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Posted on 03/24/2006 9:00:43 PM PST by silent_jonny
Oh yeah, I forgot about that.
Here's what she looks like when the Scientology implant goes off!
Even Katherine's Death Ray stare is somewhat hot.
Presumably because I know I'd get that from her sooner or later.
Elliott is doing "On Broadway" from George Benson
It is. And I really don't like Scientology, so I hope she doesn't stay much longer. That's my preferential treatment.
I also don't like how she now has stooped to showing her body with the presumed intent of winning voters. Tacky, tacky.
Thank you!
LOL
Yeah, I guess that's why she was wearing the ugly, frumpy clothes earlier. Saving her big guns (the guys oughta like that) for later in the show.
Seems like someone was joking about Gypsy Rose Lee at some point. Doesn't seem so far off now! LOL
Oops, forgot the link for y'all! :)
http://www.realitytvgames.net/showthread.php?t=1431
http://mediafiends.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=7460&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0
American Idol: Birth Year & Billboard: Their Options for Staying in the Game
We’re down to five, and I’m freaking out. They get to pick two songs each, one from the year they were born and one from the billboard top ten lists this week. Of course, I did massive amounts of research on what they should and should not sing, which includes five different years of music. Am I right?
Often, I get at least one or two, I think at the most three songs correct. As an Elliott fan, I knew he would be singing “A Song For You,” and could also predict he’d go Gavin DeGraw 21st century week. With Katharine, except when they allow her to sing a song outside the period, I’ve nailed “The Voice Within,” and “Someone to Watch Over Me.” I believe I got Paris’s “Fever” correct, but I mean, she had sung it before, so I can’t be too proud of myself. I can’t remember if I’ve gotten any more right, and I don’t feel like re-reading my articles, so who knows.
Awful music, is mostly what is on the charts right now. Our contestants can easily fall into their comfort zones if they choose, but I am hoping they do something a little risky. Like Chris, please don’t sing Nickelback or Staind, we don’t want a repeat of “What If.” Well, I don’t want a repeat of “What If” for those of you who have emailed me that you adore getting screamed at in four notes. Fantastic for you. The guys have many more options than our poor ladies, and rumor has it that Kat’s song has truly been leaked. We’ll find out if it’s absolutely true on Tuesday, but I believe it, seeing as it was like her only viable option….
Right now, the competition is truly anyone’s game, and really comes down to whose fans are texting. Text votes get through much faster, and if you want to make sure you make a difference, hop on board with many AI fans who are now buying Cingular Go phones. Cingular must be LOVING this! All fans better vote their fingers off, because at this point the only one who is safe is Taylor, fresh off his Vote for The Worst Win. This season, it really is a win, because all are talented, and frankly it’s really just more votes.
ON TO THE OPTIONS:
*It must be noted that most of the songs in the seventies show up multiple years as song of that year, which is very confusing, so as we don’t know AI’s rules, which are not stringent, I had to do some guess work.
CHRIS DAUGHTRY:
YEAR OF BIRTH: 1979
Chris picked a really fantastic year to be born…er…see there are many fantastic classic rock options available to him. This will be a piece of cake.
Shouldn’t Sing: “Dirty White Boy,” or “Mama’s Got a Squeeze Box” (Who would want to explain that “innuendo” to the kids?)
Should Sing:
-***”Old Time Rockin’ Roll”- Bob Segar- Chris needs to have some fun, and this would allow him to do that and still show off his vocals.
-*** “We’ve Got Tonight”- Bob Segar- If he goes up-tempo rock in the other genre, this would be really incredible. Man, it would make me almost switch teams, from Elliott that is….
-*** “Renegade”- Styx- This song shows up both Elliott and Chris’s year, and I think both guys would sound in-frickin-credible singing it.
-** “Dream On”- Aerosmith- Might be rough on him vocally, or he might pull out notes we didn’t know he had!
