless report--a delight to read 🙂
Uh, excuse me…where can I buy that mag???
Rascal, good point about the not-so-appealing recordings (I’m still trying to salvage mine).
We concertgoers really ought to be more thoughtful of our You Tube brothers and sisters.
I’ll remember this next time I go to one of his concerts. 😉
I really hope Jive and his management are noticing how hungry his fanbase is for his live performances. They need to produce a good DVD (or HBO special) of him in concert.
HG..coming down from the euphoric high after seeing David takes time..It feels so good, and yet so sad, it hurts almost.
About the mag, FOD posted some of the other photos from the mag that were VERY NICE and captured David’s beauty just fine..see, I’m being good!
rascal..thanks, just what I needed..NOT!! haha!
And thank you for the compliment! I’m blushing!!
SF, I haven’t had a chance to look at the initial reports -- although I agree it was “mosh pit” style.
I think it’s funny you and others would be worrying about us “mature” ladies (though I look young for my age, so I didn’t mind acting like I was a tween/teen -- it also helps to have a younger companion with you).
Highly recommended if you sense you might be going to a “mosh pit” style venue to see David: take a tween with you! Borrow one if you have to! 🙂
And, yeah, I was wondering where I could buy that mag. Maybe I’ll have to get my new friend to buy me a copy -- sorry, there are limits to the “things I do for David.”
Commingling with the youngins to get a glimpse of David and hear him sing live is tolerable.
Going up to the counter with one of these teen mags (which I haven’t bought since the sixth grade because, by the time you got to high school, those rags were so not cool) and having a store clerk look at me odd is less so.
(I think I read over at IDF the price tag is at $9.99? What the heck?!)
I see the $$$ exploitation of David continues.
Jason Mraz on David Archuleta:
“I spoke to David Archuleta the other day, and he told me he’d love to work with you some day, but he thinks he has some growing up and maturing to do before then.
I’d be happy to [work with him]…If Archuleta is a young man who has that awareness already—that I have some growing up to do—that’s amazing. That awareness is the first step. That’s the first tool that one needs to be a songwriter.”
From this article: http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/marc_malkin/b72720_jason_mraz_talks_grammys_archuleta.html
“Word” is that the mag is available from Barnes and Noble, is anyone’s asking seriously.
So my goal is to see David at every opportunity to see him nearby … and also to someday travel to see him at Carnegie Hall. I have no doubt that he’ll shine in both types of situations.
HG, happy, ninaf, TOfan, (anyone I’m missing)….thank you for sharing your fun with all of us…I love living vicariously through some of my favorite people!
If/when David performs at Carnegie Hall, hands down I am going and spending the weekend in NYC.
Thanks everyone for their reports from last night! If you have a chance to see David in an intimate venue, definitely go for it.
Carnegie Hall? That’s a no-brainer. Of course I’d be there in a heartbeat (I’m going there Christmas weekend for a Handel’s Messiah performance, actually, as a birthday gift for my mom). The acoustics are awesome -- David’s voice would fill the entire arena. Can’t you just hear him already? 🙂
“HG, happy, ninaf, TOfan, (anyone I’m missing)….”, I too am glad you guys had a blast last night.
HG, love all of your comments. I vicariously share your excitement. Thanks for that.
David Archuleta the teen idol might not be the best way to market him, for us, but I think that they underestimate the teen/tween market, and think that the way to grab them is superficially rather than sustancially. The good thing is that the kids are getting that he’s cute, but they get that he’s a great singer/performer too. The fromage y queso caserole of a magazine won’t hurt him much.
oh man! raz is upset again. ……. moving along….
HG, happy and others -- i just love hearing your stories. A perfect life would be going to a concert per week with our sweet David. Second best is to hear stories from you guys.
HG -- you mentioned how you could hear David just fine even with all the screams. That was my experience in Sacramento. And truth be known, an occasional scream came from vermeer and me! Just couldn’t help it LOL!
There was a time when a mosh pit was exciting for me: “Clash-of-the-Titans”: Slayer, Anthrax, Megadeth, Alice in Chains, etc. I aquired a few bruises and black eyes. Oh Gosh…What fun it was! Happy to know that HG wasn’t “passed-around-the-audience”! Thanks for your recap HG. So glad you had a great time!
rascal 58 -- I really don’t think “When you’re screaming, you can’t hear him sing!” t-shirts will make any difference to hormonal girls and boys going to a live concert. Right now David seems to really, really feed off this kind of feedback. He’s having fun with it! He is enjoying it. I know we all know this, lol.
