David Cook performed “Billie Jean” at the Belly Up in Aspen Colorado Saturday, right before he closed the show with “Declaration.” He had a moment of silence for Michael Jackson in Denver Friday night, but didn’t sing “Billie Jean”, telling the crowd he hadn’t practiced the song. David sings it solo, accompanying himself on electric guitar.
Plus, Adam Lambert and Kris Allen discuss Michael Jackson’s legacy, and what his music meant to them as artists. Watch the video HERE. Adam and Kris begin at the 2:00 mark.
After the Jump, David Cook performs “Billie Jean”
YMMV, but I knew MJ had IT from the minute I laid eyes on him when the Jackson 5 and 11 year old Michael debuted on Ed Sullivan. That memory is still vivid to me nearly 40 years later.
I think the dance moves helped grab some people’s attention but in the end, I think the music, the voice and the artistry also spoke for itself. I was also looking back at those performances when Michael was 11, and I can’t think of any other child performer at that age with the same kind of voice, stage presence and personality. Regarding Cook’s BJ vs Michaels’s. Love both versions but they sound like two different songs so I can’t compare. However, I listen to Cook’s more, because that style of music fits my current taste and I love Cook’s voice in it. For that same reason, I wouldn’t be surprised if a lot of young people preferred Cook’s version to MJs. Doesn’t make it better, just more current.
Oh man, I can never miss an opportunity to link to this brilliant cover of Trent Reznor’s nihilistic addict’s lament. In Mr. Cash’s hands the song depicted the stark reality of a man facing his own mortality in the twilight years of his life.
One other note about Cook’s Billie Jean…few guys do worked over by a chick who is bad news like David Cook. I mean, it’s kinda his forte (so many great original Cook tunes with variations on this theme), so it was kind of fitting that he brought that whole vibe out of Billie Jean. In lesser hands it could come off either whiny or self indulgent, but there’s something about Cookie doing these tunes that make them sympathetic and rather than pathetic.
YMMV- what does this mean?
Your mileage may vary, i.e. you may have a different opinion.
(I think that usually goes without saying. I always stick with the tried-and-true “IMHO.”)
Thank you- I looked it up and saw it meant ‘Your mileage may vary’ but still had no clue what that had to do with a blog post.
IMHO – I know that one ;p
Sometimes it takes me forever to read a post trying to decipher these codes.
For you Cook fans, there are two more fantastic Billie Jean videos posted. One from the AI tour :
“Billie Jean” on AI tour @Evansville, IN
and one more from Aspen Colorado on Saturday:
Aspen “Billie Jean”
Ha, interesting discussion on covers, MJ’s stardom, etc.
Here’s another version of DC singing CC’s version of Billie Jean, which is the version *I* prefer over the original worldwide phenomenon. The latter is quite good as well, but for obvious reasons for me (I wasn’t born yet when original BJ came out), sounds much less “current”, like May said.
ETA: Oops, wordnerdarchie beat me to the link.
Wow, that *is* a great version. I’ve seen many videos that were taken of that performance and others during the Season 7 AI tour but that’s one of the best.
Personally, I don’t think anybody else could top Michael on his own songs. He brought anything he sang to a whole new level. He can’t be duplicated. Others did well with their covers, but I think some are pushing it to say some amateur performers on Idol topped the King of Pop. YMMV.
Lexus – that’s what’s so great about MJ’sbigblog – we can respectfully agree to disagree. and I do.
That Billie Jean performance from the AI tour — just incredible! DC owned that stage, undeniably the American Idol of that batch. Stunning, powerful stuff.
Pretty apropos quote from DC from a new interview (posted on the Headlines thread)
Another great video of Billie Jean
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAwEvCfWIBg&feature=channel_page