American Idol judge, Mariah Carey, has set the standard that all of the finalists are striving to achieve. She has sustained a 24 year career selling over 200 million albums worldwide. In the process she successfully catapulted 18 singles to #1 on the Billboard HOT 100 chart - more than any other solo artist in history! The only act to have more #1 singles than Mariah is the Beatles and tonight, the Top 9 finalists will perform a selection from their impressive catalog.
Before we get started: Congratulations to Aubrey Cleland who will be joining the 2013 American Idol Summer Tour!!!
With A Little Help From My Friends originally appeared on the album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. Kree Harrison delivered a lackluster performance of this anthem. With her bland personality and no stage presence, the background singers and the band completely stole the spotlight from her. There was only a few moments when her voice was even audible.
Let It Be hit #1 for 2 weeks in April of 1970. Burnell Taylor seemed completely disconnected from the song that he had clearly never heard of before this week. His performance was awkward and the vocals sounded forced and unnatural.
She's Leaving Home is another track from the album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. Amber Holcomb used this lovely ballad to showcase her impressive vocal range. She looked classy and poised as she simply let the notes fly through the air and please our ears.
In My Life from the album Rubber Soul is one of the most beautiful songs ever written. When this tender ballad is matched with the charm and sweetness of Lazaro Arbos it is a completely winning combination. He just exudes tenderness and he is a pleasure to cheer for!
Come Together from the Abbey Road album hit #1 for 1 week in October of 1969. We already know that Candice Glover has a big voice with a big range, but with this song she also showed us that she can rock and jam as well.
Eleanor Rigby originally appeared on the album Revolver. Paul Jolley totally used this song to showcase his outstanding ability to be a wonderful story teller. The lyrics came to life and we felt them with every big note that he sang.
Yesterday spent 4 weeks at #1 in 1965. Angie Miller quite simply defined the essense of the Season 12 Miss American Idol winner with this effortless and stellar performance of this classic ballad. Her vocals out shined all of the competition and she genuinely commanded the stage while just standing there center stage at the microphone. She can sing anything!
The 20th and final #1 for the Beatles was The Long And Winding Road: 2 weeks in June 1970. Devin Velez performed a flawless vocal rendition of this song. It was simple and beautiful and should keep him in the competition.
I Will originally appeared on The White Album. Janelle Arthur was the embodiment of grace and beauty as she looked like an angel in a long white gown. She served up a delicious serving of vocal elegance.
It was a great night of Beatles classics tonight. My prediction for the bottom three is Kree Harrison, Burnell Taylor and Paul Jolley with the journey coming to an end for Burnell Taylor.
Showing posts with label The Beatles. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Beatles. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
The Results - Lennon/McCartney
Last weeks mentor, Usher, had a huge sales week after his performance on the show selling over 300,000 copies of his latest release, Raymond Vs. Raymond, to debut at #1 on the Billboard album chart. The song he performed, OMG, is currently #6 on the itunes sales chart so it should make a pretty strong leap on the Billboard HOT 100 chart as well. Unfortunately, the Season Two Miss American Idol winner, Ruben Studdard, saw no such sales bump as a result of his performance last week.
This week, the top 9 opened the show with a Beatles medley that sounded completely over-produced and fake. None of these finalists actually sound this good. It was a very obvious lip sync. But the girls looked simply fabulous in their 60's mod mini dresses!
Getting the good news out of the way first, it was revealed that all three girls, Crystal, Siobhan and Katie are all safe this week.
Jason Derulo hit #1 in 2009 with his smash hit dance jam Whatcha Say and tonight he performed his follow up single that recently peaked at #8 on the Billboard HOT 100, In My Head.
One of John Lennon's most amazing songs, Imagine, hit #3 in 1971 and was performed on the American Idol stage in Season Seven. David Archuleta, who ended up being the Miss American Idol 1st Runner Up that year, came back tonight to entertain the fans with his fantastic rendition of this exceptional song. He sounded great.
Lee, Casey and Tim are all safe leaving Michael, Andrew, and Aaron as the bottom three. Aaron was then informed that he was also safe.
Rihanna has been the biggest hit maker on the charts of the last 5 years hitting #1 on the Billboard HOT 100 six times including Rude Boy which is at the top of the chart this week. Tonight she introduced the world to her next single, Rock Star 101, which is sure to be another hit.
