American Idol 2015
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The last person to be safe after the big vote is--Jax !! Now I feel badly for Qassim.Jax has picked a little bit quirky" song but that's what she does, says Jennifer. This song (I don't catch its title) doesn't grab me initially but grows on ya a little. "I could be the one who grows old with you," she croons sweetly. urban shouts Jax you made it! I love that you did that song...I thought it was beautiful." "I really liked this I thought it played into all the quirkiness of your voice" (J-Lo) Hard to please Harry" Youre one of these high risk high reward singers" and he thought it was one of her better performances tonight. After the break Qassim sings for the save. (Break) (BACK) Qassim goes for "the one save of the season" and sings "Come Together" bythe Beatles from Across the Universe movie. I don't think the judges will bestow the save upon him as he is a much better dancer than singer--he could dance on Broadway, on tours with super stars and in music videos and I hope he is afforded that chance. He had done "Jet" by Macca last week, and I loved that he did that. Harry" Tremendous performance, arguably the greatest of the night" but we get "one save" and with you "it's all performance and the vocals sometimes are lacking...we have come to the conclusion that YOu Desserve the Save." Wow. He got it!! Next week "we're back with an 80's theme" yikes.--Susy
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"Top 12 Ladies Perform" at "One More Night (in Detroit) To Celebrate Motown" (Previously shown, not most recent show) First up Tyanna Jones sang "Rockin' Robin" by Michael Jackson, which Keith deemed "really, really good Baby" while J-Lo praised the "throwback vibes...you remind me of those legendary types of performers...awesome." Harry: "It was subtle, it was strong...what can't you sing?" Loren Lott offered a Michael Jackson song too, "I Wanna Be Where You Are." J-Lo purred, "I enjoyed that...strong vocals...really strong performance." Harry noted that "there's been a high bar set so far...you may have nudged that bar up just a little bit higher." Keith thought "this Motown catalogue for you girls...is a win-win." Maddie Walker sang the Jackson Five's "I'll Be There." Harry smiled, "Clearly you deserve to be here...when you hold those long notes for a while, don't go sharp." Keith Urban (shouldn't his surname be "Country" instead?) noted, "A good song choice for you...think about what you're singing, and those nerves will go away." Jennifer chirped, "You did a really good job, even with the nerves, I think." Joey Cook, a "busker" in New Orleans, sang "You'd Better Shop Around." Keith praised that she "made the song your own." J-Lo: "You're so unique." Harry lauded Joey's artistry but called her thing "hyper stylization" and wondered if "people will tire of that. It will be interesting to find out." Joey said backstage, "Thank you Kiwis--stay weird, stay positive!" Serena Joi Crowe trotted out the old Miracles chestnut "You Really Got a Hold on Me" and sounded good, I thought. Jennifer Lopez hyped her turn to the max: "Serena Mama you sing, you really, really sing...I really believe in you, you're probably the best singer here...super special, super gifted." Harry likes her "world-class smile. My comment is intonation, discipline--the whole thing was flat, sing in tune." Keith just said "Really good, Baby." Adana Duru crooned the touching "Hello" by Lionel Richie, which sounded good. Harry bestowed "an A plus on singing those lyrics" but added, "On the flip side, intonation--focus on singing in tune. The whole thing was out of tune." Uh oh. But Keith thought "you owned the song...I wanna see more of that." Lopez: "I liked that, I didn't love it. Song choice is important." Jax did an oldie "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" but had a rather bewitching original interpretation, sounded jazzy and a little like Rickie Lee Jones stuff, but even better. Keith hailed "such strong artistry--so original...the grit in your voice!" But Debbie Downer Lopez cautioned that "You better be careful, for me that song didn't work in that way. Make everything your own, but don't change it so much we don't feel it." Harry Connick Jr. even maintained "that arrangement was dull--you have to kill it." Jax wore the dress that "broke the Internet" somehow. Backstage Jax raved, "If you want to stop the Zombie Apocolypse, vote for Jax!" which was cute, I thought. I thought "Damn maybe I instinctively know more about music at times than they (the judges) do, or feel more about music, 'cause I found her rendition wonderfully eclectic, nuanced, mercurial. The final girl to go through? Alexis Gomez--I had hoped Shannon would. Alexis executed a bare-footed flouncing around "Sugar Pie Honey Bunch" and sounded flat, pitchy, all over the place, to me. Yet sassy and wild. Jennifer: "That was really out of key..I'm sorry, sweetie." Harry called her performance "a wild ride" and told her, "You have to figure out a way to control yourself." Aussie Keith warned, "Song choice is going to be everything for you. That wasn't a good song choice." Shi, Katherine, Shannon and Lovey were exiled to Siberia. The Top 12 were named next time.--SUSY
