Atlanta, GA – (October 27, 2009) David Archuleta and Angels For A Cause (AFAC) partner with the Lisa Lopes Foundation (LLF) to help raise $10,000 to launch the new medical center in Honduras.
The Lisa Lopes Foundation medical center will serve thousands of families and children living in impoverished areas of Honduras , with health conditions among the worst in the Western Hemisphere . Honduras is the second poorest country in Central America .
An estimated 1.5 million Hondurans were without access to health care in 2008. With the highest Aids rate in Central America , the quality and access to health care are directly tied to income levels. Health care for the urban and rural poor is extremely limited.
The Lisa Lopes Foundation medical center will provide free health services, establish an ongoing rotation of dental and medical brigades that will provide on-site services, ensure that the center is prepared with the basics in dental and medical supplies and provide a comfortable working environment for Medical and Dental Brigades or anyone servicing the area and staying at the center.
All donations are tax deductible.
Donate today by visiting: http://lisalopesfoundation.org/afac.php.
ABOUT LISA “LEFT EYE” LOPES FOUNDATION (LLF)
Headquartered in Stone Mountain , Georgia , the Lisa Lopes Foundation (LLF) was developed in
2003. LLF was created by Lisa’s mother, Wanda Lopes-Colemon, her brother Ronald Lopes and family friend Anashay Murphy. The mission of LLF is to provide access to Basic Health, Education, Self-Awareness and Recreational Programs to children living in low-income communities within the United States and Central America . LLF was inspired by Lisa’s dream of building a children’s home on land she purchased in Honduras . Shortly after revealing her plans to her family, Lisa passed away in an auto accident in Honduras . Four years later LLF opened Lisa’s Home of Love, a 10,000 sq. ft., residential facility.
ABOUT DAVID ARCHULETA
David James Archuleta (born December 28, 1990) is a Honduran-American singer-songwriter. At ten years old he won the children’s division of the Utah Talent Competition leading to other television singing appearances. At twelve, he became the Junior Vocal Champion on Star Search 2. In 2007, at seventeen years old, he became one of the youngest finalists on the seventh season of American Idol. In May 2008 he finished as the runner-up, receiving 44 percent of over 97 million votes.
ABOUT ANGELS FOR A CAUSE
Angels for a Cause was created to support David Archuleta and his charities! For more information, please visit www.angelsforacause.ning.com.
I finally managed to find some “me” time to savor the golden voice of David Archuleta in his wonderful Christmas recording, “Christmas From The Heart”.
As expected, David’s vocal artistry, combined with his magical team of musicians and arrangers, offer the listener fresh, exciting arrangements to these popular Christmas songs and carols.
Here is a link to the credits for this album. It’s a long list, so is it any wonder that this album is a winner?
So, I invite you to sit back and enjoy David’s music as you read this Masterclass review.
And if you haven’t yet purchased his CD, you can do so now through Amazon.Com and ITunes.
1. Joy To The World
This begins with an ethereal orchestral introduction followed by David’s luscious vocal style. This is a very good arrangement that becomes increasingly better as the song progresses. The chord progressions in this song are very good indeed.
Personally, I felt that the song rose to enormous heights in the middle of this song, where one can hear the orchestra play the closing refrain of “Angels We Have Heard On High”. At this point, David not only highlighted the strength and beauty of his gorgeous upper range, but also emphasized what a creatively mature artist he is and will continue to be.
Additionally, the background vocals added a mystical quality to this song.
The ending is truly spectacular -the goosebumps are starting to form on my arm. David’s liberated vocal style, that soulful quality that we have come to know and love is revealed in splendor and glory as he vocalizes the final strains of this beautiful song. Excellent!
2. Angels We Have Heard On High
The producer(s) correctly programmed the inclusion of this song. As I mentioned above, the refrain of “Angels We Have Heard On High” was heard in “Joy To The World” and someone was intelligent enough realize that this would make a logical segue for the second track. Kudos!
I loved the instrumental opening – very baroque in style and hinting at an harmonic underlay from J.S. Bach’s, “Jesu Joy Of Man’s Desiring”. Just lovely and extremely creative.
David’s voice sounds wonderfully focused and pure in this song and his voice stays true to the “oh” vowel during the sustained “Gloria” segments.
