» Brooke White: I Am ... I Cried Options

[Make It So]

I'm all for paddling along, and hoping the waterfall isn't next week. Mariah Week, and Randy only understanding the Language of Melisma. I can't help but fear for him throwing Brooke under the bus with "Yo, Mariah sang the daylights out of these songs - you were kind of boring in comparison. I mean, why choose a song by somebody as awesome as Mariah? I mean, dude!" {Paula whispers in his ear.} "Oh - Mariah Week...right. Well, I still wasn't feeling it for you for me."

"Always Be My Baby" was produced by Jermaine Dupri, right? Not sure if I'm feeling that one for her, but at least most of it is within her range. Although if she were to take it and do her own thing with it - it could really stand out. Or go down in flames.

I'm afraid of "Vision of Love" only because that's the song that put Mariah on the map and it's got some big notes toward the end. Brooke would pale in comparison in the judges' eyes.

I also think "Vanishing" is a good one. Or "Music Box", one of my faves off of her first album (if they'd allow it).

*sniff* I miss old-school Mariah so much. You youngins - please don't judge her by that "performance" you saw the other night on IGB. She was really good once.

This post has been edited by Make It So: Apr 11, 2008 @ 11:59 pm.

[JenTG]

I can't help but fear for him throwing Brooke under the bus with "Yo, Mariah sang the daylights out of these songs - you were kind of boring in comparison. I mean, why choose a song by somebody as awesome as Mariah? I mean, dude!" {Paula whispers in his ear.} "Oh - Mariah Week...right. Well, I still wasn't feeling it for you for me."

I think if there's any sure bet in this world, Randy will somehow manage to say this regardless of next week being Mariah week, but I'm hoping that if Brooke puts her own spin on the song it won't give Randy a chance to say this at least to her. If Brooke does a more Joni Mitchell-esque take on a Mariah song, the comparison won't hold water.

[Paris in Spring]

I've been listening to a lot of Brooke today on utube, sorting through the good ones and the bad ones. Here is a run down of what we've seen so far:

Air Date . . . #in . #out Who's Out . . . . . . . Show's Theme . Brooke's Song
February 11 . 164 . 24 lots n lots n lots . . . Hollywood Week . "Beautiful"
February 19 . 24 . . 20 two boys two girls . . 60's 60's 60's . . . "Happy Together" (she had me at 'happy')
February 26 . 20 . . 16 two boys two girls . . 70's 70's 70's . . . "You're So Vain"
. . March 4 . 16 . . 12 two boys two girls . . 80's 80's 80's . . . "Love Is A Battlefield"
. . March 11 . 12 . . 11 David Hernandez . . . Lennon/McCartney "Let it Be"
. . March 18 . 11 . . 10 Amanda Overmyer . . The Beatles . . . . ."Here Comes the Sun"
. . March 25 . 10 . . . 9 Chikezie Eze . . . . . . Birth Year . . . . . ."Every Breath You Take"
. . . . April 1 . 9 . . . .8 Ramiele Malubay . . . .Dolly Parton . . . . "Jolene"
. . . . April 8 . 8 . . . .7 Michael Johns . . . . . Inspirational . . . . "You've Got A Friend"

edited bad link ...

This post has been edited by Paris in Spring: Apr 13, 2008 @ 2:01 pm.

[Bushiest Beaver]

I would never willingly listen to any of the finalists for the songwriting competition, but from what I hear about the "quality" of those songs, I have decided that I want Brooke to finish third. I'll be satisfied with a top five finish, but third means:

1) maximum exposure without having to sing those shitty, shitty songs
2) a better contract (b/c I think she has a contract in the bag at this point)
3) more control over her album (relatively speaking)
4) realistic expectations sales-wise

I think Brooke is ridiculously marketable in today's music climate - female pop-oriented singer-songwriters are currently all the rage. But at the same time, Brooke is never going to have monster sales. Colbie Caillat is probably the "ideal," but even Colbie's album isn't a monster seller, with about 1.5 million units moved. (To be fair, platinum is nothing to sneeze at, especially considering the state of the recording industry today.)

It's why Yamin is considered a success while Doofus is considered a failure, despite the fact that Doofus technically sold more records. I fully believe that Brooke's fanbase is comprised mostly of the demographic that actually buys albums, so if she manages to sell 1.5 million units with a third place finish, she would definitely be one of the "success stories" of Season 7.

In other news...

Carly is apparently singing "Without You," which should mean that all Mariah songs are fair game, and not just the original number ones. ("Without You" is both a cover and a single that didn't reach #1 on the charts, unless you're counting #1 in Britain.) So that opens up things considerably.

