Sanjaya Malakar — 90-minutes in Paulsbo

Sunday, May 13, 2007, 11:44 AM | Sanjaya Malakar

Stories like this just make me love Teen Pop Sensation Sanjaya Malakar even more. So apparently, Sanjaya and his family needed a ride for his various appearances in Washington, and Courtesy Ford in Poulsbo offered to bring him around town in a Expedition in exchange for a 90-minute appearance at the dealership. He was greeted by around 200 fans.

See? He’s really just a regular guy like you and me, and he’s been able to handle himself really well under the spotlight. And you know what? Sanjaya Malakar is just 17! Really? Just seventeen? 17??? Sanjaya Malakar is seventeen!

Adorable ‘Idol’ Sanjaya Greets Fans in NK (kitsapsun.com) — requires annoying user-registration, don’t bother, take my report for what it is

The squealing coming from Courtesy Ford in Poulsbo on Saturday afternoon wasn’t from spinning car tires, but from a throng of teen girls giddy over the chance to greet well-coifed “American Idol” reject Sanjaya Malakar.

About 200 people — mostly girls but some grown-ups as well — showed up to get autographs, meet and take pictures with Sanjaya, plus admire the hairdo heard ’round the world.

Heads up Seattle! Sanjaya’s in town!

69 Comments for Sanjaya Malakar — 90-minutes in Paulsbo

1

Dang! AI cannot afford him transportation to make his engagements? That’s the least they can do! I cannot wait for him to come from underneath the AI contract so he can make some real money in what he does best — perform and sing! Off-key? I’ve been singing and playing music since I was 5 and noway was Sanjaya “off-key.” Pisses me off! Just because his vocals don’t sound like Mariah Carey or Michael Jackson doesn’t mean he cannot sing! He sings fine and will become better as the years go on! I just hope he has good “writers” and “arrangers,” because that is what sells a song, not so much the voice!

sweetbee on May 13, 2007 at 11:55 am
2

sweetbee: I, too, have had musical training, and agree with your comments about the “off-key” nonsense. I wrote about it in another thread. This is another example of sloppy journalism. Don’t try to find out the truth; just report whatever’s making the most noise.

But – still nice to read the article and see what our boy has been up to. Wish I lived in Seattle this week! I would be at everything.

hesterprune on May 13, 2007 at 12:03 pm
3

Thank you, both. I love Sanjaya’s voice, and it’s good to hear confirmation from people in the know. The papers are still pushing the “thank goodness he didn’t sing at this appearance” line, but at least this one owned up to the contract requirement. I love the photo–the girl looks a little panic-stricken, and Sanjaya looks a little dumbfounded that he can have this effect on people!

GirlyGirl45 on May 13, 2007 at 12:11 pm
4

Well since it was a FORD dealership, I wouldn’t be surprised if it was AI that sent him there in the first place to borrow a car.

The crafty owner probably negotiated an appearance out of it.

snuffles on May 13, 2007 at 12:17 pm
5

hesterprune, I just read your fantastic comment about the “off-key” on the other link and I was going YEAH, YEAH, YEAH!!! Thank God someone else wrote about the off-key crap!!! Way-to-go Hesterprune!

sweetbee on May 13, 2007 at 12:18 pm
6

Snuffles, I thought I read that he didn’t have a way to get to his engagements so “through a friend of a friend of a friend” got him the Ford truck — I’m sure Ford had to negotiate afterwards w/AI for an appearance??? Maybe I read it wrong, but if what I read is correct, I think it’s a shame for him not to have a travel expense account from AI. Gosh, can’t AI get a contract w/budget rent-a-car or Avis?

sweetbee on May 13, 2007 at 12:21 pm
7

I think it read that the people at the FORD dealership heard through a friend of a friend and got in contact with Sanjaya to offer him the car.

I guess it depends on who the “friend of a friend” is.

