Considering whether I would watch last night’s American Idol showdown reminded me of one of Samuel Goldwyn’s classic malapropisms: “You’ve got to take the bitter with the sour.”
Preferring to do neither, the boyfriend and I skipped the battle of the dullards. We will, however, TIVO tonight’s finale because Elliott Yamin is scheduled to perform with the new Queen of Soul, Mary J. Blige — Fuckin’ A, E!
Yesterday my bitter mood regarding Elliott’s ouster finally lifted. I got sane and started to rethink things — to reevaluate the play of the Fates. Soon a lot of silver linings began to sparkle through the cloud cover, and I began to feel that my boy pulled off the best of all possible outcomes for himself. He matured as a man, deepened as a vocalist, earned a gigantic fan base, and, by placing third, escaped the clutches of the vampiric Clive Davis and the draconian contract from American Idol’s 19 Management. All of that made me happy. Which made me reflect on all of the qualities I came to appreciate about Elliott Yamin throughout the competition.
Here then are 10 Reasons Why I Love Elliott Yamin and why I’ll remember him long after this season of Idol fades to blah.
1. Although I’ve never doubted his gentlemanly, self-effacing demeanor, I’m also astute enough to know a self-possessed soul when I see one. Early on when Simon Cowell announced that Yamin was potentially the show’s best singer ever, I knew that Yamin, despite his surprise, knew that the statement was true. Sure Elliott could be nervous and skittish on stage, but he was also powerfully persistent with his vision for himself as an artist and as a music aficionado. And that combination of contradictory traits made him a fascinating spectacle. Watching Elliot perform paid me back tenfold for the time I devoted to Idol this year.
2. Abracadabra. Yamin transformed himself right before our eyes. It’s one of the central reasons people are fascinated with Idol, and Yamin delivered Ugly Duckling excitement big time. Remember the dorky, Amish-looking guy bookended between the obnoxious Brittenum Twins at the very beginning of the Hollywood tryouts? Now check out the swan of a guy in the photo that opens this entry. Hot.
3. Despite all the blatant pimping the Idol producers contrived for the other contestants — light shows, fire bombs, dry ice, and stage-prop guitarists and fiddlers — Yamin, with the sheer power of his vocals, managed to beat the odds and climb to a third-place win on a show that seemed rigged against him.
Even worse, in a kind of Shakespearean mind-fuck, Elliot seemed to connive at his own downfall. On the night of his final performance, the one that got him booted from the show, his delivery was enervated and off the mark — two qualities you never associate with a Yamin performance. In the past the guy knew how to make even the shittiest songs work. But aware of the contractual lock-hold of a first or second-place win, he dimmed his dazzle and deliberately challenged the audience with an unfamiliar song — Ray Charles’ I Believe To My Soul — that just so happened to lyrically lay it on the line for the show’s producers: “I say I believe right now/Well I believe to my soul now/You’re trying to make a fool of me (I believe it, I believe it)”
This was great fucking showbiz folks!
4. He told Clive Davis – the original occupant of Dr. Caligari’s cabinet — to go fuck himself.
We’ll sort of. It’s been said that Davis openly disapproved of the artistic decisions Yamin made for himself on the final three sing-offs. And Yamin directly ignored Davis’ advice regarding the Ray Charles song he chose for himself. In what seems to be retaliation, Davis offered consolation recording contracts to Paris Bennett and Chris Daughtry — but not Elliot. With Taylor Hicks and Katharine McPhee already guaranteed albums, this felt like an attention-getting snub against Yamin.
But praise Jehovah. Yamin’s been spared the soul-raping, misguided efforts that the near braindead, trapped-in-a-time-warp Davis foisted on Ruben Studdard and Bo Bice. Ruben’s sweet, soulful style was shoved into an ill-fitting hip hop matrix, while Bo Bice was similarly misaligned. Under Davis’ expert guidance, Bice went from a Lynyrd Skynyrd-lovin’ country guy into a Van Halen-lite “rocker” — for the Pepsi Generation (a demographic that was big back in Clive’s 70s heyday.)
5. Class. As in classy. Elliott’s ability to convey substance over style allowed him to do what great artists always do: transcend barriers. Yamin’s dynamic, soulful singing crossed racial barriers, age barriers, religious barriers and cultural barriers. Everyone dug him.
