You can tell that American Idol really has become the monster that it is by the caliber of guests they manage to recruit. Remember the days of Barry Manilow and Motown songwriters none of the contestants have ever heard of? While last week they weren’t able to manage the rights to the Beatles (who can, these days, thanks to Michael Jackson), this week they actually got Gwen Stefani to show up to help the kids with their songs this week, which is convenient, given that the theme is “No Doubt Songs and Song from Artists that Inspired Them,” which is about as broad a theme as you can get.
The kids took their turns with Gwen, who offered the same, solid advice to nearly all of them: stick to the melody, stick to the rhythm, and you’ll be fine. As someone who is not a fan of singers who warble unnecessarily on trills and lines that have nothing to do with the melody, I was happy to hear her say that. I was even happier to hear that most of them followed her advice.
Speaking of Gwen, while the advice we saw her offer might not have been as useful as the advice we heard Lulu offer last week, but she came across as being really humble and self-aware. I’ve never been much of a fan, but I came away with a better impression of her after this.
Since I’m still relatively new to the show, I’m not used to the habits and patterns of these contestants; I can only respond to how I feel they did in the moment. But let’s be honest, isn’t that all we all do anyway?
LaKisha Jones: Last Dance, Donna Summer. I have to admit, when she first started singing this, I thought she was going to do the same sort of thing she did last week—slow and intense and maybe a little tedious. I must’ve missed the song title when Ryan said it. Needless to say, I perked up when the song did. She’s got a great, powerful voice, she’s adorable, and this performance should be enough to keep her out of the bottom three—well, out of MY bottom three, anyway.
Chris Sligh: Every Little Thing She Does is Magic, The Police. You know all the shock about Sanjaya’s staying power? That’s about how I feel about Chris Sligh. His voice is weak, he moves awkwardly, and Gwen was right—the guy can’t stay on beat. Seriously, you guys, who is voting for him? Step forward and explain yourselves.
Gina Glocksen: I’ll Stand By You, The Pretenders. I’m a fan of rock chicks, generally, but the majority of the ones they’ve had on the show (of the seasons I’ve seen, at least) tend to be more attitude and less voice. Last week, I thought Gina fell more into that category—not that Paint It Black was bad, per se, it just wasn’t very vocally tough. But this week, Gina proved me wrong. I believe Simon has to be right when he says that this was her best performance. She knocked it out of the park.
Sanjaya: Bathwater, No Doubt. All the talk is about the hair (and the pony-hawk was pretty phenomenal—I agree with the comments on my Sanjaya thread that say it was a tribute to No Doubt) but no one has mentioned what I think was the most interesting thing; Paula’s comment to him about his voice. Yeah, I know, it’s Paula, we shouldn’t take her too seriously but…guys, I think she has a point. I think Sanjaya might actually have a voice in there somewhere, he’s just hiding behind all of the nervous kid stuff. I mean, I get it. He’s not performing nearly at the high caliber of the rest of the contestants. It’s just…I don’t know. He’s more fun to watch than Haley or either Chris for me, so I’m okay with him sticking around another week. Besides, like Simon says, it really doesn’t seem to matter what anyone says. The guy is a cannonball at this point, and we’ll just have to see where he lands.
Haley Scarnato: True Colors, Cindy Lauper. Haley is the kind of singer you hear all the time, the sorority girl, the choir girl, the one with the prettiest voice in her school, the one who gets all the solos, but when put up against phenomenal talent just fades into the background. The song choice just backs that up. It’s a beautiful song, I’m not denying that, but how many female choirs have I heard take that on? I felt like I was at Baccalaureate or something. She’s in my bottom three.
Phil Stacey: Every Breath You Take, The Police. Is it a compliment if I say that Phil Stacey has the perfect eyes for singing the stalker’s anthem, “Every Breath You Take”? I thought he did a nice, if standard, version of the song, but since all I have to compare it to is “Tobacco Road,” it seems to me that he improved one hundred fold.
Melinda Doolittle: Heaven Knows, Donna Summer. I’m with Simon—I hated the outfit too. And I don’t understand why, if she’s not even 30, she manages to carry herself like she’s 50. But she seems like the sweetest person up there, and she has arguably the best voice up there (I love hearing her sing), so…let’s hope that’s enough to carry her far.
Blake Lewis: Love Song, The Cure. Yeah. I’m a little sensitive about this song, because I love it, and I’ve hated every cover version of it I’ve ever heard. I was so scared of Blake beatboxing his way through it. That being said, it was better than I expected. He still kinda bugs me, though.