I just don’t think it was a coincidence that it was a FORD dealership that lent him the car.

snuffles on May 13, 2007 at 12:26 pm
8

okay, thanks Snuffles…. Gotta leave Rickey’s and celebrate my own mohter’s day with my 26-year-old son, who, by the way, fell in love w/Sanjaya. I was bragging on Sanjaya and asked my son did he know who he was and he said “I heard a lot about him,” So we sat down together at my computer and went through the AI videos of Sanjaya’s performances. He had this big smile on his face, saying, “yeah, now I see why. He’s adorable!” Winning ‘em over to the refreshing universe of Sanjaya. Happy mother’s day to whomever is a mother….

sweetbee on May 13, 2007 at 12:37 pm
9

Sanjaya only had a couple off key notes and those were very early in the competition. He never sang any whole songs off key. He has a beautiful, soulful voice that just kept getting stronger with each performance. He’s not just good…he’s great, international superstar great, and obviously some record label was smart enough to see that. His album is gonna sell like crazy.

sunflower on May 13, 2007 at 1:08 pm
10

apart from all the other comments about off keys and what not
i just rly wish i was living in seattle right now
things would be soooooooooooo much nicer
i would be EVERYWHERE he went
and im glad to hear that fame hasnt gotten to him yet

freestyle22rs on May 13, 2007 at 1:56 pm
11

Sunflower (9)–yep, soulful is what I hear, too. On Country night, he said he’d contemplated doing Janis Joplin’s Mercedes Benz but that Idol’s Ford agreement prevented that, which got me thinking of Janis Joplin’s “Take Another Piece of My Heart.” That would’ve been a good one, and he loves Stevie. Can’t wait for the debut.

GirlyGirl45 on May 13, 2007 at 2:07 pm
12

He probably would not have been able to make such a trade if the dealership had not been a Ford one.
It will be interesting to see as more and more people say how come we were told that he couldn’t sing?
That will start on the Idol tour. Without the judges to interpret their performances and loads of fans (for each of them) to cheer them on, Sanjaya’s talent will become better known.

Interested Observer on May 13, 2007 at 2:33 pm
13

Another thing. If the readers of rickey’s blog actually registered in order to read the story, they might get a surprise at the number of people from around the world who are actually interested in this teen pop sensation. Especially if they commented and corrected any misconceptions there might be about the make up of his fan base or the extent of his talents.

Interested Observer on May 13, 2007 at 2:39 pm
14

Check this out.

I put my avatar on here.

Ricky, if this is not appropriate please let me know.

http://www.cafepress.com/fanjayas

Manny on May 13, 2007 at 3:03 pm
15

Interested Observer #13: good point. I’m going to do just that.

Sunflower #9: when you say off-key, that’s what I’m calling “pitchy.” It’s what happens at the beginning of a song sometimes – and all them except Melinda have done it – when a nervous singer starts out not breathing properly. It’s common in inexperienced singers, and can even happen to more experienced people if they are extremely nervous. It can also happen if you’re not hearing your backup music well enough through the monitor(s), which is different from hearing it through the speakers that the audience hears.

As you say, Sanjaya sometimes had a few rough beginnings, but that was early on, and that is not the same as singing off-key. For that, you have to go back to the AI auditions and listen to some of the people that AI used for a cheap laugh.

Sanjaya has a beautiful tone, is expressive, and his voice has flexibility and soulfulness. I can’t wait until some of the “critics” are forced to acknowledge that AI made monkeys out of all of them.

hesterprune on May 13, 2007 at 3:28 pm
16

Wow, I just got back from out of state & hadn’t been able to get to a computer until now. Your updates were so great. I can’t believe you met Sanjaya! I’m so happy for you. It’s so awesome that his family recognized you too. Wow, jealous much. haha

Thanks for the videos & pictures too. Makes you feel like you were there (sort of). =]

zomgaubrie on May 13, 2007 at 3:53 pm
17

“Another thing. If the readers of rickey’s blog actually registered in order to read the story, they might get a surprise at the number of people from around the world who are actually interested in this teen pop sensation.”
Absolutely true! I’m translating a lot about Sanjaya and I’m getting THOUSANDS of responses. People just asking me to give them more about “wonder boy”.