SOMEDAY he will acknowledge and cherish an audiences greatest gift to an artist -- to be utterly silent during the performance and immediately after THEN break out in applause, screaming…
PS Can someone block out all the intense screaming while David is singing the chestnut song??? I heard glimpses of some wonderful things -- R&B/Soul? type flavor and would LOVE to really be able to hear it.
As for the marketing in Life Story -- it is what it is. I believe that David’s artistry will rise above this kind of thing in the not so distant future what with the pace he is moving at right now. Unbelievable.
Happy to know that HG wasn’t “passed-around-the-audience”!
BWAHAHAHA!!
Even if the crowd was that wild, do you see us really getting that out of control? David would nip that in the bud with a quickness:
“Hey guys! I just want to let you know we have some older ladies here tonight, so could you could please not pass them around the audience? Thanks a ton!”
He smiled his 1000-watt smile, and we’re gently not messed with.
Yeah, the master at work. 🙂
Good Morning my fellow Northern Light ND’ers!
What a blast we had last night…or should I say into early this morning…yawn.
Bluebarsa, djb & son, HG, happy, ninaf, refnaf, TOfan: My fellow compatriots in all things David! Sharing our stories, our thoughts and feelings and all things extraordinary last night was beyond wonderful!
And, rascal, I must say you have one savvy, intelligent and sophisticated group of commenters. Thanks for creating this forum and allowing us to meet. The concert was fantastic, the meeting of fellow David fans from ND was euphoric!
SF -- we talked about you the whole (well almost the whole) evening -- LOL -- 🙂
The concert was unique. The last time I saw a local rock band in a bar standing room only on a concert floor and rustic decor was….hmmm…let me see….ummmm….40 years ago, college days. It was, yet again, another conundrum for me on this David Fan journey, standing for 3 1/2 hours, packed in like a sardine, in a crowd of screaming fans (and yes, Gavin fans screamed for him but at the beginning and end of his songs).
David was energized and I hadn’t seen him live since Tampa AI in August. He has really stepped up his game. He is taking command of the stage and the audience. Once he realizes that we will follow whatever he decides (and not just in song), mesmerized in a trance like state from all facets of his artistry, he will have truly taken the step to super stardom. I mean, last night, if he had said stand on one foot and pat your belly and rub your head, I do believe alot there would have done just that—ahahaha.
Meanwhile, my feet hurt.
This from Susie at Snarkies
But the best thing of tonight was my husband’s reaction to David. All along, he’s not quite understood why I, his wife of many years, had suddenly gone all fangirlie when I’ve never cared particularly for music before. He was the AI fan, not me. He was the one with the IPod full of music, not me. But whenever I would try to explain why David had captured my heart, it made no difference. My hubby could not be convinced that I hadn’t lost my mind. In the end though, it was David who made the difference. As we walked out to the car after the concert, he confessed that he is now a fangirl, just like me, just like those loud wooo-ing guys who surrounded us, and just like the pushing multitude there tonight. WOOHOOOO!!! I have a sneaking suspicion we will be hitting the road to go to some of David’s east coast solo concerts! YEA!!!! 😀
I need this to happen to my hubby. He really thinks I have lost it (his comments to me have actually hurt me). Until I have the opportunity to drag him to one of David’s concerts I live through all the wonderful stories you have all shared! Thank you.
HG 80 LOLOLOLOL
Meanwhile, my feet hurt.
Yours too? ha ha! I’m so glad the snow came and delayed my going in this morning so I can still rest up!
Good to hear from you finally, Kizzi and it was great meeting you. I agree that David already had the audience eating out of the palm of his hand and that all it takes is self-realization that he has that influence. Then, he’ll seriously flourish into a mega-star.
My confidence in his superstar influence is based on the fact that he’s such a conscientious person, he would take that kind of power very seriously.
But, I do hope he hurries up and realizes this. Others have mentioned those in his orbit, and my worries are that, if David isn’t fully aware of his influence, those around him certainly are, and they may try and manipulate that influence for their own agendas. David’s agenda, from what I can tell, is to spread good music, love, and peace. if others are smart, they’d leave him be and realize that this is enough.
Snarky’s is reporting that there will be a livestream (not sure if audio or visuals too) of the Boston/Lowell concert.
