Once the families, grandparents and assorted tearful attachments had been sent away the show got under way and the three remaining candidates for the lead role in Over The Rainbow finally had a chance to do what we and they had been waiting for - sing, dance and act a little.
The judges had clearly agreed, or been told, not to try and influence the vote by saying anything bad about any of them. They needn't have been, though, as all three would have been worthy winners. Sophie looked radiant and, despite being the least experienced or vocally adept to date, really began to look as though she might actually win. Lauren's performances were truly immaculate and, whilst she'd be a more serious type of Dorothy, the producers could probably just toss the script at her and leave her to it. Danielle has always been the one to watch in my view. She has a fascination about her and seems to be able totally to take on the part. just look at her eyes and the minute movements she makes in contrast to the deliberate and well-rehearsed broader sweeps made by the others in the show in the past. She can also sing almost as well as Lauren but with a pretty tone rather than the more traditional 'stage' tone.
Reprising her remarkable Mambo Italiano performance could well have been what brought her through to the final two with Sophie who clearly proved simply more popular for this role than Lauren who will, I'm absolutely sure, be seen on billboards for a serious West End show very soon.
Both Sophie and Danielle performed Over The Rainbow and, again, Danielle would have won easily on points but it was still anyone's guess with Sophie really doing a great job of promoting herself and possibly being a new, open-faced Dorothy versus the more traditional and wistful one being offered so delightfully by Danielle.
It was, indeed, to be Danielle's day and, whilst I have been critical of the show in many respects, it did manage to find some brilliant talent on the way and you do have to wonder just how many American Idol or X Factor finalists could have put on such great (genuinely live) singing, dancing and acting with just a few days to learn.
Sunday, May 23, 2010
American Idol: semi final Pt 2
A strange show. The first twenty minutes seemed to be taken up with Ryan Seacrest chatting pretty inanely to the remaining three who really just wanted to know whether they'd be spending the next days rehearsing their final tracks and the now familiar videos of whole towns turning out to welcome one or other of the three, assuming they can actually see them through the darkened windows of the ridiculously ugly black limos or behind the bodyguards to whom the same adjectives could probably apply.
Some guy called Travis (not the Scots one from the late 1990s) appeared and mimed his way through a new release that might give Wham a good excuse to get back together again. In fact, tv viewers didn't get much of the Travis fellow as the cameraman clearly preferred a girl dancer who may well turn out to be the most memorable part of the whole show. She must have been delighted at the shots of just her against a shiny red background.
Nice to hear Creedence Clearwater Revival backing the Crystal trip to Toledo. Just comparing the crowds for the three and the way each handled the whole thing would put Crystal and Lee into the final. As it happens, and as I suspected, the votes went that way too and it was farewell to Casey.
Predicting the final winner of AI9 is not easy. I've been backing Crystal ever since the earliest days and I still think she has the raw, natural talent and will be around for years to come. However, more clever song choices by the Lee camp, especially a repeat of The Boxer may well put him ahead. It could be all down to what they have as the 'single' song that both have to perform, although we do have to remember that Adam Lambert easily won all the rounds from start to finish and made a much cooler job of the 'single' but still came 2nd.
Oh, there was also some kid performing just before the announcement.
Some guy called Travis (not the Scots one from the late 1990s) appeared and mimed his way through a new release that might give Wham a good excuse to get back together again. In fact, tv viewers didn't get much of the Travis fellow as the cameraman clearly preferred a girl dancer who may well turn out to be the most memorable part of the whole show. She must have been delighted at the shots of just her against a shiny red background.
Nice to hear Creedence Clearwater Revival backing the Crystal trip to Toledo. Just comparing the crowds for the three and the way each handled the whole thing would put Crystal and Lee into the final. As it happens, and as I suspected, the votes went that way too and it was farewell to Casey.
