Classic Butchered

[lowend1]

...and the antidote:

[uwe]

It's a matter of taste whether you like that Lou Gramm style of singing or not. It has its place in AOR or melodic rock.

I'll give Constantine credit that he can probably sing in principle. But he was mostly flat on that song, nerves, bad in ear monitoring, uncomfortable with the initial sparse arrangement which gave him comparatively little to latch onto, whatever. Or just a sheer bad key day. It happens to the best singers. But he wasn't quavering around much, but rather pretty solidly flat which indicates that he can at least hold a note. I've heard good singers off key throughout a whole concert, but always by the same tonal difference as if they had bee set to the wrong autotune.

The Righteous Brothers version is, of course, impeccable.

You can AORize it pretty decently too though (Deep Purple connection coincidental!):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Gibiy4QsG8&feature=related

With his hairdo and voice, Constantine should maybe apply with Foreigner. He's certainly got the curls. Even if the current Lou Gramm replacement Kelly Hansen does a very good job (and is a genuinely nice guy).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Me8dtvMGJ4M&feature=related

Now I've even said something nice about Foreigner. 30 years after I would constantly deride them and even leave a gig of theirs early for boredom. And an American Idol candidate I've never even heard of before. And to boot, posted a clip with scenes from Demi's and Patrick's (RIP) ultimate tear jerker Ghost. I'm getting real old.  

[lowend1]

It's a matter of taste whether you like that Lou Gramm style of singing or not. It has its place in AOR or melodic rock.

Lou Gramm had soul. So does JLT - when he isn't convincing the Eastern Europeans and Japanese (who don't know any better) that he's a metal god. Constantine OTOH, is a vinyl jacket that somebody stuck in the leather rack - at first glance it looks okay, but you quickly realize that it's resemblance to the real think is barely skin deep. Bo Bice mopped up the floor with him.

[lowend1]

an American Idol candidate [/b] I've never even heard of before

...with good reason

[Chaser001]

This is a perfect example of why I dislike American Idol so much. 

[ack1961]

Well, that's the most American Idol I've ever watched.
I can see the appeal that the curly guy would bring to an audience of voters (insert squeals here) on looks alone.
I'm no talent scout, but I found early parts of it flat and nerve biting.

A great choice of songs to try and cover - the original is beautiful - but that's a tough one to pull off successfully.
He had to know that his version would have a large number of detractors because the original is almost flawless.

Also, I had no idea that Foreigner was still around.  Must be their alphabetical listing - at music stores, I get stuck at "Foghat" and never go any further in the F's.

[lowend1]

at music stores, I get stuck at "Foghat" and never go any further in the F's.

I can't think of a better place to get stuck

[uwe]

Well, at least you're not missing Dan Fogelberg then!

[Dave W]

A great choice of songs to try and cover - the original is beautiful - but that's a tough one to pull off successfully.
He had to know that his version would have a large number of detractors because the original is almost flawless.

FYI, the Righteous Brothers didn't do the original. It was a big hit for Al Hibbler about 10 years earlier, although his version may not be the original either. There were several covers before the Righteous Brothers -- even Ricky Nelson.

[Pilgrim]

True, but once you hear the version by the Righteous Bros, it falls into that category of "It's been done."

Kind of like Sinatra singing It Was A Very Good Year.

[Dave W]

True, but once you hear the version by the Righteous Bros, it falls into that category of "It's been done."

Kind of like Sinatra singing It Was A Very Good Year.

Ozzie and Harriet would beg to differ. 

[Pilgrim]

I never heard Ozzie sing either one....maybe Harriet did.....

[Dave W]

Harriet was the singer in Ozzie's band way back when. By the time we were growing up, they let Ricky do the singing. And Ozzie never seemed to do anything.

[fur85]

Unchained Melody was written for the soundtrack of the movie "Unchained".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unchained_%28film%29

[Dave W]

Unchained Melody was written for the soundtrack of the movie "Unchained".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unchained_%28film%29

Crazylegs Hirsch starring in a movie? You learn something new every day. The movie must not have been a hit. FWIW, Hirsch was not a former NFL player then, he was still playing for the Rams.