It was exciting to hear the multiple key changes during this song, culminating in a grandiose and dignified finale to this number
Oh my – here is the “Jesu Joy Of Man’s Desiring“. Please believe me when I say I did not know David was going to go full throttle at “Jesu Joy Of Man’s Desiring” in the middle of this song when I stated earlier: “…hinting at an harmonic underlay from J.S. Bach’s, ”Jesu Joy Of Man’s Desiring”.
I was typing as I was listening – similar to when I watch American Idol. I guess my ear has not aged along with the rest of my body. Ha!
This is an excellent arrangement of this beautiful sacred carol. David’s voice is gorgeous beyond belief and just soars with ease and transparency above the orchestral arrangement.
Ah, yes, now the lovely quiet ending of “Jesu Joy”once again, with David’s soulful vocal gift to complete this exquisite arrangement. Bravo!
3. O Come All Ye Faithful
I have always loved this song. The harmonic progressions in this song introduce endless possibilities for arrangers, so I am interested to hear what happens over the course of this number.
However, I must say that, although David’s voice sounds rich and resonant in his upper range, I wish he would support his lower range more efficiently.
Also, he has to monitor his decision-making process when he breathes. For instance, when he sings “O Come Ye, O Come Ye To Bethlehem”, he should breathe after the first “Ye” and then carry the rest of the phrase through in one breath. The phrase would sound less fragmented.
He encountered the same problem when he sang “O Come Let Us Adore (breath) Him, Christ the Lord”. That phrase should be sung in one breath.
I felt that the orchestral accompaniment was moving too quickly for him. David’s phrasing would have been more fluid if he had been given the opportunity to create more space in his musical line, thus giving him ample time to breathe in a relaxed manner.
However, David’s articulation is so crisp and so clear- you never have to strain to understand a word.
The key change in the middle of this song is dynamite and, at this point, David and the musicians go on their own magical adventure through Bethlehem. As David and his team of musicians work their melodic and harmonic wizardry, the overall effect is just phenomenal, . Beautiful beyond belief!
Additionally, the percussive elements were wisely interjected in this song, thus increasing power and authority in this arrangement.
4. Silent Night
This is, for many, the most treasured of Christmas carols. It speaks so simply and, yet, so beautifully to the truth, spirit and meaning of Christmas.
David’s voice sounds controlled and expressive at the beginning of this song and, as the song moves forward, David’s reverence for whom he is singing is absolutely heavenly. How can one not feel and appreciate David’s strong and very spiritual communicative skills?
The orchestra confidently grows in momentum and sound before the key change into the third verse – but not too much! Very tastefully, done!
And, as David Archuleta ends this lovely carol, I am left with a sense of peace.
Thank you, David and team for keeping the song’s meaningful lyrics front and center. So often, I have heard this song butchered beyond recognition, so I am grateful to be listening to artists who respect and appreciate composer Franz Xavier Gruber’s original composition.
5.The First Noel
Oh my, how I love this song. When I have a moment, I will have to add a video of my choir performing an adapted John Rutter arrangement of this song. This is truly a singer’s song. The wonderful melodic lines of this song allows the singer’s voice to soar and the orchestral possibilities are endless.
But I digress. Time to press the “play” button” and hear David’s personal vision of this most sacred of carols. Here we go!
I hear bells, then David, then strings and some soft percussion. I love the baroque “feel” to this arrangement – very similar to one performed by my choir, the Timmins Youth Singers. This style perfectly compliments this carol – the melody has a music-box quality in the rhythmic component that I absolutely adore.
David’s voice sounds very good – always so expressive and so passionate.
And, once again, we are treated to a neat key change at the end of the second refrain, on the word of “Israel“. And, it allows David to access his baritone range with better strength and clarity than was heard earlier on in this recording.
And as David approaches the final segment of this song, he adds his liberated soulful style, improvising melody and lyrics. Although I was hoping for a more powerful ending, it is still a beautiful performance and sets the perfect tone for the next number on the CD.
6. O Holy Night
And now I get to hear the most powerful sacred carol ever written, “O Holy Night”. Originally composed in French by Adolphe Adam and officially known as “Cantique De Noel”, this is an extremely popular song. Every student I have ever taught wants to learn and/or sing this song at some point in time in their singing career.
