Thursday, April 28, 2011

American Idol Season 10: The Top 6 Cover Carole King

Sorry this post is so late, it's not that I wasn't inspired last night.

Jacob was up first and he sang, Oh No Not My Baby--
Pluses: Jacob told brought it back to his comfort zone which is Gospel music. I think it was one of his best performances of the entire season.
Minuses: He went sharp in a few areas and he was in the bottom three last week.
Notable Judge's Comment: Steven said, "we all knew you could sing but when you strut like that, that's the magic."
Score: 9

Lauren sang Where You Lead--
Pluses: This is a young woman with talent and charisma, she is top three bound for sure. Jennifer said she was pushing and that she is so proud of her. She responds well to judges' criticism because Randy said she came out with a vengeance, and he urged her to do this for herself, and continue to go hard.
Minuses: Will Lauren stop being so sweet and start competing, her song was a little bit too safe.
Score: 9

* Hayley and Casey sang I Feel the Earth Move-- This was a great duet; their voices work so well together.

Scotty sang You've Got a Friend--
Pluses: This was a truly flawless performance that showed that Scotty is not just a country singer but a singer. It came across very sincere and I have never heard Scotty sound better. This guy could go all the way.
Minuses: Were there any?
Score: 10

James sang Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow--
Pluses: Jennifer called it a magical performance and noted James's consistency. This guy has never faltered throughout the whole competition. Randy said you're not just a rock singer but a great singer. You might just win this whole thing.
Minuses: I have nothing to say.
Score: 10

* Scotty and Lauren sang Up On the Roof-- These two singing together can do no wrong.

Casey Abrams sang Hi-De-Ho--
Pluses: In true Casey form it was unique.
Minuses: Was this performance enough to keep him out of the bottom three? At this point I am not sure.
Score: 9

Haley Reinhart sang Beautiful--
Pluses: Haley has finally found who she is as a singer. She is bluesy and did you ever notice how she has those high cheek bones, a-la Mariah Carey?
Minuses: Did the lovely Haley take too long to find herself in a competition that has 6 people left? I sure hope not.
Score: 9.5

* Jacob and James sang Something Tells Me-- I found this a little bit of an odd pairing, but I was pleasantly surprised with the performance and vocals.

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

American Idol Season 10: The Top 7 Sing Songs from the 21st Century

The show opened with all the Idol contestants who have been voted off so far singing, what else, "So What" by Pink. So what is that we want most of you to come back. ;-) Tonight is all about songs from the 21st century, and what better than a song by Pink, a major artist of "now".

01. Scotty McCreery sang "Swingin'" by Leann Rimes-- Steven said he likes Scotty's voice and said that was Scotty's equivalent of the Rolling Stones. Jennifer loves Scotty's storytelling quality but expected more from him. Randy echoed Jennifer and felt it was too safe a performance for this week. I agree that maybe it was not Scotty's best performance or the best choice; however, judges if you don't think the song was good, suggest what you think he should have sung. Lay it all out and be specific and constructive. Scotty has a following though, expect lots of votes for him, even though this was "safe".
Score: 9

02. James Durbin sang "Uprising" by Muse-- Jennifer said that was the highest we've ever heard you sing; amazing! Randy said I am gonna go out on a limb and say that's the best performance of the night. You are unbelievable up there; that's a great song from one of my favorite bands, Muse. Steven said, stay out of my closet, you'd be surprised how expensive it is to look this cheap. That was a crazy good performance! James keeps growing, not only as a singer but as an artist with a vision.
Score: 10

03. Hayley Reinhart sang "Rolling in the Deep" by Adele-- Randy said you chose a perfect direction for you, great performance, well done. He said when you hit some of the falsetto notes you went sharp. Steven said, you know what I'm gonna say, yea baby. Jennifer said that's a tough song to do right now because everyone is so familiar with it, and you brought a little bit of Hayley to it, and that's where it shined. I agree most with Randy, it was one of her better performances, but the parts where she went sharp sounded almost forced, so she needs to be careful.
Score: 9.5