6. He brought intelligent articulation to prime time television. Listening to Yamin express himself in interviews I was always struck by his vocabulary. He actually used words with four and five syllables. Often in the same sentence. People, this doesn’t happen much on television today unless you’re watching Charlie Rose. He also had a knack for sounding casual and sincere at the same time. A gift usually distinct to people who are more concerned with telling the truth than blowharding and making an impression.
7. He has a great relationship with his mom. Watching their interaction, throughout the show, made me think about how much I love and appreciate my mom. And that’s a good thing to remember from time to time.
8. Elliott made it OK for guys to cry. He openly shed tears on and off the Idol stage. And so did I. I cried when he came out and blew the roof off the theater with his rendition of Donny Hathaway’s A Song For You — having finally nailed his Idol “moment.” And I cried when he lost to Katharine McScreech by what seemed to be just several thousand votes (out of nearly 50 million) last week.
9. With his sharp self-appraisal, Yamin made soul growth look like something that wasn’t always easy but was definitely worth it. That kind of inspiration is hard to come by nowadays. “Before the contest started,” Yamin explained in an interview, “I was lost, still trying to find my way as a human being, as an employee, all of the above. I have grown a lot in confidence. I’ve accomplished what I set out to do. I’ve actually followed through with something in my life. I’m a better man for it.” And he never mentioned God’s plan or Jesus.
10. I’ve a new musical artist to be excited about and look forward to. And finally it’s a fucking guy. Friends have grown weary hearing me complain about the sparkless, neutered sound of most male singers: Whining, put-upon, and disconnected from the body below their neck. Where are the men?
Yamin’s sound is the exact opposite. He occupies his body and sings with a force that is mesmerizing and inspiring. Too, I love his love of music, his historical knowledge of styles and modes. And his respect of lineage — all of those fantastic vocal stylists that have come before him.
I’m predicting great things from Elliot Yamin, maybe even monumental. Something different from what we’ve come to expect from the slicked-to-death Idol franchise: Some real heart and soul — real music. Doesn’t that sound great?
Say “yes”… like Yamin it!
All along, Elliott has always outshined all the others… He has a quality that none of the others posess or ever will.
I happened upon this article via a link provided by a member of the E-Train Forum. I appreciate your Top 10 list and agree with all of them. Elliott truly is a one-of-a-kind offering in today’s cynical world of entertainment, and I, too, am looking forward to being witness to the ongoing journey of a star. Great job on expressing what most, if not all, Elliott Yamin fans feel about the man, the music, and legend-in-the-making.
Terrific and accurate tribute, David.
Thankyou for a great tribute to Elliott. I hope the man himself reads it. There’s a world of people out here who can’t wait to hear him again, this time in the context of a real musical environment rather than the ever more irrelevant and retrograde trappings of “Idol”.
I’m starting to like this Elliot; pity I can’t see the show…
Well, you can at least hear his version of Moody’s Mood for Love. I noticed it is available online for 99¢. Download it and slip it onto your iPod.
Elliot reminds me of Stevie Wonder in the above mentioned song.
oh, that’s a nice piece, and sincere, which few things are these days. hopefully, you can find a way to get elliot to read it?
isn’t it interesting how wrapped up we get in music, and how much we want everyone to feel like we do about a particular artist? i mean, i really BELIEVE that SIGUR ROS is the best live band in the world, and i want others to join with me and believe it too! if they don’t i truly start to think there’s something wrong with them, and the world. which gets to an interesting thing about music, how certain artists stir our souls, and others miss the mark entirely.
i watched american idol, and followed through to the bitter end so i could vote AGAINST katherine. though she does (when she hushes up a bit) have some nice vocal qualities, she forgets the words to songs, screeches, and worst of all, she’s an absolutely phony performer. at the very least, taylor has a genuine awkwardness, even if it is similar to something you’d see at a wedding reception.
what i don’t like on idol is when i can see an artist’s naked ambition, as opposed to a genuine passion for music - but oddly enough, in the end, i think this is precisely what idol voters want to see; they want a performer to prove how much they want to BE the AMERICAN IDOL. idol voters don’t seem to favor those who show a sincere love of their craft, or of music itself; they want you to sing very loudly, even if you’re off key, and they want you to want to WIN. americans love winners, and despise weakness. so, some of the rules are: don’t cry if you’re a boy (like elliot); don’t lose your voice (like chris); never say you sucked (like pickler); never say you’re happy to just get this far (paris); and never, ever be subtle (again, elliot). it don’t hurt to shake that junk in your trunk, crawl around on the floor like you’ve had too many margaritas, and put your boobs as close to the show host’s face as humanly possible without giving him a lap dance.
drink up, toke out, and enjoy your final night of season five idolizing.
t.
