American Idol took a trip to the movies this week. The special guest mentor was Quentin Tarantino, who helped direct the Idols as they sang music from the movies.
Host Ryan Seacrest talked to Simon about this historic night. Simon Cowell said it was more unfortunate than historic. Apparently there were plenty of complaints about the long overrun last week, leading to a change this week. Only two judges will talk to each contestant to shorten the show. Ryan and Simon specifically mentioned that it was Paula Abdul and Kara DioGuardi that were complained about having talked too much.
First up was a clip of how awesome is Quentin. He worked with the Idols at the Alfred Newman scoring stage.
Allison Iraheta picks "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" by Aerosmith from the movie Armageddon. I wasn't overly impressed. The song was pitchy in spots and sounded a bit karaoke. Paula tells Allison that she has the same special sauce as does Adam. Simon thinks the sauce is barbecue sauce, hot and spicy. He thinks that Allison is the girls only hope of winning. Simon also likes that Allison seems to be believing that she has a chance of winning.
Anoop Desai sings "Everything I Do, I Do For You" by Bryan Adams. Quentin told him to rough it up a bit and kill the audience with a big vocal. It was very good, I like the little changes he made. Randy Jackson
thought this would be rough, but thinks Anoop has found his zone. He liked that Anoop had some emotion. Kara thinks this was one of his best performances. She finally felt connected to Anoop's singing.
Adam Lambert performs "Born to be Wild" from Easy Rider. He wants to add some electronic element to the song. Quentin is looking forward to what Adam's version will sound like as he only got a taste in rehearsal. I love what he's done with it. Adam just seems to have it all - a great attitude, great voice and can really use that stage. Paula thinks he's one of the bravest contestants ever. Simon sarcastically tells him to learn to express himself more. Simon liked it but doesn't think it will be as popular as the one last week.
Matt Giraud picked a song that he loves, "Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman" from Don Juan DeMarco. He calls it one of the most beautifully written songs ever. Quentin tells him to be sure not to lose the lyrics and the enunciation. I didn't really like his performance. It was okay in spots, but crappy in others. Randy thinks it started cool but hit a rough patch in the bridge. He doesn't think you should do all that stuff with a beautiful simple melody. Kara talked at great length about the struggle to choose between a rock song and a soul song.
Danny Gokey tells Ryan that he bought a guitar, though he has never played. Don't expect to see him try it out on the show, though. He picks "Endless Love" by Lionel Ritchie to perform. This song means a lot to Danny. Quentin wants him to sing it without moving his hands, and get the emotion to come through his eyes instead. It was a beautiful performance of the song. Paula thinks he pulled it together. Simon can't fault the way he sang it, but was disappointed it was a traditional version. He can see that the song means a lot to Danny though.
Kris Allen sings "Falling Slowly" from the movie Once. Quentin thinks Kris lived up to the spirit of the competition with his pick. Kris was debating playing an instrument, but ultimately decided against it. Once again I didn't watch him sing, so he was great. He has a great voice, he just needs to control his odd facial movements. Randy feels like it was pitchy from the first note, and it never caught on for him. Kara disagreed, calling it one of Kris' best moments.
Lil Rounds was up last, pulling all the leaves off of "The Rose." She wanted to take the song more gospel toward the middle. Quentin told her to commit to the beginning more. The beginning was mediocre, the switch was painful. That rose is dead. Paula said something about the road being long. Simon says there are no excuses anymore, she is not the artist they met 7 or 8 weeks ago.
Don't forget to go make your predictions in our American Idol Prediction Contest. You can still be our winner if you have the most predictions right at the end of the season!
My Rankings:
Adam is still firmly on top with a perfect 10.
Anoop earns a 9 this week.
Danny and Kris tie for third with 8.5 each.
Allison is at the top of the Bottom 3 with an 8.
Matt is second from the bottom with a 7.
Lil keeps her spot on the bottom with no points at all. I haven't heard a song beaten that badly since Liza Minnelli sang "We Are the Champions" at the Freddie Mercury tribute concert back in 1992.
BLECH! "Music from the Movies" can go back into the archives where it belongs. These songs have been so overplayed that it was almost unbearable!
Allison - bordered on karaoke...then again, can this song be done without sounding like karaoke?
