Showing posts with label Adam Lambert. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Adam Lambert. Show all posts

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Art is in the Eye of the Beholder


I watched the American Music Award’s Sunday night and although most of the music and entertainers are not my “cup of tea,” I watched it all including the “climatic” (no pun intended LOL) performance by the very talented Adam Lambert. I did not really care for his song much, but he performed as I thought he might: outrageously, sort of in the “creative” vein of what Madonna used to do, and what some of the newer entertainers are doing....sex....

Even one of my favorites, American Idol’s Carrie Underwood—a real beauty—has gotten pretty darn sexual in her presentations. Come on people, all I am now hearing is how Adam Lambert kissed another man and had another person’s face in his crotch and snapped a bikini type costume. And watching the performance it happened so quickly that it was hard to tell if the blond keyboard player was male or female. Yes, there where chains and ropes, sexual innuendos, and movements, but what was really any different than watching Sakira and the thirty or so female dancers with their display of pelvic movements that people used to consider vulgar, or watching rap singers grab or touch their crotches in a way made “popular” by Michael Jackson. Seems you have to have the “wondering hand”to rap.

Then there was the outrageous Lady Gaga who looked like she was supposed to be naked but her body suit had an opening that appeared to be fly-like such as in male boxers or tape of some kind on her pelvic area. Have no idea what that was all about. I found her performance of falling all over the floor, and breaking liquor bottles on a flaming piano, crazy—but apparently that is the way she expresses her talent.

So maybe Adam did get “caught up in the moment” as he says about the kiss but what about the rest of the performance that obviously had been rehearsed, probably several times, and producers, (Dick Clark Productions) and directors knew what his performance was all about. They also knew it would get reaction and viewers as they saved Adam Lambert for the last three or four minutes of the show, at 11:00 PM. East Coast and West Coast. (sure not family hour). If they thought his performance was not a problem then why didn’t they not put him on in the beginning of the show—instead of saving him to last?

Was I surprised by Adam’s performance? Not at all. He is so talented, outrageous, daring, outspoken, and most of all, accepting of his sexuality, and is REAL. I admire that in him. At his young age he already knows who he is and he presents his authentic self.

And for those who do not care for his performances, don’t watch, don’t listen. But in doing so, you may miss some darn good talent because Adam Lambert is going to be around a long time.

But what I am irritated about today is ABC’s discriminatory action against Adam Lambert by canceling his scheduled performance on “Good Morning America” Wednesday morning.

Lambert said that any criticism he received for the performance was demonstrative of a double standard in entertainment. He’s quoted in a Rolling Stone Interview:
“Female performers have been doing this for years — pushing the envelope about sexuality — and the minute a man does it, everybody freaks out,” Mr. Lambert said. “We’re in 2009; it’s time to take risks, be a little more brave, time to open people’s eyes and if it offends them, then maybe I’m not for them.”

I agree that there is a double standard. Rap singers have gotten away not only with risqué songs and dances, but violent songs, and a few bleeps later, they still perform on TV.

So why all the uproar now with a talented gay singer who does take risks and does get outrageous? Is ABC pulling a guest spot because people where offended by the sexual performance of a gay man but apparently are fine with similar behavior of scantly clothed women portraying sexual movements? One report was that ABC received 1500 complaints. With 14.2 million viewers of the awards show, it seems like the number of complaints was nothing to panic about. But apparently they did.

People still watch Madonna after some of her very sexual and risqué performances. And how about the Madonna, Britney Spears kiss? It may have lasted longer than Adam’s.

CBS is on the ball, though. After ABC announced the cancellation, CBS booked Adam for Wednesday morning’s “Early Show” where he will perform live and discuss his performance on the American Music Awards. Also his taped appearance will air on David Lettermen Wednesday night.

The artist must remain master of his craft, and bring his or her authentic self forward. That is how real talent blossoms and expands.

I wrote about Adam previously here, here, here and here..
I look forward to hearing his new album. Clips of it here at Amazon, Sounds like some good songs.




~Linda

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Adam Lambert CD Cover, For Your Entertainment


Adam Lambert's Cd Cover, For Your Entertainment. Album can be pre-ordered at amazon.com
Release date: November 23rd.


What is there to say??

~Linda

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

The New American Idol

Photo Kevin Winter/American Idol 2009, via Getty Images for FOX

Wow Again! Kris Allen is the new American Idol!

What a show that was tonight! Great entertainment, comedy, and talent, and I believe the best finale they’ve had in all eight seasons. Everyone from Lionel Ritchie, Rod Stewart, Santana, Kiss, Queen, Black-eyed Peas, Keith Urban, Cyndi Lauper, and others.

Kris seemed really shocked he won. Adam was very gracious. Obviously these two guys really like and respect each other. They are both so talented.

Almost a million votes. Wow. I’m not disappointed. It has been a very good season of excellent talent this year, espcially with the top four or five.
Kris sang a great duet with Keith Urban, and both Adam and Kris sang "We are the Champions " with Queen. That was really nice. How true it is, they are both champions.

So now that American Idol and Dancing With the Stars are over, what is left to watch on TV? LOL

~Linda

What a Night, American Idol, Dancing With the Stars

“Music is the universal language of mankind.”
~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882)



Wow! Oh, what a night of television!


