CompShop: In The Ghetto
At the request of my mom, I am posting a Comp Shopof In The Ghetto: Taylor vs. Big Mike.
Taylor:
Mike:
Add comment April 14th, 2010
Hunk-A-Hunk-A Burning Idol
Elvis Night. We previously had Elvis night back in Season 5, in the fateful week that Mr. Daughtry was voted off (sigh). Hopefully this week will not produce any shock eliminations (go Bowersox!)
After the surprise save of Big Mike last week, we have a top nine redux. I hope they all know how much is at stake, and BRING. IT.
01. Crystal Bowersox
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“Saved” – This is great! I loved the energy, I loved the electric guitar. I mean, what else can I say? |
02. Andrew Garcia
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“Hound Dog” – Yikes, the video package threw him under the bus, because it showed him and Adam talking about speeding it up, but he didn’t end up doing it. The arrangement was ok, and the performance was ok, but I agree with Glambert in that it was boring. Blah. |
03. Tim Urban
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“I Can’t Help Falling In Love With You” – Ok, not bad, Tim. Two weeks in a row you didn’t suck! Congrats! Like Andrew before him, he didn’t take Glambert’s flasetto voice advice. But it turned out ok. |
04. Lee DeWyze |
+1/2 |
“A Little Less Conversation” – I love his voice and the performance was great, but I still think he could show more energy on the stage. It is good he is smiling, though. And hopefully he will get the performances there, soon. |
05. Aaron Kelly
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“Blue Suede Shoes” – He looks a little uneasy on the stage, still. He has a really great voice and it showed towards the end–but I think he might be in trouble tomorrow. |
06. Siobhan Magnus
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“Suspicious Minds” – I think Siobhan has hit a major speed bump. She lost the energy and excitement she had a few weeks ago. This was just boring to me. |
07. Mike Lynche
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“In The Ghetto” – Aw, nice, Big Mike! I loved that performance! It was soulful and felt authentic. His voice was clear and I really liked the tone. Props to the big guy! |
08. Katie Stevens
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“Baby What Do You Want Me To Do” – I like the upped sas-level, but she has to be careful that it doesn’t come across as snobby, and as Simon likes to say, precocious. But she has a few good weeks left in her, and I do think she is getting better. |
09. Casey James
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“Lawdy Miss Claudy – The audio mix was off, I think, because his vocals seemed drowned out. It was frustrating because I can’t really decide if it was good or not. So I give him the benefit of the doubt with a big smile. I suppose he is allowed one bum week every once in a while. |
Ryan scores one for the Dunkleman Jokes! LOL – maybe Dunkleman should be a guest judge. Or replace Simon. I mean, there are so many possibilities!
I loved Big Mike tonight. And Crystal, obviously, but she is in my favorites list every week. Lee was pretty good, as well.
Andrew is definitely going home tomorrow. Maybe Aaron, too. Big Mike should survive one more week.
Glee Out!
Add comment April 14th, 2010
CompShop: Come Together
I really have been neglecting my fave thing this year, so here are three performances of Come Together, a personal favorite song of mine. All solid performances: Irish, Boy-next-door, or dreds? What is your preference?
Carly Smithson:
Kris Allen:
Crystal Bowersox:
Add comment April 7th, 2010
Lennon-McCartney Night, Episode 3
Ryan starts us from the idol control room…where the “magic happens.” Though for Ryan, I would argue that happens in hair and make-up. Just saying.
