Idol Makes Too Many Girls Feel Like a Natural Woman
If I have to hear one more mutilation of an Aretha Franklin song...I'm going to scream.Attention every current and future contestant on American Idol...DO NOT SING ARETHA. IT IS TIRESOME AND SHOWS A LACK OF IMAGINATION.
Plus...you pretty much stink at it (accept Melinda Doolittle). Seriously, only Aretha should do Aretha.
Okay...on to more important things.
Let it be known on this, 21st Day of February, 2007, I, Shelley Powers, am admitting freely and willingly (and once only) that Double DD was right. (Okay, DD...let us have it.)
The girls are way better than the guys...and will possibly take the crown this year.
Sure I still love Chris Sligh and Blake Lewis (and I have a tiny space in my heart for Nick Pedro for whatever reason...I think it's his pretty eyes)...BUT...the rest of the guys should go home, too.
And...to be fair...for the girls I don't love...I REALLY don't love them...and they need to go on home.
As a matter of fact...why don't we send everyone packing but Chris Sligh, Blake Lewis, Melinda Doolittle, Sabrina Sloan, Gina Glocksen, Stephanie Edwards, and Lakisha Jones.
I think they are all we really need for a serious competition.
But...since I don't have a say in the process (well, except for my measly phone votes)...I guess I'd better give my thoughts on all who performed last night...whether I think they should stick around or not.
Stephanie Edwards - Talented and peppy with a nice voice...but she's going to have to step it up to compete with Lakisha and Melinda.
Amy Krebs - This girl disappointed me. Boring. She'll probably go home.
Leslie Hunt - Awkward and strange. I thought her song choice was terrible and she sang in the back of her throat.
Antonella Barba - Like Aretha, Aerosmith is an act that can't be done any way but the right way...and Barba did it the wrong way. I hate "Don't Want to Close My Eyes," but I hated it even more when Barba sang it. However, my brother, Cooper, made me vote for her...and I had to because I owed him from last year when he voted for Taylor for me. Grrrrrrrrr
Jordin Sparks - Technically she sings great. But as far as being emotive...she has a looooong way to go. I think she's safe for now...but I don't think she'll be around long.
Haley Scarnato - Beautiful with a nice voice...but it won't hold up next to her competition.
Nicole Tranquillo - Horrible. I thought she was seizing on stage. I'm guessing she will go soon...very soon.
Sabrina Sloan - Great...but I hate that she's competing this year because I don't thing she is as good as Lakisha and Melinda. But I really, really, really like this girl.
Alaina Alexander - Honey..."Brass in Pocket" is a stinky song and you're a stinky singer. Put those too things together and you come up with a rancid, putrid mess.
Melinda Doolittle - She's a doll...with a warm and wonderful voice. I didn't mind her doing Aretha...because it was a song I didn't know. I love her vitality and modesty.
Gina Glocksen - I thought she did a great job. But, I think "All By Myself" is way overdone, and I think she was too full of herself when she was being judged.
Lakisha Jones - The girl is amazing. She is the one to beat in this competition. Absolutely wonderful.
Download mp3 of Lakisha's wailin' here.
---
UPDATE: EW's review
---
Labels: American Idol
posted by shelley @ 2/21/2007 10:34:00 PM
35 comments
35 Comments:
Lakisha and Melinda gave me goosebumps. Lakisha has the pipes of Mandisa (who I loved), but somehow more passion or something. She was like Mandisa w/a little Taylor in her. I also liked Stephanie, Sabrina and Gina. Alaina and Antonella need to go. Shelley, your brother owes you a big one for that vote. It must have pained you greatly!!!
Does anybody think Randy is being kind of a grump this year, and Ryan is still very charming!!
Lee said, "It must have pained you greatly!!!"
you have no idea
OKAY for the record...Shrew says Lakisha takes it home. Seriously...I can't think of a darn theme night that would be an out and out bust for her...
seriously...Country...imagine her version of Crazy
Top 40 cake walk
What would wig her out? Twisted Sister Night? I don't think so...Imagine...The Big L-ness comes out stomping her foot singing ala gospel like "We're not gunna take it...NO! we ain't gunna take it! We're not gunna take it ANYMORE"
She's selling and I am buying...
