Season 7 in the Books: David Cooke Wins Idol!

Was I surprised...not really. I knew when Simon apologized to him that he was pretty much the winner. Not to shabby of a finale. I was a little bored, but Cooke's performances seemed a little more polished than David Archuletta's. Either way the top three this season will end up with record deals, David Cooke, David Arculetta, and Syesha Mercado.
I would like to take an opportunity to thank all of you who have read and listened to the podcast all season (just about 40,000) of you - and from almost every state in the US to as far away as Australia. Also thanks to those of you who tuned into our 'Idol Thoughts Live' shows - the archive can be found at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/IdolThoughts

The site will be active during the offseason, and we'll be doing podcasts about once a month to keep you updated on the latest happenings with the show as we head toward Season 8 next January and have a great Summer!

Thank you again for all of your reactions and support.

- Justin Phillips
http://www.idolthoughts.us
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/IdolThoughts
http://justinphillips.voices.com

Idol Thoughts: Finale: David vs David

Well, it was sort of boring for me...in all honesty. Both had great performances. Lets start with David Cooke. (I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For). He was very comfortable on stage and it showed. His vocals were perfect. (Dream Big, 2nd song) was pretty good. I liked the lighting, plus it had some pretty solid tempo. His third song (The World I Know) was pretty solid too, but could have been seen as safe. The judges killed him on all three performances of the night.
On the other hand, David Archuletta(Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me), was alright. It was the 'Clive Davis' pick of the night, as U2 was for David Cooke. (In This Moment) was a total YUCK for me...vocal was okay, but the song was horrible, and I don't know why he rehashed 'Imagine'. We've heard that before.

Overall it could go anyway, if you've listened to the podcasts and read the previous blogs you know how I feel. I'm pulling for David Cooke.
Don't forget, you can download the performances from the entire season from all the contestants by clicking the ITunes link above.

Let me know your thoughts, email me: idolthoughts@clearwire.net

Heading into the Finale!

Well it's the battle of the David's...David Archuletta vs David Cooke.

I received some rather entertaining emails over the weekend from folks across the country and their thoughts on the final two this season.

Dalena wrote in and said: David Archuleta should take this season's title in American Idol. He has a voice that no others have. It's very soothing. He seems more down to earth then David Cook. He's still young, but he proves that the young ones, can go far and do better and he told us that by making it to the finale. As for David Cook, he's very talented. His voice has a mixture of rock quality with his range. But at times, he can be a little arrogant and full of himself. But I have to admit, Cook's voice is quite strong & could take Archuleta's anyday. But we already have many people with Cook's voice and none with David Archuleta's.

  I agree with her statement. Archuletta would be a breath of fresh air, but does America want another young person to grow with or a more seasoned rocker who already has all the established musical gifts that a slightly older generation can grow with?

When all is said and done I feel that Archuletta will probably win out since most of the voters are younger and LOVE him.

Julia wrote in and said: is for sure the best. maybe he doesn't have the stage presence of cook but he has the most powerful voice ever! and i believe this is a singing competition! I personally do not think that cooks vocals are strong at all. i think he would be good in concert but not on a cd.

   I understand what she is saying, Archuletta's voice would be fantastic on a CD as well, but David Cooke could be equally entertaining. Who would I rather see in concert? Probably David Cooke, but I'm also a 32 year old male. Either way they are both phenomenal performers and will both have record deals.

As far as who will go farther in their career, Archuletta is the one to beat. I think the 'rock' sound is somewhat diminished now with Daughtry, Bo Bice, Creed, and now David Cooke - although is version of 'The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face' was amazing. Cooke is the more versatile performer in my mind. I think David Archuletta could get there, but he's young and will have a great following for a long time.

Elizabeth wrote in and took the 'youngness factor' approach:

David Cook is much better looking and is so much more of an all around talent. 

David A should not win this thing for his own good.  He's got a great voice, but is simply much too young to handle that will happen next. 

David Cook is mature, sexy, with a great stage presence -- not the golly gosh gee persona the 'other' David can only put forth.

 

I agree with her on the point of being young and vulnerable going into the music business, and with a father who has a short temper and doesn't like 'producers' very much. His career could start off on the wrong foot. On the other hand, David Cooke 'knows' what he has and what he can do and is already prepared for the next 'level.' It seems as though he has been since about two months ago.