I love the opening strains from the orchestra – totally innovative beginning and different from what I have heard in previous recordings by other artists.
As David begins, I just sit back and relish the beautiful and expressive quality of Mr. Archuleta. And can I tell you how happy I am that David doesn’t bellow and wail the “Fall on your knees” section of this song? So often the singers “throw caution to the wind” and “let ‘er rip” in this section.
However, David has great respect and reverence for the lyrics, thus allowing him to communicate the very special story contained in the lyrics with spiritual meaning and grace.
He grabs and sustains the pure vowels so very well in this song, as evidenced in the word “night“, where he sustains the word on the “ah” vowel, thus avoiding the “eye” diphthong. Perfect!
And as the trumpets and the percussion triumphantly herald the key change into the second verse, David’s voice becomes more passionate and intense. I love the melodic variation he introduces in the second verse. Very memorable and very innovative!
The “Christ Is The Lord” section is everything it should be and so much more. David’s voice sounds luscious indeed.
However, I would have preferred a more pronounced focus on the “eh” vowel in the word “Noel“. To my ear, the “eh” vowel sounded too wide and the mouth less circular and/or relaxed as I know it could be. One could hear the rasp and tightness in his throat during and after the last upper register “Noel”
And, the breath in the middle of the word “divine” is a “no-no“. David should have accessed a fuller compliment of his air supply and used it more efficiently. This is not a long phrase, but he sure sounded winded at the end of the song.
I sense that David’s voice was tired during the recording of this particular song. I wonder how many takes of this song he endured and/or how tired he was during the recording of this track?
However, overall, this was still a very beautiful performance. The quality and the maturity is clearly evident but singers need to remember that they are not machines. The vocal cords are part of their physical make-up and rest and pacing ensures consistency and excellence in their vocal product.
7. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas with Charice Pempengo
I am quite anxious to hear this duet featuring Charice Pempengo along with David. If ever two artists were meant to sing together, it most certainly includes David and Charice.
Originally written for the movie and stage musical, “Meet Me In St. Louis“, David begins this nostalgic Christmas song, with his signature “oos“. And, then his expressive, luscious voice begins the opening strains of this song. And, before you know it, young Charice comes in, sounding absolutely perfect, matching David in mood and style.
Oh my, what a beautiful performance. And the harmonies are perfect; both singers are so “in tune” with one another figuratively and literally.
The orchestral arrangement is exquisite – lush, yet relaxed. These young voices just “blow my mind” with their extraordinary artistry and expressiveness.
What more can I say? This song should be played 24/7 on the radio during the Christmas season. Both are vocal and personal role models for this generation of young artists and their combined talent is cause for celebration beyond the Christmas season.
Bravo and Brava David and Charice! Here’s to future collaborations!
8. I’ll Be Home For Christmas
Once again, the inclusion of this song after “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” is perfect. The producers took great care in ensuring that this entire CD flowed from track to track, similar to a live performance.
Note to other artists: you can learn a great deal from listening to this CD. This CD was produced with enormous thought and attention to the finest detail, once again highlighting the work ethic and intelligence that embodies the Archuleta team.
This arrangement of “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” has a nice relaxed, jazzy feel. And, we are treated to David’s gorgeous lower register voice. He focuses this area of his vocal range exceptionally well in this song.
There is a lovely key change as the song moves toward the finale – a chance to enjoy David’s phenomenally potent upper register vocals. Accompanied by keyboard and percussion, this song was perfectly realized by singer and musicians, tastefully capturing the nostalgia that the lyrics evoke.
9. Pat-A-Pan
This is a very cute song – very similar in content to the slightly more popular song, “The Little Drummer Boy”. I conducted a very busy arrangement of this song with my choir and, although it was a lot of work, it was also a great deal of fun once the end product was realized.
David begins this song with the traditionally French version of this sweet carol. I must say that his French diction is exceptional. He has a wonderful ear for this language- and all languages-, something that I feel will become increasingly evident throughout the remainder of this CD.
He then continues in English and his youthful, exuberant voice is so perfect for this song. And, of course, there is an excellent percussive track in this song.
