Herewith, is a RECAP/DIGEST of all the comments I agree with plus my own words of (un)wisdom as a music lover.
Hello Mr and Mrs International and all the ships at sea. Welcome to what for me, is probably one of the best Idol shows in its 5 seasons of existence. For those anticipating it on delayed telecast, DON'T MISS THIS. IT's GOOD.
And I'd like to welcome my sister in law from South Africa who asked to be added to the mailing list. YES FOLKS, the show is being shown there as well ( wonder if Nelson Mandela is watching.... ).
ON TO THE SHOW....
Ryan welcomes us, saying, “The pressure is on… as the family unit shrinks yet again.” Last week, we said goodbye to Bucky, and in response to the boos, Ryan says not to complain if you don’t vote. As for tonight’s music, Ryan says, “Don’t let the fact that Simon is underdressed fool you.” (undress ? HE HE HE, he's always dressed like that ! With his millions, all he does is spend them on the same black or white T-shirt). The contestants will be performing from the great American songbook with “rock legend” Rod Stewart.
Rod Stewart began his career as a rock star, but since then, he’s switched to classic standards ( yep, he's in his 60's now and you can't be running around doing the same schtick forever. Gotta slow down ). But man, he clearly isn't slowing down.... look at his new fiance and their kid ?? How man times has the man been married ??
Old rockers never die, they just keep marrying younger women and having more babies.
Rod says we wouldn’t have had rock and roll without these songs. American music started with blues, then jazz – like these songs- then swing, then rock. “It’s all connected,” Rod explains. He says he’s always loved these songs. His Great American Songbook series has sold over 16 million copies. Rod meets the Idols with his cute baby and his bride to be. Rod says he couldn’t have done this at their age. He jokes he’s going to go back to singing rock songs. Ryan tells us that Rod will perform live for this week’s results show.
Actually the song catalog is LIMITED to Rod's best selling 4 CD set --- GREAT AMERICAN SONGBOOK VOLUMES 1 to 4.
The Great American Songbook is an informal term referring to a period of American popular music songwriting that took place between the 1930s and 1950s. It is considered by many to be the peak of the popular songwriting craft.
Characteristically these songs feature strong melodies, thoughtful lyrics incorporating sophisticated rhymes, and a skillful thematic connection between music and words.
Over the years a number of singers have explicitly recorded or performed large parts of the Great American Songbook, beginning with Ella Fitzgerald's popular and influential Sings the ... Songbook series on Verve in the 1950s and 60's, Tony Bennett at different times in his career, and continuing in more recent years with Linda Ronstadt, Michael Buble, Michael Feinstein, Queen Latifah, Joni Mitchell, John Pizzarelli, Boz Scaggs, Carly Simon, John Stevens (singer Idol contestant). Barbra Streisand has also chosen a huge part of her repertoire from the Songbook, and lately Bette Midler and Rod Stewart.
SO, WHO IS GOING TO START FIRST ???
CHRIS DAUGHTRY starts us off looking like a clean cut version of Vin Diesel.
Chris Daughtry thinks we’ll be surprised by him this week. He is going to sing “What a Wonderful World,” and no, it’s not a rock band’s cover version of the song. Chris says this will be different for him, but the values in it mean a lot to him. He admits it’s harder for him to sing a song like this. Rod says Chris did a wonderful job and that this is a breakout for him. Ozzie Osbourne is a rocker like Chris, and Rod says Ozzie couldn’t sing this song.
Remember who absolutely owned this song last season ? Yes, that's right ANWAR ROBINSON with his over the top bombastic ending. But Chris has for some reason, decided to go mellow !
For the last few weeks I’ve been saying “Wow me or else” about Chris. Well…consider me wowed! He did a great job just singing the song rather than screaming it. He was in tune, showed vulnerability, and, near the end, also seemed to exhibit some control over his vibrato. Job well done. Who says this guy can't be flexible ? Who says he’s only into the yelling and screaming ? He can show his sensitive side if he wants to.