Sanjayachoice on May 13, 2007 at 3:57 pm
18

Everything is water over the damn about what song he should have sung. Get over it. He’s not going to win AI, it’s ALL OVER FOLKS. Let’s move on.

As for his voice, it’s best suited for “world” music and he has a jazzy Norah Jones tinge to it. The reason he “failed” as a singer on AI is because he was singing outside his genre. His genre is world and Indian music. No way should he be singing pop and country. Come on! let’s be for real. Not everyone with a “nice” voice can sing every single genre.

I cannot imagine Tony Bennett singing country. I cannot imagine Willie Nelson singing jazz. The singer has to find their niche and their genre. Nobody got upset tagging Lakisha a “gospel” singer, so if she’s Gospel, why is she singing Disco?

Chicago-48 on May 13, 2007 at 5:29 pm
19

To #1 Sweetbee: I think there’s a misconception by the public that just because you’re on AI that you’re rich or you have money. Face it very few of those singers have money (exc Jordin and maybe a couple of others). Their families are normal working class people; does anybody remember Scott Savol’s family? or Vonzell’s family. She worked the post office, her father was a karate teacher. Or jennifer Hudson who was living with her mom until DG came along. These are not high-earning salaries.

Now I’ve resisted asking what Sanj moma and daddy do for a living, but I remember when he was a kid they were on welfare. They don’t look like wealthy people.

As for AI being responsible for getting him a car, we don’t know what that contract says. Perhaps AI has taken them “off” salary since they’re no longer on the show. Or maybe the contract keeps them “on” salary while they’re off the show. If someone knows, please report back.

I did read somewhere when they are touring, they get $2000 a show. The winner gets $5000 a show. Maybe somebody can report back.

But the point being, Sanj & family seem to be far from rich.

Chicago-48 on May 13, 2007 at 5:48 pm
20

His genre of music is SOOOOOO not “World and Indian”. Why do you say that because he’s Indian?

His preferred style is R&B – Stevie, Michael Jackson and Jazz – Tony Bennett and the like.

He can do Pop music easily. Most pop stars out there aren’t big belters like Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood or Chris Daughtry.

It’s artists like Ne-Yo, Omarion, Rhianna, Ciara, Gwen Stefani etc…

Sanjaya fits right in with that mold. He will probably do pop and pop infused R&B songs.

snuffles on May 13, 2007 at 5:58 pm
21

Back on the subject of money – No Sanjaya isn’t rich – YET. He probably earned somewhere between 10 – 15K while on the show.

He’ll earn some real nice back on tour. And hopefully sign some big bucks endorsement deals soon.

But until then, they’ve gotta live like regular folks.

snuffles on May 13, 2007 at 5:59 pm
22

I meant to say nice BANK. In addition to the pay they get per show. They also earn a cut of the MP3 sales and merchandise.

As far as merchandise goes, I think Sanjaya is gonna CLEAN UP!!

snuffles on May 13, 2007 at 6:01 pm
23

13, 15, 17–Umm, what? Pleading ignorance here. Am I supposed to register somewhere? i’m just bookmarked on the Sanjaya Malakar area of Rickey’s site.

Chicago-48 (18): were you commenting on #11? if so, let me clarify that I wasn’t referring to “should haves” for the competition. I was intrigued that Sanjaya had considered Janis Joplin (a bit of a stretch for country), which made me think of other songs of hers and contemplate his singing them. I agree with you that there’s a jazz quality to his voice as well, and he says he likes jazz as well as R&B and other genres. I love your comment about Willie Nelson and jazz and Tony Bennett and country, and I was tickled that Sanjaya refused to do flat-out country and chose Bonnie Raitt (blues), even though it didn’t go so well. I’m not a country fan, and I’m glad (relieved?) that it is not Sanjaya’s thing, either. Cheers!