I love, love, LOVE the wild musical ride that David and the orchestra embark on midway through this song. The arrangement takes on a very cool classical sound and the result is truly spectacular. Listen to those synthesized strings – lots of fun!
Once again, this adventure modulates to a higher key and David’s upper register voice just explodes with such passion and verve. And then, in a blink of an eye, he vocalized down the octave with a hushed nuance in his voice. while layering his variant background vocals. And then, all too quickly, the song fades to black.
This is a VERY current arrangement of this song and I truly hope that it receives the exposure that it truly deserves. Just excellent!
10. What Child Is This
Now, a change of pace – at least, I think so. This is a more sedate carol, similar to “Silent Night“, and I am anxious to hear David’s version. So here we go – press play, Rosanne!
The instrumental opening is beautifully calm, perfectly capturing the mood. And, although this is a very tricky song for the singer in terms of planning one’s breathing, David Archuleta manages the long lines of the phrases superbly well.
The accompaniment is relaxed and affords David space to breathe and interpret the phrases in a comfortable manner. Oops – “Son (breath) of Mary” – should be sung in one breath.
I love the almost a cappella sound of David’s voice midway through this song during “This, this is Christ The King“, followed by the grandiose entrance of the full orchestra. How wonderful is that? This is an another example of the wonderful nuances from singer and musicians throughout this CD.
The orchestra is then given an opportunity to shine while David adds his soulful “oos” and “ahs“. This is truly a magnificent moment in this number – I feel transported to another dimension.
Kudos to the arrangers for taking a very simple song and turning it into a masterpiece, while still preserving the original melodic content.
11. Riu Riu Chui
This song brings back memories – my choir performed this with a Latin American artist many moons ago.
I love the “Carol Of The Bells” melody that is incorporated into the beginning of this song. Makes me wonder if David will sing portions of “Carol Of The Bells” midway through this song. We shall see!
And, as David begins this Spanish carol, I sit back and enjoy the perfect articulation of his Spanish diction. This melody is slightly different from what I have previously heard. I love that David is once again given the opportunity to grab the beauty of his lower range.
And, then, in a blink of an eye, David moves to the phenomenal beauty of his upper range, accentuating his soulful and liberated vocal style in the process. What a great moment in this song!
And, as the song moves toward the closing bars, we hear “Carol Of the Bells” from the orchestra. The song gently fades away and we are left, once again, with the memory of an exceptionally performed Christmas rendering from David.
12. Ave Maria
The exceptional voices of the Salt Lake Children’s Choir provide the a cappella opening strains to this beloved prayer by Charles Gounod/J.S.Bach. Their voices sound angelic and true – nothing beats the sound of an exceptionally well-rehearsed children’s choir. Their addition perfectly establishes the reverent mood of this song.
And, as David begins to sing, I have to say I am thoroughly impressed with his Latin diction. He is one of the handful of singers who correctly pronounce “Gratia“. In the countless number of performances of this song I have heard over the years, the singers always pronounce this word with the Italian diction – “grazia” -and not the Latin. Drives me crazy! But, I digress!
This is a very difficult song, but David masters the technical pitfalls very well. The breathing spots in this song need to be firmly established or the phrasing can sound fragmented.
Oh no – he breathed in the middle of “ventris“! He should have taken a breath after “fructus“, thus enabling him to carry the rest of the phrase through in one breath.
However, the rest of the song moves along quite beautifully and he manages his breathing much more efficiently. Good for him! This is a very difficult song and, yet, he is performing this song exceptionally well.
At the end of the first verse, the Salt Lake Children’s Choir add their gorgeous harmonies, followed by David’s more soulful rendition of the second verse of this song. And this time around, the choir provides beautiful background to his solo voice and, as a result, the song truly flows to another dimension.
I love the melodic variation he incorporates into the original line – just enough to say “wow” but not too much to detract from the original beauty of the original composition.
I always love listening to David weave his vocal magic and artistry through well-known song material. He is an extremely innovative vocal artist and sings with a maturity far beyond his years.
This was a stellar performance! Can you come and sing at my Church? (smile)
13. Melodies Of Christmas
This is an original composition and, for the life of me, I cannot find the name of the composer. Could someone help me here?
