One of our loyal and beloved notingDavid regulars emailed me earlier today and gently suggested that I might turn my gaze to joy. Fair enough, I replied.
And so, to joy.
The joy of discovery in new music. One of the blessings in being a fan is that the surprise of new material is married to the warmth of familiarity. It’s like traveling to new and exotic locations with a lover. But the depth of David’s soul contains discoveries of its own, and nothing is perhaps more rewarding than noticing a special nuance or a shaded note, even after multiple plays, that you hadn’t noticed before. And suddenly all is deep and wide and reeling again as you marvel at the grand and glorious subtlety that David extracts from even the simplest phrase.
The joy of watching David’s joy. Even through all the impossible stops, the traveling, schedules, and faces, David not only endures through it all, he delights being put through his paces. Surely he knows that he’s living his dream, he is grateful, we know that, it shows. But David knows too that his public is part of it, they’re on the journey as well. His commitment to the grind is a selfless gesture, a gift he bestows to his fans. It’s thrilling, and he wants to share it.
The joy of soaking in David’s voice. Critics who listen are already groping for adjectives. Foggy. Velvet. Winsome. Melancholy. It cannot be reduced to words, of course. Neither can it even really be heard with the ears but indeed must be felt with the heart. It pierces, it soothes, it bundles and wraps. It soars and it slides and it whispers. There’s infinity in them thar notes.
The joy of sharing in David’s accomplishment. That circular piece of polycarbonate plastic is not just the result of three crazy months of traveling and recording and selecting and agonizing, but indeed the result of a lifetime of preparation… Of daring to think, as he watched Les Miserables or listened to Mariah Carey, that it might be him; that he, too, might someday sing and that people might listen; that he might one day even dare to dream of joining the pantheon of performers who reach beyond the recordings and rest in people’s hearts.
He rests in ours. He is joy.
Joyful, joyful!!!
{{{rascal}}} The Joy. The Joy. The Joy.
(I think I know who that loyal and beloved regular might be)
David’s CD is the gift that keeps on giving, in that multiple listens always yield more new gifts… every every time. And each time I experience a new nuance…. my kneecaps fall off. lol
When he said it was so cool to have fans sing along with one of ‘HIS” songs, The JOY was so sincerely obvious I couldn’t help but well-up with tears! ( yeah, I know, I am a GUSHER!)
This Yin is just as powerful as the previous Yang. Thanks for the whole picture.
And, Joner -- I really love listening to “Desperate”, it is so different. And, “Falling” is one of the most poignant, emotion stirring songs; it hits me in the solar plexus and spreads like wildfire. I have to be ready to listen to it because it is so powerful. His voice coupled with his writing is beyond description now and as he grows his artistry…well..as beebee says “Daid”
beebee~ not to worry, you are not the only one walking around with no kneecaps!! ….I am right there with you on the multiple listens as well~ minimum 3x per song before moving to the next and each time ..there is more to hear.. david is my ear candy!!.. am I gushing yet??
archangel~you are not alone in your spontaneous gushing and tearing either !!
The Joy of David~~~~~
O Joy, O Bliss! LOVE this theme, Rascal!
Forgive me for reposting but thought this fit better here. Something else to thank David for – another “heart connection”:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20081113.SONG13/TPStory/?query=heart+music
(And Kizzi, your ode on the last thread, Brava! ROTFLMAO!)
There are moments of beauty in David’s music that bring me to tears.
Rascal, there are moments in your writing that do the same. I know of no one who can match the eloquence and beauty of your words when you write of David and his music. Thank you.
Thanks Rascal. I think alot of us needed to see this! David is Joy!
Beautiful Rascal… I read this as I listened to Somebody Out There… tears.
It is rare to see true Joy emanating so clearly from another, and that is David.
Thank you…
Better write fast or no one will read this post just like no one will see my comments linking the last thread to Carrie Underwood’s comments last night.
Ok -- It seems like all of us are best described by Katy Perry --
we’re hot n cold
we’re yes n no
we’re in n out
we’re up n down
we’re wrong n right
let’s kiss and makeup
A popular refrain from the 1940s captured the thought:
Accentuate the positive;
Eliminate the negative.
Latch on to the affirmative;
Don’t mess with Mr. In-between. 1
Good advice then. Good advice now.
Thanks Rascal, That felt really good!
Wow, rascal!!! You really know how to put all of our deepest feelings about David into beautifully eloquent words! I was brought to tears with your tender ode to our boy!!! There is so much to be joyful where David is concerned. I just finished listening to “You Can” (my new favorite) and I marvel at how he can turn simple words into heartfelt expressions of emotion. It is true, I can listen to each song many times and still find something new to revel in!!! We are so fortunate to have such a talented, sweet, deserving young man to adore and enjoy! Thanks for putting our thoughts into words!!!
Ok, now Rascal you have brought me to tears with your words. Thank you! I’ve never seen David’s smile light up so much in the past few days. All of the hard work that he has done is paying off! I know that David feels very blessed and he knows where all of his blessings come from…..from above!
Rascal, this is totally an appropriate post from you in light of David’s milestone achievement this week! A well deserved dream has come true for him.
He is our conduit and via that sublime connection, our joy flows back to him.
There is the possibility that next week there might be another milestone -- Crush might go platinum the same week that Cook’s might go platinum.
