Motown music was the theme this week. I was a teenager in the 1960s, and Motown music brings back a lot of warm memories, so I was looking forward to it. I was not thrilled to have my Tuesday evening guilty pleasure postponed for 24 hours because of the President's speech, especially since, as it turns out, I came down with a cold during those 24 hours. I'm thickheaded and not too coherent at the moment, but I want to get something up before the results show, so here goes.
Berry Gordy and Smokey Robinson met with the kids, and Smokey (a wonderful musician whose music I love) was their coach of the week. They took the contestants on a trip to the old Motown studios in Detroit, MI.
Matt Giraud was up first. He chose to perform "Let's Get It On," by Marvin Gaye, a song I think is overrated. He started out at the piano, and it was actually pretty good. I haven't seen what the great attraction is with Matt, but I thought this song suited his style. He came out from behind the piano after the first verse. The judges liked him, of course. Paula compared him to a great pair of worn-in jeans.
The other overrated male singer, Kris Allen, did another Marvin Gaye song, "How Sweet It Is." He accompanied himself on his favorite crutch, his guitar, and the accompaniment was just as bland and boring as the rest of the song. I didn't hear anything new or exciting in this performance, and I couldn't wait for it to end. He shouted the last note and I found it painful. The judges, though, seem to inhabit a different universe; they thought he was wonderful. Paula liked that last note. Simon called the song a smart choice, but thought Kris needed to believe in himself more. “To be a star, you've got to be conceited.” Does that make Simon a star?
Scott MacIntyre decided to do "You Can't Hurry Love" by Diana Ross and the Supremes. It was a terrible choice. He didn't sound good; even his piano-playing couldn't pull this one off. Simon said he couldn't wait for it to end. He didn't think it was a great version of the song, and the piano-playing was too honky-tonk. It was the wrong choice, a bit cheap for him. Randy called it a "very hotel kind of performance." It didn't do anything for him, either. The women liked it, though neither one of them seemed to be blown away. Scott should find himself in the Bottom 3 tonight.
At long last, my least favorite performer, Megan Joy, has managed to sing herself into a corner. (And I use the term "sing" loosely.) She murdered "For Once In My Life," by Stevie Wonder. She was all over the place with her pitches, and her voice sounded terrible. Randy said it was a train wreck. Simon said it was horrible. Even Paula and Kara couldn't find anything nice to say about it. Simon said she was in trouble, and I sincerely hope that America agrees and sends her packing tonight.
Anoop Desai did "Ooh, Baby, Baby," one of Smokey Robinson's own songs, performed with his band the Miracles. He was wonderful. I think there were a few weak and off-key notes, but he's really coming into his own. The judges seemed to like it, too, although Simon thought he was half asleep and Randy wanted to see more energy, too.
Michael Sarver did "Ain't Too Proud to Beg," by the Temptations, and he was terrible. He oversang the entire song, beating it into submission. The judges didn't like it, either. Paula said it felt a little old-Las-Vegas-loungey to her. He needs to dominate the song, not the other way around, and he didn't reach all his notes. Simon couldn't wait for it to end. He said Michael was screaming and shouting the song. It just wasn't good enough. Randy thought the song was too big for Michael. He's not an R&B kind of dude. A little bit corny; he tried to do too much to it.
The next performance was my biggest disappointment of the night: Lil Rounds, who had been moved to tears by her trip to the old Motown studios, chose to do "Heat Wave" by Martha and the Vandellas. She should have been wonderful, and she just wasn't. During their coaching session, Smokey used Paula's favorite platitude, saying that Lil could "sing the phone book." The notes weren't all true, and there were a lot of inaccuracies. It's hard to oversing that song, but she managed. Randy said the first half of the song was a "little bit torture" for him. He didn't think it was the right song choice for her, and he thought she rushed it. Kara thought she screamed parts of it. Simon thought the song was an authentic tribute to the sound of Motown. However, he wouldn't have chosen that song. It didn't give her a moment. It was too fast. He said pretty much what I did – she's one of the best singers in the competition, and he expected better of her.
Adam Lambert gave a startlingly sweet and beautiful performance of "The Tracks of my Tears," by Smokey Robinson and the Miracles. He combed his hair back into a classic 60s look, slicked off his face, and he wore a silvery-gray suit. The accompaniment was an acoustic guitar and bass. Simon said it was the best performance of the night. I'd download it, except they said that this week's downloads are going to be the singers singing along to the classic Motown versions...
Danny Gokey did "Get Ready" by the Temptations. He had a lot of energy, but his voice wasn't always all that accurate. He's a showman, though; at one point he went back and did a little dance with the backup singers. Simon thought he was clumsy and amateurish.
Last, but far from least, was Allison Iraheta doing "Papa Was a Rolling Stone," by the Temptations. She blew me away. Allison usually does; I've picked her as a potential winner. She performed like a pro, and she's only 16. The judges thought it was wonderful, too. Their commentary was a little bit weakened by the fact that Simon had drawn a mustache onto Paula using the crayons she'd given him earlier in the evening; they were giggling a lot. Last week Allison was in the bottom 3. It'd be a serious error of judgment if she ends up there again tonight; this was, along with Adam Lambert's, the best performance of the evening.
My vote (again) for the performer who should be leaving tonight is Megan Joy. Scott MacIntyre and Michael Sarver should complete the Bottom 3.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Thursday, March 19, 2009
American Idol Update: Next Elimination
America got it wrong again...so wrong that the judges considered using their one-time-only bailout. Alexis Grace was eliminated. She is a very talented woman who made a poor song choice, "Jolene" by Dolly Parton. When she sang it again for the judges so that they could reconsider, she didn't do it well enough to get by. So she's going home, and since she didn't make the top 10, she won't tour with the group this summer. Meanwhile, Megan Pain - oops, I mean Joy - will be touring, showing her "talent" to the entire country. I guess it's just as well I can't afford tickets to this event.
The rest of the Bottom 3 were Allison Iraheta and Michael Sarver. Okay, I never expected Michael to get too far in this competition. But Allison?! The girl can sing. Country week is just such a difficult time for a rocker. I hope she's back on track next week. Although I heard a rumor that it's Disco Week, and that's not going to go well for many of them either...
The rest of the Bottom 3 were Allison Iraheta and Michael Sarver. Okay, I never expected Michael to get too far in this competition. But Allison?! The girl can sing. Country week is just such a difficult time for a rocker. I hope she's back on track next week. Although I heard a rumor that it's Disco Week, and that's not going to go well for many of them either...
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
American Idol, Country Week
I am not a fan of country music, so when I heard that it was going to be Country Week, I groaned. I believe all the things they say about country music - lots of twangy guitars, hillbilly accents, corny tunes, and songs that talk about loss and sadness, sometimes in a way that's just plain ridiculous. There's the joke about what happens when you play a country record backwards - you get your dog back, you get your truck back, you get your wife back...
There was a lot of, well, interesting music last night. Randy Travis coached the contestants. I recognize his name, but I can't name one song he's performed. So sue me.
Michael Sarver led off the evening with a song I actually like: "Ain't Goin' Down ('Til the Sun Comes Up)" by Garth Brooks. LaToya London did this song in Season 3 (I know this because I have a - ssh! - slightly illegal download of it on my iPod). The song is characterized by a stream of words done in what's essentially a monotone, with an upbeat chorus. Michael handled the tongue-twisting lyrics very well. I didn't like him coming into this season, but he's made a fan out of me these past two weeks. Okay, the song isn't a huge challenge, and it doesn't have a big range, but it's catchy and fun. The judges weren't impressed, though. Simon summed it up in his usual disdainful manner. He couldn't understand a single word. He thought it was a bit clumsy. "It could have been karaoke night in a country/western club." On a scale of 1 to 10, he gave it a 1.2.
Allison Iraheta performed "Blame It on Your Heart" by Patty Loveless. What a classic name for a country singer, "Loveless"! I've never heard of her, and I didn't like this song. Allison, however, is a great performer, and she carried it off. Kara said she could sing the alphabet and do it well. I suppose that beats singing the phone book... Paula thought she should experiment a little more, at least I think that's what she was trying to say. Simon thought it was good, although tuneless in parts. Randy thought it was “dope”, which I think means he liked it.
Kris Allen (still not one of my favorite performers) did another Garth Brooks song, "To Make You Feel My Love." He wasn't playing the guitar; instead, he sat on a stool to sing. His voice has weaknesses in the low register; all the ends of lines were kind of whispered. There were nice moments, though. The last note wasn't one of them, however; he was screechy and off key. Paula was pleasantly surprised; she thought it was honest, pure and vulnerable. She pointed out that he had pitchy moments; if even Paula noticed them, they had to have been glaringly obvious. Simon, however, thought it was terrific. Great choice of song, completely in control, didn't go over the top. I don't know what Simon sees in Kris, but he'll forgive things he wouldn't forgive in performers he doesn't like. Randy thought he went out on a limb to do these tender moments. “You're a tender dog.”
Lil Rounds proved she isn't a country singer with "Independence Day", by Martina McBride. It was her weakest performance so far. I was cringing for her. All of the judges remarked on how uncomfortable she was with country music. Some of them questioned her song choice. Randy called it "interesting" and "ambitious". He thought she might have done better with a song like "I Will Always Love You" by Dolly Parton. (That song has been horribly overdone, so I'm glad she didn't do it.) Simon, for some reason, insisted on calling her "Little". Okay, there's Lil Wayne, in which the "lil" means "little", but in this case it's a woman's name, a nickname for Lillian or Lily.
At this point the evening took a turn for the bizarre. Adam Lambert, who is in a class by himself, did an arrangement of Johnny Cash's classic "Ring of Fire" that had jaws dropping all over the place. He did a kind of Indian or Egyptian take on it, doing it in a minor key and hitting notes that were definitely not in the original. He reminded me of Freddie Mercury. I've been irritated when Kara makes remarks about not messing with the classics, but in this case, I wonder if Adam should have stayed away from that song... This one has to be seen to be believed. American Idol links don't stay up very long on YouTube, but if you can find it, watch it. Simon said “What the hell was that?” He said there were a lot of people throwing their television sets out the window. “Absolute indulgent rubbish... Really, really horrific.” Randy thought it was great. “If you can imagine Nine Inch Nails doing a country song, that's what it was. It's current, it's young, it's fresh, it's hot!” (Doesn't he remember that Johnny Cash covered a Nine Inch Nails song, "Hurt", and did an awesome job on it? He must.) Randy Travis, in the audience, was speechless.
Back to the mundane with Scott MacIntyre, the blind pianist, performing "Wild Angels" by Martina McBride. His piano playing was wonderful. His singing, not so much. He really can't hit the low notes. But he was clearly enjoying himself, and that carried him through. The judges were mostly critical, though. Paula thought he was using the piano as a crutch; it separates him from the audience. “We can move it closer,” Scott retorted. Simon thought he didn't choose good songs this week or last week. He thought they were both forgettable. Randy was looking for "hot, crazy unbelievable vocals" from him, and he's not getting them. Kara says they want him to up his game a little bit. “You bring class and poise to that stage.”
Alexis Grace did "Jolene" by Dolly Parton. Brooke White made a mess of this song last year. Alexis was better. I really liked her take on it. There were some pitch problems, but generally it was a very strong performance. The judges disagreed with me. Randy thought she tried to make it bluesy, but it didn't quite work. He mentioned the pitch problems. Kara thought she's lost her edge. It was a little flat for Kara. (I don't think she was talking about pitch, either.) Paula thought it was effective. She enjoyed the vulnerable, soft side of Alexis. Simon thought it was okay, a little bit sound-alike (I.e., she sounded like Dolly Parton). Kara and Paula miss the "dirty". Alexis promised to bring the dirty back if she gets through. With a comment like that, she's sure to be here next week.
I wonder about the contestants who choose to perform songs by past American Idol winners. Danny Gokey picked a Carrie Underwood song, "Jesus Take the Wheel". I never liked this song. (Probably it's the Unitarian-Universalist in my; I wince at anything mentioning Jesus doing something in the present.) Danny sang it well, though. He was stronger on the chorus than he was on the verses, something the judges mentioned. (That's true of a lot of performers on a lot of songs.) Paula thought he was brilliant. She thought Carrie Underwood would go out and buy that record. Simon hated what he was wearing, though (this from a man who only wears black t-shirts?!). It was a white kind of safari jacket. I didn't like it, either.
Anoop Desai was back on track tonight with a stellar performance of "Always on My Mind" by Willie Nelson. I remember the Elvis performance from the early '70s. I'm not a huge Elvis fan, but I loved this song. Paula said “Anoop is back!” She was really proud of him. Tender, honest, amazing, sweet vocals. Simon thought he went from zero to hero. One of his favorite performances of the whole night. Randy said this is the reason they wanted him in the competition. He liked the arrangement. Kara thought it was amazing, probably the best performance of the night, and the biggest surprise.
Megan Joy has dropped the Corkrey again; she did "I Go Walking After Midnight" by Patsy Cline. I did not like this song one bit, and not just because I don't like Megan. It suited her style. Randy thought it was going to be a train wreck, but it was all right. A perfect choice for her. Kara said perfect song, perfect look, and the fact that she has the flu shows what a serious artist she is. Paula pointed out she's been in the hospital with this flu. Simon said she should have flu every week. He didn't like her outfit. She was wearing a long, sleeveless dress that in my opinion would have looked better if she didn't have the tattooed arm.
And last, but probably least...Matt Giraud, the judges' favorite, did "So Small" by Carrie Underwood. Apparently he's like Justin Timberlake, another performer whose appeal I don't understand. I've gotta say, the last note he sang was "so small" it didn't quite get where it was supposed to. But this all slides right by the judges. Kara said he was an artist, a true talent. Paula thought he was an authentic performer. Simon thought he outsang Danny Gokey. Randy thought it was his favorite performance of the night. I have no idea what they see in him.
