The awesome Caffiend, who spoiled The Next Great American band for us last fall attended the dress rehearsal for tonight’s Top 12 performance show. Here’s what she got:
Videos! Click the song link - a big thanks to lawrence for the videos…
- Syesha Mercado - “Got to Get You Into My Life” - iTunes Downloads: Vocal Video
- Chikezie - “She’s a Woman” iTunes Downloads - Vocal Video
- Ramiele Malubay - “In My Life” iTunes Downloads - Vocal Video
- Jason Castro - “If I Fell” iTunes Downloads - Vocal Video
- Carly Smithson - “Come Together” iTunes Downloads - Vocal Video
- David Cook - “Eleanor Rigby” iTunes Downloads - Vocal Video
- Brooke White : “Let it Be” iTunes Downloads - Vocal Video
- David Hernandez - “I Saw Her Standing There” iTunes Downloads - Vocal Video
- Amanda Overmyer - “You Can’t Do That” iTunes Downloads - Vocal Video
- Michael Johns - “Across the Universe” iTunes Downloads - Vocal Video
- Kristy Lee Cook - “Eight Days a Week” iTunes Downloads: Vocal Video
- David Archuleta - “We Can Work it Out” iTunes Downloads - Vocal Video
She’s got more here.
Let me say, right off the bat, that I love the Beatles. I’ve been a fan since I was 5 years old. As far as I’m concerned, pop music begins and ends with Lennon, McCartney, Harrison and Starr. As you might imagine, I anticipated this week’s Beatles theme with a mixture of excitement and trepidation. I love these songs, I love hearing them, but not so much when they’re butchered. And as Idol fans are aware, anything can happen on the big Idol stage.
Happily, the kids are alright. Beatles night is NOT a trainwreck as some have predicted. There are several fine performances and a few surprises.
Most wonderfully, it appears that we have a REAL race on our hands. Front-runners suddenly seem fallible, and contestants who’d been counted out are back in the race.
This is really good stuff.
More after the jump…
The new set is…shiny. It’s blue and silver and a bit cold looking–kind of space-agey, as if American Idol met the Jetsons. The opening is brand-new too, featuring modern-looking CGI. According to Caffeind, who attended rehearsal tonight, the set fits into the old studio–it just looks bigger.
There’s also more seating–due to a standing room only section around the judges, they are calling “the mosh pit.” Oh if only it were. Instead of kids bashing each other on the noggin’, however, the pit is filled with attractive, overly-excited youngsters. Randy Minor and the band is situated in the rafters, high in a mezzanine.
Ryan Seacrest is so excited tonight. I swear, it’s like Pauler slipped him a few uppers from her stash. His banter with Simon Cowell takes on a particularly cantankerous tone. Maybe the new set is emitting strange toxic fumes. Simon still can’t remember the contestants’ names. There is, indeed, something in the air tonight.
Ryan introduces the Top 12. They walk out from behind big space-age doors that open to the back stage.Ryan shoos the kids away before he introduces the Beatles theme–specifically the Lennon/McCartney songbook–with a well put together clip show featuring John Lennon and Paul McCartney from their teen years in the 50’s to the Beatles’ end in the early 70’s.
One more word about these songs: I have special memories attached to each and every one of them, and have probably heard each one thousands of times. I immediately caught every botched lyric, noticed every change and missed note. And I found myself drawn to the more heartfelt performances than not.
The kids re-introduce themselves in their pre-performance video packages. We also learn more about their musical backgrounds.
Syesha Mercado - “Got to Get You Into My Life” - Syesha claims to love the big stage, but it doesn’t seem to love her. She performs the Earth Wind and Fire arrangement of this song, and it’s really boring. When she’s not belting, Syesha’s voice is soft, and she does this weird phrasing thing, pausing at odd times. Her approach is not working. Unfortunately, going first plus a forgettable performance could mean the boot for Syesha. Randy says, “Nice arrangement…the Earth, Wind and Fire arrangement, yes? It started a little rough for me…by the middle of it you got into it and started having fun with it…it was alright for me.” Paula says, “You know you’re a good singer, it started off-pitch…but midway through you found your zone…” Simon, “I thought it was a great choice of song…You looked very very nervous…I thought you were much better than you were last week.”
Chikezie - “She’s a Woman” - Pre-performance chat: Chikezie tells Ryan that he was sure he was going home last week. So did I. I wanted him to go home, but I take it back. Chikezie’s performance of this little McCartney gem from Help is audacious. What? A banjo? A fiddle? a tambourine? What the hell? Chikezie starts off acoustic blues style and then moves into an all out balls-to-the-walls rock/soul/funk rave-up. I was NOT expecting that, and I love it. Go Chikezie! Randy, “I was thoroughly entertained….who know…I loved the arrangement…Chikezie smashed it!” Paula can barely get a straight word out, then says, “I’ve been waiting for this.” Simon says, “I’m really surprised that I have to agree with these two…You took control over the stage…I thought you were terrific.” Afterward, Ryan gets all crazy on Chikezie’s ass! Those uppers must be kicking in!
