‘Introducing Harlemm Lee’ – A First Listen

Fame winner Harlemm Lee was promised a single as part of the prize from the show. Instead, he has gotten an entire album, Introducing Harlemm Lee. Most of the songs are covers from his time on the show, but there are several others as well, including one that he co-wrote. Let’s take a look based on several listens so far.

Blessed My Soul Again – At first listen, I had to double-check to make sure I had the right CD. I had forgotten how high Harlemm’s voice can be – to the point that his singing sometimes sounds like a woman’s voice. After listening a few times, though, it becomes obvious that it’s Harlemm alright. The song itself is a good listen. Sort of a ballad, but with a good musical backing. I find that I’m having difficulty explaining the song in precise words, but that’s kind of the way it often is with Harlemm.

Get Here – OK, I have to say that I think reality talent shows have done this song to death. Justin Guarini did it – in two versions! It was used on a special episode of the first American Idol with a bunch of the female semi-finalists singing it. Etc. And now the sticker on Harlemm’s CD indicates that this will be his first single. I have to think it’s a bad choice. But anyway, Harlemm does a great job with the song if you’re not sick to death of it by now. This is one where we definitely lose a lot by not being able to see him – who can forget him running around the stage with his arms outstretched like an airplane?

Careless Whisper – Another cover from his time on Fame, Harlemm definitely has a different take on this than the original by Wham! It starts slow, almost like a lounge singer, but then picks up into a dance beat with latin-sounding background music. Harlemm does a good job with the song, though the lyrics do give the listener another urge to see him dancing again.

Destiny – This song is a duet with Fame runner-up Shannon Bex. It may be the best we’ve ever heard her – and we also lose out in not seeing her, though for different reasons (hey, I can’t help it, I’m a guy!). The song is a slow ballad and their voices mesh nicely as they sing about how each is the other’s destiny.

Let’s Get Serious – This one is a dance number written by Stevie Wonder and Lee Garrett in which Harlemm gets funky. His voice works as well in this up-tempo song as it does in slower numbers, but I have to give negative points for the lyrics. OK, so Stevie Wonder co-wrote it, but come on, they seriously could have used a little work. I mean, at one point he sings, “S-E-R-I-O-U-S, baby let’s get serious. Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah…” (there were more “yeah”s in there, but I lost count). Not one of my immediate favorites by any stretch.

Jasmine Rain – This is the one song on the album that was co-written by Harlemm. It’s a love ballad that is not particularly memorable compared to some of the other songs on the album. You could play it in the background while doing other things, but probably wouldn’t specifically seek out this song to dedicate listening time to.

Greatest Love of All – Another song that Harlemm performed on Fame, this of course is the Whitney Houston classic. He does a good job of it, but it doesn’t have quite the Harlemm flair that I expected. Still, you know it’s not, as Simon Cowell might say, just a karaoke cover version. It’s definitely Harlemm.

I Love You Love Me – A good song with an up-tempo beat and a few slower portions. He handles the transitions well.

Lean on Him – As I suspected in my pre-release article, this is indeed a version of “Lean on Me.” I’m guessing (okay, it’s not that big a leap) that the “Him” in the title is God. So it’s turned from a song about being a friend into a religious hymn that would blow the roof off of any church. Harlemm sings the hell out of it. Remember, this is the song he performed in the eighth episode, when Joey Fatone followed him by saying, “Can I get an ‘Amen’?!”

When I Need You – Harlemm’s cover of this well-known Leo Sayer song definitely does it justice, and then some.

Tomorrow – Yes, “Tomorrow,” from Annie. He sang it on Fame, like so many of the other songs on this album. When he sings it, it doesn’t sound like a song from a musical. He puts a soulful spin on it that really suits his voice.

And there we have it. Overall, I noticed that Harlemm doesn’t quite take most of these songs to the lengths that he went on the show as far as stylizing goes. Then again, what works in a live show might not work quite as well in a studio.

If you’ve looked for the album other than online, don’t be surprised if it’s not in the best-seller racks. There has been virtually no promotion (see below) and, of course, Wire Records is a fairly small label compared to the likes of those promoting, say, Clay Aiken and Kelly Clarkson. The album was not even stocked at my local Best Buy, and WalMart only had two copies (and not because they sold out of all the rest). Your best bet might be to just buy it online (and we’ve helpfully provided a handy link, below).

I said above that there has been virtually no promotion. If you’re in California, however, you do have a chance to see Harlemm. On November 16 he will walk the red carpet at the American Music Awards in L.A. On November 18 in San Jose, he will perform on NBC’s Bay Area Today at 10:00 am and then perform that evening at the Borders on Blossom Hill Road. On November 21 in San Diego, he will be on KUSI morning news at 7:00 am and then follow that in the evening with another Borders performance, this one at 668 6th Ave.

You can buy Harlemm’s album at Amazon.com:

Introducing Harlemm Lee

David Bloomberg is the Editor of Foxes On Idol, and can be reached at RNO@pobox.com.

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