There were no really strong performances tonight, with the possible exception of Adam Lambert's, although his was so bizarre it's hard to lump it in with the others. One of the weakest performances of the night was by Lil Rounds, but I don't think she'll be voted off. Probably that honor will go to Megan Joy (at last!). It's really hard to judge.
There was a lot of, well, interesting music last night. Randy Travis coached the contestants. I recognize his name, but I can't name one song he's performed. So sue me.
Michael Sarver led off the evening with a song I actually like: "Ain't Goin' Down ('Til the Sun Comes Up)" by Garth Brooks. LaToya London did this song in Season 3 (I know this because I have a - ssh! - slightly illegal download of it on my iPod). The song is characterized by a stream of words done in what's essentially a monotone, with an upbeat chorus. Michael handled the tongue-twisting lyrics very well. I didn't like him coming into this season, but he's made a fan out of me these past two weeks. Okay, the song isn't a huge challenge, and it doesn't have a big range, but it's catchy and fun. The judges weren't impressed, though. Simon summed it up in his usual disdainful manner. He couldn't understand a single word. He thought it was a bit clumsy. "It could have been karaoke night in a country/western club." On a scale of 1 to 10, he gave it a 1.2.
Allison Iraheta performed "Blame It on Your Heart" by Patty Loveless. What a classic name for a country singer, "Loveless"! I've never heard of her, and I didn't like this song. Allison, however, is a great performer, and she carried it off. Kara said she could sing the alphabet and do it well. I suppose that beats singing the phone book... Paula thought she should experiment a little more, at least I think that's what she was trying to say. Simon thought it was good, although tuneless in parts. Randy thought it was “dope”, which I think means he liked it.
Kris Allen (still not one of my favorite performers) did another Garth Brooks song, "To Make You Feel My Love." He wasn't playing the guitar; instead, he sat on a stool to sing. His voice has weaknesses in the low register; all the ends of lines were kind of whispered. There were nice moments, though. The last note wasn't one of them, however; he was screechy and off key. Paula was pleasantly surprised; she thought it was honest, pure and vulnerable. She pointed out that he had pitchy moments; if even Paula noticed them, they had to have been glaringly obvious. Simon, however, thought it was terrific. Great choice of song, completely in control, didn't go over the top. I don't know what Simon sees in Kris, but he'll forgive things he wouldn't forgive in performers he doesn't like. Randy thought he went out on a limb to do these tender moments. “You're a tender dog.”
Lil Rounds proved she isn't a country singer with "Independence Day", by Martina McBride. It was her weakest performance so far. I was cringing for her. All of the judges remarked on how uncomfortable she was with country music. Some of them questioned her song choice. Randy called it "interesting" and "ambitious". He thought she might have done better with a song like "I Will Always Love You" by Dolly Parton. (That song has been horribly overdone, so I'm glad she didn't do it.) Simon, for some reason, insisted on calling her "Little". Okay, there's Lil Wayne, in which the "lil" means "little", but in this case it's a woman's name, a nickname for Lillian or Lily.
At this point the evening took a turn for the bizarre. Adam Lambert, who is in a class by himself, did an arrangement of Johnny Cash's classic "Ring of Fire" that had jaws dropping all over the place. He did a kind of Indian or Egyptian take on it, doing it in a minor key and hitting notes that were definitely not in the original. He reminded me of Freddie Mercury. I've been irritated when Kara makes remarks about not messing with the classics, but in this case, I wonder if Adam should have stayed away from that song... This one has to be seen to be believed. American Idol links don't stay up very long on YouTube, but if you can find it, watch it. Simon said “What the hell was that?” He said there were a lot of people throwing their television sets out the window. “Absolute indulgent rubbish... Really, really horrific.” Randy thought it was great. “If you can imagine Nine Inch Nails doing a country song, that's what it was. It's current, it's young, it's fresh, it's hot!” (Doesn't he remember that Johnny Cash covered a Nine Inch Nails song, "Hurt", and did an awesome job on it? He must.) Randy Travis, in the audience, was speechless.
Back to the mundane with Scott MacIntyre, the blind pianist, performing "Wild Angels" by Martina McBride. His piano playing was wonderful. His singing, not so much. He really can't hit the low notes. But he was clearly enjoying himself, and that carried him through. The judges were mostly critical, though. Paula thought he was using the piano as a crutch; it separates him from the audience. “We can move it closer,” Scott retorted. Simon thought he didn't choose good songs this week or last week. He thought they were both forgettable. Randy was looking for "hot, crazy unbelievable vocals" from him, and he's not getting them. Kara says they want him to up his game a little bit. “You bring class and poise to that stage.”
Alexis Grace did "Jolene" by Dolly Parton. Brooke White made a mess of this song last year. Alexis was better. I really liked her take on it. There were some pitch problems, but generally it was a very strong performance. The judges disagreed with me. Randy thought she tried to make it bluesy, but it didn't quite work. He mentioned the pitch problems. Kara thought she's lost her edge. It was a little flat for Kara. (I don't think she was talking about pitch, either.) Paula thought it was effective. She enjoyed the vulnerable, soft side of Alexis. Simon thought it was okay, a little bit sound-alike (I.e., she sounded like Dolly Parton). Kara and Paula miss the "dirty". Alexis promised to bring the dirty back if she gets through. With a comment like that, she's sure to be here next week.
I wonder about the contestants who choose to perform songs by past American Idol winners. Danny Gokey picked a Carrie Underwood song, "Jesus Take the Wheel". I never liked this song. (Probably it's the Unitarian-Universalist in my; I wince at anything mentioning Jesus doing something in the present.) Danny sang it well, though. He was stronger on the chorus than he was on the verses, something the judges mentioned. (That's true of a lot of performers on a lot of songs.) Paula thought he was brilliant. She thought Carrie Underwood would go out and buy that record. Simon hated what he was wearing, though (this from a man who only wears black t-shirts?!). It was a white kind of safari jacket. I didn't like it, either.
Anoop Desai was back on track tonight with a stellar performance of "Always on My Mind" by Willie Nelson. I remember the Elvis performance from the early '70s. I'm not a huge Elvis fan, but I loved this song. Paula said “Anoop is back!” She was really proud of him. Tender, honest, amazing, sweet vocals. Simon thought he went from zero to hero. One of his favorite performances of the whole night. Randy said this is the reason they wanted him in the competition. He liked the arrangement. Kara thought it was amazing, probably the best performance of the night, and the biggest surprise.
Megan Joy has dropped the Corkrey again; she did "I Go Walking After Midnight" by Patsy Cline. I did not like this song one bit, and not just because I don't like Megan. It suited her style. Randy thought it was going to be a train wreck, but it was all right. A perfect choice for her. Kara said perfect song, perfect look, and the fact that she has the flu shows what a serious artist she is. Paula pointed out she's been in the hospital with this flu. Simon said she should have flu every week. He didn't like her outfit. She was wearing a long, sleeveless dress that in my opinion would have looked better if she didn't have the tattooed arm.
