Friday, July 9, 2010
Crazy Crap Adam Lambert vs. Adam Gold: You Be the Judge
Posted by Jim Ridley on Fri, Jul 9, 2010 at 5:00 AM
The mother of all flame wars rages over on Nashville Cream, where Adam Gold currently stares down an onslaught of inflamed Adam Lambert fans like the lone man holding down Fort Apache. At issue? Lambert fans (or "Glamberts") took exception with Gold's description of the American Idol finalist's unorthodox version of Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire." We're not sure why ...
Before 2009 American Idol victor Adam Lambert shocked and awed Bush Country with his homoerotic kerfuffle at last year’s American Music Awards, he inspired a collective dry-heave among country music fans when he corpse-raped Johnny Cash with a tactless bastardization of “Ring of Fire” on Idol’s “Opry Night” episode. His “update” of the Cash classic sounded like Jeff Buckley drowning in a sea of nine inch nails while the Man in Black spun like a top six feet under ....
Oh, right, that's why. Anyway, both Adam's ribbing and a follow-up thread on Cream have inspired a torrent of abuse from well-mobilized Glamberts, who display a tenacity not seen in these parts since Obama birthers, warring MBA/Ensworth supporters and Ron Paul advocates. So watch the clip above of Lambert's Ryman performance Wednesday night and decide: Inspired interpretation, or posthumous violation?
(Oops — that's John Travolta in the unforgettable "Satan's Alley" finale of Staying Alive, director Sylvester Stallone's 1983 sequel to Saturday Night Fever. Can't imagine how we got those mixed up. Lambert below, after the jump.)
Comments (76)
Showing 1-50 of 76
Wow he's an awesome singer. Just listened to 'Soaked' as well at the Ryman on Youtube. Incredible. He gets my vote.
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Mr. Ridley,
First,this has become a joke! Mr. Gold made some very unsavoury,vile comments with regards to Adam Lambert,his fans and of course Adam's brilliant take of ROF (which by the was taken from Dilana's ( Rock Star Supernova (I believe)) interpretation....in case Mr. Gold needs further proof. Now it appears he can't handle the backlash for the crap he dished out.....always an MO for his type I've discovered......dish it out but can't take it!
Second,what is this 'article' going to prove? Obviously Adam Lambert fans will come out in droves and Adam Gold's ...um......fan (himself...regurgitated over and over with a pseudo-name) will defend himself. The man wrote a completely nasty 'preview' article (of hatred and spew) about someone he had not even seen perform,and he wants to be taken seriously? Perhaps if he left out the 'corpse-raped', fans being masochists,and Jeff Buckley drowning in nine inch nails references,people may have taken him seriously. He didn't (he wouldn't have much written content if he did,I suppose). Now it's time for him to take the heat. Full circle Mr. Gold....like a ring of fire!
Nashville Scene people - you are just milking Mr. Lambert's name for hits now....how sad...you provided no content and absolutely no value so far...the only contribution is a huge dose of hatred and stupidity...I suppose posting the ROF performance can be considered as a "good deed" , so thank you for that - unbelievable voice and unforgettable performance.
I love the f*ck outta Johnny Cash, but I thought the original arrangement was too limpid to fit the passion of the lyrics. (Really, LISTEN to them.)
Lambert's version is hot, sweaty, lithe, exotic... it makes me want to have sex. Which is what the song is about.
Who cares. Glad you are using Lamberts fanbase to get attention though. Enjoy it while it lasts.
If you have ever heard the original recording of Ring of Fire, by Anita Carter, sister of June Carter Cash, I think you will agree that it is very similar in some ways to Adam Lambert's version, slower and more lilting than Johnny's.
Never heard of Adam Gold and won't make any effort to check in on his view's in future. Lambert's interpretation of Ring of Fire is outstanding. Agree with comment that it reflects the meaning of the song. And to NStinks, like him or not Lambert is the real thing, not a pop flash in the pan. Just go to one of his performances and you will understand.
