Comments on “Scattershot”

1. Between American Idol extending the age limit to 28 and there being a tryout in DC the week after summer school lets out, guess who might give it a try just for kicks and giggles?

   Matt on July 19th, 2004 at 7:30 pm

2. Go for it, man. Although you might want to work on your sad story of social deprivation before the tryout.

   Josh on July 19th, 2004 at 7:35 pm

3. While I can’t deny that Fantasia is terrible (as are most winners of that darn show —save for Ruben), Norah Jones is absolutely fabulous. She no more poisoned a generation than Ella Fitzgerald or Aretha (sp?) Franklin!

   The lesson to be learned is that Norah Jones has talent —real talent! Not only is she a gifted vocalist, but she’s a classically trained jazz vocalist. You can’t fake it, and when you do, its bad… real bad. But you can’t blame Jones for being talented and making good music. Rather, tell teenage girls everywhere that fairy tales end at age 12.

   capt.taco on July 20th, 2004 at 8:40 am

4. Sounds like we’re violently in agreement here, Rob. Norah Jones is über-talented, both vocally and on piano, and like I said, I can’t really blame her for using her talent to its full extent.

   The difference between her and… well, let’s take Aretha Franklin in particular, is that at the neighborhood karaoke bar any girl who isn’t tone-deaf can attempt to imitate Aretha Franklin’s style and not sound terrible. The entry level (so to speak) for her style is a lot lower than for Jones’s style. But Jones’s popularity has driven girls to imitate her who have no business (talent-wise) doing so.

   Josh Crockett on July 20th, 2004 at 11:14 am

5. I cannot believe you dislike Fantasia’s singing. I think she is extremely talented, and very unique. The reason why she won was because she is a great singer and might I add holds on to a number one single. Can you sing? Most likely not, who would you have liked to sing our Nations Anthem? Perhaps the beloved Brittney Spears, or Christian Aguliera, or maybe even Mickey Mouse. Next time fantasia has an appearence you’ll miss it because you’ll be watching Dream Job, or when her #1 single is playing on the radio making her another dollar you’ll miss it because you will be listening to your satellite radio

   tina on July 20th, 2004 at 7:55 pm

6. snickers Aww, isn’t that cute, Fantasia has a fan. Hey, ex-T’phobes: should I bring out the beatdown stick?

   Josh on July 20th, 2004 at 11:11 pm

7. Good Lord, man, I’ve been sitting here salivating at the thought. What took you so long? ;-)

   Matt on July 21st, 2004 at 7:51 am

8. Hey, I’m commuting between Alexandria and Tysons for the next couple days (getting a hotel on short notice on the VA side of the Beltway was darn near impossible), cut me some slack here. ;-)

   But yeah. Between 17 years of choral singing, somewhere around 20 local, regional and international tours, five years of piano choral accompaniment, and three years of directing and arranging pop/rock for 5-9 man a cappella, I think I’m qualified to comment on Fantasia’s voice. ;-)

   Josh on July 21st, 2004 at 9:17 am

9. You forgot the part where we’ve performed the National Anthem at fairly well-attended events, like a Division I college basketball game… ;-)

   Matt on July 21st, 2004 at 10:28 am

10. All I have to say is - “Mickey Mouse and the National Anthem??????” ;)

    Penny4VT on July 21st, 2004 at 10:43 am

11. Ah yes, I’ve managed to not watch a complete episode of American Idol ever since it hit the states, and I can’t say I’m too upset about missing out on the phenomenon. So I can’t really comment about Fantasia, since I haven’t heard her sing. The one thing I will say about the show is that I think it, like all “reality” shows, is pretty manipulative.

    I do have to agree with you all on Norah Jones, however; her talent is fantastic and her fame is well-deserved.

    Bret on July 22nd, 2004 at 8:42 am

12. Oh Josh violent aren’t we the beat down stick I can’t wait. I must apologize you must have talent by the looks of your brief resume you’ve provided me, but the real question is where is your million dollar contract, or #1 single, or to say the least your platnium album???????? Exactly. Oh one last thing dear what are some of the hit records you’ve arranged or have been featured on. You seem to have experience in the background and perhaps have performed on the small stage, let me know when your meager talents help you reach the limelight.

