Charice Pempengco raises bar for all female singers with incredible vocal range
September 5, 2009 by vongsundara · 46 Comments
LATEST UPDATES
September 5, 2009: Fixed broken links for embedded YouTube clips.
March 17, 2009: Added video and comments for Through The Rain and My Heart Will Go On.
February 25, 2009: Added some information regarding Charice’s vocal range.
February 1, 2009: Original post date.
Sometimes in life, I witness someone so talented and driven that it inspires me to work harder on my own craft. Charice Pempengco is the most recent example of this.
I recently stumbled upon videos of a fantastic young singer from the Philippines named Charice Pempengco on YouTube. It seems as though I’m a little behind the times, as Ellen Degeneres and Oprah Winfrey discovered Charice Pempengco a few months back, and Charice has since gone on to widespread fame after appearing on Oprah three times now.
I am a huge fan of talented vocalists; I won’t listen to any musicians or bands whose vocals aren’t at least up to par (which is why I can’t stand punk music and a lot of pop rock). I’ve recently taken my obsession to YouTube, as it’s the perfect venue to compare vocalists in live performances. In fact, there are many videos that splice separate performances of the same song by different artists together, which makes my life easier when I’m trying to compare different vocalists.
Charice Pempengco’s incredible journey from poverty to international stardom
September 5, 2009 by vongsundara · 16 Comments
UPDATES
September 5, 2009: Fixed YouTube embeds and links.
April 23, 2009: Added props to COOLSMURF for posting the Star King performance on YouTube. (Thanks to Concernedfan for leaving the correction in a comment.)
I’m still relatively new to the whole Charice Pempengco phenomenon. I’ve been following Charice’s best live performances and listening for any news about her upcoming 2009 studio album produced by David Foster. Since there’s a little lull in Charice news, I figured it would be a good time for me to find out about her past. I haven’t had the pleasure of seeing Charice’s Oprah debut that went through her entire history, so hopefully I can patch together information from the internet.
Charice was born on May 10, 1992, in San Pedro, Laguna, Philippines. According to various television interviews, Charice and her brother Carl were raised solely by their mother, Raquel. Charice’s father has been out of her life since Raquel left him and took the kids when Charice was still only three years old to escape a domestically violent situation. Charice has been singing since she was four years old and was taught to sing by her mother. Charice began entering singing contests when she was seven to help bring in money to support her struggling family.
Kris Allen – Performance Profile, American Idol 2009 Season 8
May 19, 2009 by vongsundara · 1 Comment
Kris Allen performs No Boundaries, American Idol 2009 Season 8, Week 11 (May 19) Top 2: Contestant’s Favourite / Simon Fuller’s Choice / Winner’s Single
Kris Allen performs No Boundaries, American Idol 2009 Season 8, Week 11 (May 19) Top 2: Contestant’s Favourite / Simon Fuller’s Choice / Winner’s Single
Kris Allen once again does a commendable job at yet another song that is out of his vocal range. His voice strained throughout, and it was painful to listen to. Unfortunately for Kris, there’s not much that could save this song.
I liked Kris Allen’s all-black outfit. It’s strange because I generally don’t like all-black outfits in real life, but it seems to work great for performances.
Review Score: ★★☆☆☆
Kris Allen performs What’s Going On (Marvin Gaye), American Idol 2009 Season 8, Week 11 (May 19) Top 2: Contestant’s Favourite / Simon Fuller’s Choice / Winner’s Single
Kris Allen performs What’s Going On (Marvin Gaye), American Idol 2009 Season 8, Week 11 (May 19) Top 2: Contestant’s Favourite / Simon Fuller’s Choice / Winner’s Single
Kris Allen’s limited vocal range just could not match up with this song. This is the second time that the song chosen for Kris was out of his vocal range. I’m not sure if the show is trying to sabotage him or not, but it does point out the fact that Kris needs to work on improving his range.
I liked how the performance was stripped down compared to the first song. It had a neat KT Tunstall type of feel to it. I’m still super annoyed with his peach fuzz facial hair, though.
Review Score: ★★☆☆☆
Adam Lambert – Performance Profile, American Idol 2009 Season 8
May 19, 2009 by vongsundara · 2 Comments
Adam Lambert performs No Boundaries, American Idol 2009 Season 8, Week 11 (May 19) Top 2: Contestant’s Favourite / Simon Fuller’s Choice / Winner’s Single
Adam Lambert performs No Boundaries, American Idol 2009 Season 8, Week 11 (May 19) Top 2: Contestant’s Favourite / Simon Fuller’s Choice / Winner’s Single
What a terrible way to end a season full of spectacular performances. Adam Lambert does his best with a below-average song. He falls off key a couple of times, or maybe not . . . who knows, maybe that’s how the song was written. I don’t know who Kara DioGuardi was writing this song for since it doesn’t fit Adam’s vocal quality or Kris’ vocal range.