GirlyGirl45 on May 13, 2007 at 6:05 pm
24

Could we all form a pact and agree to STOP discussing his family’s finances? Please, people, it just isn’t appropriate. It’s totally none of our business; show a little respect. Now dreaming of the money coming Sanjaya’s way? YES, that’s in our realm, and you can bet that Sanjaya is going to make a pile of money! I think the top 10ers get something per performance while they’re still on the show, and they definitely get paid for the tour, and it would make perfect sense that they get royalties on the mp3 sales, so good for them.

GirlyGirl45 on May 13, 2007 at 6:20 pm
25

yes he will be very successful.. hes doing great. so proud ily sanjaya!!! thanks for the update rickey=)

-samantha-

TEAMSANJAYA on May 13, 2007 at 6:25 pm
26

I agree with Snuffles. I don’t see Sanjaya’s genre as world & Indian .. i see R&B and pop, maybe with infused world & Indian .. possibly. He has said that he wants to incorporate some of those different genres into his songs. His voice has a nice, smooth, jazzy tone to it. He won’t be a belter, but his voice can very well fit the pop/r&b mold. Who knows, he could even be a trendsetter and do something completely different that could catch on.

Jenniferx3 on May 13, 2007 at 6:27 pm
27

Jenniferx3–I like that last thought especially!

GirlyGirl45 on May 13, 2007 at 6:31 pm
28

Snuffles, it’s clear you’re not a music major or music historian. If you recall, when a young Aretha came on the scene they tried to slot her into jazz….it wasn’t until Ahmet and Jerry found her niche which was bluesy soul. No, Sanj is not pop and soul. He’s jazz, he’s world music, he’s Indian music. Sanj has said himself that he wants to infuse India Music:

http://kamlabhattshow.com/blog/2007/04/24/sanjayas-newsweek-interview/ “Do they know for instance that Sanjaya wants to cut an album and infuse Indian music?”

Did you know his father was a musician:http://www.southasiabiz.com/2007/04/nine_reasons_why_sanjaya_malak.html

” Sanjaya Malakar comes from a musical family. So, don’t give me the crap that he is not talented. Many of those who are criticizing him unfairly have little or no idea about the rich tradition of Indian music.
Music is a part of religion in India and Sanjaya Malakar’s father is a musician too. He knows classical Indian music. Sanjaya Malakar learnt well from his father and I feel that Sanjaya Malakar can bring the variation in American music.”
Sanj’s sister studied Indian music last year for 3 years.

Now what say you?

Chicago-48 on May 13, 2007 at 6:34 pm
29

well, it seems all my good writing is missing, so I will repeat

Sanj has said he wants to infuse Indian music.

His father is a musician and his sister studied Indian music.

http://www.southasiabiz.com/2007/04/nine_reasons_why_sanjaya_malak.html
“Music is a part of religion in India and Sanjaya Malakar’s father is a musician too. He knows classical Indian music. Sanjaya Malakar learnt well from his father and I feel that Sanjaya Malakar can bring the variation in American music.”

World music is where he belongs. Now if some slick music exec tries to slot him in the Justin Timberlake-Blake-Maroon5-soulful type singing, he’s going to get lost. He should do reggae, Indian, African, that’s what his voice is best for.
Okay, I’m done.
Where’s all that writing I just did?

