Hope for Haiti

“Hope” is one of the words that came to mind the first time I heard David Archuleta sing. I remember trying to figure out how a sweet little song like “Shop Around” could pull me out of a deep sorrow following a friend’s funeral. “His voice is the sound of hope,” I thought then … and now.

So David answering phones and taking pledges at a telethon called “Hope for Haiti Now” seemed like the perfect fit. It was no surprise David would blog or vlog about the experience, but what did surprise me was how intensely moving it was. His vlogs usually make me smile till my cheeks hurt, not get a lump in my throat. I felt compelled to transcribe it, read it over, let his words really sink in. As with many things David-related, I wasn’t sure why … but I did it anyway. And here are some of them:

Photo: PopEater

“Hello everyone, it’s David here! And I’m sorry I haven’t made a video blog for a while but, as you know, I was in Central America last week and then I lost my voice at the beginning of this week. And so it was just a bad time.

“I had such a great time in Central America, in Guatemala and Honduras and it was so great having my mom there. I’m so thankful for Enterprise Mentors for taking us down there and showing us what they’re all about, helping families out and letting us get to meet them. And it was so neat to be able to see how happy they were with what they had.

“It’s amazing because they had so little, but they don’t have distractions, and they don’t have so much that they’re like envious and jealous of, they’re just happy with what they have and happy to have their family. And they want to provide for them the best they can.

“It’s really cool and really humbling and it was just really fun and I’m hoping to go back because we didn’t want to leave. But just happy to help out in any way that we can with that.

“Another thing that happened this week, as you know, was the telethon yesterday, Hope for Haiti Now. And that was so great to be a part of because there were just so many people together there helping out, being a part of the telethon. So many amazing performers and I was just so glad to be a part of that and to be able to help out.

“I was so happy to be able to just donate and then also helping with answering the phones and talking to people and hearing their stories and how they felt about what’s been going on – how it’s changed their perspective on things.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, centre, visits the collapsed UN headquarters in Port-au-Prince.

“You know, it’s cool to see people care about other people.

“And it’s been so hard, you know, with everything going on with these people in Haiti, just seeing how much they’ve been going through … these people trying to find their family members under all these crumbled buildings and the horrible stench from the bodies all over the city….

“It really hurts your heart to hear that kind of stuff but it’s REAL … it’s really happening

“…and I think it’s a wake-up call for us to know that we need to come together and help these people out, because people are really going through these kinds of things.

“And it’s just neat to see people, you know, change, and think about ‘How can we help these people out?’ … ‘How can we give in any way that we can?’

“So thanks, you guys, so much for doing that and helping these people who are having a hard time just finding simple medicine and water just to keep them alive and to not have doctors there with all their injuries, even after they’ve been found dug up from the horrible disaster zone over there. They still need our help, they still need supplies and stuff.

“So thanks for helping out and keep on helping because they still need us. Sorry to get all serious on that but I just feel that these people need help and it’s hard to see the stories and stuff that have been going on and I have been watching about it.

“So keep on praying for them, keep on caring for them, keep on donating, and doing anything that you can for these people….”

UPDATE: Virtual MTV Cupcakes for Haiti

These tweets from MTV’s Jim Cantiello after the Hope for Haiti Now Telethon filled David’s fans with hope:

@jambajim The show’s over but the work still continues. Clipping press i/vs all nite long. OMG @DavidArchie sang backstage for our producers. Dawwwww!

@jambajim Don’t worry @DavidArchie fans. I’ll make sure MTV News posts the impromptu perf on our site Monday. It’s beautiful. Not saying what song.

Jim had tweeted earlier that David’s team reached out to him because David wanted  to volunteer to help in some way at the telethon and he helped make that happen.

As a fun, yet meaningful, way to thank Jim for his continuing ArchSupport, a “Virtual Cupcakes” campaign began via Twitter!

David’s fans have been “virtually baking” like crazy to send Jim “cyber cupcakes” (photos via Twitter and/or post) along with a donation to the Hope for Haiti Now coalition of charities on behalf of Jim and David.

Total donation raised: US$5,450 !!!

Only David Archuleta fans could respond to something so kooky and fun with such serious generosity and kindness. Thank you to every donor (and fellow instigator/organizers momJulee, BeckyFOD, janey, karenkid) … non-virtual hugs all around!!!

And the hugs … and cupcakes … just keep on comin’!