Other Options:
- “SlowRide”- Foghat
- “Rock & Roll Fantasy”- Bad Company
- “Babe”- Styx
- “Don’t Do Me Like That”- Tom Petty
- “Honesty”- Billy Joel
- “Logical Song”- Supertramp
- “Lovin’ Touchin’ Sqeezin’”- Journey
BILLBOARD TOP 10: He should not go totally obvious.
Shouldn’t Sing: “Poppin’ My Collar,” “World Wide Suicide,” “Hate Me,” or anything Nickelback or Staind. I’m also not a big fan of Godsmack’s “Speak,” Evans Blue’s “Cold,” or Tool’s “Vicarious.”
Should Sing:
-*** “I Dare You”- Shinedown- If he must rock hard modern, this song is actually really good. Has many notes involved, and actually is decently catchy.
-*** “You’re Beautiful”- James Blunt- If he rocks hard for his birth year, this would be subtly and surprising.
Other Options:
-“Savin’ Me”- Nickelback- If he has to.
- “You and Me”- alternate for “You’re Beautiful”
- “Over My Head”- The Fray
- “Dani California”- RHCP
- “Right Here”- Staind- Last resort…
Best Song Combinations:
#1: “We’ve Got Tonight” & “I Dare You”
#2: “Renegade” & “You’re Beautiful”
#3: “Old Time Rock and Roll” & “I Dare You”
#4: “Dream On” & “I Dare You”
KATHARINE MCPHEE:
BIRTH YEAR: 1984 (same as me!)
Kat doesn’t have a lot of options here…..
Shouldn’t Sing: “Like a Virgin,” especially after that yellow dress last week, “What’s Love Got to DO With It,” don’t jump from Whitney to Tina, bad idea. “Ghostbusters,” yes that was one of the highest selling song of the year, or Van Halen’s “Jump.”
Should Sing:
-*** “We Belong”- Pat Benatar: I really think this is her best bet. Doesn’t go to terribly high, and her voice should sound great on this.
-** “Love is a Battlefield”- Pat Benatar- As long as she doesn’t do the shimmy dance from the video.
- “Time After Time”- Cyndi Lauper- I think she should stick to Pat, you can do more vocally.
Other Options:
- “Borderline” –Madonna- please don’t Kat
- “When Doves Cry” –Prince
- “Let’s Hear it For the Boy”
BILLBOARD TOP 10: Apparently we know what she is singing.
Shouldn’t Sing: “Beep”- ***** Cat Dolls, though it would be hysterical commentary on her soliciting of votes last week. Yeah Kat, you have a real big heart, but America was lookin’ at yer…huh….
Should Sing: If she doesn’t go with the song leaked, she really doesn’t have a lot of options.
- ***“ Black Horse and Cherry Tree”- I don’t blame her for picking this, great song, but doesn’t really show off vocally, which means she’s going to have to kick Benatar into high gear….
- “Probably Wouldn’t Be”- LeeAnn Rimes- I know right….
- “Like We Never Loved”- Faith Hill- Ugh…
- “Love”- Keyshia Cole
Other Options:
- “Walk Away”- Kelly Clarkson- talk about risky
BEST SONG COMBINATIONS: (with the implications that she did pick the KT Tunstall song)
#1: “Black Horse” & “We Belong”
#2: “Black Horse” & “Love is a Battlefield”
TAYLOR HICKS:
YEAR OF BIRTH: 1976
Shouldn’t Sing: “You Sexy Thing,” “Love Machine,” or “Only Sixteen.”
Should Sing:
-*** “Carry On Our Wayward Son”- Kansas
-*** “Crazy on You”- Heart- Yes, it’s originally a female vocalist, but I think Taylor could rock it out
-*** “Take it To the Limit”- Eagles
-** “More than a Feelin’”- Boston- man he’d have to show off some range here
- “Play That Funky Music White Boy”- Elliott fans are hoping they let him thing this, because it also shows up all over the end of the seventies….
