"Motown Moments.."

I don't know what it is, but I'm just not as excited about Idol this year. Maybe it was the Motown theme that didn't jive with me... I'm ready for current music!

There were some pretty stellar performances last night, but I just didn't feel any pull to vote. (This is from the girl who doesn't even want to attempt to count the number of texts/calls she sent out for DC last year!) I did throw a few Kris' way... because I think he gets overshadowed by Piano Matt & Gokey!

On to the performance recap... (in ranking order, because it's fun!)

TOP OF THE CROP

KRIS ALLEN "How Sweet It Is (To Be Love)" by Marvin Gaye: I completely adore this kid's ability to make a song his own! His vocals were strong and on point. He's so genuine on stage... I completely buy whatever he's selling! The judges are fans, Simon's on CRACK telling him he needs "swagger"... boo! We love cute little tender Kris! SAFE

ALLISON IRAHETA "Papa Was A Rolling Stone": This kid really can sing! She definitely had one of the best of the night and her best of the competition! Hopefully this keeps her in contention! SAFE

ADAM LAMBERT "Tracks of My Tears" by Smokey Robinson: I want to see the real Adam... tonight was an excellent tone down vocal, but I want to know who Adam really is! Behind of the characters, eye-liner & emo hair... can I relate to this guy? For the first time tonight Adam impressed me... not really enough the make me a fan, but his voice really is amazing (when he's not screeching at me) SAFE

MIDDLING

ANOOP DESAI "Oo, Baby baby" by Smokey Robinson: I 100% he would have sang this almost acapella... maybe with only the piano! The band/ crappy background singers overpowered his tender vocals. I'll agree with Randy, Anoop needs to kick it up a notch next week! SAFE

MATT GIRAUD "Let's Get It On" by Marvin Gaye: The vocals were pretty good and I did enjoy that he finally got up from the piano! Matt reigned in his "riffs and runs" a bit, but I'd love him to take it back even more! The judges want us to believe he's making a play for the finale... I just don't see it! SAFE

DANNY GOKEY "Get Ready": He performance was okay... nothing spectacular, but he disregard for Smokey's advice annoyed me. Danny was a little forgettable tonight, but still SAFE

LIL ROUNDS "Heatwave": Lil should have commanded the stage last night and she really fell flat for me. Completely forgetable... but still SAFE
**side note: If the Judges Save is used in the competition... it'll be on Danny or Lil!

BYE BYE BYE

MEGAN CORKERY/MEGAN JOY (whatever the crap her name is this week) "For Once In My Life" by Stevie Wonder: This was the oddest performance ever... every 10 or 15 notes there would be one that worked. Megan went from flat to screechy and back to flat like it ain't no thang, but the thing was... I found myself not hating and yet again... just not getting it at all! It was just weird...

MICHAEL SARVER & SCOTT MACINTYRE actually managed to make there songs sound less contemporary than the originals. Too bad we can't have a double elimination and send them both home! One of the two has to go home tonight... I'd only slightly chose Sarver over Scott. Michael seem like bad karaoke compared to the rest of the singers last night, and Scott like an awful cruise ship act!

Who Will Go: Michael Sarver
Bottom 3: Michael, Scott & Megan

Who's ready for contemporary music? Not sure what next weeks Genre is, but here's hoping it's not Big Band or something else that has no relevance to Top 40 music...

Twitter-patted...

I'm addicted to TWITTER... like literally...

I check it a million times a day to see what my good friends Ryan Seacrest, John Mayer and Bobby Bones are up to and laugh to myself about the funny things I post and realize that no one is really reading them anyway ('cept Paula & Mel)!

It's so much fun though! Everyone should tweet... no really... EVERYONE!

"My apologies to Johnny Cash..."

Barring a few exceptions (cough GLAMBERT, cough, cough, GOKEY cough, cough) Country Night turn out pretty well!