Ramiele Malubay - “In My Life” - Ramile dedicates the song to her close friends who have left the show already. Unless she steps it up, she’s going to be joining them soon. She’s got a pretty voice, but does nothing with this song except sing it prettily.Zzz. The hand-waving in the “mosh pit” cracks me up. Tiny Ramiele seems to be shrinking even more as the competition progresses. Randy says, “It was kind of pretty, but kind of pretty boring…it just kind of laid there for me.” Paula says, “You look lovely tonight…It was pretty safe…you are an amazing singer…you need to take advantage of that.” Simon says, “I was bored to tears throughout the entire song…dreary song choice, it did absolutely nothing for you…it was forgettable…I expect a lot better from you…you’re better than that.” Randy refuses to say that she’s done enough for this week. Paula says she deserves to stay. I think Ramiele’s fan base will save her for another week.
Jason Castro - “If I Fell” - Jason plays acoustic guitar, and does some really cool little twisty things with his phrasing. I imagine women everywhere falling in love with him as he sings. He’s very sweet and engaging on stage. Having said that, I wish Jason had chosen a more challenging song with more emotional heft. “You’ve Got to Hide You Love Away” would have been an interesting pick. Don’t get me wrong, I still love his unique vocals, but there isn’t much there, there. Randy says, “I didn’t love it…sometimes with a melody that classic…you need to sing it with just more of a heartfelt thing…the switches in the melody kind of threw me…I found myself tuning out.” Randy is baked. The switches in the melody are pure Jason, and are what kept the song from becoming a snoozefest. Paula says, “I disagree with Randy, I feel your heart..it’s such a special connection…” Simon says, “Tonight, it was all a little student in the bedroom at midnight. I thought the song was quite boring. You’ve got to choose brilliant songs that suit your style.”
Pre-performance talk with Carly - She overuses the word “brilliant”. Yeah, we get it. You’re from across the pond. She and Amanda Overmyer are roommates.
Carly Smithson - “Come Together” - In her video package, Carly says she’s been singing “Come Together” in the bars every weekend. “Come Together” is not a pre-Sgt Peppers Beatle’s song, but I’m assuming she, and a couple other contestants got special dispensation for songs that they really wanted to sing. There is no denying it, Carly has powerful pipes. I’m amazed at the strength of her vocals in her higher register. Her stage presence is confident. I don’t love this song, but I don’t love the Beatles’ version either. Randy says, “You were strong, you were confident…stellar performance.” Paula says, “I felt like I was already watching a star…You are amazing.” Simon says, “Week after week so far, I think you have chosen the wrong song, until now…this reminds me six years ago…exactly the same week, Kelly Clarkson.” Of course, Carly is thrilled to finally get some major props from Simon. But seriously, how is this performance so much better than her others? Carly has been consistently good. Is this some sort of strategy to keep the buzz around her interesting?
Cut to Ryan, having an animated conversation with Simon. What the hell was that about?
David Cook - “Eleanor Rigby” - David decided not to play guitar this week, because, “The song is so powerful, playing guitar would be overkill.” I don’t know. I think the guitar would have grounded him. With this song, conveying the meaning of the lyrics in the performance is really important, and I don’t think he quite cut it. David, you’re singing about sad, lonely people, please stop smiling. His vocals fill up the big stage, and he has enormous stage presence, but I guess I’m just not feeling the post-grunge version of “Eleanor Rigby.” He flubs a lyric, but covers up well. I didn’t dig the Screamy McScreamerton glory note at the end, either. Randy says, “It was rockin’.” Paula says, “I’ve been telling everyone you are the dark horse…you are a thoroughbred.” Simon says, “I thought it was brilliant…if this show remains a talent competition, rather than a popularity competition, you actually could win this entire show.” Simon pimps David C!
Brooke White : “Let it Be” - Brooke’s performance of “Let it Be” is beautiful and heartfelt, wonky notes aside. In fact, the wonkiness gives her interpretation a very raw feel. There isn’t much to say except that I really appreciate Brooke’s gorgeous simplicity. She’s so moved herself, that she cries after her performance. I’m remembering why I loved this song from the moment I heard it as a child. Randy says, “I don’t know if it’s your strongest performance, I love the fact that you have all this conviction…you gave a very heartfelt performance.” Paula says, “This is your niche Brooke.” Simon says, “I thought it was again, one of the best performances of the night…brilliant choice of song…it’s believable.”
David Hernandez - “I Saw Her Standing There” - Prior to Idol, David worked in a “pizza shop” wink wink. He became familiar with Beatles’ music when he took a course on them in college. So, armed with knowledge, he chooses “I Saw Her Standing There”? WTF? Unless David is the victim of some producer shenanigans, he’s got to be kidding. I’m totally not buying this shiz. This is a horrible song choice for him in every single way. His performance is ridiculous and over the top. Save the stripper moves for the bar, OK? Plus, he messes up the words. Yikes. David could be in trouble this week. Randy says, “It was a little too overdone…I was kind of lost from the jump…there was too much going on.” Paula says, “You know I love your voice…you kind of over did it a little.” Simon says, “David. No. No. No. I thought is was corny verging on desperate, it was all a little bit rabbit in the headlights.”
