Just wanted to start a discussion about how Elliott moves in his career from his first role as a bonafide pop star to the legendary musician status that should be his. I think it starts with his next CD.

There is nothing wrong with being recognized as a pop star - and nothing wrong with selling lots of CDs and getting lots of airplay. In fact - going this route first was probably a really smart idea on his part. Since Idol is seen as a pop show to start with and Elliott was using it as a jumping off point - it makes a lot of sense. Also - the money and visibility gained here give him lots of options going forward.

For me - I'd like to see the next CD be more Trainwreck and less One Word. Start moving into the "evolved" music that will be really admired and respected through the long years to come. I'm not knocking the Stargate songs and similar. They play especially to the younger audience and mark this place in time for them. John Mayer started out with a pop following and has evolved into a well respected singer/songwriter in any realm. That's what I want for Elliott - to be one of the new generations of legends.

Great post...I agree with everything you said!

Elliott (and his team) are positioning him the way they should. It all seems so well thought out and planned to give him longevity and not as if they are planning for a future episode of VH1's One Hit Wonders show!

I love this album, but would definitely like to see him move more towards Trainwreck, than Wait for You. Pop hits and everything are great and give him a great foothold in the business. But I would love to hear him move into some more sophiticated R&B, and Jazz type stuff. In my mind I see him moving towards a Harry Connick Jr. type carreer (movies and tv included!!) Not necessarily topping the pop charts all the time, but solid and well respected.

When he was voted off AI he said it was a stepping stone that most artists never have the chance to experience. It is so awesome that he recognizes that and continues to build upon each and every success and milestone.

There's a dilemma here. Elliott is almost too versatile. I love Harry Connick and the crooners, because I love standards and love that sound - but no - for me I'm thinking I want Elliott to be the next Stevie Wonder or Donny Hathaway. When I hear him sing songs like Little Ghetto Boy or What's Goin' On - he's got IT for that old school soul sound. At the same time - Elliott would be a great rock singer. He covered some songs at the State Fair concert better than the originals - and his and Chris' duet was the very best moment of the AI5 tour.

Any one of those niches would work for him. And all of them. Do you think he will choose one? Which one has the most likelihood of making him a name for all time? Is there still a new "sound" for him to establish that combines some of all of these that will define Elliott like Dave Matthews' sound or John Mayer's sound? His voice is definitely HIS when you hear it - but I don't think he's established a style that defines him yet. And the CD has so much of a little bit of everything that I'm even more unsure.

You're right that Elliott is very versatile and can sing any genre. I suppose he will gravitate to what appeals to him the most as time goes on. It will be very interesting to see what the next CD is like. Can hardly wait.

Last night I went to youtube to watch and listen to his "I Love You More Than You'll Ever Know" performance at his Richmond concert, October 8, 2006, lindagt. I hadn't done that in a long time. I read lots of the comments about the video - the more current ones and learned that Donny Hathaway was not the first artist to perform the song. Blood, Sweat and Tears did it years ago. When I was young I liked the group enough that I bought one of their albums. I went to Amazon.com and listened to the little snippet of BS&Ts doing it and then Donny. Donny is miles ahead of BS&Ts but if I am being really, really honest here, Elliott by far has the finest version that I've ever heard. I wish he would record it and other songs like it - more soul.

It will be interesting to watch him grow. He indicated that the Christmas CD for Target would have new Christmas songs on it - someone has to write them. As he does more and gets more comfortable over the years writing more songs it's no telling what great music we will be priviledged to hear from Elliott.

I was intrigued by one of Elliott's recent interviews when he said he played it safe with this cd and his next one would be different (he said out of left field or something like that) . I cannot wait!

I totally agree with your 1st post lindagt...I heard John Mayer say that very thing out of his own mouth. That is was necessary or him to start out with a pop song to get himself established. After Elliott get's his career launched on solid ground, I would love to see him lean toward the soul sound of Donnie Hathaway. I think that this sound showcases his ability more than any, although i also agree, that he shines in any style that I've heard him sing. His duet with Chris was absolutely one of the high points of the idol tour.

I really believe he will have longevity, if he can establish a large enough fan base, which he is well on his way to doing. I mean, he really just has one of the GREAT voices of all times. If he has his following, he wont have to make records with "hits" but he can make whatever kind of music he wants...actually, I can just see him changing genre's every CD that he makes. He's that good!! The greats can do that. He has this fan for life!!! I'll buy whatever he puts out there. Heck, I don't even like country, but I would buy an Elliott country album!! lol

Luv, that's exactly what came to mind as I was reading this thread...that he said he'd like to do something out of left field. I'd like to ask him...if he could take any song out of the CD to compare to 'left field', which song would it be? Like Linda and others, I hope it's Train Wreck!

