Good evening, ladies and gents, and welcome to another installment of Drew’s Views. Tonight, in the ring, we have the Top 13 contestants on American Idol performing Songs from My Favorite Idol! Should be interesting, shouldn’t it? Interesting that we have another person who thinks American Idol is better this season without Simon Cowell? By, who could this person be, you inquire? Why, it is Simon Cowell himself! Yes, yes, in an interview with Piers Morgan on his CNN primetime news show, Piers Morgan Tonight, Piers has an interview with the man himself, Simon Cowell. The episode airs on Monday, March 14th at 9 P.M. on CNN. Check your local listings.
From MJ’s Big Blog:
In an interview set to air Monday, March 14 at 9pmET/PT on CNN
Simon Cowell tells Piers Morgan that the new season of American Idol is better than his final season!
“I personally think it is a better show than last year,” Cowell says. “It feels to me they’ve got their energy back, they’re confident, they’re competitive.”
“It’s not the show I would make myself, because that’s why I moved from the show in the first place,” says Simon. “I always think of Idol really as me, Paula and Randy…when other people were brought in, it was like a different show.”
“Weird atmosphere,” Simon says of his last Idol season.
The full, hour-long interview will run on Moran’s CNN show, Monday. Simon takes on Elton John, previews his new show The X Factor and more.
Watch the clip after the jump.
From the big man himself, he admits that this year's season of American Idol is definitely better without him, however, I wish him all the best of luck on his new venture in television, The X Factor. I wish him the best.
Now, back to the main course of tonight's festivities. The Top 13 contestants for this season are very awesome. If any of you have been keeping track of my picks for the Top 5 Girls and Top 5 Boys that I posted last week with my recaps, I was 10 for 10. See for yourself!
From last week's recaps:
My Top Five (Girls)1) Lauren Alaina
2) Pia Toscano
3) Thia Megia
4) Karen Rodriguez
5) Haley Reinhart
1) Scotty McCreery
2) Casey Abrams
3) James Durbin
4) Paul MacDonald
5) Jacob Lusk
I will be doing the same thing as above, always giving my honest opinion about the performances, the full judges' views, and my prediction on each and every contestant. At the end of each blog entry for that week, I will then pick my prediction for who goes home.
On to the show...
Songs From Your Favorite Idol Week (Theme Week #1)
- Interesting theme to start out the theme weeks, in the past, themes have included ballads, Beatles songs, McCartney/Lennon songbook, etc.
- Congrats are in order for Jennifer Lopez, with having the #1 song downloaded on ITunes right now!
- Should be an interesting show tonight! With hitmaker Jimmy Iovine behind the helm, it should be awesome!!!
- Just found out that Adam Lambert will be back tomorrow night to perform during the Live Results show tomorrow at either 8 or 9 PM, not sure which time it starts.
iTunes to Release First ‘Idol’ Season 10 Compilation Album Wednesday Night
THR reports that American Idol, 19 Recordings and new musicpartners Interscope Geffen A&M will release individual songs performed by the Top 13 contestants immediately following Wednesday’s performance show.Music will be available for download oniTunes starting at 10 p.m. PST on March 9. (That’s tonight after the show.)Also, there will be a 13 track compilation album of studio versions of songs chosen and performed by the Idols on Wednesday’s show. Each was recorded under the guidance of in-house mentor Jimmy Iovine and his team of producers.The compilation album will sell for $7.99.That’s fast work! In prior years, songs weren’t made available until a day or two after the show aired, and only as individual download. Idol seems very keen to strike while the iron is hot.Read more at the Hollywood Reporter- http://mjsbigblog.com/itunes-to-release-first-idol-season-10-compilation-album-wednesday-night.htm
1) Lauren Alaina-"Any Man of Mine" by Shania Twain
http://twitter.com/LAlainaAI10
http://www.myspace.com/LAlainaAI10
http://twitter.com/LAlainaAI10
http://www.myspace.com/LAlainaAI10
- Lauren's idol is Shania Twain, she says that the song will show her personality.
- Jimmy- This girl is going to have a great career.
- Loving this song! She is doing a pretty good job of singing the song!
- Jimmy- This girl is going to have a great career.
- Loving this song! She is doing a pretty good job of singing the song!
