#WinterInTheAir: Title track appreciation post

Posted on 11/05/2018 by

So. #WinterIntheAir.

Where do I even begin?

Normally, I’d do a post covering my impressions of all the songs on the album.

But I have too many feelings about each song to do that, so I’m just going to talk about one at a time.

Overall though, I will say that not only do I love that David’s included fun, “deck the halls”-ish songs along with reverent, sacred carols, but also that it’s one of the few (if only) Christmas albums I know that conveys the feeling of quiet introspection that sneaks up on us during the holidays.

Those moments when you take a break from all the craziness and sit quietly alone and contemplate what Christmas really means to you…

Whether you feel sadness about regrets or loved ones who are gone, or a longing to make a change in your life. Or maybe, along with all that, you reflect on Christ’s humble beginnings, the hardships that he faced, and the love he channeled into the world. Love that comes shining through in each note of this album.

The holidays can be a tough time for many of us, and I feel an undercurrent of that on this album. Amid the joy and reverence, I also feel a tinge of melancholy… a nod to the pain that can overtake us when we’re told by all the commercials and posts and parties that it’s “The most wonderful time of the year.”

To me, this album helps us take a moment to really think about the true meaning of Christmas… about how much you’re loved and how you can be more compassionate with others… those thoughts can help us feel less alone, maybe more connected to those we’ve lost and to something bigger than ourselves.

Those kinds of feelings are rarely conveyed on Christmas albums, but I feel like David’s done that beautifully here. Definitely in the title track.

When David sung a bit of it from his car on Instagram, I literally burst into tears. Did not see that coming. It was a completely visceral reaction.

I’m hesitant to overanalyze why it happened because I don’t want to break the spell.

Just now, I played the song, and the same thing happened. In fact, I was listening to the album driving home last night and had to skip the title track, for real, because  it was dark and rainy and tons of construction on my route and I needed to see where I was going… tears were not an option!

There’s just something in David’s tone right off the bat, like he’s whispering in your ear.

“Sacred stillness brought to life”… that’s exactly what it is.

The hushed quiet after it snows and the world is peaceful and perfect for a little while. You hold your breath and marvel at the otherworldly beauty of it all.

How he captures all that with his voice, I have no idea. But it pierces my heart and triggers rivers of tears. The sheer beauty of it.

The notes and what’s between the notes. That makes zero sense but I can feel that. Can you?

 

Foot prints in the snow
The world a shining globe
The scent of evergreen is like home
A deep breath cold and clean

The sound of distant bells
The story they foretell
An almost silent night,
A sacred stillness brought to life

Like music, like magic
Somehow it just happens
I could stay here forever
Nothing can compare
To this moment with you
And winter in the air
Winter in the air

Sparkling on the streets
Red birds, hear them sing
All is calm and bright
Underneath the stars that watch the night

Like music, like magic
Somehow it just happens
I could stay here forever
Nothing can compare
To this moment with you
And winter in the air
Winter in the air

On this snowy night,
The world is pure and right

Like music, like magic
Somehow it just happens
I could stay here forever
Nothing can compare
To this moment with you
And winter in the air
Winter in the air

p.s.
Some great news and interviews today!

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

Posted in Fan experience, Music review | Tagged , , , , | 16 Comments

Saving this space for #WinterInTheAir spazzing!!! Ho! Ho! Ho!

Posted on 11/01/2018 by


Soooooooooo excited for this album! And the EP!!!!

Here are the car-aoke snippets David shared… so far I am LOVING all the original songs… the title track, He Is Born and Christmas Every Day all sound amazing from what we’ve heard so far!

Tears immediately welled up and I was clutching my chest when David started singing the title track snippet. I AM NOT READYYYY!!!!

Forget that, I am SO ready! lol

Countdown begins!

I want to know what everyone thinks of the songs as soon as you’ve heard them!

LET’S ALL HOLD HANDS AND SING KUMBAYA WHILE WE WAIT!!!!

View this post on Instagram

With my new Christmas album coming out on Friday, I thought I'd share snippets of the new songs before it's released everywhere! Here are the first three songs off the album. 🎶 #WinterInTheAir #1. "Christmas Every Day" #2. "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen" #3. "Mary's Boy Child" Also a fun fact: Whenever a song I record is completely finished, I always listen to it in my car to make sure it sounds exactly the way I imagined it to… which is why I decided to share the snippets from the car! 😂😂 (even though I didn’t realize I was singing so loud you can barely hear the tracks 😂😬) I'll be sharing the other snippets from my drive over the next couple of days. Keep your eyes (and ears!) peeled for them…

A post shared by David Archuleta (@davidarchie) on

p.s.

You might say that David and Kari take the cake! *hides*

 

(check out @livingbeautahfully and @catcherintheryephotography’s insta stories for vid clips, as well, thx. for the heads up, Janey! I believe these were taken behind the scenes for Studio 5, to air tomorrow)

Posted in Fan experience | 21 Comments

New pop album coming next year?? Someone hold me….

Posted on 10/26/2018 by

Love, love, LOOOOOOVE this interview!

Spoiler alert: A candid shot of me when I got to the end and read that David’s releasing a new pop album in 2019:

Here are some other highlights:

ML: I’ve never been [to Nashville], but I’ve heard similar sentiments about it. It’s one of those places that feels like home even though it may be far from it.

DA: Yes, it’s so that! People just talk to you in the grocery store even if people know who you are. The city understands artists, because it’s what so many people in this town do. They don’t look at you like you’re some sort of foreign alien. Everyone knows at least someone in the music industry here. So, it’s just nice to be able to strike up a conversation with a cute, old, southern woman who’ll invite you over for dinner if you ever want a good home-cooked meal. [Edit: DUDE, how about a cute, ol’ Canadian woman who doesn’t really cook but knows people who do?!?]

…

DA: One of my favorite places I’ve been to as a tourist when I had some downtime, was a place in Croatia called the Plitvice Lakes. I feel like images don’t do it justice because you go there and even though it was rainy, the water was so blue and clear. They built this walkway that goes all across the lakes and even up some waterfalls. There are so many waterfalls, like little ones. You feel like you’re in Narnia or seeing the elves of Rivendell. It’s just a beautiful place. [Edit: Narnia. 😍]

…

DA: It does, because it’s amazing to see all the different cultures. Being on American Idol, for example, I never thought I’d be going to Southeast Asia to perform so much in countries like Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam. They’re all huge fans of singing competitions and just pop music in general. What’s the background of your name by the way? [Edit: You guyyyyyyyys, I’m crying at how much he cares about people and wants to know more about them.]

ML: My name is Persian, but I’m originally from India. My great grandparents were from there, but my parents were born and raised in Tanzania, East Africa. Then, my sisters and I were born here in the US. That helps explain why, for me, anything that has to do anything with culture is so exciting. That’s truly the best part about traveling. You can see and experience these cultures. It shows how connected we actually are versus how different we are.

DA: It’s amazing! Language is so different everywhere it goes. It can affect the behaviors and the cultures of the people. I did go to Southern India one time to Chennai, actually. Something that stuck out to me was when we were there for this organization called Rising Star Outreach that built schools there for kids from leprosy colonies. On one of the days we had off, we walked around the village and they had these dome homes. A guy that I had never seen before was just there with his wife and his mom. Even though we were strangers he was like, “Come eat with us.” And, they invited us for dinner. We didn’t have time to, but I was just like, “Wow, this is amazing.” I had no idea how to speak with him with words, but it made for an even cooler interaction. They wanted to connect with us too. Wanting us to have dinner with them was really sweet. [Edit: People around the world want to feed The Archuleta and I approve of this message!!!]

…

DA: Yes, it’s something that I’ve always wanted to do. Some of the first songs I’ve ever learned were Spanish ones, but I didn’t know how to talk to the people. When I learned Spanish and came back home, I was able to talk to my grandpa. He’s like a book on the shelf that you always saw growing up, but never picked up to read. I didn’t speak Spanish and he doesn’t speak English.

So, when I got back, I got to hear all his stories. He actually worked for the newspaper and wrote articles. He told me about how he worked in the [United Kingdom] and Vietnam. I had never realized how much traveling he did as a reporter for the national newspaper in Honduras. To hear him talk about his childhood and hear about how my mom grew up, it was just amazing. I was so glad that I could connect with him. [Edit: “He’s like a book on the shelf that you always saw growing up, but never picked up to read.” I CAN’T. CANNOT. C.A.N.N.O.T.]

…

DA: [about travel broadening your perspective] … you see different ways to live and you can still continue finding joy, happiness and peace. But, it also helps you realize how similar everyone is because everyone still has those day-to-day struggles of feeling loved, feeling like you have a sense of purpose. You could be friends with all kinds of people from different countries even if they’re living completely different lifestyles than you are. It’s a really beautiful experience. [Edit: What a beautiful soul he is.]

…

ML: …Lastly, you’ll be hitting the road for a month-long tour at the end of November to promote the album. What else do the next couple of months have in store for you?

DA: I’ll be working on my next pop record. I’m already working on pop music for my next record to be released in 2019.

Me:

Read the whole amazing thing HERE.

