To celebrate 50 years of the biggest hits of all time, the top 10 finalists made a trip to Hitsville USA where much of the Motown music catalog was recorded. They had the chance to meet Motown founder, Berry Gordy, and work with #1 hit maker Smokey Robinson.
In 1973 Marvin Gaye spent two weeks at #1 with Let's Get It On. Matt Giraud started out at the piano with his lackluster rendition of the song. After he stepped away from the piano he was completely overindulgent in his belief that he can can put more emphasis on shaking hands with the crowd than showing off that he can sing. His voice is bland and uninteresting and it was embarrassing when he got in the judges faces and sang directly to them.
In 1965 Marvin Gaye reached #6 with How Sweet It Is To Loved By You. Ten years later James Taylor did it one better by peaking at #5 with his cover. Kris Allen stood center stage with his guitar and did his best to make the song his own. His vocals are good, but still the best thing he has going for him is his looks. He's perfect for videos, but without the visual there's no reason to listen.
In 1966 Diana Ross and the Supremes spent two weeks at #1 with You Can't Hurry Love. Scott MacIntyre stayed true to himself and performed his rendition from the comfort of his piano. He added a new and different arrangement to this classic hit with some jazzy energy coupled with the background singers on stage with him. No matter what he does, Scott's genuine love of music and talent shines through and tonight was no exception.
In 1968 Stevie Wonder spent two weeks at #2 with For Once In My Life. Megan Joy (who has dropped her last name) also tried to bring some jazzy style to her rendition of the song. She definitely leaves her personal stamp on everything, but it isn't always something that keeps you coming back for more. This performance was all over the place and not in a good way.
In 1965 Smokey Robinson and the Miracles peaked at #16 with Ooo Baby Baby. Thirteen years later Linda Ronstadt bested that by hitting #7. Anoop Desai proved that he has the vocal ability to rise to the challenge and show he can tackle this extremely difficult song to bring to life. While he glided effortlessly into a smooth falsetto, he is still struggling to find some stage presence. He's either cartoonish or completely boring like he was tonight.
In 1966 The Tempations hit #13 with Ain't Too Proud To Beg. Michael Sarver took this over the top high energy song and successfully drained the life out of it. His dance moves were sorely lacking and his vocals were nothing to speak of. All he can do now is not be too proud to beg for votes.
In 1963 Martha Reeves and the Vandellas hit #4 with Heat Wave. Twelve years later Linda Ronstadt had to settle for peaking at #5. Lil Rounds has proven week after week that she has a wonderful voice. Tonight she got up there in a fabulous frock with flouncy fringe and honored the legendary Motown history with a sincere tribute. In doing so, she sacrificed the chance to elevate the song and make it her own. It could have been so much more, but it was still one of the best.
In 1965 Smokey Robinson and Miracles hit #16 with The Tracks of My Tears. Eleven years later Linda Ronstadt's cover version only hit #25. Adam Lambert rose all the way to the top of any and all charts with his exceptional version of this tender ballad. It was a subtle performance, yet electrifying at the same time. His vocal range simply shined through with this unique and tender arrangement. He's proving himself as a real star.
In 1966 The Temptations only hit #29 with Get Ready. You may be more familiar with the version by Rare Earth that hit #4 in 1970. Danny Gokey's version is one that was instantly forgettable. His amateurish screams coupled with his stumbling dance moves were only a few parts of this mess. If only he had spent the entire performance blending in with the back-up singers because that was the best part.
In 1972 The Temptations spent one week at #1 with Papa Was A Rolling Stone. Allison Iraheta came here tonight to show that she did not belong in the bottom three last week. She used her throaty voice to leave her mark on this dynamic song and it was pure entertainment. A great effort that should keep her safe for another week.
My prediction for the bottom three is picking up where I left off last week: Danny Gokey and Michael Sarver should take the first two positions. Are fans still jumping on the bandwagon for Danny? I hope not. The boys should be joined in the bottom three by Megan Joy. My prediction for the finalist who will be going home is Michael Sarver.
Showing posts with label Rare Earth. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rare Earth. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
And the Season 7 American Idol is....