Adam’s performance was of course great as usual, though a little understated, which was surprising. I love the jacket and the pants. It’s a great image to blaze into our minds until his album comes out.
Review Score: ★★☆☆☆
Adam Lambert performs A Change Is Gonna Come (Sam Cooke), American Idol 2009 Season 8, Week 11 (May 19) Top 2: Contestant’s Favourite / Simon Fuller’s Choice / Winner’s Single
Adam Lambert performs A Change Is Gonna Come (Sam Cooke), American Idol 2009 Season 8, Week 11 (May 19) Top 2: Contestant’s Favourite / Simon Fuller’s Choice / Winner’s Single
Damn, Adam Lambert does it again. From the a cappella opening to the simple instrumentation throughout, allowing Adam’s sweet vocals to shine through beautifully. I actually like Adam in this style of music much more than when he does hard rock, but I’m sure hard rock will sell him a bit better in today’s market. The emotion that Adam conveys in this performance is absolutely amazing.
I always love seeing Adam stripped down and in a nice suit. Adam didn’t move around much, which was quite appropriate for the song.
Review Score: ★★★★★
Danny Gokey – Performance Profile, American Idol 2009 Season 8
May 12, 2009 by vongsundara · Leave a Comment
Danny Gokey performs You Are So Beautiful (Joe Cocker), American Idol 2009 Season 8, Week 10 (May 12) Top 3: Judge’s Choice / Contestant’s Choice
Danny Gokey performs You Are So Beautiful (Joe Cocker), American Idol 2009 Season 8, Week 10 (May 12) Top 3: Judge's Choice / Contestant's Choice
Danny Gokey did a good job on this tender song. He even stretched his range at the higher end in a gentle way, which was nice to hear. Overall, it was pleasant, but it wasn’t enough to really capture me emotionally.
Good for Danny for deciding to sit down and not dance during this song. He looks much better on a chair. Danny took off the jacket from the first performance and put on a nice tie.
Review Score: ★★★☆☆
Danny Gokey performs Dance Little Sister (Terence Trent D’Arby), American Idol 2009 Season 8, Week 10 (May 12) Top 3: Judge’s Choice / Contestant’s Choice
Danny Gokey performs Dance Little Sister (Terence Trent D'Arby), American Idol 2009 Season 8, Week 10 (May 12) Top 3: Judge's Choice / Contestant's Choice
Interesting choice of song from Paula Abdul for Danny Gokey. I had never heard this song before, but I like the tempo, and it suited Danny’s voice well. I could have done without the scatting in the middle of the song, though, but that’s just a personal bias.
Danny Gokey’s awful mini-beard has come back again. It’s too bad, because his hair looked really nice and his wardrobe was great too. Danny’s performance was amateur as usual. He can sing, but he should stand still while singing until he has a chance to work on his presentation some more.
Review Score: ★★★☆☆
Allison Iraheta – Performance Profile, American Idol 2009 Season 8
May 5, 2009 by vongsundara · 1 Comment
Allison Iraheta performs Cry Baby (Janis Joplin), American Idol 2009 Season 8, Week 9 (May 5) Top 4: Rock Music with mentor Slash
Allison Iraheta performs Cry Baby (Janis Joplin), American Idol 2009 Season 8, Week 9 (May 5) Top 4: Rock Music with mentor Slash
Allison Iraheta did a great job with this Janis Joplin classic. The song was a little repetitive, but Allison’s voice shone through really well, and she put in a lot of emotion into every phrase.
Allison Iraheta’s new haircut this week is totally awesome. Adam Lambert’s hair stylist did her job well with Allison. Allison really rocked out the stage this week with her performance. She really does transform once the music starts.
Review Score: ★★★★☆
Allison Iraheta performs Someone To Watch Over Me, American Idol 2009 Season 8, Week 8 (April 28) Top 5: Rat Pack Standards with mentor Jamie Foxx
Allison Iraheta performs Someone To Watch Over Me, American Idol 2009 Season 8, Week 8 (April 28) Top 5: Rat Pack Standards with mentor Jamie Foxx
The tone of Allison Iraheta’s voice matched this song perfectly. I really enjoyed listening to her rendition. Unfortunatley, Allison lost the melody a couple of times, which is too bad because this could have been an even better performance than it was.
