All My Children Discussion Group

Topic: AI Top 4 - (5/6)

THEME ~~Songs That Shaped/Inspired Rock n’ Roll

Selected by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum curatorial staff and a number of rock critics and historians, these 500 songs are some of rock and roll’s most popular and influential recordings. The songs cover a variety of musicians and genres illustrating the evolution of rock and roll over the last century. I have no idea how many were actually made available to the contestants or how many were cleared for performance. I guess just about anything would be better than last week’s speed-wreck.

ROUND 1

David Cook - ''Hungry Like The Wolf'' - I'm no authority on Duran Duran but my sense is that this performance is somewhat below par for him. With so many songs to choose from, I'm surprised that he couldn't find something better than this. My complaint is song choice, not his vocal.

Randy - just ok
Paula - gave her an 'appetite'
Simon - a little bit copycat

Syesha Mercado - ''Proud Mary'' - She's attempting to take on Tina Turner vocally and in dance! The pace of the song is too slow both vocally and in the dance segment. Tina is more than volume....Tina is on FIRE when she sings.....Syesha is not! Questionable song choice.

Randy - she's in the zone
Paula - magnetic voice and presence
Simon - a bad shrieky version of Tina Turner

Jason Castro - ''I Shot The Sheriff'' - They woke David up so he could sing! The only good thing I can say is that he has finished the song. Obviously, the stories about his wanting to go home are true!!! NEEDS TO LEAVE

Randy - karaoke
Paula - not crazy about the song or vocal
Simon - utterly atrocious (Simon is really angry)

David Archuleta -''Stand By Me'' - He does Ben E King proud and brings this song home! The vocal and interpretation are his best since ''Imagine''. He made a very wise song choice. LOVE it!

Randy - it was hot
Paula - delivered it
Simon - best performance so far

ROUND 2

David Cook -''Baba O'Reilly'' - I'm loving his vocal and interpretation of this song by 'The Who'. His stage presence is excellent and he sells the song, IMO. His performing arts background is obvious in this performance. LOVE it!!!!

Randy - great
Paula - she wants more
Simon - welcome back David Cook

Syesha Mercado - ''A Change Is Gonna Come'' - This song means a great deal to her..... so much so that she researched it before deciding to sing it. I'm loving her vocals and interpretation. Tonight, Syesha is very emotional and cries. Sam Cooke would be proud!! What a hauntingly beautiful performance!

Randy - disconnected
Paula - beautiful vocals
Simon - agrees with Paul

Jason Castro - ''Mr Tambourine Man'' - A mess both vocally and in interpretation. HE NEEDS TO GO

Randy - not in the zone
Paula - was in his niche
Simon - pack your suitcase

David Archuleta -''Love Me Tender'' (Norah Jones version) - He performs a lovely restrained interpretation, accompanied only by piano. There are some weak notes in the second half that the judges fail to 'note'. Usually, we hear the word 'pitchy', but not tonight with Little David. It's highly overrated by the judges, IMO.

Randy - great
Paula - a favorite of hers
Simon - crushed the competition

FAVORITE QUOTE~~ David A to Ryan...''Their faces scare me'' (referring to the judges--LOL)

COMMENTS~~ What is your definition of an AMERICAN IDOL? Mine is someone who, when given the platform, represents who they truly are and can convey it in a way that makes the audience want to know more.

RESULTS~~ Wednesday at 9:00 EDT

BEST: David C (round 2) - David A (round 1) - Syesha M (round 2)
ABYSMAL: Jason C (round 1 & 2)

Are the articles right? Is he trying less and less? It sure seemed so tonight. I'm not familiar with the Bob Marley version of "I Shot The Sheriff", but I still didn't recognize it until he was into it awhile and I knew ahead of time that he was going to sing this song. Jason's other song was slightly better but then he didn't remember the words. It didn't seem like it was a case of nerves as in Brooke's case. I'm not sure if Jason has any nerves, LOL, but it just seemed to me that he just didn't take the time to learn the words.

I go with the other three for the final three. It still seems like it will be down to the David's to me but I wouldn't mind a David C. and Syesha final two. I thought they both did well on both of their songs. David Cook's second song, although done well, didn't seem like a good song choice to me. Not in the fact of vocal range or anything like that but song choice in the fact that he needed more time with that song that they just aren't given. It was just building up to pick up the tempo and then stopped suddenly. I wanted to hear how David sang the uptempo part. Since the time allotted for songs didn't work with this song, he should have chosen something that did.

