RECAP TIME ( with a little copying from various sources )
Remember the old Donny amd Marie song in their 1970's show ??
Well,
They're a little bit country...and Chris has lost his rock edge !
We've got Country Night - YEE HAW.
The first thing that came to my mind is this --- they're trying to build the advantage for their favored --- Kelli Pickler because of the many bad nights she's been having. And oh yeah, Bucky Covington too.
Question --- DID THEY EVER DO Carrie Underwood this favor last season HUH ? There was no country night then ? So, why
suddenly a country night now ??
For you folks in Asia, unfamiliar to this genre ( as Simon Cowell himself admits), Country music, also called country and western music or country-western, is an amalgam of popular musical forms developed in the Southern United States, with roots in traditional folk music, Celtic Music, Blues, Gospel music, and Old-time music.
However today, country music is actually a catch-all category that embraces several different genres of music: Nashville sound (the pop-like music very popular in the 1960s); bluegrass, a fast mandolin, banjo and fiddle-based music popularized by Bill Monroe and by the Foggy Mountain Boys; Western which encompasses traditional Western ballads and Hollywood Cowboy Music, Western swing, a sophisticated dance music popularized by Bob Wills; Bakersfield sound (popularized by Buck Owens and Merle Haggard); Outlaw country; Cajun; Zydeco; gospel; oldtime (generally pre-1930 folk music); honky tonk; Appalachian; rockabilly; neotraditional country and jug band.
IN SHORT -- YOU'VE GOT A WHOLE HEAP OF ARTISTS TO CHOOSE FROM --- John Denver, Johnny Cash, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Patsy Cline, Tammy Wynnete, Martine Mcbride, George Jones, Willy Nelson and even Jim Croce. Heck, even Ray Charles did some country. We even have great coutnry bands like Alabama and groups like the Dixie Chicks.
Each style is unique in its execution, its use of rhythms, and its chord structures, though many songs have been adapted to the different country styles. With this, you should have a wealth of artists to choose from even if you hate one, you should be able to pick someone else.
Well, firstly it boils down to song choice. Some of these songs are horrible, and others, you can't do justice to given only 90 minutes to perform. The reason is a lot of country music tell stories. You can't do justice to them in under 2 minutes.
So, Has my world gone absolutely crazy? I think it has. Tonight, Ace Young had one of the best performances of the night. Taylor Hicks, usually among the top 4, had one of the worst. And Bucky got the Pimp spot!
Kenny Rogers helped the kids work on their tunes. He's 67 years old this year and boy, I think he's had plastic surgery...
ON WITH THE SHOW....
Taylor Hicks - "Take Me Home, Country Roads" by John Denver - BOY O BOY. Why this one ? This song has been oversung and overperformed by almost every amateur in town. Heck, I can sing and perform it myself, just give me a guitar, What was going on with Taylor this week? I have no idea why he picked this song, 'cause he didn't seem to enjoy singing it. Even Kenny Rogers sounded dubious about Taylor's prospects here. First, this jaunty John Denver tune isn't exactly "Idol" material. The song would really need a special vocal twist in order to make it interesting in 90 seconds. A good performance of this song would exude joy, but Taylor was flat--he seemed bored and distracted as he sang. He sped through it like he couldn't wait for it to be over. He was chasing the background instruments most of the time and by the time it was finished, you ask yourself --- THAT's IT ??
I knew the judges were going to nail him when he finished, and they did. Simon said, "I thought it was safe, boring, lazy. It sounded like you'd chosen that song 10 seconds ago...it didn't do anything for you, really." I agree with Simon. Taylor had a bad week.
There is something going on with Taylor Hicks... the past 2 weeks, he looks less and less like the exuberant, devil-may-care, spastic, quirky, Taylor Hicks I grew to like in the auditions ( you know, the one who played the harmonica in the doom room walk and the one who shouts an exuberant SOUL PATROL during his performances ). He looks like a lion de-clawed, a King Kong tranquilized.
WHAT DID THE PRODUCERS DO TO HIM ? I WANT MY OLD TAYLOR BACK !!! DURN IT !
And what's this back and forth banter between Ryan and Simon and the reference to a desperate housewife ?
Well, it seems that Ryan has been dating Teri Hatcher and she must love his beard because he's growing one.
But does Teri Hatcher love his beard, or is she the beard for Ryan? Only Simon knows for sure, since he thinks Ryan is a "Desperate Housewife."
I can hear Kellie saying --- Ya know, Kissin a mayn with a beeard is a lot like going to a picnic, you don't mahnd goin through a little bush to get theyre !
Enough of that before I get censored....
Mandisa - "Any Man Of Mine" by Shania Twain -
If Mandisa has any flaw, it is her low register. She has to show case her power and ultimately when she starts low, it always gives her trouble.
So much of this tune kept Mandisa in her weak, lower register.
What can I say ... It isn't working either.
