ALS has already spoken about Adam and his American Music Awards performance in many places on this blog.
Today Adam appeared on Ellen Degeneres and I gotta say I Just Love This Guy! Love the interview. Love the clothes. Love the clean, toned down look. LOVE the hair!
I think he spoke well. I saw that sparkle of innocence in his eyes again – like when he would speak on Idol. There was always this gleam of appreciation and humbleness that went into every performance. I saw that again. I love seeing that again. It was time.
Adam brought it raw. Amazing vocals. No distractions. Pure. Awesomeness.
There’s nothing more to say. I love Adam Lambert. Awesome, awesome talent! This one interview, one extraordinary performance reignited my love for all he brings.
‘Nuff said.
I have thought a lot — in wonderment — about those who question the voice of this decade’s — IMO, Adam’s. All voice coaches, musicians and writers seem to be awed by Adam’s voice and what he is able to do with it. Operatic coaches are amazed by this voice. I am from a musical family and myself a singer of yesteryear (smile) so I KNOW that Adam’s voice is a rarity. But I have friends who say that Adam can’t sing. I finally I realized that what they really mean is that they don’t like/feel Adam’s voice and what he does with it — or the songs he chooses to sing. Their criticism is a matter of [their] taste and needs in music. At first I felt critical of their taste and/or their lack of understanding of vocal excellence. Then, one day I recalled how much I am irritated by Louis Armstrong’s voice that is loved by so many and how so many people are irritated by operatic voices or Johnny Cash’s voice and I laughed to myself remembering that sound is a vibration and different people are soothed or irritated or inspired by different vibratory “messages.” So now I forgive that everyone doesn’t love Adam’s voice (lol).
This is true. Not everyone appeals to everybody.
I think it often goes even further than voice, too. Sometimes its just voice, sometimes its a whole package. I’ve heard people sing, or act, and they physically, and personality-wise, don’t appeal to me – but they’re wonderful at what they do. Undeniable. Then there’s people who I wish I could make a connection with – based on physical appearance, personality – but what they offer vocally (or acting) just isn’t doing a damn thing for me. Have you ever said to yourself, “I wish I could like him – I just can’t!” because there’s just something about the person that irks you the wrong way and you can’t get past it? – you may not even know what it is! Or someone you do like and wonder why you don’t like them more than you actually do? A few examples of what I mean by all this: Michael Jackson. Awesome talent. Incredible. Especially as a pioneer. Undeniable. And I like his music. But just *like*. He just doesn’t spark anything in me. I hate country, even though there are great country singers – I don’t like any of them. Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood don’t do a thing for me. Neither does Kris Allen. Susan Boyle – nothing. Johnny Depp. Leonardo DiCaprio. Great actors. Beautiful guys. I’m drawn to their movies. But I feel like my brain likes them more than my heart does, or my heart more than my brain – whichever way. Why don’t I like them more than I feel I do – because I feel like I want to – but I just don’t. Connection/chemistry is a weird and complicated thing.
But Adam. Close my eyes and his voice is soothing. Music to my ears. Takes me to a higher realm.
I’m actually a pretty hard sell – as I look at billboard.com’s Top 100 chart – there’s artists, songs, that I like and can bounce to – but less than a handful who can touch my soul.
Adam is one of them.
And Axl Rose – be still my heart! He’ll always be my Top. We go wayy back.
So – I agree – I have to understand those who say they don’t connect with him. Not everyone will.
This is why we make blogs and dedicate countless hours to certain people … and not to others!
However, to say he can’t sing is just downright stupid. The boy can sing his ass off in multitudes of ways. If people don’t like his voice or how he uses it they can simply say they don’t care for what he brings – not make themselves look silly saying he can’t sing! HA! …. tarts.
OMG AXEL ROSE!!! I just had a spontaneous orgasm!!! <3 There was an interview somewhere out in the webisphere where Adam was asked what one song he would love to cover and he said Sweet Child O' Mine!!! OMG can you imagine!!!!!! I would DIE–Rachel Zoe style!!!
I’ve not seen that interview – but I would LOVE to! I just love hearing Adam say Axl’s name. lol. I loved Slash saying Adam has some pipes! And I loved hearing Randy Jackson say Adam and Slash should make an album together OOOHHHH MMMYYY GGGOOODDD that would be the BBEESSTT EVARRRRR!!!!