Hi HG. Getting ready to take off. Hugs!
Sounds like the station is webcasting the concert with interviews, and you may be able to chat with the artists online:
http://kiss108.com/pages/jingleball08_show.html
I must admit…I am going to Barnes and Nobles today. By myself. I will walk-up to that cashier and proudly tell them “my 15 year old niece just loves this kid”! Gah…then I will run to my vehicle… pull to the back of the parking lot… and tear it open just like one of the teenagers! (I am still 16, aren’t I?)
archangel48- I’m with you on that. I’m getting my coat on and I don’t know if I will even try to pass it off that it’s for my niece. The heck with it!
Kizzi..you may already be gone, but just wanted to tell you how satisfying it is to me to know you all had a blast! Wish I could have been there! Looking forward to seeing you in Atlanta!!
archangel….that was MY plan! haha! Where there’s a will, there’s a way, I always say!
ram,SF, HG, thanks! I was at my family Christmas party this last Sunday. A few family members commented on my weight loss. Asked me what was I doing? My ODD was in full blown mode…I told them I want to live a real looooong time to continue enjoying David
Archuleta!!! (I honestly believe they all thought menopause was REALLY hitting me hard)! Very politely those who asked smiled and went to mingle elsewhere! Ha! Ha! My Husband has told me to “take-it-down-a-notch when My ODD is kicking! I say…B.S. (Maybe I’ll buy 2 of those mags at B&N)!
The first of my videos from last night. I’ve got to run now but will add more later (forgive the visuals!):
The Christmas Song
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#92 -- HG, your audio seems much clearer than what I heard earlier. Thanks!
Thank you, HG, for the exciting report of your Albany experience and to all of you for your comments and insights.
It is almost unbelievable to me that I sit at the computer most morning to watch and re-watch (and then watch some more) all of the screaming videos just to hear what I can of David. Not easy for old ears.
Rascal #58 & #65 and HG #63 – I noticed on HG’s You Tube video of “The Christmas Song” that someone (palmtreephan) had responded with an interesting thought/observation: “Maybe I’m reading things wrong but I think I’m seeing a trend with David rewarding those who are not screaming and carrying on with a smile, a point, or a wave. Maybe he’s trying to slowly make an impact in his own understated way by illustrating that there is an appropriate time for such behavior, not throughout the entire performance. Wouldn’t surprise me one bit, he’s that unconsciously perceptive.”
HG #67, AMEN to the idea of Jive/Azoff producing a DVD of a live concert. We NEED to see that, and yes juliebug he WILL be known for his live performances. Maybe his studio recordings will bring on more excitement when he is given more time to develop how he wants to bring on his vocals…
And thanks HG for your chestnut video -- best audio on the net!
Awestruck #79, yes there is R&B and soul in his rendition! And during the bridge you can hear some jazz influences! Yay Jazzman and yay David! I’d LOVE to hear him take on the jazz classics someday…
RASCAL on #56 -- “… John Mayer, Jason Mraz, Nora Jones, John Legend, Eva Cassidy… not in your life!
Oh so true but Rascal, the probability that these people will appeal to the larger tween market is also not hopeful 🙂 I doubt that Bauer would also be interested in them for its tween mag series..
If am reading you correctly on this, it is David’s integrity as an artist which is at the core of your “frustration”. But I don’t see it being compromised here, despite the tacky or contrived presentation. Now If the same presentation of David is featured say in publication targeting the more mature market, that’s the time I would worry!
I don’t know if there has been discussion on this yet, but isn’t it bizarre that only David sings Christmas songs during a Christmas concert bash? When I first heard he was doing Jingle Balls I got immediately excited because I was expecting a mix of pop songs and classic holiday songs, but it seems like every other artist performs only their own hits. It just struck me as a cynical way to exploit the time of year to promote the commercial success of the artists.
And David comes out and sings a song that is actually RELEVANT to the time and season. I’m not sure how conscious he is of what he is doing -- perhaps he is just reveling the moment and wanting to celebrate, out of an organic connection with his audience and his surroundings. But in any event, it is part of David’s own quiet rebellion, defending his artistic integrity in the midst of a cynical music industry.
ronaldsf — Terrific point. And I think there’s another reason…
It would be too costly (i.e. require too much rehearsal and preparation) to prepare actual holiday numbers to be performed by the entire ensembles with all the instrumentation, so the only way to do it is self-accompanied (e.g., piano, guitar) or acapella…. Who else among the Jingle Thingie artists could really stand up there and do that??
Only One that I know of…
HG when you say “But you really can! I screamed, and I heard him crystal clear over the din! His voice is that pure and that powerful.”
Is that the same as when I saw him standing before me, it is as if everything else fades in the background…? 🙂 I remember reading something along those lines countless times during the Idol Tour! Tee-hee
Seriously, am glad you guys had a blast.
Freofan David at CARNEGIE HALL?? O dear.. when that happens I would really be traveling thousands and thousands of miles just to see him!
KIZZI -- great recap. thanks for sharing. BTW did you guys take pics of yourselves? LIZ sent me a pix of the Sacramento ladies who lunched. Thanks again davidfanLIZ!
SF -- how about you? were you able to hang out with some Archies?
SF -- We will have a blast at Atlanta. Any other ND’ers going to ATL Jingle Ball/Jam (thingie)? Email me at kizzix2008@gmail.com and we can get together. SF and I plan to go to dinner after the concert.
ronaldsf #96: I agree with your take. David is not being marketed to us; is there enough of us adult fans out there for his sales to equal what he has now with Crush & album? I’d have to say decisively “no.” Last night the tweens/teens ruled the audience (oh my ringing ears!). However, the three tweens I in my extended family have all bugged their Moms to take them to get the David’s Life story magazine.
ronaldsf #97: Last night when David sang “The Christmas Song” I was struck with how it quieted the audience (for the most part), tuned our senses to the Holiday Season and as I heard his voiced soar and then treated to a plethora of stunning runs, I had a moment of “stillness” in my mind & heart, one of those moments one has when they know something really wonderful has happened--a focusing of the senses of what is real, true. The contrast between his set of songs and his Christmas song is mind boggling. And, he switches with an apparently seamless aplomb (like the fip of a switch) from teen pop entertainer to a gorgeous, classical rendition of a holiday song!! Gaaahhhh!
jr4da: refnaf, happy and djb (I believe it was those three) took a pix of the Northern Lights ND group last night. If you send your email to me at kizzix2008@gmail.com I’ll get it to them and they will send you a pix.
No public posting though at the request of the group. Txs
Kizzi #100, David is stunningly amazing in his versatility, isn’t he? He brings his perfectionism to every genre, and he has often outdone the original artists, many of whom specialized in their own musical styles.
David may best be remembered for his soul-stirring ballads, but he will also be remembered for bringing his prodigious, learn-in-a-heartbeat talent to a variety of genres. (I’m still waiting for his take on sensual Latin music, soft consonants and all!)
Rascal #98, I agree that cost is an issue in terms of bringing full orchestration to the best, most majestic holiday songs. (Though I wouldn’t mind if other artists settled with a recorded backing track because they REALLY wanted to celebrate the season.)
Another factor is that the BEST Christmas songs — transcendent, moving ones — simply a require a great VOICE, whether the instrumentation is lush or stripped-down. Only David can do that among the teen pop artists that dominate these Jingle Balls.
The only other option for Boys Like Girls and others would be to sing the lighter holiday songs, like “Jingle Bells.” But, erm, they would only end up looking silly (er).
Oh, and just one more point -- David is VERSATILE. Most of the other teen artists at these Jingle Balls are pretty much confined to their musical genres in the Talent Department.
ronald & rascal..The Christmas songs…that’s a point I brought up earlier this morning:
.He never ceases to amaze! For him to sing a Christmas song at each of his sets (except Sac) was pure genius! None of the other acts could or would have done the same thing..and acapella, no less! Gives the non-fans a glimpse of why we love THE VOICE!
#103 ronaldsf: We talk of David’s perfectionism; I think HG also spoke of “conscientiousness.” At the core of this is his ability to focus; any true great has an over abundance of the ability to focus on one thing and exclude all else--some call this being in the “zone”--thus we are carried to his world when he sings.
What I find hilarious is that he calls himself “spacey.”
“Oh, and just one more point -- David is VERSATILE”
well said ronaldsf! David’s mature audience gets that so easily. We fully realize that David’s voice and musicality would do well in any genre he attempts. Jazz, blues, pop, soft rock, adult contemporary, etc. etc. That is what many of us saw and heard as early as his AI days.
But, sorry to say, the current music buying public tends to find one genre that appeals to them and they can’t seem to jump the fence to listen or learn about other music. It is only after they have matured and grown and opened themselves to new experiences that they will embrace “new” sounds and styles.
