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ON TUESDAY, I put up a post that remarked on the popularity of the “Idol” Davids — Archuleta and Cook — and asked readers to weigh in on the Idolite they most wanted to win the competition.
Little did I know how many of you would answer. Li’l David Archuleta fans outnumbered David Cook supporters nearly two-to-one, with Michael Johns garnering two commenters’ votes and Carly Smithson getting one.
I also had no idea that so many people outside the confines of this li’l blog would take on the exact same subject. A poll for Reuters conducted by E-Poll Market Research found that respondents thought Li’l David would emerge the victor, but picked David Cook as the most talented contestant.
The “Idol” judges also weighed in, giving their two cents on CNN’s “Larry King Live” on Monday night. (Read the whole thing here.)
Pearls of wisdom delivered there:
» On who’ll win this year: “A boy. It’s about a boy. It’s a boy that’s going to win this year,” said Randy.
» On the Final Two: “It will be David versus David,” said Simon. “That will be a good final.” Randy piped up in agreement.
But before we can get to the Final Two, we’ve got to whittle the Top Eight down to seven. Which brings us to this week’s performance program.
ON WITH THE SHOW
Seacrest’s hair looks especially Bob’s Big Boy-ish as he vocally guides us through the first few minutes of the four and a half hours’ worth of content “Idol” will spew over Fox’s airwaves this week.
We’re told via the magic of Chyron words-on-screen that in the audience is Bill Ford, chairman of the Ford Motor Company, the folks who bring you the Ford entertainmercial every week. Strangely, nobody’s pummeling him. Maybe they think his company’s stock performance is punishment enough.

readexpress.com

The list of magnificent Cuban musicians — whose influence has extended far beyond their homeland — ranges from percussionists like Chano Pozo and Mongo Santamaria to such vocalists as Celia Cruz and Gloria Estefan and instrumentalists like Israel “Cachao” Lopez.
But many other master players haven’t enjoyed the same exposure, mainly because of their decision to remain in Cuba where their work generally gets less attention, rather than defect to the West. One of these is the phenomenal pianist Chucho Valdes, whose technique and facility places him right alongside any active jazz or Latin music soloist who has emerged during the latter part of the 20th century and beyond. He’s also the son of Bebo Valdes, also an astonishing keyboard artist who remains active today despite approaching the age of 90.
Valdes can play intricate passages and execute amazing solos with flair and ease, and he’s just as accomplished a classical stylist as an improviser. He’s comfortable in any tempo, and offers accompaniment behind vocalists that rivals the quality of his solo fare.
A wonderful new CD Featuring Cachaito (Disconforme) covers 20 tracks that also highlight Valdes’ versatility. There are blistering and tender unaccompanied piano pieces from the ‘70s and ‘80s, a stunning adaptation of “My Reverie,” where Valdes takes the original Debussy piece and reworks it, teaming with flautists Jose Luiz Cortes and German Velazco and bassist Carlos del Puerto in a bold, fresh interpretation that still honors Debussy’s intended structure.
The disc also contains other masterful pieces where Valdes pays tribute via spiraling forays, nimble leaps and amazing melodic explorations to famed Cuban composers Manuel Saumell and Jose White.
He’s joined on 10 cuts by Orlando “Cachaito” Lopez, nephew of Israel, who demonstrates his own prowess on such cuts as “Dos perlas y un Dolor” and “Cancion de la Tarde.” While classic Cuban works are the thematic foundation, Chucho Valdes also intersperses references from many other genres into these numbers, demonstrating a range and approach that is highly personal and distinctive, yet also squarely fits within the Afro-Cuban tradition. This is wonderful and remarkable work from a player who deserves far more recognition and acclaim beyond jazz or world music circles.

nashvillecitypaper.com

The Raconteurs made their 2006 debut with “Broken Boy Soldiers,” a delightful burst of power-pop enthusiasm that found Jack White showcasing his range as a songsmith by partnering with fellow singer and songwriter Brendan Benson to find a much more expansive and challenging setting for his talents than the now well-defined blues-rock minimalism of the White Stripes. The problem with the follow-up is that White was so eager to go in the opposite direction that the Raconteurs’ second album topples under the weight of its own maximalist bombast and hollow filigree.
Yes, with “Consolers of the Lonely” — rush-released in all formats on Tuesday to prevent leaks (though leak it did) — the Raconteurs have made the sort of art-rock record that gave art-rock a bad name, heavy with pretentiously tinkling grand pianos, overwrought guitar solos, those mariachi horns that White loves so much (”The Switch and the Spur”), sawing fiddles that give way to rampaging Moogs (”Old Enough”) and (egads!) an absolutely wretched orchestral homage to Queen at its very worst (”Many Shades of Black”).
Echoing the arguments self-indulgent art-rockers such as Yes and Emerson, Lake & Palmer made for flawed epics like “Tales from Topographic Oceans” and “Works, Volume 1″ back in the day, the Raconteurs issued a press release stating they “prefer that fans buy the album as a whole instead of breaking up the tracks” (’cause genius just can’t be carved into three-minute blasts for your iPod, don’tcha know). The irony here is that “Consolers of the Lonely” is one of the least consistent album-length rides from a major band in recent memory, and the few good moments — including the more typically effervescent single “Salute Your Solution” or the bouncy “Attention” — are best appreciated via exactly that sort of cherry-picking.
Who are the ideal buyers for the latest album by Van Morrison? First, there are the diehards who adore his voice, which remains entrancing even at age 62. Then there are those who want to pick up the latest studio effort before they see Van the Man on tour this year. Everyone else should consider buying this album only after they have acquired Morrison’s handful of bona fide classics (”Astral Weeks,” “Moondance,” etc.), some of his strong, lesser-known works (like “Hymns to the Silence”), as well as compilations by two eccentrics who have collaborated with Morrison — Mose Allison and Georgie Fame.

