Simon Cowell Tells It Strait to Bosa Mora
I am completely aware that I am completely biased. When I sit down to watch the season premiere of American Idol, as I did last night (Jan. 12), I tend to love the country contestants the best. A cowboy hat, some footage of them slinging hay and a Southern accent are all I need to make up my mind that I love him/her already. And as usual, someone always sings a Rascal Flatts song. Last night it was Joshua Blaylock doing "Bless the Broken Road." But then, in a very unlikely move, the tall drink of water that is Nigerian-born Bosa Mora came out in front of the judges and sang George Strait's "You Look So Good in Love." I did not see that coming.
Not that I expected him to sing a song that celebrated his West African culture. He is really just a kid from Ohio who is studying music in Boston. But still. George Strait? And vintage George Strait? So the song choice was a surprise, but a wonderful one. He sounded flawless. Oh, how he sparkled. Oh, he did shine.
Simon Cowell, who I think secretly hates country music even though he adored Carrie Underwood, said Mora was "Good but boring. Very, very dull." He ultimately ruled against Mora, but guest judge Victoria Beckham said he was very heartfelt and very good. In fact, the other three judges overruled Cowell and told Mora, "Welcome to Hollywood."
Photo credit: Michael Becker/FOX
©2008 Country Music Television, Inc., a Viacom company. A division of
Kate says:
Alison,
Simon has never made his dislike for country music a secret. He has been very clear and vocal about it. He doesn’t like it and has said that, ‘he doesn’t get it’.
Simon has a good eye and good ears..he assess a contestant by visualizing them in the ‘real’ world of entertainment. Do they have the ‘it’ factor, the likeability factor…He explained on Oprah,that not only did Carrie have the likeability factor but that Carrie’s vocals could compete with the established stars in the music industry even before the year 4 AI competition was over. We all know the prediction he made about Carrie and history shows he was right on both counts. The video where her talks about Carrie can be seen on utube.
barb b says:
I knew the minute i saw carrie on american
idol i knew she would win she has an amazing
voice and i heard simon perdiction that she
will win AI;and she will outsell any other AI
he was right by the way i saw the interview
when he was on oprah carrie can compete with anyone
Peacock Queen says:
Kate, At least Simon doesn’t say country is dead. I read the article by Jim Putnam of The Colton Point Times-Birthplace of Religious Freedom in America. The author rambled and there didn’t seem to be a connecting thread for all the points he was making, but I believe he was saying that (subgenre) “country” music is terminally ill, and once its two young female stars leave country for pop (????), one because she wants to and the other because she is being forced to (????) then the genre will be in need of a casket. What struck me about this article was he referenced “Dolly Pardon” instead of Dolly Parton. That may very well have been a typo, but my gut feeling is that the author isn’t as familiar with country music as he would wish for us to believe and he truly thinks that is Dolly’s name. I am not familiar with this author or the Colton Point Times, so I may be really off base but that was the feeling I got. Maybe I am being way too cynical, and I apologize for that. (Sub-genre) Country music is a cat, a very extraordinary cat, because country music seems to have nine lives. I have been hearing about how it is a dying genre all my life. Anyway, those are my thoughts and I wanted to share them with you in case you were interested.
Redmaz says:
“You Look so Good in Love” is by Rory Bourke, Kerry Chattery, and Glen Ballard. Strait may have sung it, but I’m sure others have too. I see you’re still disrespecting the songwriters contribution to the music industry.
fashionstatement says:
Simon knows a voice that’s fo sho. He said Taylor Swift would never have made it if it hadn’t been for the millions that financed her. He made it very clear that she would never have even made it to Hollywood rounds on American Idol.
Kate says:
P.Q
I always find your posts interesting, well thought out, thank you for sharing.
I posted about this article on another blog. What I found interesting is that Mr. Putnam did not reference any sources for his article. I knew I couldn’t take his article seriously when he claimed that Kelly Clarkson was a country artist who was being pushed into the pop genre. It appeared to me that he believed TS was a Pop artist and approved that because she did it on her own with her mom’s help, whereas Carrie was being pushed into it by the AI machine. There were a number of things he said about TS that had me shaking my head in agreement..but overall I believe this article was based simply on Mr. Putnam’s opinion and nothing more.
Lyle says:
I’m pretty sure Simon didn’t know the song You Look So Good In Love and could not connect with it like we did. That is one of Strait’s most beloved songs (its at least 25 years old) and when i heard that man on Idol do it I thought it was fantastic. That guy could re-release that and make it a hit.