When it was rock week – when Slash was there – I was SO HOPING Adam would do GnR. I liked the Zeppelin, but no where nears as much as the GnR woulda been. I couldnt believe he didnt choose Guns. I really couldnt. lol. His voice is so Axl Rose. He’d be perfect. I still want to hear him sing it – anything – and as much as I love Sweet Child – I cant say that is THE song I would choose …. if I only had one choice. lol.
Wow – I’m such a die hard! LOL!
Ok Ill see if I can find it. But only cause I love GNR as much as you do. I wanted him to do GNR also but I’m thinking maybe the pressure of doing GNR in front of Slash was even too much for Adam to wrap his brain around. Ill be back…hopefully with the video.
HA! Thats was fast!!! Here you go. And the look on his face when he gives his porn name is BAHAHAHAHA!!!
These last entries are a perfect examples of why I visit this site for intelligent discussion
Yes, this is a wonderful site!! Have been reading for about 7 months or so (first time posting today ‘though
). Appreciate so much the time and effort that goes into it, thank you. Always enjoy your posts Beverly.
Okay, I’m on ESTime, so I have to get to bed…but one last thing, have been wanting to encourage people to post elsewhere when necessary and appropriate (when they can, busy adult people we all are I’m sure) some request or tip for those who call into question AL’s singing ability – to go on internet and check out AL Brigadoon/Come to me Bend to me performance. I almost never post on blogs because I find people’s unwaivering & unbending loyalty to soley their own opinions frustrating (except for those on this blog, good discourse here), but every now and then I feel compelled to respond where people have questioned AL’s singing voice/talent…drives me bonkers. Say what you will about AL the man or persona, but the voice, undeniable. So anyway, as we blog, infrequent or frequent, perhaps when we come across such foolishness, we can encourage those nay-saying bloggers to seek out the AL Brigadoon/Come to me Bend to me recording. Have read where knowledgeable industry people have weighed in on that recording, professing their amazement…not that you have to be an industry expert to appreciate AL’s rendition, you need only have ears! Wish that was downloadable in some form for my Ipod!!! I realize AL doesn’t need the help in this regard, and we adult fans need to be living our everyday lives without worrying about such things
, but can not take when people question AL’s voice when that recording exists. Just a thought.
I gotta say ALS – your comments here, and in other places in this blog in the last few days, are irritating me a bit. That AMA performance Adam, that Zodiac Show Adam, that LA Club Kid Adam just may be a truer Adam than your stripped down version you’re craving so much…this is what I’m thinking only because of all that I’ve watched and read about Adam, much of which he’s disseminated himself. I get what you’re saying about the humble appreciation, the sweetness, the fierce raw talent and all that – am so taken with all that myself. However, you seem to have attached caveats to your fandom that I don’t think Adam would be feelin’. Just finished watching So You Think You Can Dance, and as is typical, the offbeat, ecclectic, wildly creative number, choreographed by the equally eccentric Sonja, was the hit of the night. This is the sort of thing I see over and over again in pop culture and recent entertainment culture – a growing appreciation of the arts delivered in an out of the box and uber creative way! And I for one will put no caveats on how and why I’ll appreciate the artists I’m choosing to admire, possibly emulate, and bring into my world at any given moment. Adam Lambert need not apologize for anything. I too love the stripped down Adam – but that has more to do with my preferences and I don’t put that on him. Oh, and one other thing, to any and all reading , this guy had more than put out there that he was going to a certain place after Idol. In written interviews, video/radio interviews – he spoke about “setting it up” w/ his album cover, his first single choice lyrics etc. If fans, non-fans too but especially existing fans, chose to ignore what AL very honestly and openly put out there post-Idol as a guideline or tip sheet for what to possibly, probably, to expect from him, then they are foolish. I know, can tell, you’re a huge fan, but spend some time when you can really going through his interviews and such – I think that you’ll find that the Adam that made the recent choices about album cover and FYE as first single and AMA performance choices is an Adam being true to himself. What the heck do I know – but just food for thought. I truly get that you just want the amazing talent (a& fabulous personality, & fierce intelligence & kind sensibilities) to shine more than the spectacle and accoutrements and trappings of performance – but I sorta think that Adam really likes “the spectacle”, that it makes him fulfilled, and gee- just plain happy. So it just kind of gets under my skin to hear multiple comments here which in essence may ask him to be other than what he is… isn’t there enough of that from non-fans? What do I know, it’s not like I know him, just food for thought.