04 Jacob Lusk sang "Dance With My Father" by Luther Vandross-- Steven said you are so good and your father is up there listening and that's a beautiful thing. Jennifer said it was an emotionally beautiful performance. Randy agreed with what Jennifer said and added that vocally it was good but urged him to go for it and not hold back, and to bring back the church boy. I agree, Jacob needed to take this over the top vocally, and it fell short of that. He should have sang the bridge of the song which was not included in this version. I want to hear the Jacob that sang God Bless the Child
Score: 9

05 Casey Abrams sang "Harder to Breathe" by Maroon 5-- Jennifer said I loved the performance and you took a pop rock song and took it all the way rock. Randy said I enjoyed that; continue to take chances. I love it; I can't wait to see what you do every week. Steven said you are already a cult hero. I have to say I agree with Randy, I love how Casey is so outside the box from everyone else; it's really impressive. He is just so far beyond his years.
Score: 9.9

06 Stefano Langone sang "Closer" by Neyo-- Randy said you turned me around, you took your time on the verses, and worked out the dance steps. Steven said, good job, you did it. Jennifer said really good job baby, you brought it, you had the swagger, turned it up. It felt like a concert and you really brought yourself to it. I think Stefano was smokin' tonight, he grows every single week, and that means so much in a competition like this.
Score: 10

07. Lauren Alaina sang "Born to Fly" by Sara Evans-- Steven said you're so good naturally but sing something by Allison Krauss, Faith Hill, or Shania Twain. Jennifer and Randy said you can sing anything, you sang back and forth with Steven when we first met you. Jennifer said you're amazing and Randy said, challenge yourself. I think the best is yet to come from Lauren and she has to believe in herself cause it's like she isn't sure of how good she actually is.
Score: 9.9

Power Rankings: Truly, your guess is as good as mine! These people are all amazing.

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

American Idol Season 10: The Top 8 Take Us to the Movies

Well I have finally began picking up the pieces following last week's devastatingly shocking results show. For those who haven't been tuned in this past week, Pia Toscano, my personal favorite female in the competition this season and one of my favorite females ever, was voted off last results show. It was proof to me that anything can happen and will; Ryan pointed out how much uncertainty is present. That also goes for balance; there are six men left in this competition and two women. Who would have thought? Certainly not me. I thought that this was the year of the lady as weeks went on. I thought there would be more of a balance right to the finish. I thought Pia would finish in the top three, this completely threw my thoughts about Season 10 into a spin.

Without further adieu....

01 Paul McDonald sang Old Time Rock And Roll by Bob Seger from the movie Risky Business-- Jennifer felt he went further this week and comes out a little more polished every week. Randy said this could be the first song at your concert; I loved it. I love who you are definitely an artist. This week, I am just going to say I agree with the judges remarks; I think they are spot on and hopefully the performances will dictate who goes home this week. Paul is a natural born performer with a gift, no doubt he will go far.
Score: 9

02 Lauren Alaina sang The Climb by Miley Cyrus from the movie Hannah Montana: The Movie-- Jennifer said you sang that so beautifully. Randy said the Lauren we originally saw is roaring back. You sang that song like it was for you; that was amazing. Steven said you move me beyond tears. I loved Lauren's performance; I thought this was the perfect song choice for her and I loved the country spin she put on the song.
Score: 9.7

03 Stefano Langone sang End of the Road by Boyz II Men from the movie Boomerang-- Randy said you slayed it, your best performance to date on that stage, Stefano is in it to win it. Steven said you know how to milk a song and this is just the beginning for you. Jennifer said she recalls a conversation she had with Stefano when she told him what it takes to be a performer and she said in that moment she knew he understood and tonight he proved it on the stage. You did it. That is one of my favorite songs ever and I loved the way that Stefano sang it. There was a lot of emotion behind it, he really left it up on the stage, and I hope he's here for a while.
Score: 10

