American Idol

Terence Lee · Post by **Terence Lee** » Sun May 28, 2006 10:06 am

Hi Marian

Dionne Warwick's voice is still distinctive but she has alot a lot of her vocal range. She performed Walk On By but altered the melody line to avoid all the high notes. That's a compromise.
She has done this for many years since her voice started deteriorating from the
album Reservations For Two back in 1987. Before that, she was wonderful to hear especially on tracks like Alfie and Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow sung in concert. She would improvise brilliantly and reach new highs.

ROBERT M. · Post by **ROBERT M.** » Sun May 28, 2006 4:03 pm

Hi Lena and Harry, Terence and all. I haven't watched any American Idol either Lena and Harry. You are exactly right, as no one can hold a candle to our Matt, no exceptions!!!! By the way Lena and Harry, I thought that Dione Warwick is Whitney Houston's Auntie.??

Lena & Harry Smith · Post by **Lena & Harry Smith** » Sun May 28, 2006 4:53 pm

Well Robert, we originally always thought like you, that Dionne Warwick was Whitney Houston's Aunt, in fact we had an an e-mail from a lady about three weeks ago, asking us this very question and if we knew the actual relationship. According to internet information they are cousins.

ROBERT M. · Post by **ROBERT M.** » Sun May 28, 2006 4:57 pm

Hello Lena and Harry. You would have thought that Dione Warwick would have been Whitney Houston's Auntie, as there is quite a big age gap between the two of them. Like between you and me.

Lena & Harry Smith · Post by **Lena & Harry Smith** » Sun May 28, 2006 5:56 pm

Ahh!! yes Robert, we know about the age gap but we've got things that you haven't got, !! like a bus pass

and free prescriptions

Oh!! And wisdom and knowledge that comes with the mature years, there's no substitute for it. Just watch "The Eggheads" on TV or Who Wants To Be A Millionaire.

ROBERT M. · Post by **ROBERT M.** » Sun May 28, 2006 6:03 pm

Hello again Lena and Harry. I thought when you get older your memory start's to play trick's on you.???? Maybe your memory (or the lack of it) has started to play trick's on you already.!!!!

Lena & Harry Smith · Post by **Lena & Harry Smith** » Sun May 28, 2006 6:25 pm

Not a chance, we're firing on all cylinders,

and what's more we remembered to listen to Eric today. Now own up Robert and make a full and honest confession. You were having your regular and needy siesta and missed it,

and will go to the play back feature to hear if he played Matt or not.

Lena & Harry Smith · Post by **Lena & Harry Smith** » Sun May 28, 2006 7:17 pm

We'll be generous and understanding Robert,

Elaine Paige today played Matt's "On Day's Like These" (well who else can sing it ) and no prizes for guessing if Eric was going to play any of Matt's recordings today. Eric is always admitting to Matt being the very best British singer. It was all about Frank Sinatra and his music today. Eric played Matt's recording of "You're Sensational" From the film "High Society". and Sensational sums up this wonderful recording from Matt .

paul jh · Post by **paul jh** » Sun May 28, 2006 7:49 pm

I agree with Terrence. Dionne Warwick looked elegant and sounded fine if she kept a range to 5 notes. She spent too much time with the Psychic Friends Network in the 1970s and 1980s. She didn't sing regularly and lost her range. At 64, she should still be able to sing the high notes on Walk On By. They aren't that high anyway. By the way, Dionne Warwick and Cissy Houston are sisters. Cissy Houston is Whitney Houston's mother.

We are massive American Idol fans here and eveyone I know loves Elliott, who came in third place. He is the best blue-eyed soul singer the U.S. has ever seen. He brought a special magic to old R & B songs from the 1970s and 1980s and even sang some that I didn't know. (I love the old soul music; I know people in the U.K. still love that music as it's often played on Radio 2.) Elliott has had no formal training. He may not be quite at Matt Monro's level yet, but he could be there one day. Think of the similarities: a bus driver vs. a pharmacy clerk. And both have a passion to sing songs.

