Something Old, Something New (or Everything Old is New Again)
I was again totally underwhelmed by almost every performance. I thought it was because I Tivo'd the show and was able to fast forward through the irritating Ryan Seacrest parts and skip (most of) Paula's embarrassing moments. . . I even went back and watched it again. I started thinking that watching it "live" and having to sit through the Ryan garbage and Paula antics maybe made the music sound better (by comparison), so much so that I purposely waited to write this tonight, thinking it was just me. Apparently not. . . seems no one was blown away by any of tonight's performances.
Now, you all know I really like Elliott. He's got a great instrument, he's a sweet guy, his voice is so true and pure, but I wasn't thrilled with his first song (On Broadway). It should have been a chance for him to shine, but it was just, as Randy would put it "Aiight".
Next, Paris attempted Prince's "Kiss". I've never been a Prince fan, but I actually liked her version better. Something more acceptable to me about a tiny female prancing about the stage than a tiny man prancing about. . . anywhere. And, I loved her outfit!
Chris came out and gave the "all Chris, all the time" version of "Long Arm of the Law". He was classic Chris and made the first two performances pale by comparison. However, not by much.
Knowing that Ryan wouldn't be able to let Katherine's wardrobe malfunction go unnoticed, I Tivo'd quickly to her song "Against All Odds" --- one of my all-time favorites and I was really looking forward to Katherine's rendition. Her dress was great, but her version let me down. Her dad didn't even cry. Maybe that's the true "Katherine meter".
Taylor came out next with "Play That Funky Music", which I knew from note one Simon wouldn't get, but Taylor did some great vocals and had lots of fun --- more movement from him than we've seen in a while.
After yet another commercial break, Elliott returned with his version of "I Wanna Go Home". I knew Simon would have something to say about his choice of lyrics, and I would have, too, if he had killed it, but I think he did a pretty decent job, and I am a huge Michael Buble fan. I think Elliott is on the verge of being able to convey his emotions suitably for this type of song.
Paris' next choice was Mary J. Blige's "Be Without You", a brave, maybe dangerous choice of song. If I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times, as have the judges. . . you have to be VERY sure of yourself to do a song that's been done by one of the greats. However, Paris pretty much pulled it off. It sounded like her song, not a Mary J. Blige imitation.
Chris returned with "I Dare You", and Chris, I dare YOU to sing another song that isn't shouted but actually sung. Did you hear anything that Andrea told you last week??? I believe it was something like if you sing from your diaphragm instead of your throat, your sound will be richer and 100% better. Try it, because you're wearing me out with the strained vocals every week. Too bad you didn't flip the order of your songs. You'd have done better to end with the first song and leave people with a good memory.
Katherine mixed it up by singing her last song from the stage floor. I thought it was a little ala Fantasia (and I've resigned myself that there will never be another surprise performance like that one ever again), but still stepping a little outside her comfort zone. I loved that she sang "Black Horse and Cherry Tree". . . it's one of my favorites and I thought she did a great job, much better than her first time out tonight.
Then our man, Taylor came out to wrap up the evening with "Something". I, like Simon, didn't realize it was on the Billboard charts this week (or this year), but, that aside, I think his performance was the best of the night. He was soulful, he was Taylor and for the first time I think people may have seen him as sexy. I mean, he's always been cute, but more of a pixie cute than hot. But, when he sang "something in the way she woos me", I thought I heard a couple of sighs from the audience. . . wait, maybe that was me. Well, never mind, I still think he showed an emotional side that we've not seen from him until tonight.
Okay, my pick for bottom two this week: Paris and Chris. And before you get all over my case, here's why. Paris really does better when she's singing music from the 40's, early jazz, Billie Holiday, smoky ballads. Chris, although he is a righteous rocker, only has one mode. We know he's capable of greatness (I hate to keep beating that "Walk the Line" horse, but. . .) but he hasn't even attempted anything out of his normal zone since that night. So, he's got me thinking that was a fluke and not a sign of his real talent.
It was difficult to choose two "worst" tonight, because I pretty much didn't like one of each of the contestants' songs, but all in all I feel these two will end up at the bottom.
Glad I don't have any money riding on this one!!
Now, you all know I really like Elliott. He's got a great instrument, he's a sweet guy, his voice is so true and pure, but I wasn't thrilled with his first song (On Broadway). It should have been a chance for him to shine, but it was just, as Randy would put it "Aiight".
Next, Paris attempted Prince's "Kiss". I've never been a Prince fan, but I actually liked her version better. Something more acceptable to me about a tiny female prancing about the stage than a tiny man prancing about. . . anywhere. And, I loved her outfit!
