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2006 "American Idol" runner-up Katharine McPhee projected a big brawny voice on TV and yet debut "Over It" reached a tepid No. 29 on The Billboard Hot 100. Follow-up "Love Story" again digs at the root of the dilemma: a mega-talented vocalist aligned with ill-fitting material. Both tracks are generously catchy and clever, but pushing popper McPhee toward R&B/ rhythmic is far from the big-ballad brand that prompted millions of votes on the show. Warning label: 2007 winner Jordin Sparks won with the same tableau as McPhee. Will the label also transition the latter from what comes naturally, alienating the fan base? Now is the time for lessons to be learned. Meanwhile, we're still waiting for McPhee to release a song befitting her talent that will connect fans who put faith in a voice we have yet to hear on record. —Chuck Taylor
Everyone is entitled to their opinion....But, I maintain that Kat is ill-suited for pop music. It's mainly because her voice is too GOOD for pop music. The last thing you want with pop music is a good voice, and Kat certainly has an excellent voice. And I'm not one of those people that see her forte in ballads either. I see Kat's place as a female "Harry Chapin" ( I know I'm dating myself here...... he was best known for Cat's in the Cradle, and tragically died in an auto accident way before his prime) because with her pristine voice, it really is suited for storytelling.
Kat is way too nice to be a great pop star and with a way too good voice. I just so happened to be in the same studio while a well known pop star was in the studio a few years ago, and it was painful to my ears to hear the raw vocals!!!! They were so off-pitch that it wasn't even funny. But, slap the vocals in the "pitch corrector" and everything sounded OK. So, you see, pop music has nothing to do with talent, it's all about image.... and Kat just doesn't fit. I hope she understands that music is her job now. And as most of us realize, that we can't always do what we want at our jobs. Chuck the pop crap, because it will get her nowhere.
I've been involved with vocalists in the pop field for over 30 years, and vocal talent isn't even in the top 3 of concerns. With pop, vocal uniqueness is far more important.....ah does Biz Markee ring a bell? That poor guy couldn't sing his way out of a paper bag, but he was hugely popular for a time, just because he was different... and the list goes on and on.
I think that Kat just wants to sing songs that are fun to do, which is fine, but it won't guarantee a long lasting career either. It's one thing to enjoy what you are doing, but you can't leave the buying public out of the equation.
Sad to say, because I really, really think Katharine is a very talented person, but is wasting her 15 minutes of fame. In this modern day media frenzy we live in, you have to make your mark fast and make it stick. I don't see any of her new material as doing that. I've said this before and I'll say it again.... She has about 1 more shot at this before she will become a fading memory. She better get the next album right or she will be reduced to performing at rodeos and county fairs and will likely be without a record deal.
Don't listen to me if you don't care to.... it's just I've seen this all before so many times... a person with a bright future that just doesn't utilize thier initial popularity wisely, will fade from the limelight pretty quickly. I just hope this doesn't happen to Kat.
Such a SAD day when having a clean image is a problem. I thought we all admired her not being nuts like all the girls that are now in jail, rehab.....etc....? As much as "we" say we are sick of the craziness out there, for Kat to really make her mark I guess she's gonna have to gutter down. What a sad day when someone has to be dirtied up somehow to sell a record or obtain some fame. It's late and I'm not sure if Am I getting my point across here? This just really makes me mad It's so hypocrital that there are people who have made mean comments about how "sleezy" her album cover is and attack her from that end and then to be reading that she's not sleezy enough? I know that's not what you're saying here I don't think, but it sounds crappy to me like she can't win for losing in the public eye...no matter what way she turns she'll be too this or too that. Sad commentary and if I were Kat I would be just exactly who I am and live my life with integrity...even if that means I don't become "famous" and I fade to gray in the world's eyes.
Also bcollan what do you mean when you say that "it's not something that can't be overcome with a bit of effort?" Her sqeeky clean image? and what will have to happen so she can "overcome" that?
I'm reading this
Wow I usually don't get into these debates but comparing Kat to Harry Chapin? Are you kidding? He was one of the most overrated singers and storytellers of the seventies. Had he not died tragically he would be relegated to the many one-two hit wonder half hour infomercials at 2am by now. He simply was given bigger status because of his tragic death and far more than his talent deserved.
I have no problem with Kat wanting to venture into pop music. The world of Pop could use some talented singers instead of the rash of Pole dancers we have today. If you are going to have an issue with her CD then have an issue with the material she was given. Some songs don't do either as far as show her talent or find a uniqueness to make them stand out, But some DO!!! Everywhere I GO and Neglected are masterpieces of Pop music IMO. Unfortunately they have been relegated to the end of the CD and are not showcased like they deserve to be. If Kat can take her time and get the kind of material she deserves she can make an incredible Pop CD next time. But to say her voice is simply too good for Pop is absurd. What she needs is the right song and the right producer. That was shown so clearly on Everywhere I Go. Babyface created the real Diamond of this CD and given the chance it would be the smash hit she so justly deserves.
