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John Stevens was a contestant on the third season of American Idol -- the season that had a notable lack of male contestants. There was John -- cleverly nicknamed "Red" by millions, due to his red hair; Jon Peter Lewis, an enthusiastic, ironic dork who came along just a little bit too early to benefit from the Napoleon Dynamite zeitgeist; George Huff, a sweet and shy neo-soul singer; and Matthew Rogers, a barrel-chested ex-football player who wanted to be a soulman but gravitated toward country. Each of these four contestants -- who represented a third of the grand total of 12 finalists -- had their own niche, but Stevens stood out because he specialized in the Great American Songbook, which is a roundabout way of saying that he was a Frank Sinatra wannabe. Not only did he sing in a different style than the other contestants, but he was painfully shy, which made him quite endearing to a certain portion of the viewing audience who kept him around longer than his shaky vocals and inconsistent performances deserved. Stevens didn't win fans because of his voice -- it was OK, but it lacked warmth and depth, and he was far too mannered, borrowing heavily from Frank, Dean, Bobby Darin, and, especially, how Harry Connick, Jr. synthesized all of those singers when Stevens was a toddler -- but he won fans because he was a unique television personality. He was a scared, sweet kid who won the hearts of young girls and grandmas alike, in a fashion not unlike Clay Aiken in season two, but without his smarminess.
Those were the qualities that not only sustained Stevens throughout the show, but landed him a major-label contract, which is something a lot of his fellow contestants did not get. Instead of cranking out an album right away, Stevens and Maverick took their time, working on the record for about a year and finally releasing Red (well, what else was it going to be called?) in the summer of 2005. That time was spent not rethinking Stevens' sound, but helping him grow into his sound. Clearly, he's had some vocal lessons since American Idol, since he sounds relatively assured -- not only does his voice not quaver, but he varies his phrasing, giving momentum to the songs. Of course, his phrasing is borrowed wholesale from Sinatra, Martin, Darin, and Connick, something that's all the more evident because he's performing all-too-familiar standards associated with those singers. The difference between Red and what Stevens did on television is that his homage is better and more effective on record, since he's grown as a vocalist and the record is crisply, professionally produced. It's such a sharp production that the record makes Stevens seem like a more effective vocalist than he actually is, and that will no doubt satisfy both his young and old fans, who, depending on their age, will either enjoy hearing these songs for the first time or will be delighted to hear a young singer carry the torch. But for anybody who doesn't fall into those two categories, Red is a dull ride because of the predictability of the material and Stevens' performance. And the thing is, it didn't need to be that way. The two times that the record breaks from the well-worn book of American standards, the album is much more engaging. First, there's a gentle acoustic-based cover of the Beatles' "Here, There and Everywhere" that's quite sweet and affecting, but what's really fun is a lazily swinging revamping of Maroon 5's "This Love," which is more imaginative and infectious than the rest of the album combined. If Stevens and his producers had followed this path and revamped new (or relatively new) pop songs, his debut would have sounded fresh and distinctive, and helped separate him from his influences. But taking such a path would have been a risk, and it might have alienated the fans he had on the show. So, they decided on the path of least resistance, winding up with an album that will certainly please his fans and certainly make no impression on anybody else.
© Stephen Thomas Erlewine /TiVo
