I do not know why it hasn't occurred to me before now to put these thoughts down in some form; I guess American Idol is so different from my own subjective experience as a singer that it hasn't occurred to me that I'd really have anything to say.
Then I realized that I really do judge all singers I hear through the lens of my training as a classical vocalist. I started voice training with a Juilliard-trained tenor in 1984 and have continued coaching and voice lessons off and on ever since. In the late 1990s I had the pleasure of studying briefly with a soprano named Marilyn Mims, who was a major Metropolitan Opera star in the late 80s and early 90s. Marilyn gave me the equipment as a singer to get some of my best gigs ever, and she also was the first teacher I ever had who could give me first-hand accounts of singing with the likes of Luciano Pavarotti and Placido Domingo, tenors any tenor singing today recognizes as being a kind of tenorial gold standard.
That said, I never try to judge singers outside of classical music the same way I would another classical vocalist. It's like saying that apple isn't as juicy and red as that orange.
Yet there is such a thing as good singing standards in popular music. I know from my initial voice training as a high school student in Nashville, Tennessee that country singers know this - for a time I was my teacher's only classical voice student. On the afternoons I was at his house I sometimes was reviewing one of my ancient 24 Italian songs while some dusky Patsy Cline-like alto crooned "Crazy" in the music room.
If there wasn't such a standard, there would be no Seth Riggs. Who is Seth Riggs? His voice students include the following, according to this page:
- Ricky Martin
- Janet Jackson
- Jennifer Lopez
- Madonna
- Prince
Whatever Seth teaches, it's oddly enough damn close to much of what I learned. One of the better examples of a singer who is not on the list above but thanked him on her band's album was the co-founder and lead singer for Evanescence, Amy Lee. The reason I bought their album was Lee's voice - it's power, it's resonance, range, and the overall cleanliness of her sound. She is that rare rock singer who probably would have been gifted in any vocal endeavor she chose - classical, country, or pop - so large and powerful is her instrument.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - TylerNewton
Thanks for this insight! VERY interesting, and we here appreciate it.
Although I must disagree with your predictions about who will win or go far in AI. I understand your predictions are based on vocal talent, but in considering who will win this any season of AI, especially this one, one must take into account the dynamics of how AI fans behave AND AI voting.
But I definitely agree with your analysis of the final 6 in terms of vocals. Your analysis was impartial, and we, tired of the Scott Pepper "I don't understand AI dynamics but I act like I am the expert on it" bias, definitely find it refreshing to see this.
2 - Steve
"Although I must disagree with your predictions about who will win or go far in AI..."
That's cool - you will find I'm not much for arguining that part, since I feel on firmer ground with analyzing vocal ability and flaws, if they exist. And I was definitely making an effort to make all analyses impartial. For instance; I'd like it if Bo won. I hope he does. I think either Constantine or possibly even Vonzell or Carrie might be the top finalist in the end, though, with the better money on Constantine. And this is based on charisma combined with vocal talent.
The analyses though was simply based on a dispassionate as possible examination of what I think when I hear each of them sing. Anthony being Euro-pop; not my kind of thing, but you know, if I take Anthony's age together with the basic instrument he has and his control of that voice, I must admit he is nothing if not talented. I wouldn't vote for him so far, but I hope he does well - he's got enough talent to keep on keeping on, if he uses it right. I don't like Scott Savol at all; but I can see where he might shine in the right circumstances, if he's smart enough to take care of himself.
I just always go back to a basic principle; it's a singing competition. Yes, Scott might be a blue-collar wannabe ghetto bonehead, but I'm just talking about his voice now, as it relates to a singing competition. Yes, it's cute that Carrie is so stepford-wife wholesome and down-to-earth...but this is about her singing, not her blondeness, even. People easily lose sight of the pre-eminent reason Idol exists; to find good singers. And like us or hate us, even popular singers will tell you privately that an opera singer is going to know the good stuff about singing and that they want to learn some of that. Without fail, every single person I've met personally who fanced themselves a pop or country vocalist has, upon finding out I'm an opera singer, wanted to hear me and pump me for information about breathing, reaching high notes, you name it.
There is a carryover between all types of music and good singing, and I have begun to trust after nearly 20 years of study my ability to hear it, regardless of the style of music being sung.
3 - AIFan
I enjoyed reading your article and agree with what you said. I was never trained as a singer but did sing for years in school and played piano. I also ran with a very successful local band for a few years and always felt I had a good feel for voices and control and talent. I don't especially like Scott or Anthony but do agree they have good voices and potential. I don't feel they know what to really do with their voices to be good performers at this point. I also agree that Bo and Constantine do not really have great voices, but each has other factors, that when combined with their voices, could make them successful. I think Carrie has an awesome voice and hope she learns better how to channel it to the best potential. Also Vonzell just seems to get better each week. I really like her.
