4/28: American Idol recap: top 5 Rat Pack performance show
With five excellent vocalists left, we got five good to great performances on Rat Pack night. Having sturdy classic songs and the big orchestra helped. And Jamie Foxx was a fairly good mentor, helping Matt and Danny especially.
Tough picks tonight.
Who will be in the bottom three: Matt, Allison, Kris
Who will be in the bottom two if there is only a bottom two: Matt, Allison
Who will go home: Matt
Who should be in the bottom three: Matt, Danny, Allison
Loading ...Who should be in the bottom two: Matt, Danny
Who should go home: Matt
My personal rankings: 1- Allison 2- Kris 3- Adam 4- Danny 5- Matt
Early dialidol rankings show nobody is so far off the mark to be a goner. The ranks are 1-Adam 2-Danny 3-Allison 4- Kris 5- Matt. No surprises there.
First up: Kris Allen (”The Way You Look Tonight”) – I recommended Danny sing this but Kris is just fine. He sexed it up, steamed it up. He really had control of that stage. A beaut. Randy: “This is your best performance to date.” Kara: “Tonight, you have set the technical standard so incredibly high this evening. Your impeccable phrasing, your diction, your rhythm, your timing.” Paula: “Your quiet confidence makes you this contemporary crooner.” Simon: “I think it was good but not as enthusiastic as these three. I thought it was a little bit wet. It’s like a well-trained spaniel for a walk. I didn’t think it was incredible. I don’t think I get the feeling you can win it based on tonight.”
Loading ...Second up: Allison Iraheta (”Someone to Watch over Me”) She turned 17 yesterday! This song Kat McPhee sang a couple of years back – fairly well if my memory serves me correct. Going the torch route for Allison is definitely a change of pace. Although she’s only 17, she still looks like she’s about to turn 35. And vocally? She’s as mature as it gets. So it works, even if she hasn’t had a boyfriend (or so she says.). Jamie did bring up a good idea by having her think of her family. Great job! Randy: “You sing like Pink with 9,000 more octaves… that was da bomb.” Kara: “I ain’t nervous for you anymore. Let me tell you! You converted some new fans tonight. You aren’t a one-trick pony.” Paula: “It had an innocent sensibility that was alluring and tender.” Simon: “Do you think you can win this competition?” Allison: “I think I can.” Simon: “I don’t feel that belief in you still. It was a great performance… I have a horrible feeling you will be trouble tonight.”
Third up: Matt Giraud (”My Funny Valentine”) – Jamie Foxx suggests he change the key partway through. Will that help? He’s not bad but his vocal command simply isn’t there compared to the other four. I don’t think the key change got him the response he needed. It was good. But was it good enough? Randy: “That was one of the hardest songs tonight. It was a little bit pitchy. Some of the runs landed right. Some didn’t. A 6 out of 10.” Kara: “You have to be the leader of the pack. I appreciate the runs… I didn’t feel you were emotionally connected.” Paula: “I love the advice you took from Jamie by lowering the key. I felt the emotional connection. It was pure, simple and impressive.” Simon: “I’m going to have to disagree with Randy. I thought for me, it was the only believable authentic song I heard tonight. I can tell you love the music. You were absolutely brilliant.” (Randy dislikes, Simon loves? When does that ever happen?)
Fourth up: Danny Gokey (”Come Rain or Come Shine”) – This song doesn’t seem to provide enough vocal range for Danny until the very end. He does add a nice bluesy touch to it. But I’m not a big fan of this song in general. Randy: “The only one who could have an album of those tonight.” Kara: “You had swag tonight. I mean, the end to that performance was the most creative you’ve been with a melody.” Paula: “Stellar performance.” Simon: “You came out to prove a point… your performance was what I think you’re capable of.”
Pimp spot: Adam Lambert (”Feeling Good’) – I actually enjoyed it. The usual screeching. But he has such control of what he does on stage, it’s easy to get sucked into the Lambert gaze, the Lambert orbit. Randy: “It was a little too Broadway for me but you were in the zone.” Kara: “My mouth drops open every time you perform.” Paula: “You’re our Michael Phelps.” Simon: “What I get from you is the feeling that you want to win and prove a point and you want to entertain.”
