American Idol Season 2: All Time Classic American Love Songs
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Free Music Notes for American Idol Season 2: All Time Classic American Love Songs
Free Music Review: Perfect for the Idol fan -- nice CD for all
Hit: 5 Stars
I must say I was very skeptical in getting this CD since the first season's American Idol CD was very mediocre. I am a big fan of the show and can say this set really does more justice being released than the previous effort.I'll get my complaint out of the way -- Vanessa is missing off the CD. The compilation really needed her to be truly complete.
With that said, I listened to the CD a few times over to get a good feel for each song. A couple I thought were terrible upon first listen but I changed my mind as I heard them a few more times (and with better listening equipment). The two group songs are just OK - the same can be said for almost all of the group songs on the show. The contestants weren't really picked to sing together versus shining on their own.
Individually, I was quite impressed with many of the songs. Ruben, Clay, and Kimberley Locke all put in solid performances as expected, but some of the other singers shocked me with what they could do. Julia DeMato really surprised me with an excellent rendition of Etta James' classic - VERY sultry and much better than her performances on the show. Kimberly Caldwell also hits with Roberta Flack's smash at a level beyond her show performances as well. The highlight of the CD has to be Trenyce's wonderful rendition of Let's Stay Together. The song sounds like it truly could be on a solo CD and is worth the price of the disc alone.
Rickey and Corey both sound in their elements. Josh also sounds very good and is on target after taking it for a few spins. Charles' version of Overjoyed made me want to hear more from what he could do. Finally, I had to listen a few times before I could decide on whether Carmen's cover of How Do I Live was sheer terror or a delight. I first listened on small speakers at work coming to the wrong conclusion. At home, the song took on a new life and I feel suited her very well.
This CD will be a must for fans of the show. Those disappointed from last season's compliation should lay their fears aside here. The quality will make AI enthusiasts very happy. On that note, the CD isn't just for those who are big AI fans -- there are some solid songs and a few outstanding performances as well that should please others as well.
Free Music Review: A great collection
Hit: 5 Stars
I've listened to this fantastic collection close to a dozen times since I bought it last week. I never REALLY got into American Idol until the top six or seven of last season, but have watched and listened faithfully for Season 2. Thankfully, I find this year's Top 10 actually blend pretty nicely together, as is evident by the first and last tracks on this CD. These recordings showcase the Top 11 finalists at their best.Also, this CD is proof positive that you can make ANYONE sound good in a mix (especially Josh Gracin and Corey Clark, who sound much worse live). Ruben's Superstar is about as good as Ruben gets, but still a little slow and bland at times. Clay Aiken's On the Wings of Love is further proof that Clay can sing ANYTHING and make it a hit. Julia's cut of At Last is actually quite good, better than she ever sounded on the show. Josh's Three Times a Lady, like I said, is deceptive in how good it makes him sound. Trenyce's Let's Stay Together is an okay bluesy ballad, not her best, but a good enough recording, proof that she should have beat out Josh to the Final Four. Rickey's sometimes whiny, all in all okay Back at One (despite just a dumb song) is bearable. While I was never a big fan of Kimberly Caldwell, I find her Killing Me Softly with His Song hypnotic and enchanting... I find myself going back to it again and again. Again, Corey Clark's Open Arms is actually quite good, despite his seemingly weekly struggle to sing in tune live. I've always loved Carmen, and I found her How Do I Live pleasant enough, even if they Technoed up her voice a little. Kimberley Locke's Over the Rainbow is good, but is it really a love song? Charles Grigsby's bland Overjoyed is okay, but what really gets me is why did they exclude Vanessa Olivarez??? Who knows.
All in all, it's a GREAT recording and a must-have for any fan of any of these songs, singers or series.
Free Music Review: A great album.
