2012 "American Idol" Boasts Good Singers
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Why didn't the judges and Jimmy Iovine catch that, audi? They haven't said anything about it. AI seems to be turning into the Jimmy Iovine Show
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SusyLuvsPaul:
Why didn't the judges and Jimmy Iovine catch that, audi? They haven't said anything about it. ...
The same reason the show's judges and producers allowed Chris Daughtry to claim an arrangement of Johnny Cash's "I Walk The Line" in 2006... ...until the band who actually arranged/recorded/released their track of it called 'em out. Artistic integrity is not a foremost dynamic on that show.
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The theme of last Wednesday's "American Idol" show was "today's charts from 2010 to today" starting with Skylar Laine's version of a Kelly Pickler hit hailed as "crazy hot and crazy good" by Randy who thought her pitch "almost picture perfect" while J-Lo maintained it was "perfect pitch, not easy with a song like that." Steven revealed, "I'm enamoured with the women this year" (not a huge revelation, that) and added" the crows may crow, but the hens can deliver the goods" (?). The judges were so effusive they must think she could make money for them (LOL). Colton Dixon wowed them to the extent of being called "a real artist" already. Sported a tacky jacket that looked like a thrift shop special, although Randy said he and Steven might "fight over it." Was told he could "record that right now and not have to go back for over dubs" (Steven). Elise Testone and Philip Phillips teamed up on a current hit by Gotye, which I greatly enjoyed. Jessica Sanchez slayed the judgemental trio with Jasmine Sullivan's scatty "Stuttering," which garnered her lavish praise (but not a standing O, which Joshua Ledet scored right afterwards with "Runaway Baby" by Bruno Mars). Joshua displayed nimble nifty footwork and smooth dance moves along with a more upbeat fast number than usual, from him. I prefer his heart rending renditions of ballads, though, when he really lets loose and gives ya goosies with a very big middle and end. Fantasia appeared in a video to wish Ledet a happy 20th birthday. He was thrilled. Hollie Cavanaugh performed "Perfect" by Pink but her turn was not described as perfect by the judges, although both J-Lo and Randy pronounced it much better than her offering last week. Tyler thought "it just kinda laid there compared to how you usually sing." Randy reminded "you got a big voice." Philip Phillips gave a spirited "Give a Little More" by Maroon Five. I enjoyed it although the ghost of Dave Matthews hovered. "You've changed and evolved," Tyler remarked, "You're like a Johnny Cash Steve McQueen kind of guy." (And a Dave Matthews kind of guy?) Randy: "This wasn't your greatest...you are singing more melody, but I don't know if it was a 'Wow' kind of moment for me." J-Lo: "It was just a little bit underwhelming...I wanted to see you break out and have an exciting performance, it wasn't really everything you could give us." Elise Testone killed I thought with a real funky and git down version of " LadyGaga's You and I" and the judges concurred, with Randy hollaring "Elise is back! Elise is back! Very dope vocals--crazy--perfect song for you." J-Lo: "You let go but you kept control at the same time! Amazing! Nobody else sings like you." Steven extolled, "You took a song that was simple and you turned it into genuis!" In a big shocker Jessica Sanchez was voted out on Thursday Results Night, but was dramatically "saved" by the judges who went onstage with her soon after she began her swan song, using their one "save" of the season.--SUSY
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The Theme "Now and Then" was featured last night on "American Idol," the Idols each sang two songs--the first a number one hit from 2000 to the present, then a "soul song from back in the day." Hollie Cavanaugh got to open, with "Rolling in the Deep" by Adele, proving she's not too apprehensive to tackle a biggie. Steven Tyler complimented with "It was perfect, it was beautiful." J-Lo raved, "I'm so happy right now...you sang without thinking...you felt every word of it" and Randy assented, "It was close to perfect--you had feeling, you had emotion--Holly, very well done!" Colton Dixon appeared to generally thrill with Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance." I usually like to hear a guy sing a girl song, and it makes him seem like a feminist of sorts. I did think he sang Cyndi Lauper's "Time after Time" a bit more impressively. Elise Testone sang enjoyably to me, next, giving off kind of a womanly Billie Holliday vibe with an appealing ditty "One For You" by Alicia Keyes. Suited her voice. Jennifer Lopez enthused, "I got my first goosies of the night right there...when you smile and you're feeling it your eyes come alive." Steven, a tad more subdued: "I was wishin'--you have such a beautiful voice--for a better chorus, but you sang your little tushy off tonight." Randy said he was "happy you kind of stayed