Adam Gold should be thanking Adam Lambert for this boost in readership because lord knows there would be no other reason to pay attention to Gold.
Adam fans are loyal and passionate, yes, but once again you insult a large and very diverse group of people by connecting them to the likes of weird fringe groups. They are teens and tweens, twentysomethings, professional men and women, mothers, grandmothers, maybe even Gold's mother (assuming he has human roots). They are those who, like me, grew up with talent like Elvis, Cash, Mercury, Bowie and have been waiting for someone of that caliber to make them forget the autotune dreck that is out there.
Of course, Gold would have known this if he had been credible.
It appears he didn't even bother to attend Lambert's concert, and that's a shame. I assure you, he would have been retracting his overwrought commentary (based on nothing) if he had. Then again, I may still be giving him too much credit.
I do believe Adam could sing anything and make it hot and sexy. I had heard ROF many any times by Johnny Cash, but after hearing Adam sing it on American Idol, I realized what the song was really about, Adam just has a way of making you visualize and get the meaning of the song. He is awesome, awesome, fantastic, and am going to see him in Thackerville Ok, Winstar Casino, 09/10/2010. Can hardly wait, and I am no youngster, I am 67.
I read the biased stupid article. I commented on it. The following day D Patrick Rogers reprinted Godls article so it could get further attention. I read the comments- which DPatrick Rogers/ a Gold did not allow to be written without his/their reply to readers comments to defend Gold- even though it made their ignorance apparent at that poing. Now today,Jim Ridley reprints Gold's article again- to further Gold's ugly article
I urge readers of the article to read the comments by Adam's fans to Gold's article-THEY WERE NOT ABUSIVE by Lambert's fans. READ THE ORIGINAL ARTICLE AND PLEASE READ THE COMMENTS BY ADAM'S FANS. The fan's info is correct, intelligent, researched, informative to an ugly prejudiced stupid article by Mr Gold.
Give Johnny Cash some credit. He would have enjoyed this unorthodox take on Ring of Fire. He certainly was not as close-minded as his so called advocate--Mr. Gold. Johnny doesn't need your support, Mr. Gold. He and Adam would have had a great time jamming and hanging out together.
An ignorant article by a Nashville 'writer' got appropiate rebutal and it makes news three days. Gold was way out of line in his deliberately ill will generating article. His chice was to publish it anyway. Apparently Gold came unglued, freaked out over the song adaptation of a Johnny Cash song. Lambert had done a Led Zeppelin's inc 's Robert Plant enjoyed Lambert's song adaptation from Rock to Bluesy of their Whole Lotta Love song. Bet Johnny Cash would have loved his song by Lambert as well. Creative intelligent artists are open minded and appreative of talent. Lambert is a highly creative and an outstanding singer. Unlike Gold, he is good-natured as well.
Here is info I actually read here from fans responding to the original article:
Adam Lambert not only was voted #1 Artist of 2009 by Rolling Stone readers, his vocal skill were studied by the DDD Music rating the technical skill of rock singers. In a list of top 50, Lambert was placed at the top in the #2 position. The results are not based on influence or popularity, the results are based on the following criteria:
Breath Support, Register Switching, Register Blending, Pitch,Vocal Runs, Consistency Throughout Registers, Volume Control, Vibrato Control, Sustain, Diction, Projection, Resonance, Endurance,Range, Versatility. I didn't need the Technical Study to tell me Adam Lambert is a magnificent singer, I have ears. He is spectacular.
The only "flame" was by Adam Gold and his inane article. The responses from us fans, and I was one of them, were not abusive !! Did you actually read them?
Well, Adam Lambert is an outstanding singer, as agreed by all the judges on AI, the mentors, guest artists, vocal coaches. Yup. And he is good - hearted,' he does not have a mean streak whatsoever. By the way, he is also very witty, talented, friendly, honest, very well spoken , & intelligent , really very fast thinking and quick witted. Whe Adam sang' Ring Of Fire 'song is the reason I became a fan.Smokin hot, and beautiful. Johnny would have appreciated it.
