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Posted on 01/16/2006 4:00:11 AM PST by silent_jonny
for Tammy
It's been an act since the beginning with her. It's a carefully cultivated image that helps her win pageants. Kind of like how surprised everyone was the Gomer Pyle could sing. He wasn't that great of a singer, but the contrast between Gomer and his singing was the hook. Same thing with naive Pickler and her "minx" image she has while singing.
That's my guess to...Tony or Lynn....if I find out I'll let you know
Probably true. Personally, I'm not much for people who have to fake something to get something. I'm betting she won't last. Of course, considering the demographics of the show, she could win.....
Paris + Gloria Estefan = terrible performance.
Well, I wouldn't call it terrible. But it sure wasn't *good* ... and the others who turned in a so-so performance sure heard about it from Simon! But she didn't. I think they really, really want Paris to win. I guess I am old enough now not to believe in the fairy tale of a "fair" contest ... but I still am disappointed in the judges when they display obvious favoritism like this.
I have to say I disagree with you about Ayla. I would characterize Lisa as "dead weight" before I'd ascribe that to Ayla. I *did* think Ayla had a wretched song choice last night. Can't these kids realize they need *singer* songs without the judges having to spell it out for them? Apparently not. Also, I think both Ayla and McPhee suffer from "good girl" syndrome -- the all-pervading awareness that they are PERFORMING IN FRONT OF THEIR PARENTS! AACK! Perhaps if they can get past that, they may turn in some really exciting performances. I think that is one advantage that Mandisa has -- she is old enough not to care anymore about that. But when you're 17 or 19 or whatever, and used to doing what Mommy and Daddy say, that can be a crippling awareness. (At least as far as really cutting loose with a shining stage presentation.) JMO, of course.
I don't know what it is about Lisa that I'm not excited about. I was listening to her last night, and it seemed to me that she sounded like a hundred other pop singers. Her voice seems generic to me. Nothing unique about it. I like to be able to hear the difference between singers without having to see them. For instance, on my Three Tenors album, it is obvious to me which tenor is singing at any time. They have completely different sounds, if you're actually listening. Placido has that lovely rough baritone sound; Pavarotti has that very Italianate sound, and Carreras has a "crying" sound to his top notes that is unmistakeable. But Lisa? So far ... so generic. I can't stand generic! LOL!
No - I listen to KSJ....so of course they're not all into it this year since Taylor's not country....I should send him some of my mom's turnips....they're the best....but as far as dreamland bbq - it's awful here in Mobile - my dad's would win contests!!!!
I think these judges give the kids mixed messages.
1) They get a list of approved songs to choose from. Don't want them singing Bette Midler, don't put it on the list.
2) They tell them to take chances and not play it safe. A few of the women did and they got stomped on.
3) They get on their cases for giving wooden performances then whine when they sing performance songs. And, just what was Chris' song last week but a performance song?
Tonight's Song Selections----(From someone else so don't hold me to it)
Will Makar - "How Sweet It Is" by James Taylor (original by the great Marvin Gaye, of course)
Taylor Hicks - "Taking It To the Streets" by Michael McDonald
Gedeon McKinney - "When a Man Loves a Woman" by Percy Sledge
Kevin Covais - "Vincent" by Don McLean
Chris Daughtry - "Broken" by Seether
Ace Young - "Butterflies" by Michael Jackson
Elliott Yamin - "Heaven" by Bryan Adams
No spoilers for Bucky Covington right now.
Hi Jonny. Just taking a moment before lunch to put in my 2 cents on last night's performances. No PC = I watched the show on time instead of recording it. (BTW, CompUSA did recover my data, thank goodness. Still will wait a couple more days for the new hard drive to be installed...sigh.)
Anyway, about Katharine, in my opinion you have it exactly right about her. She projects ZERO self-confidence. Her fear makes her seem a little stiff and awkward, and makes it hard for her to connect with the audience. She doesn't know how to use her physical gifts to best advantage. I think she's over-trained to the point of being like a marionette. It's going to be extremely hard for her to overcome that problem and become more natural and comfortable on stage.
Mandisa, as we all agree, has the opposite problem. She's is a tremendous performer. She's warm and connects very well with the audience. She also has a pretty face, but...let me put it this way: If everything else about Mandisa was identical to what we have seen these last few weeks, but she weighed around 120 pounds, there is no doubt she'd be the frontrunner to win this competition. This is less a statement about Mandisa and far more a statement about much society frowns on heavy people, especially women.