You are entitled to your opinion. We will see. I just know that if Kat doesn't make some changes, she will not be around for long as a musical influence. I still maintain that Kat's voice is too good for pop, her squeaky clean image is not helping and her CD was Cr**...... err ...substandard.
Think of it this way, if some of us here on Kat's board have serious reservations about the CD and the genre of music she has chosen, what do you think the average casual fan thinks? I can tell you, it's not wonderful.
Ok, I'm done with this conversation. You can argue until your fingers fall off.... I'm out of it at this point. I've got more important things to do with my life than deal with this. Hope Kat does well but.... in all honesty, I think it may be too late, even if she puts together something decent in the future.
I was a huge fan and now I'm not so much a one anymore, so I think it's best that I move out of this place. Wish all well. After this post, I'll be removing my name from the members list and leave you die hard fans to have your fun.
Hey GB3535!
You better not leave KMF!!! We need devoted fans and you are certainly one of them. We all have mixed emotions about Kat's CD and her efforts to take her music in a new direction. It's been very frustrating that she hasn't produced the sales we all hoped for with her debut. You made some very valid points. Please don't let a heated discussion drive you away. We all have different opinions sometimes but can share them respectfully. It's still early to tell but I'm hopeful that LOVE STORY will be the HIT she needs. If that doesn't happen, she may need to return to her roots and sing what gained her millions of fans and votes. As for me . . . I'm going to love her "Come Rain or Come Shine!"
Hugs to you, Teilah
Hi Teilah!
Thanks so much for the kind words!!! Yeah.... Sorry.... It's the Hungarian in me (I'm 100% Hungarian!!). We have a tendency to spout off about almost anything, usually later regretting it!! As much as I wanted to just wash my hands of everything, I can't. No matter what form of music Kat chooses to do, I still think she is the best. Sure, I have my reservations about some things, but that is the same with everything. Sorry to everybody about my being kind of negative for awhile. I'm going to do my best to change that. Like my momma told me... " if you can't say anything nice, just say nothing at all".
Again my appologies to everyone, and from now on, I'll try to be more supportive and positive..
GB
Well we can all have our opinions but I will say that I could not disagree more with some of your points. First of all Kat needs to be true to who she is and who she wants to be and our opinions of what that is really don't matter. What matters is what Kat feels is right for her. She has chosen a different path than the one many of us thought she would choose but it was HER CHOICE! We have the choice to enjoy it and support her or not. To argue that a great voice is a detrement in Pop music is ridiculous to me. And personally I don't find her CD "substandard" at all. I have listened to her CD everyday since we first got the leaked tracks the week before it came out. And even after probably 1000 listes at least ,there are moments that still bring me to tears and bring chills down my spine when I hear them. And it's NOT from the Idol style ballads like OW or BOA. There have been very very few artists that have had that kind of impact on me in my 54 years on this planet. And what does that is the quality of her voice. She sets a standard for singing that I find enthralling, moving and something I wish more artists tried to attain. And that is quite posible in Pop music. difficult? yes of course but posible. Success as an artist is not measured by the number of CD's you sell, sorry Daughtry fans, but by the impact your music has on people. Great R&B Pop music by great vocalists like Aretha, Stevie, Robert Palmer, Anita Baker, Alicia Keys, John Legend, Christina, Ryan Leslie, Ne Yo etc can be both popular and quality. There are moments on Kat's CD that shine with that quality. Not every song but these artists didn't have just 4 weeks to record 20 songs and make a CD. Under the circumstances she was in she did remarkably well and showed us all, well at least me, that she CAN make Quality Pop/R&B music. And given the right songs and the right producer she can move this old guy to tears everytime I hear that voice that is too good for Pop!
Hey GB, glad you're back! I may not always agree with everything you say, but I do appreciate your educated input! It is frustrating - the waiting game, to see if / when Kat's album sales will pick up, if her music will evolve into something more accepted and appreciated by both older and younger fans.
I fell in love with Katharine for her voice first and foremost. It's like nothing else I've ever heard. I can't imagine her not having a recording career! I guess the type of music she does is secondary to me. I can see why people say she is at her best singing stuff like "Me" and "Mary Jane", but her album has several songs that showcase what I love about her voice as well. In the end that's what's most important to me - getting to hear her sing. And of course it's even better when we can watch her at the same time!
Thanks, I really like him. He is new, contemporary and has a great voice. I love his style of modern R&B by singers who can actually sing! Try these!
Because of You:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-FdoZdfpmE
Sexy Love:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Rm6DbQvjZI