ETA: Edited out the chart news b/c it was old.
In the fourth installment of the pop culture vids, Blake talks about Arista, the video, American Idol and Nigel.
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pj,
I think that is an older Hot Dance Club Play chart. On the 8/16 one he was #10. The next update would be for 8/23.
Thanks, I fixed it!
Some videos and pictures of Blake at Summer Meltdown!
I saw thus far a video of Dumpty Humpty from Meltdown and enjoyed it very much.
Also, a nice blog about Canal Room performance. I think a pretty accurate descrption of what we were thinking of Blake all along.
http://amandasbag.blogspot.com/2008/08/blake-lewis-live-canal-room.html
I do have a comment regarding and comparing some of the recent performances–
It seems that when he can, he likes to keep it loose, and chatty, and just have fun with it. IMO, maybe too much. The BEST performances with him are the ones he takes most seriously, like the KTLA HMW, or the recent Hollywood Popculture performances. Like the Canal Room ones, he seemed to immerse himself more into the action, and worked on using his charisma thru the music. It has a setting, a framework, focus and a purpose. The problem for me with some of the off the cuff stuff is, it smacks of “garage band”, or what he was pre-Idol: someone’s warm up. I know he enjoys being relaxed and “loose”, but he should be way beyond that by now. People want a Show, him performing the songs the best he can. If he doesn’t work on evolving his performances, I’m afraid he will be lost to us. It’s hard enough to gain people’s attention, without him seeming to play it off. They won’t take him seriously.
–Even I am beginning to not take him seriously, and this bothers me. He has been given opportunity that few are, and he has done nothing but regress since Idol. Someone as talented as he is, he needs to not be afraid to grow and polish himself. The problem is, I don’t think he wants to. If he doesn’t want to by now, then it is what it is. I guess that’s what I had to finally accept by all this.
He can be so awesome, when he wants to be. But I don’t think he wants to be. I think he wants to have fun with it, and just explore stuff musically.
Bully
you lost me - are you referring to the SUmmer Meltdown performances? THe Canal Room was a more private intimate setting whereas the open area at Meltdown does not…by say it “smacks of garage band” ..I don’t see that…is he is feeding off the audience?
The Canal Room was in front of record execs also. I think we need to keep that in mind. I’m sort of with you on this Bully, but not to the same extent you are. I’m wondering if libations or other maybe something stronger prior to performing are becoming an issue. He seems that loosy goosy sometimes. I also noticed that issue in some interviews here and there, plus the admission of drugs and hangovers in some of these interviews.B seems like a very curious, live it up, try anything kind of person and that’s not always a healthy attitude in the music world. I’ve seen way, way, way too many promising, incredibly talented peeps go that way and it’s sad and such a waste of talent. I’m not saying B is, cause obviously I don’t know. I just have witnessed it enough and know the “eyes” of someone going down that path enough to wonder. I hope I”m dead wrong though, cause the boy is way too skilled to lose.
I see what you are saying, newduck. I do agree there are some things maybe clouding his judgement atm.
There is a huge difference between someone who is performing as smoothly as they can in front of a crowd, and limiting the chatter and sillyness, with someone who could be put in the garage band or nightclub variety. Ryan Tedder might be a good example of a guy who tries to perform with polish, and wants to be taken as a professional, more than as “fun”. Ryan T might be silly off camera (and use the F-bomb with regularity–who knows?), but he always has poise on stage.
Even CanalRoom had too much silly schtick in-between, that lent itself to 1st time/amateur comparisons. We know, he is not an amateur. It is habit I think he’s fallen into, to be more “amusing” than serious. It also always allows other singers to come in, and take the mic while he does backup. We’ve seen it many times.
Bully,
It is so fascinating so many different views and takes on that.
I am not sure if that was my impression at Canal Room. I thought it was an entertaining and really balanced concert. I would say most of the performances there with an exception of some improvisation , I thought, were emotional and “serious”. Personally, his chatter in between does not bother me at all, I actually enjoy it and I find entertaining.
I understand what you are saying how you might get the impression of more amateurism but I think it might be also a matter of preference and the degree to what you expect during the concert. I know I would not go to Leona Lewis’ concert but would enjoy Jason Mraz’ concert.
I love live improvising and the combination of music with theater. But it is what I look for to get at the concerts. Otherwise, it would sound like a replay of a CD.
I think the differences in concerts might be also related to the fact that the most of the recent ones were really at venues so familiar to Blake and with friends, so that might be also a factor why we see more relaxed and more impromptu performances. I do not think it it regression for Blake, it might be more adjusting to the climate of the venue. He was more serious during TV performances, which would be expected, and more laidback in an underground type venue, which is what would be expected.
As far as songs choices, I was wondering if the recent use of preidol songs, which I actually really like, has anything to do with the label situation. Are there any limits as far as using the songs during the concerts if he is no longer with the label? Blake is in the process of writing new material and during one of the interviews he mentioned wanting to present some or maybe one of the new songs during tour. Do I remember it correctly?
Anyone can perform any song they want at these clubs. There aren’t any licenses involved in that. Just an FYI
Very interesting discussion. While I love the freestyle, I wouldn’t want to see an hour of nothing but monkey noises and robot voices. The long, clear note at the end of a few of his HMW performances (AOL Sessions, the latest one, and a couple of others) is something that I find amazing and beautiful. It’s the contrast that is born when his improv/noise-making meets his smooth voice that sets him apart.