I appreciate your comments.
I’ve been running this site for about nine months now and love every Adam that Adam chooses to put forward. I’ve celebrated every Zodiac Show, every picture, all of his loveliness. I support whatever direction he chooses to take. But that doesn’t mean I can’t have my own preferences, and perspectives, too. That doesn’t mean I’m putting conditions on my support, though. It’s most often from a connection standpoint, and a business standpoint. I loved the AMA’s. Thought the performance was sexy as hell. My fave part of the Idol tour was the Bowie set, and Zeppelin. Adam grew up craving extravanganza. He did theatre and decided it wasn’t enough, that he wanted more, and a different direction. He did the Zodiac. Theatre focuses on the show. Zodiac is a hot spectacle. In his new career path – as a solo music artist – Adam has to learn to balance what he craves. If one or the other overshadows the core – the music – he could end up in trouble. Remember what Adam said about Kara offering him the best piece of advice on Idol when she told him that he wasn’t connecting with his audience? Adam said that was extremely important because he was used to theater and needed to learn to connect emotionally with his audience. This lesson served him well during his Idol journey. Now breaking free on his own, sometimes the glitter and spectacle hides the emotion behind the lyrics, and that in turn can break the connection to the audience. I’d hate to see that happen to Adam. But it appears it did during the AMA performance. Just because we like something doesn’t always mean its the best choice for the career path we’ve chosen. Adam’s new at this, and is still learning how to balance his interests and still shine as a solo artist and showcase his brilliant vocals without losing them amongst the show. My choice of words this past week or so have been chosen carefully. I’ve made myself clear that I love it all. Sometimes, though, its necessary for an artist to put the glitz aside and simply connect emotionally with the audience. That’s how he’ll truly be appreciated as a talented artist with longevity. That doesn’t mean he can’t keep the glitz that makes him so happy – he just needs to learn how to balance it all in the same place and still be marketable. Afterall, if marketability weren’t important to him then neither would success, and he coulda stayed wherever he was before Idol. So, apparently, Adam’s a smart boy and knows how to play the game. He’s going to learn to balance so as many as possible are happy, including himself. I think he knows what he’s doing. I would never try to change Adam, but I won’t lie to him either if I think he’s doing something that could hurt him in the long run. I prefer to be honest. I’m sure he appreciates it. It’s not controlling, or persuasive, its thoughtful. I believe. In the end, I’ll support whatever he decides to do.
Do agree on the whole business side/marketability/longevity front… meant to address that in my original post, but it had gotten long enough as it was
. But do agree, well said, glad you replied. And actually, AL’s accute business savvy, that he’s displayed from the first AI audition onward, is actually one of the things I find sexiest about him…don’t quite know how to explain it, he’s so intelligent about it all, it’s sexy as hell to me. He’s got a Master Plan for sure, but in a good way, on the business front (and I suspect on the human front too). Again, agree, but will still point out that after having the unexpected opportunity to spend some time online today, and having used it to review some interviews, especially a few right after the awards, I’m a little bummed that he’s had to backpedal a bit, cuz probably it was for business reasons and not true gut feeling reasons (except for the “disrespected” thing which I think he was truly feeling). But again, he’s so smart and savvy and maturely revisited the matter, kudoes to him. Thanks again for reply, valid and intelligent. I did think that somewhere (too tired to look now 
lol) you did say that he ought to take the final step and apologize…or you something about “he knows he was wrong” etc. … and that I do think is offbase. If that wasn’t you, and just a blogger, disregard me. Thanks for the site!
Me too. Love the way he talks to the audience when he sings “What Do You Want From Me” — both thanking us for loving him (AND WE DO) and pleading for our patience and support (A GIVEN!). Even if the sequence of events — the AMA and “please forgive me” — were preplanned (AND THEY MAY HAVE BEEN FOR ALL WE KNOW), I don’t give a damn. I loooooove the kid.
His singing today on Ellen was very sincere. He sold the lyrics emotionally, and thats what makes a superstar.