‘American Idol’ top 9 performance recap: five standing o’s

Cup of Joe

March 29th, 2012
2:07 am

Elise, Jessica and Skylar kicked all kinds of butt.

Hollie’s was rather underrated.

Wasn’t feeling Joshua and Colton.

Not really understanding the Phillip love, other than he’s on his way to becoming the next Gokey. *ugh!*

In an ideal world, either Deandre or Heejun should go.

eugene

March 29th, 2012
2:58 am

i really dont agree with you..i still find jessica’s performance the one to beat and still jessica is the girl to beat in this years competition…holly will soon be eliminated..trust me…!!!

Domanion

March 29th, 2012
3:54 am

Really? Do you like anyone? The one you liked best is the guy who can’t sing. I liked Phillip Phillips at first, but his narrow range and growling has become irritating. He’s clearly talented, but he sounded better singing with Colton and the other guy (I forget who it was). He should be the guy in a group who chimes in on the 2nd verse, everybody cheers because, actually, in small doses, he is really good; then backs out and lets the one with a musical range finish the song.

Ryan

March 29th, 2012
4:27 am

Phillip is my favorite, by far. But I don’t think he’ll win (prolly 3rd) elyse would win if she was younger (which is unfair) holly is boring (and I know this doesn’t really matter but she isn’t even american) Deandre’s voice isn’t my cup of tea at all, I don’t understand the judges liking him. Colton will have his album regardless, I also really enjoy his talent on the piano. Jessica did very poorly with an upbeat song, so until she pulls that off I’m not convinced. Skylar is okay but I don’t think she really gets it, I don’t feel it when she sings (isn’t that the point of country, telling stories) Joshua for me is a nightmare, it’s the fantasia nightmare all over.

Vast Wastrel

March 29th, 2012
4:41 am

Bad bout of insomnia tonight er this morning. Watched the performances using the DVR and reduced the 2 hours to a little more than 30 minutes since I wanted to hear what Stevie Nicks had to say. IMO the producers should allow the full song to be sung and see if they have a little endurance if Fox is going to milk this for 2 full hours. I again listened using my HiFi headphones which I highly recommend. IMO:

9. Deandre – There is such a thing as good falsetto. This was not. He soared it into dog wailing territory.
8. Colton – His tonal quality just doesn’t agree with me in addition when he is on a minor chord it just sounds off key not transitional.
7. Heejun – Better than last week but he would have been my pick to be voted off last week. I’m not sure it is possible for him to hold a note beyond a beat without sliding around.
6. Joshua – Had me liking it for a minute and a half. The last 30 seconds were all over the map and not in a good way. Waaaay over the top with the caterwauling. Agree 100% Rodney. Nilsson took this to #1 Worldwide and a Grammy if I’m not mistaken. You simply can’t label this a Mariah song.
5. Skylar – Quintessential Honky Tonk girl and whether you like twang or not she is a presence on the stage and works it better than most. She is a one trick pony however.
4. Phillip – Love the rockers and maybe he made this just look too easy. I’m sure he is safe but he needs to stretch it more on future shows.
3. Jessica – Toned it down and didn’t over sing as much this week. She has the pipes to make it an A+ every week if she would just sing it straight, with less vibrato and a flourish only when the song calls for it.
2. Hollie – She ain’t Carrie but for her age and small frame that is still a great big voice. It took guts to do this one and I think she pulled it off.
1. Elise – Props for doing Led Zep right. She does rough real well. Deserved the pimp spot with this. Would have been an A+ but she didn’t quite stick the landing. Of course Plant had 5+ minutes to build to the end, she only had 2.

I hit FF after each performance but if there were 5 standing O’s then there were 4 too many. Elise was the only one deserving. Got to keep those ratings though even if it does result in mere cheerleaders for judges.

Highlander

March 29th, 2012
7:32 am

Let’s please get it straight once and for all n A Song For You, too, VW (and RoHo). Ray Charles, Donny Hathaway, Michael Buble’, Elliott Yamin, Christina Aguilera and many others have COVERED the song, but it’s a Leon Russell tune. Penned and originally recorded by him! Give the original a listen.

Highlander

March 29th, 2012
7:33 am

Make that “on” A Song For You…

Deirdre

March 29th, 2012
7:52 am

Morning!

First half of the show was a snooze-fest. Second half gradually improved. 3 standouts for me:

1. Elise sang a pure rocker song and pulled it off. Never would have believed it. I thought she was all soft jazzy. I hope this was the performance that opened a lot of people’s eyes to the fact that she’s a talented singer.

2. Phil. I get the Dave Matthews comparisons(as in their styles are similar) but Phil is no more an imitation of Dave than Jessica or Hollie are an imitation of Celine.

3. Jessica just has a wonderful voice. This performance was not one of my favorites and her vibrato was so out of control that, at one point, I thought there might have been a small earthquake in LA but her voice is hard to deny

Bill G.

March 29th, 2012
8:02 am

The original version of “Without You” was written by member of the 60’s band “Badfinger”. The hit version of their song was performed by Harry Nillson in 1970 or 1971. Joshua’s version was terrible. As Randy would say, “Let’s Get Real Here”.

Deirdre

March 29th, 2012
8:03 am

And that brings me to a point I have been wanting to make for awhile.

Idol is really not so much about the voice as it is about the singing. Ray Charles didn’t have much of a voice but wow!, the guy could sing. Sometimes how a song is interpreted, how it is felt, how its emotions are transferred from the singer to the listener is way more important than how good the voice is.

Don’t get me wrong, a good voice helps a lot but it isn’t always necessary.

Jessica has a good voice and mostly she also a good singer. But sometimes I feel like she overplays her hand. She emotes too much.

Elise started out on totally the wrong foot with a theme that she hated and it showed. The last 2 weeks, however, Elise has proven that she’s a singer. Her voice is good, sure, not nearly as good as Jessica’s but she feels real on stage while Jessica has a slightly contrived feel.

commoncents

March 29th, 2012
8:30 am

Brackensack must go! His voice is awful… and if he stays, he must get a haircut!

I don’t get why so many people like jessica. She doesn’t sound original, and that vibrato (sp?) is annoying, but the only thing she can do.

Also, skylar got some bad ratings, but I thought she nailed it! The song was good and I feel like she believed what she was singing, moreso than a lot of the others. Colton was also good and he may be pulling a lot of the tweenage votes

Donna

March 29th, 2012
8:35 am

I am starting to really love Elise. Absolutely loved her performances last night. And I’m not surprised that Stevie Nicks enjoyed singing with her. She sounds so much like Christine McVie, Stevie’s counterpart in Fleetwood Mac. Elise is an exciting singer.

Jessica used to be my favorite, but last night’s performance was a little boring. Same goes for Colton’s, who also used to be my favorite.

I still think Heejun’s voice is sexy.

Phil was better this week. Didn’t sound as much like a braying, constipated cow. Actually carried a tune.

And I prefer that singers don’t dance or prance around while they sing. To me, it takes away from the emotional impact of the song. And I absolutely hate when they reach down into the audience while they’re singing. Talk about breaking character…!

Sam-A

March 29th, 2012
8:39 am

Sure was a roller coaster of dreadful/really good! My opinions, before I read everyone else’s:

DeAndre: The singular worst performance ever on Idol (incl the Fster 3rd season). I could feel my crystal cracking in the china cabinet. I put my hands over the pup’s ears, then took her from the room.

Joshua: OMG – that was dreadful. Nilsson must be screaming in his grave over the ruination of his lovely song! Joshua just can’t resist adding another syllable to the end of each word – for me this is the worst sin of all in singing!

Skyler: C’mon baby, stomp/shout/stomp/shout – If they’d let her perform in an oak barrel filled with grapes, they’d have a reasonable amount of wine by the end of the song.

No real problems with the rest of them – pretty good show excluding the above.

Colton – didn’t know or like the song. Not his best for me. Too many vocal changes, high, low, soft, strong – I was confused where the song was going. But still ok

Philx2 – Continue to be amazed that I seem to be becoming a fan. Really like him last night. I didn’t know the song, but liked it. How is this happening? He’s now in my top 3-4.