And in an interview with TV Guide, Simon wishes we could see what goes on at the mansion and chronicle whatever tensions go on between contestants. He hates the kumbaya vibe. He still thinks an Adam and Danny top 2 is possible though Kris has been his most pleasant surprise. .
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476 comments Add your comment
JTesla
April 28th, 2009
4:39 pm
I agree with Simon, more mansion. Looking forward to the interviews (I assume on your “other” blog)
Deirdre
April 28th, 2009
4:48 pm
Hey Rodney. Figured you’d be extra special busy now with the changes at the ajc. Pleased to hear you’ll be joining us tonight.
Deirdre
April 28th, 2009
4:51 pm
So we have an hour long show tonight, 10 minutes of which(at the most) will be the contestants actually singing! Does anyone else see something wrong with this picture?
JTesla
April 28th, 2009
4:56 pm
This is shaping up to be the worst night in Idol history. I hope I am wrong with that.
Deirdre
April 28th, 2009
5:10 pm
Song rumors so far;
* Matt Giraud – “My Funny Valentine” (according to a Michigan radio station)
* Kris Allen – “The Way You Look Tonight” (via poster who spoiled Kris’s song correctly last week)
Nana
April 28th, 2009
6:01 pm
If we only have even 15 minutes of the contestants, is the other 30 (have to allow 15 min for commericals) gonna be taken by Jamie? This is pure cr@p!!!!
offkey
April 28th, 2009
6:03 pm
Won’t be able to watch or blog live tonight. I have my own command performance but I’ll check in after I watch the tape. NOT encouraged by what I’m reading about downsizing the performances in favor of more filler. Jamie Foxx mentoring Rat Pack week? The only thing that qualifies him is the rat part. Worst decision ever.
Deirdre
April 28th, 2009
6:35 pm
Here they are:
SPOILERS!
Kris Allen – “The Way You Look Tonight”
Allison Iraheta – “Someone to Watch Over Me”
Matt Giraud – “My Funny Valentine”
Danny Gokey – “Come Rain Come Shine”
Adam Lambert – “Feeling Good” (the muse version)
offkey
April 28th, 2009
6:38 pm
Yep, can totally see Adam doing this…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inW91qRDGwI
Highlander
April 28th, 2009
6:51 pm
If those are the actual song choices for tonight, Allison should have a shot at giving a stand-out performance, IMHO.
Kris and Danny should do well, Adam will find a way to work his trademark screech into the song (AGAIN) and Matt has probably signed his official goodbye notice.
Mike S
April 28th, 2009
7:12 pm
Deirdre
April 28th, 2009
6:35 pm
Here they are:
SPOILERS!
Kris Allen – “The Way You Look Tonight” — I can see this being a home run. Hopefully Kris will do a faithful version of it. Acoustic is the way to go with this one.
Allison Iraheta – “Someone to Watch Over Me” — This has the possibility of being one of those Idol moments. I see one of two things happening, she slays it and puts herself squarly in the mix or it doesn’t work and bye bye Allison.
Matt Giraud – “My Funny Valentine” — I see nothing but trouble for Matt. No matter how he does he will be compared to Constantine and Melinda, and they were absolute home runs. Hate to be negative, but I think Matt just punched his ticket home.
Danny Gokey – “Come Rain Come Shine” — I can see Danny doing good with this, but I also think he will do a safe Danny version. He should be safe, but he is opening the door even more for Kris and Allison if they hit home runs.
Adam Lambert – “Feeling Good” (the muse version)
– I like the Muse version of this, but it is verging on Adam being accused of being over the top again. It is not quite “Ring of Fire” out there, but a lot of people will look at this version as a massacre of the original and he is risking Simon calling it Over-indulgent. Remember, this is about the point Simon warned Daughtry of going to the well once too often. This is a big Rick for Adam IMO.
Deirdre
April 28th, 2009
7:23 pm
Gotta agree with everything you said, Mike.
I think it’s interesting that 2 of the songs tonight were sung by Katharine McPhee during season 5. Fortunately for both Allison and Danny, they will do different enough versions as to not draw comparisons.
Matt, however….Constantine did this song extremely well and Melinda took it to a whole other level. Matt is toast!
AnnieR
April 28th, 2009
7:38 pm
Hi everybody, I thought they were all supposed to sing two songs tonight. Seems like I saw that on a tv promo earlier this week….
linny@home
April 28th, 2009
7:39 pm
agreed, Matt will be toast. there’s no way he can compare. no way. i’m hoping Allison blows us all away tonight … she’s so good … BUT she’s young, and i doubt she will “go away” musically … someone’s gonna grab her up in a contract, imho, no matter what she does.
Deirdre
April 28th, 2009
7:46 pm
AnnieR…we think that these poor kids prepared 2 songs and then were told just yesterday that they would only be singing one. That’s a rumor but, top 5 night is usually a 2 song each night.
Obviously, with 4 judges and a mentor, the show is no longer all about the singers!
Exit Now
April 28th, 2009
8:01 pm
Evening all. Rat pack? Really?
Katy
April 28th, 2009
8:03 pm
wow! Randy must have read our blog…he didn’t boo Simon!
AnnieR
April 28th, 2009
8:05 pm
Thanks Deirdre, I could have sworn I heard them say that – I’d much rather hear more singing and less from the judges, except for Simon that is.
harriett
April 28th, 2009
8:05 pm
Allison’s song is the very one I would have picked for her. Like the rest, I do hope she does what I think she is capable of doing with it. I hate the thought of Danny doing that song.
Deirdre
April 28th, 2009
8:06 pm
They have so much time to kill tonight!
Deirdre
April 28th, 2009
8:07 pm
Allison looks pretty tonight too, harriett. It’s still Allison with just a touch of class.
Watchingidol
April 28th, 2009
8:08 pm
Harriett – Last week when this theme was announced, I posted that this would be the right song for Allison. Let’s hope she stays true to the song and nails it. Every female winner, save Carrie Underwood, has nailed a standard on the way to winning. (Stuff Like That There, Summertime, and You’ll Never Walk Alone.)
AnnieR
April 28th, 2009
8:08 pm
I was really hoping someone would sing “Summer Winds” by Frank Sinatra….
harriett
April 28th, 2009
8:08 pm
I think Jamie Foxx will be Mr. Irrelevance tonight.
Nana
April 28th, 2009
8:08 pm
They will just use filler time. I hope Allison hits the first homerun of the season.
harriett
April 28th, 2009
8:10 pm
WI if Allison can show a little vulnerability, which this songs screams for, she should hit a home run. I sure hope she does.
Nana
April 28th, 2009
8:10 pm
IMO, there were better songs they could have choosen, if infact the above list is accurate and knowing deirdre, I’m sure they are.
IdolWatcher80
April 28th, 2009
8:10 pm
Hey yall. Glad to see everyone today. Should be a good show.
Will write more later.
Deirdre
April 28th, 2009
8:11 pm
I love The Way You Look Tonight and I think Kris is going to nail it!
harriett
April 28th, 2009
8:11 pm
LOL Nana. We both hope for home runs!
Katy
April 28th, 2009
8:11 pm
Go Kris!
tnecvolfan2001
April 28th, 2009
8:12 pm
oh there goes kris breakin’ hearts
Exit Now
April 28th, 2009
8:12 pm
Lovin’ some Kris!!!!
Watchingidol
April 28th, 2009
8:13 pm
Harriet – Agreed 100%
tnecvolfan2001
April 28th, 2009
8:13 pm
wow, good job kris
Rodney Ho
April 28th, 2009
8:13 pm
Kris slayed it.Smooooth…
Deirdre
April 28th, 2009
8:13 pm
He sang it really well, except I thought the tempo change was kind of jarring and the falsetto wasn’t tops…..really, with Adam around, the other guys need to stay away from the falsetto.
Katy
April 28th, 2009
8:13 pm
NICE!
Nana
April 28th, 2009
8:13 pm
Pretty good rendition. Not my favorite performance by Kris.
Cadre
April 28th, 2009
8:13 pm
That was his best performance of the season. That was an awesome performance.
AnnieR
April 28th, 2009
8:14 pm
GO KRIS!!!!!
tnecvolfan2001
April 28th, 2009
8:15 pm
i think people are gonna get a little burned out on adam and kris could slowly slink up to the top
harriett
April 28th, 2009
8:15 pm
I loved it, and many artists have done the up-tempo thing in the middle of that song.
Nana
April 28th, 2009
8:15 pm
Paula could lose the big red bow!!
Exit Now
April 28th, 2009
8:16 pm
IMO he does falsetto better than Adam. Adam’s often come across screechy. But then again I will admit I am not an Adam fan.