Here we are: Two hours of fun and entertainment until the crowning of the Season 7 Miss American Idol. It all started out with a preview of this year's American Idol tour as the top 12 finalists were reunited in a high energy performance of the top 5 smash from 1970 by Rare Earth, Get Ready. Then those other 10 finalists were dismissed so the fans could see the Davids come together for a great duet. You wouldn't think that their distinct styles would blend well together, but it turned out to be quite harmonious.
Mike Myers has officially crossed the line into being totally weird as his shameless promotion for the Love Guru was just plain creepy. Thankfully it was followed a very cool performance with Seal and this year's second runner up, Syesha Mercado of his hit Waiting For You. As we have come to expect, Syesha looked and sounded great. Then, on the other side of the coin, we were forced to endure Jason Castro mumble his way through Hallelujah again. Honestly, once was enough.
The top 6 girls: Kristy Lee Cook, Amanda Overmyer, Ramiele Malubay, Carly Smithson, Brooke White and Syesha Mercado joined together to bring to life an exciting Donna Summer medley including She Works Hard For The Money and the #1 smash, Hot Stuff. It was fun to see the Queen of Disco herself take the stage and sing her latest release before launching into the Oscar winning Best Original Song, Last Dance.
At the beginning of this season when we first saw the top 24, it is quite likely that many fans selected Carly Smithson and Michael Johns as front-runners to make it here to the finals. It was quite a surprise when they both got sent home way too early. For a a nice little consolation prize these two very talented singers had the chance to sing a duet in front of this huge audience. They gave a bouncy big band arrangement of a song by the Box Tops that spent four weeks at #1 in 1967, The Letter. Just a taste of what could have been....
The top 6 guys: David Hernandez, Chikezie, Michael Johns, Jason Castro and our top finalists, David Cook and David Archuleta joined forces to give us a Bryan Adams medley consisting of Summer of '69 and his #1 hit Heaven. This Canadian rocker came out to sing his latest jam and then wrapped things up with his hit Somebody.
This may come as a surprise to you, but one of the most recognized hits from ZZ Top, Sharp Dressed Man, was never released as a single and therefore, it never hit the Billboard HOT 100. Even so, it was still a nice sizzling opportunity for David Cook to rock out with the bearded guitar heroes. Much less sizzling was Brooke White sitting barefoot and strumming her guitar with Graham Nash. While the Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young top 20 hit from 1970, Teach Your Children is a classic song, this duet was just as drab as everything else Brooke gave us all season. The show needed a huge injection of youthful exuberance after this and no one does it better than THE JONAHS BROTHERS!!!!!! EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!! They were right there singing their hit SOS!!! EEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!
One Republic recently peaked at #2 earlier this year with their smooth synth pop song, Apologize. It was the perfect contemporary hit to match with David Archuleta's pure, sweet, sincere and earnest voice. The show is more than half over and there have been no appearances by any former American Idols! How can that be? Just when we thought Ruben's (Season 2 Miss American Idol) song last night was all we were going to get, the reigning queen, Season 6 Miss American Jordin Sparks came out on stage in glittering high heels and a spangled gold dress to sing her newest single, One Step At A Time. Her first single, Tattoo peaked at #8 and her latest, No Air is still in the the top 5 after peaking at #3. Who says the Idols aren't as successful as they used to be!
As if Jordin wasn't enough, the Idol alumni doesn't get any better than the Supreme Miss American Idol from Season Four, Carrie Underwood. She looked absolutely stunning as she belted out her new single, Last Name. Her stylist deserves an award. I mean seriously, her hair, that dress, her legs, her shoes - FLAWLESS! Carrie is just plain HOT! And the song is the catchiest thing ever. It started out, "hey cutie where are you from?" then in turned into - Oh NO what have I done!
The top 12 gave us one last medley of George Michael hits including, Faith, Father Figure and Freedom 90 before George graced the stage to sing his #1 smash that Carrie Underwood did so well on Idol Gives Back, Praying For Time.
