Top 7 Redux iTunes Performance Review
This week’s iTunes performance reviews. Let’s get right to it, shall we?
Fave out of the bunch: Adam Lambert’s heart-wrenching “If I Can’t Have You.” Honerable Mentions: Anoop Desai’s “Dim All the Lights”. Wish the arrangement for Kris Allen’s “She Works Hard for the Money” had been kept simple–but still like the vocal. And I enjoy Allison Irheta’s “Hot Stuff” when I can block out the subject matter.
- Lil Rounds – “I’m Every Woman” by Chaka Khan – Rickey Minor is quoted saying Lil’s performance in rehearsal was “jaw dropping”. And I have to say, this is one of her better recordings. For once she manages to put her own spin on the tune. If this had come earlier in the competition, she probably would have performed with more confidence and gotten better critiques from the judges. - iTunes
- Kris Allen – à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“She Works Hard for the Moneyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ by Donna Summer – The addition of strings sorta turns this tune back into a disco song–kind of a latin-rock-dance tune with the addition of more instruments. But if you liked Kris’s vocal on the live track–you’ll still love this – iTunes
- Danny Gokey – à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Septemberà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ by Earth Wind and Fire – Wow. We got a full-on gospel track here, including Danny engaging in a little mid-song testimony.. Seriously. This is a definite shout-out to the Christian base. I’ll say I’m not really digging this song being spiritualized Danny style, and just leave it at that. iTunes
- Allison Iraheta – à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Hot Stuff” by Donna Summer – Listening to young Allison sing this entire tune, it becomes absolutely clear to me that a 16 year old has no business singing this song. Yes, she sings the hell out of the song, convincingly. And, yes, I am squicked out. – iTunes
- Adam Lambert – à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“If I Can’t Have Youà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ by Yvonne Elliman – I love the way he changed up the verse of this song. So beautiful. Similar to Cook’s “Always Be My Baby”, the torched-up version of the song highlights the poignancy of the lyrics. I’ve heard this song so many times, but it never made me want to cry until now. I bitched about the arrangement of the live version, but those problems are resolved here. iTunes
- Matt Giraud – à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Stayin’ Aliveà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ by the Bee Gees – I’m not totally buying Matt as disco boy. I’m also not feeling his falsetto. Those first couple of notes bring him into “dying cat” territory. Matt only grabs me when he’s singing straight-up soul and souled-up pop. I’m not digging the Timberfake routine so much – iTunes
- Anoop Desai – à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Dim All the Lightsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ by Donna Summer – Aw. I’m feeling a little nostalgic for Anoop. He didn’t always look confident or commanded the stage, but his voice, particularly his mid-range, records just beautifully. The arrangement highlights his smooth vocals, which sound gorgeous here. – iTune
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84 Responses to “Top 7 Redux iTunes Performance Review”
Lexus, you’re very welcome! Glad it helped somebody, LOL!
ITA. You have to know your audience. It’s as much part of playing the Idol Game as having a good vocal.
In Carly’s case it was particularly unfortunate, because ALW basically told her she HAD to sing that song. I’m sure he had no idea that many Americans are overly sensitive about such matters, and clearly Carly didn’t realize it either, but a lot of her fans watching at home shuddered when she started singing that song because they knew it would be the final nail in her coffin.
I feel kind of bad for Allison because I’m not sure what all she had to choose from for “disco week,” but I know I was uncomfortable with her singing that song, and I didn’t really care for the arrangement either. I still voted for her because I love her (and both my sons like her — a first on Idol, LOL), but, yeah, she’s got to be more careful. It’s not the first song she’s sung that I was uncomfortable with either — the Bonnie Raitt lyrics kind of bothered me too (“Lay down with me”).
I love her persona, but I kind of agree with Slezak that she needs to change her image up this week, and then she needs to bat a great (and recognizable) song out of the park. I actually expect her to do well. That smoky voice should sound fantastic on some old Rat Pack song.
I’m really excited about the next two weeks! FINALLY.
Hot Stuff is totally a booty call song in my mind, but I most closely associate it with the movie “The Full Monty”.
I always imagine a tiny double pelvic thrust each time the words”Hot Stuff” are sung. ( see: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZuCqT2qbFk )
mj
The veil of innocence. blabla. dying in combat. Happens to teen’s. Has nothing to do with civil rights. They do grow up too fast, but they must. Oh, well, rambling on. “What’s appropriate” – rhetorical question.
I object to the material, more so because it damaged her chances than because of the propriety factor; but, I object on those grounds, as well. Raising the age would be best unless material was restricted. Restricting one contestant would not be fair, but in Alli’s case surely would have helped IMHO. It didn’t happen that way. We should look thru the content, find the art, and judge on the peformance. Effect a remedy for future years.
All that said, she is a child, and someone should have intervened. However, absent clear rules, a 17 year old should be allowed to make her case. God only knows who advised her.
Ha, one of my favorite movies! Thanks wonderings! LOL!
You know, when I saw Allison perform Hot Stuff, I didn’t think it was appropriate for her age, but it never occurred to me people wouldn’t vote for her because of it. I just figured she picked a song that had a good hook to it that she felt she could sing well and didn’t think too deeply about the lyrics.
I don’t think this will hurt her as much as Carly’s JCSS. I guess that is obvious since she didn’t get voted off! LOL! But I do agree with the idea that Allison needs to change it up. Perhaps she needs to sit on a stool and sing something soft. And with Rat Pack/Jazz standards, perpahs she could take a page out of Kelly Clarkson’s book and dress the part, ringlets and all.
So I only purchased Anoop’s because I’m still sad about his premature departure. Honestly this was his best recording…he hit those amazing notes!!! So sadly this will be the last itunes recording I will be purchasing b/c AI has turned me off…
Speaking of youngsters singing songs that aren’t particularly age appropriate on these reality shows .. Eeogan Quigg (yes that’s his real name ..lol) was a 15 year old who finished third on this year’s x factor (although he looked about 12).
They had him singing George Michael’s “One More Try” and then Abba’s “Does Your Mother Know” .. along with an awful dance routine .. whilst weariing somethig that from a distance looked like a leather dog collar and lead.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1IE8nB1wsI&feature=related
Wasn’t Simon his “mentor” for the competition and actively helped him pick songs and set up arrangements. I thought that is how X-factor worked. So, obviously, Simon thinks it is OK for the young-ins to sing “riska” songs.
Somehow I missed all this discussion about Allison’s song choice, lol.
Honestly, it kind of freaked me out too…maybe because my nephew is only a couple of years younger than her and I certainly don’t want him thinking about any “Hot Stuff.”
I think Allison is very talented…but I’ll probably enjoy her more in a few years when she has some experience under belt and I feel like she actually knows/has experienced the things she’s singing about.
You can always count on Anoop for amazing studio recordings.
My first studio recording from Anoop was Be Without You (mary j. blige) and Crazy Train (ozzy osbourne) and both were pretty awesome. I knew his voice was made for albums from the start.
I’ve listened to all the contestanst’s studio recordings this week, and previous weeks and I really never felt the same connection. :confused_wp: