5/12: American Idol recap – top 3
As expected, this very strong final three lived up to its billing. It was a fun night with plenty of vocal fireworks. Nobody really sucked and I’ve had to judge this based on very high standards.
Who SHOULD go home? Ugh. Do I have to pick? Okay. Kris Allen. Sorry.
Loading ...Who WILL go home? It’s going to be close but again, Kris.
Who will be in the bottom two: Kris and Adam
Dialidol shows it’s too close to call and an incredibly tight race among all three. That’s great for all three.
1- Kris’ “Heartless” 2- Danny’s “Dance Little Sister” 3- Adam’s “One” 4- Danny’s “You Are So Beautiful 5- Adam’s “Crying” 6 – Kris’ “Apologize”
An aside: why they put the Idol Gives Back story with Carrie Underwood on in the middle of the performance show was befuddling. That appears to have been ideal for a Wednesday night segment. Fox did say the show was going four minutes long. And it did.
Loading ...First up: Danny Gokey (”Dance Little Sister” Terence Trent D’Arby) – Good song pick from Paula. Fits his vocal wheelhouse. He sounded great and showed his usual confidence. No worries here. Randy: “Lot of energy. Sounded good. Hoarse tone. That was dope for me, dude.” Kara: “It keeps him in his money spot in his tone… the dancing was a little too gyrating for me.” Paula: “I thought you did a fantastic job.” Simon: “I do agree with Kara. I thought the dancing was a bit desperate. Vocally very very good.”
2nd up: Kris Allen (”Apologize” OneRepublic) – This was Kara and Randy’s pick. A current song and a good one for Kris’ stylings. Archie sang this last year. I don’t think this works quite as well with him behind a piano. Takes away the energy. I’m actually a bit disappointed with his interpretation. It doesn’t add much to the original. Randy: “It shows who you can be in the future of this business. Very nice.” Kara: “A very competent performance. But you have to be swinging it out of the park.” Paula: “There was a bum note there that was loud. But I’m so proud of you.” Simon: “You can’t choose a song for him, then blame him for doing the song.”
Third up: Adam Lambert (”One” U2) – One of Simon’s favorite songs and he got Bono to clear it personally. (Speaking of self aggrandizing.) He starts beautifully, then goes into screech mode. He can’t help himself. Over the top as usual. At least he ends it quietly. It was overall a cool interpretation. Randy: “It is a great song and you are a really really talented guy.” Kara: “You just proved you can take a song and do it a completely different way and make it unbelievable.” Paula: “It was one brilliant song, one superb performance and one American Idol I’m staring at.” Simon: “That was a brilliant song choice… you find a great artist, find a great song. You worked out what you wanted to do. It was a brilliant brilliant performance.”
Fourth up: Danny Gokey (”You Are So Beautiful” Joe Cocker) He picked a song by a man with an even grainier voice than Danny. He lite rocks it up. The soccer mom crowd will eat this up. This arrangement is actually kinda boring but at least he’s not aping Joe Cocker. And he pulls in that gospel-like finish as usual. Good, not great. Randy: “You showed that you are here because you can really really really sing. Mad vocals, dude.” Kara: “Everything you didn’t do in the first performance you just did. Stunning!” Paula: “It allows you to do magic to it, infuse your own thing to it… you nailed it.” Simon: “I love the song. I wouldn’t have done the same arrangement. I would call that a vocal master class.”
Fifth up: Kris Allen (”Heartless” Kanye West) – His own pick and he takes a major chance with a current hip-hop song. He Kris Allen’s it up with an acoustic guitar and that white boy soul. Pretty ballsy. And somehow, he pulls it off. I really like it. Randy: “This is going to be one of the toughest voting nights the entire year. I like that better than Kanye’s version. You’re in it to win it.” Kara: “It was bold. It was brave. It was fearless. Kudos to you for that.” Paula: “I commend you. Bravo.” Simon: “After what I thought was a lame song choice, I had written you out of this competition. That, however, has all changed after that performance.”
Sixth up: Adam Lambert (”Crying” Aerosmith) – He decides to play this one relatively safe. A few Adam screeches. A bit of prancing. And lots of the usual theatrics. I doubt this one will bring in new fans but will it inspire votes from his base? Randy: “You are one of the best we’ve ever had on this stage… you should be a rock star.” Kara: “How do you hit those notes and talk the next day? We’ll see you at the finals?” Paula: “You set the bar so high in the sky, I hope you collect frequent flyer miles.” Simon: “I’m not going to suck up quite as much as the other three. It’s very easy to assume you’ll sail through to the final. Let me take it back to tonight. The show is about finding a star. They should vote for you based on talent.”