Amanda Overmyer - ”You Can’t Do That” - Ooh. Amanda’s hair looks so pretty! She says this is the first time she’s heard her song. Not surprising, “You Can’t Do That” is another obscure little gem. It’s one of my favorite early Beatles’s tunes. There’s lots of soul in the original, perfectly suitable to Amanda’s bluesy rock style. The song is one of Lennon’s typically cynical takes on romance, and Amanda brings a unique female perspective to it. She gets a million points from me FOR NOT changing the gender. Amanda’s message to her significant other? “Screw me over, and I’ll cut you.” She’s awesome. She’s not swallowed up by the big stage. But, I can’t imagine anything swallowing up Amanda. She has to stay in this competition. Randy says, “That is the true mark of great songs, you took a Beatles song….and rocked it out.” Paula says, “You are a star up there…I’m blown away.” Simon says, “I didn’t think it was as good as last week…you were slurring a lot of the words… but I think it’s a good thing you are in this competition, you are a breath of fresh air.”
Michael Johns - “Across the Universe” - Michael gets it. No showboating here. He stands at the mic and sings. His interpretation is plaintive and moving. Now I remember why I liked Michael in the first place. His rough-hewn vocals add a beautiful edge to the song. I know he’ll get back to “performing” after this, but I’m glad we got a chance to see this softer side of Michael. He’s not phoning it in–the song obviously means a lot to him. Randy says, “I thought it was good, I was waiting for something big to happen…it was a little sleepy.” NO Randy. Paula says, “I disagree with you again…It takes an inner strength and an inner quiet confidence…to stand at the center of the stage and…” She loses her thought and Michael finishes for her, “Sing”. Ha. “…But sing brilliantly,” Paula finishes. Simon says, “I’m going to agree with Randy…now is the point where you have to let yourself go a little bit…I’m still a big fan of yours…I’m frustrated still that we haven’t heard what you’re capable of doing.” Ah, Simon. I disagree. I think Michael finally brought it tonight.
Kristy Lee Cook - “Eight Days a Week” - Did I ever, in my lifetime, need to hear a country version of “Eight Days a Week”? No. No, I did not. However, this performance isn’t a trainwreck. It’s just sort of…pointless. Despite a wonky last note, Kristy actually sounds better than she has the entire competition. If she wanted to go country with the Beatles, there were certainly better choices. But, who knows, maybe they weren’t on the list. Randy says, “I liked the arrangement and the idea of the song…it’s just vocally you were trying to force some runs into it…I’m kind of torn with this one.” Paula is uncharacteristically blunt, “I didn’t enjoy it…I didn’t get it.” Simon says, “I thought it was horrendous…you sounded like Dolly Parton on helium…it was a very brave, but foolish thing to do…that song doesn’t work in that style.” Whoa Kristy! Time to break out the hot pants! And for those of you who think Kristy is going home this week, I have two words: Haley Scarnato.
David Archuleta - “We Can Work it Out” - In his video package, David admits to being nervous about this week’s performance. He’s not familiar with the Beatles, and he’s picked what he thinks is a difficult song to sing. Within the first 30 seconds of the performance, he botches the lyrics. Just drops them. He loses his nerve. He’s shaky. He forgets more lyrics. You can sense the wheels turning in his head. Oh dear, the Boy Wonder stumbles. Circuit overload! It’s like the poor kid is cracking at the seams. I’m not surprised. David always seemed fragile to me, both physically and emotionally. I get the sense he’s been raised like a hot house flower–take him out of his element, and he has a tough time. I think David could be in trouble as the pressure mounts. I feel kinda sorry for him. Seriously, the bottom age for this competition should be 18. Randy says, “This week was not your vibe…it sounded very forced.” Paula says, “This wasn’t your best week…forgetting the lyrics gets a little tough.” Simon says, “That was a mess, you stumbled over the lyrics, it was just all over the place…it was your weakest performance so far.” To say the least. It’s tough to maintain a front-runner status week in and week out. Only someone seasoned, mature and tough is equipped to handle the pressure from the heightened expectations.
My personal favs tonight: Chikezie, Micheal, Brooke, Amanda
The worst: David H, David A, and Kristy Lee.
Who will go home: Syesha or David H.
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One of the things that bothered me about Jason’s performance was the dumb audience CLAPPING through the whole thing (not his fault). I was really afraid he’d get swallowed up on the big stage, and the audience really didn’t help him at all. Waving arms? OK. Clapping over Jason’s lovely voice? NOOOOOO!
not overly impressed with beatle nite.. but the beatles are who i grew up with so need real talent to BRING IT
IMO the only ones that did the songbook justice are
Brooke White
David Cooke
Chikeze Eze
OK - I’m a HUGE Beatles fan, so I went into this w/ mixed feelings. Liking the idea that all the songs are going to be songs I know and love, but worried about how they will be ruined. For the most part, they did better than I hoped.
