So apparently the theme for tonight is songs from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. So I guess the theme could also be Really Good & Famous Rock Songs. Take your pick, I reckon.
Here we go.
Jacob Lusk – “Man in the Mirror” – I don’t know what it means when singers take that ear piece out of their ears (Travis? help?), but removing that ear piece didn’t seem to hurt Jacob during the first half of the song. When he hit the chorus, though, he sounded a little sharp and shrill. But I really liked what he did at the end of the song (which was more like the first verse). And the mama in me was tickled that he stood by his principles when he picked his song. Refreshing to see someone who’s thinking about what message he’s sending through the words that he sings. Good for him.
Haley Reinhart – “Piece of My Heart” – I’m a fan of this song, but I thought the arrangement was a little strange tonight. And I also felt like Haley was screaming at me a lot. She started off screaming, and she continued screaming until the bitter end. Even Janis Joplin had a few relatively mellow moments in the original version of this song, you know? I guess it just seemed like Haley took the first fast train to Screamytown, and Screamytown really isn’t for me. BECAUSE IT’S NOISY THERE.
Casey Abrams – “Have You Ever Seen The Rain” – I was about to say that Casey’s performance was a little too straightforward – not much of an original spin on the song – but then the second verse happened. And I loved that second verse. And also the ending. And also the bass. Very cool performance, Mr. Abrams.
Lauren Alaina – “You Make Me Feel Like A Natural Woman” – That was the perfect song for her voice, and while I was prepared to be a little bored (not my favorite song by any stretch of the imagination), I thought she did a great job. She was settled and calm on the stage and didn’t rush a single note. Impressive.
James Durbin – “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” – Switching things up and going with a ballad was a risky move for James, especially when he’s danced and hopped all over the stage for the last few weeks. And while there were definitely a few rough notes here and there – especially on the verses – he sounded strong on the chorus. It wasn’t his best performance, but it was a good one.
Scotty McCreery – “That’s All Right, Mama” – Well. That was FANTASTIC. It was so fun to see Scotty do something a little more upbeat (with loads of personality), and you could tell that he wasn’t taking himself too seriously. Loved it.
Pia Toscano – “River Deep, Mountain High” – There’s no question that Pia can sing. She can SANG. SANNNNG. And she sang like crazy tonight. But there’s still something missing for me when she performs. I almost feel like she’s counting off the beats and steps in her head – like she’s choreographed every single element of the performance. I think that’s why it’s still hard for me to watch her without thinking that she should totally win the talent preliminary. If she can figure out how to loosen up onstage and let her personality shine, watch out.
Stefano Langone – “When A Man Loves A Woman” – I’m officially tired of people sitting on the stairs at the beginning of their songs. Just in case you were wondering. As far as the performance, it was a little uneven. It started off rough but got progressively better. I’d like to see Stefano have a week where he really backs off the big runs and the big notes and does something with more of an acoustic, laid-back feel. It’s officially time for him to mix it up and wow us with something a little different.
Paul McDonald – “Folsom Prison Blues” – This was hands-down my favorite song choice of the night, and this was the only performance where I wished I was there to see it in person. So, so good. Great combination of solid musicianship and showmanship. Very fun.
Best of the night: Scotty, Paul
Might be in trouble: Jacob (sang first), Haley, Stefano
Made me so happy: Jimmy Iovine and will.i.am giving pointers to Stefano and Paul – they were funny and dead-on.
What did y’all think?
Well, I am sitting here just turning on my tivoed (how do you spell that? you know I recorded with the Tivo) American Idol….and I am browsing blogs, and here I am reading the recap of the show I am just know watching! Fun! Jacob is singing right now.
I can’t wait to see Scotty and Paul!
Love your commentary. :)
Roan
I am with you on Paul. Hands down my favorite. I love Johnny Cash and Paul’s honky tonk was so so fun.
Pia is so boring. She has her moneymaker – the eyes closed, mic to the right while belting it out. But it seems like she can’t wait to get to that moment and it’s all choreographed, like you said, until then.
I loved Casey and stand up bass. He really is a musician and I am glad they saved him.
Bottom three: Jacob (I actually liked him tonight, but I had to pick 3), Stefano and Lauren (not memorable)
Paul has got to go! I think he butchered Johnny Cash’s song! I do love me some Jacob and Casey and well just about the entire crew. Except PAUL. I think he is too “scratchy” all the time. It is not a voice that I could envision myself listening to for an entire CD. Boo Mama, I love your reviews!