with the melody for a change...a great lesson in restraint for you. I love when you grow (in your performance)." Philip Phillips raked up kudos with "You Got It Bad" by Usher even scoring a standing ovation. Sounded good, with some passion, and conveyed his usual sense of excitement and immediacy. Steven Tyler: "I feel like a chump up here--you got melody now--with you we never know what we're gonna get." J-Lo got her cougar on with "That was sexy, baby!" She seemed to be flirting with Philip (and not for the first time)--watch out, Philip, you might be the next Casper! Randy got a kick out of it, "I feel like I love it...we got a true artist on the stage"-- Country hick from the sticks twanger Skylar Laine intrigued with a lively "country" rendition of Lady Gaga's dance music anthem "Born This Way," an unexpected surprising choice. Skylar is blessed with Kelly Pickler's open, spirited, naive, kind of fearless qualities which have gotten Pickler far, along with Pickler's cutie pie singing. Steven Tyler had noted "Country and Western gets a big vote." It's yet to be seen if Laine can pull off a similar "I'm so dumb" act which proved popular for Pickler. Laine appears to have the foundation for such sassy simpering. Jessica Sanchez was fantastic, dynamite, with a super rendition of Alisa Keye's "Fallin'" which outdid the original to my ears. The judges and audience appeared to agree with me. (To Be Continued)
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Joshua Ledet took on "one of Fantasia's biggest hits" according to Ryan Seacrest, "When You Believe," which garnered a standing O for Joshua. (Why didn't Jessica's?) Randy, beside himself, bestowed high praise: "You are truly one of the most gifted singers we've ever had in this show!" adding he has shown "true growth." J-Lo: "Sweet cutie! ...you leave it all out on the stage every time--your eyes are tearing, your throat is bulging--" Tyler concurred, "Another stepping stone for you to winning this whole thing!" Hollie enthralled with Dusty Springfield's "Son of a Preacher Man" eliciting, from Randy, "You dug in...that was crazy Dude...you worked it out, I loved that" and from a starry eyed Jennifer, "This was even better than the first, and you did really really good then" and from Steven "I see it too, I heard it first and I think you can push it even more, girl...push it over the top." Colton Dixon stumbled a bit according to the judges with a classic from 1978 "September" by Earth Wind and Fire, but I found his version rather moving and deeply felt. Steven chided, "I think your voice is a lot more powerful than that" while J-Lo stated, "You sounded really good, but I'm not sure it was a perfect performance" and Randy opined that "you sound good but it was not as exciting as we would have liked." Elise Testone growled in husky provocative tones Marvin Gaye's "Let's Get it On" sounding real git down n' dirty, to me, but a couple of the judges seemed to damn with faint praise, disappointing Elise. J-Lo: "I have so much respect for your voice and everything you do...I'd like to see even more of that that is super sexy...America wants to know that you feel things, "exorting her to show more "heart" and "get really vulnerable." From Steven, "this showed your versatility but take it up a notch, cause your voice is already so good." Randy thought "you definitely gotta show the emotion--that song wasn't really great for your voice...it needs to breathe..." J-Lo added, "A big part of being an artist is baring your soul." Philip Phillips brought his usually exciting, dynamic delivery to Wilson Pickett's 1965 smash "In the Midnight Hour" but Philip often sounds the same, albeit exciting and lively, with not enough variety in his range and tone. Randy was moved to remark "we feel your emotion every time--I love it," and flirtatious J-Lo "I wanna get up there and do that little step with you...(you're) spontaneous and from the soul" and Steven called "brilliantly awkward, man, beautiful. I love your character." Jessica Sanchez tried her formidable singing chops on "Try a Little Tenderness" prompting "you were really steppin' out" from Tyler, but from Lopez "your vocal ability is so great and America's gotta start connecting with you more--we need to push you to keep taking it further" and from Randy, "grow in connecting with the emotion, with the lyrics--the public responds to the emotion--" a running theme with the panel last night for the singers to sing with more feeling, but I thought they each nearly busted a gut doing that and didn't see how they could push themselves all that much further without suffering a hernia. Skylar Laine really brought down the house with a rousing, fearless, lusty "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" which I considered her best outing so far. Randy agreed with me, "That was brilliant" and really "feeling some emotion." J-Lo boasted that "we love your spunkiness...you should really be proud" while Tyler gushed, "You have a wild voice that refuses to be tamed--you're just somethin' else." Joshua astounded with Sam Cooke's "A Change Gonna Come," singing the tar out of as only he can and bringing the show to a close with a bang. Tyler told him his "restraint in the beginning is just what made it so big when it popped...your voice just climbs inside everyone." J-Lo: "You held back and then let it go and I still wanted more at the end, it's crazy--" and Randy enthused it was a "perfect song for you--you took your time and let it marinate and then you burst it open at the end." Ryan Seacrest had opened the show with a moving tribute to the late Dick Clark. Results Show tonight is going to be corker, wondering whom will be ousted, when they all exhibit such promise. Jennifer said indeed she doesn't want to let any of them go.--SUSY
