» David Cook: You Had Me at "Hello" Options

[TWoP Bayliss]

This is neither a fan club nor a support group, it's a discussion website about television. This thread is about David Cook -- not what's going on with your junk, or lecturing everybody that disagrees with you about how amazing he is. Get a blog. If you are interested in starting a fan club on this thread about how much fun we're all having talking about how great David is, you need to take it somewhere else. This thread is for David. Not for fandom, not for shilling your CafePress merchandise, not for bullying people with different opinions or misusing the FTC/TP or dogpiling on them, not for discussing other boards, and not for fandom grudges. David.

If you want to make a wiki about David, or a list of words that he has once said, go do that. If you want to "squee" and talk about your ovaries, go do that. If you want to wax philosophical about things that have reminded you of David, no matter how strained or ludicrous the connection, or how commonplace those things are, feel free. But do it somewhere else. If your post mentions your age or how silly you feel being so very much in love with David, contains the terms "squee" or "Mavid" or "DC=42," arranges off-board forums, communities, IRL stalking, RPS and shipping, or lists of random crap, reconsider. If your post otherwise attempts to sandbag the thread into a de facto fan forum, you're breaking the rules. Break them in this thread, and you'll be banned from the site. Thanks.

From TWoP Gadget: Just because this thread is in "Old American Idol" and not in the current season -- doesn't mean the rules have changed. This is not a place for a virtual pissing match between fans and non-fans.

This post has been edited by TWoP Gadget: Oct 12, 2008 @ 12:04 pm.

[Playing Angel]

What further cracked me up is below this advert--an octopus that looks remarkably like the Locktopus. (for those just joining us, the Locktopus is the beloved (?) hairstyle formerly sported by David.)

Perhaps the Locktopus can be added to this collection of hairstyles?

[CookItTilItsDun]

Chair Model 9...

I agree. Plus, I don't think anyone can question his professionalism and integrity. By all accounts, he's good and easy to work with, does his homework, prepares like crazy and has good instincts. We've heard several times now that the contestants have very little time to try to tell the band what they're looking for in terms of arrangements, and that much of that has to be communicated through notes. I would love to know what some of David's notes said. I'm guessing he wasn't so specific as to say, "violins enter here, cellos here, electric guitar riff right there, organ here, drum crescendo there, etc." Maybe he did. But I'm wondering if he had a couple of those specifics but mainly talked about the tone or "vibe" he wanted to communicate. Whatever he did must have been done well, because other than a handful of other contestant's performances (Jason comes to mind), his were really the only numbers that were consistently rearranged. Or Cookified, if you prefer. But again, I wonder -- why is it not just "Cooked?"

I think he had specific suggestions on certain weeks, and less so on others. I would guess (wild assed one at that) that he may have done a lot of detailed retooling of Little Sparrow as that was the week where he tried, and apparently succeeded, to shed the stink of CoverGate. I doubt he had much time in the latter rounds where he had to perform two to three songs per show, but one can easily tell which songs he paid more attention to (i.e. Baba O' vs. HLTW). Being a fairly accomplished musician (he really can play guitar quite well) I'm sure he could speak shorthand to Bandzilla without having to go into too great a level of detail.

My issue has never been with KC or David's decision to be with her. I think the unfortunate part of this is how it went down and the outcome of DC's fans feeling played.

I honestly think (again, wild assed guess) that everything played out legitimately enough between David and KC. My assumption is that there was quite a bit of matchmaking going on behind the scenes with Carly acting as a key conspirator to hook up KC to David. I truly feel that, as shallow and semi-douchie as it sounds, that David thought he had lost the crown and figured that before walking into the Nokia, "Well, I might as well get something out of this show, and if it's a hot blonde, so be it. Let Carly have her way."

Again, my Knollish thoughts are no more or less valid than those who claim Cookwell's been brewing since the mid 80s and it was all a ploy to make his fans feel as foolish as possible.

Who knows for sure?

I mean, other than Cookwell itself.

This post has been edited by CookItTilItsDun: Jun 9, 2008 @ 2:25 pm.

[murraypresent]

Thanks so much CookIt!! I pretty much figured that what you describe is the role of the producer but considering that there could be multiple producers I would think that could lead to a hot mess. I wonder how much input David will have in the selection process if it is a situation in which several producers are being considered. I hope that RCA announces the details as soon as decisions are made.

I agree that the role of the producer varies greatly depending on which artist they are working with, but I liken that role to that of an editor more than that of a director. They are there to assist in shaping the sound and overall direction of the album (much like an editor does with a finished manuscript), not to create a sound from scratch based on a vision of their own. Of course, there are times when the producer does take a more active role, but that is usually with manufactured "artists" who are there because of their marketability and not their talent, and thus need to be told how and when to sing, what to record, etc.

Since David is more experienced than most of the AI winners have been (plays multiple instruments, knows a thing or two about arrangements, has self-produced two records already), I don't think the producer will play as large of a role. Of course, we do have to factor the role of TPTB in all of this, but I think his knowledge (and smarts) will help give him more sway than the average winner.

It is not uncommon to have multiple producers on a record, as they are often selected based on the "vibe" (drink!) of each particular song, especially for emerging artists. I know Skittles is working with Raine Maida as far as the writing goes, and if I remember correctly, Maida also has some producer credits under his belt, so I wouldn't be surprised if he shows up as the producer on at least a few of the songs. Too bad DC has such ugh taste in (non AI) music. It's his only Achilles' heel, as far as I can tell (well, maybe except for his taste in D List famewhores). Couldn't he be really into Johnny Cash or something? (Rick Rubin FTW!)

[blushingblaze]

I didn't see this posted yet, but Taylor Hicks Has High Hopes For David Cook. Taylor is somewhat complimentary of our Cookie, but also credits a lot of his success saying 'Radio loves rock". Which is true, but as we've said a million times over, Rock is not all Cook has to offer.

I have YET to hear TOML on the radio, but I had a personal victory yesterday when a friend of mine who hates AI told me that his wife was making him watch this season and the episodes would go something like this for him: "Blah. Blah. Bl-wait. David Cook? Oh, okay. I guess this guy does kick ass." He then told me he was interested to hear his pre-Idol music, and that he's definitely interested in his album. So, Cookie breaks 27 year old men as well. :)

[Chair Model 09]

....those who claim Cookwell's been brewing since the mid 80s and it was all a ploy to make his fans feel as foolish as possible.

I wasn't implying for a moment that they did anything with the goal being making his fans feel foolish. I don't think he meant any harm by it. My take is that it was not well thought-out, and if they have been seeing each other / hanging out, I just think it was a completely avoidable mistake for DC to give the impression that it was all brand new.

The bottom line, as you said, CookItTilItsDun, is that very few people know what really went down. And my biggest hope is that he just doesn't discuss his personal life any more. Unless, of course, it's all been orchestrated for the sake of publicity. Not my kind of PR, but while it doesn't exactly get people talking about Cook's music, it certainly keeps people talking about "American Idol." And I can see Nigel Lythgoe eating this shit for breakfast.

I bet the shorthand you reference, between DC and Ricky Minor, is on the money. Years of experience playing with a band helping him get his ideas across quickly.

Regarding the David Cook and Friends concert, does anyone know if the whole band travels with the performers?

This post has been edited by Chair Model 09: Jun 9, 2008 @ 3:23 pm.

[ncc1991]

I finally heard TOML on the radio here in Kansas City - bonus was DC introducing it himself, thanking Mix 93 for being the first station to play his record in Kansas City. Squee!

[trojanchick99]

Now I was listening to my "Supernatural" mix CD, and I hope once he is on his solo tour, little kids are not allowed and he can sing "Hot Blooded" by Foreigner because it's cheesy and I would love to see the reaction of the crowd when he sings stuff like "Come on baby, do you do more than dance?" and "Now it's up to you, we can make a secret rendezvous, just me and you, I'll show you lovin' like you never knew". Heh!

I too have a Supernatural Mix and would love for DC to sing a great many of those awesome "Mullet Rock" songs. Personally, I would like to hear "Carry On My Wayward Son", just to bleach Amanda's version out of my brain.

I would also like him to sing "Renegade". I flove that song and he would kill it.

[Cate Pike]

As far as being the AI Ambassador, I am afraid he is going to be stuck with that for a while because he has to play the game to some extent. He certainly can’t appear on the Early Show screaming “FUCK” and breaking into his cover of Creep and I’m not sure he has the desire to do so. David has said he sees himself as having progressed on AI and that he does not recognize the guy in the early performances. I think he views this as an improvement, is proud of it and is not longing to go back to that style. I do think he will return to some of the swagger and cockiness but I think that he thinks the changes are what won him the show and I would agree with that. If David had ignored Simon’s criticisms and continued in the same vein I suspect he would have been eliminated much earlier in the comp. And if David sees it this way too why would he want to go back to the way he was? But I do see him loosening up and having fun again during the tour and he will only improve in this regard as he gets use to this new world he has been thrust into.

I don't want him to go back exactly. But we've barely seen any swagger after the first couple of week *at all*.
And yes he has changed and improved as a performer, but I can't help bt feel that some part of him just got pushed to the sidelines. And I'd like to see some of it come back. Can't wait for it to come back.
With the show and everything afterwards, they all have to be so.. controlled. I'd rather see somebody letting lose.

As for the swearing and Creep. I don't want him to turn into that guyx100 full time. But again, with the way the show works there are a lot of edges that get filed off. So I'm going first for wanting the other extreme. Hopefully we'll settle somewhere in the middle at some point.
(and ummm.. I kind of may have a thing for swearing....)

By all accounts, he's good and easy to work with, does his homework, prepares like crazy and has good instincts. We've heard several times now that the contestants have very little time to try to tell the band what they're looking for in terms of arrangements, and that much of that has to be communicated through notes. I would love to know what some of David's notes said.

Oh why can't they show more actual backstage footage? Babypics and Thing We Might Be Surprised To Learn are fun and all, but I really want some insight into how they work.
(Eh. The contestant would probably be less than thrilled to have more cameras around them all day).

