As we saw from her best Idol performances, Allison soars when she’s got great melodies to work with (“Alone,” “Give in to Me”), and what’s more, she’s a heckuva storyteller (“I Can’t Make You Love Me,” “Papa Was a Rolling Stone,” that exit performance of “Cry Baby”). Which is why I’m hoping the good folks at Jive Records won’t force the season 8 rocker into a Daughtry/Nickelback/generic modern rock mold. Instead, why not let Allison log some studio time with the legendary Stevie Nicks, and perhaps Concrete Blonde frontwoman Johnette Napolitano?
A matchup with Nicks is a no-brainer. The Fleetwood Mac star is a revered and timeless songwriter who’s collaborated effortlessly with everyone from Tom Petty to Sheryl Crow, from Don Henley to the Dixie Chicks. Plus, she’d be able to give Allison a stamp of approval that would open up doors to an entrenched classic rock audience that might otherwise bristle at the mention of anyone associated with Idol. Meanwhile, as Stevie proved with her recent Soundstage Sessions disc and corresponding Live in Chicago DVD, she isn’t exactly ready for her rocking chair; a partnership with Iraheta would present her with an exciting project that could introduce her music to a generation of teens and twentysomethings who hadn’t even been born the last time Nicks was rocking the Billboard Hot 100. (By the bye, if you’re a Stevie Nicks fan, click here and check out my colleague Leah Greenblatt’s extraordinary Q&A about the singer’s favorite songs. Not to be missed!)
As for Napolitano, well, it’s been almost two decades since Concrete Blonde’s seminal 1990 disc Bloodletting, and yet the music still sounds fresh and relevant after all this time. A writing session with Napolitano could capture some of Allison’s darker edges without stuffing repeat-worthy melodies down the garbage disposal. In fact, can you imagine how cool it would be to hear Allison tackle “The Sky Is a Poisonous Garden” or “Days and Days”?(The latter tune is embedded after the jump!) Teaming up with Napolitano (and not just a team of today's most in-demand producers) would also give Allison a hint of trailblazing cool, in much the same way Pink did when she famously tracked down 4 Non-Blondes frontwoman Linda Perry when it came time to record Mizundastood. That collaboration reenergized both women's careers, and resulted in a pretty ass-kicking set of tunes. I certainly wouldn't be disappointed if an Iraheta-Napolitano partnership yielded similarly scintillating artistic and commercial results. While she's at it, Allison might want to get on the phone with Beth Hart, Imani Coppola, Jane Child, Kina Cosper, and Toby Lightman. She can thank me later in her liner notes!
Which producers, songwriters, and performers would you like to see paired up with Allison for her debut disc? Sound off in the comments section below, and while you're at it, don't forget to follow me (and all my Idol coverage) on Twitter!
Rick Rubin. From Dixie Chicks’ “Taking the Long Way” to The Gossip’s new record “Music for Men.” That dude can work a crafty female pop/rock tune. Not to mention he has major cred as a versatile producer. But why should we bother? You know that they’re putting that girl on the first flight to Sweden to powwow with Max Martin and Dr. Luke. Resistance is futile. Kelly Clarkson is off the leash. They need a 2.0
Yesssss!!! Finally something about Allison! There’s been nothing about her and it’s been killing me. I love these ideas – especially Stevie Nicks! I agree that I REALLY don’t want Allison to go into the Daughtry/Nickelback generic rock mold. I’m not a big fan of theirs and Allison is unique, special. I want something different for her. I cannot wait for her album, whatever it sounds like, though. Because she can’t help but make whatever she sings sound like it has emotional depth. I just hope that they don’t overproduce her songs/tweak with her vocals too much. Her live voice is incredible.
After the finale, I still want to see Allison work with Cyndi Lauper. I had actually hoped that she might have been signed to Cyndi’s label. Stevie would be a great pairing too. And I hope Allison gets to work with Pink in the future.
