[Wolfstar]

Using my Time Warner cable's digital recording capability, I recorded the night of the results show where Vonzell got voted off in order to capture Bo's performance of "In a Dream." I finally had the time yesterday to transfer it to tape using my micro-cassette recorder (used for meetings, lectures, etc.). We're not talking great audio, here, but it was the best I could do to save the performance long term.

I'm not here to tell you that America got it wrong, because in the context of what AI is all about, Carrie did deserve to win. However, what I am here to tell you -- now that I've been able to listen to that performance numerous times on a little cassette tape -- is that Bo's performance of "In a Dream" was literally great. Surpassingly great. By now you all know I'm a big Kelly Clarkson fan, but I have to say that Bo's performance was so far superior to anything ever sung on AI that there's no comparison. It's like me trying to sing opera in competition with with Pavarotti.

There's a gritty quality to Bo's voice and pronunciation that tends to somewhat veil his power and vocal range. But he has power, range, control and superb phrasing. The song is deceptively simple, but it's actually tough to sing -- especially a cappella. It runs through several octacves. I'm not good at judging key (key of B, key of G, etc.), but the melody has a passage sung in the flat version of the key (e.g., B flat or G flat).

But far more than his technical brilliance and vocal power, Bo brought an emotional power to that song that -- at least for me -- echos in the heart long after the last note is sung. It certainly leaves me wanting more.

In an era in which performers get standing O's just for showing up, Bo moved that large audience in a way I haven't heard in a long, long, long time. He did it just standing there with no fancy clothing, no fancy band or backup or staging. Just a spotlight, some grungy every-day jeans and a shirt, a microphone, his voice and his heart.

In an era in which young people think rap is great music (Gwen Stefani's rap song "Hollaback Girl" is currently the #1 single), I honestly don't think many of AI's target audience got that performance.

[texasflower]

I love my Time Warner DVR. We use it every single day for one thing or another. Usually just rewinding to hear some dialogue we missed, or pause when the phone rings.

Did you find some way to transfer it to audio tape via the machine or just holding your micro by the speakers?

[GraniteStateConservative]

Wolfstar, this is probably better quality...

Bo Bice's "In A Dream"

I'm pinging the rest on my tiny list in case anyone else wanted to download it.

[silent_jonny]

I have to say that Bo's performance was so far superior to anything ever sung on AI that there's no comparison.

Now that's high praise coming from a Kelly fan :)

Bo's "In A Dream" was one of those performances that we always hope to see, but seldom do.

You're right, I can't think of another song/performance on AI that has left such a lasting impression.