That is why I totally believe that David will have a very long and ever blossoming career. Even though he says he is starting his career as a pop singer and teen “idol”, we all know that his listening habits take him far out of that realm. He has often said he doesn’t want to be defined, and defined he will never be. His inate good sense will always have him singing the unexpected, and his young fans will learn more about music than they ever thought possible. As I listen to the screams at his concerts and hear the audible remarks you start to realize that these young fans are really starting to get it and they, like us, are starting to look forward and anticipate the monkey wrench David throws into the mix.
JR…We didn’t hook up with any fans of David after the show. The snarky’s ladies all LEFT after David’s set…just disapperared! I thought maybe they had backstage passes, but turns out they were in a hurry to get their vids & photos on YouTube.
But there’s so many going to Atlanta, I expect it to be a blast! The Finale, so to speak, for David’s “Jingles”.
silverfox and others -- Could anyone but David have made it work to sing a Christmas song at these Jingle events? I don’t think so. Does anyone else have the Voice that could still the rowdy crowd and make them feel the words, whether or not they are from this religious tradition? Does anyone else make you feel like you are hearing these hackneyed words for the first time, and for the first time they touch your heart?
Chiming in late as usual, but about the all-David mag, I agree… tohhh-tally cheesy, contrived, and too unsophisticated for David (at least the ones that have been posted so far). I think they could’ve filled up 99 pages with just the candid headshots that fans have taken. And there are some really gorgeous ones out there. David and his 1000 expressions. lol But I think the teens will dig it, which is obviously the market Jive is after. It still worries me some b/c teens’ tastes change so radically. Will they stick with David in the next 20-30 years? I hope they do…and support him like NKOTB fans do now. Anyway, I haven’t bought a mag like this since I used to drool over Ralph Macchio, but uhhh, yah, I’m still getting it too :]
Josie#70: So cool. David continues to impress me with his kind of patience and self-awareness. An ArchuRaz production would be beyond amazing. Ohhh, but the wait…
HG: Thanks for your recap! Sounds like you had a great time. Love your Chestnuts vid…the audio is the best one I’ve heard yet. Oh, that voice!!
awestruck: You’re not alone regarding wanting so much your hubby to like David’s music. My hubby says I’ve ruined any chance of him liking David b/c I overplay him. BUT…I have caught him tapping his fingers when I do, AND the occasional whistling the tunes when I don’t. So, I can bet that David has seeped into your husband (in a good way) more than you know. :]
back to work….
np1107 -- Mr Kizzi likes David’s music but David’s star hasn’t yet burned long enough for him to recognize David’s greatness. I feel so lucky to be able to see that greatness so early in his career.
Mr. Kizzi periodically says: “I’ve never seen you like this before” and I reply, “That’s because I have never been like this before. Take your time, honey, to get use to it. It took me a little while to to just that.” I also tell him its my new hobby, like sports cars and gardening are his. He likes the hobby analogy as he can spend alot of time on them and not feel guilty.
Kizzi -- Are other “hobbies” this obsessive? LOL
I took the afternoon off so I can take my mom to an late lunch early dinner. While I was at work today I decided that in addition to Ave Maria (Schubert) I demand he sing The Holy and the Ivy.
Make it so, David.
Errrr…. Holly not Holy. haha!
Not any of mine to date dfLIZ 🙂
but deflection and redirection always works with Mr. Kizzi cause he uses those same maneuvers with moi (and sometimes I let him get away with it--builds points--LOL 🙂 ). Being married for forever allows one these silly idiosyncrasies.
#105 Kizzi, on David being uber-focused AND also “spacey”…
Two sides, of the same coin, yes? 🙂
Remember how his friends teased him about loving lettuce? It had as much to do with him loving lettuce as it did about him tuning in late to conversations that are happening right in front of him. Probably David singing songs to himself in his head lol…
Liz..no way, no how! First of all, none of the other artists have the voice to sing acapella or the courage to even try. It seemed in Houston that David was totally spontaneous when he just said he was going to sing a Christmas song. It didn’t seem like it had been planned, like it was a last minute decision on his part. Whether is was or not, I don’t know, but it worked. The crowd was mesmerized. And the best part is that the audience, especially the non-fans, were treated to something they never expected and quite frankly, may not easily forget.
ronaldsf#118 -- Exactly! And, oh, to have that level of focus all the time in something I have a passion for. *putting in request for next life time*
Everyone has their particular fav Christmas song they hope David sings, and I have two. He already sang OHN at Lighting event last Saturday, but I’d like for the bigger audiences at the jingles to hear David sing it. My other very favorite is “Mary Did You Know”. I think if I ever heard David sing MDYN in person, I would simply dissolve. I would lose all sense of reality, but I still want to hear him sing it, preferably in Atlanta…I’m sure Kizzi will get me to the ER Mental Ward!
hi all-
SF- we missed you!!!!! I would love to hear him sing “What child is this?”