Tweet from MTV’s Jim Cantiello:

@jambajim I’m in awe of all the $$$ @DavidArchie fans have raised for Haiti in my name. Unreal. You guys are insane in the best possible way. **Hugs**

This entry was posted in Fan experience, Special event and tagged , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

78 Responses to Hope for Haiti

  1. TOfan's avatar TOfan says:

    From end of last thread:

    From peppertara:

    Aw…the virtual cupcake thing is a very sweet idea! Just donated a little to add to the sweetness of it all. Love David and his fans too, just the best. Way to go fans!

    The Thing, Thang post is wonderful! Just loved it, thanks for posting it and thanks to Beebee for the great interpretation (and humor) about something almost indescribable!

    Sometimes I think that David will create his own genre of music, or several genres (maybe he already has) and nobody, try as they may, will be able to duplicate it. Nor can anyone duplicate what he projects in his sweet vlogs!

  2. Kizzi's avatar Kizzi says:

    TOfan – Wonderful article – transcribing David’s words to black and white makes it all the more powerful.

    Congrats on the fundraiser….piece of (cup) cake, eh?

    Wonder what the song jambajim will post this pm will be? hmmmm……

    p.s. love jambajim’s tweet cupcake avi – is it a cat? or a mouse?

  3. KT's avatar KT says:

    Excellent Job!!!

    “Thank you to every donor (and instigator/organizers momJulee, BeckyFOD, janey, karenkid)”

    OK I will add TOfan to that list…excellent job TOfan!

    “…insane in the best possible way…” Oh yeah…that’s us and we’re proud of it!

  4. TOfan's avatar TOfan says:

    peppertara, I love your idea of David creating his own genre of music … he def. has his own “sound” and his next CD will develop that even further *tries to be patient*

    Kizzi & KT, yes “insane in the best possible way” … never been happier to be called certifiable, LOL.

    And cat or mouse? You decide (here’s Jim’s new “cupcake party” avi on Twitter):

    pink cat

  5. awestruck's avatar awestruck says:

    TOfan – “His vlogs usually make me smile till my cheeks hurt, not get a lump in my throat.” It truly is a ‘serious’ vlog. Shows how he is really feeling it. Reading it here brings it to heart even more.

    Those devastated people – but one of the clips from the telethon showed a man who stood for days near where his wife lay buried under the rubble… and when she was finally able to be brought out from under, she came out singing – THIS shows us hope in the face of disaster. A lesson for us all.

    I think Jim’s cupcake is a cat…

  6. refnaf's avatar refnaf says:

    Wow this whole cupcake thing is quite amazing,,, hats off to you TOfan (and janey, mom, karen and becky…and all donours)
    I twitted that is is a fun day, seeing all the cupcake avi’s , but then realized how much sadness is around us. David’s sincere words in the vlog really say it all. “This is really happening” Such a heart breaking situation, making our “hearts hurt” But I guess it is good to find a way to have some fun and get some fundraising done.. $3000. that is incredible! Thanks for the transcription TOfan… it is always a good thing to do what our heart compels us to do (something I have learned in the past 2 years) this post is another testament to that.

    It really and truly is a blessing to be a David fan and to share this trip with all of you! **sniff** and ((hug)))

  7. Jeffr's avatar Jeffr says:

    Hi, is the time to donate to Haitian relief via the crushms account over already? I saw it was supposed to end by 10 a.m. today. It was already after 10 by the time I read about it. Thanks!

  8. TOfan's avatar TOfan says:

    awestruck & refnaf,
    “Hope in the face of disaster” … so true … and, I’m learning not to underestimate the power of hope …

    … This “cupcake” donation started out as a small “shout-out” … the fact that it snowballed the way it did speaks volumes about the love & heart & generosity of David’s fans. So proud to be one.

    (And to get the full story, you can click on the Peace, Love, Cupcakes picture in the sidebar (or go HERE).)

    [Jeffr: Yes, you can still donate via the crushms account (see end of beebee’s last post if you need more info.)]