Yay! A joy piece! ((((Rascal))))
Speaking of which: I am just loving his “Waiting for Yesterday” (sounds very autobiographical). Don’t know why, but this one gets me bopping my head and I love that falsetto note in the second verse, I think. Anyone else loving this bonus track?
HG -- I’m in love with the GO in that song. It’s disgraceful how much I love that note. The girls are going to eat this song up in concert.
Rascal,
With such a beautiful post I must add my moniker. While I agreed with all your recent posts I felt that maybe you were missing the simple fact that despite all the warts -- we are grateful to have an entire cd at all with David’s voice. We are lucky he was left half of a voice to record. As he wrote in ‘Works for Me’ -- “there were sone days when my voice would make no sound at all”. I sincerely wish David all the artistic freedom on his future efforts but for right now…I feel BLESSED and yes, JOYFUL!
Hi everyone!
YES! David is JOY..he provides so much pleasure with his VOICE. He is our source of Happiness and joy!
Waiting For Yesterday, Let Me Go & Works For Me…he definitely SHOULD sing these songs in the Jingle concerts..LOVE them! One of these song should be the next single..I know I’m jus’ dreamin’ and I’m no expert..i’m jus sayin’…
Thank you Rascal! This is a most welcome post.
I feel so proud and happy of and for David! I have never been so invested in the life of a ‘stranger’ before. He doesn’t feel like one to me. He is now a part of my heart, and as crazy as that sounds to folks that don’t get/feel David, it is the honest to goodness truth.
I love you David, for the way you make me feel, for the sweet soul that you possess, and for being a shining example to us all.
Oh My HECK…I’m listening to the three songs I listed on my previous post..I can PICTURE David singing these songs on stage in concert…It’s more than I can bare! WHEW!! Then I hear Somebody Out There and I am SPENT!! First thrills, then chills..What a concert I pictured!! Elvis who??
Juliebug, that “GO” note in WFY is to die for!! GAH!
SF, you’re right about these songs being performed live. if not for the Jingle Balls, maybe for that 2009 solo concert? Let’s hope!
hi all~
This is such a happy and Joyful place right now it makes my heart swell….if we are feeling this way about David’s success ..and quite a week it has been so far…I can not even imagine how David and the entire Archuleta family are feeling…oh my!.. more tears..of JOY of course….I just want to reach out and……..
{{{{{{{{{{HUGS..Archuleta’s..HUGS..}}}}}}}}}}
God Bless All of You !!!!
A Dream Come True
David’s voice is like a benediction… every night I go to sleep listening to the “velvet crusher”, and it doesn’t seem to matter to me what song it is a s long as it is his voice…… He is joy , thanks Rascal for your words.
Rascal, your writings are trully unparalleled!!!
He is joy, no, more than joy!!! He is Nirvana!!!!
We his fans listen to him with our hearts, not our ears… you get what I mean…
Did anyone of you see this? From MTV News:
And unlike some other former “Idol” contestants who had post-show issues with their record labels, Archuleta insists things went quite smoothly for him. “The label was really good to work with, and they had some ideas, and I had some ideas too. We found a compromise, but they were really easygoing, and they were open to our ideas,” he said. “They were really great.”
interesting interview with David, who said Jive was “easygoing” (heh):
http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1599287/20081113/archuleta__david.jhtml
Freofan, looks like we posted the same thing at the same time! 🙂
Freo and HG — David is a consummate diplomat. Doesn’t mean he is disingenuous. Also doesn’t mean things didn’t get tense and difficult. Like any good Bodhisattva, David cares as much about the truth of light as he does about the light of truth.
I agree; I think that David will not draw attention to conflict and that he will avoid it if possible.
This photo is incredibly captivating, not only because of David’s outer beauty, but because it is so easy to read what emanates from within--sheer and simple joy. It was evident through the TRL video that he loved the whole experience. It’s the sort of stuff that is so rewarding as a fan. It’s all I need.
It’s taken me a couple of days to begin to digest the album. Other than listening to the early snippets of Touch My Hand and My Hands, I elected to wait until the CD officially came out to hear any more songs. While I am happy with that decision, it has also been overwhelming to take in so much of David’s music and talent at once. (And as an adult student who particularly needed to focus this week, I’ve been anything but dialed into the tasks at hand)! I don’t know where to begin….I love this album. I love the many facets of David, I love the special care that he so obviously gave to each and every line, and I love the songs themselves (talk about filling a void in Pop music)! And while there has been some commentary of late regarding ‘overproduction’ here and there, I thought even some of the ‘additives’ were appropriate (such as in Desperate where they provide a sort of fitting dream-like quality). Aside from the early realization that there were certain songs that instantly resonated with me, I can say I love them ALL. (I don’t recall being able to say that about any other compilation of music).
I specifically waited a bit to regain a somewhat clear head before offering a response to this first work (an objective one, if possible). To me, it absolutely shines--and David’s own writing as brightly as any. The only twinge of regret I’ve felt since the album release has been in my own thought process. Thinking I’d been giving David enormous credit for his great musical ability (while trying not to put him on an unfair pedestal), I realize now that I still wasn’t giving him all the credit he deserves. David, you’re an amazing artist. Thank you for all that you put into the CD--we see it!!
What I love about his diplomacy is that it seems so intuitive. It never seems forced. It’s not studied diplomacy… he just is.