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343 comments Add your comment
Deirdre
May 12th, 2009
6:23 pm
Performance order and songs for the first 3 songs:
Danny: Dance Little Sister
Kris: Apologize
Adam: One
I’ll repeat from the previous thread. MJ is getting this info as it happens. As soon as I hear who sings next, and what he will sing, I’ll let you know.
Any screaming about the pimp spot going to Adam is moot at this point…with so few contestants, the pimp spot loses it’s power.
Deirdre
May 12th, 2009
6:30 pm
Danny…You Are so Beautiful
AnnieR
May 12th, 2009
6:31 pm
Hi Bloggers, hope everyone is having a good Tuesday! Looks like I got here in time for the fun tonight…..so for the finals it’s gonna be Adam and Kris or Danny??? Somehow I just can’t see a Kris & Danny finale but that’s the fun of this show ;o)
Deirdre
May 12th, 2009
6:31 pm
Kris: Heartless by Kanye West
AnnieR
May 12th, 2009
6:33 pm
Deirdre – are these the singer’s choice songs or judge’s choice?
Deirdre
May 12th, 2009
6:41 pm
Adam: Cryin’ by Aerosmith
Deirdre
May 12th, 2009
6:43 pm
Judges choices were the first 3 songs listed. Singers choices are;
Danny: You Are So Beautiful by Joe C**ker(sorry, blog won’t post Joe’s last name)
Kris: Heartless by Kanye West
Adam: Cryin’ by Aerosmith
Deirdre
May 12th, 2009
6:44 pm
I’ll be back for the show!
AnnieR
May 12th, 2009
6:48 pm
Thanks Miss Deirdre!
War Eagle
May 12th, 2009
6:49 pm
Why is C0CKER not allowed on the blog
AnnieR
May 12th, 2009
6:52 pm
LOL, good one WE
Mercedes S.
May 12th, 2009
7:52 pm
Deirdre – please use “” around the songs next time… when I saw
“Danny… You’re So Beautiful” I thought you had gone over to the dark side.
harriett
May 12th, 2009
7:54 pm
This is a quote from this week’s Time magazine on Adam Lambert:
“Lambert may have the best chops of any Idol, but where he really outshines is in his self-awareness. While his peers act as if being plucked from obscurity to sing in prime time is normal, he understands that he’s on a television show, where acting normally would be completely abnormal. In his hands, a song and a performance are separate messaging opportunities.” Also “Lambert might just be too weird for a show this big. But, win or lose, it won’t matter: after producing plenty of singers, American Idol has found its first star.”
Nana
May 12th, 2009
8:00 pm
Good evening everybody.
Deirdre
May 12th, 2009
8:02 pm
Simon is wearing an undershirt again. what is his problem????
Nana
May 12th, 2009
8:05 pm
I have never seen Simon in anything other than a tee.
Deirdre
May 12th, 2009
8:06 pm
I liked this a lot but I think the obscurity of the song may hurt Danny. That being said, he did a really good job with it.
harriett
May 12th, 2009
8:07 pm
Agree. Great job with an obscure song.
Deirdre
May 12th, 2009
8:07 pm
harriett, thanks for the Time mag quote. Very interesting.
Nana
May 12th, 2009
8:07 pm
Dannny was okay and I think Paula picked a good song for him.
War Eagle
May 12th, 2009
8:07 pm
Didn’t care for it.
offkey
May 12th, 2009
8:08 pm
Nice rocking start for Danny but nothing special. Looked a little awkward and not terribly cheerful.
Watchingidol
May 12th, 2009
8:08 pm
harriett -
Not to take anything away from Adam, but has Time never heard of Kelly Clarkson or Carrie Underwood. Aren’t they starts by anyone’s definition?
AnnieR
May 12th, 2009
8:09 pm
I never heard of that song before but it was pretty good, not outstanding…
Nana
May 12th, 2009
8:12 pm
It’s hard to believe that next week is it for this season. To me, it has gone by fast.
harriett
May 12th, 2009
8:12 pm
The part of the quote that deals with them, WI:
“Idol is a reliable source of platinum talent, largely because the talents it produces–KElly C, Chris D, Carrie U (my initials)–respect the conventions of its genres. They are nice singers who sing nice songs nicely.” Then it starts with “Lambert may have the best chops of any…” etc.