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American Idol 80's Night "Double elimination tonight, so it'll be tense for our finalists" (Ryan Seacrest) Suddenly "The Hoff" David Hasselhoff big in the 80's with "Bay Watch" (do any of the kids recognize him?) appears on stage and enacts an awkward medley of 80's song hits, to shrieks and wails (mainly from Harry)--proclaims "the word for the 80's was fun" (The Hoff claims)--I'd call it "tacky" (!)--Hoff sang brief samples from "This Thing Called Love" "I'm Walkin' on Sunshine" "Never Gonna Give You Up" "Do You Really Want to Hurt Me" "Let's Dance" and "I Love Rock n' Roll." Seacrest hailed "The age of mullets, mix tapes and moon walks" A hefty Boy George waddled out after Ryan shared "Boy George and Culture Club sold over 40 million albums" and clips were shown of Boy George mentoring the Idols advising them "Enjoy what you do, don't make it into a drama--leave that to me." The Idols and Boy George all did a cute bouncy "Karma Chamelon" which sadly revealed the Boy doesn't sing well anymore. Didn't sound like himself. Harry raved "We just saw the Hoff sing 167 songs and saw Boy George, it was crazy!" Little Daniel Seavey was the first chair to turn green, signaling he was voted in again this week. He sang a perky "You Make My Dream Come True" by Hall and Oates, in a distinctive but not strong voice, didn't sing loud enough. I had liked his "Happy" the week before. Urban stated "the experience isn't there yet...you'd better get more comfortable singing." Lopez was more upbeat, saying "I loved this for you, you were much better...loosen up and really find yourself." Harry Connick Jr.: "It was pretty good...take the choreography out of there and screw around and act like you're having a blast
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Danny's voice wasn't loud or strong enough, but still had a pleasing quality and tone. Quentin from New Orleans, Harry's town, did "In the Air Tonight" an 80's hit for whitebread Phil Collins. Quentin's was worlds aparts and way above. Harry noted he's sung the last six times only "medium tempo or slow songs; be nice to hear more up tempo." Keith hailed the singer's "majesty" and "artistry" Joey Cook launched into a shockingly bad "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" by Cyndi Lauper--she sounded awful ! Why didn't the mentors warn her away from that disastrous song choice for her? Harry mused, "You seemed distracted tonight, is something holding you back..something was different tonight." J-Lo thought "you didn't find your groove in it" and thought her voice "didn't fit the song so much." Not at all, I thought, not in the least. Urban just spoke about his wife and two little girls at home dancing along to it. Seems they'd more likely have been wincing and cringing along. Tyanna Jones attempted the daunting "I Wanna Dance With Somebody," the Whitney Houston winner, and was charming and made it her own, I thought. "If anyone can take on a Whitney song it's you, Tyanna," Keith smiled. Jennifer said it's what she's meant to do, be on a stage singing. Harry hailed the "cool arrangement." It's probably Tyanna and a boy singer in the finals, I think. Or two boy singers. I'm fearing for both Joey and Jax after Jax ruined "You Give Love a Bad Name" made a hit by Bon Jovi. Sounded just awful, and her 80's outfit and hair style looked horrible. I could hardly stand listening to Joey's and Jax tonight. Lopez liked "all that 80's punk attitude...I love the way you started it, in the middle you got a little lost." Harry liked "the end." I liked when it ended, too! Ryan Seacrest announced next week will be "Kelly Clarkson Night" when Kelly will mentor and sing. That'll be a glory. Nick Fradiana dared to tackle Michael Jackson's "Man in the Mirror," I love that song and kept hearing Michael singing it while Nick did, but Nick came through at times and I noticed his take on the jewel of a song. Harry said, "Perfect song choice, fantastic vocal...what's appealing about you is your humility...I think you're a sweet soul." Lopez advised, "Just think about the song, get caught up in the lyrics and music." Salt n' Peppa performed "Push it Good" and still sound good. Song title a bit naughty. Clark Beckham with his handsome self treated us to a breathless, moving " Every Step You Take" by the Police, "the stalker anthem" it might also be called, LOL. Clark's pretty, and he sings pretty. Keith: "It took me on a journey." "Just beautiful ! " Jennifer gushed. Harry also seemed quite favorable stating "You don't have to do anything, just sing." Lively spark plug Qassim offered "Addicted to Love" by Robert Palmer. "I really loved his voice on this," the affable friendly Boy George praised at the rehearsal. I liked his shining suit. He concentrated on the vocals more than dancing, for once, and sounded good. "I loved that, " agreed J-Lo. "You're a great story teller...a really good vocalist." Harry assented, "Your greatest strength is your ability to perform, any song you did was huge. (Now) You stood there and were sexy." Urban liked its "beautiful quality...you've got a really big fragile heart in there..."