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Steve Tyrell, Producer - GUY OSEARY, ExecutiveProducer - BILL SCHNEE, Mixer - DAVID FOSTER, ExecutiveProducer - Doug Sax, Masterer - Sammy Cahn, Writer - Allan Schwartzberg, Drums - Jimmy Van Heusen, Writer - Bob Mann, Arranger, Guitar, Additional Keyboards, CoProducer - David Finck, Bass - John Stevens, Vocals, MainArtist - Ryan Petrie, Pro Tools, MixingEngineer - Robert Hadley, Masterer - Lee Musiker, Piano - Mark Kaplan, Contributor - Darwin Best, AdditionalEngineer - Bobby Ginsburg, Recorded by
© 2005 Maverick Recording Company ℗ 2005 Maverick Recording Company
Steve Tyrell, Producer - Randy Andos, Trombone - GUY OSEARY, ExecutiveProducer - BILL SCHNEE, Mixer - DAVID FOSTER, ExecutiveProducer - Walter Donaldson, Writer - Doug Sax, Masterer - Allan Schwartzberg, Drums - Roger Rosenberg, Saxophone - Lou Marini, Saxophone - Bob Mann, Arranger, Guitar, Additional Keyboards, CoProducer - David Finck, Bass - George Whiting, Writer - Bob Milliken, Trumpet - Jim Pugh, Trombone - Lew Soloff, Trumpet - John Stevens, Vocals, MainArtist - Ryan Petrie, Pro Tools, MixingEngineer - Robert Hadley, Masterer - Lee Musiker, Piano - Mark Kaplan, Contributor - Darwin Best, AdditionalEngineer - Bobby Ginsburg, Recorded by - Warren Leuning, Solo Trumpet
© 2005 Maverick Recording Company ℗ 2005 Maverick Recording Company
Steve Tyrell, Producer - Randy Andos, Trombone - Janet Lakatos, Viola - Joel Derouin, Violin - GUY OSEARY, ExecutiveProducer - BILL SCHNEE, Mixer - DAVID FOSTER, ExecutiveProducer - George Gershwin, Writer - Ira Gershwin, Writer - Doug Sax, Masterer - Allan Schwartzberg, Drums - Phillip Levy, Violin - Roger Rosenberg, Saxophone - Lou Marini, Saxophone - Bob Mann, Arranger, Guitar, Additional Keyboards, CoProducer - Alan Broadbent, Conductor, String Arranger - David Finck, Bass - Bob Milliken, Trumpet - Jim Pugh, Trombone - Lew Soloff, Trumpet - Armen Ksadjikian, Cello - Haim Shtrum, Violin - John Stevens, Vocals, MainArtist - Ryan Petrie, Pro Tools, MixingEngineer - Michael Markman, Concert Master Conductor - Bob Sheppard, Solo Saxophone - Robert Hadley, Masterer - Harry Shirinian, Viola - Lee Musiker, Piano - Mark Kaplan, Contributor - Charles Everett, Violin - Lisa Dondlinger, Violin - Darwin Best, AdditionalEngineer - Gil Romero, Violin - Bobby Ginsburg, Recorded by - Sidney Page, Violin - Vahe Hayrikian, Cello
© 2005 Maverick Recording Company ℗ 2005 Maverick Recording Company
Steve Tyrell, Producer - Kenny Ascher, Piano - GUY OSEARY, ExecutiveProducer - BILL SCHNEE, Mixer - DAVID FOSTER, ExecutiveProducer - John Lennon, Writer - Paul Mccartney, Writer - Doug Sax, Masterer - Allan Schwartzberg, Drums - Bob Mann, Guitar, Additional Keyboards, CoProducer - David Finck, Bass - Dorian Holley, Harmony Vocals - John Stevens, Lead Vocals, MainArtist - Ryan Petrie, Pro Tools, MixingEngineer - Robert Hadley, Masterer - Darwin Best, AdditionalEngineer - Bobby Ginsburg, Recorded by
© 2005 Maverick Recording Company ℗ 2005 Maverick Recording Company
Steve Tyrell, Producer - Randy Andos, Trombone - GUY OSEARY, ExecutiveProducer - BILL SCHNEE, Mixer - DAVID FOSTER, ExecutiveProducer - Doug Sax, Masterer - Allan Schwartzberg, Drums - Roger Rosenberg, Saxophone - Lou Marini, Saxophone - Bob Mann, Arranger, Guitar, Additional Keyboards, CoProducer - GERALD MARKS, Writer - Bob Milliken, Trumpet - Jim Pugh, Trombone - Lew Soloff, Trumpet - Seymour Simons, Writer - John Stevens, Vocals, MainArtist - Robert Hadley, Masterer - Lee Musiker, Piano - Mark Kaplan, Contributor - Ed Howard, Bass - Bobby Ginsburg, Recorded by - Warren Leuning, Solo Trumpet
© 2005 Maverick Recording Company ℗ 2005 Maverick Recording Company
Steve Tyrell, Producer - Kenny Ascher, Piano - James Valentine, Writer - Janet Lakatos, Viola - Joel Derouin, Violin - GUY OSEARY, ExecutiveProducer - BILL SCHNEE, Mixer - DAVID FOSTER, ExecutiveProducer - Doug Sax, Masterer - Paulinho Da Costa, Percussion - Allan Schwartzberg, Drums - Phillip Levy, Violin - Bob Mann, Arranger, Guitar, Additional Keyboards, CoProducer - Alan Broadbent, Conductor, String Arranger - David Finck, Bass - Dorian Holley, Harmony Vocals - Armen Ksadjikian, Cello - Haim Shtrum, Violin - John Stevens, Lead Vocals, MainArtist - Ryan Petrie, Pro Tools, MixingEngineer - Michael Markman, Concert Master Conductor - Robert Hadley, Masterer - Harry Shirinian, Viola - ADAM LEVINE, Writer - JESSE CARMICHAEL, Writer - Mark Kaplan, Contributor - Charles Everett, Violin - Lisa Dondlinger, Violin - Darwin Best, AdditionalEngineer - Gil Romero, Violin - Bobby Ginsburg, Recorded by - Sidney Page, Violin - Vahe Hayrikian, Cello - Allen Madden, Writer - Michael Dusick, Writer