I'm gonna skim over the non-importants, gush about the "Performances of the Night" and rant about the TRAINWRECKS...

Michael: "Ain't Going Down Till the Sun Comes Up" - Garth Brooks... he rushed the lyrics, ran out of breath, was clumsy & limited his vocals -- NOT SAFE (a likely contender to go tomorrow)

Allison: "Blame It On Your Heart" - Patty Loveless... felt she was a touch behind the music, didn't love... didn't hate, she was less annoying tonight -- SAFE (going early could land her in the bottom 3)
*a bit of "Ashley" trivia: this was the first CASSETTE TAPE I ever bought with my own money!!

Kris: "To Make You Feel My Love" - Bob Dylan/ Garth Brooks... This vocal was LOVELY, it was subtle, vunerable, current, relevant... remind me very much of Castro's "Hallelujah" and Cook's "Little Sparrow"! The arrangement was cool, the vocals were smooth and on-point (went off a little with the falsetto), but definitely ties as my favorite of the evening! I can not wait for the studio version! I was also glad to see Simon finally giving Kris his dues in this competition! SAFE
* a bit of "Idol" trivia: This song was also covered by Kelly Clarkson for the 'Hope Floats' soundtrack!

Lil: "Independence Day" - Martina McBride... weird phrasing, too much back talk, she's got nothing on Martina or Carrie! Could be in a spot of trouble! SAFE ps. I find Simon calling her "Little" hilarious... if you don't want some poor Brit calling you that... get a normal name!
* More "Idol" trivia: this was the B-side to Carrie's "Inside Your Heaven" Winners Single.

Glambert: "Ring of Fire" - Johnny Cash... I partially blame myself! I said I'd be interested in seeing him take on Cash... I take it back, I take it back, I take it ALL back! This was a complete WTF moment! Johnny Cash was most definitely rolling over in his grave! It was completely out of place! His high notes are so shrill & whiny! I hated it.. literally HATED it, but that won't matter... America has a weird facination with singers I hate! SAFE ps. If Randy calls him 'current' one more time I just might scream... Nine Inch Nails? NOT CURRENT DUDE! GEEZ!

Scott: "Wild Angels" - Martina McBride... wasn't feeling the first 1/2, but enjoy when the music picked up near the middle. Scott joke about moving the piano closer was pretty funny, but I think he could be near the bottom of the pack tonight. NOT SAFE

Alexis: "Jolene" - Dolly Parton... it was an okay performance, didn't enjoy the arrangement, and I seriously wish Kara would stop telling the poor girl she needs to be a slut to make it in this competition... it's driving me insane! She was pretty forgettable tonight. NOT SAFE (Although I see a guy going home tomorrow)

Danny: "Jesus Take the Wheel" - Carrie Underwood... dude the front part of this was gosh awful! He was no where near the pitch... way too low! He put forth a little gusto on the chorus, but all in all... this was a crap performance that Paula & Simon fawned all over! Paula is drunker than a skunk it she thinks Carrie is even gonna shell out the 99 cents for the iTunes download of that let alone a CD! But America love the guy! SAFE

Anoop: "You Were Always on My Mind" - Willie Nelson... Anoop made me forget Willie ever sang that song! This was a BEAUTIFUL vocal, exactly what he needed to do to remind America why he needs to remain here! He put his own slight twist on the song and made it seem brand new! I am so proud of this kid. SAFE

Megan: "I Go Out Walkin' After Midnight" - Pasty Cline... she gets the 'sick' pass, I didn't complete hate it, but I also didn't completely get it! SAFE

Matt: "So Small" - Carrie Underwood... apparently Matt is what we like to call the "Stealth Chosen One", but I guess when you go 12th on Top 13 night and 11th and Top 11 night it's not so stealth anymore! The vocals were okay, the kid still has to put a run in every syllable of every word and tries way too hard for me to actually get behind him... but I didn't hate it! The judges still think he is the second coming of JT, Michael Buble, Gavin Degraw and every other current musicain... so... SAFE

Who's going home? Michael Sarver or Scott MacIntyre and think Alexis might be joing them in the bottom three
Will the judges use their save? not unless Matt/Gokey or Glambert some how find themselves on the chopping block!

I won't be around to watch tomorrow night's episode, but I'll be back Thursday evening to discuss all the FUN!

"The Top 11 Taken on..."

"...Songs of the Grand Old Opry"

ie: Country night... this year's twist is only Opry Member's songs are available. I usually love country night on Idol (check out "Memory Lane" at the end of this post), but this Tuesday should be pretty interesting without our patented country singer!

Who's gonna step up to the plate? Who's gonna fall flat?

I think Kris, Michael & Alexis will fit to country music seemlessly... even if Michael insists he's not country and might be able to pick up a whole voting block!

I can see both Danny & Scott relying heavily on the "tender lovelorn ballad" to get them through the night.

Adam or Lil will probably pick "I Will Always Love You"... they're both such divas! Although I might be interested in seeing Adam take on Johnny Cash.

Matt is probably wishing Keith Urban was a member of the Grand Ole Opry right about now, I know I sure am... he (and Kris) would have killed with a little "Tonight I Wanna Cry" or "Making Memories of Us" or whatever his current single happens to be.

Megan will fall flat on her face, but the judges won't care because she's quirky!

Anoop & Allison also ran a great chance of failure, but could completely stand out by making a song their own... I think Matt will actually end up in this category as well, with the best results!

Tuesday will bring a mentor session with Randy Travis, while Wednesday brings a Carrie/Randy Travis duet on her newest single "I Told You So" and a performance from Brad Paisley! It's not a good sign that I more excited about Wednesday than Tuesday is it? oh well...


"Country Night Memory Lane"
Season 2:
- Clay Aiken: "Someone Else's Star" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yr6MV6yMVSc
- Kimberly Locke: "I Can't Make You Love Me" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IT2kzep3SA
Season 3:
- Diana Degarmo: "Broken Wing" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amMGwh_eqQ4
- LaToya London: "Ain't Going Down Till the Sun Comes Up" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRDbnVqmr7I
Season 4:
- Carrie Underwood: "Bless the Broken Road" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywWNzv9TvC0
- Bo Bice: "Great Day to Be Alive" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvoKuO3T7f0
- Anthony Federov: "I'm Already There" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3610anBos08
Season 5:
- Katharine McPhee: "You're Bring Out the Elvis in Me" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AB4mnjBy7Jo
- Chris Daughtry: "Making Memories of Us" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSGU_dW-Ze8
- Kellie Pickler: "Fancy" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VslZpOjTDWY
Season 6:
- Jordin Sparks: "Broken Wing" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUia6XNnJgs
- Melinda Doolittle: "Trouble is a Woman" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GmfYDcW2xBU
Season 7:
- David Cook: "Little Sparrow" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlbnhxK43Gs
- David Archuleta: "Smokey Mountain Memories" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAPjhA4ymBo
- Jason Castro: "Travelin' Thru" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t19eDtAqEaA
- Carly Smithson: "Here You Come Again" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9e4aoJ_6oY
- Michael Johns: "It's All Wrong, But It's All Right" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJQF6ChK5fY

"Thriller Night? You decided..."

So the kids took on the King of Pop last night and it had the potential to be a great opening show (ala Season 7's opening Lennon/McCarthy night)! I was amped, jazzed, pumped and lots of other really 'excited' word... but as the night ended I felt so underwhelmed!