Jordin Sparks: Hey Baby, No Doubt. I love her. I hate that song, have always hated it, and I loved Gwen saying something about there not being much musicality to it. All that being taken into consideration, I thought she did a great job with it. She was fun, seemed like she enjoyed herself. I haven’t liked a contestant this much since Kelly Clarkson, if that says anything.
Chris Richardson: Don’t Speak, No Doubt. I said earlier, I don’t like singers who do too much ornamentation when songs don’t need it. I’d rather just hear someone sing. I don’t find it impressive if you can do vocal gyrations, outside of it being a neat trick to pull out once in a while. I don’t find much interesting in Chris.
If we presume that Sanjaya is safe because of some Faustian deal, then my bottom three is: Chris S., Chris R., and Haley
My vote for elimination: Chris Sligh.
All right, guys, what are your votes? Extra points for getting it right before airtime for the results show tonight.
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Comments: 52
I am pretty certain you could find one college dude on ANY big name university's campus able to do what Blake does, equally 'charming' and 'cute'. He thinks he's better than he is and other people need to stop supporting him as a true 'artiste'.
I see Sanjaya as this year's Will Hung. Very high in novel entertainment value.
That said, my most entertaining top-5 to watch would be: Sanjaya, Blake, Jordin, Melinda, and Gina. The last just because i like to pronounce it like they did in 40 Year Old Virgin.
Most deserved top-5: Melinda, LaKisha, Jordin, Gina, and .... whoever.
Sanjaya Parody
But, seriously, Phil? He drives me NUTS with his Pocono lounge renditions and alternating bald/hat heads! And don't get me started on Sanjaya. I used to be a choral director and I wouldn't even put the kid in the lead part of a HS musical. I chaulk his still being there on: 1) 8-yr-old girls with cell phones; 2) Indian customer service reps who have made some kind of international calling deal; and, 3) that stupid website which is demeaning the whole point of the show.
Honestly, I feel badly for real singers like Melinda, LaKisha, Gina and (possibly) Blake who have to share the stage with the others.
Faith--Thanks for sharing that parody. I will watch it as soon as I'm on a computer with sound, but it looks funny from what I've seen so far.
Aaron--Thank you! I was going to make the exact same comparison. Sanjaya is entirely this year's William Hung, and we saw how long that guy stuck around.
And I agree with you about your most-deserving top 5. Interesting about how there isn't a guy in the group, eh? I guess that's who the "whoever" spot is held for.
Now I'm just waiting for someone to create a "Vote for Sanjaya" fan club on Gather.
I'm not sure I see Blake stealing the show yet. The guy does rub me the wrong way, though. I'm not sure what it is, exactly. Maybe it is the scatting. Maybe it's the way he seems to know that he's the best guy up there and barely try. I'm not sure.
Aaron--who do you think is going tonight?
I would love to get rid of Chris R. He is really getting on my nerves. I think the whole "Justin Timberlake" look-a-like thing has gone to his head and he is trying to use it to his advantage but it's not doing it for me. He is just trying too hard to sing just like Justin Timberlake. Well, guess what? They don't want ANOTHER Justin Timberlake, they want someone new and DIFFERENT.
And I absolutely love Blake. He is my favorite guy on the show. I think he is the best and he has such a wide range of talent that, when put all together, it helps him soar. I hope he at least makes it to the finale.
And I agree with your comments about Melinda, Sarah. She just does not belong. She obviously can't be older than 28, however she looks and holds herself as though she is in her 40s! And the humbleness is starting to get old. Every single compliment she gets, she acts like it's the first time she has ever gotten a compliment in her life and the "awww how cute" effect is starting to wear off.
Chris R. and Haley seem the most forgettable. Probably Chris R.? I like watching Phil perform, dude needs to bust out a cover of Lightning Crashes by Live. And there is still some power behind the fro Patro, so i think Sligh is safe... yeah, Chris R.
I miss Sundance immensely.
Courtney--I think Blake is pretty safe, at least to the top three. My guess right now for the top three would be either Melinda or Jordin, Blake, and Sanjaya. Seriously. The guy is going to go all the way.
I never saw Sundance so I can't comment on him. What was he like?
So ok, Aaron, your vote is for Chris R. I think I'm still gonna stick with Chris S. Any other guesses for tonight that people want to commit to?
for Jonnie Walker Blue, check out Blake's performance of "all mixed up" on YouTube.
you can also find Sundance Head's soul-searching rendition of "mustang sally".