04 Scotty McCreery sang I Cross My Heart by George Strait from the movie Pure Country-- Steven said I love your voice and I think America has fallen in love with your voice. Jennifer said wow, it wouldn't have been my choice for you, but you sang that beautifully. Randy said, if it ain't broke, don't even consider fixing it. I love you returning to your roots, I loved that song for you. A star is born on that stage; I am a huge ginormous fan; that was hot! Scotty is an absolute star and he makes me so happy every time he steps on the stage. I know he has a career no matter what, and he has a good shot at winning this.
Score: 10

05 Casey Abrams sang Nature Boy by Nat King Cole from the movie Nature Boy-- Jennifer said I hope that people get that, we need artists like you. Randy said I don't think we've ever had anyone like you on the show before. He called it brilliant and genius and said he could be jamming on a stage with Herbie Hancock. Steven called Casey an artist in the truest sense of the word. I think I can meet the judges halfway on this. I do think Casey is special and I love that he's an artist and he has a jazz style. I do have to say that I feel since the finals have gone on he has lost a little bit of his edge. I do think he is a crazy talented musician and artist though.
Score: 9

06 Hayley Reinhart sang Call Me by Blondie from the movie American Gigolo-- Randy said I didn't love the beginning because it didn't show what you have in this stage of the competition. The beginning sounded a little bit karaoke. Steven said, I loved when you hit the chorus. Jennifer said I agree more with Randy and I want you think more about song selection and how important that is. She said, Hayley, you're a contender and you deserve to be here. I agree most with Jennifer, I don't want Hayley to go home because I think at this stage she has fought tooth and nail to be here. She doesn't deserve to go home.
Score: 9.5

07 Jacob Lusk sang Bridge Over Troubled Water by Simon & Garfunkel from the movie The Pursuit of Happiness-- Steven called his voice angelic Jennifer said you're such a gifted vocalist and it comes from such a special place; you give me the chills. Randy called his song choice perfect and said when Jacob sings he believes every word. The song honestly brought tears to my eyes. Jacob said when he was singing that song he thought about all the tough times he's been through and how his family, friends, and a higher power helped him through it. This young man is so gifted and so inspiring.
Score: 10

08 James Durbin sang Heavy Metal by Sammy Hagar from the movie Heavy Metal-- Jennifer said that felt so real to me; good job baby! Randy said this in unbelievable man; Durbin rocks! Steven said that was great man; glad you got that out. I thought that was amazing and I hope I get to go see James Durbin in concert in a couple of years.
Score: 10

I have to say that I love all these performers (Pia included), each of them brings something new, special, and different to the table and I wish all of them could be rewarded with a record contract. There is nothing that has brought me more pleasure than sitting down every week and watching each of them perform this season. I truly think that each of them is an artist with great talent.

Pia can belt out a ballad like no one's business

James is a rocker through and through

Jacob takes us to church every week with his gospel voice

Hayley has that smoldering bluesy voice

Casey is just a throwback to jazz

Scotty is a pure country superstar

Stefano is a crooner and he makes the ladies cry

Lauren is our young country lady

Paul is just such a natural soft rock performer

Good Luck to America cause whoever gets sent home; I will be sad.

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

American Idol Season 10: The Top 9 Rock n' Roll is Here to Stay!

Steven Tyler opened the show with a little tour of the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame. All the ladies will be dress in clothes from Gwen Stefani's clothing line, L.A.M.B. Will.i.am mentored along with Jimmy Iovine this week.

01 Jacob Lusk sang Man in the Mirror by Michael Jackson-- Steven called it beautiful and well done. Jennifer said when you sing you prove that when you believe in yourself and do what's right, it works. Randy said that was hot, there were Jacob moments all over this performance. I loved the richness of Jacob's voice in this performance; this was a definite Jacob performance for me. It was my personal favorite of his since he began his journey in the finals. I feel Michael would have been happy with this, and as Randy said, good for him for having the courage to change his song and sing something that meant something to him.
Score: 9.9

