Saturday, May 22, 2010

Top 2 - The Final Showdown


Lee's first performance "the boxer" was a snoozefest - this is the finale right? Is this his first time on a stage?

Crystal "me and bobby magee" was much better the first time she performed it - consistant

Lee's second "everybody hurts" butter but unrecognizable- wimpy performance

Crystal "black velvet" only down side - someone sings this EVERY season

Lee's last single " Beautiful day" okay - glad he picked a song nobody knows. If Lee's goal was to steal Mama sox fans he failed.

Crystal's final performance "up to the mountain" Forever Crystal consistant, ready for her spotlight.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Top 3 - the Semis

First performance:

Casey "ok, is alright" - NOT, This is the top 3 right?
Crystal "come to my window" - I knew it would be hot, before the first note was sung.
Lee - "simple man" - ehh, it was good for Lee
Second performance:
Casey "daughters" - bye Casey, BOORING !!! and the photo op with you and Kara was cheesy
Crystal "maybe" - simply Crystal
Lee "hallelujah" - the showstopper (ouch that hurt) - somebody told this kid he may win..and he STILL looks DUMBFOUNDED

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Top 4: Songs from the movies

Lee sang "Kiss from a rose" - not very good. I am trying to take the Lee train but I may have to miss it this week.

Big Mike sang "Will u be there" - extra points for singing a Michael Jackson song and extra points for the background singers...not top 3 material - didn't blow mw away

Casey sang "Mrs Robinson" - minus the nod to Kara..just okay

Crystal sang "I'm Alright" ...there is really nothing to say...the winner of American Idol is....

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Top 6 Country Week with Shania Twain




Bottom three WITHOUT even hearing a note Siobhan (sadly) Casey and Aaron oh wait, too soon?

Although this is my least favorite theme week on IDOL, it is my favorite because I get to share the DJRR blog with "mah boo" Ellen. She's a little bit country and I "ain't"! The one thing Ellen likes more than county music is American Idol - to me a perfect combo !


Top 6 – Shania songs

Who else to help me review the country fried IDOL week than the one person that has tripled my “downhome” tunes on my IPOD. What used to be represented only by “Elvira”, a disco version “9 to 5”, and “I will always love you” – The Whitney version, now has company with the ENTIRE Carrie Underwood songbook, Taylor Swift and even tho’ I can spell it – I know that Lady Antabellum is a group and not a diva…just saying.

It took us a while to determine if we were getting a “country week” or a tribute to Shania, it turned out to be the later.…Note: still trying to decide if Shania is hawt or over processed for the American Idol crowd.

Lee – “You’re the one”

DOWNLOAD: DJRR - Yes, he made the song his own but I felt he was screaming it to the point of raspiness. It was good but Lee’s aw shuck shyness and lack of self confidence at THIS stage is getting boring.

Ellen - Lee is one of my favorites but I wasn't sure what he'd do for country week. I loved (loved, loved) the song choice. It was a little screechy and I don't think he totally bought this whole theme, but he made it really contemporary. I'd buy that song.


Big Mike – “It only hurts”

DJRR – I was very nervous for BIG Mike but knew he could breeze through a country week. I didn’t know the song, not only did BM make it his own, I totally forgot it was a country song..he gave it soul.

Ellen - I was really nervous for him for the first half of the performance, but once he got to the melody, he nailed it. I'm not familiar with this Shania song, but I might need to go find it. Kind of eerie how applicable it is to her life now, isn't it?
(DJRR Update: stop reading my thoughts, too scary..lol and we can’t sleep on the fact that Big Mike made Shania cry singing her own song)


Casey – “Don’t”

DJRR – I still haven’t jumped on the Casey train BUT I will say he turned it into a bluesy/rock song as well as giving me a David Cook flashback. Since I like David Cook this may be a great performance.

Ellen - Who knew Casey could sing? I loved that he stepped it up a notch this week. This was really good - maybe even better than the Shania version - and probably my favorite performance of the night.


Crystal – “No one needs to know”

DJRR – Huh? See this is why I don’t listen to country music. Country killed IDOL star. I was shocked that they didn’t give Crystal a power spot, and now I know why. I won’t be putting this on the IPOD. It was just OKAY. I thought this would have been an easier week for the front runner.