Kool-Aid anyone?
OOOOOOH and can't wait to read Dave White's take this week!
Off to Chi-town...stay out of trouble you lovely, lovely MBs!
I put a link to mp3 of Lakisha's performance in post above.
Enjoy!
Shelley said, "Alaina Alexander - Honey..."Brass in Pocket" is a stinky song and you're a stinky singer. Put those too things together and you come up with a rancid, putrid mess."
Shelley, I think you need to learn to not hold back so much. Tell us what you really think, 'kay?
;-)
I missed the whole first hour. Melinda and LaKisha were amazing. I am so glad I missed Antonella (so sorry you had to vote for her! Egads!) "I Don't Want To Miss A Thing" was actually my wedding song and hearing her destroy it for just 15 seconds in the review at the end was painful.
What was THAT?!? I didn't hear you?
DD WAS RIGHT?!?!?
Like that's a revelation....stick with me Chickens. When I've got the Libra Dragon thing working, I'm infallible.
Shrew calls it, I believe...The Divine Ms. L brings it on home. Unless....the maniacal PTB start to sabotage her to "make it interesting". I don't see how unless they tweak up Gina Glocksen, who I officially don't like as of last night. BTW, Simon was right, she missed the glory note.
Hey, on another note...I LOVE THIS...
Name in Lights>
Lakisha is better than Mandisa. Waaay better. Mandisa always got screechy on the "power notes".
My overall faves after last night are: Lakisha, Chris Sligh and Blake Lewis.
I think there are some hugely talented women but after sleeping on it...I just haven't formed an attachment to any of them yet.
I voted for one person: Antonella Barba. (Cooper-you owe ME now!)
Tell me what you guys think about this though: Lakisha is far and away the best singer this year...maybe of any AI season. But, what kind of album do you think she'd produce? Would it be R&B? Would it be old standards? Gospel? And....who would buy it? I know that it would be nice to have a cd like that in a collection...but critics were down on Taylor and Elliot last year b/c they couldn't visualize what kind of album they would produce...
(Obviously, we all knew that Taylor had the ability to cross genres and produce amazing music.)
So, I guess I'm just wondering what all this is about...Would Chris or Blake or Sabrina Sloan be better "winners"? Would Lakisha be tapped for stardom like Jennifer Hudson whether she wins or not?
Let's broaden this discussion. We already know who's good and who's not.
Pretty please with sugar on top? Can we? Huh?
Bama, I was thinking the same thing last night. Where would Lakisha fit in? Would it be another case of incredible live performance charisma that is slightly lost on the cd buying world, or could she put out a kick butt cd that the public would buy? I'm thinking Sabrina has a better voice for selling cd's (reminded me of Christina A. a bit), and isn't that what TPTB want at AI? I definitely think Chris S. or Blake make music that sells cds. Overall though Lakisha hit me in the gut as only 1 other gray-haired soul man has done.
p.s. I hate it that Melinda D. is competing this year because I'm afraid votes will be split between her and Lakisha. I thought Melinda owned the stage too.
I don't think it should be about who's the best "commercially". I think that most of America feels that way as only Kelly and Carrie have been remotely close to that.
To me, it's about who is the best PERFORMER. Who makes me go "Hell to the YEAH". It should also be someone who has some ideals...sorry, but I don't believe that you can be THAT much in the spotlight and court votes, etc. and not be some kind of role model.
....you wanted discussion. Of course, I'm gone until after work.
Shelley,
No Aretha on American Idol?
Not ever?
Want to make an exception?
I don't think it should be about who's the best commercially either. I am just thinking about two things:
1. It is about "commercial production" to TPTB. So, how does the show "handle" people that might not fit into that mold. (We know how they treated Taylor...but I can't see them being mean/cold/rude to Lakisha or Melinda, etc.)
