The painful saga that is Season 9 continues with Soul/R&B Hits. Some of you have written to say that you are giving up on on this season of Idol. I am starting to think that I should join you and find a life on Tuesday nights. If not for Crystal Bowersox (and Lee/Good Siobhan), then I wouldn't be bothering at this point. If she doesn't win then there is no justice in the world.
Siobhan Magnus: ("Through The Fire" - Chaka Khan) I don't know what has happened to Siobhan. She continued her downward slide this week. It was boring and contained 1 1/2 unnecessary primal screams. Simon was dead on with his initial analysis of her performance. He pushed it a little too far in the end though and I felt sorry for her.
Casey James: ("Hold On I'm Coming" - Sam and Dave) To me, Casey seems to enjoy playing the guitar more than singing. Since he is not the best singer this makes sense. He is one of the stronger contestants this season but he wouldn't be if he had auditioned in Season 5 or 7 where the talent pool was larger. I wonder why the judges haven't asked him to put down the guitar like they did with Crystal?
Michael Lynche: ("Ready for Love" - India.Arie) India.Arie is perfect for Michael. Wonderful job picking a song. He was so much better this week. Strong vocal without the hated/dreaded falsetto AND playing the guitar kept him from making those corny gestures while he sings. My favorite performance from him so far in the competition.
Didi Benami: ("What Becomes of the Brokenhearted?" - Jimmy Ruffin) It was not a bad vocal performance but Didi never seems to really connect with the audience while she is singing. She is just blank when on stage. Hopefully she can turn it around.
Tim Urban: ("Sweet Love" - Anita Baker) Good grief it was bad! He kept singing about knowing no shame and he obviously doesn't if he can get up in front of millions of people and sing this song with his meager vocal abilities. He is so cheesy. VFTW, please don't save him this week (even he wants to go home at this point)!
Andrew Garcia: ("Forever" - Chris Brown) The best Andrew has been since the competition started but I agree with Simon that he is still boring.
Katie Stevens: ("Chain of Fools" - Aretha Franklin) The singing was technically not bad but it was once again boring and her outfit was insanely bad. I always feel like I am watching the talent portion of a beauty pageant when she is on stage. This season is so not good.
Lee DeWyze: ("Treat Her Like A Lady" - Cornelius Brothers) I have always been a Lee fan but he really surprised me tonight. I was starting to think that he would never get it all together. He was at his best so far this week.
Crystal Bowersox: ("Midnight Train to Georgia" - Gladys Knight) I prefer Crystal with a guitar but she was one of the best once again. I also agree with Simon that the backup singers shouldn't have been used. They were not necessary.
Aaron Kelly: ("Aint No Sunshine" - Bill Withers) Aaron should have picked another song. This did not come across well and it was done much better just last season by Kris Allen.
The Best
Lee, Crystal
The Worst
Tim, Siobhan
The Rest
Casey, Aaron, Didi, Andrew, Katie, Michael
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Top 11 - #1 Hits from Billboard Hot 100
The original theme for this week was Teen Pop. The Powers That Be then changed it to #1 Hits from the Billboard Hot 100. I don't know that they really did us any favors. The songs that most of the contestants chose have been done on the show already or were never done for a reason. At least if they had stuck with Teen Pop then we could have blamed it on the theme. I don't know who to blame for this travesty.
Lee Dewyze: ("The Letter" - Box Tops 1967) Lee changed it up this week by leaving out the guitar. It actually improved his stage presence somehow. He still looked nervous but not as much.
Paige Miles: ("Against All Odds" - Phil Collins 1984) HIDEOUS! I don't know what happened but Paige was Just. Not. Good. I don't know if she is just not trying or if we should stage an uprising against the judges for putting her through in the first place. Other than a slight glimmer last week, she has not proven that she has any talent at all.