And tell me something--are you being serious or sarcastic about Sundance?
What's something a little less imporatant than a soul that you could be looking for?
Rosie
If you have not yet already submitted this to my group called: "A" ~ Articles/Images That Start with the letter "A" (All subjects matter allowed...). Please do so...
But if you had sorry I have not approved it just yet... Fell kind of behind due to appointments so far this week... :)
Each player of this game starts with the 6 weird things about him/herself. People who get tagged need to write a blog of their own 6 weird things as well as state the rules clearly. In the end, you need to choose 6 people to be tagged and list their names. Don't forget to leave a comment that says you are tagged in their comments and tell them to read your blog.
I decided to make a concious effort to stop slagging off Blake. I don't have to like him, and I can think he's overrated, but he's "doing his thing"...making some fans.... good for him...
We'll see how long this lasts.
And i guess his 'scatting' is equal parts 'beatbox' too...he's mixing genres! The next Beck! He's gonna revolutionize electronic music! ...oops...sorry. That sarcasm was unnecessary. sorry.
Felicia--I have submitted it, I'm pretty sure. It should be there.
Josh--are you serious?? Man. OK, I'll check it out.
But what IS up with Sanjaya? He is a cute KID, all the little girls love him. He has a good voice, but give me a break, he should have been gone a long time ago. He is just up there playing games, he doesn't deserve to be there.
Chris Richardson, a new version of Justin Timberlake, I DON'T THINK SO!!! This guy is so boring, this is when I get up and take a break.
Blake is NEW, haven't seen anybody like him yet. I didn't like him at first, but he kind of grows on you. He is attractive, has rythm, a good voice, and does his own thing with every song he does. He could hang around awhile.
Phil Stacey, Great Eyes? He has a lot of power behind his voice, and a great range. He seems to be getting a pretty good following, he makes you want to move to the music.
Melinda Doolittle, too cutsie, but a lot of talent. She has a great voice and stage presence. When she performs she is like a completely different person than when she is speaking. She really comes out in her performances. I think she is going to the top three.
LaKisha has a very strong voice, but not a whole lot or originality. I enjoying listening to her, but wouldn't go anywhere to watch her!
Haley has gotten a little better, but I just don't think she can hang in there with the caliber of the other contestants. She won't last long.
Jordan Sparks, does have a spark. She has a great range, a lot of energy, and a good stage presence. She just doesn't stand out there for me.
I think we need to lose Sanjaya, unless he starts to sing and perform, Blake, and Haley.
I didn't mean to add Blake to my loser list, I meant to add Christ Richardson.
My mistake.
I agree with those who've said that Melinda is old-seeming, but the truth is, the girl can really sing, and she actually expresses emotion and listens to her words, varying her tone, volume and intensity to match them. Also, yes, the modesty thing might come off as a bit much, but unless she's a really good actress, she is shaking and nervous afterward, so I think it's genuine and I like her.
Lakisha's very good, but I agree with Lynn: it's the same thing every week and she's one of thousands of the girls you can find in any Southern Baptist church in the country; really big, really loud, and attitudinal. She's like a fat Fantashia--do we really need another of those?
Haley's a pretty piece of fluff who would be great in a theme park musical review. Gina's good, absolutely, and I am sure she'll have a career later, but I don't see her as "American Idol," a pop star. Jordin's a nice girl who can stay on pitch, but she's really forgettable.
LOVED the Sanjaya parody; thank you for posting that!
I don't believe Sanjaya will be the next American Idol. But I do think he has set himself up with a career.
I'd love to know actual vote counts...to see where Sanjaya actually ranks as compared to LaKisha, Melinda, and Jordin. Of course they'll never reveal that to us though!
Brian--I can totally get that, the hometeam thing. I'm sure I'd fall for the same thing. But I'll be honest, I'm not sad he's gone. He wasn't going to turn into a real recording artist, I don' t think, without a lot more work.
Sanjaya, though...I really hold that Sanjaya does have a voice, he's jut not using it, whether it's because he secretly wants off the show or because the lights terrify him or just because he's 17 and he doesn't know how to use it yet. Not all great recording artists have great, phenomenal voices. They just catch the public's interest, have something unique. I'm not trying to say that guy is destined to be a success, just that there's a lot more to being a pop star than having perfect pitch, an 8 octave range, and a crisp tone. If that was all it took, then why is Justin Timberlake or Gwen Stefani at the top of the pop charts? Their voices are interesting, sometimes thin, sometimes perfectly used like a instrument to create an overall sound.