With Andrew finally in the bottom two where he belongs, we got the shock that he is once again safe and Michael Lynche is the lowest vote getter of the week. He did a great job singing for his life hoping the judges would save him. And it worked! All nine finalists will be coming back next week including Michael.
I got two of my predictions right this week with both Andrew and Aaron ending up among the lowest vote getters. If we are lucky, they will both go home next week.
This week, the top 9 opened the show with a Beatles medley that sounded completely over-produced and fake. None of these finalists actually sound this good. It was a very obvious lip sync. But the girls looked simply fabulous in their 60's mod mini dresses!
Getting the good news out of the way first, it was revealed that all three girls, Crystal, Siobhan and Katie are all safe this week.
Jason Derulo hit #1 in 2009 with his smash hit dance jam Whatcha Say and tonight he performed his follow up single that recently peaked at #8 on the Billboard HOT 100, In My Head.
One of John Lennon's most amazing songs, Imagine, hit #3 in 1971 and was performed on the American Idol stage in Season Seven. David Archuleta, who ended up being the Miss American Idol 1st Runner Up that year, came back tonight to entertain the fans with his fantastic rendition of this exceptional song. He sounded great.
Lee, Casey and Tim are all safe leaving Michael, Andrew, and Aaron as the bottom three. Aaron was then informed that he was also safe.
Rihanna has been the biggest hit maker on the charts of the last 5 years hitting #1 on the Billboard HOT 100 six times including Rude Boy which is at the top of the chart this week. Tonight she introduced the world to her next single, Rock Star 101, which is sure to be another hit.
With Andrew finally in the bottom two where he belongs, we got the shock that he is once again safe and Michael Lynche is the lowest vote getter of the week. He did a great job singing for his life hoping the judges would save him. And it worked! All nine finalists will be coming back next week including Michael.
I got two of my predictions right this week with both Andrew and Aaron ending up among the lowest vote getters. If we are lucky, they will both go home next week.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
The Top 9 sing Lennon/McCartney
John Lennon and Paul McCartney wrote and performed some of the greatest songs of all time with The Beatles, but are the songs great enough to survive what these finalists will do to them?
Aaron Kelly performed the song that spent two weeks at #1 in 1970, The Long and Winding Road. The arrangement was very true to the original but the vocals were much more drab and dreary. The little pixie added nothing interesting.
Katie Stevens selected another song that also spent two weeks at #1 in 1970, Let It Be. Thankfully this turned out to be the strong vocal performance that we knew was hidden in there all along. She finally belted out some big notes that complimented the song perfectly and she looked even cuter than usual.
Andrew Garcia brought his very special brand of not cool to his performance of the song that spent five weeks at #1 in 1964, Can't Buy Me Love. He's a dumpy guy with and weak voice and even the fun energy of the song couldn't save it from being another embarrassment.
Michael Lynche added some great life and power to Eleanor Rigby that peaked at #11 in 1966. His vocals were larger than life and the arrangement was vibrant and fun. It was a very interesting live performance that you may actually want to hear again.
Crystal Bowersox performed a song that spent one week at #1 in 1969, Come Together. As expected she brought her accomplished bluesy vocals and style to this fantastic song. She is continuing to stand out as a cut above the rest.
Tim Urban performed a song that sounds like a hit but it never actually hit the Billboard HOT 100. All My Loving was originally on the 1963 album With The Beatles and Tim performed the song with his hair styled like he was a member of the band and a big smile on his face. He was clearly having fun and so was the audience.
Casey James tried to show another side of himself with John Lennon's Jealous Guy. Rather than just being the good time party boy, he showed off his sensitive side. All this emotional depth can be great and all, but with him it was pretty boring.
Siobhan Magnus allowed her lovely vocals to take center stage as she performed Across The Universe, an album cut from the 1970 release Let It Be. She does something different every week not only with her voice, but with her look and style as well. She's a quirky young woman underneath it all, but she owns it and makes it work.
Lee Dewyze selected to take on the biggest Beatles hit of all time that spent nine weeks at #1 in 1968, Hey Jude. His manner of singing probably made much of the audience want to say, HEY LEE! Stop screaming at me! Lee clearly has his fans, but he's really not all that.
