The very ‘thankful’ Kelly Clarkson

Kelly Clarkson’s debut album is titled Thankful and the 20-year-old beauty from Texas indeed has so much to be thankful for. Two years ago her apartment in Los Angeles burned down and she lost everything including her hope of making it as a singer. With nothing to her name, she took a 24-hour drive home to reassess her life. Today she is one of the most exciting newcomers in the music business as the first winner of the very popular talent show American Idol for 2002. She has tour dates already booked for many months ahead, a movie contract, a hit album executive produced by the legendary Clive Davis and a bright future ahead of her.

How on Earth did something like this happen in a place where talented newcomers can be described as growing on trees? Talent, of course, remains the prime ingredient. This girl has the looks and the voice. But luck is also a major player and in Kelly’s case, heaven certainly sent down a lot. While down and out in Texas, a friend suggested that Kelly, who only started singing in a church choir when she was already 13 years old, try out for one of the slots in American Idol. This is the show wherein a contestant gets the axe every week, sort of like The Weakest Link among singers, with the most tenacious or better yet the most likeable emerging the winner. That winner was Kelly and it has been uphill for her from then on.

Maybe because Clive Davis had a say in how the album sounds and Kelly is of the age that grew up during those heady early days of Whitney Houston, there is much that echoes the ’80s leading pop diva in the album. It is R&B but leans more to the light pop side with hints of country thrown in. Think One Moment in Time when you listen to Kelly’s A Moment Like This. This is Kelly’s victory song. It not only made number one in the charts, it also broke sales records when it was released as a double-A sided single with Before Your Love last year.

Given that debut, it was no surprise that Thankful became one of the most anticipated albums of recent times. People were doubtless curious if American Idol has the capability to indeed produce an idol. Clarkson does not disappoint. Her singing is something young and diva-aspiring 13-year-olds will love the album. But she also has enough funk for the older crowd. And as I said before, those Whitney touches, also very evident in Miss Independent and The Trouble with Love Is, gives Kelly a larger market. The production does not disappoint either. Every song was obviously carefully chosen and arranged to showcase a future star. It can use some kicks and surprises but it is a first album so let her save those for the next one.

Love songs compilation

For another compilation treat that makes owning non-pirated copies of big- selling tunes easy on the budget, check out Volume 5 of Your Favorite Love Songs. Featuring all-original recordings, that means no cover versions here. The album has 17 cuts made up of some of the most loved romantic ballads over the past 20 years or so. The selections range from that Earth, Wind & Fire staple After the Love is Gone from the ’70s down to the new hit by Luther Vandross, I’d Rather.

In between these are songs that will please you, Mom and Dad and even that teen-aged sister. The Color of Love by Boyz II Men; Queen of My Heart by Westlife; Shape of My Heart by the Backstreet Boys; Pero Me Acuerdo de Ti by Christina Aguilera; Breathe Again by Toni Braxton; The Love I Found in You by Jim Brickman; Separate Lives by Phil Collins and Marilyn Martin; We’re All Alone by Boz Scaggs; The Glory of Love by Peter Cetera; Adia by Sarah McLachlan; Lonely Won’t Leave Me Alone by Jermaine Jackson; I’ll Find a Way by Blu Cantrell and others.

Correction

I goofed! In last Friday’s column, I listed down the winner of the Best director trophy at the recent 2003 MTV Pilipinas Video Awards as Avid Liongoren for his work in Lucky by Kamikazee. It turns out that the winner was Team Manila for Numb by Slapshock. What Kamikazee and Liongoren won was the Best Video Award.

Congratulations too to Team Manila and Slapshock and I am so very sorry.