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« The Great American Idol Blog
Idol's Archuleta: Too Good to Be True?
David Archuleta on American Idol courtesy Frank Micelotta/Fox
After boy-wonder David Archuleta was practically crowned the next American Idol by judges and garnered glowing reviews Tuesday night, one wonders: Might he be too good to be true? Where did that beautiful arrangement of "Imagine" come from? (And why didn't he sing the first verse?)
Addressing Query No. 1, The L.A. Times uncovered a similar "Imagine" take sung by the late Eva Cassidy. Not that there's anything wrong with using an arrangement from another artist, but what bothers the Times is the fact that Archie receives his praise like an innocent choir boy, yet they know he's sung this song before (as a 13-year old on Good Things Utah). This teen has got a plan, and it's working.
As for Archuleta not singing the beginning of the song, though he claimed to Randy that Verse 3 was his "favorite," the Times says it's more likely that the Mormon didn't want to sing about imagining life without "religion, too." Still, give him props for sticking to his convictions... and for making Paula cry once more on his way to the top. And let's not forget, Archuleta can sing!
Did you get goose bumps from David Archuleta's version of "Imagine?" Do you think he's the real deal and will win Idol? — Erin Fox
Polls:
• Do you agree with Simon that David is "the one to beat"?
• Is it fair for Simon to say that about David so early on?
Related:
• Video: Young David Archuleta on Star Search
• Simon Cowell Predicts Idol Winner: David Archuleta
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Feb 27, 2008 2:42 PM
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I adored his version. Yes, it bears a resemblance to Eva Cassidy's, but that was a smart thing for him to do. In no way should he be knocked for basing his performance of the song on a version that better suited his voice.
Saying that, he modified Cassidy's version--it wasn't a cookie-cutter copy. Hers is more jazz folk. His is more jazz R&B. It does have a lot to do with their particular vocal styles, which aren't the same. This is in contrast to Katherine McPhee's "Over the Rainbow" which basically was a cookie-cutter copy of Cassidy's version of the song, right down to the last inflection.
Basically Archie is a perfect Idol contestant, and I don't see that as a bad thing in the least. He grew up watching Idol and he knows the rules. He saw the traps contestants fell into, and he looks like he's doing his best to avoid them. He's picking songs that are right for his voice, and he was smart to pick a song he performed before. And, since I'm not the cynical type, I don't believe he's got a master plan or that he's coniving enough to work the system in the way that some people suggest. I think he just understands the game and is playing it the best he knows how--basically, what he's supposed to do.
I think he's genuine. I really don't think he knows what has hit him. Yeah, he was on Star Search when he was 12 and won. But I find that 12 year olds often have more confidence than their 17 year old counterparts. His voice changed (and he had that vocal chord problem), he's been through puberty (sort of), and he's at that awkward "what the heck am I doing" stage of his life. To then be thrust into the limelight and have people annoint him Kind of Idoldom must be pretty heavy stuff. That he doesn't quite know how to take the compliments and adoration shows that he's normal. Because for all his smarts about how to choose and perform a song, I really don't think what you see when he's not singing is anything more than a awkward, slightly geeky kid trying not to sound or look too dumb on camera.
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Feb 27, 2008 3:55 PM
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Now THAT was a headline that sounded all scandalous, only to have the article say a whole bunch of nothing very important.
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Feb 27, 2008 4:08 PM
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Ehh, I think that's all a bunch of nonsense. It's all part of the Idol craze. And personally, I hated the arrangement of "Imagine" and thought it was ridiculous. I do really like David though, and think he has a great voice. I just didn't think he deserved all that praise. I understand those that were moved, but all I wanted to do was cover my ears.
By the way, I know I'm one of the few who feels this way 
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Feb 27, 2008 4:11 PM
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He already won Star Search, yes. But to compare Star Search and Idol.. not even close. The boy has followed all the rules, and his voice is incredible. Who cares if he has sung this song before, seriously? I had no idea that these people were only allowed to sing songs they had no sung in the past. Yes, his version of "Imagine" did give me chills. Let's just hope he does not fall into the same trap many of young Hollywood does. Then he will have a long career. I will be waiting in line for his first CD.