Personally, I still want her to strip down "Vision of Love" - i.e. the Holy Grail of vocal theatrics - and motherfucking own it, just for the sheer audacity of it all.

HOWEVER (and more reasonably), Brooke should probably do either "Open Arms" or "We Belong Together," since both songs lend themselves to the piano quite easily. "We Belong Together" would be a particularly good choice because 1) it would paint her in a modern light and 2) it's a post-nutjob Mariah song, meaning that the vocals aren't as out-of-control as they would be otherwise.

(I love the idea of Mariah Week, but part of me wishes that it was ITunes Top 100 Week instead. Brooke needs the opportunity to pull a COOK! and adopt Marie Digby's kickass cover of "Umbrella," because Brooke could seriously ride that performance to a win. Ridiculous hyptothetical, I realize.)

[Make It So]

Thanks for that run-down, Paris In Spring. I can't believe I've never seen "Happy Together", and I like that song. I'd love to hear Brooke on it. I've got to look it up when I have the chance.

Why am I all a bundle of nerves for this woman? Just to think: Just a few weeks ago I was lamenting about how none of these contestants was really getting to me as has happened in times past, and here I am becoming all invested, now. I think Brooke being relegated to underdog status is a bit responsible as well. But that's...okay.

[Paris in Spring]

Carly is apparently singing "Without You,"

Dang, I thought that would be a good one for Brooke too: "Without You"

Make It So, happy to do it. You don't have to look it up. Just click the link!

[Slug]

*sniff* I miss old-school Mariah so much. You youngins - please don't judge her by that "performance" you saw the other night on IGB. She was really good once.

Seriously, WTF was that? That performance is one of the reasons I don't like listening to Mariah's later stuff; I can't stand the overabundance of melisma, shrieking and dog whistling. It's one of the reasons I can't listen to Christina. The thing is, I actually like Fly Like A Bird, and for a while I was thinking that it could be a song that Brooke could do, but with her being Mormon and with the Lord references in the song, I don't think it's a song she'd do willingly.

If it's open Mariah, I came up with a couple of more songs I think Brooke can do a competent job on:

Butterfly

The Wind

Alone In Love

If she wants to go uptempo, I guess Always Be My Baby would be a solid choice for her. Of course, she could say fuck it and just sing Breakdown, just because.

[shins]

I fully believe that Brooke's fanbase is comprised mostly of the demographic that actually buys albums, so if she manages to sell 1.5 million units with a third place finish, she would definitely be one of the "success stories" of Season 7.

I agree with you, Bushiest Beaver. We should form a Brooke pact to all her buy post-AI album (being presumptuous in assuming she'll have one, but fine, call me presumptuous), because you are right, she tends to draw the fans who really appreciate music, as opposed to pop culture in and of itself.

It's strange how nervous I am becoming over this week's performance. Almost resigned really, but yet, as supportive a fan as possible. I'll be dialing regardless of performance.

[stormyseas]

Her studio recordings are always amazing. It's probably my main reason for wanting Brooke to remain on the show. I want as many songs from her as possible before a full-fledged CD of hers come out.

Yeah, me too. I've been listening to the tracks off of her Flowers in the Attic CD (well, the ones I could get my hands on anyway - I WANT THIS CD!) quite a lot, and I have to say that her Dream On is seriously fucking amazing. Haunting and compelling in all the right places. If her pre-Idol stuff and Idol studio recordings are any indication, her post-Idol work has the potential to be brilliant. I can't wait. So, yeah, I'm in her corner until the end of her run and beyond. I really love this girl.

My fondest wish is for a Brooke/David C. finale, because: (1) they're both songwriters, and I'm hoping they'll get to perform one of their own compositions; (2) a Brooke/David C. duet would be interesting (hopefully in a good way); and (3) they have a certain kind of chemistry, and I'm curious to see how they'll interact (especially after seeing this and witnessing that awesomely awkward hug).

This post has been edited by stormyseas: Apr 13, 2008 @ 10:18 pm.

[whiterose23]

I have decided that I want Brooke to finish third

Barring any major screwups from her, she has a good chance of finishing third. It's going to be tough for her to get ahead of Jason though but if she goes back to the level of Let It Be, performance-wise, she'll sure to be a strong contender again. I'm really nervous that either Kristy or Syesha will play the spoiler on the other five contestants' chances of making it past another round though.

Bushiest, interesting that you mentioned Marie Digby. I'm currently listening to her CD and her style of music is what I expect Brooke's CD to sound like. It would be interesting to hear Brooke's take of Marie's cover of Umbrella. I'm smiling just thinking about its possible awesomeness.