Predicting the final winner of AI9 is not easy. I've been backing Crystal ever since the earliest days and I still think she has the raw, natural talent and will be around for years to come. However, more clever song choices by the Lee camp, especially a repeat of The Boxer may well put him ahead. It could be all down to what they have as the 'single' song that both have to perform, although we do have to remember that Adam Lambert easily won all the rounds from start to finish and made a much cooler job of the 'single' but still came 2nd.
Oh, there was also some kid performing just before the announcement.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
American Idol: semi final Pt1
Casey kicked off with something that few of us would ever have heard of. Now that could have been a great move if it had been a track we'd all want to download or seek out on YouTube. It wasn't. Sorry, Casey that was a B side at best and if discs had three sides it would be on the third. OK I'm all right may be his kind of music but it sure isn't going to help him get more votes than Lee or Crystal from US telephone land.
Crystal followed with Come To My Window which I guess just as few will have heard as the last one. the difference is, though, that it was great. The audience loved it and it could well be a single and that single would fly into the Billboard Hot 100. This was Crystal, naturally, singing her heart out and it was exactly what people who support her wanted to hear.
Lee with A Simple Man came up with a good song choice and stepped into Crystal's zone too, whilst making Casey totally forgettable in two minutes. He is increasingly reminding me of David Cook and we know how that turned out.
Casey follows up with Daughters, chosen by Cara and that was much better. Still, though, something lacking and he didn't come across as really feeling or meaning the words. Just a bit lame overall with no good finish to get his fans' hearts a-beating and fingers a-dialling. Simon, as always throughout this year of Idol, was spot on. It didn't have the 'Wow!' factor but he did sing well.
Crystal with Baby I'm Amazed certainly did have that elusive 'Wow!' factor and should be safely through to next week. She put her stamp on the track and showed a massive range and texture. A very clever choice by Ellen.
Lee had the good fortune to have Simon picking a song and that is bound to be a smart choice by someone who understands what's needed to bring him back for the final next week. There's choosing, though, and there's taking that choice and doing something with it. No-one could have expected the trump card of Hallelujah!! One very very cool move. Biggest moment on the show for a long time and even though it was a cut short edition, he sang excellently and even had a choir to help it along. The others must surely be crying 'Foul!' but . . they had all the choices in the first section and don't tell me they don't all get a chance to chat with Simon. That should seal Casey's fate and see him watching himself over and over again as that performance is repeated.
Crystal followed with Come To My Window which I guess just as few will have heard as the last one. the difference is, though, that it was great. The audience loved it and it could well be a single and that single would fly into the Billboard Hot 100. This was Crystal, naturally, singing her heart out and it was exactly what people who support her wanted to hear.
Lee with A Simple Man came up with a good song choice and stepped into Crystal's zone too, whilst making Casey totally forgettable in two minutes. He is increasingly reminding me of David Cook and we know how that turned out.
Casey follows up with Daughters, chosen by Cara and that was much better. Still, though, something lacking and he didn't come across as really feeling or meaning the words. Just a bit lame overall with no good finish to get his fans' hearts a-beating and fingers a-dialling. Simon, as always throughout this year of Idol, was spot on. It didn't have the 'Wow!' factor but he did sing well.
Crystal with Baby I'm Amazed certainly did have that elusive 'Wow!' factor and should be safely through to next week. She put her stamp on the track and showed a massive range and texture. A very clever choice by Ellen.
Lee had the good fortune to have Simon picking a song and that is bound to be a smart choice by someone who understands what's needed to bring him back for the final next week. There's choosing, though, and there's taking that choice and doing something with it. No-one could have expected the trump card of Hallelujah!! One very very cool move. Biggest moment on the show for a long time and even though it was a cut short edition, he sang excellently and even had a choir to help it along. The others must surely be crying 'Foul!' but . . they had all the choices in the first section and don't tell me they don't all get a chance to chat with Simon. That should seal Casey's fate and see him watching himself over and over again as that performance is repeated.
