And the West Coast Roundup rides again! Yeeee haw! (Ah kin say thayut 'cuz Ah'm a native Texian!)
Not an overly exciting night for anyone, I think (and rather disastrous for some). Here's my take:
Taylor: Honey, what were you thinking???? Not his best effort by a long shot. Two main problems: Song choice, and he's been listening to his handlers (almost always a mistake). The song was execrable, and he couldn't rescue it. Also pitched too high for him which made his voice sound thin. I'm guessing that he picked that song out of simple ignorance of what is available in country music. If he normally doesn't listen to it, and he's suddenly confronted with a list and commanded to pick one ... then he just might end up with one of the few he's actually heard of before, even if it does suck. As for listening to his handlers too much, I say that because Taylor seems suddenly to have gone all the way over from spastic to static, and it's not a good move for him. He seemed drained of energy tonight, and that slightly sprung-kneed stance that is normally a springboard to movement for him just made him look like he needed to go potty. Hope his fans are voting for him 'cause he's gonna need it.
Mandisa: Oh, dear, my lovely lady has been paying attention to the words again ... NOT a good move. Don't pick your songs because you like the lyrics, dear; pick them because they showcase YOU. (Unlike that hideous costume by Omar the Tentmaker that you apparently picked out in the dark without a mirror.) Just hope and pray you make it past this week so you can dazzle us again.
Elliott: Sounded good, but not great. But I'm afraid it's his slightly worried look and his hesitance (that Simon picked up on) that may spell doom for this talented young man (in this competition, at least). Advice for the Tumnus: Observe Chris and his phenomenal comfort level on stage. Emulate him.
Paris: Actually looked good tonight, wearing clothes that made her look taller and thinner (always a plus!). Her top notes were strong, as always, but her lower notes were unfocused and hollow -- as always. (And I don't know why the judges haven't called her on this defect yet.) I find her voice rather coarse and generic-sounding. I would never be able to pick her singing voice out of a crowd except by volume. I just can't get excited about this nice young lady.
Ace: A good song for him, but he didn't do it justice. I initially thought he was squandering his talent, after the impression that first "Father Figure" performance left with me. Now I'm thinking his talent is just not that big.
The Gherkin: Once again, embracing her inner trailer park trash, she impresses us all ... to some extent. She sang the song with verve and conviction, sounded good on top notes, but her low notes were weak and unfocused, as always. If she does manage to win this competition (ew, pardon me while I hurl a little), I predict she will not have much of a career. I think her Redneck Barbie everyday persona will conflict with her natural gravitation toward songs of trailer park lust, leaving her fans confused and unhappy.
Chris: Once again, he gives the only polished, professional performance of the evening. He is not the most terrific singer I've ever heard, by a long shot. But the boy is a natural performer. He reminds me of Frank Sinatra in that way -- he seems born to be on a stage, comfortable there whatever he's doing. He is completely "in the moment" while he's on stage. That and his, ahem, "yummy" looks may take him far.
McPhee: In a word (okay, three words), she sounded great! First time I've said that about her, I think. Terrific song choice for her, whatever Simon was blathering on about. But once again she strode nervously around the stage, smirking and posing, trying to be as cute as possible at all times, no matter what emotion the song called for. She will never achieve greatness until she loses the need to look cute.
Bucky: Had a very lyrical tone tonight; quite enjoyable sound. Would have been even more enjoyable for me if I could have understood some of the words. I did manage to catch the last two lines, at least .... Bucky just looks horribly shy onstage, which makes the audience uneasy. If I close my eyes, he sounds pretty darned good sometimes, but watching him onstage is like watching a puppy be scolded. Painful.
Overall, I pick Chris, Kellie (AAARGH!) and McPhee as my top performers tonight. As for who's leaving, I've got no clue. As someone said earlier, we're cutting into the meat now, and it's beyond my ability to predict who will vote for whom.
