12.31.18 The Best Moment of 2018
Dec 31, 2018 3:45:12 GMT -5
Post by Q3 on Dec 31, 2018 3:45:12 GMT -5
The Best Moment of 2018!
by Q3 12/31/18
As we ring out the year, there were a lot of Adam high notes this year. For me, and apparently many other people, there was one moment that stands out.
Adam's stunning rendition of "Believe." Yes, play it again -- you know you want to.
I am replaying it one three more times as I write this. And I am in awe at how good it is. It seems effortless and yet ever single note is so carefully modulated, thoughtful. Nothing is over-down or out-of-place. And somehow it builds in a circular manner to a crescendo that just unfolds, I really don't think you're strong enough. Then closes with the almost whispered question Do you believe in life after love? A lyric that I sang along to for years and danced to without ever thinking about what it meant. Until now.
The performance, the arrangement, and the lyrics alteration elevated a great neo-Disco, dance-pop song to become a power ballad. The idea is not new to Adam or fans - he did 34 second long cover of "Believe" on American Idol almost ten years ago. But replaying that performance after listening to the KCH version, and there is no comparison. This new version of "Believe" is at a whole different level.
There are many remixes and great vocal rearrangements but this one belongs up in the pantheon of vocal performances. With Brian Wilson's (The Beach Boys) "God Only Knows," Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You," Merry Clayton's vocal on the Rolling Stones' "Gimme Shelter, and Nirvana "Where Did You Sleep Last Night" (unplugged cover of the Leadbelly song, not probably on most of your great vocal lists).
I searched on Google for the "best vocal performance ever" and stumbled on this list - I know it is a good great list, because it includes Adam.
The Purest Vocals of All Time: "Wicked Game" by Chris Isaak, "Nothing Compares 2 U" by Sinead O'Connor, "Only Time" by Enya, "Kathy's Song" and "Scarborough Fair/Canticle" by Simon and Garfunkel, "Good Morning Girl" by Steve Perry of Journey, "Mad World" by Adam Lambert, "God Only Knows" by Carl Wilson and the Beach Boys, "Holding Back the Years" by Mick Hucknall of Simply Red, "Kissing a Fool" and "Father Figure" by George Michael, "All By Myself" by Celine Dion, "Mercy Mercy Me" and "What's Going On" by Marvin Gaye, "When Doves Cry" by Prince, "Go Rest High on that Mountain" by Vince Gill, "I'll Be There" by Michael Jackson, "Angel" by Sarah McLachlan, "True Colors" by Cyndi Lauper, "Oh Very Young" and "Where Do the Children Play" by Cat Stevens.
The Purest Vocals of All Time: "Wicked Game" by Chris Isaak, "Nothing Compares 2 U" by Sinead O'Connor, "Only Time" by Enya, "Kathy's Song" and "Scarborough Fair/Canticle" by Simon and Garfunkel, "Good Morning Girl" by Steve Perry of Journey, "Mad World" by Adam Lambert, "God Only Knows" by Carl Wilson and the Beach Boys, "Holding Back the Years" by Mick Hucknall of Simply Red, "Kissing a Fool" and "Father Figure" by George Michael, "All By Myself" by Celine Dion, "Mercy Mercy Me" and "What's Going On" by Marvin Gaye, "When Doves Cry" by Prince, "Go Rest High on that Mountain" by Vince Gill, "I'll Be There" by Michael Jackson, "Angel" by Sarah McLachlan, "True Colors" by Cyndi Lauper, "Oh Very Young" and "Where Do the Children Play" by Cat Stevens.
Reading this list, IMO this performance is a peer to all of these performances. And it was live, not recorded. (As was Adam's "Mad World" - the only live vocal recording on that list.)
I just listened to "Believe" again. "God Only Knows" Adam, but "Nothing Compares 2 U." All I can say is I listened to your performance "All By Myself" and heard the "True Colors" of each note. I thought, "What's Going On" as I shook my head uttering "Mercy Mercy Me" and hit replay - again. Yes, it is a "Wicked Game." "Only Time" will tell but I "Believe" that "I Will Always Love You" and "I'll Be There" listening to you live this summer. Yes, it is a glimmer of joy in this "Mad World." Yes, I "Believe" in love. And yes, I believe in life after love.
A happy end to 2018. It's been a good year for me and 2019 is looking like it will be even better. And for Adam fans, we have another big TV performance in January, the Playmobil movie, A4 (NEW MUSIC!), a new QAL Tour, and more to look forward to!