An Archuleta concert is all about “the voice”
by pinella
David Archuleta Sunday (Nov. 29, 2009) at the Wells Fargo Center in Santa Rosa, Ca.
Concerts have a certain sameness to them – merchandise table, slightly late start, opening act you wish would hurry up, grand entrance of the main act. You know the routine.
Then comes the star of the show and one of two things occur after the obligatory 90 minute performance – you soon forget the act on the way home or you don’t.
You don’t forget David Archuleta.
Why?
Pretty simple – his voice.
Although as one of the judges on American Idol proclaimed two seasons ago when Archuleta finished second – “David, you could sing the phone book” – his 90-minute, one encore show Sunday night at the Wells Fargo Center was anything but songs from the Yellow Pages.
Dubbed David Archuleta’s “Christmas from the Heart” tour, it was really a combination of about half pretty pure pop Archuleta and half Christmas.
The venue wasn’t full, but it was close; the crowd wasn’t all screaming teenage girls, but it was close; and the songs weren’t all perfect, but they were close.
If you came just to hear for yourself if what you were hearing on Idol was real, well you found out – yes, and moreso.
At time, it was hard to fathom that you were listening to an 18-year old kid from Utah because the voice is something most singers take years to cultivate. And although he has been at this singing gig for much of his young life, the voice is still natural. They just don’t teach what Archuleta projects.
The first half of the show hit a peak with Zero Gravity and then Crush. The latter being his first mega-hit off his initial self-titled album.
Archuleta and his four-piece band took a mini-break to change clothes, alter the stage and change the mood to the holidays.
“It just seems so odd that we are really into the holidays now,” Archuleta said. “I’ve been working on this album for six months and now it’s finally here.”
He sang eight Christmas songs and if ever there was a voice holiday-appropriate it is Archuleta’s. Every song he did just seemed to get better.
Ave Maria sung in Spanish was then topped by a song in French – Pat-A-Pan. Then he went back to Spanish and a song titled Riu Riu Chiu, then Silent Night and finally an encore of O Holy Night.
He wasn’t perfect. Someone on Idol had given him the advice to not close his eyes while he sings, but he did that often. And his connection to the audience between songs was a bit scattered.
But who came to see his eyes or listen to him speak words of wisdom?
We came to hear the voice. And, oh, my, did we.
So, who says Baby Boomers, 62-year olds can’t have an interest in American Idol? As we recover from the latest season and await the next one, Press Democrat Assistant Sport Editor and official Baby Boomer Bill Pinella will break down the show and look into “all things local” on the Idol front via this blog. Stay tuned.
Thanks for the review – I was there and all I can say is that voice is amazing and Archuleta was great! One more comment, though, Ave Maria was sung in Latin not in Spanish.
by nl
Nice review.
FYI, he sings Ave Maria in Latin, not Spanish.
And I don’t care if he closes his eyes. A LOT of singers do. The only reason people mention David doing it is that he was criticized on national TV for it and now they watch for it. I see other singers do it all the time but no one ever mentions it. Including the late great Ella Fitzgerald.
People coming off of Idol get held to a higher standard I’ve noticed. And I think it is because of the high level of critique they have to go through. People forget it is just those judges opinion on what they should work on. Pick any other 3 or now 4 judges and you might get a completely different set of things they don’t like. But people who watched Idol remember what the judges said and if they don’t conform then it is considered a “problem.”
Thanks again for the review.
by Randolph
Ave Maria was in Latin and Riu Riu Chiu was in Spanish. Just a slight correction. They are two completely different languages.
by dafan
thanks for this great review of the show, and david. david has one of the most recognizable and distinctive voices in pop – you have to hear him sing live to get the full effect of his wonderfully rich and resonant voice. it doesn’t take long to realize with david that you’re witnessing the rise of an artist that is destined for great things. can’t wait to see and hear him in baltimore.
by lyndsay
David has the most amazing voice! I was privileged to attend two Christmas concerts in Salt Lake CIty and was completely blown away! By the way – Ave Maria was sung in Latin, not Spanish!
by pamtim
David sings from his heart and the depths of his soul!! When he closes his beautiful eyes, he reaches deep within himself to bring the emotional connection to his audience.