02 Haley Reinhart sang Piece of my Heart by Janis Joplin-- Jennifer said, Haley, you're showing that you're a contender. Randy said that was the Haley we first saw and fell in love with. Steven loved the whole performance and said she nailed the sound that Janis Joplin created. You know, last year I loved Crystal Bowersox and she had a song similar to Haley's albeit Crystal had a less gravelly voice, but Haley just does not blow me away. I liked her voice in this but there didn't seem to be much feeling or emotion behind it. It's like she was not as connected to the song as she should have been. Haley, I welcome your voice back, but the rest of you needs to come with it.
Score: 8

03 Casey Abrams sang Have You Ever Seen the Rain by Creedence Clearwater Revival-- Randy said you made CCR proud; I liked you bringing the bass into it. Steven said you're not just a singer, you're a musician; I don't know anyone who can play the stand up bass. Jennifer said, that's where you belong on stage with your bass, and I'm paying top dollar to sit in the first row. I liked this performance but I didn't love it, it was a little lackluster for me. There wasn't a lot that was special about it, yes Casey is musical but I think there needs to be more.
Score: 8

04 Lauren Alaina sang Natural Woman by Aretha Franklin-- Steven said I loved your voice, I think you're great. Jennifer said, you're amazing. Randy said you picked one of the toughest songs, and you did a good job, so props to you on that. This was a good performance and Lauren was in the pocket; however, something Randy said is true. There have been contestants in past seasons that have completely blown me away with that song, namely Kelly Clarkson. For me, the minute Kelly sang that song and performed it the way she did, she clinched the competition for me. I still remember the high note.
Score: 9

05 James Durbin sang While My Guitar Gently Weeps by George Harrison-- Jennifer said it was great to see this other side of you, this vulnerability. Randy said I loved seeing the emotional side of James Durbin. You have to take chance to be an artist, and you did; good job dog. Steven said that was a really proud moment for you, thanks for sharing that man. It was amazing to see James perform that song and to hear him perform it like that. I am so used to seeing this energetic guy, and to see that was beautiful.
Score: 10

06 Scotty McCreery sang That's All Right Mama by Elvis Presley-- Randy said Scotty is in it to win it and proved he is no one trick pony. Steven said I hope that kind of music comes back because you do it so well. Jennifer said I love how you had fun up there; loved the whole thing. I feel that this was another amazing performance by Scotty and I feel the whole country music world is going to embrace this kid because he is so talented.
Score: 10

07 Pia Toscano sang River Deep Mountain High by Tina Turner-- Steven said you killed it, a million guys in a million bars are thinking of you tonight. Jennifer said, check, vocally, you proved to everyone you can sing an uptempo song. You're amazing, spectacular, keep studying and work on performance. Randy said you delivered on the uptempo, find your vibe because you're in it to win it. Wow, this was seamless as always. Pia's vocals always impress the hell out of me! She definitely has a natural ability to sing, similar to Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, Christina Aguilera. Go Pia!
Score: 10

08 Stefano Langone sang When a Man Loves a Woman by Percy Sledge-- Jennifer said it was beautiful and it had another layer of emotion to it. It sounded like you were actually singing to someone or about someone for the first time. I knew you had it in you. Randy said it was a little bit jerky. Steven said he liked the range in his voice and complimented him on the emotion behind the song. This started out a little rough, and I am surprised that the judges didn't say anything because it sounded like he was on top of the note. However, what I will say is Stefano brought it home, and this performance had something none of his other performances have had: emotion.
Score: 9.5

09 Paul McDonald sang Folsom Prison Blues by Johnny Cash-- Randy said Paul, three words: I love it. Steven echoed the sentiment. Jennifer said I loved it, it was right in your lane and the perfect way to end the show. What I really loved about it besides Paul's originality was the rawness and the authenticity he brought to the performance. Paul is the true definition of an artist to me.
Score: 9.9

Power Rankings:
1. James Durbin
1. Scotty McCreery
1. Pia Toscano
4. Jacob Lusk
4. Paul McDonald
6. Stefano Langone
7. Lauren Alaina
9. Hayley Reinhart
9. Casey Abrams