AI 9 3-16-10 Let the Fun Begin

Everything they have ever worked for has led up to this moment. You have chosen the top 12. Tonight is their debut. Welcome to the main event. This is AMERICAN IDOL!

I do not want to get on my soapbox but I am unable to resist. This is a singing competition not a judging competition and the contestants are more important than the host or the judges. Last year at this time, I put the following comment in my blog:

What was up with the big announcement (by someone other than Ryan) for the judges, come on it was ridiculous. The big opening and the judges coming out like the second coming of a deity. Give me a break. We then get an announcer announcing our host. This was just way too over the top for me.

I feel exactly the same way this year. THIS SIMPLY WASTES TIME AND IS UNNECESSARY. If we eliminated the video introductions and the big commotion introductions of the judges and Ryan, the contestants might actually be able to sing an entire song. The producers apparently see my suggestion as too outlandish for some strange reason known only to them.

My second pet peeve is the video introductions. I will repeat THIS IS A SINGING COMPETITION not a competition on who has the biggest sob story. I do not want to appear to be a cold hearted bastard but I am not going to buy your song or album because your father died, your family is poor (I am poor as is all of America) or you almost died, blah blah blah. You need to make me want to buy your song with some f*^king great vocals!

My final pet peeve is Mr. Director I want to see and listen to the contestants. I do not want camera angles, which put those ridiculous screaming kids with their arms waving in the mosh pit between the contestant and me. Stop it now!

Enough of my blabbering let us get back to reviewing the show.

I was three years old when The Rolling Stones got together and since I am old enough to be the father or heaven forbid the grandfather of a couple I am guessing these contestants do not have a clue as to the history of the band so cue the montage about the group.

Michael Lynche – “Miss You”

“Big Mike” does have a knack for choosing a good song. I definitely enjoyed the R&B take on the song versus the original disco attempt by the Stones. The vocals were good although there were some serious sharp notes in there but his falsetto was much smoother this week. I thought the actual performance was over-the-top theatrical with the dancing and every gesture. What was up with the hopping? I like “Big Mike” so I will give him this moment because he does have charisma and great stage presence.

Randy – You are in this to win. I was not crazy about arrangement at the beginning but you reminded me how great a performer you are. You slayed it.

Ellen – What is not to love about this performance? I may be disappointed at some point but not yet.

Kara – The first night on the stage and you delivered tonight. You had the Mick Jagger attitude and swagger going on.

Simon – Your confidence was up especially after last week’s performance, however, your performance especially the dancing was a little corny. You sang well but when you watch this back, you will see how desperate it appears.

Didi Benami – “Play with Fire”

Overall, the vocal performance given by Didi was the best she has given so far but even with that, there was still something off last night. This arrangement and performance was so dark and intense it was boring. There was no energy, Didi did not build to a climax and while she recovered, she had a major lyric mistake.

Randy – I am always interested in which songs contestants will choose and you made a great choice. “You’re on fire tonight!” This was your best performance so far.

Ellen – You have an amazing voice and I liked how you recovered when you lost your way. You sounded great.

Kara – You slipped when you push your vocals. You went dark tonight and it was compelling to hear you singing such an eerie song. You are beginning to show us who you are as an artist.

Simon – I agree with what everyone has had to say. I thought you were going to lose it about 30 seconds in but you picked it up. This was a good choice of song. I am a fan. This was a solid but not great performance. You are better than this.

Casey James – “It’s All Over Now”

Casey can play the guitar but it really hampers him as a performer. Every time he has the guitar, Casey is too rigid and it is painful to watch. I did enjoy the bluesy feel he gave the song and his vocals were good but Casey has serious trouble with his lower register. Overall the performance was just average but there was nothing which made me say I must get this singer’s album.

Randy – I am excited to see Casey back.

Ellen – I believe “most women” will find their hearts racing when they look at you but for people like her…”blondes”…it was fantastic. (Really Ellen a lesbian joke, give it a rest!)

Kara – You were previously trying to be a rock star but tonight you were one. (Excuse me!) You gave this some soul. This was your best performance so far.

Simon – You look great and you sang well, but this was like an audition performance. You did not use the stage and this platform to do something incredible. You are a good artist and people like you but you need to do more.