Tim Urban: ("Crazy Little Thing Called Love" - Queen 1980) Tim tried to liven things up this week by sliding on the stage and hand slapping the swaybots in the pit. In an ordinary week, it would have been fodder to get him sent home. This week, however, he had so much competition in the how-bad-can-I-be category that it didn't seem as bad to me. He was trying too hard and was still boring but he sang better than Paige or Andrew. My Dad thinks that "Annie's Song" by John Denver would be perfect for him and win him legions of fans. Wonder what the theme is next week?
Aaron Kelly: ("Don't Want To Miss A Thing" - Aerosmith 1998) Given that Aaron had laryngitis and tonsillitis, he did a decent job with this song. He does need to work on the rut that he has fallen into. I don't think he has done one song that is not a ballad yet. I know that ballads are what fits his voice the best but it will come back to bite him if he doesn't learn to branch out some.
Crystal Bowersox: ("Me and Bobby McGee" - Janis Joplin 1971) The transition from the first verse to the rest of the song was a little odd, but Crystal did what she does best. This time she got to channel Joplin while performing her song. It was really good.
Big Mike Lynche: ("When A Man Loves A Woman" - Percy Sledge 1966) Mike sang well once again this week until the falsetto at the end. The thing that is working against him is the odd posturing that he projects on stage. He also seems to have fallen into a ballad rut with Aaron.
Andrew Garcia: ("Heard It Through The Grapevine" - Marvin Gaye 1968) He should not be here. I want Alex Lambert back! Now!
Katie Stevens: ("Big Girls Don't Cry" - Fergie 2007) Katie didn't add anything new to the song. It was just a copy cat version that was not as good as the original. She was better than last week though so I guess that was an improvement. To quote Kara (am I really doing this?), she still has "mad pitch issues".
Casey James: ("Power of Love" - Huey Lewis & The News 1985) Casey didn't really do anything special to it but I give him extra points for choosing Huey Lewis. It was much better than a lot of the other contestants. His voice is similar to Stevie Ray Vaughn's.
Didi Benami: ("You're No Good" - Linda Ronstadt 1975) Didi was trying to channel Lacey Brown for some unknown reason. Didi - Lacey was sent home because she sucks. Do not try to be Lacey unless you want to go home. Paige or Andrew should save you this week but you only get so many passes before bad decisions catch up to you.
Siobhan Magnus: ("Superstition" - Stevie Wonder 1972) This was the first time that I didn't really care for a performance by Siobhan. I agree with Simon that she needs to watch ending evey song with the glory note. It is starting to get old. I still like her but she needs to bring it next week.
Thank God that it's finally over!
The Worst
Paige, Andrew, Didi
The Best
Crystal, Aaron
The Rest
Lee, Tim, Mike, Katie, Casey, Siobhan
Lee Dewyze: ("The Letter" - Box Tops 1967) Lee changed it up this week by leaving out the guitar. It actually improved his stage presence somehow. He still looked nervous but not as much.
Paige Miles: ("Against All Odds" - Phil Collins 1984) HIDEOUS! I don't know what happened but Paige was Just. Not. Good. I don't know if she is just not trying or if we should stage an uprising against the judges for putting her through in the first place. Other than a slight glimmer last week, she has not proven that she has any talent at all.
Tim Urban: ("Crazy Little Thing Called Love" - Queen 1980) Tim tried to liven things up this week by sliding on the stage and hand slapping the swaybots in the pit. In an ordinary week, it would have been fodder to get him sent home. This week, however, he had so much competition in the how-bad-can-I-be category that it didn't seem as bad to me. He was trying too hard and was still boring but he sang better than Paige or Andrew. My Dad thinks that "Annie's Song" by John Denver would be perfect for him and win him legions of fans. Wonder what the theme is next week?
Aaron Kelly: ("Don't Want To Miss A Thing" - Aerosmith 1998) Given that Aaron had laryngitis and tonsillitis, he did a decent job with this song. He does need to work on the rut that he has fallen into. I don't think he has done one song that is not a ballad yet. I know that ballads are what fits his voice the best but it will come back to bite him if he doesn't learn to branch out some.
