American Idol Top 11 Perform Motown Classics
American Idol 10 (Wednesdays & Thursdays at 8PM on FOX)
Okay, last night the Top 11 sang classic Motown hits, and some even put their own spin on them... Overall, I thought it was a solid night, but I did notice something. Each contestant is missing 1 major component of being a star. I'll tell you what I think each one is as we go through the performances.
Tonight's results show will feature AI Alum Jennifer Hudson performing. And the contestants that make it through this elimination have a spot on the American Idol Season 10 Tour!
As always, I'll give you the contestant, their song choice (and original singer), the judges' thoughts, my thoughts (and score)... Here weeeeeee gooooooo.
Casey Abrams - "I Heard it Through the Grapevine" (Marvin Gaye)
Intro Clip - We saw Jimmy try and reel Casey back in, in order to control his voice...
Judges' Thoughts - S.Ty told him he has a "crazy out of control ego" (a good thing) and that he's the "perfect entertainer". J.Lo wondered if "there's anybody out there right now like him" and Randy thought it started off rough, but that he's "a true original... you can only do you, and that' you is great"
My Thoughts - I thought it was an solid performance. For me, he starts out better than he finishes. When he does this sort of mid/up-tempo thing, I think he looks a bit crazy/manic, when I think he's better at the the more smooth, slow-building songs. SCORE - 8/10
What He's Got = Stage Presence, Technically Strong Vocals, Unique Tone, Intriguing Personality, Emotional Connection
What He's Missing = Control. He can lose himself in the performance and end up with some screeching/screamy notes and a crazy-eye thing going on.
Thia Megia - "Heat Wave" (Martha & the Vandellas)
Intro Clip - Jimmy wasn't sure she could pull this song off, but she was able to change his mind. She wanted to make sure the judges/America got to see her do something besides a ballad.
Judges' Thoughts - J.Lo thought it was a step in the right direction saying "Now we're scratching the surface... dig even deeper". Randy said "you can really sing, and I'm happy to see you do something different" and S.Ty kept it simple with "I'm good with it."
My Thoughts - I think this was the first time it looked like Thia was having any fun up on stage, but I'm sorry the song is beyond cheesy and it just felt like a really good karoake performance to me or a wedding singer.SCORE - 7.5/10
What She's Got = Technically Strong Vocals, Unique Tone, Control (maybe too much)
What She's Missing= Emotional Connection, Intriguing Personality, Stage Presence
Jacob Lusk - "You're All I Need to Get By"
Intro Clip - Jacob understands his high notes may be waning on people, and Jimmy agreed that he needs to pull back in order to keep America interested
Photo Credit - FOX
Judges' Thoughts - S.Ty ran up to give Jacob a hug before the critiques. Randy name-dropped Barry Gordy, and said he'd be saying "Oh My God" and that he was "like a true professional". S.Ty said "you milked it and at the end it was beautiful" and J.Lo agreed and said "you made us beg for those notes; you moved me."
My Thoughts - He was able to pull back and show some restraint again with this song, but I felt he still hit a few bum notes, plus for me his facial expressions are a bit much. SCORE - 8.25/10
What He's Got = Emotional Connection, Intriguing Personality (maybe too much), Stage Presence (maybe too much), Technically Strong Vocals (most of the time), Unique Tone
What He's Missing - Control (he's definitely working on it though, which makes me cut him slack on it a bit)
There was then a parade of hugs from the front row at Seacrest's request during the voting numbers segment... Seacrest had to cut it off when a middle-aged man wanted a hug from Mr. Lusk.
Photo Credit - FOX
Lauren Alaina - "You Keep Me Hangin' On" (Supremes)
Intro Clip - Her producers this week brought this up to Lauren, and she fell for it. But it mostly focused on Lauren's confidence being shaking by mean-online bloggers (I guess that might include me?!) But she's hoping she's gaining the confidence back.