Lennon-McCartney night! In Season 7 we got two back-to-back Beatles/Lennon/McCartney nights, so hopefully there will be some new awesome performances tonight in episode 3. Please, please don’t suck, kids, or I will personally come and beat your ass. That is an idolreview promise!
| 1. Aaron Kelly |
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The Long and Winding Road – Blah Blah. His voice is just starting to get swallowed by the stage– or maybe the arrangements, or something. His voice wasn’t as crisp and clear as it has been in previous weeks. Aaron, you need to get back on your game, stat. |
| 02. Katie Stevens
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“Let It Be” - Katie! I loved that! It was a really nice arrangement, her voice was fantastic, and she had decent control. I am way impressed! Way to go, MiniMcPhee!! |
| 03. Andrew Garcia
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“Can’t Buy Me Love” – I liked the arrangement — it had a little bit of a swing vibe. However, I didn’t think his voice was that great at all. So I was excited by the performance, but not the vocal. |
| 04. Mike Lynche |
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“Eleanor Rigby” – Aside from the few bum notes, I thought it was decent. The arrangement was pretty hot. The vocal was decent, and I liked that he changed it up. That said, it was hard not to compare to Mr. Cook. |
| 05. Crystal Bowersox
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+1/2 |
“”Come Together” – Of course it was awesome. The arrangement was a rockin vibe. The vocal wasn’t as solid as it has been in the past, but I really can’t complain. Plus there was a Didgeridoo. Props to Ernie on the didgeridoo. |
| 06. Tim Urban
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“”All My Loving” – Well, this is the first week in a long time that I didn’t hate it. It was a little hokey, and not very original. But I would rather have hokey than ear-bleeding awful. |
| 07. Casey James
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“Jealous Guy” – I loved this! It showed off his guitar chops again, and I could really see this as a current recording. Bonus: His hair was hawt. |
| 08. Siobhan Magnus
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“Across The Universe” – Meh, I understand the vibe she was going for, but I still am not on board with her low notes, because it sounds like she has permanent congestion issues! Perhaps a deviated septum. Not really sure. Regardless, I still haven’t stepped upon the bandwagon. |
| 09. Lee Dewyze
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“Hey Jude” – Some of his vocal momentsere absolutely brilliant. The bagpiper, however? Not so hot. The arrangement was a bit messy, and it was hard to cut this song to 2 minutes. There was too much audience participation to come over well on TV. Save this one for the tour, Lee, but not so hot on the Idol stage. Still love the song and love his voice, though. |
So, best tonight? Katie and Casey! They are followed closely by Crystal and then Lee.
Worst tonight is Aaron. It also doesn’t help that he was in the dead-man’s spot. This should ensure a bottom 3 appearance for him tomorrow. I don’t think he will be exiting, however. He is still liked by the tween set, as is Mr. Urban.
Maybe Andrew is in trouble?
Add comment April 7th, 2010
We’ve been Urshered.
Tonight is R&B night, with a splash of old-school and a little Motown. I kind of like the more open theme, and I kind of like Usher as a mentor, so all in all, it is a kind-of-like night.
| 1. Siobhan Magnus |
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“Through The Fire” by Chaka Khan - Wow, this was NOT good. I have never heard her off pitch like this– I wouldn’t expect that from her. And I am a little mad at the judges who are saying “we have to remember she has done well every other week” We aren’t judging every other week. We as viewers can do that ourselves. The judges need to focus on this performance, and it wasn’t good, so don’t justify it. I don’t mean to pick on Siobhan here, I’m picking on the judges. Ok rant over. |
| 02. Casey James
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“Hold On” by Sam and Dave – I love the band and singers on the stage. And I think he is just getting betterweek after week. Also he is getting hawter week after week. Woo. All of a sudden he is a contender! Go Casey! |
| 03. Michael Lynche
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+1/2 |
“Ready For Love” by India.Arie – OOO, this is awesome – sitting behind the judges, singing india.arie (a first for Idol, I think?) And clearly, Kara lost cool points for not knowing the wonders of india.arie…honestly, Kara. Love the song, like the performance, ok vocal. |
04. Didi Benami |
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“What Becomes of a Brokenhearted” – Eh, there were parts that were pretty nice, and there were parts that were blah. It wasn’t fantastic, but it wasn’t bad, either. |
| 05. Tim Urban
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“Sweet Love” by Anita Baker – Oh geez, here we go again. If this guy survives another week, I will stop watching. Not really, but I will really start to whine. This was so bad, so robotic, zero emotion, and bad vocal skills. Blah |
| 06. Andrew Garcia
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“Forever” by Chris Brown – I liked the arrangement, and thought the song was a good choice for him. It sounded like he wasn’t playing the right guitar chords at the beginning, and I thought his vocals weren’t that great. However, it is much better than the last few weeks for him, and now I actually feel a bit of promise. |
| 07. Katie Stevens
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“Chain of Fools” by Aretha Franklin – Big song for a little girl, but it was not half bad. I mean this song has been performed many times on this stage, and it is definitely not the best one. However, I was expecting a trainwreck, and it was far from that. Good for her for putting forth a decent vocal. |
| 08. Lee Dewyze
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“Treat Her Like A Lady” by The Cornelius Brothers – I love love love his voice. He still doesn’t quite have the charisma of a rockstar, but the boy needs a band, dammit! That said, the vocal was awesome! The song was a great choice for him. Go, Lee! |
| 09. Crystal Bowersox
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“Midnight Train to Georgia” by Gladys Knight – Changing it up, Crystal! I loved the piano, and this was an awesome song choice for her! I loved the look, I loved the change–noticable enough, but still infused with crystal-ness. That said, I have to agree with Simon that she was concentrating too hard on the piano-playing. |
| 10. Aaron Kelly
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“Aint No Sunshine” by Bill Withers – It is tough not to compare with Kris’s version from last year, with which he obviously can’t compare. But it could have been worse. I think because of his pimp spot, he should pull through. |
So, best tonight? Lee, for sure, followed closely by Crystal and maybe Casey in a distant third?
Worst tonight, Tim Urban, obviously. Followed closely by Siobhan, who was awful tonight. She might even make a surprise bottom 3 appearance because of her dead-man’s spot.
Everyone else fell somewhere in the middle.
3 comments March 30th, 2010
It’s cut-some-much-needed-fat night!
Oh, elimination night, I am looking forward to you. Especially after last night. We need to cut some fat. And fast.
First up is the group song by Wham! obviously. Wake Me Up Before you Go Go – such a classic 80s. Though I can’t say I would categorize this as Billboard #1s.
After the break, Ryan does a bunch of banter with the contestants, including Big Mike, with his baby bjorn carrier.
I think I missed the Ford commercial because I was actually trying to pay attention in class rather than watch streaming video in the last row. Fill me in if there was anything groundbreaking that I missed.
Onto the beheadings. Siobhan is up first. And she is safe and on the tour.
Lee and Casey are up next. They get their reviews but told to sit tight. Ryan calls up Tim and Paige next. (which is awkward for Siobhan in the middle). Tim and Paige hit up the bottom 3 again, while Casey and Lee are safe.
R&B Soul is next week, and usher (or Ursher) will be the mentor.
Now Miley gets to sing. Though I wouldn’t necessarily qualify this as 100% singing, but rather a singing/straining combo, it was much better than her performance last year.
After the break, Crystal, Michael, Aaron, and Didi are safe, which leaves Andrew and Katie. Katie gets to be in the bottom 3 tonight, which has to be disheartening after her improvement last night.
But as soon as she is sent to center stage, she is sent back to safety, leaving the two most deserved members in the bottom group tonight.
The newly pronounced couple Joe Jonas and Demi Lovato, sing some duet next. I heart Demi Lovato and I generally think she is a good singer. The duet was blah, but the singing was pretty good.
After the break, the moment of truth… Paige is out, and she sings “All Right Now” for her swan song, and it was infinitely better than last night.
OUT TONIGHT:
Paige Miles
Honestly, I would have rather seen Paige on the tour than Tim, but since I put my points on Paige in the idol pool, I am happy.
2 comments March 24th, 2010