And yeah, HG, Waiting For Yesterday is my current repeat song… though that does change hourly… I’m in love with almost every song on the album… I have to listen to every song twice before I can move on to the next.
just stopped in again to check on all the debating, and what do I find but the joyous face of our inspired little angel. WHAT A SMILE, WHAT A FACE!!! Haven’t even read the posts, just wanted to say “hi” before I run out for one final time. Now this is a thread I’m gonna be givin’ some love to!!!!!!!!
I agree that David is the consummate diplomat, which is why I shared that quote, not because I thought it let Jive off the hook, but because it really showcases the type of person David is.
There are so many awesome songs on this CD -- I’m like you, momofteens, I realize I vacillate between WFY, Barriers, Desperate, Falling, SOT, and TBWY as my “favorite.” And, like you, refnaf, I’m enjoying falling asleep to this beautiful “velvet voice.”
So, with all this JOY, I just have to add just one tiny little gripe about Jive. No, this is not about their unoriginal marketing strategy. This is about why, when there are sooooo many lovely songs for the public to hear, they haven’t released a second single yet. There should have been at least 2, if not 3 songs that should have sold this album (I believe Taylor Swift has that many singles out before her album dropped, no?). I am just not getting this slow, molasses-type movement on their part. They’re “building up momentum,” but what the heck? Haven’t they noticed the momentum has been there from the beginning?
“Crush” made its world premiere since August 1. It’s now Nov. 13, and it’s the only single on rotation on radio, when there are 17 -- count them! -- 17 songs available from David. WFY, SOT, or Desperate would have done enough to solidfy David’s reputation as a serious, legitimate artist, once “Crush” established him as a current teen pop star. Still not convinced TMH should be the second single, when there are so many stronger gems to choose from.
Just SMH at whoever has fallen asleep at the wheel on his label. I should be hearing at least 2 if not 3 songs from David on radio right about now, IMO.
Another snippet from that MTV interview:
“There are actually a couple ballads on the album, and I tried to give as much as a variety as I could, just to show different sides,” he continued. “If I did any more ballads, I didn’t want to fall into that little place where I [was] stuck on the show. I wanted to show that I’m not just Mr. Ballad. I’m 17 and I love music. Maybe in the future the music will mature as I mature.”
His response above confuses me. So he prefers the types of songs on the main album to the organic sounds of the ballads? It’s interesting because the artists he raves about reflect more the style of the bonus tracks.
Nelli, you don’t know me, but… I must {{{{hugggg}}} you. Beautiful. 🙂
Freo, don’t be confused. David is expansive musically. Trying to pin him down and/or pigeonhole him or his musical “preferences” is an excercise in pointlessness. He’s bigger than that. He has an expansive appetite for music.
rascal..can we have rainbows & unicorns just for tonight, PUH-LEEZE!!
I need to write an ode to David saying the word “be” and his enunciation of the consonant “b” when singing in general. lol.
Ever since “And So It Goes” when he utters that “be” in “so I would choose to be with you…” *thud*
My current b *thud* is in “Somebody Out There”. Just listen to the line in the beginning (listen at 0:45 ish) “… y’don’t hafta be alone…” aauuuggghhh. NOT to MENTION the whole styling of that phrase itself… AAUUUGGGHHHH! *MEGATHUD!*
(um… paddles please…)
BeeBee, You don’t know me, but I know you 🙂 (I’ve frequented this site for some time just never posted--so busy….). Love the intellectual slant here. Thanks.
Rascal -- I was thinking about your earlier post today while I was at work (watching children on a playground in the autumn sunshine) and thinking about you, in general, and it occured to me that your fussy, obsessive, anxious articles are just as much your love letters to David as the ones that are very obviously about how much you love him. Your concern for him is in every word you write.
So I was going to tell you to go home, get your I-pod and your earphones and settle into your couch for a long, devoted, attentive listen (and, I suspect) cry. I was going to tell you to just soak in this new, delicious, rich chocolate cake of a cd.
And then I came home and see that someone else *cough*Josie*cough* beat me to it. And that what you have written has done something similar for all of us. Your words added so much to the experience I have had today as my I-pod is finally working properly and I have had some time to devote to just being with David.
I love every song. I love every note of ever song. I love every nuance of every note of every song. I love David. I more than love David. I am just floating in joy.
“b”ee”b”ee, Are you ok?? I think you’ve gone off that “ledge”!!
beebee -- is that why your name is beebee??
ha!
Gee, beebee, I hadn’t noticed all the “be’s” in the way you have -- I’m still stuck on the chill-inducing “Go!” in his luscious WFY.
SF, haven’t we all? ha ha!
Rascal,
Thanks for the new post.
From all the non-musical lessons we’ve had the priviledge to get from David -- humility, strength, faith -- JOY is the one that stands out for me. As a fan I’m overjoyed. 🙂
That photo is just beautiful!
Have you all seen this Popstar Magazine video of David at the Virgin megastore?
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driving home today I was listening to barriers, and wanted to post the joy of 3:14. Please, please go listen to it. You don’t get the full effect of the “too” unless you listen to it in the context of the song. I think it hit me so beautifully because the note really stands out amidst the wall of sound approach that builds in this song at that time. He hits 5 notes for that one word, and he hits them clearly and distinctly- they are not run together. He could have run words like that repeatedly through the song, but instead he gives us it once- to make it special. It’s that special surprise he seems to give us once in every song……it steals your heart……..thud.