- “Fool to Cry”- Rolling Stones
Other Options:
- “Tonight’s the Night”- Rod Stewart
- “Lorelai”- Styx
- “Fly Like an Eagle”- SMB
- “American Girl” or “Breakdown” –Tom Petty
BILLBOARD TOP 10:
Shouldn’t Sing: “Save the Last Dance”- Michael Buble
Should Sing:
-*** “Who Says You Can’t Come Home”- Bon Jovi- really I think this is the only truly suitable song for Taylor to sing. And he better not screw it up, because I am the hugest Bon Jovi fan on the planet.
-* “Steady as She Goes”- The Raconteurs
BEST SONG COMBINATIONS:
#1: “Carry On Our Wayward Son” & “Who Says You Can’t”
#2: “Crazy on You” & “Who Says You Can’t”
#3: “Take it To the Limit” & “Steady as She Goes”
PARIS BENNET:
BIRTH YEAR: 1989
Shouldn’t Sing: DON’T DO WHITNEY, DON’T DO WHITNEY, DON’T DO WHITNEY, DON’T DO WHITNEY! Or Tracey Chapman, it’s too low, or Natalie Cole, it’s a lame song.
Should Sing:
-*** “Givin’ You The Best That I’ve Got”- Anita Baker- awesome
-*** “Listen to Your Heart” –Roxette- and it was just covered, so young kids will know
Other Options:
- “Tell it To My Heart” or “I’ll Always Love You”- Taylor Dayne
- “I Hate Myself” –Joan Jett
- “Eternal Flame”- Bangles
BILLBOARD TOP 10
Shouldn’t Sing: “Because of You” or “Pump It”
Should Sing:
- *** “Be Without You”- Mary J. Blige
- *** “Walk Away”- Kelly Clarkson- I actually trust that this could be good, and it’s really the only up-tempo option she has for any genre.
- ** “Love” –Keyshia Cole
BEST SONG COMBINATION:
#1: “Givin’ You The Best” & “Walk Away”
#2: “Listen to Your Heart” & “Love”
ELLIOTT YAMIN:
BIRTH YEAR 1978
I really don’t think “Play That Funky Music White Boy” is an option for his year, and even though Paula called him that, I don’t think you should ever choose a song because of a statement made by Miss Abdul.
Shouldn’t Sing: “Short People,” hahaha, “Running on Empty,” because it’s too good of a title if he gets kicked off, and regardless of what some of the E-train says, I don’t think he should sing “On Broadway,” “Use Ta Be My Girl,” or “Reminiscing.” No “Three Times a Lady” either! Boring!
Should Sing:
-*** “Lights”- Journey- oh the bridge….Elliott singing the bridge…
-** “She’s Always a Woman”- Billy- beautiful, but could be boring…
-** “You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth”- Meatloaf
- * “Renegade”- Styx- again him or Chris singing this would be so cool
- * “Point of No Return”- Kansas
Other Options:
- “Only the Good Die Young”- Billy Joel
- “You’re In My Heart”- Rod Stewart
- “Just the Way You Are”- Billy Joel
- “Come Together” – Aerosmith
BILLBOARD TOP 10
SHOULDN’T Sing: “Lean Wit it, Rock Wit it,” even if that is sort of what his “dancing” looks like, or “So Sick,” too repetitive of a song, would be a cop out for E.
Should Sing:
- *** “Lonely No More”- Rob Thomas- I Can’t Stand Rob, or this song, but I think Elliott would do a really sexy, likeable version…
- ** “Can’t Let Go”- Anthony Hamilton- though I think he needs to go outside his R&B, jazzy run, comfort zone
- “Beautiful”- James Blunt- Him or Chris could do this, if they don’t ballad it up in their birth year.
Other Options- That would be really wild!
