American Idol - Double Take & Heartbreak Week
In a competition field where almost everyone can sing really well, song choice becomes CRUCIAL. That's the lesson from tonight's American Idol.
All the contestants got to sing 2 songs each, tonight - which is really quite fortunate, for most of them - since at least 3 of them, had pretty bad song choices. The first song is based on the year that they were born and the second is from a Billboard Top 10 hit.
Tonight, I'm going to give points (out of 10) on my personal ranking, for the performance of the final five of American Idol:-
1) Chris Daughtry - Although he seemed a bit fatigued tonight, but Chris was still commanding with his great vocal prowess and powerful presence tonight. I can't remember the name of the first song but I felt that it deserved a 9 on performance and for the second song, "I Dare You To" certainly deserved an 8.
Certainly, the best performer for tonight. 17 points collectively for Chris.
2) Taylor Hicks - never underestimate the power of passion and showmanship. Despite having a more limited voice capacity than the other finalists, but Taylor is usually more aware of what his strengths are and his song choices usually reflect that.
Tonight was no different. His rendition of "Play That Funky Music" was energetic and entertaining and deserved an 8. (Although Simon Cowell called it "a horrible wedding performance" which I felt wasn't entirely fair). Taylor showed his versatility and showed another side of his ability by rendering the Beatles hit "Something" sweetly. That deserved an 8 too, I felt.
That would be 16 points for Taylor.
And if he keeps this up, he may just end up in the top 2.
3) Katherine McPhee - The first song by Katherine - Phil Collins' "Take A Look At Me Now" - was a weird song choice and the arrangements did not bring out the best that she had. Definitely, only a 7 in my books.
If she wanted to choose a song from 1984, I felt that Taylor Dayne's "I'll Always Love You" with some suitable modifications, would have better showed off her vocal range.
She came back strongly in her second song "Black Horse and Cherry Tree" - where she also displayed what strong vocals can do for a really fun song. And McPheever is beginning to put her sizzle and sex appeal to good use - I thought the getting down on her knees bit, was playing to the gallery (of men). That deserved an 8.
15 points for Katherine tonight.
But she really needs to be smarter in song choices and learn to play to her strengths. Just like she's doing with her clothes.
4) Paris Bennett - I felt her first song choice, "Kiss" by Prince, was not a very good one. Aside from being catchy, there's really nothing much one can do with that song (unless one oozed "coolness" like Prince did). Although her rendition was a fairly good one - the song choice would have only deserved her a low 6.
However, her second song, "Be Without You" by Mary J. Blige is a difficult song to execute well - but with her strong vocals and an innate sense of rhythm - she pulled it off, amazingly well. I felt that she deserved an 8.5 on that one.
14.5 points for Paris tonight.
But yes, she's definitely at risk, because of that poor choice of a first song, which I think, will make her end up in the bottom 2.
If we follow the trend in American Idol that only the 2nd worst performer gets kicked out - then it could be her. And it would be heartbreaking for me - as I think she's got a lot more in her, to show.
5) Elliot Yamin - My general impression is that Elliot tried to play it too safe tonight. At this stage of the competition, it could either work (though not for long) or it could backfire. My bet is on the latter.
His first song - I think it was called "Star on Broadway" was a typical Elliot fare and is the sort of music that he likes and is comfortable with. Not the best of song choices, but it was an okay performance. Just a 7 on that one.
His second song - "Home" by Michael Buble" - is a bit weaker on performance. Personally, I felt that he could have chosen a better song and one that he could sing better. The one that he sang sounded like a semi-country version of "Home" and except for a few melodic parts at the end, it really didn't show off what he's really capable of. I'm giving him a 7, for that performance.
That would be 14 points for Elliot - which I feel, would earn him the exit tomorrow. But then again, he could be more popular than his performance warrants. It's up to America to get it right.
Whatever it is, whoever leaves tomorrow night - it would be heartbreaking. Because all of the top 5 are amazing performers, on a good day.
Let's wait and see, folks!
p.s. Pixie - that means not giving me the results before tomorrow evening, comprendo? :)
All the contestants got to sing 2 songs each, tonight - which is really quite fortunate, for most of them - since at least 3 of them, had pretty bad song choices. The first song is based on the year that they were born and the second is from a Billboard Top 10 hit.
Tonight, I'm going to give points (out of 10) on my personal ranking, for the performance of the final five of American Idol:-
1) Chris Daughtry - Although he seemed a bit fatigued tonight, but Chris was still commanding with his great vocal prowess and powerful presence tonight. I can't remember the name of the first song but I felt that it deserved a 9 on performance and for the second song, "I Dare You To" certainly deserved an 8.
Certainly, the best performer for tonight. 17 points collectively for Chris.
2) Taylor Hicks - never underestimate the power of passion and showmanship. Despite having a more limited voice capacity than the other finalists, but Taylor is usually more aware of what his strengths are and his song choices usually reflect that.
Tonight was no different. His rendition of "Play That Funky Music" was energetic and entertaining and deserved an 8. (Although Simon Cowell called it "a horrible wedding performance" which I felt wasn't entirely fair). Taylor showed his versatility and showed another side of his ability by rendering the Beatles hit "Something" sweetly. That deserved an 8 too, I felt.
That would be 16 points for Taylor.
And if he keeps this up, he may just end up in the top 2.
3) Katherine McPhee - The first song by Katherine - Phil Collins' "Take A Look At Me Now" - was a weird song choice and the arrangements did not bring out the best that she had. Definitely, only a 7 in my books.
If she wanted to choose a song from 1984, I felt that Taylor Dayne's "I'll Always Love You" with some suitable modifications, would have better showed off her vocal range.
She came back strongly in her second song "Black Horse and Cherry Tree" - where she also displayed what strong vocals can do for a really fun song. And McPheever is beginning to put her sizzle and sex appeal to good use - I thought the getting down on her knees bit, was playing to the gallery (of men). That deserved an 8.
15 points for Katherine tonight.
But she really needs to be smarter in song choices and learn to play to her strengths. Just like she's doing with her clothes.
4) Paris Bennett - I felt her first song choice, "Kiss" by Prince, was not a very good one. Aside from being catchy, there's really nothing much one can do with that song (unless one oozed "coolness" like Prince did). Although her rendition was a fairly good one - the song choice would have only deserved her a low 6.
However, her second song, "Be Without You" by Mary J. Blige is a difficult song to execute well - but with her strong vocals and an innate sense of rhythm - she pulled it off, amazingly well. I felt that she deserved an 8.5 on that one.
14.5 points for Paris tonight.
But yes, she's definitely at risk, because of that poor choice of a first song, which I think, will make her end up in the bottom 2.
If we follow the trend in American Idol that only the 2nd worst performer gets kicked out - then it could be her. And it would be heartbreaking for me - as I think she's got a lot more in her, to show.
5) Elliot Yamin - My general impression is that Elliot tried to play it too safe tonight. At this stage of the competition, it could either work (though not for long) or it could backfire. My bet is on the latter.
His first song - I think it was called "Star on Broadway" was a typical Elliot fare and is the sort of music that he likes and is comfortable with. Not the best of song choices, but it was an okay performance. Just a 7 on that one.
His second song - "Home" by Michael Buble" - is a bit weaker on performance. Personally, I felt that he could have chosen a better song and one that he could sing better. The one that he sang sounded like a semi-country version of "Home" and except for a few melodic parts at the end, it really didn't show off what he's really capable of. I'm giving him a 7, for that performance.
That would be 14 points for Elliot - which I feel, would earn him the exit tomorrow. But then again, he could be more popular than his performance warrants. It's up to America to get it right.
Whatever it is, whoever leaves tomorrow night - it would be heartbreaking. Because all of the top 5 are amazing performers, on a good day.
Let's wait and see, folks!
p.s. Pixie - that means not giving me the results before tomorrow evening, comprendo? :)
posted by Stingrayz | 12:33 PM
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