How about you guys??? What were your favourite parts??!!
.

p.s.
Screen Shot 2018-10-26 at 7.43.42 PM.png
AND NOW THIS!!! IT IS CHRISTMAS EVERY DAY!!!!!

p.p.s.

THINGS BE HAPPENIN’ IN ARCHULETAVILLE!!!!!!

Screen Shot 2018-10-29 at 10.03.16 AM.png

Posted in Fan experience, Music review | Tagged | 15 Comments

Sneak peek inside the Mystery Box! (not really)

Posted on 10/24/2018 by

.

Wow, sold out already!

Not surprised because our crack team of investigative creepers, I mean, reporters,* has discovered what’s in the Mystery Box!

Clue: It’s five of the items below. Test your best guess!

Or, what’s your guess??

Act now HERE to get these gems & more!

 

*creepers, let’s be honest here

 

Posted in Utter nonsense | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

It’s Christmas Every Day with @DavidArchie around, am I right, guys?

Posted on 10/22/2018 by

eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep

WHAT AN AWESOME, FUN, FESTIVE, VERY DAVID VIDEOOOOOO!!!!!!

I wasn’t expecting much, tbh… I already LOVE the song, so thought a video would be a nice bonus but didn’t think I’d be wowed by it or anything, but it’s PERFECT!

So glad there’s dancing! I was literally chair dancing, arms in the air, the whole bit, in my home office where people passing close by must’ve thought I was having some kind of medical episode.

BUT I DON’T CARE! Love it!

And can we talk about this move???!!!!

DavidChristmasMove.gif

Wut the wut wut???!!!

PLEASE AFFIX WARNING LABELS IN FUTURE, DAHVEEED!

And how cool that Entertainment Tonight premiered it?? Love that!!

So what do you guys think??

Posted in Fan experience | 18 Comments

BYU Spectacular recap from the lovely and amazing Taterzen

Posted on 10/16/2018 by

Screen Shot 2018-10-16 at 5.51.10 PM.pngDavid Archuleta and the Spectacular Spectacular

I am amused by the fact that the online Merriam-Webster dictionary defines a “spectacular” as being “something that is spectacular.”

The word is also related to “being a spectacle,” but that was totally my personal category over the weekend, of which I will say but a little. Be glad.

Semantics aside, just know that if you witness something spectacular done spectacularly, you are indeed at a spectacular. I saw it, and he did it, and I am beyond grateful I was there in person.

Screen Shot 2018-10-16 at 5.52.50 PM.png

I would go to all of David’s concerts if I could, and I have gone to many; but I can no longer go without some help. Even then, it takes determination and courage. These days, I tend to buy “just in case” tickets and generally end up selling them. Not this time!

It was very last minute, but everything fell into place for the weekend: a willing husband had free time; our Chicago daughter and two of our granddaughters would be in Provo; fortuitous timing for a business appointment in Salt Lake City; a visit to a beloved aunt who just turned 103; dinner out with four of hubby’s five siblings and their spouses; and more, so much more. See? It was meant to be. A customized blessing. If I could jump, it would be for joy.

On to the show…

Screen Shot 2018-10-16 at 5.53.33 PMIn order for me to manage walking, it was imperative for us to park as close as possible to the Marriott Center, so we went quite early to snag a spot. The lot was relatively empty, but we just stayed in the car, feet up, chatting, reading, relaxing… As I think about it now, we must have looked like a couple of confused senior citizens who had lost their way.

When the doors to the venue finally opened, we went in, made a gingerly descent down the stairs, found our seats and sat down. The first thing I noticed was David’s “Numb” video playing on the gigantic scoreboard display over the arena. People were paying attention; and if you have ever wondered if David would look good on the big screen, the answer is somewhere between an inadvertent squeal and a resounding “Yes!”

Any review of the concert would have to include the word “fun.” BYU’s performance groups were having a blast. They were talented, prepared, and BYU smiley. The 90-minute program had the right variety at the right pace.

I enjoyed Colbie Caillat, her down to earth personality, her appreciation for a new experience, and her music. A genuine artist sharing good stuff.

I know many of you watched the concerts by means of various Periscopes (bless those people!) and you continue to watch (repeatedly) any videos that pop up. I can’t add much description to what you have seen and heard.

Being there was definitely an upgraded experience, but it doesn’t take away the stunning effect felt by every fan, wherever they were watching, when David sang “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me.” And judging by what I saw at the concert, there are new fans who were equally stunned. How could anyone forget it?

My own reaction was utter speechlessness, a rare occurrence. I was not devoid of feeling, but I sure couldn’t describe it, not adequately anyway. How many times has David performed something and we tend to think, “Wow, he may have peaked with that one,” and then he just goes out and does it again?

