Durbin’s debut, Memories of a Beautiful Disaster, will hit on November 21. By Gil Kaufman James Durbin Photo: FOX Though he was most often compared to “American Idol” runner-up Adam Lambert last year during his rebel-yelling run to a #4 finish, classic rock lover James Durbin will end up being measured against another head-banging “Idol” finisher when his debut drops in November. Durbin will release his debut, Memories of a Beautiful Disaster, on November 21 on Wind-Up Records (home to Evanescence, among others). That just happens to be the same day that season-five fourth-place finisher said he will serve up his band’s third album, Break the Spell. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Durbin’s debut was produced by veteran hard-rock helmer Howard Benson, who has worked with My Chemical Romance and, yes, Daughtry. While Daughtry’s sound leans toward gritty, swelling arena rock, during his time season 10 Durbin was an unabashed fan of old-school metal, a genre he vowed to revive if given a chance. Shortly after his elimination, Durbin told MTV News that he wanted to work with Dream Theater’s Mike Portnoy, reunite with guitar legend Zakk Wylde and bring out his “secret weapon,” his best friend from home who is a shredding guitar player. Given the chance, he said what he wanted most was to re-create the sound of his favorite record, the 1983 debut from late Black Sabbath metal screamer and solo star Ronnie James Dio, Holy Diver. “I’m gonna keep it real my post ‘Idol’ career. I’m not gonna pretend to be somebody else on the show and then do something completely different with my career,” Durbin promised . “I know who I am, I know what I wanna do, and I know where my fans are. And I know what they want.” Get your “Idol” fix on MTV News’ “American Idol” page , where you’ll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions. Related Artists James Durbin
‘This record is all heart,’ Fernando Garibay tells MTV News about the sax-driven record. By Jocelyn Vena Lady Gaga Photo: Getty Images Lady Gaga ‘s “Edge of Glory” is an undeniably pure pop track. The Born This Way single dropped earlier this week, and the song’s co-producer, Fernando Garibay, says he’s still “very surprised,” “floored,” even, by the song’s release. “You know what’s crazy, as we were making the record … ‘Born This Way’ is a statement song, but here with ‘Edge of Glory, it’s very personal to her,” he explained. “It is very personal and very real; it’s a real moment. This record is all heart.” Garibay worked on “Edge of Glory” with Gaga and DJ White Shadow , who also revealed some details about the song to MTV News before its release, calling Gaga’s vocal delivery on the track particularly moving. “This song’s had room for her too … this is her natural tone. The vocal was one take,” White Shadow said. “The whole thing from top to bottom was her, just backstage singing it all the way through.” At the pop star’s request, Garibay threw in a heartbeat and made sure during production that it was clear Gaga’s “finding acceptance in the bridge.” He added, “It’s a bold move on her part to put this out there the way it is, where the full version is intact [on the radio]. When was the last time you heard a musical solo sax break in the middle of a song on the radio? It was innovative as a song and it was totally guided by the emotions and the heart. That’s what we did here. She wanted to put sax on it … Her references were E Street Band and Bruce Springsteen, so the isolation of what the sax represents in the music dichotomy, what it represents in the whole spectrum of music,” he said of the saxophone section, which is actually played by E Street’s Clarence Clemmons. “And that’s how we captured that feeling. It’s like that moment of acceptance and letting go. … She said, ‘Dude, there’s no boundary, go all the way.’ Her soft side is just as intense and as emotional as her intense, hands-in-the-air side you see onstage,” he added. Garibay couldn’t even imagine what a video for the song might look like. “We’re all excited,” he said. It’s always a surprise, but whatever it is, it’s going to be epic. … In this case, it’s edgy because it’s not edgy.” What’s your favorite Born This Way single so far? Tell us in the comments! Related Artists Lady Gaga
‘I’m still clicking up the track,’ latest castoff says of his post-‘Idol’ career. By Gil Kaufman James Durbin is eliminated on Thursday’s “American Idol” Photo: FOX James Durbin had a weird feeling when he got to the “American Idol” studios on Thursday. “Something was off with the kinetic energy,” he said Friday (May 13) during a call with reporters. “I felt it in people’s body language. … There was a real somber feeling.” Asked if he was blindsided, then, by the news that he would be going home in fourth place on the show later that night, Durbin paused and said, “I’m not going to lie, I definitely was.” He said he “freaked out” a bit just before the show went on air and had a feeling that his ride might be over. With less than an hour of sleep since his surprise ouster, Durbin said the hours since his elimination had been a “whirlwind” of emotion. “I’ve been really thinking about why I came on this show and why I even auditioned in the first