- “The Only Difference”- Panic at the Disco
- “I Bet You Look” – Arctic Monkeys
- “Unpredictable”- Jaime Foxx
BEST SONG COMBINATION:
#1: “Lights” & “Lonely No More”
#2: “Renegade” & “Beautiful”
#3: “You Took the Words” & “Lonely No More”
My mom is a classic rock buff who used to make me name Zeppelin, Kansas, Skynrd, Styx, and many more tunes after hearing only the first riff of a song. This is why, the guys may only have classic rock options, which might be upsetting to you. I just don’t care about anything else that was going on musically at that time, and it shows. Sorry. We’ll see if I get any right. The picking was small with our modern crap, so I’m guessing I’ll do a decent job there, as anyone could. I can’t wait until TUESDAY!
Tell me what you think!
Idolhead Ed's take on Katherine the Great:
Katharine McPhee
At 21, Katharine is the second youngest. For me and my taste this is what the American Idol should be. Katharine is a captivating spirit. When we first saw her in her initial audition, I was with the judges, she was marvelous, but I was worried if she could keep it up. Shortly after she made the top 24 I did a little research on her. My worries about her endurance were soon put to rest. Discovering that she had been the lead in “Annie Get Your Gun” professionally, I knew she had the stamina to take on Idol. I wasn’t wrong. She hasn’t let down a bit and has gained a bit more confidence (not cockyness) in the process and it shows. Even when she made her notorious visit to the bottom two, it had little effect on her next week’s performance. She shined with a performance on Country night that left Simon, well…….speechless. I know, I know. It wasn’t the good kind of speechless but speechless none the less.
Her performances the last two weeks have been something special. The last was special enough to elicit an apology from Simon about his harsh judgment. I don’t think that has ever happened before. I’m not to sure that will ever happen again. Her version of “I Have Nothing” was something really special. I think five people have sung that on Idol and While Jennifer Hudson’s was good Trenyce’s was better. I also liked Leah LaBell’s version thought was not in the league of Jennifer or Trenyce. All this being said, they sang it almost identical to the original. Katharine on the other hand made it her own. And on the last “Don’t make me close one more door she did a trill on “one” the likes I have only heard once in my life. It was totally controlled and would have torn the vocal chords on a less skilled and developed singer. Katharine is the stuff superstars are made of.
But can she sneak into that top 3 to fill the space Kellie has left open? I think so. But for this to happen, take a look at what has to happen. Only Chris I think is a sure bet for the top 3. Katharine will have to pass either Paris and Elliott or Taylor and Paris. My hope is that Elliott and Katharine are in the top 3 with Chris.
Voice: I think Katharine’s vocal chords were kissed by God. I think she has the best in the competition. Her tone and intonation are extraordinary. While her range is not the size of Paris’s, great singing is not about who can hit the high C, it’s about who can carry you away with their voice and Katharine does it every night.
Best Performance: a 3 way tie “Since I Fell”, “Someone to Watch over Me” and “I Have Nothing”. But for me every one is vault worthy.
What she needs to do to win: Katharine must have “a moment” and I think she will. She needs to pick her songs very carefully. Every one will count from here on out. The rumor is that Kat will sing “Black Horse and Cherry Tree” by KT Tunstall for her top 40 pick. If true, this is s great song choice for more than one reason; it’s upbeat, and a good song (Very rare to find this on the charts right now). If this is an indication of her picks, she’s on her way.
Chance of winning: Pretty good. The odds makers set their odds based on how people bet. Katharine has been around 2nd the entire season. She seems to be getting stronger too. While I’m hoping, I’m not betting.
And yes, I have also dropped any pretense of being objective and what can I say, it happens every year. Like Elliott has stolen the heart of JLynn, and Taylor has stolen the heart of LindaK, Katharine has stolen mine. Kat could chirp the alphabet and it would still send me over the edge. And for those of you who don’t think it’s fair, here’s what I’ve got to say: “My name is Ed and I’m a Katharinaholic” But I refuse to start the 12 step program.
A FINAL LOOK AT THE TOP 5 : ASSESSING THEIR CHANCES OF WINNING AND LOSING
http://mediafiends.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=7461&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0
As we look ahead, there are only two more themed shows and only four weeks left until the new American Idol is crowned. Let’s take an in-depth look at the greatest final five in the history of American Idol.