Chris came out and gave the "all Chris, all the time" version of "Long Arm of the Law". He was classic Chris and made the first two performances pale by comparison. However, not by much.
Knowing that Ryan wouldn't be able to let Katherine's wardrobe malfunction go unnoticed, I Tivo'd quickly to her song "Against All Odds" --- one of my all-time favorites and I was really looking forward to Katherine's rendition. Her dress was great, but her version let me down. Her dad didn't even cry. Maybe that's the true "Katherine meter".
Taylor came out next with "Play That Funky Music", which I knew from note one Simon wouldn't get, but Taylor did some great vocals and had lots of fun --- more movement from him than we've seen in a while.
After yet another commercial break, Elliott returned with his version of "I Wanna Go Home". I knew Simon would have something to say about his choice of lyrics, and I would have, too, if he had killed it, but I think he did a pretty decent job, and I am a huge Michael Buble fan. I think Elliott is on the verge of being able to convey his emotions suitably for this type of song.
Paris' next choice was Mary J. Blige's "Be Without You", a brave, maybe dangerous choice of song. If I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times, as have the judges. . . you have to be VERY sure of yourself to do a song that's been done by one of the greats. However, Paris pretty much pulled it off. It sounded like her song, not a Mary J. Blige imitation.
Chris returned with "I Dare You", and Chris, I dare YOU to sing another song that isn't shouted but actually sung. Did you hear anything that Andrea told you last week??? I believe it was something like if you sing from your diaphragm instead of your throat, your sound will be richer and 100% better. Try it, because you're wearing me out with the strained vocals every week. Too bad you didn't flip the order of your songs. You'd have done better to end with the first song and leave people with a good memory.
Katherine mixed it up by singing her last song from the stage floor. I thought it was a little ala Fantasia (and I've resigned myself that there will never be another surprise performance like that one ever again), but still stepping a little outside her comfort zone. I loved that she sang "Black Horse and Cherry Tree". . . it's one of my favorites and I thought she did a great job, much better than her first time out tonight.
Then our man, Taylor came out to wrap up the evening with "Something". I, like Simon, didn't realize it was on the Billboard charts this week (or this year), but, that aside, I think his performance was the best of the night. He was soulful, he was Taylor and for the first time I think people may have seen him as sexy. I mean, he's always been cute, but more of a pixie cute than hot. But, when he sang "something in the way she woos me", I thought I heard a couple of sighs from the audience. . . wait, maybe that was me. Well, never mind, I still think he showed an emotional side that we've not seen from him until tonight.
Okay, my pick for bottom two this week: Paris and Chris. And before you get all over my case, here's why. Paris really does better when she's singing music from the 40's, early jazz, Billie Holiday, smoky ballads. Chris, although he is a righteous rocker, only has one mode. We know he's capable of greatness (I hate to keep beating that "Walk the Line" horse, but. . .) but he hasn't even attempted anything out of his normal zone since that night. So, he's got me thinking that was a fluke and not a sign of his real talent.
It was difficult to choose two "worst" tonight, because I pretty much didn't like one of each of the contestants' songs, but all in all I feel these two will end up at the bottom.
Glad I don't have any money riding on this one!!
posted by Peggy Stull at 2:26 AM
2 Comments:
Hi Peggy, I agree, it was half & half last night. One song was good and the other not so good. My pick for the bottom 2 is Chris and Elliot. Elliot really blew that first song, second was better. I'm beginning to wonder about Chris too. I thought he was on his way to be the winner, but as you say, he screams instead of sings.
Call me crazy but, I liked Katharines first song and not the second. What was the purpose of being on her knees? Looked kind of silly to me. Distracting.
I thought Paris did great on both songs.
I've always liked Taylor, but didn't think he would win this competition-----I'm not so sure now. He's actually the only consistent "singer".
Although my pick for the bottom is Elliot and Chris, the public seems to agree with you about Paris. They have had her in the bottom several times. So you may be right. Tonight will tell.
Oh, I was there when the flowers arrived-----they are beautiful!!! You'll know what I mean.
Well Aunt Peg here I appear on your blog again... I have to say after Elliots' first song I said to my mom "eh he was okay... I really wish he'd do something sinatra-ish... I think he'd sound really good..." Next thing I know there he is on stage singing Michael Buble and I melted! I love Elliot!!!!!But I also really like Taylor...Taylor is fun, and vivacious he always he can't dance but its okay "Play that Funky Music" allows for his horrible dance moves... But over all I think that Chris and Paris should be in the bottom two... I have to agree... but Paris.. I just dont like her... Kathrine I just wanted to be like GET OFF THE FLOOR!!!!!! and where were her shoes??? uhhhh I want Elliot or Taylor to win....
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