  9. TOfan's avatar TOfan says:

    LOL, Ref…. speechless? 😆

  10. awestruck's avatar awestruck says:

    refnaf – ditto!… to your comment at 12:33 AND to your speechless one at 1:40. I too am struck dumb by the rate at which the cupcake donation is growing LOL

  11. awestruck's avatar awestruck says:

    Two tweets from Eman: “the best of the best” I’m liking the sound of this…

    EmanuelKiriakou@DavidArchie put me on the floor when we were tracking the Christmas record. That boy is GIFTED!!!!! Trust me I’ve recorded a lot of peeps.
    36 minutes ago from web

    The best of the best writing with and for @davidarchie this week..I’ll keep you posted!
    about 1 hour ago from web

  12. TOfan's avatar TOfan says:

    Awestruck, I like the sound of that, too!

    Eman co-wrote My Hands … need I say more? 😆

  13. munkmusic's avatar munkmusic says:

    awestruck, Isn’t this awesome news! I am so excited! I am sure they will write some great stuff this week!…..songs…..sorry! LOL!

  14. awestruck's avatar awestruck says:

    munkmusic – I am sure excited too. I also love hearing how other writers/producers are also excited about working with David – enough so that they tweet about it.

    TOfan – My Hands ftw and what else was Eman in on the debut album… runs to look for the liner notes…

  15. refnaf's avatar refnaf says:

    gosh … I am speechless, cupcakes and new songs being written RIGHT NOW!!!!

  16. angelofdja's avatar angelofdja says:

    Jeesh, I never know what to say…
    I’m amazed and humbled by this fanbase that David has…ya’all ROCK!

  17. Kizzi's avatar Kizzi says:

    So, I was reading about the My Hands craze the last 24 hours – here is my contribution – the a capella endings – soul searing.

    Fairfax, VA

    Sunrise, FL

    Duluth, GA

    Edinburgh, Scotland

    And, a full My Hands from Pittsburgh

  18. YJfanofdavid's avatar YJfanofdavid says:

    Tofan et al, Great team work on the cupcakes project. We are so proud of you!

    Jambajim just tweeted:

    jambajim Here’s a hint to hold you over: David sang a song that is typically performed a capella with a vocoder. (NOT “Hide & Seek” by Imogen Heap.)
    7 minutes ago from web
    Reply Retweet

    I just found this article titled “Top 15 Vocoder Songs of All Times” by way of Google and saw a comment from October, 2008:

    “Hide & Seek (Imogen Heap) and Prayer for the Children have GOT to be there; they’re about the best Vocoder songs ever! Please put them in!”

    Hmmm…

  19. awestruck's avatar awestruck says:

    YJ – I’ve been thinking all along David sang POTC – it would have fit in so well with the Hope for Haiti Now telethon.

  20. TOfan's avatar TOfan says:

    Kizzi, ohmyheck … it’s a My Handstravaganza! LOVE it! thank you!

    yjfanofdavid, great detective work! I’m with awestruck, I’d bet $$ on POTC but it could be the phone book for all I care, LOL.

    Jim’s latest tweets, bahahaha:

    Oh no @DavidArchie fans! Tape still not here. Video will be up 2morrow a.m. If only MTV was run as efficiently as your Virtual Cupcake Drive

    @jambajim: Cross my ❤ & hope 2 die from virtual cupcake induced diabetes. Vid tom.DEFINITELY. RT @SarahLuvsArchie @jambajim Promiseeee?!

  21. awestruck's avatar awestruck says:

    Poor Jim – ya think maybe fans have been storm tweeting him as to where the song vid is???

  22. TOfan's avatar TOfan says:

    I think you’re right about the storm-tweeting, awestruck, so I added a new Jim-friendly widget to the sidebar. 😆

  23. SandyBeaches's avatar SandyBeaches says:

    Congrats. on the huge success of your Virtual Cupcake Fundraiser…

    Along with my daughters we have contributed to help the hungry, lost and injured animals of Haiti on the following site…

    https://www.ifaw.org/ifaw_canada_english/donate_now/haiti_earthquake.php#x

    International Fderation of Animal Welfare…

    I do love cupcakes though!!

    SB

  24. TOfan's avatar TOfan says:

    More songwriting tweets:

    @ClaudeKelly: In an amazing writing session with @Emanuelkiriakou AND @hodgesmusic…ITS DAVID ARCHULETA (@davidarchie) TIME, BABY!

    @hodgesmusic: in the studio with @claudekelly and @emanuelkiriakou writing for @davidarchie. this song is serious.

    @EmanuelKiriakou Writing with @claudekelly and @hodgesmusic for @davidarchie…wow what a song!!!!!

    Wooooot!