My favorite moment yet.
James says:
Leave it to Redmaz to try to bring everything down. Please get off your high horse already.
Peacock Queen says:
Sorry Kate,
I saw your posts about the Colton Point Times article on the Underwood blog, and that is why I was prompted to read it and then reply to you. I didn’t make that clear to you and I should have. You had said to go read it, and I did, and I found it, well, I guess “thought provoking” would be a good way to describe it?
The Mora family is lovely. What a nice family. They have embraced their new country and had only positive things to say about their lives here in America. That is nice to see. Apparently, they have embraced the American way of life all the way to its music, country music. I was surprised to hear Bosa sing a Strait song, but delighted as well. He did a great job, in my opinion. Good luck to him in Hollywood; he deserves a chance. Bosa wouldn’t get the time of day in Nashville (I think), and this is what I love about American Idol.
Granna says:
I thought Bosa did a very good job on the song! I was glad he did get through! But I sure was rooting for “Pants on the Floor” guy from last night (1/13)…that was hilarious! Oh yeah, the dude that sang the RF song did a better job than the original singers..IMO!
Dan says:
When I saw Bosa Mora sing “You look so good in love” I thought he sang pretty well, nice voice, but I was thinking He’s not putting his heart into it, so it WAS kind of boring. I’m a huge George Strait fan, Don’t sing George Strait unless you feel it in your heart.
I have been a Country fan since the fifties. Hank Williams died two weeks after I was born. I was raised on Hank and Patsy. I think todays to Country music companies it’s all about the money and getting it as fast as possible. No more paying your dues for years playing little smoke filled clubs all over the country, actually living your music. There’s nothing like a good hard drinking, hard livin heart break song! That is Country music, not songs about the puppy love of a fifteen year old girl. I just don’t think a lot of thenewcomers can pull it off!
Redmaz says:
It’s a shame about bummin’ you out with those facts and everything James, but I know how you feel. I feel your pain.
Kate says:
Dan
My heart can break just as hard never having left the confines of my home town. There are many different ways of ‘paying dues’…It’s a shame that for some folks paying your dues seems to come in one form only…
Desire, passion, heartbreak, joy, elation, hope,despair
etc.etc. it’s called the ‘human experience’ and touches the lives of everyone…from all corners of the world.
Kate says:
I also wanted to add that ‘paying one’s dues’ doesn’t necessarily elevate that individual’s talent. They just may have more years of credit doing a mediocre job.
Kate says:
I’m not very familiar with George Strait’s music or persona so I only have the performances at award shows thatI have seen in the last 4 years to go on (sorry bad sentence structure)
..With all due respect, I find his performances very boring and his voice pleasant but ordinary ..I remember after the first couple of times I saw him I thought he looked arrogant , rarely smiling unless a comment was directed his way and looked much like he was the lord of the manor with everyone else bowing and scraping before him like serfs…Perhaps in his day he was quite the star but now I believe it’s his seniority that is being rewarded and I don’t think that is right or fair…give him a lifetime achievement award and be done with it…
K says:
Fashionstatement,
Where did Simon make these comments about Taylor? I’ve certaintly never seen any, and I’d be shocked if something negative was said by Simon directed towards the sweet, wholesome Taylor Swift, I would bet there would be some sort of noise.
I watched American Idol last night, and I don’t remember who Rosa is. Could that be an indication she will not be memorable?
George Strait is talented, and I love a lot of his music, but I would agree that he’s gone a bit sour. Anyone remember his face when Carrie won Entertainer Of The Year? He didn’t clap, and I’d even say he looked angry. I think that’s extremely rude. How difficult is it to show half a second of respect to a fellow artist? I also noticed that nobody ever questions his rudeness, but Faith Hill and Carrie Underwood both got hounded when they did the same.
I think Carrie is gorgeous with a voice to match. She’s been my favorite artist since she won Season four, and I don’t think anyone in the industry rivals her. She’s in a class of her own when it comes to vocal talent, and she has only gotten better.
