Sunday, June 29, 2008

"AI" first place finishers, more Top 50 artists

Hello,

This is the last of the history of certain placed finishers on "American Idol". Today I am reviewing the first place finishers. Season One: Kelly Clarkson, the one who started it all. One of most successful candidates both sales wise and artisically. She has released 3 CD's, with the first two being fantastic. The third CD is a little more challenging but is good as well. Season Two: Ruben Studdard, he was dropped from the record company he signed with after winning "AI". He has done nothing spectacular since he won. In fact he has done so poorly that "AI" tossed him a bone and had him sing the farewell song for Season 7 contestants. He sang Kenny Loggins' "Celebrate Me Home". Season Three" Fantasia Barrino, she has had relative success. She released a couple of CD's and appeared on Broadway in "The Color Purple". She also sang that powerful song "I Believe" with grace. That is probably one of the best songs ever sung by an "AI" contestant. Season Four: Carrie Underwood, obviously another very successful winner. She has released two CD's and has sold over 5 million CDs, which is very hard to do in this era of downloading. She currently is headlining her own tour, I would love to go see her in concert. Season Five: Taylor Hicks, yet another winner who was dropped from his record label for poor sales. He currently is performing in "Grease" on Broadway. He faded very quickly after Season Five.

Season Six: Jordin Sparks, she has had a successful CD and I am hoping she is in it for the long run. There were fears that she would never be able to sing again. It appears those fears are unfounded, thank goodness. Season Seven: David Cook, obviously it's too soon to tell. Although he did have 11 songs on the iTunes Top 100 when sales were allowed to be counted. (In comparison David Archuletta only had 3 songs in the Top 100). He also released a CD before he was on "AI", it is called "Analog Heart". If you want to listen to it good luck though. Also there is a musician on amazon.com named David Cook, but it is a different singer. Be careful if you are a big David Cook fan.

"American Idol" Season Eight note: The whole "AI" auditioning process starts up in a few weeks. Their first stop will be in San Francisco on July 17th. They are going to many cities for the first time including Salt Lake City and San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Here's more of my Top 50 artists of all-time list. As of yesterday I had Journey at my 28th spot. However after seeing clips of them in concert earlier this year, they jumped up quite a bit. They are on their 5th or 6th singer now. He is damn good although a bit goofy. Anyway they sound fantastic in concert. They also have released some new good music, which is rare for an 80's artist. 28) Steely Dan, the 70's and 80's jazz rock band. If you don't have their greatest hits CD yet, go get it. Every song is a classic. Also they have many other good songs that aren't found on the greatest hits list. Also they are still touring. 27) Whitney Houston, she is one of the musicians on this list who haven't produced anything recently. If she had she would probably be higher on this list. She is suppose to have a new CD out around this Christmas. 26) Ronnie James Dio, usually just called Dio, one of the former singers for Black Sabbath. I prefer his solo work much more though. He also appeared on the Queensryche CD "Operation Mindcrime 2". He plays Dr. X.

25) Garth Brooks, the 90's country singer. 24) Billy Idol: One of the biggest stars of the New Wave movement. That was his best work, but his 2005 CD I would also highly reccomend. It is called "Devil's Playground". 23) Michael Jackson, yeah I know he is a freak but no one can deny "Billie Jean", "Beat It" or most of his other hits. One of the greatest innovators in music of all-time. Here's hoping he finds a way to control his urges and can become relevant again. Supposedly he is working on a CD. 22) The Eagles, the 70's and 80's country rock band. Last year they released their first CD in 28 years, the double CD "Long Road Out of Eden". (Hey maybe Axl is trying to break that record, I wouldn't put it past him.)

Some quick notes, currently on Rhapsody I am listening to highlights from the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival. Check it out sometime. (If you haven't got Rhapsody yet, what are you waiting for?)The two CD set features Simon and Garfunkel, Big Brother and the Holding Company, Jefferson Airplane, The Who and Jimi Hendrix. Some quick movie reviews: "Ghost Rider" starring Eva Mendes and Nicholas Cage. It was an okay movie, a good video movie or On Demand movie. Whatever you do, do not waste your time watching, "P.S. I Love You". A dumb story, poor execution and way too long. When my wife and I were done watching it, I turned to my wife and said that is two hours of my life I will never get back. That's how bad it is. The only thing I liked about this movie is Hilary Swank, who is one of my favorite actresses.

Have the rest of a good Sunday, themusicaddict

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