© 2005 Maverick Recording Company ℗ 2005 Maverick Recording Company
Steve Tyrell, Producer - Kenny Ascher, Piano - Randy Andos, Trombone - Janet Lakatos, Viola - Joel Derouin, Violin - GUY OSEARY, ExecutiveProducer - BILL SCHNEE, Mixer - DAVID FOSTER, ExecutiveProducer - Doug Sax, Masterer - Paulinho Da Costa, Percussion - AL DUBIN, Writer - Harry Warren, Writer - Allan Schwartzberg, Drums - Phillip Levy, Violin - Roger Rosenberg, Saxophone - Lou Marini, Saxophone - Bob Mann, Arranger, Guitar, Additional Keyboards, CoProducer - Alan Broadbent, Conductor, String Arranger - David Finck, Bass - Bob Milliken, Trumpet - Jim Pugh, Trombone - Lew Soloff, Trumpet - Armen Ksadjikian, Cello - Haim Shtrum, Violin - John Stevens, Vocals, MainArtist - Ryan Petrie, Pro Tools, MixingEngineer - Michael Markman, Concert Master Conductor - Robert Hadley, Masterer - Harry Shirinian, Viola - Mark Kaplan, Contributor - Charles Everett, Violin - Lisa Dondlinger, Violin - Darwin Best, AdditionalEngineer - Gil Romero, Violin - Bobby Ginsburg, Recorded by - Sidney Page, Violin - Vahe Hayrikian, Cello - Warren Leuning, Solo Trumpet
© 2005 Maverick Recording Company ℗ 2005 Maverick Recording Company
Steve Tyrell, Producer - GUY OSEARY, ExecutiveProducer - BILL SCHNEE, Mixer - DAVID FOSTER, ExecutiveProducer - Harold Arlen, Composer - Ted Koehler, Lyricist - Doug Sax, Masterer - Paulinho Da Costa, Percussion - Allan Schwartzberg, Drums - Bob Mann, Arranger, Guitar, Additional Keyboards, CoProducer - David Finck, Bass - John Stevens, Lead Vocals, MainArtist - Ryan Petrie, Pro Tools, MixingEngineer - Robert Hadley, Masterer - Lee Musiker, Piano - Mark Kaplan, Contributor - Darwin Best, AdditionalEngineer - Bobby Ginsburg, Recorded by - Erika Christensen, FeaturedArtist
© 2005 Maverick Recording Company ℗ 2005 Maverick Recording Company
Steve Tyrell, Producer - Randy Andos, Trombone - GUY OSEARY, ExecutiveProducer - BILL SCHNEE, Mixer - DAVID FOSTER, ExecutiveProducer - Doug Sax, Masterer - Gus Kahn, Writer - Allan Schwartzberg, Drums - Isham Jones, Writer - Roger Rosenberg, Saxophone - Lou Marini, Saxophone - Bob Mann, Guitar, Additional Keyboards, CoProducer - Bob Milliken, Trumpet - Jim Pugh, Trombone - Lew Soloff, Trumpet - Bill Mays, Piano - John Stevens, Vocals, MainArtist - Ryan Petrie, Pro Tools, MixingEngineer - Robert Hadley, Masterer - Chip Jackson, Bass - Darwin Best, AdditionalEngineer - Bobby Ginsburg, Recorded by - Warren Leuning, Solo Trumpet
© 2005 Maverick Recording Company ℗ 2005 Maverick Recording Company
Steve Tyrell, Producer - Janet Lakatos, Viola - Joel Derouin, Violin - GUY OSEARY, ExecutiveProducer - BILL SCHNEE, Mixer - DAVID FOSTER, ExecutiveProducer - JOHNNY MANDEL, Writer - Doug Sax, Masterer - Paulinho Da Costa, Percussion - Paul Francis Webster, Writer - Allan Schwartzberg, Drums - Phillip Levy, Violin - Bob Mann, Arranger, Guitar, CoProducer - Alan Broadbent, Conductor, String Arranger - Armen Ksadjikian, Cello - Haim Shtrum, Violin - John Stevens, Vocals, MainArtist - Ryan Petrie, Pro Tools, MixingEngineer - Michael Markman, Concert Master Conductor - Robert Hadley, Masterer - Harry Shirinian, Viola - Lee Musiker, Piano - Mark Kaplan, Contributor - Charles Everett, Violin - Lisa Dondlinger, Violin - Ed Howard, Bass - Darwin Best, AdditionalEngineer - Gil Romero, Violin - Bobby Ginsburg, Recorded by - Sidney Page, Violin - Vahe Hayrikian, Cello
© 2005 Maverick Recording Company ℗ 2005 Maverick Recording Company
Steve Tyrell, Producer - Randy Andos, Trombone - GUY OSEARY, ExecutiveProducer - BILL SCHNEE, Mixer - DAVID FOSTER, ExecutiveProducer - Duke Ellington, Writer - Bob Russell, Writer - Doug Sax, Masterer - Allan Schwartzberg, Drums - Roger Rosenberg, Saxophone - Lou Marini, Saxophone - Bob Mann, Arranger, Guitar, Additional Keyboards, CoProducer - Bob Milliken, Trumpet - Jim Pugh, Trombone - Lew Soloff, Trumpet - Bill Mays, Piano - John Stevens, Vocals, MainArtist - Ryan Petrie, Pro Tools, MixingEngineer - Robert Hadley, Masterer - Mark Kaplan, Contributor - Chip Jackson, Bass - Darwin Best, AdditionalEngineer - Bobby Ginsburg, Recorded by - Warren Leuning, Solo Trumpet
© 2005 Maverick Recording Company ℗ 2005 Maverick Recording Company