2. I don't want an Idol that fades away after the show ends like Fantasia and Ruben. I want a real Idol that can be unique, talented, charismatic AND who is able to "make it big" and continue to put out music for a long time that I can enjoy.
I'm not interested in buying albums that are "covers". I want an Idol that writes their own songs/music and can play instruments...or create something new: like Whomp!
DD, I definitely don't want it to be about who can be a commercial hit. I'm just afraid that's what it is about to TPTB. I don't think the American public thinks that way when they vote at all. Taylor is the prime example of this--he is the el supremo performer of all time. Like it or not, Simon, it is not just a vocal competition, it is a performance competition, and that's why I think Lakisha ruled last night. She didn't just sing, she performed. That being said I'm not counting out the guys yet. I think Chris S., Blake and Brandon have great performer potential. We shall see.
I agree with all of you about the wonderful female and male singers that have performed, but WHAT ABOUT PHIL?!?!?!?!?! He was REALLY good! Though he was a litte forgettable, but I definitely think he can work on that. But all in all I do believe that Chris S. and Lakisha rule this year along with a few others that may have a chance too.
First off let me thank to wonderful ladies for voting for Antonella. Thank you Shell and Bama! Here's a 15 year old's view:
Stephanie Edwards-didn't see her performance but saw the recap and sounded good to me.
Amy Krebs-thought she did okay.
Leslie Hunt- meh
Antonella Barba-does she really need an explanation? It was a bad song choice, babe don't let it get you down. Just know that Coop is rooting for ya.
Jordin Sparks-Bama said it right I believe. She sang it with a false sense of modesty I believe was the phrasing. Please correct me if I'm wrong. Nice pep in the performance though.
Haley Scarnato-Very attractive and a decent voice. But with Lakisha, "decent" isn't good enough. And I like her last name. SKARRRNATOOO.
Nicole Tranquillo-I kept waiting for one of those 7 foot canes to grab her by the neck and yank her off the stage.
Sabrina Sloan-I think she'll give the other girls a run for their money because she brought a little attitude and life to the stage.
Alaina Alexander-Didn't like the song and didn't like the performance and didn't like the vocal. I didn't like it.
Melinda Doolittle-Contrary to popular belief...ahem...bama...her "supposed" gigantic head didn't take away from the performance and the vocal. An absolute doll.
Gina Glocksen-Thought she strutted her stuff well, but don't be cocky about it. Because you could kinda tell by her face.
Lakisha Jones-.............Oh, I'm sorry. I still can't hear straight after the performance that brought the house down. The best for last for sure man.
Well, VTFW is helping you, Patrick. They *love* Antonella (though they have another name for her and it's not very Nice).
I'm with Simon. Other 23, pack up and go home. Give it to LaKisha. I do like Melinda, too, but I don't think she has the "personality" of LaKisha. Almost too shy / humble.
Nicole frightened me. VFTW was in hot contention on whether their pick would be her or Antonella. Gina must go. I put her in the Sundance category.
--Q
Q & Coop -- I'm so on that plane re: Gina. There's just something a little arrogant about the girl and at this point in the "game", dat's bad.
Ahem...Did I not say Rudy and Barefoot Boy?
Two words: Libra Dragon
double D, I bow to your Libra powah!
Am now really looking forward to the mega AI 'three shows in one' tonight. Love reading all the the comments. You guys rawk!
I guess I'm in the minority because I actually think that Melinda is the one to beat at this point. Vocally she was just as consistent as Lakisha and much more entertaining to watch, IMO. There was something churchy and a little detached in Lakisha's performance even though she's got a powerhouse voice.
I really like Stephanie as well, thought Sabrina was a bit shouty, thought Jordin was smiling at inappropriate times and her begining was a bit rough (although the ending was quite good), and I wasn't impressed with Gina's performance although I like the fact that her voice is more alto. I like some of Leslie Hunt's original songs but she picked a bad song.
