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Thursday, July 29, 2010

Lee DeWyze's parents thank all Lee's fans/"Beautiful Day" video

American Idol Season 9 winner Lee DeWyze's parents wrote an article for "The Daily Herald" which they wanted to share with the world. Here it is on video along with Lee's version of U2's "Beautiful Day".

Monday, July 26, 2010

Best of Lee DeWyze comes out at NJ Idols Live show, plus Lee Dewyze interview! (video)

American Idols Live! Shows Best of Lee DeWyze, Crystal Bowersox
Casey James, Andrew Garcia, Katie Stevens also sound better on Newark, New Jersey stage than they ever did on TV.

By Jim Cantiello, MTV


Fans of all ages donned their finest homemade puff-paint T-shirts for the American Idols Live! tour stop at the Prudential Center on Tuesday night. And judging from the excitement in the healthily populated arena, they did not leave disappointed.

Without a TV-friendly two-minute time limit for songs (and without a panel of judges ready to lay into them for any missteps), many of the season-nine performers were well-served by the live setting, particularly winner Lee DeWyze, who smiled more in his five-song set than he did in his entire run on "American Idol."

Also-rans like Didi Benami and Andrew Garcia each delivered sets that reminded the crowd why they emerged as faves during Hollywood Week. In particular, Garcia's take on Paula Abdul's "Straight Up," now with added funked-up fuzzy synths, suggested he may have made it farther had he brought that energy and ear for arrangement to more of his "Idol" performances.

The most-improved award goes to the youngest performers, high school student Aaron Kelly and recent grad Katie Stevens. If a Nashville scout saw the way Kelly owned the stage during uptempo country hits by Keith Urban and Rascal Flatts — and the crowd's warm reception to him — he or she would be insane not to scoop him up and groom him to be a Justin Bieber for the NASCAR crowd.

Meanwhile, Stevens took her "Idol" persona (wear the clothes of a middle-aged secretary, sing like an untrained teen with self-esteem issues) and completely flipped it on its head. She's now dressing her age (in a fun, flirty dress and killer knee-high boots) and singing like a seasoned veteran. Demi Lovato might regret clearing "Here We Go Again" for Katie, because it will never sound this good live again.

For some singers, the "Idol" tour is a shot at redemption. Heartthrob Tim Urban boldly tackled the Goo Goo Dolls' "Better Days," the song that got him eliminated on the show, and then followed it up with an earnest "Viva la Vida." It was a surprisingly serious set from a guy whose greatest asset is his smile and charming personality. When Urban finally did show off his pearly whites, the little girls in Newark shrieked loud enough for folks at the Jersey Shore to hear. Here's hoping it didn't interrupt Snooki from important business.

Speaking of shrieks, Siobhan Magnus delivered her signature wail at the end of "Paint It Black." While the audience appreciated the energy she brought to that Rolling Stones classic and No Doubt's "Spiderwebs," Muse's "Stockholm Syndrome" flew over the heads of the young ticketholders. It was a bit like watching a Tim Burton character stuck in a Ron Howard movie.

Michael Lynche (a.k.a. Big Mike) kicked off the second half of the show with a smooth, mellow R&B set that relied heavily on his falsetto. (He was, after all, performing songs by Kate Bush and India.Arie.) But it was an uptempo Justin Timberlake track, "My Love," that proved to be the most entertaining, if only for his out-of-left-field rap. (Don't worry, T.I., Big Mike ain't stealing your job anytime soon.)

Casey James, often stiff and awkward on "Idol," had one of the more effortless sets of the night. His impressive guitar work on the Black Keys' "I Got Mine" and the Rolling Stones' "It's All Over Now" made many forget they were watching an "Idol" concert.

Season-nine runner-up Crystal Bowersox kept that energy going with a showstopping set that further proved that the dreadlocked singer is more than just your everyday coffeehouse troubadour. If MamaSox can connect this deeply and emotionally with karaoke staples by 4 Non Blondes, Janis Joplin and Melissa Etheridge, (not to mention a chill-inducing "Up on the Mountain" reprise), it's downright scary to imagine how well she'll perform her own self-penned music. We're in for a hell of a debut album this fall, folks.

As much love as Crystal received, there was no question whom the audience was there to see. "Idol" champ Lee DeWyze's entrance caused near hysteria from his New Jersey fans, and not just because his pants' zipper was accidentally down. (Whoops!) The winner appeared to be positively giddy as he darted back and forth from one side of the stage to the other. The singer rarely stopped moving while putting his laid-back, gruff spin on '70s lite-FM staples "Rocket Man," "Hallelujah" and "Treat Her Like a Lady," showing off a looseness rarely seen on "Idol." Like Crystal, Lee gave the impression that his talents would be better displayed by performing originals. On the other hand, then we'd be deprived of a massive audience sing-along of Kings of Leon's "Use Somebody."

