It has been a lively few days here at TDC. A major event in the career of David Archuleta – a CD release – has unleashed a tsunami of articles and comments. TDC is proud that some of the most articulate commenters among the legion of David fans come to visit our little part of the ArchuUniverse. You will find below a reprinting of a dozen of those comments chosen from many that deserved a second reading. They represent a delightful variety of views. Can you find a kindred spirit among them?
Writers – I hope you will forgive us the liberties we took in editing your remarks.
From highervibe:
It [the CD] really is breathtakingly beautiful. But it was like having one radio station on while another bleeds through the airwaves. And yes, the other one (the one behind David) sounds a lot like a movie soundtrack. I have no idea how the tracks all came together (and, granted, have no business even commenting!!) but I’m guessing the music was all laid down and brought to David to provide the vocal? Kind of like the maraschino on top of the sunday? And still, even with those aspects at odds, it is a significant addition to my holiday treasure chest already.
From raelovingangels:
In fact I think it (WCIT) is perfect on every level. David’s vocals are simple, loving, gorgeous as he paints the scene in the manger. Reverent, with just the right amount of orchestration. Then as he leads toward the crescendo, of “This, this is Christ the Lord,” the orchestra picks up more. Then he pulls back and the orchestra is full blown, in my mind providing the larger/historic/sweeping impact of this simple event. Then back to the simplicity again of David’s voice back in the manger. To me it is the yin and the yang. It is in my mind brilliant and takes the listener on a journey.
From tibitibis:
I agree that some songs have a little heavy (but beautiful) orchestra arrangement, and like I said before, the first time I heard the album, that was a little distracting, but…for me David’s voice and Christmas songs are the perfect match.
From bigsky:
quote from Rascal: “Christmas From the Heart [is] the closest we have yet gotten to who David Archuleta is as an artist and indeed as a person. If ever there was a moment to take him seriously, this is it.”
I agree, and thus the opportunity to establish gravitas amongst David’s more highly acclaimed peers. Aside from being a gift to David’s fans, this particular effort may be viewed as a clarion call – however bold – towards legitimacy, and ultimately to achieve similar status. Time will tell, but this is clearly a positive step forward.
From mt:
Sometimes I feel lucky to not have that kind of knowledge [technical musical knowledge], I am able to just sit back and listen for the pure pleasure of it. On this album, I will say that there are a few times here and there where I also felt I had to strain to hear David’s voice, and we all know he has the power in his voice to be heard. But I think at his concerts it may be a different story. With minimal back up, hopefully his voice will ring strong and clear.
From desertrat:
First I’d like to say that I’m enjoying the album and can’t stop playing it. I believe that all the producers/arrangers are very talented in their own right and that David’s vocals are gorgeous. My primary critique is that, IMHO, the executive producer didn’t select arrangers/producers who best complement David’s vocal ability or know how to take his vocals to the next level.
From amb4dja:
It came down to two things this morning for me…the technical vs. the magical. My mind vs. my heart. Rascal has analyzed the technical astutely here and makes a valid point about David’s intentions and the importance of following the Voice. As usual…with David…I’m inclined to follow my heart.
I’ve only listened to CFTH 3 full-out times. This morning was the most magical…early, rainy, Sunday morning, candles lit, cup of tea…silence…then CFTH. I love it. I love it. It moves me. I hear David’s intention, his reverence, his faith. I recall one particularly spiritual Christmas memory from my childhood, one snowy Christmas Eve after midnight mass. In that way, for me, David accomplished what he set out to do with his Christmas message this year.
From highervibe:
The orchestration levels are certainly a matter of taste, and even that can change over time. While I hear nothing but the sublime in each and every track, my feeling that the interlude in WCIT, just as a for instance, is a bit excessive is only because it takes me *out* of the feeling that David has so profoundly opened me to in the first part of the song, rather than more deeply into it. It has an effect like a switching point in the train tracks, which cause the train to go off in a different direction. A bit less there would have provided “the yin and yang”—as rae described it above—perfectly well. For me, it changed the channel.
From dakgal:
After being bombarded by these songs year after year, I have come to realize, I was totally numb to them. I have found with David’s Christmas CD, I am HEARING them once again. I want to hear every note, every word, every emotion and savor them. This is a new awakening in me of the meaning of these songs. Love songs INDEED. My leaking eyes and grateful voice say, thank you David, I will cherish this gift you have given to me through your beautiful voice.
From momJulee:
Did he or did he not accomplish his goal? [From the liner notes:] “This album represents my love for the Christmas time, and what it really is all about. The main purpose of this album was to share my testimony with all of you of my love for this special time of year . . . I hope you can all feel that in the music.” Since we know that in the end David cares much more about how he makes people feel than the technical aspects behind his music, even Rascal stated that he accomplished his goal. His relationship with the Beloved One was what he was aiming for people to feel and there can be no doubt that this has happened. I don’t care if it goes on the top of the tree or stays a sentimental favorite ornament, it’s the one I will most look forward to unwrapping each season.
From ascphil:
What can I say of David’s vocal performance in this album? He is absolutely glorious in the very long note ‘looove’ in JTTW, haunting in WCIT, tongue-twistingly, syncopatedly and linguistically adept in Pat-A-Pan and Riu Riu Chiu. He can definitely hold his own against a rich orchestral backdrop in O Holy Night, The First Noel, O Come All Ye Faithful and Angels We Have Heard on High. I didn’t strain to hear him sing; his voice is eerily luminous in all the songs.
From dafan4ever:
I know that some Christmas songs have big instrumentation – that adds to the excitement or contributes to a bigger effect. I really love the album anyway, but thinking about how Contigo en La Distancia or Imagine turned out made me think of how the album “could” have been. I can see both sides of this. David does not need music to help him carry a tune, the music needs him lol.
Worldwide Sales Estimates (excluding Japan)
CRUSH (album) -- 798,500 (734K in the US) source: http://www.worldwidealbums.net/
CRUSH (single) -- 1.98M (1.83 in the US) source:
how come he has not been given platinum certification for this?
CFTH’s 1st wk -- 16,254 (US only) source: http://www.hitsdailydouble.com/sales/salescht.cgi
Most downloaded in both amazon & itunes from CFTH is the duet.
Note: This is a good showing for a Christmas album, esp with so many pop albums being launhced.
CRUSH2M -- ways to break the 2M barrier:
DID YOU NOW THAT…..
1. You can download a song from Amazon for free?
http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html/ref=dm_tw_firstmil?&docId=1000420651
2. iTunes has the same featurei — if you have purchased from it previously. This means even those who were gifted can participate in this promo!
Let’s go?!
For anyone interested in the Ann Arbor concert, there are two available on ebay…scroll down to the last few tickets for sale…
SB
Forgot to mention that I have an extra VIP for the beginning three day, pre-Christmas extravaganza concert in Manchester at a reduced price if anyone anywhere is interested…
SB
I’m looking for a VIP for AC for my sister -- if anyone has an extra for sale, let me know. Thanks!
Thanks for this post, Liz. It’s a good time to highlight the thought-provoking contributions people give here.
On the CFTH sales, this comment from a “Liz” (another one I think!) over at twentyfourbit.com. Things are looking pretty good:
Well… it’s October. If you look at stats the average first week sales for Christmas albums in October, it is 11-12K last year. Faith Hill did 12K last year her first week and wound up selling 450K at the end of it. Most people just aren’t going to buy a Christmas album in the middle of October (they were released October 13, btw). So, both Dylan and Archuleta did better than average numbers for the type of album they were selling. If Buble had been in the race, he wouldn’t have been promoting it now like he’s promoting his real, big studio pop album, and he would get about the same sales. Christmas albums just don’t sell the same way.