SF- maybe I’ll bring the brownies back- just for tonight’s party.
betsy- the only picture I might enjoy looking at more than the one at the top of this thread is your new avi!!!! please post in this thread so I can see it again!
smanda I was thinking that same thing about rascal’s rants. I always feel a giant fierce papa bear in them (whether he intends me to feel that or not.) My name was a case of “oops need a name real quick… I know.. beebee— yeah, that’s the ticket” … but given my “b” thing… now that you mention it… it fits, not gonna lie.
silverfox oh don’t worry about me. I’m fine. (no, really :p) I had a bungee chord surgically attached to my waist some time ago. That ledge doesn’t scare me even a little…:p (So, you find my “b” fixation a tad
odd? …er… o.d.d.? Um, guilty.)HG Yeah, that “be” thing… like I said…ever since ASIG… just one of those things that *got* me and never let go of me. I love that “GO” too. In fact, I’m pretty sure I could spend… like, a YEAR… listing the moments in this CD that *git* me.
(is it just me or did anybody else experience a distinct *disconnect* when Nelli mentioned “beebee” and “intellectual slant” in the same paragraph? lol highly disconcerting… )
:::::: trapsing off with iPod to be alone with David b‘s :::::: :p
happy, I so agree with you on that “too” note. He just packs a punch on that one. I also love the bridge, especially the way he cries out on “stop.”
He is simply genius in his vocal styling, isn’t he? 🙂
beebee, on ASIG, the way he improvised on the “soooo” note in the last line of the song sent chills down my spine. That song haunted me for an entire week, couldn’t get it out of my head.
happy, NO PROB listening to all of “Barriers”… 🙂
(LOCKS!) (CRIES!) (TEARS!) (LIES!)
3:14 --> sublime david singing moment number 10,974,592
HG, and it still does when I revisit. 🙂 *chills* just thinking about it.
OK, I need help…who is Spike Feresten and what network is he on? I’ve never heard of him. Is he on during the day, or at night?
I have to set my DVR to record the show tomorrow when David is the musical guest. HELP!
Never mind..David is on Spike Ferensten on Saturday..
DU-UH!
lol… sf… the avatar…. {{{hug}}} i luv u
More joy to behold -- David at miTRL — touted as the best Crush Live, so far?
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beebee- hi, i keep missing you, glad your on earlier tonight. 🙂
hi HAPPY! 🙂 Glad you’re serving brownies today. (I love brownies with my rainbows and unicorns… :p)
beebee..what are you seeing as my avatar?
SF--starting with #55 it turned into rainbow/unicorn. For me…. er (of course, you know… I could be hallucinating .. but… it’s allllll goood. :p)
rascal, beautiful! getting teary eyed…
going home now, be back to this party later…
I woke up to this joyful article and wonderful feedbacks from you all devoted and appreciative fans of David. Ha ha, yesterday I was down, this morning my spirit is lifted.
Yes, lets push away our annoyance with Jive’s marketing strategy temporarily and meditate on the joy that David’s CD is bringing us.
I love every single sound David makes. I MUST listen to his music before I fall asleep and in the morning while having breafast. His music is on while I surf the net. I listen to “Running” only for his voice. Somehow I just don’t ‘get’ this song?
I could die for SOT, WFY, ALTNOY,YC, TBWY.
Kizzi, love your “yin and yang” philosophy and your ode in the last thread.
What? rascal said unicorns & rainbows will not be found here..so I don’t know what you mean..
Happy..what did you put the tose brownies? beebee is seeing things!
That is an impossibly beautiful picture. The ArchuJOY is powerful and intoxicating!
Fe..that’s because David is impossibly beautiful! And his voice is powerful & intoxicating! That is a very good description of David..beautiful, powerful, intoxicating.
Talking about joy, Works for Me is my favourite among the bonus tracks. It’s happy, light and David sounds crisp and agile, right on the beat. Does it sound J.Mrazish to anybody else?
I’m enjoying all of these songs.
Thanks for that vid, Jackryan -- I agree this is definitely his best live Crush. He’s so relaxed and he hit his stride.
But, I’m getting tired of that 4-month-old single now. Where’s my SECOND SINGLE, JIVE? (Anything but TMH!).
OK, so I put together a playlist re-ordering David’s album, so that it tells a better, more cohesive musical story, to me at least. (Now, if we only had the 17-track CD…)
