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‘American Idols’ sing the classics & Chris stands out!
Once again I want to remind folks to vote tonight for your favorite Idol and the one that must go home on the DDN.com American Idol poll. Don’t forget!
Ahhhh, Tony Bennett. He looks amazing for “80 something” doesn’t he? And it seems like he has all his mental faculties as well. He is still so cool. Does anyone out there have his album Duets? Do you recommend it?
Blake Lewis
Mac the Knife was Blake’s classic song of choice. I thought this was pretty good. Unfortunately, or fortunately, I compare all singers of the classics to Michael Buble’ and no one cuts it comparatively. However, Blake did as good as someone could for me in this genre. Simon gave him 7 out of 10 and the band 8 out of 10. I would have to agree. The more I think about it (and I reround it and watched again) there was something just not quite right. I don’t know what it is though.
Phil Stacey
My gorgeous blue eyes sang Night and Day. Tony Bennett said he’s one of the better singers he’s heard in a long time, not just an Idol, but anywhere. I think this song was perfect for Phil. It showed off the wonderful tone of his voice. Randy didn’t feel the passion and he thought it seemed disconnected. Paula thought he was reminiscent of a young Frank Sinatra. Simon said “What? Which Frank Sinatra are you thinking of?” Simon also thought it was gloomy and dark. I didn’t think it was that bad but seeing that he was singing to his wife there was something missing.
Melinda Doolittle
I’ve Got Rhythm was Melinda’s choice tonight. Tony B. said she was the best he had heard all day and that she has a lot of promise. I love Melinda singing this type of song. This was probably one of the best performances I’ve ever seen of this song and I’ve seen a lot. Judy Garland, Barbara Streisand, Liza Minelli, etc. Melinda can stand up to any of them. I just don’t see her an American Idol like Kelly Clarkson, Clay Aiken, or Carry Underwood. A star? YES! But on the stage…she will most likely never sell records to anyone under 30. Simon said he didn’t think they would ever be able to criticize her.
Chris Richardson
Chris really looked the part tonight. The hat was a perfect touch. He chose Duke Ellington’s Mr. Saturday Dance and Tony was pretty concerned about him memorizing the lyrics but he had no problem with that. Chris really impressed me tonight. Maybe a little more than Blake even. He was very comfortable in this genre but still brought youth to an older song. He really was good and the smile he shot the camera right at the end of the song was perfect. The judges not only thought it was his best performance of the season but also best of the night. Simon thought he made it very hip and he worked it out.
Jordin Sparks
Jordin brought a fresh young feel to an old classic On a Clear Day. I think she’s just terrific! She could have a future on the stage or in the Top 40. Randy says she is like a Pro and it’s amazing she’s only 17. Paula called her a magnet of joy, on and off the stage. All the while Simon is mocking her. Simon thought she did a great job but was not as enthusiastic as the other judges and he didn’t think she brought as much youth as Chris did with the song right before hers.
Gina Glocksen
Gina chose Smile by Charlie Chaplin. Tony got really touched when he spoke of how the lyrics reminded him of 9/11 and the soldiers over in Iraq. I loved to see Gina keep her edgy style in her dress even though she sang a ballad. She was wonderful. Randy thought she was nice and controlled and Paula thought it was flawless and understated. Simon couldn’t rave about the vocals because he felt that the two previous girls out sang her. I thought she was great.
Sanjaya Malakar
Tony thinks Sanjaya dares to be different and he likes that. Sanjaya wants to prove to everyone he can sing this week, but I don’t think he accomplished that with Cheek to Cheek. He was very pitchy. He is really a good performer like when he went into the audience and danced with Paula, but he just cannot sing. It specially stood out to me this week compared to all the others. Even the worst of them. The judges didn’t think it was great but he’s quite an entertainer. Simon said he was going to try a different approach and said “excellent.” I think Sanjaya took the comment seriously though.
Haley Scarnato
Haley sang Ain’t Misbehavin’. She must have been a burlesque dancer in a different life because she’s a little sex kitten when she wants to be. Randy and Paula differed their comments to Simon because Haley had earlier in the show that one good comment from Simon was amazing. Simon thought her song was a little “pagenty.” I thought it was a good performance but not good enough to win. I’ll bet she sticks around another week though.