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Rayvon proved the last to succeed to the top, will be in the show from now on unless voted off--he's sexy, handsome, charming, love his fashion sense and his voice--what's not to like? Still, music head honcho Scott stated, "He's got to break through his shell now." (What shell?) Boy George: "He's (Rayvon) an interesting one." I fancied his song choice by Tears For Fears "Everybody Wants to Rule the World." A sumptuous swirling giddy number, swoops you up. I loved it. Harry praised, "You delivered a very strong vocal, one of your stronger interpretations...a pretty solid performance." Urban: "That was a beautiful song for you!" and added, "Just ease into it." I've always considered Rayvon a real smoothie myself. He is easy on the eyes and ears, a great treat! Jennifer's half-praise in mystifying prose also disappointed me: "Be a little bit careful, don't go out of your comfort zone," she chirped. "Have an open mind. Good job tonight." I can't get over my shock and dismay at how bad Joey and Jax sounded tonight. They'd best pick the best egg out of the Easter basket of song choices for them, from now on. Why didn't the mentors, Boy George and Scott Borchetta, warn them away from these disasters? Did they actually want them out of the show? "Entertainment Weekly" mag btw in its latest edition with Julia Louise Dreyfuss on the cover touted this season's "American Idol" extolling it as a must-see watch, said it's gotten its groove back and is a wonderful show. Loves "Idol." It's been in the top ten every time so far, probably, ratings-wise. Kudos. It's always been entertaining and fun, to me.--SUSY
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Alexis Gomez and Adanna Duru were voted out at the end of 80's nite and unceremoniously made to leave without getting to sing a final swan song. But at least Keith commented "Seeing you go is like a dagger to the heart" or something like that. I wasn't all torn up they were ousted, to be honest.
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AMERICAN IDOL: KELLY CLARKSON NIGHT (She sings, mentors and Idols sing her songs) I came in on the tail end of Joey's jazzy number, and judging by the snippet I heard, was glad I did (ouch), I fear her distinctive vocals have worn out their welcome with me and become tiresome (unless she selects just the right song for her vocals). I regret missing the other kids who came before but praise be, Clark Beckham and Rayvon hadn't sung yet OOOOOH YOU, you gorgeous boys (LOL), y'all bring a lot of PURE T JOY to my hungry heart, boyfriends (I wish! LOL). About Joey's performance (in a tight red sheath, made her look age 40 something and from the 1940's), Harry stated he wished she hadn't presented jazz as an old-timey thing, they still got jazz "Jazz is a modern thing" and certainly always relevant he implied. Something along those lines. Jazz music is still being written and played and enjoyed and all that. Which you'd expect Harry to think, but it's true ! Kelly Clarkson sang a fun perky "Heart Beat Song," she's irrepressible and awesome-- Quentin Alexander's chair turns green and he croons "Everybody's got a dark side, can you like mine," sounds great, really feeling it. Well, as long as you're not a serial killer, Quentin (laughs)... J-Lo gushed, "I think they liked it (the audience went wild) ! I liked it...you have a great talent...know what fits you and what's pleasing to the ear, and what people will love." He's a stylin' cutie pie too, usually wears eye-catching garb (not tonight, resembled a butcher's long white coat, oops). Aussie Urban waxed poetic--"You have such great poise...there is real beauty in truth, and you perform with truth." Harry warned that "you have to spend as much time on the technical as on the creative (aspects)" and "as the style parts." Kelly Clarkson, back stage, sent out a written note on Quentin's turn which said, "I just want to make love to those amazing eyes." One of the judges, or was it Ryan S., commented wryly "I'm trying to visualize that." hee hee So I guess it's safe to think Kelly liked his singing and song (LOL) tonight. Qassim Middleton made it through tonight but sad to say his turn was just middling. Some of it ("Stronger" hit for Kelly) sounded okay or more than okay, but pitch issues cropped up, and trouble with his Stevie Wonder-type vocal "runs" happened a couple times. It's obvious he needs to take a lot of singing lessons to tame and control his trilling, make it pitch perfect. He might go next--sad to say, because he wanted to win so much that he tried "fasting" (according to Ryan Seacrest), but hay he'll get to go on the big tour with the top Idols, and perhaps this valuable telly exposure will lead to something. Clarkson had advised him in rehearsal "don't show everything at once." Scott Borgetta noted, before Qassim sang, "He's putting his vocal ability out front and it's a brave move for him" as he had heavily relied on dancing and putting on a show. That's what I thought Scott meant by that. "I love runs, when people sing runs," said Harry Connick Jr. after Qassim finished his "Stronger" rendition. But went on to infer that the singer had messed up his runs more often than nailed them. Keith Urban thought "the challenge is in the transitions in the chords...you found yourself in the middle and crashed...the rest of it I liked." J-Lo was a bit blunt: "You need to practice, so much." Kelly sang "At Last" by Etta James which had been her audition number so long ago and led to her being crowned the first American Idol. As you might imagine, she sounded pretty doggone good