Update From Tom Suzuki: Melodies of Christmas was conceived by Jeff Archuleta and David Archuleta.
I love the title and I love the concept. The lyrics and the melody are cohesive and contagious. I think we have a new Christmas hit on our hands, folks!
I do love and applaud the incorporation of fragments of familiar carols through this song. The song is resplendent with the joy and spirit of Christmas and leaves the listener with a great feeling at the end of this CD.
If you don’t love and appreciate the season and true meaning of Christmas after you listen to this CD, I’m sorry, I can’t help you! As once quoted by Jerry Seinfeld, “you need a team of specialists” to help you.
Seeking David Archuleta: An LDS Fan Perspective
October 6, 2009
Original post by momjulee October 5th, 2009.
Outside of agreeing that David’s voice is a once-in-a-lifetime gift, everyone comes to this fan base with a different perspective. This naturally colors the way we see him and what in particular attracts us to him. For example, if I had a drop of Latin blood in me, I would be bursting with pride and all about proclaiming him as the next Latino super-star. Or if I had just one working vocal cord or were a short-ish 18-year-old boy who loved to sing, I would celebrate that commonality. You get the idea.
But, alas, both vocal cords are working and I am old and female. Interesting ethnicity is so severely lacking in my family that I have ordered my children to marry only people who have different color skin and/or an accent. (When they are in a relationship, they hide the fact that they are dating “just another Caucasian” from me for as long as they can.) But while my ethnicity is pretty much mainstream Northern European, my heritage is not. I am a faithful 7th generation Mormon. The history of the Mormon people is pretty much the history of most of my ancestors.
Although I live in Utah now, I did not grow up here and I know all too well what it is like to be misunderstood, discriminated against and in the minority. When Mormons get in the media spotlight I often hold my breath until I see whether I need to cringe or rejoice. After observing David now for a good year and a half, I have learned that the way he represents our faith is remarkable. And if I had my choice of all commonalities to have with David, being LDS is the one I’d choose. So, forgive me if I rejoice a bit.
In our church, when a child turns 12 they are given a pamphlet called “For the Strength of Youth.” I have observed that David is a living example of the admonitions found in that publication. Whether he is declaring “Modest is Hottest” or group dating, saying “Dang it!” instead of cursing, quietly switching a questionable lyric, blogging about his journaling or appreciation for pioneer heritage, he represents who we are and what we are about in a remarkable way. When you have been mocked as I have for having those standards, it is refreshing to see someone who inspires others to admire and adopt them. Fans not of our faith have bought CTR (Choose the Right) rings because they saw David wearing one. Some say they spend hours on mormon.org on Sunday because of David. Some have even subscribed to Church Magazines, hoping for a mention of him. Currently the Holy Grail of David fan-dom is to attend one of the many firesides David gives while he travels. He is truly an ambassador for our faith.
What is remarkable is that he does this without ever preaching. He does not have to flaunt a purity ring for fans to know he is chaste. He does not have to expound the evils of drinking for fans to know that water is the strongest beverage he consumes. He does not have to bear his testimony for fans to know how much his faith means to him. The Power of Example is never more evident than when David is just being himself. And he glows. Our 3-year-olds sing “Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam” and David shows us how. Being in his presence is like basking in the sun. You can really ‘let your light so shine’ in a way that is actually visible to other people. “Shiny” is an adjective fans commonly used to describe David and it’s not just from intense-performance sweat.
Although I suspect David Archuleta will never join the ranks of those proclaiming “Jesus Saves” at the drop of a hat, I have learned that he brings souls to Christ just as surely as any full-time missionary does. How? When missionaries act with the Spirit of God they have the power to bring light and life to another human being and connect them with the Lord. In David’s case, his music and the power of his personality are his tools. The count of people who have been led to investigate and join our Church because of David grows daily. Equally important, he has brought many to a renewal of their own faith and helped many more feel the Holy Ghost for the first time through his singing. Asking David if he will sing a hymn is a favorite question in VIP Meet and Greet sessions before a concert. The Twitter world then becomes filled with gushing: “Be Still My Soul. WAS AMAZING. I HAVE NEVER FELT THAT FEELING!” “He sang with his heart and filled the room with such a sense of peace.” “Tears. No words!! Experience of a lifetime!”