Syesha Mercado - “Got to Get You Into My Life” - seeing her in the first spot, I figured she was being thrown under the bus. It was OK, but she wasn’t in tune all the way thru. Didn’t like the hair. Figured she could easily be voted off. Was hoping that Michael Johns would have chosen this song. After watching the whole show, wondered what Ramiele would have done with it too.
Chikezie - “She’s a Woman” - Last week I wanted him gone instead of Noriega. This week - holy cow! Where did that come from? Breakout performance of the night!
Ramiele Malubay - “In My Life” - This is my absolute favorite Beatles song & was the “first dance” song at my wedding. While the judges encouraged “changing up the songs”, I do believe certain Beatles songs really can’t be changed up and, if you tried, you will be penalized, as some others saw later in the show. She did a lovely, simple take on it. I think she suffered more from being placed just after Chikezie. I do wish she would do something upbeat as it seems she has only done ballads.
Jason Castro - “If I Fell” - He’s been my secret favorite since the first week, and I thought he did a lovely job on it. I hoped he would sing this or “For No One”. Listened to it again w/ my eyes closed & it was just fine. But I like the indy/folk vibe to begin with. Can it get old? Sure. But Daughtry got old for me a lot faster.
Carly Smithson - “Come Together” - It was fine. I hoped that Amanda would have done this and bet she wanted it. But I didn’t think it was anything outstanding.
David Cook - “Eleanor Rigby” - Very good and interesting rendition. He has really moved up in favor for me - from weird hair dude to someone who can really deliver. Starting to get close to being too much the same every week tho, which is what killed Daughtry for me.
Brooke White : “Let it Be” - I love Brooke for the same reasons I love Castro. She’s my favorite girl in the competion, not that she’ll win. I just hope she gets enough exposure to make a career. Nice pure version. Again, how come her version is OK but Ramiele’s is not?
David Hernandez - “I Saw Her Standing There” - Wasn’t digging it & felt his the worst performance of the guys, until Archie. What bothered me more than anything though is not respecting the lyrics. DON’T MESS UP THE LYRICS. It’s not “I wouldn’t dance with another, cuz I saw her standing there.” Cuz? Really - “cuz?” It’s WHEN I saw her standing there.
Amanda Overmyer - “You Can’t Do That” - One of my favorite songs (OK, I prefer any Lennon song to most any McCartney one). Considering she wasn’t familiar with it, I really thought she did a great take on it in her limited style. She won’t win but she’ll be a great front person for a blues rock band. Would have loved to see her do “Oh Darling”. And the stylist has got to stop putting her in striped pants.
Michael Johns - “Across the Universe” - Another favorite of mine and, like “In My Life” one that I think you can’t change up too much. I felt this week that he was at least finally putting in some effort. I thought it was his best performance since Light My Fire, altho it didn’t really light MY fire.
Kristy Lee Cook - “Eight Days a Week” - What the F was that? OK, I despise country music to begin with, but who could have imagined that? The weird thing is, I thought that it was her best performance to date. She wasn’t sick, and she was in tune. I think she felt she was really in her element. But it was a horrible thing to do to the song. I thought she should have left last week, but she should definately go this week. And take the bug eyes with her. What’s with the ripped up pants?
David Archuleta - “We Can Work it Out” - When he mentioned that he didn’t know any Beatles, all I could think was this: if you’ve been groomed since childhood as a singer, performed on StarSearch, been stage mommed to sing, even knew Imagine, how can you NOT know any Beatles? Then I had a feeling he was going to crash and burn. I counted that he forgot the lyrics 3x, altho the 3rd one could have just been mumbling them as he was unsure. His voice has a really great tone, but others have been flat-out voted off for forgetting the lyrics. They can pimp him all they want but I truly do not think he will win.
David C. did an amazing job tonight. He and Brooke are my picks for this season. He would love for one of them to win. His original stuff: http://www.davidcooktheamericanidol.com/music/.
Rant mode on.
Listen kids, you 12 American Idol finalists:
If you want to be a professional singer, don’t say that you really don’t know any Beatles songs. I mean, that just makes you sound stupid. It’s like saying you want to be a trumpet player but aren’t familiar with Miles Davis. Or want to be a symphony conductor but haven’t really heard any Beethoven. Or want to be a professional golfer, but your not familiar with Jack Nicklaus’ swing.
Come on. Be serious. If you are frickin’ 17 years old and you “aren’t familiar with the Beatles songs”, then go home where you belong, spend four or five years doing your professional singer homework and try again when you are ready.
Rant mode off.
JSG, love your post about Brooke. Thank you for saying what I felt but could not say so eloquently.
HWC, you are so right! Are they living under a rock? My 5 year old knows Beatles songs backwards and forwards (albeit a lot of the George Harrison ones).
I am old enough to know the entire Beatles songbook by heart. They were my musical touchstone and every song evokes a very specific time and place in my childhood and adolescence. That being said, I think expecting kids who were born 30 years after the Beatles burst on the scene to automatically be familiar with the Beatles is like expecting a 16 year old baby boomer to be intimately familiar with the Gershwin or Cole Porter songbooks.When I was David Archuletta’s age I had no use for the music that my parents loved. Then I grew up and discovered Ella Fitzgerald and Sinatra and Sarah Vaughn. Give the kids a break.