Watch video here:
Download MP3: MediaFire
Steven-You know how much I love your voice. God I love that song, wish it could have been more kick ass
Jennifer- You always sound so amazing. You don't have to try. Kick it into high gear. You have an amazing voice. The competition starts today.
Randy-Just to echo what the guys are saying. You sang it well, what we are hoping for, the girl that we first saw, your voice is so big and you are talented beyond belief. It was just good for me.
Drew's View- She should stay on the show, everyone is entitled to one low moment. Based on past performances, she should stay.
2) Casey Abrams-"With A Little Help From My Friends" by The Beatles
http://www.facebook.com/CAbramsAI10
http://twitter.com/CAbramsAI10
http://www.myspace.com/CAbramsAI10
http://www.facebook.com/CAbramsAI10
http://twitter.com/CAbramsAI10
http://www.myspace.com/CAbramsAI10
- Casey's hero is Joe Cocker
- Liking this one, he is really getting into it. Had chills on this one.
- Liking this one, he is really getting into it. Had chills on this one.
Watch video here:
Download MP3: MediaFire
Steven-What Randy was trying to say is you are a rainbow of talent and a plethora of passion.
Jennifer-Casey, Casey, Casey, you know what? You want to be felt? I go by what I feel. In general, we go by what we feel. I grabbed Randy and said, "What am I watching?" Blew me away.
Randy-What Jennifer is watching is Idol Season 10 The Remix. I am always excited to hear what you do. You were so unbelieveable. You make listening to you sing fun.
Drew's View- Should definitely stay on the show. Loved this performance, completely embodied Joe Cocker's version, and made it his own.
3) Ashthon Jones-“When You Tell Me That You Love Me” by Diana Ross
http://www.facebook.com/AJonesAI10
http://twitter.com/AJonesAI10
http://www.myspace.com/AJonesAI10
- This one is just OK for me. Sounds like a karaoke performance to me. Although, I have to admit, she hit some good notes in the performance.
Steven-I think that there is a lot more in there, and you will show us. I have confidence in you.
Jennifer-Now I want to start singing songs that we can sing along with you. You are awesome.
Randy-Listen, I tell you what, I liked it. I was a little worried about the song. I actually liked it and saw you grow a little as a singer. I think you actually did yourself some good with that.
Drew’s View-On the fence on this one. Think she could possibly be in the Bottom 2 tomorrow night. We'll see.
4) Paul McDonald-“Come Pick Me Up” by Ryan Adams
http://www.facebook.com/PMcDonaldAI10
http://twitter.com/PMcDonaldAI10
http://www.myspace.com/PMcDonaldAI10
- Paul's idol is Ryan Adams, with an R. Brilliant songwriter, artist that I look up to and admire.
- Worked with Don Was for tonight's performance.
- Loving this performance also, the rasp in his voice is strong and sounds amazing.
- Today was the first time that I heard the song, and Paul is sorta doing it justice.
- Some pitchy moments in his performance, but overall, good.
Steven-Paul, I love the character and the rasp in your voice. Little pitchy, find a song where the chorus is key.
Jennifer-I love as you were singing, and watching the audience members and looking at them smiling. You did move the crowd. I don't know Ryan Adams or that song. But I hope America gets it.
Randy-After last week's performance, it wasn't as exciting. I get it and I hope America gets it, and I love you for the show.
Drew’s View- Really hope he stays in the competition, really interested in hearing what he sings next.
5) Pia Toscano-“All By Myself” by Celine Dion
http://www.facebook.com/PToscanoAI10
http://twitter.com/PToscanoAI10
http://www.myspace.com/PToscanoAI10
- She has a lot to live up to in tonight's performance.
- She is amazing on this song, also. Second time I have chills from a song tonight.
Steven-That was the sum total of all the work you have done so far. That was beautiful, you slammed it.
Jennifer-We love you Pia! (speechless) You, I think people were wondering what you were going to do to top last week.
Randy-We always tell the Big Three are Mariah, Whitney, and Celine. You have that quality, you hit those notes dead on. I love it, I'm in awe. Very hot, dope, cool performance.
Drew’s View-I am going to be very bold with my prediction, but I think she has an excellent shot of winning the entire competition. Yes, I am a staunch Lauren and Scotty supporter, but I think that Pia has a good shot, along with those two I mentioned. I think that they all could succeed in being record artists. I completely agree with Randy's description of Pia as being right up there with Mariah, Whitney, and Celine. An utterly amazing voice, I am almost speechless.
6) James Durbin-“Maybe I’m Amazed” by Paul McCartney
http://www.facebook.com/JDurbinAI10
http://twitter.com/JDurbinAI10
http://www.myspace.com/JDurbinAI10
- Paul McCartney is James' idol. One of the greatest songwriters and singers.
- Worked with Jim Jonsin
- Third time I had chills.
- LOVE THIS PERFORMANCE!! Brings an excellent side to the song. Very Adam Lambert-esque, but that is what makes him so awesome, and Adam Lambert also.
Steven-If there is ever a review for you, you sang it.
Jennifer-Let em clap when they want to clap. Get used to it, you have such a quality, you have what the greatest rock singers have, you have melody, vibrato, you have everything.
Randy-James, so listen man. You are one of my favorites. I love these kinds of voices who can sing anything. You sing Paul McCartney and slays. You showed you have the sensitive side. James Durbin is dangerous, America, he can sing.
Drew’s View- If America sends him home, they are ridiculous. He is an amazing addition to the Idol contestant family. He is an amazing singer, with vibrato, melody, and an amazing voice. His story is inspirational, and he is very relatable to America. As Randy says, WE HAVE A HOT ONE RIGHT HERE!!
7) Haley Reinhart-“Blue” by LeAnn Rimes
http://www.facebook.com/HReinhartAI10
http://twitter.com/HReinhartAI10
http://www.myspace.com/HReinhartAI10
- On the fence on this one also. Don't know if she adds anything to the song. America may like it, but I didn't.
- Too much like LeAnn Rimes, didn't make it her own. Just OK
Steven-That was beautiful, you could hear the country western part of America yelling in approval. You did such a great job today.
Jennifer-I think that America is getting to know you. You do things with your voice that are so diverse and unique. Haley has the same type of voice like Paul.
Randy-I like that you can do anything. It was a little boring and sleepy for me. You're young with a lot of energy. It was a little boring for me.
Drew’s View-I agree with Randy tonight, the performance tonight was boring. She is in danger of being in the Bottom 2 based on tonight's performance.
8) Jacob Lusk-“I Believe I Can Fly” by R. Kelly
http://www.facebook.com/JLuskAI10
http://twitter.com/JLuskAI10
http://www.myspace.com/JLuskAI10
- This one should be HOT!!!!!!
- Fourth time tonight I have chills!!
- This man can SANG!!!!
- WOW, at the note he held for over ten seconds!!
Steven-Pure passion, pure music. I can't even judge you. You are so good. You are that good. You are all that.
Jennifer-It is very hard to judge. With performances like tonight, it is hard to say who will win.
Randy-The talent is so unbelievable. When you start, you have such a signature sound. That's what you have. By the end, you hit into those top notes, you got it.
Drew’s View- Should make it through tonight. An unbelievable, out of this world talent. God blessed him with such an earth-shattering voice. He is another pick to be in the running to make it to either the Top 3 or Top 2.
9) Thia Megia-“Shine” (Michael Jackson’s version)
http://www.facebook.com/TMegiaAI10
http://twitter.com/TMegiaAI10
http://www.myspace.com/TMegiaAI10
- Her pitch seems as perfect tonight as it did last week! Unreal! Again, I will say this, it is very difficult to pick my favorites from the songs performed tonight.
- She indeed reminds me of a young Michael Jackson when she sings, the only other artist that was compared to Michael Jackson early on was Justin Bieber (which I think is a pretty good singer-SO THERE, I SAID IT!)
Steven-A little pitchy in the middle, you are so new and young, I liked it all and all, you gave it up, thank you.
Jennifer-The beginning of it reminded me too of last week, and obviously that is what your strength is. Thought the arrangement was interesting as well, it doesn't matter, you sing like an angel!
Randy-I love the intro when you were singing by yourself. It got a little pitchy in spots, all in all, it turned out to be good.
Drew’s View- Will probably stay in the competition. Amazing pitch control and vibrato. Very angelic voice.
10) Stefano Langone-“Lately” by Stevie Wonder
http://www.facebook.com/SLangoneAI10
http://twitter.com/SLangoneAI10
http://www.myspace.com/SLangoneAI10
- Like this one also, he has a Stevie vibe. Sorta liking the hip hop vibe to the song.