Lacey Brown – “Ruby Tuesday”

The vocals at the very beginning of the song were stellar and then it all fell apart. Lacey clearly needs help technically because there was a total lack of support and she does not know how to breathe. The majority of this song was flat and off-key. It was boring.

Randy – This was an interesting arrangement. It was pleasant.

Ellen – You moved around during the slow parts of the song but sat during the up-tempo parts. You like sitting on the edge of things so do not go to the Grand Canyon. This was a little sleepy.

Kara – I agree, as it was 50/50. I like hearing your voice but the vocals were not perfect. I appreciate the drama you were trying to give but you could have put more into it.

Simon – You perform like an actress with everything being precise and thought-through. The vocals and song were okay but you need to stop over thinking things. You are in danger of doing the same thing every week.

Andrew Garcia – “Gimme Shelter”

I personally found this entire performance to be bad. I did not like one thing about it. Andrew needs assistance with the technical portions of his performance. I found the entire vocal flat but especially the power notes. There was some improvement towards the end but by then I lost interest. This was just a stripped down mess. In addition, there was no energy in this performance.

Randy – I love you and the song but it was just pitchy everywhere.

Ellen – What do I know? This was your best performance yet. (What are you drinking, Ellen?)

Kara – I noticed the tone and voice that we have been missing but I did not feel your connection to the song. This is a song about the Vietnam War and you did not sell the anger. You should have been more intense. I want you to be better.

Simon – Kara you are taking this too literally – did you want him to come on stage in a tank? I am somewhere in the middle with this. I think you gave a 100 percent but were better in rehearsal. Something did not connect. I genuinely hope you stick around another week.

Katie Stevens – “Wild Horses”

Once again, I have to say I hated this entire performance and do not get me started on what a joke her outfit was. Some of the vocals were better than last week but the chorus was not in tune at all. This performance was boring with a capital “B”! The video montage had her butchering “From this Moment” and I saw no improvement in this performance. As a side note, Daniel Letterle performed my favorite version of this song in the movie “Camp”.

Randy – The song is great if you sing it well and you sang it well (are you nuts?) You had some pitch problems but you were able to correct that.

Ellen – There was some pitchiness at the beginning but you sounded terrific when you got in to it.

Kara – You are not always technically perfect (how about never) but you made a good choice and you did some nice things with the melody. This was better than last week.

Simon – You chose a strong song. Then he blathered on about how he recorded this song with Susan Boyle. (Whatever!) The second half lost something but you connected with the song for the first time and you gave it 100 percent.

Tim Urban – “Under My Thumb”

Tell me I am dreaming and this is not happening. What the f*^king hell was that performance about? This was a total freaking mess from start to finish. The reggae arrangement was terrible. Tim’s voice sounded strain and I was bored.

Randy – “Very bizarre and I did not get that.” I did not like it.

Ellen – I agree with Randy. It felt like I was at a resort where someone was singing while she drank a pina colada. You need to use the stage and wow us.

Kara – I understand what they are saying but I have to give you credit for doing something so different with the song. You made it your own (but not in a good way).

Simon – I agree with Kara. I applaud you for taking that risky chance but it is a boring song anyway and it did not work.

Siobhan Magnus – “Paint It Black”

Just as Adam Lambert stepped on the stage at this point last year and gave a memorable performance of “Black and White” so Siobhan took that stage and kicked this song’s ass. The entire performance with her sitting on the stairs glowing red to her full on vocal assault, the piercing screams and that ending lingering high note worked like magic to change my mood from pissed off to a happy, smiling person. This was just a freaking awesome moment. I loved the arrangement and I especially enjoyed the subtle changes she made in the melody.

Randy – That was hot!

Ellen – I love you, I like your look, and I like the sound of your voice. In a sea of people, you rise above them “like Snooki’s poof”.

Ellen – I am having a flash back to Adam Lambert. This was the best interpretation of the night.

Simon – I agree. I really see your development from the middle shows to tonight. You have raised the bar a little high for yourself but it was great. I believe some people will love that performance and some will hate it but that is a compliment.