The finalists were very respectful of the Lennon/McCartney songbook and none of them messed it up too seriously. My prediction for the bottom three this week is Aaron Kelly, Andrew Garcia and Casey James. None of these guys did anything extra special, but the least of them should be Aaron Kelly going home.
Aaron Kelly performed the song that spent two weeks at #1 in 1970, The Long and Winding Road. The arrangement was very true to the original but the vocals were much more drab and dreary. The little pixie added nothing interesting.
Katie Stevens selected another song that also spent two weeks at #1 in 1970, Let It Be. Thankfully this turned out to be the strong vocal performance that we knew was hidden in there all along. She finally belted out some big notes that complimented the song perfectly and she looked even cuter than usual.
Andrew Garcia brought his very special brand of not cool to his performance of the song that spent five weeks at #1 in 1964, Can't Buy Me Love. He's a dumpy guy with and weak voice and even the fun energy of the song couldn't save it from being another embarrassment.
Michael Lynche added some great life and power to Eleanor Rigby that peaked at #11 in 1966. His vocals were larger than life and the arrangement was vibrant and fun. It was a very interesting live performance that you may actually want to hear again.
Crystal Bowersox performed a song that spent one week at #1 in 1969, Come Together. As expected she brought her accomplished bluesy vocals and style to this fantastic song. She is continuing to stand out as a cut above the rest.
Tim Urban performed a song that sounds like a hit but it never actually hit the Billboard HOT 100. All My Loving was originally on the 1963 album With The Beatles and Tim performed the song with his hair styled like he was a member of the band and a big smile on his face. He was clearly having fun and so was the audience.
Casey James tried to show another side of himself with John Lennon's Jealous Guy. Rather than just being the good time party boy, he showed off his sensitive side. All this emotional depth can be great and all, but with him it was pretty boring.
Siobhan Magnus allowed her lovely vocals to take center stage as she performed Across The Universe, an album cut from the 1970 release Let It Be. She does something different every week not only with her voice, but with her look and style as well. She's a quirky young woman underneath it all, but she owns it and makes it work.
Lee Dewyze selected to take on the biggest Beatles hit of all time that spent nine weeks at #1 in 1968, Hey Jude. His manner of singing probably made much of the audience want to say, HEY LEE! Stop screaming at me! Lee clearly has his fans, but he's really not all that.
The finalists were very respectful of the Lennon/McCartney songbook and none of them messed it up too seriously. My prediction for the bottom three this week is Aaron Kelly, Andrew Garcia and Casey James. None of these guys did anything extra special, but the least of them should be Aaron Kelly going home.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
The Top 12 girls take their first shot...
This is the girls first chance to impress us and try and get our votes. They can choose any song they want that appeared on the Billboard charts so they have no excuse for getting stuck with the wrong song....
Paige Miles is 24 and she decided to sing All Right Now that hit #4 in 1970 for the one hit wonder band, Free. Paige did not do anything special with this rock anthem and she too should end up being a one hit wonder.
Ashley Rodriguez is 22 and she decided to sing Happy that is the first single from the second album by Leona Lewis. This single fizzled on the Billboard HOT 100 failing to match the success of her first breakthrough hit Bleeding Love. Ashley's version ended up fizzling also....
Janell Wheeler is 24 and she decided to sing What About Love that hit #10 in 1985 for the queens of Rock and Roll, Heart. Lead singer Ann Wilson has the best female voice in the history of classic rock and Janell did not come close to being comparable.
Lilly Scott is 20 and she decided to sing Fixing a Hole that was an album track on the Beatles amazing release Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band. Lilly failed to do anything amazing with this tepid rendition.
Katelyn Epperly is 19 and she decided to sing Oh! Darling that charted for Robin Gibb in 1978 when the Bee Gees made a movie of Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band. That movie was quickly forgotten and so too will be Katelyn.
Haeley Vaughn is 16 and she decided to sing I Want To Hold Your Hand that was the Beatles first #1 hit back in 1964. She was very brave and got out there with her acoustic guitar and did a very unique arrangement of the song. It wasn't flawless, but it was memorable.
