Initially I thought and believed that the guys had this in the bag. I still think as a whole, they're stronger than the ladies, but the ladies who are strong are amazing. For the first time since I've heard the ladies sing, there's a clear indication of who the front runners are. I also at this point firmly believe that there will be at least one wild card spot if not two.
Up first was the always entertaining Zoanette Johnson singing What's Love Got to do with It by Tina Turner-- This was a train wreck from start to finish. It almost makes me wonder why the judges put her through to the top ten Ladies in the first place. Nicki said it was dreadful. Randy calls it a mess. Keith and Mariah didn't like it either, but didn't have the heart to tell her straight out. If this performance doesn't send her home, I don't know what will.
Breanna Steer sang Flaws and All by Beyonce-- Breanna has definite star quality but some of the judges thought that this performance along with the song choice were predictable. I would be fine with her advancing because she has confidence and personality which some of the ladies are lacking. Keith, Randy, and Mariah all liked her song choice and Keith talked about her control and poise, and I completely agree. I have no idea what Nicki was thinking when she said it was the wrong song choice and straining on the vocals.
Aubrey Cleland sang Big Girls Don't Cry by Fergie-- Aubrey is another young woman in this competition who has potential and then some. She is so talented; I didn't think the song choice was right for her because it didn't allow her voice to soar the way it should have. Mariah thinks Aubrey could achieve multi platinum status; I agree, she definitely has that Rihanna vibe going on.
Janelle Arthur sang If I Can Dream by Elvis Presley-- I appreciate the pureness of Janelle's voice, and she has been a favorite of mine since this whole thing started, in fact, since last year, but for some reason, this song choice just did not hold my interest. My hope is that she gets through as a Wild Card or based on the pureness of her voice, and the sincerity behind her performances. Nicki actually went as far as to say it was the best vocal of the night so far, which technically, it probably was. The judges were actually so sweet to Janelle that it brought tears to her eyes.
Teena Torres sang Lost by Faith Hill-- I actually enjoyed Teena's vocal, and she looks so different and so much better. There were parts of the performance where she was pitchy, but overall, I give her a lot of credit for taking a country song and making it her own. Nicki comments on her hair, and then inappropriately adds in a comment about Teena's boobs being great. Mariah loved the song choice and the richness and fullness of her voice. I think she may have made it in to the finals.
Angie Miller sang Never Gone by Colton Dixon-- Angie sat at the piano for this performance and it was so sincere, the delivery was beautiful, the song was beautiful. I am sure that Colton would be so proud of her choosing his song and singing it so well. Keith calls Angie a "true artist", Nicki says she'd love to buy Angie's album right now. Randy said a star is born onstage right now.
Amber Holcomb sang I Believe in You and Me by Whitney Houston-- Amber's performance was just in a different class; she sang so effortlessly and I can potentially see her winning this competition. I don't think there's been anyone like her on the show in a while. Nicki tells her Babrz to vote for Amber. Mariah says Amber is one of her favorites in the competition. The judges had previously worried about Amber's confidence; I definitely don't think that they need to worry about that anymore.
Kree Harrison sang Stronger by Faith Hill-- Kree remains a favorite of mine this season because with each performance her sincerity is ever present. She is also so good, but doesn't realize she is. Nicki says, "you already know you're my wife," and "your sexiness level went through the roof". Mariah says she is always surprised with Kree because the experience that she gives the audience.
Adriana Latonio sang Stand Up for Love by Destiny's Child-- This was the biggest change from last performance to this one. This was the wrong song for her, and the performance was too pageant. Nicki felt that she should work on performing and come back next year. Randy agreed and said it felt boring. Mariah thought the song was wrong for her. I have to say I agree, I didn't feel anything from that performance, and Adriana does have a good voice, but this just seemed too rehearsed.
Candice Glover sang Ordinary People by John Legend-- I'll make no secret about it, I was not that impressed with Candice's performance of Natural Woman last week. Kelly Clarkson sang that on the first season, and there's been no one who has sang it better on AI ever since. This song was perfect for Candice though. It really displayed her vocal abilities. I loved Keith's comment about how her style and vocal blends the old and new. She is current despite the old soul that is her voice.
