Jason Castro

American Idol Season 5 Encores
$9.99
(4.5 stars)

American Idol Season 5 Encores features 12 awesome songs performed by the 12 finalists of American Idol's Season 5. This is very high quality control music; these men and women deliver these numbers with style, grace and so much genuine emotion that your CD player will practically shake just from the vibes as it plays this CD! The quality of the sound is excellent and I like the artwork very much. Just about the only thing missing is a group performance; but overall the CD is so good I can (almost) completely ignore it.

The album opens with Melissa McGhee doing a wonderful cover of "What About Love;" Melissa makes this sound fresh and new; and she never skips a beat, either! I really like Melissa's voice; she is perfectly suited to perform ballads like this and the rockin' sound of those guitars in the arrangement enhances this song even more--great! Bucky Covington also does great justice to Stevie Wonder's "Superstition;" Bucky sings this with a whole lot of feeling and that's grand. Bucky's performance is truly electric; and he more than proves that he has the chops to be a major recording artist. The guitars are used to great advantage and Bucky's excellent diction bolsters his performance even more. Bucky handles the complex tempo and key changes like the pro that he is--and always will be!

Mandisa does a superb job when she sings "I'm Every Woman;" Mandisa's performance is faultless and she throws herself deep into this ballad in order to give blood and make her audience thrilled to see and hear her perform. Mandisa is surely full of talent! In addition, the very popular Chris Daughtry performs at his usual best on "Wanted Dead Or Alive" which was written by Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora. I think they would be proud to hear this rendition of their ballad! "Wanted Dead Or Alive" is a major highlight of this album.

Taylor Hicks, who has been so successful, shines bright on "Takin' It To The Streets;" he delivers this with all his heart and soul and just one listen will prove it to you. His voice is able to make that "scratching" sound that always impresses me; and Taylor never lets go of a single superfluous note! The music fits in well with Taylor's singing but wisely the musicians never steal the show from Taylor. He remains squarely front and center--right where he belongs!

"Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I'm Yours)" gets the royal treatment by Lisa Tucker; she handles this very well and her singing is absolutely electric. I love it! Another very major highlight of this album would have to be Elliott Yamin's take on "Moody's Mood For Love" with lyrics by Eddie Jefferson. Elliott is incredibly talented and I predict that he'll be sharing his artistry with us for quite some while to come--if we're lucky! There's yet another gem in Katharine McPhee's "Think;" she does this flawlessly with solid backup. The CD closes with Kevin Covais performing an outstanding version of "When I Fall In Love;" Kevin's voice is very special and he shows so much talent on this track. I'm very impressed.

Overall, American Idol Season 5 Encores gives us so much great music from 12 very gifted people. I highly recommend this for fans of the artists on this album.

For Your Entertainment
$13.98
2009 album from the first runner-up on the eighth season of American Idol. Immediately following his participation on American Idol, Lambert began writing collaborating with predominant Pop hit makers such as Lady GaGa, Greg Wells, Max Martin, Linda Perry, RedOne, Ryan Tedder, Sam Sparro, Kara DioGuardi and P!nk. The album features 'Soaked', written by Matthew Bellamy of Muse and 'Music Again' written by Justin Hawkins from The Darkness. Lambert also co-wrote four of the songs on the album: 'Strut', 'Aftermath', 'Pick U Up' and 'Broken Open'. The album includes the hit single 'Time For Miracle' from the blockbuster motion picture 2012.

Hallelujah
$1.29
I'm not in the custom of writing random reviews for single songs, but I went looking for this song after I heard it in the Season 3 Finale of THE WEST WING, called POSSE COMITATOUS. The song is chilling and moving, especially within the context the show places it in.

It is a wonderful song. I lyrics are original and inspired, and the chorus will be in your head constantly. You'll be singing or humming it all day.
Great song. See the TV episode if you can; it's a winner too.

Jason Castro
$18.98
Jason is the best new artist to come along in a LONNNNG time!!He has the best honest ,down to earth ,natural voice today!! I have all his music from iTUNES and can't wait till he has his first CD!! We love and respect his style and voice!! He is here to stay!!