WHOA. Crystal was AWESOME at 13. She had not yet developed that yelly thing she had going on for her latest Idol performances. Her voice was as true and clear as a young Joni Mitchell. Also, she was REAL. She was a 13-year-old child with a lot of sadness and love in her life and you could feel it and she showed it. You could see everything in her eyes, hear her longings and sadness and vulnerability in her voice. She has definitely “closed up” since then. Even her anger songs about Bush and Palin prove that.
When she was a young girl, she was more whole than she let us see on the Idol stage. It’s a shame. Of course she has some more “proficiency” in her vocals now, but I completely prefer the younger Crystal.
I agree-I really liked the young Crystal-she just seemed so vulnerable and sang her heart out...nice songwriting too for one so young. I thought of a young Jewel when listening but I could see the comparison to Joni Mitchell too.