Hollie – I do not like that song, but loved her performance. She has such a pure, lovely voice, and is good in the stage performance aspect. My fave to win.

Jessica – great voice, but I just don’t think she’s as great as a lot of other do. STill, at this point my #2.

Heejun – Sorry, I do like him. Really smooth, sweet voice, and I love his nutty personality.

Elise – pretty good last night. Took guts, and she did an ok job on it.

I missed Erica – really liked her.

Please, powers that be, let it be DeAndre, and failing that, Joshua – my ears are still aching over their performances!

desitny

March 29th, 2012
8:40 am

Wow, Jessica Elise and Heejun were ahmazing..

This is the first time I like Elise
Jessica was sick!! shes only 16?? stellar..
Heejun – his best performance so far..

Deirdre

March 29th, 2012
8:43 am

Sam: If they’d let her perform in an oak barrel filled with grapes, they’d have a reasonable amount of wine by the end of the song.

LOL!!!

Deirdre

March 29th, 2012
8:48 am

Re Heejun. His voice is ok. Last night he did a pretty good job. But, he should be out sometime in the next 3 weeks.

First, we have to get rid of Deandre. Seriously, at one point I had to cover my ears because I was afraid they’d bleed.

Sam-A

March 29th, 2012
8:50 am

JT: “I don’t get giving any credit to the “standing O’s”. These clowns would give a standing ovation to the color taupe” HOW TRUE! Loved it.

Rickster

March 29th, 2012
8:50 am

Rickster’s Rankings

1. Elise: Proves that Ann & Nancy Wilson (Heart) weren’t an aberration. Women ROCK!

2. Phillip: How can he sound so angry but still have a smile on his face?

3. Colton: Colton’s a GCB (Good Christian Boy) who is growing on me.

4. Hollie: Nobody can do Carrie like Carrie does Carrie. Plus… they left out the verse where the car goes spinning out of control – prompting the whole “Jesus, Take the wheel.”

5. Heejun: In the words of Randy Jackson…. “whhaaAAAAAAt?” Actually good. But almost sings with a lisp – and drops the ‘s’ at the end of word.

6. Skylar: Would have picked “Famous in a Small Town” – but it’s hard to compare to Miranda.

7. Jessica: If this was an improvement over the original, I’m glad I’ve never heard the original

8. Joshua: His performance brought tears to my eyes…. It was that painful.

9. Deandre: FFd through 95% of it until I saw the judges’ standing o. Went back to listen to it – and still FFd through it. I don’t get it.

Prediction: If Heejun doesn’t go home – someone gets saved tonight.

Deirdre

March 29th, 2012
8:52 am

And Joshua is going to gospel-up everything from now on. It’s how he gets good feedback. Unfortunately for a guy with a good voice and who is clearly a singer, his steadfast “my way or the highway” attitude, resulting in his refusal to change it up just a bit, will not win the competition for him.

I think the same may go for Philx2. To me, this kid is exceptionally talented with a real musicians view of music. But his detractors are serious about not liking him and that will hurt him for the long haul.

Sam-A

March 29th, 2012
8:54 am

Thanks Highlander for giving the props to leon Russell, where they belong. So tired of people giving credit for songs to a johnny come lately rather than the true artist.

Homer the Brave

March 29th, 2012
9:03 am

Hopefully Heejun or DeAndre goes, but we all know DeAndre at least won’t because he’s got another week or two of the “little girl” vote because of the hair. Elise was awsome, Phil is great, and Skylar is just darn cute!

lharley

March 29th, 2012
9:04 am

Normally I don’t comment on message boards, but today I have to speak up on behalf of Deandre (American Idol). The song he sang last night was originally sang by an extremely talented R&B artist Eric Benet. I understand that some music genres aren’t for everyone, however, don’t hate on Deandre’s performance of “Sometimes I Cry” until you have listened to the original version and thus did a comparison. While some may not have appreciated Deandre’s efforts, he did a MAGNIFICENT rendition of the original (Eric Benet sang the original version brilliantly in falsetto). So before you discount someone’s performance based on your personal likes and dislikes, remember that American Idol and other shows like it are competitions and contestants should be judged on their overall performance whether we, the viewing audience, likes, knows, or ever heard of their song choices. People should really keep things in perspective when judging or should I say mis-judging others so harshly.