@jambajim on Twitter apparently works for MTV, and informs us:
“It’s true! Happening Wednesday. It will be EPIC. Cannot believe his people were cool with our positively insane pitch. You will LOVE it. :)”
I wonder what this “insane pitch” for the story is, that they “can’t believe” David’s folks took?? Intereesssstiingg… 🙂
Ronald -- I too appreciate the thoughtfulness of the comments above. Since the new CD is a Christmas album and therefore enters clearly into the spiritual realm, discussion tends to involve strong feelings. I’m one of those people who can get completely lost in the songs, and at the same time, I love to discuss the minutae of the arrangements, language pronunciation etc. I like to listen to music sometimes with my heart and sometimes with my analytical mind. A review, at its best, can give some of the same pleasure as the object itself.
I just wanted to pass along something interesting that was discovered by an FOD poster this morning regarding Waukegan tickets on Ticketmaster. Although Waukegan is not one of the venues that is listed as having a presale, when you pull it up on Ticketmaster, you can enter the presale code “FROMTHEHEART” in the top left and order tickets. I already have VIP for Waukegan but went to Ticketmaster myself just a sort while ago to try it out and pulled up Orchestra Right Row D! I’m particularly addressing this to Fe, who posted in the last thread about missing out on VIP yesterday…..still might be a way to, at least, get some fine tix! Just wanted to pass the word to those who were disappointed yesterday.
REFRESHING…ALMOST 10…I’M SPAZZING…WISH ME LUCK!
I GOT MY VIP TO ANAHEIM THE GROVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That was STRESSFUL! I have mine to San Francisco!
ronald #6 -- Christmas caroling around the MTV offices, perhaps? What a great idea!
WOOHOO, GOT MY VIP TO ANAHEIM. THIS IS MY FIRST VIP.
I’m taking my sister along for the ride. This will be her first CLOSE ENCOUNTER with THE VOICE! She was more of a Cook fan, but she liked David at the AI Tour concert. She doesn’t know I got VIP so this should be exciting. YEAH!!!
Also, looking forward to meeting TDC fans there.
Hm, interesting to read my own words up there! As I continue to listen to this CD over and over and over and over and… (!), I realize that I, too, have two channels playing at once. There’s one coming through from my mind, which hears imperfections here, and excesses there. But the (by far) LOUDEST of the two channels is coming through my heart, and leaving me in a puddle of tears… *more* after each listen, rather than less. It’s really extraordinary. I just marvel every time… how does he do that? I don’t know, but he is one direct conduit from Source. A deluge of love.
And now, having played a few cuts (AM, WCIT, P-a-P) for some friends who are open to all things of the spirit, I recognize how lucky lucky lucky I am, that I *do* experience the emotion that David poured into this work of art. This small audience thought it was beautiful--and will likely be buying it!--but there were only dry faces afterward. Hm. Curious. Still and always wondering: why?
So anyway, all this to say--yes, Liz, me too, I am fine listening and loving… AND I’m fine with dissecting it to orchestrally excessive levels!
* If someone could tell me how to do BF, I could dispense with the *asterisks*!
That iloveallaccess site is fussy, but I finally succeeded… I HAVE VIP TO WARFIELD/SF !!!!!! I think my fingers were just spazzing… now, it’s time for a spazzy dance!!!
HIGHERVIBE — if by BF you mean bold fonts, “this is how we do it” 😉 Sandwich that thing that you want highlighted with these two characters: < b > and < /b > (minus the spaces between the chevron (< or >) and the letter b or /b.
#1 jackryan4da
Long time lurker here, 1st time commenting on this site 😀
How does that work on itunes and amazon, I went to the link, tried to buy Crush on amazon and it wants to bill me? Have you tried this out yet?
bold bold use < b > (without the spaces) in front of the words, then < / b > (without the spaces just after the words.
JR #1 That link doesn’t work for me, either. It takes me to my last viewed Amazon items which are books.
I was looking for tickets on Ticketmaster and a box popped up on the sidebar that said, “Do you want David Archuleta to Come to Your City?”
There was a picture of David and a “yes” button, so I pushed it. It was from eventful and they wanted my zip code (I used Rochester, NY) and email address, but when I was done it said 18 people have requested David Archuleta in Rochester, NY.
Not sure what it means, but you people in the south should start a campaign!
Oh, here is the link:
http://eventful.com/performers/david-archuleta-/P0-001-000112206-1/demand?utm_source=ticketmaster&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=TM_Demand_ad&rpt_click=matched_1350788
I can’t believe I’m back on here again. I’ve been lurking for months instead of contributing because I gave up. I kept losing one password after another (why are they so long?) and then when I managed to put in the supposedly correct password, I still couldn’t log on. So now I’m back--until I lose the password again! Hopefully that won’t happen.
I haven’t purchased a new CD in a year but I allow David’s CFTH pass me by, which is now one of my favorite Christmas CDs (and I have a bunch). The vocals and arrangements are wonderful (IMHO) and I like the fact that he stayed away from novelty Christmas songs. While I enjoy those songs, I think his voice is more suited to the traditional Christmas music. I have to admit that I was not thrilled with his debut CD last November (has it been almost a year?) To be honest, I was disappointed; I liked only a few of the songs and I think Jive made a mistake by leaving off “Zero Gravity,” and “Save the Day.” I guess I was disappointed in Jive--not the CD. One of my children sent me an iPod for my birthday last month and I let it lay around because I didn’t know what to do with it. Yesterday the 17-year-old boy who mows my lawn showed me how to download songs and CDs. I can’t afford 99 cents a song but I did splurge on “Zero Gravity.” Today I spent 1 hour downloading CDs. Now when I walk around the, I can step lively to ZG! Makes all the difference when you’re walking!
I quit my job and am a full-time student until May of 2011. Life is not going to be easy but I’m determined to get an A.A. Degree in Office Systems (my B.A. in history is useless). My oldest daughter and her husband received an unexpected job transfer from Oregon to SLC. When she told me, I decided to fly out and see her at Christmastime (no school). But when I discovered David had 2 concerts during Thanksgiving week, I changed my plans and am now going to be able to attend a show with my friend Dorothy. Can’t believe my good luck! I get to see my daughter & family, Dorothy and David in one fell swoop. Dorothy and I splurged and managed to get 2 VIP passes for one of the shows. Dorothy did the honors of going online to buy and the website (I Love Access?) was so hosed-up she kept getting shut down and we were in a panic because we thought all the passes would be sold before we could get a chance to buy any--but we did. If we hadn’t I truly believe I would have cried all night from disappointment. For the last 18 months my dream has been to meet David face-to-face and tell him just how much his music means to me, how it reaches my sometimes rock-hard soul and turns it into lava. I’ll probably be too overwhelmed and embarrassed to tell him that it’s not unusual for me to cry when I listen to him. I’m hyperventilating just thinking about the whole experience. I can’t believe some of you guys have met him more than once. This may be my only chance and I’m thrilled beyond words. When I return from Utah, I have a ticket to see my favorite solo pianist, Emile Pandolfi, who I worship as much as David. I’ve been a fan of Emile for 15 years and I’m still in shock over the fact that I will have the opportunity to meet/hear 2 of my favorite musical artists of the last 15 years. Can life get any better than this? Considering what I’ve been reading on here about David’s concerts selling out fast--particularly the VIP tickets--I guess I lucked out. I feel bad for the fans who weren’t able to get VIP passes for one reason or other. I’m sure you’ll have another chance someday (hopefully soon).
I’m happy for David and the fact that he pretty much sells out concert halls no matter where he is.