Two hours of great entertainment flew by and it was finally time to give the Season 7 Miss American Idol crown to one of the Davids. The envelope was opened and David Archuleta had to step aside and give congratulations to this years winner - DAVID COOK! The rocker was brought to tears as he thanked his brother for encouraging him to give this a shot. He made it all the way to this night of having the glitter fall around him as he sang The Time Of My Life.
Mike Myers has officially crossed the line into being totally weird as his shameless promotion for the Love Guru was just plain creepy. Thankfully it was followed a very cool performance with Seal and this year's second runner up, Syesha Mercado of his hit Waiting For You. As we have come to expect, Syesha looked and sounded great. Then, on the other side of the coin, we were forced to endure Jason Castro mumble his way through Hallelujah again. Honestly, once was enough.
The top 6 girls: Kristy Lee Cook, Amanda Overmyer, Ramiele Malubay, Carly Smithson, Brooke White and Syesha Mercado joined together to bring to life an exciting Donna Summer medley including She Works Hard For The Money and the #1 smash, Hot Stuff. It was fun to see the Queen of Disco herself take the stage and sing her latest release before launching into the Oscar winning Best Original Song, Last Dance.
At the beginning of this season when we first saw the top 24, it is quite likely that many fans selected Carly Smithson and Michael Johns as front-runners to make it here to the finals. It was quite a surprise when they both got sent home way too early. For a a nice little consolation prize these two very talented singers had the chance to sing a duet in front of this huge audience. They gave a bouncy big band arrangement of a song by the Box Tops that spent four weeks at #1 in 1967, The Letter. Just a taste of what could have been....
The top 6 guys: David Hernandez, Chikezie, Michael Johns, Jason Castro and our top finalists, David Cook and David Archuleta joined forces to give us a Bryan Adams medley consisting of Summer of '69 and his #1 hit Heaven. This Canadian rocker came out to sing his latest jam and then wrapped things up with his hit Somebody.
This may come as a surprise to you, but one of the most recognized hits from ZZ Top, Sharp Dressed Man, was never released as a single and therefore, it never hit the Billboard HOT 100. Even so, it was still a nice sizzling opportunity for David Cook to rock out with the bearded guitar heroes. Much less sizzling was Brooke White sitting barefoot and strumming her guitar with Graham Nash. While the Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young top 20 hit from 1970, Teach Your Children is a classic song, this duet was just as drab as everything else Brooke gave us all season. The show needed a huge injection of youthful exuberance after this and no one does it better than THE JONAHS BROTHERS!!!!!! EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!! They were right there singing their hit SOS!!! EEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!
One Republic recently peaked at #2 earlier this year with their smooth synth pop song, Apologize. It was the perfect contemporary hit to match with David Archuleta's pure, sweet, sincere and earnest voice. The show is more than half over and there have been no appearances by any former American Idols! How can that be? Just when we thought Ruben's (Season 2 Miss American Idol) song last night was all we were going to get, the reigning queen, Season 6 Miss American Jordin Sparks came out on stage in glittering high heels and a spangled gold dress to sing her newest single, One Step At A Time. Her first single, Tattoo peaked at #8 and her latest, No Air is still in the the top 5 after peaking at #3. Who says the Idols aren't as successful as they used to be!
As if Jordin wasn't enough, the Idol alumni doesn't get any better than the Supreme Miss American Idol from Season Four, Carrie Underwood. She looked absolutely stunning as she belted out her new single, Last Name. Her stylist deserves an award. I mean seriously, her hair, that dress, her legs, her shoes - FLAWLESS! Carrie is just plain HOT! And the song is the catchiest thing ever. It started out, "hey cutie where are you from?" then in turned into - Oh NO what have I done!
The top 12 gave us one last medley of George Michael hits including, Faith, Father Figure and Freedom 90 before George graced the stage to sing his #1 smash that Carrie Underwood did so well on Idol Gives Back, Praying For Time.
Two hours of great entertainment flew by and it was finally time to give the Season 7 Miss American Idol crown to one of the Davids. The envelope was opened and David Archuleta had to step aside and give congratulations to this years winner - DAVID COOK! The rocker was brought to tears as he thanked his brother for encouraging him to give this a shot. He made it all the way to this night of having the glitter fall around him as he sang The Time Of My Life.
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