The incredibly long list of well established artists who are fans of Adam Lambert speaks for itself and makes a mockery of tin earred Mr Gold, who has my sympathy for his affliction. lambert vs Gold. No contest. I choose the brillant brave beautiful Adam Lambert.
Both Randy and Simon, at one time or another said that Adam Lambert could sing the phone book and make it sound good. He can. Thanks for the video. Wish you'd put up his "Fever""Soaked""Sure Fire Winners""Strut" Whole Lotta Love" -oh heck, shoulda given us more. He is fantastic.
My vote is for Adam Lambert, terrific singer, and appreciate his ROF - the cheering pretty much challanges Gold's view. Well done, Nashville. I love both Cash and Lambert by the way. Apparently so do a whole lotta other music lovers. All is well.
There have been opinons back and forth as to wheather Johnny Cash would have approved of the Adam/Dilana versions. Well here is link that shows Johnny actually loved other artists versions of this song. Check it out, just sayin....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhGZdSkX6IM&feature=related.
No contest. Adam Lambert wins. Adamazing is the word coined for him. Intriguing person, exciting performer, phenomenal singer. Adamazing Ring Of Fire gets thumbs up !
I've watched & listened to ADAM's RoF many times. My husband & I were both Johnyy Cash fans but this is the one song we weren't too enthused about so when ADAM sang this on AI8 we were both astounded & entertained for the first time with the song. ADAM's rendition is so much more intriguing as I am sure the writer meant it to be. Dilana's version is much darker & not so vocally polished. ADAM took a different version of RoF ... tweaked it & put his own spin on it & made it his own. IMO ... BRILLIANT!!
These comments, particularly the "corpse-raped" comment, go beyond opinion into the realm of hate.... without doubt. Just like I would say "I'm not fond of Nashville, simply not my style"... hate would say "Nashville is home to uneducated, redneck hillbillies... so who gives f*ck what they think" Did I say that? LOL
Now that's the way to sing Ring of Fire!!!!!! This is the song that really hooked me. Yes, Adam can do 'country'. Ha! Ha! I get the feeling he could sing just about anything out there!!
Lambert's fans attack anyone who does not hail him as the greatest talent in history. They seem to think that no one should be allowed to be critical of his singing and are apparently unfamiliar with the US Constitution. Anyway, Simon Cowell also hated Lambert's 'Ring Of Fire' performance so Adam Gold is in good company.
You know something .. Lana ... I think Simon actually LIKED ADAM's version of RoF (not being a country music fan in general) and only sided with Randy Travis because he was the guest mentor that night!! Probably didn't want to hurt Randy's feelings ... but Simon knew that ADAM didn't take himself so seriously and any NEGATIVE feedback would bring a POSITIVE reaction from the audience!! Simon said everything he did with a 'tongue-in-cheek'/ "twinkle" in his eye the entire time. No ... Gold is definitely on his own with this one!! AND ... your US Constitution remark ... that goes BOTH ways, honey ... GLAMBERTS ALSO have the same rights/privileges as DETRACTORS!!
Here in it's natural habitat, we spot a classic old model reptilian brain in action. You may feel a little sad seeing it stuck playing original pac man and moving like a slow blunt axe. You may want to feed him and help him update his software. However, we have reason to believe there is not enough room on the hard drive. But, don't be sad peeps. He is not aware of his state and can amuse himself quite well in the sandbox with the others of his kind.
Adam Lambert's fans seem argumentative and even a little obnoxious. Not everyone likes the same kind of music. They seem incapable of just accepting that as a fact of life and moving on. Their defensiveness sounds like insecurity and maybe a little desperation. I mean, I'm a huge U2 fan but if Adam Gold doesn't like them, so what? I'm sure there are plenty of people that don't like U2 and it doesn't bother me at all. Maybe because Lambert isn't selling that well his fans feel compelled to attempt to convince everyone of his supposed greatness but they're actions are a huge turn off.