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My foolish heart pounded when Borgetta popped up in a square at the top of the screen to hail Clark Beckham's upcoming ditty called "The Trouble Will Come" (?) and Scott came right out and said Clark "brings it every week" and that he has to be considered "the front runner." Wow. From your lips to God's ears I suppose, although I've a soft spot for charmer Rayvon as well, and think Quentin is quite gifted and Nick F. and Tyanna certainly have something going for them (more than a few glowing qualities, actually." Clark was quite thrilling and spectacular this evening, prompting Keith to rave "really, really good...you lead with the feeling" and called out "your tone and voice were beautiful!" J-Lo trotted out her "goosies from head to toe!" high praise and lauded "your movie star good lucks!" Hell yes. I mean "good looks" LOL, she trilled. Harry was beside himself: "You took a Kelly song and immediately followed Kelly (on stage) and. You. Nailed. It." Funny but I don't recall Clark ever saying much--he must be letting his singing do the talking, but I'd love to hear his thoughts on stuff. He's a Southerner from White House,Tennessee--how wonderful if another Southerner Takes All !! 'Cause usually the winners HAVE been from the South. Danny Seavey sings "Breakaway" which garnered an underwhelmed response from the judges. Rayvon did "Since You Been Gone" and got a glowing reaction: Keith "one of the best from you" and J-Lo "You did a really really beautiful job." But Danny and Rayvon were in the bottom two (though each still got millions of votes, ya know) and viewers called in their votes on the spot, resulting in Rayvon's winning the battle. Danny was gracious: "Hey I got to be on American Idol, and I'm 15" which was sweet. So the Top Eight Idols have been chosen.--SUSY
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(LOL) Kelly Clarkson announced "I'm pregnant" after Clark Beckham's rehearsal she sat in on, as guest mentor, last "Idol"
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"Billboard" new and newish songs week, with Jason Derulo and Florida Georgia Line, guest mentors, and Iggy Izalea and Jennifer Hudson with their new duet "Trouble." There's "a little bit of everything tonight," Ryan Seacrest announced impishly. Footage of Sean Diddy Combs was shown, but he wasn't on the show tonight. Snips of Florida Georgia line vid flashed before Combs. Ryan amusingly implied he's having an affair with J-Lo, LOL, the latter encased in a classy looking tight black sheath with a little bling bling across the top--Ryan sported his ugly plaid shirt he's worn before on telly, Harry and Keith looked, as usual, a bit greasy (I can relate, was often a greaseball) and each attired in very plain dark duds. Dark Jacket, tee and jeans. They didn't want to seem like they were trying too hard I reckon. Mission accomplished, but I sort of fancy their shabby chic casual look (Americans love to dress casual, Aussies too it appears). First up is Jax with a non-robot rendition of Lady Ga Ga's "Poker Face." Not robot sounding, but I still don't like it much. Scott Borchetta a music bigwig (he's oily, too, with shiny black locks) warned "she needs to make it her own" before she brings it. He popped up in the little square at the top, left-hand side--a new visual twist this season, with each Idol panel star (except for Ryan) taking their turn with a few sage words before each Idol sings. I don't enjoy Jax's turn...her voice isn't very strong on this one, actually it's never all that forceful and vibrant. But Keith from Oz deems hers "an interesting arrangement of that song" and touts Jax's "artistry"--"You made it your own. Really good." J-Lo cautioned, "there's a line where it can get dangerous...you have the audience in the palm of your hand...you're one of the favorites" but could also "go so far left (with her song arrangements) that nobody likes it." Rather a mixed message I think. Harry sounds mixed too lauding her "magic" but saying this Poker Face number by Jax "didn't get to me...there's more to changing a song than just to change the tempo or groove...didn't feel you inhabited it emotionally..." Nick Fradiani is next to triumph when his chair turns green. He offers a surprising "Teenage Dream" a Katy Perry hit. I like it when guys sing girls' songs. He sounds pretty good, bopping along, upbeat. Jennifer Lopez cries out "Baby , amazing for me, I love that Katy Perry song probably my favorite by her, but you made it your own! Harry suffered Boo's (told the crowd to "pipe down") after he said stuff like "I'd like you to sing more gritty" prefacing that with "as sweet as you are you have an intensity about you." Keith smiled "I thought it was a killer song for you...the spirit of the song is more than the sum of its parts...it sounded like you." Harry piped up "I think I could sing the hell out of that!" and he sings snippets in a bizarre manner while chasing Keith around the judge's podium. Nick got laughs with, "I don't think that was your best performance." Harry had tables turned, LOL.