Great advice Gerry. Read what Amazon.com’s Editorial Review noted about the AI5 collection of songs:
“By far the most flagrant example of America messing up what should have been a sure thing arrives on track nine. Elliott Yamin’s “Moody’s Mood For Love” outshines everything around it. Voters who contributed to his dismissal before the finals in favor of takin’-it-to-the-streets Taylor or–worse–mediocre Katharine McPhee will listen with their heads hung in shame .”
Support the E-train and purchase Moody’s from itunes. Now.
Excellent tribute to Elliot - good work! From day one, Elliot completely outpaced, outclassed, and outsang every other contestant on the show. In his steady, unassuming way, he made each song his own, sang with musicality and style, flawless vocals and that extra spark that separates a merely competent singer from an inspired one.
The three good things that American Idol seems to have done for Elliot are to give him national exposure, apparently boost his confidence and self-assuredness, and give him a makeover that has brought out in him the handsome, sexy guy he clearly always was to begin with. I know I’ll be first in line to buy an Elliot Yamin CD.
Really enjoyed reading your 10 reasons why you love Elliot because I didn’t think he was quite the vocalist people give him credit for, but like him regardless because he is very genuine and he did improve on the show. Reading your kind words is refreshing just because I didn’t hear the greatness I’m glad someone did. I also wanted to bring to your attention that Elliot was pimped to high heaven and back, the producers did that with #7 his relationship with his mom, it won him many fans, much more so than burts of fire or smoke from dry ice or solo guitarists could ever pimp a performance, and that was probably the main reason he was pushed up into the top three, he got the sympathy vote for his over pimped story line, that’s the reality of reality tv.
Thanks David K for your write-up on Elliot. You have transformed our feelings about Elliot into words. With a rare talent like his, there has gotta be a recording contract somewhere with his name on it. Otherwise, the big honchos of the recording industry will be making the biggest mistake in their career. My hats off to you and Elliot!
The best piece I have read explaining, even to me, why I am so in love with Elliot. I love him as a singer and I am touched so deeply by him for his humility and humanity. I cry everytime he sings. He is certainly a special soul. Thanks again for a brilliant analysis of our Elliot.
Thanks for putting in words what I have been feeling all season of American Idol. The best thing that could have happened to Elliott is getting voted off AI. Now he doesn’t have to have that chokehold around his neck of being an American Idol. He will make it on sheer talent. He has the most amazing voice I have heard in ages. Andy…You’ll have to fight me for first place in that line for Elliott’s debut CD!! Elliott Yamin…I for one…have no intention of quitting you!!!
David,
I love what you’ve written about Elliott. He touches me to my soul, and I can’t wait to hear his amazing voice again.
I believe he will be a music blessing in our lives for a long, long time.
I said to my 82 year old Catholic total lady mother that I think it would be way better to be in bed with Elliott than Chris or Taylor. And she agreed with me.
You are right…fucking A he is awesome.
Thanks,
Karen
OH MY GOD! Thank GOD for your website. I thaught that I was the only gay man in America who loved Elliot Yamin. I am so HAPPY, I want to CRY. I could not agree with you more about Elliot. He makes me feel good when I am feeling down about things. I tried to share how I felt about Elliot with other people on the other message boards. IT WAS A TOTAL NIGHTMARE! I had never in all my life felt so torn apart. BUT! Like the true Diva that I am,I went back at them with FULL FORCE! I for the life of me don’t know what it is I love more about that man. His voice, His REALLY GOOD LOOKS, Or his Heart. Considering the day and age we are living in, Sometimes it’s hard to find what makes us happy. Elliot is what makes me happy ^_^ He to me is the true definition on what a man should be. He puts the wind in my sales, He is the warm sun in the Winter, And a cool gentle breeze in the Summer. Typical gay man that I am, I want what I can’t have. But every night before I go to bed, I HOPE, PREY, AND DREAM that there is a man that is like him out there, and that I will be LUCKY enough to be with him…..May all the dreams that you dare to dream, really do come true……With lots of love from the “BLUE” state California….Robby Jean.
hi i just happen to stumble across your blog while doing some cross search and i’m totally floored by your writeups about Elliott. i totally adore this man but i could never say it so eloquently like you did and i love you for that!! i hope i could convert some of my beards by letting them read about this greatness in the making:))
He is a bright and passionate singer; Amen to your review of Elliott
Dying to know your take on Sanjaya this year, Dave…