[Dean's World] Dean: Idol Notes

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Posted by Dean:
Idol Notes
http://www.deanesmay.com/posts/1175680842.shtml


   Here are my notes on last night's American Idol, more or less as I
   wrote them.

   Tony Bennet night eh? Well that should be fun. I've never been a big
   fan of his work but he surely understands the American songbook. Some
   of these singers can't possibly sing that kind of music though, can
   they?

   ([1]show)

   Blake: Mack the Knife? I like Blake but his version here is a little
   weak. The beginning is boring. He picks it up a bit in the middle and
   ends big and loud. But it didn't feel like he believed or understood
   the words he was singing.

   Randy liked it. Paula liked it. Simon liked the band better than
   Blake, and I agree. Blake delivered it competently but he didn't
   "feel" the song. Or he didn't make me feel it anyway. Phil: I really
   hate to comment on someone's appearance because one thing I like about
   this show is that people who don't look like typical pop stars tend to
   do well and even win. But I can't stand this guy's bald head and puppy
   dog eyes. Anyway, he does Night & Day. And he does it quite well. He
   obviously loves the song.

   Randy said he felt no connection. Paula compares him to young Frank
   Sinatra--on tone I know what she means. Simon says it had no joy and
   was very dark. I understand that criticism. Melinda: She chooses I Got
   Rhythm. While she has the best voice in the competition, the beginning
   is a little wobbly for her. and she seems a bit clunky in that dress.
   It's not one of her best performances. But her best talent is that she
   clearly interprets the music and believes every word she sings, which
   is a rare gift.

   Randy agrees with me about how she interprets lyrics (Randy should
   listen to me all the time). Randy loves her. Paula wets herself. Simon
   thought the first half of the song was a little cabaret, and I can see
   that. He otherwise complains that it's almost impossible to criticize
   her because she's so good. Chris: Don't Get Around Much Anymore. He's
   never made much of an impression on me. But obviously tonight he's
   found something. He genuinely delivered that well and liked that song.
   It's his best performances to date that I can see.

   Randy says he made it hip and young and cool, and I agree. Paula says
   it was his best performance. Simon thought it was very good and
   believable. Jordin: On A Clear Day. I like her but this performance
   seems a little sharp, and she seems to have pitch problems between
   transitions. I didn't buy the big finish either. Somehow I think the
   judges will like this and disagree with me.

   Randy says it was the bomb. Paula says she's a "magnet of joy." Simon
   says she didn't make the song young and current. Gina: Smile, a
   classic. Wow. Gina shows a depth here I never saw from her before. She
   believes every word. She's brought herself to a new level here
   tonight.

   Randy says "nice controlled performance." Paula says it was flawless,
   understated, beautiful. Simon says the other women outsang her. I
   don't agree at all, I liked her better than Jordin. Sanjaya: Cheek to
   Cheek? Sanjaya, you don't dance, and you don't make me want to dance.
   It's a thin, somewhat warbly performance. He does a nice job of trying
   to charm it up, but he's utterly out of his league.

   Randy is just plain laughing at the kid. Paula says his vocals were
   off but she's entertained. Simon says he's "incredible." Ha. Yes he is
   that.

   This dude should go home. Haley: Ain't Misbehaving'. Wow, that dress
   isn't going to hurt her chances. She starts out quiet and understated
   and naughty and then kicks it into high gear, which is a good choice.
   Seems like she actually believes the words she's singing. Nicely done.

   Randy punts and wants to know what the others think. Simon thinks
   she's got good legs, thought it was good but like a pagaent. Lakisha:
   Stormy Weather. Great choice for her. I don't even know how to comment
   on that except to say that she was perfect. A perfect performance.

   Randy says he thought she started a bit rough. I didn't even hear
   that. Paula says she looked gorgeous and sounded beautiful, and Tony
   Bennett did a great job. Simon says it was a "sassy, great
   performance."

   ([2]hide)

   Well that was a very entertaining night. Almost every performance was
   good. People stepped up and delivered performances I didn't think they
   were capable of.

   Prediction: I can't predict this year, the results constantly surprise
   me. I'm shocked to see that [3]Dial Idol has Gina, Jordin, Haley, and
   Lakisha on the bottom. I hope that's not accurate. Sanjaya or Phil
   should be going home.

References

   1. file://localhost/var/www/powerblogs/deanesmay/posts/1175680842.html
   2. file://localhost/var/www/powerblogs/deanesmay/posts/1175680842.html
   3. http://www.dialidol.com/asp/predictions/Predictions.asp