Deirdre
May 12th, 2009
8:13 pm
There’s a difference between being a star and being a best selling singer, just like there’s a big difference between being a star and being an actor. Lohan is a star, she not much of an actress. Britney is a star, she’s not much of a singer. Sometimes the 2 qualities can be combined.
GrantPGuy
May 12th, 2009
8:14 pm
That was OK. Sounded like Danny.
Nana
May 12th, 2009
8:15 pm
Did I see blue nail polish on Kris’s right thumb?
Judy
May 12th, 2009
8:15 pm
I am probably late but someone of you owe kara and apology. Somehow they forgot to mention that Kris’ song came from Randy AND Kara.
Judy
May 12th, 2009
8:15 pm
I love this. I really love this!
War Eagle
May 12th, 2009
8:15 pm
This is a hell of a lot better than Danny
Judy
May 12th, 2009
8:16 pm
Matt would have done well with this song as well.
Nana
May 12th, 2009
8:16 pm
Liking Kris better than Danny.
offkey
May 12th, 2009
8:16 pm
Gee, I wonder if the godsquad will come in complaining about Kris’s “girly” voice?
Exit Now
May 12th, 2009
8:16 pm
Lovin’ me some Kris!
AnnieR
May 12th, 2009
8:16 pm
I like this better than Danny but Kris is a little weak in the high notes….
Deirdre
May 12th, 2009
8:16 pm
I love Kris but he’s a small venue singer. If he makes the top 2 he’s going to be swallowed whole by the Kodak Theater.
Judy
May 12th, 2009
8:17 pm
That was nice, REAL nice.
GrantPGuy
May 12th, 2009
8:17 pm
Agreed. This is better…
harriett
May 12th, 2009
8:17 pm
Judy, they did say both.
offkey
May 12th, 2009
8:18 pm
Liked Kris, although I thought he warbled a little too much. Numerical scores… I’d give Gokey an 83, Kris an 87.
Cadre
May 12th, 2009
8:19 pm
WOOHOO!! Simon
AnnieR
May 12th, 2009
8:19 pm
I love Simon, he always speaks the truth!!
offkey
May 12th, 2009
8:19 pm
Okay, hold onto your chairs. Here comes Godzilla. Unless they spend the rest of show letting Paula and Simon fight.
War Eagle
May 12th, 2009
8:20 pm
LOL @ Simon
Deirdre
May 12th, 2009
8:20 pm
Maybe next year American Idol should be renamed to The Simon and Paula Show.
Exit Now
May 12th, 2009
8:20 pm
I agree w/Simon. Kara did totally screw Kris with that critique.
Cadre
May 12th, 2009
8:20 pm
Time for judges orgasm #1
harriett
May 12th, 2009
8:22 pm
It sounds like Simon is saying the judges CAN have input about the arrangement.
Nana
May 12th, 2009
8:22 pm
Does anyone know if the judges attend the final rehearsal?
Simon just blasted Kara!! Right-on.
Judy
May 12th, 2009
8:23 pm
Paula’s comments to Kris were to say the least awkward!!! she is back on the stuff unfortunately. I feel sure of it. I also agreed with Simon regarding Kara.
Deirdre
May 12th, 2009
8:24 pm
Well, I’d rather vote for someone orgasmic than someone who puts me to sleep.
Judy
May 12th, 2009
8:26 pm
Wow, Bono insisted well not really insisted that Adam sing their song. that is high praise on so many levels. Well, not so many levels but at least one level.
Exit Now
May 12th, 2009
8:27 pm
Started off nice but then good Lord….
AnnieR
May 12th, 2009
8:27 pm
Well, he’s no Bono….
War Eagle
May 12th, 2009
8:27 pm
Just an amazing voice.
Nana
May 12th, 2009
8:28 pm
Wished he had time to sing the whole song.
Judy
May 12th, 2009
8:28 pm
Adam is an actor bottom line. kris and danny cant bring acting to their songs. THe first part was better for me. sorry!
AnnieR
May 12th, 2009
8:28 pm
Adam’s dad looks just like Larry the head FBI guy who was killed off in 24!
Deirdre
May 12th, 2009
8:29 pm
He’s amazing! And I loved the tears in his mom’s eyes.
suzee
May 12th, 2009
8:29 pm
Someone please take Kara away
GrantPGuy
May 12th, 2009
8:29 pm
Is there anyone else on this show? Wow.
Judy
May 12th, 2009
8:29 pm
Harriett, they who? I was speaking of the people. Did you read the week-end posts?
