• From: Maryland
  • Registered: 2013-03-29
  • Posts: 177

Topic: Laith Al-Saadi Blues Artist a Finalist on The Voice

Really surprised no one has posted about this yet.  Maybe there aren't a lot of viewers of The Voice this season on NBC?

I've been watching this guy since the beginning of the Voice blind auditions, with growing interest, since I figured right off the bat that he wouldn't get very far.  After all, the Blues is just not popular with the pop music crowd that watches these singing competition shows, right?  Apparently not the case.  It would seem blues and blues/rock is experiencing somewhat of a revival or something, no doubt with the help of amazing artists like Joe.

Anyway, Laith is unquestionably and unabashedly a blues artist, a powerful singer with a low voice, and an awesome guitar player.  What's amazing is that after weeks of playing blues-rock, blues and/or rock songs with a blues twist and some great guitar playing, he made the final four tonight for a place in the finale show next week.  You should check him out.  For instance, he did The Thrill is Gone on the show a couple weeks back:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6lLtftluds

He was also in Guitar Center's King of the Blues contest a few years ago.  Tonight he had to do an instant save competition against 2 other artists, including a country singer & a pop/R&B guy, both of which were pretty good.  He did All Along the Watchtower, with 2 guitar solos between the singing, and it was awesome.  I'll keep an eye out for it on youtube.  Anyway, on a viewer Twitter "instant save" vote, he got about 50% of the vote & blew the other two away.

I always thought the voters on these shows were primarily teenyboppers & the young crowd.  If so, they're liking them some blues & classic rock.  Interesting to keep tabs on.

  • From: Washington State
  • Registered: 2015-08-25
  • Posts: 148

Re: Laith Al-Saadi Blues Artist a Finalist on The Voice

Wow, thanks for the heads up.  I don't watch the Voice, but I've heard Laith on the streaming station Bellyup4blues and have liked him.  I'll be sure to check out the next show!

3 Reply by RoadcaseBoy (edited by RoadcaseBoy 2016-05-18 12:49:34)

  • From: Seymour Duncan's Hometown, NJ
  • Registered: 2012-03-05
  • Posts: 2,309

Re: Laith Al-Saadi Blues Artist a Finalist on The Voice

Thank you Champster for the heads up ... here is the link to All Along The Watchtower u mentioned ... enjoyed it!

The Voice 2016 Laith Al-Saadi - Instant Save Performance: "All Along the Watchtower"
https://youtu.be/NMHjEtJCzUM



Somewhat related ... I too don't watch these shows ... but saw a young kid from Upstate NY on a plug for the show before the season started (The Voice) couple of seasons ago.  Dug his voice / low-key demeanor ... so followed him that season ... mostly On Demand ... he won the season ... here's a clip I found with a few show samples:

Sawyer Fredericks - 6 songs on the Voice. (tomhbeatle1)
https://youtu.be/gkrOfdWdkho

"I was in Space for less than 2 weeks … and suddenly Jeaniene’s back … half the Band is off the gd wagon … we have comedians opening for us … and the nice kid that ran our website is now a kleptof’nmaniac.  Boy ... did you guys miss me!!"  Phil Valentine - Road Manager - Staton House Band

JBLP#251 (unaged) ... thank you Ron.
  • From: Normal, IL
  • Registered: 2014-10-09
  • Posts: 117

Re: Laith Al-Saadi Blues Artist a Finalist on The Voice

I don't watch these shows either, but apparently my brother was wise to Al-Saadi's music.  He threw it on the stereo in his garage one Saturday afternoon and let me tell you, this guy's got some GREAT tunes out there.  Great-mellow-Busch Light-in a lawn chair-kinda music.

"You can't put a price on cool."
  • From: Maryland
  • Registered: 2013-03-29
  • Posts: 177

Re: Laith Al-Saadi Blues Artist a Finalist on The Voice

RoadcaseBoy wrote:

Somewhat related ... I too don't watch these shows ... but saw a young kid from Upstate NY on a plug for the show before the season started (The Voice) couple of seasons ago.

Thanks for the link to All Along the Watchtower!  Interesting to read the comments, and still amazed a blues artist has done this well on The Voice.

As for Sawyer Fredericks a couple seasons back, saw that one too.  He was mine & my wife's favorite from the start that season, with a mind blowing blind audition in particular.  Very unique kid.

6 Reply by RoadcaseBoy (edited by RoadcaseBoy 2016-05-18 19:38:43)

  • From: Seymour Duncan's Hometown, NJ
  • Registered: 2012-03-05
  • Posts: 2,309

Re: Laith Al-Saadi Blues Artist a Finalist on The Voice

Champster wrote:

Thanks for the link to All Along the Watchtower!

