March 16, 2006

American Idol and Stevie Wonder

This is actually the first time I watch American Idol. It feels very real for me when I'm actually in America and watching it Live from the studio. I don't feel this excited though when I watched Live Indonesian Idol (I'm not a big fan of that show anyway).

At first I wasn't really enthusiastic about watching American Idol, but I watched it anyway just for the fun of it. I watched the auditions held in big cities, laughed so hard at the geeks trying to sing, and applauded literally for those who can actually sing. And before I realized it, I never missed any of the shows and eventually always looking forward to watch the next ones.

The competition is very interesting and breath-taking. I’m always curious about who will make it to the next round and who will be kicked out, but I never really had a favorite idol. Not until I watched the top 24 competition on their second week.

This is Elliott Yamin. Yes, he’s not handsome, he doesn’t have dreamy eyes, and he’s probably the ugliest male idol compared to the rest of the guys in the competition (that’s actually what Naomi said about him earlier). But when I saw and heard his performance on that second week of the top 24 competition when he sang one of James Moody’s phenomenal songs, “Moody’s Mood for Love”, he stole my heart. I was amazed by his awesome voice and literally smiled through the whole song. It was the perfect song choice. And even though it was one of the most difficult songs to sing (as Paula Abdul, one of the judges, believed), he totally nailed it. I am definitely going to start to vote on him. Vote for Elliott!!

On the first week of the top 24 competition, he sang Stevie Wonder’s “If You Really Love Me”. Although that performance didn’t sweep me out of my feet, it made me start listening to Stevie Wonder’s songs. That performance made me realize how amazing Stevie Wonder is. His lyrics are full of beautifully expressed love emotions. And the melodies, combined with his unique voice, are just so right it can draw you to la-la land and make you daydream about love and romance. Some of the songs even describe the feelings I’ve been going through recently. I feel so connected with his songs.

In times past, I’ve never really listened or loved any of Stevie Wonder’s songs except for “Lately” and “Overjoyed”. A brother back home (kak Daniel), who used to give me some guitar lesson every Sunday, introduced me to “Lately”; he played the song on my piano and sang it expressively. I liked that song since then. And recently, right after my Seattle vacation, one of Dena’s good friends, Arifin, introduced me to “Overjoyed”. He burned me two mp3 CDs full of good music, in exchange for my “Best Song Selection of Monday Michiru” CD that I personally made and burned. As I scan through the whole two CDs, I was mesmerized by one song, “Overjoyed”. And now, as I listened to so many more songs of Stevie Wonder, I have become even more mesmerized.

E3’s highly recommended Stevie Wonder’s love songs:
- You Are the Sunshine of My Life
- If You Really Love Me
- Overjoyed
- Lately
- Too shy To Say
- How Will I Know
- Send One Your Love
- My Cherie Amour

About “Send One Your Love”. I knew this song and loved it since a while ago, but I didn’t know that Stevie Wonder wrote this song. Monday Michiru sang this song in one of her latest album, she sang it brilliantly and her version of the song’s arrangement is very smooth jazz. I’ve always loved this song from the first time I heard it, but I never knew that it wasn’t hers. Wow, even my most favorite artist, Monday Michiru, sings Stevie Wonder’s song!

Anyway, back to American Idol subject, I just watched the top 12 competition today, and surprisingly, it was Stevie Wonder Edition! How more exciting can this be?! The Legendary Stevie Wonder actually met each of the idols, talked to them, sang with them, and gave them the right council and encouragement!! Elliott, probably the biggest fan of Stevie Wonder, was in joyful tears. And the best thing about this for me is I got to listened more of Stevie Wonder’s songs on the show because each of the idols had to choose and sing one of his songs.

Hmm.. Come to think of it.. Isn’t there a great coincidence and connection going on here? Elliott is my favorite idol, he made me love Stevie Wonder by singing one of Stevie’s song, which he sang it because he’s a big fan of Stevie. And now, Stevie Wonder is on American Idol!! Hahaha!

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You are the apple of my eye, forever you'll stay in my heart.

performed by edria @ 3:33 AM

6 Comments:

At March 17, 2006 1:18 PM, Anonymous said…

nope, im not an american/indonesian/whatever idol viewer. but yep, i luv stevie wonder.

dri, hv u ever heard of stevie's why i feel this way? di sini dia nyanyi ama take 6. spiritnya sih lagu2 winter holiday gitu, but it's just nice.

trus i also like higher ground. i heard the rhcp version for ost of "centerstage". then i heard stevie's original version. both are beautiful in their own way.