Homegirl Antonella will be around for a little while longer, alas, due to the hot factor. Worse, Alaina. Yikes did that suck.
I'm not surprised that Nicole and Amy went home. The former gets credit for trying something different but it REALLY was bad. The latter wasn't terrible, just made no kind of impression at all.
DD - the name in lights is fab! Thanks for sharing. Whoo Hoo!
Coopypoop- You are so welcome...I was honored to be able to vote for Antonella for you...and don't forget...you owe me now! Ahahahaaaahaha! I see a vote for Chris or Blake in your future!
Yep, I did say that Jordin reminds me of Kat Mcphee...b/c I sense false modesty in her. I'd rather a person be true to their arrogance, like Gina...than to hide it behind a veneer of "Who, me? You think I'm good...Awww...thanks sooo much!"
Of course, my favorite type would be confident but aware that there is competition.
(Ummm...Melinda and Brandon Rogers both have huuuuge noggins. Just look at them in comparison to Ryan's head when he's talking with them!)
Bama..LOL! Am intrigued. Will look out for the huge heads tonight!
Bama -- I think the fact that Melinda has no neck makes her head look even bigger. Good pipes, though.
And, I agree with you about the false modesty thing. Although I'm not crazy about Gina's 'tude, I prefer THAT to the "Aw, shucks (on camera)....NOW GET OUTTA MA WAY (backstage)".
For that, I shall give Gina another chance.
Whoa! DD agreed with something I said??! Yay!!
That was my other observation about Melinda too: no neck! I hate to be that way...I just notice weird things like that...and then blurt them out.
BTW- I looked up Libra Dragon...heehee...Yep! That's our DD!
I'm a Cancer Rat. It's uncanny how much they got right!
(I can't tell you how much I hoped I'd be a Monkey!!)
Rowan- tell me what you think about the giant-headed people! BTW-Are you gonna send us a giant head-on-a-stick for the convention?
I'm a Virgo Dragon. Can't see it myself..what with Virgos supposedly being obsessively tidy! Maybe the Dragon element offsets that in some way - untidy candy-wrapper-strewn caves, or something.
Looking forward to checking out the uber large AI heads, Bama - and yes, I did send mine yesterday! Am so myopic, tho, even with my fifteen year-old progressive story specs I found yesterday - that I may have sent it to the wrong address. Am imagining someone getting a 'severed head for the convention' in their inbox...O_o
Thanks Wompuss - you're a star for making these and lugging them around NO. Feel free to make mine a popsicle pinhead!
Oh Rowan...you always make me cry with mirth! The idea of some regular Joe opening his mail to find pics of our little Ro-Ro's head!
Oh...the hilarity of it all!
I think I'm a Pisces snake--how cold and unfeeling does that make me sound?? I'm really a fuzzy mushball.
Note to self: get pic to Wompuss for pic on stick for Monkbots to represent the Indy Monkbots!!!!!
Bama, I too noticed Melinda's head/neck issue and thought it was just bad posture, but I think you and DD are right--no neck, but she can sing!!!
Um...it appears that there's a MAJOR brouhaha starting over Anontella Barba and some unsavory internet pics. VFTW supposedly has "the goods".
Question is....is this a "plant" story or highly COINCIDENTAL?
BTW, AI came in 3rd in ratings last night behind Grey's and Oprah's Oscar special.
Hark! Is that a Great White airborne out of yon body of water?
I heard about Antonella's pics yesterday. You can also see a bunch of them at another site I shall not name. I checked them out.
I was shocked...yet not shocked. More shocked by HER behaving that way b/c she seems so shy and reserved...but I think lots of teenagers act like this. (Unfortunately.)
Like I said...
Jump the Shark
They haven't jumped the shark.
They are doing it as we speak.
Uh....white? What?
Naw...AI isn't jumping the shark. I really don't believe that at all. If they are canceled at the end of the season, though, I'll admit you were right. Not til then though! ;)
Post a Comment
<< Home