Thanks to him, I am no longer sick of ‘What a Wonderful World.’ Imagine, from this rocker, line! Dynamics! Phrasing! Beautifully shaded vocal coloring! I actually got a little misty listening to him. Chris should take elements of this performance and apply them to everything he does, even the darkest, most growly alt-rock. Chris proved tonight that he is not one dimensional but is versatile. KUDOS.
Predictably, Simon takes some credit for the performance- he’s said for a while that Chris needs to change his style, and by listening to Simon, Chris has proven himself. It was a great performance.
We're off to a good start !
Paris Bennett is up next, and she chats with Ryan about her weekend, which included an Easter basket, dancing, and roller skating- least we should forget how young she is. She’s comfortable with the theme, and she liked the song choices- Billie Holiday, Nat King Cole, and Ella Fitzgerald. Ryan says she looks classy. Rod says Paris has a jazz background and slipped into “Foolish Things” nicely. He thinks she has a touch of Billie Holiday in her. Her mom is in the room and is crying. She’s proud Paris has made it so far. Rod says Paris has great emotion, especially for her age
I am just all over the board with her. One week I think she’s an overly-affected poseur, the next week I’m her biggest fan. Tonight? She gave me chills. Seriously. She is incredibly gifted, especially for a teenager. Plus, she looked great tonight – very sleek and sophisticated. Wow.
The Paris I fell in love with, the girl with the glorious voice who gave one of the best pre-audition performances in Idol History with her Billie Holiday, she’s back in all her glory !
At last we get to hear what this girl really SOUNDS like! What a beautiful instrument she has! And her interpretation was just perfect, incredibly mature for a 17 year old (with less than 24 hours’ prep time!). And her stage prescence, even standing there looking elegant and not moving around a whole lot, is still formidable. This is the way she needs to sing ALL the time, and if I hear any more of that oversinging crap I will now scream bloody murder, because I now know she is capable of this. She is truly deserving of a long and fabulous career. Brava.
(PS, I’m hearing a little rasp creeping into her speaking voice. More reason she needs to be very careful and NOT OVERSING! )
HEY, WHAT's HAPPENING TO SIMON --- He's been positive with both performers thus far !!
Ryan accuses Simon of “sipping the happy fuel.” Simon is, after all, a lot more positive than he’s been in weeks. But to be fair, the contestants are sounding a lot better.
Ryan says Taylor is about to bust a move. Over the weekend, Saturday Night Live did a parody of Taylor. He says he “fell out on the floor” laughing. It doesn’t hurt his feelings- he’s flattered. He’s excited about tonight and loves the music. Taylor says he was thrilled to meet Rod Stewart. He’s going to sing “You Send Me” by Sam Cooke. He can tell Rod loves Sam Cooke. Rod says Taylor does a great version of the and encourages him to throw himself around, no matter what Simon says. Rod says that to him, it’s not just about singing, but also about performing. This is the way to grab the audience by the balls, Rod says. He then laughs, wondering if he can say balls. The answer is that on American Idol, it’ll get you bleeped. But I'll give Rod the ballsy award here for defending Taylor.
Rod, the performer finds in Taylor, a kindred spirit because he knows you have to connect with people and it's also about showmanship.
Taylor had an impossible task: to perform Sam Cooke's "You Send Me" without sounding like he was playing at someone's Sweet 16 party. Since Taylor has always been more of an entertainer than a vocalist, it was hard for him to make the performance original – until he saved it in the second half of the song by flashing things up a bit and breaking out the trademarked dance moves. Unlike Daughtry, Hicks has found his style and is sticking to it – he'll win or lose this competition on personality, performing and moxie.
I said a few days ago that this is an incredibly smart man, and he proved it tonight. I thought his understated performance was slick and sexy and, when he let loose at the end, very exciting. I loved the way he worked the camera and the audience and used that great face (especially those magnificent brows) to such great effect. I still think this wasn’t the ideal vocal showpiece for him, but his voice sounded excellent, and he managed to transform the song into something ‘magic’, as Simon put it, as the performance progressed. Wowie. I’m with Simon. The first verse was very reserved and I thought that it was going to be a safe, boring performance, but then…magic. This is what Taylor does best, and he knocked it outta the park tonight. I loved it.