Then my 3rd daughter and her fiance are flying in from Fairbanks for Christmas (another reason I switched my vacation). I haven’t seen her in 3 years and am the only one in the family who hasn’t met her fiance. Another reason to celebrate! My family knows how I feel about David and believe that I’m not playing with a full deck but they don’t say anything that would hurt me. I mean, come on--a 51-year-old woman going ga-ga over a 19-year-old young man? But David is not your average talent; all of us on TDC (and other websites) know it. I will never understand why some people hear him and say, “He’s okay,” and others just are completely mesmerized by that voice and are fans for life. I’m glad I can count myself among the latter.
That’s why I enjoy reading what everyone else has to say and occasionally putting in my two cents’ worth. We are all connected by our love, respect and admiration for David Archuleta, both as an individual and a gifted musical artist. I wish we could all get together and meet one another because I feel as though I know all of you--Silverfox, Chenson, Blisskasden, jackryan4da, highervibe, sweetonda, ronaldfs, hellogorgeous, davidfanLIZ, SandyBeaches, marlie7 and Rascal (sorry if I left anyone out; I’m doing this off the top of my head). It’s like we’re one big family.
I enjoyed reading David’s interview with USA Today and I agree with Silverfox--I think Nashville would be a great place for David, the city totally focuses on music, he could get as much accomplished there as in L.A., it’s a good location and a nicer environment (he’d have to get used to the summer humidity). He’s also only 1 state away from me (I’m in NC). I hope he considers moving. Right now I don’t know if he’s thrilled with Utah because of his family situation and a big change like moving to another state can help (I left Alaska and moved to NC after my divorce and it was literally the best move I ever made). I feel so bad for the Archuletas--especially the children--because the whole story ends up in the media, which embellishes everything for sales. I hope the kids realize that the divorce is between their parents and has nothing to do with the children although they can’t help but be affected by it. I have the impression the marriage has been rocky for a while but Jeff & Lupe put it on hold because of David’s career until they could no longer do it. I know how devastating divorce can be--my husband and I broke up (his choice) and 3 of my 4 children divorced all within a few months of each other. It was a nightmare I thought would never end. That was almost 4 years ago and those of us who suffered the most all bounced back. The pain will always be there but you learn to live with it. I never sought any professional help during and after that terrible period (except a marriage counselor and that was no good as hubby refused to give up his 28-year-old girlfriend). My discovery of David happened at just the right time. I was still hurting and little by little he helped me to heal and he continues to do so--song by song.
I just hope I don’t turn into a blubbering fool when I finally meet him.
Sorry this post is so long and somewhat irrelevant to the subject at hand. But I just wanted to say what was in my heart.
Wow -- Anaheim VIPs are sold-out!
lulu: Welcome back! Whenever you get in trouble with the password, just go to the contact page and let me know. i can reset it and get you back in in a hurry!
Well Liz! The last time anything I contributed was highlighted was when I took a lousy picture at the Swamp which must have been a slow newsday in the Archuworld, becuase it made the cover of FOD.
I am not one of the articulate commentors, so am honored to be mentioned in that way…I am more of a one liner type girl.
Apparantly I coughed out something.
Thanks for highighting the diversity of opinions. If I am going to be quoted, I must have done something right to be memoriazed with THAT gorgeous picture.
liz…they are? OMG! I’m so glad I got in!
Sweetonda hope to see in Anaheim.
Speaking of gorgeous pictures -- thanks for finding that Liz….it does make my heart skip a beat or two 🙂
marlie….it’s now my on my desktop….or three.. 🙂
what? oooops….skip the first my
My dear sweet abrra—I don’t know what happened-- I clicked my
heels together and presto-change-o. You dared me! HAHA
I knew that would get your attention. Besides I live closer to
Kansas than you do.
From USAToday IdolChatter…http://content.usatoday.com/communities/idolchatter/post/2009/10/david-archuletas-christmas-set-tops-weekly-idol-sales/1?csp=34
What a difference a preposition makes.
David Archuleta’s Christmas From the Heart was last week’s best-selling American Idol album, and it was almost the week’s best-selling holiday album, according to Nielsen SoundScan. But Bob Dylan’s similarly titled Christmas in the Heart beat out Archie’s album by barely 3,500 units for that honor.
You don’t think anybody got confused, do you? Nah, me either.
David Archuleta, Christmas From the Heart (17,000, debut, 17,000 total/4,000 digital, debut, 4,000 digital total)
Various, WOW Hits 2010 (14,000, -2 percent, 28,000)
Various, Now That’s What I Call Music! 31 (12,000, -10 percent, 725,000)
Daughtry, Leave This Town (11,000, -6 percent, 698,000/1,000 digital, 0 percent, 127,000 digital total)
Various, Now That’s What I Call Country Vol. 2 (7,000, -18 percent, 127,000)
Kelly Clarkson, All I Ever Wanted (6,000, -7 percent, 729,000/1,000 digital, -11 percent, 157,000 digital total)
Soundtrack, Hannah Montana 3 (5,000, -9 percent, 468,000)
Various, Now That’s What I Call Club Hits (5,000, -20 percent, 36,000)
Kellie Pickler, Kellie Pickler (3,000, +14 percent, 323,000)
Various, Now That’s What I Call Music! 30 (3,000, -8 percent, 709,000)
Carrie Underwood, Carnival Ride (3,000, +4 percent, 2.977 million)
Carrie Underwood, Some Hearts (2,000, -8 percent, 6.851 million)
Brooke White, Live Session (2,000 digital, debut, 2,000 digital total)
Pretty darn good!
New vlog!!!
(hope you don’t mind me updating this Ronald! -- Marlie)
Great to see that David’s liking the songs for this new album!
Is it just me or is he co-writing most if not all this album? He at least seems to be doing a lot more writing this time around. 🙂
Just a little analysis (because “that’s what we do here” lol)…
Correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t recall seeing David as excited about songs like this for his first album. If I recall, his main theme then was “I really hope you enjoy the album!” Which to my ear communicated a little uncertainty.
But to see David beaming that smile of his saying he’s really liking some of the songs cheers me to no end. I trust David. I think this album will definitely step things up a notch.
(and no prob, Marlie!!)
It sure seems like he has his hand in all the music. I hope it can be the album that he wants. I look forward to this next one because he seems to be taking his time, working with different people and being very involved in the whole thing. (Sqeeeee) LOL
ronald -- His enthusiasm for this next album has me very excited….and already impatient. Thanks goodness we have the Christmas album to tide us over. About the first album, I mostly remember alot of “well, we didn’t have very much time to work on this.” ….and that album has done very well…it speaks volumes about his talent.
Side note *I loved him talking on the interview today about how his favorite part of Christmas was caroling and the look on people faces when you would sing for them, and how alot of older people have no one at Christmas and this might be the only gift they get. He is something.
davidfanliz -- ‘TDC is proud that some of the most articulate commenters among the legion of David fans come to visit our little part of the ArchuUniverse.’
Love the tone of this post.(And i just saw my comment there, i’m not that articulate, but i try my best, so thanks for the honor,then my with my post today i don’t pretent corroborate nothing about my writing skill..ha, ha. ha 🙂 so sorry in avance if a don’t make sens at all )
Just a little reflexion here using the analogy someone used yesterday about the family….for me each fansite has his own vocation even if we all existe because David.
Some fansites are the role of the grandparents, always cheerful with his grandchildrens, others have the role of the sisters/brothers( snarky’s,goofy’s, yes maybe annoying but always lovely between them), we have too the role of parents like the poster said yerterday, friends, cousins……the point is each one on his role have a way to express their love, admiration, appreciation, frustration for the lovely one. At this point we have a relationship with David( obviously always like fans), but like in any relationship talking is a principle to keep doing and building well the relationship. And because that, we do what we do here share and express our own point views, not way you can leave without something to make you grow in at least one aspect of your life. Humans beings start to learn from the first day of their existence and don’t stop until the last day in this world, so we are humans and we are not the exception at that rule.
