The Idols were in Las Vegas this weekend, taping their mentoring sessions with Andrew Lloyd Webber at the Venetian hotel.
This week’s theme is songs from the Andrew Lloyd Webber catalog.
There is speculation that Jason Castro might sing “Memories” from the musical Cats. Will David Cook sing something from Jesus Christ Superstar? According to Miles Siggins, on the TV Guide channel Idol Wrap, David wanted to wear a full suit this week, but he and Miles compromised on a suit and jacket look. Hm.
What do you think the Idols should sing? I’ll post my list in a bit. But in the meantime, post yours!
ETA: There are some great lists in the thread. I’m going to leave the picking to y’all who know what you are talking about. I will say, I’ve been listening to these songs on Rhapsody. Brooke White and Jason Castro have the biggest challenge ahead of them, as many of these songs have big ranges and are difficult to sing. I’ll also say that ALW could give Syesha Mercado yet another change to overstep the bounds of her singing range if she’s not careful. David Cook, David Archuleta and Carly Smithson could all have moments Tuesday night if they pick their songs carefully.
But who knows? The guys pwnd the girls with Mariah Carey. At this point, it’s anybody’s game!
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Lots of peeps here that are not familiar with ALW.
Do yourselves a favor and go rent Jesus Christ Superstar and Evita.
What a genius he is.
In my fantasy world, AI would pick themes that would be so challenging to these kids that they would all be nervous wrecks right down to the winner who would break down into a pile of sobbing, slobbering goo during the coronation song.
Howz this list of themes:
Rock opera
Gilbert & Sullivan
TV show theme music
Folk music
One-hit wonders
Seminal rap & hip hop
Sea shanties
Rock-a-billy
Juke joint blues
Grand ole’ opry (limited to the likes of Porter Wagner, Slim Whitman, Hank Williams, Tammy Wynett and Loretta Lyn)
Electronica
80’s power ballads
Just joking…mostly. But since AI will never really be a reprise of “Your Hit Parade” or “Solid Gold” or something (I know this dates me, but whatever…LOL) but I really wish that they’d show a bit more imagination in doing themes.
I think mostly the themes are designed around what kinds of deals they can make with the celebrities.
“Tell Me On A Sunday” could work depending on the arrangement. I’d also love to hear someone do “As If We Never Said Goodbye”. Considering the first couple of verses, it could work for Brooke (and to allow her to invite the audience into the joke):
I totally agree. I think the iTunes partnership is probably making it a little difficult to get “any” song. I feel like it’s the main reason why we didn’t see the Top 24 pick music from any genre.
i am not looking forward to this theme. i agree that the iTunes deal and the concern over celebrity guests has something to do with all of this. isn’t this the mistake nigel admitted to after last season? (too much about the mentors, not enough about the kids)
i am cautiously optimistic about the show tunes. most of these contestants are pretty dependable, but broadway tunes out of context…meh
Picture of Idols and ALW
great pic, pm. thanks
Brooke will surprise Simon Cowell
“Penacoli also chatted with this week’s American Idol mentor, Andrew Lloyd Webber, who revealed to Simon Cowell which contestant he thinks will surprise him. After Webber whispered the secret in his ear, Cowell exclaimed to “Extra,” “Brooke!…Well, we’ll have to see if Mr. Lloyd Webber knows what he’s talking about!”
*********************
Well, wasn’t there pre-performance talk that Archie would blow every one away on Mariah week? psssh…like that happened.
I would love to hear Carly and her amazing voice do “pie Jesu” from requiem.
Yes, I believe it was Michael Orland saying that the girls had an advantage and the guys would have trouble, except for Archie. Ha!
I am concerned about Jason being sick. Let’s hope it’s a stomach virus and not strep or something.
I’m just not a fan of musical theatre and I’m not sure how entertaining these songs are out of context. Maybe the kids will surprise us.
When my friends and I go to see plays, they usually aren’t musicals. There are lots of great theatre companies here.