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Jason Derulo performed a mildly raunchy number about getting it on, surrounded by hot babes in underwear. He sings well. He's got something. N'awlins Quentin sang an enjoyable catchy "Latch" by Disclosure featuring Sam Smith, sounded good. It's a cool song. A little more upbeat than we've seen from soulful baby Jimi Hendrix-lookin' Quentin. He can sing his tail off and dresses hot dog snazzy. Scott Borchetti had admonished beforehand in the screen's upper square, "You have to make sure there are strong moments in the song." Quentin, I thought, brought it. Harry gushed, "You look incredible...I love this song...I think your strong suit is you're a really good rhythmic singer...still some technical issues (but) that was really good." Keith thought "you have such a laid back style, the phrasing in that was laid back." J-Lo beamed, "To me you're an artist with a capitol A...great choice for you." Joey Cook made a misstep I feared with "Wrecking Ball" by Miley Cyrus which I didn't consider right for her quirky retro singing voice. I didn't dig it. Keith told her, "You always do something different with the song, but you didn't this time" yet he "really liked" her "overall performance." J-Lo mentioned "the uniqueness of this roster of artists, everybody so different--you're the epitome of that. I liked the verses. You stand apart." Connick proved more reproving with "I thought it was an okay vocal...I got a little bored toward the end." (He's obviously a low threshold of boredom type of guy, enlivens things with bursts of Southern wildness, which is fun wondering what he'll do next when that crazed inspired mood strikes.) "Billboard Top 100 is not my forte," agreed Joey. About Clark Beckham's turn, Borchetta first remarked, "He needs to command the stage that's already his." (Or maybe guest mentor Jason Derulo said that.) Clark launched into an emotional "Make it Rain" by Ed Sherran, sounded like he was really feeling it. J-Lo said something like "Rest of the package, I need all of it to be working together...You have a finale in front of you that you could be at! Connick also praised, "You have an amazing instrument..you're a highly gifted young man." Urban offered that "what was cool with it was what happened at the end--you killed it." Iggy Izalea and Jennifer Hudson sang a duet on a song I didn't fancy. Tyanna slayed with "Stay" dedicated to her late grandmother--it was exquisite and deeply felt yet effectively controlled, sounded just lovely. She sings a lot better than Rihanna. I love Jared Leto's original version of this wonderful song he penned. Tyanna's ties with that! Connick waxed almost poetic in his admiration: "How you held your emotions in check on the brink of breaking down was extremely touching...you have a slow vibrato on every song you do...fantastic..." Keith smiled, " That's a hit song you sang it beautifully, and your poise was beautiful." J-Lo loved it too," When you dig deep everything comes together. Dig deep."