By Idolhead Ed
Early on it looked like this could be the most talent laden group of Idol wannabes ever. As it turned out, it not only looked like it, it is. We have five totally different types of singers left. So it just might come down to which type of singers has the largest number of fans in the US. Do they like Rockers? How about Jazz? Blues? Pop/Broadway? Or whatever Taylor is. I can’t quite put my finger on him but he is what he is and great at it. He is so unique, he may be like beer to a lot of viewers; an acquired taste. But no matter, I seriously doubt, seriously, that we will have even one bad performance the rest of the season. Before it’s said and done this group of five will sing 33 more songs before the winner is crowned. Enough to know who has it and who comes up a little short. In alphabetical order let’s evaluate.
Paris Bennett
At 17 she is, by a good margin, the youngest left in the competition but not the least talented by any means. Had Paris challenged Fantasia for the crown in Season 3, she very well could have won. For me she has a much better voice but does have considerably less life experience than Fantasia even though she is only two years younger than Fantasia when she won.
When we first heard Paris in the auditions it looked like she would have no problem winning the title this season. There were even some websites declaring, afterwards “The competition is over we have found the next American Idol. If she does not win the competition will be a fraud”. I too thought this could be the case. With the Minnie Mouse voice and the Billie Holliday pipes it was a dichotomy made for TV.
Something happened along the way and I’m not really sure what it was. I think Paris has been great every week. She has never had a bad week, ever. But Paris has gotten lost in the shuffle. With so many good singers, personalities, and performers this year, she was like a kid at the mall who got separated from her parents. Will she be separated for good after this week? I wouldn’t bet on it, or against it.
Paris has a voice 99.99999% of the people in this world would love to have. Her versions of “Fever” and “These Foolish Things” were two of the best songs of the season by anyone. Her tone is beautiful and soothing. She has power, clarity, and since Mandisa is gone she has the biggest range on the show as well. She does have some problems in her lower register but nothing significant enough to cause many problems. She is adorable and of course likable. Although I liked Kellie, she was not near as good of a vocalist as Paris and rightfully left before her.
This all being said it looks like Paris will be leaving us next. Does she deserve to? Probably not. But no matter, she now has more options than medical school if she chooses. Can Paris win? I don’t think so. She has way too many bodies to climb over to get there. Will she be a winner? She already is. Will she be going home next Wednesday night? Like I said, I wouldn’t bet on it and I wouldn’t bet against it.
Voice: Among the best ever on Idol
Best Performance of the Season: Tie between “Fever” and “These Foolish Things”. Both Vault worthy.
What she needs to do to win: Paris needs to pull some “All By Myselfs” a la LaToya London. Much more difficult to do than to talk about.
Chance of winning: A very long shot. Any other year, she’s in the finals.
Chris Daughtry
At 26, our resident Rocker is favored to win and with the exit of Kellie this week Simon’s top 3 has only two left; Chris being one of them. I wasn’t a big Chris fan at the beginning. I did think he was a very honorable and good man. But I didn’t care for his style. Over the course of the competition, as it is every year, contestants that stay around long enough either grow on you or grate on you. Without a doubt, Chris has grown on me. He impressed me early on with “Hemorrhage” and “Dead or Alive”. Still not convinced he had a great voice I thought he definitely had the presence of a winner. When it came time to tone it down this is when I jumped on the Chris bandwagon. The last two weeks with “A Wonderful World” and “Have you ever loved a Woman” are the best by any Rocker so far. It shows me and everyone else he actually has a great voice and is versatile. Chris is showing he could be the next Alice Cooper (except better looking). Those of you who have no idea who that is go check him out. Although Chris does have more pitch problems than anyone left, they are not an insurmountable problem especially in the studio. But his voice is recognizable and the tonal quality is exquisite. He has an adequate range and also knows who he is as a singer. A most important quality for any successful musician
Chris has endured the wrath of the judges more than a few times but has also gotten praise usually reserved for winners and deservedly so. I could easily see Chris winning and being an exemplarily champ for American Idol 5. Would I buy his CD? If I had been asked that question five weeks ago I probably would have said no or maybe. Today I say, absolutely! With the mix of hard and soft rock I’m sure would be there, it should be a double platinum seller…..at least. Can he win this edition of Idol? He sure can. Will he? I wouldn’t bet on it, or against it.
