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Access Atlanta > American Idol Buzz > Archives > 2008 > July > 06 > Entry
7/7: The art of the duet
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Hope you all had a great July 4th. I went to a party and didn’t make it to Frenchie Davis’ appearance at the Civic Center though I’m sure she did great.
This story comes a little late in the game considering “No Air” by Chris Brown and Jordin Sparks is already well on its way down the charts. But Sarah Rodman of The Boston Globe ruminates on the disappearance of the traditional love song duet.
Rather, we usually get the vocalist with a rapper doing a cameo and often it’s just aggressive and dance-club like such as “Promiscuous” or “4 Minutes.”
She thinks perhaps the success of the Jordin/Chris tune will herald the duet’s return. Another recent success that would fit in this category she forgot to mention: Rihanna (featuring Ne-Yo) with “Hate That I Love You.” But I have to say “No Air” has that wonderful interplay and emotional feel that classic duets have, impressive given the relative young ages of both Jordin and Chris.
-While a coterie of rotating “Idol’ finalists are working the Branson route this summer, a trio are also doing a nine-week run in San Francisco. Here’s the combo: Jon Peter Lewis, Anwar Robinson and LaKisha Jones (though sometimes, it will be Gina Glocksen). It’s at the Hotel Nikko. Seating capacity: 140. In other words: quite intimate. You can buy tix here with prices at $45.. There are basically enough “Idol” alums floating around that most can make a living in the near future doing these types of combo gigs.
-Country music is not a big deal in the U.K. So it’s taken all this time for Sony BMG to release Carrie Underwood’s two albums over there. (Daughtry apparently didn’t do well there, either). Here’s a recap.
-Ken Barnes in USA Today gave a rundown of the download charts.. I’m glad to see Jordin’s third single “One Step At a Time” is finally getting some traction, moving from 105-58, a 76% increase in sales to 25K and 152K total. I also heard the song on Q100 for the first time. The song just broke the top 30 on the pop charts. Jordin has now sold more than 4 million download singles.
And Kellie Pickler’s new single “Don’t You Know You’re Beautiful for her next album is now charting, selling 19K in its first week and debuting at 79. Airplay has been somewhat slow so far but it’s still early.
On the country charts, Carrie’s “Last Name” is slipping off after peaking briefly at No. 1 while Josh Gracin’s “We Weren’t Crazy” is holding at No. 13 after a whoppingly slow 37 weeks climbing the chart. Bucky Covington just broke the top 30 with his fourth single “I’ll Walk.”
In top 40 land, David Cook’s “Time of My Life” has actually charted but I doubt it will go very far. Cook did his best with a lousy song but it’s no winner.
Over in album land, Carrie’s “Carnival Ride” is up to 2.2 million and “Some Hearts,” up to 6.47 million. Jordin is up to 834K and Daughtry is up to 4.13 million. Those are the only “Idol” folks on the top 200. He also noted that season five contestants have now sold about 7 million albums (a majority from Daughtry). Ace’s album comes out July 15. I hope to get a copy soon.
Comments
By Mishtat
July 6, 2008 12:51 PM | Link to this
I’m hittin’ that San Francisco Idol show just to check out Jon Peter Lewis. I hear he’ll be performing some songs from his new album, “Break the Silence.” I’ve heard about 4-5 tracks off it and totally LOVE IT so far. Let you know how it goes :D
By JTesla
July 7, 2008 1:24 AM | Link to this
Thanks for all the information Rodney!
By Deirdre
July 7, 2008 7:33 AM | Link to this
Good morning!
My dog got me up way too early this morning so I’m not in the best of moods. :-(
The Idol tour seems to be going extremely well this year.
Good things in the news: Nadal’s and Federer’s amazing tennis final at Wimbledon. The US Olympic swim team gives us high hopes. The Presidential candidates are(so far) managing to be polite to each other. Chipper and Brian making the All Star team very deservedly in spite of the Braves record.
Bad things in the news: Madonna and A-Rod…seriously, how stupid is that? The Brian Nichols case taking so frickin long. Didn’t a whole courtroom full of people see him murder a judge and a court reporter???? How hard can this be????.
By DawnH
July 7, 2008 8:23 AM | Link to this
Deirdre, it does sound like you are in a bit of a mood this morning. Hopefully you will get a chance to take a little snooze later!
Thanks for the good and bad news update! Haven’t seen much news at all this weekend, since I spent every stinking minute at the Braves games! All 3 days off, all day - AGGGHHHH! Guess I’m in a mood myself!
Anyway, I wouldn’t count on the presidential candidates being civil to each other very long. That honeymoon only lasts a minute or so. Already seeing commercials for Obama. I HATE election time. As for Madonna and A-Rod - PLEEAAASSE! WHO CARES! I totally agree with you about this “upcoming” trial for Brian Nichols. The fact that there is going to even be a trial, supposedly, is ludicrous.
By linny ,,,=^..^=,,,
July 7, 2008 9:23 AM | Link to this
Brian Nichols will die of old freaking age before he reaches trial, and the citizens of fulton county will still be paying for it when children who could be his great grand children are having children of their own. WHAT a farce!
By Menana
July 7, 2008 9:28 AM | Link to this
Good Morning to All (I think).
Rodney, hope you also had a great holiday week-end.
We already knew that CM was not big in the UK. All you have to do is watch the expressions on Simon’s face when AI has CM week. That says it all.
I totally agree with D on the Brian Nichols case. Why should it take over three years to get him to trial? He did the murders and here we are, the TAX PAYERS, supporting his sorry A** and paying for his legal fees. What’s wrong with this picture? If I were president of the USofA for one day, American would have the biggest power surge in history because I would clean out death roll and wouldn’t hesitate to pull the switch. The victims have no rights so the criminals keep right on doing their crimes and getting free medical, dental, housing, food and so forth. Oh, this puts me in a foul mood, as you all can tell. Didn’t mean to get carried away, but when it comes to this subject, I tend to go overboard because of a personal tragedy.
Okay, I have vented so I will stop and go process payroll.
By linny ,,,=^..^=,,,
July 7, 2008 9:53 AM | Link to this
I think that AI, despite the efforts of many to make it sound like something meaningless, has become part of the entertainment world. Many of the youngsters who worked their way through that are holding legitimate places in entertainment, a few in a large way, but for the most part, those kids reflect the general population — there are a lot of people “in” the music industry that we never hear of unless they get some sort of ‘media’ push or do something outstanding. and even if they DO something outstanding, they STILL need the publicity in order to be known.
Speaking of young people with talent, have any of you heard Esperanza Spalding? OMG she’s GOOD! she plays stand-up bass, among other things, and sings very jazzy in style — reminds me of Ella.
By woodpappy
July 7, 2008 9:56 AM | Link to this
OMG….don’t get me started on Brian Nichols’case. What a mis-use of the American Justice System. Could someone with BALLS stand up and say enuff and get on with it. puleeeeeeze!
By Deirdre
July 7, 2008 10:06 AM | Link to this
Sorry for the delay in responding. We are changing mom’s queen size bed for a hospital bed today. Hubby and I have been moving the big bed and vacuuming and doing other stuff to prepare for the arrival of the new bed…..it hasn’t helped my mood any! :-)
Dawn…even I couldn’t take 3 days of Braves games! At least they won 2 of them.
Menana…the death row inmates should be glad I’m not in charge…I’d pull a lot of switches today.
linny… the Brian Nichols trial prep is a farce and a waste of taxpayers’ money. He’s entitled to a fair trial BUT….he’s gonna lose…I don’t care HOW MANY ‘mitigated circumstances’ there were…I don’t care HOW nice he was to the woman who he held hostage….I don’t care HOW terrible his life was before all the murders happened!
I have hereby vented! From now on I’ll try to be in a better mood. :-)
By flats
July 7, 2008 10:32 AM | Link to this
Good morning to all my good friends.I’m back to enjoy good conversation.
By Rodney Ho
July 7, 2008 11:05 AM | Link to this
I know this blog entry just got started with just 11 comments so far, post holiday, but I posted a fresh one anyway. Happy Monday all!
By Deirdre
July 7, 2008 11:35 AM | Link to this
That better mood thing….never mind.
By linny ,,,=^..^=,,,
July 7, 2008 11:53 AM | Link to this
D!!!! (choking on laughter)
By run a car on water
July 11, 2008 11:42 AM | Link to this
I love that song ‘No Air”.
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