Kate says:
P.Q
That’s OK. I’m glad you got something out of it. I really didn’t know what to make of it and for whatever reason I found myself chuckling alot while I was reading it…but I’m not sure why…oh well..laughing is good for one’s health…
Peacock Queen says:
I have been a George Strait fan since there was a George Strait in country music. I find his latest hits, “Troubadour,” “I Saw God Today,” and “Livin’ For the Night” to be wonderful songs, and he sings them just as well as always. As for his style, well, it’s just straight-forward singing. Hank Williams did that, Patsy Cline, Porter Waggoner, etc. I think George is a “throw-back” (I apologize for that language but I cannot think of any other way to put it) to an older, more straight-laced time of entertaining. You simply sang, and if you were good, that is all you needed to do. Just sing (and play an instrument if you could). I am not sure if George’s “reserved” manner is a sign of arrogance or just his manner. He has always been a man of few words outside his music. I have men in my family who do not say much. I guess I understand George because I am used to it. I agree that he does not seem to be as jovial as he used to be, but remember, he lost a young daughter. That would make many of us sober up real fast, because I am sure there isn’t a day that goes by that he doesn’t think about his child.
Does his seniority play a role in how popular he is today? I am sure it does to a certain degree. When someone has been around for a long time, it is hard not to revere them, especially if you grew up wanting to be “them.” Anyway, that’s my ten-cents worth on George.
Kate says:
P.Q
Sorry to hear about George Strait’s loss. Indeed that would be hard on any parent. Perhaps it’s unfair of me to base my comments on the rather limited experience I have of George Strait and I meant no disrespect, I was just telling it like ‘I’ see it. I understand where you’re coming from and like I said in my post, in his day he must of been quite a star.
As to my comment about awarding longevity..it’s just an assumption on my part that some of GS nominations are in recognition of his long service rather than his accomplishments for that year. This leaves artists who have done more in the qualifying year out of the nominations. If the industry feels that they want to show its appreciation of GS’ contribution to the genre, I’m all for something like a service award.
barb b says:
k yes i saw the look on george strait face
very disrespectful that he did not win no
he did not clap he was not happy for carrie
i also never heard simon mention ts he has
no reason to mention her she was never on AI
alison said that simon hates country music
she stirs up trouble on these BLOGS
GC says:
I need more than a cowboy hat, hay and a southern accent to love any contestant. I need talent, i.e. the best country singers.
Simon Cowell picked Carrie Underwood and Kellie Pickler. All of the judges did and the newest one, Ellen, said they are her favorite singers:
“The Wall Street Journal: Who are some of your favorite singers to come out of “Idol”?
Ms. DeGeneres: I love Carrie Underwood, Kellie Pickler and Kelly Clarkson. Those are my favorites.”
They are my favorites too and I love Carrie and Kellie the most because they sing country. They are the only Idols I loved and voted for from the first moment. Simon is leaving Idol because he misses them and can’t find anyone as good so he’s bored.
Robin says:
Redmaz - I’m sure that Bosa picked the song because of Strait not the songwriters. If Strait hadn’t have sung it the songwriters certainly wouldn’t have made it such a known commodity on their own.
Robin says:
Dan - the pop country industry has ALWAYS been about money. That’s what makes it an “industry”. It was the same when George Jones, Loretta Lynn, Tammy Wynette and Johnny Cash were all the Kings and Queens of the pop country industry.
They may have sung traditional country just like Strait sings New Traditional and the most popular of todays artists sing contemporary country, but they were still in the pop country industry (thus their country radio airplay).
You should probably also be aware that Eddie Arnold (contemporary country) had more number one pop country singles (all of Billboard and mediabases charts) than George Jones did. So, contemporary country has always been the spin leader of pop country.
Peacock Queen says:
Kate,
No problem! I understood what you were saying. I do agree that his longevity is helpful to him. As I have said on here many times, I have NO problem with anyone expressing an honest opinion. That is why we are here - to discuss “our” music. You and I are like-minded in how we wish to conduct our discussions. I am not offended by your wonderful insight into the artists and the music and I never will be.
Peacock Queen says:
Let me clarify something. I have no problem with anyone discussing an artist, a song, a concert or a video, and offering an honest, heartfelt opinion, pro or con. Everyone has their favorites, and none of us are going to agree 100 percent of the time all the time on everything/every artist. To believe otherwise is simply illogical, irrational, and unrealistic. If you are not a fan of a particular artist, you have your reasons, and therefore, you are not a fan. Period. I do, however, get upset when I see one blogger attacking another, or saying something horribly mean just to hurt an artist or a group of fans. That is not necessary. We can agree to disagree and stay civil.
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