I’ve compiled a list of my favorite performances from singing contests I’ve watched on TV.
Yeng Constantino, Pangarap Lang (Pinoy Dream Academy)
What’s surprising about this performance is how Yeng sang and moved around the stage confidently, as if everything was choreographed. But it actually wasn’t, because it was different from the rehearsals shown the day before Gala night. That’s why even the mentors were amazed.
Mau Marcelo started way back during Sing Galing, where she’s known as Samantha Brown. Her talent was highly appreciated on that show. When I found out that she joined Philippine Idol, I was rooting for her to win. But sadly, she got booted off in the semi-final round. From then on, I lost interest in the show for the following reasons:
So I hated Philippine Idol and all shows that leave everything to the public. Good thing, Philippine Idol had a wildcard, and she won. But I didn’t watch the show from the day she got the boot, because I had this feeling that the public don’t like her still and its only the judges who want her to win.
I think the public is starting to appreciate Mau Marcelo’s talent only now when Pinoy Idol is losing their better contestants. For me, singing competition is not about singing “cool songs” but singing “vocally challenging” songs that would show off their versatility, what they are capable of as vocalists, and how they are willing to be molded to create a style of their own. In the real world, it is the composer’s job to create “cool new marketable songs” that the younger audience would appreciate. I think she deserves more praise than what she has now, and this post is my way of acknowledging her talent.
photo courtesy of Wikipedia.org
Jason Mraz is one of my favorite artists in the music industry. Its been a long time since I heard him sing. It just so happened that while I was listening to my AI7 mp3s, I noticed that one of the contestants (Jason Castro) sounded like him except that Castro couldn’t belt out.
Anyway, I searched for “Jason Mraz” on Wikipedia and to my surprise found out that he has just released a new studio album. And so I decided to make this post about him.
Jason Thomas Mraz (born June 23, 1977) is an American singer-songwriter, born and raised in Mechanicsville, Virginia, a suburb of Richmond.
Mraz is an eclectic artist with multiple and varied stylistic influences, including pop, rock, folk, jazz, country, and hip hop.
What I like about Jason Mraz is his versatility as a vocalist.
Jason Mraz can sing.
(Sound Clip 1)
Jason Mraz can also rap.
(Sound Clip 2)
Jason Mraz can do vocal acrobatics as well.
(Sound Clip 3)
Jason Mraz can sing alternative songs. There’s no need to expect something extraordinary from him vocally on these songs. In alternative songs, it is “usually” the band or the “arrangement” that does the job. (I think)
(Sound Clip 4)
What else? Oh wait, there’s more!
I’ve been watching American Idol on QTV 11 these past few weeks. One of my favorites, Alexandrea (Alex-andre-a) Lushington, has been voted off last week. The judges didn’t like her version of If You Leave Me Now (Chicago). But honestly, I think it was good. I really liked it. If it hadn’t been for her nice low-register voice, it would have sounded acoustic or ballad, which I think won’t sound any different from the original. I have nothing against those type of songs. I just like the way she turned it into a nice soothing soulful song. It sounded sweet. I love it!
But then again, the judges were not impressed, and so were the viewers. She sang the same song during the vote-off episode and her close friend, David Archuleta, was crying the whole time.
Continue reading Alexandrea Lushington’s If You Leave Me Now