@Jim M, not sure where you got the impression Adam is not selling well. Worldwide, he's sold a million or more of his album and 2 million of his single. His 70+ venue concert is mostly sold out, including venues as large as 8.5K and 6K. celebritynetworth.com lists him as being worth $5 million. He's doing better than all season 8 combined. Not too shabby for only being out 7 months.
I think Adam corpse-raped Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire" about as much as Cash corpse-raped 9 Inch Nail's "Hurt". In other words, NOT. All talented "artists" with their own take on songs and interpretation of lyrics.
1. Adam Lambert is not a drag queen. 2. Mr Gold's article is offensively disparaging not merely an opinion of a singer's version of a song. #3. Homophobes are uneducated in proven Embryogenesis and may parent or be grandparent to a gay chlld someday. Human sexuality is already determined by the 12th week of pregnancy- due to the chemical (hormonal) flushes during the formation of hypothalmus. The 5 very basic classifications are: !. hetero100% 2. hetero w incidental attraction same sex 3.Bisexual -hello, they actually do have choice.4homosexual w incidental attraction oppos sex but not 'cured' 5. Homosexusl 100% . Take a course. It is now 2010 time to look at the whole person and to realize that sexual orientation is an individual thing. As another fan said: move toward tolerance not away from it. Is a person kind vs cruel, brave vs coward, talented vs dull , honest vs dishonest, witty vs boring, theist vs atheist, smart vs stupid, stratight gay bi, happy vs sad etc etc. & multiple races, all ages so get a grip and end the bashing of someone of another race, religion or sexual orientation. I enjoyed Adam Lambert's concert elsewhere and I know he was great in Nashville too. I think he deserves better than rigid intolerant articles like Mr. Gold's. But think whatever you want.
@Tobeinthe Gnome The "facepalm" note re my comment -I assume is a slap in the face. oops, it just backfired. Your comment that technical skill dosen't mean a good singer- duh!LOL cuz that is exactly what it means- a great singer. Besides, person, they only evaluate good singers in the first place.Yup.
Adam went straight to top at the #2 position. The evaluations by DDDMusic included
Projection, resonance, register swithing, register blending, pitch, vocal runs, volume control, vibrato control, sustain, diction. projection, resonanceendurance, range,and versatility(tonal, stylistic,technical)
If there were only one fan, there would be only one response to the MrGold's blog. It is not fans attacking -it is fans responding to Gold's attack. Simple. Good grief, of course there will be more than one. Duh!
Thanks for the video. Adam is a magnificent singer. His song adaptation is fantastic.
I agree with Jim M. Some people aren't going to enjoy Lambert's music and the sooner his fans accept that the better. Just move on and learn to tolerate different opinions even though you may not agree with them.
Lambert may be selling better than other contestants from season 8 but that isn't saying much. He isn't selling nearly as well as previous alums of the show, hasn't even gone platinum in the US yet and may not get there at all. Given all the hype he received that has to be a little disappointing.
Unless it's a handful of people posting multiple times, which has been known to happen.
"Adam went straight to top at the #2 position."
You mean straight to second place.
"The evaluations by DDDMusic included
Projection, resonance, register swithing, register blending, pitch, vocal runs, volume control, vibrato control, sustain, diction. projection, resonanceendurance, range,and versatility(tonal, stylistic,technical)"
That's like trying to measure the beauty of a painting by the length and width of brushstrokes and the correct molecular proportion of the pigments. By those standards Thomas Kincade might be a greater painter than Renoir. But something can be technically flawless and still boring and tacky as hell.
Adam has moved on - his sold out 70 city tour - then Europe and Asia - if Mr Gold dosen't like him, fine, he is till there in Nashville and I just watched the video of Adam's terrific singing of ROF and heard all the loud cheering. 'Nuff said.
We all can't like the same thing. Personally, I think Adam Lambert is spectacular. As do millions others so Gold dosen't have to.agree. Adam Lambeert is known as being very talented in song adaptation but some people can't handle it. It is okay. To each his own.
