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Reviewing Pickler, Daughtry, and Ryan – Bianca, Not Seacrestby Ed Hampton -- 11/27/2006
View Printable version of this article It’s that time of year again, but this season we have more than our usual bunch of Idol releases. That makes me a happy camper. Instead of a song-for-song review, I will single out a few of my faves on each CD and at the end give an overall rating of each CD. Now this is the Idolhead’s opinion, but I think you’ll agree with me most of the way here. Daughtry – Chris Daughtry and his band There are 12 tracks on Chris’s debut CD and all are really good. I liken this to real rock ‘n roll, not the pasty imitation stuff we’ve been hearing since the ‘80s. Chris’ voice so shines that even if I didn’t know who he was, I would still stop to listen. Unlike most rockers, Chris has a really good voice and it is evident on every track. 
The first track, “It’s Not Over,” is already being used as background music for the Fox series Breakout. Very memorable and I’m sure soon to get mucho radio play. Great stuff. My favorite track for no particular reason is “Home.” There are no weak songs on this CD and it is exactly what we would expect from Chris. And yes, that’s a good thing. He gave it to us on the show and he gives it to us in spades on his inaugural CD. People of the world unite. Rock ‘n roll is back and its name is Daughtry. Grade A Small Town Girl – Kellie Pickler I’m not a really big fan of country mustic. Carrie was an exception because her country was as much pop as country. Kellie is pure divine country with no ambiguity. Every one of the tracks on here oozes down home Dolly Parton/Tammy Wynette. Kellie shines better on this CD than she ever came close to on the show. My favorite track is “I Wonder,” and if you haven’t already heard, she co-wrote this tune about her estranged mother. And a tearjerker it is. Also a great song. Kellie puts herself into it all the way and in that twangy fashion it works 100%. Just like Chris, we got just what was advertised on Idol from Kellie. No surprises. Great first effort from Kellie and if her infusion into some of the songs on this CD are an indication of what her future holds, it will be a long and prosperous one. But quite frankly I can’t wait for the TV show. Grade A- Bianca Ryan – Bianca Ryan While Bianca did not win (or even participate on) Idol, she did win the inaugural season of another one of Simon’s ventures into American TV, America’s Got Talent. Once you’ve heard this CD you’ll wonder why you haven’t heard of her before now. Well I can help explain that a little. She is only 12 years old. But be warned. When listening you won’t hear what you think is a kid, you will hear someone that sounds twice her age. It is quite unbelievable. Although this CD is mostly cover songs, Bianca is able to breathe new life into some of these overdone worn out tunes. For instance, they dug up this 30-year-old, dust-covered song relegated to the elevator grave yard for eternity, “You Light up My Life,” and Bianca actually made me stand up and pay attention. For my money, it is better than the original sung by Debbie Boone. Bianca also made other similarly overplayed songs like “The Rose” and “I Believe I Can Fly” very listenable again. But where she really shines is on the original tunes. Especially great are a Diane Warren masterpiece, “I Wish That,” and a new, just in time for Christmas, “Why Can’t It be Christmas Every Day?” There is really no reason we shouldn’t be hearing the latter every Christmas for the next 100 years. And no reason we shouldn’t be hearing “I Wish That” today on the radio. Both songs in their own right very well written but as well written as they are they are even better delivered by this 12-year-old. 
Simon has said he thinks Bianca is potentially the best singer he has ever heard. Strong words from a guy who knows what he’s talking about… most of the time. It’s hard to believe that she lost out on Star Search to Spensha Baker. Spensha who? Ironically, Spensha didn’t even win. Tiffany Evans did, so Bianca’s dad wisely hired Tiffany’s voice coach for Bianca. And the rest is… well you know. I highly recommend this CD. Unlike Clay’s latest effort, Bianca makes the covers work and truly makes me remember why I love music. I look for Bianca to supplant Celine, Streisand, and Aguilara. She is truly the best singer her age I have ever heard and is far superior to Christina at this age. If something drastic does not interfere with her career (blown-out voice or burnout) she will someday be mentioned among the legends and possibly sooner than later. And I guarantee a slew of Grammys coming her way. It is not often in one’s life we get to see such a prodigy. Take advantage and click here right now to buy it from Amazon On another Idol note I would like to hear from all you readers out there on the next Idol releases. Of course, Taylor Hicks’ CD is coming soon, and I would like to hear your thoughts. You can hear him at www.myspace.com/taylorhicks. And then Katharine McPhee is scheduled to have her CD out next, supposedly December 19, and I want to get your opinion of her snippets. I especially want to hear from those who hated her and those who love her. Go to this link and listen. There are three different snippets to listen to. I want your honest opinions. Email me at at Idolheaded@yahoo.com. Ed owns his own home theatre company and is in the process of writing his first novel, The String. He is a big fan of American Idol and Canadian Idol and can be reached at Idolheaded@yahoo.com. Be sure to sign up for the RealityNewsOnline/FoxesOnIdol e-mail update so you can stay informed about new articles on both sites! For all of our articles, check out our sections on American Idol, American Juniors, Nashville Star, and Canadian Idol. Also make sure to check out RealityNewsOnline for recaps and articles covering other reality TV shows. For even more news about reality TV, be sure to check SirLinksALot: American Idol and Reality TV Fever! View Printable version of this article
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