Chicago-48 on May 13, 2007 at 6:37 pm
30

I’m also thinking a combination of pop, R&B and jazz, but whatever is chosen, I hope Sanjaya has the last word on it and makes as many of the choices himself because it is his music, his career, his own unique “Sanjaya” style. He’s not trying to be someone else and that’s what makes him special.

sunflower on May 13, 2007 at 7:14 pm
31

i agree with girlygirl about cutting the fmily financial stuff. i’m sure NONE of these contestants are blowing their noses with benjamins.

i’m with chicago. i see sanjaya doing jazz/blues. when i heard him do stepping out with my baby, i thought YES that’s him right there. i don’t think he should go the R&B route at all. or as jen said, he can jsut make up his own, lol.

sprout on May 13, 2007 at 7:24 pm
32

Unfortunately/Fortunately? The final word on Sanjaya’s album will be the RECORD LABEL’s not his. Hopefully the will allow Sanjaya to have a lot of input.

But I can guarantee you they won’t be going the jazz/blues route because that’s not what is going to sell.

It will be mainstream pop/r&b and they will capitalize on his “Dreamy Teenage Boy” popularity.

Mark my words people.

snuffles on May 13, 2007 at 7:34 pm
33

(Except maybe Jordin — her father played CB for the New York Giants for 7 years).

Rickey on May 13, 2007 at 7:39 pm
34

I am amused by Rickey’s spelling of Poulsbo.

I am glad we are discussing music here.

Snuffles you may be correct, but I think Sanjaya’s spirit is infectious, and he will have some creative input, maybe not at first. My intuition tells me we will see, maybe only a hint at first, of something totally new in the R&B-Jazz-Indian-infused vein of things. Perhaps some combination of George Harrison and Stevie Wonder.

Sanjaya has always been true to himself and no one has stopped him yet.

sukey on May 13, 2007 at 7:40 pm
35

Cross over. He may turn into the first world music cross over (to popular music) artist.

Mark my words.

sukey on May 13, 2007 at 7:42 pm
36

Quote: “He should do reggae, Indian, African, that’s what his voice is best for.”

What? yeah..and live in perpetual poverty!

No way… he needs to go mainstream Pop with some infusion of whatever comes natural to him. He can be the next George Harrison maybe…bit not reggae, Indian or African.

Manny on May 13, 2007 at 8:10 pm
37

Sukey, JenX3, let’s hope so! it would be refreshing–it will also take a bit more time to pull off, which makes me worry that Snuffles may be closer to reality (re what the first record label will push). Sanjaya surely has more staying power than a quickie popstar sensation, though. Maybe the record execs will try to start with that, then maybe Sanjaya goes on his musical pilgrimage like Shyamali has had in India, maybe goes the music school route. Who knows? it’s nice to contemplate. He’s got time.

(and Sprout, thanks)

GirlyGirl45 on May 13, 2007 at 8:10 pm
38

Chicago-48

It doesn’t matter the kind of music Sanjaya and his family has studied. That stuff WON’T SELL!!

If he’s LUCKY, his record label might allow him to have 1 or 2 songs with a jazz/blue/Indian world fusion.

But bottom line, they’re gonna put out a mainstream record that will appeal to his teenage girl / young woman audience. They want HITS. Stuff that will get played on the radio and on MTV, Disney, Nickelodeon, etc…

In the record business, “music history” don’t mean diddly squat.

snuffles on May 13, 2007 at 8:59 pm
39

Maybe in the future Sanjaya can afford to be experimental and test new sounds. But he’s got a brief window of opportunity to establish himself. He knows that, his future record label knows that, his management knows that.

snuffles on May 13, 2007 at 9:01 pm
40

Rickey, you didn’t have to convince me that Sanjaya is just a regular guy. I knew it from the start.

I would have been shocked if he had turned down the appearance at the dealership, not to mention disappointed. Just more fodder for all the haters.

By the way, I actually registered for that site just to read that article. I should’ve known you’d post it eventually.

Amy723 on May 13, 2007 at 9:02 pm
41

I agree with snuffles #38 & 39. Unless Sanjaya wants to put out a homemade studio album with little publicity or advertisting, he’s going to be going the pop/r&b/jazz route that will sell. No world music, no indian music..it won’t sell if it’s PURELY that. I think if he can infuse those genres into his some of his music a little, that’ll be golden. I think if he could record stuff like Stevie Wonder did, it would sell well and he’d sound good singing it too. He could be a crossover artist..Josh Groban is a very successful classical crossover artist who sings mainstream pop music.