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Scott Borgetta enthused about Rayvon Owen, "He's one of our best technical singers" (or did he say that about Tyanna? Might have.) He said of Rayvon, "Rayvon did great in rehearsal today. He has got to cut loose right now." Rayvon then sang a fantastic "Set Fire to the Rain" by Adele, very emotionally and thrillingly, he's a bad mamma jamma ! So cute and cool! Aussie Keith approved, "That was crazy, man--really good--you sang the heck out of it" while J-Lo purred about "the gravy--that thing that makes you 'you' Harry mentioned his "chops" and lauded, "I think you have gravy too...what makes you tick? What makes that fire?" Rayvon responded with a charming spirited citation of what all he's into, while smiling that incredibly warm bright gorgeous smile---things about making the audience both feel, and have fun, etc. Harry asked Seacrest "why can't you speak with that passion too? You're boring." Ryan Seacrest noted his innocuous pleasant bland "boringness" is what makes him popular. Words to that effect. That was an amusing unexpected interlude. Good-natured convivial ribbing but not roasting of Ryan. Qassim Middleton had the joint jumpin' like hot jelly beans with "Hey Ya" by Outcast, a really fun ditty prompting Jennifer Lopez to cry out "I'm a huge fan of yours! You owned that stage! You always wow us with your performance" while Connick stated that "Your groove is incredible, I thought it was strong, sure entertaining to watch." Keith assented, "You came out and killed it." But Qassim got the boot after another call in vote battle between him and Rayvon, in the bottom two again this week (but each still got millions of votes nonetheless ya know). The judges and Borchetta sounded especially excited about Rayvon, Clark and Tyanna this go round, seemed to me.--SUSY
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Maybe Joey and Jax will be the next booted out--a top five with the boys and Tyanna, that's the ticket, possibly--one can imagine that happening
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I missed some of the show time before this. It should be noted that Joey Cook was ousted and Harry Connick Jr. suddenly threw a football at Ryan, who caught it looking quite masterful, sharp and sexy, suddenly didn't look quite so brotherly anymore. Not just America's brother. Didn't know he can move like that A very awkward few moments ensued when Quentin threw sort of a fit over his friends Joey and Rayvon being in the bottom two. To be fair, Ryan had asked him why he looked a bit perturbed. Last night was Arena Night. Meaning they should sing a song big enough for an arena setting (I think that's what it meant.) Jax's first turn elicited "that was strong" from Harry while Nick sounded pretty good his first time up at bat, but it didn't really excite me. Clark Beckham, though, overwhelmed with a gorgeous rendition of a Paul McCartney masterpiece "Yesterday" although the last note rang histrionic. Maybe a little over the top. But mostly a very beautiful version Harry praised, "You don't use any high notes gratuitously...matched up perfectly with the lyrics...makes the whole thing have structure and make sense...really nice job." Keith smiled, "It was beautiful, interesting choice. Like if Sam Smith did it now...your voice is so good... (shows) the vulnerability and hurt. Release it more, don't be so contained." J-Lo beamed, "It was risky, everyone knows that song...so it shows your strength when you tap into the emotion of the song." Tyanna did a very fun perky "Party in the U.S.A." a Miley Cyrus hit, moving about among the fans easily and sporting long dreadlocks or braids, a more girly look for her. Keith was prompted to shout, "Tyanna ! Woo Hoo Alright It was fun, it was cool--you have such a great voice!" J-Lo agreed, "You are 16 and you should be having fun, you shouldn't have a care in the world." Harry stated that "That was so smart to choose that song. You killed it!" He asked Ryan Seacrest, "Would you ever rock the braids?" Quentin Alexander launched into a spirited lusty "Light My Fire" by The Doors. Sounded good but was trying to fill some mighty big shoes--I thought of Morrison with his tight leather britches and sexy stare--Jennifer asserted "you looked super comfortable up there" (but) "I wanted more vocal pow." Harry thought that's "a pretty rangy song...what I really dug was I thought you kind of coasted and sang it pretty conservatively which I liked on that song. " And he thought the band sounded really great. Keith: "You're your own guy, that's cool" and hailed his being "so original." Rayvon treated us to a scintillating sexual "I'm Not the Only One" by Sam Smith and the audience whooped and hollered. He sounded emotional, nuanced, well-modulated performance. Smooth. But then, Rayvon's quite a smoothie. "With vocals like that" J-Lo thinks he caused a "quiet storm" and is a "dark horse" who could come from behind and win all. Keith even said "that could be a hit" for Rayvon. (to be continued)
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Darn the luck, I just posted the rest of my critique and it all got lost, vanished into the ethers! I'll have to do it over...feel downcast after losing my work and won't retype it all again right now. Later Gator.
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ARENA NIGHT (continued) Yeah I think Scott Borgetta called Rayvon "our best technical singer" with only rare pitch probs and few out of tune faux pas--not many at all! Nick Fradiani gave a spirited lively "Maggie May" by Rod Stewart. A rousing performance, the best I've seen from him prompting Keith Urban to observe, "That's a good song for you, man" and J-Lo agreed, "Really good song choice for you...it's about making moments." Harry crooned "Keith is so cool," then asked Nick, "Do you think you could sustain a 2 or 3 hour show on the road?" Nick: "Yeah." "I think you could too," said Harry. Borgetta asked Tyanna, "Do you think you could win?" She replied, "I do, I think I have the potential." Tyanna's been singing since she was a little girl. Aims for singing to be her profession. She treated us to a Bryan Adams hit "Heaven" which was enjoyable and fun. Jennifer praised, "I liked this from you, it was different for you. You're very elegant." Harry Connick Jr. noted that "we've heard so much variety from you...you sang it very well...what kind of music would you record on your first album?" Tyanna stated "I'm kind of like a mix of everything." "Fusion!" Keith assented, "That's a sign of a great artist! You've got a really good voice Baby." Clark Beckham trotted out his version of a Justin Beiber song called "Boyfriend" and played guitar and the whole thing sounded gorgeous, exquisite! The way Clark did it. Harry responded, "It's fun to do some fun songs" but added, enigmatically and infuriately, "You need to stretch it out and make it sexy." Keith and Jennifer also nitpicked although Jennifer acknowledged, "You're a great singer." I couldn't fathom their subtle negative vibes about this number. Don't they have ears?! Clark spoke up for himself: "I love playing guitar and this had a bluesy vibe on it, I felt it. It was really me." Harry said something at one point which prompted Boo's from the audience and he stood up with a flourish, waving his arms eliciting from Keith a wry "He's the only one who'll stand up for the Boo's" (laughs). Clark's parents looked perturbed that the judges didn't proffer more praise for this glowing golden turn from blue eyed golden boy Beckham. He deserved it. "It's not raw or dangerous like Beiber is," Keith remarked impishly.
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OOOH, Keith sports a hot pink shirt under an army jacket--cute. "He learned that down under, Baby," he snickered. J-Lo looked "like she's praying" commented Ryan Seacrest. Next, Jax does a Dido ditty "White Flag"--you know, it goes "I won't go down with this ship, I won't wave my flag and surrender, I'm in love, and always will be." Keith smiled, "A great song for you, great to see you play the piano." Jax's hair was done in a Pebbles Flintstone big puff atop her head. Amusing to see her dyed platinum bob bob above the piano whilst tickling the keys. Tickled me. "I was completely riveted," he added flirtatiously. J-Lo liked seeing "a little more gravitas from you, that was exactly what you needed to do right now--that was so beautiful for you." Scott Borchetta came out on stage and was hailed as "Scotty the Body" by Ryan. I recalled I fancied the tight form-fitting retro looking duds Scott sported the night Jason Derulo and Florida Georgia Line were guest mentors. Later Scott appeared in a fab looking 80's style black jacket. Don't think this little bird didn't notice (LOL) and many other eye-lash fluttering onlookers. This night, Arena night, Scott showed each Idol aspirant in turn the gorgeous spectacular theater where the big finale will be held featuring the Top Two. Reminded me a bit of Satan tempting Jesus with a view of all the world's pleasures and offerings, in the desert. Quentin Alexander performed "Shake it Out" by Florence and the Machine. Really good. He's got a thrilling set of pipes. (Not bongs, vocal chords, wink wink.) J-Lo gushingly lauded "I stayed glued to you! You dug deep into your vocals" while Harry was more subdued--"I thought it was pretty good. You and I sing out of tune sometime...would you let them auto tune you on a CD?" (Harry was full of questions tonight. He could be a reporter.) Quentin: "I would not." Harry: "I've never done it and never will, so I'm glad you said that." Keith cautioned "I think you'd be very clear on the kind of record you want to make. You have good instincts." Rayvon ended the show with "Go Your Own Way" by Fleetwood Mac and the crowd nearly raised the roof when he ended the ditty with a big vocal bang, let it all out, was far from repressed which was a success and almost raised the roof his own fine self! Harry approved, "You got that big old high note in...will you let yourself soak it up (advice in the recording studio) and be guided?" Rayon said he seeks "a balance...I'm open." Keith: "That was a crazy high note! The audience went wild" and J-Lo applauded "a fine way to end the show...you are a fighter, you are not going down...it was really good." Rayvon attired in his usual cute Pork Pie hat and shabby chic poor boy outfit had thrillingly mingled with the fans as he cavorted and darted about on stage. (A finale with Clark and Rayvon would certainly provide eye candy for the ladies and ear candy for all! Hint, hint.) But alas Rayvon was in the Bottom 2 again this outing, along with Quentin this time, with Mr. Owen once again saved by the instant call-in votes--and Quentin got the boot and accepted his ousting with a gracious smile! Rayvon will get to tour this summer with the Top Five ! --SUSY
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Songs from the judges' hometowns of Brooklyn, Nashville, New Orleans were featured tonight along with "Gravy songs" that capture each Idol's soul. Russell Crowe made a surprising entrance to hand the night's voting results to Seacrest. (An online wag wrote that both Russell Crow and Keith Urban actually hail from New Zealand, not Oz, but said they'd like people to think they're from Oz (?).) Clark Beckham opened the show with "Living for the City" by Stevie Wonder, another show stopper from Stevie (so many of his are). Clark seemed down with it, hardly stilted at all, more fluid as he hopped from behind the mike to play some notes on a small electric piano. He was called "a power house performer" by Keith (or was it Harry?) "who really got into a good groove when you were at the piano" and J-Lo called it "really good...everything you choose always gets the audience going... Take your performance style to the next level, she advised. "A solid performance," hailed Harry. I thought it sounded good too. J-Lo said of Jax's turn next that "I wasn't feeling it as much" but still thought "You have the potential to take the whole thing." Harry said, "I really dug it--you killed it, it was great." I didn't catch Keith's thoughts. Perhaps Jax has something