Much has been said (often snarkily) about the latest crop of "Idol" finalists, and while the live concert might not turn haters into slobbering fan-girls, it may leave them pleasantly surprised.

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Music Review: Lee DeWyze - Slumberland

Music Review: Lee DeWyze - Slumberland

Who says a sophomore album has to be a bad one? Listening to Slumberland, the second album from 2010 American Idol winner Lee DeWyze, is a great musical experience from the first song to the last.

DeWyze's debut album, So I'm Told, was originally released in 2007, and now he's come out with Slumberland, which was released in January 2010. Since his first album there has come a good bit of refinement and richness in the instrumentals and vocals of his music.

DeWyze wrote and performed all of the songs featured on this album, but had some outside help from Ryan McGuire with production, drums, and percussion lines, and Louis Svitek on guitars and sitar. Both men are well known for their musical work and, from the sound of the album, DeWyze made a great choice bringing them onto this project.

"Annabelle," is quite possibly my favorite song on Slumberland.> The beautiful sound of the sitar leads the song and the famous, raspy, full voice of Lee DeWyze follows and pours out on listeners. You can hear the amazing control and sweet power in his notes as he sings about trying to keep "Annabelle," through life's hardships. With talent like this it's no wonder he won the title of American Idol.

Although DeWyze's voice has similarities to John Mayer, Dave Matthews, and Jack Johnson, his vocals in Slumberland give him an originality that does make him stand out as a recording artist, something I'm afraid his first album didn't accomplish for me.

I hate to compare but, through songs like "Another Sleep Song" and "All Fall Down," Lee DeWyze shows an amazing progression and transformation from his debut album. From 2007 to current day, DeWyze has gained a confidence in his vocal abilities that comes forth in his talent. The production on this album is also very professional and makes the difference that DeWyze needed as an artist.

On both albums the lyrics are truly outstanding, and there's no doubt that DeWyze puts great thought into his songs and their meanings. From cheating to alcohol abuse, and of course love and relationships, Lee covers real-life issues without being too gritty but at the same time not candy coating anything.

Slumberland is an album I can listen to over and over again. I enjoyed all 10 songs by Lee DeWyze and am looking forward to seeing what this new Idol winner has in store for us next. Fortunately for his fans, he has two great albums under his belt for their listening pleasure. I encourage Lee DeWyze fans to purchase this album for their collection.

ANNABELLE

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Lee DeWyze is Single, For Now!!

Stardom Keeps Idol‘s Lee DeWyze Single — For Now
by Victoria Venegas, People Magazine, July 12, 2010

Is Ms. Right out there? If she’s the one for American Idol winner Lee DeWyze, she better be patient. The single singer can’t quite focus on mingling these days.

“I am single, yes. I think a relationship right now will be pretty hard,” DeWyze tells PEOPLE, saying his demanding American Idols Live! Tour schedule could keep him from starting a relationship.

“That kind of stuff takes a lot of time and patience, and I know right now I just don’t think it’d be fair to anybody,” he says. “When I meet the right girl I’ll definitely have no hesitations to a relationship.”

In the meantime, DeWyze is enjoying his stardom and reveling in the opportunity to meet fans face-to-face.

“The absolute best part of this whole process is to being able to see people who have supported me,” he says. “I’m excited to put out an album and go on tour and meet the fans and that’s why I did this.”

Trust us, they are excited too!

Friday, July 9, 2010

Lee DeWyze sings "Beautiful Day" on the Idols Live Tour

American Idol Season 9 winner Lee DeWyze sings U2's "Beautiful Day" on the Idols Live Tour, at Milwaukee's Summerfest and Jones Beach, NY.




Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Idols LIVE Tour Update: 7 Concerts Canceled & 8 Rescheduled!

FANS here is the revised schedule for the Idols Live Summer Tour. Pay very close attention; some September concerts are now scheduled for July!

The tour kicked off July 1st and will now wrap up on August 31st.

In all, 7 concerts were canceled (Omaha, Kansas City, Winnipeg, Toronto, Buffalo, Cleveland and Portland) and 8 were rescheduled (Bridgeport, Pittsburgh, Des Moines, Minneapolis, Chicago, Toledo, Cincinnati and Indianapolis).


