American Idol 2006--Live Thread I

FOX ^ | 1-16-06

[silent_jonny]

for Tammy

[Wolfstar]

Good morning, Jonny. I thought you might enjoy seeing this: Kelly on the cover of a leading Israeli teen magazine. The way the Israeli contingent on KCE explain it, Kelly is super popular there, and she's on a whole new level in Israel because she's one of the few American superstars willing to risk performing there. I have no idea if this is true, but I do enjoy what folks from overseas have to say about her. (I also find Kelly's popularity in Israel interesting because she's a committed Christian, as you and I know.)

Someone with the screen name TheAlona over on KCE translated the cover:

TheAlona
Posts: 1098
(3/19/06 11:13 pm)
Reply
Re: Kelly on the cover of a Hebrew magazine

It says:

-"Another 11 days!"
-"Kablu Ota"- it means accept her, but it's a figure of speech, used as "here she is", "there you go" kind of thing
-"A moment before she lands in Israel, we scored an exclusive interview with the one and only, Kelly Clarkson"

It's Maariv La'noar, Maariv's (the 2nd largest newspaper in Israel) teen magazine.

[Wolfstar]

Jonny, what a cute St. Patrick's Day graphic. Hello Happygal, nice to "meet" you. I'm half Irish and am named Patricia in honor of St. Patrick. (My PC was down for a couple of weeks, so am now just catching up.)

[Wolfstar]

Jonny, since we have our own international contingent here on the FR AI thread, I thought you might enjoy seeing this thread from KCE. The American fans are thanking the international fans for all the great news, pics and links they posted during Kelly's UK and European tour. It's sweet and such a refreshing change from the overheated world of political forums.

I'm just going to past the link, because it might work better if you just copy and paste it to your address bar.
http://p101.ezboard.com/fkellyclarksonexpressfrm7.showMessageRange?topicID=10317.topic&start=1&stop=20

Also, from that thread there's this cute image. I decided to use it here to thank you for everything you do with this thread.

[SirLinksalot]

It's been a little quiet here for over 24 hours, so let's make a little noise...

Some reports :

American Idol continues to dominate the airwaves. Tuesday's show averaged 32.5 million viewers and a 13.5 rating/32 share in the adults 18-49 demographic, according to preliminary estimates from Nielsen Media Research. "Idol" started strongly, with 28.7 million viewers, but grew to 35.5 million viewers by 9:30 PM. On Wednesday, the show averaged 27.8 million viewers and an 11.4 rating/28 share in the adults 18-49 demographic.

Which on-going weekly show in the past 10 years has this kind of ratings and surpasses it ? <--- That's a trivia question ( and no, I don't know the answer ).

Now for my suggestions as to which song fits which singer for the 1950's night ( the guest interactor will of course be Barry Manilow, who recently had a number 1 album featuring songs from the 1950's ).

The great thing about this theme is this --- you have literary thousands of great songs to choose from for over a decade and you are not limited to one composer's catalog. This night was meant to highlight your versatility and yet, allow you the freedom to sing within your comfort zone.

BASICALLY, any DECADE BASED (e.g., 50's, 60's,70's ) theme is great for the singers.

So, what should each singer pick for 50's night ?

IMAGINE YOURSELF HIRED TO BE THEIR VOCAL ADVISER. WHAT WOULD YOU ADVISE THEM TO SING TO ENDEAR THEM TO 35 MILLION WATCHERS SO AS TO GUARANTEE THAT THEY'LL STAY ON ??

Since I don't have a spoiler (yet), here are my suggestions ( let's see how good my ESP is. NOTE: I usually got a few of them correct in the past seasons )...

---

ACE YOUNG -

If Ace wants to show off his range instead of it's limits ( without resorting to falsetto), he should try "CRY" by Johnny Ray.

If he's still insecure about his range ( and I suspect it is limited because Mario Vasquez kicked major ass with Stevie Wonder's DO-I-DO and Ace DID NOT ), he should limit it to a song that will do justice to his woman-killing personality --- CRYING IN THE RAIN by Everly Brothers would probably help.

---

KEVIN COVAIS

His purpose is to keep the granny vote AND to add the teen vote and ( he already has the Vote For Worst recommentdation ). CHOOSE A PAUL ANKA SONG ----> PUT YOUR HEAD ON MY SHOULDER or PUPPY LOVE ( the later will cement his AWWW factor and keep him for a few more weeks before the inevitable axe falls ).

---

Kellie Pickler.

