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'American Idol' winner thanks Musica crowd for turning out on difficult week
By Malcolm X Abram
Beacon Journal music writer
Published on Sunday, May 10, 2009
When the 2007 American Idol season came down to ''the Davids,'' relatively seasoned ''rocker'' David Cook and puppy-dog-eyed David Archuleta, the show's producers surely were hoping that Cook would win.
Every contestant is a ''character'' with a story line for the duration of the show.
Anyone with a modicum of marketing foresight could see that Cook was the more finished product. His post-grunge, arena-rock sound was ready-made for radio. He paid his dues in the band the Midwest Kings and wrote, recorded and produced his now unnecessarily suppressed independent album Analog Heart.
Cook is on the road behind his bigger-budgeted and professionally co-written and produced self-titled ''debut,'' playing to packed houses in smaller venues such as downtown Akron's Musica, where the singer performed Friday night.
He took the stage in a skullcap, T-shirt and jeans.
The show was Cook's first night back on tour since the death of his brother Alan from brain cancer last week. Just as he worked to keep the illness from becoming his story line on American Idol, Cook made no direct references to his recent loss. But early in the show, he stopped the emotional ''love lost'' power ballad Lie, saying ''Sorry, guys, this is going to be tough for a minute, I apologize,'' before moving on to the more rocking Souvenir. And, near the end of the show, he quietly admitted ''it's been a helluva week, thank you guys for coming.''
Cook's 70 minutes featured a chunk of songs from the album infused with more actual rock by his taut band featuring guitarists Neal Tiemann and Andy Skib, two of his old MWK bandmates. Songs such as the hidden rock track Kiss On the Neck and the new We're Only Honest When We're Sleeping and a beefed up version of Fleetwood Mac's Little Lies were given a healthy dose of testosterone.
The evening and the album's heaviest and most grungetastic moment was Bar-ba-sol, a renamed cover of Spun Again (barb-a-sol), an unreleased but widely circulated song from defunct Atlanta band Injected. Cook also gave Skib a moment in the spotlight to sing lead on their old band's song Make Me, seemingly enjoying the brief moment when all eyes weren't on him.
The vociferous, supportive, sold-out crowd appeared to be made up primarily of American Idol viewers with the median age being slightly north of 35.
Most of the concertgoers seemed to be people who loved the David Cook ''character'' on the show and were happy to discover that he is the same guy in real life.
Malcolm X Abram can be reached at mabram@thebeaconjournal.com or 330-996-3758.
When the 2007 American Idol season came down to ''the Davids,'' relatively seasoned ''rocker'' David Cook and puppy-dog-eyed David Archuleta, the show's producers surely were hoping that Cook would win.
Get the full article here.
Comments
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Akron, Oh
Posted 03:34 AM, 05/10/2009
Way to rock us David, I'm sure your brother is proud.
Brecksville, OH
Posted 04:11 AM, 05/10/2009
Nice review...his brother's name is ADAM, not Alan.
Roanoke, VA
Posted 10:12 AM, 05/10/2009
Yes, David's older brother's name is Adam.
Also, this was not David's FIRST concert after his brother's death. He had two before at Athens, GA and Louisville, KY. This show was the first since the funeral.
David is very strong but as many know, you can usually ignore the truth until you see family. But he has been an inspiration to everyone who has ever lost and still had to go on with life.
He is OUR hero.
Thank you David.
Posted 11:08 AM, 05/10/2009
Why are you nitpicking? Haven you not read the ABJ before?? Fact checking and accuracy are not high on their list of priorities, so it does not surprise me one bit that they couldn't even get Adam's name correct. As for American Idol... They have only produced two actual stars, Carrie Underwood and Jennifer Houston, as they are after "hit quick" commercial acts they can market to the young masses, make what cash they can, and move on to the next.
Akron, OH
Posted 11:39 AM, 05/10/2009
Are you referring to Jennifer HUDSON? I wouldn't say that Kelly Clarkson isn't a star or celebrity.
Tallmadge, OH
Posted 02:00 PM, 05/10/2009
I love how they say in that first sentence "...the show's producers surely were hoping that Cook would win."- like the show isn't fixed and they really let "America" pick the idols.
Akron, oh
Posted 06:35 PM, 05/10/2009
Exactly "Claws"...exactly.
Hilton Head Island, SC
Posted 07:25 AM, 05/11/2009
Did he play at Posh? i heard its opulescent there......lol.
