Chris Daughtry's band, and self titled album: Daughtry, was released on Nov. 21, 2006, and in just about one month, had already reached platinum status.
Personally, I think that this says something HUGE. I believe that Chris was "released" from AI as contestant #4, because the producers knew that Chris' style wouldn't be the same as what the AI winner ends up with as their first album. They would have made it pop'ish rock, and totally changed him into something that he is not. Chris was the first contestant on American Idol to never compromise his true self... a rocker. He refused to be what the judges tried to make him, and America saw that, and loved him for that.
As a huge fan of Chris Daughtry's... following him since the beginning of season six on AI, I couldn't be more proud of him, and this album that he's released. It's just a great cd, filled with songs, and music, that fit him. I enjoy listening to it, and hearing his rocker voice, that was toned down since the show was on. Chris no longer screams through his songs, but rather, sings them from his diaphram, and delivers a great preformance, whether in the studio, or live (such as last night, in NY City, singing with his band, on New years eve, on television).
If you've not heard the album yet, run... don't walk... to the nearest music store and give it a listen. Chris truly deserves the praise that he's received as of late.
:::>^..^<::: ~*~The Journey is more important than the end or the start~*~ :::>^..^<:::
NEW YORK, NY. (Top40 Charts/ Arista Records) - American Idol's current reigning champion Taylor Hicks is now a platinum recording artist. His self-titled debut album TAYLOR HICKS (Arista Records/19 Recordings) was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America selling over one million copies since its release on December 12, 2006.
I can't say how happy I am for Taylor. His first single is not even on the radio, and he has gone platinum.
Here's a review that American Idol magazine did of Clay's new cd "A Thousand Different Ways"
By Mitch Velez
Volume 3 Issue 1
I picture two different groups of songwriters lining up outside Clive Davis' office, begging for a chance to be covered by Clay Aiken: those who have written new sterling ballads that deserve masterful delivery, and those who wrote classic pieces in another time that Clay can carry up the charts again in 2006.
These two groups feed right into Clay's third album, A Thousand Different Ways. This 14-track collection of memorable love songs from the past 30 years receives the classic Aiken touch of tender rearrangements, lilting melodies, and a voice from heaven that continues to grow and dazzle. Which is a good thing: For this effort Clay leapt off the cliff to cover songs by icons (Celine Dion, Elton John, Jon Bon Jovi, and Dolly Parton) and a host of former chart-toppers by familiar names among the over-35 crowd (Foreigner, Bryan Adams, Paul Young, Harry Nilsson, Richard Marx and Mister Mister).
Numerous songs stand out on this CD. Clay's rearrangement of "Everything I Do" (I Do It For You)" caught my ear because instead of trying to emulate Adams' raspy voice, he deepened the feeling with a wonderful Celtic sound. His rendition of Dion's "Because You Love Me" serves the song very well, while he gives us plenty of range in terms of both sensitivity to material and vocals with "Evrytime You Go Away", "When I See You Smile", and "I Want to Know What Love Is". These songs might have started out in your parents' collections, but Clay just made them you songs. Buy them now.
I love this cd. There are also 4 different originals 2 that Clay wrote. This cd dropped at #2 on the Billboard Chart, only missing #1 because he was up against Justin Timberlake's second week massive seller. Clay is doing very well.....he's the top seller 7-9 million cds to date other than Kelly Clarkson, who has a year on him. He is #1 in concert sales......even beating out Kelly.
01-20-2007 05:28 PM
