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Post by adamrocks on Sept 1, 2013 0:09:34 GMT -5
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Post by Q3 on Sept 1, 2013 0:12:40 GMT -5
Q3, for a fairly young city, it really is amazing the beautiful old theatres we have. I guess it is the Hollywood influence? The first time I walked into The Wiltern, I was floored! Literally standing there with my mouth open!! NYC may have more theaters in the Broadway District, but LA has the grandest theaters -- although a few of the great ones are not fully restored and/or closed -- so many have been perfectly restored and updated with the best technology. Also, many of the LA Movie Palaces from the 1910's and 1920's have real stages -- like the Million Dollar Theatre. The style of the Million Dollar Theater "a variation of Spanish Rococo style, known as Churrigueresque. Deeply molded features decorate the theatre entrance and higher up on the facade are heroic figures of the arts, with symbols of western Americana, such as bison head, eagles and longhorn steer skulls, all the work of sculptor Joseph Mora."
I was there once for a fundraiser and it is just an amazing building. And it has a real stage -- 35 feet deep.
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Post by adamrocks on Sept 1, 2013 0:13:58 GMT -5
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Post by adamrocks on Sept 1, 2013 0:20:27 GMT -5
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Post by Q3 on Sept 1, 2013 1:00:33 GMT -5
This afternoon, I spoke with someone who knows Harry's manager and a lot about Harry. He pointed out something that I had not thought of. HCJ is pretty good actor and, if the producers' give him good direction on the judges part, he will do fine. It is the first actor that they have had on the Idol panel. So perhaps it will be fine. *** Macklemore is the first musician to do this in over 20 years. But he will not be the last. It is possible because the major labels cannot control digital music, streaming and on demand play like they did broadcast radio and TV. Even Apple is giving in now. It is going to be an interesting few years as we go through the rest of this transition. *** I have been thinking a bit about what Adam will do next. I have no idea. For the first time it is a mystery to me. But I feel very strongly that it will be a very good year. I think that it would be good to also keep in mind that Idol does not show the mentoring sessions in their entirety. They choose bits and pieces, often losing some of the context. Here is a video interview after the show with HCJ in which he says that Idol did not show the part of the sessions where he tells each contestant to take everything he says with a grain of salt, that it is only his opinion. He also says that he was not saying that they could not sing licks, just that they needed to learn the song first. Also, I think HCJ's advice to Amber was spot on. I think she took it to heart and it showed in her performance of Funny Valentine, which was one of her best performances of the season. It may have been hard advice to hear at the time, but it will make her a much better singer! But on the choice of the Stormy Weather version, I too would have liked to see Kree sing the more bluesy version. ETA - Also, since Idol does not show the whole mentoring session, we do not know if HCJ did or did not explain the meaning of the song to Amber. It would not surprise me if Idol showed the pieces of the session what would cause the most talk, whether good or bad. Good points although I do not completely agree -- because the MFV performance had nothing to do with HCJ. Amber performed MFV in the Las Vegas round -- filled with runs -- and it was pretty good. It is the Mitzi Green arrangement. February 2013 www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmQ_axApRLMThe May 2013 version is pretty similar to her February performance -- it is also the Mitzi Green arrangement. www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZa6kAjK-BkYes, I am sure the producers manipulated what they showed to build tension. But HCJ was disrespectful to the other 3 contestants. I just remember the Amber part so well because it was uncomfortable to watch. HCJ said all the stuff we saw on the air -- I never remember a mentor saying such negative things about the contestants in their direct to camera section. I cannot guess what was said that was cut out -- I can only judge on what they broadcast. And really, there is no deep meaning to "My Funny Valentine". Just a bit of word play with valentine-heart, funny-comic-smile-laughable, greek-work of art. It is a simple, romantic ballad -- and one of my favorites. So what was all that about? > Personally, I have heard the song about 10,000 times and I still do not understand the line "Is your mouth a little weak" -- why weak? I think they just needed something that sort of fit and rhymed with Greek and speak. My funny valentine
Sweet comic valentine
You make me smile with my heart
Your looks are laughable
Unphotographable
Yet you're my favorite work of art
Is your figure less than Greek
Is your mouth a little weak
When you open it to speak
Are you smart?