New York, NY
Posted 07:56 AM, 05/11/2009
As a journalist, I am horrified by the fact errors in this story. I understand that the Internet is hurting the industry, but when print reporters and copy desks become so sloppy that they neglect to check even the simplest and easiest facts to confirm, they are committing suicide.
Shame on you, so-called music writer Malcolm X Abram, as well as the highly incompetent Beacon Journal copy desk (if there even is one).
akron, oh
Posted 08:20 AM, 05/11/2009
Hey, ABJ - Ever hear of a guy named Chris Daughtry? I think he started out on Idol too, but why get ANYTHING right in this article? I was there Friday night and David was terrific.
akron, oh
Posted 08:26 AM, 05/11/2009
Sorry, I meant to refer to Logical American's comment about Idol successes, not the ABJ article itself.
Cross Lanes, WV
Posted 10:49 AM, 05/11/2009
Miss Claws - the show can't be fixed. Otherwise, how on earth can you explain Taylor Hicks' win the same year Chris Daughtry got the boot? Chris should soooooo have won that season. Taylor Hicks looks like he's strainin' to use the potty every time he sings.
David Cook is awesome. Hoping to get to a concert of his soon.
Love and prayers to David and his family. I know your brother was (and is) as proud of you as you are of him.
Canton, OH
Posted 11:15 AM, 05/11/2009
@ Lost Lives,
I wanna hook up with you !!!!
YOWZA !!!!
Barberton, OH
Posted 12:01 PM, 05/11/2009
I'm just shocked that you can have the words "rocks" and "David Cook" in the same sentence and not get laughed at horribly.
Ravenna, OH
Posted 12:19 PM, 05/11/2009
Another one hit wonder like almost everyone else who won that competition!
Posted 01:04 PM, 05/11/2009
@ brainwashed....Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Jordin Sparks, and Chris Daughtry (just to name a few) have achieved way more than "a one hit wonder!"
Barberton, OH
Posted 01:20 PM, 05/11/2009
@ Mel407
Yeah, while those people have more hits, they still, COMBINED, have half the talent Jack White for example, has in his left hand...
American Idol is a MOCKERY of what music from the heart stands for. It's all corporate pop garbage that record companies want to shove down your throats.
You want real music? Check out www.pitchfork.com and you'll run into some bands and artists that have some REAL talent.
akron, oh
Posted 01:32 PM, 05/11/2009
Firestone Park: I completely agree wih you.
Cuyahoga Falls, OH
Posted 04:16 PM, 05/11/2009
firestone park is a hater and a bougeois whiny musician.
just admit you are a hater.
jealous.
american idol opens doooooorrrrrrssssss.
go tell Slash he sold out while you are trying to get gigs. oh that's right you can't.
You remind me of the bars filled with people who bemoan every topic
from a barstool.
waaaaaaaaaaaaa
at least american idol is honest about what they do.
Cuyahoga Falls, OH
Posted 04:21 PM, 05/11/2009
I am a huge White Stripes fan, and regardless of how he 'made it' that does not minimize
The story and journey of people trying to pursue a dream.
Art is so subjective. Your little world of Street Cred.
Creativity, passion, and something that inspires exceeds your limited little space you call your unwritten code of ethics cultivated from a series of people before you. Attitude and passion go a long way.
A person like Jack White wouldn't hate on someone trying because he is an artist with class.
go hit the hookah...again.
Canton, Oh
Posted 07:14 PM, 05/11/2009
I have been a big fan since David began Idol last year. We were really looking forward to his show. I was a little disappointed in the show though. I realize this could have been the effect of losing his brother; however, when he and his band abrubtly left stage he could have said sorry I will be back in a few minutes. His band knew he was leaving so it had to have been planned ahead of time. And to not have an encore?? My husband used to work in the music biz and went to many concerts and he was perplexed. I would be interested in knowing how he has done at other shows. OK bring on the hate comments
akron, oh
Posted 09:26 AM, 05/12/2009
OOOH i better go get his album my bird cage needs some lining in it,and i can practice throwing his disk like a frisbee yeahhh.
Barberton, OH
Posted 10:50 AM, 05/12/2009
@ Koalas
You're wrong. American Idol isn't honest. They're not creative. They're not original. They're not talented. Just look up the quotes anyone who has talent has said about the show over the course of its run...
It has nothing to do with 'cred' but has A LOT to do with what is wrong with the world of mainstream music today. American Idol just happens to be the demon step child that is ushering in wave after wave of mediocre at best music. Get over it, you're just plain wrong.