We absolutely make that connection with him. I have not been ever moved by a musical artist like I am moved by David!!! His character and his “voice” are one of a kind! The world is so blessed to be able to be touched my this young man!! He brings happiness and joy wherever he goes!!!
by Sharon McManus
The VOICE is always better in person! Glad you got to hear what so many others have fallen in love with. Thanks for the review.
by Casey
As one person said, “When David Archuleta closes his eyes, he opens his heart.” You can see and feel David’s emotion in the songs he sings. There was never another artist to show such pure emotion and make you feel what he is feeling. His voice is stunning.
by hollyre
GREAT article! You have captured the perfect aspect of David Archuleta…The VOICE! Many of us dubbed him The VOICE many, many months ago. His musicality is BRILLIANT and second to none!
I’ve never bought a Christmas CD until Christmas From the Heart. His VOICE just soars beautifully on each and every song. You hear most of these songs every Christmas season, but NEVER like this. I can actually “feel” Davids emotional connection which he sends to my heart!
by angelofdja
I’m not sure where David goes when he closes his eyes, but it’s someplace other-worldly. And every time I see him do it I know we’re in for a treat.
by HelenC
oh plesae David keep closing your eyes when you sing..I know you will take me to another place when you do. Thank you God for letting me born in this time period and to experience this young man’s gift. So gifted and yet so humble.. What a rarity in music
by Becca
This is a great review, thank you. I’v watched the YT clips from David’s Christmas Tour and echo all of your sentiments. I personally would like to see those glorious eyes just a little bit more during his performances as the eyes are the “windows to the soul” but I appreciate he wants to concentrate on the message he is portraying and I feel he is displaying a quiet reverence whilst sharing the messages with us. David is an extraordinary young man, to say the least. I hope he comes back to the UK soon!!
by Lorraine
So true, just the pure voice, no gimicks! I was there last night and had an amazing time. The place was packed and the crowd showed David a lot of well derserved love! Thanks for the review.
by shelbie
Thank you for the nice review. He can close his eyes, he can open them, it doesn’t matter. It’s how he alone expresses a song from that place within and makes us feel it. He has a wonderful endearing stage persona, because he’s totally real and honest. I’ve never followed any singer much before, but David brings a refreshing and much needed talent and character to the industry. I’ll always look forward to seeing and hearing David.
by jr
Very nice review. I am so glad you got to see David Archuleta live. I am hoping to have the same opportunity in the very near future. I love this young mans voice, it is a God given gift, and he just lays his heart out there for us. You know, he taught himself, singing in his room and yard. He went on Star Search at the age of 12 and had a problem with vocal paralysis and only then went to a vocal coach to strengthen his vocal chords and learn proper technique. The artistry, connection, and feeling were already there. Amazing!!! Thanks again for your great review.
by chaz
-actually I do come to see David’s eyes (stunning) and hear his words of wisdom (heartfelt and strong in its simplicity)! David is completely engaging up on the stage.
However, when David closes his eyes I know that I am in for a treat because I know he is about to take me somewhere that no one else can. I love him for this.
-and the voice? no words can do it justice, especially live. David is a prized jewel in the world of entertainment. He is MY idol and always will be.
Thank you for this fair and honest review.
by babda
Oh, I wish he would come back to Europe again so I can see him again! If not I will continue to give up my summers in Europe to travel to the states to see him in concert! He is so talented and has such a beautiful soul! Thank you David!
by lct
Thanks for the review! I have been watching videos from David’s concerts since my concert is over 2 weeks away. One other thing that blows me away is David’s rendition of the late Eva Cassidy’s version of Fields of Gold. Eva Cassidy was one of David’s musical influences. If you have never heard her, please listen to her on YouTube and check out her albums. I hope you enjoyed David’s beautiful rendition. And re the Christmas part of the show, he’s glorious isn’t he? If you don’t have David’s Christmas album and even if you would never think of buying a Christmas album, get yourself David’s Christmas from the Heart. It’s a wonderful album.
by violet4ever
[...] Here’s a great review by Bill Pinella of The Press Democrat’s IdolChatter! Concerts have a certain sameness to them – merchandise table, slightly late start, opening act you wish would hurry up, grand entrance of the main act. You know the routine. [...]
by David Archuleta FanBlast » Santa Rosa, California Videos! - THE David Archuleta Fansite
I just wanted to say that this is an excellent review that focused on what most people take away from one of his concerts, his voice, and you captured that very well.
For some reason I really liked the line you wrote about things being “close”. Things may not be perfect but we can get close.