Allison Iraheta looked nice in her black dress and toned-down hair. Allison’s performance skills are ridiculous for someone of her young age. She may be the most polished performer on the entire show.
Review Score: ★★★½☆
Matt Giraud – Performance Profile, American Idol 2009 Season 8
April 28, 2009 by vongsundara · Leave a Comment
Matt Giraud performs My Funny Valentine, American Idol 2009 Season 8, Week 8 (April 28) Top 5: Rat Pack Standards with mentor Jamie Foxx
Matt Giraud performs My Funny Valentine, American Idol 2009 Season 8, Week 8 (April 28) Top 5: Rat Pack Standards with mentor Jamie Foxx
Matt, Matt, Matt . . . what is going on? I used to love Matt Giraud, but the train has definitely left the station. I am very familiar with this song, so maybe I’m being a bit harsh, but I thought the whole performance was a mess. I didn’t like the arrangement or the vocals, especially in the opening verse.
Matt Giraud is back in his signature hat and suit. I’m not a big fan of the hat, but to each his own I suppose.
Review Score: ★★½☆☆
Anoop Desai – Performance Profile, American Idol 2009 Season 8
April 21, 2009 by vongsundara · 1 Comment
Anoop Desai had the vocals to compete, but his presentation was completely off. Anoop’s stage performances were dreadfully boring, especially given that he spends most his time on stage with his eyes closed. Ultimately, though, it was Anoop’s arrogance when dealing with the judges that turned his younger fans off of him and did him in.
Anoop Desai performs Dim All the Lights (Donna Summer), American Idol 2009 Season 8, Week 7 (April 21) Top 7: Disco
Anoop Desai performs Dim All the Lights (Donna Summer), American Idol 2009 Season 8, Week 7 (April 21) Top 7: Disco
Anoop Desai’s voice was boring boring boring as usual. I’m totally not digging his vocals. I don’t think I’ll remember this performance at all.
What on Earth is going on with Anoop’s facial hair this week? First Danny and now Anoop. This awful stubble needs to stop. He looked absolutely dreadful with the stubble combined with his grey suit and pink sweater (though I kind of liked the sweater if it were on its own). This weird preppy geek frat boy look needs to go away. Anoop’s stage performance was as absolutely sleep-inducing as usual. Dude needs to open his eyes when he sings.
Review Score: ★★☆☆☆
Lil Rounds – Performance Profile, American Idol 2009 Season 8
April 21, 2009 by vongsundara · 4 Comments
I’m quite conflicted about my how I feel about Lil Rounds. At the start of the competition, the judges went waaaayyyy overboard with their praise for Lil’s performances, particularly her horribly shouty rendition of I Will Always Love You during Hollywood week. As soon as the actual competition started, though, the judges turned on her completely, giving her crazy random advice that she would incorporate the next week only to be shot down again and again and given completely new and conflicting advice. Lil took it all in stride and showed her class. I really do think that the judges went way overboard with the praise early on and with the criticism near the end, even when Lil had some good performances.
Lil Rounds performs I’m Every Woman (Chaka Khan), American Idol 2009 Season 8, Week 7 (April 21) Top 7: Disco
Lil Rounds performs I’m Every Woman (Chaka Khan), American Idol 2009 Season 8, Week 7 (April 21) Top 7: Disco
I wasn’t crazy about Lil Rounds’ vocals to start off the song. Lil sounded a little rushed, and the music drowned her voice out. Halfway through, she was able to project a little more and commanded the music. All in all, she did pretty well considering she had no voice the day before.
LIl Rounds once again changed her hair. It wasn’t a bad look at all with her simple black dress showing off her curves nicely. Lil used the entire stage and even went behind the judges. She was more animated than usual, which served her well.
Review Score: ★★★☆☆
Susan Boyle performance emotional but technically inferior? Susan Boyle’s “I Dreamed A Dream” from Les Miserables, Britain’s Got Talent 2009, West Lothian, Blackburn, Glasgow, Scotland
April 19, 2009 by vongsundara · 9 Comments
I should preface this by saying that I am definitely a fan of Susan Boyle. In fact, I teared up when I first saw her performance. The emotion behind her vocals were absolutely amazing. That being said, I thought it would be a good idea to take a step back and actually analyze her performance of “I Dreamed A Dream” and figure out why exactly it has been so successful in capturing the hearts of millions.
Susan Boyle performs “I Dreamed A Dream” from Les Miserables on Britain’s Got Talent 2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Il5TBgD9kHI
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