American Idol 2006--Live Thread (Part II)

To: Wyatt's Torch; stlnative

Listened to the full song........it is going to be interesting. It is a dark song. The arrangement will make it or break it.

I just listened to all of the songs. I believe the whole night will be very interesting...

From reading various sources, and knowing that the began meeting with Queen last Wednesday, it sounds like Queen is really working with them on their songs, arrangements, etc. I think we'll all be pleasantly surprised at how well everyone does, and believe this will be an excellent night for AI.

I didn't get the impression that Stevie Wonder really worked with them or gave them very much help. Barry and Kenny sounds like they did work with them, but were working with them on other people's songs.

Queen's actually helping them work specifically on their own songs, and probably helping with arrangements, as well. As long as Queen's been around, I'd be surprised if they haven't already done various versions of their songs, even if it was just playing around.

That being said, below is my take on individual song choices...

• Ace Young, an "urbanized" We Will Rock You
out of everyone, this is the one I just have trouble visualizing. WWRY is a well-known ROCK anthem. I just don't see Ace singing this song, and don't see anyway the song can be modified to where it would work for Ace.

• Bucky Covington, Fat Bottomed Girls
The perfect Queen song for Bucky. Much better for him than CLTCL, even the DY version.

• Chris Daughtry, Innuendo
Dark and brooding. Maybe too much so, but I hope not. Maybe Chris does his own version with a little "life". The Show Must Go On would have been a much better pick for him, IMO. But maybe Paris had already chosen it?

• Elliott Yamin, Somebody to Love
Perfect for Elliot and would have worked well for several of these AI finalists.

• Katharine McPhee, Who Wants to Live Forever
I don't know about this for Katherine. Don't Stop Me Now may have been a better choice for her. We'll see.

• Kellie Pickler, a "countrified" Bohemian Rhapsody
I don't know, this may work. Supposedly she's doing the Mercury solo, but country style. The lyrics could easily be a country song, and I think folks will be very surprised that it won't be a "train wreck".

•Paris Bennett, The Show Must Go On
This is basically a rock anthem. She's going to have to R&B it to make it work for her, IMO. Could be a train wreck.

• Taylor Hicks, Crazy Little Thing Called Love
OK, not my first choice for Taylor, but if anyone could make this work in this competition, it's probably Taylor. I'm hopeful for a very good performance, which he badly needs, IMO.

I surprised nobody went with "My Best Friend". Would have worked for Paris, Ace, or Katherine. I believe it would have been better for them than what they chose.

3,801 posted on 04/11/2006 12:50:48 PM PDT by Texas2step (<><)

To: SirLinksalot

I think this song will, "Let Taylor be Taylor." Will it be the best vocal? Probably not. What it will likely do is get the crow into it like he did with Takin it to the Streets and "Living for the City." Randy will say the "Old Taylor is back". Paula will say, well, who cares. And Simon will call it karaoke and that he's heard it on 1,000 cruise ships before. But the main point will be that Taylor gets the microphone off the stand and does his thing.

3,802 posted on 04/11/2006 12:53:13 PM PDT by Wyatt's Torch

I don't know, this may work. Supposedly she's doing the Mercury solo, but country style. The lyrics could easily be a country song, and I think folks will be very surprised that it won't be a "train wreck".

Countifying Bohemian Rhapsody is like painting buckteeth on the Mona Lisa and having a recording saying, "Hey Y'all!" as you walk by. I know the judges say "make it your own" but this song is one of the things you shouldn't touch. Don't mess with perfection....JMHO of course.

3,803 posted on 04/11/2006 12:58:11 PM PDT by Wyatt's Torch

I think Manilow offered better advice than Rogers did. I think that showed by their success. I think other country stars would have been better choices. Like Dolly Parton or Lyle Lovett.

3,804 posted on 04/11/2006 1:14:05 PM PDT by Netizen

To: Wyatt's Torch

But the main point will be that Taylor gets the microphone off the stand and does his thing.

I sure hope so! He needs to do his own thing and not worry about what others think about his performances when he moves around. Those movements are part of what makes his fans like him.

3,805 posted on 04/11/2006 1:19:54 PM PDT by Netizen

Barry and Kenny sound like they did work with them, but were working with them on other people's songs.

What an education! Great perspective from terrific icons.

The AI kids are sponges, soaking up whatever they want.

Hope tonight's performances aren't all wet.

3,806 posted on 04/11/2006 1:27:11 PM PDT by b9 ("the [evil Marxist liberal socialist Democrat Party] alternative is unthinkable" ~ Jim Robinson)

This is the vision I have in my head:

Mamuhhhh, ah jis killed a maaaaan
Put a gun agin his heaaaaad
Pullt my triggah now he's deaaaad
Mamuhhhh, lahf had jis beguuuun
An now I dun gone and threw it ahl awayyyyyyy

And then it stops because I hit mute as I can't take it any more...;-)

3,807 posted on 04/11/2006 1:47:59 PM PDT by Wyatt's Torch

To: Wyatt's Torch

LOL! Cain't wait 't see if yawl 's raht!

