Crushable » american idol performances

American Idol 8 Top 9 Kris Allen “Ain’t No Sunshine”

Jeanne — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 01:47:52 +0000

Kris Allen picked one of my favorite songs, “Ain’t No Sunshine” and he really brought some emotion to it. He stripped it down and began the performance by just accompanying himself on the keyboards. I really liked it and I’m happy that he is coming out of nowhere and emerging as a frontrunner in the competition. LOVED the violins at the end. Gorgeous.Randy said that for the last couple weeks Kris has been so in the zone. He said it was creative and cool. Kara said “that is artistry!” Paula said that he took a 30 year old song and made it sound brand new. Simon said that it was Kris’ best performance so far.

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American Idol 8 Top 9 Adam Lambert “Play That Funky Music”

Jeanne — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 01:41:47 +0000

Adam Lambert came back in full force by singing “Play That Funky Music” and he definitely put his own spin on it. The outfit, the arrangement, the dancing and the singing all seemed like they were part of a musical number. It was weird for me. I didn’t hate it but I didn’t love it.Paula said that he was pure genius and compared him to Mick Jagger and Steven Tyler. Simon said it was original even though it might not have been as good as last week. Randy said that he worked it out and is definitely in the star zone. Kara said that she can’t wait to see what he’s going to do every week and that it was like Studio 57.

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American Idol 8 Top 9 Lil Rounds “I Surrender”

Jeanne — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 01:35:14 +0000

Lil Rounds really shocked me by picking Celine Dion’s song “I Surrender.” I felt like she had some pitch problems but I understand that she picked the song to try to let her voice shine through. I just think it was the wrong song. She looked amazing, though.

Randy said that it was not the song he would have picked for her but said that she sang it really, really well. Kara said that she was surprised by how effortless it is in her upper register but wouldn’t have picked that song. Paula said that she doesn’t want to see an “adult contemporary” Lil Rounds. Simon said that it sounded like something he’d hear at a wedding and that it was all old-fashioned.

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American Idol 8 Top 9 Matt Giraud “You Found Me”

Jeanne — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 01:29:54 +0000

Matt Giraud sang “You Found Me” by The Fray and it started really roughly which may not have been his fault since the band seemed to start while Ryan Seacrest while still announcing the performance. It was nice that he sang off-stage surrounded by audience members and accompanied himself on the keyboards.

Paula said that he didn’t show any of the qualities that they like about him by not doing his signature riffs and falsetto. Simon said it felt fake, uptight and it seems like Matt is becoming different people to try to stay in the competition. Randy said it was just the wrong song. Kara said that Matt keeps going from the rock side of pop and the R&B side of pop.

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American Idol 8 Top 9 Scott MacIntyre “Just The Way You Are”

Jeanne — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 01:09:51 +0000

Scott MacIntyre accompanied himself on the piano as he sang Billy Joel’s “Just the Way You Are” and it was a little better for me than some of his past performances. I still think that Scott lacks some control over his vocals and they can be a little loose. Still, I respect him as an artist and the emotion that he puts into songs.

Kara said that it was smart to pick that song and gave a moving performance. She also said that she loves the new look. Paula said that she is so proud of him for making her forget that he’s even blind (wow). Simon said that it was his best performance by a country mile.

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American Idol 8 Top 9 Allison Iraheta “Don’t Speak”

Jeanne — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 01:01:12 +0000

Allison Iraheta chose to sing No Doubt’s “Don’t Speak” and I think it was a good song choice. She has an amazing voice and is very talented but I think she still needs to develop some of her skills (including her timing). If she can overcome her few shortcomings, I can’t imagine why she wouldn’t have a great career.

Randy said that she was a little ahead of the beat, he loved that she played the guitar but he asked what she was wearing. Kara said that the performance was good but felt a little forced. Paula said that her intonation and delivery is masterful and effortless. Simon said the outfit looked straight out of the Addams Family. He added that she seemed like a precocious singer was trying to sound and dress like a rock star.