Ellen - If you would have handed me Shania's entire playbook, I would never in a million years have picked this song. It seemed hokey for her and that stupid storyline about trying to get her boyfriend to propose didn't win her many fans, I don't think. She'll probably be fine this week, but she's not a sure bet for the Final 2 anymore.


Aaron – “You got a way”

DJRR – The kid went country. Did he say you got a way or away? I will say this was the ONLY country “performance” this week.lol. The kid is good when I’m not watching but he was good to listen to.

Ellen - Speaking of hokey...I really didn't like it. In fact, I spent most of the performance waiting for it to be over. But, go figure...the judges had great things to say. I might need to go watch that again.


SIOBHAN – “Any man of mine”

Ellen - Shania Twain is one of those singers you don't realize is brilliant until someone else tries to do their song and really just doesn't get it right. If you'd never heard the song before, you might have liked Siobhan's version, but in my opinion it was a little too sing-songy and didn't have enough "fun." Not a fan.

DJRR – I never heard this song before and like it..lol. I would have to give Siobhan the spotlight of the night. I love rocker Siobhan, it’s what brought her to our attention.


IDOL Fans, please join me in thanking our guest blogger Ellen – I love it when she stops by and sets me straight. This is her favorite music genre and it shows.
Like I said before “She A LOT country…..and I ain’t”

......DJRR

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Friday, April 16, 2010

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Top 9 Elvis week with Adam Lambert

Top 9

This week was a tribute to Elvis. I can see having modern day Elvis – Glambert mentor. Of course Adam looking like Elvis' love child doesn’t hurt.

Crystal – She gave us a curbside church sermon. Excellent performance - but really, did we expect anything less?

Andrew – Buh bye. Terrible, did we expect anything more?

Tim – Eeeh..It wasn’t terrible

*Download/Spotlight(Don’t tell “nobody”) – Lee added a spark to a song I have listened to on the IPOD for 4 years. “A little less conversation” the theme from Las Vegas. This performance may..MAY make me like Lee. I know this song like the back of my hand and Lee made it new – GREAT job.

Aaron – Ehhh…I didn’t hate it but not a fan. Minus points for the Elvis poses.

Siobhan – This was the meeting worth waiting for BUT I was a little let down. I expected more flash from the She –Adam. That is what she was trying to tell us – expect the unexpected. She held back but did her “thang”

Mike – Why the black man gotta sing the one song about the ghetto? Just sayin? That said..it was good. He beat Andrew but 2 are heading home this week (fingers crossed)

Katie – Loved it! Little miss sassy will make top 3. Great performance. I may have to track this original version.

Casey – Okay, not on the Casey train.

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Top 9 : McCartney/Lennon Song Book





Top 9
Aaron-(Long and winding road) Not terrible but not his best either…Next

Katie-(Let it be) She had me at the first note – loved it

Andrew-(Can’t buy me love) Not bad

Big Mike-(Elenor Rigby) Liked it better during the playback..I may have to listen to it again.

Spotlight/Download: Crystal-(Come together) Whaa – How did she re work one of the most recognized songs in rock history? The show is over..give CB the Idol. Crystal’s version was just as good as Aerosmith’s and Michael Jackson’s cover versions.

Tim-(All my lovin) A good Tim performance, Okay/boring…Next

Casey-(Jealous Guy) I didn’t like it that much.

Siobhan-(Across the universe) Not bad but not “MY” Siobhan

Spotlight-Part2 Lee-(Hey Jude) That was actually pretty good – My second favorite of the night

Adam first Idol to mentor...and didn't even win

here: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/americanidoltracker/2010/04/adam-lambert-will-guest-mentor-next-week-.html

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Top 10 : R&B Week

This is it ...my favorite genre. The songs I live, know and love. I hope the kids don't disappoint me. Following up on the fact the mentors are getting younger and younger - they now have something to promote - last week's Miley's movie. This week Usher and his new cd that comes out...today.( hmmm Janet has a new movie coming out

Top 10

Siobhan (Through the Fire) – She pulled back a lot. It was like someone screaming in a library. The very end was great but the beginning and middle was okay. Not her best but I will be hunting for the download.