Lil started it off with "The Way You Make Me Feel" one of my all time favorite MJ songs and gave a pretty karaoke/by the book rendition. Lil is a competent singer that brings absolutely nothing new to the Idol stage. Her vocal on playback actually seemed a bit forced and slightly behind the music. I have yet to see (or hear) why the judges are supporting her so heavily... I just don't get it! Plus she looked horrible... I mean, really really bad! Results: Lil isn't going anywhere... Top 5 to Top 3

Scott made the right choice with "Keep the Faith", because while it was an unfamilar song his fanbase probably isn't familar with Jackson's songs anyway! The vocal was pretty good, till he tried stretching for a few of those high notes.. eek! Scott has a decent voice, but the fact that he's blind will carry him far past his expiration date in the competition... and I mean that in the nicest way possible! Results: Scott will be just fine this week... Top 8 to Top 6
(Anyone else want to punch Kara for making it seem like learning his song in a week was such a feat? when contestants did it all season long last year? Gracious, she grates on my last nerve!!)

Danny gets a few points for stepping outside the "inspirational ballad" realm with "P.Y.T." (also sung by the great Justin Guarini of Season 1)... it showed a different side and stage presence (his goofy dancing was even slightly endearing). He was pimped to high heaven by the judges and I don't get their love for him either, especially when Simon compares him to Michael McDonald... could Simon not think of a less relevant artist? Wait I thought of a less relevant one... Taylor Hicks.... Ohhhhh!!!! Results: Danny's here for the long haul... Top 3 to Winner

Michael attempted to show off his vocal range with "You Are Not Alone", but I think it still came off as weak,breathy and pretty boring. He be one of my picks to go home tonight, but middle America & the judges seem to keep giving him chances. Results: Michael should be going home after last night, but I think he'll get a least one more reprise... Top 13 to Top 10

I actually liked Jasmine's choice of "I'll Be There" and actually think her tone is more unique than Lil's, but she sings straight through her nose (much like all the young pop diva's) and that will great on A LOT of peoples nerves. The vocal/ stage presence came across as very (VERY) pagenty... big no-no on Idol. Results: I think it's very likely Jasmine will go home tonight.. if not... Top 11 is as far as she'll get.

Kris was my favorite of the night! His was really the only one I could have heard on Top 40 radio... he's definitely the most current (no matter what Randy says about Adam)!! His rendition of "Remember the Time" was very Mraz/Gavin/Castro-esque! He's a little quirky and awkward on stage... I dig it! The judges really don't seem to be on his bandwagon though which could spell trouble. Results: I could see Kris maybe falling into the Bottom group tonight, but he in NO WAY deserves to go... Top 8 to Top 6 (a la all the heart-throbs!!)

Allison song choice may be what gets her in trouble tonight. "Give It to Me" is a completely unknown song and while she got vocal chops, the performance just wasn't memorable at all. She is definitely a judges fav, but I think she'll land in the bottom. Results: Allison is a contender for the bottom spot, but if the Judge's twist is some kind of "veto" ... she'll be saved.... but I don't see more than a Top 10 to 8 finish for her.

Anoop got racked over the coals last night for a performance that I didn't honestly think was that bad. He took a risk with "Beat It" and while it didn't necessarily pay off... it was no where near to horror that judges made it out to be. He was entertaining and engaging, but the vocals were off. Results: Anoop will be fine this week (the OTT de-pimping will get him some votes), but he needs to step it up in the vocals to make the Top 6 to Top 4 spot he deserves.

Jorge sang "Never Can Say Goodbye" as a cruise ship lounge act! The vocals were good, but the performance was pretty boring and every couple lines he'd lose his diction lesson and I'd wonder if he switched to spanish (which might have actually been a cool latin-heartthrob ploy). Results: I think Jorge will be leaving us tonight... Top 13 or 12 is his spot!