1. Crush
2. Let Me Go
3. Waiting for Yesterday
4. A Little Too Not Over You
5. Barriers
6. Running
7. Falling
8. Desperate
9. My Hands
10. Don’t Let Go
11. To Be With You
12. Works for Me!
13. Your Eyes Don’t Lie
14. You Can
15. Touch My Hand
16. Angels
17. Somebody Out There
My rationale? I think after the first single “Crush,” the album needs to jump right into a different sounding song that’s more upbeat, and “Let Me Go” is perfect for that (much better than TMH I think). Then, we can get more mellow songs, like WFY and ALTNOY, which sound different from the first two tracks, before launching right into the awesome-sounding and harder-hitting Barriers. Then, get into another mellow song, Running, which thematically tells an interesting story that develops from first bumping into barriers, now needing to “keep on running.” Then, wham! After running, there’s this “falling” into the deep abyss that is Falling, followed by wallowing into some rock-induced desperation that is the angst-ridden Desperate. My Hands mellows out this desperation while still telling a story of needing to fix this desperate situation. There’s the hope of “holding on” here. At this point, it’s time for another upbeat, teen-popish sounding song to bring us up from the depths, which Don’t Let Go does. But, we’re not done with the pensive stuff, so we slow down for a hopeful love ballad, To Be With You. Then lovely, easygoing ditties like WFM and YEDL keep us in a very positive mood. Just in time to build us for the first time love offered in You Can. Finally, it’s time for David to launch out there beyond the private world that these tracks suggest into the public world, as offered in TMH, his ode to the fangirl, and Angels, his fanbase anthem. Finally, we close with SOT, his most mature sounding song on the album, which suggest the new direction his music is heading, as well as his continued longing for that somebody out there.
So, that’s it in a nutshell. The new order sounds awesome, BTW, and I’m sure -- if critics had heard all 17 tracks in this way -- we might get much stronger reviews than what’s out there right now. JMHO.
Testing, I can’t get in.
SF- 🙂
I am lovin’ all of the upbeat songs.
I must admit I can’t keep the names of the songs straight in my head yet. At first it was “my hands” and “touch my hands”, then it was “let me go” and “don’t let go”, then you have the verb titles “running” and “falling” and the to(o)you -clauses “a little too not over you” and “to be with you”, followed by the single-word-similar themed “barriers” and “desperate”…LOL, but really I’m not kidding…
valbraz- I know I love the little boppy gem from Walmart- Works for Me, and the whistling song -although I hate when they whistle when he is singing- don’t mind it at the beginning and end- but please, not when he is singing.
i know this has been asked, but I’m just thick these days…what’s the actual point of a single anymore? In the old days you didn’t have to buy the whole album and the B-side got increased exposure- I get that, but now- can’t you download anything as a single and can’t a station play any song or can they just play “singles”? And does anyone buy hard copies of singles?
happy..well what did you put in those brownies beebee had,,,she sees UNICORNS & RAINBOWS..and rascal does not allow fairytale make-buh-lieve nonsense like that!
HG..I agree with you..why is it taking so long for another single and why does it have to be TMH? I really like that song,,but I just KNOW #’s 2,3,4,5 on your list would be huge POP radio friendly hits!
happy/48~~~” It’s that special surprise he seems to give us once in every song……it steals your heart….” -- This has always been my thought with every song I have heard David sing…by now you know it is coming but when, where and just how is never predictable….it just happens so naturally, so in the moment…that beautiful moment……the David moment that steals your heart…..
SF73- “and rascal does not allow fairytale make-buh-lieve nonsense like that!”
who are you kiddin’? rascal loves you and you talk fairytale make-buh-lieve nonsense all the time, what with pretending to love just the belt and all…
djb74- 🙂 we love it, don’t we!!!!!!
Just catching up with everyone’s joyful posts, love ’em all.
Nelli #31, I couldn’t agree more. I seem to end up with a new favourite song every day.
Happy: “It’s that special surprise he seems to give us once in every song” — I love discovering a new one every time I listen, so thrilling.
BeeBee#40 — I treasure those special sounds too. In interviews, every time David says “home,” ah, just love it — it’s like you instantly feel a warm hug.
SF: Unicorns and rainbows! hahaha, beautiful!
SF, don’t get me wrong. I do like TMH, but it sounds more like album filler and only something to perform when he’s in concert. As you pointed out #2, 3, 4, 5 are all much stronger songs and would play really well on radio. BTW, I noticed that ALTNOY ranks the highest of all the new songs from the album on itunes, so it seems this should be the next single (not to mention how much more impressive David would be if he had this song to sing on the TV shows he’s appeared on this week).
Happy~~ahh yes we do love it….all day and night! long….the more I listen the more I hear..Heck I have had my earbuds in so long playing these 17 songs I hear the CD playing in my head(including song changes) even when I don’t have anything in my ears!! I am just starting to “not hear” that ~ “music on demand lady” ~and I made her disappear at 12:01 on 11/11….and I am NOT cra-zeh!!….and I have not had ANY brownies at all !!
Tofan~~ your avi makes me happy.. reminds me that our guy is still a 17yr old kid having the time of his life..and it is good to see him in some “down” time FUN…….
Gosh, djb, I already forgot what that “music on demand lady” sounds like! ha ha!
What joy to have 17 songs to indulge in -- and guess what, everyone? I forgot to mention, with my new order, that the songs I was initially lukewarm on -- MH and DLG -- now sound fabulous! Track ordering is everything! It helps to listen to 8 of your favorite tracks in succession. It makes anything that comes after sound just as good.
HG 51- about his vocal styling- I think that is one of the issues with the album overall (not going negative here, just going to point out part of David’s natural brilliance.)
I think David is a prodigy at inflection. Maybe because jazz is in his bones, but it was clear from the Imagine moment and continued throughout AI. It is the effortlessness with which he goes loud and soft and when he chooses to do so that is so heartbreaking. The dramatic tension between the two. That’s what I like to hear in his songs and I don’t know if the sound technology of the album can really represent the subtleties- they are so elusive and are often obscured by the music.
That’s why I can’t wait for the solo tour…have I said that yet?
silverfox -- I just cleared my cache and can now fully appreciate your joy haha!!