This is the problem with all of these competition shows that leave the judging up to America. People don’t judge based on the actual performances, people judge based on how someone looks or if they like their song choice. The viewing audience is literally holding someone’s dreams in their hands, I would ask that people start to really pick more wisely and take ALL factors into consideration when making their selections. Try putting yourself in their positions, and then ask yourself if given the same opportunity, if you would want people to vote you off after having an outstanding performance just because they never heard your song choice before or couldn’t appreciate how you performed the song when you and the judges (who obviously knew the song), thought you performed it extremely well? I’m sure someone will say yes, but chances are you would be lying.

America does not vote fairly or accurately which is the very reason why most of these competition shows end up selecting an artist with mediocre talent to represent America. When you use silly criteria to make a judgement call, you not only do yourself, but everyone involved with the show a huge disservice!

These are my opinions and I apologize for the long post, but I needed to vent. I will not be commenting to anyone’s replies, but you are certainly free to respond.

Breezy

March 29th, 2012
9:07 am

The show was ok last night for me, slightly boring on parts. I must admit, I flipped the channel during much of it. Phillip is still very entertaining. Ellise did better, but I am with Rodney on this “It was good but I simply don’t like her enough to care that much.” I don’t know where the 5 standing ovation came from.

idol is on

March 29th, 2012
9:08 am

For all of the people who said Deandre did a terrible job…..you are only saying that because you are not familiar with the artist Eric Benet. For all of us who are up on all types of music..we all know he nailed that song and was 1 of the best. Joshua came in 1st.

idol is on

March 29th, 2012
9:14 am

@Deirdre..why should Joshua change it up sometime. He is representing who he is in God and I love it. I appreciate a person who is not ashamed of praising our God. Colton is a man with the same spirit and he recognoizes to whom his gift comes from also. I love a young person whos’ not afraid to honor God.

Sam-A

March 29th, 2012
9:15 am

Iharley: people vote for whose voice they actually like, and who they think did a great job. I can’t see where anyone could possibly think anything DeAndre has done on Idol is good, or even listenable! It hurts my ears, and obviously a lot of other people agree.

Why should anyone vote for a performer whose voice they abhor because they did it comparative to the original singer (Eric Benet, the wife beating cheater, at least by Hallie Berry)

Sam-A

March 29th, 2012
9:16 am

A bad performance copy of an obviously also bad performance, does not equal a good performance.

idol is on

March 29th, 2012
9:18 am

again @Deirdre ..sometimes you make some worth listening to comments, but lately you have been so out of place. What was wrong with Deandre…you didn’t know the song or the artist and that’s where your ignorance comes from. He ripped that song and I am sure Eric Benet (the artist and please you tube him so you can see what I mean)would be so happy to hear this young man sing his song like he did. Please do your research why you are covering up your ears maam. Also, are you jealous of this young man good looks and beautiful hair. Don’t hate Deirdre!!

idol is on

March 29th, 2012
9:21 am

@Sam A…OBVIOUSLY alot of people likes Deandre’s voice because he made it to the top10 and he is still a contestant on American Idol. Some people can’t appreciate what they don’t have a clue about.

Mercedes S.

March 29th, 2012
9:21 am

Never knew Eric Benet was an “artist” – always saw him as one of Halle Berry’s unwise choices of men…
Commoncents, re Jessica “She doesn’t sound original”… this is my problem with the “tiny songstress”. She’s good at mimicking other performers, but I don’t feel there’s a “there” there.

Someone brought a “she’s not even American”charge against Hollie… how many non-American singers haven’t we admired on Idol! Anyone keeping track?