According to soonerlover, he is!
Yay! :D
According to the LA Times, ALW was most impressed with Brooke but doesn’t know if she can do it w/o him there holding her hand. He said “some of the song choices are strange.”
‘Although Lloyd Webber was barred “under pain of death” from revealing the song choices, he did speak of being struck by one moment in particular. “The girl who I was really quite impressed with was Brooke. She was really — I got something out of her. I mean, whether or not, you know, that is there at the end, I really couldn’t tell you.’
Sorry for all the Posts. I can’t edit my posts from these computer.
Yay! Glad to hear that Jason is feeling better. I hope he didn’t give anything to his roommate though. Shower yourselves in Purell, boys!
The fact that ALW said the song choices were “strange” gives me hope. There’s one (probably fake) spoiler list out there that has DC doing “Phantom of the Opera” and that would just make me cry. (None of the songs on the list could have been considered “strange”)
I second Cheese’s Yay! If Jason crashes and burns, I want it to be on his own merit or lack thereof, not because he’s sick.
Here’s the link to the LA Times article. I’m not sure Jason is doing Memory, based on Lloyd’s comments on glory notes carrying the song.
Here’s what I posted out front about this week:
ETA: There are some great lists in the thread. I’m going to leave the picking to y’all who know what you are talking about. I will say, I’ve been listening to these songs on Rhapsody. Brooke White and Jason Castro have the biggest challenge ahead of them, as many of these songs have big ranges and are difficult to sing. I’ll also say that ALW could give Syesha Mercado yet another change to overstep the bounds of her singing range if she’s not careful. David Cook, David Archuleta and Carly Smithson could all have moments Tuesday night if they pick their songs carefully.
But who knows? The guys pwnd the girls with Mariah Carey. At this point, it’s anybody’s game!
ALW is obviously not very impressed with the Idols and is dreading what happens tonight.
Hmm, I though that the interviewer was just using that as an example, but I guess you might be right.
There’s still some speculation that Jason is doing “Music of the Night” and that Archie is doing “Love Changes Everything” (both of those songs match what was on that random spoiler list that had DCook doing “Phantom of the Opera”). If he’s really doing a freakin’ duet for operatic voices or any of the horrifying rock versions of that song, I am not watching.
Cheese, post the fake spoiler list. :-)
Jason is supposedly taking a “big risk”, but he’s working really hard? I’m scared for him! Eek!
pj - here’s the list I saw on TWOP, by way of IDF, by way of ??? (it didn’t originate with an IDF poster, at least)
I don’t know if several people would have wanted “Music of the Night.” I did read that an Archie family friend was doing Archie’s arrangement this week. These don’t seem to fit ALW’s mention of “strange choices” unless he meant that they did crazy things to his songs. All of these songs are on his “Definitive Hits” CD.
Seriously, I would rather have “The Old Gumbie Cat” than POTO from DCook. I might have to break up with him. : (
Cheese, don’t break up until AFTER you see his performance. In fact, I think this theme suck donkeyballs so I’m willing to give them all a pass and vote my ass off for Jason regardless.
Besides, that list doesn’t seem right to me, either.
*SIGH* Now I’m starting to doubt if Jason can pull off this BIG RISK thing. I know, I know…what a bad Castrotard I am. But I would be so more assured if he were doing Any Dream Will Do or something along those lines.
Please no Phantom for Jason. It would scare the crap out of me.
Ok since I am not familiar with ALW’s entire song book, but do know the “BIGGIES” ie: Memory, POTO, etc I too find that spoiler list odd, considering what ALW said about “strange” song choices. Not gunna buy it.
I have not the faintest idea what songs to recommend to anyone. I appreciate those of you who are posting suggestions for me to go give a listen to at Youtube. Thank You!!
Cheese, we all know that you don’t really mean that!
So do I. There have been some great suggestions.
One on that list is wrong, so that makes ‘em all wrong.