I fully believe that Brooke's fanbase is comprised mostly of the demographic that actually buys albums

If iTunes is any indication, the contestant that looks like who'll have the most success, sales-wise, is David C., Jason, David A., Michael, and Brooke, in that order. That's not too bad. Brooke's songs are the first songs by an AI contestant I've bought and even though I was a huge Melinda fan, I was never motivated to buy her songs from iTunes. That probably has more to do with the fact that Brooke's voice and style of music is more close to what I like and usually listen to.

I think Brooke being relegated to underdog status is a bit responsible as well. But that's...okay.

LOL, that will never get old.

If only One Sweet Day counts as a Mariah song, I'd pick that for Brooke to sing because it's one of my absolute favorite songs. I'm backing down on Brooke doing Hero because it seems like such an obvious choice and a little on the boring side. Having said that, I would like to see her try to Brooke-ify Butterfly.

I finally got around to watching the results show and I couldn't stop laughing at Brooke's awkwardness/dorkiness especially at her slip-up about not making her sister's wedding. It was cute how she quickly realized it was the wrong thing to say and then proceeded to hurry Ryan into revealing the results. As for the high-fiving: that is such a Brooke thing to do.

This post has been edited by whiterose23: Apr 13, 2008 @ 8:54 pm.

[monef]

Carly is apparently singing "Without You," which should mean that all Mariah songs are fair game, and not just the original number ones. ("Without You" is both a cover and a single that didn't reach #1 on the charts, unless you're counting #1 in Britain.) So that opens up things considerably.

Don't bet on that. Even though 'Without You' wasn't a number 1 hit for Mariah, it was included as a bonus track oh her #1's album.

If only One Sweet Day counts as a Mariah song, I'd pick that for Brooke to sing because it's one of my absolute favorite songs. I'm backing down on Brooke doing Hero because it seems like such an obvious choice and a little on the boring side.

Coincidentally, One Sweet Day is on that album and should count. Brooke would do a lovely job on that, or on 'Whenever You Call'

[Venture]

I finally got around to watching the results show and I couldn't stop laughing at Brooke's awkwardness/dorkiness especially at her slip-up about not making her sister's wedding.

HA. That was where innocence and babbling collide to form the adorkable perfect storm. [And, how can you not love that she never, ever picks the right couch. Too cute.]

Please add me to the list of those who've never been invested this much in a contestant before. I absolutely love the folk singer throwback-vibe combined with the innocent, fragile, heartfelt-soul personality. That's so damn close to my definition of perfect, I'd move Ratatouille to the top of my Netflix queue for her. And yep, this is also the first time I've ever bought anything off iTunes.

I've also been quietly admiring the "Brooke is an evil-mastermind" theory, acting and faking everything to garner votes/sympathy/takeover the world/whatever. It reminds me of that SNL-skit where Ronald Reagan is interrupted by a girl scout while he plans world domination. Before Brooke, Melinda felt the wrath, and with her now, David A. In an age of cynicism, people are genuinely astonished when an unvarnished soul appears. Mark Twain, I think, had a quote on that once.

For Mariah week, I don't know. I've been hoping all along for her to go all Josiah/Tori Amos/Rhiannon-wild on the piano, but I'm giving up hope that we'll see it. As other's have said, I'll Be There would fit her straight away, but stripping down some other songs to just a piano might even more potential. Whatever she does, I'm sure Randy won't get it.

Oh, and save me a spot on the canoe.

[thedude891]

Slug, if Brook were able to do Breakdown sucessfully I do belize my head would explode from the awesomeness of the whole ordeal.

I do love all of the stuff I've heard from Songs From the Attic and am scouring the internets for an (at least) reasonably priced copy. I'm so used to using iTunes or 7digital for foreign stuff that not having something found immediately is strange.

I think Brooke has a good chance of being Top 4 as long as the Colonel and Syesha stop spoiling.

[Make It So]

[And, how can you not love that she never, ever picks the right couch. Too cute.]

I always want to say "Other couch" when she does that.

I'm not sure if I saw this posted before:
Brooke singing at 16.

This post has been edited by Make It So: Apr 14, 2008 @ 12:38 pm.

[msrayrudd]

I came in liking Brooke a whole lot. She and Jason are the only two I much care about--or would consider buying albums/recordings from. I also have bought at least three of her tunes on Itunes.

I will say she lost me a little the last few weeks in that I haven't been blown away by any of her performances lately. I also think she does look really on edge. Almost more so than everyone else, so I hope she's dealing with the stress okay.

But I did love her whole little exchange with Ryan on Thursday and I also love that she feels the need to high five everyone. She is definitely kind of adorkable. I do find her completely genuine and charming.

She also is one of my mom's favorites.