The results show opened this week with The Season Two Miss American Idol winner Ruben Studdard singing his latest single. It's a pretty good R&B song that was pretty catchy and showed off his signature Velvet Teddy Bear vocals. The most exciting news is that he and the Season Two Miss American Idol 1st Runner Up, Clay Aiken, are going on tour together this Summer!
Lee, Casey, Aaron and Siobhan are all safe and Katie was the first person to be put into the bottom three.
This week's mentor, Usher, has had huge success on the Billboard HOT 100 singles chart. He has a total of 7 big #1 smash hits to his credit and he would love to have some more. His new album, Raymond Vs. Raymond, hits stores today, but so far the single from the album, Daddy's Home, is still stuck at #31. But it seems like he's giving up on that song and he's gonna push a new single called OMG that he performed tonight.
Crystal, Michael, and somehow Andrew are all safe leaving Tim and Didi to join Katie in the bottom three. Just like last week, Katie was sent back to safety.
Puff Daddy changed his name to P Diddy and apparently now he wants people to call him Diddy Dirty Money or something like that. He got up there surrounded by dancers and strobe lights to debut his latest single. Who knows what the name of the song is. It's likely to change soon anyway...
Turns out that Didi was the lowest vote getter of the week. She decided to sing Fleetwood Mac's Rhiannon for the judges to see if they would use the save on her. While they thought it was better than last night it still wasn't good enough to save her.
I only got one of my three predictions correct this week. I have no idea why people are voting to keep Andrew Garcia around. Him still being here means that the very sweet and talented Didi Benami is being sent home too soon.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Carrie is back at #1!
The #1 position is clearly not a temporary home for the Supreme Miss American Idol, season Four winner Carrie Underwood. She collects her ninth No. 1 on the Billboard Country Songs chart, as "Temporary Home" advances 2-1. The song is Underwood's second leader from "Play On," following "Cowboy Casanova," which topped the Nov. 21, 2009, tally.
She sent four songs - "So Small," "All-American Girl," "Last Name" and "Just a Dream" - to No. 1 from her sophomore set, "Carnival Ride," in 2007-08 and three - "Jesus, Take the Wheel," "Before He Cheats" and "Wasted" from her debut, "Some Hearts" in 2006-07.
Carrie Underwood is the first solo female to release three consecutive studio albums each boasting at least two No. 1s on Billboard Country Songs chart since 1989.
She sent four songs - "So Small," "All-American Girl," "Last Name" and "Just a Dream" - to No. 1 from her sophomore set, "Carnival Ride," in 2007-08 and three - "Jesus, Take the Wheel," "Before He Cheats" and "Wasted" from her debut, "Some Hearts" in 2006-07.
Carrie Underwood is the first solo female to release three consecutive studio albums each boasting at least two No. 1s on Billboard Country Songs chart since 1989.
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.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
The Results - #1 Hits
It was a very special moment in the group opening number getting the chance to see the genuine Crystal Bowersox truly be herself singing the smash that WHAM! took to #1 for three weeks in 1984, Wake Me Up Before You Go Go. There she was dumping all of that fake guitar playing rock chick garbage and really expressing herself as the true jitter bugging girly girl that she is.
Siobhan, Casey and Lee are all safe, but both Tim and Paige had to take the first two seats in the bottom three.
Miley Cyrus is not a good singer. She strained her way through her latest single, When I Look At You, and it was pure torture on the ears. A piano driven power ballad is not the best type of song for her limited abilities. In addition to her lack of vocal talent, she wasn't the best mentor for the finalists especially because she's never experienced her own #1 hit on the Billboard HOT 100 so she didn't fit into the theme. She's hit the top 10 on the chart three times with See You Again peaking at #10, The Climb which hit #4 and Party In The USA that did manage to get all the way up to #2.
Aaron, Didi, Michael, and Crystal are all safe and somehow, shockingly, Andrew is also safe. That means that Katie had to join Tim and Paige in the bottom three, but she wasn't there for long as she was immediately informed that she was safe.
A couple more Disney Channel favorites, Joe Jonas and Demi Lovato, got up on stage and showcased their pretty faces and lack of vocal talents. But they were still better than Miley...
The person who is the lowest vote getter of the week is Paige Miles so Tim was sent back to safety. The judges had no interest in using the SAVE for her so she just sang for the last time knowing there was no hope.
This week I correctly predicted two out of three and was right that Paige would be the one going home. I have to question now, who is voting for Andrew? It's gonna be sad to see what a mess he makes next week.
Siobhan, Casey and Lee are all safe, but both Tim and Paige had to take the first two seats in the bottom three.
Miley Cyrus is not a good singer. She strained her way through her latest single, When I Look At You, and it was pure torture on the ears. A piano driven power ballad is not the best type of song for her limited abilities. In addition to her lack of vocal talent, she wasn't the best mentor for the finalists especially because she's never experienced her own #1 hit on the Billboard HOT 100 so she didn't fit into the theme. She's hit the top 10 on the chart three times with See You Again peaking at #10, The Climb which hit #4 and Party In The USA that did manage to get all the way up to #2.
Aaron, Didi, Michael, and Crystal are all safe and somehow, shockingly, Andrew is also safe. That means that Katie had to join Tim and Paige in the bottom three, but she wasn't there for long as she was immediately informed that she was safe.
A couple more Disney Channel favorites, Joe Jonas and Demi Lovato, got up on stage and showcased their pretty faces and lack of vocal talents. But they were still better than Miley...
The person who is the lowest vote getter of the week is Paige Miles so Tim was sent back to safety. The judges had no interest in using the SAVE for her so she just sang for the last time knowing there was no hope.
This week I correctly predicted two out of three and was right that Paige would be the one going home. I have to question now, who is voting for Andrew? It's gonna be sad to see what a mess he makes next week.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
The Top 11 sing #1 Hits
The finalists had the chance to select any song that hit #1 on the Billboard HOT 100. They got a little bit of guidance this week from a 17 singer who has never had a #1 hit of her own, Miley Cyrus.
The Box Tops spent four weeks at #1 with The Letter in 1967 and Lee Dewyze did not do himself a favor by trying to sing this song that should have been much more fun. His tired old rock guy raspy voice just sounded like strained screaming and he had no personality up on stage.
Phil Collins spent three weeks at #1 with Against All Odds in 1984 and Paige Miles could not fall back on the excuse of having a sore throat tonight. The vocal performance she served up was weak from beginning to end. She did not take advantage of any opportunity to belt out the big notes at all.
Queen spent spent four weeks at #1 with Crazy Little Thing Called Love in 1980 and Tim Urban even slid across the stage to prove that he can get hip enough for what this song demands. The fact is that it just wasn't enough. Even with all of his attempts at stage theatrics it was still flat and boring.
Aerosmith hit #1 in 1998 with I Don't Want To Miss A Thing and Aaron Kelly brought his diminutive little self on to the stage to sing this big power ballad. He's not a very dynamic performer or vocalist but he's a nice kid....
Janis Joplin spent two weeks at #1 with Me And Bobby McGee in 1971 and let's be thankful that Crystal Bowersox got this song out of the way early in the competition. She is immediately compared to Janis and now she can put this behind her and start to really be herself.
When A Man Loves A Woman is one of the few songs that has hit #1 by two different artists: for one week by Michael Bolton in 1991 and for two weeks by Percy Sledge in 1966. Michael Lynche put in a great effort to make a hit of this song again. He showed off a very impressive vocal range and coupled that with his nice guy sincerity.
Marvin Gaye spent seven weeks at #1 with I Heard It Through The Grapevine in 1968 and Andrew Garcia hoped to liven up his image with this popular favorite. He failed miserably. His vocals are totally bland and his stage presence is embarrassingly awkward.
Fergie spent one week at #1 with Big Girls Don't Cry in 2007 and Katie Stevens made a great choice in selecting this big ballad. It was right all around in that it showed off her vocal range and it was more fresh and current.
Huey Lewis and The News spent two weeks at #1 with The Power of Love in 1985 and Casey James rocked the audience back to the past along with his bright smile and electric guitar. He's good all around - good looking, good vocals, good guitar playing. There's just nothing extra super great about his performances.
Linda Ronstadt spent one week at #1 with You're No Good in 1975 and Didi Benami tried to jazz things up a bit with her rendition. She tried to make it bigger than the original, but it took her vocals a little out of her range. While the overall performance was pretty fun, it didn't show her at her best.
Stevie Wonder spent one week at #1 with Superstition in 1972 and Siobhan Magnus brought her nerdy girl with an edge persona to this classic jam. What's special about this finalist is that she really pushes herself closer to the edge than anyone else in the competition taking risks both vocally and with her stylish look.
My prediction for the bottom three this week is Paige Miles, Tim Urban and Andrew Garcia. While it would be nice to finally stop Andrew from making a fool of himself, I think he will be coming back next week while Paige end up being the lowest vote getter.
The Box Tops spent four weeks at #1 with The Letter in 1967 and Lee Dewyze did not do himself a favor by trying to sing this song that should have been much more fun. His tired old rock guy raspy voice just sounded like strained screaming and he had no personality up on stage.
Phil Collins spent three weeks at #1 with Against All Odds in 1984 and Paige Miles could not fall back on the excuse of having a sore throat tonight. The vocal performance she served up was weak from beginning to end. She did not take advantage of any opportunity to belt out the big notes at all.
Queen spent spent four weeks at #1 with Crazy Little Thing Called Love in 1980 and Tim Urban even slid across the stage to prove that he can get hip enough for what this song demands. The fact is that it just wasn't enough. Even with all of his attempts at stage theatrics it was still flat and boring.
Aerosmith hit #1 in 1998 with I Don't Want To Miss A Thing and Aaron Kelly brought his diminutive little self on to the stage to sing this big power ballad. He's not a very dynamic performer or vocalist but he's a nice kid....
Janis Joplin spent two weeks at #1 with Me And Bobby McGee in 1971 and let's be thankful that Crystal Bowersox got this song out of the way early in the competition. She is immediately compared to Janis and now she can put this behind her and start to really be herself.
When A Man Loves A Woman is one of the few songs that has hit #1 by two different artists: for one week by Michael Bolton in 1991 and for two weeks by Percy Sledge in 1966. Michael Lynche put in a great effort to make a hit of this song again. He showed off a very impressive vocal range and coupled that with his nice guy sincerity.
Marvin Gaye spent seven weeks at #1 with I Heard It Through The Grapevine in 1968 and Andrew Garcia hoped to liven up his image with this popular favorite. He failed miserably. His vocals are totally bland and his stage presence is embarrassingly awkward.
Fergie spent one week at #1 with Big Girls Don't Cry in 2007 and Katie Stevens made a great choice in selecting this big ballad. It was right all around in that it showed off her vocal range and it was more fresh and current.
Huey Lewis and The News spent two weeks at #1 with The Power of Love in 1985 and Casey James rocked the audience back to the past along with his bright smile and electric guitar. He's good all around - good looking, good vocals, good guitar playing. There's just nothing extra super great about his performances.
Linda Ronstadt spent one week at #1 with You're No Good in 1975 and Didi Benami tried to jazz things up a bit with her rendition. She tried to make it bigger than the original, but it took her vocals a little out of her range. While the overall performance was pretty fun, it didn't show her at her best.
Stevie Wonder spent one week at #1 with Superstition in 1972 and Siobhan Magnus brought her nerdy girl with an edge persona to this classic jam. What's special about this finalist is that she really pushes herself closer to the edge than anyone else in the competition taking risks both vocally and with her stylish look.
My prediction for the bottom three this week is Paige Miles, Tim Urban and Andrew Garcia. While it would be nice to finally stop Andrew from making a fool of himself, I think he will be coming back next week while Paige end up being the lowest vote getter.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
The Results - Rolling Stones
The biggest song on the Billboard HOT 100 of 2010 so far is Tik Tok by Ke$ha having just finished nine weeks at #1. She performed tonight to show the season 9 finalists what they are going to have to become if they actually want to have a hit song.
And at #17 this week is According To You by new artist, Orianthi. She also performed along with Season 7 Miss American Idol winner, David Cook. Unlike Ke$ha and Orianthi, David hasn't seen the upper portion of the Billboard HOT 100 in over a year. Since he has no hit single to promote right now he just served up a cover of the Rolling Stones Jumpin Jack Flash.
The bottom three this week were Tim Urban, Paige Miles and Lacey Brown. Turns out that Lacey was the lowest vote getter and the judges decided they did not want to save her so she is out of here.
I only correctly predicted one of the bottom three.
And at #17 this week is According To You by new artist, Orianthi. She also performed along with Season 7 Miss American Idol winner, David Cook. Unlike Ke$ha and Orianthi, David hasn't seen the upper portion of the Billboard HOT 100 in over a year. Since he has no hit single to promote right now he just served up a cover of the Rolling Stones Jumpin Jack Flash.
The bottom three this week were Tim Urban, Paige Miles and Lacey Brown. Turns out that Lacey was the lowest vote getter and the judges decided they did not want to save her so she is out of here.
I only correctly predicted one of the bottom three.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
The Top 12 sing The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones are the original bad boys of rock charting 41 songs in the Top 40 of the Billboard HOT 100 starting in 1964. Mick Jagger and Keith Richards are still active recording and touring and this week finalists selected songs from their outstanding catalog.
Miss You spent one week at #1 in 1978. It was the short period of time when the Rolling Stones gave into the hot disco craze. Michael Lynche performed this great song in his falsetto. It sounded good, but stage presence was a little goofy.
Playing with Fire was very different from the original in the hands of Didi Benami. It started out pretty shaky, but she managed to hit some big notes and be somewhat impressive for a while there. She tried to get a little more outside of her folk singer/coffee shop style so it was a step in the right direction.
It's All Over Now hit #26 in 1964 and Casey James served up a pretty straightforward version. The guitar was solid, his looks were front and center and the vocals were just as plain as usual. Good, but nothing special.
Ruby Tuesday spent one week at #1 in 1967 and Lacey Brown definitely made this song her own. Her vocals were weak and she was clearly going for quirky instead of power. Not the best way to make use of the big stage for the first time.
Gimme Shelter is one of the Stones most recognizable powerhouse anthems, but with Andrew Garcia at the mic the life was completely sucked out of it. His vocals were totally flat and uninteresting.
Wild Horses only peaked at #28 in 1971 and it's doubtful that it will get any higher with Katie Stevens. This very nice young finalist is really failing to live up to her potential. Her vocals this week were once again not very captivating.
Under My Thumb is a fantastic Rolling Stones classic album track and Tim Urban decided to have some fun and give it a more acoustic reggae vibe. It was a unique arrangement, but even with his good looks it couldn't distract from his unsteady singing voice.
Paint It Black spent two weeks at #1 in 1966 and Siobhan Magnus raised the bar for all of the other finalists with her spectacular, over the top performance. She was able to show off her entire vocal range soft and subtle to high energy drama. She clearly wants to win this.
Beast of Burden hit #8 in 1978 and Lee Dewyze provided a very generic "rock guy" rendition of this song. Rather than having any exceptional passion or energy the song ended up being very watered down and bland.
Honky Tonk Women spent four weeks at #1 in 1969 and Paige Miles used this song to re-introduce herself to the fans as a power belting down home southern honky tonk woman. This was much better than anything she did in the top 24 and she has the voice and the stage presence to be sticking around for longer.
Angie spent one week at #1 in 1973 and Aaron Kelly provided a very believable cover despite his youth. He's truly a pint sized pixie up on the big stage but the sincerity in his vocals manages to save him from disappearing in the crowd.
You Can't Always Get What You Want is yet another one of those legendary album tracks that helped define the Rolling Stones as the greatest rock band in the world and Crystal Bowersox used this song to show off her confidence and talent. She is a natural talent, but even she can turn it up a notch to prove that she wants to be here.
The music selections were great, but all of the performances weren't. My prediction for the bottom three are Lacey Brown, Andrew Garcia and Katie Stevens. All three of these finalists have to learn how to take advantage of the big stage as well as learn how to show off their voices at their best. After all the votes are counted, it should be Andrew Garcia going home this week.
Miss You spent one week at #1 in 1978. It was the short period of time when the Rolling Stones gave into the hot disco craze. Michael Lynche performed this great song in his falsetto. It sounded good, but stage presence was a little goofy.
Playing with Fire was very different from the original in the hands of Didi Benami. It started out pretty shaky, but she managed to hit some big notes and be somewhat impressive for a while there. She tried to get a little more outside of her folk singer/coffee shop style so it was a step in the right direction.
It's All Over Now hit #26 in 1964 and Casey James served up a pretty straightforward version. The guitar was solid, his looks were front and center and the vocals were just as plain as usual. Good, but nothing special.
Ruby Tuesday spent one week at #1 in 1967 and Lacey Brown definitely made this song her own. Her vocals were weak and she was clearly going for quirky instead of power. Not the best way to make use of the big stage for the first time.
Gimme Shelter is one of the Stones most recognizable powerhouse anthems, but with Andrew Garcia at the mic the life was completely sucked out of it. His vocals were totally flat and uninteresting.
Wild Horses only peaked at #28 in 1971 and it's doubtful that it will get any higher with Katie Stevens. This very nice young finalist is really failing to live up to her potential. Her vocals this week were once again not very captivating.
Under My Thumb is a fantastic Rolling Stones classic album track and Tim Urban decided to have some fun and give it a more acoustic reggae vibe. It was a unique arrangement, but even with his good looks it couldn't distract from his unsteady singing voice.
Paint It Black spent two weeks at #1 in 1966 and Siobhan Magnus raised the bar for all of the other finalists with her spectacular, over the top performance. She was able to show off her entire vocal range soft and subtle to high energy drama. She clearly wants to win this.
Beast of Burden hit #8 in 1978 and Lee Dewyze provided a very generic "rock guy" rendition of this song. Rather than having any exceptional passion or energy the song ended up being very watered down and bland.
Honky Tonk Women spent four weeks at #1 in 1969 and Paige Miles used this song to re-introduce herself to the fans as a power belting down home southern honky tonk woman. This was much better than anything she did in the top 24 and she has the voice and the stage presence to be sticking around for longer.
Angie spent one week at #1 in 1973 and Aaron Kelly provided a very believable cover despite his youth. He's truly a pint sized pixie up on the big stage but the sincerity in his vocals manages to save him from disappearing in the crowd.
You Can't Always Get What You Want is yet another one of those legendary album tracks that helped define the Rolling Stones as the greatest rock band in the world and Crystal Bowersox used this song to show off her confidence and talent. She is a natural talent, but even she can turn it up a notch to prove that she wants to be here.
The music selections were great, but all of the performances weren't. My prediction for the bottom three are Lacey Brown, Andrew Garcia and Katie Stevens. All three of these finalists have to learn how to take advantage of the big stage as well as learn how to show off their voices at their best. After all the votes are counted, it should be Andrew Garcia going home this week.
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