Anoop - best I've ever heard out of him
Love Adam - did not love his "Born to Be Wild". He so reminds me of a young Freddie Mercury - but on estrogen! Freddie always had the angry masculine swagger, Adam is a much, much more feminine version without the anger. I'd love to see what Brian May could do with Adam.
Matt - one Brian Adams song? Okay. Two, and this one soooo predictable?!? ~SNORE~ I resorted to the "Mute" button during this drivel.
Danny - "Endless Love"came out in the summer of 1981 (guess when I started dating my husband?). Even ~I~ am sick of it! I'm going to spare ya'll what is rumbling through my head about the song being meaningful to him...
Kris - props for choosing a unusual song! Not my favorite, but it will keep him out of my Bottom Three tonight.
Lil - Can you sing? We can't tell anymore.
My Bottom Three - Lil, Matt, Allison (top)
Going home - Lil
Lil was terrible. After these last 5 weeks how can anybody think she has any ability. She is at best a second rate church singer. And oh that attitude! But alas I doubt she will go home because most viewers are fooled. They think because a singer does a few runs (even off tune ones) that they possess some talent. I think she fooled us one more time and Matt will beat her out the door (undeserved).
Guest said: How can everyone keep saying that Adam is such an great artist. He yells and screams all his songs. He is terrible.
Oh come on, he was screaming throughout 'tracks of my tears'??? I prefer his softrock songs much better (dust in the wind is absolutly briliant) and I agree with Simon that he has a tendency to go little musical but to say that he is terrible... seriously come on!
American Idol took a trip to the movies this week. The special guest mentor was Quentin Tarantino, who helped direct the Idols as they sang music from the movies.
Allison Iraheta picks "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" by Aerosmith from the movie Armageddon. I wasn't overly impressed. The song was pitchy in spots and sounded a bit karaoke. Paula tells Allison that she has the same special sauce as does Adam. Simon thinks the sauce is barbecue sauce, hot and spicy. He thinks that Allison is the girls only hope of winning. Simon also likes that Allison seems to be believing that she has a chance of winning.
Anoop Desai sings "Everything I Do, I Do For You" by Bryan Adams. Quentin told him to rough it up a bit and kill the audience with a big vocal. It was very good, I like the little changes he made. Randy Jackson
Adam Lambert performs "Born to be Wild" from Easy Rider. He wants to add some electronic element to the song. Quentin is looking forward to what Adam's version will sound like as he only got a taste in rehearsal. I love what he's done with it. Adam just seems to have it all - a great attitude, great voice and can really use that stage. Paula thinks he's one of the bravest contestants ever. Simon sarcastically tells him to learn to express himself more. Simon liked it but doesn't think it will be as popular as the one last week.
Matt Giraud picked a song that he loves, "Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman" from Don Juan DeMarco. He calls it one of the most beautifully written songs ever. Quentin tells him to be sure not to lose the lyrics and the enunciation. I didn't really like his performance. It was okay in spots, but crappy in others. Randy thinks it started cool but hit a rough patch in the bridge. He doesn't think you should do all that stuff with a beautiful simple melody. Kara talked at great length about the struggle to choose between a rock song and a soul song.
Danny Gokey tells Ryan that he bought a guitar, though he has never played. Don't expect to see him try it out on the show, though. He picks "Endless Love" by Lionel Ritchie to perform. This song means a lot to Danny. Quentin wants him to sing it without moving his hands, and get the emotion to come through his eyes instead. It was a beautiful performance of the song. Paula thinks he pulled it together. Simon can't fault the way he sang it, but was disappointed it was a traditional version. He can see that the song means a lot to Danny though.
Kris Allen sings "Falling Slowly" from the movie Once. Quentin thinks Kris lived up to the spirit of the competition with his pick. Kris was debating playing an instrument, but ultimately decided against it. Once again I didn't watch him sing, so he was great. He has a great voice, he just needs to control his odd facial movements. Randy feels like it was pitchy from the first note, and it never caught on for him. Kara disagreed, calling it one of Kris' best moments.
Lil Rounds was up last, pulling all the leaves off of "The Rose." She wanted to take the song more gospel toward the middle. Quentin told her to commit to the beginning more. The beginning was mediocre, the switch was painful. That rose is dead. Paula said something about the road being long. Simon says there are no excuses anymore, she is not the artist they met 7 or 8 weeks ago.
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