The Top 6 finalists will take on the classic music of rock super group Queen tonight.
Bohemian Rhapsody was a huge hit for Queen not just once but twice. The first time around it peaked at #9 in 1976, but after it was used in the movie Wayne's World it went all the way up to #2 in 1992. The song is a vocal roller coaster that allowed for Jessica Sanchez to rise to the challenge and take us on a wild ride. She was able to display her range and versatility by veering away from her usual R&B ballad style and completely embody the role of rocker chick.
Country girl Skylar Laine made a sincere effort to get out of her comfort zone and try something different with her performance of The Show Must Go On. The production was grand, hard rocking and over the top, but there were times in the song when the strength of her voice couldn't keep up with the drama in the song.
Crazy Little Thing Called Love spent 4 weeks at #1 on the Billboard HOT 100 in 1980. Joshua Ledet used this fun and bouncy rockabilly number to completely take over the stage and own it. But to be honest, the song was better than the singer.
It is quite likely that Elise Testone is thrilled to have this opportunity to sing I Want It All as she perceives herself as a true classic rocker. The problem is that all the hard rock energy in the world isn't going to make up for her limited vocal range. Every note she tries to sing is forced and strained.
The song Fat Bottomed Girls that hit #24 in 1978 displayed the refreshing sense of humor and entertaining style that Queen brought to the pop music scene. Phillip Phillips took this playful anthem and dragged it down to an unpleasant level where he seemed much more angry than festive. This guy has no range at all.
Hollie Cavanagh just makes it look so easy. She performed the 1980 song Save Me with a powerful and passionate vocal range that put all the others to shame. This very sweet and attractive young woman knows how to sing and leaves us wanting to hear more.
Dance With My Father was a Grammy winning Song of the Year for Luther Vandross in 2003. This could be an even bigger huge smash with the outstanding vocals of Jessica Sanchez. She did an amazing job and told the heartfelt story in the lyrics with genuine grace and beauty.
Jason Aldean has been riding high at the top of the Country charts for the past two years singing hits like Tattoos On This Town. Skylar Laine played it safe with this selection. She's good, but she seems to be coasting in her comfort zone.
Joshua Ledet showed some unexpected restraint on his rendition of Ready For Love by India Arie. It was nice to see he can put the screaming aside and give the audience something different. It was an emotional interpretation of the song.
Jimi Hendrix is an iconic guitar legend, but he's not known for his iconic vocals. Elise is purposefully positioning herself as a thing of the past with this performance of Bold As Love. There was nothing here to convey that she is interested in being a current artist on the scene.
Phillip Phillips is stuck in his limited rut of serving up more of the same. This time it was a dreary reading of a Dave Matthews song and it was completely forgettable.
Miley Cyrus is one of the hottest teen stars around having a #4 hit in 2009 with The Climb. It's an inspirational ballad that was improved exponentially with the impressive vocals of Hollie Cavanagh. She looks stunning standing center stage and then she opens her mouth and the voice comes out that is sweet, crystal clear, and pure pleasure for your ears.
If the voting goes the way it should, there are three very good singers who should easily be safely coming back next week: Hollie, Jessica and Skylar. With that being stated, my prediction for the bottom three is Phillip, Elise and Joshua. That fact is that Elise did nothing this week to change my opinion that she should be the one going home.
Showing posts with label India Arie. Show all posts
Showing posts with label India Arie. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
The Top 10 sing R&B Soul
Hit making R&B superstar, Usher, shared his musical words of wisdom with the top 10 finalists this week.
Siobhan Magnus did her best to work her magic on Chaka Khan's Through The Fire. Her vocals were just as strong as usual, but there was a noticeable difference in her confidence. It looks like even the most talented finalists get worried about performing first.
Casey James brought his usual good guy persona to Sam & Dave's Hold On! I'm A Comin' that hit #21 in 1966. It looks like Casey is going to do pretty much the same thing every week. It appears he has no interest in growing as an artist.
Michael Lynche introduced the audience to the India Arie track Ready For Love. It was sweet and sensitive to the point of being quite boring, but the vocals were clear and strong. People may be interested in hearing this song again...
Didi Benami stood center stage in a glittery gown to perform Jimmy Ruffin's What Becomes of the Brokenhearted that hit #7 in 1966. She looked quite beautiful clearly showing that she has no interest in being pigeonholed in one musical category. She wants to take risks and try different things and she doesn't care what people think. Her voice is strong and she showed it off well tonight.