when you hear her in person, a smokey sort of unusual quality to her tone, but I don't often get blown away by her voice. I appreciated original arrangements from her a couple times. At one point in tonight's show, Stephen Tyler told Jax he's going to sing with her at the big finale! It was cute to behold her excitement. She looks Italian to me unless I'm mistaken, and would look beautiful with black hair which I assume is her natural color. She's got striking black eyes. Clark Beckham was told by Mrs. Borgetta (a stylist?) "we think you're hot looking" and implied he should dress a little more flashy onstage. "Bright Lights" by Matchbox Twenty up next from Nick Fradiani proved an enjoyable outing. Not blown away, though. The judges all seemed favorable and approving. I did love Nick's "Maggie May" on an earlier show. Harry Connick Jr. treated us to one of his self-penned anthems, "City Beneath the Sea" composed for his beloved New Orleans. A very enjoyable perky jaunty cool-jazz number, sounded good, had him literally bouncing on the piano seat. Rayvon interpreted Lady Annabellum's "Need You Now" quite beautifully prompting Harry to enthuse, "Rayvon, I thought you sang the pants off it!" Martina McBride did a lovely, deeply-felt "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" (she's from Kansas). (to be continued)
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Clark Beckham showed off his guitar skills along with his often gorgeous singing with "Your Man" by Josh Turner. "This song is the most 'me' there is," he stated. An awkward moment had been shown in rehearsal when mentor and music head honcho Scott Borchetta didn't want Clark to choose this song, calling that sort of music "a fast track to the Holiday Inn" wanting a more upbeat lively roof-raising ditty, but Clark insisted on "Your Man" which obviously means a great deal to him. And indeed it sounded just fine to my ears; more than fine, reminding me of Eric Clapton in a way. "I thought you sang it well," agreed Jennifer Lopez, but "I don't know how this is your gravy song" but added "I think you can win American Idol." Harry was iffy on the song choice saying "it was kind of tepid. We've heard you sing songs much more exciting." Keith told him, "You d0n't need album tracks, you need singles now." Harry had said it's needed to be "hyper specific" on song choices. Clark assured that "I desperately want to win this show. I really believe people like this music I'm playing." Jax sang "Human" having been mentored by its writer Rascal Flatts who said "it gets the goose bumps factor." Rayvon sang "Believe" by Justin Bieber and everybody loved it. He dedicated this to his mother. J-Lo said "I'm crying here, everybody's crying, it's crazy" and Harry added, "It took 15 people to write that and every single one of them would be pleased." "What Hurts the Most," a lovely emotional Rascal Flatts number, was offered by Nick to end the show. He sang this beautifully showing "colors" in his voice as J-Lo noted. Rayvon (again!) was in the Bottom Two along with Tyanna, who in a shocker also landed there, and she had to leave. Instead of Rayvon, whom I certainly didn't wish to depart, but I was far from thrilled with Tyanna having to exit the stage. I assumed Jax would go before she did. --Susy
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Thinking back on recent fondly (or not so fondly, sometimes) Idol show moments: Thinking for a moment Steven Tyler was in the shower when the Idols barged in on him (he was actually in the recording studio), J-Lo beaming in the sun in Brooklyn, Harry Connick and Keith Urban just showing the barest flash of their cities as each drove down a street, Jax jumping excitedly in her seat when Jeff Gordon revealed they would sing at a big Nascar car racing event to kick it off, Kelly Clarkson wearing very pretty dresses and singing like a powerhouse and being funny and delightful when she mentored "Idol" recently, Russell Crowe showing up unexpectedly on the "Idol" stage--the last time I'd seen him was in "Les Miserables"--an awesome and profound movie musical worlds apart from the fun pop confection of the "American Idol" show...quite an interesting contrast and juxtaposition. Harry singing his sparkling bouncy original "City Beneath the Sea" and Martina McBride singing her heart out on "Somewhere Over the Rainbow"...now I'm fearing Rayvon might finally get the ol' heave ho (but he will get to go on the Idol tour) and will hate to see him go, if so, he reminds me of a male Lena Horne and the late great Sam Cooke