suntimes.com

(S02E22) “I think it’s time we introduce ourselves.” - A Latnok member
Wow! Another great Kyle XY episode that paved the way for what will surely be a rocking finale. What? You thought this was the finale because it’s episode 2.22? ABC Family is actually treating us with a 23rd hour of XY this season! So expect to see the prom unfold, more Sarah and Jessi dealings, and surely more Latnok. In the meantime, let’s deal with this week’s Jessi-centric episode, “Hello…”
Even if it was wishful thinking on my part, I was expecting more from Sarah when she first spoke to Kyle in the dinner. I wanted to know more about why she did what she did, what Latnok is all about, etc. As it was the case for Jessi, my expectations towards Sarah were way too high. I should have known better than to expect someone who faked her death and went into hiding for years to spill all the beans in one sitting. No matter, she did give us a few clues between her “help Jessi” and “Brian is evil” warnings to Kyle. The main thing she confirmed was that Latnok is composed of scientists that put emotions aside and work off facts and numbers. Then again, it’s nothing really new but hearing it from Sarah puts it in another perspective since Adam never said much about the people behind Latnok.
In our last XY poll, 84.5% said that Ally Sheedy was a great choice to play Sarah. I think she proved it this week. She offered a detached and mysterious performance, which is to be expected for a character such as Sarah. I know she’ll turn up next week too but somehow I hope she will be there next season. Sarah and Jessi have a lot to learn about life, relationships, friends, and emotions; it would be interesting to see them live and evolve together. Now that Latnok has its eyes back on Kyle and that Brian may be leaving the country, maybe Sarah and Jessi have a shot at being a family… at least until Brian shows back up!

tvsquad.com

Photo by Joey Berlin
Marshall O’Brien, singer of the Rock Band competitors Bees Running Wild, keeps his eyes on the lyrics as he performs “Ballroom Blitz” during this week’s edition of J Mo’s Place’s Rock Band tournament. Six weeks of preliminary rounds will result in six semifinalists and three finalists in the video game competition.
Video games long ago became a way for people to experience the thrill of winning the Super Bowl, stacking falling blocks of different shapes into horizontal lines, or killing an oversized creature that looks vaguely like a dinosaur in order to save a kidnapped princess — all without breaking a sweat.
The recent emergence of the megahit game Guitar Hero and the newer hit Rock Band have given many gamers a chance to live out the same kind of fantasy in musical form. Now, J Mo’s Place in downtown Emporia is giving Rock Band nuts the chance to form their band, compete against other groups and take home the bar’s first Rock Band championship.
Wednesday night marked the second of six preliminary-round weeks of J Mo’s Rock Band tournament. The winner from each night will move on to the semifinals, which J Mo’s owner Joy Morgan said will be held in April. Those six bands will be pared down to three finalists, with the members of the winning band each receiving a trophy.

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“DON’T FORGET THE LYRICS!”
It’s celebrity time. You know, when stars show up on game shows to raise money for charities. But instead of recruiting celebrities who don’t know how to sing, there will be an array of stars who do. The roster includes Boyz II Men, Bret Michaels (Poison and “Rock of Love”), Kevin Cronin (REO Speedwagon) and Kimberley Locke (of “American Idol”). Come to think of it, it’s a pretty good idea to do it this way. It will be fun to watch Wayne Brady banter with the singers — and watch them squirm when they can’t remember the words correctly. Tonight’s star — or stars — is the group Boyz II Men. After competing, the band will sing some greatest hits, including my favorite, “End of the Road.”
Kate (Evangeline Lilly) is one of the original “Losties” whose flashbacks haven’t been as intriguing as the others’. She robbed a bank and killed her stepfather, but fans have tired of her. Tonight’s “flashforward,” in which we learn more about her life as one of the “Oceanic 6,” could change that.
The remaining contestants will have to create three looks on a $1,000 budget. Fans will vote for their favorites. The challenge starts airing today and will be up through March 6.
The Oscar ceremony is just a few days away. Go to
Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama square off in Texas.

fayobserver.com