Thursday, March 17, 2011

The Top 12 "Smells Like Teen Spirit" When They Perform Songs From Their Birth Year



Good afternoon, everyone. This is the weekly installment of my critiques and praises of the performance show of American Idol. I know that this is a day late, but I was unable to watch the show last night, therefore I wasn't able to vote and didn't want to without seeing the show. I felt that it would have been unfair to the other voters on this show, so I abstained. However, I will still give my personal views of the show and its performances last night. That I will still do.

Last night, contestants performed songs from the year they were born. More than likely, the show was probably taped last night. (it was actually live) I wish that they would just go ahead with airing shows live. I guess they were keeping in mind Steven's filter-happy mouth when they decided to air the performance shows taped. 

The Top 12 Contestants
1st Row: Haley Reinhart, Karen Rodriguez, Stefano Langone, Naima Adedapo, Thia Megia, and Lauren Alaina
2nd Row: Casey Abrams (at the time of picture was in hospital with ulcerative colitis), Pia Toscano, James Durbin, Paul McDonald, Jacob Lusk, and Scotty McCreery


To Download All 12 Perfomances As a Compilation:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/american-idol-top-12-season-10/id426603623


NOTE: 100% of the proceeds made by downloading the compilation album and the singles goes directly to the American Red Cross to help in recovery and relief efforts in Japan after their deadly earthquake, tsunami, and imminent nuclear disaster!


The Entire Top 12 Performance Episode:




american.idol.s10e18.hdtv.xvid-fqm.avi.mp4

 

american.idol.s10e18.hdtv.xvid-fqm.avi.mp4 - 395.1 MB
Note: This was the best I could find, you will have to let it sit and load for a few minutes before playing it. Hopefully it will work for all of you! 


The Performances
1) Naima Adedapo-"What's Love Got To Do With It" by Tina Turner
-Naima was born in October 5, 1984 at 10:09 in the morning. She is originally from Milwaukee, WI, and she is 26 years old
- Talks about how she has been around music all of her life. Sweet part about the lullaby her mom sang to her when she was growing up, and how she shared that with her kids.
-I am not liking the first part of this performance. Sounds like a weak attempt of being karaoke to me.
- The ending got a little bit better, but not too much. The whole performance sounded karaoke.

Steven-Naima, you opened up a can of WHOO! It was beautiful. What are you doing wearing my shirt?
Jennifer-You bring your specific flavor to everything you do. You are consistently pitchy, and that's hurting you. It makes me worry how your performances hold up.
Randy-Jennifer's right. You are still under pitch, the vocals are quite a mess. The vocals are so all over the place.

Drew's View-Bottom 2, possibly going home. What a pitiful way to start the show. Hopefully the show gets better than this.

YouTube of Performance:

To Download Her Song Performance:
2) Paul McDonald-"I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues" by Elton John
-Paul was also born in 1984. He is originally from Huntsville, AL, and he is also 26 years old.
-He was born in 1984. Parents said he was the center of attention. Dressed in a little cowboy suit. He claims his dad gave him his talent. 
-Major props for getting to perform an Elton John song on the show. 
-Sounds hoarse performing tonight. Didn't seem to affect his performance negatively. 
-He still sings pretty good for him being hoarse. Every good singer has their off days when they are sick. You could tell that he was hoarse. He wasn't hitting some of the notes in the song.

Steven-You go off a little bit of the notes. Cool dude, loose mood. Very distinctive voice you are turning into. I like that.
Jennifer-I feel you. I know that you felt like you were struggling. So much soul and star quality. You made it happen.
Randy-Well, listen, I kinda differ with Jennifer. Some of the notes were very pitchy. The thing about you that I actually like is like you are Ray LaMontagne. Get the notes right.

Drew's View-Should stay and go into the Top 11.


YouTube of Performance:




To Download His Performance: 
http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/i-guess-thats-why-they-call/id426567230

3) Thia Megia-"Colors of the Wind" by Vanessa Williams
- Thia was born in 1995. She is originally from Hayward, CA, and she is 15 years old.
-Born on January 30, 1995. Always had a smile. Favorite song is "Baby Mine" from Dumbo.
-Chose to sing a song from Pocahontas. Jimmy thinks that she could be a "dark horse" in the competition.
-Very close to the original song. Which is saying, she didn't bring much different to the song. Judges will probably like it. She belongs to singing songs for Disney movies. 

Steven-I think you sang it beautifully. Is that song who you think you are? 
Jennifer-When we first saw you, we loved the quality and tone in your voice. An Adele-style quality. A little safe, I hear in your vibrato either nervousness or quality of your vibrato.
Randy-I think the vocals were OK. The problem that I'm really having is you keep singing ballads. Felt like I was at a pageant. You have a big voice, and it was boring.