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Amazingly, Colton Dixon is gone with the wind after Thursday night, "53 million votes cast" so I'm sure he got millions, but not as MANY millions as the rest--seems kinda bogus, aye? I'll miss the excitement and unpredictability Colton added to the show. I'm bugged he got the boot instead of Elise, who should have been wowing us with great big rockers like her Led Zep thriller, almost every time, or Skylar, who sounds exactly like so many other country songbirds of her ilk--Carrie, Miranda, Tammy, Kelly, Miley, Reba, et.al., just like all those wispy wacky warblers who inflict their sharp shrill peircing relentless twang on my poor cringing eardrums, sounds like cats fighting or f-----g...on second thought, I'd rather Skylar go than Elise, I suppose. Season 8 Idol winner, cutie Kris Allen, sounded like the best singer on earth singing the very best song on earth, compared to that horrible trip hip hop mix mesh pseudo dance "party" number by that garish goofball band of literal clowns, so luridly 80's lookin' and tacky--LMAOF or somethin' like that--what an unforgivable atrocity to subject real music lovers to hearing and seeing! Kris hasn't become a big star (Adam Lambert hasn't, either), unless it's in Asia like David Cook and David Archuleta, but he was just out of this world superb in comparison with that other "special music" we were "treated" to last night. I'm irked and peeved. Doggone it
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I just can't get a handle on Elise, that's all. She can sound funky and soulful and "git down" and really good on some things, and then turn around and raise the roof and tear down the house with big wild all-out rockers, but on some songs her voice doesn't seem very special at all. Colton's seemed special on almost everything he did. He sang with a great deal of sensitivity and heart. And then could turn around and really rock out, quite thrillingly, performing both styles with everything he had and he had a lot...unless my ears deceived me. I shouldn't have come down so hard on Skylar Laine. There seems an inexhaustible need in the vast country marketplace for still more shrill Tammy-type twangers, Miranda and Carrie and Miley type singers, so there is certainly room for one more. Skylar's got a lot of spunk and bold Southern sass, and twinkles and sparkles while being an avid, spirited stage stomper and beaming spotlight hog...she's irrepressible. I won't mind if she becomes a big star. Georgia's Philip Phillips exhibits that same wild bold Dixie flair... adorable smooth screamer Joshua Ledet is a Louisiana native... It's gratifying that so many of these kids who succeed on "Idol" hail from the South U.S.A. It almost makes you wonder if the South really does have the best singers, the greatest writers, even the best music in several different genres, the tastiest vittles, the most rib-tickling wacky humor, the prettiest landscapes, the brightest sunshine, if the South features a damn sight more good things than it's credited for having
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A Queen (the rock band) Celebration and also "personal choice" were the themes of the Wednesday, April 25 "American Idol" with Jessica Sanchez kicking off with "Bohemian Rapsody," which I deemed the teen sang very well. Steven Tyler, in a gorgeous sparkling midnight blue top under a sharp looking jacket, agreed: "I think Freddie Mercury would have loved to hear that." J-Lo demurred, "you needed to have a little bit more of that rock performance, but the vocal was really beautiful." Randy Jackson, who sported a "YO" pin on his lapel, was impressed that Sanchez "sang no runs in that...you hit the high notes...sounded beautiful." Skylar Laine next gamely sailed into "The Show Must Go On" by Queen, which Mercury supposedly wrote after he learned he had AIDs. She didn't sound as countrified as usual on this ditty which must have been an unfamiliar song to the 18 year old country music lover. She sang this fairly well. "The passion in the way you hit the notes--that was fabulous," Tyler exalted, then J-Lo chirped "I definitely got the goosies on that...really articulated every part of the story" and hailed it as "powerful" and "great." Randy: "That was incredible, and I believed you...that was phenomenal, my God!" Next, Joshua Ledet's version of "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" showed him being quite a lively coordinated twinkle toes, again, trying a more upbeat swingin' number than usual and skipping lightly into the land of rockabilly. It garnered what's become almost a predictable standing ovation from the enraptured judges. Randy shouted "Unbelievable! Vocals--performance--character, charisma, you remind me of Sam Cooke" also of "Wilson Pickett" and "Sam and Dave." J-Lo, rather coyly, "Is it alright for me to say the Joshua part of the show is my favorite part of the show?" praising his "inspired vocal and a great performance, you give us a surprise every time." Not to be outdone, the gorgeously attired Steven Tyler hailed, "You have a classic sound that sounds like nobody else...Freddy would have loved how you do the two-step..." doubtless he actually knew "Freddy." Elise Testone gave us a Brian May-penned hit "I Want It All" sounding pretty cool, a chick singer warbling that one. And indeed rock star Tyler opined, "Elise, you hit your stride with that just-right song--that was great." J-Lo thought "you were in your element, it was natural, it was sexy. The whole thing came together...you found the right song." Randy Jackson: "That style of song is so right for you! --allows you to do your Janis thing in the middle--one of your best performances to date." Philip Phillips, introduced as "The pride of Georgia" by fellow Georgian Ryan Seacrest, treated us to a dynamic, rollicking "Fat Bottomed Girls" which I found just delightful. He was exciting and alive as ever with eyes on fire and frequent dazzling smile. (Impressive too because later I found out Philip didn't feel too well tonight.) Tyler raved "the bigger the cushion the bigger the cushion" looking pointedly at Jennifer (renowned for her zaftig yet shapely rear end) although it was probably supposed to go "the bigger the cushion, the better the pushin'" or something raunchy like that, with the rocker opting for a G-rated take. "I love watching you sing, I love watching you run out of breath, it was incredible." Jennifer, overcome, mumbled something about "you give us different flavors...a different song for you...the mark of a great singer" while Randy was more subdued, saying he didn't know if it was like "Oh My God. But it was good."--SUSY (To Be Continued)
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Leaning towards wanting Philip to be in the Top Two--my first thought was, Philip and Jessica, but it's hard to let go of Joshua and also, to an extent, Hollie--I just keep going back to the fact of Philip's overwhelming excitement conveyed through his crowd pleasing performances with his singing a huge part of that, some things about his voice are enthralling and thrill-provoking. He throws himself into the performances and loses himself merging with the music like a real artist and star. And it's the overall package too. (If he writes good songs too, then wowzer, he's got a lot to offer!) Then again when Joshua rises to his "sweet spot" or aural equivalent of the "money shot" in his, when he gets all worked up and unleashes the full power of his vocal chords and emotion--wow. Thrills and goosies galore! But fairly often that thrill factor runs through the entirety of Philip's ! Or am I a deluded dingbat? Maybe you sort of need to be there in person to really tell. Certainly Jessica Sanchez exhibits many golden moments, can truly astonish. Hollie's got a lot going on too, although it could be even much more with time, instruction and practice--she might be the next to exit, but the cute tiny teen has made it far And Hollie went over like gangbusters to me Wednesday night: her impassioned belting out of the 1980 Queen hit "Save Me" was fantastic! Fabulous. Steven Tyler mused, "I'm thinkin' I love the way you sing a Queen song with a real strong melody--you did a real good job with it." J-Lo: "I thought you got emotional in the middle of the song...you're such a gifted vocalist you're always gonna sound good." But then trotted out her rather tiresome (at times) caveat: "I still feel that you're thinking...just perform...you should have a good time--connect to the parts that you love about it." Randy, a bit wishy washy too with "I think this was a good performance, thought it was solid for you...everyone needs to have a moment that they could win--that song didn't quite have that moment for you." J-Lo pronounced Skylar Laine "the winner of round one." Randy further demurred saying "I think Hollie's got to step it up." Jessica Sanchez poured out an incredibly moving, beautiful "Dance with My Father" by Luther Vandross, first saying it's for her military dad who will be deployed soon (to the rather cushy-seeming location of Singapore. Could be worse.) J-Lo gushed, "That may have been the best I ever heard it...the feeling! The tenderness" while Tyler raved, "Your voice is so different from anybody else's...to watch you evolve and unfold your wings is such a pleasure and an honor." Randy praised "I think you're all so great this year!...you got the feeling in there--you know, what's wrong with it? Absolutely nothing!"
