The top 8 finalists are singing songs from the movies tonight:
Old Time Rock & Roll originally peaked at #28 in 1979 for Bob Seger, but it didn't become a classic until Tom Cruise did an underwear lip sync to it in Risky Business in 1983. Paul McDonald not only left his pants on for this performance, but he showed off another flowered suit. The suit ended up being the best part of this as his vocals were once again all wrong.
Miley Cyrus took her Hannah Montana character to the big screen in 2009 and had a #4 hit from it with The Climb. Lauren Alaina did a better job than Miley with her rendition, but since Miley's not a very good singer that's pretty easy to do. This is exactly the comfort zone for Lauren so if she keeps on doing more of this she should be around a lot longer.
Boyz II Men spent 13 weeks at #1 in 1992 with the End Of The Road. Who even remembers that this song was featured in Boomerang? Stefano Langone has a super smooth voice that is perfect for this R&B slow jam. He served up an outstanding vocal performance and he looked even more handsome than ever.
George Strait is probably the most boring man in country music history - and he's also one of the most successful. He made a movie called Pure Country in 1992 and included a song called I Cross My Heart that Scotty McCreery decided to sing tonight. Clearly Scotty is striving for safe and boring. It worked for George Strait and it will certainly work for Scotty.
Nat King Cole is the standard when it comes to jazz classics and Casey Abrams got up on stage with his upright bass again and performed his Nature Boy. It was very far from the standard set by Nat as Casey crossed over into the creepy with his weak vocals and strange facial expressions. If anyone knows what movie Nature Boy was featured in, please let me know.
Blondie spent six weeks at #1 in 1980 with Call Me from the movie American Gigolo. This song is one of the best rockin dance/pop jams in the history of ever and Haley Reinhart just made a mockery of it. Once again she acted like any old random drunk girl in a bar. Haley has no sense of professionalism, style or good taste when it comes to her performance choices.
Simon & Garfunkel spent six weeks at #1 in 1970 with Bridge Over Troubled Water. It also went on to win the Grammy for Record of the Year. Jacob Lusk provided his most controlled and disciplined performance of the competition so far with this fantastic song. Incidentally, the song was included in the movie The Pursuit of Happyness in 2006.
In 1981 the animated cult classic Heavy Metal was released with the hard rocking theme song performed by Sammy Hagar. James Durbin closed the night with an outstanding over the top high energy rock concert performance of this anthem. James has the vocal skills and the stage presence to headline anywhere and everywhere right now!
Tonight we were treated to a broad range of musical diversity from smooth R&B to hard rocking heavy metal, and from classic country to jazz. James and Stefano were easily the best of the night while my prediction for the bottom three is Paul, Haley and Casey. I'm going to keep saying this every week until she ends up winning the whole thing, but Haley will hopefully be the lowest vote getter and will be going home.
Showing posts with label Simon and Garfunkle. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Simon and Garfunkle. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Crystal and Lee face off in the FINALS!
The top two finalists will sing three times tonight. 1. their favorite song from the season so far. 2. selection from the American Idol producers and 3. the new song that will become their first single if they win. Crystal won the coin toss and she selected to sing second. :)
Lee's favorite song from the season was the Simon and Garfunkle's The Boxer. All season he has lacked any emotion and personality and this performance was his typical sleepwalking presentation.
Crystal's favorite song from the season was Janis Joplin's #1 smash Me and Bobby McGee. This was the perfect song choice that illustrates why Crystal has been the front-runner all season long. She has passionate vocals and she also demonstrates that she is an accomplished musician as well.
R.E.M hit #29 in 1993 with Everybody Hurts. The American Idol producers somehow thought that this sad ballad would elevate Lee DeWyze into an area that is remotely interesting, but it didn't work. The best part about this was that a large gospel choir got up on stage with him and sang loud enough to drown out his dismal vocals. He needs all the help he can get up there as he has learned nothing about showmanship in all these weeks in the competition.