There's a reason that Effie got pushed aside for Deena in Dreamgirls, and it isn't just that Effie was tempermental and Deena was lighter. It was because Deena's voice, thin as it might be, was more interesting. Commenters always say they love the big voices that shake the walls, but if those voices aren't accompanied by flash and personality and the ability to sell a song as a SHOW, those voices aren't going all the way.
That's why I'm surprised people think Melinda's a lock for the top spot. While she's got the best voice, I don't believe that she's gonna move many albums. Good voices can get just as boring as bad voices. They're about to hit the part in the competition where they all need to start changing things us or they'll risk getting lost in the pack--not the best performances (those will be the surprises, the "we never knew he had it in him" types) and not the worst (Sanjaya of course will always come to mind there). Those best and worst performances galvanize voters to vote for the good because they deserve it, vote for the bad because they like them and are worried they're on the chopping block, and everyone else will either get the smattering of votes for their performance or possibly a few strategic votes in an effort to knock somebody else out of the competition. Somebody will always get lost in the shuffle, and it's often the good but boring ones. That's why I worry for LaKisha and even Melinda, both of whom so far seem to be sticking to their comfort zones.
We'll see how it all plays out.
I really feel for the pressure they must all feel. I hope they can forget all that and just give their best. It could destroy them if they don't.
I'm wondering if the judges' comments are influenced by Clive Davis. In addition to putting on a top rated show, I imagine that they want the winner to be someone who's going to sell LOTS of records.
In answer to your (probably rhetorical :-) ) question, MiG, I think what happened is that these kids are young and a lot of them are not ready for this kind of pressure. As you said, it's a lot of pressure. And for the most part, on Rockstar: INXS, hadn't most of you had a fair amount of professional experience by that point? A lot of these kids are true amateurs. That's why Melinda stands out so much, why Taylor managed to work it all the way to the end last year. They have experience, they know how to pace themselves.
I say, don't look to the front runner but rather to the person who is slowly and steadily gaining momentum. That will be the person who can pull it out at the last minute and win the whole thing. I know I'm starting to sound like a broken record, but so far that person seems to be Jordin--sort of flying under the radar at first, building support along the way.
I don't know, but I definitely think a girl is practically guaranteed the win this time.
I have to say that I'm not very impressed with the show...it seems much like amateur night to me. I'm not into the cheesy little music videos they all do together and their sing alongs. I'm actually surprised that AI has become such a sensation when the Rock Star series didn't take off as it should have. RS:Supernova was less impressive than the original RS:INXS but still WAY better than AI.
But, like you said, Sarah, the rockers on those shows are already musicians and have experience. For me, it was much more like watching stars that have not yet been discovered than trying to weed out the ameteurs to find ONE star in the bunch like on AI.
I also liked the LIVE BAND aspect of the RS shows and let me tell you, the HOUSE BAND on RS were awesome!!! I can appreciate that many of the contestants on AI are young and inexperienced and their nerves will get to them with some performances not being as good as others but, you have to channel those nerves and BRING IT when you're on stage.
MiG - That is what I liked most about your performances on RS. You were always nervous (and probably second-guessing yourself too much) but when it was time for you to go on stage, the nerves vanished (or were at least channeled into energy) and you blew the place up!!! This is the mark of a true professional...and this is what is lacking in the AI performances in my opinion.
There are so many amazingly talented musicians out there that live and breath their music that are struggling to get discovered and picked up by a label. In my opinion, THOSE are the people that should be given a forum like RS to be discovered instead of forcusing on a show like AI that is searching to find talent. If they want to find talent, all they have to do is look up all the unsung (no pun intended) heros of music on various indie labels and myspace pages trying to break into the business.
For me the confinement with so many different personalities would drive me up a wall. Also I think the need to learn and refine each new song in such a short period of time would be so intense, especially with one like "Walk This Way" and all those lyrics to remember in order.
Was the critiquing after each performance where they seemed to want you to be someone other than yourself - possibly causing you to doubt yourself?
You are so good, just as you are - as a person and as a performer. That came through strongly in everything I viewed. You are exceptional, MiG!
Sanjaiya is entertaining. He actually reminds me of a very young Michael Jackson. I think he is just too young, he doesn't know who he is and what his image should be, he is so shy and awkward, but there is talent there. I feel sorry for him because he's being mocked and laughed at and he's only 17. He's not the kind of person who's there just for the attention I don't think, so that's not good for him.