Rodney Ho
April 28th, 2009
8:16 pm
Wet? I sense a lot of jokes coming up.
GrantPGuy
April 28th, 2009
8:17 pm
I am afraid I agree with Simon tonight, sadly. I do like Kris.
Nana
April 28th, 2009
8:18 pm
Het GrantPGuy, haven’t seen you before. Welcome on board.
harriett
April 28th, 2009
8:18 pm
I love Adam, but I am really pulling hard for Allison.
Deirdre
April 28th, 2009
8:19 pm
Well…I’ve heard lots of people switch to uptempo in the middle of that song…I just didn’t think he did it very well by going falsetto…it would have been a smoother transition without it.
GrantPGuy
April 28th, 2009
8:19 pm
Thanks! I have been lurking mostly. I enjoy reading your thoughts! It adds something.
Nana
April 28th, 2009
8:19 pm
harriett, I am too. last week I voted for her for about 45 minutes!! Will do the same tonight as well.
harriett
April 28th, 2009
8:19 pm
Point well taken, D.
tnecvolfan2001
April 28th, 2009
8:20 pm
uh, ok i’m a little late here, but has anyone made comments about jamie foxx? i personally think the guy is talented, but why didn’t they bring on barry manilow or tony bennett? or even michael buble? i mean, jamie foxx? maybe his cheap shots at miley cyrus turned me off of him, but even without that, they could have brought in someone better
harriett
April 28th, 2009
8:20 pm
Ok, here goes. Good luck!
Nana
April 28th, 2009
8:21 pm
Well GrantPGuy, don’t just lurk. Your comments are welcome . We love newbies.
IdolWatcher80
April 28th, 2009
8:21 pm
I think Kris is the most talented vocally and tonight he proved it. I think Adam has the most talent theatrically. I think it should come down to those two. Kris is a whole lot better than Danny. We shall see.
Cadre
April 28th, 2009
8:21 pm
tn, Jamie has a new movie coming out. Guess this is the way to promote it.
Exit Now
April 28th, 2009
8:22 pm
GrantPGuy – good for you making the transition from lurker to participant. I did the same at the beginning of the season. Welcome.
dave
April 28th, 2009
8:23 pm
Jamie Foxx is surprisingly fresh so far . . .
tnecvolfan2001
April 28th, 2009
8:23 pm
a little breathy to me and she is a bit young to be singin’ this song
tnecvolfan2001
April 28th, 2009
8:24 pm
yea dave and cadre – he’s OK, plus it seems to be they’re using a little less of the mentors anyway with the addition of a judge that takes up a little extra time
Exit Now
April 28th, 2009
8:24 pm
I know this has come up before, but I swear Allison reminds me so much of Kelly Clarkson.
Angela
April 28th, 2009
8:24 pm
Hey all. Feeling a little better this week than last. I LOVED Kris. Allison, well we’ll see.
Watchingidol
April 28th, 2009
8:24 pm
When Kris finished I knocked my computer on the floor – just got rebooted…
This is Allison’s best performance. OMG, it’s very, very good.
AnnieR
April 28th, 2009
8:24 pm
Allison was AWESOME….
Judy
April 28th, 2009
8:24 pm
Wow, I was on the phone but i really didnt get anything from Kris on this song, but I was on the phone.
Deirdre
April 28th, 2009
8:24 pm
Great Job, Allison!!!!!!!! That was lovely!
Rodney Ho
April 28th, 2009
8:24 pm
Allison hasn’t done anything quite like this. And yes–she pulls it off! Bravo!
Nana
April 28th, 2009
8:25 pm
OMG!!! Allison was amazing. I loved it…
tnecvolfan2001
April 28th, 2009
8:25 pm
mmmm, i wasn’t blown away by allison
Judy
April 28th, 2009
8:25 pm
I was listening to Ally while trying to catch up on the posts, so again I was distracted. I am not as excited as Randy.
Exit Now
April 28th, 2009
8:25 pm
Loved Allison!
Katy
April 28th, 2009
8:25 pm
i agree dave…i’m kind of likin jamie as a mentor!
Deirdre
April 28th, 2009
8:25 pm
Welcome aboard Grant!
Angela
April 28th, 2009
8:26 pm
I’m sorry but what ate Paula? Some wrapping paper? Allison was really really good but I liked Kris better.
