bmfc1 Posted February 24, 2004 Report Share Posted February 24, 2004 http://www.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2004-02-24-american-idol-group3_x.htm LA TOYA LONDON, 25,Hawthorne, Calif.Whose song she'll perform: Eric Carmen Musical preference: "As far as what I sing, I'm used to R&B and pop." When it comes to listening, "I love classical, alternative, just whatever sounds good to me." Who is your biggest musical influence? "Whitney Houston, back in the '80s and early '90s. Her voice was just so beautiful to me. I wanted to sing just like that. She was my idol at that time."Who or what made you want to start singing? "I would watch my aunt. Her name is Zorina London. She used to perform all over the Bay Area and I used to go see her when I was a baby."Favorite judge: "Simon. He's so unpredictable. I'm always curious to see what he has to say. Sometimes what he says can be so funny, sometimes it's rude, but he's always funny."Have you learned anything from the judges? "I learned to get out of a comfort zone and just go for something more than being comfortable."What are your thoughts about singing to a national TV audience?"I think, 'Wow!' A lot of people would love to be in that situation. It hasn't really hit me yet." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raspbernie Posted February 24, 2004 Report Share Posted February 24, 2004 Wouldn't it be refreshing if she sang something besides "All By Myself?" I guess we'll have to tune in and see.Bernie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Cartmill Posted February 25, 2004 Report Share Posted February 25, 2004 I'll bet a gallon of Darlene's lemonade she does a Celine style rendition of ABM. Bernie, get the producers to have Eric on as the artist of the week during the finals. You got the connections. Promise Simon a "Got Milk" commercial or something. Simon needs more money and exposure, just like Eric. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darlene Posted February 25, 2004 Report Share Posted February 25, 2004 Tony, that's funny. --Darlene Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 25, 2004 Report Share Posted February 25, 2004 I thought she did a great job and was clearly the best performance of the night.I also think th Tiny Dancer guy should have scored better with the judges.I'll go with him and Latoya moving onto the final 12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steveh Posted February 25, 2004 Report Share Posted February 25, 2004 LaToya was clearly the star of the night, in part because she chose a great song which lets her display her range. Smart girl!Steveh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LobsterLvr Posted February 25, 2004 Report Share Posted February 25, 2004 She was great. But what amazed me most was how 'All By Myself' has become a standard. It's gotten to the point where I almost expect it to pop up in movies, tv shows and talent competitions. Ten years ago the song was considered a piece of schlock (sp?) by most (outside of this circle of friends, of course). But its true greatness has survived and it's a joy to hear, and it moves me every time I hear it. I just wish Eric's original got more radio play. That's where it sounds the best. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raspbernie Posted February 25, 2004 Report Share Posted February 25, 2004 Dave,You're right. I was proud of Eric last night. The closest comparison I could come to would be "Yesterday" about 20 years ago. Back then, it was the contemporary standard ballad of ballads. Sung everywhere and by everyone. Now, I'd venture to say, it is a lost classic. But "All By Myself" has somehow crept into its spot as the song more often sung on more occasions than any other. In fact, just the other day, I heard someone who works in my office sing it. It must be really cool to have written something with such enduring greatness.Bernie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
okstevens Posted February 25, 2004 Report Share Posted February 25, 2004 Ah shit I missed it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raspbernie Posted February 25, 2004 Report Share Posted February 25, 2004 Jeff,I'm sure they'll reprise the songs tonight in the elimination voting. Two of the judges (not Simon :-) gave the singer a standing ovation, calling it the best performance to date.Bernie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Posted February 27, 2004 Report Share Posted February 27, 2004 Latoya did the song proud -- great job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Cartmill Posted February 27, 2004 Report Share Posted February 27, 2004 I just want to scream to the world, "Eric Carmen has more and better songs than "All By Myself". Give him a spotlight artist night on AI please!"Japan and the Philippines seem to be the only countries who know this.I'm getting tired of "ABM". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LostControl Posted February 27, 2004 Report Share Posted February 27, 2004 I agree with Tony. It was a great breakout song for Eric, but if all singers were only known for their first big hit, Madonna would have stopped 15 years ago after "Like A Virgin" et al. Then just THINK of all that we would have missed. I would love to see someone with the vocal chords to pull it off to get up and sing another of Eric's works. Of course, the whole idea of "idol" is to sing something that everyone knows, so they can compare it to the original. If someone was to get up and sing "I love you, this is a recording", you wouldn't know if they did a crappy job or a great one. By singing ABM, the singer chose something that she was sure the vast majority of people knew. BTW, ILYTIAR (mentioned above) was sung millions of times, by me as a 4 year old. For some reason, that one line was really great to me, and I sang it OVER AND OVER again, until I'm sure my mom's ears must have bled. No wonder she gave me a tape recorder to sing it into - at least that I way I didn't sing to her!And I wonder where my son gets it from!Michelle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marvin Posted February 27, 2004 Report Share Posted February 27, 2004 Hey I hate to harp on Celine Dion, but the only reason "ABM" has any legs (longevity), is because of Celine. If she hadn't resurrected the song, the younger audience today would not even know it existed.Marvin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aggiesjc Posted February 27, 2004 Report Share Posted February 27, 2004 I think Marvin's right. Most young people today know that song because of Celine, not Eric. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAM Posted February 27, 2004 Report Share Posted February 27, 2004 I'm thinking a "Live By Request" show on A&E featuring Eric would be a cool thing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raspbernie Posted February 27, 2004 Report Share Posted February 27, 2004 Here's some perspective: Celine Dion's Falling Into You CD sold some 32,000,000 copies (and counting). There can be no doubt that most young people are familiar with Eric *ONLY* through Celine's version of his classic tune.Bernie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Cartmill Posted February 27, 2004 Report Share Posted February 27, 2004 32 mil? Shoot...I could sell that many out of my garage on a sunny day...I like Mike's idea, but artists usually go on the A&E show when they are releasing/promoting a new or greatest hits CD.I heard Barry Manilow will be a spotlight artist on AI in the next couple of weeks. Could have been Carmen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marvin Posted February 27, 2004 Report Share Posted February 27, 2004 Yeah especially since Eric's last disc was the equivalent of Barry Manilow anyway! Start throwing those grenades my way again!Marvin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Cartmill Posted February 27, 2004 Report Share Posted February 27, 2004 Have you ever seen and igloo explode?"INCOMING!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LobsterLvr Posted February 28, 2004 Report Share Posted February 28, 2004 Does Japan have its own version of "Idol"? Considering his popularity there, perhaps Eric can be the featured artist on that show. "Ren I raz young....Arrrwl By Mysheeerrrf" (sorry, couldn't help myself) Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JuliaD Posted February 29, 2004 Report Share Posted February 29, 2004 uhhhhhhh, that'd be "ren I raz rung" (you do know we're both going to hell now, don't you?) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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