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American Idol
David Cook
So here's where I am on David Cook's songs - it's really, really hard to "redo" a song in the amount of time they're given. It's nigh on impossible to do two when you keep in mind *how* a contestant redoes a song. David C. redoes the whole thing - the instrumentation to the melody. If there's no previously redone option out there by another group, that's a lot of work. (Remember, they choose a song for the next theme on Wednesday morning, before they know who's been kicked off. And during that week they have learn two songs, do the Ford shoot, learn a number for the results show, and other appearances as scheduled by FOX.)
David C. really didn't have that chance this week.
Also, I think he psyched himself out a bit by realizing it was a week he was supposed to excel in.
Anyway, I've always liked "Hungry Like The Wolf" and feel it's a song that really can't be changed much. It's definitive. That said, his performance was lacking oomph. The second one, however, was awesome.
David Archuleta
His first song was spectacular. "Stand By Me" is one of those songs that begs for a certain kind of singer. David A. is that kind of singer. It was lyrical and fun and soulful.
Sadly, his second performance was not the grand slam the judges and Archulites think it was. While vocally he did great for most of the song, the reality is that Elvis was vocally better. And Elvis infused a ballad with ten times the emotion that David A. is capable of. The arrangement was also not to the song's best advantage. It was too much. (Incidentally, David A. had the instrumentation exactly the same and changed the melody as he sang it, which is easier than changing up the entire song.)
Jason Castro
Admittedly, I was so happy with Jason having fun with his songs that I missed most of his vocal faux pas. Seriously. LOL Now, I also know that *why* he chose the songs was not a good reason - he needs to be trying his hardest, even if he's mentally done. (He has admitted to being done in an interview. Getting flowers or balloons or something did him in. The attention has gotten to be too much for him.)
But one thing I really, really would like to point out...the judges should never, ever criticize someone for screwing up Bob Dylan lyrics. Cause who the hell has known what Dylan was singing, like, ever? *g* (Come on, you know you wanted to make that joke, too.)
Syesha
Tonight I agreed with Simon and Randy. Whole-heartedly. Without a shadow of a doubt. When they each said "not so good".
*sigh*
Here's the thing - I don't care that Syesha carried a tune on "Proud Mary". That was her acting again. She was "acting" like Tina Turner, down to being worried over doing the dance moves. Then she only did them halfway! Tina is fierce. Tina is 70 freaking years old and still does that routine fiercer than anyone else. Hell, Tina outdanced Beyonce on that song recently. Not only that, but other contestants on Idol have done that song (and better) and other contestants on Idol VERY recently were compared to Tina Turner (Melinda Doolittle).
In fact, there is only one way to point out how badly Syesha messed up to long time die hard Idol fans: Trenyce.
Girl, if you're going to sing that song, you growl it from the guts, you rip your heart out of your chest, and you stomp on that stage and give it all you've got. You don't care if you get called a drag queen. You don't care about anyone or anything but singing that song from the depths of your soul.
ETA: On the dance moves, Donovan shows you how to get it done. And Melinda shows how it's done without dancing.
*deep breath*
And the second song lost me on the first note. I really just didn't feel it. The interview package didn't help (because while I applaud her for connecting with a song and finally being herself, the Civil Rights movement is NOT something you try to equate with your Idol journey - bad monologue, Syesha, bad monologue!). But more importantly, the notes just didn't quite get where she meant them to go and all that was left was emotion. I just wasn't feeling it, dawg. (I thought Randy and I were the only ones, but at least a few reviews - Entertainment Weekly most notably - had the exact same reaction to it.) Don't get me wrong, she was better over the night than Jason, but...just not there.
David Cook
So here's where I am on David Cook's songs - it's really, really hard to "redo" a song in the amount of time they're given. It's nigh on impossible to do two when you keep in mind *how* a contestant redoes a song. David C. redoes the whole thing - the instrumentation to the melody. If there's no previously redone option out there by another group, that's a lot of work. (Remember, they choose a song for the next theme on Wednesday morning, before they know who's been kicked off. And during that week they have learn two songs, do the Ford shoot, learn a number for the results show, and other appearances as scheduled by FOX.)
David C. really didn't have that chance this week.
Also, I think he psyched himself out a bit by realizing it was a week he was supposed to excel in.
Anyway, I've always liked "Hungry Like The Wolf" and feel it's a song that really can't be changed much. It's definitive. That said, his performance was lacking oomph. The second one, however, was awesome.
David Archuleta
His first song was spectacular. "Stand By Me" is one of those songs that begs for a certain kind of singer. David A. is that kind of singer. It was lyrical and fun and soulful.
Sadly, his second performance was not the grand slam the judges and Archulites think it was. While vocally he did great for most of the song, the reality is that Elvis was vocally better. And Elvis infused a ballad with ten times the emotion that David A. is capable of. The arrangement was also not to the song's best advantage. It was too much. (Incidentally, David A. had the instrumentation exactly the same and changed the melody as he sang it, which is easier than changing up the entire song.)
Jason Castro
Admittedly, I was so happy with Jason having fun with his songs that I missed most of his vocal faux pas. Seriously. LOL Now, I also know that *why* he chose the songs was not a good reason - he needs to be trying his hardest, even if he's mentally done. (He has admitted to being done in an interview. Getting flowers or balloons or something did him in. The attention has gotten to be too much for him.)
But one thing I really, really would like to point out...the judges should never, ever criticize someone for screwing up Bob Dylan lyrics. Cause who the hell has known what Dylan was singing, like, ever? *g* (Come on, you know you wanted to make that joke, too.)
Syesha
Tonight I agreed with Simon and Randy. Whole-heartedly. Without a shadow of a doubt. When they each said "not so good".
*sigh*
Here's the thing - I don't care that Syesha carried a tune on "Proud Mary". That was her acting again. She was "acting" like Tina Turner, down to being worried over doing the dance moves. Then she only did them halfway! Tina is fierce. Tina is 70 freaking years old and still does that routine fiercer than anyone else. Hell, Tina outdanced Beyonce on that song recently. Not only that, but other contestants on Idol have done that song (and better) and other contestants on Idol VERY recently were compared to Tina Turner (Melinda Doolittle).
In fact, there is only one way to point out how badly Syesha messed up to long time die hard Idol fans: Trenyce.
Girl, if you're going to sing that song, you growl it from the guts, you rip your heart out of your chest, and you stomp on that stage and give it all you've got. You don't care if you get called a drag queen. You don't care about anyone or anything but singing that song from the depths of your soul.
ETA: On the dance moves, Donovan shows you how to get it done. And Melinda shows how it's done without dancing.
*deep breath*
And the second song lost me on the first note. I really just didn't feel it. The interview package didn't help (because while I applaud her for connecting with a song and finally being herself, the Civil Rights movement is NOT something you try to equate with your Idol journey - bad monologue, Syesha, bad monologue!). But more importantly, the notes just didn't quite get where she meant them to go and all that was left was emotion. I just wasn't feeling it, dawg. (I thought Randy and I were the only ones, but at least a few reviews - Entertainment Weekly most notably - had the exact same reaction to it.) Don't get me wrong, she was better over the night than Jason, but...just not there.
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