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!
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?
Well most of the show was dead weight last night, LOL
Ayla's song was okay, it's her personality that I don't really like. Simon has called her "robotic" more than once and I think that's accurate.
Ayla and McPhee suffer from "good girl" syndrome -- the all-pervading awareness that they are PERFORMING IN FRONT OF THEIR PARENTS! AACK!
You nailed it :) I think that's what's holding both of them back, especially McPhee, who I believe would be really fun to watch if she just loosened up a little. (She tried mighty hard to loosen up last night :)
But Lisa? So far ... so generic
Yep. These teenage singers are almost always dull, IMO. They're too cutesie. Gives me a toothache.