HG81- I agree about the song order, I rearranged mine on my car CD and I like it better than their order. But, it has also added to my inability to keep the song titles straight in my little head….
happy, TOfan, beebee..ok, I admit let my pet Unicorn, who I lovingly name “rascal” out just for tonight along with my perpetual rainbow that follows “rascal” when I let him out..isn’t he BE-U-TEE-FUL!
HG..Unfortunately..TMH is gonna be IT..but maybe they’ll release ALTNOY as well. Jeff had a poll about which 5 songs David should sing for the Jingle concerts over at FOD…#1 was ALTNOY and #2 was YC last time I checked. The bonus songs were not even close, and that ticks me off!!
Joy #1: part 2 of his miTRL appearance
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Downloadable files for youtube-challenged Archies ): still uploading
Tee-hee -- I think he has triumphant neil diamond attire?
Joy #2: With a total sales of 920K to-date, and the boost that it is getting this week with the release of the album, Crush is poised to pass 1M next week, if it hasn’t already this week! 🙂
As David said…
“But I don’t worry about where I’m going
‘Cause I know just where I wanna be
And it’s time for you to see
You say that I don’t know what I want
But I worked out just fine…)
djb79/HG- sadly, I still hear her…
happy, good point about the vocal styling getting subverted; even then, David’s genius is in reasserting his vocal mastery over the production, and I think he delivers -- especially whenever he gets to the bridges on his songs.
As for how to keep the songs straight, I’ve done what others have done. I pair them up -- the “hands” songs, the “let go” songs, the action verb songs, etc.
SF, so I guess TMH is official, huh? Even so, play it already! Sheesh!
On the FOD poll, were the bonus songs even included for the vote?
Jackryan, thanks for the updates! Also, I’ve been wondering: is Works for Me! his “up yours” answer to his American Idol experience? I believe others have guessed this from the lyrics.
Hiya jackryan!! I’ve missed you!!
As far a David’s solo tour next year, the songs we are hearing on the album will not sond the same live. David will change ALL of them or whichever ones he chooses to sing ( all I hope!). He rarly, if ever sings a song the exact same way twice..he just doesn’t. If we love his album now, wait til we hear our favs live..**sigh**
djb #80, me too, it makes me smile every time I see it.
HG #81, WooHoo!!, another MH convert! That 2nd verse is brilliant IMO.
Happy, “the effortlessness with which he goes loud and soft and when he chooses to do so that is so heartbreaking.” Yes, yes, yes! And during TBWY, on “feel that waaaaaay” he works that note from 1:55 to about 2:01 and builds the yearning till you almost can’t stand it. Gah.
Will not SOUND the same live..sorry!
HG89- love the lyrics!! they make me smile.
SF- do you need the smelling salts?
TOFAN#91-- Unequivocally the best note on the album, and that’s saying a lot….
btw with all of the processing on the album I find it fascinating (and oh so thud producing) that the producers left all of the breathing/gasping sounds audible. They certainly could have obscured them, but they didn’t……
TOfan, it took listening to it come right after the dark and despairing coupling of Falling and Desperate on my playlist. After such heavy themed songs, My Hands really sounded like David’s hands pulling me up for air. Don’t Let Go right after also did the work in keeping me in the light. 🙂
HG..yes the bonus songs were included in the poll. I just don’t understand..those songs should have been the top vote getters. Is it just us here in rascal’s house that are loving tne bonus songs??
David is the one who confirmed that TMH is the next single during one of his interviews.
BTW..even though David is deliriously happy..he still looks exhausted. He’s running on pure adrenaline.
SF- who takes those bonus song polls? mostly ODDers or more casual fans? also- can you vote more than once?
Mr. Rascal
Yes Doc?
I have to tell you, you have David Archuleta Condition (DAC).
Is there a cure?
No sir its for life.
Is it contagious Doc?
Very, you could infect many others.
The joy and the smiles and the tears and the hope for the future.
Im happy, David sang to me today.
I had a sweet and precious gift given to me.
Aww.It’s getting late and I have to work tomorrow so It’s that time again..g’nite all..til tomorrow evening..and for David..
Dear Lord, We are unworthy to ask, but we are asking anyway, please Take Care Of Our Earth Angel, David.
Watch over him, protect him from all harm.
Cloak him with your love and give him the STRENGTH to endure all that’s thrown in his path. Give him the courage and guidance to SAY NO to those who ask for more than he can reasonably give. Surround him with loving and supportive people who love him as we, his ARCHANGELS do. Seperate him from those who have agendas other than for his well being. Give him rest when he’s weary and stamina when he feels fatigue.
Give him assurance when he feels doubt. Give him joy when he feels sad. Cloak him always in your protective
arms. Keep him HEALTHY and strong so he can continue to fulfill the Destiny which was written in his Book of Life before he was born.
This we, though unworthy, humbly pray. Amen.
Sweet dreams David, be safe & secure in our love always! CONTIGO SIEMPRE CON AMOR! Take care.
“I’m happy, David sang to me today.
I had a sweet and precious gift given to me.”
three cheers for scottnsanfran!!!
Good night silverfoxe. Sweet dreams!
good night SF. Amen.
Amen! G’nite SF, and I need to sign off too.
