Uncredited Cover Songs? What's Cook-in' On Idol...
This season's American Idol dark horse-turned-frontrunner is quickly shaping up to be David Cook, largely due to his bravely and unexpectly rawkin' versions of traditionally non-rawkin' songs.
His most recent rocktastic rendition was last night's headbanging take on Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean," which was the highlight of an otherwise underwhelming episode. Last night David The C gave credit where credit was true, as Ryan Seacrest made note that David's "Billie Jean" performance was actually inspired by Soundgarden/Audioslave frontman's 2007 cover of the Jacko classic. That is, David admitted this was a cover of a cover.
See Chris's version here:
But what's perhaps more disturbing is the revelation that David was not that original when he performed Lionel Richie's "Hello," a performance that drew praise from Lionel himself and instantly catapulted David to the top of the season 7 Idol heap. Just look at this Cookish version of "Hello" performed by Incubus at Lollapalooza FIVE years ago:
Now, don't get me wrong; David Cook is still my favorite contestant this season. But considering how Chris Daughtry once came under fire for failing to cite Live as inspiration for his cover of "Walk The Line," and Blake Lewis got flak when he didn't give proper props to 311 when he performed their reggae-fied version of the Cure's "Love Song," I suggest David be a bit more out-in-the-open about the inspirations behind ALL of his cover songs.
He's still got my vote, though.
Part 1:
32. Yahoo! Music User - 5 minutes ago
It was great to hear that Soundgarden/Audioslave frontman Chris Cornell enjoyed David Cook's cover of "Carry On". I recognize it is being debated whether "Is It Fair For Him To Cover Other Covers?" (see: Chris Harris, MTV). For me, the fact that "Cook's performance was very much a cover of Cornell's cover" and "the 'Idol' judges absolutely loved it and praised the performance for its "originality" (Harris) is not problematic per se. Rather, I agree with Michael Slezak, a senior writer for Entertainment Weekly who argues that Cook is smart for picking the arrangements he has.
"I think it's a little silly to accuse him of stealing arrangements," Slezak explained. "You know, Chris Daughtry took a real hit when he did a version of [Johnny Cash's] 'Walk the Line' and didn't, at any point, credit Live's version, but in this case, Cook put it out there, clearly having Ryan state, 'He's doing Chris Cornell's version,' and if you listen to both versions, it's not like he did a complete carbon copy of Cornell's, anyway.
But I think it is an interesting debate. And in a week when my fave was arguably sent packing, in part, because of lack of originality (Simon says: "You chose the wrong song last night. It wasn't original"), I wonder what others think?
Seeing as "Idol" contestants are judged not only for their vocal performances but on their arrangements, does it seem that Cook has been coasting off others' visions? Does this mean Cook has had an unfair advantage over the rest of the "Idol" crop?
Please skip if you didn't like or want to read posting #5 above. Thank you. Continuing from #5 (Source: Chris Harris, MTV): "I would understand why people would want to see some of these contestants — if they're going to get credit for being brave and innovative — completely change up a song on their own," he continued. "I think it's also hard to ask them to do that. They only have a week to come up with the arrangements, and then they've got to get the 'Idol' band onboard with it and record their version for the iTunes download, so it doesn't give them a lot of time to come up with a completely innovative arrangement of a song every week. Ultimately, I think Cook deserves credit for being smart and aware of new or different versions of songs — different than the ones people are familiar with. I don't know if he should get credit for being brave, but he should get credit for being smart and singing these songs well." But this season, Cook has been accused of copping another artist's cover on more than one occasion. Just three weeks ago, a Seattle band came out against Cook, claiming he'd ripped off their rockin' cover of the Beatles' "Eleanor Rigby." Doxology said they recorded their version of the track more than a year ago and even had it available on iTunes and their MySpace page. According to the band's manager, the cover was what Doxology is best known for, but the guys didn't sue Cook — they merely asked for recognition. Even prior to that claim, several "Idol" fans took to the message boards to cry foul over Cook's cover of Lionel Richie's "Hello," one they claimed was very similar to Incubus frontman Brandon Boyd's solo take on the track. As far as Slezak is concerned, Cook is just dealing with the inevitable backlash that those labeled as "the ones to beat" face when they're on "Idol." "He's just aware of these versions in the first place," he said. "It's not like Cornell's version was a #1 hit. The average 'Idol' viewer at home may not even be aware of that version, so he could have gone ahead and not credited it at all, and I wouldn't be surprised if the judges didn't know that version. The judges give him credit for bravery and innovation when he's just really being smart and savvy and picking interesting versions of the song that really suit his vocal style. What he's doing is really no different than any contestant on the show. David Archuleta picked Stevie Wonder's version of 'We Can Work It Out,' and Carly Smithson picked Celine Dion's version of 'I Drove All Night.' Cook is just picking slightly more creative and interesting versions of his songs. It's hard to make a case that he's doing something unfair. He's just a smart competitor."
Source:
http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1584150/20080326/index.jhtml?rsspartner=rssYahooNewscrawler
http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1584150/20080326/index.jhtml?rsspartner=rssYahooNewscrawler
Mar 26 2008 2:52 PM EDT
'American Idol' Dark Horse David Cook: Is It Fair For Him To Cover Other Covers?
Does 'Cook deserves credit for being smart and aware of new or different versions of songs,' one 'Idol' expert says of rocker's not-so-new interpretations.
By Chris Harris
Humm, on the other hand David A. used a cover of a Beatles song....only he blew it big time. No one saying that was wrong. Is it because the judges want him to win or because everyone knew what cover song he was using?
David Cook has been original everyweek, not predictable as some say. Predictable is coming out each week singing a ballad behind a piano (Brooke), or just another ballad (David A.) Who wants to make a beat that they do that again next week? But with David C. you really don't know what he is going to do.
Just some random thoughts.
We should be voting for the constestant that would make us run to the store to purchase his/her new CD.... (I will be buying Jason Castro and David Cook)
[it is not whether the singer is "original" or not... it is how well he/she can sing. All of the contestants are doing "covers"... whether it is a cover of a cover, or not.]
You've got a valid point there. Additionally, with today's music, not many of these pop artists actually write their own material. Song writers are supplying them with material so in essence, they're doing "covers."
http://www.tmz.com/
"American Idol" Contestant Hospitalized, Released
Posted Apr 2nd 2008 12:49AM by TMZ Staff
"A.I" contestant David Cook was rushed to the hospital tonight after experiencing heart palpitations and high blood pressure, and released a few hours later. His condition is still not resolved.
As we first reported, Cook was not feeling well during the day and his condition worsened after his performance. Cook was examined by show medics who determined his blood pressure was "far too high." Cook was urged to leave for the hospital during the show, but he wanted to wait it out.
After the show, Cook was driven to the hospital (not by ambulance) and treated by a private doctor to keep everything on the down low. The doctor gave Cook medication to bring his blood pressure down and he will monitored again Tuesday.
An "A.I." exec tells us Cook has been completely stressed out because his brother, who has been sick with cancer, had a setback within the last week. Earlier in the season, just before a performance, David collapsed and said he could not go on -- though he pulled it together at the last minute.