Every year on Idol, we get some top 12 contestants who really just want to be famous. It doesn’t matter if it’s acting, modeling, singing, or what. They just want the fame and money. I think this is what we have with Syesha and Kristi Lee Cook. If modeling or acting panned out with them, then great, but hey, why not try American Idol?
Then every year we have the child prodigies who “Grew Up” watching Idol, and some have more success than others. But these are not people who have had time to fully develop their own musicality, for lack of a better word. David A. fills the spot this year.
Next are the contestants who really have good voices, but realize that they probably won’t make it is show biz, so they have back-up careers, like nursing or broadcast journalism (Amanda and David H.).
Then you have the true musicians who live and breathe music. I think this is where Brooke and David C. come in. I can appreciate David C.’s ability, but it is not for me. Brooke, I just love. There is something about her that is so appealing, and after years of girls who oversing every Whitney song ever made, she is a joy.
Micael Johns is just plain disappointing.
No appreciation for is one thing. Ignorance is another.
It’s like saying you want to be a writer and never having read anything by Shakespeare, Jane Austen, or Mark Twain.
Exactly.
I’m not saying these kids are bad people because they haven’t bothered to familiarize themselves with the work of the top songwriters of the century. I’m just saying that they obviously aren’t serious about singing and obviously need to just go home until they are serious.
If the only Beatles song you know is from a Stevie Wonder CD, then you need to spend three or four years studying your craft.
Beesims, I agree with HWC. I have a 16 year old son who plays Bass and Guitar and he is going to attend the Berklee College of Music Performance program this summer. For Christmas, he asked for and recieved the complete scores of every song every written or performed by the Beatles. He is much more a music historian than either myself or his father, who also plays guitar. It will serve him well if he decides to pursue music in any form.
He began to watch the show last night, even though he hates Idol; he couldn’t make it thru three performances before he got fed up, lol.
I can only agree. Someone once told me, great writers read everything. The same goes for musicians. Great singers have extensive music repertoires…well, at least the ones who want to last longer than five years. The real musicians will begin to stand out as the show progresses.
Interesting creative musicians ALL absorb what has come before them and use it as a jumping off point. That, IMO, is where the creativity comes from. Whether it’s Bob Dylan jumping off from the songs of Woody Guthrie, Hank Williams, etc. or Lennon/McCartney jumping off from the American blues singers.
For an example, listent to Ryan Adams’ Heartbreaker and Gold albums: his “take” on the music of the 60s and 70s (Dylan, Simon/Garfunkel, Neil Young, Van Morrison, Elton John, Rolling Stones, etc.)
The failure to get into, appreciate, and understand the musical heritage is precisely why today’s pop music scene is so devoid of artistic content.
You do know that we are talking about American Idol here? I would personally love to see the show produce the next Beck or Rufus Wainwright or Ryan Adams or Kanye West, but I know that invariably, I will get a Jordin Sparks or a David Archuletta crammed down my throat. Thankfully you sometimes get an incredibly brave and original performance like Chikezie’s bluegrass/funk mash-up of “She’s a Woman” that cuts through the crass cheese that is Idol.
Loved Beatles night. Hard not to pick a good song with those choices.
Chikeze and David Cook — best of the night. Re: Daughtry vs David - David has more personality and connects much better with the audience. Big improvement to me.
Jason and Brooke — next best. LOVE LOVE the fact that they don’t try to fit the Idol mold of belting, power ballad type singers. It’s refreshing to hear music without all the runs and yelling.
Michael and David A — waaay overpimped. Michael has just been a disappointment and David A is a sweet kid with a great voice — but doesn’t yet have a style (or else I don’t like it?) I can’t picture him singing pop tunes, or country, or rock….so how would he sell?
Carly - also overpimped — but did well last night. Do you really believe Simon couldn’t remember the Irish girls’ name? Ha!
Kristy — yikes….please go home and get your horse back. You just butchered a Beatles song…how is that possible!?
Syesha — too plastic for me. Maybe you’ll go after Kristy?? Please…
This is one of the reasons why I took to Taylor so readily. He obviously knew his music history, he was heavily influenced by all sorts of old blues/soul musicians.
In this competition, I’m finding I like the optional music instruments. I thought it was only going to be allowed in the prelims but, apparently not. I wonder how Season 5 would have looked if Daughtry & Taylor could have played guitar, or if Lisa Tucker could have played piano like she did on the tour.
Re: KLC
Sometimes it’s better to be considered awful than mediocre, because people will remember you. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if Syesha is gone. She was forgettable, especially since Chizekie followed her with a strong performance. Plus, she seems to show no real personality. I see an actress up there every week, not a real person. I could be wrong, but I don’t think Kristy Lee will go this week.
I watched the show back, and it was different. For one thing, I think I “got” Jason the second time around. Before, I thought it was a little too melodic and not stylish enough; I also thought it was a poor song choice because I was expecting a more upbeat, hippy number. My comments that immediately followed his performance were not favorable.