LaKisha Jones
Ain’t No Sunshine When He’s Gone was classic LaKisha. She was able to inject her personality into it much like she did earlier in the season. With Melinda as her biggest competition, she needed a night like tonight. I found it interesting that she didn’t take Tony’s advice about leaving the big note at the end and not adding the little tag. Paula thought she looked gorgeous (but at one point I thought she was going to fall out of her dress top). Simon thought she was back to form and was great. I have to say that Melinda out sang and out performed her though.
My favorite of the evening was…surprise…Chris Richardson. It’s fun when someone surprises you like that.
Bottom three…Sanjaya, Haley and Phil. I will hate to see either Haley or Phil go if Sanjaya doesn’t but they will go eventually. Neither one has the talent to take it to the finals.
Sorry, have to give a plug to the American Idol Poll on DDN.com. So it’s time to vote for your favorite on our DDN.com poll. Who is going tomorrow night?
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Comments
By nette
April 4, 2007 8:32 PM | Link to this
Well now…what about that Sanjaya? Even Tony Bennet enjoys the kid. Who knows what’s next? Now let me start a controversary. Should there be a new standard set for who can actually qualify for American Idol? It seems to me that when you have a talent like Melinda you lose part of what Idol is about. Idol is about discovery. Melinda has been discovered. She just has not made it BIG yet. I enjoy watching the “rough diamonds” become polished. Yes, a bit like Sanjaya but definately like Gina and Blake. Oh well, it is all fun and all of these talented under 30s will make big bucks. Let’s all sit back, laugh, cry and enjoy the rest of the season!!
By taperecorderbrain
April 4, 2007 12:56 PM | Link to this
hey julie….calm down. it was a mistake. cut some slack. i don’t believe she’s getting katie couric’s salary to do this, so take it easy. that said…sanjaya needs to go. i dvr’d the show and didn’t watch his performance other than watching it whizz by on fast forward, but even that was enough. i’m losing faith in one of my favorite shows and that bums me out. it’s become a joke. get him outta here already!
By Julie
April 4, 2007 12:15 PM | Link to this
Incredible - beyond belief or understanding. It could mean excellent or good as well.
By Heather
April 4, 2007 11:09 AM | Link to this
Ok, Kelle - couple of things I have to disagree with you on first. Tony Bennett does NOT have all of his faculties - he said he liked Sanjaya and that he was a good singer. WHAT?! He needs to turn up the belltone! :) Also - on Phil. I know you love those eyes, but as I just told a co-worker, he reminds me of Mr. Potato Head. Yes, he has a decent voice. But, those ears! He should not have a bald head either. Last night, Chris’s eyes got me. And I have to say that I prefer him with the hat on - not crazy about his “do” either. Ok - to the music. I wasn’t completely blown away last night. That’s not to say there weren’t some really good performances. Chris was awesome - and I always love Jordin. I love Blake and he was pretty good. I think that if Sanjaya beats out Phil and Haley, I’ll be okay - but, beyond those two - if he makes it past any of the others, I’ll be really ticked. And one last thing to Julie - incredible, excellent - WHO CARES!! Do you have something else to contribute? This isn’t a forum to bash the writer of the blog - who, by the way, does this in her spare time (what little of it she has) for free. Cut her some slack!
By Liz
April 4, 2007 11:09 AM | Link to this
Phil needed a hat - his head and ears were distracting me from his singing. I love Tony Bennett but the songs were boring this week. Tony, Frank and Sammy can sing those songs all day long and I’d be happy but this group of young singers didn’t bring it. Sanjaya, Sanjaya - nice name. Forgettable season of Idol for me.
By Not An Idol Fan
April 4, 2007 10:40 AM | Link to this
Incredible means unbelievable not excellent, not good, not even mediocre. It is unbelievable how poorly Sanjaya sings and performs.
By Julie
April 4, 2007 8:37 AM | Link to this
Simon’s comment to Sanjaya was not “excellent”. It was “incredible”. If you’re going to report on the show, get it right.
By Ben
April 3, 2007 9:52 PM | Link to this
Kelle, you have the bottom three right in my book, and I don’t care how long Sanjaya stays as long as he doesn’t knock out any real potential winners.