Theme: Country
Celebrity Guest: Martina McBride
"Country music is about story telling" says Martina McBride.
Well, let's tell the story of what occurred last night.
So Phil Stacey started us off tonight doing his rendition of Keith Urban's "Where the Black Top Ends". I was worried when Phil walked out without a hat, but he actually didn't look that bad. I often hear comments about him looking sickly or like an alien. Since this competition has seemed to move away from focusing on singing, we have to comment on the looks as Paula does. I had a strong feeling that Phil was going to do alright tonight and I think I was right. We may have found Phil's genre. He had good energy and looked like he enjoyed being up there. Now, he's been in the bottom three or the past few weeks, so will this be enough to keep him safe.
Judges comments:
Randy, "You could have a career in country music. That was really good."
Paula, "You sounded good from the beginning to the end."
Simon "Well, it has only taken 10 weeks. This is the only time I've thought you've chosen a good song and the style of music suited you and we saw some personality."
Next up was Jordin Sparks singing "Broken Wing" by Martina McBride. Martina loved Jordin during practice, but will she pull it off on the big stage? Each week the judges, especially Randy, comment on Jordin's age. Tonight her style made her look older and I'm really not sure about what she was wearing. Her voice sounded a little shaky at times. In my opinion, this isn't the best we've heard from he, but it was definitely enough to keep her around for another week.
Judges comments:
Randy, "One of the most difficult songs to sing. Dude that was the bomb, another great performance.
Paula, "You look gorgeous (blah, blah blah). Great job."
Simon, "This is the first time since we've met where I've actually believed based on that performance that you could win American Idol."
Well, I obviously didn't see eye to eye with the judges. J
Sanjaya, Sanjaya, Sanjaya. When will he go home? He came out tonight singing "Something to Talk About" by Bonnie Rait. He definitely gives us something to talk about each week. This week, however, he is back to the early days of being dreadfully bad. He’s gotten by these past several weeks by with his gimics. This week we only saw the earrings and the curly hair pulled back in the bandana. I definitely expected him to come out in a cowboy had a chaps. I watched and wondered why in the world is he still here. I’d rather see Chicken Little or Bucky “Sweet Tea” Covington. This is supposed to be a singing competition. He has to go people!! When will America get it right? Maybe tonight’s the night.
Judges Comments:
Randy, "Keeping it real, that was karaoke. Vocally it wasn't very good at all."
Paula, "We are watching someone that loves adversity. You're a loveable guy."
Simon, "Utterly horrendous. As bad as anything we'd see at the beginning of American Idol."
Next up was Lakisha Jones singing "Jesus Take the Wheel" by Carrie Underwood. I was worried for Lakisha. Do you think it was smart to sing a song by a previous winner, especially someone as popular as Carrie Underwood who just took home several CMA awards? She's had big shoes to fill. Lakisha may be on her way out. This week definitely wasn't the best one for her. A little pitchy at times. She wasn't able to show her "big ole voice." It wasn't exciting at all and I think she is losing her "wow" factor. She needs to step it up big time or she will be gone very soon.
Judges Comments:
Randy, "For me, this had some pitch problems. Not my favorite vocals of yours. Could have done more with it."
Paula, "Coming from where we are sitting, I'm going to have to agree with Randy."
Simon, "It's like eating a hamburger for breakfast, it doesn't go together. It didn't feel like it had a natural soul to it. You were the one to beat and you have not got to choose the right songs."
Can Chris pull off country? Well he came out singing "Mayburry" by Rascal Flats. He had some of the band next to home on stage, but was it enough. Martina seemed to think he’d be able to pull it off. The interesting part of Chris' performance for me is that his voice has a little twang to it that didn't sound that bad with country music. It wasn't his best performance and he may find himself in the bottom three again. Nothing memorable about it.
Judges Comments:
Randy, "You sang it ok, but I didn't feel any connection with you. I felt lost during the song."
Paula, "The joy and the love you have on stage didn't come through."
Simon, "Heard a very nondescript, nasally, tinny vocal that had no impact on me at all. Completely and utterly insignificant."
Well, let's see if Melinda Dolittle can pull it off once again. So far last night was well below par. At this stage in the competition we should be seeing top notch performances. Some might say that it isn't fair because country may not be their genre. Well, they all knew that country was coming when they signed up to be here. They should have started working towards this night from the start. Melinda played a risky, but smart move by singing a song that many people aren't familiar with. She sang "Trouble is a Woman" by Julie Reeves. And once again she knocked it out the park. She showed us a little sassiness and commanded the stage. If she isn't our American Idol, I don't know who is (yes, I am showing a little bias here, but I'm sure most of us are thinking the same thing).