My predictions on who is moving forward:
Amber Holcomb
Angie Miller
Candice Glover
Kree Harrison
5th spot is a toss up between Janelle Arthur and Teena Torres
Wild Card-- the judges love Aubrey Cleland and Breanna Steer
Adriana and Zoanette are the only sure bets on going home
This will be tough!
Showing posts with label Adriana Latonio. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Adriana Latonio. Show all posts
Thursday, March 7, 2013
Thursday, February 21, 2013
American Idol: Season 12, Ten Ladies Sing-- Five Go Home
They tried something different on American Idol last night. At the beginning of the night, a total of 40 contestants remained in the competition: 20 women and 20 men vying for the title of American Idol. Last night, 10 of the women sang for their lives on the show with five of them being sent home before the night ended.
For the most part, I agree with the decisions that the judges made. I called four out of the five ladies moving on correctly. Only one was questionable, not to say that I don't think that she had talent. The last spot for me really came down to personal preference, and looking back on it now, I think the judges made the right call saving Teena Torres and sending Isabelle home.
The other four were a much easier call-- Bree Harrison, a clear standout for the night, Adriana Latonio, the mini powerhouse, Amber Holcomb, who could be a dark horse in this competition, and last but not least, judge's fave Angela Miller who is already singing and writing her own music.
Overall, the night was filled with lots of songs that I didn't know. The ladies did not do a good job of making sure that their song choices related to the audience. I understand that maybe they wanted to impress the judges, but you also want the public to start thinking about supporting you should you advance to the next round.
Songs I had no idea about:
Jenny Beth Willis-- Heaven, Heartache, and The Power of Love by Trisha Yearwood-- This was a stiff performance. I think her inexperience really showed through tonight, and the 17 year old was one of the ones sent home.
Teena Torres-- Soulmate by Natasha Bedingfield-- Although her entire performance complete with hair and outfit was a complete throwback to the 1980's, I think Teena has potential. I actually hope she doesn't lose that tone in her voice, I just want her to seriously think about doing something with her hair and updating her wardrobe. She advanced by the skin of her teeth.
Brandy Hotard-- I Don't Love You Anymore by Travis Tritt-- Sweet young woman, but her performance lacked credibility. I also think it was too heavy of a song for a night like this. This is the first time a lot of us are seeing her and it was all just a bit much.
Two eliminated ladies sang very well known songs, but ruined them by changing them up too much.
Shubba Vedula sang Born This Way by Lady Gaga, and I loved how she started the performance out at the piano. I really thought it was going to go somewhere, and it did, but not where I wanted it to go. She tried to do too much in a few minutes. She should have stayed at the piano, sang her heart and soul out and nailed it.
Kamaria Ousley sang Mr. Know it All by Kelly Clarkson, and it was a train wreck from start to finish. I actually feel badly for this girl because she has the resume to back up the talent, but this performance certainly didn't prove it. It was probably the worst performance of the night.
Now for the goodies!
Kree Harrison did a soul stirring rendition of Up to the Mountain by Patti Griffin; she was my favorite performer of the night. Her performance was so heartfelt and sincere. Nicki was so right when she said that the other ladies in this competition should be scared because this young woman is a force. Mariah Carey, of all people out there, said that Kree sang the hell out of that song. I cannot wait to see her in the Top 10 because if she isn't there, than there's something wrong with the public.
Adriana Latonio has tons of potential, especially considering that she is only 17. She's chock full of maturity, and she proved that by singing Ain't No Way by Aretha Franklin with lots of emotion. My one criticism is that she needs to make sure she isn't performing too "pageanty"; coming off too polished can almost hurt you in a way. The best singers, take Whitney Houston for example, were able to dirty up the performance with their emotion. It's almost like she really needs to get down into the song.
Angela Miller sang Nobody's Perfect by Jessie J., and I love Angela but I don't think this was the song to best showcase her actual abilities. I think anyone who saw her performance last week is still coming down from that, because she is so talented that regardless of the outcome of this competition, she's going to be a star. She's going to have musicians knocking on her door asking her to write and sing songs for them.
Amber Holcomb just impressed the heck out of me taking on My Funny Valentine. The soul was just so present, and she has what Adriana lacks, she got down into the performance, she really felt the lyrics. What was beautiful about this was that blend of toughness and vulnerability.