Have you ever left one of his concerts and asked yourself “What just happened?” It takes a great deal of humility to receive an outpouring of love and appreciation from audiences like he does and not let it go to your head. Instead, he takes the love to his heart and then gives back a thousand fold so that the concert venue is filled with the Spirit in a palpable way. He operates completely without ego, giving himself fully to the moment and to the audience. It is a privilege to witness the moments when his work becomes a spiritual practice. I do not blame fans who follow him to as many concerts as they can. The spiritual high is truly addicting and rejuvenating to one’s soul, but I suspect that David would be the first to admit that it isn’t really him they should be idolizing. It’s what he makes them feel, even if they are unaware of it.
We believe that when a person is baptized and confirmed a member of our church, they have the privilege of having the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost to be with them and we renew this promise each week when we go to church. This isn’t necessarily an easy thing to do. Make no mistake, David works hard at keeping that Spirit with him. How many other teen heart-throbs still make the time to read their scriptures daily and go to the temple in any city in the world their tour bus takes them? I promise you that there are remarkably few LDS young people who attend the temple as often as David does. Instead of shooting up with drugs or alcohol before a concert, David fills himself with the Spirit which allows him to visibly up his game as he performs each night. Remarkable.
To be sure, other celebrities declare their allegiance to Jesus publicly and frequently, but their actions leave me with a feeling of disconnect. Not so with David. And although some might think he will get less zealous as he gets older, I would bet money that we won’t be hearing that David ‘used to be a Mormon’ anytime soon. We all know his religion is ahead of ‘career’ on his ‘things that matter most’ list.
I’ve learned about courage and forgiveness as I’ve watched David face adversity that would make someone much older simply fold up and give in. I’ve learned that the world at large is desperate for anything or anybody that points to a better way than what we are fed daily by the media. I’ve learned that even fans that are antagonistic to aspects of our religion not only ‘get’ what David is about, but appreciate it as well. This is also very remarkable.
His keyboardist, Kendra Low, recently said in an interview: “David has taught me more than I can say. He has a beautiful light around him. He is so pure and so good. He has made me want to become a better person by watching his example.” Granted, there are many fans and others around David who are only in this game for what it can do for them. David makes no mark on those people, nor they on him. But I submit that you would have to completely misunderstand David or have tipped the scale on reality to not want to be a better person after being around him.
I know that there are good people everywhere, celebrities or otherwise, Mormon or not, who conduct themselves in an exemplary manner. Why should I care so much about this one?
For me, it’s simple. Whenever I think of David, the words of Paul to the Corinthians and the 13th Article of Faith come to mind: “If there is anything virtuous, lovely or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.” As a list of adjectives to describe David, I can think of none better.
David has clearly shown us that his faith is not just a once a week religion, that he has made his own decision about how to live the gospel and what his standards are and that he then lives according to those beliefs. In ‘seeking after’ David Archuleta, I’ve found hope, love, purity, and integrity, all things that are difficult to locate in an industry that at times seems intent on spreading messages of violence, hate and immorality. Indeed, he is of good report and praiseworthy.
I know, I know, he’s far from perfect. Let’s not create something he can never live up to, idealize him, put him on a pedestal, etc. etc. But I just wanna’ say, Thank you, Brother Archuleta and please don’t blame me for being so proud! See you at church.
David Archuleta: Contigo en la Distancia
September 28, 2009
From Yasmin’s Blog on David’s official website
No hay bella melodia / En que no surjas tu – There’s no beautiful song in which you don’t appear
It is amazing to see how far David Archuleta has come in the nascent year of his career and I am thankful to be able to observe the increasing number of people who begin to appreciate his talent and performance skills. I think that what is beautiful about David’s fans is that we are eager to share with the rest of the world what David has offered us through his singing: that magical spell which we fall under and it feels like time stood still, the flood of raw emotions that course through you, the return of awareness to reality when he finishes a song, the thankfulness of being alive to experience this extraordinary sensation and basically just the joys of being loved and in love.