@ mr pink : or Gold or whoever, that is a good point you made, but, you missed the part about a person has to be considered a good singer to begin with. Adam was called outstanding, immpecable, incredible, etc by the AI judges, mentors, guest artists, and vocal coaches, and various musicians in the music industry or his singing never would have been evaluated in the first place. So nice try, but like it or not, Adam is a really wonderful singer. You do not have to like him or his singing, but he is a great singer. When a songwriter gives a song to a singer-it is only because they know that singer will do it justice and make it successful for the songwriter. Adam was given songs by Lady Gaga, Pink, and Muse. Maybe they know more than you or me or even DDD or even the Rolling Stone readers who named him #1 Artist of 2009 in a tough competition or MTV's tough competition in which as a newbie he place at #3. The DDD, fyi, named the top 50 rock singers in category they put Adam. Jackie Wilson came in at #1. Adam moved my personal favoitie Freddie Mercury to #3 as he was put into the #2. position. Now, try to tell me Jackie Wilson and Freddie Mercury can't sing. Nevermind, don't even bother. Love anyway.
I love the way Adam sings Ring Of Fire. That is one of my favorite songs now. I think his band is good too. I don't think Adam Gold gets Adam's style, but I love it. His concert is really fun. He sings everything pitch perfect. I hope he makes Voodoo, Soaked, Fever, and Sleepwalker singles.
What is the DDD? If they think Adam Lambert is a better singer than Freddie Mercury, I'm reporting them to the BBB.
Whoa ! This is third day of adam gold's article being printed and I still like Adam Lambert's "Ring Of Fire. " His other songs too. Even his pre-idol stuff at the Upright Cabaret was fantastic.
Old news. No point in commenting further on an irrelevant article by some pseudo and irrelevant so-called "writer." Adam laughed at him and now he's moved on. Glam Nation is gonna ROCK Cleveland tonight - home of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame! I can't WAIT to see him on Monday at the Chesaning Showboat - and again on 8/30 in Covington, KY. Nothing this Gold dreg has to say matters. He's made himself a laughing-stock. Nashville LOVED Adam - and Adam was honored to be on that historic stage. That's all that matters. Moving on.
This is what I don't understand. Mr. Gold makes vile remarks that insult Mr. Lambert,his fans (in particular,Nashville natives),and the memory of Jeff Buckley and Johnny Cash and it would be 'normal' for Adam fans to not be offended by his remarks and read them as legitimate unbiased opinions? Corpse-raped? How would you like you or a family member to be accused of such a disgusting gesture,Mr Gold? You may have intended for it to be tongue 'n cheek,but you failed miserably. And for all your defenders I ask the same to you. Have any of your family members 'corpse-raped' a song by merely singing along. Nasty visual,isn't it?
It doesn't seem to matter the logic or factual findings the Lambert fans present.....the haters don't,won't,can't wrap their heads around the fact that the information may have merit. Hmmm,yes Johnny Cash was a rebel,he would have appreciated Adam's version....and perhaps the Jeff Buckley point was out of line considering he did drown....2000+ people attending the Ryman must appreciate his talent....'corpse-raped' in any context is a DISGUSTING term,period!
Of course Mr. Gold and his wee group of defenders would have us believe that his disgusting post is full of normal 'objective opinions'...minus the objectivity...and the opinion. Read more like a hate-piece if you ask me. Had Mr.Gold stayed focused and set aside his obvious hatred toward Adam,he may have been successful in offering an opinion. He did not,he blew his chance and now he has to be accountable!
Oh and to correct the 'drag queen' comment from @matahari....Adam DOES NOT dress up as a female.....wig,boobs,heels....you name it......to perform. Make up yes,but then Elvis wore make up,so did Michael...and so on. Aside from a couple of photos that have him wearing a dress and heels,that was for specific functions where 'dress up' was part of the theme. He has even publicly stated he IS NOT into drag. So there!! Believe me or not!
