Comments on: A Masterclass Review of David Archuleta’s Christmas From The Heart

By: Vonnie

Vonnie — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:19:55 +0000

Hey MCL, I don’t know where to post this but, Adams song “For Your Entertainment” debut today on Ryan Seacrests Radio Show.

By: David Archuleta Weekly Wrapup #12

David Archuleta Weekly Wrapup #12 — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 07:59:25 +0000

[...] MasterclassLady’s Review is very extensive and beautiful. Don’t miss the comments! Please go to her site and enjoy. [...]

By: auntieaudie

auntieaudie — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 00:03:14 +0000

I bought the CD yesterday and listened to it this afternoon. Thanks for your excellent review MCL. I also noticed the breathing issues, oh well, he’s not totally perfect but close. I especially loved the duet with Charise Pempengco, his voice has a different quality to it, perhaps inspired by little Miss Pempengco? Will she ever come out with a CD?, I hope so. I love, love, love David Archuleta.

By: Bright Light

Bright Light — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 20:55:39 +0000

My thoughts on the humming at the end of some songs – in particular the live ones.

I noticed the humming at the end of David’s performance of “Contigo En La Distancia”. My theory (and it is just a personal guess – time will tell) is that the humming at the end is, in a way, an attempt to compensate for ‘running out of gas’ at the end of the song.

I got the impression that he would have liked to have held the last note a little longer, so he wrapped it up with a bow of humming. That has become one of David’s signature moves.

In the Christmas CD, I love the way the humming is interspersed throughout the album. To me, it creates a more intimate, personal, feel between the listener, the song, and singer.

By: ronaldsf

ronaldsf — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 15:47:27 +0000

Regarding “di-vine” lol, I think part of the issue is that David in the past always ended with a “Hmm-mmm” or an “ooh-ooh” after word. Perhaps it was to save his breath for that? But in the album that extra part is no longer there so it comes off as superfluous.

By: caitlin

caitlin — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 03:07:30 +0000

Thx for sharing your insights–I LUV the CD:)

By: Rinnie

Rinnie — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 01:57:01 +0000

i love your review!!! u have awesome ear for music. u can hear so much the first time through! i just have to say that on the booklet, it said that Melodies of Christmas is written by David Archuleta and Z. Picante and Jeff was one of the people who produced and arranged it.

By: amb4dja

amb4dja — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 00:33:35 +0000

MCL, Thanks for another of your thoughtful and informed critiques…and I love how you did it “in the moment.” Song for song, I agreed with much of what you loved in CFTH…the spirit of it, David’s many layered vocals and the creative production. I hadn’t thought yet about the sequencing…good point. Your technical breakdown is interesting and enlightening.

Re: Melodies of Christmas..(and not to highlight it over the others, only since it is the one original, collaborated on by David) I love your assessment:
“I love the title and I love the concept. The lyrics and the melody are cohesive and contagious. I think we have a new Christmas hit on our hands, folks!” ITA. This hook already stays with me for a while after the cd ends…good sign for some radio play. Commercial, fun. (Though Pat-A-Pan..could be the best artistic release.)

“I do love and applaud the incorporation of fragments of familiar carols through this song.”
Me too!…and I think they do this, instrumentally,in at least one other song. Love this. In that sense I think the spirit of “Melodies of Christmas” runs throughout…that seems to be the essence in David’s singing of all the other melodies of Christmas. That’s his final word to us…all these songs, overlapping, all the memories and feelings they evoke.

“The song is resplendent with the joy and spirit of Christmas and leaves the listener with a great feeling at the end of this CD.” Yes.

“If you don’t love and appreciate the season and true meaning of Christmas after you listen to this CD, I’m sorry, I can’t help you! As once quoted by Jerry Seinfeld, “you need a team of specialists” to help you.” LOL. nuf said.

By: masterclasslady

masterclasslady — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 20:56:04 +0000

Gemzone and Becky – the strings sounded so synthesized to my ear, so it must be the manner in which they mixed the final product. My apologies to Richard and the rest of the musicians. And, I forgot to mention the name of the orchestra – will add it as an update to the original blog. That orchestra is phenomenal.

