David Archuleta Retrospective Series Part Seven: Works For Me

http://youtu.be/nujvOf2GpUc

Pamela Pike's Recollections

“Works for Me” is a song released on David’s self-titled album through Wal-Mart as a Bonus Track back in November 2008.  This song represents David’s self- image, a time in his life when he felt indecisive and had to deal with certain challenges. He co-wrote this song with Daniel Bedingfield and Toby Lightman.

A call from Daniel Bedingfield to Toby Lightman asking her to come and write with them early one morning back in 2008 started their creative process.

With David barely awake, Daniel downing Chai lattes and Toby with guitar in hand the basics of a song were started but not finished.  A call from Sony a month later requesting them to finish the song required them to fly to Tulsa, Oklahoma, David’s last stop on his American Idol Tour.  And as they say history was made or at least “Works for Me.”

Challenges sometimes create change and with that make life unpredictable. Everything we do is filled with possibilities of change when we least expect it.  It is what we do with those moments that count in the end.  Some of the lyrics in the Bridge say, “There were days when a song could not be found, There were days when my voice would make no sound for me”. 

And in the chorus he wrote, “And I know you’re just trying to help me out Thanks, but I’ll follow my heart instead”. It seems David is still following his heart.

This song illustrates a melody and dynamics that make David shine.  It allows him to experiment with his amazing voice.  Every sound and layer is put exactly where it needs to be.  The up-tempo and easy chorus has you singing along in no time.

He tells a story with his songs and voice and that “Works for Me.”

http://youtu.be/nujvOf2GpUc

Rosanne Simunovic's Recollections

As I write this article on "Works For Me", I must confess that this is the first time I actually heard this terrific song. It was Pamela Pike who suggested this song for review in this David Archuleta Retrospective Series.

Well, what took me so long? I love everything about this number - the catchy rhythmic structure, the contagious melody, the luscious harmonies supplied by David and, of course, the seamless and transparent vocal delivery by David on the solo line.

Once again, David highlighted the easy accessibility of his ringing head voice during the repetitious line: "work out just fine".  His voice sounds so liberated, so flexible and he manages to carry this head voice element throughout his range.

As a result, David's voice always sounds clear and centered. David never over sings - he sings tastefully, calling on the emotion to dictate how he will phrase his music. There is nothing contrived in this song - just pure, joyous singing, plain and simple.

The simulation of the finger snapping at the beginning of the song set the mood so perfectly. It not only reinforced the catchiness of the tune itself but also reminded us not to take life so seriously. It's a journey and there will be smooth roads and rocky ones.

Once again, this song is a strong testament to David's positive, yet ever-evolving nature and his ability to trust in something or someone more powerful than himself.

Bravo David!

Rosanne Simunovic
http://www.masterclasslady.com

Great Expectations

Trees have traditionally been planted in many cultures in honor of an accomplishment or an important rite of passage.  They can symbolize an effective visual reminder of your goals and help you fulfill dreams and visions for life.

The Oak tree’s symbolism is strength and courage, the Willow includes magic, inner vision and dreams and the Pine tree includes creativity, life, and longevity while the Elm tree symbolizes strength of will and intuition.  These all seem to represent David’s paragons of virtue.

Back in December 2008 just before his 18^th birthday, his service project to help complete his Eagle Scout requirements consisted of planting 180 trees and shrubs in a community park.  An Eagle Scout is one who has taken the Scout Oath and Law, to which he has promised to do his best to do his duty, first to God and his Country, second, to other people, by helping them at all times and third, to himself, by keeping himself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight character. 

David’s mission for his church just seems to be a continuation of his growth of character and his natural progression of life’s evolving changes in goals. David takes ownership in goals established around his interests and desires and is grounded in his family’s shared values.  Reality dictates that as David makes changes in his life so must we.

Sometimes we often find ourselves in situations that no longer satisfy who we are or want to be.  We’re grateful for the path we’ve taken; we just reached a point when it’s time to make a change.

As we pull back from twitter, blogging or Facebook and take challenge in our own goals and family obligations we shouldn’t feel less loyalty to David.  His soul is connected to ours and grows with each moment we share his journey.

We put so much time and energy into his career we feel he is an extension of us.  Our pride shows if he does well, then we have done well, by choosing to support him.  We need to remember that our goals may not be the same as his and like a parent we want to support and protect but we need to give him space and the opportunity and the right to decide his future.

David loves making music and he loves being able to give the gift of music to others. He will never lose his love for music and will certainly be ready after his mission to resume a career.  David Archuleta inspires a level of devotion in his biggest fans that can rival most artists.  His devoted fans will flock wherever he may land.