For those who have seen his shows at a small place, what do you think? We lose so much of the experience & sound when we watch on a tiny screen like youtube.
Since you asked….:)
I saw him at a club in PA this summer and I must say I absolutely loved everything about it. I loved his casualness, which really does make people feel more at ease and comfortable with him. The only problem I see with jibber jabber, which is what he called it himself, is that we get less music. I likened it to him playing for friends in his living room (kind of sort of like saying in a garage I guess).
But I like that feel in live music. I don’t want overproduction and everything to sound out of the box. I like the talk and interaction with the audience. And I like the improv style that he has. I think it all goes back to how much music talent a person has and how well they understand music theory as far as him changing up the songs and making them “unpolished”.
I’ve seen bands play music straight and been bored stiff, even though I loved the recorded versions of the song. Most of these bands are full of competant musicians, but not extraordinary ones. They can play the notes as they learned them, and play them well, but can’t play around with them any because they don’t know enough about music theory to do so. They can’t improvise anything into it to make it more interesting unless they’ve practiced it over and over again. B is NOT like that at all. That’s how I can tell if someone has the musical talent to be extraordinary. It’s where they can take the music, not leaving it where it was. B understand all of this and plays with it live in front of us. Even musicians who can do this will do it with a safety net on and dumb it down for us. B has NO safety net, the same as he has no filter. He’s just him and he’s giving us more musically than most musicians do.
Granted, he would certainly appeal to more people and make more money by being more “steam-ironed” and proper, but I just don’t see him making that type of compromise.
As for the jibber, jabber. Those are skills that he has that most musicians don’t have. He is extremely talented at chatting up people, one on one or one to a group of many. I’m soooo tired of hearing, “So how you feeling tonight (insert city here)?” and not much else come out of mouths on stage. It’s refreshing to feel like you are friends with the person singing to you, even when you aren’t.
I like to see personality on display, but I also understand that some people just like the music and they like it to be polished. That’s not me. I buy CD’s for that, give me improv when it’s live any day.
It’s funny how some people see regression in this and others would see selling out if he changed. It’s great to hear all these different opinions though.
Jenlar,
I can only speak about Canal Room and West Shore Hardware concerts which I attended. Both were in small venues and intimate settings with Blake talking and interacting with people between songs. I found both to be excellent and to have a nice mixture of Blake’s freestyling and more straightforward vocals. I also would not want to see a full one hour set of free style beatboxing with limited vocals but I think in those two concerts there was a nice mixture. I think by watching only recorded versions on youtube some of that was lost. The little nuances of why Blake might have improvised at a specific momement or reaction of the audience might have been missed as not entire concert was recorded.
Newduck,
I should highlight the enitire post as I share the same sentiments. I just will say ditto to the entire post. And look at that, we posted at exactly the same time.
What I really find fascinating is that we are still talking about what people want or find appealing in Blake’s music. To me it is a sign of a more complex artist who has so much to offer musically that many people can find a piece to associate with.
Newduck and Kasia, thanks for your opinions on his shows. Artist banter has always been interesting to me (I love to know the inspiration behind art) but I can definitely see how it would seem unprofessional if it goes on & on.
We definitely need to revisit this topic in a couple of months after more of us have seen his solo show. I can’t wait for two-er!
This has been a good discussion. People have different tastes and expectations, and that’s what makes things interesting. I personally want to see an artist’s personality when they perform, rather than watch them just go through the motions. Sometimes banter works, sometimes it doesn’t. It’s a way to engage the audience. I love being able to see the youtube clips but they don’t tell the whole story.
I don’t think the improv, pop-in, relaxed jams with friends Blake’s been doing around Seattle this summer are going to define his career from here on out. He seems very serious about his music and his career, and about moving it forward. So, I am looking forward to the two-er.
I expect more of the same, like the CanalRoom was. It was full of friendly energy because of the fans in attendance, people curious and happy to meet him in a smaller venue. He is a very entertaining guy, but I do hope he focuses more on music, and less on jibber jabber. I want to see his personality and see him “at work” so to say, but by the same token, I also really want to know great music is going to be served, and I will get to hear, and be able to savor that wonderful voice of his.
The reason the jibber jabber is problematic, besides the way it potentially dumbs-down the talent side of things, is because he has an affliction for saying stuff he shouldn’t ought. Hopefully as a Tour goes on, and the novelty wears more thin, he won’t feel the need for so much display. I do think he tries too hard, that way, and he really really doesn’t have to! The boy is crazy talented. People love him for that, not his joking banter.
I was thinking about this, yesterday. It’s sort of like, being able to “talk out your @ss” when you are with a really good friend, you know? Only people that really know you will get it, or even will tolerate it, if you get carried away and say outrageous things. I do that all the time, because I am a ingenuous, bubbly person–and so I have to mind my “Edit” button when I am with other people. I can get carried away, when people find me funny! heh. It’s fun to be so bubbly, and honest, and even shocking– but it can have to effect of foot in mouth disease too. Just sayin’.
I know he has composure and poise, because we’ve seen it. When he acts that way? People are drawn to him, because he’s a smooth character. I actually admire the hell out of him, for that quality. He has the personal poise to pull that off, and charm people regardless. See? He doesn’t have to try so hard.
I am looking forward to what the future holds, too. He’s a wonderful talent, with that pure silky voice of his. (yes Jenlar!)