Hit: 5 Stars
This cd is very good, infact great. I am an american idol fan, as we all know.1. What the world needs now- all
I enjoyed this track. besides my 2 favorites Trenyce, Ruben, Kim C, and Kim L all got solos. Now that was cool. 9/10
2. Superstar- Ruben
I was sorta half and half with this track. I am a fan but this was just well boring. 6/10
3. On the wings of love- Clay Aiken
This was another boring song. Its not really my type of thing but Im sure his fans will like it. 4/10
4. At last- Julia DeMato- Julia DeMato
can I say that I was amazed by this! To bad she couldn't have shown it off on the show, her voice was great! 10/10
5. Joshua Gracin- I dont care about this, this is the worst track on the album- 0/10
6. Lets stay together- Trenyce
Can I say that this is another great track, although i was hoping she would use "I have nothing" but this is still great. 10/10
7. Starting back at one- Ricky Smith
Pretty good, actually liked it. 7/10
8. Killing me softly- Kimberly Caldwell
Can I say that this is another great song on the album. 10/10
9. Open Arms- Corey
I was NOT a fan but I actually liked this. it sorta stays on you. 8/10
10. How do I live- Carmen
I actually liked this. Sorta teenish. 8/10
11. Over the rainbow- Kim L
Not impressed, her live version was better. Although I am a fan im giving her a 6/10
12. Overjoyed- Charles
To bad he couldnt show off this when he had the chance. 8/10
13. god bless the USA- all
Liked it at first, then it got annoying. 5/10
Favorite tracks
Lets stay together- Trenyce
At last- Julia DeMato
killing me softly- Kimberly Caldwell
Free Music Review: Rates
Hit: 5 Stars
Many people have done this, MY TURN!What the World Needs Now: Finalist - This was so good! I think that everyone did great solo's except Ruben. 5/5
Superstar: Ruben Studdard - This was very very good! I really am not his bigest fan but it was awesome! 5/5
On the Wings of Love: Clay Aiken - It was very good, he doesnt show range, which hes best at, but it was great! 5/5
At Last: Julia DeMato - Okay, where did this come from? This is the best track on the cd. I was always a big fan of her and this was one of her best! 5/5
Three Times a Lady: Joshua Gracin - This isn't my favorite song on the album, I like his country side better. But it is just good. 3/5
Let's Stay Together: Trenyce - This song has range and I don't think she should have gotten it. She sounds good, but not good enough. 4/5
Back at One: Ricky Smith - This was good. I think it was the best thing I have seen from him. 4/5
Killing Me Softly: Kimberly Caldwell - Wooo. This is one of the best recordings on the cd! She has a great voice in this rather than the show. 5/5
Open Arms: Corey Clark - Once again, where did this come from? This is very good. One of my favs. 5/5
How Do I Live: Carmen Rasmusen - Umm, why did she have to ruin a great song like this? She was never that good anyway. She yoodles. 1/5
Somewhere Over the Rainbow: Kimberley Locke - She is awesome. I wanted her to win, she sings so wonderfully in this song. 5/5
Overjoyed: Charles Grigsby - Its fairly good. Not my favorite. 3/5
God Bless the USA: Finalist - I love it! But I would change giving someone else Trenyce's part in the second verse. 5/5
Free Music Review: 5 Stars
This CD rocks. The group songs aren't incredible, but solid nonetheless. As far as the individual preformances go:Ruben- 5+: Incredible. I LOVE the strings, and Ruben's voice is one of the once-in-a-lifetime things. Astounding preformance.
Clay- 31/2: I find myself skipping this song, but it's still good
Julia- 31/2: BIG improvement over the show, not exemplory, but fairly good
Josh- 2: Okay, but he I think he needs to stick to country music. I don't like most country music or his voice, so I am a little biased
Trenyce- 5: Great arrangement. Powerful, intresting voice. She shows her "personality" on this song very well. How did she lose to Josh?!?!
Rickey- 4: Very good, not my favorite song (I don't like Brian McKnight), but very good. I like Rickey, he is just SO funny!
Kim C.- 4: Very good, strong vocals, a little overwraught, but it is strong and I like it.
Corey- 1: This is awful! He sings in an annoying voice. Too whiny. Between Corey or Vanessa on the CD? Definitely Vanessa
Carmen- 0: AWFUL She sounds like she had computer assistance on every note. This song is too tough for her. I almost always skip this one. Didn't like it, but Carmen is cute
Kim L.- 5: Incredible jazzy voice. She should sing Jazz. Her voice is smokey and she knows what to do with it. Very classy. This isn't a love song, though, is it?
Charles- 31/2: Not great, not bad. I like Stevie Wonder, though. Good song choice + okay rendition = nice performance