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Skylar Laine appeared to charm the audience as usual with "Tattoo This Town" a country ditty she said was dedicated to her little home town in Ole Miss. Randy had a cow: "I am a ginourmous fan! I love what you do--you're fearless--you go after notes, it's effortless--you're havin' a great time and it pours out to us." J-Lo agreed, "You look so comfortable up there" and added something about Skylar taking us on a trip." Tyler wasn't quite as taken, mumbling something like "I missed that in the flair(?). I'm one of your biggest but you got to find songs that take us to that place. But I enjoyed it." When Ryan Seacrest (he's good at adlibbing and coming up with appropriate spontaneous remarks) asked her if she has a tattoo, she was charming: "I have just one, of a feather. My life is light as a feather because God holds all my problems for me." Jimmy Iovine, absent this night which was also minus a guest mentor, would comment the next night that Skylar must make the appeal of the song "universal and not just to her town." Joshua stunned us with a wonderful, deeply felt "Ready for Love" which scored him another standing O. Randy described himself as "so speechless" but managed to compliment with "Another unbelievable performance! That run on the end...you're so far beyond your age as a singer--crazy good!" J-Lo gave high praise with "that was transcendent...you sweep us into reality...the minute you start singing everybody is right there with you" Steven swooned: "When I hear you singing I'm off to another place--I hope the label finds a whole bunch of good songs for you and you're off to the moon!...I smell the finish line with you." Elise Testone trilled "Bold as Love" by Jimi Hendrix, singing all over the place and not giving it that much of a big rock treatment, but sounded intriguing. Steven Tyler was moved to comment, "I love the Janis Joplin about you and I always have" but then rather mystifyingly stated, "You can't pick the cherries with your back to the tree. You got to sing a familiar song, but I loved it." J-Lo was wholehearted in her enthusiasm, exalting that "I feel like you slayed that song so hard! Your allover performance is getting better every single time." Randy announced, "I'm a huge Jimi Hendrix fan, I'm a huge Elise fan. I did not love that" and charged Elise was "boxing with the song" imparting "too much information" and then J-Lo shrieked, "She made it exciting! He didn't like it, I did." Hollie Cavanaugh, who someone online said resembles a tiny "Petula Clark" (but prettier) next vastly improved on a Miley Cyrus hit "The Climb" sounding a zillion times better than the overly twangy excrutiatingly shrill Miley. Hollie sang her heart out, as she's often able to do. I was gratified the judges saw and heard that, with J-Lo exalting "it was perfect, the emotion, the notes, the belting, the whole thing" and Randy noting "that's the Hollie Cavanaugh we love! Perfect song for you!" Steven: "So beautiful...good for you, good for you."--SUSY
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Thursday's too plainly titled "Results Night" struck a few sour notes with me. Katy Perry's awful song, her bad singing and war-themed stage setting, the Idols having to visit the gossip-mad "TMZ" office full of gleeful sleaze balls (a little black humor there, I thought, their forced confrontation with some of them's future tormentors), Elise Testone finally being voted off after landing in the bottom three numerous times. Maybe she was finally put out of her misery, in that sense. When she sings the right song for her, it's quite worthwhile to give her a listen. But that didn't happen often enough. Actually, the first time I ever heard Elise I dug what she was singing, and her voice. I wrote up that night but haven't placed it here. Perhaps I will in a "flashback" portion. I'd neglected to watch this year's American Idol up until then. When I realized what I'd missed, that these kids are a pretty promising steller batch of aspirants, I was bummed. Casey Abrams popping up for about a minute Thursday night didn't add much. Stefano's big number didn't really please me, although at least his was more upbeat and lively than the usually perky Perry's. Colton Dixon came on in a cameo on a recent "Today" show, and shared he plans to go into Christian Rock music. If you've ever heard it you know it's a viable art form or music genre--they go all out to make it sound great for the youths whom they want so desperately not to follow the wrong path and descend into disastrous self-destruction. They sing about spiritual subjects instead of getting it on and/or partying. Which isn't a terrible agenda; I might have fared much better if I'd stuck my ears in that groove-- but I'd have missed out on so much fantastic fare, musically, was unable to be quite that pious all the time... Crystal Bowersox should have won time before last; and Scotty McCreery's voice is way too deep to appeal to me--at least whomever wins this time won't be a huge disappointment, personally, because of this year's American Idol truly glittering lineup -- which sparkles and shines as much as Steven Tyler's dazzling sparkly blue blouse Wednesday! Dude looks like a lady, I wish more guys dressed fancy and special like Tyler, and didn't look so butch and plain with short buzz hair cuts and drab neutral clothes colors but then, not everybody gets to be a big rock star and can gussy up any way they desire, aye?-- These kids sparkle like "star" shine! Not like the greatest stars in the universe, not Golden Age of Hollywood or Beatles level but real ear candy never the less "Just my opinion, man"
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just to point that is 100% sure that Adam Lambert is gonna tour with Queen. They will be "Queen+Adam Lambert" they are already selling tickets for several concerts of them in Europe. I don't know if Queen's bass player and songwriter, John Deacon will be there too. Roger Taylor, the drummer and singer/songwriter has said he would never tour with a Freddie's hologram BTW.
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On American Idol's "Queen Night" a "Queen Extravaganza" featuring the band with a lot of extra backup offered a big surprise, a startling Freddie Mercury lookalike singing the lead for "Somebody to Love." Looked like a young somewhat plumper Freddie Mercury and sounded sort of like him. Don't know where Queen found this guy. I didn't like that song so didn't pay it much attention. But I wonder if this young Freddie Mercury lookalike will actually be its lead singer for the tour, instead of Adam Lambert. Just wondering, 'cause that's who they had onstage with them singing lead for the recent American Idol show. Did you see that, Oliver?