I also agree with your opinion of Clay Aiken being the best to come from this show. I don't know if you have heard him since show or not, but he has grown tremendously in the 2 years since leaving. I think he has reached new heights with his voice, control and technique and seems to continue to get better every time I hear him. He hits notes so much easier now than he even did on the show---while he was already super then in my opinion. I have read some of his haters saying he will burn out his voice, but I don't see that happening. I also think Tamyra is very good, though I haven't liked some of her performances I have seen. I wondered what you thought of some of the other previous contestants--namely, Kelly, Ruben, Fantasia, Diana, KLo, and some of the ones really trying to make it in the business---also Josh and Carmen. I think the two would really might burn out would be Kelly and Fantasia---they yell and scream entirely too much in my opinion---but without knowing that much about real technique etc., maybe I'm wrong. What do you think? Who do you think is around for the long haul?
4 - Ziggy
I agree with your assessment about Constantine. I'm a fan of his and I really don't care about the others. Anyway, I just wish he uses his voice to his full potential. And you're right again about the trainig because he did graduate from Boston Conservatory.
5 - Eric Olsen
fascinating Steve, unique and very readable assessment from an important angle - thanks!
6 - Pdub
Being a classically trained vocalist and oboist, I am fascinated with American Idol. I appreciate the analysis of the vocal techniques, but it seems to me like the most important factor is the performer's ability to connect with the audience. A good exapmle of this is Anwar's recent dismissal - he had a lovely voice but was criticized for "not connecting." I've found this to be true in almost all musical genres - despite the performer's technical proficiency and skill, if they don't draw the audience in to an authentic experience, it's just mediocre. I think this is where real talent lies. Some may dismiss this as putting the focus on being an "entertainer" rather than a "musician," but whether or not we like it the two are inseperable.
7 - Betty
Great review, Steve. It's so refreshing to see an honest critique of these contestants without all the emotional bashing back & forth. So thanks for that.
I'm so happy to read what you said about Constantine because he's been my fave since the audition. It confirms that I - definetly NOT a trained musician - am not off base on my opinion of him. I know his vocals are not always the best of the group, but his charisma and ability to really connect with the audience keep drawing me back to him. Don't get me wrong, I love his voice and like you said I want to keep hearing it. And he has a stage presence that makes me wait with bated breath each week to see what he'll bring to the table. Granted, last night wasn't his best performance, but I would never write someone off based on one less than stellar show. He's proven with Bo Rhap, My Funny Valentine and others that he is truly a gifted and talented artist.
I'm also thrilled to hear your thoughts on Bono. U2 is one of my favorite groups and I've long compared Con's vocals to Bono's. There's a song on U2's How to Dismantle An Automic Bomb called "A Man & A Woman" that everytime I listen to it, I think of Constantine singing it. I think he'd do great with that type of pop/rock/ballad.
Anyway, thanks for the review and for letting me blather on....
8 - Steve
"...despite the performer's technical proficiency and skill, if they don't draw the audience in to an authentic experience, it's just mediocre. I think this is where real talent lies..."
Pdub, you nailed it. Couldn't put it any better myself.
9 - Corey
I, too, have had vocal training -- we are the closet viewers of American Idol. I was surprised to become a Clay Aiken fan -- I don't particularly care for that type of music -- but he has whatever "IT" is. It's funny to watch him suddenly remembering what his vocal coach is teaching him to do. Serious maintenance of the instrument is required in pop or rock music. I agree about Bo -- but I won't surprise myself by being at one of his concerts. Thanks for the great piece.
10 - Lucy
Both my parents were opera singers and both in the Metropolitan Opera and, in fact, met and fell in love doing "Madam Butterfly." By the time my sister and I came along, they had both stopped performing and my mother was a voice and piano teacher, so your technicalities in describing the various voices all sounds so familiar to me even though I really didn't pay too much attention at the time (having opera singers for parents wasn't really "cool" back then when I was a pre-teen and teenager). I do remember my mother always talking about singing from the diaphragm and noticing high cheekbones on Elvis, and even commenting that he did not misuse his vioce and would be around for a long time.
I basically agree with your assessment of this year's contestants. I definitely agree with your opinion of Clay Aiken. I can just hear my mother talking about his high cheekbones and singing from the diaphragm. He definitely has the purest and most powerful voice we have heard so far in four seasons of Idol and as noted by someone else, has grown in his performance abilities. He always did connect with the audience but now even on a bigger level and is much relaxed and free to be himself. I was always hoping Tamayra would have had more success and always thought AI1 should have been a face-off between she and Kelly. Certain people just have the ability to shine and we can all tell who does and who doesn't have that natural talent to do so.
11 - Judy Yescalis
It's great to feel that I'm not the only Constantine fan over the age of 30. I'm a semi-retired high school language teacher with a strong music background which I use to teach English, Spanish and French. I was raised on the Rolling Stones, Queen, and the music from Les Miserables. When I began studying Italian several years ago, I became an instant fan of Jose Carreras as well as Andrea Bocelli, Mario Frangoulis ('Popera' singers) who deftly combine beautiful arias with Knights in White Satin. Before he left the nest, my son (now 27 and ironically, a real Bo look-alike!)and I had an agreement to share the household stereo 50/50: he had to listen to my 60's rock, classical music, musicals, and folk music while I was exposed to the finer points of GunsNRoses, Kiss, Tool, etc.
My point: My musical tastes don't fit into a single category and I'm certainly not a mesmerized teenage girl, but it was the Maroulis factor which drew me into the AI season this year for the first time when I saw the show several weeks ago. Now I guess I have to come out of the closet and admit that I have a favorite contestant. Constantine is without a doubt the most charismatic Idol wannabe on the stage AND his vocal talents, when he shows them off combined with his stage presence make him the one person on the show whose CDs I would actually buy.
12 - Steve
"...(having opera singers for parents wasn't really "cool" back then when I was a pre-teen and teenager)"
Trust me, my children by my first marriage to another opera singer, both pre-teens, would definitely agree with you. My coolness quotient with my oldest son went way up though, when he found out I also listen to eminem and Kid Rock. And I do. Many people find it very amusing to know I've prepared for auditions as an opera singer by listening to "Lose Yourself" from the 8 Mile Soundtrack.
13 - josh
i'm a now a college student and i sing with a choir and take vocal lessons... i agree so much with what you say, especially about the male voice developing later in age.. i was wondering what you thought about kelly clarkson's singing?
14 - Steve
Hi Josh - I thought Kelly had a great natural instrument; powerful, appealing in tone, with a good command of her chest voice. However I was detecting wear in her sound by the time she won, basically borne out of her continual forte to double forte belting. She could be even more impressive than she is if she learns when to stop and rest and also when to sing with more dynamic range. If there's a problem native to pop singing like she does, it's hollerin'. Celine did it...but she was Celine, and whether you heard about it publicly or not, I bet you Celine Dion's downtime from singing in the last several years has been partly based on vocal fatigue.
Listen to Kelly over the next few years and see if you don't notice the pitch of her songs slowly lowering. Smart singers who understand they are wearing out their voices with their style will simply do that, and I say why not? That's one of those things we opera singers are rarely allowed, and I can tell you there are a few opera arias I'd love to keep doing if I thought I could take them down a step.
15 - Nigel Pond
The singular of lenses is lens, not lense!!!
16 - Steve
Thanks, Nigel - fixed it.
17 - clayaikenrulez1
Yes, I definitely agree that musical singing sensation CLAY AIKEN is the best and the greatest singer and entertainer ever from American Idol. Clay Aiken Rules!!!
18 - Eric Olsen
as your moniker decrees
19 - Steve
RE: Comment #17
Hey, Clay, I like you bud, but you need to not post to threads where you're mentioned. Bad form, dude. Try to go more "Invisible" and less "Solitaire" and keep up the good vocalism.
(I know it ain't Clay y'all, but the joke was just sitting there in my head, and...)
20 - MJ
This was on OK review. I disagree with you on quite a few points, but that's what make the world go 'round, right?
Scott - He's a decent signer when he's confident. Right now he's shaken up for some reason and his nervousness had a major impact on his voice last night. He sang with ZERO confidence. That's what hurt him. He has been outstanding at other times and most everyone who watches knows this.
Vonzelle - Very talented. Beautiful. Great charisma. Her difficulty is connecting with the audience; she doesn't know how to "draw" us in and make us part of the songs she sings. Vonzelle sings for Vonzelle, not for us. That's a problem.
Bo - Bo turns me off because he is essentially a walking, talking, mic-stand-swinging, one man marketing campaign who can't stop talking about his band and pedestrian achievements as an aspiring "rock star." Really, who CARES about his band and where they played on New Year's Eve? He obviously thinks someone does. The guy thinks he's the next Jimmy Page and -- well, he's so NOT. It's kind of nauseating to watch him perform.