I liked both of Syesha's songs but did not like the way she decided to go the Tina route when Syesha, herself, said that "Proud Mary" had been covered by so many bands. Then why go with the obvious version? After we finally found out who Syesha really was, she went back to singing like the original instead of with the Syesha twist. What I did like about her performance was the way she performed it instead of just standing there like she used to do. Ever since ALW week, she knows that she can be more animated when she sings a song and I did enjoy that. Her second song was very moving. She just has to watch herself on those power notes and try to soften them so they aren't so harsh. I liked hearing that she actually researched the song, something that I don't think Jason ever does or even some previous contestants. What I didn't like is both Simon and Randy's opposite comments that can make her more confused again. Randy said of her Sam Cooke song that she should have sung it more like the original and he didn't like the way she changed it, yet Simon said of her first song that he didn't like that she sang it like Tina Turner. So who is right? We are back again to should they sing it like the original or not?

David A. did well on both of his songs. I really was surprised at the second song because when he said that it was very romantic, I wondered what he knew of romance. But he did a very good job on the song. I don't think he "crushed the competition" as Simon put it or was "da bomb" but did better than I thought he would on these songs.

Except for Jason, I thought the other three did well tonight.

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I don't want to discuss Jason any more other than to say that I look forward to his ''post AI'' interviews. Is there a reason we're unaware of for his odd behavior or is what we've been seeing the real Jason. Should be interesting. I preferred DC's 2nd song and didn't care for the 1st one. DA brought home an impressive ''Stand By Me''. However, the second half of ''Love Me Tender'' was pitchy (sorry) and the judges were mum about that. Syesha has blossomed since her encounter with ALW. I much preferred her Sam Cooke number and was THRILLED that she researched it and spoke about it. It should be a requirement for all of them. If you understand your song you will interpret it correctly and have less risk of hearing ''poor song choice''. As for the judges, they'll always disagree which is confusing to the contestants. Personally, I'd like to see Randy go. He adds nothing to the critiques. For me, the show was the usual. /sb

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Posted by: King of Pain
Date posted: Wed May 7 14:16:28 2008
Message:
You get the feeling that Jason Castro isn't really trying. It must piss off the people who got the boot.

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Jason doesn't appear to be happy, and I would imagine that those who were not chosen or who were voted off are unhappy as well. It's a very unpleasant situation. Possibly we will find more info once he is voted off the show which could explain his odd behavior. /sb

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Posted by: SlapBrooke
Date posted: Wed May 7 10:51:58 2008
Message:

This season really, really annoys me. Jason Cook is VERY talented, when he sang Daydream, Halleluia (sp) and Somewhere Over The Rainbow he brought the house down. They gave him no facetime during the auditions and he suddenly became a frontrunner, scaring the judges who really want the 2 Davids in the finale. He became a threat to that and the first time he made a bad song choice they were all over him. Now he is being crucified by the judges and the press. Last week, his first song was quite good, but if you were told your second song sucked before you sang it, would YOU be able to give a flawless performance? Yesterday it was clear he just did not care anymore. He could sing like Pavarotti and be told he was a loser.

Bye Jason. I cannot stand any of the other singers, and for awhile Castro was the only singer who made me smile on that show. Now I do not have to bother watching the rest of the season.

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I agree! The one sure thing for him is that if he doesn't win, he will make it big in the music business. Eve

Very true. He does not have the type of voice that is meant for glory noting, but thats why singers like Mariah Carey, Celine Dion and even David Archuleta get on my freaking nerves. Why must ANYONE glory note their way through *Sweet Caroline*??? That boy destroyed that song with the screaching. SlapBrooke

I agree to a point, but - I Shot the Sheriff? I still can't get over that song choice. Sue

I agree with much of what you're saying. I'm eager to read his interviews after he is voted off. Some of the previous contestants have made very 'telling' comments and we learn some surprisng things. How Jason got to this point, I don't know. What I do know is that he must leave. /sb

Sorry, I didn't state I was talking about David Cook in the above reply. I see that young rock star with a band in the future and wish him well. Eve

I prefer the Clapton version of ISTS myself. I just think he was doing songs that he liked and by people that he liked, and he did look like he was having more fun than Cook and Arch combined. SlapBrooke

SlapBrooke..........Jason may have been having fun and performing what HE liked, but few were ''with him''. He didn't even TRY to perform well. THAT's my problem. IMO, he was making a statement.................VOTE ME OFF!!! /sb

I am sure he no longer wants to be there, the level of hatred that has been spewed towards him from the judges in their effort to get him thrown off has been disgraceful. Who would want to put up with that anymore? They can have their choice for the finale while the ratings go deeper in the tank. SlapBrooke

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Posted by: Eve
Date posted: Wed May 7 10:35:26 2008
Message:

Entertainment Weekly had an article on the top 5 -- Jason wasn't ready with his Neil Diamond music when he met him and blew off an entire weekend of rehearsal to be with his friends. Doesn't sound like he wants to be there anymore.