Voice: Very good now that I have actually heard it. I wouldn’t rank it in the top ten of all Idols but it is certainly adequate enough to be in contention to win.
Best Performance of the Season: A tie again between “Dead or Alive” and “When a Man Loves a Woman” Again two of the best ever. Both vault worthy and I don’t even like rock.
What he needs to do to win: Chris needs to choose songs that will appeal to the Rockers as well as the crowd who liked “A Wonderful World”. Melodic songs that rock and romance at the same time. Then do what he is doing.
Chance of Winning: Very, Very good. He is the consensus favorite. Anyone but Chris winning would be at the very least a mild upset.
Taylor Hicks
What can you say about Taylor? At 29 he is the oldest and easily the most unique contestant ever on Idol. Is this a good thing? You bet it is. People who don’t even watch the show know who he is. He has more ardent fans than anyone it seems. He is the other of Simon’s top 3 that is left. Does he have talent? More in his pinky than a lot of professionals out in the music business today. I know, I know, that isn’t saying much but you get the point. I didn’t think he would even make it to the top 24, but when he did I knew he would be around for a while. While Taylor isn’t exactly my style, I’m not the only person who votes on Idol, so my opinion is really mute.
Taylor is a born entertainer. I’m sure it comes as naturally to him as breathing. He is so easy to watch on stage and as he feels the music he makes us feel it as well. While I consider his the weakest voice left in the competition, Taylor more than makes up for it in performing. This is why he is such a big hit in the clubs down here in the South. He has the ability to whip the audience into a frenzy with his on stage antics.
Taylor has incurred his share of the judge’s wrath. It doesn’t seem to faze him at all. Or his fans. Can he win? Absolutely. Will he? At one point I thought it was inevitable but he now seems vulnerable. With Katharine and Chris pounding away and Elliott snagging up new fans every week, it seems to be less of a possibility. But I wouldn’t bet on it, or against it.
Voice: As Billy Joel once said his voice is adequate, in the same way so is Taylor’s. It is the weakest by a margin of the contestants left.
Best Performance: Another tie between “Levon” and “You Send Me”. This is what makes Taylor worth watching.
What he needs to do to win: Taylor needs to keep singing songs he can put his personality and dance moves in. They also need to have very good melodies
Chance of Winning: Good. Even though he seems to have lost some early steam, don’t count him out. The VFTW crowd is now with him and that can only help his chances. You know we have some good contestants when VFTW has to resort to picking Taylor.
Katharine McPhee:
At 21, Katharine is the second youngest. For me and my taste this is what the American Idol should be. Katharine is a captivating spirit. When we first saw her in her initial audition, I was with the judges, she was marvelous, but I was worried if she could keep it up. Shortly after she made the top 24 I did a little research on her. My worries about her endurance were soon put to rest. Discovering that she had been the lead in “Annie Get Your Gun” professionally, I knew she had the stamina to take on Idol. I wasn’t wrong. She hasn’t let down a bit and has gained a bit more confidence (not cockyness) in the process and it shows. Even when she made her notorious visit to the bottom two, it had little effect on her next week’s performance. She shined with a performance on Country night that left Simon, well…….speechless. I know, I know. It wasn’t the good kind of speechless but speechless none the less.
Her performances the last two weeks have been something special. The last was special enough to elicit an apology from Simon about his harsh judgment. I don’t think that has ever happened before. I’m not to sure that will ever happen again. Her version of “I Have Nothing” was something really special. I think five people have sung that on Idol and While Jennifer Hudson’s was good Trenyce’s was better. I also liked Leah LaBell’s version thought was not in the league of Jennifer or Trenyce. All this being said, they sang it almost identical to the original. Katharine on the other hand made it her own. And on the last “Don’t make me close one more door she did a trill on “one” the likes I have only heard once in my life. It was totally controlled and would have torn the vocal chords on a less skilled and developed singer. Katharine is the stuff superstars are made of.