Alannah Myles spent two weeks at #1 in 1990 with Black Velvet. This was a wonderful selection on the part of the producers for Crystal Bowersox. This song allowed her to showcase even more of her range and abilities. She looked great rocking a sultry little black dress and she completely owned the stage making a grand entrance down the stairs and then interacting with the crowd.
The first single released by Lee DeWyze will be Beautiful Day and he took the stage to introduce the world to it. Once again this big song was saved by the impressive orchestration that accompanied Lee's strained vocals. Much of it just came off as painful screams. Not just painful to the ears listening to it, but the pained look on Lee's face as he tried to get through the whole song. He looked totally out of place wandering aimlessly at center stage with his eyes glazed looking out into the crowd.
The first single released by Crystal Bowersox will be Up To The Mountain and she sat center stage with her guitar and shared this emotional story with the audience. It was an outstanding connection in every respect. Her voice has been great all season long, but she managed to raise it up another notch higher and sound even more pure and vulnerable. It was definitely an example of saving the best for last!
I can't really say this is a prediction, but it's clearly my preference that Crystal Bowersox becomes the Season Nine Miss American Idol winner over Lee DeWyze. She has star quality in mass quantities in comparison to his dreary drop in the bucket.
Lee's favorite song from the season was the Simon and Garfunkle's The Boxer. All season he has lacked any emotion and personality and this performance was his typical sleepwalking presentation.
Crystal's favorite song from the season was Janis Joplin's #1 smash Me and Bobby McGee. This was the perfect song choice that illustrates why Crystal has been the front-runner all season long. She has passionate vocals and she also demonstrates that she is an accomplished musician as well.
R.E.M hit #29 in 1993 with Everybody Hurts. The American Idol producers somehow thought that this sad ballad would elevate Lee DeWyze into an area that is remotely interesting, but it didn't work. The best part about this was that a large gospel choir got up on stage with him and sang loud enough to drown out his dismal vocals. He needs all the help he can get up there as he has learned nothing about showmanship in all these weeks in the competition.
Alannah Myles spent two weeks at #1 in 1990 with Black Velvet. This was a wonderful selection on the part of the producers for Crystal Bowersox. This song allowed her to showcase even more of her range and abilities. She looked great rocking a sultry little black dress and she completely owned the stage making a grand entrance down the stairs and then interacting with the crowd.
The first single released by Lee DeWyze will be Beautiful Day and he took the stage to introduce the world to it. Once again this big song was saved by the impressive orchestration that accompanied Lee's strained vocals. Much of it just came off as painful screams. Not just painful to the ears listening to it, but the pained look on Lee's face as he tried to get through the whole song. He looked totally out of place wandering aimlessly at center stage with his eyes glazed looking out into the crowd.
The first single released by Crystal Bowersox will be Up To The Mountain and she sat center stage with her guitar and shared this emotional story with the audience. It was an outstanding connection in every respect. Her voice has been great all season long, but she managed to raise it up another notch higher and sound even more pure and vulnerable. It was definitely an example of saving the best for last!
I can't really say this is a prediction, but it's clearly my preference that Crystal Bowersox becomes the Season Nine Miss American Idol winner over Lee DeWyze. She has star quality in mass quantities in comparison to his dreary drop in the bucket.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
The Top 4 sing Movie Music
Tonight, Jamie Foxx, the Oscar winning star of Ray and DreamGirls (in which he co-starred with Season Three Miss American Idol finalist and also an Oscar winner, Jennifer Hudson) is here to work with the Top 4 as they attempt to interpret songs from the silver screen.
Seal won the 1996 Grammy for Record of the Year with his smash that hit #1 on the Billboard HOT 100 for one week in 1995, Kiss From A Rose. It was featured in the movie Batman Forever and Lee DeWyze sounded completely off-key and flat during this dreary performance. He is still completely lacking any personality so this was just sleep inducing instead of energizing.
Michael Jackson took Will You Be There up to #7 on the Billboard HOT 100 in 1993. This inspirational gospel choir ballad is from the film Free Willy, but it didn't really give Michael Lynche a chance to truly shine. His voice is very good, but with the songs arrangement having so many layers the voice ended up getting a little buried within it all.
Falling Slowly won the 2008 Oscar for Best Original Song from the movie Once and tonight Lee DeWyze and Crystal Bowersox joined forces to introduce it to the American Idol audience. They both faced each other as they played their guitars, but where her vocals were pristine and flawless, his were mumbled and unintelligible. Crystal did a wonderful job saving this duet from being a total disaster.
Simon and Garfunkle spent three weeks at #1 on the Billboard HOT 100 in 1968 with Mrs. Robinson from the movie The Graduate. Casey James sat on the edge of the stage with a ukulele and proceeded to tragically drain the life out of this fantastic song. His vocals were bland and laid back and the energy was totally lacking.
Kenny Loggins hit #7 in 1980 with I'm Alright, the theme from Caddyshack. Crystal Bowersox put on her own Lilith Fair music festival with this rousing acoustic rendition that was highlighted by her exceptional vocal range and talent. It had a fun and high energy vibe that was completely entertaining and infectious.
Bryan Adams spent five weeks at #1 on the Billboard HOT 100 in 1995 with Have You Ever really Loved A Woman? from the film Don Juan DeMarco. It was a dreary song back then and it was even more dreary with Casey James and Michael Lynche trying to make something of it. They also stood there with their guitars, but the song didn't allow them to really show off their voices. Casey just fumbled and once again the material let Michael down.
This is it - the night of my big and bold prediction! I see Casey and Lee being in the bottom two and the shock of the season will be that Lee is going home.
Seal won the 1996 Grammy for Record of the Year with his smash that hit #1 on the Billboard HOT 100 for one week in 1995, Kiss From A Rose. It was featured in the movie Batman Forever and Lee DeWyze sounded completely off-key and flat during this dreary performance. He is still completely lacking any personality so this was just sleep inducing instead of energizing.
Michael Jackson took Will You Be There up to #7 on the Billboard HOT 100 in 1993. This inspirational gospel choir ballad is from the film Free Willy, but it didn't really give Michael Lynche a chance to truly shine. His voice is very good, but with the songs arrangement having so many layers the voice ended up getting a little buried within it all.
Falling Slowly won the 2008 Oscar for Best Original Song from the movie Once and tonight Lee DeWyze and Crystal Bowersox joined forces to introduce it to the American Idol audience. They both faced each other as they played their guitars, but where her vocals were pristine and flawless, his were mumbled and unintelligible. Crystal did a wonderful job saving this duet from being a total disaster.
Simon and Garfunkle spent three weeks at #1 on the Billboard HOT 100 in 1968 with Mrs. Robinson from the movie The Graduate. Casey James sat on the edge of the stage with a ukulele and proceeded to tragically drain the life out of this fantastic song. His vocals were bland and laid back and the energy was totally lacking.
Kenny Loggins hit #7 in 1980 with I'm Alright, the theme from Caddyshack. Crystal Bowersox put on her own Lilith Fair music festival with this rousing acoustic rendition that was highlighted by her exceptional vocal range and talent. It had a fun and high energy vibe that was completely entertaining and infectious.
Bryan Adams spent five weeks at #1 on the Billboard HOT 100 in 1995 with Have You Ever really Loved A Woman? from the film Don Juan DeMarco. It was a dreary song back then and it was even more dreary with Casey James and Michael Lynche trying to make something of it. They also stood there with their guitars, but the song didn't allow them to really show off their voices. Casey just fumbled and once again the material let Michael down.
This is it - the night of my big and bold prediction! I see Casey and Lee being in the bottom two and the shock of the season will be that Lee is going home.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
The Top 7 sing Inspiration
It's Idol Gives Back week and the theme is Songs of Inspiration. The Top 7 Finalists had the honor of working with Grammy winning number one hit maker Alicia Keys.
Casey James selected the Fleetwood Mac jam that hit #3 in 1977, Don't Stop. While this is a very optimistic pop song, he completely failed to connect with the lyrics and convey any emotion. His vocals were very mundane and forgettable.
Simon and Garfunkle hit #7 in 1969 with The Boxer. It's a truly lovely song, but you couldn't tell with the wretched and strained screams coming out of Lee Dewyze. It was thoroughly painful to listen to and it lacked any human connection at all.
Tim Urban chose to sing Better Days by the Goo Goo Dolls. He once again is working the smile and the trendy hair style while strumming his guitar and singing. He seemed to really understand the lyrics and was able to convey the meaning well, despite the few clunky notes he hit here and there.
I Believe I Can Fly by R Kelly peaked at #2 in 1996 and it was a big inspirational ballad that little Aaron Kelly tried to make his own. Once again, he is too small all around to take on this kind of choice.
Mariah Carey hit #15 with her theme song from The Prince of Egypt, When You Believe. Siobhan Magnus was able to do a wonderful vocal justice to this difficult song. She clearly has an exceptional vocal range and a skillful ability to interpret powerful lyrics. And on top of that, she can successfully get away with butterfly accessories on her dresses.
Michael Lynche is making the best of his repeated opportunities to come back with a winning interpretation of Hero from the Spiderman soundtrack. He is a very good singer, but his only flaw is that he continues to select songs that don't pack a big enough punch to really show off his skills.
People Get Ready has been covered many times since the Impressions hit #14 with it in 1965. Crystal Bowersox brought more emotional depth to this vocal performance than any of the other contestants combined. She looked lovely in a long black gown and sounded flawless. It was hard to hold back the tears after hearing this wonderful rendition.
Too bad only one finalist will be going home this week, because more than three are deserving of being in the bottom. My prediction for the bottom three this week is Casey James, Aaron Kelly and Lee DeWyze. All of these boys made our ears hurt this week, but the biggest culprit is little Aaron who should be sent packing.
Casey James selected the Fleetwood Mac jam that hit #3 in 1977, Don't Stop. While this is a very optimistic pop song, he completely failed to connect with the lyrics and convey any emotion. His vocals were very mundane and forgettable.
Simon and Garfunkle hit #7 in 1969 with The Boxer. It's a truly lovely song, but you couldn't tell with the wretched and strained screams coming out of Lee Dewyze. It was thoroughly painful to listen to and it lacked any human connection at all.
Tim Urban chose to sing Better Days by the Goo Goo Dolls. He once again is working the smile and the trendy hair style while strumming his guitar and singing. He seemed to really understand the lyrics and was able to convey the meaning well, despite the few clunky notes he hit here and there.
I Believe I Can Fly by R Kelly peaked at #2 in 1996 and it was a big inspirational ballad that little Aaron Kelly tried to make his own. Once again, he is too small all around to take on this kind of choice.
Mariah Carey hit #15 with her theme song from The Prince of Egypt, When You Believe. Siobhan Magnus was able to do a wonderful vocal justice to this difficult song. She clearly has an exceptional vocal range and a skillful ability to interpret powerful lyrics. And on top of that, she can successfully get away with butterfly accessories on her dresses.
Michael Lynche is making the best of his repeated opportunities to come back with a winning interpretation of Hero from the Spiderman soundtrack. He is a very good singer, but his only flaw is that he continues to select songs that don't pack a big enough punch to really show off his skills.
People Get Ready has been covered many times since the Impressions hit #14 with it in 1965. Crystal Bowersox brought more emotional depth to this vocal performance than any of the other contestants combined. She looked lovely in a long black gown and sounded flawless. It was hard to hold back the tears after hearing this wonderful rendition.
Too bad only one finalist will be going home this week, because more than three are deserving of being in the bottom. My prediction for the bottom three this week is Casey James, Aaron Kelly and Lee DeWyze. All of these boys made our ears hurt this week, but the biggest culprit is little Aaron who should be sent packing.
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