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Dorothy semi final
A very amateur start to the show, bland song and I was regretting the loss of the cheery and talented Jenny and loopy Jessica last week, those remaining being excellent musicians but, with the possible exception of Sophie, lacking that instant appeal I would have thought the role would need. Steph seems to oscillate between very appealing, surprised to be there still and a little overbearing, trying too hard. Danielle is fabulous and hopefully her performances later will make up for the sad start. Lauren, well, Lauren can sing so well but do we want to watch her, or will make-up and stylists help?
Sophie 8
Easy on the eye, some star quality and nice voice but the 'who I yam' bits jarred and I'm sure some notes were different to what the orchestra were playing. She made up for that with the tremendous performance in the duet.
Steph 7½
Much better choice of song which everyone could hum along too and maybe not notice the poor diction and off notes at the end of lines.She seemed to be determined to smile throughout the whole song which didn't look too good close up. Nice job in the duet but Sophie had the edge on her, vocally as well as acting-wise this time.
Lauren 10/10 for the vocal but 7 for this role
As ever, brilliant voice and control, no faults but rather over acted, unnecessarily so. It's the square mouth that does it, reminding me of Cherie Blair. Excellent in the duet but, again, beaten by Danielle.
Danielle 15
Showing the others just how to present a song without trying, just naturally. She has been so consistent and is head and shoulders over the others but still not absolutely sure she is Dorothy. Sophie and Steph have the 'character' edge at the moment. Danielle possibly combines everything best, though, with a spotless vocal.
More embarrassing group performances to kick off the results show, including a totally wrong Umbrella which no one seemed happy with apart from the male dancers at one point. Individually, these girls are pretty good (although matching a later wonderful few minutes from a current leading lady, Sierra, would be challenging) but together they don't blend well at all.
Then we get some silly stuff about choosing a dog which would be better at children's tv time. Enough said about that.
Lauren was saved by Lord Andrew and probably rightly as she did the last song extremely professionally. I had half expected Steph to be saved as Lauren might well suit a different type of show than Dorothy which Steph could have handled. However, seeing Danielle and Sophie sail through to the final was encouraging and, to my mind, they're the two best suited with Danielle my choice by quite a margin at the moment.
Sophie 8
Easy on the eye, some star quality and nice voice but the 'who I yam' bits jarred and I'm sure some notes were different to what the orchestra were playing. She made up for that with the tremendous performance in the duet.
Steph 7½
Much better choice of song which everyone could hum along too and maybe not notice the poor diction and off notes at the end of lines.She seemed to be determined to smile throughout the whole song which didn't look too good close up. Nice job in the duet but Sophie had the edge on her, vocally as well as acting-wise this time.
Lauren 10/10 for the vocal but 7 for this role
As ever, brilliant voice and control, no faults but rather over acted, unnecessarily so. It's the square mouth that does it, reminding me of Cherie Blair. Excellent in the duet but, again, beaten by Danielle.
Danielle 15
Showing the others just how to present a song without trying, just naturally. She has been so consistent and is head and shoulders over the others but still not absolutely sure she is Dorothy. Sophie and Steph have the 'character' edge at the moment. Danielle possibly combines everything best, though, with a spotless vocal.
More embarrassing group performances to kick off the results show, including a totally wrong Umbrella which no one seemed happy with apart from the male dancers at one point. Individually, these girls are pretty good (although matching a later wonderful few minutes from a current leading lady, Sierra, would be challenging) but together they don't blend well at all.
Then we get some silly stuff about choosing a dog which would be better at children's tv time. Enough said about that.