I heard an interview like this with John Mayer a number of years ago - maybe the same one you heard Linda. He was completely unapologetic about making pop music. He said he was glad to make music that people could place as a background to a place in time for them. He said when you think of all the songs that become classics, more often than not they are pop songs.

Then he went on to pursue his interest in blues. He worked really hard on his talent as a blues guitarist and made a cd that was strictly a blues cd because he wanted to. I own it and it's pretty good - I don't think it was comercially very successful, but helped for sure to build his credibility with musicians. The important thing is that he had the freedom to do this, to explore a specific interest, whether it would be commercially successful or not - based on his prior success which came from the pop world.

I hope the same for Elliott - that he can use this success to explore all the genres he loves - as he has himself said his musical tastes are very eclectic. Mine are too Elliott - so I'd love to hear you cover them all before it's all over. Or even better - create a fusion of the styles you love to become "Elliott" music :-)

I think it will take time, commitment, and luck. If you define luck as:
luck is when preparation meets opportunity, then Elliott needs to be a lucky guy, he already has the talent.

Elliott and his team’s strategy to play it safe with the first cd was a smart move. A little bit of alot to appeal to a broad base, and it shows his strengthens (voice and emotion). I’m looking forward to seeing how he will evolve and develop his own unique style as he distances himself from the Idol image.

Personally, I like organic (good sound from good musicians) and hope he stays away from the heavy digital and synthesized enhancements, or whatever they call that stuff on the Pop stations.

He already spoke about having the band involved on the next cd so think he is going to move away a bit from the prefab electronics of modern pop and into guitar blues and real instruments like he already is in concert. For that matter pop itself is moving away from heavy hip/hop electronic beats and back into more subtle organic sounds. Regular rock is on the upswing again. A live cd would be extremely cool.

He is fantastic on blues or blues/rock or blues/funk. Can take more of Train Wreck and ILYMTYEK any day. Would love to see him also do some guitar/accoustic sounding ballads with his soft (melt your heart) voice. Not to say wouldn't love some more funky or smooth R&B songs or jazz. And if anything electronic....dance music!

Elliott's voice is adapable to any style of music...maybe because he feels the emotion in the moment better than the typical singer. Was watching his rehearsal for the "Promise" song and he sang it quite different than when they performed the song. He "tuned" his voice to a subtle sweet sound with just a tiny bit of ornamentation to offset the country singers and the soft guitar. And he harmonizes like a pro! For someone with a hearing problem he is amazingly in tune with the musicians and singers around him.

Music - Where'd you see video of him rehearsing for the Promise song? I thought that was one of the sweetest sounds ever... Elliott and all those kids. I wish they'd release it and give the proceeds to JDRF.

Elliott is so good at all kinds of music but I will say this. The live funked up verision of Alright is hot!!!!

I think the legendary status will move along with time. He already has an innate and brilliant voice that seems to transcend the boundaries of different genres very well. This is why we got an eclectic plethora of sounds on the first CD with more of a Pop slant for increased potential of commercial success. Elliott has been seemingly tirelessly diligent through the TV appearances, the US tour, and everything that goes along with the promotion of the album. This demonstrates that he has the determination and will power to not only envision a particular future dream, but to make it into a reality. The will power and that unqiue talent will continue to mature, grow, and be nurtured as meets and works with various people in his career.

I bet with time we will get to hear some pretty darn cool collaborations. It would be really awesome to hear a duet with Stevie Wonder, Melinda Doolittle, Alicia Keys, or many other brilliant artists out there. This is JMO, but I truly believe his first care in music is the soulful R&B sound that moves people on a spiritual level. He's made reference in many interviews about this being his primary favorite and thus, his admiration for Wonder and Hathaway. My guess is there will be more bold musical choices on the next album with more of the soulful, R&B, Jazzy/Blues type of sounds. I would LOVE that type of CD because although he is talented in all genres, I think the Soul genre is his real musical home. JMO :)

I kind of hope you are right - I often think - where are those amazing male voices in the Soul genre or even the R&B genre today?

You make great points about Elliott's commitment to hard work and perserverance in setting goals and reaching them. That's apparently a new found discipline for him - but obviously he has been practicing it for over a year now and the rewards have certainly been positive reinforcement for making that his game plan going forward.

I think one of the keys here to his "legend in the making status" is the fact that he is staying on top of the changes in the music business. It's not just records and radio anymore. The internet has revolutionized the industry and how people get their music. And E and his team are right there with it all.