Photo Credit - FOX
Judges' Thoughts - S.Ty told her "You ripped that song another beauty mark", J.Lo told her she "looks amazing tonight" and she liked how much attitude she gave the song. Randy told her "you've got your swagger on high"
My Thoughts - I didn't like it as much as last week's Melissa Etheridge cover, but it was a solid performance. For me, she just doesn't seem confident enough to know what to do on stage.SCORE - 8/10
What She's Got = Unique Tone, Technically Strong Vocals, Control
What She's Missing = Intriguing Personality (it confuses me), Stage Presence (it's a lack of confidence and her trying to fake it), and Emotional Connection (I think she better than some others who lack this, but it's still not where it needs to be)
Stefano Langone - "Hello" (Lionel Richie)
Intro Clip - Talks with Ryan about his mom's cooking; then most of the segment was him trying to be mindful of keeping his eyes open during the song in order to connect to the audience.
Judges' Thoughts - J.Lo stressed the fact that he needs to connect to the song emotionally and really dissect the lyrics in order for it to come across on stage saying "I don't want the intensity to come from you wanting to do well; I want it to come from because your heart is breaking". Randy agreed saying the "only thing you're missing is that connection" and S.Ty agreed "You ramped it up a little early but your voice is so beautiful"
My Thoughts - Okay, because of all the talk about keeping his eyes open, it seemed to be the only thing I could focus on his entire performance. He still had lots of trouble with it. Plus I agree with the judges, he doesn't seem to connect with the lyrics, and just wants to sing the crap out of the songSCORE - 7.75/10
What He's Got = Technically Strong Vocals, Unique Tone, & Control (probably the best technical guy in the competition), Intriguing Personality (he seems fun, upbeat)
What He's Missing = Stage Presence (open eyes!) and Emotional Connection
At the end, Gordan Ramsey tried Stefano's Mom's dish... he didn't like it, and Stefano's Mom didn't like that. What a dick.
Haley Reinhart - "You Really Got a Hold on Me" (Miracles)
Intro Clip - She loves Motown, and Jimmy worked tirelessly to get her to be more comfortable onstage. (Then she starts off her performance with an awkward side-step down the stairs. Doh!)
Judges' Thoughts - Randy said that "the Haley that we love came back in the middle of the song"; S.Ty said "that was beautiful" and "you don't look a day over fabulous". J.Lo told her she has the "most soulful voice of anyone in the competition (on the girls' side)"
My Thoughts - I think she started out rough vocally, but really found her groove; this type of song really suits her and she was even more loose towards the middle with her moves on stage. But it's still not my cup of tea. SCORE - 7.75/10
What She's Got = Unique Tone, Control, Emotional Connection
What She's Missing = Techincally Strong Vocals (I think she's can be all over the place), Stage Presence (watching her move on stage is cringe-worthy IMO) and Intriguing Personality (I'm kind of repelled by it actually)
Scotty McCreery - "For Once in My Life" (Stevie Wonder)
Intro Clip - He can make a basket from the balcony (awesome) and he was worried he wouldn't be able to put his country twist on a Motown classic, but Jimmy and the producers had his back.
Judges' Thoughts - S.Ty called it "beautiful" and liked that he "took a big chance"; J.Lo thought it "was a great version of the song." but also said it wasn't his strongest performance. Randy agreed, but said "I love that you're taking chances; you're the young lady killer"
My Thoughts - I think the tune really worked as a country song. I was worried he wouldn't be able to pull it off, but I think he did. I'm not as in love with him as the tween/teen/country folk are, but he was solid. SCORE - 8.25/10
What He's Got = Intriguing Personality (girls love him), Unique Tone, Emotional Connection (most of the time), Control
What He's Missing = Stage Presence (the way he holds the mic & the side-mouth thing don't do it for me), Technically Strong Vocals (although I think they're decent, he's outweighed in this particular area compared to the range of other contestants).
Pia Toscano - "All in Love is Fair"
Intro Clip - She really likes this song. The end.