Great article, Michael. Stevie Nicks sounds great. They can’t go wrong teaming her up with her. I’d love it if Allison did a Duet with Pink on her album too. Personally I love Daughtry: I think Allison would make an awesome rock album like Daughtry’s too. She’s just too good to be held back by a format. I think either way this next album is just a starting point and she’s going to continue to rise no matter what. (She’s just too good! =) )
Agree with all of this, and definitely hope Allison gets to work with people of that caliber. The results would be stellar. But, I have to say I can’t wait to hear who you would pair with KRIS. That is all.
The rumor is she’s working with Lindsay Buckingham, so maybe the Stevie Nicks thing is not so far off!!!
Nice to see the love for Johnette. She definitely made some great music back in the late 80′s early 90′s. I think it would be exciting to see what Allison and Johnette could create together. I am a little leery though since the last two Concrete Blonde releases (from a reunited band in 2002, 2004) didn’t really recapture the magic of the earlier years.
No. I’m one of those people that “bristle at the mention of anyone associated with Idol.” I don’t pay attention to the show and have no desire to. And the thought of this Idol girl working with my hero Stevie Nicks doesn’t make me more open to her. It won’t make me listen to her music or support her. It will just make me peeved at Stevie. But, I’ll just pretend it never happened, and Stevie will continue to be my hero, and I’ll continue to ignore anything Idol related.
So, that plan doesn’t really work out. Sorry.
KM, what are you doing here then?
KM – your attitude stinks.
I couldn’t care less where an artist emerges from. What makes anyone more credible than another when the fact is that these days a lot of so-called credible artists have auditioned for and been rejected by these talent shows? Allison was not my favourite in AI8 but I think she is excellent by any standards and regardless of her age. My favourite was Adam who for me is one of the best singers and all around artists I have seen in a long time and it is to the detriment of state of the industry currently and the lack of imagination that it employs that such a talent has to go through months of such public judgement (and criticism and humiliation) after trying other avenues. I am a fan of many stars and legends of the industry and I for one would be honoured to see and hear them perform with such an exceptional talent as Adam ………. that is those who aren’t worried that he would outshine them!
I am excited to see Beth Hart mentioned here. She really is fantastic and underappreciated.
In a perfect world, Allison would record her album in Seattle at Heart’s legendary Baby Animals Stuidos, and hopefully have them write a song (or 2) with her. I’d also like to see Allison write something with Taylor Swift. Taylor seems to be a songwriting machine, and is able to write some very good songs about being treated badly. She could take Allison’s experiences with the judges (especially Simon) not giving her enough credit as she wasn’t their “anointed ones” (aka Adam & Danny.) They could write a great song about being overlooked and under appreciated. I’d also like to see a song with Avril Lavinge and Alanis Morrisette who both have written some good songs but have seemed to have semi-retired. Cyndi Lauper also would be a good choice, and not just because they performed together on the finalé. Maybe Bonnie Raitt? And as long as we’re talking about Stevie Nicks helping out, how about Cobie Caillat too since her father co-produced Fleetwood Mac’s Rumors and Tusk albums.
speaking of rick rubin (my all time music hero: jay-z AND neil diamond? the guy is a god), why not have her collabo with the dixie chicks? Natalie maines has always said she wanted to sing rock but had too much twang in her voice. Also: emmylou harris? it seems like every recent rock/alt country female and male singer (ryan adams, sheryl crow, dixie chicks, bright eyes) has her on songwriting and back up vocals. Also, patty griffin can write a mean soul rock ballad. See both kelly clarkson and solomon burke’s covers of “Up to the Mountain”.
I would love to see Allison work with Melissa Etheridge. Could you imagine Allison belting out “Somebody Bring Me Some Water”?
Even though she’s totally indie, Ani Difranco could bring an interesting flavor to the disc, especially with a track like “Shameless” from the Dilate CD.
David, I agree! Alli + Melissa = AWESOME!
I would love to hear Allison work with Linda Perry as a producer. How cool would that be?