So, g’nite all! Until next time! 🙂
rascal- I am enjoying reading and rereading your opening to the thread. Thank you for that.
good night all. Thanks for the fun.
happy/ 94~~the breathing/gasping sounds ..to me.. is so much a part of David’s heart tugging, sucking the air out of us..as it seems to show up just as we are trying to hold on ..and then Bam! ..gasp. and down we go…THUD…
…………It is truly magical
Valbraz per your Works For Me comment-- “It’s happy, light and David sounds crisp and agile, right on the beat. Does it sound J.Mrazish to anybody else?”
First, let me say, I ADORE “Works For Me” in every way.
To me it is “crisp and agile” and so much more. To me it has watershed qualities in that he’s delivering one scrumptious nugget of what I’ve ALWAYS heard in him in varying degrees and have ALWAYS craved more of. Wrapped up in this light, happy, “agile” little ditty he’s serving up some home made, fresh-baked funky r’n’b with both hands and one vocal chord tied behind his back. He’s a bonafide natural at this, pure and simple (something that sucked me in instantly with WOTWTC). He’s loose, he’s “at home”. He’s fer real, yo mama, s..o..u..l..f..u..l….baby. His spontaneous r’n’b licks are a facet of his embedded musicality and it wants OUT. He is making it crystal clear (whether he knows it or not) that this, too, is his territory. He rightfully owns a hunk (ahunka) soulful, r’n’b real estate and I know he will BUILD on it (uniquely and organically) — just to express that powerful musical vibe and soul of his that can be expressed no other way. It is an integral part of his musical vocabulary.
Not to MENTION the lyrics. LOVE THEM. LOVE THE WHOLE SONG in every POSSIBLE WAY. 🙂
And YEAH, he has some of that irresistible mraz-inspired playful whimsy in there, too. I can moz def feel that vibe too, no doubt about it. 🙂
(Why, I couldn’t be more elated if … you put funnystuff in my brownies :p)
djb105- that’s why we can play tennis together- we think alike….thud.
beebee106- perfect commentary.
“must go to bed, must go to bed..”
happy~~soo true, but I will still play haha
…..G’Nite ..sweet dreams
(actually…. come to think of it… David Archuleta IS the funnystuff in my brownies! )
happy ..if you are still here ..I thought you said we CAN”T play together””..Oops..Brownie???
beebee~ don’t you mean BBBrownies….??
~~~~~David IS my Brownie …..
nitey nite Happy! Sweet Davidy Dreams!
djb- I KNEW what you meant 🙂
(didn’t go to bed yet…too many brownies keep me awake…..must go to bed, must go to bed..)
beebee112- “Sweet Davidy Dreams!”-- now that’s a motivator!! see you tomorrow.
good night all. Thanks for the fun.
happy~of course you did.. we do think alike..
HG Imma create your playlist and try it out. (Tomorrow maybe?) I will say one thing, tho, in my many listens to the album in it’s prescribed order, I find it almost thrilling the transitions from “Waiting for Yesterday” --> to “Falling” --> to “Let Me Go”. I’ve always appreciated inspired “track order”… there’s an art to it. It’ll be fun to take yours for a spin around the block.
djb/beebee- keep your hands off my Brownie…….
(I know, I know………going to bed…….)
WOWZA….back away from the Brownies….cra-zeh lady in the house……
djb- Brownies are better than muffins……so stay away!!!
lol… djb. You may not pick on my b‘s unless you watch the vid of ASIG and take note of my beloved “first b“. Then you may pick on me. :p
muffins?? huh cra-zeh lady ??
Hello Georgous #69 -- I had thought the same thing about Let Me Go being the next single if they really wanted to get the attention of the younger people. Heck..I’m no teen and I love it!! It is a more upbeat song than Crush and Jive needs to strike while its hot. It would get the attention of the teenagers and twenty-somethings who like a little more attitude in their music. Then the new fans would be paying more attention to him and he can come out with a slower song again, such as A Little Too Not Over you or another one. Going from Crush to a faster song would just show how diverse he is and would be something the critics would not expect from him. I really like the order you put the songs in.I also rearranged the songs on my cd in certain order when I downloaded them. I went tonight to my local Wal-Mart and bought the cd there just for the song Works For Me. I will be burning it to a cd tomorrow so I will have all the songs on one cd.
There were many copies of David’s cd at the store. There was no display or anything. You would just have to be looking for it to notice it. I was kind of disappointed about that, but expected it. There was a HUGE display and advertisement for Taylor Swift though, as I expected….UGHHHH….still peeved anyway!
djb- oh muffins, those are joner’s favorite….
beebee~ oh I am not picking on you~!~ I just thought I was the only one who has noticed these things…you are not alone on this one..not by a long shot…haha..
lol… nor did I evah think I was. (We’re alllll bozos on this bus)
So what do you all think about Jive needing to change the order release of the next single? HG is on to something…even though Jive is NOT! I posted yesterday that I thought Let Me Go should be the next single if they are wanting to market him right and to the younger crowd…even though I’m luuuuvin them slow songs…swoon hee hee!
beebee~just watched ASIG vid..gahhhh…bbbb….thud…
beebee120- went and watched it -- the B is good, I’ll give you that, and the inflection in that song proves my point, but nothing beats the raw, yearning, heart pounding, desperate, pleading, exhausted, thud-producing “way” in TBWY….
djb- you’d have to be dead not to notice…..
going to bed now……for real….
good night all. Thanks for the fun.
happy“you wore me out on that one!!!!!
bed Itime for me……sweet dreams all………….
testing my avatar…
and again..
are you kidding me?
happy~~ I know you went to bed ..BUT.. Did you happen to notice the gasp..deep breath at the end of that waaaaaaaaayyyyyyy……..just wondering??haha ..lob
beebee~ in case you are still up..in your defense- there are plenty of B moments in TBWY…..
and oh by the way, the new Pic over at FOD…
…..THUD moment….