place,” he said. “It’s for my family and to try and give a voice to a genre of music that seems like it’s slowly fading away. I really accomplished a lot on the show, and I’m grateful for the opportunity.” While other fourth-place finishers, including rocker Chris Daughtry , have said not winning “Idol” was probably the best thing that ever happened to them, Durbin said he understood that sentiment, but “winning would have been just great too.” He said his first instinct when host Ryan Seacrest broke the news was to think about how badly he’d wanted to win and fight back the feeling that somehow he’d failed. But after some time to reflect, Durbin said he’d come around on that thought. “I haven’t failed at all,” he said, adding a refrain often heard from “Idol” finalists. “This is just the beginning.” The singer, who provided one of the most emotionally engaging moments of the season with his tearful farewell, compared the journey on “Idol” to a roller coaster, saying it has loops and corkscrews and that while some people think of elimination as the first step toward the crazy ride down the other side of the fame hill, he sees it differently. “I’m still clicking up the track,” he said of his wild ride yet to come. “I’m really, really stoked.” While some of his castmates have hooked up with movie starlets , Durbin said one of the biggest celebrity perks he enjoyed on “Idol” was becoming close to professional wrestler and “Dancing With the Stars” contestant Chris Jericho , whose show is filmed at the same studio as “Idol.” For the lifelong wrestling fan, who always idolized Jericho, it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. And given that Jericho fronts his own metal band, the boys bonded over body slams, life on the road and all things hard rock. Given the Hollywood-ready arc of his story — from his Asperger’s and Tourette’s syndrome to the death of his musician father from a drug overdose when James was 9 years old — someone asked who the singer might like to see portray him in a movie. At first, he was speechless and then said he might want to do the honors himself. But then he suggested Matt Damon, since some people have said he resembles the actor, and maybe Steven Seagal for his older incarnation, since he used to rock a Seagal-like ponytail back in the day. Durbin has lots of plans for his debut album. He’d like to work with Dream Theater’s Mike Portnoy, reunite with guitar legend Zakk Wylde and bring out his “secret weapon,” his best friend from home who is a shredding guitar player. As he’s said before, James wants to bring back the classic metal sound, starting with an iconic singer/guitarist pairing along the lines of Wylde and Ozzy Osbourne or Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler and Joe Perry. And given the chance, he’d like to re-create the sound of his favorite record, the 1983 debut from late Black Sabbath metal screamer and solo star Ronnie James Dio, Holy Diver. He wouldn’t give any details, but Durbin said he heard the song that might be his first single Thursday. “I really dig it,” he said of the unnamed tune. “It’s something I can really work.” He described it as having a heavy edge, but also being radio-friendly enough to get airplay. With no regrets, Durbin did point out his one potential misstep on the show when asked why his number might have been called Thursday. Referring again to his friendship with wrestler Jericho, he noted that the last song Jericho danced to on “Stars” was, yes, Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’.” ” ‘Don’t Stop Believing’ eliminated James Durbin, Chris Jericho and Tony Soprano,” he said with a laugh. Don’t miss “Idol Party Live” every Thursday at noon on MTV.com for analysis, celebrity guests and even some karaoke — get in the conversation by tweeting with the hashtag #idolparty! In the meantime, get your “Idol” fix on MTV News’ “American Idol” page , where you’ll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions. Related Videos ‘American Idol’ In 60 Seconds Related Photos ‘American Idol’ Season 10 Performances
Well? Who among American Idol ‘s magnificent seven is no longer with us? Did someone we expected to stick around a lot longer get the boot? Or did America send one of the guys many people had in the bottom three packing? As we saw it, Jacob Lusk , Scotty McCreery and Stefano Langone were in danger, with James Durbin, Casey Abrams, Lauren Alaina and Haley Reinhart safe. We were two-thirds correct. Jacob, Haley and Stefano were on the block … Follow the jump to see which singer left American Idol this evening … Stefano Langone ended his run on the show in seventh place. The wild-card finalist from Kent, Wash., was probably lucky to make it this far, and harbored no hard feelings about his ouster from the competition. Asked by Ryan Seacrest how Idol had changed his life, Stefano replied: “It started my career, man. That’s something you can’t put a price on.” “That’s everything. I’m so blessed. I came this far. It’s great; it really is.” Indeed. He went out in style, too, with Stevie Wonder’s “Lately.” Way to go, Stefano. Congratulations on a great run. Now, on to the top six … What do you think? Did America get it right voting off Stefano?