Judges Comments:
Randy, "All I can say, its another solid performance from our resident pro."
Paula, "A girl that knows how to pick the right song and sing her heart out."
Simon, "It was fantastic. It was a great choice of song. Saw a little bit of Tina Turner."
Last up was Blake singing Tim McGraw's "When the Stars go Blue". Blake sang it straight tonight with not a lot of extras. It wasn't exciting or special, which is what I look forward to with Blake. When I think of the best moments from last night, I won't think of his performance. It was probably enough to keep him around for another week, but you can't be sure.
Judges Comments:
Randy, "Love your sense of style. Picked the right song and the arrangement suited you. Love that you know who you are."
Paula, "You kind of have the whole package."
Simon, "It wasn’t' a jumping out of my chair performance, thought it was ok."
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Call me cynical, but I was so pleased when I saw Simon roll his eyes, as I was, when Chris played the V-tech card. The incident-- http://www.ifilm.com/video/2845448--is apparently causing quit a stir. At the very least, we can all hope, this incident might knock the Imus story off the air.
ReplyDeleteI think Simon is safe. However, the show has already made some mistakes in dealing with the potential PR problem offering conflicting defenses:
1. FOX executive said: "Look, in his defense, Simon felt Chris was cynically deflecting his criticism...It was unfortunate... he clearly was unaware the camera was on him when he rolled his eyes."
2. “… but Simon was not reacting to Chris at that point. He had turned to speak to Paula and didn't actually hear Chris' final comments."
Source: http://www.drudgereport.com/flash6i.htm
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D8OJ6FSO0&show_article=1
I think he would be well advised to stick to the first defense, as it is the more plausible. The second defense appears to lack veracity and has the appearance of conceding that a roll of the eyes was unjustified.
Above all, he should refuse to apologize, unless of course, he is willing to announce that he is going to rehab…perhaps, an anger management clinic, since the substance abuse excuse is reserved for Paula’s upcoming outrageous act.
~Michael
I really wanted to see Sanjaya come out in chaps, a 10 gallon hat, spurs, and singing "Like a Rhinestone Cowboy". If he would have done that, I would have voted for him. As it is, he has to go! NOW!
ReplyDeleteHere are some comments from Linda Sharp, love her:
ReplyDeleteWith the lights low, Ryan did what I had hoped he would do, acknowledge VT , "At this difficult time, we want to say to all those affected by the terrible tragedy at Virginia Tech, our thoughts and prayers are with you...THIS. IS. AMERICAN. IDOL."
OK, maybe I had hoped he would do it a little differently.
Seriously, no segue? No decent pause? No, "to that end, we hope to lighten the mood to what small extent we can"?
A little harsh there, Ryan. Perhaps a refresher in Public Speaking 101 is in order?
But onward we move...into the Idolvator, up the spiraling esophagus, and horked out onto the neon tongue.
Coming out on stage, Philly Cash was the man in black tonight – dressed in black JEANS, boots, and a black shirt highlighted with silver pinstripes. And no hat. Now come on. On a night when a ten gallon would have not only been appropriate, but would have probably looked great on him, this man who has been making a career out of sporting half pint caps, chooses to go without?
Nice of them to compliment him so much, but I bet if we shook Phil’s Magic 8 Ball of a head, we would see in his eyes the answer "Outlook not so good".
Striding out on to the stage in JEANS, an untucked gray shirt, some gold chains, and that two story bandana, Sanjaya started singing Let’s Give Them Something To Talk About.
As the stage went blue and began swirling with dandruff, Blakey Cleaver walked out. Someone tell me what an argyle sweater vest, dress pants and tennis shoes have to do with country?
Thanks, Linda Sharp!
And, now, we are left with the pressing questions:
Could Phil Stacey actually make the final four? Have I heard and seen the last of LaKisha Jones? How does Sanjaya Malakar get his hair to do the things it does?
-Annie
Well thank God that's over! No more Sanjaya watch. Now we can get on with trying to select from the real performers... mostly.
ReplyDeleteLooks like I do better in the contest when I don't watch the show. Maybe that will be my new strategy.
BB