Hungry for Guarini
Sharon Rose
Foxes on Idol May 18, 2003
www.foxesonidol.com/cgi-b...art&page=1
While the name of Justin Guarini's CD hasn't been released yet, fans have been
hungering for it. They've gotten to see him twice on the American Idol 2 stage
in recent weeks and those appearances have only shown that he deserves to be a
superstar.
As long as the name of Justin Guarini's soon to be released CD is being kept
under wraps, perhaps it is yet untitled. If that's the case, let me make a
suggestion: Hungry.
More aptly describing how ravenous Guarini's fans are for his first official CD,
the name also describes Guarini's own taste for stardom. In a recent note to his
fans, he mentions that he's in the fourth stage of his journey. The first being
the American Idol experience, then the AI Tour, followed closely by production
of the movie, From Justin to Kelly. The fourth stage, he says, is his CD, which
will be sent out to be mastered on May 19. That's quite a journey for someone
who just a year ago was an unknown in the early stages of the American Idol
experience.
It's been a bumpy ride, Guarini notes to his fans, and the rest is up to
"God and all of you."
If Guarini rests his success in the arms of his fans, he's well assured of the
title associated with the show that launched his incredible journey: Superstar.
(The original title of the show is American Idol: Search for a Superstar.
Superstar goes beyond the limitations of American Idol.)
Thanks to the second season success of the show, Guarini has been afforded the
perfect venue to serve tidbits of his inaugural CD. And his fans devoured them.
His first public performance of a cut from his CD was done right on the American
Idol stage. Followers caught their collective breath when he comfortably pulled
up a stool and gave them "I Saw Your Face." His sensual, easy manner
came through from the initial few notes as he used his signature style of
relating a story through song. A song punctuated with impassioned vocals that
served to showcase his ability to draw the listener in and make them part and
parcel of the experience. His performance also reinforced the opinion that it's
not just the honeyed voice that drew legions of fans, but the entire Guarini-phenomenon
. . . sound, presence and presentation, the hat-trick of any recording artist.
The dust had barely settled from the stir caused by Guarini's rhythm and
blues-style preview when he was brought back for an encore just two weeks later.
While his first cut was labeled "sensual," his second cut was just
downright romantic. Proving a confidence beyond his tender experience, Guarini
choose to perform his cover of the Righteous Brothers' classic, "Unchained
Melody." No one knows yet why he or his management group decided on this
risky move, but even critics who pooh-poohed the mere thought of including this
cover on his CD are admitting that Guarini's version is commanding. Although
artists from LeAnn Rimes to Al Green have included this pulse-raising ballad on
their albums, Guarini brings his own unique edge to the song, intimating a
driving desire that makes the piece a classic for a new generation.
Also noteworthy about Guarini's performances is the comparison to this year's
finalists. It's been mentioned more than once that although vocally at the top
of their game, this year's hopefuls lack the elusive presence that Guarini
brings to the stage. It's as though the house comes alive when he's in the
building. And while vocal coaches and choreographers can help improve an
artist's performance, there's that special something - the It factor - that a
performer either has or doesn't. A factor that determines a legitimate star from
a manufactured one. A factor that says Superstar.
A factor that leaves us hungry for more.