After re-watching it, though, I thought he really challenged himself this week and showed a beautiful, almost ethereal side of his voice. A hippy Beatles song would have been right down his ally, but instead, he chose to do a “beautiful song” (like he said in the introductory video. TCFW= too cute for words!). It was a solid vocal performance, and one that I could listen to on repeat.
I didn’t feel the emotion the first time around, and thought that Brooke blew Jason out of the water in this area this week. But I think I understood Jason’s emotional connection better when I rewatched it. It was subtle and tender, unlike Brooke’s which was very dramatic (not in a bad way; although, I could have done without the tears.)
Conclusion: still loving Jason. and David Cook. (Amanda and Brooke are my favorites on the girls side).
Yeah, lots of great songs to choose from, but this night, like Elvis night, is SO hard because these songs are so iconic.
Change it up too much and you’re not respecting the original. Don’t change it up and you’re just doing a pale imitation. It is a very fine line.
I have to agree about Jason. It took a second listen to really appreciate last night’s performance. Still not the best of the night but it was good, dawg. Boy worked it out. heh.
Hubby, son and I spent the evening at my best friend’s house who has tivo, I forgot to set it to record at home. @#$%(*@#$. For the most part it was a great top 12 night and I was surprised. 7pm came and she was still showing us a show she had recorded earlier in the day (don’t ask it was horrid) and I was getting very antsy and eyeing the clock. She kept telling me *don’t worry it’s recording*. 7:30 came and went, then 8, then finally sometime after 8:15 I told her I could not take it anymore and could we please watch AI. LOL. For the record mostly I do not enjoy watching AI on Tivo and at a friend’s house.
Syesha: Started singing and we all looked at each other and at once said *fast forward*.
Chikezie: WOW! Just WOW. Where have you been hiding this talent?? Hubby sat up, son leaned forward, friend closed her eyes and smiled, I sat stunned. Good for you Chikezie, very good, THAT is the way you come on to win, hope the others take note because Chikezie wants to stay and that’s the way you do it.
Ramiele: I have not been and am not a Ramiele fan, that said, I thought she was lovely last night. There is no denying that she did a beautiful rendition of that song. Friend was bored…period. Son was meh, Hubby and I both enjoyed it very much. Sometimes it is very nice to just listen to a beautiful voice and that is what I took from her performance.
Jason: Jason had me at *DayDream*, lost me on *Hallelujah* (just did not care for it at all). There is something about someone just sitting, playing the guitar and quietly singing that is wonderful. Jason did just that and won me over. Friend closed her eyes, then opened them, hubby thought it was good, no comment from son, I loved it. It was not a showstopper, but it was something I will remember, it was s tender song, and it was delivered tenderly. To Simon: WHAP! Did you listen to the words of the song? It’s not a shouting song, it’s one where you imagine someone singing it to themselves while thinking of the one they are falling for. How else to deliver it? Jason you did great!
Carly: There is no denying Carly can sing. I did not want to like her, and ended up starting to like her in the past couple of weeks. That said here is what happened. Carly starts to sing, friend closes her eyes and opens them immed, hubby enjoyed it, son meh, me UGH. I wanted to fast forward. It seemed like Carly was in a last ditch effort and grasping. She started off way too high and there was nowhere else for her to go. Friend agreed. I did not get the Carly love at the end, none of us did. It was NOT all that and a bag of chips.
David: Eleanor Rigby (I called that! Woo!). David starts singing and the epic battle begins. Friend *Lisa close your eyes*, me *why? I don’t want to*, *just close your eyes*, me turning now *I don’t want to*, *just do it*, me, *I don’t want to miss it*, her *Just do it* and on it went. I missed half the performance. I stopped the tivo. Now she explains to me she wants me to just hear him sing, and I ask why. She never answers just says to just listen that is how *she* can tell if they move her enough. BLEH, I inform her I want to see the whole package. I ask if she is done, she says yes and I hit rewind and watch with my eyes OPEN. Elanor Rigby is one of my fav songs, David did good. Was it a showstopper? No, but in his rock style I would say he did great. There is no denying this boy can sing and he definitely has stage presence, Carly take note. David does not have to grasp with deadly claws. I have been on the David band wagon for a couple of weeks now.
Brooke: (friends fav, one of mine too) Friend closes her eyes, almost immed opens them and says, not good. I disagree. She is right it was not great vocally, but it was good. Hubby meh, son meh. Brooke will never be a powerhouse, ain’t that great? Brooke is what she is, someone who takes a song to heart and just spends a couple of minutes telling us how she feels in her heart. I like that.
David: You are not Taylor and can not pull that opening off. In fact, you can’t pull any of that song off, fast forward. Everyone winced.
Amanda:(another Friend fav) I liked her at one point this season. It’s getting same old now. Friend loves her, says *her hair is longer she has extenions*. Me like a dummy disagrees and she says, yes she does, then they show her little interview and danged if she is not right, Amanda’s hair is longer. Amanda opens her mouth, I would say starts singing, but the minute she does, I started saying *What is she saying? I can’t understand her*. Honestly it was almost a minute into her performance that I could understand what the words were. Not one of us cared for Amanda last night. Hubby says he would never buy her cd it would just be the same old same old.