Contantine - This is what happens when people sing in the shower too much and no one in the house tells them to "shut the $#@% up!" He's clearly not a talented vocalist. His diction is hilarious, his range is extremely limited and his penchant for sweeping his hair out of his eyes in such a deliberately contrived manner is dorky at best.
Carrie - A natural. Her voice isn't superb but what she lacks in natural ability she more than makes up for with downright magnetic stage presence, great phrasing, a super sense of rhythm and a degree of charisma that can't even be charted. I could look at this girl all day long. She is absolutely gorgeous, sweet, humble, endearing and carries (pardon the pun) herself more professionally than all of the contestants combined. If she doesn't win, something is seriously wrong.
Anthony - Anthony is a handsome little guy with a big heart. he's a good kid with a decent voice and it's hard not to like him. American IDOL? I don't think so. But give him a few years and he'll be ready for the big leagues.
A final note on Clay Aiken. Clay Aiken is the most overrated singer who ever held a microphone. I would rather listen to William Hung balsted through a pair of headphones super-glued to my head while I was tied to rail tracks watching an oncoming train speeding towards me at 100MPH than listen Clay Aiken for three minutes on the drive to the grocery store. Clay Aiken is not "great." Luther Vandross is GREAT. Nat King Cole is GREAT. Ella Fitzgerald is GREAT. Clay Aiken is a very average singer with a vocal style (if you can even call it that) better suited for the Renaissance era.
21 - Mir
Such an interesting review! Thanks Steve! Keep it up!
I wish these idol contestants could read your review. It might help them alot! Especially down the road.
Go Bo!!! :)
22 - TylerNewton
"
A final note on Clay Aiken. Clay Aiken is the most overrated singer who ever held a microphone."
I can't believe you can say this in light of the pathetic joke that is RUBEN STUDDARD. Talk about a guy who shouldn't show his face in public, let alone try to be a professional singer.
23 - Donna
I have been a Director of Talent and Casting for more than 15 years. I have worked in most areas of talent booking for television. I watch an enjoy American Idol, like most Americans. I have watched last nights episode.
I agree with most of your review and respect your understanding of music and your background.
I enjoy Constantine and would not enjoy the show as much without him on it. I agree with Paula that he is at ease with all types of music. Saying that,
I think was the weakest singer last night. But I do agree that he could win this competition. The man has a star quality.
Vonzell has been on fire lately but the second 2 verses of her song last night was FLAT. I love her. Her look is amazing and she seems to have a genuine heart. She's in my top 3.
Bo is a pro. He doesn't need this competition to get a huge record deal.
He will do well after Idol is long gone.
Last night: He is also in my top 3
Carrie voice is also very strong. I thought she was very good last night but last week she performed like a manniquin with a nice voice. She is in my top 3.
Scott does have a nice voice but I think they have decided it's his turn to go. I don't see much happening for Scott. I think this was his 15 minutes.
Anthony is a doll. His vocals are not developed yet but he's is giving it his all. I don't see him lasting past the top 5. He is a cutie though and might have a career.
Regarding Clay Aiken, only someone who is not schooled in music or has not worked in the music or television business, would say he's over rated. To make a comment that "Mr. Aiken is better suited for the Renaissance" has to be coming from someone who doesn't listen to Mr. Aiken vocals and music. Aiken has the same ability to sing, rock, pop, show, and r&b. His power, his range are in a class with some of the top singers in the business.
I will climb off my soap box now and continue to work.
p.s. I worry Vonzell is going home tonight.
24 - Steve
MJ, your opinions are all well and good, but take a little more time to try and sound smarter the next time. Bonehead comments about Bo wanting to be the next "Jimmy Page" or Clay singing "renaissance" music don't assist your cause. For the record, in Zeppelin it was Robert Plant who did the singing, and none of these people will ever have any business singing any classical music without re-training their voices completely.
And I'm being nice here, even though I'm sure any response on your part will be thoroughly pissed-off and ugly. There are others who might see fit to respond who will shred you, trust me on that.
25 - Lori
Well Your review of the current finalists on AI was right on the money except for one person.
Constantine. His charm blinds people to the fact that he cannot carry a tune. He is pitchy, out of tune and delivers every song with shmarmy hystrionics. His stage presence is what people love about him (I don't he gives me the willies) But please what in the world are you hearing that I am not?
Last night I had to physically leave the room his singing was so bad.
I just cannot see him winning this contest based on singing. If he wins its based on female hormones. But please, not singing ability.
Clay Aiken? Very unique singing voice in my opinion. When you hear his voice its so distinctive you know who it is.
I would love the author of this article to hear Clay's rendition of "Where The Street Have No Name" I feel Clay is more in tune with Bono than Constantine could ever hope to be. Check it out if you can.