Taylor likes to end his songs with his well known bluesy, soulful, spazzy bend your body style and then end with a flourish and panache. He outdid Sam Cooke’s version ( which I believe was his influence ).
Lookie here, we have Latoya London, one of the greatest Idol singers ( who should have won instead of Fantasia IMHO) in the audience giving Taylor a standing O ! This must count for something !
Next comes... ELLIOTT, My smooth, jazzy favorite. I'd listen to him all day if his CD were in my car.
Elliott is honored to be around Rod. He’s singing “It Had to Be You,” and Rod says it was a great choice for Elliott. Elliott says it’s the kind of music he grew up with and likes to listen to. Rod thinks he has a great blue-eyed soul voice. Rod then realizes that the year Elliott was born, he had a hit song with “Do Ya Think I’m Sexy” and suddenly feels old.
I think that Simon was right. Standards should have been in Elliott’s wheelhouse, and it was a very solid vocal. Still, there is something about Elliott that has me solidly in his corner. I don’t know what it is – maybe the underdog thing? – but I have never rooted for a contestant as much as I’m rooting for E. In fact, I am voting for him tonight after five seasons of watching Idol, I can’t think of anyone I am rooting for like I root for him. Unlike his good friend, Taylor who has gobs of fans, Elliott is vulnerable and I’m doing my best to keep him in. I like him that much. But man, Elliott’s IT HAD TO BE YOU surpassed Harry Connick Jr. and I am not one to exagerrate.
I really like Elliott’s quality and think this is where he belongs, musically. This night was made for Mr E. and he SUNG it as the guys in Motown would say.
I can absolutely see him having a career as a crooner - maybe if he doesn’t win this he should cross over to Simon’s “America’s Got Talent” show and try to win a Vegas contract. I thought he was a little sharp, like he was off his breath support, for a lot of the song, again attributable to nerves. I absolutely disagree with Simon’s comment about personality, to the point that I wonder if Simon was deliberately playing the reverse-psychology card in order to mobilize Elliott’s voting corps: “Well here I am, Mr. Meanie, and Iiiiiii’m worrrrried about Elliott. Better get off your duffs and vote for him, America!” Elliott smiled, acted, worked the camera, even started off leaning on the mike stand (ok I wasn’t so enamored of that, as nobody in real life would ever lean casually on a mike stand. LOL.) He is so close to being Vegas-ready though. Maybe after the show is over (or he is eliminated, whichever comes first) Paula would consider working with him a bit (she should work with Taylor as well, though I was really impressed with what he did tonight).
The vocals were very good, and he tried very hard, BUT ( you know this word was coming ) his performing skills just aren't equal to the rest of the competition when everyone's at their best. He did well, but he made up no ground on the leaders, a dangerous situation for someone who's been in the bottom three two weeks in a row.
Next comes the girl who I'd rather hear TALK than SING.
Yes folks, everytime she's on, my first question is NOT what's she going to SING but WHAT's SHE GOING TO SAY ?
My favorite hickster, the Pickler herself --- Kellie.
Rod thinks that Kellie Pickler is a firecracker. Then it’s time for a typical Kellie moment. She says she needs to have the words close by just in case, and Rod jokes that she should get the lyrics, too. Kellie says, “Huh?” and he has to explain that it was a joke.
Classic line : "Kellie, words and lyrics mean the same thing !!" ( I think that was spontaneous too ).
All right, already. Kellie is going to do “Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered.” Rod thinks it’s a good choice for her. He encourages her to pause between the words. He was impressed by her. She says he took a load off her chest, which makes him laugh.
FRIENDS AND FANS OF Kellie, you are going to tar and feather me for saying this.... but do you want me to be honest ? or do you want me to color coat the whole deal ?
HONESTLY ....