Lacey Brown is 24 and she decided to sing Landslide that became a hit for Fleetwood Mac when they released their live album The Dance in 1997. Lacey is not going to be able to make a hit out of this lifeless performance.
Michelle Delamor is 22 and she decided to sing Fallin that hit #1 for 6 weeks by Alicia Keys in 2001. Michelle was easily a stand out from the competition so far as she was able to perform this song with confidence and great vocal talent.
Didi Benami is 23 and she decided to sing Way I Am from indie singer songwriter chick Ingrid Michaelson. Didi is a very down to earth folk singer type and should fit right in singing at your local coffee shop.
Siobhan Magnus is 19 and she decided to sing Wicked Game that Chris Isaak took to #6 in 1991. It started off pretty shaky but this song allowed Siobhan to show off her impressive vocal range in the end.
Crystal Bowersox is 24 and she decided to sing Hand in my Pocket that was an airplay hit by Alanis Morissette in 1996. Playing both her guitar and a harmonica Crystal demonstrated what this song could have sounded like if it were sung by someone who actually has talent. Great job!
Katie Stevens is 17 and she decided to sing Feelin Good by Michael Buble. Katie clearly has a very good voice, but this big band style song wasn't the best choice to highlight her youthful energy.
It was a night where the girls failed to blow me away. It's possible that Michelle Delamor, Crystal Bowersox and Katie Stevens could be secure in their safety at coming back for another chance next week. But seriously, any one of the 12 could be at risk of going home. I'm going to predict that Paige Miles and Janell Wheeler will be sent packing....
Paige Miles is 24 and she decided to sing All Right Now that hit #4 in 1970 for the one hit wonder band, Free. Paige did not do anything special with this rock anthem and she too should end up being a one hit wonder.
Ashley Rodriguez is 22 and she decided to sing Happy that is the first single from the second album by Leona Lewis. This single fizzled on the Billboard HOT 100 failing to match the success of her first breakthrough hit Bleeding Love. Ashley's version ended up fizzling also....
Janell Wheeler is 24 and she decided to sing What About Love that hit #10 in 1985 for the queens of Rock and Roll, Heart. Lead singer Ann Wilson has the best female voice in the history of classic rock and Janell did not come close to being comparable.
Lilly Scott is 20 and she decided to sing Fixing a Hole that was an album track on the Beatles amazing release Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band. Lilly failed to do anything amazing with this tepid rendition.
Katelyn Epperly is 19 and she decided to sing Oh! Darling that charted for Robin Gibb in 1978 when the Bee Gees made a movie of Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band. That movie was quickly forgotten and so too will be Katelyn.
Haeley Vaughn is 16 and she decided to sing I Want To Hold Your Hand that was the Beatles first #1 hit back in 1964. She was very brave and got out there with her acoustic guitar and did a very unique arrangement of the song. It wasn't flawless, but it was memorable.
Lacey Brown is 24 and she decided to sing Landslide that became a hit for Fleetwood Mac when they released their live album The Dance in 1997. Lacey is not going to be able to make a hit out of this lifeless performance.
Michelle Delamor is 22 and she decided to sing Fallin that hit #1 for 6 weeks by Alicia Keys in 2001. Michelle was easily a stand out from the competition so far as she was able to perform this song with confidence and great vocal talent.
Didi Benami is 23 and she decided to sing Way I Am from indie singer songwriter chick Ingrid Michaelson. Didi is a very down to earth folk singer type and should fit right in singing at your local coffee shop.
Siobhan Magnus is 19 and she decided to sing Wicked Game that Chris Isaak took to #6 in 1991. It started off pretty shaky but this song allowed Siobhan to show off her impressive vocal range in the end.
Crystal Bowersox is 24 and she decided to sing Hand in my Pocket that was an airplay hit by Alanis Morissette in 1996. Playing both her guitar and a harmonica Crystal demonstrated what this song could have sounded like if it were sung by someone who actually has talent. Great job!
Katie Stevens is 17 and she decided to sing Feelin Good by Michael Buble. Katie clearly has a very good voice, but this big band style song wasn't the best choice to highlight her youthful energy.
