Comments on: “American Idol” and Melisma

By: sean

sean — Thu, 14 Apr 2005 23:02:37 +0000

I’m so happy I have a word for this (bad) singing. I don’t know who started this trend, I think it was Whitney, but I think it’s to cover for not being ABLE to sustain one note, in tune. Mariah does it, and so did Kelly Clarkson earlier on. Funny, becuase for the LONGEST time, before I stopped listening to “popular music” on the radio (and started listening to Sirius Satellite radio) I’d find myself yelling at the radio,”Hold the NOTE!!!!”

By: Huntington

Huntington — Thu, 14 Apr 2005 19:44:55 +0000

This kind of singing was annoying long before American Idol made everyone think it was the way things had to be. Let’s not forget that there’s a lot of pop music out there that isn’t like this, even on mainstream radio. No one’s forcing anyone to listen to Top 40 or watch A.I.

And…This Too Shall Pass.

By: Jake K.

Jake K. — Thu, 14 Apr 2005 18:09:47 +0000

Thank you! I guess I’m not the only one who’s annoyed with American Idol contestants needlessly singing several notes for one syllable. Melisma…Not every song needs it. And for damn sure, we don’t need to hear it, e-e-e-e-e-v’ry-y-y-y-y si-i-i-i-ngle-e-e-e-e-e ti-i-i-i-i-i-me. Annoying, right? And hitting those high notes don’t good singers make. Although, like yourself Tin-Man, I think, Bo and Constatine have the most individuality and one of them should win, they’re kinda creepy… less so than Scott, but still.

Well, also I wanted to say I loved your reading at WYSIWYG last month.

By: David Ehrenstein

David Ehrenstein — Thu, 14 Apr 2005 17:55:20 +0000

Bravo Mr. Holden!

I couldn’t agree more. Contorting your carcass while making the sound of a rutting cat is NOT singing!

Do go and see Barbara Cook if you can.