By: Becky

Becky — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 19:55:59 +0000

Oh and as someone mentioned above – the strings in Pat-a-Pan were, I believe, provided by an orchestra in Prague. They were not synthesized.

By: Becky

Becky — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 19:54:45 +0000

GREAT review! I love that you “get” David and can back up his talent with TECHNICAL aspects of singing (in my opinion, that’s the closest you can get to “proving” that someone is a great singer).

But I’m also really glad that you criticize him (when necessary). I noticed the breathing in “Ave Maria” as well and it annoyed me, just a little. I still love listening to it.

By: Masterclass Lady’s Album-Rezension für Christmas From The Heart « David Archuleta Fans Germany

Sun, 18 Oct 2009 18:56:51 +0000

[...] Lady’s Album-Rezension für Christmas From The Heart Masterclass Lady, die schon während der American Idol Staffel 7 mit David immer wieder begeisterte Kritiken für [...]

By: Kimberly Smith

Kimberly Smith — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 18:21:50 +0000

I enjoyed reading your review of “Christmas from the Heart”. I love the CD. I really loved “Melodies of Christmas” many new christmas songs just don’t live up to all the many other great and classis christmas songs out there, but this one does.

I did notice the phrasing problems that you mentioned. The breath in the middle of “Divine” is going to bother me each time I hear it. I’m sure I’ll quickly forget as I hear David’s wonderful vocals.

By: gemzone

gemzone — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 17:02:40 +0000

MCL love your review of Davids CD. I noticed David taking breaths where it didn’t seem that they should be. But as I listen to David he brings so much peace to my soul that that is all a really care about.
Oh and I was at Richards house yesterday as he read your review and he said that there weren’t any synthesized strings in the arrangement it was all live orchestration. Just thought you would like to know.

By: Maura

Maura — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 16:24:25 +0000

Masterclasslady,

Thank you so much for posting such a great review of David’s CD.
It’s awesome for people to see how INCREDIBLY talented David is!

It really is a beautiful CD.

You’re AWESOME.

By: madeline alvarez

madeline alvarez — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 14:18:22 +0000

Thank you so much for your input. It was a pleasure to read your comments. I couldn’t agree with you more. David has a beautiful voice. What a master of the arts you are Roseanne. You are an excellent teacher! Thanks again and I’m sure that if David read this evaluation, he would try to improve in the areas where you suggested. Totally I love, and again LOVE his album. Have a Merry Christmas!!!!

By: Mary

Mary — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 12:05:34 +0000

Thank you so much for your time. David deserves the best reviews.

By: Fancy_

Fancy_ — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 10:02:10 +0000

Thanks MCL! Just knew you’d love this CD. I noticed
a few of the breaths on my first listen to the CD.
After that (honestly) I didn’t notice them again-is
there a name for this besides crazy-for-David?
Looking forward to re-listening with your notes, then
I swear I’m going to put it away until after Thanksgiving. Thanks again.

By: Jean

Jean — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 06:55:21 +0000

Thanks for the break down review by song. I have listened to my CD so much already I’m afraid I’m going to wear it out. I’ve got plenty more. Someone told me today, while listening to Davids’ CD that she thought he didn’t didn’t sing with much emotion or enthusiasm. We were driving at the time and it was all I could do to not slam on the breaks and ask her to step out of the car. Then I realized that all people are not going to feel as we all do about Davids music. The first time I listened to the CD I got a little teary eyed on several of the songs – O Holy Night and Ave Maria. I think this is a CD that needs to be listened to without distractions so you can be lifted to the place where David is taking us. Thank you for the review on O Come All Ye Faithful – I was a little surprised at the places where David took a breath – it also seemed rushed. I still liked it. There’s not much I don’t like about Davids’ music.Thank you again for your insight.

By: Golferguy

Golferguy — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 05:30:25 +0000

It was such a treat reading your earlier blog about David’s performance on ALMA, that when I saw your review of Christmas From the Heart, I knew everything else was on hold till I was done with your review. Thanks. Reading your review was a real pleasure. Perhaps the team that put together this CD are the team of specialists that can help someone understand Christmas! Doctors of the heart of music. Toss out the pharmaceuticals! Listen to this CD!