Screen Shot 2018-10-16 at 5.54.56 PM

One of my favorite things to do at a concert like this is to observe the audience, especially if David’s live performances seem to be new to some of them. He is always much more than they expect him to be. This concert was no different.

The man who sat behind us the first night knew about David, knew he was popular in Utah and wondered out loud if David was “always invited to these sorts of things.” When David finished slaying everyone there with the Elton John number, this guy had to be one of the first on his feet for the standing O. He was cheering and whistling and still talking about it during the final number.

A similar something happened the second night to a couple behind us who had come for Colbie Caillat, and only Colbie. I couldn’t tell if they even knew who David was, or if they had ever been near BYU before. I can only assume from their repeated expressions of “Wow! Wow!” after David sang that they know who he is now.

I just love it when these things happen. I feel like Mama Bear, knowing everyone is safe and everything is exactly how it should be.

I wanted to give some advice to the group of beautiful and chatty coeds sitting to our right on Friday night: Ladies, you can’t actually make David Archuleta love you. You can only stalk him and hope for the best.

Screen Shot 2018-10-16 at 5.55.44 PMJust one more personal post-concert goodie here: One of my Las Vegas daughters called me on Saturday to see how I was managing the travel and if I had enjoyed the concert. I promised to send her a link of David singing “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me,” when I got home, and I did. She reported later to say that she had seen it (and loved it). She watched with her son, Eli, explaining to him that this was Grandma’s favorite singer. At age 3, Eli is the youngest of our eighteen grandchildren. He watched the video all the way through and then insisted on watching it again.

Eli had to give me his own report via Facetime:

“Grandma, I saw your boy singing and it was really good so I wanted to see it again and Mom let me. He had a big stage and those little stages on the side. I liked those little stages for him.”

This fan journey and the “little stages” of David’s career have been more interesting and rewarding than I ever imagined they would be. David Archuleta and his music simply make me happy. I can’t think of another way to say it. I wish him success in all facets of his life; he has certainly added goodness to mine.

~Tater/Zen

(Photos: Rebekah Baker Photography. More here.)

p.s.

Relive the magic with these videoooooooooooooos!
(big thanks to Muldur, Shelley, Shirley & Robert!)

Night 1

.

Night 2

Love this POV!

Posted in Fan experience | 14 Comments

PUT DOWN YOUR SARDINE SANDWICHES AND WATCH THIS IMMEDIATELY!!!!!

Posted on 10/11/2018 by

Screen Shot 2018-10-12 at 1.49.22 PM.pngDON’T LET THE SUUUUN GO DOWN ON MEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

BLESS YOU, SHELLLLEEEEEYYYYYYY!

aaaaaaand from another angle because David….

ASDLFKAHDFAJHGA;KDGFALKDHFAL;KDHGALHDG;ALKGHALKGHALDKHFGALKGFJLKAJDFLAKHGLAHGLAKFGLAKJFGLKAJLDFKJALDFKHALKDFJALKFJALKJ

OH SWEET PEACHES, HE IS FROM ANOTHER WORLD, I SWEAR!!!!!

[EDIT:] Okay, I’ve calmed down and had a chance to watch this again and I’M NOT CALM ANYMORE!!!! Chills literally ran up and down my arms at, like, 3 or 4 points in the song.

I kept hearing Simon saying “Mahsterclahss” in a British accent.

The way he told the story of the song, with just piano at first, paced the stage like a panther, stalking, I don’t know… PERFECTION?!?

The way he built it up level by level to a crescendo, no, a VOLCANO that erupted into a thousand stars. Yes, I know I’m mixing my metaphors but there is no one metaphor than encapsulates what we all witnessed in that performance.

So fierce… he was taking NAMES! That song was ABOUT something and he was going to make sure we understood it… OR ELSE!

To think after all this time, David KILLING it can still surprise me, still give me goosebumps and leave me with my mouth hanging open and my hand clutching my chest.

Oh ya, he’s done it again.

WHAT DID YOU GUYS THINK???

also

Thank you, Dorothy!!!!

aaaaaaand there’s more!

p.s.

these tweets about sum things up:

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

how cute is this?!

View this post on Instagram

Took Baby Z to her first @davidarchie concert

A post shared by Brady Bills (@bradybills) on

snippet of snippets

.
Up All Night from the opening night:

p.p.s.

Cuteness overload!

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

Posted in Special event | Tagged , , , , | 14 Comments

Pocketful of sunshine

Posted on 10/10/2018 by

one pocketOur fashionista team here at SAz* has just informed me that my unrelenting negativity toward David’s recent pouch-resplendent wardrobe choices is way off-base. That pockets are not only all the rage on the Paris menswear runways, but that they are also way practical.

