Wild weekend, wistful Monday...

(Another "vintage" photo--Bucky during the final 12 photoshoot, from American Idol Magazine. Here's the photo I wish I could have run today, but I don't have permission yet...)

Summer's beautiful and deeply treasured in my part of the world, but by the end of August, most of us actually begin to look a little forward to crisper days and brisker winds (yes, even up here in the Great Lakes, where winter really means winter). And it's a safe bet that for Bucky and the rest of the touring Idols, the novelty of the Pop-Tart parade is wearing thin, and the eagerness to get on with their musical journeys as ex-Idols grows ever stronger.

Even IDF, usually a center of youthful Idol-related enthusiasm, is fairly quiet this week--quiet enough for a thread like this to pop up. And the Viper Room recaps at MJ's and the Fox boards are laced with a feeling of anticipation--Taylor's fans (and Bucky's, Ace's and Elliott's, for that matter) have been fortunate enough to see them far outside the Idol context at the LMBO shows, in an atmosphere that's much more gritty and musical and real, and the general consensus seems to be more, please. Having LMBO shadow this tour was a stroke of pure genius--there can be no doubt in anyone's minds that that band and these singers are serious about the music, first and foremost.

(Edited to add that these guys are giving it their all on the Pop-Tart stage too, even with this supersized schedule--the smile on Bucky's face as he hits the lights for "Superstition" is not to be missed. If you haven't been to an Idol show--go! This is probably your one and only chance to see them all together in an arena setting. It's just that I'm also very sure we'll get to see much more of this talented bunch down the road, even after the Idol tour runs its course--never mind the critics, y'all. I might have a rant about that later...)

As for the Idol tour, it's rolling along just fine, and the performers are all total troupers; the L.A. Times reviewer took a half-celebratory, half-dismissive tone toward the inevitable kitsch factor of the Staples Center show, but hey--she seemed to like Bucky well enough. ("Excellent headbanging"? "Happy and cute"? Hmmmm...*) And the fan recaps are coming in from both the L.A. and Anaheim shows, too. A kind Bucky fan who went to the San Diego and L.A. concerts shared a wonderfully detailed review of both shows at the Fox boards, along with two great albums of photos taken by her daughter, one from San Diego and one from L.A. (This snap strikes me as especially cool, but they're all lovely--enjoy.)

A separate thread tells a longer and even more detailed story. She and another very generous fan got a chance for a long and friendly conversation with Bucky, and it sounds as though we'll get that CD we're all looking forward to--but we might have to be a bit more patient about the details. (It also sounds as though Bucky Covington and his supporters have a truly good, mutually respectful rapport, too.) Don't miss this thread. It's much more than just a recap.

And for a little comic relief, here's a funny multi-part L.A. recap from a breathless Taylor Hicks fan. Someone had a good time!

Also, more photographic goodness to share from past shows; this brilliant pro Flickr album from the Nashville concert contains one of the most dramatic onstage shots of Bucky we've seen so far. (CD cover, perhaps?)

Finally, the anniversary greetings are still going strong at the support thread for Mrs. Covington--feel free to pop in and wish the Covingtons all the best today.

See you soon!

*You know, I have a feeling she'll be in the audience when Bucky gets back to L.A. on his first solo tour. Just a hunch...