Former 'Idol' Melinda Doolittle Releases Debut Album
Former "American Idol" finalist Melinda Doolittle has released her first full-length album, Coming Back to You, and received generally positive feedback from reviewers as well as a one-time "Idol" rival.
"Melinda's CD is incredible," wrote Phil Stacey on the popular social networking site Twitter.
Doolittle and Stacey were among the top six "Idol" finalists who competed in the sixth season of the popular TV show.
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Coming Back to You is a 13-track album that includes mostly reworked songs such as Celine Dion's "Declaration of Love" and Sarah Vaughan's "Wonder Why." It goes as far back as the 1930s with a modernized version of Robert Johnson's "Dust My Broom."
Though the album has been noted as being somewhat Idol-esque at times, Doolittle has received substantial praise for her outstanding vocal talents, as she had been during her "Idol" run in 2007.
During her appearance on the popular TV series, Doolittle finished third but was regarded as the best singer of the season by many critics, including the show's most frank judge, Simon Cowell.
"Commiseration to you Melinda," commented Cowell after she was voted out, "because you are a heck of a singer."
Following the end of the show's season, Doolittle went on to perform at high-key events including the 2007 NBA Eastern Conference Finals and a social dinner in front of then-president George W. Bush at the White House.
On July 29, 2008, it was officially announced that Doolittle signed with independent label Hi Fi Recordings and would release her debut CD on Feb. 3, 2009.