Good discussions are healty if you are respectful, tolerant and open to the difference and the right to disagree. Are not healty if you let you own passion keep away your capacity of bring in justice the reason to who have the reason.
Sorry for the rambling post…Bye
tibitibis -- your posts always bring a smile to my face. You are the voice of reason, my dear!
BTW -- where does your screenname come from?
ronaldsf #34 ‘Correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t recall seeing David as excited about songs like this for his first album.’
Yeah, i noticed that too, i guess that at this point he has much more to say ( his material in the personal experience label is a lot more rich this time), and he’s an excited explorer, he see, he learn how to do, he try, he take the feedback, then he polish his own product and bring to his fans someting new and fresh each time and that is exciting for a truly lover of his profession . He’s a scientific in the musical wordl if that make sens. 🙂 Good Night!
dakgal . October 21, 2009 at 7:54 pm .
Keep watch on the sky above1 i shall send the flying monkeys for you!!!
“““““““`S U R R E N D E R D A K G A L“““““`
Abrra
David’s voice is sublime and will only get better with time. I do so admire the way he infuses each and every passage with conviction and unvarnished soul. Overall, CFTH is an excellent album. Not perfect, mind you, but solidly in the “excellent” category. My current favorites are RRC, OHN and SN.
Just wanted to comment on what bigsky wrote: “[CFTH is] the opportunity to establish gravitas amongst David’s more highly acclaimed peers. Aside from being a gift to David’s fans, this particular effort may be viewed as a clarion call – however bold – towards legitimacy, and ultimately to achieve similar status. Time will tell, but this is clearly a positive step forward.”
That was my very first thought when I heard Ave Maria. It is immediately obvious that it is a heck of a song to sing (it already has a wide range, and the song modulates to a higher key for goodness sake), and it is in the canon of great classical music songs. I would love to see this get some more exposure, but I’m not sure how holiday radio airplay works.
And David not only technically meets the task -- he also adds his own style to it (his pure tone, his little vocal touches) and enriches it with some of that CELD-style subtlety. After one hears this track, his talent is undeniable. The image of the “teen” who sings “teen songs” vanishes upon hearing.
Gosh! I just got finished listening/watching to 19.2 minutes of David and (?)Diane Walters Kathy Ripa (AKA random inquisitive ABC radio news interviewer) and I had a major perma-grin going throughout the entire thing. Could there be a better ambassador for Christmas? I don’t think so…
btw: after 3 weeks of sales Kris Allen has only 60,000 singles sold of ‘Live Like We’re Dying’
Heck I already have the karaoke version on my youtube page.
ABC Radio Interview Part 1:
ABC Radio Interview Part 2:
Ronaldsf#34: It is so exciting to hear the artistic direction the next album is going in David’s own words.
“She [Joy Williams] wants to make sure that what’s coming out of me is really what I want to talk about, what I feel, what I connect with.”
“It’s cool getting to talk about things I want to talk about. I feel like it’s me talking in these songs, and that’s what I really like about them. Even though I talk weird and stuff, I guess that’s what makes me the way I am. There’s more of my personality in these songs.”
I always feel the first album does not sell as well as it should because, IMHO, there is a disconnect between the singer and many of the songs, namely, the love songs. The love songs just don’t sound authentic coming from someone who admitted he was never kissed and never in love. (Crush is somewhat authentic coming from him because it depicts pre-love).
I am so excited about being able to hear David in the next album tell HIS story , what he wants to talk about, and what makes him who he is. We have a glimpse of it in the first album (e.g. WFM), but to have a whole album of David being himself and tell his own story? I am loving song-writer David! 🙂
Davidfanliz,
Omigosh, I feel like I’m receiving an award from a distinguished panel of judges. To be considered one of the articulate in a community of mature fans with the most intelligent discussions and well-expressed profundity of admiration for David is really — whew! (fanning oneself) And I was really rambling on and just wanted to share everything I felt about David’s CFTH album which continues to blow my mind each time I listen to it.
Marlie7, ronaldsf, jr4da,
Thanks for the acknowledgments and the encouragement. Just like David expressing his appreciation for getting positive feedback for his hard work, I feel the same way about writing my heart out. I don’t get to talk much about David with any of my family or colleagues, which is why writing about him amongst fellow fans online is my best outlet.
Lulu#22,
I’ve seen you post before, so am glad to see your name again and admire how you just opened up and bared yourself here. You sure have gone through some tough times, but these have definitely toughened you up and allowed you to move on, just like David has stated about moving on or forward from similar circustances. And we both share a common friend in Dorothy. She has mentioned you to me some time ago. I’m so happy you’ll both get to meet David in a VIP. I’m so envious!
And to those who I may have irked about nitpicking on David’s rendition of Ave Maria, please know that I was trying to be as objective as I could from the standpoint of someone who has been given basic pointers in classical singing. Those in the know who will hear his Ave Maria will surely point it out, just like MCL and others did, i.e. jr4da.
I may have been a little hard on David in my comments, but deep inside, I profoundly ADORE his Ave Maria. I absolutely do.
How much do I love it? I will be like Lulu and will dare to share select portions of a very emotional email I sent to a fellow fan and friend about how David’s Ave Maria helped me go through what happened after the trying period of the recent devastating typhoon which hit Manila last Sept. 26. It was the same time there was a very controversial discussion going on here in TDC which I avoided engaging in because my own father was going thru a health crisis while Typhoon Ondoy was raging. This is what I wrote after visiting my hospitalized father, seeing how thin and frail he had become, slurred speech, immobile in bed with an IV, no appetite at all, two weeks after:
“… When I saw the condition of my father and after what he related to me, just before we left him, was so heartbreaking. It was like a forewarning to me of what he expects to happen, and I couldn’t say anything else to him other than I loved him so much, I didn’t want to cry in front of him. I managed to contain my tears till I left his room… The first thing I did when I got home was… I really needed to hear Ave Maria… It is still on repeat in my earbuds… I still am crying as I write this, with David singing Ave Maria to me. Never in all my life have I felt a prayer as deeply as the way he is singing it. Like a plea for salvation of a lost soul, with such desperation for mercy that will nevertheless be forthcoming. It is a very good cry. I know I will feel better after tonight. David’s music has done that to me several times before, and this has the trappings of a major healing of the soul…”
The night I wrote it, I slept weeping with Ave Maria on repeat in my ears until I woke up the next day. I’m Catholic, so it felt like praying the rosary in my sleep. Well, David was actually doing it for me, but he sings it with such sincerity that it was akin to him expressing what I felt. There must be something that worked, because the week after I was so disheartened at how my father deteriorated, I got the good news from my sister that he was no longer on IV, could already sit up, eat soft food, and go assisted to the bathroom. When we last visited him, he was regaining his spirited, more bubbly than normal self, and I was so happy with his recovery. He still has to stay there for another two weeks until he is fit enough for surgery. I made sure to leave an MP3 player with David’s CFTH album songs in repeat mode with my mother who was staying to watch over him for the next few nights. I’m crossing my fingers she’ll fall in love with it and convince my father to listen to it as well, because he’s more of a classical music enthusiast. I wish they could both experience the healing power of David’s music. I really hope and pray for it.
Okay, I’ve abused my rambling rights once more. Thanks again for letting me write here. 🙂
ascphil -- thank you for that heartfelt story. I think many of us here have felt the healing power of David’s music.
ascphil,
Dang it! You made me cry. I saw my own frail, emaciated father in a similar hospital bed with an IV a few years ago. Sadly, he did not recover. He was absent for much of my life and an alcoholic. I had thought he was dead until the death of my sister, whose her published obiturary was spotted by someone online. That person searched for me and called to let me know that my father was still living. I expected anything but the enormous love I felt when we met. He had stopped drinking some years before and was sorry for everything. There are times in our lives when the scales fall away, and we stand face to face with all that matters.
