http://masterclasslady.com/2011/05/12/vocal-masterclass-article-for-american-idol-season-10-top-4-singers-inspirational-songs-and-lieber-and-stoller-songbook/
JAMES DURBIN: “Don’t Stop Believin” by Journey and “Love Potion Number #9 by Lieber and Stoller”
Strengths: James – your first song, “Don’t Stop Believin’, was full of energy and drive. I loved how you connected with crowd right off the top, energizing them to join in the fun. That’s how you motivate the crowd, wake them up from their stupor and show them this is indeed a party.
The key selection for this song was excellent, as it enabled you to vocalize through the honey-dipped quality of your rich upper register. Your voice sounded pure and wonderfully centered. You skillfully managed to avoid your lower register this week as it has given you problems in past performances. Smart boy!
And, more important, you managed to ignore the nasty diphthong pitfall in the word, “night“. You sustained your voice on the clean, pure “ah” vowel, therefore allowing your voice to resonate with freedom and ease in your vocal masque.
That three note ascending at the end of your song was just wonderful. Your voice remained focused and tuned and that jaw was nicely relaxed, therefore allowing your voice to flow freely from your mouth.
Rhythmically, your stage presence was strong and vital and you exuded a confident and relaxed charisma during this performance. Your stage movements were so energized and, yet, never disturbed the tonal quality and focus of your voice.
Your second song. “Love Potion Number 9″ was exceptional. I did notice that the performance key was different from the rehearsal key. At least, it seemed that way to my ear. Whatever, it was a good choice to make because once again the key selection highlighted to depth and resilience of your upper register.
Your pauses during the closing segments of this song allowed us to focus on your gifted vocal ability. You are fearless, James. I think this is what is so intriguing in all your performances. You just go out on that stage and give’er and, because you have made wise decisions during the rehearsal process, it always, always works!
I particularly enjoyed the final slide to your extreme upper range. Now, that was pretty darn amazing. Your entire body guided this process and it was great to see what a difference strong, diaphragmatic breathing skills can make in a performance.
This performance was loaded with substance and style and both reinforced how gifted you are as a vocalist and as a performer.
Excellent work, James! Congratulations.
Critique: James – there was very little to critique in your opening performance, “Don’t Stop Believing“. It was extremely well controlled and the energy and focus in your voice was consistent. And your stage presence was powerful. A strong performance is a strong performance and this was very strong indeed. Bravo!
Ditto for the second performance. However, I was disappointed in that you sang two upbeat songs this week. I was hoping to hear more diversity in your song selections. Perhaps last week’s emotional performance of “Without You” affected your decision to include slow ballad this week.
If so, that’s a shame as I feel we really need to see the sensitive, emotional James and hear the actual beauty and depth of your voice when singing a slow, meaningful number.
Hopefully, you will have the opportunity to select a song for next week’s Top 3 show that will again reflect your innate ability to move and inspire us with your expressive vocals. I am still aching for another “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” moment from you.
Great work, James! I love everything about you and your voice is golden! Bravo!
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