Search - Ruben Studdard :: Flying Without Wings/Superstar

Judith K. from SPRINGFIELD, OR
Reviewed on 10/31/2006...

flying without wings & superstar

0 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.

Ruuu-ben!

Steven Bailey | Jacksonville Beach, FL USA | 06/11/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"So I'm driving to work on Tuesday, bawling my eyes out after hearing Ruben Studdard's "Flying Without Wings" and Clay Aiken's cover of "Bridge Over Troubled Water" on the radio. And the DJ's are knocking these songs like crazy. Then the DJs take listeners' calls, and the listeners are knocking these songs like crazy.And I'm wondering what kind of alternate universe I live in these days. Because when Studdard and Aiken were singing these songs on the last week of "American Idol 2," America was having the biggest TV lovefest since the glory days of the Jerry Lewis Telethon. Clive Davis, a record mogul who once launched some guy named Springsteen, came on the show and practically said he'd release these two guys' singles that night if he could. And here it is, only about a month after series' end, and the singles (both by RCA) are out this week--right along with the debut CD of Justin Guarini, who obviously didn't make friends with Davis at the end of "American Idol 1."And, tragically unhip person that I am, I think the songs are beautiful. When Studdard (dubbed "the velvet teddy bear" by "AI" guest judge Gladys Knight) first sang "Flying Without Wings" on "AI," I could hardly believe my good luck. An old-fashioned, unashamedly sentimental song! With lyrics that make sense all the way through! Sung by a voice that seemed born to sing it! I didn't think music like this was allowed by law anymore!As for Aiken's single, I don't know if Paul Simon approves of it, but it works just fine for me. The DJ who played this song accused it of bombast. No argument there--Aiken hits a CD-shattering note at song's end as though his career depended on it, and the harp player follows right behind him. And for some strange, maybe kitschy reason, it all fits together perfectly. (I also get juiced up when I hear the harp at the end of The Beatles' "Long and Winding Road," so I guess I'm not what you'd call a purist.)These days, most music makes you feel out of it if you're not women-bashing with your homies at the local nightclub. I'll take the sentimental guys any day."

It's so boring, I threw it away

mlnrge | 06/26/2003

(1 out of 5 stars)

"I can't believe how bad this CD is - Ruben can sing but these are the worst versions of these songs that I have ever heard. Stick with Westlife's and The Carpenters' versions, it's painful to listen to Ruben's. They are sooooooooooooooooo slooooooowww and boring. I want my money back. I cannot believe they gave this material to the winner. Clay's songs are so much better - most likely explains why Clay's is selling so much better. Do yourself a favor - save your money and don't buy this CD."