As for Sawyer Fredericks ...  Very unique kid.

You're welcome.

The only iTunes purchases I have ever made was to grab Sawyer's studio versions of his Voice songs as they went on sale ... made for agreat "cd".  (I'm of the age ... I grew up with the physical formats ... I want to own my music that way smile )  (That said ... I picked up his debut cd (released before the show) ... and his recent EP.  I enjoyed both.  I hope he is able to have the career he wants ... on his terms.

"I was in Space for less than 2 weeks … and suddenly Jeaniene’s back … half the Band is off the gd wagon … we have comedians opening for us … and the nice kid that ran our website is now a kleptof’nmaniac.  Boy ... did you guys miss me!!"  Phil Valentine - Road Manager - Staton House Band

JBLP#251 (unaged) ... thank you Ron.
  • From: New Hampshire, USA
  • Registered: 2010-12-21
  • Posts: 3,650

Re: Laith Al-Saadi Blues Artist a Finalist on The Voice

yeah I saw him last night I love this guy

"Joe B saved my soul, forever grateful Ron"
"Some people dream of worthy accomplishments while others stay awake and do them"
Skinner #1,JBLP 145(aged),252, (unaged),#285HM, Bburst #026, Joes 052 BCC black LP, Strat> RT,EC Gilmour,Beck,Lenny LP> PK 83,CC#2,3,4,9,Amps>Carol Ann RAH JB-100 SN 001,JB100 Red SN02,OD2, OD3,Tucana 2&3 Triptix,Twinkle land, Plexi ,JB Jub, Jubs,Plexi,Satch,Two Rock>others
  • From: Moncton, NB Canada
  • Registered: 2013-02-03
  • Posts: 469

Re: Laith Al-Saadi Blues Artist a Finalist on The Voice

I'm about 4-5 shows behind right now, but very happy to hear Laith is still there.  I have watched every season, I love music and they do get some very talented artists on that show.  I would pay to see this guy.

Steve

2011 Gibson Joe Bonamassa Les Paul Studio...among others.
Beacon Theater, New York, May 18, 2013/Keeping The Blues Alive at Sea, Feb. 17-21, 2015/3 Kings Tour, Bangor, ME, Aug. 12, 2015
  • Registered: 2011-01-30
  • Posts: 472

Re: Laith Al-Saadi Blues Artist a Finalist on The Voice

Here's Laith's performance from last night!! I think it's really good!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICUb4Y92BWg

Gotta seek out some of his music before The Voice now.

  • From: New Hampshire, USA
  • Registered: 2010-12-21
  • Posts: 3,650

Re: Laith Al-Saadi Blues Artist a Finalist on The Voice

i hope he wins...that would be a wake up call for the industry. That is time for some real music

"Joe B saved my soul, forever grateful Ron"
"Some people dream of worthy accomplishments while others stay awake and do them"
Skinner #1,JBLP 145(aged),252, (unaged),#285HM, Bburst #026, Joes 052 BCC black LP, Strat> RT,EC Gilmour,Beck,Lenny LP> PK 83,CC#2,3,4,9,Amps>Carol Ann RAH JB-100 SN 001,JB100 Red SN02,OD2, OD3,Tucana 2&3 Triptix,Twinkle land, Plexi ,JB Jub, Jubs,Plexi,Satch,Two Rock>others
  • From: Maryland
  • Registered: 2013-03-29
  • Posts: 177

Re: Laith Al-Saadi Blues Artist a Finalist on The Voice

bluesdeluxe25 wrote:

Here's Laith's performance from last night!! I think it's really good!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICUb4Y92BWg

Gotta seek out some of his music before The Voice now.

He also did a duet with Adam last night which was pretty good, with some excellent harmony.  Plus there was his original song "Morning Light" toward the end of the show, which I also really liked.  Great chord changes & slow blues tune overall.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4u0T0SwEto

Laith has slowly become my favorite.  Finale is tonight, on already.  I really hope he wins too, although I think Allison was coronated long ago so that Christina Aguilera finally gets a season win.  Allison is a good singer, but she tends to screech at times, doesn't have the greatest tone, and does way too many runs IMHO per Aguilera's yodeling style of singing/coaching.

  • From: Maryland
  • Registered: 2013-03-29
  • Posts: 177

Re: Laith Al-Saadi Blues Artist a Finalist on The Voice

For posterity, Laith came in fourth.  Farther than I expected I have to admit.  Regardless, he provided some great primetime blues & classic rock exposure to young music fans, and some appreciation for awesome guitar work.  Winner as expected was Allison Porter.