David Archuleta Retrospective Series Part Eleven: Climb Every Mountain

By Pamela Pike and Rosanne Simunovic

http://youtu.be/T-bbhDaItP8

Pamela Pike’s Recollections

It is a show tune from the 1959 Richard Rogers and Oscar Hammerstein musical The Sound of Music and the movie with Julie Andrews in 1965.  It was themed as an inspirational piece, to encourage people to take every step towards attaining one’s dream.

The muse behind this song was Sister Gregory; the head of Drama at Rosary College in Illinois who wrote to Hammerstein after reading his lyrics and described the parallels between a person’s choice for a religious life and the choices that humans must make to find their purpose and direction in life.  In doing so, she said the song, “drove to the Chapel”, because the lyrics conveyed a “yearning that…ordinary souls feel but cannot communicate.”

So is this where the saying, “you took it to church came from?  The American Idol judges use this quite often in reference to commenting and judging many of the contestants.

David Archuleta takes every song he sings to church and give us a yearning our souls feel but can’t communicate.  I have always dreamed of hearing David sing this song with his stunning voice, his passion for the lyrics and his version on how he could add to the song.

In his My Kind of Christmas tour in 2011 he purposed “Climb Every Mountain” for the charity Child Fund as an inspiration and prayer of hope for the future of these needy children all over the world.  And when David lets loose with this song, I almost just lost it.  He delivered an outstanding rendition with cascades of technique and his connection with his audience was spectacular.

My eyes watered as the emotions built up within my soul and his unbelievable notes struck every corner of my being.  My soul was consumed by the overtones and the depth of his emotional performance.

There are moments where a gift comes along packaged with a soulful voice, this is David Archuleta who is a reminder that true artists survive under the scrutiny of the industry and still finds the strength to carry on the message of passion to all.

It can confidently be said of this incredible artist, is that his predecessors would be proud, and that one day in the future, he will be noted with the greats.


http://youtu.be/D61F_fHtSl8

Rosanne Simunovic's Recollections

This beautiful and inspiring song from Rogers and Hammerstein's "Sound Of Music" never grows old. It is a song that touches the heart and gives one hope for the future against all odds. It speaks to our inner determination to surmount life's obstacles, giving us encouragement and enlightenment to follow the path to freedom and righteousness.

So, even before I heard David's performance of this number, I knew that, given his positive and uplifting nature, built on a spiritual foundation of love and faith, this rendition was going to be a powerful one.

Also, given his past ability to re-invent show tunes by giving it a distinctly current feel (e.g. Think Of Me), I was excited to see how David would phrase and mold this exquisite melody.

From the outset, David grounded his voice with superb focus and clarity.  This song requires great range - both vocally and expressively. The first part of this song sits very low and, if the words are not properly articulated, the vocal sound loses energy and meaning.

However, this was not a problem for David, for he always treats his lyrics with respect, making certain that the delivered message resonates long after the song has ended.

I was extremely impressed with the length of his phrase lines - how he was able to draw out the final words in every phrase so that the song had continuity.  There was a lovely forward momentum in this number that I so appreciated.  This was bel canto singing at its absolute best.

And when he easily sang over that top note in the word, "live", I smiled at his relaxed, open jaw and the placement of the "ah" vowel in the center of the word.  This approach was exactly correct, enabling him to sustain that upper note with resonating freedom. 

It helps to add a little bit of the "ah" vowel to every vowel, thus ensuring the even placement of one's voice throughout a song. Additionally, it reinforces the circular position of the mouth which is so necessary for the pitch-centered clarity of the voice.

However, technical mumbo-jumbo aside, what was at the heart of this performance - and every performance - was David's heartfelt, passionate, soulful  rendering of this beautiful song. He digs so deep and comes up with vocal gem after vocal gem, delivering his message with purpose and drive.

For, with David, the song is the message to inspire change in the world and his voice is the vehicle, carrying us all on the right road to hope and peace..

In the final moments of this song, at the 2:34 mark in the first video, the camera caught some of the reactions of some of the audience members. They were noticeably flabbergasted by the powerful sound of David's voice.

In fact, one male viewer dropped his jaw in disbelief. It really is a cute moment in the midst of such a compelling performance.

This was a distinctly David performance and his soulful take on a classic musical theatre selection was beyond memorable - it was singular and extraordinary. Bravo David!  And God Bless The Children!


Rosanne Simunovic
http://www.masterclasslady.com
http://www.granniethegeek.com

Christmas from a Distance

We have to show our love from a distance but no distance is too far, no time is too long…..to celebrate our love for David Archuleta.

Never in a million years did I think I’d meet someone so utterly and completely perfect, someone who would make me happier than I ever dreamed I could be, someone that would touch my life so profoundly and just give me a whole new reason to breathe.

My Christmas memories of him are like snowflakes each one beautiful, unique and gone too soon.  His Christmas tours were nights of songs wrapped in a blanket; it warmed all hearts and filled them with melody that would last forever.

The power of his voice is beyond description.  His music never ceases to open my heart.  His songs are a way of caressing people with his voice and I am missing his presence this holiday season.

David’s music is so spiritual that it easily becomes a part of our celebration of the Christmas spirit. Christmas means a joyful time of the year and will always be a time to reflect on Jesus. It means giving happiness to others and allowing happiness to be given to you.

Let’s close our eyes and listen for the bells, imagine the snow falling softly in the glow of the evening and David voice taking us on a journey.  You’ve arrived at a place somewhere between your heart and soul; it is the world of David’s rich musical gifts of Christmas songs.

Sometimes all we need is a little inspiration and motivation in our lives, his music can open your eyes, make you think deeply, energize you, and encourage you to face another day.  It can bring comfort just knowing that he understands where you are and how you feel. With music he is serving others with a loving heart.

His music is echoed in our daily lives as an instrument of God’s love, if you ever want to get anybody in touch with God, have David sing to them.

David is using all his gifts and talent concurrently, to touch and reach out and serve those on his mission, and ultimately work on his personal relationship with the Lord.

His music is enjoyable and real, personal and heart touching and will be a source of encouragement to all who hear him.  David is an extraordinary and gifted musician, but more than that, he is centered, sharing the love of the Lord in all he say and does.

This Holiday Season an Angel will sing, a star, a radiant light will still surround me with all his “ooh’s and aah’s; I will play his music he gave from his heart.

So my message to David this Christmas year is…….Even though we’re miles apart, Christmas Magic is in my heart.  You have to know you’ve given me the gift I most adore, the many memories I have of yore.

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.