I too have often thought that he closes his eyes too much, hopefully he will get better with time, but if not that will be just fine as well. He may not be perfect but he sure is “close”.
by indigowaves2
I was there and BLOWN AWAY! Ave Maria (in Latin) is unbelievable! I LUV it when David sings with his eyes closed–it tells me he is really connecting with the music–and then so do I! You HAVE to hear David sing live–EPIC!
by jesse
Nice review and I appreciate that you saw and felt what many of us have been knowing and feeling for a long time. David is destined to share with the world his gift through music. He is the most unique and gifted singer to come along in a long time.
As to David closing his eyes during his singing, well let me just say that he has gorgeous eyes which might be very distracting, and well ultimately it’s about that VOICE so much so that it has the ability to take you with him where he goes and that place where he takes us is beautiful.
by imrose
I can’t believe that he is not yet the most popular singer in the entire world. Where is everybody? Why doesn’t every person “get” what we get about David. I was a teenager when Elvis was popular, lived through the Beatles, and all the others. David is the best, ever. I can’t wait for him to have the “total” fame that he deserves. Well, perhaps if its a while coming it will last longer. I just want to see him as a guest on every TV show. And I feel that his Christmas songs are what he’s done the best so far, showing that songs that he sings “from the heart” are what he should be doing.
by rose
i have not see david in his new tour yet but am looking forward to it. His album is outstanding the songs i have heard for years but never have they had such meaning for me. David Has made me want to be a better more compasionate person. As someone said earlier when David closes his eyes he opens his Heart.
by jeanie
I saw David’s concert in Salt Lake City on 11/24/09. During the Christmas set he had a small string orchestra and an obo player. His voice during the entire concert was exquisite. In the first part of the show he sang “The Riddle”, “Fields of Gold” and Prayers of the Children”. He was amazing!! Then when he went into his Christmas songs, he stepped it up a notch and his voice couldn’t have been better!! I love that he doesn’t need the gimmicks to perform like many artists today. It’s just David & his backup music and you get a concert that is unbellievable!!! When David closes his eyes it is because he goes inward to express the music. I don’t consider this a problem, I think it makes him and his music more heart felt. David is truely a wonderful talent! Love David, love the voice, love everything about him!!!
by cathy
David has got to be one of the best singers out today. He sings from his heart and when you are at one of his concerts, you truely understand who he is. Yes, he is a little scattered when he talks and is still shy but the guy is one of those people who “what you see is what you get”! He is beautiful inside and out!!! He is unbelievably talented and there is no one out today who has the voice this young man has!
by mia
David can close or open his eyes, doesn’t matter, he still has one of the most handsome and beautiful faces in the showbiz nowadays. His smiles are captivating. His voice is alluring and enchanting. His voice is of superior quality.
Thank you for the nice review.
by Robert
What really strikes me about David’s Christmas album is how fresh and contemporary it sounds despite the fact that nearly all the songs are classic carols. More than any other singer I have ever listened to, David has the ability to take standards and make them sound brand new, while at the same time demonstrating reverence for their origins. A brilliant artist with glorious vocals. It just doesn’t get any better. I’d say it comes as close to perfection here on earth as we are ever likely to see or hear!
by Katheryn
I can not express my words of thanks enough to David Archuleta for including AVE MARIA in his Christmas album. I consider it as a special treat to Catholic Archies like me who sings AVE MARIA all year round and not just on Christmas. The way he sings the ” AVE MARIA” gives me chills, sinking down deep, deep down into my heart and soul. I can not wait to hear him live in NYC.
by Angel
David Archuleta is THE VOICE & SOUL!
He is amazing and I am soo proud to call my self an “Arachie”
by Maria Seattle
I keep hearing these songs in my head! His voice seems to plant itself inside my brain and play at will. I love it actually, but it’s striking – lol
by Casey
David touches my heart everytime I hear him sing! I saw him at the Idol Tour, got his autograph at the IX Center, took my daughter to the Demi concert. He is AMAZING and so true to heart. I am a huge fan of David Archuleta and I have my tickets for the Christmas Tour in Cleveland and I am counting down the days! What better Christmas present is there?
by Stephanie
My sister, niece & I saw David in concert on 11/24/09. He was amazing!!! Yes, he closed his eyes during some songs but that meant to me he was totally immersed in what he was singing. Yes, his talking was a little scattered but it was endearing. If you havn’t purchased David’s Christmas album, “Christmas From The Heart”, please go buy it. It is a treat!!! David has the voice, the looks, the heart, the talent, etc.!!! He is one of my favorite singers today!! When David sang “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” with his mother it was very sweet and emotional.
by Christy