Lee Dwyze – “Beast of Burden”

This was a very mixed performance. Some of the vocals sounded good and even current while much was horrible. Lee butchered the end as well. Mr. Dwyze’s diction was sloppy. I am not sure I understood half of what he was singing. It seems like every fourth or fifth word was clear and the rest was just lost in mush.

Randy – This was dope. You really brought this home. It was very singer-songwriter sort of like a Rob Thomas performance. (I am not sure what Randy was listening to).

Ellen – I was expecting more. It was like a hospital gown, it was almost there.

Kara – Your energy was a little low, however, you are growing faster than anyone else is. You are more confident and take more risks each week.

Simon – I like you as a person and your story but your personality is holding you back. Your personality does not always shine. You chose a safe and forgettable song tonight while others have had bigger moments. You have a terrific voice and I want you to come back so you can have a “moment.”

Paige Miles – “Honky Tonk Woman”

Boo hoo and cry me a river but do not try to get the sympathy vote from me. I guess I am a cold-hearted bastard. This was another mixed bag of a performance. There were some good moments i.e. some very powerful belted notes but then again there were some horrible moments. Paige’s lower register was a nightmare. I found the performance very bland and boring. She also lost me with that freaking horrible outfit.

Randy – When I first heard about this song choice, I was skeptical but you worked it out.

Ellen – I love your stage presence. Even though you were struggling with your voice, you sounded amazing.

Kara – You hit some high notes but you got a little lost at some points.

Simon – You did great despite the laryngitis. The performance was old-fashioned and sounded like something from a bar. You have not yet connected or had a big moment but you were still good.

Aaron Kelly – “Angie”

Well Ronald is definitely surprised Aaron managed to pull off an excellent vocal performance. In fact, by closing your eyes and just listening to his voice I thought he made the song believable. I also think Aaron used the entire stage better than anyone else did. I really enjoyed this performance and considering the train wreck from last week it is a miracle. On the other hand, the stylist should spend the rest of eternity having to wear that outfit and hairdo – give me a break.

Randy – I think your mom is right you are born to sing. I liked hearing such tender moments from Aaron; there were moments you sounded kind of like Justin Timberlake (not even in your wildest imagination Randy).

Ellen – Are you copying my hair? I thought this was a great song choice with Siobhan and you having the two performances, which stand out the most this week.

Kara – You showed me up after I beat you up last week. You sang the song from a powerful place. There was a connection. This was great.

Simon – I feared for you after I heard what the theme was but you chose 100 percent the perfect song and you sang within your limits and did not try to show off a big voice you do not have. Well done.

Crystal Bowersox – “You Can’t Always Get What You Want”

It is so fascinating how when Crystal takes the stage it is almost like we are watching a different show. It is sad she needed this show because she should already be out recording and touring. Crystal’s professionalism and grace is undeniable. This was another fantastic vocal. The woman is spot on. I enjoyed the stripped down arrangement along with the simple raw honesty in her voice.

Randy – I do not think this was your best performance but I love you and you did not disappoint me tonight.

Ellen – You make singing seem effortless and you were born to be on stage. What I have been missing is your personality and you showed that tonight. You were a little playful.

Kara – You really are comfortable on stage and in the past, it seems like you had the competition sewed up but not tonight.

Simon – You are the clear favorite but you did not choose a song with the drama you needed. I think Siobhan beat you. You need to kill it every week.

I love Crystal’s response telling Simon Siobhan was amazing and explaining she does not feel like she has it all sewn up but she is glad Simon thinks she does. Kudos my dear – point to you. Bite one Simon.

Tonight’s show was not the train wreck it could have been but except for a few excellent moments, it was simply mediocre.

These contestants did not motivate me to vote. Siobhan, Crystal, Mike, and Aaron were the only contestants who received votes from me.

I have already downloaded Siobhan and Crystal’s performances to my iPod though.

It is time for those wonderful predictions. Andrew, Lacey and Tim were the worst and deserve to be in the bottom three; however, I think the bottom three will be Lacey, Andrew and Casey.

There is no doubt in my mind Lacey will be singing us off tomorrow night as she heads home to continue singing in her parents church.

Until tomorrow…