In all honesty I’m on a little bit of reality television overload, and that coupled with the fact that I’ve been underwhelmed by Idol so far this season means that I’m a smidge skeptical about tonight’s performances. I’m pushing through and blogging about it anyway but THESE YOUNG’UNS NEED TO BRING IT, MY WORD.
Von Smith – “You’re All I Need To Get By” – He has a big voice, but it sounds like he’s sharp to me. Is he sharp? If he could find the right key, this would be awesome. I also appreciate the unconventional song choice – PERFECT for him. He got a lot stronger at the end, and I’m curious to see if he makes it to the next round because I think he could be an interesting competitor with a little more experience.
Taylor Vaifanua – “If I Ain’t Got You” – Okay. Why pick a singer’s SIGNATURE SONG if you’re not going to put a completely original twist on it? Because all I’m thinking as I listen to this is that it sounds like something you’d hear on a cruise ship. And don’t get me wrong – singing on a cruise ship takes skills that I just don’t have – but I don’t think it’s good enough for making it to the Top 12 of American Idol.
Alex Wagner-Trugman – “I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues” – Oh good grief he makes me laugh. I so appreciate a dry wit. As for his singing, it’s sort of endearing. I especially like when he backs up from the microphone and breaks it down a little bit. Now granted, at times it seems like he’s singing a song I’ve never heard before, but I can’t help but root for this guy. I don’t really think I would ever buy one of his CDs, but I would love to have him over and fry him some chicken. Rock on, Alex.
Arianna Afsar – “The Winner Takes It All” – I’ll say right off the bat that this song choice strikes me as a bit odd, and something weird is going on where it sounds like she’s about four beats behind the band. She’s a darling girl and she looks great, but it just seems like the song is endless. The lyrics are alientating, she doesn’t seem like she’s connecting with the music, and it’s just not a very strong performance. Bless her heart.
Ju’Not Joyner – “Hey There Delilah” – I give him credit for hitting all his notes, but sweet mercy would it hurt to sing something a little more upbeat? I would’ve loved to hear him just knock a song out of the park, but this one sort of plodded along. Vocally he is definitely stronger than the other contestants so far tonight, but the pace of the song is boring. I DON’T UNDERSTAND WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THE SONG CHOICES.
Kristen McNamara – “Give Me One Reason” – This is an interesting song choice with a fun arrangement, to boot. It also seems like she knows what she’s doing on stage (REFRESHING!), and I am surprised by how much I like her voice. That being said, it doesn’t seem like this song is her – it feels a little contrived and almost like she’s oversinging. I’m on the fence.
Nathaniel Marshall – “I Would Do Anything For Love” – This is the oddest, Flashdanciest arrangement of a song that already reeks of overproduction. I keep expecting for someone to run out and hand him some fire batons or something. He has a nice voice, but it’s like he can’t decide if he wants to sing a ballad or lead us all in a vigorous step aerobics routine. It’s just all over the place.
(SIDENOTE: I CANNOT LISTEN TO PAULA ANYMORE. NOT FOR ONE MORE SECOND. PLEASE CAN SHE STOP WITH THE TALKING. I JUST REALLY NEED FOR HER TO STOP TALKING.)
Felicia Barton – “No One” – Now she’s the exception to the rule, because she’s singing a very well-known Alicia Keys song, but she’s totally making it her own with that big ole voice of hers. Really well done.
Scott MacIntyre – “Mandolin Rain” – Here’s an unusual song choice, and it’s actually one of my favorites from the late 80s (I was a total Bruce Hornsby fan). His performance seems totally heartfelt, but I don’t think he really brings anything distinctive or interesting to the song. It almost sounds like a demo version – sort of generic. But thumbs up for picking a song we haven’t heard every single season, and big props for the “stationary target” remark. So dadgum likeable.
Kendall Beard – “This One’s For The Girls” – I need to tell y’all that I generally don’t like songs that are designed to rally a group of people. I don’t like girl-power anthems, or yay-America anthems, or support-a-cause anthems. That being said, Kendall is a doll, and she does a pretty good job with this song. I think the beginning was stronger because she got to sing in a lower register, and when she had to go into the high notes it got a little shrieky. But she definitely picked the right song, and she’s cute as can be.
Jorge Nunez – “Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me” – This is one of my favorite songs, though it’s probably time to send it into Idol retirement (I’m almost positive that it’s made an appearance on every season). This is a nice vocal- nothing terribly ambitious or original, but it’s successful. And that’s more than most can say tonight.
Lil Rounds – “Be Without You” – She is in a completely different league than anybody else we’ve seen tonight. SWEET MERCY. She can’t just sing – she can SANG. She’s confident, poised and GOOD. Love her.
So. What did y’all think?
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I really like Scott. He just seems like a genuine, nice person. Lil was awesome! Paula makes me crazy! Just watching her clap is annoying.
I heart you! And I think there should be a list of artists NOT to sing on AI. Mariah, Celine, Michael, Whitney, and now Elton…Lord have mercy. This season is getting longer and longer. Thank goodness for the singers tonight.
I may have cheated a little. I didn’t post about AI tonight, but my co-blogger BFF did and well…(we have one site together,does that make it better?)
I agree about the season dragging this year. I find myself not really caring if people get through or not.