Judy
April 28th, 2009
8:26 pm
THey need to be worried about Ally, esp with Danny and Adam and Kris. I will see who else tells Ally she will be in the finals.
tnecvolfan2001
April 28th, 2009
8:27 pm
yea simon is exactly right, she just doesn’t have that confidence
Cadre
April 28th, 2009
8:27 pm
She was good but I still liked Kris better. Regardless of how good or bad she was, they were going to build her up. They don’t want to lose the last female this early.
Rodney Ho
April 28th, 2009
8:28 pm
I think Simon is signaling to Allison’s fans with his comments: VOTE VOTE VOTE.
GrantPGuy
April 28th, 2009
8:28 pm
I agree, that was absolutely Allison’s best performance to date! I knew she had it in her…
Judy
April 28th, 2009
8:29 pm
Jamie came to prominence of course in comedy but he grew up with a musical background. Now it is focusing on music but he is so much more musically than the stuff he is putting out now.
harriett
April 28th, 2009
8:29 pm
I think Jamie Foxx was wrong in what he told Allison about imagining her family. I think she’d have done better imagining her dream guy.
Rodney Ho
April 28th, 2009
8:30 pm
I do agree with Simon that I don’t think she has that “inner confidence” to feel she can beat Adam or Danny.esp. when she’s not singing. That may just be the fact she’s only 17. Kris, on the other hand, is quietly confident but not arrogant. Some folks think Danny comes off as vaguely smug at times. Adam knows he’s packed with skills and works as hard as he can to be humble. Matt? He knows he has zilch chance to win it.
Judy
April 28th, 2009
8:30 pm
i guess I will have to watch youtube tomorrow to see Ally and Kris again. I was missing what you guys were obviously seeing and hearing.
Watchingidol
April 28th, 2009
8:30 pm
Simon might be right about the lack of confidence, but I don’t think that’s a game ender. Since Season One, and recently in an interview, Simon doesn’t like that the contestants get alone and are congenial towards one another. He’s looking for the cut-throat and conceited. I think a little vulnerability, so long as it’s not put-on, can be endearing and actually help the AI contestant.
Angela
April 28th, 2009
8:31 pm
Hi Grant. I am a former lurker, new blogger too. I joined in last week after a tragic event with my 12 year old cat. This bunch really helped my feelings.
Deirdre
April 28th, 2009
8:31 pm
I agree, Rodney…Simon’s statement was obviously a reminder to Allison’s fans.
IdolWatcher80
April 28th, 2009
8:31 pm
I thought Allison was great, but I don’t think she quite has the voice for the kind of music. She’s such a rocker chick. Maybe that’s what Simon was alluding to. She’s definitely an awesome singer though.
Nana
April 28th, 2009
8:31 pm
Hey Dave, glad to see you back.
Allison may be young to be doing the song she just did, but remember ALL five weren’t even born when the Rat Pack was around, so in that respect, one could say all five are to young to be doing that era of music.
Merlin Berlin
April 28th, 2009
8:31 pm
Simon is on crack and it’s not good crack either. Allison was freakin’ awesome.
harriett
April 28th, 2009
8:32 pm
WI, I agree about that. If one of them comes off as too confident and arrogant, it will turn the voters off.
Mike S
April 28th, 2009
8:32 pm
All I can say is WOW so far.
Kris just secured whatever portion of the tween vote he didn’t have with that smoky performance.
Allison was just flat out amazing.
Matt is in big trouble before he even performs.
GrantPGuy
April 28th, 2009
8:33 pm
I wish Matt well. I think he is the one in most trouble this week.
Angela
April 28th, 2009
8:33 pm
I don’t have a good feeling about Matt at all tonight.
Nana
April 28th, 2009
8:34 pm
Angela, forgot to welcome you back and I see that you seem to be better.
GrantPGuy
April 28th, 2009
8:34 pm
Amgela, as a cat lover myself, I really felt for you when you talked about your cat… Thanks for the welcome.
Rodney Ho
April 28th, 2009
8:34 pm
Jamie suggests Matt change the key partway through. Will it work?
Nana
April 28th, 2009
8:35 pm
After the firsat few words, nope, don’t like this one.
Exit Now
April 28th, 2009
8:35 pm
Matt is now officially out of his league.