But can she sneak into that top 3 to fill the space Kellie has left open? I think so. But for this to happen, take a look at what has to happen. Only Chris I think is a sure bet for the top 3. Katharine will have to pass either Paris and Elliott or Taylor and Paris. My hope is that Elliott and Katharine are in the top 3 with Chris.
Voice: I think Katharine’s vocal chords were kissed by God. I think she has the best in the competition. Her tone and intonation are extraordinary. While her range is not the size of Paris’s, great singing is not about who can hit the high C, it’s about who can carry you away with their voice and Katharine does it every night.
Best Performance: a 3 way tie “Since I Fell”, “Someone to Watch over Me” and “I Have Nothing”. But for me every one is vault worthy.
What she needs to do to win: Katharine must have “a moment” and I think she will. She needs to pick her songs very carefully. Every one will count from here on out. The rumor is that Kat will sing “Black Horse and Cherry Tree” by KT Tunstall for her top 40 pick. If true, this is s great song choice for more than one reason; it’s upbeat, and a good song (Very rare to find this on the charts right now). If this is an indication of her picks, she’s on her way.
Chance of winning: Pretty good. The odds makers set their odds based on how people bet. Katharine has been around 2nd the entire season. She seems to be getting stronger too. While I’m hoping, I’m not betting.
And yes, I have also dropped any pretense of being objective and what can I say, it happens every year. Like Elliott has stolen the heart of JLynn, and Taylor has stolen the heart of LindaK, Katharine has stolen mine. Kat could chirp the alphabet and it would still send me over the edge. And for those of you who don’t think it’s fair, here’s what I’ve got to say: “My name is Ed and I’m a Katharinaholic” But I refuse to start the 12 step program.
Elliott Yamin
As luck would have it the alphabetical listing save what I think is the best two for last. Elliot is this season’s 27 year old version of Clay. He started out short on looks and confidence but big on voice. He actually looks quite appealing now. There was never a real question about his voice. He is the only contestant left that got no face time. “He’s done the impossible and that makes him mighty”. (If you recognize this quote, Go Browncoats!) Elliot has had to earn every fan from the get go. Not that Taylor, Katharine, Paris, and Chris haven’t, they just got a good head start. He overcame the biggest obstacle in his path; being one of the unknown 24. While he has made a few detours along the way, he has managed to keep it on the road. His “Moody’s Mood….” is still the best male vocal of the season by a stretch and arguably of everyone.
Elliot has been the prototypical underdog and is garnering new fans every week and not by default. His attitude is always in the right place. He is very grateful for every minute he is on that stage and we as voters see and appreciate that. Elliott is the guy next door except the guy next door can sing his ass off. Elliott has been virtually pitch perfect every night. While I won’t go as far as JLynn and say every night he was the best thing since Frank and Dean, but he has been almost mistake free and that’s how he has climbed into this very elite top 5.
Voice: Along with Clay, Elliott’s is the best male voice Idol has ever had. How about that? Simon is right again. Different from Clay, Elliott has tones of gold and control of every vibration in his throat. His is a CD I would be waiting in line for.
Best performance: Easily “Moody’s Mood…” This was so good he hasn’t been able to tie it or surpass it. Oh yeah, it’s in the vault.
What he needs to do to win: Elliott needs to find another “Moody...” and soon. Overcoming the fan bases of Chris and Taylor will be a mighty task. I have no Idea what he can sing for Top 40, but 27 years ago there was actually some good stuff on the radio. He needs not to be nervous. (and I need to invent a car that runs on water) Easier said.
Chance of winning: Slim but possible. If Elliott does pull some “Moody’s…” from his sleeve and others stumble….