Jenniferx3 on May 13, 2007 at 9:20 pm
42

Nobody needs to be “taught” anything here it’s not moving any mountains.I think that whatever Sanjaya is going to do it will be well thought out and quality.Nuff said.

beesure on May 13, 2007 at 9:29 pm
43

I love this discussion! I wish we could push the fast-forward button and just go get it. I’ve never ever bought an Idol recording, but I will definitely buy Sanjaya’s. Can’t wait.

GirlyGirl45 on May 13, 2007 at 9:38 pm
44

Girlygirl: AI always has a compilation record of the top 10 singers. You can buy it now on amazon. I usually get the CD, but last year I didn’t and this year I wont.

Chicago-48 on May 13, 2007 at 10:08 pm
45

OOPS! I’m wrong, the Season 6 is not out yet. Strange, normally it’s ready before the final show.

Chicago-48 on May 13, 2007 at 10:09 pm
46

http://www.americanidol.com/ If you go there now, they have the Besame Mucho performance by SANJ on the first screen. Amazing, they are really promo’ing him.

Chicago-48 on May 13, 2007 at 10:10 pm
47

Thanks, Chicago! I didn’t know about the compilation CDs–don’t think I want one. Yeah, I noticed Friday that Besame Mucho was on the home page. Nice! I need to figure out what to do with mp3 files. I’m SUCH a dinosaur, hanging its head in dinosaur shame.

GirlyGirl45 on May 13, 2007 at 10:27 pm
48

I realy hope Sanjaya and his Family read this blog, so he will read all this discussion in here about music for his input.

tara on May 13, 2007 at 10:32 pm
49

Chicago-48 #46: not amazing. Not even surprising. Of course they would jump on the bandwagon.

GirlyGirl45 #23: “13, 15, 17–Umm, what? Pleading ignorance here. Am I supposed to register somewhere? i’m just bookmarked on the Sanjaya Malakar area of Rickey’s site.” – We are talking about the article on Ford dealership appearance where the journalist said Sanjaya sang off-key. Interested Observer suggested we register and comment (#13). This is the link:
http://www.kitsapsun.com/bsun/local/article/0,2403,BSUN_19088_5535014,00.html

Re Sanjaya’s CD: it would certainly be my first AI-related purchase. I’d also buy anything Melinda records.

hesterprune on May 13, 2007 at 10:43 pm
50

Thanks for clarifying, Hester! I was able to get right into that article (thus my comment about the photo), but I was accessing from work, so our system must allow a bypass. Hope you had a nice mother’s day. For me, recordings in order: Sanjaya, Melinda, Gina, Jordin (maybe).

GirlyGirl45 on May 13, 2007 at 11:08 pm
51

RE: Compilation CD

They did it the past 5 seasons. But there has been no word of one this year. It’s normally out by now or at least being advertised.

I don’t think we will get one this year. This year is also the first year that they decided to sell studio recording MP3s of every show performance.

I think those have replaced any idea of a compliation CD.

snuffles on May 13, 2007 at 11:32 pm
52

Chicago48 — I hope I didn’t sound like I thought Sanjaya’s family was well off? Not my thinking. I too would be interested in what the AI contract pays after you’re voted off. I was just thinking that if AI manages whether they’re allowed to sing and/or manages their engagements, that should allot the financial means to get transportation to the engagement… it’s publicity for AI, you think? I would be interested to find out. Maybe in the next live interview with our wonder boy, the question could be asked. Shoot, I’ll give him some $, transpo and dinner to come to my town

sweetbee on May 13, 2007 at 11:39 pm
53

Sign o’ the times, moving from CD to mp3. So where the heck is Waiting for the World to Change?? that was one of my favorites. I listen to it on YouTube all the time.

