Those who have been caught up in the quest by Scott MacIntyre on “American Idol” know he has “the chops” to be a sensational performer. The man has talent and that’s why he’s made it this far on a program that’s designed to knock off its musical contestants.
I think the truth of the matter is that Scott is a classically trained pianist and accordingly he really feels what he’s playing. While he’s not always the most powerful vocalist he’s always the most “in touch” with what he’s playing and singing and that’s what comes of being deep down in the notes. Next to this level of perception and presentation the others on the show just seem like lip synchers.
As Igor Stravinsky once said: “There’s no merit in hearing. A duck hears also.”
What old Igor meant is that a true musician has more advanced listening skills.
Have you ever paid deep attention to Beethoven’s playful and almost irreverent timing in his last quartets? Timing is the main element of comedy of course and by turns its also the signature of musical intelligence.
Mr. MacIntyre has a big brain and a big set of ears and a correspondingly big heart.
S.K.
Planet of the Blind 