Album review
John Stevens was a contestant on the third season of American Idol -- the season that had a notable lack of male contestants. There was John -- cleverly nicknamed "Red" by millions, due to his red hair; Jon Peter Lewis, an enthusiastic, ironic dork who came along just a little bit too early to benefit from the Napoleon Dynamite zeitgeist; George Huff, a sweet and shy neo-soul singer; and Matthew Rogers, a barrel-chested ex-football player who wanted to be a soulman but gravitated toward country. Each of these four contestants -- who represented a third of the grand total of 12 finalists -- had their own niche, but Stevens stood out because he specialized in the Great American Songbook, which is a roundabout way of saying that he was a Frank Sinatra wannabe. Not only did he sing in a different style than the other contestants, but he was painfully shy, which made him quite endearing to a certain portion of the viewing audience who kept him around longer than his shaky vocals and inconsistent performances deserved. Stevens didn't win fans because of his voice -- it was OK, but it lacked warmth and depth, and he was far too mannered, borrowing heavily from Frank, Dean, Bobby Darin, and, especially, how Harry Connick, Jr. synthesized all of those singers when Stevens was a toddler -- but he won fans because he was a unique television personality. He was a scared, sweet kid who won the hearts of young girls and grandmas alike, in a fashion not unlike Clay Aiken in season two, but without his smarminess.
Those were the qualities that not only sustained Stevens throughout the show, but landed him a major-label contract, which is something a lot of his fellow contestants did not get. Instead of cranking out an album right away, Stevens and Maverick took their time, working on the record for about a year and finally releasing Red (well, what else was it going to be called?) in the summer of 2005. That time was spent not rethinking Stevens' sound, but helping him grow into his sound. Clearly, he's had some vocal lessons since American Idol, since he sounds relatively assured -- not only does his voice not quaver, but he varies his phrasing, giving momentum to the songs. Of course, his phrasing is borrowed wholesale from Sinatra, Martin, Darin, and Connick, something that's all the more evident because he's performing all-too-familiar standards associated with those singers. The difference between Red and what Stevens did on television is that his homage is better and more effective on record, since he's grown as a vocalist and the record is crisply, professionally produced. It's such a sharp production that the record makes Stevens seem like a more effective vocalist than he actually is, and that will no doubt satisfy both his young and old fans, who, depending on their age, will either enjoy hearing these songs for the first time or will be delighted to hear a young singer carry the torch. But for anybody who doesn't fall into those two categories, Red is a dull ride because of the predictability of the material and Stevens' performance. And the thing is, it didn't need to be that way. The two times that the record breaks from the well-worn book of American standards, the album is much more engaging. First, there's a gentle acoustic-based cover of the Beatles' "Here, There and Everywhere" that's quite sweet and affecting, but what's really fun is a lazily swinging revamping of Maroon 5's "This Love," which is more imaginative and infectious than the rest of the album combined. If Stevens and his producers had followed this path and revamped new (or relatively new) pop songs, his debut would have sounded fresh and distinctive, and helped separate him from his influences. But taking such a path would have been a risk, and it might have alienated the fans he had on the show. So, they decided on the path of least resistance, winding up with an album that will certainly please his fans and certainly make no impression on anybody else.
© Stephen Thomas Erlewine /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 11 track(s)
- Total length: 00:36:32
- Main artists: John Stevens
- Composer: Harold Arlen
- Label: Maverick
- Genre: Pop/Rock Pop
© 2005 Maverick Recording Company ℗ 2005 Maverick Recording Company
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