If I ever heard Haley Reinhart sing “Fever,” I would have to give up hope of ever finding someone to love because I would give my heart to Haley at that moment – and there would be no takebacks. I’d probably just wander around in a daze with earbuds listening to it on repeat. Then, when the battery gave out, I would have a nervous breakdown, be taken to a looney bin where they would have to keep piping the song in through the sound system to keep me calm.
While my imagination may exceed what would really happen, I can imagine no more perfect song for Haley’s voice. The fact that she is cute and has beautiful hair helps, but her voice is what does it for me. (I am waiting for August 1, 2014 to roll around so that I can buy her new single “Show Me Your Moves.”) Rachel Zevita may not be the perfect woman, but she is close. I still cannot forgive Randy for his criticism of her performance of Fiona Apple’s “Criminal.” The entire run of “American Idol” to that point he had been telling performers to make the songs their own. “’American Idol’ is not a karaoke contest; you need to bring something to the song.” Rachel went out in a big way and did just that. The defining moment of that performance and the one that sticks in my mind is when she threw off her outer garment to reveal a very sexy and unexpected red dress. Randy said that she went too far in making the song her own. I would still be voting for her if it could count, and if that were all she had ever done, she would remain imprinted in my mind. However, she also released a mash up of Whitney Houston’s “My Love is Your Love” and Rebecca Black’s “Friday.” Imbued with soulful vocals and a reggae beat that belied the tongue-in-cheek spoofing of the cheese that is Black’s masterpiece, Rachel’s version shows Rachel’s talent both musically and comedically. She may never be the female Weird Al Yankovic, but only because she will be the Rachel Zevita. If you haven’t heard her sing “Manhattan,” you are missing out. Rachel and Haley have the courage to follow their dreams and be the singers they can be. They don’t follow the rules, and it makes every song they sing a joy, an adventure and something that they can make uniquely theirs. I am looking forward to hearing their music for years to come. |
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Read about Haley Reinhart's "Listen Up!"
Read about Paul McDonald at the Songwriter's Workshop
Read about Casey Abrams' debut "Casey Abrams"
Read about Paul McDonald at the Songwriter's Workshop
Read about Casey Abrams' debut "Casey Abrams"