Es que te has convertido /En parte de mi alma -You have become Part of my heart
I realize that David Archuleta is a romantic soul and I don’t necessarily mean this in a narrow sense. David’s God given ability to sing is capable of satiating one’s craving for satisfaction and assuage. Truly, David sings in a language of love that only one whose heart and soul are willing to listen can savor. At the recent ALMA award performance, he gave a stunningly beautiful rendition of Contigo en la Distancia, in Spanish, which was his initial first language. This performance is sublime in the way that it transcends language barriers and yet the audience has no problems emotionally connecting to it. David’s voice transports you that place where only imagination and overwhelming peace exist. A pop song that was originally sang by Luis Miguel, a Mexican singer in the 80s, David brought a cover that closely relates to Christina Aguilera’s version but one he had definitely made his own. David’s voice is a beautiful instrument but only a masterful singer like him is able to bring out the best of his ability as well as possessing a innate ingenuity in song interpretation. After countless plays, I could not help marveling the long notes that he used to extend the phrasing of the Spanish words and the artful exercise in the softness and loudness of his voice, matched only by the words that he intended to convey . The soft notes at ‘Ya nada me consuela’ and the effortless soaring ones at some parts make me undone. I did not have to understand the beautiful Spanish language to accept the love and emotion he is offering in that performance. The intensity in the voice and in David’s hooded expression are enough to make anyone gasp and be enchanted by this magical moment. I was so overwhelmed in watching this performance (on HD LED screen no less!) that spontaneous tears fill my eyes and waves of tingling chill bumps rise on my skin. The beautiful and tasteful runs which David attempted and fabulous Spanish guitar accompaniment, in my humble opinion just raised this performance a notch higher in terms of its stark quiet contemplation. To this, I can only say Bravo, David and thank God that I am blessed to be a fan of David Archuleta to be able to witness yet again another groundbreaking performance by him.
Contigo en la distancia Amado mio estoy, oh Contigo – With you at distance My beloved one, I am, oh With you
I can’t help thinking how much a better person I have become after knowing David and my gratitude of being ‘chosen’ to adore, appreciate and understand David’s talent as a singer. Even after a year has passed, I have yet to comprehend why I am still a fan of a celebrity, shallow it may seem at first glance. But when David was honored at the recent ALMA awards, I cannot help feel really proud and excited that he won the award for Male Rising Star and that his musical achievements are at the first step of being recognized. Call it wishful thinking, but I do hope a Grammy award would be in the horizon as well for there is no denying that David is the best talent in this generation.
David Archuleta – Contigo en la Distancia Review
September 26, 2009
From Signposts Blog
The Spanish language, together with Italian and French, is categorized by linguists as a ‘Romance’ language with it’s origin in vernacular Latin – the spoken language of common folk in ancient Rome. However it has evolved through the millennia into it’s modern day version with it’s attendant qualities of love, romance and pageantry. I wish I was fluent in Spanish for I’m sure it would have enabled me to better describe the feelings and emotions that I felt upon listening to David Archuleta sing ‘Contigo En La Distancia’. The English language in this instance has a woefully inadequate repository of terms to describe the moment.Although I didn’t understand a single word, there was no denying the raw, yearning quality of the song that was so soulfully conveyed by David. I’ve racked my brain to come up with English words to adequately pay tribute to the performance but I’m failing miserably. The best way that I can do justice to it is to call it pure, pristine David Archuleta. Unprocessed. Unfiltered. Undiluted. There is no need to really. Backed by a simple acoustic guitar, the performance is vocal poetry in it’s most rapturous, magnificent form. Tastefully controlled, masterfully understated and yet so powerfully evocative, David laid bare the tender, heated passion of the song’s underlying message of love and romance so clearly, even if you didn’t understand the words. He was relaxed and fully in control in his delivery of the song’s emotions. It was an aural and visual display of stunning musicality…..it’s just….wow.
His stage persona is also another quality that has seen a remarkable transformation from the shy, awkward boy in American Idol to this towering, self assured and commanding performer as seen in ‘Contigo En La Distancia’. It’s really amazing to witness the 180 degree turn around from his usual off-stage rambly, spacey character into such a matured, confident performer once he hits the stage. The difference is almost jarring and it’s like watching two entirely different person. His ALMA performance really displays the central essence that is sorely missing in large parts of his pop album. The album has it’s moments for sure but taken in it’s entirety, it pales in comparison to this David that I see on the stage. This is the David that has yet to be fully captured by the producers and sound engineers in the recording studio.