But don't change a hair for me
Not if you care for me
Stay little valentine stay
Each day is valentines day
Is your figure less than Greek
Is your mouth a little weak
When you open it to speak
Are you smart?
But don't you change one hair for me
Not if you care for me
Stay little valentine stay
Each day is valentines dayI honestly hope it all works out -- and it is much better than Scooter Braun. |
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Holst
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Posts: 4,786
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Post by Holst on Sept 1, 2013 6:14:57 GMT -5
Some songs should be retired after a performance like this: One of my favorite contestants (besides Adam)..ever.. Talk about taking a song to school..my god, the phrasing, runs, just all of it. Viv, thanks for that video. Melinda is a great singer and that is how you do the runs "right." I don't object to runs, I object to gratuitous runs ala Xtina and many singing contestants. Whitney was great at it also. Melinda sang the opening melody without runs except for between phrases. She changed a melody note here and there as a jazzer would. And then she built it to a climax (in the short time they get on AI) ala Adam Lambert. She very carefully chose her spots to add runs and let the beautiful melody shine. Plus, Adam doesn't do the generic talent show melisma very often. He does different improvs--way different. I think I posted this joke during Star Spangled Banner discussion. It's been passing around through music teacher circles.  |
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Holst
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Posts: 4,786
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Post by Holst on Sept 1, 2013 6:44:28 GMT -5
This afternoon, I spoke with someone who knows Harry's manager and a lot about Harry. He pointed out something that I had not thought of. HCJ is pretty good actor and, if the producers' give him good direction on the judges part, he will do fine. It is the first actor that they have had on the Idol panel. So perhaps it will be fine. *** Macklemore is the first musician to do this in over 20 years. But he will not be the last. It is possible because the major labels cannot control digital music, streaming and on demand play like they did broadcast radio and TV. Even Apple is giving in now. It is going to be an interesting few years as we go through the rest of this transition. *** I have been thinking a bit about what Adam will do next. I have no idea. For the first time it is a mystery to me. But I feel very strongly that it will be a very good year. I think that it would be good to also keep in mind that Idol does not show the mentoring sessions in their entirety. They choose bits and pieces, often losing some of the context. Here is a video interview after the show with HCJ in which he says that Idol did not show the part of the sessions where he tells each contestant to take everything he says with a grain of salt, that it is only his opinion. He also says that he was not saying that they could not sing licks, just that they needed to learn the song first. Also, I think HCJ's advice to Amber was spot on. I think she took it to heart and it showed in her performance of Funny Valentine, which was one of her best performances of the season. It may have been hard advice to hear at the time, but it will make her a much better singer! But on the choice of the Stormy Weather version, I too would have liked to see Kree sing the more bluesy version. ETA - Also, since Idol does not show the whole mentoring session, we do not know if HCJ did or did not explain the meaning of the song to Amber. It would not surprise me if Idol showed the pieces of the session what would cause the most talk, whether good or bad. Danceygeorgia, I agree with you. I watch all of Harry's mentoring clips yesterday and also watched the same interview you posted. I understood what he was telling the singers without watching the interview. I'm in the minority here for sure, but I don't see what was harsh or too tough about his mentoring. Maybe it's because I'm a musician who has been mentored and now mentors. I'm guessing that Danceygeorgia has also had this style of coaching as a dancer. Regarding Amber and Funny Valentine, he was spot on in guiding her on the lyrics. When she was saying what they would about--she was wrong. She is young and needed help. When Harry kept asking her about meanings, she couldn't answer. Asking questions of a student is a top notch method of getting them to think and then remembering better what they have learned. His coaching style doesn't even come close to many sports coaches who yell--which is considered normal for athletics. |
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Post by cassie on Sept 1, 2013 8:38:50 GMT -5
