AI 11 3-14-12 The Top 11?

Wednesday arrived so it must be time for the American Idol Top 12 to sing but wait; there is yet another scandal twist with one of the top 12 contestants sent packing so there is only a top 11. The dish about this will come later.

I did not blog about the results show because I am still fuming about the producer’s manipulation on America’s vote but it is what it is now. I will once again toot my own horn about predicating who would be in the bottom two. I was 100% correct about Jeremy and Elise. I am doing well with my predictions this season! I want to say for once I thought the group performance on the results show was better than usual and I just adore Lauren Alaina, she looks great and sounded even better – take that Mr. Scotty who?

The theme for this week’s performances is the dreaded “Songs from the year of the contestants’ birth” or as Ronald refers to it as I realize I am old but do not rub it in my face. The alternative name is why the contestants never pick the appropriate song!

We need to get into our thoughtful criticism of the performances from the Top 11.

Philip Phillips – “Hard to Handle”

Interesting that the producers have him going first but I guess they feel no matter how he does he will be safe. I think the choice of song was smart but it was also too easy and lazy. The performance was solid especially given he just had surgery last Thursday but there was something off for me but I cannot quite put my finger on it.

Randy – “You are like a fish out of water” because you have a different voice and style. I am impressed and liked the performance.

Jennifer – “It is in every cell of your body! Not to get too medical!”

Steven – I am happy you pick songs that match your character and voice. You need to watch the melody. (OMG, Steven is right that is what was bothering me about the performance. I agree with Steven is the world ending?)

Jessica Sanchez – “Turn the Beat Around”

It is time for more bitching, which I do every year regarding this theme. This song originated in the 1970’s and to be even more technical Gloria Esteban’s version came out in 1994 not 1995 which is the year of Jessica’s birth. I do not care if a re-make arrives during the year of a contestant’s birth, I do not think those song’s should be chosen, it is cheating.

Jessica looked good and her outfit more appropriately corresponds with the disco version of the song. I did enjoy the performance part of the number. I find it fascinating that for one so young Jessica has a keen sense of performing, she puts thought into each step she makes on the stage and the interaction with the vocals. Jessica is one smart performer. Overall, she sounded fine but this was not her best night.

Steven – Never sing anything up-tempo again. The rhythm was a little off.

Jennifer – I love your vibrato but it did not work here. It dragged down the energy. You need to sing straight sometimes.

Randy – I did not like the song choice; it did not suit your big voice. I agree with Jennifer about the vibrato concerns. You always sound good but you still have some things to work on. “We should stir you in the right direction.”

Heejun Han – “Right Here Waiting”

This was a horrible song choice and an even worse performance. My top complaint remains Heejun’s lack of enunciation; excuse me what are the words of this song? The vocals were boring, he murdered the melody, and I wanted the song to end 5 seconds after he began.

Randy – “It was pitchy all over the place.” It sounded like Heejun was out of breath the whole time. I think you should stick to R&B.

Jennifer – I think that Heejun’s tone trumps note problems. It got better as he went on.

Steven – You stepped way out of your normal style for this and the song was not the best for him but he always sounds good.

Elise Testone – “Let’s Stay Together”

Yet another song, which came out in the 1970’s, specifically 1971, I was there! I have the 45 vinyl of this song.

Elise is coming back from almost being eliminated which means she has a lot to prove. I enjoyed the performance. It was a solid vocal. Definitely, leaps above last week’s performance.

Steven – I love you.

Jennifer – I think you are showing America the version of yourself that I see.

Randy – Elise is back. I thought it was a little Janis.

Deandre Brackensick – “Endless Love”

Here is another song that was not from the year of his birth. The year was 1981 and it was the love theme from one of the worst films ever! It is interesting Deandre originally chose “Can You Feel the Love tonight” but Jimmy Iovine convinced him otherwise. I do not like either choice but “’Can you Feel…” might have worked better.

I thought the entire performance was boring and why was he wandering aimlessly around the stage. This song is meant to be a duet and I just do not think it works as a solo number. I have to state once again that I hate his flipping hair. America please send him home!

Jennifer – You sang beautifully but it was not the right song and I think you feel the same way. I think it says a lot that you did so well with a song that was not right for you. If you have to change the key too much, the melody might suffer, and you would be better off picking a new song.

Steven – I love you as an artist but I do not think it was a good choice. I think you will find your voice.

Randy – I did not like the song choice; it was both boring and safe. You need to bring excitement and show off your voice every time you perform.