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"American Idol" on Wednesday, May 2 featured "60's Night and Brit Pop" as its theme with Coldplay promised as guest performers fulfilling the Brit part, a special treat, on the next night for Thursday's results. Steven van Zandt of the E Street Band (Springsteen's) was guest mentor along with regular mentor Jimmy Iovine. "The Top Five" all chose 60s R&B hits with Hollie Cavanagh kicking off with "River Deep Mountain High" by Ike and Tina Turner. Hollie had the goods to deliver, and then some. Fabulous! "This is the first time I've heard step out and use your blues," judge Steven Tyler praised. J-Lo: "I could really feel you attacking the song--I felt the energy--I loved it" and complimented that Hollie showed she could "lead a big production" with lots of backup singers, dancers, et.al. Randy: "I loved it too!" Philip Phillips gave his usual exciting performance with the Boxtops' "The Letter" making Randy shout, "Dude--Boxtops--Boxtops--you made it your own changed it, vibed it up--you made it new for me--I loved it!" J-Lo surprisingly admitted she wasn't familiar with the old chestnut: "I don't know the original song...the song lacked a little something for me...but you're so compelling to watch, you're really a dynamic performer." Tyler: "I missed the melody but you got away with it, like the Stones got away with it." Sklyar Laine did a lively, spirited rendition of "Fortunate Son" by Creedance Clearwater Revival, coming across a bit manic. J-Lo was prompted to marvel, "Amazing--it's like you attack every single song...so much energy." Tyler gushed, "Skylar you love music, and music loves you...everything was fabulous." Randy: "one of the most amazing bands in the history of music--you are born to be on the stage. Another great performance from you--entertaining a crowd, you must love to do this the best." Skylar confirmed it's her "favorite thing in the world." Earlier, Iovine somewhat mystifyingly exhorted Hollie not to try to "entertain" and not think about the audiences, the judges, or anything but herself and her singing the song. I had always thought the desire to entertain is a wonderful, glorious, exalted desire. The spirit of wanting to entertain. Not to want to show yourself off and glorify yourself and that be the motivation, but to want to entertain the audience. More pure than wishing to make a vain conceited show of yourself, but forgetting yourself, losing yourself in performing and becoming the character or singing and "acting out" the song. Or through dancing, playing an instrument, etc.--SUSY (To Be Continued)
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Philip and Joshua Ledet teamed up "for their first duet ever" on "You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling" by the Righteous Brothers. I didn't get to really hear it, because of people talking, but they looked a bit awkward singing this. A funny moment was Philip trying to put his arm around Josh's shoulder after the song ended, and Joshua knocked his arm off! Sort of shoved Philip away. Steven Tyler humorously remarked they should have "sung it to each other" and peered romantically into each others' eyes and such. Jessica Sanchez trotted out "Proud Mary" another Ike and Tina gem, and pranced and danced a little while belting it out soulfully and impressively. J-Lo: "You're growing up, up there...you're a little Tina, a little Beyonce...obviously the soul, the R and B is more your lane." Tyler exclaimed "That's the blues, buddy, Ike and Tina!" Randy demurred with "only okay for me, you took on the biggest dragon of the night" and revealed he'd kept thinking about Tina Turner. "You can't compare a 16 year old to Tina Tuner in her heyday!" Jennifer nagged. "It just kinda paled a little in comparison to me" (Randy). Cutie Pie Joshua Ledet thrilled next with "Ain't too Proud to Beg" by the highly touted Temptations, which had the judges in ecstasies. And indeed, his was an exciting, rousing rendition. Tyler thought "you're one of the top two Idols of all time" while Jennifer gushed "I enjoy it so much every time you get up there!" and Randy even thought "you could actually bring R & B back 'cause it's been missing for a minute." Uh oh. At the end of "Round One," the judges all left out Philip when asked who was the best of the night, so far.--SUSY
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"Liverpool Texan" Hollie Cavanagh kicked off Round Two with a gorgeous "Bleeding Love" by Leona Lewis which dazzled me. Hollie had loosened up again, and also provided more nuance and shading in her delivery. She reminded me of Michelle Pieffer in "The Fabulous Baker Boys" in her pretty, sparkling black evening gown, singing the whole time perched on an elegant piano. (But minus Michelle's overt sexy moves.) Tyler appreciated her fantastic turn: "I loved it, I love it, I loved it--you nailed it--it was very beautiful." J-Lo agreed, saying Hollie gave it "a beautiful intimate quality...breath taking...you really, really let go, that was amazing!" Randy noted, "A huge hit for Leona Lewis-it's an interesting thing with you, this girl's a