Michael: No one was bored, which was amazing seeing that it was slow. Michael can sing and I was glad he just stood there and let it rip. Good for you Michael, Simon was wrong. Friend said on Michael and Jason that maybe Simon and Randy were just jealous, lol. It was good.
Kristy Lee Cook: WTF?????????????????????????????????????????? OMG WTF????? Remember those cartoons where they had high pitched voices and then would speed up the voices? This was PAINFUL. Did Kristy hit the helium and then take a speed pill? That was horrific. I have not seen a bigger mess, ever, nope never on idol. WTF were they thinking letting this girl anywhere near that stage?
David: Here we are, here he is. Friend’s FAVORITE. PERIOD. My least favorite PERIOD. She gets all oooo isn’t he adorable. I get all *big teeth grinning at her and licking my lips*. I can…not..stand…David. He just bugs me. Sure he can sing, but is he the best? No. Way over rated way, far over rated. The kid is cute, no denying that, he can sing, no denying that. Is he all that and a bag of chips no. Seems like he is having trouble when he sings, sometimes gasping. I just don’t get it. Ok onto his performance. David cracks under pressure. Friend not impressed and says immed, he screwed up. I was still grinning at her and licking my lips. I watched, yeah he was messing up. Poor kid, and that *poor kid* only goes so far. *IMHO* David is way to young for this. I think David will at some point be a teen wunderbox, but hopefully not on Idol. Just do not see it, nor do I want ANY of that koolaid.
Best: Chikezie, David C, Brooke, Jason
Good: Ramiele, Michael, Carly
Bottom: Syesha, David H, Amanda, David A
New Category:
WTF: Kristy Lee Cook
Lisa, nice recap.
LOL!
You know, I am watching Michael’s performance once again and I really loved it. It felt sincere.
He nailed the song IMO and his vocals were strong and powerful.
Maybe he didn’t do much with the song, but that’s the way it’s meant be. It’s a simple melody.
I really don’t know what Simon wants, I think he is tough on him because he really wants him to do well. You can tell Michael is frustrated too.
I still think he will have his moment, he is too talented to go away so early. JMHO. Thank you.
MJ - WHERE’S YOUR RECAP!!! I’M HAVING WITHDRAWALS!!!
David Cook just wiped the floor with the other 11 last night…
I think that this week it hit him, that he really could be a contender. You can see the confidence building - in a good way, a really good way.
I think the bottom 3 will be David A, David H, and Kristy Lee. It will be *SHOCKING*. David A will be sent back to safety first, leaving David H and Kristy Lee. A very plausible bottom 2. Then David H is sent back to safety and we have to endure that ear-splitting rendition of Eight Days a Week again.
I second that emotion - no pressure though
Thanks for the recap. I wouldn’t have guessed that you would place Michael or Amanda above David C. or Jason but MJ, as always, you are wonderfully objective. There are some recap-ers out there that are so set on pimping their favorites, that I can already expect what they’re going to write even before the performances take place. Thanks for being objective, MJ- you’re my favorite! :)
Don’t do that. I don’t tolerate baiting here.
I also don’t tolerate fan wars. If you incite one, I’ll ban you.
Thanks primeminister, that’s the best compliment I can receive! :)
Whew!!! I can stop sucking my sleeve and mumbling, MJ finally posted her recap!
I agree with what you said but I was a little more enamoured with David C than you were tho I thought he was pitchy in the beginning. I still loved his performance.
And Chikeze was just amazing. I had my morning coffee and watched the clips and I have to say I was smiling from ear to ear and when he finished I actually clapped! Sad sorry person I am, had to remind myself that I was clapping for an internet video clip.
I always clap during the show. It IS embarrassing. I may have even “woo-hoo”ed for Chikezie.
Great minds! Heh. I so appreciate your take on the show last night, MJ, which I agree with wholeheartedly.
I was glad to see your take on the arrangement for “Eleanor Rigby.” It was, to me, just…..wrong. Even though the Daughtry-Clone-With-Hair sang very well.
And high fives for your perfect description of both Brooke’s and especially Michael John’s performances. I felt both of them sang those songs exactly as they should have. Both were quite lovely.
I am certainly hoping, too, that Amanda stays in the game. I really enjoy her every week.
Lastly, looking back at this whole evening, only one contestant had a truly original take on a song and that was Chikeze.
I’ve come to the realization that I just don’t like the voices nor the musical styles of Carly, Michael, David C and Amanda. I just don’t hear what the judges and some people posting here hear when they sing. I don’t enjoy them at all. Listening to them is like listening to fingernails on a chalkboard. Actually, I think I’d enjoy the chalkboard more.
I don’t think that any of them deserved the massive praise they got last night. That, IMO, was undue pimping and it was irritating.
I really want them gone but I know that that won’t happen.
For Season 3, Diana and Fantasia were my least favorites. When they were the last 2 standing, I felt like a cosmic joke was being played on me. Until Season 6, Season 3 was my least favorite season, Season 6 is now my least favorite season. I’m glad that Season 7 is better.