[Dreizhen]

Oh why can't they show more actual backstage footage? Babypics and Thing We Might Be Surprised To Learn are fun and all, but I really want some insight into how they work.
(Eh. The contestant would probably be less than thrilled to have more cameras around them all day).

That, and I can think of several contestants who would have been booted long before their time. Can you imagine the shenanigans that would be revealed?

[camera pans across backstage; focuses on Cook alone in a corner, strumming his guitar and jotting down music notes]
Interviewer: So, how's it going?
Cook: Um, it's going pretty well. I think I've figured out what I want to do with the song, so hopefully it pans out on stage.
Interviewer: And what song will you be doing?
Cook: Well, I want it to be a surprise. But, uh, hopefully people will like my rearrangement, which was in no way, shape or form inspired by [insert obscure band name here], [insert obscure rockstar here], [insert huge rockstar who never did a cover here], etc...
Interviewer: Uh, okay then. Good luck with that. [camera pans away from Cook, who is still listing bands, focuses on David Archuleta, who is surrounded by at least ten other people] How are you doing, Archie?
Archie: Um, gosh, I, I think I'm doing okay, hee! Um, I'm going to be singing one of my favorite songs, which is, uh -- [Archie gets cut off as Team Member #1 shoves face in camera]
#1: He will be doing a radical hip-hop arrangement of Joy To The World, which I came up with and which the world will love!
#2: No, no, no! He'll be singing an inspirational cover of my original song, Puppies And Miracles And Magic Rainbows, which will bring the audience to tears!
#3: [grumpily] He was SUPPOSED to be singing a Pearl Jam hit, but Cook stole that.
Jeff Archuleta: [pushes son and TEAM ARCHULETA away from camera] Hello, Clive Davis? David Foster? Diane Warren? This is Jeff Archuleta. Please call me at 555-
Interviewer: Yeah, we'll be leaving now. [camera pans across room, hesitates on Brooke who has torn chunks of hair out and frothing at the mouth]Uh, okay, then...[camera focuses on Carly] Going well, Carly?
Carly: Ugh, you know, this would be SO MUCH EASIER if I wasn't Irish, and female, and had a failed record deal, and married to a tatooed freak, and Simon didn't hate me . . .
Interviewer: Yeah, whatever. Next, please! [camera focuses on Syesha, who is doing weird dance moves with a chair] What are you doing, Syesha?
Syesha: Practicing my lap dance for Randy. See if he can stop me with penguins now, motherfucker!
Interviewer: Oh my god, I think I just vomited in my mouth a little. Moving on! [camera stops on Jason, who is napping]
Interviewer: Jason? JASON!
Jason: Bzuh? What's up, dude?
Interviewer: Shouldn't you be working on your song? You only have a day left until performance night!
Jason: Song?
Interviewer: Yeah, you know . . . for American Idol?
Jason: American Idol?
Interviewer: [sigh] We'll be right back.

This post has been edited by Dreizhen: Jun 9, 2008 @ 3:54 pm.

[nmap]

Aside from how things work, how much do they get paid for the downloads and all other things combined? I know that 19E has a stranglehold on all of them for the year, and LKL alluded to it, but they all sirt of laughed a little and didn't want to answer the question. Cookie must be making some money out of all of this.

[Cate Pike]

Dreizhen, you have made my day.

(Though surely we'd also get a bit of Bromance and D&d?)

This post has been edited by Cate Pike: Jun 9, 2008 @ 4:00 pm.

[EtaCarinae]

Brilliant Dreizhen!! You had me laughing out loud at the behind the scenes interviewing. Loved the bit at the end with Jason napping. I recall some critic wanting something similar to Project Runway where they show the struggles backstage with their song picks/arrangements but I think it's difficult to pull that off on a show like this. Too many variables and too many things outside of the control of TPTB. Ah, I guess we'll have to settle with "What's your most embarrassing moment?" again.

[JennaJ]

Dreizhen, You win at life. That was fantastic!

[rockcandymtn]

ANYWHO...I hope Maida can just step back and let David Cookify/Cook his own damn album and will only step in enough to help 'edit' the music down, and strip away some of the more 'gimmicky/derivative' elements (see distant megaphone vocal effect, feedback abuse, and general overproduction of a couple of numbers) found on the otherwise quite serviceable Analog Heart.

This is an entirely fair request. But if there is editing to be done, I'd like it to start lyrically, please. AH tosses off a nice piece of imagery here and there, but a couple of songs are so wrapped up in (mixed) metaphors that I don't get a sense of the "story" (drink!), particularly in Porcelain (aka Troop of Tropes Tripping Over Each Other). I'm hoping that all that time he claimed to spend focusing on the lyrics while on Idol has taught him to refine the writing a bit, because I'm not sure the rumored cowriters are the ones I would have chosen to help him along there.

ETA: A big fat "hee" at napping Jason, Dreizhen.

This post has been edited by rockcandymtn: Jun 9, 2008 @ 4:16 pm.

[Arugula]

Well, you know David is hitting the big time when websites have to put out disclaimers.

That is too funny! It's sold out, too. And at $18, what a bargain! When Dave goes on tew-er, he'll see a bunch of those necklaces in the crowd, I'm sure.