NESP Forum

Just to let you know...

I'm baaaaaaack...

With goodies galore.

Got home kinda late. My child did not want to leave the parking lot!!

Lots of shows photos to post. I'll post them later!!!

And I hope some stories too.

I'm conscious but hardly perky. I was very smart to take today off.

Some highlights:
At about 2:30 pm David Cook sprints out the stage door, and signs stuff for the stalker line for about an hour. He's a natural at this -- sweet and kind, patient, calm and centered. I'm sure I'll have many pictures of him with women we won't know.

A couple things I heard him say -- someone wanted him to put on a New England Patriots cap, he says he got into enough trouble with his KC crew for wearing the Mets uniform the other day. Someone asks him about the Red Sox, and he says "As a Kansas City fan, we hate the Yankees, and so we like anyone who beats the Yankees." As a former Minnesota Twins fan, I can vouch that this sentiment is shared by all fans of American League teams.

Before the show, I also saw Kristy Lee and her gorgeous hair, Brooke in a stylish hat, David Archuleta (too short to get good pics), and the dashing Michael Johns.

I liked our seats -- the last row in the first tier, with the distinct advantage that no one was behind us to mind whether we stood. In fact my neighbor enjoyed standing and rocking out as much as we did. This year's show had a small center round pod stage, protuding six rows into the floor seats. We were directly across from that pod stage, so we had an excellent side view of the proceedings, especially when they used the platform at the far right of the stage.

Before the show we get music videos from TPTB approved artists, including more Daughtry songs than I knew, even Blake and Fantasia. We did remind ourselves that Taylor doesn't HAVE a video. Only the David Cook Disney and Guitar Hero plugs got any notice.

Quick impressions:
Chikeze -- very entertaining, wonderful personality.

Ramiele -- had heard her act was weak, but it was hardly awful, especially the Taylor Dayne song. She'll do well on shopping mall tours.

Michael Johns -- I wonder if anyone told these guys that Aerosmith is New Hampshire's hometown band, played at proms of some of the boomer parents in the crowd and was the band performing at Verizon's grand opening in November 2001. I'm not sure MJ realized what balls it takes to play DREAM ON for a NH/Boston crowd, but he did have the crowd in the palm of his hand.

Kristy Lee Cook -- Her only mistake was performing 2 songs that nobody knows. She looked good, performs with spirit, and will do well as a country music opening act.

Carly -- I grew to love Carly during the TV show, and she was every bit as good as I hoped. Her performance of Heart's "Crazy On You" gave me chills. I want to see her at Hampton Casino next year.

Brooke -- She would shine on a smaller stage, like most of the other women, the band swallows her up. Liked her version of Feist's "1 2 3 4 " (from the Ipod ads), this was the only tune where the band had an interesting and subtle arrangement, with a tasteful trumpet solo.

Jason -- gets the award for "most exceeds my expectations". The boy has gained vocal confidence, projecting to the arena on his rendition of the Ray Lamontagne version of Gnarls Barkley's "Crazy". And gotta love the ukulele.

Syesha -- she's a pro, but she could work on connecting with the crowd. My major criticism was that in her final number, she is out on the center pod stage, and is only singing to those in front of her. It was the only time I felt like I might be in the cheap seats.

David Archuleta -- an odd performance. On the one hand, he's an awkward kid with a strange voice and not comfortable working the crowd. On the other hand, there are moments when he is totally absorbed in the music and shows more "in the moment" emotion than anyone else on the stage last night. You know Archie has very intelligent musical instincts beyond his years, and feels what he's doing very deeply. It's just not always easy to watch. His career could be most interesting to watch.

David Cook -- It's true, he's a rock star and Chris Daughtry's worst nightmare. He may be too nice of a guy to be a real rock star, otherwise I can't see what's standing in his way. His cover of the Foo Fighter's "My Hero", dedicated to his brother Adam, is the song he didn't do on TV. I was worried that Cook's brand of rock didn't get the crowd up out its seat and moving. I don't need to worry.

I am running on 4 1/2 hours of sleep and a headache but here are a few random thoughts on the Idol show......and BTW I agree with most of what Margaux said.

Overall I liked the show....each Idol sang three songs except David Cook who came out for an encore (Billy Jean....Amy has video!)

They all looked really good....fit and healthy and none looked road weary. Carly has lost a lot of weight and all the girls except barefoot Brooke were dressed in very tight and/or revealing clothes. Kristy Lee is very beautiful in person.

I liked most of the song choices and as usual for me, liked the men more than the women overall. Michael Johns was more of a sexpot than on TV, Chickezie and Jason sounded strong and confident vocally, David A. was poorly dressed (stylist's fault?) but I love him and thought he was awesome. My co-horts like to pick on him but I think he is so talented.

David Cook.....sigh. He is too good to be true. So at ease with the audience chit-chat and so funny. I think I will go and see him on his solo tour....incredible talent and charisma and charm and warmth.

My camera has a crappy zoom but I will post a few concert shots and a few after-show close-ups from the autograph line.

Brooke White:






Jason Castro:

David Cook:



David Archuleta:





Michael Johns:

I'm sure others with better cameras will have much nicer/clearer shots.

All ten Idols:




Deb, Amy and me at the Verizon Arena:

I was dying to call you guys last night during the festivities but my new cell phone somehow nuked half of my contacts list so had no numbers. Amy tried to call last night, but it was late and I didn't hear the phone. Anyway, so glad you all had such a great time. Thanks for the detailed recaps-next best thing to being there.

Cook "Daughtry's worst nightmare" Glad he was everything you guys wanted and more.

Seger-awesome photo of Archie especially

I love David Cook but hated the heavy eyeliner.