American Idol top 5 give wildly unpredictable performances
curlio
2006-05-02 21:18:20
Tonight's American Idol show can be summed up as "wildly unpredictable" which I happened to steal from judge Randy Jackson. The top five performed two songs each, showing off their funky sides and their wonderful performances.
Elliott Yamin, who revealed that he chews his fingernails, performed the song "On Broadway" as the song from the year of his birth. I thought it was a good song for him. He was more confident and gave a good performance. Randy Jackson thought it started rough but worked out towards the middle. Paula Abdul agreed with Randy. Simon Cowell thought it was a bit disjointed, and told Elliott he was lucky to have 2 songs tonight.
Paris Bennett said that her mother used to dress her in ruffles, while she just wanted to get dirty. She performed "Kiss" by Prince, I thought it was a nice, fun choice for her. Randy was happy that Simon couldn't say it was an old song. Paula says that everyone knows Paris can sing. Simon called it screeching and annoying.
Chris Daughtry performed Renegade. He said that he has been performing in one form or another all of his life. Randy thought it was a hot one. Paula called it outstanding. Simon said it was a million times better than the first two.
Yes AI fans, Katharine McPhee did have a wardrobe malfunction last week, a button came off of her dress. She performed "Against All Odds" which I didn't overly like. It was boring and pitchy. Randy didn't think it was in the right key for her, saying it was too low. Paula said it wasn't her favorite performance from her. Simon said that in parts it was a mess and it ran away from her. Kat said she knew she was losing it. While Kat and Ryan were talking, Simon interrupted, saying that it wasn't one of her best performances. Apparently he got the impression that that's what they thought he said. It was all a bit confusing.
Taylor Hicks said that he has had more hair changes than Ryan Seacrest. His performance of "Play That Funky Music White Boy" is easily one of my favorites. No, it wasn't vocally spectacular, but he's a great showman which is why his fans love him. Randy felt like he was in a bar and had a couple. Paula said it was the authentic Taylor that we love. Simon felt like it was a horrible wedding performance.
Next up was a clip of how awesome Billboard is, followed by a plug for the latest American Idol album, "Encore" due out May 23rd. The contestants got to pick any song from the top ten of any Billboard chart for the week.
Elliott picked "Home" which showed off his vocals much nicer. It was very good performance from him, but it confused him, as he ran over to Ryan afterwards, then had to run back to the middle of the stage. Randy said it was nice to see Elliotts tender side. Paula agreed that it was nice to see a different side of him. Simon said he wasn't sure that he would choose a song with the lyrics "I want to go home." He felt that it wasn't enough hook or wow factor
Paris sang "Be Without You" but not very well. The low notes just didn't work for her. Randy said it was pitchy. Paula said it was difficult to catch a vibe like Mary J. Blige. Simon disagreed with Paula, saying Paris did rather well with that.
Chris sang "I Dare You." Randy said that Chris' voice sounded like it was starting to give out. Paula said that the song wasn't her favorite, but she loves Chris. Simon didn't think it was a great song, and it really sounded like Chris' voice was going there. Chris said that it's the 5th time he's sang the song today.
Kat performed "Black Horse and Cherry Tree" for her second choice. I thought it was weird, but it worked for her. She did really good. Randy said it was a wild show tonight. He said this is more like the Katharine he grew to love. Paula loved the choreography and intimacy. Randy said that Simon loved the toes (which were bare). Simon said it was a strange show, this one was different and younger, and showed off more personality.
Taylor very sneakily chose "Something" from the Beatles, which qualifies because it's in the top 10 on the album charts. I thought that it was a great vocal performance. Randy said he chose a great song. Paula said it was daring to sing a song like that. Simon said it was clever picking that song, and that it's easy to forget with all his "something"ness that he's a very good singer. Honestly I missed the "something" part, actually I heard it, but it's obviously a British word I don't know. (Thanks to a guest: the word was balminess)
In the end, they had enough time left over to allow the judges a final thought. Randy said it was a wildly unpredictable night. Paula said it was different and interesting. Simon called it erratic, but gave himself a 9.5 out of 10 tonight when Ryan asked him.
My rankings, based on the combination of the two performances:
Taylor Hicks
Elliott Yamin
Katharine McPhee
Paris Bennett
You'll notice I didn't rank Chris, nor did I comment. By now everyone should know what I think of him. Just consider this week a "ditto" of my previous weeks' bad thoughts. Rank him wherever you choose, I don't think he even earned a rank. Honestly I think everyone but Chris and Taylor are in trouble this week. My money is on Paris leaving though.