Exit Now
May 12th, 2009
8:30 pm
Bleh.
offkey
May 12th, 2009
8:30 pm
Is he filming something from Lord of the Rings after the show? Kinda elfish looking. Not sure I was crazy about all the vocal meandering but I slip him in just ahead of Kris with an 89.
Nana
May 12th, 2009
8:30 pm
What is Paula rambling about?
harriett
May 12th, 2009
8:31 pm
The show, Judy. They, meaning the show gave credit to Kara and Randy.
AnnieR
May 12th, 2009
8:31 pm
The thing about Adam is that no matter what you think about his singing, he is consistently pleasant and professional.
harriett
May 12th, 2009
8:32 pm
D, I noticed his mother’s tears, too.
harriett
May 12th, 2009
8:32 pm
Judy, I just did not have the right context.
Joe
May 12th, 2009
8:33 pm
Only reason to watch the show… glad Adam gets to go again… maybe cut the other 2 out and let Adam do the rest of the show
offkey
May 12th, 2009
8:33 pm
Lots of room for improvement in round two.
Nana
May 12th, 2009
8:34 pm
After the first three songs, I would place in this order: Adam, Kris, Danny. Each has a slight edge over the other (except Danny).
Deirdre
May 12th, 2009
8:35 pm
The thing about Adam is that he always gives us a complete performance. He’s not just singing the song, he’s living it…and yes, that’s the actor in him….it makes him complete as a performer. Danny and Kris love the music, that’s obvious and they’re both great…Adam makes you feel like he not only loves the song but he lives the song…combine that ability with a terrific voice and you have the consummate performer.
Judy
May 12th, 2009
8:35 pm
right, i was talking about the week-end bloggers here who didnt know Randy and Kara help pick that song. They were really hard on kara about not getting to pick anything.
AnnieR
May 12th, 2009
8:35 pm
I am really looking fwd to SYTYCD ;o) I love that show!
Nana
May 12th, 2009
8:35 pm
With only three left, it doesn’t take long to post your comments.
Judy
May 12th, 2009
8:36 pm
simon also said that to melinda two years ago. Carrie in angola?
AnnieR
May 12th, 2009
8:36 pm
IMHO, Carrie Underwood is the best Idol to date.
GrantPGuy
May 12th, 2009
8:36 pm
Nana, I couldn’t have said it better…
Nana
May 12th, 2009
8:37 pm
I’m with you AnnieR about SYTYCD.
coastal
May 12th, 2009
8:38 pm
Looks like somebody with too much makeup hugged Simon. He has makeup stains on his undershirt.
Judy
May 12th, 2009
8:38 pm
not long at all
Deirdre
May 12th, 2009
8:38 pm
Carrie is so beautiful!
AnnieR
May 12th, 2009
8:39 pm
Hi Nana, how r u tonight? Do you guys Blog during SYTYCD? That would be fun too!
harriett
May 12th, 2009
8:39 pm
She sure is, D. And, Simon predicted she’d sell more than any other Idol.
Nana
May 12th, 2009
8:39 pm
Carrie looked goodd even without being made up. She is a natural beauty.
Deirdre
May 12th, 2009
8:40 pm
Re Kara…the general consensus was that, since she was writing the coronation song, that’s why she didn’t choose a song. I think they added Kara to Randy’s song choice because they didn’t want the audience to wonder why she was left out.
coastal
May 12th, 2009
8:40 pm
My opinion after the 1st 3 songs, Adam, then Kris, then Danny. That is also my overall opinion, so I may be biased.
Exit Now
May 12th, 2009
8:41 pm
Country post – Rumor is that Josh Gracin will be the new lead singer of Lone Star. I hope that works out for him as he just lost his (solo) record contract.
Judy
May 12th, 2009
8:42 pm
they all have on too much make-up but i am sure paula did that
Nana
May 12th, 2009
8:42 pm
Wished old PacMan would get a bad case of the swine flu and left us along!!
Exit Now
May 12th, 2009
8:42 pm
OK – was that a Pepsi commercial??
Judy
May 12th, 2009
8:42 pm
who remembers the judge choices season 6?
AnnieR
May 12th, 2009
8:43 pm
No matter what happens to him, Danny DOES have a cute smile ;o)
Judy
May 12th, 2009
8:43 pm
just your opinion.
Andi
May 12th, 2009
8:45 pm
I;m just getting home. Trying to piece together the first half based on all the commments. Will have to watch DVR after the end of the show.
Exit Now
May 12th, 2009
8:45 pm
I’m thinking they’re gonna run long tonight.
AnnieR
May 12th, 2009
8:45 pm
I really like Danny with this song, much better than the first round.