Baby, this night was made for you. Patti Page made a song that was a big hit in the 1950's and I couldn't even think of a song that fits your personality and naivete and background as this one. SING --- TENNESSEE WALTZ. If you do justice to this, you'd make every woman who has ever been cheated on cry and make them forget your disastrous Stevie Wonder night.

---

Katharine Mcphee

This theme is perfect for Katharine. She has a big band quality to her voice that fits this theme to a "T". In fact, I dare say she'd make women like Connie Francis and Rosemary Clooney proud if she chose their songs.

2 possibilities :

“Where the Boys Are” Connie Francis- Katharine really has a Connie Francis voice, soaring, smooth and clear. Listen to teacher dear --- CHOOSE THIS SONG and you'll be a star.

Now, if you want to try a fun side and challenge your performance skills a little to get out of the -- she's just too stiff and pregnant looking mould -- try Rosemary Clooney's MAMBO ITALIANO. You're raven haired, look spohisticated and in fact, could pass off as Italian marble statue. C'mon girl, challenge yourself a bit and make yourself unforgettable ( and I don't mean singing this song either ).

---

MANDISA

Mandisa's real main weakness is her low register. When she starts low, things sound a little uneven. Therefore, we need something that could give her the oooomph factor.

ORANGE COLORED SKY by Nat 'King' Cole. Now this song will highlight her uplifting, fun and exuberant side. The final big band backup boom in the end can (if done right) potentially bring the house down.

---

TAYLOR HICKS

There are plenty of great songs for Taylor in this genre. His throwback style fits into at least 50 years in the past.

SOME POSSIBILITIES :

1)SWANEE RIVER ROCK ( Ray Charles ). You already gave us a teaser in your pre-Hollywood audition tht made a believer of Randy and Paula, now give us the full version ( and yes, let your inner Ray go in this song ).

2) Any Two Chuck Berry songs --- Johnny B. Goode or Roll Over Beethoven ( you could wail on this one, and you'd brign the house down if they allow you to play the harmonica). That'll keep them rolling. I' sure that'll keep you for another week, but please, slow down next week.

3) "Train Kept a Rollin’”-Johnny Burnette- If you stay in total Taylor land, he’ll pick this, which Aerosmith later covered.

---

Eliott Yamin

I really like to see him work the stage like Taylor does but I'm not sure if you won't feel awkward doing that. So, lets get back to basics this week and highlight your smooth, soothing, pleasant vocals.

Let's see you try -“Smoke Gets in Your Eyes” by The Platters. Now, the high, soaring ending of this song will show us if you have the vocal chops of say, Clay Aiken. I'd like to see how you can sustain the final high note for 6 seconds without choking....

That'll tell us if Simon's statement that you are "potentially" the best singer in this competition, correct.

You're always about potential, you admitted, NOW GO AND REACH FOR IT, REALIZE IT NOW, OR NEVER !!

---

Paris Bennet

I fell in love with Paris during the pre-audition when she, at 17, showed us she could do Billie Holiday and highlighted the fact that this young lady could sing the blues. Her "CAN'T FIGHT THE MOONLIGHT" in the Hollywood audition was outstanding. There really is nothing that Paris cannot sing.

But then I fell out of love for her when she started to choose bland songs in the first two weeks. My faith in her returned when she did Stevie Wonder Proud.

1950's WILL BE A CAKE WALK FOR PARIS I predict inspite of her age. Why ? She's got the spirit of her grandmother, the great Ann Nesby in her.

One song that really stuck to me was -“Fever” by Peggy Lee-She already sang this IMPRESSIVELY in the Hollywood auditions, she’d be smart to reprise it and show us the full version.

---

BUCKY COVINGTON.

There are a lot of great southern music he can choose from in the 1950's albeit, most were NOT delivered with the rocky growl he's used to doing.

Possibilities :

WALK THE LINE by Johnny Cash ( he'd endear himself to Johnny's millions of fans here and abroad if he deos justice to this ).

HEARTBREAK HOTEL by Elvis --- Hmmm... can Buck do Elvis ? remains to be seen.

YOUR CHEATING HEART by Hank Williams ( now this, I'd like to see ).

---

Chris Daughtry.

Alternative Rock meets the 50's ? Now this is a challenge.

POSSIBILITIES :
1) “Smoke Stack Lightenin’” by: Howlin’ Wolf- It can really show off Chris’s vocal growl ( but can he sing something without screaming for once ?).