PAUL!!! I LOVE PAUL!!! I do love James but PAULLLLL!!! He’s my fav!!! Scotty WOWED me!! Love him, too. I can’t help love Lauren. She’s amazing, of course. But she looks so much like my girl I just LOVE HER! Baby girl Sophie {4, not really a baby, and really, she THINKS SHE IS 18} tells us to get her when Lauren sings and I just know it’s because she looks like big sis, Cammie. ;) Got voicemail tonight, “I just watched Cammie walk out on stage.” I KNOW! Lauren must be kin.
Pia. Love her, too, but I SO agree with you. She just lacks in the workin’ the stage department. Who do I think is in jeopardy? Stephano, bless his heart. Then maybe Jacob closely behind him.
Yes, Haley DID jump on the first fast train to Screamytown. I agree with Lori, above, because I’m pretty sure that while Paul might be fun for a live performance, I wouldn’t listen to an entire CD. You finally enlightened me, too, about Pia. I could not put my finger on the problem but she is too planned out.
Love your reviews; for the most part, you articulate what I am thinking.
I was so looking forward to hearing Pia sing “River Deep, Mountain High” since she mentioned it last week. (One of my favorite songs from when The Supremes and The Four Tops sang it. My parents had an 8-track…) I agree with you on this one. She’s missing something, looking for something? I don’t know, but I hope she gets it ironed out soon.
And my 9-year-old son laughed at me when I covered my eyes while Scotty was singing. Oh, he sounded great, but I JUST CAIN’T WATCH HIM!! (Especially those hand motions Jennifer mentioned.) I peeked a few times and went right back behind the hands.
I loved Casey and Paul. James needs to be jumping around the stage and I think Haley growled too much for my taste. Missed Jacob and I’m not sad about it.
I think Stephano, Haley and Jacob will be in the bottom three, too.
Paul is my hometown boy, so of course he’s my fav! He’s such an entertainer and even if he doesn’t win, I know he’s going to go far!
Pia is such a strong singer, but I’m with you. She’s too rehearsed!
I think it’s a guys year! They are all wonderful, but Paul and Scotty are my picks!
I missed it tonight. Rats. I will try to watch the performances online.
Usually you pull your inner monitors out because the mix in them is really bad and not helpful at all. But sometimes (for me, at least), you pull them out because you want to hear the room, and monitor yourself live, rather than studio-ish, which is what the inner monitors make you feel like. Does that make sense?
Loved Scotty and Casey and Stefano.
I think the girls better get their rears in gear.
I enjoyed the rock-n-roll. They all seem to be on a pretty level playing field. I even liked Haley tonight and I’m not her fan. Bet she will be in the bottom 3. Wonder who will get Thia’s votes—maybe Lauren. Naima’s votes—maybe James/Haley??
I think the bottom 3 are: Stefano, Haley, and Casey OR Jacob OR James (I know I know–Casey’s the best musician but I have an untrained ear). Haley’s gone. Best comment of the night was Jennifer telling Pia to study the dance moves of the greats like Michael Jackson studies Fred Astaire, of all people! I would LOVE to learn to write and it made me want to study great writers like George MacDonald. Off to read one of his 144 books and vote for Paul.
I loved that Travis answered you in the comments. So cute!
Funny, my top 3 are all different: Casey, Lauren and James.
So are the bottom: Jacob, Haley, Stefano and Paul.
Totally agree about Pia!
My favorite girl from the start this season has been Haley, but I totally agree that there was too much of the screechy last night, and I felt as though she was hollering as much as singing.
As for Stefano, I just love that little guy, but I am looking for him to be in the bottom three again tonight. And is it just me, or do his arrangements always seem as though they are only about 30 seconds long?
Paul’s performance last night was his best so far, in my opinion. But I agree with others who say they wouldn’t want to listen to an entire CD.
My favorite moment of the show was when Steven Tyler suggested that Casey “oughta put wheels on that thing and drive it around town!” HA!
JUST TURNED IT ON THE OLD DVR..CANT WAIT TO WATCH…I LOVE STEVEN TYLER..THAT GUY IS ALL ABOARD THE HOT MESS EXPRESS BUT I LOVE ‘EM:)
I loved Scotty for the first time. I’m not a country fan, but he showed so much talent with his Elvisself.
I think Jacob may be in danger. He was good but not great. He probably took his ear moniter off because he was getting feedback. It looked painful, whatever it was.
I’m also tired of Stephano. I think it’s just his lipstick, but I feel like he’s a 30 year old trying out for a boyband.
Top three: Casey, Scotty, Lauren, Paul (okay, four)
Boring three: Stephano, Pia, James
Who will go home?: I think Haley is in danger
love your comments, boo. you’re so spot-on!
haley has now become known as the screecher/growler and
it’s getting old.
regarding the feedback “wouldn’t want to listen to an entire cd”
(paul) ~~
does anyone really listen to all the tracks on a cd? or, instead, their fav.