Matching efforts by James Durbin , Casey Abrams or even Lauren Alaina was a tall order for Haley Reinhart, who chose to sing Adele’s “Rolling the Deep.” While choosing such a current hit is always a risk (especially a hit sung by, you know, Adele), Haley did her best to do it justice, vocally and emotionally. Jennifer said there were moments where she did it better than Adele. We’re not going that… Broadcasting platform : YouTube Source : The Hollywood Gossip Discovery Date : 21/04/2011 12:41 Number of articles : 2
James Durbin urged American Idol viewers to give heavy metal a chance last night. After this energetic performance, it’s safe to say a bunch of them will. After doing a little Sammy Hagar for Jimmy Iovine and getting mixed reviews, he took his case straight to America. His message: “Give metal a chance!” When he walked onstage with Zakk Wylde from Black Label Society and did his thing with Ozzy Osbourne,… Broadcasting platform : YouTube Source : The Hollywood Gossip Discovery Date : 14/04/2011 12:26 Number of articles : 2
The remaining eight contestants on American Idol showed their cinematic flair last night by taking on songs from movie soundtracks. Like last week, will.i.am was back at Season 10 mentor Jimmy Iovine’s side (making it his fourth appearance on Idol in the past month). And James Durbin pretty much tore the roof off the stage … More » Broadcasting platform : YouTube Source : Idolator Discovery Date : 14/04/2011 14:28 Number of articles : 2
Scotty McCreery sang George Strait’s “Cross My Heart” on Idol this week. For a country singer to use George Strait, well, they’re gonna have to be good, ’cause they’re gonna be compared to George Strait. Did Scotty pull it off? It seemed to us that he had trouble with his pitch sometimes, struggled with some notes and didn’t exactly get a lot of favors from the American Idol band.