fighter--that was very believable--to me, you're 2 for 2 tonight! You're peaking now at the right time, this is perfect timing." Philip Phillips did a low key, quiet for him "Time of the Season" by the Zombies, which later I found out Dave Matthews has done. The judges seemed rather underwhelmed. I think Philip should focus mostly on fast, loud upbeat numbers which he does in quite exciting and dynamic ways. Randy: "You really can sing a melody, that's a cool thing...less energy and more of a vibe. I thought it was a nice performance." J-Lo: "Very nice, very mellow--you did a good job with it." Tyler said, "I'm glad you chose that song, you sang it very well, man. A great song." Skylar Laine underwhelmed for sure with Dusty Springfield's "You Don't Have To Say You Love Me," sounding a little shrill and pitchy in spots. Compared to Dusty's smoky provocative tones, it was Dullsville, Dusty with a "twang" sounds incongruous. Laine sounded earnest, but amateur. So I was startled by the judges' unanimous over the top praise--Randy even stated, "That was flawless, amazing, I'm tranfixed. I believed you, that's the mark of a great singer." J-Lo even said, "You just might win...it's all there...everything is a natural moment, everything up there works for you." Steven Tyler opined that "You just took that song and brought it into the 21st Century--you sang it so well."
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Jessica Sanchez appeared in a circle of white candles in a white smoke-filled stage setting, well, the "smoke" engulfed the floor like fog. Looked dramatic, and a lovely wavy-haired Jessica sang "You Are So Beautiful" by Joe Cocker in absolutely a beautiful, striking manner, sounded gorgeous and touching throughout. It was emotional and fantastic, deeply felt. Steven was stunned: "You once again showed America what a great singer you are...you're gonna be Number One, girl." J-Lo encouraged, "You just captivated the whole audience! Great job Mama." Randy, bedazzled: "This girl's at the top of the Leader board right now Dude--when you can hold a straight note for so long and then the beautiful vibrato at the end--unbelievable! You're off to the races, so good, so good--" But it was Joshua Ledet with his "To Love Somebody" by the Bee Gees who finally elicited a standing O from Tyler, Lopez and Jackson, prompting the trio to practically hail him as the Second Coming of Elvis. To be honest I thought Hollie and Jessica also deserved the same special treatment. Ledet knocked their socks off by confessing he'd never heard the song, then disappearing from rehearsal for 15 minutes to practice it and returning to totally amaze Iovine and van Zandt with his version. Randy: "First of all, big shout out to (Bee Gee) Robin Gibb, who is sick. Joshua you never even heard this song and then did THAT to it--that's what it's all about--so passionate--your experience is far beyond your years to do that! Incredible...nobody else could sing it like that." J-Lo: "It's been years since we've seen something like that..this is crazy! Get the right record, Jimmy! You better do this right and get the right record (for him)." Tyler nodded, "That would have been a hit record right there--you're incredible, the fact you never heard that song before and then did it like that after just practicing it for 15 minutes!" Joshua listened to their gushings impassively, a haughty, stoic look on his visage. You wondered what he was thinking.--SUSY
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Country singer Skylar Laine was ousted, to my great relief. I didn't want Hollie to go. However, Hollie might go next (bracing myself). I might prefer for Philip Phillips to get the boot, instead of Hollie. He's supposedly getting the tween and teen girl vote, though, most of 'em... he might be in like Flynn. All the Top Four are at least pretty good and all can truly impress at times. So I shouldn't moan and groan too much, whatever happens
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Round One Theme of May 9 "American Idol" was vauge, "California" while Round Two was more specific, each Idol chose a song that inspired them, which they wish they'd written themselves. Philip Phillips kicked things off with "Have You Ever Seen the Rain" by Creedence Clearwater Revival who hailed from Northern California. Not a terribly exciting song, I thought, never have been wild about it, but Phil 2 was lively, enthusiastic though that still didn't draw me in much. "That had a Joe Cocker quality I hadn't heard before," J-Lo commented, "sounded pretty good to me." Randy thought it "started out a little rough" but later improved. Steven Tyler: "Philip, you are a work under construction." (?) I didn't think he picked the right song, it wasn't memorable. Hollie Cavanagh did a Journey hit "Faithfully" (they obviously are from the Golden State too) and did it very well, it's a pretty power ballad oozing deep emotion. Randy acclaimed, "You're really peaking at the right time...you did Steve Perry proud." J-Lo sniffed she "got a little emotional seeing how far you've come--so beautiful--you're really ready to share your gift with everybody, and