Angelica, Oh my. The bonds we have with our parents are so primal, so elemental, that even separation and abusive behavior cannot sever those ties. What a blessing that you were able to have some good moments with him.
Wow, Ascphil, #47, thank you for sharing your touching story. My dad is coming to the States to visit us from South Africa soon (my mom is not well enough to come unfortunately) and your story just reminds me to treasure the time we will get to spend with him. He is in good health but is 70 years old so I know time is precious. I’m so glad your father is doing better. I agree that David’s music is so soul-soothing and it has comforted and calmed me many times too.
Wow, add San Francisco to the sold-out VIP list. And all of that without even hearing him on the radio in this area. The Bay Area is, as Ronaldsf calls it, “The Bermuda Triangle of DA.”
Angelica (my offline namesake),
I am deeply moved by your revelation about your father. There are unpleasant things in life which you would like to avoid dealing with, but once you get the courage to face it, there are greater rewards that will come off of it that are unexpected. And I agreed with how you felt about that controversial TDC discussion, and empathized with the hurt you felt about the whole thing.
Everything I love about David has roots in my father’s musical influence. He is the one who brought us up with beautiful music and subliminally taught us an appreciation for it by filling the domestic airwaves with the concertos of Beethoven, Mozart, Handel, Bach, Rachmaninov, et al, and soundtracks of classic Broadway musicals. Most of what I know and have gone on to love about music, I attribute to him. I am always in awe of him when he discusses classical music, philosophy and theology. I hope I could give back to him music that has enriched my life in turn by sharing David’s CFTH.
David tweeted:
“Had an amazing lunch at Fresco by Scotto! Went with my A&R guy, Jeff Fenster, and had a good meeting about making the new record!”
This is who he had lunch with. It’s very enlightening:
http://www.artistshousemusic.org/videos/jeff+fenster
I remember I panicked when I first found out that notingDavid was closing down. Here was a website that I found so enlightening & thought provoking that I started to save every article because I didn’t want those wonderful words to be lost forever. Fortunately, I wasn’t the only one who felt that way and The David Chronicles came into being. I, who have no knowledge or true appreciation of music, have discovered so much and have come to appreciate and understand music like never before. And, I love the wonderful & heartfelt things we have shared with each other.
Lulu#22, Ascphil #47 & Angelica #49 (I’m happy that you got the chance to meet up with your father again) -- Thank you all for sharing your stories with us.((hugs))
tibitibis# 37 -- I too have kind of compared the different fansites to something else, but in my case, its always been food. Certain sites are like popcorn & candy, peanut butter & jelly sandwiches & fizzy drinks. (LAF, AF)
SA & IF remind me of a pizza party, beer included, and FOD is the comfort foods- Meatloaf with mashed potatoes & gravy.
Now TDC, they are the meal you want to take time & savor-
This is a seven course meal, where there is attention to details and the spices are blended in such a way that every dish is unique and is an adventure to your senses.
With that, I’m now going to go get lunch. Ciao!
The whole point of notingDavid and TDC, and of this community in particular, was to try and establish a set of voices that promoted the idea that David Archuleta is an artist to be taken seriously. That’s really it in a nutshell. That’s why we tackle the marketing, the management, the good and the bad, the real-life stuff, not just the feel-good stuff.
I have to say it pains me when fans react so viciously to the idea that everything about David and his career is not unicorns and teddy bears, because the ability for the rest of the world to take him seriously will depend, at least to a certain degree, on what the perception is of people who admire him (i.e. fans). If serious, intelligent people with real and thoughtful and not-always super-duper positive things to say are counted as his fans, other people with influence might take a second look.
Unfortunately, I think a lot of the more serious people are increasingly being driven out — or at least driven to being silent in their devotion — because it has simply become too dangerous in this community to express or discuss anything even remotely controversial. In the end, I don’t think that does David any favors. The broader market is increasingly getting the idea that David’s fans are devoted beyond all reason, and that there is no room for anyone other than those who profess to complete and utter worship.
I agree, Rascal#56, but I believe this tension between being critical and being devoted beyond reason has always existed, even during the days of Noting David.
I think CFTH was one album that was so heartfelt and so personal with David’s stamp on it, that fans didn’t want to engage it on a critical level. I know I didn’t when I set out to review it because it felt very personal to me, and I’ll admit as much.
I don’t know that I would say the expectation is “utter worship,” but people’s reactions to this particular album and your particular review, Rascal, seemed to have sent some over the edge. Not to mention some people’s views were already colored by previous drama here.
I can respect that some folks just don’t want to analyze the music, but we should already expect that deep analysis is going to take place here at TDC.
JMHO.
Rascal, I couldn’t agree with you more. It’s one thing to be a devoted fan but it’s another thing completely when it becomes OTT fanatical. I think a lot of people are getting the perception that his fans are completely irrational and CRAZAH.
That’s why I wear these shades…I don’t want to be identified in the lineup.
As someone who has been here from the early days of nD, (but have not commented lately) , I need to say my bit.
In my opinion critical analysis of David’s artistry, management and other” hot” topics is not the problem. Discussion here has always been lively and not just about feel good stuff, and that is a great thing. I have appreciated the mature and very intelligent topics here, however, IMO some of the presentation of topics has been way over the top, (perhaps to generate drama, to get more hits, just sayin’)
Rascal #56 “Unfortunately, I think a lot of the more serious people are increasingly being driven out — or at least driven to being silent in their devotion — because it has simply become too dangerous in this community to express or discuss anything even remotely controversial.”
I just need to say this “controversy” goes two ways. As someone who chooses to see the glass half full, I feel somewhat driven out. I have chosen to not participate. How the tone for a discussion is set is a choice that the admins make. Perhaps, as admins who know all about how image affects everything you need to consider that a bit more. TDC has created an image that I no longer feel comfortable with. Again this my opinion and my choice.
HG #57 “I believe this tension between being critical and being devoted beyond reason has always existed, even during the days of Noting David.” There is a huge range of opinion in between the “overly critical and negative” and the “teddy bears and rainbows”, I believe that a balanced is always best.
“If serious, intelligent people with real and thoughtful and not-always super-duper positive things to say are counted as his fans, other people with influence might take a second look” This includes I would think a lot of peeps who no longer comment here and they will be missed, just as I miss the community here. Again, this is all JMO.
Peace
Re CFTH: More and more I am falling in love with Silent Night. I remember the first album, some of my early favorites were not my long term favorites.
I have never heard something so lovingly and gently presented, with such tenderness. It is a song that I have heard so many times since childhood, but never heard like that. Toward the end when he sings Loves pure light- wow! I know David feels all the songs, from what he has said, but the love drips from that one.
David’s voice feels like a looking at a beautiful jewel surrounded by velvet.
A few thoughts, if I may:
In my humble opinion,TDC has a problem,. Although it claims to welcome all points of view on all issues, in practice it does not. There is a certain “party line” feel to the site, and a sense of crossing into “enemy territory” when contemplating a post that one feels is not in keeping with the agenda of those running the site. There is not a “although we here at TDC disagree with you, we respect your point of view and welcome you and your posts here at any time” vibe. It’s more like “What did you say? That’s not how we roll here, and either get on board or take a hike.” Unfotunately, a number of very bright, interesting people have taken that hike, and the site has thinned out. Maybe that’s what TPTB want to happen, for whatever reason.
Speaking for myself, I take David and his music very seriously, or I would be just a casual fan, and not part of the army of people old enough to know better, hanging on his every Tweet. I am a music lover, not a music maker, so I experience all music, including David’s, as a total experience rather than identifying the various aspects of it. Those, “in the business” listen with a different ear. It’s all good.
During that terrific interview on ABC Radio, David stated how happy he was that his career is progressing slowly but surely.
Frankly, I think his career is progressing quickly but surely,
but it spoke to David’s satisfaction with the speed in which it is progressing. I think we all should remember that it is, after all, David’s career, not our’s. His career will have it’s highs and lows, like everyone else’s. Even the greatest stars of all time (i.e.Sinatra, Garland, Elvis) were counted out numerous times, and yet all were mega stars until the end.
We all get a kick out seeing the “early years” of singers, actors, athletes, etc. on TV shows. You know, that “before they were stars” thing. The videos of David on American Idol and the tours he’s been on this year are the videos that we will all be enjoying 5 or 10 years from now, thinking, “Wow, did David ever look that young, etc”. Look at the AI videos now, just 1 1/2 years later. You’ll get that feeling already.
TDC is here for lively discussion of all things David. Period. If you want to discuss, then you are warmly invited to join the party.
refnaf — the tone here has not changed other than for possibly one article out of literally hundreds. If you are bent on painting with a broad brush the entire effort, all the admins and columnists, the entire community, based on that single incident, then I think this entire construct is very fragile indeed.
Bliss, your observations of TDC’s “problems” are nothing new — this is a favorite topic of yours. I only have one question: Why are you still here?
HG #57: I agree, HG, that CFTH is an album so deeply spiritual and personal that many are offended by a review of any kind. Even with a review that was a balance between the fan perspective and the critic perspective, some people found it simply too hard to hear anything critical at all. I can sympathize with that view. It was almost like someone saying something harsh about your child. You just don’t want to hear it.
But of course, that…is…what…we…do…here lol!
refnaf -- I have missed you! We can be obnoxious on occasion here, but it is not done for “getting more hits,” no one here is that calculating lol! There was dirty laundry to be aired and a bawdy approach was chosen. It’s as simple as that.
TDC is so many things -- reverent, sassy, silly, serious, spiritual. Occasionally we may overreach. A sailing friend used to say, “You can’t win the race if you don’t hit the buoy now and then.”
raelovingangels #60 You took the words right out of my mouth. I have been thinking about commenting on Silent Night for the last day or so, but have hesitated. (one doesn’t want to appear tooo fanatical),,, but oh my gosh,,, I think Silent Night is incredible! David says he hopes this album helps us to better understand who he is as a person. The last verse sums him up for me. I felt his passion, faith, love and joy.
“Loves Pure Light!”= DJA
Raelovingangels and poof, Silent Night was an early favorite of mine and still it is.
I love that part “Love’s pure liiiiiight!” -- there’s some very open and powerful about the way he produces that sound. And early in the song, I love his extremely tender “heeeeeavenly peace.”
I think the orchestration gets kind of OTT for my taste in the last third, but David is so expressive with his voice that you can still follow. Also, doesn’t hurt that I think that it is one of the best Christmas songs, like evah. 🙂
Rascal # 64, I rest my case. As soon as a point of view that conflicts with yours is posted (in this case, mine # 61), your kneejerk reaction is to question the existance on TDC of the poster.
Unlike you, I am not here to be revered, nor do I expect or presume that people will agree with what I say. I’m here because TDC is a website that celebrates David Archuleta, a young man for whom I have the utmost respect and admiration, as both an artist and as a human being. This site has little to do with either one of us, and everything to do with David.
THAT’S why I’m here.
Actually this site has a lot to do with all of the admins and writers lol! They are the ones who built the site, maintain the site and write the articles. The writers are not here to be revered, but to be discussed. If any of you have something of interest to say, you are warmly invited to write comments or to submit an article idea for review.
As much as one pleads their case in regards to the purpose of TDC and how the site is managed, the proof is in the pudding…
We can all see who is gone from here, who posts seldom or not at all anymore.
None of us can plead our case on how correct everything is when you have lost so many of the well respected, long time contributors. They have spoken. I would never say that something cannot be fixed though if you want it to be.
SB
bliss: I’ll say it again. You get lost in your own logic. You have almost exclusively commented on how we only allow the party line here. All views are welcome here -- except those that say WE cannot give OUR opinion. That is what you keep saying; that everyone can say what they want, but the Admins here cannot express an opinion.
No one here has said that if you LOVE, LOVE LOVE this CD, there is something wrong with you -- I, in fact, have been living in a CFTH vortex. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the CD. Rascal stated very clearly in his review about David’s gorgeous vocals and absolute instinct about the music.
So what exactly are we telling people they can’t say?
Where exactly has anyone said that another person’s opinion was wrong or not welcome (other than your opinion that we don’t allow opinions)
So, talk about the content of the review, the article, whatever, please, please, please. And then, if someone says you can’t give your opinion about that, I’ll eat my hat.
If what you want is for the admins here to run the site for you but not speak or comment or give OUR opinions, then you will be sorely disappointed.
SB: From what I understand, those who do not post are still angry and disappointed about the ass thread. If there is more, I would like to know.
If there is something I’ve said, I’d like to know.
If there are other issues I’m not aware of, I’d like to know.
LIZ: “TDC is so many things – reverent, sassy, silly, serious, spiritual.” And that’s why I am here. It we are all like-minded, it won’t be the intellectually interesting and diversified community that attracts so many of us.
Raelovingangels #60, I agree with you about Silent Night. It was also not one of my initial favourites but now I can’t stop listening to it. The incredible amount of feeling that David puts into this song makes it such a spiritual experience for me that I have to stop whatever I am doing and just close my eyes and listen! “Love’s puuuure light” is so tender and heartfelt -aaah, just amazing!
rascal, no need to be defensive and as I am not “bent on broad brushing”. Just giving my opinion and letting you know where I’m at. I hope you can respect that.
Marlie, I am not angry and hope I did not give that impression.
It all about choices, and we are all entitled to them.
YJfanofdavid -- the one thing we are not is dull lol!
refnaf -- Your opinion is respected. I appreciate that you came here and shared your thoughts.
I am assuming that you were disappointed in one of the recent articles. I would respond that sometimes, very rarely, there are moments when a truth needs to be spoken loudly and clearly, and yes, even obnoxiously, so that the truth can be heard. If some of my dear friends were offended, I am truly sorry for their discomfort and pain, but I am not regretful of the action.
What I don’t understand is if TDC is open to dicussion and everyone is welcomed to express her/his opinion, then why does Admins seem so quick to show commenters to the door? In one breath you say come post, but if what is posted doesn’t line up, then it’s you can go elsewhere. There was a post on the pervious thread that advised “Ignore the Haters” and I wondered was that meant for those who disagreed with Rascal? Are you “serious and intellegent” only if you agree with the authors on this site? What happened to agreeing to disagree? It makes one leery to post oppossing views.
LIZ #70, “Actually this site has a lot to do with all of the admins and writers lol!”
This reminds me of American Idol show which used to be about the contestants and is becoming more and more about the judges. Or maybe it was always about the judges but they are not trying to hide it anymore.
refnaf: I’m not really talking about you. I respect you very much and look froward to seeing you in AC.
Just….I’m very tired of all of this. I don’t know how to change things or make those who somehow feel disenfranchised feel any better. If I could, I would. There are a few who want to continue to bait and question motives. It takes the fun away from any discussion to be continually questioned about motive and to be told that I am somehow not allowing others to speak. That issue keeps being brought from thread to thread. I may not have the energy for this much longer.
Goboywonder: Other than bliss, who has been told they can go elsewhere?
goboywonder, of course this site is all about David. But it is ludicrous to say that “This site has nothing to do with either of us,” when the site wouldn’t exist without the admins and the writers.