And last, but probably least...Matt Giraud, the judges' favorite, did "So Small" by Carrie Underwood. Apparently he's like Justin Timberlake, another performer whose appeal I don't understand. I've gotta say, the last note he sang was "so small" it didn't quite get where it was supposed to. But this all slides right by the judges. Kara said he was an artist, a true talent. Paula thought he was an authentic performer. Simon thought he outsang Danny Gokey. Randy thought it was his favorite performance of the night. I have no idea what they see in him.
There were no really strong performances tonight, with the possible exception of Adam Lambert's, although his was so bizarre it's hard to lump it in with the others. One of the weakest performances of the night was by Lil Rounds, but I don't think she'll be voted off. Probably that honor will go to Megan Joy (at last!). It's really hard to judge.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
American Idol Update: First 2 Eliminations
There's a new rule on American Idol this year: the judges can veto one elimination, if they feel that a contestant has been eliminated unfairly and/or deserves a second chance. They can do this only once. I can see this has the potential for disaster. The judges have unexplained lusts for certain singers who should not have made it this far. What if America gets it right, and then the judges override it? Then we'd be stuck with another week of Megan Joy Corkrey...which we are, anyway, since apparently America got it wrong.
At least it was two of the weakest contenders who were eliminated. Jasmine Murray really should have waited a couple more years. I don't know whether she'll be allowed to re-audition now. And Jorge Nuñez was also eliminated. I really want to like him, but I have a lot of trouble listening to that syrupy old-fashioned style he favors.
So, there you have it. More American Idol coverage next week!
At least it was two of the weakest contenders who were eliminated. Jasmine Murray really should have waited a couple more years. I don't know whether she'll be allowed to re-audition now. And Jorge Nuñez was also eliminated. I really want to like him, but I have a lot of trouble listening to that syrupy old-fashioned style he favors.
So, there you have it. More American Idol coverage next week!
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
American Idol: And Now the Fun Begins
Last night the Top 13 American Idol contestants gave their first performances in the real competition. Some (wise guy) brilliant producer decided it should be Michael Jackson night. Fortunately, they didn't invite Michael... The selections could be chosen from anything Michael had recorded, even when he was in the Jackson 5. I'm not a huge Michael Jackson fan, can you guess? But I loved Thriller and some of his other 80s stuff. So, I figured, an evening of Michael Jackson might not be that bad. And it had its moments. As usual, I'm going to break it down by performer.
They started out with one of their best, Lil Rounds. She performed "The Way You Make Me Feel". Lil owns the stage. She's very comfortable, sings with passion and flair, and she rarely misses a note. The judges, for the most part, thought she was wonderful, too. Randy thought she made the song new again. Paula said she's a force to be reckoned with. Simon thought it was good, but he thought it was a lazy song choice, the second half was better than the first, and he hated what she was wearing. She had on a pinkish top and white pants. For the record, I thought she looked beautiful.
The blind musician Scott MacIntyre took his seat at the piano to perform "Keep the Faith." His voice was sometimes weak and the notes weren't always true, but his piano playing was good. Kara said she was glad we got to hear him play the piano; she pointed out that he learned the piece just this week. Simon hated it, because "nobody knows it." He's got a point; I never heard of it. But I don't see that as a drawback. Randy thought it was safe; Simon said it was old-fashioned.
Danny Gokey did a song I wasn't all that familiar with, "P.Y.T." (Pretty Young Thing; I had to look it up on Wikipedia.) I didn't think it was one of Danny's stronger performances. I thought his voice was husky and off-key. The judges didn't seem to notice, though. Paula was dancing. Simon thought the vocals were brilliant; Danny was "one heck of a singer, a white guy with soul." The dancing, though, was "hideous." Danny will have no trouble getting through to the next round.
Everybody's favorite oil-rig guy, Michael Sarver, sang "You Are Not Alone." His voice was a lot better than I had remembered. He carried this ballad off beautifully. I was impressed. So were the judges. Simon said he's not the best singer in the competition, but he made up for it with passion, heart, and he gave 110%. Randy thought he was one of the best so far that evening. Kara seemed surprised that he really can sing.
17-year-old Jasmine Murray performed "I'll Be There", a Jackson 5 song. Jasmine has so much potential, but I don't think she hit it last night. She oversang the chorus; it didn't even sound pretty, although other parts sounded lovely. Randy thought she did a pretty good job. Kara was surprised, too. She thought maybe a half-step down would have worked better for her, though. Even the eager-to-please Paula admitted she didn't always sound good. Simon thought it was a good attempt, but he thought big notes would always trouble her. "A little bit robotic at times."
Kris Allen did "Remember the Time," another song I'd never heard before. He was playing the guitar, which was just as well; he's the one who made strumming motions even when he didn't have the guitar. His little, weak voice resembled Michael Jackson's in parts. It wasn't too bad; it just wasn't all that outstanding. Even the judges couldn't find much to say about it. Kara pointed out that Kris helped out the other contestants with their songs during the week. Apparently he's a huge Michael Jackson fan. Simon said it was "interesting." He didn't think it suited the guitar, which made it clumsy. He made an off remark that he wasn't sure Kris should have "brought the wife out" so early. (Kris' lead-in featured his wife of five months.) I'm pretty sure he was referring to the fact that Kris got this far on his looks, and if the fans knew he was happily married, they might not vote for him. Randy also called it interesting (a word he uses when he doesn't especially like a performance).
One of the best performances was by Allison Iraheta, whose pinkish-purplish hair had been cut and styled and looked lovely. She did "Give It to Me", and she was outstanding. I think the song was a little low for her, but she carried it off beautifully. Allison is my early pick as the winner of this competition. Of course, the judges loved her. Paula said she was a rock star. (Allison was dressed in a kind of punky outfit with chains). (Bad pun alert: Allison Chains!) Simon thought she should lighten up a bit. Allison had the perfect retort for him: “I'm not dark, I'm not like cutting myself.” Reminds me that she's only 16.
Anoop Desai, who was the 13th member of the Top 12, did "Beat It." Now, I thought it was great. I loved how he owned the stage, how he played to the audience. I thought the song was perfect for his upbeat style. The judges, however, were harsh and critical. All of them said it was "karaoke". He hadn't put anything of himself into it. Kara (I didn't write this down, but I think it was her) said that some songs just shouldn't be touched (because the original was such a classic), and this was one of them. Funny - if I was going to download anything from last night, it would have been this.
Jorge Nuñez did "Never Could Say Goodbye," another Jackson 5 song. Jorge has a lovely voice, but I don't think this was a good song for him. He had some pitch problems. Randy said exactly the same thing I did (I always thought Randy had good musical sense!). Kara didn't like it, either; she didn't get the emotional connection. Paula asked him why he chose that song. Jorge thought it fit his voice. “I wasn't going to sing 'Bad' by Michael Jackson,” he said, to which Simon responded “Well, you sort of did.” Simon says it was corny and “you're out of your depth,” and the arrangement was absolutely awful, old-fashioned, he couldn't wait for it to end.