GirlyGirl45 on May 13, 2007 at 11:41 pm
54

tara, I was just going to write that… I believe Sanjaya and his sister read this blog… I think his fans, especially on this site, are pretty intuitive to what we see in Sanjaya and expect to get from him. If he takes our suggestions, he cannot go wrong.

sweetbee on May 13, 2007 at 11:44 pm
55

Sanjaya’s performance of Besame Mucho was put up on the Idol Homepage because there was a poll last week that asked which performance we wanted to see again. There were 5 choices..Sanjaya’s won There’s another poll up now and Sanjaya’s also an option, so make sure you guys vote there too. It’s for who was the best dancer haha. Sanjaya’s winning again.

Jenniferx3 on May 13, 2007 at 11:53 pm
56

GirlyGirl45: I DID have a nice mother’s day. I hope you did too. As you saw, Waiting on the World to Change is not on the list of mp3’s for purchase, but you might want to check in the archives and see if Rickey has it on the original post. You could “save target as” and save it in your own files, then burn it onto a cd. I haven’t done it myself, but after I purchased all the mp3’s available and made my own disk I realized I was missing WOTWTC and Stepping out With My Baby, so I was thinking about doing what I just told you – haven’t got around to it yet, tho. Too busy keeping up with this board

Rickey – I hope I’m not suggesting anything illegal here. Can you advise us? I’m not too super savvy about these things. I mean, I realize I didn’t pay for it, so is it stealing if I burn a cd? But then, what’s the difference if I’m “saving target as” and putting it on my hard drive? And you tell us to do that, so it must be ok … help me out before I confuse myself, please lol.

Am I giving good advice here, or not?

hesterprune on May 14, 2007 at 12:02 am
57

I have to finish reading the comments but I’m glad it’s not just me because I think that Sanjaya really has a very nice voice. I mean he never was out of key he just couldn’t project his voice enough because he’s shy.

The other day I was so mad because my neighbor said that for a while Sanjaya screwed up American Idol. I told her to go online and listen and watch Sanjaya sing Sweet Chariot but she just was like well I don’t know like I was crazy or something.

I don’t know how anyone could actually hate such a sweet kid who does happen to sing good in my opinion. Sanjaya’s singing will only get better and of course he will make albums and show everyone that didn’t believe in him just how special he really is.

Donna on May 14, 2007 at 1:02 am
58

Happy Belated Mother’s Day (since it’s after midnight here in Chicago) to all of the wonderful mothers here.

Donna on May 14, 2007 at 1:07 am
59

Hi everyone – enjoying the posts. Here’s a positive article from a Phillipines newspaper. I’d be interested to know if the Bollywood story is true.

Nevertheless, it’s great to know he has such international appeal already.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=77059

thirtysomething_fanjaya on May 14, 2007 at 1:39 am
60

If he records the album this fall, anyone know about when it will come out?

sunflower on May 14, 2007 at 9:42 am
61

I wouldn’t be surprised if Bollywood did want Sanjaya. It’s a huge market and he’s got the total package to appeal.
I expect he’ll be a huge star around the world even if he isn’t so huge at home. And it might be that he will conquer the USA after he conquers the world.
Did you know The Backstreet Boys did that as part of their plan? They were huge around the world and unknown in the US. Here in Canada they were very big in Quebec before they hit the rest of Canada.
When they did hit the US they had the world media following them which drove them into the US’s media spotlight.
I remember watching this as the North American wave started in Canada and flowed south.

Interested Observer on May 14, 2007 at 9:43 am
62

Thanks for the tips, Hesterprune! I’ll give that a shot, and it will be my “learn something new every day.” Time to scoot to work. Good luck with your classes.

GirlyGirl45 on May 14, 2007 at 11:01 am
63

This story is ridiculous. His American Idol handlers should be taking care of his travel arrangements, getting him to and from all those public appearances that they set up for him. Now Sanjaya has to find his own transportation? What. The. Hell.