Deirdre

March 29th, 2012
9:24 am

iharley…Eric Benet’s version of this song was excellent. Some of the notes Deandre hit while singing it were out of this world…as in foreign, alien.

Rickster

March 29th, 2012
9:28 am

lharley and idol is on – please take the worn, tired and woefully overused “hate” thing somewhere else.

Just because we don’t like a person’s voice doesn’t mean we hate them. Just because you like Deandre doesn’t mean you hate the other contestants.

Whether we knew Deandre’s song is irrelevant.

I’d never heard the song Colton or Phillip sang. I liked their performaces. I knew the songs Heejun and Joshua sang. I liked Heejun’s – didn’t like Joshua’s.

You like what you like. We like what we like. It’s that simple. It’s not a matter of “hate” – it’s a matter of personal taste.

Deirdre

March 29th, 2012
9:29 am

@idol is on…I know BOTH the song and the artist. Don’t make assumptions about who I am. I did NOT like Deandre’s version which, imo, was off-key during the second half. He started well and I thought he might be successful but I was wrong.

As for Joshua…I like Joshua, I really do but he has an attitude about songs that are out of his comfort zone that says he isn’t willing to even try. He has to be willing to give his all with every song even when it is an artist he doesn’t like(Billy Joel, in this case) He can’t win if he doesn’t try.

Sam-A

March 29th, 2012
9:29 am

“idol is on”: Sweety, first of all Deirdre isn’t actually “ignorant” re Idol, nor is she a “hater” other than of really bad performances, ie DeAndre every time he opens his mouth.

And, he has a cute face, I’ll give you that, but that hair is dreadful. He’d actually be attractive if he had a decent hair cut. And two women “of an age” are most definitely NOT jealous of this untalented, but seemingly sweet, kid! Trust me there.

Mercedes: I too get a little ticked with the “not American” crap. If you make your home here and live your life here, you are most certainly eligible and welcome to be on Idol! Why in the world would you have to be born here to do so???

DuRyteMan

March 29th, 2012
9:29 am

My observatiion after reading so many comments: Most of the commentors are white AI voters who relish rock, metal, pop or country and have no real understanding of R&B (and the gift of a high and controlled falsetto…which none of the other contestants can do, save Deandre), and none are considering marketability as durable stage performers. IMO… only (with aggresive marketing/producing) Deanndre (looks, voice and learned stage presence), Skylar (energetic *ugh*…country), and Colton (cause the white majority still love metal, rock and roll and ) could “eventually” fill a small arena. If it were just about buying their CD’s….they would all succeed, but if it comes down to singing AND performing….we would only see a few of them 10 years from now…and phillip, hollie, Elise, Joshua, Heejun nor Jessica (the Business would gobble her up)….would still be around.

Sam-A

March 29th, 2012
9:44 am

If I want to hear high, falsetto singing, I’ll go to the opera, where it belongs. I don’t really need “an understanding” of this kid’s voice – I abhor it. Would hate it in a woman/girl, but find it totally obnoxious and unforgiveable in a man/boy. Harsh on the ears!

Deirdre

March 29th, 2012
9:45 am

@DuRyteMan…I appreciate R&b and a controlled falsetto(Eric Benet’s for example) I do NOT appreciate what Deandre did to the second half of his song. It was off-key. WAY off-key.

Deirdre

March 29th, 2012
9:48 am

Sometimes, and I’m guilty of this, too, we want a favorite to be good and, if the song starts out ok, then our hearing goes wacko and we think they are good for the whole song. Deandre’s version of Eric Benet’s song was bad! Period. To my ears, it hurt. Eric Benet’s version never hurt my ears. Deandre’s version did.

Deirdre

March 29th, 2012
9:51 am

So y’all can go ahead and assume that I’m too stupid to know what I was listening to but what I hear from you is a desire to support your favorite no matter what!

I am speaking the truth as I see it. You are speaking the truth as you see it. We are allowed to disagree without the namecalling!

Breezy

March 29th, 2012
9:54 am

Uh, what? Some of these young people are marketable, and as always, music is subjective, and relegated to what each one one prefer. Some whom, I admit admire their voices, still probably would not buy their music. To me, it is just a show I enjoy watching and for the most part wish all the contestants well in their music world.