I really hate Phantom of the Opera and that would be the dumbest song choice ever.
Which one is confirmed to be wrong? I was thinking Argentina, but I guess someone could have switched songs when Kristy left.
Since ALW said there were some “strange” choices, I like this one a lot for DC:
(Warning: close ups of Meatloaf singing while chewing gum, but still a good song, as far as this stuff goes)
http://youtube.com/watch?v=L6IYvYZQfDI
I still have my fingers crossed for a Jesus Christ Superstar song from DC. Sigh.
There are a couple of us in chat right now. Come join!
Wow, I think you’re the only other person I’ve met who hates PotO too.
Cheese- But just think of the potential….black suit, with full length cape, half mask as he sings from behind the stairway…..Utter perfection….bwahahahah
“SYESHA: Don’t Cry For Me Argentina”
I thought Brooke was planning on singing this song through it wouldn’t be a shock t see Syesha scoop this one up.
If these are the actual spoilers I don’t know how I feel about these choices.
COOK: The Phantom Of The Opera – I see this being a camp performance that will be called very theatrical and over the top.
JASON: Music Of The Night – I think this will be know as the sleep of the night.
CARLY: Memory – I this might be a good choice since it’s the most well known song of his and lots of dusty low notes building to a large belt note.
SYESHA: Don’t Cry For Me Argentina – Syesha gets to sing about a character who is tough, cold and above everyone else. This should be her best performance.
ARCHULETA : Love Changes Everything(with new arrangement) – I actually the original song is pretty it’ll be interesting with a new arrangement.
BROOK: I Don’t Know How To Love Him – predictable but as long as she doesn’t reinvent the song I see it being very strong except I can’t wait to see her face when she sings about all the men she’s had before in many different ways.
If Jason isn’t singing something from JCSS — I’m bailing !
I really, really don’t like Don’t Cry for Me Argentina. Hope Syesha sings it. That will save Jason from certain death.
gah.
Well . . . we know that no one is doing “Don’t Cry For Me, Argentina” since Kristy Lee had claimed it already . . . and there is a rumor that David A is doing something upbeat . . .
I could see DC doing something from JCS
Jason could have a hard time — he doesn’t exactly have a powerful Broadway-esq voice . . . something from “Whistle Down The Wind” perhaps?
David A . . . would be great on anything from “Joseph” . . . or many of ALW others as so many are his melodic type :) Still, Joseph stand out to me . . . hmmm . . .
The girls, I can’t place. Syesha shouldn’t have a problem finding something, and neither should Carly — both of them have the vocal power needed. Brooke might have a tougher time, but there are a few she’d be great at. What about “Learn to Be Lonely” from the PotO Movie? (It was sung by Minnie Driver)
I wonder if some of them are going to get wrapped up in the theatricals of the show and turn in performances that the audiences aren’t going to get and it’s going to affect them. I love these types of show because knowing this type of music inside and out is gets to expose others to stuff they’ve never heard off even through Lloyd Webber has been around the 60’s and is mega rich. The advantage is most of Andrew Lloyd Webber songs are easily detachable from the show they’re in unlike a lot of other musical theater songs that if you remove them from the show you get confusion and boredom. Also his songs can generally be done by pop singers and big Broadway voices so it should work if they choose smart. I also think David Cook being a theater major, Syesha being an actress, and Carly having done Les Miserables might help them out unless they don’t care for musicals either and will bomb.
Agree with cheese…I actually really like Phantom the show but POTO is like the worst song ever. It’s like, the ugly wingman for Music of the Night (which immediately follows).
I only really know Evita and POTO, Evita thanks to the movie and POTO cause of a music teacher in 8th grade (yeah, I’m lame)…so my picks for what i think could work for each:
brooke: you must love me
carly: wishing you were somehow here again
syesha: buenos aires
david a: memory
jason: on this night of a thousand stars
david c: high flying adored
I had hoped that Jason would sing “Any Dream Will Do” or “Close Every Door”.