    Love Ya, I’ll look forward to reading you and your friends comments.

    chao!

    tina on July 23rd, 2004 at 10:12 pm

13. snicker Did Fantasia write any of her music on this #1 single of hers? Doubtful. She won a highly subjective television popularity contest and had a song written for her, and was promoted by the people who run American Idol. This is a far cry from the time and effort that bands put into writing and creating their music. Also, having a #1 single is not in and of itself indicative of talent. I give you “singers” like Hillary Duff, Britney Spears, and Mariah Carey.

    You are quick to denigrate Josh’s qualifications to judge Fantasia’s voice. Where are your qualifications to judge that she is a “great singer”?

    Incidentally, I’m curious as to how you found Josh’s blog, and what made you decide to go trolling with such obvious flamebait?

    Matt on July 25th, 2004 at 11:10 pm

14. Well, I have to answer the ex-T’phobes call, but I’m afraid I have yet to watch a complete “American Idol” episode. A small badge of courage for me, I guess. Spot-on with the Norah comments, though. But since I have no million-dollar contracts nor hit singles, I have to work tomorrow and should therefore sleep.

    Mike on July 25th, 2004 at 11:29 pm

15. You have no million-dollar contracts nor hit singles, Mike? Then what are you doing commenting here? GET OUT LUSER! U AR3 TEH SUCK!!!11!1! HAHHHAHAAH OMG ROFL cough cough er, sorry about that, folks.

    Anyway, I’d like to take this moment to thank our commenters, particularly our celebrity guest commenter “tina” from metropolitan Mebane, NC, who found us last week via a Yahoo search for fantasia singing the National Anthem, for making this the longest thread in BTN’s distinguished (snicker) history.

    Josh on July 26th, 2004 at 1:53 pm

16. Well Josh I have to agree, Hilary Duff and Brittney Spears have had #1 singles and I agree can’t “Really” sing. But in defense of myself and the others who maybe be from Metropolitan Mebane, NC Fantasia is a true talent. Have you heard her sing anything else other than the National Anthem? You should hear her sing Summertime she is great. I am sure you believe I am completely clueless about the music business which maybe true. I do have an ear and Fantasia sounds great.

    tina on July 27th, 2004 at 3:59 pm

17. Ah, I see. So you come in with your opinion, totally subjective and not based on any experience in the music business, and yet you feel a need to take Josh down for his opinion because it is totally subjective and not based on any experience in the music business? Would you like a side of hypocrisy with your double standard, there?

    Matt on July 27th, 2004 at 8:39 pm

18. Singing in the church chorus doesn’t make anyone an expert on the music industry.

    mystery on August 4th, 2004 at 9:26 am

19. For those of you just joining us, no one claimed to be an expert on the music industry…

    Mike on August 4th, 2004 at 10:25 pm

20. Man, you’re first troll Josh and I missed it! That whole “getting married thing” got in my way…

    And since you conservatives are so polite, I’ll say the obvious. Tina, get a clue!! If Fantasia was so talented and so great, why did she need a show like American Idol to promote her?! Why didn’t she do what the other real musicians do : start in bars, colleges and work your way up. Instead, Fantasia wins a popular TV show and has mega-millions pumped behind her so the show’s producers can make even more money.

    The fact that she is even compared to Norah Jones is laughable. Where is Fantasia’s classical training? Where’s the years of heart put into getting a career off the ground? Nope, none of that, just one good month on a TV show. So, nevermind what Josh’s musical credentials are (I know him and have played with him before, which allows me to know that you will NEVER be able to outwit him in anything, much less music) or what you’re credentials are in music. Where are Fantasia’s?? What, Simon says, so the rest of the world follows like drones?? Not at this blog dear!

    capt.taco on August 17th, 2004 at 9:22 am

21. Yeah, Rob, I hear that process can infringe on one’s social life a bit ;-) Congrats!

    Josh Crockett on August 18th, 2004 at 9:45 am