Tim Urban actually hit some good notes in his performance of Anita Baker's #8 hit from 1986, Sweet Love. So in this case, in combination with his adorable good looks there are sure to be numerous fans who are very pleased out there.
Andrew Garcia is so stuck in trying to recreate his past glory that he thought sucking the life out of Chris Brown's fun dance floor jam Forever that peaked at #2 in 2008 would win us over. His drippy acoustic version completely fell flat with weak vocals and no personality.
Katie Stevens tried to keep herself out of the bottom three this week by taking on Aretha Franklin's Chain of Fools that hit #2 in 1967. She looked cute, fresh and young and sounded pretty good, but she still hasn't really lived up to her potential yet.
Lee Dewyze showed some unexpected vocal range with his version of the 1971 #3 hit Treat Her Like A Lady by the Cornelius Brothers and Sister Rose. Now keep in my that there was only some vocal range, most of it was still his tired old generic rock guy rasping. Being merely good should not pass for something earth shattering...
Crystal Bowersox showed everyone what it means to keep growing as an artist with her fantastic version of the classic #1 smash by Gladys Knight and the Pips from 1973, Midnight Train To Georgia. She sat at the piano instead of using her guitar and her voice was even better than usual. She looked fabulous in her stilettos as well!
Aaron Kelly can sing Bill Withers #3 hit from 1971 Ain't No Sunshine all he wants, but he's still a pixie little kid trying to be taken seriously. His voice simply isn't good enough to overcome his shortcomings.
My prediction for the bottom three this week is Tim Urban, Andrew Garcia and Aaron Kelly. This week should finally be the time when Andrew Garcia goes home.
Siobhan Magnus did her best to work her magic on Chaka Khan's Through The Fire. Her vocals were just as strong as usual, but there was a noticeable difference in her confidence. It looks like even the most talented finalists get worried about performing first.
Casey James brought his usual good guy persona to Sam & Dave's Hold On! I'm A Comin' that hit #21 in 1966. It looks like Casey is going to do pretty much the same thing every week. It appears he has no interest in growing as an artist.
Michael Lynche introduced the audience to the India Arie track Ready For Love. It was sweet and sensitive to the point of being quite boring, but the vocals were clear and strong. People may be interested in hearing this song again...
Didi Benami stood center stage in a glittery gown to perform Jimmy Ruffin's What Becomes of the Brokenhearted that hit #7 in 1966. She looked quite beautiful clearly showing that she has no interest in being pigeonholed in one musical category. She wants to take risks and try different things and she doesn't care what people think. Her voice is strong and she showed it off well tonight.
Tim Urban actually hit some good notes in his performance of Anita Baker's #8 hit from 1986, Sweet Love. So in this case, in combination with his adorable good looks there are sure to be numerous fans who are very pleased out there.
Andrew Garcia is so stuck in trying to recreate his past glory that he thought sucking the life out of Chris Brown's fun dance floor jam Forever that peaked at #2 in 2008 would win us over. His drippy acoustic version completely fell flat with weak vocals and no personality.
Katie Stevens tried to keep herself out of the bottom three this week by taking on Aretha Franklin's Chain of Fools that hit #2 in 1967. She looked cute, fresh and young and sounded pretty good, but she still hasn't really lived up to her potential yet.
Lee Dewyze showed some unexpected vocal range with his version of the 1971 #3 hit Treat Her Like A Lady by the Cornelius Brothers and Sister Rose. Now keep in my that there was only some vocal range, most of it was still his tired old generic rock guy rasping. Being merely good should not pass for something earth shattering...
Crystal Bowersox showed everyone what it means to keep growing as an artist with her fantastic version of the classic #1 smash by Gladys Knight and the Pips from 1973, Midnight Train To Georgia. She sat at the piano instead of using her guitar and her voice was even better than usual. She looked fabulous in her stilettos as well!
Aaron Kelly can sing Bill Withers #3 hit from 1971 Ain't No Sunshine all he wants, but he's still a pixie little kid trying to be taken seriously. His voice simply isn't good enough to overcome his shortcomings.
My prediction for the bottom three this week is Tim Urban, Andrew Garcia and Aaron Kelly. This week should finally be the time when Andrew Garcia goes home.
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