Download: Casey (Hold on, I coming) – We know he forgot some words but he played it off well. He “maybe” one of the best of the night. “Play that funky music….”

Big Mike (Ready for love) – Just okay for me – Kinda boring.

Didi (What becomes of a broken hearted) - Just okay for me but she looked purdy..she maybe going this week. I like her tho’.

Tim (Sweet Love) - I ain't ready - Tim singing Anita Baker on Idol is like Lil Wayne singing Frank Sinatra. Kara said it best – he took the soul out of this song but who cares --he is going to be top 3.

Andrew (Forever) – Well Andrew had already lost me with 3 weeks of terrible performances, then I get “Chris Brown”? I am going to try not to be judgemental – I am supposed to like this.

Katie (Chain of Fools) – Not bad. Not the best of the night but not the worst.

Lee (Treat her like a lady) – It was good, I may have to give him a chance..MAY.

Spotlight: Crystal (Midnight train to Georgia) – Please, she never disappoints. Great great great!

Aaron (Ain’t no sunshine) – Great vocals, then I looked at the tv and was reminded he was 7 years old. He did good ..don’t tell nobody I said it.

The judges are so wishy washy. In a single show, they one contestant to smile more and tell another he smiles too much. They tell one to connect to the whole audience while telling another to pick one person out and connect. Shudapalready!

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Top 11: Miley mentor week

Top 11

This weeks theme is “Number 1 singles”. The Idols can pick any song that reached the top of any of the Billboard Charts. Wisdom would have had this week’s mentor be someone who had the most number ones, a lot, a current number one, how about former Idols that have top the charts? (over 200 #1s).

This week’s celebrity mentor – Miley Cyrus. I would like to just take a moment to voice my displeasure at this pick. Once again, the producers are not tailoring this show to me or my demographic. BY THE WAY – Miley “Montana” has NEVER had a top charting single. ….Aint that nuting’ she is only here for ratings..wonder if it worked.

Lee (The Letter ) – I have been told by several folks to give Lee a chance. I admit I missed a few weeks and “may” have overlooked a great performance – this week wasn’t it. I guess it was okay. I am getting the “Elliot Yamin vibe underdawg thing” happening. I am not ready to praise Lee ..just yet but the door “may” be opening.

Paige (Against all odds) – Note, when the focus is on fashion- it may be time to go. I had to watch this performance twice because the first time I muted after the two seconds (Heck no) What happened Paige? She sounded better last week battling illness. This may be her last appearance.

Tim (Crazy little thing called love) – He ain’t ready, but I give him a 10 for the knee slide across the stage. His bangs are going to get him through the next few weeks. Didn’t understand the judges comment about acting like he made it – Tim got points for interacting with the screaming gaggle of gals that will garner a few extra phone calls. A for the slide, D for the performance.

Aaron (Don’t wanna miss a thing) – I personally find this kid annoying- so of course he is going to make top 3. He was chosen ONLY for the teeney boppers and THAT is annoying.

Spotlight and Download : Crystal (Me and Bobby Mcgee) – Miley giving this Idol front runner tips was a joke. Extra points for the magic carpet. I usually ignore the judges – but with Ellen and Kara telling her to add more to her performance and Simon saying “Don’t change a thing”..dare I agree with Simon? Crystal is the American Idol.

Big Mike (When a man love a woman) - Mike, EVERYBODY don’t wanna be picked up man! It was good – not the best performance of the night. I can’t wait to hear the full version.

Andrew (Heard it through the grapevine) - (sigh)..My Hollywood St8-up performance was an accident. I blame Miley. Miley said she made Andy lose the props. They are going to need some props to hide behind when pops goes “buck wild” when he goes home. Terrible terrible terrible! Did I say it was terrible?

Katie (Big girls don’t cry) – Last week she channeled McPhee, this week was like the girl from Glee. It was okay, I now know the words to that song. Not bad.

Casey (Power of love) – That would have to be his best performance to date. I can see it, not my favorite but he has earned his place in the top percentile.