Crystal Bowersox: ("Me and Bobby McGee" - Janis Joplin 1971) The transition from the first verse to the rest of the song was a little odd, but Crystal did what she does best. This time she got to channel Joplin while performing her song. It was really good.
Big Mike Lynche: ("When A Man Loves A Woman" - Percy Sledge 1966) Mike sang well once again this week until the falsetto at the end. The thing that is working against him is the odd posturing that he projects on stage. He also seems to have fallen into a ballad rut with Aaron.
Andrew Garcia: ("Heard It Through The Grapevine" - Marvin Gaye 1968) He should not be here. I want Alex Lambert back! Now!
Katie Stevens: ("Big Girls Don't Cry" - Fergie 2007) Katie didn't add anything new to the song. It was just a copy cat version that was not as good as the original. She was better than last week though so I guess that was an improvement. To quote Kara (am I really doing this?), she still has "mad pitch issues".
Casey James: ("Power of Love" - Huey Lewis & The News 1985) Casey didn't really do anything special to it but I give him extra points for choosing Huey Lewis. It was much better than a lot of the other contestants. His voice is similar to Stevie Ray Vaughn's.
Didi Benami: ("You're No Good" - Linda Ronstadt 1975) Didi was trying to channel Lacey Brown for some unknown reason. Didi - Lacey was sent home because she sucks. Do not try to be Lacey unless you want to go home. Paige or Andrew should save you this week but you only get so many passes before bad decisions catch up to you.
Siobhan Magnus: ("Superstition" - Stevie Wonder 1972) This was the first time that I didn't really care for a performance by Siobhan. I agree with Simon that she needs to watch ending evey song with the glory note. It is starting to get old. I still like her but she needs to bring it next week.
Thank God that it's finally over!
The Worst
Paige, Andrew, Didi
The Best
Crystal, Aaron
The Rest
Lee, Tim, Mike, Katie, Casey, Siobhan
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Top 12 - Rolling Stones
I have been dreading the Top 12 performances since I heard that they would be singing the songs of The Rolling Stones. Unfortunately, I was right and the people that I expected to be bad were for the most part.
Michael Lynche: ("Miss You") It wasn't the worst thing that I have heard this season (that would be "Landslide" by Lacey Brown) but I wasn't impressed by his performance. I also must disagree with Kara that he had the "Jagger swagger". He was bouncing from foot to foot like Barney or the Teletubbies.
Didi Benami: ("Play With Fire") Didi was not perfect but she managed to pull through almost butchering the words twice. I was actually surprised that she was able to pull this off. I thought she would really struggle this week.
Casey James: ("All Over Now") My favorite performance from him so far. He is believeable with the guitar and this type of song. I much prefer the scratchy rocker voice to the goat vibrato. His mom looks like Peggy Bundy.
Lacey Brown: ("Ruby Tuesday") Lacey lived up to my expectations of her performance. It wasn't good and I can't believe she is still on this show. Katelyn was robbed! I should have known that Lacey wasn't going to be any good as soon as they said she was from Amarillo. My brother and I went through there once. Believe me, it is not worth a stop. Keep going until you get to Arizona.
Andrew Garcia: ("Gimme Shelter") Andrew was bad yet again. He has no depthh to his performances. This was proof that Alex Lambert should not have been sent home last week.
Katie Stevens: ("Wild Horses") The opening verse was actually pretty good and then she went into the chorus and it descended into a pitchy hot mess.
Tim Urban: ("Under My Thumb") He is boring and the reggae thing just didn't work. Yet another guy that should have been sent home instead of Alex Lambert. He is the Vote For The Worst pick so he may be safe.
Siobhan Magnus: ("Paint It Black") This was one of two performances that I was looking forward to this week and...Damn! That was good. Kara and Simon were completely off base in comparing her to Adam Lambert. That cretin isn't fit to lick the bottom of her shoe!