RxDawg

March 29th, 2012
9:56 am

R&B has no melodic purpose. I think I’d rather listen to death metal all day then R&B.

Gary

March 29th, 2012
9:57 am

I guess you werent watching the same show I was, because I thought they all put on their best show so far, even Heejun who up to now I have despised and wondered how he made it this far. The one disappointment for me was Joshua who was my early favorite to win it all. He did an admiral job on Without You but why sing a song that already has not one but two classic performances ( and you young pups are missing an inspirational treat if you have never heard the original Harry Nilsson version http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAX1rkdzUH4) There is no way to top either and you only invite negative comparisons. Another song choice would have been a smarter bet.

Rickster

March 29th, 2012
10:01 am

Actually… Celine Dion did a great version of “Without You” as well. But the original is the best – filled with angst, hurt, loss and incredible emotion. Everything Joshua’s wasn’t.

Deirdre

March 29th, 2012
10:02 am

Agree, Gary.

Alex

March 29th, 2012
10:04 am

Can we make a rule for next year saying songs from the following artists CANNOT be used:

Michael Jackson
Mariah Carey
Whitney Houston
Carrie Underwood
Kellie Clarkson
Celine Dion

Contestants NEVER nail songs by these artists and they get skewered by the judges.

Alex

March 29th, 2012
10:06 am

Oh yeah, throw Madonna in the mix. Not that she has that great of a voice, but her relevance is waaaaaay two decades ago.

Nana

March 29th, 2012
10:08 am

Morning……

Last night was NOT the best idol performances that I have seen, but not quiet the worse either. I don’t think that any of them deserved the standing O, not even Elise. DeAndre, not much to say here, except that he was just plain awful.

I thought Skylar did a very good job of Gunpowder and Lead. She is a mini Miranda Lambert even with the stomping and moving around the stage. That is exactly what ML does in her performances, if you have ever seen her perform. Skylar isn’t much younger that ML was when she was on Nashville Star. People who watched NS said that Miranda would never make it in country music, but by doggies, she has and made it big!!!!!! I know that some here doesn’t care for cm, and always seem to put down the country singers, but country is a very large revenue and there is always room for one more.

It seems like no matter what Hollie sings, the judges always come down hard on her. It’s so easy to see who they favor, and JLo is just plain silly on how she responds to the male singers. I will give JLo credit last night, she didn’t say Goosies the first time. At least I didn’t hear her if she did.

My choice to go home is: DeAndre or Heejun.

Pitchy

March 29th, 2012
10:08 am

Good morning.

First, let me say this, Jenny, you are a fool, but thanks for the laugh first thing this morning with you listening to DeAndre and thinking your cat got it’s tail stuck in the door. Straight up comedy.

DeAndre sang a very, very difficult song. Eric Benet would have been PROUD of his rendition. If anyone could pull that song off with all the high notes, it is DeAndre and he delivered. Although I initially liked his hair, time to do something with that head of sheep hair.

Secondly, Sam-A, I love the color Taupe and it deserves a Standing O simply because a Taupe pump goes with just about any outfit Let’s raise our glasses to the color TAUPE!

Next, the judges are getting on my last nerve. I can only imagine the hurt Jessica felt when they praised her singing, but gave just about everyone a freaking standing O, but not her! To me that sent a negative ripple effect to the viewers. Subliminally, I feel they are blacklisting her while praising her at the same time. Yeah, weird, but it’s how I feel.

Loved Philip2X. That was a great performance.

I even liked Elise’s performance, although I think she might have hurt vocals on one of those high pitched notes (lol). Seriously, she did very well…

Pitchy

March 29th, 2012
10:13 am

It hasn’t been easy getting back in…let’s see if I’m still in???

Rickster

March 29th, 2012
10:14 am

Archie starts his mission! (God bless him for that)

http://www.eonline.com/news/american_idols_david_archuleta_starts/304815

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‘American Idol’ top 9 performance recap: five standing o’s

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