Chris, 2nd song was better than the first one, the second song started off great, until of course he started screaming, After he brings out his first cd and does his tour he'll lose his voice eventually and will fade away, unless he learns not to scream, in which case he will also gain a lot more fans. as far as I know, most people who dislike Chris is because he screams too much.
Paris, 1st song was better than the second one in my opinion, I liked the pants she was wearing in the second song though.
Katharine, Wow what a great 2nd performance.
Taylor, definately the most entertaining of the night and also the one that showed the most diversity, making the 1st performance great on performance and the 2nd performance great on singing.
All in all bad news: we're going to lose a great singer tomorrow.
Chris: Great on the first song, pretty good on the second song but they were right about his voice starting to give (same thing happened to Ruben down the stretch).
Taylor: WTH on the first song, great on the second.
Elliott: First song would have been better, but I think it was over-vibratoed; second song was really good.
Paris: Pretty good on the first and second songs, but she has that voice thing (kind of a raspy smokey thing in spots) that I hate.
Katherine: She brings up the rear despite a pretty solid second performance. Her rendition of "Against All Odds" was atrocious in its execution and in resonance...I'd rather stare at a picture of Scott Savol for an hour *shudder* than listen to that performance again.
Guest said: Bottom 2 predicitons: Elliott and Paris with Paris packing.
Who it really should be??? Chris and Paris with Chris Packing
I don't think it matters who goes. All 5 will get record deals. If Chris left early, he might be able to put out a record more befitting what he wants to put out. Bo found out the hard way that the AI runner-up has to put out the crud that the marketing people want.
Personally, I find Chris musically entertaining, and Taylor just an all around great entertainer. The others I could take or leave....as soon as Taylor or Chris leaves, that's when I start watching only enough of AI to catch the one that remains.
I think Elliot Yamin should go home. Paris Bennett can really sing. She has a very nice vocal,very talented. She should be the next American idol. Way to go Paris!! Katherine/ Elliot should be the bottom two
Oh Foo I am with you. As I told someone tonight, it really was the Chris and Taylor show. I really enjoyed Chris and Taylor's first performances. I LOVE Renegade and I thought Chris did it very well. I could not help but smile through Taylors Play that Funky Music. There was no better song for him than that. I really enjoyed Katherine's second song. She was great on that one. I personally think Paris needs to go. It would be great to see her in a few years, but I honestly think her family has pushed her into this competition. She doesn't seem to have the fire that everyone else seems to have. And I sort of think the same thing about Katherine except she really did well on Black Horse and a Cherry Tree and that doesn't seem like a song her mom would pick out for here to sing.
My favorite is still Chris. I'l stand by him till the end, but I do think that Taylor performed him tonight. I think it's a Man's contest this year.
edit: shellybean - 2006-05-02 22:27:03 GMT - blonde moment
If you can't be a good example, then be a horrible warning!
1. Elliot
First he was superb, and then he was brilliant. Brilliant! Then the judges gave him a man no credit. Then I was like, "Have you guys already PICKED the American Idol?". But there was no answer. And then I imagined Katherine eating a huge bowl of hot grits. And then I calmed myself back down.
2. Paris
Just say "Girl", Paris. Most guys are into that. And as for the performances. Very Solid.
3. Taylor
His first song was like a parody of a saturday night live parody. But then he returned pretty impressive. So, SOUL PATROL, Taylor. Or whatever.
4. Chris
It was good, but imitation good. It was intense, but imitation intense. And I really don't like his voice. As far as I'm concerned, his voice is ALWAYS strained, back to his first audition. Escaped last place because my 2nd favorite bombed, and missed 3rd because Taylor nailed his #2 song. That's mathematics for you. But I'm with Curlio, realisticly.
5. Katherine
You are so silly. You are so silly. Aren't You?? Aren't You? Yes you are. Yes you are. Get the Ball, Katherine! Get the Ball!
I would really like to see either Chris win and Taylor winner up or Taylor win and Chris winner up. Both are simply amazing to me!
Paris has an amazing voice, but I don't think she will make it this week, and I do think it is her time to go.
Katherine should be next to go, as she has a great voice as well, but, still needs a lil work and I think she'd be better doing broadway or musicals or something. Don't really see her as singing songs that would be played on the radio all the time.
Elliot should go afterwards. I love Elliot and his recent perfomances have been awesome! But I also don't see him as making a CD that the songs would play on the radio all the time.