I was fine with Elliott not winning American Idol; I don't want him to be picked up by Simon Cowell, Simon Fuller, and 19 Entertainment. Taylor has no voice whatsoever; he sings with no vibrato. I know he loves music, but, poor guy, he wasn't blessed with a voice. He had the mainstream audience vote and the little kids who thought he was a funny dancer. Sorry, Marian, but Katharine is garden variety. You can hear that voice at any high school. I thought her renditions of Come Rain Or Come Shine and Over The Rainbow were quite bland; give me Doris Day any day!

But Elliott is unique. His voice is a special gift. He oozes soul. And he is kind and thoughtful, with a big heart. I hope all of you saw the episode when he returned to his home in Richmond. I cried, just as he and Paula Abdul did and I still tear up when I think about it. He is a truly special man and singer.

All of you should download the track he recorded for the American Idol compilation CD, "Moody's Mood For Love". Basically it's a jazz inprovisation of "I'm In The Mood For Love". Elliott colors the song with ninths, sixths, melismas, mordents, appogiaturas, etc. I can't stop listening to it. It's breathtaking.

mariana44 · Post by **mariana44** » Sun May 28, 2006 9:50 pm

Hi Paul---it was interesting reading your thoughts on Amrerican Idol---I must admit I was surprised that Elliot was knocked out before Taylor---Taylor seems a nice guy, but that is all. It is clear how proud Elliots family are, and it was great to see his mum get an award, I loved it when she announced him "This is MY Elliot Yemin".

Marian

paul jh · Post by **paul jh** » Mon May 29, 2006 12:27 am

Thanks Marian for mentioning that moment when Elliott's mother announced his performance in the finale. I got chills when she said that and again when I read your message.

There was something special about Elliott, his life story, and his voice that touched all of America.

I wish him all the best and believe he will have a successful singing career.

ROBERT M. · Post by **ROBERT M.** » Mon May 29, 2006 1:47 am

Hello Lena and Harry and all. Yes Lena and Harry, I like to listen to Eric Hall during the week on the "listen again" feature. I have also started listening to Dewi Griffith's - String of Pearl's, also Frank Wappett on Radio Newcastle is quite good to listen too, playing easy listening music. In fact there are quite a lot of programmes we could listen to again. Good idea that "playback" feature is though, as you call it.

Lena & Harry Smith · Post by **Lena & Harry Smith** » Thu Jun 01, 2006 8:30 pm

Hi Robert, We enjoy Dewi Griffiths programme on Sunday mornings.
He plays all the Golden Oldies and gives information of each recording that he plays, and he has played several requests for us in the past.
He has a music competition that you can enter from time to time.
I (Lena) was one of four runners up last year and won a Radio Wales mug, with a Radio Wales key ring, a notebook and pen

and a photo of Dewi with a message of congratulations.

dottie · Post by **dottie** » Wed Jun 14, 2006 9:33 am

I watched the finale with Katherine McPhearson and Meat Loaf, Meat had problems with his earpiece which was evident in the rendition of 'Its all coming back to me now'

Apart from that must admit prefer the British version....

diane · Post by **diane** » Sat Sep 02, 2006 1:51 pm

Elliott is unique. His voice is a special gift. He oozes soul. And he is kind and thoughtful, with a big heart. I hope all of you saw the episode when he returned to his home in Richmond. I cried, just as he and Paula Abdul did and I still tear up when I think about it. He is a truly special man and singer.

All of you should download the track he recorded for the American Idol compilation CD, "Moody's Mood For Love". Basically it's a jazz inprovisation of "I'm In The Mood For Love". Elliott colors the song with ninths, sixths, melismas, mordents, appogiaturas, etc. I can't stop listening to it. It's breathtaking.

I totally agree Paul! I bought the American Idol CD just for MMFL..I love it!!
I also downloaded every song Elliott sang while appearing on American Idol...he's fantastic and has a great future.