Then again maybe they never will. For “how do you hold a moonbeam in your hand?”
Special young man indeed.
- John
David Archuleta
September 26, 2009
Singing on stage at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles was a moment David Archuleta will never forget, but there were a number of pivotal moments that happened in his (even) younger days, and he’ll never forget any of them either, including singing for the first season “American Idol” contestants in Hollywood in 2002, when he was just 11 years old.
The David Archuleta story began on Dec. 28, 1990, the day David was born to Jeff and Lupe Archuleta in North Miami, Florida. His father was a jazz musician who was always playing the trumpet around the house. His mother was a singer who performed locally with her three sisters in a group known as the Mayorga Sisters. David always enjoyed music, but wasn’t particularly fond of his dad’s jazz trumpet playing, covering his ears “because it was so loud.”
But then came one of those pivotal moments, when David was six years old and watched a videotape with his younger brother as his family was relocating from Florida to Utah. It was the 10th anniversary concert of the stage musical “Les Miserables” and David became captivated with the music, playing the tape over and over, memorizing each song, complete with cockney accents. Then he discovered and fell in love with other musicals like “Evita” and “Into the Woods.” He also listened to his mother’s Selena and Gloria Estefan albums, but he didn’t pay attention to radio much and wasn’t really aware of pop music, until he watched the first season of “American Idol.”
He was first mesmerized by Tamyra Gray when she opened the Top 30 semifinals with her outstanding performance of “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going.” It was the first time he was aware of how expressive and soulful music could be, and what it was like to vocalize emotions. This was perhaps the most pivotal musical moment of his young life, the first step on the path that led him to who he is today, a musical prodigy, the runner-up for the seventh season Of “American Idol” and the newest artist signed to 19 Recordings/Jive.
After David started watching “Idol,” his father bought recording equipment, hooked it up to his computer, and recorded David singing “God Bless America,” “I Will Always Love You,” and “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going.” When a friend of the Archuletas saw that “The Jenny Jones Show” was looking for “Future Latino Stars,” she urged Jeff and Lupe to have their son try out. Based on a performance over the phone, a producer booked 11-year-old David to sing “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” on Jones’ show.
During that August 2002 performance, David met another young singer, AJ Gil, a finalist on the first season of “Idol.” Returning home to Utah after the Jenny Jones experience, Jeff decided to drive to Hollywood the next day and surprise David by taking him to the first season finale of “Idol” at the Kodak Theater. He bought tickets on eBay, picked them up in Las Vegas, and then drove on to Hollywood.
It was during this trip that David met up with AJ again. Gil insisted David sing “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” for Tamyra Gray. With Kelly Clarkson and Justin Guarini gathered around, the 11-year-old prodigy delivered, and his father captured it all on the video that has become an online classic.
Next, David tried out for “Star Search.” The show didn’t contact him the first season, but during the 2nd season, asked David to submit videos of him singing the Smokey Robinson/Jackson 5 song “Who’s Lovin’ You” and Billy Gilman’s “One Voice.” This time he was invited to compete on the show and appeared on three episodes in early 2003, winning the Junior category. A year later, he was invited back to compete against other winners. But this second run on “Star Search” was more difficult. David had been ill for a few months with appendicitis and bronchitis. Several weeks into his second “Star Search” experience, the Archuletas realized something was definitely wrong with David’s voice.
A renowned ENT doctor in Beverly Hills diagnosed David with vocal paralysis and said the only options were either surgery or vocal therapy. They tried the latter, and after a frustrating couple of years of time and patience with the vocal therapy, the efforts worked and David was able to regain his ability to sing with confidence and endurance.
David continued to watch “American Idol” and thought about auditioning, but didn’t believe he was “good enough.” It was a moot point, because he was too young to try out. In the summer of 2007, at the tender age of 16, he was finally old enough, and his friends and family urged him to audition. He had to quit his job as a techie at a local amphitheater in Murray, Utah, and almost didn’t go to try out because he was looking forward to this summer job.