It began with the 8th season part one finale of American Idol and Adam Lambert and Kris Allen. Each sang three songs. Adam sang “Mad World” followed by Kris singing "Ain't No Sunshine." Both very good.

The second song by Adam was picked by the show’s creator, Simon Fuller and it was the Sam Cooke song, "A Change Is Gonna Come." Adam was brilliant on that one. The pick for Kris was Marvin Gaye’s "What's Goin' On." He did a fair job on it but it was not the greatest song for him.

Then the last song, “No Boundaries,” co-written by Cara the judge, was not a good pick for either of them to sing, but definitely Adam did a better job with the odd song.

So it is very hard to tell what the final vote will be tomorrow. Four hours of voting tonight....and how many millions of votes will that be?

I still believe Adam has more talent than anyone who has ever been on American Idol. I also believe Kris has a lot of talent. It could be a toss-up as to which of these young men will be the new American Idol. It may not even matter as both of them will have successful careers ahead.




Followed that up with the 8th season finale of Dancing With the Stars. It, too, has been one of the best sessions ever. The top three were all good dancers: Melissa Rycroft and Tony Dovolani, Gilles Marini and Cheryl Burke, and Shawn Johnson and Mark Ballas. Many believed Gilles was the top contender but with the narrowest margin of votes ever, less than 1 % between the top two, Gilles and Cheryl and Shawn and Mark, the surprise came when 17 year-old Olympic gymnast, Shawn Johnson and her partner Mark Ballas won. When Shawn got over her embarrassment and let out her sexiness when needed in the dances, it made a big difference. She worked hard to perfect her dancing.

I look forward to hearing last year’s winner, David Cook Wednesday night on the finale, and we will discover who will be this year’s American Idol.

And as I said,
Oh, What A Night !!




Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons





~Linda

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

American Idol and the Top Three






It’s gotta be Adam Lambert. He is brilliant, and such a talent. He sang One by Bono, U2 for the Cowell song choice and Simon Cowell said “It was a brilliant, brilliant performance.” He then sang Crying by Aerosmith. I believe he is the best talent that has ever been on American Idol. Simon then said Adam deserved it based on talent. So right.


I really like everything that Chris Allen does, and have all season.

I’ve always loved Joe Cocker’s song You Are So Beautiful but I did not care for Danny Gokey’s rendition of it tonight, although the judges did.

All three of them are good but Adam stands so far above the other two with his talent. This is a tough year. The top five have been good, but again, Adam tops them all with his voice, his artistry, his uniqueness, and his stage presence.

I called in votes tonight but my votes will make little if any impact on the 76 million plus votes that will be cast.

~Linda


photos by American Idol.

Saturday, May 2, 2009

Adam Lambert Should be American Idol, But Will He?

Many of us were surprised by Adam Lambert being in the "bottom" two this past week on American Idol. That guy is so very talented. I often see Elvis in his eyes. First time I saw him I saw that. He's a good looking guy.



This morning I was irritated by a Rutgers news article about Adam Lambert's personal life. The reporter, whoever she or he was, (not identified) seemed to have a need to make Adam's personal sexual identity an issue. The title of the news article posted at MSNBC is "Are 'Idol' fans ready for a gay champion?" with a subtitle, "Adam has never confirmed sexual preference, just says, 'I am who I am.'"

First off, I applaud Adam for that answer given to any question about his sexuality. "I am who I am." But I quote from the news article: "With three weeks to go before the 'American Idol' final, Lambert, 27, is favored to win the No. 1 U.S. television talent show and become, possibly, the first gay or bisexual singer to be handed the 'Idol' title by millions of Americans."

Hey, come on. Second, since when did sexual identity matter within the music business ie.; Elton John, or the entertainment business, ie.; Ellen, Rosie, and all the others who most knew where gay whether they came out of the closet in the past or not?

And where has this reporter been. There have been other gays on the show, and an issue was not made about it.

The closet door is open. We know have five states that recognize same sex marriage, and there will be more before long. Numerous states have recognized other gay rights. So all I can say to this reporter, whoever he or she is, get over it. It doesn't matter, and it sure as hell does not matter in judgement of someone's talent.

Although many fans of American Idol are younger, many of us are older. This year is a talented bunch, more so than I recall. I wish all four could win: Adam, Allison, Chris are my favorites, with Danny next. But three will not win. I think all will have record deals, and maybe Anoop and Matt will also. Lil, was also good but not so outstanding, for me. (do I sound like Randy?) Allison is quite incredible for her age, just turned 17 a few days ago. Her unusual voice and style is something.

Here is Adam singing Smokey Robinson's The Tracks of My Tears






and here is Adam singing Come to Me, Bend to Me from Brigadoon, five years ago at age 22. He's a very sensitive and a dramatic singer, with an incredible range, and diverse style. His unique talent makes him the best pick for American Idol. He's worked hard on his music for several years because he loves music. He loves astrology and is an Aquarian, and Aquarians are said to be trend setting and forward thinking. He says this is his favorite quote:

"When the power of love covercomes the love of power, the world will know peace." ~Jimi Hendrix







Now tell me that isn't talent!


And tell me if it really matters what his sexual orientation is? If you watch him perform, or if you pick up the phone to vote each week, do you think, oh, wait a minute, he could be gay or bisexual....American Idol...I don't know.


Stupid, huh?



~Linda