I kinda sorta strongly dislike Megan.... so this will be super bias! First of all, her dancing is ridiculous, but in a completely staged, "I'm trying way too hard to be cute & quirky" way and she CAN NOT sing! All she does is shout at me... off-pitch! What in the crap was with the "Caw" at the end? She like the most annoying parts of Carly Smithson & Brooke White in one person... one fake person! So not a fan!!! Results: Megan will also pass her expiration date, but I'll never understand why... Top 9 to Top 6

Adam (aka Glambert) will probably win American Idol (unless we keep uncovering pictures of him kissing dudes) and it will be under my protest! He was so OTT (not nearly as over the top as the judging panel) it made me alittle sick to my stomach! Glambert most definitely belongs on a stage... just not this one! I'd love to see the kid on Broadway... but that's along way from my radio in the morning. Like I said... the judges are pimping him to high heavens and he'll probably win the whole dang show! Results: Paula crowned an Adam/Danny final... we'll have to see if she's right... Top 3 to Winner.

Matt tried way too hard to make "Human Nature" hip and cool! That seems to be Matt's MO... try too hard, give a mediocre vocal (that you can barely understand) and get praise as being the second coming of JT. I just don't see America buying into it! Results: Matt will be fine for the next few weeks, but I see him in Megan's spot... Top 9 to Top 6

Alexis had one of the better vocals last night with "Dirty Diana", but I just don't like the image she setting up... I think it's off putting to middle America and might get her into some trouble. Her stage presence could use some work along with her phrasing! None the less, I see her as the "girl" competition in the Boys club this year! Results: She in like Flynn.... Top 5 to Top 3.

Who's going home: Jorge & Jasmine (Michael & Kris have an outside shot)
Judges twist: I'm going with some kinda of chance at veto power or sing-off with the judges making the ultimate decision.... which we completely change Idol for the worse!!

We shall see tonight...

"The Top 13 take on..."

The King of Pop!!!!!

Michael Jackson... here we come!

It'll be a cool evening, full of interesting song choices!!

If anyone attempts DC/Chris Cornell's version of "Billie Jean" I might flip out...

just fair warning for any one involved!

"Noop Dawg in da House!"

I still have a reason to watch Idol....



oh yeah...
* Jasmine apparently think Mulan is commercially relevant in 2009
* Megan sucks... like seriously SUCKS!
* Ricky Braddy got epically ROBBED...
* Jesse Langseth got kinda sorta robbed...
* Von Smith needs to star in the Broadway show titled... "Jimmy Neutron goes to Sing-Sing" (sorry that's the prison in "The Producers"... a little musical theater humor... Adam Lambert would have laughed)
* Tatiana is 100% insane and should be comitted to a mental institution!
* I call Top 13 "pimp" spot for Matt Giraud, he'll play the piano and we'll all be "dazzled"
* Kelly Clarkson is cool sure... but KANYE?!? Wonder what Idol had to promise him to book that gig?

I'll be back tomorrow to further discuss this year's Top 13!

"Bring on the Wildcard"

So last night was just as predictable as every other Results Show has been... Lil, Jorge & Scott joined the Top 12... at least we got a little diversity!

- Lil is 100% LaToya London... but with a weaker range.
- Jorge is 100% Clay Aiken (same song choice and everything)... but less pale.
- Scott is like 65% Aiken and 35% Archie... with a weaker vocal & a cooler impairment (sorry Archie paralyzed vocal cords just doesn't carry the same weight as blindness)
* I'm telling you this is American Idol: The New Class (ya know like Saved By the Bell) we're watching this year... same characters different faces!

Other random observations?
- Ryan totally suited up for the occasion.. I like it.
- Idol used Cook's "A Daily AntheM" again... awesome!
- I'm calling "LIP SYNCH" on last night's group song.
- CryBaby Nate still didn't cry... if he's not gonna live up to his nickname everyweek I'm glad he's gone!
- Kara is completely worthless and makes me so appreciative of Paula... (wow... did I really just type that?)
- I'd like to personally thank Alex Wagner-Trugman for his awesomeness and for getting "I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues" stuck in my head... still... 2 days later!
- AND Ryan's new nickname might need to be Captian Obvious! ie: to Ju'Not and Jorge... "one of you is through... and one of you is... not" gee Ryan ya think?
** sidebar: like Asia'h Epperson before him... I'm glad Ju'Not didn't make it through, because his name's so gosh darn annoying to type.