It’s hard to believe we are almost to the end. I love every contestant left and I know I have never been ever able to say this in any other season. Every elimination night from here on out is going to be really, really rough. Someone great is going to leave every single Wednesday.
I am so hoping for an Elliott/Katharine final. It would be a fitting end to a great season if the very best singers in the very best season could duke it out in then Kodak theatre May 23rd. I believe it would be the best final in Idol history.
Is it Tuesday yet?
Idolhead Ed
Thanks so much for sharing this! I am in the market for that voice. He truly killed me singing Stevie Wonder.
Ooops. Doubtful without some help from the transplant community. Only a very select few have made it 50 years into diabetes life. We have a son with it and are hoping for 40 years, post-dx.
Idolhead gives a very interesting review. I agree this is by far the best Top 5 in AI history. I disagree that Kat's voice is as golden as his biased opinion. She sounds off when she goes high and/or loud. Maybe he likes her rack and doesn't notice it :)
MY COMMENT ABOUT THE ARTICLE IN POST # 9654 :
(This is from a Taylor AND Elliott fan who has heard Taylor's CD and WILL IMMEDIATELY buy Elliott's CD if he comes out with one ).
Seems like in the author’s opinion, Taylor isn’t about singing ( he has the weakest voice among the remaining according to the author ), but about performing and entertaining.
I’d like to hear your opinions on this one ( especially about his singing, which the author does not seem to be impressed ).
In my opinion there is a grain of truth in it, BUT NOT BECAUSE Taylor cannot sing. It is simply because :
A) Of Taylor’s own poor song choices (e.g. EASY, NOT FADE AWAY, which were for me, lost opportunities to showcase his voice ).
B) Producer’s sabotage ( in 2 occassions, he was NOT ALLOWED to choose his own songs which IMO, FIT THE THEME. For instance, Country Night, when they disallowed inexplicably, his Hank Williams Jr song, and of course last week when his TRY A LITTLE TENDERNESS was sabotaged ).
C) Taylor’s most memorable performances were all about ENTERTAINING rather than showcasing singing ( e.g., TAKING IT TO THE STREETS, LIVING IN THE CITY ).
D) The great vocals that could have been highlighted were NOT ENOUGH to showcase his ability to show his RANGE and POWER to sustain notes ( the way he did with say, GEORGIA ).
Why is that ? Simple — the TIME LIMITATION that he has to perform with plus his song choices did him in. For instance, He was just getting into the climax of the song TROUBLE ( which do showcase vocals ) when he had to end because the 90 second time limit was up.
The only good “vocal” he was able to showcase was the song YOU SEND ME.
That is why when a lot of you recommended Taylor sing for this week — NIGHT MOVES — by Bob Seger, I shook my head and said — GREAT FOR TAYLOR, BAD FOR THIS WEEK AND VENUE.
NIGHT MOVES is arguably a song fitting Taylor to a “T” but ( assuming Seger allows it to be sang) if you listened to the song, it takes close to a minute to start getting the song going with a flourish and another minute to start its rousing climax.
Taylor can only do that in concert, not in AI. By the time he is about to reach the climactic moment, he has to finish and Randy is going to again say — not the best song for you ( how many times has he said that ?).
At any rate, I can understand why he gives people like this writer the impression that he has the weakest vocals of those remaining. Taylor isn’t the type of singer you should pigeon hole into a 90 second song. MOST OF THE SONGS IN HIS ALBUM LAST AT LEAST 3 to 4 minutes and his version of GEORGIA was close to 7 minutes long !
Taylor is the sort of singer who needs TIME to GET GOING. Unfortunately, AI does not give you this luxury. Hence, this impression from the article.
IMO, Taylor's voice is third best. Elliot and Paris are 1-2. Kat's is the worst, Chris is the most limited of the men. They all have their strengths though. I'll take Taylor's voice with his ability to feel the music and perform over any of them. But you are right, he is not a 90-second type.
I like Taylor's singing, and I like his charisma and fun-loving nature a great deal too. You cannot underestimate the latter in a contest like this one.
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