At first when you said you would like him to be like Stevie or Donny, I had a concern that the music business is not the same place it was 20-30 years ago. Artists are not given the opportunity to build a fan base. To have two or three records to really find their voice and hone their craft. Nowadays it seems like if you don't hit the homerun on the first try you might not get another chance. I know there have always been one hit wonders, but it seems there was much more committment to an artist. Look at how many 70's acts are still out there playing shows and putting out new music...and still drawing an audience. I think that the video generation of the 80's made music much more disposable...it became much more focused on looks instead of the music. And it was alot easier to see wrinkles on video than it is on radio!!

I think the age of the superstars is over. I think we are moving towards a more niche oriented type of artist...Like John Mayer, Alicia Keyes, Norah Jones and the like. yes some have big hits but they have a solid fan base that will always be there for them through the ups and the downs. They will be given a wide berth to try and experiment in different genres. I think today's music consumer is much more sophisticated. They are as likely to have a Fergie cd as they are a Michael Buble cd. Or a Maroon Five cd as well as a...well as an Elliott Yamin cd....(the sound of that never gets old, huh??)

I think the days of the Elton's and the Stevie's are over...it reminds me of the old Hollywood Studio system days. You had these bigger than life stars like Cary Grant, Bette Davis, John Wayne, Joan Crawford, etc...and then the age of the studios came to an end and in the late 60's and 70's you had a move towards more "real" actors like Al Pacino, Robert Deniro, Meryl Streep, Diane Keaton etc. Don't get me wrong there is still plenty of money to be made and there will always be big stars...but I think the game is changing and by going the independent route and structuring the deal the way they did, and keeping up with the latest advances, Elliott and his team are clearly in it for the long haul...Phew, I got through that without one joke!!

I'm so proud of you :rotfl:

I agree with what you said, too

Well, I followed Linda Ronstadt through her career..from rock when she was with the Stone Ponys...to where she is today. Of course, she's from Tucson, like Elliott is from Richmond..(for all the Richmonders) so besides being a great vocalist she's a hometown star.
I foresee a career like her's for Elliott. Because he's that good of a singer too.



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linda_Ronstadt

great perspective Rick - I had never thought of it that way and you are probably right. Things are not the same. I do think you can be a legend as a niche artist. I was a Bonnie Raitt fan for 20 years before the general population was really aware of her - and she had a fan base and made many cds (or I should say records back in the day) and she sold many of them. Her concerts always sold - she had a following. To be honest, before this CD was released, that's exactly what I envisioned for Elliott anyway - I never in a million years thought they would go the pop route - but now that they did, I think it was a smart move.

Thanks for the fresh thoughts.

In the 70's...Linda Ronstadt was one of my first musical obsessions. The Stone Poneys was a little before my time, but Different Drum was one of my favorites...and still is. I actually saw her for the fist time last year at the Beacon Theatre in NYC. While she was awesome and it was great to see a 'mature artist' still have such presence and command of the stage...the show was disappointing to me because she only did one or two of her 70's songs. The show was mostly her big band stuff...which is great and some of her later 80's and 90's pop hits which are great too. I guess that is part of the problem with artists like her who have such a long and varied career. She has such a catalog of songs to choose from that her show would be 9 hours long if she tried to fit it all in!

I guess that is what we have to look forward to in 30 years when Elliott is still touring and we get all disappointed when he doesn't do Wait for You anymore!!

Another thing I was thinking about today...(because I have nothing else to think about!!) I know we are really focused on the singles...Wait For You and how well it does and how many spins etc...What will the next one be? Maybe E's team is on the right track. With downloads, consumers don't have to download the whole album (not that they shouldn't!!). I kept wondering with a single out, why is he on Ellen performing Movin' On?? Even on the radio tour he didn't always do Wait for You. And it dawned on me that if people hear this or that song, they can just download it. In the past you had to get the whole album just for one song. Maybe this way they dowload one and then another or the whole album even. Maybe it's less about the charts and singles, than it is about making the music accessible for fans to discover on their own.

Calm down...I'm still gonna be voting and making my calls, but I'm just saying!! I know it's still important, but maybe it will be less so in the future..
Those of us used to rating records on American Bandstand and have a stackable 45 record holder (and you all know who you are!!) might have a hard time letting go is allls I'm sayin"!!

Yeah Rick - that's us who are pushing Movin On and Alright as single releases - because "it has a good beat and it's easy to dance to" which used to be the way the teens on American Bandstand rated new records. I guess not that much has changed because they love Lip Gloss and Rehab and This is Why I'm Hot - good beat, easy to dance to. But they are rotten songs. Thankfully in the Bandstand days even the silly songs weren't that bad.

In seriousness though, you are right. From the outset Jeff Rabhan has pretty much made it clear that their strategy was not focused primarily on album sales because, as you so clearly describe, the industry is not the same and people don't buy CDs like they used to. The fact that this CD is selling as well as it has is probably real gravy for them! They were geniuses with the different bonus tracks on each version of the CD to get whole CDs sold. They are definitely blazing the download trail. You are right about putting the songs out here and there and they don't need to release Movin On as a single because it has already had great downloads.

I believe in the future Elliott too will have a huge catalog of his own to perform at concerts. Though WFY is a big hit some of the other songs will continue to generate fans for years. I don't think some of Steve Miller's songs made it to #1 or even top ten and are classics played constantly on radio. They became classics because they were just that good...not because they were appreciated right away.

My husband was saying how the music world has gone backward (not forward) to the days when 45's, singles and hit songs were king rather than albums (cd's). It's true this makes it hard for artists to have longetivity in the business. However, even back then, singers and groups with distinctive and special voices became legends because they were able to produce a number of hit songs when most "teen idols" were lucky to have one. Elliott's voice is why even anti-marketing or feet dragging from radio stations can't keep WFY from going up the charts. His voice is so strong and pure and emotional it can't be held back from conquering radio. I doubt people are going to tire of listening to it fifty years from now. Even when styles of music change something about it will still captivate. This is why we still listen to Tony and Frank and Ella.

Went to see that movie "1408" this weekend and one of the most effective scares is Karen Carpenter's "We've Only Just Begun" blaring unexpectedly from the clock radio. Elliott's voice has an otherworldly effect like this. Hearing him for the first time was just like hearing her for the first time to me...I was looking away from the tv, channel tuned to AI because there was nothing else interesting to watch. Suddenly heard a voice that immediately gripped me in its power...it wasn't especially loud....it wasn't the fanciest since he was just singing part of "In Her Kiss" doowop style... it wasn't the presence or lack of vibrato that I noted or even that it was high or low......the voice was just so pure, vibrant and of such perfect pitch like each note proceeded from the core his being and was simply flung into the air. He was singing as naturally as a bird or like most people talk. I recognised it instinctively for a legendary voice. If a cymbal had crashed near my ear it couldn't have caused a stronger reaction. I bolted across the living room to the television set.

Had watched AI off and on through all the seasons but had never experienced anything like what Elliott's voice did to me. Even with all the accomplished singers singing their fanciest glory notes and runs...even with the pros on tv awards shows and on the radio I've rarely had such a strong reaction to a single voice where I just could not get enough of it--not even Prince or Mariah Carey or Celine Dion or Bono or anyone in recent years. I felt maybe....just maybe I was being witness to an important moment in the timeline of music history....the first time we all hear Elliott Yamin's voice. Well...maybe the world didn't recognise it as such but I believed one day they would. AI to me from that point was immaterial other than a means to getting Elliott recorded and his voice heard by everyone.

Not saying the songs he sings are unimportant, but it is his voice and interpretation of songs that turns them into classics or allows him to reinterpret classics to make them his own. Think about it...he is probably one of the few artists now with a cd where every song is likeable and one of the few who sounds as good live as recorded.

Music today is fragmented into niches. I can see the point about how the age of the musical superstar might be over.

Amen, Amen musicmovesme! I agree with all of what you have said. It may take some time, but the fact is - getting the voice heard - by whatever means necessary - is our mission. I clearly remember hearing (in the background) Moody's Mood for Love and having the same reaction as you - Wow! Wow! This is exceptional!

Songs may be more important right now than album sales as a whole because of the changing culture - but a body of work will stand the test of time. Elliott is only beginning -and as he produces more songs, both original and cover, and as more people hear him recorded and live - his legacy will be built.

Great posts!! That description of hearing Elliott for the first time gave me chills because I remember it like it was yesterday...TV on in the background...me not paying much attention seeing Ryan Seacrest talking to this kid who looks nothing like what an idol should look like...and then wham...If You Really Love Me...my mouth dropped open...I looked like I was missing a chromosone!! I still have not recovered!!

One other thing I was thinking about...everyone loves to slam American Idol...but if you think about it we got to know Elliott performing live...the first time we heard him was not through some edited studio version of a song like we hear most artists. He was on stage with a band and a microphone. Many times you go and see an artist and you are disappointed becasue they don't always sound as good live as they do on records. The songs themselves are sometimes hard to recreate on stage. But American Idol is a great training ground. Look at how Elliott has evolved as a performer (and when I say performer I do not mean singer...that has not changed...he is just as brilliant now as before!!) Those of us who were lucky enough to see him live already knew what he sounded like live.

