Apr 13, 2011

Top 8 American Idol Sing the Music of the Movies


The top 8 contestants on American Idol covered Songs from Soundtracks this week.  This gave them a pretty wide range of choices so they should have all had spot on song selection but some missed the mark in my opinion!







 


Casey Abrams
Casey took on Nat King Cole's "Nature Boy" after debating between that and Phil Collin's "In The Air Tonight" against the suggestion of Jimmy Iovine's advice.  I thought it felt very old and loungey.  I think he confused who he is as an artist a lot with this song.  I'm all for singers having some variety but this just doesn't fit with his growling rougher side at all.  Judges totally disagreed and actually gave him a standing ovation.



Haley Reinhart
Haley went with Blondie's "Call Me" which sounded like a great song for her IF she hit the mark with it!  The first few notes made me nervous, but I thought overall she did well.  There were a few spots that weren't perfect but I thought it was a good performance. 


James Durbin
James failed to impress Jimmy with Sammy Hagar's "Heavy Metal" but told him basically with all do respect, he was doing his thing.  I am NOT a metal fan but was still impressed with his performance.  And after I was informed who the guitarist was, I was impressed that a musicians of that caliber would be up for performing with him.  I hope the rockers will bring the vote this week and keep him around!!



Jacob Lusk
Jacob took Jimmy's advice on song selection and did "Bridge Over Troubled Waters."  It certainly wasn't a bad performance but it wasn't as good as Clay Aiken's performance of it in my opinion!  In case you'd like to make a comparison, here's Clay's version:
 




Lauren Alaina
Lauren picked Miley Cyrus's "The Climb" which is a song I personally love.  And Jimmy told her she was a stronger singer than Miley AND that she needed to seize this chance to "snatch up Pia's fans."  I think she sounded amazing and I would totally listen to her version any day!!  Of course, I didn't need to be snatched up, I've been a huge fan since day one.  Another great performance for Lauren!!



Paul McDonald
Paul chose "Old Time Rock and Roll" which for this girl who grew up as a HUGE Growing Pains fan, I will only even associate with Alan Thicke and Kirk Cameron, not Tom Cruise a la Risky Business.  Someone please tell me I am NOT the only one who remembers that so vividly still!!  Anyone, Anyone?? So anyway, I thought Paul sucked it up pretty badly and should have left that song to the Seavers!  The judges didn't agree me with though.



Scotty McCreery
Scotty  sang "I Cross My Heart" from George Strait.  This song has probably been played at a million weddings!  Even if you aren't a country fan, you've probably hear it a few times.  But as much as I LOVE Scotty, he had some good moments in this performance but he also had some very weak ones.  I may have to put some votes in for him this week just to try and help keep him safe!  It's moments like this that I miss Simon and his realistic comments because he was a bit of mess for a bit!



Stefano Langone 
Stefano went with "End of The Road" from Boyz II Men.  I LOVED that song when it was out and do not think it was a good song selection for him at ALL!!  That song worked when you had the low smooth sound of the Boyz mixed with their high notes, and Stefano just doesn't have that low tone!  Maybe if I didn't know AND LOVE the original it would have been different, it wasn't a bad vocal, I just didn't feel that version.  Judges LOVED it.



Overall, I have to say I think it's pretty up in the air this week.    If I had to pick the bottom three I would guess Haley, Paul and possible Scotty though I hope it would be Stefano instead.

Photos and videos courtesy of American Idol online.





10 comments:

  1. didn't like Casey Abrams or Paul McDonald

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  2. I'm glad to see we both agree Paul was bad. I've been saying since the first week he needs to leave.

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  3. I haven't really been following this season but I had to watch Clay! He may be a bit eccentric, but he has an amazing voice.

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  4. My bottom 3 are.....Paul, Jacob and Haley!
    (had to throw a girl in there although I love Hailey!)

    Should of been Stephano the last few weeks, but someone is obviously voting to keep him ;)

    Nicky
    Mommy on the Move!!

    :)

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  5. In my opinion, Casey did a great job of performing, I just hope the rest of America gets what he was trying to do. He is still one of my favorites on the show. He has a huge amount of talent and a charisma that is unmatched this year except maybe by James. Paul, Stefano and Jacob are the next 3 that need to go, in that order. Unfortunately, Haley dropped the ball tonight. She could have done so much more than she did, had she chosen another song. Scotty was off tonight but based on his boyish good looks, the 13 year old girls of America will keep him around. Jacob's performance was OK in my opinion, but when I look back on season 2 and remember how Clay Aiken (One of the greatest talents to ever hit the Idol stage) performed that song, Jacob just plain paled in comparison. Of the girls, Lauren shows the most potential at this point and it's obvious based on how many times Haley has been in the bottom 3. James is by far in my opinion the most impressive of the contestants right now and based on the fact that he can overcome special needs to do what he does he impresses me even more. When he comes on stage, you can expect a real show and not just some sappy ballad with a few flashing lights in the background. He moves like a pro and he arranges the stage like a star. He surrounds himself with the best musicians and truly shows that he is there to win. Crystal Bowersox was the same way last year and I missed my winning pick by 1 last year. Lee was not the best.
    As far as the rest of the contestants go, I really don't care how they go or in what order but I am really confident in my pick this year. I guess we'll see in the next 7 weeks.

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  6. I really liked Lauren :)


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    Head over to my post and claim your award!


    Lori
    http://chroniclesofacrazymom.blogspot.com/2011/04/versatile-blogger-award.html

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  7. Yay, I always look forward to your Idol recaps. I started watching this morning, so I only saw Paul's performance, but I love that you mentioned Clay. Whenever anyone on Idol sings a song he did, it never seems to measure up. But I may be a bit of a Claymate.

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  8. Is it wrong that I've never watched American Idol at all? I don't know if I could even name a single winner. oops. :)

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  9. Paul McDonald is gone. Casey's turn. If the judges hadn't saved him, they could have saved Pia.

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  10. You and I think a lot alike! I didn't think that Scotty's version of that song was very good...I was really surprised at the judges reactions. I think Stephano should go too - he just isn't that good IMO.

    I kind of miss Simon in a way too - although I like these judges, they really are too kind sometimes.

    Great recap!

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