My main point is that I enjoy a lively discussion, but I am exhausted by a repetitive argument that has no merit. If TDC has something that attracts you, come and stay and comment. If there is something here that offends or annoys you, then the question that Rascal brought up applies: Why would someone keep returning? It is a logical question.
Also, if memory serves me correctly, there were a variety of comments on Rascal’s CD review, some of which are posted in the article above. There were a number of “serious and intellectual” commenters who disagreed with the writer. None of them seemed “leery to post opposing views.”
I think it just boils down to what some saw as a blatant lack of respect, plain and simple; and anything remotely viewed as that toward David, regardless, just doesn’t fly.
Peace.
davidfanLIZ, #82, I couldn’t agree more.
I visit this site as much as I can and comment when I have the luxury of time and space to do so. Sometimes, I just simply don’t want to engage in the drama when I don’t need the stress. Sometimes, I am so captivated with something that David has achieved that I just HAVE to share and celebrate with others. Sometimes, I am so provoked that I MUST throw my two cents into the mix.
I respect that people and come and go from this site for their own personal reasons. I’m not going to assume that anyone who doesn’t post here any longer is staying away because they were offended by the content here. Maybe they were, maybe they weren’t. Who knows. What I do know is that if they choose to come back, they would be welcome.
Whenever I have been away from TDC for a long time, I am always glad, relieved and comforted that the site is still here to greet me and the discussion is as intelligent, relevant and passionate as ever. That’s why I keep coming back.
I guess one of points here is that you can’t be part of a fansite if in advance your opinion is tied to express your points of view in an exclusive way. Before decided to post here i lurked in many sites, i took my time ( almost a year) to do my analysis about not only the label of discussion ( what i gonna gain coming here in the intelectual side), but too in the tolerance side ( what are the consequences of participate in a big discussion), so i decided of post here and take the risk of be sometimes in the side of the articulate commenters and sometimes in the opposite side. Yes i try my best to make my point and persuade instead to defeat. Is was not success for me in many of that discussions ( i’m sure in the future will be the same), so i know pecfectly the feeling of many here when you exhibit the best of yours arguments and you can’t convince or change the way others minds think about some issues. Maybe i stoped my comments a couple times, not because i was angry ( not my nature), but because i was frustrated of not find the right words to touch and change the way other seen some situations…but i come back to post again to be persuaded myself or to persuade others…never to be defeat…because in this dynamic nobody lose, is always a win for the free opinion, for the right to dissent, for the love to the difference. In a intelligent society we find many differents opinions is the only way to progress to something new , fresh and innovator.
I stop my rambling post calling (yes i take this risk too) to the great posters who are angry or frustrated to come back and talk with the commenters here, hands down, in a more reasonable mode, taking at side the passions who don’t let us see the simplicity of a situation.
I hope i don’t bother you with this, if is that is the case sorry in advance. 🙂
emmiegirl #83 -- I respect your opinion. It was the consensus of the admins that the article was critical of management and was not disrespectful of David. We’ll just have to agree to disagree on this one.
Now if you think the precedent review is wrong, read this a say me if you’re agree or not
http://media.herald-dispatch.com/blog/idol/2009/10/david-archuleta-christmas-cd-review.html
Again each person has their own definition de good, bad and better. This review is another example . Good Night!
blisskasdan, I’m glad you’re here. 🙂
“This is what we do here”
There have been so many times I have been glad of that. And a few times -- maybe not so much.
And since I loathe conflict, I lurk. But I’m still here. I am forever grateful for all of the real friends I have met here. Real friends.
I know this site isn’t about unicorns and teddy bears. I’ve always loved that about it. It’s one of the best things about it. But for once, I really thought that David could be hurt at a time when he was already in pain. It made me cry. I felt that if I voiced this, it would be discounted. And I really felt (and still feel) inept in expressing my feelings on this. But you get the gist.
Marlie, Liz and Rascal -- Thanks for all of your hard work on this place. You have brought together some beautiful people, people that I love.
Marlie, LIZ, I’m not a great debater and only wish I could express myself so thoroughly and eloquently as so many can here at TDC. All I know is that there have been several times when a discussion has gotten heated and statements were made that bascially said if posters didn’t like what’s said or goes on here then they can go (to another site). Or like the questioning of why people come to this site. It seems like efforts to silence those who “rock the boat”. I believe we are ALL here because we truly love and enjoy David and his music and want the absolute best for him. So why run people away? As much as I disagreed with the “game” thread, I still want to be a part of this community because to me it was a small departure from the wonderfully cerebal, and ofttimes clever, witty commentary that exist on this site.
I just think people, commenters and administators alike, should be able to respectfully voice their opinions, whatever they might be,* without being made to feel like haters, bad fans, or unwelcomed. We are all entitled to our opinions based upon our prespectives. Our opinions don’t make us right, they just make us heard. That if it is good for the goose, it should be good for the gander also.
*Of couse no profanity, vulgarity, no David’s private life, etc.
IDK, my head hurt. I know we are all weary of this, some how we must to push past it. Goodnight.
cerebral
(It seems no matter how much I proofread, I still find typos, errors after I hit submit.)
Ps: Is anyone else’s cd scratched?
Lotus_b #84.
I am so glad you came in and said (every word) what I have been wanting to say but not articulate enough to put it into words.
May I add that I appreciate the enormous amount of work that the Admins have put into this Site and I really enjoyed those articles I had found time to read, but I never missed a single one from Rascal. Whether I agreed with everything I read is not a serious issue for me.
To some of the previously regular commenters, I say, I missed your very intelligent, well-informed and eloquent comments and feedbacks. Please come back.
Diana
betsy #89 -- although I stand by the articles we post here, I am truly sorry to have caused you any pain.
goboywonder #90 -- perhaps we can agree to disagree on the game thread.
To both of you, you are valuable members of the community here, and I hope you will continue to post.
Please try to read what is written and resist the impulse to spin it for your own ends. I never suggested that Bliss leave. I asked WHY he is stll here, considering that his favorite topic seems to be criticizing this site and me in particular (and in an entirely personal fashion, I might add, something that is expressly against our T&C, and which Bliss has never, to my knowledge, been called out on). In contrast to what we seem to be being accused of in some quarters, I think we are in fact VERY accommodating and VERY forgiving not just of opposing views but even of personal attacks, and especially of criticism that has little to do with the content of the site but about our respect and loyalty as fans, and particularly about our right to be critical at all.
Until you walk in our shoes and try to publish and manage a site that gets as much passionate participation as this one does, you will have no idea the amount of endurance it requires and the thickness of skin it demands. The amount of entitlement some of you think you have to condemn us is quite astonishing at times, but we press on. We do the best we can. We take risks, we make mistakes, but most of all we care. If we didn’t, there would be no earthly reason to keep getting hit with the amount of constant, hurtful — and often baseless — comments directed not at the merits of our content, but at the very existence of this site and the individuals who give so much of themselves to keep it running.
Thank you betsy -- you know I, too, have become good friends with people here.
And goboywonder thank you for your comments. I think that a few times when one of us has said, “Why are you here, then?” it was a true question.
(Lets move past the ass thread, cause I get the trouble with that)
Knowing that this site isn’t all hearts and flowers, it was surprising at times that people stated they didn’t want to hear anything negative or didn’t want to discuss or dissect an album or performance and might as well have just told us to shut up.
That was why the question came up. Everyone knows that this site is going to analyze, and therefore, if you don’t want to see it, hear, talk about it, the question remains why you would want to keep coming and then stating you didn’t like it here.
It isn’t that we don’t want any specific person here, we want anyone and everyone. But to continually question the purpose of the site (analysis) when that has been it’s purpose all along just seems pointless and in truth, just as inflammatory as anything said within the analysis itself.
