Diamond in the Rough
Among today’s slew of reality and instant-gratification based media concepts, there’s something to be said about the core idea finding that one thing or person that maybe you wouldn’t have otherwise. On that note, two things to make note of in today’s post.
Rest in Peace: Elizabeth Taylor. (February 27, 1932 – March 23, 2011)
Not every artist can say they have earned accolades and memorable roles that cross the timelines of multiple generations.
That is reserved for a smaller group that can obtain and sustain the positive attention of others.
Taylor broke onto the acting scene as early as the age of nine with the film “There’s One Born Every MInute” and held audiences over various acting mediums: Movies (50 to be exact), Television, Broadway…not to mention her general association with the public eye off stage or screen. One of the most noted reasons for this includes her extremely successful and prominent organization, amfAR – The American Foundation for AIDS Research.
According to the Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, Elizabeth Taylor died of congestive heart failure at 1:28AM PST.
A slightly interesting side note to this shocking event that people may not have been originally aware of until now…Mel Gussow, a former New York Times theater critic, is the author of Taylor’s obituary, despite having already passed away almost six years ago to date.
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As rare and lasting talent like Elizabeth Taylor comes and inevitably goes, the eventual discovery of new individuals has to come to pass and yet another newly conceived TV show hosted on NBC may just have found the right balance of mass appeal and authenticity.
The new show, “The Voice” might seem like just another American Idol copy cat program, but its not. From what I can tell off promos and news/buzz thus far, the general premise combines the authenticity factor of “The Sing-Off” (which I wrote a few posts about, starting with this one HERE. you can scroll to the video in the post if you want to get straight to the singing.) with the audition filled decision dynamic of Idol. The twist is that there’s a third element of blind selection, which forces stage theatrics, trendy clothes and any pretty faces to the back burner during judging.
With a range of stylistic approaches and personalities running this coaching gig, my interest mostly lies in what their different methods will be for working with the auditioning singers. If I had the choice between Adam Levine, Christina Aguilera, Cee Lo Green or Blake Shelton for a temporary singing coach, I’m not sure what my answer would be. You can bet I’d be sure to do my research on their past experience and knowledge if I were going to chance going on national TV and picking one to make me a better singer. All the same, I’m not going to take away the fact that the simplicity of just saying “I want to work with you” and instantly getting that opportunity is not an everyday occurrence and therefore totally awesome; if for no other reason than real, raw insight to how these A-listing celebrities actually are when not in front of a tricked out mic. By the end of the show, an ideal singer with some talent enhanced by real practice might just outshine its predecessor, “the popular vote.”
Not to mention this rising trend of musical authenticity and the integrity of success is slowly tearing down the wall of educated skill standing between commercial artists and their conservatory counterparts. (And if you’re thinking what I think you’re thinking, they even say it in the initial video audition FAQ! “And please, no auto-tune. That’s cheating.”)
I reserve further comment following more information digging/release or the show premiere
One Response to “Diamond in the Rough”
Yeh, I think there are better qualified voice coaches.