Blonde Megan Joy Corkrey made a terrible song choice; she selected "Rockin' Robin," a 50s song that was covered by the Jackson 5. It was totally not in the spirit of the evening, in my opinion, because the song had nothing whatsoever of Michael Jackson in it. I suppose this was the only song she could find that fit her style. She did an adequate job of it, but it was lightweight to begin with. Kara said it wasn't the most overwhelming vocal performance. Paula felt disconnected from Megan's usual quirkiness. Simon said “What a stupid song choice. The vocals weren't very good, the dancing was verging on ridiculous, the whole performance was clumsy and awkward.” Randy also disagreed with the song choice; he thought it didn't allow her to really be Megan. She gets my vote as the Most Likely to be Eliminated Tonight. Blonde and pretty can only carry her so far, and this should be the end of the line.
Polished performer Adam Lambert did an outstanding job on "Black and White." He was comfortable on the stage, reaching down to touch the hands of some of the audience, singing with a lot of passion. He reduced the judges to babbling. Paula went on about how wonderful he is, how comfortable on the stage he is. Simon said it was in a totally different league to everything else they've heard or seen tonight. Adam was comfortable, he made the song his own.
The Dueling Pianist Matt Giraud, of course, chose to play the piano while he sang "Human Nature." I always liked this song, but I didn't like his performance of it. For some reason, the judges loved it. I still haven't figured out what they see in him.
Alexis Grace finished out the evening with "Dirty Diana", another song I'd never heard before. She has a very bluesy style, and this song suited it well. It doesn't have much of a vocal range, though. Kara said she was a naughty girl and she liked it. Paula pointed out that Alexis oversang. Simon said it wasn't as good as she thought it was. Randy liked her attitude.
I believe that two performers will be eliminated tonight. (They mentioned it at the beginning, but my sons were talking to me and I didn't back up the TiVo to play it again.) One of them should be Megan Joy Corkrey. The other one? I have no idea. I wouldn't be surprised if Jorge Nuñez was voted off; he's kind of old-fashioned. It could be Jasmine Murray. It could be Anoop Desai, if his fan base doesn't carry him through. Or it might be one of the two weakest guys in my opinion, Kris Allen or Matt Giraud. Time will tell. Watch this space - I'll talk about it tomorrow!
They started out with one of their best, Lil Rounds. She performed "The Way You Make Me Feel". Lil owns the stage. She's very comfortable, sings with passion and flair, and she rarely misses a note. The judges, for the most part, thought she was wonderful, too. Randy thought she made the song new again. Paula said she's a force to be reckoned with. Simon thought it was good, but he thought it was a lazy song choice, the second half was better than the first, and he hated what she was wearing. She had on a pinkish top and white pants. For the record, I thought she looked beautiful.
The blind musician Scott MacIntyre took his seat at the piano to perform "Keep the Faith." His voice was sometimes weak and the notes weren't always true, but his piano playing was good. Kara said she was glad we got to hear him play the piano; she pointed out that he learned the piece just this week. Simon hated it, because "nobody knows it." He's got a point; I never heard of it. But I don't see that as a drawback. Randy thought it was safe; Simon said it was old-fashioned.
Danny Gokey did a song I wasn't all that familiar with, "P.Y.T." (Pretty Young Thing; I had to look it up on Wikipedia.) I didn't think it was one of Danny's stronger performances. I thought his voice was husky and off-key. The judges didn't seem to notice, though. Paula was dancing. Simon thought the vocals were brilliant; Danny was "one heck of a singer, a white guy with soul." The dancing, though, was "hideous." Danny will have no trouble getting through to the next round.
Everybody's favorite oil-rig guy, Michael Sarver, sang "You Are Not Alone." His voice was a lot better than I had remembered. He carried this ballad off beautifully. I was impressed. So were the judges. Simon said he's not the best singer in the competition, but he made up for it with passion, heart, and he gave 110%. Randy thought he was one of the best so far that evening. Kara seemed surprised that he really can sing.
17-year-old Jasmine Murray performed "I'll Be There", a Jackson 5 song. Jasmine has so much potential, but I don't think she hit it last night. She oversang the chorus; it didn't even sound pretty, although other parts sounded lovely. Randy thought she did a pretty good job. Kara was surprised, too. She thought maybe a half-step down would have worked better for her, though. Even the eager-to-please Paula admitted she didn't always sound good. Simon thought it was a good attempt, but he thought big notes would always trouble her. "A little bit robotic at times."
Kris Allen did "Remember the Time," another song I'd never heard before. He was playing the guitar, which was just as well; he's the one who made strumming motions even when he didn't have the guitar. His little, weak voice resembled Michael Jackson's in parts. It wasn't too bad; it just wasn't all that outstanding. Even the judges couldn't find much to say about it. Kara pointed out that Kris helped out the other contestants with their songs during the week. Apparently he's a huge Michael Jackson fan. Simon said it was "interesting." He didn't think it suited the guitar, which made it clumsy. He made an off remark that he wasn't sure Kris should have "brought the wife out" so early. (Kris' lead-in featured his wife of five months.) I'm pretty sure he was referring to the fact that Kris got this far on his looks, and if the fans knew he was happily married, they might not vote for him. Randy also called it interesting (a word he uses when he doesn't especially like a performance).
One of the best performances was by Allison Iraheta, whose pinkish-purplish hair had been cut and styled and looked lovely. She did "Give It to Me", and she was outstanding. I think the song was a little low for her, but she carried it off beautifully. Allison is my early pick as the winner of this competition. Of course, the judges loved her. Paula said she was a rock star. (Allison was dressed in a kind of punky outfit with chains). (Bad pun alert: Allison Chains!) Simon thought she should lighten up a bit. Allison had the perfect retort for him: “I'm not dark, I'm not like cutting myself.” Reminds me that she's only 16.
Anoop Desai, who was the 13th member of the Top 12, did "Beat It." Now, I thought it was great. I loved how he owned the stage, how he played to the audience. I thought the song was perfect for his upbeat style. The judges, however, were harsh and critical. All of them said it was "karaoke". He hadn't put anything of himself into it. Kara (I didn't write this down, but I think it was her) said that some songs just shouldn't be touched (because the original was such a classic), and this was one of them. Funny - if I was going to download anything from last night, it would have been this.
Jorge Nuñez did "Never Could Say Goodbye," another Jackson 5 song. Jorge has a lovely voice, but I don't think this was a good song for him. He had some pitch problems. Randy said exactly the same thing I did (I always thought Randy had good musical sense!). Kara didn't like it, either; she didn't get the emotional connection. Paula asked him why he chose that song. Jorge thought it fit his voice. “I wasn't going to sing 'Bad' by Michael Jackson,” he said, to which Simon responded “Well, you sort of did.” Simon says it was corny and “you're out of your depth,” and the arrangement was absolutely awful, old-fashioned, he couldn't wait for it to end.
Blonde Megan Joy Corkrey made a terrible song choice; she selected "Rockin' Robin," a 50s song that was covered by the Jackson 5. It was totally not in the spirit of the evening, in my opinion, because the song had nothing whatsoever of Michael Jackson in it. I suppose this was the only song she could find that fit her style. She did an adequate job of it, but it was lightweight to begin with. Kara said it wasn't the most overwhelming vocal performance. Paula felt disconnected from Megan's usual quirkiness. Simon said “What a stupid song choice. The vocals weren't very good, the dancing was verging on ridiculous, the whole performance was clumsy and awkward.” Randy also disagreed with the song choice; he thought it didn't allow her to really be Megan. She gets my vote as the Most Likely to be Eliminated Tonight. Blonde and pretty can only carry her so far, and this should be the end of the line.
Polished performer Adam Lambert did an outstanding job on "Black and White." He was comfortable on the stage, reaching down to touch the hands of some of the audience, singing with a lot of passion. He reduced the judges to babbling. Paula went on about how wonderful he is, how comfortable on the stage he is. Simon said it was in a totally different league to everything else they've heard or seen tonight. Adam was comfortable, he made the song his own.
The Dueling Pianist Matt Giraud, of course, chose to play the piano while he sang "Human Nature." I always liked this song, but I didn't like his performance of it. For some reason, the judges loved it. I still haven't figured out what they see in him.
Alexis Grace finished out the evening with "Dirty Diana", another song I'd never heard before. She has a very bluesy style, and this song suited it well. It doesn't have much of a vocal range, though. Kara said she was a naughty girl and she liked it. Paula pointed out that Alexis oversang. Simon said it wasn't as good as she thought it was. Randy liked her attitude.
I believe that two performers will be eliminated tonight. (They mentioned it at the beginning, but my sons were talking to me and I didn't back up the TiVo to play it again.) One of them should be Megan Joy Corkrey. The other one? I have no idea. I wouldn't be surprised if Jorge Nuñez was voted off; he's kind of old-fashioned. It could be Jasmine Murray. It could be Anoop Desai, if his fan base doesn't carry him through. Or it might be one of the two weakest guys in my opinion, Kris Allen or Matt Giraud. Time will tell. Watch this space - I'll talk about it tomorrow!
Friday, March 6, 2009
American Idol's Top 13
I'm miffed at the Wild Card picks. Only one of the three I picked, Anoop Desai, got through, even though they added a fourth pick. I'm kind of glad that Jasmine Murray made it, because I've liked her from the start. But she's just a kid, and she could come back another year. I'll miss Jesse Langseth. And those @$$hole judges blew off Ricky Braddy, even though he gave a stellar performance.
My TiVo cut off the end of the show, so I don't know how they spun the addition of a 13th finalist. (CSI is sooo much more important!) All I know is that when I checked the website this morning, there was a headline: "Introducing your Top 13!"In addition to Jasmine and Anoop, the blonde and pretty but otherwise not especially talented Megan Corkrey (who seems to have dropped her last name and is now going by Megan Joy) got through. And Matt Giraud, the Dueling Pianist, got in. Simon often criticizes performers for being "forgettable." Well, Matt Giraud has yet to make an impression on me; I can never remember what he looks like or what he sang.
Sooooo, we have a Top 13 Contestants. 9 of them, in my opinion, deserve to be there. 4 of them got through on something other than talent. I'm guessing Kris Allen got through because, as Simon said, "the chicks" are going to love him. Megan Blonde Joy wiggled her ass at the right people. Matt Giraud murdered "Viva la Vida", and was granted a second chance for no apparent reason except that the judges liked him. And Michael Sarver got through because he's a blue-collar salt-of-the-earth type. Meanwhile, a lot of more deserving contestants were sent packing. The show will be poorer for their loss. Sigh. I'll watch it anyway, I know I will.
My TiVo cut off the end of the show, so I don't know how they spun the addition of a 13th finalist. (CSI is sooo much more important!) All I know is that when I checked the website this morning, there was a headline: "Introducing your Top 13!"In addition to Jasmine and Anoop, the blonde and pretty but otherwise not especially talented Megan Corkrey (who seems to have dropped her last name and is now going by Megan Joy) got through. And Matt Giraud, the Dueling Pianist, got in. Simon often criticizes performers for being "forgettable." Well, Matt Giraud has yet to make an impression on me; I can never remember what he looks like or what he sang.
Sooooo, we have a Top 13 Contestants. 9 of them, in my opinion, deserve to be there. 4 of them got through on something other than talent. I'm guessing Kris Allen got through because, as Simon said, "the chicks" are going to love him. Megan Blonde Joy wiggled her ass at the right people. Matt Giraud murdered "Viva la Vida", and was granted a second chance for no apparent reason except that the judges liked him. And Michael Sarver got through because he's a blue-collar salt-of-the-earth type. Meanwhile, a lot of more deserving contestants were sent packing. The show will be poorer for their loss. Sigh. I'll watch it anyway, I know I will.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
American Idol: Third 3 Finalists
I suppose I shouldn't be applauded for predicting the obvious. However, I picked all the finalists correctly. (Okay, I made three choices for the third-place position, but one of them was right!)
Lil Rounds got through easily. She is a very talented young woman, and she deserves the attention the media is giving her.
Scott MacIntyre also got through. He's a very compelling young man; you can't help but like him. A lot of people will vote for him because he's blind and does so much with his life. I think he deserves to be in the Top 12, but he doesn't have the best voice in the competition, so he shouldn't make it to the Top 6.
Third place went to Jorge Nuñez. He sings well, and he deserves the place. Of course, so did Ju'not Joyner, and he didn't get through...
After the three finalists were announced, the judges announced the eight people who would be competing for the three Wild Card positions. Several of my favorites got in, notably Jesse Langseth and Anoop Desai. I'm hoping that the fact they were announced last means that they're the top contenders, but it probably doesn't. Here's a listing of the wild card contestants:
Von Smith. Oh, well. He reminds me of a Kewpie doll.
The horrifying Tatiana del Toro. I really hoped we had seen the last of her. I have no idea what possessed them to recall her. Okay, she can sing, but who needs the dramatics?
Ricky Braddy is getting a well-deserved break. He should have gotten Michael Sarver's spot, and it bothers me that he didn't. I cheered when they announced his name.
Megan Corkrey. Sigh. Her number 1 "talent" is that she's blonde and pretty, and it doesn't hurt that Simon likes her.
Matt Giraud. I can't remember much about him, except that his profession was given as Dueling Pianist.
Jasmine Murray, who deserves a second chance.
And the two I already mentioned, Anoop Desai and Jesse Langseth.
Only three of these eight can get through, and I can see three very strong contenders who would have my vote: Anoop, Jesse, and Ricky. Jasmine should come back in a couple of years; she's only 17. She and Mishavonna Henson and Stevie Wright would make a great set of finalists in a year or two.
Lil Rounds got through easily. She is a very talented young woman, and she deserves the attention the media is giving her.
Scott MacIntyre also got through. He's a very compelling young man; you can't help but like him. A lot of people will vote for him because he's blind and does so much with his life. I think he deserves to be in the Top 12, but he doesn't have the best voice in the competition, so he shouldn't make it to the Top 6.
Third place went to Jorge Nuñez. He sings well, and he deserves the place. Of course, so did Ju'not Joyner, and he didn't get through...
After the three finalists were announced, the judges announced the eight people who would be competing for the three Wild Card positions. Several of my favorites got in, notably Jesse Langseth and Anoop Desai. I'm hoping that the fact they were announced last means that they're the top contenders, but it probably doesn't. Here's a listing of the wild card contestants:
Von Smith. Oh, well. He reminds me of a Kewpie doll.