Don't know if anyone else caught it but there was a David Cook look-alike in the Rascal Flats band on DWTS last night.

 

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I think Jason is overwhelmed and for whatever reason isn't giving it his all. It's a shame. I really enjoyed some of his performances and hope his singing road doesn't end tonight. Sue

It's all true. He refuses to practice and likes to party and sleep. He won't listen to the vocal coaches either. The guy wants to leave and has resorted to making a fool of himself trying to get voted off. He's stated clearly that he wants to go. My question..........why doesn't America vote him off? Would they rather keep him so they can complain about him or laugh at him? It's all so wrong. I missed the DC look-alike in the RF Band. /sb

I think it's the younger teen girls who are so ga-ga over him and voting like crazy. Eve

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Posted by: valleygirl
Date posted: Wed May 7 9:10:12 2008
Message:

I enjoyed Syesha and David Cook, but the night belonged to 

Jason was deplorable.

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Excellent recap, songbird ... thank you! ...valleygirl

You're welcome, vg. I thought that each David had a strong and weaker number. Round 1 belonged to David A and Round 2 belonged to Cook. Jason...........I swear that guy is on something. He's a disgrace and is taking a spot that someone else could have had, one who truly wanted to be there. /sb

Most of the people on the show this year are plants who have already had record deals, were on reality shows or had various other acting gigs, so to think that Jason took the spot of someone who really wanted the chance is not really true, the judges see only who they want to see during the auditions, and in the case of the first couple of people to be kicked off, like Garrett Haley, they are only put on to be cannon fodder and let the others go further. SlapBrooke

Most, but not all, SlapBrooke. /sb

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Posted by: shebee
Date posted: Wed May 7 8:50:16 2008
Message:
I don't watch it but caught the end waiting for Hell's Kitchen. David A. is very talented. Lovely voice and the way he slid up and down the scale made my ears smile :)

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''made my ears smile'' ... I like that! ...valleygirl

I'm very glad that you enjoyed his performance of ''Love Me Tender'', slides and all. /sb

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Posted by: Linda
Date posted: Wed May 7 0:49:51 2008
Message:

If you missed the show, like I did, and didn't tape it or just would like to see one of the performances again, go to the

Season 7 Top 4 Performance - Recap at

http://mjsbigblog.com/season-7-top-4-performance-recap.htm

You can click on the song and just see that or click on "Full clip" and see the interview, song, and judges comments. By sometime tomorrow there should be a written recap along with it at that same link.

If you want to see another written take on the show tonight, go to read Long Live Rock! at

http://community.tvguide.com/blog-entry/TV-Show-Blog/American-Idol/American-Idol-Episode/800039075

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Thanks, Linda. I was 10 minutes late tuning into the show, so missed David Cook's Hungry Like A Wolf, but it was Linda to the rescue! ;-) ...valleygirl

Linda, I see one question was answered.....out of 500 songs they had 50 to choose from. I humbly disagree with much of the TV Guide Blog critique.. Haven't read the other one yet. Thanks for putting the links up. /sb

Glad you were able to see it, valleygirl! ~ eom. Linda

sb--I didn't agree much either. It was a different person who did it again. Erin was off this time on a week's vacation. Hopefully she or Nina will be back to finish up the last couple of weeks. I haven't had a chance to read the other one either. Another busy day! LOL! I'm glad that we finally found out exactly how many songs they were given. I wonder if that was the same for each theme or just this one?~ eom. Linda

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Posted by: Sue
Date posted: Tue May 6 22:39:19 2008
Message:
Thanks for the recap. I am disappointed. I had such high hopes for tonight.

David Cook said he was going to drastically change Hungry Like the Wolf. He didn't change ANYTHING. He sang it well, but it was boring. His Who song was better.
Jason - I Shot the Sheriff? What was he thinking? Stupid song choice and ridiculous performance. I thought his Tambourine Man was okay, but nothing great.
David A. sings well. Wish he didn't creep me out.
I never enjoy Syesha's songs. I don't really know why.

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I can understand why Randy and Simon appeared angry with Jason ... it is as if he is making a mockery of the show. I can't believe he is actually trying. Unkind thought alert: While he was singing I Shot the Sheriff I was thinking, just shoot yourself and spare us! ...valleygirl

What makes me so angry is that Jason is taking up a spot that another person could have had, one who was interested in performing. /sb

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