She started out quite well, actually, but….whoa there were some flat notes in there when she went to the middle. She knew it, too. I hate to say it, but I was actually rooting for her at the beginning of the song because I love her song choice, but…yes, Kellie. You did butcher it. However, I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I thought that she was classy (wha??) and composed during the judges’ comments. Still, she’s a brainless twit ( or acting like one ) whom I want off my TV yesterday. She looked lovely tonight, though ( see ? I'm being positive ). Kellie has shown that she is the sort of singer who needs a lot of technical help from studio whizzes to make her sound perfect. She can’t do Tony Bennet’s unplugged that’s for sure. The worst of the bunch tonight ( sorry Kellie fans).
OK, I have finally really heard La Piccola Pickle’s voice, and I have a modest proposal for her. She needs to get herself to a speech coach, pronto, lose the twang, and dump country. I’m serious. The twang, the nasality, is ruining her really beautiful sound, and she isn’t serving herself by continuing to sing this way. When she went for those high notes and shoved the sound into her nose I yelled, “NOOOOO!” I really wanted her to raise her soft palate, open her mouth and let what should have been a gorgeous money note for her sail out there. She was obviously a bit out of sorts with this song since she got ahead of the band and generally stood there like an uncomfy-looking statue. But the girl has a voice and is quick on her feet. She will have to lose the accent anyway if, as Paula suggests, she is to have an acting career. OR if she must sing country, you know not all country singers have to twang.
I'll say this of Kellie ---- It wasn't lack of talent so much as her usual lack of interest in anything much outside her chosen field of country music.
On a night of great performances, this really stuck out like a sore thumb. She did look beautiful, and at the beginning, it sounded great, but she totally fell apart. Her pitch was terrible, and it’s just not the kind of thing we should hear at this point in the competition. However, I think that Kellie’s humility and willingness to admit that it was a rough performance will gain her a lot of sympathy. THAT's WHAT SHE's GOOD AT AND SHE's BEEN DOING THAT SINCE TIME IMMEMORIAL, TO GREAT EFFECT I MIGHT ADD !
Kellie boos herself and agrees that the nerves bothered her and she got ahead of the music. She promises not to put us through the torture of doing it again. Yeah right, I think we'll go through this again next week. Her fans will keep hwe SAFE I guarantee that.
NEXT, COMES THE HEART THROB --- Ace Young and lookie here -- DID HE CUT HIS HAIR ? Ace looks so different with his hair back and in a suit.
Ace Young says he’s singing “That’s All,” a fun, playful song. He was worried at the beginning at how Rod Stewart would react to him and kept looking to him for approval. He was amazed when Rod said he was “absolutely brilliant.” Ace is thrilled.
AS SOON AS I HEARD THE TITLE OF THE SONG I SAID TO MYSELF, COULD THE TITLE BE A PREDICTION AS WELL ??
Honestly, I love this song. The first time I heard it was Nat King Cole's version and I instantly loved it.
I imagine that the Ace fans will dig this performance, but I did just a little. It is one of my favorite songs and Ace chose well. The vocals were forced and nasal as usual, and Ace seems to have difficulty transitioning from the more robust notes to quieter ones.
Randy hit the nail on the head - Ace’s ‘money’ is his falsetto - and he did a very nice job of using it tonight. I have been making the Andy Gibb analogy for the past few days with my friends, but I really think it applies: people used to talk about the Bee Gees and brother Andy as if all they used was falsetto, but that is… well… false. They were simply very high, light tenors who sang in full voice but were able to seamlessly move into falsetto and back down into their full-voice placement. They also had a chest-voice connection and support in their sound that made them sound masculine. Ace hasn’t found this yet, but he is finding the rest, and I think he did some lovely singing tonight.
On a sartorial note, I love the suit — but the hair?
Ace was not bad, but the bridge to the middle showed some off pitches. I think he’s in most danger of leaving tomorrow, but he’ll leave with his head high. Simon even complimented him with "It wasn't bad" ( but is that him trying to keep Ace's fans complacent ?).