Since some of Jason’s family members sing Opera, he probably can hit notes that he hasn’t hit before on the AI stage. I will be perfectly happy if he “Jason-ize” his song choice and not go for any glory notes. There’s something pretty perfect about the way he sings, IMO.
I’m glad that Jason’s feeling better. I need to go see what else Sooner has to say.
I do too. Ugh. Actually, I hate Cats too (frickin’ CREEPY), but I haven’t seen anything else by ALW. I wonder if they can do songs from The Sound Of Music? He didn’t write it but he worked on the Broadway version.
I really wish they didn’t have to do musical theater stuff, but why not Rogers and Hammerstein or something instead?
Aren’t Rogers and Hammerstein dead? Forgive me if I’m wrong, but I’m pretty sure they are. The truth is they can’t actually mentor from the grave (although, they might do a better job doing that then say Gwen Stephani). However, I will argue that ALW is Broadway royalty. I think he’s in a different league than R&H entirely, and I adore them as well so that’s not an insult.
If they can do Sound of Music I hope Jason does “Do, Re Mi” and I’m not joking..well not entirely. I love that song!
In all seriousness, the “Music of the Night” spoiler worries me to no end. I mean Jason does come from an operatic family. It is likely that he may have grown up listening to Phantom. Maybe he just needs to unleash his inner opera singer?
Though put me down as someone who thinks “Phantom of the Opera” by David sounds incredibly sexy. If you think of the background music, it would be easy to “rock it up.” I’m not even sure he would have to rock it up, it’s emo enough.
Those spoilers are all songs one would expect, so I don’t expect to be hearing many of them.
I cannot wait until tonight. Love, love, love this theme!!!!!
I’d love to hear someone perform “Jellicle Songs For Jellicle Cats!”
I think Jason would do great with “Hosanna” from Superstar.
I’m excited too because I love ALW’s music. I was pretty addicted for a while and listened to music from musicals most of the time - mostly his music.
I wrote my suggestions last night but accidentally closed the tab so to make it short, I hope someone does “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina” I suspect Syesha will try to glory out this or Memories.
I’d love to hear Carly sing “As if we never said goodbye” Kind of poetic as the song is about returning to the stage, and she’s returned to the music industry.
David A maybe something from Joseph, Any Dream or Close every Door
Brooke could do “I don’t know how to love him” Undersing it and show some vulnerability. This could be a very good song for her.
Jason I don’t know, I love him but not sure what he can sing.
And my favourite Cookie Don’t rule out Phantom of the Opera! Rhydian, the X Factor runner up did it in UK and blew it off the stage! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSUuOlsEDfU
Yes it was very camp, he was very camp, but Cookie could change this up and make it darker, edgier and sexy. The song is good.
ALW songs are a strange choice in my opinion because they aren’t really stand alone songs, they all tell a story which makes some sound strange out of context.
Put me on that list!!
The only problem I see is that it will be very hard to tell the story with such a limited amount of time per performance.
I think Cook would be smart to go with JCS, as it is a “Rock Opera.”
He could hit this one out of the ballpark with any of the songs from that
album.
[quote]I think Cook would be smart to go with JCS, as it is a “Rock Opera.”
He could hit this one out of the ballpark with any of the songs from that
album. [/quote]
I think that could be what ALW meant by some “strange” choices. He would expect Jason and David C to go with JCS or JATADC but they went with Phantom. It was just a bit odd.
I think the songs will be fairly well-known ones. They are the songs that CAN stand on their own without the rest of the show.
All I want is for Jason NOT to sing “Memories”, the most cliched of all ALW’s songs. He may as well sing “You Light Up My Life”. Yep, dating myself here. And STILL sick of that song after all these years!
Haha, yes I believe they are. My point was the theme, not the mentor. If they HAD to do musical theater I think ALW was a bad choice considering (I would assume) the majority of AI viewers are not theater buffs.