Ok, I finally finished the thread, which was great as usual, lots of LOL for me, thanks to all! You could all write for Jay Leno — and less liberal too!!
My thoughts on last night:
All in all it went fast and was exciting to watch. Scotty’s first song was slightly better sung and performed than all his past performances. He has learned a lot on this show. He connected with the lyrics and the audience, and he stopped his penile handling of his mike as well. Good job.
His second song was as if he was singing from his Best of Scotty McCreery album -— totally like a pro, he lived the lyrics, he was adorable and funny and connected with us at home, but toned down any exaggerated looks. His singing went up into higher registers, and he nailed it. I called it perfect. Loved seeing and hearing the proud Dad. When he talked about being grateful for all the support for his son, I was busy texting Vote Vote Vote over and over for him. “you’re welcome daddy!”
Then he killed that Kenny Rogers song! I thought it was too old for him, which it is, but he got into the character and told the story as if it was happening now. He is going to be a huge star. And he has the next 50 years to be living the life of his dreams. Stay sweet, Scotty. His voice was the best it has ever been on this song — he expanded his register, he wailed the chorus and each note was long and strong. This is a kid who is still learning and improving even in the final rounds, which takes guts. No playing it safe for Scotty. Impressive.
I also thought Lauren brought her best game to her 3 songs too. Her first song was fine but forgettable. Very repetitive lyrics, too much stomping. The very sad 2nd song she nailed. Quite a sad song, and she managed to convey the sadness while doing what iovine wanted: giving some hope to it. Very well done. Out of her comfort zone. Her third song was flawless. I think she sang “Dance” better than I’ve ever heard. In her fluffy prom dress, with — thank GD — her hair Finally pulled off her face. — she looked gorgeous and 16! That’s the prettiest she’s ever looked. And she pulled off the song with tenderness and heartfelt emotion. Her voice was great. She definitely had a Moment, and I was forced to vote for her a little too. Bravo, sweetie. You will make it big in music too.
Now to Haley, whom I just don’t like, before tonight. Here she was with the led Zeppelin song I’d already seen her sing earlier in the day from netizen’s YouTube link. Obviously she was familiar with it, but the fact that she chose such a weird song for herself is proof she is either dumb or doesn’t understand her own talent. She actually thinks she is best either warbling at a weak level or screaming. Goody, this is a song where she can do both. She did decide to cover her legs tonight, which was a nice novelty. She fell which I thought would have happened on the big staircase earlier in those monster spikes, but handled her fall well. Haley did an ok job on that song, which is not even in The top 20 of good Zeppelin songs, but the audience goes wild. Sigh.
Haley next does the Stevie nicks song Rhiannon, which was a huge dance hit back in the 70s when I was underage in Hollywood clubs. What’s this? They put her under a wind machine to bring back the Vidal Sassoon 70s hair product ads. Her singing is boring so I will admire her hair, and also focus on the fact that you need a lot of time and a stylist to get it that ringlety. Nice hair. Oh, now the song is finally over. Meh.
Haley gets the judges’ version of pins in a wax voodoo doll with their pick for her. Hey,its the angry, filthy song alanis morissette wrote about her x, uncle Joey from full house, about whom I never wanted to hear about his oral sex. Cool. :(. And note that the two kid country stars get their texts in the traditional AI way, in front of their fans. But Haley is alone in the back of a car. Maybe to avoid the boos at the choice of song? Strangely enough, she does the absolute best anyone can do with such a song. It’s painful to listen to but she rocks it as best as one can. The lyrics change to going OUT with uncle Joey, thank goodness. The song is a fast, loud, screamy mess, but she did her best with it. Judges are delicately pleasant about it so as not to give her sympathy votes.
The truth is that Haley is not as good as the other two, has natural talent that she is NOT learning how to showcase, even on this show with all of these mentors. She is Not growing at all. She is too enamored with herself to be humble and learn. It’s kind of sad. She has wasted her AI experience. At least it wasn’t wasted for Casey.
My favorite thing about AI is watching a kid with natural talent learn how to become pro during the weeks, and nail it. My favorite example is Cookie. (David Cook). Both Lauren and Scotty have learned so much on this show, and have grown infinitely since their auditions. Haley has not. She thinks she knows herself better than all these music biz old timers, and she is sadly wrong.
I think your post nails it.
I just checked Dial Idol and see that Lauren managed to increase her lead over Haley, so hopefully Dial Idol will be an accurate representation of the votes.
I’m not sure there is any way for Scotty to lose this. Even if he has a horrible off night, I think his fans would rally behind him and vote like crazy for him. I wish I would have noticed how huge his lead was earlier, so I could have spent more time voting for Lauren.
Lauren is the best of the three, and is the second-best singer of the Top 13.
The best singer this year was Pia Toscano. Kendra Chantelle would have given this year's women a run for their money.
America knows nothing about music or musical talent. Country music fits the taste of the musically ignorant, and Hollywood doesn't help matters by propping up middling performers.
This kid reminds people of Randy Travis? He's a country throwback? Awesome! I guess poor white folks with Grandad's education level can be impressed while he sings the intentionally dumbed-down pablum of Nashville.
He seems like a nice kid and I really do hope he succeeds, but let's not pretend he's anything other than a vehicle for making publishers a boatload.
LOL! I could sense you shifting into a lower gear there :) Great review!