Lee DeWyze: ("Beast of Burden") This was not a difficult arrangement but he did a good job with it. Lee should not be concerned by Simon's comment. He told David Cook that he didn't have enough charisma to win and be a star around this same point in season 7.
Paige Miles: ("Honky Tonk Woman") This was the best performance from Paige yet this season. It was much better than last week. I am not sure about the outfit though. She looked like a camp counselor but was singing about being a honky tonk woman. I was confused.
Aaron Kelly: ("Angie") The beginning of the song was very shaky and not very good. About the time that I was ready to write him off, my dad suggested that I not look at him while he is singing. It worked! He sounds much better when you don't look at him. ;)
Crystal Bowersox: ("You Can't Always Get What You Want") The other performance that I was looking forward to... and as expected... it was awesome! She took the Stones to church. Her dad almost made me cry. I love her.
The Best
Siobhan, Crystal, Casey
The Worst
Lacey (she sang about "goodbye" hopefully she will get gone. Finally!), Tim, Katie
The Rest
Lee, Aaron, Michael, Andrew, Paige, Didi
Michael Lynche: ("Miss You") It wasn't the worst thing that I have heard this season (that would be "Landslide" by Lacey Brown) but I wasn't impressed by his performance. I also must disagree with Kara that he had the "Jagger swagger". He was bouncing from foot to foot like Barney or the Teletubbies.
Didi Benami: ("Play With Fire") Didi was not perfect but she managed to pull through almost butchering the words twice. I was actually surprised that she was able to pull this off. I thought she would really struggle this week.
Casey James: ("All Over Now") My favorite performance from him so far. He is believeable with the guitar and this type of song. I much prefer the scratchy rocker voice to the goat vibrato. His mom looks like Peggy Bundy.
Lacey Brown: ("Ruby Tuesday") Lacey lived up to my expectations of her performance. It wasn't good and I can't believe she is still on this show. Katelyn was robbed! I should have known that Lacey wasn't going to be any good as soon as they said she was from Amarillo. My brother and I went through there once. Believe me, it is not worth a stop. Keep going until you get to Arizona.
Andrew Garcia: ("Gimme Shelter") Andrew was bad yet again. He has no depthh to his performances. This was proof that Alex Lambert should not have been sent home last week.
Katie Stevens: ("Wild Horses") The opening verse was actually pretty good and then she went into the chorus and it descended into a pitchy hot mess.
Tim Urban: ("Under My Thumb") He is boring and the reggae thing just didn't work. Yet another guy that should have been sent home instead of Alex Lambert. He is the Vote For The Worst pick so he may be safe.
Siobhan Magnus: ("Paint It Black") This was one of two performances that I was looking forward to this week and...Damn! That was good. Kara and Simon were completely off base in comparing her to Adam Lambert. That cretin isn't fit to lick the bottom of her shoe!
Lee DeWyze: ("Beast of Burden") This was not a difficult arrangement but he did a good job with it. Lee should not be concerned by Simon's comment. He told David Cook that he didn't have enough charisma to win and be a star around this same point in season 7.
Paige Miles: ("Honky Tonk Woman") This was the best performance from Paige yet this season. It was much better than last week. I am not sure about the outfit though. She looked like a camp counselor but was singing about being a honky tonk woman. I was confused.
Aaron Kelly: ("Angie") The beginning of the song was very shaky and not very good. About the time that I was ready to write him off, my dad suggested that I not look at him while he is singing. It worked! He sounds much better when you don't look at him. ;)
Crystal Bowersox: ("You Can't Always Get What You Want") The other performance that I was looking forward to... and as expected... it was awesome! She took the Stones to church. Her dad almost made me cry. I love her.
The Best
Siobhan, Crystal, Casey
The Worst
Lacey (she sang about "goodbye" hopefully she will get gone. Finally!), Tim, Katie
The Rest
Lee, Aaron, Michael, Andrew, Paige, Didi
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Memory Lane: David Cook - Top 16 Week
The week that everyone started to pay attention to the "word nerd"...
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