2) -“Train Kept a Rollin’”- Johnny Burnette- This song could fit Taylor as well. However, if Chris wants to stay within his comfort zone ( and he's done nothing but that since the beginning ), this classic will keep him rocking till the next round.

---

LISA TUCKER

Another singer for whom this genre is perfect for. Lisa might be 16 but she has not shown us that Jimi Hendrix style of singing she claims she's a fan of. Most of her songs are too Disneyesque, perfect for someone like --- DORIS DAY for instance.

Hence, here are some perfect songs for her :

1) “Maybe” by The Chantels- Since Lisa is a Whitney Houston wannabe, I can't think of any singer to emulate than the Whitney's of the 1950's. This would be great for her.

2) “I Will Follow Him” by Little Peggy March- This was covered in of all movies -- SISTER ACT. Lisa is in very grave danger of being the next to go but I want to keep her instead of the less deserving Kevin. The advantage of this song is -- IT ISN't ANNOYING, yet RECOGNIZABLE.

3) Now if Lisa wants to be lovable ( and her cute cover girl smile shows that she is), she has to make the Grannies vote for her and forget Kevin. I have the song for her --- -“Guy is a Guy” by Doris Day ( and Lisa has that Doris Day vibe ).

---

Comments/Critiques as to why these songs are good/bad/fitting/not fitting welcome.

[retrokitten]

YOUR CHEATING HEART by Hank Williams ( now this, I'd like to see ).

I had that same thought! I'm not sure about "Your Cheatin Heart", but "Jambalaya". That's a party song. Also, George Thorogood has covered some Hank Sr. songs and that might be good for Bucky or Chris. "You're Gonna Change or I'm Gonna Leave" or "Move It On Over" would be great.

Since I'm on a Hank Sr. kick, if we could get Mandisa to sing "I Saw The Light" she would bring down the house.

[Netizen]

Well, that's not quite an apology, but at least he admits he shouldn't have said it.

I think it was one of those things where he said something and it wound up meaning something he didn't intend. He said later he liked Carrie. It was a decent show. They talked to his 80 year old mother, lol.

[SirLinksalot]

FYI

Here is a list of INTERNET POLLS. This does not prove anything ( or point to who will win for that matter) but you get an inkling on who is most popular and who does not have a strong fan base.

MSNBC - http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11752795/

ENTERTAINMENT TV
http://et.tv.yahoo.com/micro/idol/grabthemic/index.html

AMERICAN ONLINE POLL
AOL - http://television.aol.com/americanidol/poll

VOTE FOR IDOL
http://www.vote4idol.com/

[silent_jonny]

Jonny, what a cute St. Patrick's Day graphic

Thanks, I stole it from Snugs :)

I forgot that you're half Irish ...

Happy St. Patrick's Day, Wolfstar!

Sorry it's a little late :)

[silent_jonny]

I decided to use it here to thank you for everything you do with this thread.

That's so sweet of you--thank you very much!

And thanks for the KCE link--it worked fine :)

[silent_jonny]

It's Maariv La'noar, Maariv's (the 2nd largest newspaper in Israel) teen magazine.

That is interesting--good for Kelly. Sounds like she got a warm welcome :)

[silent_jonny]

(Elliot) Let's see you try -“Smoke Gets in Your Eyes” by The Platters ... You're always about potential, you admitted, NOW GO AND REACH FOR IT, REALIZE IT NOW, OR NEVER !!

Absolutely. "Smoke Get's In Your Eyes" is a great song and if Elliot can pull it off he could become the new crowd favorite. Whatever song he chooses, he needs to stop playing it safe--take a risk!

(Bucky) WALK THE LINE by Johnny Cash

Ehhh, I don't know. Vocally, he might be okay, but I can't see him--with his Jessica Simpson hair--performing a Cash song convincingly. You mentioned Elvis--that's probably who he'll choose.

[StrictTime]

Here's another one for you:

[silent_jonny]

Much better :)

[Wolfstar]

And thanks for the KCE link--it worked fine

Kinda sweet -- and cool -- that the Americans over there are thanking the folks overseas who kept them up to date on Kelly's activities and concerts in their countries.

BTW, Carrie's 'Some Hearts' album is on track to remain in the Billboard 200 top 10. Very nice run for that album.

[Wolfstar]

Jonny and Emily, here's a big surprise: Bo's first single 'The Real Thing' seemed like it was going nowhere for the longest time, yet it kept hanging around in the lower end of the top 40 without any promos.