3 or 4 tunes? i’ll buy an album (i.e., cd) for just one song!
haley or stefano may go. haley’s gotten a little too full of herself and
stefano sounds the SAME every week. but last night, i actually saw his
eyes open ~~ they were slits, but they were open!
I LOOOOVE PAUL :-) He was SO good last night! LOVE Casey, he DOES make that bass looks sexy! I even kind of liked Haley last night. True she didn’t need to be so screamy, but some of the parts really worked for her and I think if she could try and pull it back and use her big girl pretty voice sometimes, she might have a shot.
Funniest comment of the night: when that guy with the hat/glasses called Will-I-am “mama” – Oh I LOL’d all over the place, especially at his reaction = awesome.
Oddest comment: When Jlo was complimenting Haley and said she’d be around “for a minute”. I know, I know – this whole “MINUTE” thing is some new slang for “awhile” but it almost sounded (and I think Haley took it) as a bad thing! Like Yeah, you’ll be around for a minute or two. Or maybe I’m just too old and don’t like these new fangled words that actually MEAN one thing but are used for another >:-/
Paul?
Do.not.get.it.(him.) – ugh.
Loving Casey singing CCR cuz I like my rock a little swampy – Love.(him) – yea.
Hi, I’m mostly a lurked but I’ve decided to participate more cause I love your blog! I don’t actually watch American Idol but my brother insisted that I watch YouTube clips of Casey Abrams and I now am completely obsessed! I always look up his song on Thursday. So basically I have nothing to contribute to this conversations except that rain or shine I’m on his side!
Looking forward to watching my taped copy of this show. I was watching Survivor as I had to work last night until 8:15. How are you feeling about Survivor these days? I would LOVE to hear what you have to say! ! ! !
Dear Voters, Please stop voting for Stefano. Thank you.
From, Me – who is so so tired of listening to him.
Now, on to the rest of the pack.
Jacob – So impressed that he would broadcast his principles and actually stick with them. Good for him. I hope he’s around a couple more weeks just for that.
Pia – YAY! Not a ballad. BOO! It’s just an upbeat pageant song and very rehearsed.
Paul – Sounded good to me, but I don’t think it would have traveled well across the voter masses. I’m afraid this may be his swan song.
Lauren – Eh, okay. Didn’t blow me away, but I didn’t use the mute button either.
James – Pleasantly surprised by the ballad and really like his darker hair color. Good job makeover team!
Haley – Just when I had finally heard what the judges have been raving about, she starts screaming. I really don’t care to be yelled at. She was trying WAY too hard to put her soul-spin on that song. WAY TOO HARD.
Casey – Nice. Not a fan of CCR, but enjoyed his version.
Scotty – Dear, sweet Scotty. Just keep ’em coming. Love everything you do.
My picks are Paul and Casey.
I’m liking the upright bass a lot. It shows that he has talent and skill.
I really don’t love the others. They sing well but I would definitely NOT buy their stuff on Itunes.
I am really enjoying Idol this season. This time around, I am favoring the boys more than the girls.
We watch Idol and tape Survivor. When you watch Survivor there are some awesome Phillip moments, and a scene from next week where Phillip has added an element to his “costume”. It made me smile. A Lot.
I do so love Paul and his teeth. And am I the only one who wondered how Carole King got left out of the credits for “Natural Woman”? Don’t get me wrong, I love Aretha Franklin, but Carole King did a fine job of writing that song and a purt near perfect job of singing it. I was tickled with Scotty’s performance. Just cute as pie. With whipped cream and a cherry on top. Did you have fun at State?
If you haven’t watched last night’s results, please don’t keep reading! I was not at all shocked last night that Pia was voted off the island. I agree with what she said. She was TOO stiff! I don’t think she probably related well with teenagers. They are probably the majority of the voters! She probably seemed old and “Celine Dionish” to them. She is gorgeous and can sing like crazy! I don’t think she has any worries. I think she will get a recording contract!
As for Jacob pulling the earpiece out: to sort of mirror what Travis said: He was siging a duet and sometimes you can harmonize better with one out to “hear” yourself to match yourself up. Make sense?
Late but better than never? Glad Pia went – she’ll have some kind of career but d far too stiff all the time. Like Paul, Scotty, Lauren, James – very meh about Casey – he has talent but again – can be cloying. Stefano – sweet sweet young man – not AI.
And Travis is too cool for school – thanks for answering in the comments – makes sense to even a completely not performer person –