American Idol Season 10's 'Rebel Rocker' James Durbin does the unexpected and 'holds back' to perform the George Harrison ballad "While My Guitar Gently Weeps". For the Top 9 Show, Idol contestants took on songs from the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" was first performed by The Beatles for their double album The Beatles (also known as The White Album), featuring Eric Clapton on lead guitar. The song was ranked #135 on Rolling Stone's list of "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time", #7 on their list of "The 100 Greatest Guitar Songs of All Time", and #10 on their list of "The Beatles 100 Greatest Songs". In 2004, George Harrison was inducted posthumously into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist. "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" was played in tribute by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, along with fellow inductee Prince.
For the 'Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame' Week, American Idol finalists were guided by an all-star cast of celebrity mentors. Will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas helped the contestants with their song choices and gave production/arrangement advice along with Interscope's Jimmy Iovine, and No Doubt's Gwen Stefani acted as stylist to the Idols, dressing them in clothes from her L.A.M.B. line.
James gives a very emotional performance of this Beatles classic. With three violinists and a guitar player on the dark stage with him, James sits on a stool and pours his whole heart into this slow song. No jumping around the stage, no pianos on fire. No theatrics at all. Just James' pure clean voice. James ends the song on a very long, high note and a tear in his eye. Absolutely beautiful! The crowd loved it! Jennifer Lopez praised, "It’s nice to see that other side of you. To see that side, the side that is really what makes the Rock-n-Roll side work, which is that other dimension, that other thing that lives so deeply inside of you, that thing, that pain. Whatever it is, it’s so special to watch. It's so special that you're vulnerable enough to share it with us. I loved it. I thought it was great choice for you."
Randy Jackson added, "You know what I really loved about that? I loved seeing the real true emotional side of James Durbin. We know you can hit the high notes, but to see you be that sensitive, and engage, and emotionally connect, it's an emotional thing for you. You have to take chances in order to be an artist. Taking chances like that are extremely important. And you won. You did a good job, Dawg." Steven Tyler, himself a Rock God, said, "It’s really good to see that not only did your guitar gently weeped, but you did as well. To let that out...That's really a proud moment for you."
he reminds me of a little calmer Adam Lambert. Both have something that reminds me of the other.
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