'guess this guy is more than genius. not only did he wrote songs that hit the pop charts ('lately', 'my cherie amour' and 'i just called (to say i love you)' - the songs that linger in my head for years), but he also wrote meaningful lyrics.

lagu2 dia dinyanyikan kembali oleh artist lain, not only in smooth jazz or blues manner. contohnya red hot chilli pepper tuh, bisa repackaged 'higher ground' in the most hip way. couldn't be better.

ah... satu lagi, versinya herbie hancock untuk 'i just called..' i think it's brilliant!

and stevie wonder is one of the artist yang gada matinya. dia jaya ama dionne warwick di zaman dulu kala, zap into the future......tiba2 main harmonica di album sting, kerjasama ama herbie hancock, take 6... ajaib banget deh.

hehe, ini jadi kaya nulis untuk fanmailnya stevie wonder.

btw, dri... selama di vegas tetep latian main piano kan?
At March 17, 2006 1:39 PM, Anonymous said…

Kok lagi ngantor bisa post comment panjang bgt kyk gitu kak? hahaha..

Di vegas terpaksa jarang maen piano. Kenapa? Karena mbak merin berkantor dari rumah, jadi senin-jum'at di jam kerja sama sekali gak bisa maen piano. Malemnya? Mereka pasti nonton tv dan gak suka diganggu dengan suara tv. Jadi e3 hanya sering maen piano di akhir pekan saja, sedih sekali ya..

Btw, kok bisa dapet lagu I just called to say I love you nya versi Herbie Hancock? hihihi.. susah tuh carinya hihihi..
At March 17, 2006 7:58 PM, Anonymous said…

curly-burly-hunny.... i just called itu kan ada di album yang Possibilities, yang nyanyi Raul Midon.... hehe... ga notice ya?

eniwei... i owe you THAT ONE ya. See if I can answer you tonight setelah aku selesaikan tugas2 hari ini. Paling ga, besok kali ya aku baru bisa nulis e-mail yang berpetuah. hahahaha... apaan sih.
At March 17, 2006 11:18 PM, Anonymous said…

kak dina aiii knoooooww hahaha itu aku tuh lagi nyindir2 pakek nanya "dapet dari mana tuh, susah tuh nyarinya" ehehe..
aku kan dah denger album possibilities itu must be at least 100 times haha.. (i got one too).

ditunggu ya reply curhat colongannya ehehe..
At April 05, 2006 4:46 PM, Anonymous said…

This is For You..Pembicaraan sama elliot Yamin, dpt di internet!!!!

When did you first start to sing?

5 years old.

Do you have any formal singing training?

No.

What other talents do you have?

I can do funny voices and impressions.

If you don't make it on AMERICAN IDOL, what will you do?

Do whatever I've always done...Survive! Of course, I'd still pursue a career in music.

What are your personal goals in life?

To help educate young people about music and diabetes. I want to be an inspiration to others. I want to be a great Dad someday...I want to meet Magic Johnson and have a floor seat at a Lakers game.

What album would your friends be surprised you own?

Ladies and Gentlemen - George Michael

Who is your AMERICAN IDOL?

My Mom - she's overcome a lot of adverse situations. She's a very strong-willed woman!

Do you have any rituals or things you do each time you perform?

Pray and take deep breaths.

Most embarrassing moments?

My first Hollywood Round Auditions - I forgot the lyrics to the beginning of my song! I thought I was going home for sure.

What has been your proudest moment in life so far?

Making the Top 24.

If you couldn't sing, which talent would you most like to have?

I'd love to be able to play the guitar and piano. I'd like to be taller, just so I can dunk a basketball!

What is your definition of an AMERICAN IDOL?

Someone who can inspire others to accomplish anything they set their mind to do.

Who is your favorite judge and why?

Simon - he doesn't sugarcoat anything.

What would people be surprised to learn about you?

Probably that I wear an insulin pump.

How has this changed your life?

It's validated my artistry and given me the confidence to accomplish anything I set out to do!

Do you have any lucky charms?

Nope, just my vocal chords.

Who are your heroes in life?

My Mom.

What's been your toughest obstacle in life?

Learning to manage my diabetes.

Do you think the audition process was fair?

For the most part, however I've seen some really talented singers go home.

If you win, who will you thank first?

God, then my Mom.
At April 06, 2006 2:40 AM, Anonymous said…

Hehe, makasih bang ariiiissss..!! Kayaknya skrg e3 jadi lebih nge-fans sama bang aris daripada sama eliott deh ehehehe..

*bang aris.. idolakuuuw*

bhuahahaha!