Kenny said she had "spirit", but it sure wasn't on display here. This performance was slowed up and halting--it just klunked along. The last bit, after the key change, improved a bit. But, similar to Taylor, Mandisa brought no energy or joy to this song. It just plodded along until it finally ended. Randy liked the last four bars. Simon like the silence at the end. This lackluster performance could land Mandisa in the bottom 3 tomorrow. Oh, and I ain't no size 2, so I know from where I speak--Mandisa honey, dress to flatter the figure, OK? Thank yeww. ( and no more fat jokes from me I promise ).
Elliott Yamin - "If Tomorrow Never Comes" by Garth Brooks -
So, Kenny reckons that Elliott likes to massage songs so that they have intricate notes where they don't exists and he tells Elliott that you just don't do that with country music.
Awww, ya know at the beginning of the song, when Elliot let go of his death-grip on the microphone to tug his ear? That was for his girlfriend. Sweet. The bit of shake in Elliott's vocal, the two-fisted death grip on his mic, and the look in his eyes belied a nervous Elliott.
Nevertheless, Elliott has a warm beautiful voice, and his performance was just lovely in spots. But, if he could have just relax, and allowed his honey voice to wrap around that beautiful melody, he would have killed. Still, a very good song choice for Elliott.
Holy cow, did anybody understand what Paula was babbling on about to Elliott? Something about "careless reckless abandon." What? Somebody--hide Pauler's stash. Lastly, I gotta say, the stylists are doing an awesome job. Elliott is looking downright handsome these days.
Best of the lot so far.
Paris Bennett - "How Do I Live" by Leann Rimes -
Pre-song interview with Ryan was all about the many hairstyles of Miss P. How fascinating.
Paris got off to a shaky start. At the beginning, she was a little flat and some of her lower notes got swallowed up. But she hit her stride toward the end of the song, reaching the high notes beautifully. Kenny said, "You really believe her when she sings this," and I have to agree. Despite the imperfect vocal, her rendition was moving. Randy and Paula were lukewarm, while Simon praised her--maybe a little too much. He compared her to a young Dionne Warwick. And yes! I can hear the similarities in their vocal tones.
Hummm... Paula being critical and Simon being nurturing ? What is the world coming to ???
Ace Young - "I Wanna Cry" by Keith Urban -
Who would have imagined Ace owning on Country night? Ace, sitting on a stool, canned all the corny mannerisms and delivered a straightforward, intimate and heartfelt performance. His vocals, rather than sounding breathy and weak were sweet and highlighted his earnest vulnerability. Despite a few pitch problems here and there, his vocal was good and he acquitted himself nicely on the falsetto parts. When Ace isn't self conscious or trying too hard, there's a real attractive sincerity that comes through his performances. He'd be fine if he relaxed, and allowed himself to tap into that quality.
This Ace, with all the pretension and awkwardness stripped away, is the guy who could advance deep into this competition.
At this point, it would be a shame if he got voted off on a night when he actually did very well.
SONG CHOICE FOLKS, SONG CHOICE. If Pavarotti sang Independence Day, he'd be a wreck too.
Randy thought the performance was boring, but Paula and Simon liked it ( or is Simon practicing reverse psychology again ?).
Next, we come to my favorite actress ( yes i said actress, not singer ).....
And what do you know, Ryan seems to realize that folks like me, who are beginning to see through her veneer do exist. He gives her some pre-performance time to explain her so called naive "calamari" statement. She doth protest too much, saying she ain't faking it. Should I believe her ??? I'll cross the bridge when I get there.
Kellie Pickler chooses "Fancy" by the red-headed Reba McEntire (written by Bobbi Gentry) - I had actually gotten to a point with Kellie where her presence didn't completely irritate me. It wasn't that she was so obviously fake that irked me, but that the judges were initially glossing over terrible vocal performances and pim ping her on this fake "personality". The past couple of weeks saw the judges picking apart her vocals, finally. Funny thing, the performances they were picking apart were actually better than her early outings, when all the judges had to say were "Kellie, yer just so gosh durn likable!" I actually started feeling a little sorry for her. But I'm right back to being irked.
Thanks to her pre-song interview with Ryan--a lame, scripted attempt to spin the bad press Kellie has been getting lately. "Ahhhh spend threeee hunnard dolllars fer mahhhh haairrr cuts but ahhhhh donno whaat Cah-lah-mah-ri is!" Sorry, still not buying it! Kellie's vocals were ok on this tune--all about a mother who turns her 18 year old daughter out for tricks--charming! Kellie's phrasing can be really strange, with a tendancy to swallow her words. She really doesn't have much vocal power where it counts. And as she performs, she lurches awkwardly around the stage. For Kellie, little country novelty songs like "Fancy" and last week's "Suds in a Bucket" are best--because she really is all about the "personality." This week, she's back in the judge's good graces--all three praised her performance.
You know, I have a strong feeling the powers that be are PUSHING for her to win because they see in her a potential star ( you know, a Jessica Simpson/Britney Spears type ).