Judges' Thoughts - J.Lo said she killed "us with another killer vocal. But I need you to start connecting more"; Randy agreed telling her she needs to step out and sing something "other than a ballad". S.Ty didn't know what they were talking about and told her "you are the closest star in this American Idol Universe" and said she needs to "put on some sneakers and kick some ass"
My Thoughts - I agree with the Judges; I think Pia's vocals are amazing and she could definitely be the next generation Celine. But she's got to be able to move and get us swaying and moving with her.SCORE -8.25/10
What She's Got = Technically Strong Vocal, Unique Tone, Control, Emotional Connection
What She's Missing = Intriguing Personality (she seems a bit pageanty-boring), Stage Presence (she can stop us dead with a ballad, but is that it?)
Paul McDonald - "Tracks of my Tears" (Smokey Robinson)
Intro Clip - Jimmy said he needed to sing it as if he wrote it, and Paul is really excited about it.
Judges' Thoughts - Randy liked it, thought he "took it to a Rod Stewart-y kind of place" and likes when he sings tender. S.Ty compared him to "Bob Dylan or Willie Nelson. Your voice is that different" and J.Lo called him "the complete package, and all you need is a good producer" (to which Paul shouted out the producers he's been working with)
My Thoughts - Did I like him with his guitar compared to dancing around stage? YES. Did I like the vibe of the performance? YES. Did I think the vibe of the performance matched the song's lyrics? Hell to the No. I guess I was comparing it to Adam Lambert's emotionally charged rendition of the song a few season's back, and this just seemed like an upbeat tempo for a very sad song... it didn't mesh for me.SCORE - 7.5/10
What He's Got = Stage Presence (whether you love it or hate it, he's definitely got it), Unique Tone, Intriguing Personality, Emotional Connection (this one's iffy, I think he really digs the songs he does, but I'm not sure if he's got a handle on how it comes across on stage)
What He's Missing - Control and Technically Strong Vocal (I think he wings it out there and is getting by on the uniqueness)
Naima Adedapo - "Dancing in the Street"
Intro Clip - She was really positive about the message and fun of the song, but also wanted to concentrate on having enough control on her vocals and putting on a show.
Photo Credit - FOX
Judges' Thoughts - S.Ty called her "the whole package"; J.Lo said "it was my first goosebumps of the night" and Randy noted that he's "been a little rough on her the last couple of weeks, but the real Naima showed up tonight"
My Thoughts - I think she's exciting as a contestant; I kind always want to see her crazy outfit and see what she does. Which is good right? I think her control was eleventy-billion times better with this song and might keep her from being eliminated this week. SCORE - 8.25/10
What She's Got = Intriguing Personality (she's fun to watch or polarizing... whichever), Stage Presence (did anyone else have a dance break?), Unique Tone, Emotionally Connected (she picks songs she relates to)
Photo Credit - FOX (by Rickey.org)
What She's Missing = Techincally Strong Vocals and Control (compared to most of the other girls, she's lacking in these areas)
James Durbin - "Living for the City"
Intro Clip - He talked about his interpretation of the song.
Judges' Thoughts - J.Lo tried to get his attention while he just soaked up the love from every single section of the crowd (individually), when he finally met her gaze she started "you're serious business up there" and wanted to see his dance again. Randy didn't like the beginning, but thought he find his groove towards the middle. S.Ty said "sometimes it takes a little bit of crazy to make a difference in this world" and James was both "crazy and great"
My Thoughts - I agree with Randy, I thought the beginning sounded odd, like he was just a tad too high, but he found his way and those power high notes were plentiful, but ear-pleasing to my ears. The only thing I fear for him is that he's getting too cocky (like the audience thing tonight might put off viewers down the road) SCORE - 8/10
What He's Got = Stage Presence, Unique Tone, Technically Strong Vocals, Intriguing Personality, Control, Emotionally Connected
What He's Missing - I'm just afraid he might have it all, but also know it, and that could turn off voters down the road.
So who do I think will be in trouble of being eliminated tonight?! I think Haley has the best shot of being sent home. I think Naima will find herself in the bottom again and I think Thia might be right behind, but I wouldn't mind a switch up. I think tonight's performances were all rather close, and seeing a guy in the bottom (my thought would be Jacob) would be a little more interesting. We'll see. Check out my rankings post!
UPDATE - Producer Nigel has tweeted that tonight's results will shock... is it just a stunt, or what? Who knows!