Lauren was saved by Lord Andrew and probably rightly as she did the last song extremely professionally. I had half expected Steph to be saved as Lauren might well suit a different type of show than Dorothy which Steph could have handled. However, seeing Danielle and Sophie sail through to the final was encouraging and, to my mind, they're the two best suited with Danielle my choice by quite a margin at the moment.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
American Idol: down to the final three
Lee 5½
A Kiss From A Rose will always be Seal's track and Lee could only kind of appear in his reflection. Not impressive enough to make us pay attention. Well sung, but no character and he didn't make the high notes well. Nor did he seem at one with other people backing him. On his own, he could be good, doing his thing his way. Much will depend on how Casey and Mike perform and I have a feeling they will turn it up and turn voters on more effectively. 4th is probably way higher than he ever imagined he'd get, though, and he'll gain a lot from the Top 10 tour. I just don't see his album in the charts for more than a week or so after its release.
Mike 7
Great start. This sounds like his typical brand and suits him well. I'm Only Human was, I think, the title of a track I've not heard before, apparently from Free Willy. Very, very short, though and he just never got going with it. Good as far as it went but . . that wasn't far. Maybe not far enough. He did work so well with the choir and backing track, though, and should be safer than Lee.
Crystal & Lee 8½ & 9
Falling Slowly duo saw Lee back doing what he's good at. Crystal seemed to carry him along and yet wasn't as noticeable which sounds odd now I've written it but I know what I mean. Nice track and may have rescued Lee's earlier lack of star quality. Good choice but not stunning.
Casey 7½
Singing Simon & Garfunkel's Mrs Robinson just seemed lame and nothing in the heart of that tune from the 1960s came through. I liked the relaxed style and notes were accurate and fairly cool. It could have been something added to an evening session but not really a main number designed to electrify people to make those important calls. He could, with just a bit of effort, have turned it into something special and, for a moment, I thought he was going to but he didn't. He could be in trouble and may, barring a super performance with Mike coming up, possibly have saved one of the other guys.
Crystal 15
I'm All Right was back there in the Crystal zone. Totally at home and everything worked. Again, like most others, the track was way too short and she had just got going and got us grooving along when it stopped. This has got to be addressed for AI10.
Casey & Mike 7 & 11
When You Really Love A Woman saw this odd duo on stage. Both may have done this really well individually but, together, I'm not so sure. Strong song and Mike made a good job, the song being absolutely in his zone. In a way he defeated Casey which probably means everything between the three guys finishes up even and it could be anyone's guess as to which one goes.
The results show kicks off with AI3 winner Fantasia and I was dying to hear Randy tell her it was 'pitchy' but people applauded politely and she went away. She would have had trouble reaching the last 24 this year.
A Kiss From A Rose will always be Seal's track and Lee could only kind of appear in his reflection. Not impressive enough to make us pay attention. Well sung, but no character and he didn't make the high notes well. Nor did he seem at one with other people backing him. On his own, he could be good, doing his thing his way. Much will depend on how Casey and Mike perform and I have a feeling they will turn it up and turn voters on more effectively. 4th is probably way higher than he ever imagined he'd get, though, and he'll gain a lot from the Top 10 tour. I just don't see his album in the charts for more than a week or so after its release.
Mike 7
Great start. This sounds like his typical brand and suits him well. I'm Only Human was, I think, the title of a track I've not heard before, apparently from Free Willy. Very, very short, though and he just never got going with it. Good as far as it went but . . that wasn't far. Maybe not far enough. He did work so well with the choir and backing track, though, and should be safer than Lee.
Crystal & Lee 8½ & 9
Falling Slowly duo saw Lee back doing what he's good at. Crystal seemed to carry him along and yet wasn't as noticeable which sounds odd now I've written it but I know what I mean. Nice track and may have rescued Lee's earlier lack of star quality. Good choice but not stunning.
Casey 7½
Singing Simon & Garfunkel's Mrs Robinson just seemed lame and nothing in the heart of that tune from the 1960s came through. I liked the relaxed style and notes were accurate and fairly cool. It could have been something added to an evening session but not really a main number designed to electrify people to make those important calls. He could, with just a bit of effort, have turned it into something special and, for a moment, I thought he was going to but he didn't. He could be in trouble and may, barring a super performance with Mike coming up, possibly have saved one of the other guys.