Consider --- Jon Stevens never had a big band night, Carrie Underwood never had a Country Night. But here you are --- THEY HAVE A SPECIAL COUNTRY NIGHT FOR THEIR FAVORED ONE -- KELLIE "GHERKIN" PICKLER. Aren;t you suspicous at all ???
Whoopie and Chris Rock in the audience ???
Chris Daughtry - "Making Memories of Us" written by Rodney Crowell, performed by Keith Urban - Chris finally changed it up this week with a slow ballad. Obviously listening to Simon when he said last week after his CREED rendition -- "you can't be doign this week after week !". OK, so he doesn't. DID IT MAKE A DIFFERENCE ?
I'll say this dude can sing even when he isn't screamimg. Really. He should show off that softer side more often. This was a really simple, subtle, effective performance. No belting, no vocal tricks, no yelling, no gruff--just a straight up, emotional rendition of a sweet romantic song. I think Chris has great stage presence--he looks comfortable up there and easily commands the stage. And this performance proved he's versatile and not a one trick pony.
Simon thought it was boring. I thought it was one of the night's better performances.
I don't know how you can please Simon. You belt, he complains, you don't compromise, he praises you. You DO compromise, he complains. YOU JUST CAN'T WIN !!
Katharine McPhee - "Bringing Out the Elvis" by Faith Hill. Now I like the attire. No longer pregnant looking that's for sure ( after all, one pregnant Kate (Holmes) is enough ).
Katharine really knows how to work that stage and the camera. And tonight, her vocals were good. But the entire effect left me with a little quizzical look. Does not sound country to me. Sounds like a bluesified country song.
I don't think this was a really good song choice for her. But maybe not a good choice for anybody--"Elvis" isn't a great song. There was a lot of strutting around the stage, punctuated by Katharine belting out that chorus, "bringing out the Elvis in me." But I couldn't really hear the verse. I kept wondering who or what was turning Katharine into Elvis and why? Nice save, though. When Simon started out his critique negatively by saying he didn't like the song, Katharine shot back, "You just don't like Country music, Simon." That shut him up quick.
Yes folks, you don't expect a snotty Brit to get indigeneous American music. But then, why does my Asian friend get it ?
I'll explain why --- The Chinese came to America earlier than the British did and that's a fact. HEH HEH.
This night was made for Kellie and Bucky. It was designed to have them redeem themselves for any bad performances in the past.
Bucky Covington sings "Best I Ever Had" by Gary Allan - So.... Bucky ends the show with a ballad.
His weakness, at least on the show, are vocals that are sometimes hard to hear above the band. He doesn't have a powerful voice, and his raspiness really wears thin when he tries to push it. I don't think Bucky has ever given a bad performance, but he has yet to deliver a really great performance. Bucky is for me, the MOST CONSISTENT PERFORMER ... ALWAYS THE SAME. NO WOW, NO EMBARASSMENT.
JUST THE SAME, THAT's ALL.
So, what do we make of Bucky ? If I were in a bar having a beer or two, I wouldn't mind him singing. But would I pay to hear his concert or buy his CD ? NO.
This is Bucky's first shot at a ballad, and it's pretty enough, but as Simon would say, it lacks that "wow" factor. But I suspect, JUST MAYBE, once off the show and in a recording studio, or in a more intimate performance setting, Bucky could turn in that "wow" performance.
The judges critiques were generally positive. If Bucky goes out tomorrow, it will be on a high note.
Interestingly, the two country performers weren't the best. And the blues guy from Alabama really wasn't so hot. Tonight's better performances came from the Rocker and the Boybander--Chris and Ace. Good ones also came from Elliott, Paris and Bucky. The rest were meh. Didn't turn out at all like I expected.
FROM BEST TO WORST
Ace
Paris
Chris
Elliott
Kellie
Bucky
Katharine
Mandisa
Taylor
WHO SHOULD GO :
Taylor ( Totally unexpected, but there you have it. The man has been neutered for some inexplicable reason ).
WHO WILL GO : Bucky ( your time has come and it's time to go on a high note ).
Finally, a little complaint. NEXT WEEK, I hear is going to be QUEEN NIGHT. Yes you heard it --- the night for singing the songs of the band led by none other than the half man/half woman -- Freddie Mercury.
WHAT THE HECK ARE THESE PRODUCERS THINKING ? I THINK THEY HAVE A MIND TO SABOTAGE CERTAIN UNDESIRABLE PERFORMERS AND NEXT WEEK WILL BE THE CHANCE TO DO IT. Otherwise, why choose a theme whose songs are guaranteed NEVER to be performed by most of these singers in their career ???
I think the one with the best chance to shine next week with be CHRIS DAUGHTRY -- DUH !!
And if Kellie survives tonight, WHAT WILL SHE SING ??
Constantine kicked butt with BOHEMIAM RHAPSODY last season. I wonder who will even have the courage to try it next week...
Only in American Idol folks will you get to hear Ray Charles sing WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS and Stevie Wonder try WE WILL ROCK YOU.