So basically American Idol arranged for Sanjaya to drum up business for one of their sponsors, FORD. Isn’t that it in a nutshell?

Sorry, I guess I’m just feeling cynical today.

amina on May 14, 2007 at 11:49 am
64

chicago-48,
I suppose Besame Mucho was “Indian music” !

All,
Anyway, folks, thanks for the tip about American Idol’s front page of featuring Sanjaya’s Besame Mucho because they asked and we voted (as they like to say). They don’t say whether it’s been voted the most or what but I suspect they got a high response to it! They are likely finding out how much of a real fan base he has rather than the VFTW which could not save Sligh or anyone else.

After hearing about Sanjaya’s “studio” versions of the performances where he was often drowned out by the band, I listened to the previews. And then bought some, even though they’re available at other sites online. “Ain’t no mountain high” is absolutely terrific.

You want to ‘vote’ for the guy on all the too-often meaningless polls? Here’s the best place. Vote with your money. If you really like any of these, buy it. AI will hear the ga-ching thing much more than other aspects of enthusiasm.
And they’ll put more serious money behind the album and general PR. They want fanbases with enthusiasms high enough to spend $.

http://downloads.americanidol.com/genre.aspx?page=c&gid=332

The “extended” mp3s and videos are downloadable only until the 23rd. Rickey, maybe you could highlight this in one of your columns this week?

anieb on May 14, 2007 at 11:18 pm
65

chicago-48,
I suppose Besame Mucho was “Indian music” !

All,
Anyway, folks, thanks for the tip about American Idol’s front page of featuring Sanjaya’s Besame Mucho because they asked and we voted (as
they like to say). They don’t say whether it’s been voted the most or what but I suspect they got a high response to it! They are likely finding out

how much of a real fan base he has rather than the VFTW which could not save Sligh or anyone else.

After hearing about Sanjaya’s “studio” versions of the performances where he was often drowned out by the band, I listened to the previews. And

then bought some, even though they’re available at other sites online. “Ain’t no mountain high” is absolutely terrific.

You want to ‘vote’ for the guy on all the too-often meaningless polls? Here’s the best place. Vote with your money. If you really like any of these,

buy it. AI will hear the ga-ching thing much more than other aspects of enthusiasm.
And they’ll put more serious money behind the album and general PR. They want fanbases with enthusiasms high enough to spend $.

http://downloads.americanidol.com/genre.aspx?page=c&gid=332

The “extended” mp3s and videos are downloadable only until the 23rd. Rickey, maybe you could highlight this in one of your columns this week?

anieb on May 14, 2007 at 11:20 pm
66

Apologies for the duplicate. The post didn’t show up the way these usually do, so a couple of minutes later I resubmitted and, like an hour later, the other one showed up.

Anyway, I also wanted to point out that the ‘extended’ studio version mp3s do have extra material, in sort of improv style. Apparently available until May 23 only, for some odd reason (to stimulate downloads?)

anieb on May 15, 2007 at 1:39 am
67

anieb: good point about paying for the downloads. I have mine

hesterprune on May 15, 2007 at 1:18 pm
68

hesterprune,
I’d read that the studio versions were clearer but never heard that they had extended portions (the full version instead of the shorter ones performed).

Sanjaya does especially well in the last 2/3rds of most of the songs. Very jazzy bluesy stuff well executed.

It would be nice if they got rid of Cheek to Cheek though!

anieb on May 16, 2007 at 12:16 pm
69

anieb: why get rid of cheek to cheek? Don’t you like the way he sings it? Or do you not like that style of music? I’ve always liked the song – ever since seeing Fred & Ginger dance to it when I was a child (and I can assure you it was an old movie then lol) – and I like him singing it. I have a really old-fashioned side to me, tho. Eclectic tastes.

hesterprune on May 21, 2007 at 9:36 pm