Taylor and Chris should be the last two.
But above all, a guy should win this time. Paris and Katherine need to go next. The guys defiantly have them both beat!!
I really liked all three guys. I've been waiting all day to vote. Katherine did great on the second song, but butchered the first one too horribly for me to forget it. Between Katherine and Paris I think Katherine should leave. Paris has true talent, but maybe is a little too young for this competition. Her Prince performance was fun to watch because it was interesting to see how she pulled it off. The Mary J Blige song kicked @$$!. She deserves to stay. The guys just have the show closed up. The girls are really going to have to be special to knock one of them off. I like them all, but I'm ranking them as follows for tonights performance only:
1. Taylor
2. Chris
3. Elliott
4. Paris
5. Katherine
It was difficult for me to pick who did the best overall tonight. It was the first time I liked Taylor hicks in weeks. I especially loved the Cocker/Belushi thing at the end. to bad the performance was marre by the grotesque shot of him & Seacrest lying on the stage together. Too scary & too much nostrils.
Chris has a little too much nostril on the second song. in fact, itlooked like he needed to use a hanky before the performance. Maybe that's why his voice was cracking.
Having said all that, I feel it will be Paris or Elliot going home tomorrow. My mind says Paris, but Elliot's second song lyrics are not a good omen.
1. Elliott - I thought he did a pretty good job. I liked his second song a lot better then his first.
2. Paris - I personally am sick of her. As my sister brought to my attention, her speaking voice always changes. Sometimes it's high and sometimes it's low... And I really don't think her version of the Mary J. Blige song was anywhere as good as the original.
3. Chris- His first song was amazing, but I do think he was screaming too much in his second song. But i do think he is one of the best left on the show.
4. Kat - The first song was rough, but hey, at least she admitted it. I loved the second song, though the sitting on the floor thing was kinda weird...
5. Taylor - The first song was pretty sweet and I thought it was good. Maybe I'm just against people besides the Beatles singing Beatles songs because i really didn't like the second song very much.
I'm really surprised that so many people like Elliott. He never sings in tune, as he is always sharp. In addition, he uses the same "shotgun vibrato" during every vocal he does. There is never any variance is his delivery. Hopefully Elliott will be voted off.
People complain about Chris doing too much screaming. They must not listen to his kind of music very often. He is really good and has a great voice. Taylor is so much fun to watch... can't decide who I like best between the two of them.
Katharine has had some good performance and some really bad performances... tonights first was one of the worst. I like Elliott too but don't think he will go much further...
Tonight's American Idol show can be summed up as "wildly unpredictable" which I happened to steal from judge Randy Jackson. The top five performed two songs each, showing off their funky sides and their wonderful performances.
Elliott Yamin, who revealed that he chews his fingernails, performed the song "On Broadway" as the song from the year of his birth. I thought it was a good song for him. He was more confident and gave a good performance. Randy Jackson thought it started rough but worked out towards the middle. Paula Abdul agreed with Randy. Simon Cowell thought it was a bit disjointed, and told Elliott he was lucky to have 2 songs tonight.
Chris Daughtry performed Renegade. He said that he has been performing in one form or another all of his life. Randy thought it was a hot one. Paula called it outstanding. Simon said it was a million times better than the first two.
Taylor Hicks said that he has had more hair changes than Ryan Seacrest. His performance of "Play That Funky Music White Boy" is easily one of my favorites. No, it wasn't vocally spectacular, but he's a great showman which is why his fans love him. Randy felt like he was in a bar and had a couple. Paula said it was the authentic Taylor that we love. Simon felt like it was a horrible wedding performance.
Paris sang "Be Without You" but not very well. The low notes just didn't work for her. Randy said it was pitchy. Paula said it was difficult to catch a vibe like Mary J. Blige. Simon disagreed with Paula, saying Paris did rather well with that.
Kat performed "Black Horse and Cherry Tree" for her second choice. I thought it was weird, but it worked for her. She did really good. Randy said it was a wild show tonight. He said this is more like the Katharine he grew to love. Paula loved the choreography and intimacy. Randy said that Simon loved the toes (which were bare). Simon said it was a strange show, this one was different and younger, and showed off more personality.
Simon said it was clever picking that song, and that it's easy to forget with all his "something"ness that he's a very good singer. Honestly I missed the "something" part, actually I heard it, but it's obviously a British word I don't know. (Thanks to a guest: the word was balminess)
My rankings, based on the combination of the two performances:
