American Idol 2009

[rockfan]

So, anybody been tuning in and watching it?? There seems to be a pretty good crop of singers this time.

[dawn]

Sorry Rockfan - we're a bit behind on that - We're having Hollywood week aired at the moment.

The brilliant singers are head & shoulders above ours but the crazies - so much more crazy!

[ycrney]

So I have to admit, I have been watching AI. There are several stand outs, but I have my eye on Adam Lambert right now.

[jillywilly65]

I don't even bother watching till we can start voting for our faves. Otherwise I get my hopes up and someone ends up being sent home...
Argh! Mean ol Simon...

some headline said that Simon and Paula have been going out secretly now that they are both single again......WHAT??

[Micki/Melissa]

Yes, yes...Adam Lambert all the way!!! He's got the total package!!
I am also loving Danny Gokey's raspy voice.

[rockfan]

I like Danny Gokey, too as well as a few others. Adam Lambert has the look of a rocker but not the voice as it's too strong, IMO. But, he can SING. He's got a very powerful voice. I'm sure we will be hearing/seeing alot more of him as I think he is the strongest singer of all of them.

[keysunset]

I've only been able to watch on Tuesday nights, so I'm still not clear on who's who yet. I am impressed with Michael (the oil rigger guy) and of course I have be give some preference to Anoop Desai (the guy from Chapel Hill, NC).

[dawn]

Jilly - don't those rumours start every season of AI? I think Simon likes winding her up and with it the American press!

I'm not sure who these guys are, will have to watch on the weekend & try to catch their names (I never learn them until there's about 5 left).

[keysunset]

Here is a quick clip of Anoop Desai:

www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1096168118435&oid=55796619880

He sang with an acapella group in college and has a good voice. We'll see how he does ...

And speaking of Paula, have y'all noticed how much more coherent and "together" she is so far this year? Yea! I was worried about spaced out Paula ...

[aussiefan]

Hey Dawn,

I think us in Oz are at about the same stage as you, we are just finishing Hollywood week and are now down to the last about 36? I think.
So still not to the finalists yet but so far my fave of the final 36? is Michael ____? Oil rigger guy. love his voice.

Next week the serious stuff finally starts.

Helen

[keysunset]

Warning: Long post and possibly spoilers (yes I'm talking to y'all, dawn and helen, etc. ----------------------------------------

At the Leper House message board I've been live posting on performance night. Here's what I posted tonight:

Tonight's theme is "Songs of Michael Jackson." I didn't know there had been that many songs written about Michael Jackson! Live and learn.

Advice from the judges:
Randy: got to bring it hard and have a great performance every time
Cara: Have to be harder or tougher on these contestants this time
Paula: Do not be afraid of using the stage and not letting it consume you
Simon: Can't forget the words and prove you are not swallowed up by the stage.


The contestants:
Lil Rounds
Scott Macintyre
Danny Gokey
Michael Sarver
Jasmine Murray
Kris Allen
Allison Iraheta
Anoop Desai
Jorge Nunez
Megan Joy Corkrey
Adam Lambert
Matt Giraud
Alexis Grace

Two get eliminated with tonight's voting.

Phooey, I did something wrong and erased my post.
Well, the first singer was Lil Rounds singing "The Way You Make Me Feel."
I thought she made a cute entrance. Her appearance was nice. She has a good voice, but the song choice didn't really let her shine with her vocal range. Technically I guess she was good, but I didn't think she really projected herself through the song. Didn't do a lot for me.

Randy, Paula, and Cara loved her. Simon thought the first half was better than second half and was a lazy song choice.


Scott MacIntyre is next singing "Keep The Faith"
He is using the piano in his performance. In the previous performances I've seen, he seems to do better performing with keyboard or piano.

He started out a little shaky in the song I think. The high notes are a reach. I don't think this was a good song choice, vocally.


Cara: With the piano we see another side of you. The song is a hopeful message. Not the most dynamic performance. But still true to himself.
Paula: With the instrument at your fingertips you are in your comfort zone.
Simon: I hated the song. Nobody knows it. It's fine being artistic, just not on this show. A good singer, liked the piano, didn't like the song.
Randy: Liked the song, but the performance was all very safe. Want to see more sparks from Scott.


Danny Gokey up next singing "PYT."
He's really working the song - vocals, stage presence, getting the audience involved. I like his vocals for this song. I'm enjoying the performance.

Judges:
Paula: Predicts he is on his way to the finals.
Simon: Vocals were brilliant. White guy with soul. The dancing was hideous. Really, really, really liked you tonight.
Randy: Loved it all, I felt like the dancing was passionate.
Cara: You have joy when you step out on the stage.


Michael Sarver up next singing "You Are Not Alone"
He's got a great voice, no denying that. I love to hear him sing. I don't care for this song choice for him though. I don't get the feeling. Sort of good karaoke.

Simon: Not the best singer in this competition. Made up for it with passion and heart and 110%.
Randy: You definitely one of the best in this tonight with the return to R&B.
Cara: Tonight you showed you really can sing. A great job.
Paula: Likeable. Talented. The song gave him room as an artist to "color it up" and he did tonight.


Jasmine Murray is up next. Singing "I'll Be There"
Nice voice. Seems confident, though at first she didn't seem to know which way she should look or for how long. This song is really nice for her voice. Good performance. Didn't knock my socks off, but good.

Randy: You did a pretty good job. Tough song to sing after Michael and Mariah. But pretty good.
Cara: Maybe a half key down would have been better, but she did it. Great stage presence.
Paula: Great poise on the stage. Some moments going into the chorus were not always great. But some brilliant moments.
Simon: Little bit robotic at times. Lighten up a little bit. Start acting your age. Not little girl trying to be a grown up.


Kris Allen singing "Remember the Time" singing with his guitar.
This song arrangement doesn't really go along with his appearance and the guitar. The guitar becomes really just a prop here. He could have done more of a performance, commanded more of the stage, without the guitar.

I was so distracted by all that, that I didn't pay a lot of attention to his singing. I think it was good though. Nothing really got on my nerves.

Judges:
Cara: The guitar helps you performance wise. You should be playing and singing.
Paula: I think no one knows Michael's catalog better than you. With your guitar you are engaging and adorable sexy.
Simon: Not a song that really suits the guitar. Vocals were OK.
Randy: Interesting song choice. Cool for me.


Allison Iraheta next singing "Give In To Me"
She sort of has a Charo look about her face. That's just an aside.

She's bringing a rock look and vibe. Not sure what what I think of the appearance. The voice seems OK, but the key might have been better. A little higher maybe? Didn't really show her range I thought.

But she's only 16. wow.

Paula: very poised on stage. Stay true to who you are.
Simon: Good performance. We know who you are. Know what kind of artist you want to be. Lighten up a little bit. Confidence, voice, very good for 16.
Randy: You can sing. One to watch in this whole thing.
Cara: Keep being the rocker girl. You distinguish yourself.


Anoop Desai singing "Beat It"
Well, he started out not too bad, but then it didn't really go anywhere. I almost tuned out to read the on-line grocery ads before he finished. A few wrong notes, or notes in the wrong place or something. Oh, Anoop. I had such high, high hopes.

Paula: Didn't think this song. Sounded karaoke.
Simon: Thought it was horrible. No aggression. Karaoke. Looked a bit stupid. Like someone trying to be Michael Jackson and failing.
Randy: Wrong choice. Karaoke.
Cara: Didn't go up, didn't do any riffs. Felt disconnected from you as a performer.

Simon said based on that performance, he was sorry he made it a top 13. Ouch.


Jorge Nunez singing "Never Can Say Goodbye"
His movements are a bit jerky on stage. And he's not really working the space. Seems dwarfed by it. He seems to have a powerful voice, but some notes I think he didn't really hit on. But it was an OK performance, but he didn't really project an emotion through the song.

Randy: Not the song for you. A little old-fashioned. Nice upper range. Some pitch points.
Cara: Didn't feel the emotion connection.
Paula: I didn't feel like you were yourself. Why did you pick that song.
Jorge said: Picked that song because he thought it fit his voice.
Simon: arrangement was awful. You were out of your depth.


Megan Joy Corkrey singing "Rockin' Robin"
Good grief! The judges are always saying, be current, be contemporary. Can she do that with this song?

Ack. I'm going to say no to that. Please let this stop. I'm not liking either the way she's singing nor her "attempt" at choreography. And she ended with bird sounds.

Judges:
Cara: That's so Megan. Not the most overwhelming vocal performance, but injected her personality.
Paula: Picked the right song, but didn't connect with her til nearly the end of the song.
Simon: What a stupid song choice. Dancing was ridiculous. Singing wasn't very good.
Randy: Song choice didn't allow her to be Megan.


Adam Lambert - "Black and White"
Really working the stage. His look and singing work together. Do I like his song choice. Not really. But he did a good job with it. The vocals sounded good.

Judges:
Paula: Innate ability to know who you are as an artist and marry performance and fashion.
Simon: A totally different league than anything else seen or heard tonight. Comfortable. An original version. Vocals terrific. Well done.
Randy: Love who you are and what you do. You got it.
Cara: You hit notes I didn't even know existed. Hope Michael Jackson is watching!


Matt Giraud singing "Human Nature"
Playing piano while he sings. Does a lot of vocal riffs while he sings. Better than some performances tonight, definitely. But I didn't connect.

Randy: good but a little pitch problems.
Cara: Talented guy.
Paula: Talented, sexy, authentic, amazing, blown away.
Simon: Good solid nice performance.


Alexis Grace singing "Dirty Diana"
Wow! She's got the look to go with the song and singing style. I feel dirty just watching her sing. Some pitch problems I think. Interesting song choice.

Judges:
Cara: You're a naughty girl and I liked it.
Paula: Watch the oversinging.
Simon: Over the top and not as good as you thought it was.
Randy: .....

Sorry I didn't get Randy's comments but he wasn't enthused about it.

And my prediction: I think Megan and Jorge should be in the bottom three. But it's hard to choose a third from some of the others, though Kris is a strong contender for that third going home spot. I wanted to love Anoop, and I think he can wow us, but made a bad song choice. I'm hoping that he makes it through to try again next week.

[jillywilly65]

The other night is the first time I watched it. Rob and I have been watching The Biggest Loser and tried flipping back and forth between the 2 shows during commercials but usually end up staying with BL. So I watched Adam and Matt sing and then the recaps and Adam and Matt are the only ones that impressed me at all. I usually vote based on wether or not I'd buy their CD and those 2 were the only ones so far. I did like the young teen rocker chick but I have to hear her sing more stuff. No one really jumped out to me otherwise. There was no Ah-ha !! Marty Casey moments at all....remember the OMG who is that blonde dude? Write his name down, he is totally going to win this!!!................arg!


J~

[jillywilly65]

I am still liking my original ones Adam, Matt and Allison for sure. That girl can sing, as Randy always points out.No one else really seems that
unique to me? But they are all good singers. To each his own right?

[jillywilly65]

Is anyone else watching this anymore? Where'd you gals go? it's getting
down to the nitty gritty.......

[keysunset]

Oops, sorry, jilly. I've been doing Tuesday night live posting during the show (Eastern time) at Leper House. My predictions haven't been too close to the mark, but here's mine for this week:

Bottom three this week: Lil, Matt, (and unfortunately) Anoop

my alternate bottom three: Lil, Matt, and Kris

I think Lil and Matt will go home.

And I think using the judges' save last week was a waste and just delayed the inevitable. I hope they'll drop that next year, or wait til later in the season to actually use it.

OK, just one woman's opinion on all of this!! No tomatoes, please!

p.s. If you want to read the live postings -- they are still at Leper House in the American Idol Season Eight thread.

[blueeyz]

I've been watching it too. This season has a great group of talent! And of course, a stand-out contestant who's in a league of his own. Gee, I wonder who that is....

I pretty much agree with keysunset's predictions. The only thing is, Kris is really likeable, so if Anoop is not in the bottom 3, perhaps Allison could be. It's getting really tough now!

[rockfan]

I've narrowed down my top 3 to Adam, Kris, and Danny.

[cfbj01]

Adam is my favourite. My top 3 prediction is Adam, Allison and Danny.

[keysunset]

Well, as all y'all know, Lil and Anoop went home last night. But -- shocker! -- Allison was in the bottom 3! That really surprised me!

I agree Kris has the likeability thing going. He is really cute and sweet. So I guess that's what's helping to keep him going.

Anybody know the theme for next week?

[jillywilly65]

Apr 22, 2009 13:53:10 GMT -5 cfbj01 said:

Adam is my favourite. My top 3 prediction is Adam, Allison and Danny.

I am in total agreement.!