Drew's View-Will stay and be in the Top 11. Out of all the songs that came out in 1995, she picked this dud? Unbelievable. Next week, she will hopefully make a better choice in her song.


YouTube of Performance:


To Download Her Performance:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/colors-of-the-wind-american/id426567614


4) James Durbin-"I'll Be There For You" by Jon Bon Jovi
-James was born in 1989. He is originally from Santa Cruz, CA. He is 22 years old.
-James was born January 6, 1989. Complete ham when he was little. Mom said he sang in perfect pitch. James thinks its a load of bull. 
-Loved this one from the very first seconds of the song. He has a very strong voice. He can sing ballads as good as he can rock it out.
-Loved that he put his signature scream into the song.

Steven-Your mama singing to you when you were young, i get that, but dolls? Don't get too poppy on me, but good.
Jennifer-A great performer makes you want to sing along. it's amazing and I love it, I Love It!
Randy-There were a couple of pitch spots. You always make a song your own. Very tastefully done. Love the boots.

Drew's View-Most definitely will go through to the Top 11. Steven practically promised that he will perform at some point on this season. I can't wait!!!


YouTube of Performance:


5) Haley Reinhart-"I'm Your Baby Tonight" by Whitney Houston
- Haley was born in 1990. She is originally from Wheeling, IL and she is 20 years old.
-Haley was born on September 9, 1989 at 9:00 AM. Mom knew she had the music in her. Haley gets her singing talents from her parents. Thinks her parents are amazing musicians.
-She is definitely not Whitney Houston, although she performed the song averagely. 
-Noticed some pitchy moments in her performance. Overall, sorta good.

Steven-That was sweet and tough. Heard the Janis Joplin thing in the beginning. First heard something in your voice that we want to hear from you.
Jennifer-You look so beautiful. When I see you perform, I hear this amazing voice. You're still a little tense in your body. Do what comes naturally. That will always look better than forcing something.
Randy-I'm just a little confused here. Fallin, then country, then Whitney. You're not sure who you are. The vocals were ok, it wasn't a great performance.

Drew's View-Bottom 2, possibly going home tonight.


YouTube of Performance:


6) Stefano Langone-"If You Don't Know Me By Now" by Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, Simply Red's version
- Stefano was born in 1989. He is originally from Kent, WA. He is 22 years old.
-Born on February 27, 1989. Incredible baby, responded to any type of music. First memory was his grandfather playing music. Father was a big influence in Stefano's musical life.
-Sounded pretty good in the recording studio. Dad and Mom are proud of him.
-First chills of the entire episode. He has some mad vocal skills. All the notes are crisp, strong, and very good. Reminds me a little bit of Bruno Mars in his vocal capabilities. 

Steven-Beautiful phrasing. Make Jimmy Iovine more famous.
Jennifer-You could take this thing. You have to sing and connect to everybody. 
Randy-The best performance of the night so far. He took a song that had the highest degree of difficulty and slayed.

Drew's View-Definitely staying in the competition. Will stay in the Top 11. Bold prediction by Jennifer Lopez, but I think she could be right, if he keeps doing the right thing.


YouTube of Performance:


7) Pia Toscano-"Where Do Broken Hearts Go?" by Whitney Houston
-Pia was born in 1988. She is originally from Howard Beach, NY. She is 22 years old.
-Born on October 14, 1988. Was such a diva when she was younger. Grandpa died at 88. Wishes he could see her perform. I think that he did! 
-She has an awesome quality, pitch, and tone to her voice. Very close to Whitney, in an awesome way. She could be right up there with Whitney, Mariah, and Celine with her amazing vocals. 
-Second time I had chills in the episode. The two Italians are smoking hot in their performances. She could take the competition also.

Steven-You are why this show is called American Idol. You took the song over the top and nailed it. 
Jennifer-I'm glad you did something up-tempo. You definitely have an angel watching over you.
Randy-Every week you are producing amazing vocals. Pia is taking the competition.


Drew's View-Definitely in the Top 11.


YouTube of Performance:


8) Scotty McCreery-"Can I Trust You With My Heart?" by Travis Tritt
-Scotty was born in 1993. He is originally from Garner, NC. He is 17 years old.
-Born on October 9, 1993. Loved Elvis since he was younger. Was an Elvis impersonator. Idolized Elvis. (Not a bad guy to idolize).
-Love this performance also. Love his tone, pitch, and content of his voice. He will go far in country music. Still can't believe that he is only 16.
-Third time I had chills in this episode. He could also win this season also. 