Bottom line...I think no matter what happens in the future...no matter which way records are sold or listened to...Elliott is going to be up there with the likes of Frank, Ella, Elvis, Bing, Britney...oops...I did it again...I made a joke when I was trying to be serious!!

Now how about this for a topic...How many Grammy's do you think Elliott is going to win this year???

First line :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:


Second line :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:


Third line....I said this the other day. I really am hoping for "Best New Artist". He is actually deserving of many grammys. In time, I believe he will have many. :awe:

I hate to even bring up the Grammy question. Sure he is a great new artist - but honestly will he be nominated? Chris sold 50 gazillion records, so I fully expect him to be nominated and he should - I would be really surprised if Elliott gets a nomination. Just living in the real world.

I agree w/ everything everyone has said here. Lindagt, you are my fellow Bonnie Raitt lover. Elliott's voice, the clarity, purity, perfect pitch, depth, richness and emotion....it is legendary. Thankfully, I think he has a team behind him who have recognized this and are setting him up to reach his full potential, his dreams and legendary status. I'm continually awed by their wise decisions and I'm so thankful his cousin is involved because I think that just proves that they are looking out for Elliott's best interests, and really, by doing so they are doing the same for themselves.

I'd only watched a bit of AI1 and then watched only a bit of the AI5 auditions but for some reason watched the night Elliott sang IYRLM and I was completely amazed by what I was hearing out of this unassuming young man. From then on, I was completely hooked and have been all but fanatic since.

It will be interesting to watch his career evolve and the changes that will occur in the music industry. I think his album, although called simplistic by some, really grips listeners because they appreciate, his voice, the emotion he emits, and the lyrics (you know, the simple ones, arggh!) because they make people feel real emotions, much like country music does and music of younger days. Look at how popular 70's rock/pop remains, people love its harmony, melody and lyrics...they are real, imo.

I look forward to Christmas and with him having a Target exclusive, I would imagine a lot of people will hear his music as they shop in the store. His team has lots of innovative ideas that have been panning out.

Well, I don't like the real world :rotfl: It shouldn't be about sales, unfortunately it is, and you are right, but still hoping :pray:

Well it could happen. Everything else he has done has surprised me - why not a grammy nod too?

[QUOTE=lindagt,Jun 24 2007, 07:24 PM]



I said this the other day. I really am hoping for "Best New Artist". He is actually deserving of many grammys. In time, I believe he will have many. -Linda4Elliott

I hate to even bring up the Grammy question. Sure he is a great new artist - but honestly will he be nominated? Chris sold 50 gazillion records, so I fully expect him to be nominated and he should - I would be really surprised if Elliott gets a nomination. Just living in the real world.-lindaqt

I know...I know...BUT...in the real world Elliott was not marketable...He had no star power...he was going to be selling cd's from the back of his car. remember?? If they could see him now!! I know Chris probably has a lock on it...BUT wouldn't it be amazing if he scored another upset over Chris?? Elvis night all over again!! I know it will be a miracle if he even gets nominated...and if he were I would hate to ask for more...but he is truly so deserving of it. Chris is great and truth be told...he was my favorite contestant in the beginning...until that fateful night!!

But hey maybe it's no big deal really...after all how many Best New Artists are still around today?? The Beatles never won it...Christopher Cross, Milli Vanilli ( I know they gave it back but they still WON it!) Jody Watley...maybe like the American Idol title...he would be better off with out it.

Anyway...I never said I thought he would win New Artist...Linda4Elliott started that...I only say he is going to win Album of the Year, Song of The Year, Record of The Year, Male Vocalist Pop and R&B (and Chris can't compete with him here cause Daughtry is a GROUP!!) Video (Short Form), and Best Polka Recording...(Well, we all KNOW he can sing anything!!)

OK - Elliott, I know you are reading this thread - I want to see a polka cover on the next leg of the tour :rotfl:

I hope that Elliott's next album will be a largely R&B/Soul record. His voice is so suited to the R&B genre and the musical influences that have impacted his vocal style are mainly R&B artists. I also hope that the songs and production will be improved. The success of the debut album will hopefully garner some interesting collaborations and tighter production for the follow up record. I look forward to Elliott making guest appearances on the albums of established artists in the near future. This is a good way to gain some exposure to new listeners.

The variety of sounds on the debut album seemed to have the understandable intention of appealing to a wide-ranging audience and gaining a foothold in the industry. That being done, the second album should be crafted to begin establishing Elliott's artistic identity in whatever genre he chooses.