Crystal 15
I'm All Right was back there in the Crystal zone. Totally at home and everything worked. Again, like most others, the track was way too short and she had just got going and got us grooving along when it stopped. This has got to be addressed for AI10.
Casey & Mike 7 & 11
When You Really Love A Woman saw this odd duo on stage. Both may have done this really well individually but, together, I'm not so sure. Strong song and Mike made a good job, the song being absolutely in his zone. In a way he defeated Casey which probably means everything between the three guys finishes up even and it could be anyone's guess as to which one goes.
The results show kicks off with AI3 winner Fantasia and I was dying to hear Randy tell her it was 'pitchy' but people applauded politely and she went away. She would have had trouble reaching the last 24 this year.
The Final 5 got Lady Gaga so these guys must have felt pretty hard done by for a while, not that the producers would be too worried, having made their cut of the 37 million calls the good people of the States made the night before. They later revealed they'd spent a bit of it on Daughtry and a massive amount on Bon Jovi, though.
Nice shot of Crystal reading Ryan's prompt card.
Chris Daughtry was impressive, showing Lee how it should be done with another of his consistently classy acts over the years since coming 4th. Compare the audience reaction to Fantasia's.
Mike or Crystal? Really no competition and, sure enough, we bid farewell to Big Mike.
Saturday, May 08, 2010
Dorothy: last 6 become the final 4
Danielle 7½
She's really looking the part this week. Unfortunately On my own was off in places,a very difficult song to get right, admittedly, although she expressed the emotions well and I'm hoping that last week's absolutely amazing performance will flow over into this week to her credit as she is a star in the making.
Jessica 6½
Well-acted and presented version of Supercalifragilsiticexpialidocious but her expression was quite scary at times and not exactly Dorothy-like. The running around and legs took one's attention away from the voice. [Strangely, viewers overnight voted to put her and Danielle in the bottom two and Lord Andrew had a tough decision to make but, in my view, made the right one.]
Steph 6
I felt she was trying just a bit too hard tonight. Not looking as good either, maybe the make-up department had been under the weather.
Jenny 9½
With Send in the clowns this girl has delivered yet another of my favourite numbers. Almost flawlessly. She would also be a popular Dorothy as I can see her acting really well. [Obviously the Lord didn't as she was the first to go, although not the lowest in public votes.]
Sophie 10
Excellent song to show off her looks and charm and she also sang very very well.
Lauren 6
Brilliant singing, putting everyone else in the shade in that respect and yet she just doesn't seem to fit Dorothy. She could easily make a living on the stage with more serious, less girlie, parts but I simply don't think she suits this role. Should have been 20pts but that would imply she'll stay which I don't think she should as two go tonight. [Survived the first cut but, as the one with the lowest public vote, which must have told the Lord something about how she appears rather than sounds, may still be going.] [No, she survived and actually rose out of the bottom two overnight. My guess is that there's no clear front runner in this series, and it really is turning into anyone's guess.]
She's really looking the part this week. Unfortunately On my own was off in places,a very difficult song to get right, admittedly, although she expressed the emotions well and I'm hoping that last week's absolutely amazing performance will flow over into this week to her credit as she is a star in the making.
Well-acted and presented version of Supercalifragilsiticexpialidocious but her expression was quite scary at times and not exactly Dorothy-like. The running around and legs took one's attention away from the voice. [Strangely, viewers overnight voted to put her and Danielle in the bottom two and Lord Andrew had a tough decision to make but, in my view, made the right one.]
Steph 6
I felt she was trying just a bit too hard tonight. Not looking as good either, maybe the make-up department had been under the weather.
With Send in the clowns this girl has delivered yet another of my favourite numbers. Almost flawlessly. She would also be a popular Dorothy as I can see her acting really well. [Obviously the Lord didn't as she was the first to go, although not the lowest in public votes.]
Sophie 10
Excellent song to show off her looks and charm and she also sang very very well.