And they’re right!

I’ve been thinking of all the things David could handily stow away in those poches (as we call them up here in the Great White North):

1. Salt shakers & light bulbs

Screen Shot 2018-10-10 at 6.05.45 PM

2. Razors

Screen Shot 2018-10-10 at 6.02.37 PM.png

3. Sandwiches

Screen Shot 2018-10-10 at 5.36.55 PM.png

4. His cell phone and laptop (WITH chargers)

Screen Shot 2018-10-10 at 5.55.44 PM.png

5. His halo

Screen Shot 2018-10-10 at 6.13.03 PM.png

6. His Calgary Stetson… you know, for emergencies

Screen Shot 2018-10-10 at 5.56.36 PM

7. Copies of his LP

Screen Shot 2018-10-10 at 6.00.37 PM.png

8. The Archie piano

Screen Shot 2018-10-10 at 6.07.48 PM.png

9. His entire Pokemon collection.

Screen Shot 2018-10-10 at 6.20.46 PM.png

And last, but not least

10. Kari

Screen Shot 2018-10-10 at 5.58.04 PM.png

So, sure, pocket-away, David, whatever Works for You! 🙂

two pockets.png

(Photo sources: Top pic; bottom pic)

*We have no such team.

Posted in Fan experience | 8 Comments

Attitude of gratitude

Posted on 10/06/2018 by

OlympiaWAcrowd.jpg.

It’s Thanksgiving weekend here in Canada, a great time to reflect on all the things I’m thankful for.

But when I read this post on FB this morning (posted by the lovely and amazing Betsy), it struck me that there’s something incredible that I’ve been taking for granted these past 10 years.

Screen Shot 2018-10-06 at 1.33.16 PMNot David, I never take his amazingness for granted… but the way Ms. Berg describes the way her and her friends used to share their  love of certain songs and artists.

I’m not one of those people whose love for  music was reignited by David because music’s always been a huge part of my life (definitely grateful for that).

But I have taken for granted the way being a fan of David’s has given me back those joyful days of sharing music I love with friends who feel the same way.

I hadn’t done that since my teen years, really. Sure, I might share an appreciation of a certain artist with my husband, or one or two friends. But to be in a real or virtual room of like-minded fans, who all “get” the same artist… who all feel the same excitement when a new album’s announced or a tour launched … that is a whole different ball game.

To be able to share the joy, the excitement and the spiritual connections that music brings … the collective range of emotions, from the giddiness and screaming to the soulful introspection, even tears. Truly beautiful, all of it.

Because shared passions magnify the joy, don’t they? Make us feel truly alive… truly connected.

Help us put every other difference aside to revel in the magic … together.

So I am truly thankful for each and everyone of you taking the time to stop by here, for contributing to the joy of these past 10 years.

And, as always, thankful for dearest David… just for being David.

Merci, gracias, grazie, arigato, danke, thanks… for everything!

p.s.

Desmond’s expression here tho’ 😍😍 😍 basically all of us, am I right??!

Posted in Fan experience | Tagged , , | 11 Comments

STOP EVERY ONE OF THE PRESSES!!!

Posted on 10/04/2018 by

Screen Shot 2018-10-04 at 5.08.06 PM.png

Can anyone play this?? (Not available “in your country” #grrrrr.)

(Discovered by the illustrious @rhiminee… it translates to “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen”)

I think I am just as excited to hear the Spanish versions of the 4 Christmas songs even though I don’t speak the language, lol… just love how David sounds singing in Spanish, he makes me understand it, if that makes any sense at all.

p.s.

SOOOOOO glad there’s going to be a video! Makes it easier to share the song, which I have had on repeat. A whole music video already plays out in my mind every time I listen to the song …in my version, an entire town starts to gather (growing in numbers 3 and 5 and 10 at a time) behind David as he struts through the snowy streets “Pied Piper” style. A girl can dream. 🙂

(Sidenote: My 84-year-old dad always asks what David’s up to, like we’re buds, lol, so I told him about the new Christmas album and song and he insisted on hearing it right away, so I hooked him up with my earbuds. The look on his face while he listened was priceless. 100% focus. I thought it was over and I went to take my phone back and he waved me away because it hadn’t finished yet. 😳😳😳 #dayyumm … He did like it but he asked, “aren’t Christmas songs usually religious?” hahahaha … so I told him not to worry, those are coming too. 🙂 🙂 🙂 ) I wanted to say, “Yo, Dad, do you realize who we’re dealing with here?” lol)

Posted in Fan experience | 7 Comments