Now, with Bo out there promoting it and his album, the song is up to #27 on the Mediabase radio airplay chart. It's still rising and looks like it will become a top 20 hit before much longer.

And Ryan Seacrest is right. Bo's album is slowly but steadily heading toward platinum status. In round numbers, it's sold about 700,000 copies so far, which is remarkable given everything that was going against it. Bo's illness, no promos, not particularly good word-of-mouth, etc. While it's not a big hit, it's also not a flop.

[Netizen]

Was 'Where the Boys Are" from the 50's? The movie was in 1961. Just wondered if the song was recorded a couple of years before the movie.

[SirLinksalot]

The song "Where the Boys Are" was composed by the great Neil Sedaka.

Here is the key sentence of Neil Sedaka's biography ...

http://www.history-of-rock.com/neil_sedaka.htm

---

While on a two year scholarship to Julliard School In New York, Sedaka sold his first song, "Stupid Cupid," a hit for Connie Francis in 1958, as was his "Where the Boys Are, (which Francis sang in the hit teen movie of the same name) in 1961.

---

[Netizen]

How Connie started her first film

[Editors note: This article came from the WPEN1996 interview with Connie Francis by Charlie Mills]

In the year 1960, MGM released the motion picture, Where The Boys Are, the first featured film for Connie Francis. How did Connie get the role in the motion picture? Film producer Joe Pasternak asked Connie to star in a new film he was producing. Joe founded such talents as Elizabeth Taylor, Judy Garland, Jane Powell, and others. However, Connie did not want to do movies. She wanted to record, do her foreign languages, travel all over the world, and Connie said she couldn't act.

Joe Pasternak met Connie Francis in California and gave her the script and a book, Where The Boys Are, and said that she could be another Judy Garland. The films Joe produced include Love Me or Leave Me with Doris Day and James Cagney, a film Connie said was magnificent. However, she just wasn't interested in making movies.

Then one day they had a meeting with her father. Connie and her dad were always arguing over everything. "A constant struggle." She said, "although usually he was right."

Her father said, "You're not doing this movie, they got a scene in this movie at the end of this movie where a girl is leaving a motel with a guy." Connie mentioned nobody will see anything.

"That's beside the point!" he said. So Connie decided, "Thats it! I'm doing the movie." And that is how Connie Francis accepted here first role as an actress because her dad didn't want her to do it.

The title song from the 1960 film had its own interesting story. Joe Pasternak was looking for a songwriter to write the title song. In the past he used Sammy Cahn, Jimmy Van Heusen, Paul Francis Webster, and others to write music for his films. But for this one Connie was right there with some advice.

She said to Joe Pasternak, "I know you've got these great writers whom I respect highly, but there is nobody who is going to write this song and make it a hit except my two friends from Brooklyn: Neal Sedaka and Howie Greenfield." Joe protested, "What are you hawkin' me for two kids from Brooklyn!?!"

Connie explained, "Neal Sedaka got Time Track from RCA Victory for recording the hit song, 'The Diaries'" But Joe stood firm, "I couldn't care less. Forget about it!"

Connie resigned, "Joe, I don't really want to do this movie." Joe then agreed, "Alright, have them write it." "But they must to have it here by Wednesday. That is when we are meeting to decide which of all the songs will be the title song."

Connie raced to the phone and said to Neal and Howie they got the title song for her first movie. But Howie was skeptical, "What kind of title is that? Who can write a song called Where The Boys Are?" Connie encouraged them, "C'mon Howie, c'mon Neal. You can write it. You're a great lyricist."

Howie Greenfield and Neal Sedaka got the song to Connie Francis and they had two Where The Boys Are, two different songs. Connie, Neal, and Howie loved their new song Where The Boys Are. They thought it was great. The other Where The Boys Are they hated. MGM picked the one they hated.

MGM motion picture producer Joe Pasternak presents Connie with MGM Records gold record marking the 1,000,000 sale of "Everybody's Somebody's Fool."

[silent_jonny]

While it's not a big hit, it's also not a flop.

I might buy a copy for myself--not that I particularly want it, but just to show support.

Bo's been thrown a few curveballs lately, but like you said, his album has managed to thrive. It'll be interesting to see what he can do when he's 100% again.

[Wolfstar]

It'll be interesting to see what he can do when he's 100% again.

I hope Bo and his managers let this first album run its course by summer. Then I'd like to see him to a second album that's more in the true rock/southern rock vein.