The horrifying Tatiana del Toro. I really hoped we had seen the last of her. I have no idea what possessed them to recall her. Okay, she can sing, but who needs the dramatics?
Ricky Braddy is getting a well-deserved break. He should have gotten Michael Sarver's spot, and it bothers me that he didn't. I cheered when they announced his name.
Megan Corkrey. Sigh. Her number 1 "talent" is that she's blonde and pretty, and it doesn't hurt that Simon likes her.
Matt Giraud. I can't remember much about him, except that his profession was given as Dueling Pianist.
Jasmine Murray, who deserves a second chance.
And the two I already mentioned, Anoop Desai and Jesse Langseth.
Only three of these eight can get through, and I can see three very strong contenders who would have my vote: Anoop, Jesse, and Ricky. Jasmine should come back in a couple of years; she's only 17. She and Mishavonna Henson and Stevie Wright would make a great set of finalists in a year or two.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
American Idol, Third Elimination Round
This week, I wasn't as impressed by the singers as I was last week. Except for Lil Rounds. She is outstanding. Let me recap the performances:
Von Smith – "You're All I Need to Get By", by Marvin Gaye
He's a good singer, but he's kind of weird-looking. Simon said Von reminded him of Clay Aiken. I don't think Von is quite that dorky, but he's a little creepy. Paula said he was spicier than Clay, and I think she's right. The judges thought he did better than he had during Hollywood Week. Even Simon said he sang very well.
Taylor Vaifanua – "If I Ain't Got You", by Alicia Keys
She's only 17, but she sounds much older, a very mature voice. Not a perfect performance, though; missed pitches at the lower register, and weak high notes. Kara thinks more of her personality should come through; the performance left her a little bit cold. Paula wishes she'd done a new song instead of repeating the one she did during Hollywood Week. Simon couldn't remember her from the earlier rounds; he thinks this song was very generic, bland. Randy thought it was kind of boring.
Alex Wagner-Trugman – "I Guess That's Why They Call it the Blues", by Elton John
Here is a kid with a decent voice, and he ruined this performance by oversinging and shrieking and growling. He was trying to dance, and I found it embarrassing to watch. Paula said “Alex, you certainly are the showman. You gave us our money's worth.” Simon said “We had fun watching you, just not listening to you.” The “ridiculous growling” halfway through was just stupid. “You're like a little hamster trying to be a tiger.” Randy didn't like the vocals, either. Kara said, at least he's being himself. She didn't like the growly shouting, either. I had high hopes for Alex, but I think this is the end of the line for him.
Arianna Afsar – "The Winner Takes it All", by ABBA
Arianna was one of my early favorites. She's got a great voice and a very bubbly personality. But this song was not a good choice for her. She didn't sound good on it. There were a few nice spots, but in general, it wasn't a good fit for her voice. Simon thought it was absolutely terrible, a huge, huge mistake, the song was too big for her, and it was a dreary arrangement. Her worst performance. Randy didn't think it was the right song for her. Kara thought it was dark and depressing, too serious, gloomy. She's only 17, so maybe she can come back another year.
Ju'not Joyner – "Hey There Delilah", by the Plain White Ts
I hate this song, which probably affected my opinion of Ju'not's performance. I like Ju'not's voice, and I wish he'd done something a little less bland and boring. The judges disagreed with me, though. Randy thought he made a smart choice; he loved it. Kara liked his spin on this song. Simon said it was better than he thought it was going to be. A little bit safe.
Kristen McNamara – "Give Me One Reason", by Tracy Chapman
I thought this song would be a good choice for her, but it really wasn't. She's avoiding the low notes by singing repeated notes an octave higher; I think she's made the song boring. It's better after the key change. Very high shrieky note just before the end. Kara thinks she's a great singer, but she thought she should have more of a rock edge. Paula thought it was safe. Simon thought the song choice was odd. He doesn't think she knows who she is. Randy agrees; he thinks the song is easy, but she tried to do too much with it. Used the dreaded “karaoke” word. I don't think Kristen will be back.
Nathaniel Marshall – "I Would Do Anything for Love", by Meat Loaf
Ah, my favorite drama queen! This is an odd song choice for him. I don't like his look – the headband and the pierced lip. I realize that spiky hair is stylish, but I don't like it. He's not singing that well, either. He had pitch problems. I think he chose the song for its rhythmic changes (slow section followed by fast section). Simon says “I think you probably would.” (implying "do anything for love.") He thought the performance was verging on excruciating. He hated the headband, too, and thought the song choice was weird. “At least people are going to remember you.” Randy is curious about the song choice. Kara thinks he should have picked a more serious song - but she wants to go to karaoke with him. Paula thought it was the Boy George version of Meat Loaf's song. I liked him better on "Disturbia" during Hollywood Week. I don't know whether Nathaniel will get through. He might.
Felicia Barton – "No One", by Alicia Keys
Felicia's the Bonus Girl; she got called in when Joanna Pacitti was cut. I didn't remember her from Hollywood Week, and I don't really like her voice. The ornaments aren't good, and she's got some pitch problems. Paula liked it, and she's glad they brought her back. Simon thought the first half was better than the second half; it's a bit copycat. Randy thought it was good. Kara thought this is her best look, she had a few problems with some of the notes, but she noticed her. I don't think she'll get through based on this performance.
Scott MacIntyre – "Mandolin Rain", by Bruce Hornsby
I like Scott; it's hard not to. His voice isn't perfect, but he's good and he's compelling. I thought this was an excellent song choice for him. Randy said the parts that were great were really, really great. He could feel the passion. Kara said he moves mountains when he steps on that stage. Simon wasn't crazy about the song, especially some of the lyrics, but Scott's growing on him, because he's starting to believe in himself. Simon said Scott's the one he'll remember. I think Scott had one of the best performances of the evening, and I hope he wins the guys' vote.
Kendall Beard – "This One's for the Girls", by Martina McBride
Another blonde country singer, just what the world needs... She had some pitch problems with the song, and I think she's a boring singer. Kara picked up on the wrong notes and pitch problems. Paula liked her outfit. (I didn't; it looked like a yellow trash bag.) Simon thought she probably did the right thing tonight, but halfway through he couldn't wait for it to end. He thought she could have chosen a song which better suited her voice. Randy liked the song choice, but it wasn't her best vocal performance. I hope this is the last we see of Kendall.
Jorge Nuñez – "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me", by Elton John
Okay, maybe I've got a dirty mind, but this song's title makes me wince. Jorge has a nice voice, and he's good at ballads like this one. The judges had suggested earlier in the competition that Jorge work on losing his accent, and he did. Simon wondered if this was a good idea; maybe a little accent would be a good thing for Jorge. Randy says it wasn't the perfect vocal, but it was really, really good. Kara says he was born to sing. Jorge is my best candidate for the third-place position.