Shannon Magrane – “One Sweet Day”

Shannon suffered through Whitney and then decides to tackle Mariah. I just do not understand why these contestants do not learn the lesson from seasons past. For once, I agree with Jimmy Iovine that No Doubt’s “Don’t Speak” would have been a better choice. Shannon just does not have the voice required to nail this song. The runs were okay but she really needed to work on power as opposed to breath control. Shannon at 17 just does not have the life experience to sell the emotion and understanding about what this song is about. It was not the total train-wreck as last week but there was only a little improvement. Finally, what was up with that disgusting outfit yet another stylist should be fired and I need to be hired to dress these contestants.

Jennifer – I was scared for you but you did great.

Steven – I think you would sing better if you stop trying so hard.

Randy – I was worried about you taking on such a huge song but you are here because of your “mad potential” and I was impressed.

Colton Dixon – “Broken Heart”

I hate saying this but I thought Colton made a wise choice of songs. On the other hand, I do not believe his performance lived up to the hype. I admit I do not understand his appeal and for the first time I thought the vocals were excellent. Colton cannot belt because when the band kicked in his voice was completely overpowered.

Erica Van Pelt – “Heaven”

I was happy that Erica changed up her look and that it really worked. I am not sure this was the best song choice but she gave us a strong vocal but it was very karaoke to for me. Jimmy has her put in a break, which I do believe was necessary, and she then totally blows that part of the vocal. I do not think Erica made the song her own but she was rocking the stage and having fun.

Steven – It was too “busy”. You did not stick with the melody enough. I do like your voice.

Jennifer – The song is powerful and you have the voice for it. You are “this year’s Janis Joplin”. I wanted more but I like seeing your image be shaped as we move forward.

Randy – This was the right song for you but you may have tried too much with a classic song. The performance is 8 out of 10.

Skylar Laine – “Love Sneakin’ Up On You”

Skylar looked fantastic and sang even better. I am not sure where the power comes from but she delivers every time. The entire performance worked for me and I just love how Skylar stands up for who she is. Brava!

Steven – I love that you have not had a bad performance yet.

Jennifer – You were awesome.

Randy – I liked the song choice, though it does not matter because of your performance.

Joshua Ledt – “When a Man Loves a Woman”

Excuse me but this song is from 1966 and yes, I was around then so I remember. While Joshua explains, he is doing the Michael Bolton version that performance was based on the original.

Joshua though performed his heart out. This was the best performance of the night so far and I am not sure anyone could beat it at this point. The vocals, the enunciation, the phrasing, the emotions were all perfect. The judges were on their feet by the middle of the song. Joshua definitely had the audience in his hands.

Steven – You are a great singer. “God came through your eyes.”

Jennifer – This is the best performance she has seen on American Idol ever. Jennifer just kept saying wow.

Randy – There are many amazing singers this season but no one had a “moment” this week until now. The performance was phenomenal and incredible on every level.

Hollie Cavanagh – “The Power of Love”

I am not sure what the stylists were thinking but that has to have been the worst outfit of the night and that is saying quite a lot. Hollie why are you trying to top Celine it is just not going to happen. I do not believe it was the right song choice and while Hollie manages, some good moments there were many bad ones as well. There were many notes she did not hit completely which I think comes from the fact she was nervous. This causes your throat to tighten and as a singer, that is a killer. The middle of the song works okay but the last note was not great. I thought it fell flat. I am not convinced she deserved the pimp spot. Joshua really should have been last.

Jennifer – I think between Hollie and Joshua the show saved the best for last. There were a couple of problems but it would be silly to criticize them.

Steven – I think your voice comes from heaven.

Randy – You were awesome but you have more “swag” than that.

The big scandal about Jermaine Jones having to leave seems anti-climactic given all the previous contestants given the boot. I found it interesting though the producers chose to show the video of the meeting and discussion. I guess they did have some time to fill after all. This was another lesson that lying out right or by omission does not get you anywhere. Will these contestants never learn? You have two charges about giving the police a fake name as well as four open warrants and then tries to give an excuse he was scared it would be held against him.

The question is what are the producers going to do given the finale is scheduled for a specific date based on the top 13 now they have one less week. Are they still going to boot someone this week? Give everyone a free pass this week; combine scores for this week and next week, etc. The possibilities are endless. We will find out tonight I guess.

My guess is that Heejun and Shannon will be the lowest vote getters. If they send someone home, I believe it will be Heejun. I hope I am wrong and that Deandre heads home.