Elliott's "slightly worried look" and "his hesitance" certainly fit with the lyrics of his song.
After all, it's about someone worried that "if tomorrow never comes," will she know how much he loved her?
Another very boring show with just a couple of barely luminous spots. I should say that I am not a country fan. I tried for a while but found it too boring and formulaic (current "country") for my taste. Anyway, on with the show:
Taylor - I got worried when I heard he was singing John Denver and that turned out to be accurate. He needs to get the microphone off the stand and do his thing. Don't listen to Simon about the dancing. That's part of his charm that people love. Decent vocal but a boring performance.
Mandisa - just did not pull that off. I know she was trying to play it up but it didn't work because she sang the song poorly. She could be in danger this week.
Elliot - once again, I just didn't get it. I listened with my eyes closed so I could focus on the vocals and they just are not strong enough. I don't feel any power with his voice. Good technically but there is not enough substance for me. The orignial version of that song has much more powerful vocals to support it. No good enough in my opinion.
Paris - pieces of the song were good but pieces were not good. All in all a decent performance though. She can certainly sing and she might stick around if her personality does not get in the way.
Ace - I actually enjoyed the first half of the song but the second half was a train wreck with missed notes all over the place. I think the game might be up with him.
Kellie - that insipid little interview beforehand was pointless. Does anyone actually think she would say, "Well yes Ryan, it's all an act." Just pure AI pimping. As for the song, I agreed with Simon in that I thought it was rather boring. The chorus brought it up a little but the verses were just plain and boring. Overall decent job though.
Chris - I thought it was a great performance. Hopefully this will quiet the folks who incorrectly say he just screams everything. Their complete misunderstnading of that genre of music leads to that sort of ignorant statement. I doubt it will change anything though. He showed he can sing and did a very nice job with that song. Simon continued his doubletalk however. I do believe Simon is also playing to the critics who say he blindly pimps his favorites knowing full well that Chris is not going anywhere anytime soon.
Katharine - Good vocal but her personality is wearning on me. That bubbly inappropriately timed smile seems very contrived. I just do not connect with her performances at all as they all seem very hollow. I'm not sure how much longer she is going to last.
Bucky - So, will anyone accuse Bucky of "cheating" by not singing a country song like they did Chris for not singing a "50's" song? Gary Allen did not write or perform the original. It was written by Matt Scannell of Vertical Horizon the alt-pop rock band and was on their major label debut record Everything You Want in 1999. Now, I have no problem with this just like I had no problem with Chris doing Live's version of I Walk The Line. It will be interesting to see who is consistent. Anyway, Bucky was Bucky. Not good. Not awful.
Best of the Night: Chris, Kellie, Paris
Bottom Three: Mandisa, Ace and Bucky
Who should go home? Bucky
Who will go home? Mandisa
Howdy, Pard! :) Fantastic review--
Taylor seems suddenly to have gone all the way over from spastic to static
Exactly. I didn't notice that until you mentioned it--you're absolutely right.
Bucky just looks horribly shy onstage, which makes the audience uneasy. If I close my eyes, he sounds pretty darned good sometimes, but watching him onstage is like watching a puppy be scolded. Painful.
LMAO!!!
I pick Chris, Kellie (AAARGH!) and McPhee as my top performers tonight
I pretty much agree. I might substitute Elliot for McPhee, but I have to admit (begrudgingly) that Kellie belongs in the top three--just for tonight though! :)
Great review, as usual.
I am worried about Elliott. I think he may go home tonight, although he does his best every week. If so, he can do an album like misterrob suggested..."How To Close With Your Girl"...or one like that old Jackie Gleason album, "Music For Lovers Only."
I cannot picture Mandisa, in her present form, as an American Idol. The way she dresses...emphasizing her large points...it's a turnoff. Especilly with the current War on Obeity going on in all the schools to get the kids to eat right and exercise more. Mandsa is not a healthy role model for today's youngsters.