Lambert had proved he's the total package... good looks (a striking mix of broad-shouldered masculinity and almost feminine beauty...)

---

[b]Lambert had proved he's the total package ---- voice, charisma, confidence, star power and good looks (a striking mix of broad-shouldered masculinity and almost feminine beauty enhanced by his trademark guyliner and shimmery electric blue eyeshadow).


This description of Adam has haunted me since I've read it - I think it best encapsulate what I think of Adam! He is indeed someone that I see as "a striking mix of broad-shouldered masculinity and almost feminine beauty enhanced by his trademark guyliner and shimmery electric blue eyeshadow"; AND I FIND THIS SOOOOOOO alluring and exciting and beautiful!


CONCERT REVIEW: Turbo-charged Lambert steals 'Idol' tour stop in San Diego hometown

By PAM KRAGEN - pkragen@nctimes.com | Tuesday, July 21, 2009 8:46 AM PDT ∞

The top 10 "American Idol" finalists top row, from left, Adam Lambert, Kris Allen, Anoop Desai, Michael Sarver; second row, Lil Rounds, Matt Giraud, Danny Gokey; seated, Scott MacIntyre and Allison Iraheta; bottom Megan Joy.

SAN DIEGO ---- Local concert-goers rolled out the welcome mat Saturday night for hometown idol Adam Lambert, who so dominated the American Idols Live Tour concert at the San Diego Sports Arena, the rest of the singers felt like an appetizer and dessert.

The top 10 finalists from the Fox television show's eighth season each have their moment in the spotlight during the well-produced, three-hour show, but it was clear that Lambert ---- who spent 17 of his first 18 years in Rancho Penasquitos ---- was the anointed crowd darling.

A concession stand worker said Lambert T-shirts and photos have been outselling those of season winner Kris Allen by a wide margin at every tour stop; ticket-holders (from grade-schoolers to grannies to gay) arrived in droves withLambert signs, photo collages and homemade T-shirts; and Lambert's every appearance on the wall of video screens behind the stage (in photos and Ford commercials) elicited loud squeals of delight.

And once the long-anticipated Lambert finally stepped onstage during the concert's final half-hour, the near-capacity crowd's deafening, on-their-feet response left no doubt that his future as a pop/rock superstar is secure. Swagger, sex appeal and stratospheric range are what his former San Diegan is selling, and it's a seller's market.

Lambert's five-song set includes three numbers recycled from "AI," including a soaring version of Led Zeppelin's "Whole Lotta Love" (his pelvic thrusts and suggestive mike-stand straddling seemed of special appeal to women in the crowd), a playful "Slow Ride" duet with tour sparkplug Allison Iraheta, and his hit single "Mad World," which he changed up a bit with a whispery delivery.

The set highlight is Muse's "Starlight," a galactic high note-filled song that showcases the power, control and range of his voice. Lambert sheds his coat (a blue leather number with tails and shoulder spikes) to close his set with an upbeat medley of David Bowie songs designed to highlight his dance and dramatic skills he honed over the past decade as a musical theater actor.

By the time he descended into the stage with a final shout of "I love you, San Diego!" Lambert had proved he's the total package ---- voice, charisma, confidence, star power and good looks (a striking mix of broad-shouldered masculinity and almost feminine beauty enhanced by his trademark guyliner and shimmery electric blue eyeshadow).

So what of Allen, who bested Lambert in the show's voting this season? He has the unfortunate job of following Lambert to close the show with a lower-wattage set that put most of the audience back in their seats. Critics at previous tour stops have harshly criticized Allen, but that's unfair. He's charming, cute, earnest, multi-instrumental and accessible. But both his vocal range and his stage presence are modest, so he doesn't ignite the crowd with the same fire.

Allen wisely dropped the "AI" coronation song "No Boundaries" from his set list last week (the mediocre number strained his voice to its limits) and replaced it with the Killers' "All These Things I've Done," the only number in his five-song set where he moved freely about the stage. The set highlights were a soulful "Ain't No Sunshine" delivered from the piano bench, and his acoustic guitar version of Kanye West's "Heartless."

The other singers on the tour acquitted themselves with varying degrees of quality, and in near exact order of how they finished in the voting this season. Here's a quick recap of their sets:

-- Danny Gokey: The spiritual third-place finisher's set-opener "P.Y.T." doesn't inspire, but his Latin "Maria, Maria" accompanied by some accomplished salsa dance moves, was fun. Gokey's raspy soul voice sounded great in the opening numbers but the effort made some of the notes in his two-song Rascal Flatts set fall flat. He delivers a mini-sermon on reaching for you dreams near the end that comes off sincerely, having been inspired by the death of his wife one year ago this month.

-- Allison Iraheta: This little fireball will go far. The petite, flame-haired spitfire stomps around the stage in a rocking, bluesy set of Janis Joplin, Pink and Heart and has acres of vocal heft to spare.

-- Matt Giraud: The first-act closer is also the first act's best performer. He's got masterful stage presence, lightning-fast piano skills and confidence that serve him well, especially in "Hard to Handle."

-- Anoop Desai: The North Carolina R&B singer seems to have put as much effort into his sweet singing voice (his highlight is Ne-Yo's "Mad") as his dance moves, which seem ripped from the MTV video archive. The girls love him, in spite of his costume, which included oversized glasses, preppy clothes and dangling suspenders that reminded me of an Indian version of Steve Urkel.

-- Lil Rounds: Despite some flat notes and a "Single Ladies" closer that failed to get the audience moving, she's got class and diva stage style and does especially well with Mary J. Blige's "Be Without You."

-- Scott MacIntyre: Rising from the stage seated at a piano, the visually impaired finalist has a pleasant singing voice and seems at ease onstage. His highlight is Vanessa Carlton's "A Thousand Miles." He even does some nice synchronized choreography and a really good Billy Joel piano duet with Giraud.

-- Megan Joy: The Salt Lake City looker is a beauty and she's developing as a stage performer and singer. Her stage presence is still a bit stiff and awkward. Hard to tell if it is nerves, inexperience or the six-inch platforms she's toddling around on.

-- Michael Sarver: Call him the tour cheerleader. He gets the crowd going with a rousing performance of Gavin DeGraw's "I Just Want a Girl." It's not an enviable slot on the show's lineup but Sarver has confidence and likability.


(These lines were extracted from North County Times' review of the San Diego AI concert... article here http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2009/07/19/entertainment/music/z9f5d6b46b567e3ec882575f700086506.txt)