Alembic Guitars Club
Connecting => Miscellaneous => Topic started by: olieoliver on April 17, 2007, 08:28:04 AM
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Okay, I know I?m setting myself up here for the jokes but I admit I watch American Idol every week. I don?t vote and I don?t really care who wins.
I watch because the band is incredible. I mean watch just once and listen to the band. They can play anything and play it well.
Ok now that I?ve got that out in the open, hit me with your best shot but my question is AM I ALONE?
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I watch too, but the band is secondary. I love it for the drama, the comraderie, the singing, the insightful judges, but most of all, that spunky Ryan Seacrest, he's just the bomb. No, I'm not gay, but I get mistaken for gay all the time, go figure. I have a theory as to why the early episodes with all the bad singers are so popular. Not because people are mean and like to watch others suffer, but rather we get a vicarious thrill through these people. If I could be as self-unaware as these folks, I could convince myself of anything. There is something very appealing about being able to truly believe anything at all about yourself, no matter how fantastic. I just hope the show becomes so popular they have a spinoff for the over 40 contingent.
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Half the people I know tune in but I have yet to view this program. That's television right?
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My wife is addicted to A.I. I do like the early rounds with the terrible contestants. While I find the later rounds filled with pap, I agree with Olie about the band. They have sounded awfully good this year. Ever wonder what would happen if people like Aretha Franklin, Bob Dylan, or Joe Cocker auditioned in disguise? I see an SNL skit!
Bill, tgo
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I don't watch the show, but it is cool that they're looking for real talent, as opposed to some A&R guy finding a pair of knockers and overdubbing a voice. They audition a cappella and really have to perform. I mean it's doubtful Britney Spears would have gotten anywhere on this show, and I think Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood both are actually excellent singers. They're both cute girls too, obviously, but didn't get where they are solely on their looks. At least that's how I see it.
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How would a young unknown (or better yet an old and unknown) Bob Dylan have been received on this show? That's a question I ask when folks start Idol talking with me. To each his or her own....
drr
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Well as I said I don't really watch for the contestants. My wife watch?s and follows the show religiously. I do however enjoy listening to the band. SUPERB musicians.
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I believe the world of music would be infinitely superior if Mr. Dylan had only published his lyrics, and never sang a note to tape. Who can say what unknown horrors Idol has already saved us from.
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It didn?t save us from Sanjaya.
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I wonder IF Randy Jackson had anything to do with hiring the players; I can only imagine he would have had the cream of West Coast players at his beck and call. The man CERTAINLY knows his way around a bass and a studio.
J o e y
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If Dylan had never sang you would never have had Jimi doing watchtower. Remember approx. 1/4 of the population is illiterate according to CNN this year.
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I thought this thread was going to be about Artificial Intelligence, so I guess that shows how often I watch it ;)
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Olie, I know I took off down a different rabbit hole ? let me come back up another.
I always tried to stay up and watch Johnny Carson and the Tonight Show Band, also known as the The NBC Orchestra and sometimes Doc Severinsen and the NBC Orchestra.
This was one hot set of players. Even if the show was off track, the Orchestra was always right on.
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I hear David, Doc knew good musicians.
Another of my favorites was The Worlds Most Dangerous Band. Will Lee is one of my favorite bass players. A very solid groove master and very capable soloist.
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I think the Idol band is terrific - I have always loved watching that band, or others in similar televised situations, playing so well with minimal rehearsal. Whether you like the music or not, the standard of playing is awesome.
As a side note, Basscast #12 features a guest host who plays with the Australian Idol band - it is interesting to hear his comments.
rick
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I rarely watch reality TV including AI. I guess I get enough reality each day. Remember reality TV is TV. It is all about ratings. They get people like Sanjaya and William Hung (remember him?) so you will come back next week to see if they are still around. Kicking Sanjaya off the first week would have been a big ratings mistake. How many people don't ever watch the show but took in an episode or two to see what the Sanjaya drama is all about? People like hearing great singers but they also like seeing someone marginal or downright bad. The show is about finding a huge talent but it is also about a huge audience and huge ad revenues.
Olie, I agree about the band. I'm in awe of the fantastic musicians you get to see on shows like AI and of course the late night shows.
Rich
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What a coincidence! Tonight was the 1st time I have ever tuned in. The band was just amazing. They did a close up on the pedal steel player when Jordin covered Martina McBride's Broken Wing. He was playing the slide parts from charts. Did a GREAT job too!
I kept hearing about this Sanjaya guy. I caught his interpretation of Let's Give Them Something To Talk About. I thought he gave a decent performance, giving the song his own twist and style. The review panel hated him and drug him through the mud. I guess that is what makes folks keep tuning in. I turned it off after that.
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I thought the steel player was right on - did a convincing Western swing thing on the single-neck E9 a little later on in the show. Those cats can play!
Rick
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the bass player is the band leader, ken smith most of the time. they [practically begged him to take the job. his leverage was he picked the band and it would be live and no karaoke. the band is very good. there was an article about him somewhere.
as for me i am picking my dark horse jordin sparks to win it all.
sanjaya is a hermaphrodite
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Oh man Jeff that last line split my sides.
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I agree with you olie I dont watch the show either but those cats RIPP! nor do i go to church but i listen to modern gospel simply cause the musicians are phenomenal, there's a new breed of players compared to the 70's gospel musicians when i started out.
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In my house we refer to Sanjaya as the Michael Jackson guy. Personally, I'd bet one of the women win. This year they seem to be far superior to the men. Even worse than Sanjaya? Ryan Seacrest! out.
Bill, tgo
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I always get a laugh out of Randy Jackson tooting his own horn. Last night I heard him say, As an acomlpished producer I think blah blah blah...
Kind of funny to me.
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To address the original question, no, I've never watched the show.
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We have the same type of show over here, of course. I didn't survive 10 minutes into the early rounds - as a spectator, I mean.
As far as I'm aware, they use canned music over here.
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The day I watch TV featuring Simon Cowell will be the day I'm in need of some euthanasia!
Mark