you really did." Steven Tyler smiled, "I've watched you blossom" and said something about making "creativity bloom" by using "positive affirmations." Gettin' his California on Joshua Ledet offered his rendition of California native Josh Grobin's "You Lift Me Up" first stating he dedicated it to his (Josh's) church minister father for all he does to help people. His version was moving, and he gave it the Joshua treatment by getting all worked up towards the middle and end. That's his sweet spot or money shot we all wait for--when his vocals become uber-emotional. He didn't net a standing O this time, but J-Lo extolled, "another great performance from you! I loved the drama--a really great job" and Tyler jumped in, "I'm really glad you got on that plane (here)--you sang your little tush off...you have said your prayers, and the world is accepting you like nobody's business!" Randy Jackson: "I think you're an amazing artist with a giant enormous career in front of you." Next Jessica Sanchez tackled the late, great Etta James, with the suggestive song "Steal Away." Very impassioned and bluesy. Jennifer Lopez noted her "growl" she used and opined "the growl was there from the very beginning and used to full effect tonight. That was crazy, crazy, crazy! You're one of the best." Tyler thought Sanchez is "shaking off the old you and changing and that's a beautiful thing." Randy marveled, "For you to be able to tap into that (the pain of the blues)--at age 16--that's amazing! You could sing the phone book!" Joshua and Philip tried another duet, this time Maroon Five's "This Love." I'd thought Maroon Five were from England. Guess not. I don't like most of their stuff. So I wasn't overly entertained by this particular outing from Josh and Phil.--SUSY
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Hollie and Jessica did a charming, enchanting duet of "Eternal Flame" by the Bangles. ROUND TWO For his song he wished he had written, Philip sang "Volcano" by Damian Rice and I was impressed that he actually can be very effective at singing a slow quiet sensitive ditty--this was my favorite of Phil's for a long time. Very atmospheric too with darkness and just one or two female backup singers and a woman playing the cello. I love the cello. Jennifer was moved to comment, "Very few artists could have done that...really gorgeous...one of the most poignant moments..." Steven loved it too, and Randy praised, "This is what it's all about, right? To me that's one of your best this whole season. Amazing--so great." The judges shocked me with their harsh disparaging responses to Hollie's "I Can't Make You Love Me" by Bonnie Raitt, which I felt Hollie sang quite beautifully and meaningfully. Tyler: "It fell a little short of how dynamically you can sing." J-Lo: "You're trying to make America love you...a little too much vibrato and too much shaking. Sorry, baby." Randy: "There were no moments for me--to me it was the wrong song choice." Hollie's fantastic singing might be too subtle and elegant for the crass, loud, flashy judges to appreciate. Her refined yet at times torchy and earthy tones (she can really belt 'em out too, and loves to)remind one of Natalie Merchant of Ten Thousand Maniacs and similar songbirds. Linda Ronstadt. She can also sound as distinctive as Adele. I'd rather Philip be sent packing tonight instead of Hollie, although I did love his "Volcano." I dread what's probably coming tonight on Results Night (David Cook and J-Lo will perform). Big surprise and I laughed when Skylar got ousted instead of Hollie, that time, after the judges did their best to get rid of Hollie--but I fear tonight won't feature the same glad outcome. Joshua Ledet slayed everybody with James Brown's "It's a Man's World" that garnered him the first standing ovation of the evening, he'd given it all he had fairly bursting with passion and conviction compelling hosannas from his personal fan club, Randy, J-Lo and Steven. The latter hailed, "Neither man nor woman ever sang that good on this show with that much compassion EVER." J-Lo cooed, "I thought we'd seen everything you have to give, but we hadn't!" Randy assured that "everybody who saw this got something from it--one of the greatest performances in the history of any singing show. (As far as) emotion and connecting someone to the lyric, he's sending everyone to school!" Suddenly J-Lo hollared "I've found religion! I saw the Lord!" In the night's "pimp's spot" the last performance, Jessica Sanchez stunned and overwhelmed with the powerhouse "You're Gonna Love Me" from Dream Girls which helped Jennifer Hudson snare her Oscar. Sanchez snagged the second standing O of the evening. Tyler acclaimed, "Wow, tell me how you really feel! You made everyone forget where they were--what they were doing" and Jennifer beamed, "Your vocal ability...you just let out so much through your voice, probably ripping your soul apart! It was a real moment" and Randy agreed, "One of the hardest songs in the world to sing, and you slayed it!" Ryan Seacrest pointed out Julian Lennon in the audience; Lennon gave a thumbs up, either to Jessica or the show in general, or both.--Susy