- Enjoyed this one. The beat made the song sorta feel like a disco song to me, but the vocals were good.
Steven-Man, that thing, you pulled it off. From beginning to end, so well done, double time in the middle.
Jennifer-You had me dancing for a minute. You did the dance remix. It was really you. You sounded great.
Randy-It started off a little rocky. Stevie is so hard to sing. He would be proud of this. By the middle of the song, you were soaring. Bravo.
Drew’s View-Should go through to the Top 12. Amazing vocals, enjoyed listening to the dance remix of a Stevie Wonder song, correction a Stefano remix.
11) Karen Rodriguez-“If I Could Fall In Love” by Selena
http://www.facebook.com/KRodriguezAI10
http://twitter.com/KRodriguezAI10
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- Sounds to me kinda like a Selena/Beyonce hybrid mashup of this song.
- She made the song her own.
- Fifth time I had chills tonight.
Steven-The energy that it took to end the song was sleepy.
Jennifer-You look so beautiful tonight. You know for me, I could tell you were a little bit comfortable. Usually, you are so spot on. But, you are one of our strongest girls, I hope you make it through to next week.
Randy-Felt like you were fighting the song. Sleepy for me, you have all that excitement.
Drew’s View- She is also in danger of going home tomorrow night. She usually hits her notes spot on, but it felt like tonight the song was bigger than her voice. The song beat her up, to put it frankly. Will be difficult to justify her staying tonight, if this performance was the only performance America saw. She is so much better than this.
12) Scott McCreery-“The River” by Garth Brooks
http://www.facebook.com/SMcCreeryAI10
http://twitter.com/SMcCreeryAI10
http://www.myspace.com/SMcCreeryAI10
- Love his deep singing voice, he has awesome tone in his voice, whenever he sings, you feel the performance, meaning that he is an excellent storyteller.
- Sixth time I had chills tonight!
- Love this song, one of my all time favorites, the song is an excellent story about life in general.
Steven-You did the Garth justice. You're riding high.
Jennifer-You know what I loved about this performance, you opened up and captured the audience. You are all taking us on the ride with you.
Randy-Listen, man. I like seeing you and Jimmy talk. I love your answer. If it ain't broke, don't even think about fixing it. It just goes to show, this is exactly where you belong. Don't change it.
Drew’s View-Will make it to the Top 12. Very Josh Turner-esque, agree with Randy that he could realize the song now and make it out there.
13) Naima Adedapo-“Umbrella” by Rihanna
http://www.facebook.com/NAdedapoAI10
http://twitter.com/NAdedapoAI10
http://www.myspace.com/NAdedapoAI10
- Naima is in the "Money Spot" tonight, meaning that the producers and the judges put her in the last performance slot, possibly to showcase her talents. Many people tune into shows closer to the end of the show to catch clips of the contestants' performances.
- At first, before she started the song, was a bit iffy on the song choice. After she started singing, however, my fears ceased. She did the song justice.
- Loved the reggae bit in the middle of the song.
Steven-You're crazy good, I love you. Little pitchy, you brought flavor that no one else has done. I adore you for that.
Jennifer-You got fire, girl! You're dancing up there, you're rapping. You're doing it like stars do it. You need to work on the control.
Randy-I differ a little bit with Jennifer. When you dance that much, you have to have the control to sing while dancing. Make a full reggae version of that.
Drew’s View-She will make it to the Top 12. Loved the reggae bit in the middle, current music needs an artist like her.
My Pick for Who Will Be Leaving Tomorrow Night:
Ashthon Jones
My Picks for the Top 12
1) Lauren Alaina
2) Naima Adedapo
3) Scotty McCreery
4) Paul McDonald
5) Stefano Langone
6) Thia Megia
7) Pia Toscano
8) Casey Abrams
9) Jacob Lusk
10) Karen Rodriguez
11) Haley Reinhart
12) James Durbin
1) Lauren Alaina
2) Naima Adedapo
3) Scotty McCreery
4) Paul McDonald
5) Stefano Langone
6) Thia Megia
7) Pia Toscano
8) Casey Abrams
9) Jacob Lusk
10) Karen Rodriguez
11) Haley Reinhart
12) James Durbin
Closing Statements:
· Overall, an excellent show tonight. Looking forward to seeing the results show tomorrow.
Until tomorrow, D-Rizz Out!
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