Didi (You’re no good) – I forgot all about this finalist. She is wholesome. I am getting an early Carrie Underwood…(and we know what happened to her.) I am going to pay her alittle bit more attention. DiDi may be my underdog pick..and I love the confident to speak up for herself. I may have to add her to my top 5…just because.

Siobhan (Superstition) – “Lil”she Adam (with her nose ring) I like her – she is the rocker of this season. Final 2.

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

The TOP 12 DJRR review

Top 12 : The Rolling Stones week

Big Mike (Miss you) The thought of a football player channeling Mick Jagger can be scary. Vocals – A+, Jagger swag – C.

Didi (Play with fire) Can’t find anything to complain about. A “safe” performance – not my favorite but a good job.

Casey (All over now) Not on the Casey train yet but it’s still early. Casey may fall victim to Kara’s “teacher’s pet curse”. I think he is more country then rocker, time will tell.

Lacey (Ruby Tuesday) Lacey’s a “PK” (preacher’s kid) and that is always a factor, will she cut loose in later themes or stay conservative? Okay performance, didn’t love it nor did I hate it.

Andrew (Gimme Shelter (used to be) my favorite Stones song) * Okay, how many times is Andy gonna tell us his folks used to run the gangs? Where is my creativity of Straight up, where has THAT Andrew gone. I am so so disappointed with this performance, it could have been great. There are songs that sound good no matter who sings it..I thought this was one of them.

Katie (Wild Horses)Besides channeling Katherine Mc Phee – this was “just okay for me”.

Tim (Under my thumb)He made the Stones sound like Jimmy Buffett, is that good? Good vocals ditch the guitar.

Spotlight: Siobhan(Paint it black)Prom dress, tattoo and black combat boots- coupled with a power performance. This year’s Adam. I am “totally surprised” two thumbs up!!

Lee (Beast of Burden) How did this guy make it past Hollywood week? A classic
example of one of these things do not belong here. Boring, Bland, Buh-bye!

Paige(Honkey Tonk Woman) She was good. I don’t see the IDOL but she is in the top percent this week. (* djrr update – Paige was sick and never rehearsed – 2 thumbs up)

Aaron(Angie) My ears hurt. This kid was picked for the tweens and they will keep him in the competition until the end. Blah.

Download of the week: Crystal (You can’t always get) The winner of American Idol. This girl is different in every way and can sang. I liked her during Hollywood and she continues to perform above the rest.
**********************************************************************************
Highlight: Ryan getting up in Simon’s grill after a stupid comment. I hope we see more of this for the Simon farewell tour.

Lowlight: Is it possible, that Kara can talk too much and drown out Ellen?

Idol connections : part 1

Kara's father needs your vote

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/03/16/american-idol-dad-gillibrand-senate-seat/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%253A+foxnews%252Fpolitics+%2528Text+-+Politics%2529

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Hooray for Hollywood week !!

Every season Idol manages to make me (and the world) raise an eyebrow on who they cut but moreover who they select to the top 24. Here are the ones that shined for me during the Hollywood section week.

Spotlight on Andrew: yes, his parents are ex L.A. gangbangers (that should provide for great live tv should Simon cuts up)

....but this rendition of "Straight up" by ex judge Paula Abdul is one of the best Hollywood audition moment ever. (oh oh oh) clip below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pB3gAjivrY

Spotight on Crystal: The best Hollywood audition moment ever. The competition giving background vocals...classic. is she the next American Idol? clip below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFr7ONasrN8

Saturday, January 9, 2010

American Idol 2010 - counting down to Hollywood week

I have to give a shout out to the auditions from my old stomping grounds Orlando, Florida. Opening with the over the top diva dude with the glitter circles on his face to the exotic dancer who split his jeans....AND STILL got a Hollywood pass. Nothing can top the country redneck that belted out "Amazing Grace" he was singing it for the Lord, refused the no from the judges..AND HAD TO be HANCUFFED !! Yes or no? lol No to krazy but Yes to the former bank robber !!

American Idol - Paula Free and Ellen-ized

Adam - what he's up to.....

Kris Allen - the updates (for "u know who"

Alum updates - Who released what in 2009......