7/7 - Wantagh, NY – Nikon at Jones Beach
7/9 – Bridgeport, CT – Arena at Harbor Yard
7/10 – Atlantic City, NJ - Mark G. Etess Arena
7/11 – Philadelphia, PA - Wachovia Center
7/13 – Uncasville, CT - Mohegan Sun Arena
7/14 – Manchester, NH - Verizon Wireless Arena
7/15 – Hershey, PA – GIANT Center
7/17 – Albany, NY – Times Union Center
7/18 – Mansfield, MA – Comcast Center
7/20 – Newark, NJ – Prudential Center
7/21 – Pittsburgh, PA – First Niagara Pavilion (venue change)
7/23 – Washington, DC - Jiffy Lube Live
7/24 – Baltimore, MD - 1st Mariner Arena
7/25 – Charlotte, NC – Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
7/27 – Columbus, OH - Nationwide Arena

7/29 – Virginia Beach, VA - Virginia Beach Amphitheater
7/31 – Lexington, KY – Rupp Arena
8/1 - Duluth, GA – Arena at Gwinnett Center
8/3 - Sunrise, FL – BankAtlantic Center
8/4 - Tampa, FL – St. Pete Times Forum
8/7 - Houston, TX – Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavillion
8/8 - Tulsa, OK - BOK Center
8/9 - Dallas, TX – American Airlines Center
8/12 – Phoenix, AZ – US Airways Center
8/13 – Los Angeles, CA - STAPLES Center
8/14 – Mountainview, CA – Shoreline Amphitheatre at Mountainview
8/16 – San Diego, CA – Viejas Arena
8/17 – Anaheim, CA – Honda Center
8/18 – Sacramento, CA - ARCO Arena
8/20 – Seattle, WA – KeyArena
8/21 – Portland, OR – Rose Garden
8/23 – Denver, CO – Comfort Dental Amphitheatre
8/25 – St. Louis, MO – Scottrade Center
8/26 – Des Moines, IA - Wells Fargo Arena
8/27 – Minneapolis, MN – Target Center
8/28 – Chicago, IL – United Center
8/29 – Toledo, OH – The Huntington Center
8/30 – Cincinnati, OH – Riverbend Music Center
8/31 – Indianapolis, IN – Conseco Fieldhouse

Lee DeWyze ~ Excellent Tour Review from USA Today!

Lee DeWyze ratchets up the energy level

Lee DeWyze takes the stage to the ringing chords of his coronation cover, Beautiful Day. But since the finale, Lee's version of the song has transformed. It takes few cues from U2's epic arrangement, and only minor ones from the acoustic version Lee has occasionally performed since. Instead, it takes on a rhythm all its own, as Lee turn it into a acoustic-rock anthem, one that emphasizes the line, "I know I'm not a hopeless case." And, judging from the crowd's response -- it dwarfs anything the other performers have seen -- he's not.

The first chords of Lee's next song almost sound like Pink Floyd's Wish You Were Here, but it's really his new version of Elton John's Rocket Man. But the Pink Floyd similarity may have been intentional -- after the first chorus, Lee quotes briefly from Floyd's Welcome to the Machine.

Like Beautiful Day, Hallelujah has undergone a makeover since the show. Standing in front of a spotlight that scatters rays around, Lee begins the song simply on guitar, then he walks to the front of the stage as the audience begins to sing with him. The arrangements on the TV show may have won him the competition, but these new versions suit him much better.

Treat Her Like a Lady takes on a darker edge than it had on the show -- the band almost sounds like they're playing Stevie Nicks' Edge of Seventeen behind him at the start.

"You're like my family!" Lee says afterward. "You're amazing in every way." Then he launches into Kings of Leon's Use Somebody, saying, "Everybody can use somebody once in a while -- everybody."

It's a great song choice for Lee, exactly the sort of thing he'll need to get on the radio, and its whoa-oh-oh chorus immediately pulls the audience in, all the way to the back of the hall.

If Lee gets this kind of powerful-yet-vulnerable tune, he could really do something going forward. All those criticisms about confidence that he got about the judges fall away when he's in a setting that he feels is all his own. There's something undeniably appealing about him as he sings a song like this -- a guy worn ragged by the world but still retaining that sense of hope that refuses to give in.

But, still, he refuses to milk the moment. When he thanks the audience, instead of basking in their applause or running the gauntlet and slapping the hands that reach for him near the edge of the stage, he simply turns and walks off to get ready for the final group song.

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Lee DeWyze's "Amazing" American Idol journey (ROFLMAO)

Check out this "amazing" collage of Lee DeWyze's American Idol journey put together by his "amazing" fans.