Lauren 6
Brilliant singing, putting everyone else in the shade in that respect and yet she just doesn't seem to fit Dorothy. She could easily make a living on the stage with more serious, less girlie, parts but I simply don't think she suits this role. Should have been 20pts but that would imply she'll stay which I don't think she should as two go tonight. [Survived the first cut but, as the one with the lowest public vote, which must have told the Lord something about how she appears rather than sounds, may still be going.] [No, she survived and actually rose out of the bottom two overnight. My guess is that there's no clear front runner in this series, and it really is turning into anyone's guess.]
Friday, May 07, 2010
American Idol: 5 become 4
An impressive performance by Lady Gaga tended to take our attention away from the task in hand. Maybe the producers had seen her UK Brits Awards act a little while ago and were worried about revelations upsetting the good old American viewers as there was an abundance of smoke and the camera man seemed to have instructions not to zoom in at any cost and to avoid any below waist shots. Once I'd managed to get over the annoying and pointless audience clapping and cheering at various points I was struck by how much this young lady resembles Madonna in originality and turning tracks into mini almost operatic ideas. She was good.
Back to the five still standing after the night before. They kicked off with a far smoother and less awkward joint rendition with the compulsory few seconds each has to sing alone. Crystal was the lady who is a tramp to the four crooners and you couldn't help thinking that the set gave her a nice high profile: basically it was Crystal and The Others, which isn't far off fact anyway.
Lee gets let off the hook before Lady Gaga appears and we have some very cool Harry rehearsal shots and even cooler singing the Lennon & McCartney And I Love Her which I adore. I can only assume that Lee's doc had written in to the teachers to say he was likely to crap himself on stage if Ryan Seacrest did the usual misleading of Lee thing yet again this week.
Crystal must be wondering whether she'll ever get a chance to sing the stuff she really enjoys ever again and, although she is looking so much better these days, I do hope she can kick some ass in the final few weeks. The last five sing-a-long was rubbish and they'd have been better just getting on with the results for my taste. *Eventually, though, they did, and after Mike and Crystal are duly relieved we're with Aaron and Casey staring at the ceiling.
Mike can't believe his luck again and you have to start wondering what on earth can make people vote Aaron off after some pretty nondescript weeks. Casey's had some good moments but it's becoming increasingly clear that his time's going to be up sooner or later with Cara if not the rest of the US population. will it be tonight?
*I actually wrote this before knowing how the last four would divide up! Hmmm. Didn't see that coming, did I?
Mike still can't believe his luck again. And my initial review was right after all. Bye Aaron.
Back to the five still standing after the night before. They kicked off with a far smoother and less awkward joint rendition with the compulsory few seconds each has to sing alone. Crystal was the lady who is a tramp to the four crooners and you couldn't help thinking that the set gave her a nice high profile: basically it was Crystal and The Others, which isn't far off fact anyway.
Lee gets let off the hook before Lady Gaga appears and we have some very cool Harry rehearsal shots and even cooler singing the Lennon & McCartney And I Love Her which I adore. I can only assume that Lee's doc had written in to the teachers to say he was likely to crap himself on stage if Ryan Seacrest did the usual misleading of Lee thing yet again this week.
Crystal must be wondering whether she'll ever get a chance to sing the stuff she really enjoys ever again and, although she is looking so much better these days, I do hope she can kick some ass in the final few weeks. The last five sing-a-long was rubbish and they'd have been better just getting on with the results for my taste. *Eventually, though, they did, and after Mike and Crystal are duly relieved we're with Aaron and Casey staring at the ceiling.
Mike can't believe his luck again and you have to start wondering what on earth can make people vote Aaron off after some pretty nondescript weeks. Casey's had some good moments but it's becoming increasingly clear that his time's going to be up sooner or later with Cara if not the rest of the US population. will it be tonight?
*I actually wrote this before knowing how the last four would divide up! Hmmm. Didn't see that coming, did I?
Mike still can't believe his luck again. And my initial review was right after all. Bye Aaron.
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