Kizzi- I want to thank you again for organizing the gathering. I have as much to say about the elements of the gathering as I do about the concert…..
Happy..You have no idea how I would have LOVED to have been there. And, I’m so silly worrying about ya’ll after the first reports came in about how hot it was in, etc.
Anyway, I’m getting ready to leave work and will be home soon.
I want to hear all about those “elements”.
What Child is This?”, another beautiful song..
And how about David singing the “Chestnut” song..I have never heard “The Christmas Song” sung with an R&B & Soul flavor!
I meant…about how hot it was in the “mosh pit”, etc.
Coming out of lurkdom to give a special shout-out to Kizzi. I enjoyed meeting you in Albany, and I join in with Happy #120 to thank you again for putting together our after-the-show party!! It was fun to see you all. The show itself may not have been the venue we had hoped for David, but as always he adapts, faces situations fearlessly and continues to shine. And, I too was impressed with Gavin DeGraw…it was good to find this artist as he complimented David very well. We’re the lucky ones!! We have more shows to look forward to. I’m sure I will be seeing many of you again!!
I have to write my reflections piece-meal… I can’t process all of it at once into one or two long posts.
Specifics to last night:
First off- as I posted last night the component that struck me most about his performance was his intensity. I thought of moving out of the crowd but decided I would endure it in exchange for being able to watch him sing so close to me. I reasoned I will see him perform many more times in my life, but probably never singing so close to me, really no more than 10-20 feet, sometimes closer. When he came out he was pumped. As reported, Gavin was delightful and soulful and sexy and smooth and set up a great vibe and rapport with the audience. He teased David and the crowd about all the Archuleta-love-in-the-house. He kept randomly saying “oh David Archuleta” in a soft teasing way and the crowd would go nuts. It was very obvious that the majority of crowd was there to see David, and David must have been aware of that component of this jingle jam as opposed to others. He really was the headliner and he must have known it. So he brought it when he came on stage. The smile is killer……thud…dead…no hope of resistance….just killer….dead. Just as killer, for me, was the intensity of his emotion….tiny stage, small dumpy bar and David is giving it all away. The Archubop needs to be renamed, because for me that was the highlight of his stage presence. In the split second that he looks down and away and grooves with the song…. that’s the David-the-artist-performer that must be cultivated….
happy124- and that was a short reflection?….. LOL
To be honest, not many, if any, current Top 40 artists have the balls or the talent to pull of a capella singing in a live concert.
Only David 🙂
Happy! LOVE THIS: “…In the split second that he looks down and away and grooves with the song…. that’s the David-the-artist-performer that must be cultivated….”
Soulful through and through… to the bone . I’ve always seen this in him… it killed me DAID… waaaaaay back early on idol. (Been daid ever since…)
kizzi~ I sent you an email of the photo ..be back later!!
videos to follow….
~~~~~~~WHAT A FEELING !!~~~~~….AAHHH!!!
I just drove 20 miles in pouring rain to buy thus magazine “Life Story. I am not displeased. It costs too much, $9.95 but I think its ha since pictures and full page poster type shots that are just great.
Another thing, what don’t the Albany YouTubes work? They keep buffering and its hard to stay with them and see th while song. Seems to be happening alot with them latley. Is there a fix? Thanks!
Abrra
* I think it has nice pictures* #129
Abrra
RASCAL #98 -- I’m jumping ahead before reading the rest of the posts, but if there was ever a doubt on how much you admire the talent of “this kid”, I think it is blatently evident in this post….
Yup… WHO ELSE COULD DO THAT?
I actually think this is kind of cool, but if they, like LittleMushroom said, put him on lunch boxes and sleeping bags, sheets, chairs, etc., i would probably kill myself. it’s just so cheesy, it’s not like he’s miley cyrus/hannah montana who people are used to seeing this kind of stuff. he’s better than that.