Auralize this...: Luther Vandross

Ruben Studdard Soulful

I don't really care that America chose Ruben Studdard as their American Idol or that he sold over 400,000 units his first week out. Don't get me wrong, this is a great accomplishment and I'm glad we're watching him blow up rather than Clay Aiken (who sold over 600,000 his first week out).

But will someone please tell me why Clive Davis and other executives at J Records allowed Ruben to cover "Superstar," the best song ever that's already been sung by the greatest R&B singer ever? If Ruben is as good as we are to believe, why did they go with an inferior version of a song that was already familiar to us? A friend of mine heard it for the first time and actually didn't notice it wasn't Luther. Whatever. Clean your ears out.

I wasn't impressed with the rest of the album either, although I am admittedly biased against it, and I won't be buying it. I'll stick to the original Idol, Kelly Clarkson, who continues to sing her ass off, most recently on this...

Instead I'll eventually be getting this...

Luther Vandross Dance With My Father