The sound itself was fine, though not enough to keep him from a nervous 24 hours before Wednesday's results show.
Folks, did you know that Katie Holmes just gave birth to Tom Cruise's baby ? The poor kid will be getting a Vegan diet.
Anyway, here comes someone who can pass off as Katie's little sister but who CAN SING !!
Katharine McPhee is trying to decide on her song. She sings a bit of “I Only Have Eyes For You,” followed by “The Way You Look Tonight.” Rod dances with one of the vocal coaches, then harmonizes with her. He thinks she was born to sing the standards. He rips up the last song she’s considering because he’s planning to sing it for the results show, which makes Katharine laugh. She ultimately chooses “Someone To Watch Over Me.” Rod thinks she’s fantastic.
REMEMBER WHO MADE THIS SONG HER OWN AND TOTALLY MEMORABLE ? Paula and Kat remember --- the young woman in the movie -- Mr Holland's Opus. Someone help me -- her name in the movie was Rowena but who was the actress who played her ?
Kat has spent a lifetime practicing the classics. Oh, wait. Her mom is a voice teacher. She has indeed spent a lifetime practicing songs like this one, and it showed. She was the most polished of the seven finalists, and she would be the clear favorite to win it all if the producers decided to make this about songs that last hit the charts when the singers' grandparents were young.
This song is one of my all-time favorites. I thought that she did a terrific job (her voice is absolutely suited to this genre), and Randy was right — she’s in her element. When you throw a fish to the water, the fish will swim and Katharine will sing if you throw her into this genre.
Of course, Simon’s comment about her making the others look like amateurs is OVER THE TOP.
But, *please* stop smiling! This is a plaintive song! Also, I know it’s over-stated at this point, but is she just the most stunning contestant ever on AI? Good lord, she’s beautiful. Move over Kate Holmes, you got a younger version of yourself who can sing.
Ya know folks, I pick on Kat, probably because I see her potential and how close she is to greatness. She has a really gorgeous sound and is beautiful to boot, which I thought for the first time she really showed off tonight. I think her stylistic sense in this music is ready for prime-time, and yet I can hear her singing many other genres. I am glad she got the pimp position (and the bigtime pimpage from the judges) - she deserved it.
Surely this girl can sing forte without resorting to nasality - or if she can’t, someone needs to TEACH her to. Trying to imitate what she does, I think she closes off her throat and forces the sound into her nose. If she were a man, this would cause her to sound like Kermit the Frog, but fortunately she isn’t. She can even belt if she wants to, but that raising the back of her tongue thing (that’s the opposite of what should be happening) has got to go. BUT… her style and phrasing were gorgeous, her voice (when she wasn’t belting) was beautiful, and she of course looked like a million bucks. She’s a true performer, and I think she made a case for winning this shootin’ match.
And I can understand why she is hated by a lot of women voters…. She’s too perfect ! Voice, talent and looks ! WHY CAN’T OTHERS HAVE THEM TOO ?
The contestants are hard to rank tonight, THE GAP IS QUITE SMALL, MOST WERE GOOD. but I’ll do my best.
1. Katharine
2. Elliott
3. Paris
4. Taylor
5. Chris
6. Ace
7. Kellie
WHO SHOULD GO : Kellie
WHO WILL GO : Ace ( PLEASE NOT ELLIOTT )
Terrific show tonight. Everyone brought their A-game. Guess it goes to show you what happens when the contestants get to sing songs that are classics for good reason, instead of the crap that passes for pop music today.
Rod Stewart was classy. What a great gentleman. A very good influence IMHO. He and Barry Manilow are thus far, the best guests on the show.
YES ! ONE OF THE BEST SHOWS IN AI HISTORY.
That’s the reason why they ARE standards ! They will be sang and re-sang for generations. TRY DOING THAT TO A BRITNEY SPEARS SONG.
HERE's A CHALLENGE -----> Try making songs like these you 21st century song writers ! Let's see if Britney or Christina's songs get to be standards 20 years from now....