    Eman & David Hodges co-wrote Crush and Claude Kelly was #14 on Billboard’s Hot 100 Songwriters of 2009 list (he wrote “My Life Would Suck Without You” for Kelly Clarkson, “Party in the USA” for Miley Cyrus and “For Your Entertainment” for Adam Lambert).

  25. awestruck's avatar awestruck says:

    BWAAAA HAHA love that pic you used for Jim’s widget TOfan!

    Holey Moley those names… Eman, David Hodges, Claude Kelly and all are tweeting wooooot is right!

  26. awestruck's avatar awestruck says:

    SB – I think that all of us have helped out in some way… thanks for that link

  27. newangel's avatar newangel says:

    Awesome post, Deb! Thanks for transcribing that. It WAS a great blog, wasn’t it? I was so impressed that he kept the focus on Haiti and not on all the famous people he probably rubbed shoulders with at the telethon (um… which I would’ve probably done… just a little, teeny bit…). He really keeps things in their proper perspective and is such a great example to people of all ages.

  28. TOfan's avatar TOfan says:

    hey, newangel, welcome!!!
    It’s funny, I usually find transcribing a chore, but I just had to get this one down on paper and read it over. Sometimes I find that when David’s talking, his words sound so deceptively simple at first, that it takes me a while for the meaning to sink in … to appreciate what a deeply mindful and thoughtful guy he is.

    And I was thinking that too … he seemed more impressed by the sheer numbers that came to help rather than how famous they were. He could have easily gone off on a tangent about the performances but he never veered from what was most important about it all.

  29. Abrra's avatar Abrra says:

    Congrats to the Cupcake donation drive! well done! It’s great to see the fan base pulling together for a cause that became as an idea from a fan.

    Angelica made a fun parody of David’s vblog that I have to share.
    Miss TOfan will you embed? {{{hug}}

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZPfQnBwoHI

    I have been busy lately and not posted much. I think I see the end of uploading by this weekend. Kizzi those are nice videos!

    I have added all the Canadian Idol fan stuff and the CHUM vids.

    Ok I am rambling in a morning stupor. Time to stop. LOL

    Abrra

    http://www.livestream.com/thevoiceunplugged

  30. Kizzi's avatar Kizzi says:

    Another charity for help for Haiti:

    http://www.planetohaiti.org/

    David is listed as one of the key donors

    Their mission:

    This urgent humanitarian mission will serve the devastated people of Haiti to provide over three tons of medical supplies, doctors, and medical staff. The plane is being loaded and ready to be fueled. Government clearance has been granted to land, but the necessary funding has not yet been satisfied. Your donations will help this plane fly as soon as possible, with excess funds used for additional wheelchairs and relief supplies. No donation is too big or too small. Please help today!

    Cost of a wheelchair is $150.

    The response to this catastrophe, from virtual cupcakes to wheel chairs and on and on has been simply amazing!

  31. TOfan's avatar TOfan says:

    Updated the cupcake total above … thanks again to you most generous folks!

    When I first read the tweets from Eman/Hodges, my first thought was “aha, Jive wants another Crush-size hit for David” … but then I realized that’s not a bad thing.

    I liked Crush right off the bat, but appreciate it even more now …it’s a great song, and was perfect for David’s debut single, imo. And I’ve noticed how many young teen and 20 & 30something guys cover the song on youTube … it seems to really strike a chord with them.

    And MH ain’t too shabby either 😆

  32. Kizzi's avatar Kizzi says:

    Want David autographed memorabilia?

    a microphone autographed by David?
    a Christmas From the Heart CD?
    a Poster?
    the Ann Arbor Concert Program?
    a Button?
    a Photo collection?

    A2SO has announced a drawing on February 6 at their Hearts for the Arts Gala. You can buy tickets and win. Don’t need to be present to win.

    To purchase the raffle tickets for $35 each or 4 for $100, call 734-994-4801 or email lori@a2so.com.

    Click on link below to see the poster:

    Gotta laugh out loud here….A2SO knows Archie fans, hahahahaha! 😀

  33. Kizzi's avatar Kizzi says:

    TOfan – here is the link to the page with David’s Backstage MTV performance at the Haiti Telethon – Prayer of the Children. Beautiful!

    http://newsroom.mtv.com/2010/01/26/david-archuleta-haiti/

    I tried to embed….