As a devoted supporter of David Archuleta this blog site will remain active until he returns from his mission.  MasterclassLady and I have committed to posting our Retrospective Series the first Friday of each month and will continue through April 2014.

As we all make changes in our lives and become involved with charities, family obligations, friends, and traveling my heart will hold open the music of David Archuleta and keep promoting what he holds dear……..inspiring and connecting people through his music.

Charity Event

The Sounds of David Committee invite you to join us at this exciting fan event for 2013!
To purchase tickets please go to:
http://freelancedesignpros.com/soundsofdavid/Information.html 

Hope to see you there!

The Sounds of David

Luncheon and Fan Mixer
Saturday, April 6, 2013 from 12:00 to 4:30 PM

In honor of - David Archuleta and his Music

Newport Beach Marriott Bayview Hotel
500 Bayview Circle, Newport Beach, California 92660

$45.00 per person – Buffet Luncheon Included

Limited space/reserve early

Entertainment
Sunny Hilden – Songwriter/Singer
Michael Orland – Music Director from American Idol & Dorian Holley
- David’s coaches from Season 7 (subject to availability)
Mariners Elementary School Choir of Newport Beach
Billy Clower Dance Students

Special appearance by
Rosanne Simunovic (Masterclass Lady) Voice Instructor
LDS Missionary Guest Speaker - President Bowen
Kelsi Johnson - Special Musical Number

Charities Benefited

Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals

Child Fund International

Slideshows
Free Drawings
Silent Auction
DJ Music by Ron Sayoc
Free Photo Op
Video of Event provided with pre-paid postage (SASE)

Contact Information:
Daytime Phone PST: (310) 710 - 2889
After 5PM PST: (626) 533 - 1379
Event Information Email:
pikepss@yahoo.com

*Program subject to change
No Refunds

Thank you for your support and we hope to see you there.

To Begin You First Need Courage

An inability to step out of your comfort zone will profoundly limit your performance.  Within each one of us lays great potential.  The way you explore that great potential is to make changes and take risks. We stumble and fall in the learning process, but success can only be reached when we are prepared to take those steps.

Courage is making the decision to learn something new by testing and stretching your abilities and taking those risks.  David Archuleta has tremendous reservoirs of potential within him as he steps out and boldly pursues them.  The difference is his attitude; he greets the unknown with a sense of eager anticipation and welcomes it

David has the courage to step out in faith and change his life. He may not feel courageous at the onset or even through the journey, but it is still a courageous act.  He is gaining more self-esteem, confidence and a stronger sense of self. 

It seems he wants to take all he can out of life, and take advantage of every chance he gets.  Courage is about following your heart and growing.  His journey of self-discovery begins with a commitment without complete knowledge of the probable outcome.  David knows that God is the One who goes with you He will not leave you nor forsake you.

 

David has the courage to discover just how much music he can make when he returns.  How much will he do? How much joy can he share?  I’m convinced that the world, more than ever, needs the music only he can make. 

Every song in “Begin” seems to have a story and there is “newness” to them in terms of style and delivery, but there is also a timeless message that fits in what he is singing about.  These song choices reveal a self-awareness that comes with maturity and also shows a young man in continuous change.

David has that heart on your sleeve honesty that manages to keep listeners interested. With “Begin” these songs are just saying what’s in his heart. They represent a window into the place and time when David finds himself at the age of 21. 

 

I just finished watching his latest video “Everybody Hurts” and he knocked my socks off with his four minutes and fifty three seconds of passionate, soulful and penetrating vocals.  He is a storyteller that can open people up to their inner soul and is an artist of selfless giving that will shine bright forever. 

David seems to be emerging as an independent artist who may prefer to control his career and not be led by someone else’s opinion of how his career should unfold.  Courage is about choice and acting on what we know we should do and David seems to be making the right ones.

The lyrics to “Everybody Hurts”……Hang on, hold on, you’re not alone…..says it all!  

We are holding on for your return. 

David Archuleta's "BEGIN"

David Archuleta continues to be one of the most dynamic and versatile recording artist today.  His brilliant new album offers a mix of rearranged favorite covers as well as a new song musically penned by David himself. He has given us some mighty impressive stuff here

.

Each time I play this album I enjoy it even more. I’m writing in a state of bliss after listening to these songs. He’s really so good, isn’t he? 

His “Be Still My Soul” comes deep from the depths of his spirituality, his voice shines and soars and drives straight to the center of your heart. He sings with a conviction of his place in heaven, and perhaps his place in singing history.  The emotions David’s arouses and masters with this song establish his connection to his music and his faith.

His voice is indescribable exciting, and forever a wonder to behold.  Does it get any better than this….I think not.  David’s vocals are exquisite and his renditions capture the intensity while keeping the integrity of the originals.

“Bridge Over Troubled Water” is a favorite of mine and has always been associated with hard times and great emotional beauty.  David’s strikingly pure vocals put to shame every other singer attempting this song.  His fabulous version has depth, power and great sincerity. His voice soars and then pulls you back for the next flight of genius and after he is finished you are exhausted emotionally and in awe of his powerful performance.

With “Angel” he gives the song great respect.  This song is able to be interpreted by so many people in so many different ways.  It can mean that some people are somewhere that they don’t want to be in and don’t want to stay in.  It’s also about choices and the power of Angels. The quiet softness David adds to this song leaves you breathless.

“Broken” masterfully illustrates his musical gift writing.  I recall several months back him sitting at a piano playing with those ivory keys and saying he was just trying something out.  What a beautiful intense and hopeful song.

This next song “Everybody Hurts” just blew me away.  David’s vocal delicacy and tenderness conveys the theme of this song, that we are not alone.  He is amazing and evokes so much emotion, this is really great music. 

 

“True Colors” is true love, “Beautiful” is beautiful, “Pride” and “Don’t Give Up” succeeds in showing us the heart of David Archuleta, and “Somewhere Only We Know” busted out at the seams and revealed David as an outstanding great songster.

I challenge anyone who says David Archuleta can’t articulate his feelings.  He has emerged as a young man, an artist with purpose and a mission of determination and hope. 

Begin brought David an avalanche of publicity less than a month before its release.  Fans are enraptured by his new album.

David continues to demonstrate that he’s among the truest, brightest talent to come on the scene in quite a while.  He seamlessly flows between pop, R&B, and now inspirational without ever breaking a sweat and has given us an excellent selection of strong and passionate vocals.

Begin is an album that can be enjoyed and appreciated by listeners of all ages. This is good music, no this is great music.  Soak every bit of it up, remember it, enjoy it and share these great songs with many.

Thank you David for your beautiful music.

Always know David we feel your heart………….and always know you hold our hearts forever.

David Archuleta Retrospective Series Part Six: Crush

By Pamela Pike and Rosanne Simunovic

Pamela Pike's Recollections

Crush was the first official track released as a single by David Archuleta back in August 2008 and was also included on his debut album, simply entitled David Archuleta.  Crush was c0-written by Emanuel Kiriakou, Jess Cates and Dave Hodges.

The single debuted on New York City’s Elvis Duran’s radio station Z100 the morning of August 1^st. David was very excited knowing his single was debuting and admitted he was very jittery the night before and couldn’t wait till this morning.  They were in the studio late Thursday night still putting finishing touches on the new single.

The lyrics to Crush explore the old question of true love and whether it is reciprocated, questioning if his feelings are real or not.

The song managed to "crush" the competition upon release. It rose to the top of the American charts and received positive reviews from the music press. Crush is an age appropriate mid-tempo pop song showcasing his vocal styling with lovely harmonies and great falsetto effects.

The lyrics are sweet and innocent and concentrate on the common teen emotions which suit him perfectly to keep his young spirit evident. Crush mixes R&B beats with pop lyrics and sounds hip and contemporary

His voice captures the same doubt and hope your heart has when it beats each time you think of someone that takes your breath away.  This song is very catchy and has enough speed and variety for both young and old.

 

Crush’s initial sales were strong enough to push the song to a #2 debut on the Billboard Hot 100 and #3 on iTunes and #16 on Amazon.com after one week release.

VIDEO

Crush video was released on September 16, 2008, on iTunes and was directed by Declan Whitebloom.  

The video innocently portrays David on an outing with friends trying to get the attention of a girl on whom he apparently has a crush.  Several teens are together swimming at a lake, the guys get out, and David stays behind to help her out of the water. The teens are also shown in the cabin playing games and David is shown playing the guitar.  Other scenes show them by a campfire and at the end, David goes out on the deck of the cabin and the girl follows him, showing that she shares his feelings.

Crush never gets old and you can get star struck listening to David’s fantastic voice and fall head over-heels in love.  He takes you back to those bygone days of school girl crushes while you unconsciously hum along to the music and lyrics.

With lines like “Why do I keep running from the truth, all I ever think about is you, You got me hypnotized, so mesmerized” it’s hard not to feel for David as he cries, “I know this crush ain’t goin’ away,” and neither has ours!

Rosanne Simunovic's Recollections

When "Crush" was released in August 2008, I remember thinking that I wasn't sure if this was the direction I had wanted David to take with his music.

However, in retrospect, the song was genius in that it contained a hooky feel in the melodic line, something so important to the success of a song on the Billboard Charts. It was the perfect song at the perfect time in David's career.

And the positive reviews reflected this success. It was an instantaneous hit with the critics and positioned David as a strong musical force in the entertainment industry.

According to information gathered from Wikipedia, Chuck Taylor of Billboard had this to say:

(Crush) is a suitable match for Archuleta,  "hummable, age-appropriate mid tempo pop ditty for the 17-year-old, showcasing his fine mass-appeal vocal stylings with creamy harmonies and some nice falsetto effects."

He also predicted chart success for the song, saying "'Crush' is likely to put its money where its title is on the charts."

Strong words for a strong artist. And the reviews kept pouring in.

Ken Barnes of USA Today further commented that he "liked the "effortless glides into falsetto and some rousing moments in the bridge and chorus", while Michael Slezak of Entertainment Weekly called the song "surprisingly good!" as well as "hip and contemporary."

He further stated, "David adroitly walks the line between giving his core fans their fill of vocal runs while showing enough restraint that he won't automatically alienate non-Idol-loving listeners."

I had the pleasure of reviewing this song on two separate occasions. One was  http://masterclasslady.com/2008/12/05/a-masterclass-review-of-david-archuletas-new-cd/immediately after the release of his new CD, "David Archuleta"and the other when David http://masterclasslady.com/2008/08/17/david-archuletas-new-single-is-set-to-crush-the-airwaves/released "Crush" as a single in August 2008.

Here are my thoughts from the August 2008 article:

David Archuleta’s new single, “Crush”, has received overwhelmingly favorable reviews. And, rightfully so! This new single should dispel any rumors that David is not destined for an extremely lucrative career as a current pop artist.

Today, August 12th, the CD was released and the buzz is certainly out there. David Archuleta has arrived and in a monumental way.

Recently signed by 19Recordings/Jive Records, a record company noted for it’s ability to successfully create and market young artists who appeal to the mainstream audience, David’s new single is brimming with the youthful enthusiasm and soulful excellence that has made him a star in the past season of American Idol.

As I listen to “Crush”, I am immediately impressed by the clarity of the end production. Usually, the singer’s voice is overshadowed by the background arrangement but, in David’s case, his superior vocals remain the focal point in the production mix.

And so it should! After all, it’s David’s extraordinary voice and capability to touch people’s hearts with his vocal instrument that has allowed him to distinguish himself from the rest of the pack. His unique ability to combine his passionate soulful artistry with brilliant vocal skills is something truly special in this day and age of over-processed vocal recordings. His voice should – and needs to – be heard and I believe that Jive understood this fact above all else.

David has since moved on but, at this particular point in time, his decision to work within the guidelines that Jive envisioned for him were absolutely on the mark.

However, his career has now taken a more diverse road, one that I always felt was more suitable to his enormous talent. And one that would continue to separate and distinguish him from the rest of the pack.

A crushing talent? Oh my yes!
 

Why We Love David Archuleta

Why We Love David….

In recent weeks this question has resurfaced and there are subjectively as many answers as there are fans of David Archuleta.

Love is a feeling an emotion that we experience in association with people in many situations and relationships.  It’s found in the passion for the things you do in life.  Love happens when you embrace the wonderful awesomeness of life, as you acknowledge how incredible this world really is.  Love is at its most giving when it is altruistic and shown to a stranger.

To love truly is not only having a capacity to give love, but also to gracefully open your heart to receive love.  Love blossoms with attention and shows through the things we do and say to other people each day.  Love encompasses compassion, tolerance, endurance, support, faith, determination and more.

David shows others, consideration, respect and thoughtfulness of their needs. He shows intention in inspiring other people’s life, allowing them to be themselves and accepting them as they are.

His big heart, he appreciates the positive contributions that other people make.  He goes out of his way to appreciate the good qualities of others, that’s why so many people warm to his generous spirit.  He doesn’t pretend to be someone he is not and he doesn’t magnify an ego, he has a natural humility.  He follow his ideals quietly, lives by them, he leads by example.

He remembers people names and important facts about them or things they care about.  With a big smile with everyone he meets he gives his full attention to people he converses with as if nothing else is important.

By sharing love around, he creates a loving environment and inspires other to do the same thing.  In giving the best of who he is to others he transcends selfless motives and introspection and truly seeks to appreciate others.

Beauty is about personality and depth of character.  It’s about what is hidden deep in the soul.  David shows up in the world as a bright light and he sees the world and appreciates it, by listening with his eyes and ears, and the sounds around him. 

David is made up of various elements some physical and some spiritual.  The love and feelings we have for David can be identified as a feeling that provides an experience that is perceptual and dedicated.  Our dedication is the result of the derived pleasure and affirmation that result from our contact.  David Archuleta matches all the criteria of the higher qualities of personality we want in people.

David is like a snowflake unique in nature and always changing.