More on this in the podcast. Don't forget you can download any of the performances this season by clicking on the ITunes link above.

David vs David

So Who Takes the Title?
do you like either choice? Of course, David Archuletta has the teenie bopper vote for "Cutest Idol", and David Cooke has the older vote for "Cutest Idol".....so who's it gonna be?
let me know..post a comment below or email us at idolthoughts@clearwire.net

Check out the latest podcast...Ken Barnes USA Today blog is mentioned, plus Syesha's interview and a shorter Results show next season. Check it out above....

and don't forget you can purchase any of the songs from this season right on this page!
Click the ITunes link above..

JP

Idol Thoughts: Fever Right off the Show...

Talk about a BAD song choice...it was what doomed Syesha on American Idol.
Don't forget you can purchase any of the songs this week, and this season by clicking on the ITunes Idol Link above.
Starting off the night was David Archuletta, (And So It Goes, With You, Longer Than)
His first song was solid and a nicve way to start the evening. I'm not quite sure he decided to go after a Chris Brown song second, it didn't fit him at all and Dan Fogelberg last (albeit Producers choice) I totally did not get whatsoever. Although David has a pretty loyal following and a stronger fanbase than any other contestant this season.

Syesha(If I Ain't Got You, Fever, Hit Me Up) - her performance of the first song(Alicia Keys) was solid, but safe in my mind. I'm not sure why she sent cabaret for the second song, but her vocal was solid and I don't think she deserved the criticism from the judges for her performance. Her third song was a little off, upbeat, but I didn't get it. Her fanbase could have grown by leaps and bounds last night, but with the judges comments I think she blew it.

Third was David Cooke, (The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, Dare You to Move, Don't Wanna Miss a Thing)...ok, the guy is ready to go. I think it was a little political to sing Don't Wanna Miss a Thing with Diane Warren(the writer) in the audience, but it was solid.

I feel bad for Syesha who got this close to her dream, had some bad song choices and is headed home. More about that in the podcast, posted shortly. You can check it out by clicking above.

Let me know your thoughts.... email: idolthoughts@clearwire.net

Idol Thoughts: Top 4: Who Shot Their Chance....

the show last night was somewhat dull for me. Some of the performances were great, several were forgettable, and two of the contestants, in my opinion played it very safe. Don't forget you can click the 'ITunes' link above to purchase any of the music heard on this seasons show.

Down to four contestants and starting off the night was David Cooke. (As we did last week we'll recap both performances at once.)

Overall it was a pretty standard night for David Cooke. He started the night with (Duran Duran) Hungry Like the Wolf, solid vocal..I would have liked to see him involve the audience a little more, maybe use the stage behind the judges. His second song (The Who) Baba O'Riley was HIS song of the night. He hit all the notes and will propel into the Top 3.

Up second last night was Syesha. Her first song was more show/performance than straight up vocal. (Tina Turner) Proud Mary. I wasn't sure if she had the attitude to pull it off, but she did a pretty good job. Her second song came from her heart, (Sam Cooke), a Change is Gonna Come and was performed as good as any of the performances of the night.

Third of the evening was the disaster that was Jason Castro (Bob Marley), I Shot the Sheriff and (Bob Dylan) Mr Tambourine Man will send him packing tonight. I feel bad for Brooke and Carly.....

Fourth on the night was a very solid David Archuletta on Stand By Me. There was an emotional connection. He's learning to 'talk to the camera' really well. His second song of the evening (Elvis) Love Me Tender, was a nice way to end the evening.
Some solid and safe performances and one clearly headed home.......

For more, check out the latest podcast listed above and if you haven't had a chance yet, check out the latest 'Idol Thoughts LIVE' show we did last week by clicking the BlogTalkRadio link at the top of the page.

What were YOUR Thoughts on this weeks performances...Let me know at idolthoughts@clearwire.net

Idol Thoughts: Top4: Rock and Roll All Night...

Don't forget to check out our 2nd LIVE Show, Idol Thoughts Live to the right.
Let us know your favorite Rock and Roll songs by clicking comment below, or email us
at idolthoughts@clearwire.net