I think that it would be good to also keep in mind that Idol does not show the mentoring sessions in their entirety. They choose bits and pieces, often losing some of the context. Here is a video interview after the show with HCJ in which he says that Idol did not show the part of the sessions where he tells each contestant to take everything he says with a grain of salt, that it is only his opinion. He also says that he was not saying that they could not sing licks, just that they needed to learn the song first. Also, I think HCJ's advice to Amber was spot on. I think she took it to heart and it showed in her performance of Funny Valentine, which was one of her best performances of the season. It may have been hard advice to hear at the time, but it will make her a much better singer! But on the choice of the Stormy Weather version, I too would have liked to see Kree sing the more bluesy version. ETA - Also, since Idol does not show the whole mentoring session, we do not know if HCJ did or did not explain the meaning of the song to Amber. It would not surprise me if Idol showed the pieces of the session what would cause the most talk, whether good or bad. Danceygeorgia, I agree with you. I watch all of Harry's mentoring clips yesterday and also watched the same interview you posted. I understood what he was telling the singers without watching the interview. I'm in the minority here for sure, but I don't see what was harsh or too tough about his mentoring. Maybe it's because I'm a musician who has been mentored and now mentors. I'm guessing that Danceygeorgia has also had this style of coaching as a dancer. Regarding Amber and Funny Valentine, he was spot on in guiding her on the lyrics. When she was saying what they would about--she was wrong. She is young and needed help. When Harry kept asking her about meanings, she couldn't answer. Asking questions of a student is a top notch method of getting them to think and then remembering better what they have learned. His coaching style doesn't even come close to many sports coaches who yell--which is considered normal for athletics. I have to agree about the gratuitous runs that many pop singers insert into everything. They should have purpose and fit the harmony of the song. I also agree about the mentoring. A singer, a musician, an actor is used to having their work critiqued in detail, most of it critical. Usually, you know when you have nailed something, just like an athlete knows when they have completed a pass, gotten the first down, or sunk a basket. The coach is there to explain what you are doing wrong, why you missed the goal, and how to improve. A good coach will sprinkle in compliments for good work, but most of the focus is on improvement. For a singer not to understand the lyrics of a song they are performing is ridiculous. Even when I was singing in a foreign language I didn't know, I found out what I was singing about. It's called "preparation" and "homework." As for the lyrics to "My Funny Valentine," I love them. "Is your figure less than Greek?" refers to the classic Greek sculptures of the gods. In other words, "Okay, yeah, you don't have a great body." "Is your mouth a little weak?" Again, referring to the classic definition of beauty for a guy: a strong, square jawline. It's not Shakespeare, but it has meaning that a singer should understand. |
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Misha
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Post by Misha on Sept 1, 2013 12:24:23 GMT -5
I absolutely agree that a singer should understand the lyrics of the song they're singing and should understand and be able to sing the melody of a song before improvising (I love some good, jazzy, judicious improv). It's not surprising to me that Amber didn't understand the lyrics of her song given her age and musical interests (she never seemed to grasp the lyrics of most of the songs she sang), but it is shocking and appalling to me that she made no effort to understand them before she came to the rehearsal room or even began to practice the song on her own. I never liked Amber's personality or attitude. I understand why HCJ wanted to make the points to her that he did.
For me, it's not that he made those points, but that he did it in a harsh and humiliating way on national television. I think there are gentler ways to guide her on camera and lead her to the same realizations.
Harry has been in the business long enough, watched Idol long enough, participated in the show often enough to know how they edit footage and what kind of comments would make the air. But I guess that makes for good reality TV. It just seemed cruel and uncalled for to me. I also got the impression that he was acting in this manner on purpose to prove that he could be a tough truth-teller on a judges' panel, and I felt he sacrificed the best interests of the contestants to do so. And I don't think that is what a good mentor does.
If he behaved that way in a private session or off-camera, then I'd say go for it, do whatever you feel it takes to be most effective. If the mentee didn't like it, couldn't handle it, didn't think it was helpful to them, they could walk---or at least verbally object without coming across badly on TV.
Also, I believe a good mentor should try to help the singers become the best at what they do and bring out their unique strengths---not try to force them to fit a mold because of the mentor's lack of appreciation for other ways to approach a song. HCJ seemed to only want the contestants to sing the song the way he heard it in his head, in the way he deemed acceptable.
As I said, in the past I liked Harry. He can be very entertaining. I hope I'll like him again in the new season.
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