Lil Rounds – "Be Without You", by Mary J. Blige
This was the outstanding performance of the evening, the one I remember. She's very talented. Puts in her own little commercial at the end of the song - “Call this show if you just can't be without me, babe”. Simon said “Brilliant.” He thought she had great, great prospects, one of the best singers they've found so far this year. Randy agreed she's one of the best. Kara and Paula agreed, too.
Lil Rounds will get through. She has to – she's the best. Scott MacIntyre will probably go through for the guys, although he might not have the best voice of them. Third place will probably go to a guy again; there weren't any other women who were very good. I'm guessing either Jorge Nuñez, Ju'not Joyner, or Von Smith. Maybe Nathaniel Marshall, if his fan base is large enough. We'd miss his dramatics.
Von Smith – "You're All I Need to Get By", by Marvin Gaye
He's a good singer, but he's kind of weird-looking. Simon said Von reminded him of Clay Aiken. I don't think Von is quite that dorky, but he's a little creepy. Paula said he was spicier than Clay, and I think she's right. The judges thought he did better than he had during Hollywood Week. Even Simon said he sang very well.
Taylor Vaifanua – "If I Ain't Got You", by Alicia Keys
She's only 17, but she sounds much older, a very mature voice. Not a perfect performance, though; missed pitches at the lower register, and weak high notes. Kara thinks more of her personality should come through; the performance left her a little bit cold. Paula wishes she'd done a new song instead of repeating the one she did during Hollywood Week. Simon couldn't remember her from the earlier rounds; he thinks this song was very generic, bland. Randy thought it was kind of boring.
Alex Wagner-Trugman – "I Guess That's Why They Call it the Blues", by Elton John
Here is a kid with a decent voice, and he ruined this performance by oversinging and shrieking and growling. He was trying to dance, and I found it embarrassing to watch. Paula said “Alex, you certainly are the showman. You gave us our money's worth.” Simon said “We had fun watching you, just not listening to you.” The “ridiculous growling” halfway through was just stupid. “You're like a little hamster trying to be a tiger.” Randy didn't like the vocals, either. Kara said, at least he's being himself. She didn't like the growly shouting, either. I had high hopes for Alex, but I think this is the end of the line for him.
Arianna Afsar – "The Winner Takes it All", by ABBA
Arianna was one of my early favorites. She's got a great voice and a very bubbly personality. But this song was not a good choice for her. She didn't sound good on it. There were a few nice spots, but in general, it wasn't a good fit for her voice. Simon thought it was absolutely terrible, a huge, huge mistake, the song was too big for her, and it was a dreary arrangement. Her worst performance. Randy didn't think it was the right song for her. Kara thought it was dark and depressing, too serious, gloomy. She's only 17, so maybe she can come back another year.
Ju'not Joyner – "Hey There Delilah", by the Plain White Ts
I hate this song, which probably affected my opinion of Ju'not's performance. I like Ju'not's voice, and I wish he'd done something a little less bland and boring. The judges disagreed with me, though. Randy thought he made a smart choice; he loved it. Kara liked his spin on this song. Simon said it was better than he thought it was going to be. A little bit safe.
Kristen McNamara – "Give Me One Reason", by Tracy Chapman
I thought this song would be a good choice for her, but it really wasn't. She's avoiding the low notes by singing repeated notes an octave higher; I think she's made the song boring. It's better after the key change. Very high shrieky note just before the end. Kara thinks she's a great singer, but she thought she should have more of a rock edge. Paula thought it was safe. Simon thought the song choice was odd. He doesn't think she knows who she is. Randy agrees; he thinks the song is easy, but she tried to do too much with it. Used the dreaded “karaoke” word. I don't think Kristen will be back.
Nathaniel Marshall – "I Would Do Anything for Love", by Meat Loaf
Ah, my favorite drama queen! This is an odd song choice for him. I don't like his look – the headband and the pierced lip. I realize that spiky hair is stylish, but I don't like it. He's not singing that well, either. He had pitch problems. I think he chose the song for its rhythmic changes (slow section followed by fast section). Simon says “I think you probably would.” (implying "do anything for love.") He thought the performance was verging on excruciating. He hated the headband, too, and thought the song choice was weird. “At least people are going to remember you.” Randy is curious about the song choice. Kara thinks he should have picked a more serious song - but she wants to go to karaoke with him. Paula thought it was the Boy George version of Meat Loaf's song. I liked him better on "Disturbia" during Hollywood Week. I don't know whether Nathaniel will get through. He might.
Felicia Barton – "No One", by Alicia Keys
Felicia's the Bonus Girl; she got called in when Joanna Pacitti was cut. I didn't remember her from Hollywood Week, and I don't really like her voice. The ornaments aren't good, and she's got some pitch problems. Paula liked it, and she's glad they brought her back. Simon thought the first half was better than the second half; it's a bit copycat. Randy thought it was good. Kara thought this is her best look, she had a few problems with some of the notes, but she noticed her. I don't think she'll get through based on this performance.
Scott MacIntyre – "Mandolin Rain", by Bruce Hornsby
I like Scott; it's hard not to. His voice isn't perfect, but he's good and he's compelling. I thought this was an excellent song choice for him. Randy said the parts that were great were really, really great. He could feel the passion. Kara said he moves mountains when he steps on that stage. Simon wasn't crazy about the song, especially some of the lyrics, but Scott's growing on him, because he's starting to believe in himself. Simon said Scott's the one he'll remember. I think Scott had one of the best performances of the evening, and I hope he wins the guys' vote.
Kendall Beard – "This One's for the Girls", by Martina McBride
Another blonde country singer, just what the world needs... She had some pitch problems with the song, and I think she's a boring singer. Kara picked up on the wrong notes and pitch problems. Paula liked her outfit. (I didn't; it looked like a yellow trash bag.) Simon thought she probably did the right thing tonight, but halfway through he couldn't wait for it to end. He thought she could have chosen a song which better suited her voice. Randy liked the song choice, but it wasn't her best vocal performance. I hope this is the last we see of Kendall.
Jorge Nuñez – "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me", by Elton John
Okay, maybe I've got a dirty mind, but this song's title makes me wince. Jorge has a nice voice, and he's good at ballads like this one. The judges had suggested earlier in the competition that Jorge work on losing his accent, and he did. Simon wondered if this was a good idea; maybe a little accent would be a good thing for Jorge. Randy says it wasn't the perfect vocal, but it was really, really good. Kara says he was born to sing. Jorge is my best candidate for the third-place position.
Lil Rounds – "Be Without You", by Mary J. Blige
This was the outstanding performance of the evening, the one I remember. She's very talented. Puts in her own little commercial at the end of the song - “Call this show if you just can't be without me, babe”. Simon said “Brilliant.” He thought she had great, great prospects, one of the best singers they've found so far this year. Randy agreed she's one of the best. Kara and Paula agreed, too.
Lil Rounds will get through. She has to – she's the best. Scott MacIntyre will probably go through for the guys, although he might not have the best voice of them. Third place will probably go to a guy again; there weren't any other women who were very good. I'm guessing either Jorge Nuñez, Ju'not Joyner, or Von Smith. Maybe Nathaniel Marshall, if his fan base is large enough. We'd miss his dramatics.
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