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American Idol 8 Top 9 Danny Gokey “What Hurts The Most”

Jeanne — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 00:55:34 +0000

Danny Gokey chose to sing “What Hurts The Most” by Rascal Flatts. I was surprised that he picked the song but then I remembered that he sang “Jesus, Take the Wheel” and it made a little more sense. I think Danny did a really good job singing the song but I worry that he is getting too redundant in the type of songs he chooses. Still, it was a solid performance.

Paula said that it was a performance that she would listen to over and over again. Simon said that it was Danny’s best performance of the season. Randy said that he felt like Danny finally started tonight’s show. Kara said that he made an emotional connection and gave her goosebumps.

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American Idol Season 8 Top 36 Performances

Jeanne — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 02:59:26 +0000

Tonight, the Top 36 from the eighth season of American Idol are performing “Hits from the Billboard Hot 100.” After the votes, only three contestants will move on. It’s crazy to see the judges’ panel so… full. What do you think of seeing four judges up there? And what do you think of Ryan Seacrest’s new look? Jackie Tohn, the 27-year-old from Silver Lake, California (audition city: New York, NY) chose to sing “A Little Less Conversation” and I was not impressed. I thought it was a bad song choice and the delivery wasn’t great to me either. I know she tried to get some energy into it at the end but it didn’t work for me. The judges liked her performance even though the vocals weren’t great.

Nashville, TN native, Ricky Braddy, (26 years old, auditioned in Louisville, KY) chose to tackle “A Song For You” and I was pleasantly surprised by how good his voice was. It’s too bad he wasn’t featured more during the audition rounds because I feel less emotionally invested with him than I do with some of the other guys. Either way, he did a really good job.

Alexis Grace (21 years old from Memphis, TN Audition: Louisville, KY) sang “Never Loved a Man” and it was really good. Time will tell if the song choice was good enough to keep her in the competition but I really do like her a lot!

Technical issues made the start of Brent Keith’s performance a little awkward but, fortunately, they got things under control so that we could see his tape reel. The 28-year-old from Blanchester, OH (auditioned in Louisville, KY) chose to sing “Hick Town” and I’m not sure it was a good song for tonight even though I do kinda like his voice.

One of my early favorites, Stevie Wright, sang “You Belong With Me.” The 16-year-old from Phelan, California (auditioned in Phoenix, AZ) chose the song because it’s young but I’m sorry, almost none of it was in tune. I’m so sad. She can do so much better than this!

I love 21-year-old Anoop Desai from Chapel Hill, NC (auditioned in Kansas City, MO) chose to sing “Angel of Mine” and, again, I really enjoyed it. He had a couple pitchy moments but, overall, it was a good performance.

Casey Carlson picked “Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic” and I think the 20 year-old from Minneapolis, MN made a mistake (audition: Kansas City, MO). I really disliked it and I just don’t understand why she chose that song.

My absolute favorite this year, 27-year-old Michael Sarver from Jasper, TX (auditioned from Phoenix, AZ) chose to sing “I Don’t Want to Be” and I think it was a bad song choice. His voice is bigger than that song :(Ann Marie Boskovich (22 years old from Nashville, TN and auditioned in Jacksonville, FL) chose to sing “Natural Woman” and I wouldn’t have picked that for her. Her voice isn’t strong enough to carry a tune this big.

Stephen Fowler performed “Rock With You” and the 26-year-old from Beachwood, OH (auditioned in New York, NY) was really off-key to me at the beginning. It got a little better but even the backup singers seemed to be struggling. Again, the song choice was terrible.

The very emotional Tatiana Del Toro (24 years old from San Juan, PR and auditioned in San Francisco, CA) chose to sing “Saving All My Love For You” and it was okay. I think this was a bad song choice but she has a good voice. Like the judges, I was weirded out by this calmer, quieter Tatiana.

Danny Gokey won the hearts of the judges (and a lot of us at home) after he auditions just four weeks after his wife passed away. The 28-year-old from Milwaukee, WI (auditioned in Kansas City, MO) chose to sing “Hero” and it was a decent song choice and I liked the performance a lot (especially the modulation towards the end).

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