On to the real fun of the evening... WILD CARD PICKS!
- Randy announces Von Smith first, Simon tells him to wear a hat! Fabulous advice Simon, really.
- Kara gives the gift that just keeps on sucking... Jasmine Murray. Ridiculous!
- Paula names Ricky Braddy... another one of the best voice that probably won't make the top 12.
- Simon names would be/could be/should be "package artist" Megan Corkery.
- Randy brings the crazy back with Tatiana del Toro... Simon mocking her was quite possibly the funniest thing I've ever seen.
- Kara continues to be useless calling Matt Giraud the "bluesyest" contestant ever! And he's pretty cocky for a dude who made me hate Coldplay even more that I already did.
- Paula must have drawn the right straw because she's getting to name the cool picks... Jesse Langseth deserves the spot over Megan any day.
- and when Simon finally tells me I've been waiting to hear for 3 weeks all I can chant to myself is "Anoop's so cute, he's so cute..." (Ps. Anoop & Braddy seem to be friends! Aw.. I like it!)

So tonight this 8 can either sing a new song or try their previous one again... here's hoping for all new stuff!
My dream three? Anoop, Braddy & Jesse
Probably three? Matt G., Anoop & Megan

But whichever way it turns out... tonight will probably be the best of the last three weeks... for the first time all season.. I'm a bit excited!

"Weak 3..."

I was bored out of my mind last night... so here's the short recap in my Idol history:

- Von went first, shouted less... and still has no chance at the Top 12.
- Taylor sang Alicia Keys and DOES NOT sound just like her.
- Alex is a-dork-able too bad he came across as a cheap Elton John/Elvis Presely impersonator.
- Arianna picked ABBA (or ABBA covered by the A*Teens?) either way... it was painful.
- Ju'Not put us to sleep, but the judges apparently don't care because he's a R&B singer who's not white.
- Kristen is one of the better voice that won't make the Top 12, but that song was all kinds of wrong for her.
- CryBaby Nate murder Meatloaf and didn't cry... I am disappointed.
- Felicia sings Alicia Keys and DOES sound just like her only a lamer version of her.
- Scott mocks Ryan Seacrest and that's enough for me to forget the okay singing of a song no ones ever heard.
- Kendall couldn't even be a Martina McBride impersonator.
- Jorge can't think in English, but he sure can sing in it.
**Ps. A little idol trivia: Jorge made "Don't Let the Sun Go Down On Me" tied for the most sung song on American Idol with last night's performance bringing the total to 6 -- (others ... "Against All Odds" and"I Have Nothing")
- Lil gets the pimp spot and kinda ruins the beginning of my karoke jam! Ps. Lil, you are no ______________ (insert famed musical diva here)... so maybe try singing something else... anything else.

The judges and Ryan were all a little annoying last night... bring on Wildcard night!

Quote of the night: "...very short reps of low weight... I'm very weak." Alex Wagner-Trugman's response to Ryan question his gym regiment! "Kick-awesome!"

Filling the Top 3 spots? Lil, Scott and Jorge or Ju'Not!

Peace...

"Sad day..."

From Jason Castro’s official site (http://www.jasoncastromusic.com/)

"Things are moving a mile a minute in lots of different directions. Turns out Jason won’t be on Idol this week and the song won’t be on iTunes tomorrow. We know this is not what you want to hear, BUT there’s really great news coming soon. We know how excited everyone was for the big week, but it simply wasn’t possible to have him on Idol due to time constraints. AI and Jason are looking forward to a future appearance if scheduling permits. Consider all of our preparation an amazing dress rehearsal for the real deal when it happens."

Big ole bummer! Sorry Lanessa... hopefully he'll make it on later this season!