  34. awestruck's avatar awestruck says:

    Kizzi thanks, I couldn’t even copy the link… doing something wrong I guess.

    An unbelievably heart felt outpouring. Kudos to the interviewer Sway for noticing that David was humming to himself (just before he interviewed him) and asked David if he had a song he wanted to share.

  35. TOfan's avatar TOfan says:

    Canadian content alert!

    @DavidArchie In the studio working with @theMessengersNA . Had some Israeli food for lunch for my first time. it was good!

    Nasri and Adam Messinger are a Canadian Writing/Production duo based in L.A.

    Toronto’s Adam Messinger attended Claude Watson School for the Arts & York U. Fellow Canuck Nasri Atweh, has written for NKOTB.

    Together, they’ve written for Chris Brown and former Cdn Idol Eva Avila, among others. Woooot!

  36. refnaf's avatar refnaf says:

    Hey snowangelz… Kudos Tofan on the cupcake campaign>> What a great result, and fun too!
    Really cool to see Jim’s article, and David”s haeartfelt POTC, what can be said that has not been said? (((hugs))) all around.

  37. refnaf's avatar refnaf says:

    Canadian writers?? Yeah!!! Rock on David!

  38. TOfan's avatar TOfan says:

    Sorry, guys, been trying to post the MTV POTC vid here but am epically lame, so will need to wait for it to appear on youTube *twiddles thumbs*

    … in the meantime, here’s the link:
    http://newsroom.mtv.com/2010/01/26/david-archuleta-haiti/

    Love this post-blog comment from @jambajim:
    So glad you guys are enjoying the vid. It’s a pretty amazing rendition, no? Especially since it was an impromptu thing. He didn’t even warm up his voice!! Sway, who isn’t a particularly big “Idol” fan, came over to me on Monday and said, “Dang, that Archuleta guy can SING!” 🙂 Thanks again for raising money and donating your time, Archie fans! Apologies again for the delay in getting the video up on our site. **HUGS**

  39. awestruck's avatar awestruck says:

    Lame smame TOfan, the link works just fine!

    Yeah to the Candian writing duo…

    I read that comment from Jim too Tofan and smiled broadly… another one bites the dust

    (((refnaf)))

  40. TOfan's avatar TOfan says:

    Kizzi,
    Just got a chance now to watch all your MH vids above, wow, thank you! I’d never seen that amazing Edinburgh ending (and great to see all the hands clapping, since many were probably hearing the song for the 1st time). Did you take all those vids???

  41. TOfan's avatar TOfan says:

    omigosh,
    managed to embed David’s backstage Hope for Haiti POTC at the top of the post AND there’s a brand new cupcake total … $4,000! It’s a post-Christmas miracle… Wooooot!

    To download an mp3 of David’s moving MTV POTC, click HERE. (Thanks to Ozarka/FanScene.)

  42. SandyBeaches's avatar SandyBeaches says:

    Good job in posting his wonderful vid at the top of your post, being the perfect place…

    A fabulou Cupcake sale…

    SB

  43. Kizzi's avatar Kizzi says:

    TOfan – so smart to get that embedded…

    And, yes, those MH’s were either videoed by me or Mr. K. The Edinburgh one was the first outing with the camera and Mr. K videoed David at the McFly concert….ah, memories 😀

  44. YJfanofdavid's avatar YJfanofdavid says:

    David’s latest tweet:

    •”All of us want to do well. But if we do not do good, too, then doing well will never be enough.”

    This is a quote from my favorite columnist, Newsweek’s Anna Quindlen, in
    her 2000 book: “A Short Guide to a Happy Life”

    Another quote from her: “Get a life in which you are not alone.”

    David is reading Anna Quindlen? OMGosh!

  45. TOfan's avatar TOfan says:

    YJ,
    I love Anna Quindlen’s writing, esp. when she had a column in the N.Y. Times.

    One of my favourite quotes of hers is: “I show up. I listen. I try to laugh.”

    Can’t somehow imagine David reading her book, but I guess he is … maybe a fan gave it to him! 😆

  46. munkmusic's avatar munkmusic says:

    Have you guys seen this? It’s a must read! a critique on David’s voice and the first CD! It is AWESOME!

    http://www.hotdealsorg.com/review-of-david-archuleta.html

  47. Josie's avatar Josie says:

    TOfan-xo that.is.all.

