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Post by dededom on Dec 30, 2006 19:32:44 GMT 10
Well, over the weekend I have been roving around on youtube, and happened across some of the vids of past Idol comps. And it reminded me that one of the things I noticed during this year's Idol is that most, and in particular, Damien, did not use the over-used technique of a modulation (updward key change) in order to give a "lift" to the end of a song.  *notes that Shannon Noll was a serial offender in Season 1*  |
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Post by gluttonmutton on Dec 30, 2006 20:08:48 GMT 10
Paulini was the worst - every song of hers was arranged to include a modulation.  But at least she always sang in tune (if a little breathlessly). A lot of contestants (across all seasons) were tripped up by overly ambitious key changes. |
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Post by shimmery on Jan 2, 2007 18:34:19 GMT 10
That's one of my fav things about Damien's performances - his arrangements were genuinely surprising each week!
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Post by morgaine on Jan 6, 2007 9:04:01 GMT 10
That's one of my fav things about Damien's performances - his arrangements were genuinely surprising each week! Belatedly weighing in on this one to say...YES!! Damien's skill at arranging music is what really distinguishes him as a Great Musical Talent. Voice is divine, songwriting is brilliant, but unless you can arrange a song (be it yours or someone elses) then your always at the mercy of producers... Yes...absence of the standard key change (or 2 or 3!) was a breath of fresh air this year (rather...last year...) |
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Post by auntybesure on Jan 6, 2007 9:20:04 GMT 10
I really enjoy the absence of vocal acrobatics from D as well - it's like moving into a new house without all the clutter. His arrangements were always well timed with just enough interest to allow you to enjoy every single part properly - and he made it all look so easy - never out of breath or falling behind....he's such a clever clogs.
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Post by Mi chiamano Kami on Jan 6, 2007 14:07:15 GMT 10
Hehe, I think that key changes work for some artists better than others and I don't mind the technique, but I agree that it is so refreshing not to hear it used unecessarily often. With Damien's vocal range and control, he really didn't need the technique, and it's nice that he recognised that!
On the topic of arrangements, I love that Damien's arrangements throughout the show were actually his own, showcasing his own skills, rather than lifting a clever arrangement someone else had already done of the song and passing it off as something new. (Lee Harding, I like you but I am thinking of you.) He has a skill for vocal arrangements too, not just the instrumentals, and that's what won it for him in the final show I think, when he sang NOML. He can do a clever arrangement of a song that is subtle and still allows the voice to be the most important thing, but he also knows when not to rearrange a song too much - he didn't really change With or Without You and Nessun Dorma, and I think it would have been a mistake for him to.
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Post by morgaine on Jan 6, 2007 14:48:13 GMT 10
he's such a clever clogs. ...ah to be sure he is !   (Waaay sweet way of putting it!) |
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Post by Occasional Lurker on Jan 10, 2007 20:23:00 GMT 10
Damien, did not use the over-used technique of a modulation (updward key change) in order to give a "lift" to the end of a song. *notes that Shannon Noll was a serial offender in Season 1* This didn't register with me until I read this - not consciously, anyway. I loathe this cheap ploy. It invariably attracts wild applause from the AI audience, for some unknown reason. And don't get me started on Shannon Noll .... Yep, yet another good thing about DH. |
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Post by dededom on Jan 10, 2007 20:28:11 GMT 10
OOO an "occasional lurker" - come on, join up - you know you want to! We sure do!
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But at least she always sang in tune (if a little breathlessly). A lot of contestants (across all seasons) were tripped up by overly ambitious key changes. 