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Feb 27, 2008 4:13 PM
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He's good but I'd like to see an Idol who is non-secular. Just my opinion. I find religions to be cult-like and when I find out an artist is religous it turns me off a bit.
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Feb 27, 2008 4:16 PM
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markjbuchanan123- you just wrote exactly what i was going to write...it was freaky. However, I am torn because David Archuletta's Mormonism is not too big of a deal for me...because David made me misty last night. I KNOW! I'm a hypocrite...but if he can make me not get turned off by religious singers then maybe he's just the guy we need...for everything really...Middle East? no problem! We have David Archuleta.
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Feb 27, 2008 4:28 PM
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I had no idea that Eva Cassidy has a version of "Imagine" I will have to look for it - I love her, and I LOVED his performance last night! It seems that he's been watching the show since season one, just waiting for his chance to audition. He is amazing and deserves all the praise he gets. I got chills, goose bumps and cried! He did an excellent job. As for McFlee...she doesnt deserve to be in the same catagory as David. Sorry, I NEVER liked her - thought she was a spoiled brat who couldnt take when the judges didnt praise her!
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Feb 27, 2008 4:28 PM
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He's good but I'd like to see an Idol who is non-secular.
Um...so you mean, an atheist? Because all the past Idols with their hymn-singing and Bible-thumping have been too religious? That doesn't sound any different than someone disliking an Idol who is gay (or straight.) JMO.
As for Imagine, I passionately hate the song, so the fact that I liked the arrangement that David sang surprised me. I'm not completely sure that his "aw, shucks, you're clapping for ME?" persona is genuine, but I'm not completely sure that it's not, either. I'll have to keep judging him on his singing...until, that is, the backstage dirt about diva-like behavior starts to surface. LOL
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Feb 27, 2008 4:32 PM
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All you cynical people drive me crazy. I completely believe he is the real deal. His performance was so moving. And I competely feel that he is genuine. If not, he is DARN good at acting.
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Feb 27, 2008 4:50 PM
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I don't dislike him, but I definitely don't buy the "aww shucks" routine. He's been singing in front of people for quite some time now, and he knows he's good, but doesn't want to come off that way. With him I find it even more annoying than Melinda's reactions last year.
And question, does the loud breathing bother anyone else? Maybe I'm alone (I do have sensitive hearing) but I find the wheezing in between lines a little distracting. I'm not sure if it is part of his previous medical stuff or something else.
I think he's good, but I definitely don't think he deserves to win the competition. I just wish they would let the contestants pick any song they want for the first week or two. These themes have not helped some of the contestants.
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Feb 27, 2008 4:50 PM
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What is with TV Guide and their misleading headlines lately? It seems that anytime a person might be normal and not be cracked out on drugs 24/7 or driving drunk, this site tries to create misleading headlines for stories that have basically no content. I really wish this site would get back to the quality stories it once had instead of rubbish it is now reporting.
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Feb 27, 2008 5:04 PM
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Whenever a contestant has been receiving praise for a song, I don't remember any of them giving the arranger information. Execution is everything. From what I see, contestants get credit when they pick a good song/arrangement, and they get slammed if they pick a bad song/arrangement.
I can see slamming him for not crediting the arrangement, if it were a common practice - or if he were taking credit for the arrangement. But why hold him to a different standard than everybody else just because of his religion?
Karen L.
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Feb 27, 2008 6:30 PM
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I like the kid. Don't discount him as an actor, though - I'm not saying he's disingenuous, but you can't pretend he's an angel.
markjbuchanan123 - I believe you mean secular, not non-secular. Secular is the 'free of religion' term, which is what you seemed to be aiming for. I think many people who audition were raised singing in church choirs, and that's why religious backgrounds are so prevalent in contestants.
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Feb 27, 2008 6:45 PM
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I think he has made this a very boring year. It's obvious Simon plans for him to win. He has already won a Star Search and been televised numerous times. It really feels like he was meant to win so they wouldn't have a Bo Bice or Taylor Hicks who didn't sell any cd;s
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Feb 27, 2008 6:48 PM
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