It was a night where the girls failed to blow me away. It's possible that Michelle Delamor, Crystal Bowersox and Katie Stevens could be secure in their safety at coming back for another chance next week. But seriously, any one of the 12 could be at risk of going home. I'm going to predict that Paige Miles and Janell Wheeler will be sent packing....
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
The Top 4 sing ROCK!
As the lead guitarist of Guns and Roses, tonights mentor, Slash, hit #1 for 2 weeks in 1988 with Sweet Child O' Mine. He then topped the charts again for 7 weeks in 1991 as the lead guitarist on Michael Jackson's Black or White. He clearly has the credibility to teach these finalists a thing or two...
The real Robert Plant may have moved on to winning Grammys for making country music with Allison Kraus, but the rocker who hit #4 in 1970 with Led Zeppelin on Whole Lotta Love was brought back in the form of Adam Lambert on the American Idol stage. This performance was live music at it's best. Adam has raised the bar so high above the other finalists that he should be unreachable. His voice resonated with passion, power and energy and he looked completely convincing in the role of glam rocker.
Janis Joplin ended up being a one hit wonder on the Billboard HOT 100 with her #1 smash Me and Bobby McGee hitting the top after her untimely death. Allison Iraheta has definitely brought the spirit of Janis to the American Idol stage every week, but tonight she literally channeled her with her rendition of Cry Baby. The vocals were raw and ached with an emotional punch. Allison never sounded better than she did tonight.
Danny Gokey and Kris Allen joined forces to sing the classic rock anthem Renegade that Styx took to #16 in 1979. The smooth vocals from Kris easily saved this from being a total mess. Danny was just screaming as usual and Kris added the exact right sound of harmonies to keep the melody listenable.
Kris Allen then had the chance to take the stage on his own with his version of Come Together (#1 for 1 week in 1969) by the Beatles. In just six years the Beatles accumulated 20 #1 hits on the Billboard HOT 100 and this song choice allowed Kris to show a different side of himself. He used an electric guitar and took it up more than a few notches than usual. While he was a little out of his element, he managed to save it with inherent talent and respect for the music.
With Danny Gokey's opportunity to sing solo on Aerosmith's #6 hit from 1976, Dream On, all of his shortcomings were pathetically exposed. The judges have built him up all season to make him think he can do anything, so you have to admire his effort. But he missed the mark on every aspect. He looked totally dopey in his little vest and suit pants. His voice completely lacks the range necessary for this kind of song so the high notes were just unpleasant shrieks and the rest of the song was just his usual screams. The last note was seriously embarrassing.
Foghat took Slow Ride to the top 20 in 1976. Adam Lambert and Allison Iraheta showed us with their duet of this song that they know how to see how high the bar has been raised and reach for it. Their vocals were a masterful blend of enthusiasm and talent. Wonderful rock and roll entertainment.
Adam genuinely set the bar very high with his performances tonight and Allison showed that she is up for the challenge to get up there with him. This theme was a little rough for Kris so he should end up in the bottom two with Danny. If people are voting to keep the talented singers with stage presence and recording star quality on the show, Danny Gokey should be the odd man out and he should finally be going home.
The real Robert Plant may have moved on to winning Grammys for making country music with Allison Kraus, but the rocker who hit #4 in 1970 with Led Zeppelin on Whole Lotta Love was brought back in the form of Adam Lambert on the American Idol stage. This performance was live music at it's best. Adam has raised the bar so high above the other finalists that he should be unreachable. His voice resonated with passion, power and energy and he looked completely convincing in the role of glam rocker.
Janis Joplin ended up being a one hit wonder on the Billboard HOT 100 with her #1 smash Me and Bobby McGee hitting the top after her untimely death. Allison Iraheta has definitely brought the spirit of Janis to the American Idol stage every week, but tonight she literally channeled her with her rendition of Cry Baby. The vocals were raw and ached with an emotional punch. Allison never sounded better than she did tonight.
Danny Gokey and Kris Allen joined forces to sing the classic rock anthem Renegade that Styx took to #16 in 1979. The smooth vocals from Kris easily saved this from being a total mess. Danny was just screaming as usual and Kris added the exact right sound of harmonies to keep the melody listenable.