Based on last night's performances, none of the other women are worth discussing, in my opinion. Well, maybe one -- the Gherkin. I echo everyone else's comments about her hick-from-the-backwoods act getting very old. I liked her dog more than her last night, even though her performance was probably 2nd best of the women.
Jonny, you know I have not been a Carrie fan, yet I hated Simon's comment that he likes Pickler better than "last year's winner." He made a similar comment to one of the men this year about being "like Clay Aiken, only nicer." Simon pulls that kind of crap every year -- disses the prior year's star(s) to pump up a favored contestant in the current season. I HATE it.
Remember earlier this year when Simon was complaining about Kelly Clarkson supposedly not allowing her songs to be used by AI? Remember I said Kelly owes zero thanks to the show, and that Simon & Company might do the same thing to Carrie next year? Here we have a perfect example of how little regard the AI powers-that-be have for the contestants, both current and former. Carrie most definitely did not deserve that slam from Simon. Kellie Pickler does have a bit of charm and does know how to work a stage. She is the female equivalent of Justin Guarini. The Gherkin is absolutely no way, no how in the same league as Carrie Underwood -- and this from someone who has no plans ever to buy a Carrie album.
Can you add me to this ping list?
Thanx
I love your reviews, and agree with most of your assessments. Melissa sings way better than Pickle, but Pickle has the "Minx Factor" (read Almost Legal).
Mandisa is powerful, but almost too overwhelming. Did she have to tell us that she sings in the shower?...bad mental image.
Lisa is sweet, but too Disneyesque. In fact, I'm surprised she isn't under contract to Disney already.
Paris is like a little windup doll, or a trained poodle. Definietely overprogrammed by the Stage Momma, Stage Grandma, and Stage Aunties. Poor kid...I wonder if she's ever made any decision on her own in all her 16 years.
Melissa is sexy and a great rocker. She should be in the top six.
McPhee is bland, and so is Ayla. They are both missing the "IT" factor.
Ace is goingto increase his "ICK" factor by singing a Michael Jackson song. He should try something more manly.
Gedeon...now who thinks Gedeon has ever loved a woman...besides his Momma? He looks like a virgin to me. Maybe he should be singing "Like a Virgin."
Will Makar--great song choice, but his rendition won't be black enough to suit Randy.
Kevin--bad choice. Too bland.
Will--Needs to sing something with more vigor than that. He's bland to begin with and singing something as mellow as James Taylor is just the wrong thing for him to do.
Taylor--Difficult to say on this one. The song has energy but it strikes me as a soul-less energy. Taylor needs to let Gedeon pick his songs for him.
Gedeon--I think his stock will continue to rise with this.
Kevin--Don McLean songs seem like a good choice for him, but I don't think Don McLean songs are well-liked enough boost his position.
Chris--Don't know the song. Figure if he keeps doing what he's been doing, he's safe to advance though.
Ace--Would like to see him attempt a masculine performance. Doesn't look like it's going to happen tonight with that song.
Elliot--Think he could sing any song pretty well. His voice is different enough from Bryan Adams that he could make the song his own if he can bring some passion to it.
Bucky--Hanging on by his fingernails. Needs a big performance tonight.
Three most in danger of leaving:
Bucky(Doesn't have the talent. Doesn't have the "cuteness" appeal that the other two have going for them. Bet he's gone.)
Will(Actually has a nice voice. He's a bit dull though. Too bad he wasn't from the Donny Osmond era. I could see him on the cover of "Tiger Beat" from the late 60's-early 70's. Think he's probably gone.)
Kevin(Idol has been ragging on him pretty bad the past couple of weeks. I think it's going to have stirred up enough sympathy vote to keep him on especially if he gets teased again tonight. If someone is kicking a puppy, the puppy is going to be defended even if the puppy is goofy looking.)
What a downer. Kevin needs to sing something upbeat and cheerful, to go with his personality.
I think your post is 'spot on'!
No, not after Carrie and not with the talent heavy on the guy's side this year.
(Paris) I think we are stuck with her. Favorite to win- God forbid.
UGH! I think the judges desperately want her in the Top 12 more than they want her to actually win ... but she DOES get more slack from the judges than I think any other singer--and she doesn't deserve it!
Hetty said that if anyone else sang her song last night, the judges would've ripped her a new one and I believe it. Paris has a great voice, but she also has this diva-in-training thing about her that I hate. Her singing pedigree has a lot of influence on the judging, IMO.
But unless Chris Daughtry does something really stupid in the competition, I think it's his to lose.
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