Rocker was joined by legendary guitarist Zakk Wylde for heavy metal performance judges called ‘outstanding.’ By Kara Warner James Durbin performs on “American Idol” Wednesday Photo: Fox The buzz surrounding this week’s episode of “American Idol” was especially high, given the major elimination shocker of assumed front-runner Pia Toscano last week. And while the contestants are always dealing with the looming pressure of elimination, there seemed to be an extra sense of anxiety coming from the eight remaining “Idol” hopefuls. Nevertheless, there were a few standout performers who sang their hearts out during the always-interesting Songs of Cinema theme week. One in particular was heavy metal enthusiast and all-around rocker James Durbin . Durbin made “Idol” history earlier this season when he sang the first Judas Priest track “You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’,” marking the first time Priest was ever performed on the main stage. On Wednesday night (April 13), he went raw rocker again and, against the recommendations of mentors Jimmy Iovine and wil.i.am, performed Sammy Hagar’s “Heavy Metal,” from the ’80s movie of the same name. “Give metal a chance!” Durbin said to the camera in the preview package that aired before his performance. Joining Durbin onstage for his loud, energetic and guitar-solo-heavy performance was legendary Ozzy Osbourne guitarist Zakk Wylde, who said afterward that Durbin “sang his ass off.” “That felt really, really real!” a very excited Jennifer Lopez exclaimed. “I really loved that. I don’t know what these are sounding like at home but here they are killing it dead,” she said. “Who would have ever thought that on ‘Idol’ we would have heavy metal?” Fellow judges Randy Jackson and Steven Tyler were equally impressed. “My God, you guys were just at a James Durbin concert, at a Zakk Wylde concert,” Jackson told the audience. “I’m happy you stuck to your guns,” he told Durbin of going against mentor Iovine’s wishes. “We always tell contestants to ‘do you’ and tonight you did you. … I can see you onstage with Ozzy at the next Ozzfest! Durbin rocks!” “Outstanding, Durbin,” Tyler said. “I’m glad you went with your feelings. … Nice lip to Jimmy, man.” Don’t miss “Idol Party Live” every Thursday at noon on MTV.com for analysis, celebrity guests and even some karaoke — get in the conversation by tweeting with the hashtag #idolparty! In the meantime, get your “Idol” fix on MTV News’ “American Idol” page , where you’ll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions. Related Photos ‘American Idol’ Season 10 Performances ‘American Idol’ Season 10 Top 24 Related Artists Jennifer Lopez Steven Tyler
Scotty McCreery also goes uptempo as James Durbin slows things all the way down. By Gil Kaufman “American Idol” top 9 Photo: FOX There are plenty of ways that “American Idol” is mixing things up and dragging the highest-rated show into the present this season. But after taking a bedazzled trip to the 1970s last week with Elton John, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame theme on Wednesday night’s (April 6) performance episode was yet another example of why “Idol” is your granny’s favorite show. The search for today’s new star made yet another pit stop in the past, inviting the Black Eyed Peas’ will.i.am in to mentor the top nine as they dug into rock’s back pages. Some balladeers rocked it out (Pia Toscano, Paul McDonald), while the rockers got mellow (James Durbin, Casey Abrams) and Scotty McCreery proved he’s no one-trick cowboy. Jacob Lusk was up first and he worried about his not-rock background. But Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get It On” was firmly in his warbly gospel sweet spot. Uncomfortable with the song’s blunt lyrics, however, he went with Michael Jackson’s “Man in the Mirror” instead, wearing all-white as he wrapped his breathy falsetto around a spare acoustic guitar arrangement. Singing the song as a duet with a female backup singer (the song’s co-writer, Siedah Garrett, in fact), Lusk showed off some newfangled hip thrusts and then unleashed his gospel flavor as he rumbled around the stage. Steven Tyler loved it, Jennifer Lopez said Jacob proved again that believing in yourself is the key and Randy Jackson gave Lusk props for sticking to his moral convictions. After looking for a “Jacob Moment” last week, Randy said those moments were all over Wednesday’s performance. After getting a lot of Janis Joplin comparisons all season, Haley Reinhart picked the oft-sung JJ nugget “Piece of My Heart.” She had the right growl and swagger, and looked the part in leather leggings and flouncy top, but her blues-mama belting came off a little too cheery for the gritty tune. “What you’re showing everybody is that you’re a contender,” Lopez told her. “You’re coming on strong.” Randy said Haley finally brought out the cool, bluesy vibe the judges fell in love with early on and congratulated her for finding her lane. After will.i.am turned the Police song “Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic” into a beatboxing rumba for Casey Abrams, mentor Jimmy Iovine wasn’t feeling