Steven-Keep going how you're going and you will go places.
Jennifer-You pushed it out there a little bit more at the end. I saw you grow. I peeked at rehearsal and you held it longer. You're right there, keep going, keep learning.
Randy-You did him proud. You know who you are and you're staying in the traditional country lane. I believe in you.

Drew's View-Definitely going to the Top 11. More than safe.


YouTube of Performance:


9) Karen Rodriguez-"Love Will Lead You Back" by Taylor Dayne
-Karen was born in 1989. She is originally from New York, NY. She is 21 years old. Only remaining online MySpace audition contestant.
-Born on March 22, 1989. Mom would put a radio on her stomach when he got rowdy while Karen was in the womb. Mom has amazing vocals when she was singing in Spanish.
-Her mom was so sweet when she was interviewed. 
-Love the vocals on this one also. She has that kind of tone in her voice that allows her to sing lower-caliber songs such as this. That was not an insult, but a compliment.
-Loved how she changed the song up with a little bit of Spanish. Priceless.

Steven-I love it when you break into your ethnic niss niss
Jennifer-Play to your strengths. You sing beautifully. Perform that song, perform it from your heart, and you can watch out it translates.
Randy-It started a little rough, but by the first chorus, you found your pitch. Welcome back.

Drew's View-Will go on to the Top 11. Safe.


YouTube of Performance:


10) Casey Abrams-"Smells Likes Teen Spirit" by Nirvana ?!
-Casey was born in 1991. He is originally from Wilmette, IL. He is 20 years old.
-Parents were in their 40s when Casey was born. They're much wiser than other parents because of their age, according to Casey. Both parents are in their 60s
-First time this song has been allowed to be performed on American Idol. All I have to say is WOW! 
-Casey twisted the song up, and made it fit his particular style. Got Nirvana's style down, which is grunge yelling and rocking out on the guitar.

Steven-You are good, you are so crazy, and you are the talented. That's the goo that great stuff is made from.
Jennifer-It was a risk. Parts where it got a little screechy. All of your performances are pleasant. 
Randy-Me being a musician, producer, all the stuff I do. You love taking risks, and love that you are taking art first. We need fearless. Come on.

Drew's View-Staying in the competition. Will be in the Top 11.


YouTube of Performance:


11) Lauren Alaina-"Am I The Only One" by Melissa Etheridge
-Lauren was born in 1994. She is originally from Rossville, GA. She is 16 years old.
-Had the flu.
-Born on November 8, 1994. Mom said that she was an angel the first three years of her life. She wanted your attention. Loved the picture with the hand up at someone. Sums her up perfectly. (a compliment).
-Love the tone of her voice. She still sounds amazing, even when she is sick. Will also go a long way in country music, which seems to be her niche and cup of tea.
-She is getting the vibe and tone of Melissa Etheridge, which I like as a performer, by the way. There, I finally said it.

Steven-Sometimes, when someone gets sick, they sing better. I've loved you since we first saw you. You're back!
Jennifer-Very nice, you know we could hear your voice strong. You gave it that country flavor. That's how you make it your own.
Randy-I don't know, cold or not, very nice, have a cold every week.


Drew's View-Definitely going on in the competition. Will go to the Top 11


YouTube of Performance:


12) Jacob Lusk-"Alone" by Heart
-Jacob was born in 1987. He is originally from Compton, CA. He is 23 years old.
-Born on June 23, 1987. Jacob doesn't like that her mom sang in the interview. 
-Very interesting choice of song, never would've have thought in a million years he would have chose a song like Heart's "Alone." 
-Also love his voice. Very strong and unique. He brought the house down on this one. Producers gave him the "money spot," meaning the performance that people are more than likely to remember. 
-Fourth time I had chills in this episode. An amazing way to end the show. The show started abysmal and in the end, it got taken to church. Incredible!!

Steven-Gospel had a baby and named it Jacob Lusk
Jennifer-Amazing thing to watch. So amazing. So good. We have a competition.
Randy-Very very nice performance. When you hit the modulation, you went off. At the end, when you got so tender and caressed it, it was genius.

Drew's View-Definitely staying in the competition. Will make it to the Top 11.


YouTube of Performance:


The One Going Home: Haley Reinhart

My Top 11:
1) James Durbin
2) Scotty McCreery
3) Lauren Alaina
4) Jacob Lusk
5) Thia Megia
6) Pia Toscano
7) Stefano Langone
8) Nadia Adedapo
9) Casey Abrams
10) Karen Rodriguez
11) Paul McDonald


Hope you enjoy this very late recap of last night's American Idol. Have a great evening, and enjoy watching the results show tonight.


D-RIZZ OUT!!
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