3,808 posted on 04/11/2006 1:51:06 PM PDT by b9 ("the [evil Marxist liberal socialist Democrat Party] alternative is unthinkable" ~ Jim Robinson)

To: Wyatt's Torch

You are too funny! Mona Lisa with buckteeth that yells "Hi, Y'all!" Coming to a WalMart near you in time for Christmas. Hang it on the wall between the singing fish and the laughing moose!!

3,809 posted on 04/11/2006 1:53:18 PM PDT by Palladin ("Governor Lynn Swann."...it has a nice ring to it!)

To: Wyatt's Torch

Countifying Bohemian Rhapsody is like painting buckteeth on the Mona Lisa

LOL! Yes, for us. Unfortunately, most of the people watching this show, and yes, voting, are not familiar with Bohemian Rhapsody, at all. IWRY, WATC, and ABTD are all more widely known, though BR remains Queen's signature song. Mainly because BR isn't a "radio" song. It's a concert/album song.

For example, my wife claims to never heard of it, but has heard several other Queen songs (I didn't know that was a Queen song!). Queen is a very unique band with a wide variety of music.

As for "countrifying" BR, I wouldn't be surprised if Queen hadn't done it at some point in the past, just for fun, at one of their concerts. They are that kind of band.

3,810 posted on 04/11/2006 1:53:45 PM PDT by Texas2step (<><)

To: Wyatt's Torch

And then it stops because I hit mute as I can't take it any more...;-)

ROFL! Yes, but you have to admit the lyrics lend themselves to a country song. If we didn't know better, and only had the lyrics for that part of the song, we'd all think it was a country song. Or, maybe Eddie Money. Remember Give Me Some Water?

3,811 posted on 04/11/2006 1:57:19 PM PDT by Texas2step (<><)

You are forgetting those that thought the debut of Bohemian Rhapsody was on the Wayne's World soundtrack.....

3,812 posted on 04/11/2006 1:58:24 PM PDT by Wyatt's Torch

What an education! Great perspective from terrific icons.

The AI kids are sponges, soaking up whatever they want.

Agreed. I think Queen will be another that they are able to learn from. Very versatile group. I've been listening to Queen all afternoon, and this is one group that you just can't put in a box. Kind of like Pink Floyd, but more dimensional.

3,813 posted on 04/11/2006 2:00:06 PM PDT by Texas2step (<><)

To: Wyatt's Torch

You are forgetting those that thought the debut of Bohemian Rhapsody was on the Wayne's World soundtrack.....

Yes, exactly. Probably the most unknown well known song of all time. My wife knew that Queen did Bohemian Rhapsody, but didn't recognize it when I played the mp3 for her. LOL.

3,814 posted on 04/11/2006 2:02:03 PM PDT by Texas2step (<><)

That happened to him last week too. Couldn't sing his original song and had to pick something different. Conspiracy!!! :) AI doesn't want any more Bama boys. We'll just keep sending them. :)

3,815 posted on 04/11/2006 2:03:26 PM PDT by EmilyGeiger

To: silent_jonny; All

He has a twin?

American Idol Contestant Fooled Cops with Twin Tales

Link

3,816 posted on 04/11/2006 4:04:38 PM PDT by maggief (and the dessert cart rolls on ...)

To: Texas2step; silent_jonny

Nice analysis -- well thought out.

I thought it would be a good idea for Mandisa (obviously before she was voted off) to do "fat bottomed girls." It would have been a great taunt!

Bohemian is too complex a song to "countrify." It is also iconic. I think it is a big risk for Carrie, Jr., but she gets a bye if she keeps it in building.

Taylor picked one down the middle.

As always, Chris, Taylor and Pickles are in no danger, especially with the choices you outlined. Paris is in real danger, but Bucky can keep alive if he doesn't swollow the mic.

JONNY! I am in NYC today! I get to watch and comment live!!! :)))

I expect everyone to be on their funniest! ;)

3,817 posted on 04/11/2006 4:09:07 PM PDT by freedumb2003 (Don't call them "Illegal Aliens." Call them what they are: CRIMINAL INVADERS!)

Maggie! :)

I just read the whole story--LOL!!

Rocky: "What I should have done was just grabbed Bucky's drivers license and showed him that. He never would have been able to tell the difference."

Well duh :-D

3,818 posted on 04/11/2006 4:34:47 PM PDT by silent_jonny ("Do you hear that sound? It's me screaming in horror." -- Retrokitten)

To: freedumb2003

I am in NYC today! I get to watch and comment live!!! :)))

Welcome to Eastern Standard Time :)

3,819 posted on 04/11/2006 4:37:26 PM PDT by silent_jonny ("Do you hear that sound? It's me screaming in horror." -- Retrokitten)

To: silent_jonny

Yeah -- that was loads of fun when I got up at 6:00 EST (which of course is 3:00 my body time)

But I used to do this every week when I commuted to Pittsburgh. I have to wonder how I survived.... ;)

3,820 posted on 04/11/2006 4:41:55 PM PDT by freedumb2003 (Don't call them "Illegal Aliens." Call them what they are: CRIMINAL INVADERS!)

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794