The semifinalist that could have been:
Isabelle was the girl who finished last night in that tough fifth or sixth place position. She sang God Bless the Child which was a great song choice, I think she just didn't make much of a mark though. She wasn't different enough or unique enough for the judges to be like, "we have originality right here". It's too bad because while her performance wasn't bad, it didn't stand out as phenomenal either.
For the most part, I agree with the decisions that the judges made. I called four out of the five ladies moving on correctly. Only one was questionable, not to say that I don't think that she had talent. The last spot for me really came down to personal preference, and looking back on it now, I think the judges made the right call saving Teena Torres and sending Isabelle home.
The other four were a much easier call-- Bree Harrison, a clear standout for the night, Adriana Latonio, the mini powerhouse, Amber Holcomb, who could be a dark horse in this competition, and last but not least, judge's fave Angela Miller who is already singing and writing her own music.
Overall, the night was filled with lots of songs that I didn't know. The ladies did not do a good job of making sure that their song choices related to the audience. I understand that maybe they wanted to impress the judges, but you also want the public to start thinking about supporting you should you advance to the next round.
Songs I had no idea about:
Jenny Beth Willis-- Heaven, Heartache, and The Power of Love by Trisha Yearwood-- This was a stiff performance. I think her inexperience really showed through tonight, and the 17 year old was one of the ones sent home.
Teena Torres-- Soulmate by Natasha Bedingfield-- Although her entire performance complete with hair and outfit was a complete throwback to the 1980's, I think Teena has potential. I actually hope she doesn't lose that tone in her voice, I just want her to seriously think about doing something with her hair and updating her wardrobe. She advanced by the skin of her teeth.
Brandy Hotard-- I Don't Love You Anymore by Travis Tritt-- Sweet young woman, but her performance lacked credibility. I also think it was too heavy of a song for a night like this. This is the first time a lot of us are seeing her and it was all just a bit much.
Two eliminated ladies sang very well known songs, but ruined them by changing them up too much.
Shubba Vedula sang Born This Way by Lady Gaga, and I loved how she started the performance out at the piano. I really thought it was going to go somewhere, and it did, but not where I wanted it to go. She tried to do too much in a few minutes. She should have stayed at the piano, sang her heart and soul out and nailed it.
Kamaria Ousley sang Mr. Know it All by Kelly Clarkson, and it was a train wreck from start to finish. I actually feel badly for this girl because she has the resume to back up the talent, but this performance certainly didn't prove it. It was probably the worst performance of the night.
Now for the goodies!
Kree Harrison did a soul stirring rendition of Up to the Mountain by Patti Griffin; she was my favorite performer of the night. Her performance was so heartfelt and sincere. Nicki was so right when she said that the other ladies in this competition should be scared because this young woman is a force. Mariah Carey, of all people out there, said that Kree sang the hell out of that song. I cannot wait to see her in the Top 10 because if she isn't there, than there's something wrong with the public.
Adriana Latonio has tons of potential, especially considering that she is only 17. She's chock full of maturity, and she proved that by singing Ain't No Way by Aretha Franklin with lots of emotion. My one criticism is that she needs to make sure she isn't performing too "pageanty"; coming off too polished can almost hurt you in a way. The best singers, take Whitney Houston for example, were able to dirty up the performance with their emotion. It's almost like she really needs to get down into the song.
Angela Miller sang Nobody's Perfect by Jessie J., and I love Angela but I don't think this was the song to best showcase her actual abilities. I think anyone who saw her performance last week is still coming down from that, because she is so talented that regardless of the outcome of this competition, she's going to be a star. She's going to have musicians knocking on her door asking her to write and sing songs for them.
Amber Holcomb just impressed the heck out of me taking on My Funny Valentine. The soul was just so present, and she has what Adriana lacks, she got down into the performance, she really felt the lyrics. What was beautiful about this was that blend of toughness and vulnerability.
The semifinalist that could have been:
Isabelle was the girl who finished last night in that tough fifth or sixth place position. She sang God Bless the Child which was a great song choice, I think she just didn't make much of a mark though. She wasn't different enough or unique enough for the judges to be like, "we have originality right here". It's too bad because while her performance wasn't bad, it didn't stand out as phenomenal either.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)