it. Like Jacob, Casey changed his mind, too, and went with Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Have You Ever Seen the Rain,” plucking his upright bass alongside a gently strummed mandolin and keeping the vocals in the non-crazy eyes zone for a second week. It was pleasant, but perhaps a bit vanilla at this point in the competition. Fellow bass player Jackson said Casey did the song justice while singlehandedly making the upright cool. “The whole world’s watching you because you’re not just a singer, you’re a true musician,” Tyler told Abrams. Lopez said Abrams was also right in the pocket playing his bass and said that’s exactly where he belongs. Talk about a perfect fit! Teen Lauren Alaina sought to wed R&B and country on Aretha Franklin’s “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman.” Doing a slow walk down the stage and holding the audience in the palm of her hand, the 16-year-old poured more sensuality and feeling into the slow-burn classic tune than, well, someone her age should even be able to. “Four months ago you came in here an immature little girl and tonight you are a natural-born woman,” Tyler gushed. Jennifer wasn’t sure how Lauren would handle the song, but labeled it, simply, “amazing,” and Randy said after choosing one of the toughest songs of the night, Alaina did a solid, “good” job on it. You might have expected rocker James Durbin to go even more over-the-top, so he took it the opposite direction with late Beatle George Harrison’s slinky “While My Guitar Gently Weeps.” Sitting on a stool and shrouded in shadows, Durbin did, indeed, gently croon the song over a weepy string section, but while slowing things down and saving his rebel yell until the very end showed another side of vocal his personality, it also pointed out that James’ instrument has some obvious flaws. Jennifer liked seeing the other, vulnerable face of James, saying it helped make the rocker aspect of his personality that much stronger and Randy appreciated seeing how the emotion of the song lived in Durbin’s eyes. “Taking chances like that are extremely important,” he said. What would country boy Scotty McCreery do? An Elvis Presley tune, of course. A lifelong Elvis fan, McC chose “That’s Alright Mama,” and the gospel-tinged rockabilly arrangement fit Scotty’s voice to a T. Despite his awkward microphone technique, he worked the stage like a seasoned pro and totally won over the room. It helped that a gaggle of squealing tween girls were let loose on him at song’s end to give him a group hug. “Scotty is in it to win it!” Randy said. “Anybody that thought that you were a one-trick pony, that all you did was the country thing, dude you can perform … this was amazing!” Steven agreed, saying that Scotty made Elvis feel new and fresh again and Jennifer sensed, well, a little bit of hip-hop flavor in the teen’s moves. She’s made a reputation for singing ballads, but Pia Toscano came out of the box for Tina Turner’s high energy “River Deep, Mountain High.” Planting herself confidently center stage, Toscano indeed showed a whole other side of her personality, unleashing the passionate soul diva within. That titanic note at the end didn’t hurt her, either. “Murderer, murderer! You killed it,” Tyler yelled. “There’s a million guys in a million bars out there having a million drinks about you tonight.” Lopez said the “amazing” vocals proved that Toscano can handle the uptempo songs as well and encouraged Pia to keep researching the greats to figure out what else she can do to make her performances special. Stefano Langone needed to knock it out of the park this week after some close elimination calls, and for a sensitive ballad singer, Percy Sledge’s “When a Man Loves a Woman” seemed like the right call. Leaning on his crisp falsetto, Langone showed more feeling and emotion than he has in weeks past, stepping out of his cruise-ship zone into a meatier, more personal space. J.Lo was blown away, squeaking, “Baby, baby, baby, I knew you had it in you! That was beautiful!” She felt that extra layer of emotion and said she could tell he was singing it about or for somebody. Randy wasn’t jumping up and down as much, dubbing the first bit of the tune uneven and encouraging Stefano to ease up and save his big punches for the end. After a shock trip to the bottom three last week, Paul McDonald attempted to come back with Johnny Cash’s “Folsom Prison Blues,” with Iovine encouraging him to sing it like he was out of his “f—in’ mind!” Unable to stop smiling and be anything but his loveable self, McDonald nonetheless let loose a bit and was more ragged than usual as he furiously strummed his acoustic, stomped his feet and got the crowd clapping along. “I loved it!” Randy shouted, getting an amen from Tyler and Lopez. So, who will go home Thursday night? Check back tomorrow to find out. Who was your favorite on Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Night? Tell us in the comments! Get your “Idol” fix on MTV News’ “American Idol” page , where you’ll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions. Related Photos ‘American Idol’ Season 10 Performances