Shameless Plug: Video fan reviews of Adam Lambert's Nashville show are up at:
http://youtellconcerts.com/?p=983
Do it! :)
Johnny Cash - "Ring of Fire"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRlj5vjp3Ko
Anita Carter [original writer/singer] & sis of Joan Cash]- "Ring of Fire" (Original Version)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPkxPGBun2E
Dilana (RockStar: SuperNova) - "Ring of Fire"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whtQZJ7R3EU
Adam Lambert - "Ring of Fire" (Dilana Version @ GlamNation - Ryman)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqAlLqRb1Es
(not the best vid but gives best "fan in crowd" feel)
All I can say is I'm an 80's baby and grew up with funk, hip-hop, new wave, punk & pop as my main music staples. NEEEVAAHH liked country music!!! When I first saw Adam Lambert perform THIS song (actually I noticed his slight shirt lift and the resulting bare tummy skin flash :p) I stood in my tracks and actually WATCHED & LISTENED to the show I usually leave on as background noise as I do household chores and next-day prep. He had me mesmerized! I couldn't move an inch until he was actually off the stage and off my television at that moment. THAT night was the night I actually noticed Adam Lambert! O_O
Not long afterwards I downloaded his video performance of that from iTunes as well as his version of the song as an iTunes single. It was then, and ONLY then, that I realized that "Ring of Fire" was not only a Johnny Cash song (I knew of him from his cover of "Hurt" by NIN. I LOVE NIN!) - IT WAS A COUNTRY SONG!!! ARRGGHH!!! (I paid NO attention what-so-ever to Simon's comments. At. All. Like I said, I was MESMERIZED! Also, since I NEVER paid the show much attention when it's on, so I missed the Randy Travis lead up too.) So... leave it up to a guy named Adam Lambert to get a staunch hip-hop, r&b, pop, Euro, dance, house, rock, alternative, industrial, etc, etc, etc (everything BUT country) fan to actually BUY A COUNTRY SONG! BRAVO ADAM! :D
For all of you naysayers who boast of Cash's musical supremacy and Adam's supposed musical debauchery, he (like other young, fresh & new artists) are exposing genre classics to entirely new audiences that cross genres, generations, regions, cultures, etc, etc... Be glad about that! NO H8!
@musicman, you do realize that album sales have been declining for the past 10 years? I believe it was something like only a dozen artists got platinum records in 2009. There are a lot of articles out that talk about how much harder it is to go platinum nowadays. Did you know that Adam's album is doing better than Shakira, Leona Lewis, One Republic all who released around the same time? When you compare to Idol alums, are you comparing to the other runner-ups? Did you know that none of the runner-ups from the last 6 years of idol has a platinum record? In fact, Adam US sales (676K) is only behind other runner-up Archie (758K) and with Adam's steady sales of 5K a week, he might catch up to him in 16 weeks. And why are you totally discounting his international sales, which are actually better than most other idols except Kelly.
1. WWFM has now reached the Top 10 (overall singles and/or radio airplay charts) in a total of 21 countries; And of those 21 countries, WWFM reached the Top 5 (overall singles and/or radio airplay charts) in 13 of them!
2. FYE the single reached the Top 10 (overall singles, dance and/or radio airplay charts) in a total of FIVE countries: US, Finland, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore!
3. FYE the album has now reached the Top 20 (sales chart) in a total of SEVEN countries: US, Finland, New Zealand, Canada, Sweden, Germany, Australia!!
Also, Brian Mansfield of USA Today said that the fact that he is selling out concerts when established artists are cancelling is pretty impressive. Is anyone mentioning the great reviews he got at Nashville? US Today, TuneInMusicCity, CMT just to name a few. I haven't seen a negative one yet from someone who actually attended.
The fact that he is worth $5 million after 7 months is astonishing.
I came to this site to read more about Adam Lambert------who the heck is Adam Gold? I must have missed the punchline.
http://music-mix.ew.com/2009/10/06/album-s…
Either way, it’s a tough market out there. According to the Chicago Tribune, more than 115,000 albums were released last year; out of those, only 110 sold more than 250,000 copies.