And I know one of the girls. (She doesn’t know me, but we’ve met.) I am rooting for her, and I’m really digging her new hair. (Felicia)
O-well, I’m still watching.
Loved the BigBoo podcast.
Just now finishing watching it on the DVR. Haven’t made it to Lil Rounds yet, but she was the only one I was excited to see tonight. This season is just not what it used to be.
I agree with you again BooMama! The show started out really slow tonight, but picked up about half way through. I wonder what sort of dramatic conclusion we’ll have on Thursday with the Wild Cards…
I am totally with you…I sure hope the season picks up with the Top 12!!! This seems like it’s gone on forever. And I said to my husband tonight, “TOO MUCH TALING!” They have one too many judges…I think they should replace Paula with the new judge or another. It’s a huge “comment overload”.
I was totally cheering for Lil. And Jorge made me cry with that humble heart on stage–although I really like this song sung only by Elton–it’s just his song, that’s all.
And this: “I was a total Bruce Hornsby fan.” Me, too! I did not dig Scott’s version of it at all. Though, I love his family’s heart for one another. That was sweet.
Yep. Lil rocked the house!
Since you’re two hours ahead of us, I hopped over here after Nathaniel sang to see what on earth you’d have to say about that, and just have to say YES AND AMEN to the Paula comment. Hubs says Kara is only here this year because Paula will be out by next year… and in rehab.
As soon as I heard the name “Bruce Hornsby,” I was RIGHT back to Big Hair and Braces. “That’s just the way it is…boo doo doo, boo doo boo, boo duh dum…”
So, ummmm, Paula liked that yellow dress? WAS THAT A BUBBLE DRESS, OR WHAT?? Hello, 1980s.
I think the jury has finally come in on Kara. She should not make the top 12!
I mute my television when Paula starts talking and Kara is starting to get on my nerves, too.
Lil, Ju’Not and Felicia were my favorites tonight. We’ll see how it goes.
You are better than TV Guide!! Information plus a healthy does of humor. Blessings.
I’m with you. Lil Rounds was amazing — she’s officially my pick to win the whole shebang — but the rest of them? Eh.
I think Lil Rounds, Felicia Barton and either Ju’Not, Scott or Jorge are going through.
It’s a tough call this time.
Oh yay! You are doing Mr. Linky this year. I checked last week but I guess I checked too early.
So yeah, that Lil Rounds — I am SO looking forward to hearing her again.
I think having 36 finalists is the reason this season is getting off to a rough start. There just aren’t 36 that are THAT good. Hopefully next week, once it’s narrowed down to 12, it will get a WHOLE lot better.
And don’t you think Paula is completely unnecessary now that they have Kara? Listening to FOUR judges comment is just ONE TOO MANY.
Little Random Info on Kendall Beard:
She is from my city (Austin) after graduating from U.T. Her dad and Britney Spears’ dad were friends in college. I think she may have a leg up in the PR department!
I’m lovin’ the lil’ rounds!
I really liked Felicia, Lil, and Jorge. I completely agree about the song choices overall being random, but that has been the case every week so far. The contestants really do need to step it up because I need someone to really root for in this season!
I feel like there aren’t as many amazing talents this year, but there are lots of characters and humor. I’m tempted to just vote all the funny people in so that at least it’d be entertaining!
What do I think? I think you and I may have to break up.
Mandolin Rain is one of my LEAST favorite songs of ALL TIME and Bruce Hornsby is one of my least favorite singers OF ALL TIME. What were you smokin in the 80s? Ick. Next thing I know, you’re going to tell me you love Annie Lennox.
Cute Scott McIntyre may redeem Mandolin Rain a teensy, tiny bit.
I am, fyi, a huge Meatloaf fan. Maybe not so much when done by flashdance boy, but still.
Lil, Felicia, and Jorge for me.. I thought Jorge’s voice really picked up toward the end of the song and carried him through. Sympathy vote for Scott… I like him, but he just isn’t at the top vocally. The whole setup this year? stinks. really. Between The Bachelor and A.I., I think they may be totally murdering the genre of reality T.V. Debatable as to whether that’s good or bad. *sigh*
Love the recap because I missed it :) Thanks!!!!!
We don’t like to watch anything live (thank you Jesus for the DVR), and then we have to wait til we get a chance to watch it with our girls (3&5) because they love to watching the singing show. So we are always woefully behind. BUT. I have decided I prefer to read your thoughts before I watch it. Gives me things to look for. I know when to pay attention.
What were your thoughts on Kara? I’ve heard uproar on the Facebook that peeps just don’t like her. I’ve found her presence generally refreshing, but I haven’t watched this week yet.
Any love I manage to give Idol is just preparation for So You Think You Can Dance when it’s over. And I’m a singer, not a dancer. But THAT show has my undying reality tv devotion.
Oh, I goofed!! Sorry, BooMama! Could you please delete my e-mail address from the link for American Idol. I am so sorry! I will post my thoughts on the blog. But, I love Felicia Barton! Married to my 2nd cousin, I know I mentioned it before, but am doing so again! Also, loved Lil as well!
I muted the TV, put my fingers in my ears and yelled, “BLAH, BLAH, BLAH!” like a child every time Paula spoke. And I was tempted to do it to Randy and Kara too.