Great recap MJ. I see you agree with me that despite the country horrendousness of it all, it was Kristi Lee’s best performance to date (barring amazing grace, of course).
Carly - Frankly, I think a person OUGHT to be good at a song they’ve “been singing for years”.
I loved Ramiele and Jason.
Chikizie was quite fun - funny HE wasn’t told he went overboard - cause that was WAY more than David H.
TMZ is reporting that David A “borrowed” that version of Eleanor Rigby from a Seattle band.
http://www.tmz.com/2008/03/12/did-david-cook-ripoff-eleanor-rigby/
Science fan- I think you mean David C! not David A…
And Im really working on biting my tongue after that recap…i’ll keep my opinions to myself…David A is incredible and will win season 7!
Great recap as always, MJ! I rewatched Michael Johns and it was better than I thought last night. I kinda felt that no matter what song Jason chose (I was thinking Blackbird), it would get compared to last week. Not worried for him, though.
The Seattle band is Doxology and they’re friends with Blake. I’m sure they weren’t the first to do a rock version of ER and won’t be the last.
I’ve been anticipating your recap ALL day MJ but I couldn’t get it until now. (You are totally banned on the school server, trust me, I tried).
I love your recaps. A LOT of times we agree, and the times we don’t, I always think HMM. Let me listen to that again. I appreciate an entirely polarizing opinion, and respect it so much. I love people bringing something different to the plate, always. (I.e, David Cook last night).
I appreciate your objectiveness, which is why I post here. :)
Enjoyed your recap, MJ, and, as always, you write so well!
I am glad that you gave Michael J his due. I have read that a lot of people found him boring. I wonder if they have heard the song before, or, moreover, heard it recently.
Simon was wrong in his assessment of Michael. I am not sure what he wants from him. I wish Simon would listen to the movie soundtrack of “Across the Universe”. Maybe he would understand Michael a little better. But hey, he can’t even remember Carly’s name.
Yes, you’re right.
I meant David Cook.
Thanks, MJ for your consistently awesome recaps. I looked for it all day - I can tell how much thought goes into it and really appreciate it. :)
MJ, thanks so much for the recap. Couldn’t wait to get home and read it without distractions. :) I am still giddy over Chikezie and Amanda’s songs. Ain’t it great?
My hubby has declared Michael and David C as the best singers. (He liked Daughtry better than my fave Taylor too, so this is a good sign. :) I do like Michael, but I agree with Simon -still waiting on that knockout performance. To me, he has yet to emerge with a clearly defined style.
I was going to write something about that mood- and rhythm-killing hand clapping during Jason Castro’s song, but Flicker already mentioned it. Poor cute Jason. Not fair! I hope the producers will get it together and tell the audience next week to ixnay the death clap.
One of the only songs that worked for me were Chikeze’s She’s A Woman, a great performance that captured something of the Beatles’ joy. Too many of the vocalists were overly reverential with the material. The Beatles are all about the joy.
The other song that worked all the way was Brooke White’s Let It Be. A pure soul meets pure material. Works every time.
Crossword-puzzle enthusiast David Cook worked his indie angst magic on Hello last week, but I hope he’s not planning to try the same approach every single week. You can only surprise us once. I was bored by what he did with Eleanor Rigby.
There are so many great Beatles songs. I hope more people will have fun with this challenge next week.
well, Carrie won over Bo, and Jordin over Blake.
Lizard King clive wants someone he can mold or is already generic enough, not someone who’s artistic in any way. He’d much rather have a showbiz circuit kid like Gasper who will gladly record some shitty music to force-feed the tweens with or a POSEUR like daughtry (small d) who’s basically a copycat of Nickleback and other bands in that awful genre but fills the niche well.
For reference, look how they dumped Taylor in the gutter for giving them shit over creative issues. rest assured they’ll never make THAT mistake again …
On a different notre, Stripper being voted off goes to show that Danny should’ve made the top 12. He was about 500% more interesting than Stripper, both as a contestant and as a persona. Too bad so many people who watch AI are homophobes. Although the producers probably wanted him out anyway … no pun intended
Love MJ’s reviews!
Probably only see a couple things diff. With Carly it’s exactly her “high” register that I don’t like and sound bad to my ears, even off slightly. If she doesn’t go there I find her great but not real likeable for some reason…and not fantastic. Thought David Cook was GREAT, except for the beginning when the soft vocals sounded weak or off slightly. Im not into the screaming rock stuff like Daughtry was, but I REALLLLY like David C.’s vocals.
Now we know it was not his choice. “Let It Be” was what David H. wanted to perform. I wish Kristy left so I could have seen just one more performance from him. It wasn’t meant to be.
I am in agreement with most of you regarding Brooke and Jason. I just love the way they present their songs, taking me back to James Taylor/Carly Simon/Carole King. Simple beauty of song. I hope Jason gets a chance to read the MasterClassLady’s advice. He is that raw diamond I love to see. I know he won’t win, but I’d love to see him walk over Carly and maybe Michael. OK, I am dreaming again.
Thank you for your review MJ!