Kris Allen then had the chance to take the stage on his own with his version of Come Together (#1 for 1 week in 1969) by the Beatles. In just six years the Beatles accumulated 20 #1 hits on the Billboard HOT 100 and this song choice allowed Kris to show a different side of himself. He used an electric guitar and took it up more than a few notches than usual. While he was a little out of his element, he managed to save it with inherent talent and respect for the music.
With Danny Gokey's opportunity to sing solo on Aerosmith's #6 hit from 1976, Dream On, all of his shortcomings were pathetically exposed. The judges have built him up all season to make him think he can do anything, so you have to admire his effort. But he missed the mark on every aspect. He looked totally dopey in his little vest and suit pants. His voice completely lacks the range necessary for this kind of song so the high notes were just unpleasant shrieks and the rest of the song was just his usual screams. The last note was seriously embarrassing.
Foghat took Slow Ride to the top 20 in 1976. Adam Lambert and Allison Iraheta showed us with their duet of this song that they know how to see how high the bar has been raised and reach for it. Their vocals were a masterful blend of enthusiasm and talent. Wonderful rock and roll entertainment.
Adam genuinely set the bar very high with his performances tonight and Allison showed that she is up for the challenge to get up there with him. This theme was a little rough for Kris so he should end up in the bottom two with Danny. If people are voting to keep the talented singers with stage presence and recording star quality on the show, Danny Gokey should be the odd man out and he should finally be going home.
Saturday, August 2, 2008
One Step At A Time
Katy Perry is showing the Miss American Idol finalists how it's done. She's now spent her 6th week at #1 on the Billboard HOT 100 singles charts with her provocative dance pop single, I Kissed A Girl. Perhaps the expectation of a squeaky clean image is preventing the Idols from having bigger hits these days. While Katy has achieved huge success announcing to the world that she kissed a girl and she liked it, David Cook and Jordin Sparks are struggling.
While the sales for David's The Time Of My Life have slowed down, it seems like airplay is picking up a bit because it's not dropping as fast as it was off the chart. Jordin's duet with Chris Brown, No Air, is also dropping very slowly of the charts. Chris Brown is doing very well all by himself - his hot dance smash Forever is holding strong at #3 this week. It's one of my favorite songs out right now. It's great to blast really loud while driving.
Remember back when Jordin performed her new single on the American Idol finals when David Cook was crowned the Season 7 Miss American Idol? She sang One Step At A Time and she looked and sounded amazing. This song is very fun and catchy and I am happy to report that it has finally started to get the airplay that it deserves. It's sitting at #34 this week on the Billboard HOT 100.
While Jordin is making her way up the charts one little step at a time, the reigning pop superstar, Rihanna is still topping the charts with everything she puts out. She's still at #2 with her former #1, Take A Bow, and this week her latest release, Disturbia, leaps all the way up to #4. It's not that rare for an artist to have more than one song in the top five in the same week. The biggest megastars like The Beatles and the Bee Gees did it almost every week and a Legendary Diva like Mariah Carey has done it on numerous occasions. It's still a feat that no American Idol has done yet, but it can still happen - one step at a time...
While the sales for David's The Time Of My Life have slowed down, it seems like airplay is picking up a bit because it's not dropping as fast as it was off the chart. Jordin's duet with Chris Brown, No Air, is also dropping very slowly of the charts. Chris Brown is doing very well all by himself - his hot dance smash Forever is holding strong at #3 this week. It's one of my favorite songs out right now. It's great to blast really loud while driving.
Remember back when Jordin performed her new single on the American Idol finals when David Cook was crowned the Season 7 Miss American Idol? She sang One Step At A Time and she looked and sounded amazing. This song is very fun and catchy and I am happy to report that it has finally started to get the airplay that it deserves. It's sitting at #34 this week on the Billboard HOT 100.
While Jordin is making her way up the charts one little step at a time, the reigning pop superstar, Rihanna is still topping the charts with everything she puts out. She's still at #2 with her former #1, Take A Bow, and this week her latest release, Disturbia, leaps all the way up to #4. It's not that rare for an artist to have more than one song in the top five in the same week. The biggest megastars like The Beatles and the Bee Gees did it almost every week and a Legendary Diva like Mariah Carey has done it on numerous occasions. It's still a feat that no American Idol has done yet, but it can still happen - one step at a time...
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)