:::: uncontrollably shaking l’il beebee bootie to “Let Me Go” ::::::
say what, Inspired?
I don’t think it’s a bad idea at all. But it ain’t gonna happen, I don’t think. I prolly won’t get embroiled in that movement because it reminds me of when everybody got worked into a frenzy about “The Suit”. I finally had to just relax and let it go. Consequently, I enjoyed so many LAUGHS about the whole thing … AND (wonder of wonders)… ended up in the end with an inexplicable attachment to… “The Suit” lol. I will not lose sleep over which song is next issued as a “single”.
AND… I see : Crush, Touch My Hand, Barriers, My Hands, ALTNOY, You Can, Desperate, To Be With You, Dont Let Go, Your Eyes Don’t Lie, and Angels… are all showing up on iTunes top 100… individually, even as I type. As fans, we can spread the word about this song or that and generate meaningful heat, it seems. (Not that the songs on his album don’t generate their OWN heat, actually) I think David’s got some good buzz going with this album. I mean, there’s so much fun stuff on it, really. So, like some were saying earlier … the concept of “single” release is far different than it was years ago. I guess the main (important) diff is radio play. I suppose “official” singles are more likely to be on “official” radio play lists. I do wonder what radio requests could do, though, to get play for other songs… like “Let Me Go”…
omg… happy…djb… don’t you dare go to bed before throwing some more votes on VH1. :::::wagging finger::::
ask and you shall recieve ..bootie shakin beebee..!!
just sumpn about that “Let Me Go”
dj — does this mean you’re parked at VH1 for a nightcap? I enjoy listening to the album whilst voting. Verrrrrry pleasurable. 🙂
is it the ..round and round we go….boppity bop …hhmmm
hey beebee where is my..umm.. b ????
huh? yes… it’s the round and round we go boppity bop… lol precisely
I’m bippity boppin’ to Barriers at the moment
anyone who does not bop their bootie to this betta have another bbrownie……..round round and round we gooo……yeah Baby!!!
..rat.ta.tat……lovin it!
LMAO… I’m tellin’ ya… it’s some powerful stuff there… lol. It’s bigger’n’ the both of us, dj… :p
but I am bigger and better with my ..umm…b..
but ya know ..I will take dj anyday….haha has a nice ring to it…hmmmm
Joy Joy Joy … okay, I’ve been lured back by the joy. Rascal, your writing is poetry and so true. thank you so much.
What comes to me again and again in listening to our David, our “sweet singer of Utah”, ala our Psalmist, is how he sings the essence of each word. For me, it’s as if I’ve never really understood the word before. for example in You Can … listening to the the word “good” which comes to those who wait. Suddenly I hear and feel what “good” really means. I can get lost in the goodness which David tells in that one word. And I am held there by his voice, taking in the wonder of a universe of good… the goodness of a baby’s smile, of a soldier’s loyalty … of a mother’s lullaby … of a father’s provision … of rain on a parched field … a kindness … a thank you …
And so with repeated listenings, each song reveals more and more depth because of the spirit of the singer and what he brings to each word. The first hearing of Don’t Let Go speaks to me of a plea from a lover who is losing his love, but soon I begin to feel the rejection of a mother who stands outside the just slammed door of her sixteen year old’s room, then I feel the anguish of the wife watching her husband slip into dementia, hold on, hold on becomes the cry at the bedside in the ICU, then “you’re giving me nothing” but I hold on, so strong ,so strong …the cry of the parent reaching for the eyes of their autistic child … on so it goes.
And this all started long ago on AI when he first sang the word “brotherhood” in Imagine and I saw all of the faces of all the races of the world across a sunrise sky and when he sang the “pain down that one-way street” and I felt the “one way alleyness
with the dead end impending and then he soars on “above” and lifts us up out of that dark place ….
am I making any sense here ? Actually it’s beyond sense for me…
it’s transcendent … David sings that “some days are cold” and I shiver …He says “but together” and I feel like he’s put his sweater over my shoulder…and he suggests “better” and I see the sun coming out from behind the clouds…
He handles words like Vermeer paints the light and when he calls out “desperate” the night opens into a black hole and I have to hold on to the edge of the doorway or I’ll be sucked out into the void … from now on, if anyone tells me they are desperate, I’ll think twice about it.
He makes me listen with my heart and my heart opens wider each time I listen. No wonder some fall down overcome after meeting him .
And so, Silverfox, I so appreciate your prayer for David. He is such an old soul and carries such a promise and such a light and yet he is so young and deserves the joy he is feeling. I’m thankful again for this place, Rascal, where we can support each other in supporting “our sweet psalmist of Utah”.
OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
d’oh! I’m so sorry. Henceforth --> djb
lol… didn’t know WUT you were talkin’ about.
I have b confusion tonite. (understandable, I’d say)