And in truth, this isn’t a democracy any more than a restaurant is a democracy. There is a menu, and sometimes it changes, but it’s hard to serve every food that everyone wants and be sure no one has to sniff the aromas of the other foods cooking in the kitchen that they don’t like.
And this bomb-throwing is like going to a restaurant and saying you don’t like the food, and you particularly hate the wait-staff, but then you keep coming back and snarling at them. Occasionally someone sticks a foot out in the aisle and trips one just to see the rest of the restaurant patrons laugh.
Every time I think it might quiet down and maybe we can move on, someone comes in and hurls a tomato or picks up the pickles on their plate and stomps them into the floor right where one of the wait-staff is going to walk while carry a tray of food. And the whole thing starts over. And often the patrons who least want to be involved in the fight get pickle juice splashed on them, so they don’t want to come in anymore, either.
Some patrons keep demanding American diner food in this Italian restaurant and I’m sorry I just don’t HAVE or want to serve a peanut butter sandwich or meatloaf.
So what I want to say is please come and enjoy the lasagne and the rigatoni, but truly, we don’t keep peanut butter on the shelves.
Can we all just get along here?
I love this site. Posters here find eloquent words to help me understand my feelings, lend thoughtful analysis to my blossoming ideas,and challenge me to see the other side of my opinion. It makes for wonderfully rich reading and learning! I never thought I’d be such a crazed fan of anybody, but here I am, nuts about this incredible singer, and here you all are, artful, intelligent fellow fans who keep me from feeling alone in my fandom.
Thank you all, truly.
#86 davidfanliz -- Not sure if we are talking about the same article, but I was referring to a post before the Christmas album article. My feelings were much the same as betsy #89 expressed.
…just trying to cut through the crap and speculation as to why the exodus so we can move on.
And thanks to all the admins and their hard work and dedication. For me, it is readily apparent you are here for one reason, or you would have been gone long ago.
marlie7 #95 OMG That was HILARIOUS!!! AHAHAHAHAH THAT is why I come to this site. Clever, clever too funny and hit the nail on the head.
Its ALL good folks. Lighten up. Life is WAY too short to get upset over things that do not really matter.
tibitibis #85 & #87….Thank You. You said in words my feelings exactly. I always read your posts with interest. I love the evenhanded way you express.
Thanks, debra and Lilme!
Just want to say that I totally agree with Refnaf and Bliss!!
Everything they have to say makes me just go….YUP!
Marlie #81 :
I have been told by admin that I am no longer welcome here so I guess I am the only other one besides Bliss?
Really hurt bad.
Hope u read this before one of your “peers” erases it as she does everytime I try to participate in livechat.
Jello: I’m sorry, but I don’t remember you being told that. Can you specifically show me to the comment. I’m not doubting you, just trying to figure out what was going on at the time. Thank you.
Also, there are no admins on this site except me that have access to the back room of the chat. Abrra and I and a few others share that capability, but Abrra doesn’t have Admin capabilities here (although we would trust her completely if she did). I do know that you made a comment that absolutely shocked the entire chat room at the time and would shock anyone here, and I have the transcript of that comment if you need to be reminded why that occurred.
Marlie: I prefer not to do this online where everyone can read. I have your email address from when u all started up that “cafe” (?) thing where you would go meet to have fun and u accidentally sent me an email using your real address, I think. May I email you my recollections or are u opposed to this?
I suppose it’s not really all that important, but I would like to possibly explain a few things to you b/c I really feel as though you are the most level-headed one here and the one I can say that I respect the most.
I was just responding to your question at #81 above.
Let me know on the email thing. Believe it or not, I am a rather private person most of the time….when I am not trying to be someone I am not.
And yes….A**** refreshed everytime I came on chat so noone could read my comments….and I am NOT only referring to the “shocking” one…I attempted to apologize after that but she took care of that post right away.
On second thought -- let’s just forget everything. I’m prob not worth the trouble anyway. I have moved on and so has everyone else. Some things just weren’t meant to be.
A DEFINITE personality clash between her and I though and I really do hate that. I know I am NOT a bad person.
jello: I welcome that conversation if you are still inclined. You can always email me here at marlie7@thedavidchronicles.com
Marlie
Thank you, Marlie. I may just do that just to clear my mind…and maybe yours also!
It might be the closure I am needing at this time so that I can move on.
Thanks again!
I have tears in my eyes as I read this thread. It reminds me of a couple who wants the same thing but both have been hurt and are in defense mode. I just wish we could all agree or disagree and then move on--together. I appreicate this site. I appreciate, respect, and the administrators. I try to state what I say as respectfully and inoffensively as I can.
Marile, I can understand the frustration on both sides when one seems to think the “problem” has been addressed and the other does not. Like the couple, one says lets talk about it and try to reach a solution, and the other says I want a divorce.
Rascal and other admins., I don’t know what’s all involved in operating a site so I will try to be more cognizant of your efforts in providing this site. I also am not putting myself out there, as it were, by writing articles. Thank you for helping me to see that that is not an easy thing to do.
goboywonder #107 -- thanks for your thoughtful comments. I think a reconciliation is in the works, rather than a divorce lol!
OH DANG!! This is three times in one night I have typed a response on TDC. I don’t even really lurk here. Not that I don’t want to!!! Just that my attempt to return to school like so many older people are doing right now, keeps me so busy that I barely have time to do one other thing that I love. That is drawing. Here are the comments that I want to respond to is
#47, and #22. Love you two and love what you wrote
But before I get there I have some other business to attend to.
I am one who has been kicked off sites before. I am trying to follow the admonition of Hello Gorgeous and not pay attention to the David haters. But that does not apply to just the David haters.
I was listening to a talking CD the other day by a man by the name of Dr. John Lewis Lund. He was describing in one part of his CD about having troubles in our personal lives. He went on do describe them as wolves. He also discussed the things that go one in peoples lives that can be good. Dr. Lund went on to say that those are also wolves, but wolves of a kinder nature.
As human beings we have all kinds of wolves around us. It is unavoidable and actually harmful to our growth as humans to try to avoid the wolves (GOOD OR BAD). But then Dr. Lund went on to say something pretty profound but simple (kinda like David -- very simple in his approach and manner, but very profound) Dr. Lund ask “What wolf are you going to let win with you, I know with out a doubt for each one of you who that wolf will be. IT IS THE ONE YOU FEED!!”
I have not only been kicked off web sites before I have been kicked out of my own church. (Yes I was a pretty bad ass, beer drinking, pot smoking, pool shark, biker chick. I kid you not!!!) But eventually I understood the fundamental reason that I needed to be back in my church. I spent 11 years away from the gospel I knew and loved. All because I and no one else fed the bad wolves.
Here is what it all boils down to. There is some excellent articles and comments on here on TDC. Let’s take what feels RIGHT (not good or bad, just right)to us and let the other stuff go. Don’t feed that wolf. Feed the one that works for you. If some of the “serious ones go or lurk in silence” It may be they chose not to feed the wolf that hurt them any more.
Now on to my friends Asciphil and lulu. I am so glad to see you both here. I hope my preceding diatribe was not too weird and too thick as mud. I hope that I made some sence.
I have grown to care very much about more than just a few names one this site. RASCAL you are one of them. don’t always care for what you write, but I do care for you.
I have learned a lot in this year of loving and listening to David. Not just his songs, but some of the pearls of wisdom that come from his not so eloquent way of speaking.
I got to go to the Utah Womans Conference Monday the 26th and from his simple words came some of the most love filled and profound I have heard. David is just that. He loves and and it rolls off him and others are caught up in THAT tsunami.
David’s life is rife with controversy, and he still portrays a cheer that is infectious. I can only imagine that he makes choices each day, as we all do. HMMM what wolf will I feed today????
so dang reading over my post I can see that I have a David way of speaking. Not to eloquent! OH WELL