    To everyone else who, for their love of David, participated in Peace, Love and Cupcakes xo to you too.

    I am so unbelievably proud to call many of you my friends. Even though we’ve never actually met.

    From the bottom of my overwhelmed heart, ♥ and hugs!

  48. refnaf's avatar refnaf says:

    WoW crazy cool to see links to jambajim’s blog EVERYWHERE. More and more people are beginning to recognize David’s wonderfuly compassionate nature, and what he inspires his fans to be.

    (((kizzi))) thanks for the MH links, can never get enough of that goovitude.

    Anne Quindlen is not a familar author to me… best I go check her out?? ((YJF))

    Hey SB, have not seen you around!!! *waves*

  49. refnaf's avatar refnaf says:

    Hugs to you josie!!
    How do you make that sweet little heart??

  50. TOfan's avatar TOfan says:

    {{{Josie}}} you’re quite a cupcake yourself! 🙂

    The situation in Haiti is so dire … but the outpouring of compassion from around the world and the support for all the different aid groups is heartwarming … I’ve had POTC running through my head all day.

    (Ref, on a PC, the heart is Alt + 3 on your number pad)

  51. refnaf's avatar refnaf says:

  52. TOfan's avatar TOfan says:

    I wish we could get to hear all of the songs David is writing … at one of the CFTH tour VIPs, I remember being shocked at hearing the number of songs he recorded versus the 12 or so that ended up on the album.

    Oh to be a fly on the studio wall! 🙂

    k, will stop spamming now, lol.

  53. TOfan's avatar TOfan says:

    Yay, Ref!!!!
    <333333 (cheap man's heart, lol)

    Saw this on Snarkies and ROTFL … is this the same suave-meister who knocked us out with Contigo???

    audition2

  54. jackryan4DA's avatar jackryan4DA says:

    Hi

    A number have complained that they cannot download the POTC MTV vid so, here I am sharing what I “harvested” LOL –

    For those still unable to get it, download links are available in the desciption box for this vid plus pix from the telethon

    I enjoy reading your articles and I miss you guys 🙂

  55. refnaf's avatar refnaf says:

    (((JR)) Miss you too!!! You are the link master! Thank you for “the harvest” ♥

    Gosh, TOfan watching the audition… good memories! Uhhh, suave-miester? Love it, he has grown up a bit…

  56. awestruck's avatar awestruck says:

    Hey JR – thanks for popping in and giving us that little gem…. very much appreciated

  57. TOfan's avatar TOfan says:

    {{{JR}}}
    *waves* What an Angel you are for posting on youTube. Miss u too, come by anytime!!!!

    Here’s the link that’s in the “More Info” box … doesn’t seem to Work 4 Me???

    http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=b1

  58. jackryan4DA's avatar jackryan4DA says:

    TOfan – I just tried the link from YT and it worked, even if not displayed in full.

    In any case, here is the full link to my folder:
    http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=b168764a61c78fdf67cd7f7bd65f7eefcc14c5f718525c81e91dc00c2f906379%5D.

  59. TOfan's avatar TOfan says:

    Thanks, JR!!! Should’ve figured that out! *slaps forehead*

    FYI, munkmusic posted a link (scroll up) to a great review of David’s debut album … (sorry munkmusic, I think because the word “buy” is in the link, it was filtered into spam).

  60. munkmusic's avatar munkmusic says:

    Thanks TOfan! I tried a couple of times and it is such a great review! It speaks to my musicians heart! Someone really understands David’s musical gift! He is a prodigy! and an awesome young man!

  61. TOfan's avatar TOfan says:

    munkmusic, I thought that great review seemed familiar, so I did a little digging and found out it was originally posted as an Amazon.com review by a Mr. Joel B. Levine (Mass. and Quebec).

    I think I want to marry this Levine guy, check out what he wrote about CFTH:

    “When Crush was released, I wrote a review for this site that spoke of David’s vocal skills that required a slightly deeper listening amidst a teen market pop album.

    “I read the early reviews for Christmas From The Heart and assumed that this new effort, done amidst a heavy tour schedule, would be a next step in his development and a nice example of a talented and seemingly very decent young man singing traditional Holiday music. I was simply unprepared for what I heard.

    “First, the production values , as described in other reviews, are transformative for this ” well known” body of music. Many arrangements and orchestrations give a new feel to the music and a ” lush” and even moving sweep to a host of musical phrases. They are not cloying but in synch with something within David’s voice and capacity to capture the essential feeling within the songs.

    “I was driving to work and listening on less than perfect car audio. It is really worth the effort to listen with as a good a fidelity as you can find since the sounds of orchestra, chorus, and David’s voice are addictive.

    “They create musical spaces that are almost jarring in their ability to make the listener ” feel ” these songs. Whatever the qualities of voice and music that stir emotion, you will very likely find it here. Many of these songs, so well known, come at you with surprise as if you have not heard them before. That is what is so moving as if this is a discovery of a new body of work by a singer becoming a musical artist.

    “Everyone will have a favorite, whether song or phrase, because we each will bring a different emotional memory or expectation to the music. Although a Christmas album, the sum of its impact is really non denominational and surprisingly affecting even for skeptical listeners waiting for mawkish and commercial pandering.

    “This is a breakthrough album for it shows what soaring ability, musical validity and professionalism, and guileless emotion can give us.”

  62. Abrra's avatar Abrra says:

    Thank you for reprinting this review.

    To see David get such high, impartial praise is heartwarming. As fans we knew David’s talents from the very beginning. We saw the potential he possessed as a great singer. Reading articles like this makes the seemingly “slow” climb to popular recognition by the press well worth the wait.

    Abrra

  63. TOfan's avatar TOfan says:

    Just noticed your autographed avi, Abrra, nice!!!!

    I’m not sure how impartial this review is, Mr. Levine posted it on Amazon.com they way you or I could once we bought the CD. But he seems to have great insights into vocal technique and pop music history. And he mentions aspects of the recording I haven’t heard discussed elsewhere (like the “musical spaces” created).

    Whoever & wherever you are, sir, I’m a fan! 🙂

  64. Lisa's avatar Lisa says:

    Hey all, nice post….really really like that review above too. thanks Tofan.

  65. refnaf's avatar refnaf says:

    whoa… good digging TOfan, great to hear such praise!

  66. refnaf's avatar refnaf says:

    Bringing this over from FOD> Eva Cassidy’s brother, Jazz musician Dan, had this to say about David being inspired by Eva:

    “I am familiar with David’s singing talent, as I have watched him several times on American Idol on TV up here in Iceland where I live, and have been very impressed with his wonderful singing each time I have watched him. I am also intrigued by the fact that he mentions and acknowledges my sister Eva as a major artistic influence.

    I know that Eva would be flattered to know that her singing has influenced and inspired so many up and coming singers, especially David whose beautiful singing belies his age.

    After viewing that clip of David singing ‘Fields of Gold’–live in Anaheim, I know that Eva is smiling down on him whenever he performs that number on stage.”

    When David speaks about Eva so respectfully and emotionally before he sing FOG, I get a little misty eyed…. cool that her musicality kinda lives on in him…

    JR> I adore your links!! Do you have any MP4 of the solo tour and AI???
    I would love that!! ♥

  67. TOfan's avatar TOfan says:

    David at the Grammy event he tweeted about last night (Twitpic from @taylor_rei):

    Thank You  @DavidArchie! :) on Twitpic

  68. awestruck's avatar awestruck says:

    Holey Moley look at that total $5,200!

  69. munkmusic's avatar munkmusic says:

    Just thought you might like to know that Josh Hoge is seeking David out on twitter! He says that he has five songs ready and perfect for David. Songwriters seeking out David! SWEET! This is awesome! Maybe they are getting a clue!

  70. awestruck's avatar awestruck says:

    munkmusic – way cool news. Keep us posted if David responds…

    You may all want to add to the comments on this site… http://ca.eonline.com/uberblog/marc_malkin/b164438_stars_banding_together_record_new_we.html

    e-onlines Marc Malkin has a post up about Stars Banding Together … to record for Haiti

  71. Josie's avatar Josie says:

    Ref! xo the heart is “alt” + “3” on number keypad. Like this ♥

  72. Josie's avatar Josie says:

    TOfan-I would LOVE to be a cupcake – ha ha ha…

  73. jackryan4DA's avatar jackryan4DA says:

    Refnaf – yes to both but I only started uploading to mediafire based on May 2009.

  74. TOfan's avatar TOfan says:

    Josie, LOL.

    New post up!

  75. Unknown's avatar Anonymous says:

    Darchuleta Archleta.x and LinddeyArchleta.D

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