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Top 4
Chikezie Eze's "I Believe To My Soul" was very good! Most improved guy.
David Cook's "All Right Now" was my favorite. I thought he topped tonight's show.
David Archuleta's "Imagine" was spot on. Consistent.
David Hernandez's "Papa Was a Rolling Stone" was really convincing.
(I'll be back, got an emergency)
OK
Jason Castro
Michael Johns
Robbie Carrico
Bottom 3
Danny Noriega
Luke Menard
Jason Yeager
Simon made a similar remark last year about Lakeisha (sp) but, the difference for me this year is that David seems so likable by all ages and genders and so far, has had spot on performances, not just one. His "cuteness" after performing does "get me" a bit but I think it's both his nature and his age. Whether he wins the whole competition isn't going to really matter as I'm sure, that there are many producers right now, "licking their chops" over this new talent. I think with age, he will only become greater! He is destined for it. I do like several of the older guys but David's vocal performances are just too good!
You are "spot on" yourself Mattsie!
My favorite guy continues to be David Cook. To me, he's a brilliant mult-dimentional rocker, and I enjoy his performances more than I did Daughtry. Unfortunately he does lack a bit in the charisma department as Simon needlessly pointed out. I mean, what's the sense in telling someone they lack charisma? That's not constructive critism any more than calling someone fat or ugly!
David Archuleta has a fantastic voice and gave a really great interpretation of Imagine. Though too much praise too early is sometimes the kiss of death, as it was for Melinda last year. Perfection in itself really can be boring to the AI audience
I also loved David Hernandez tonight, and, unfortunately for my pool pick, Chikezie made a big comeback. The rest were fairly unremarkable, though noone was distinctly bad. So who's going home? I'm thinking that Robbie is not nearly as convincing a rocker as David Cook and Michael Johns, and Danny is NOT destined to be this year's Kevin Covais, so Danny and Robbie might be packing their bags instead of Luke or either Jason.
Feeling the Judges Correctly
Simon - For some reason, Simon acted and sounded more like a big brother tonight than a punishing-whipping uncle from last week. But his comment on Jason Yeager's performance as awkward and ordinary was truthful, I thought.
He did not enjoy Luke Menard, either, and when he says "whiny", he meant he really hated it. That's how he described Garrett Haley's performance last week.
He has a love-hate relationship with Chikezie Eze, for some reason. Simon scales Chik's ability to accept criticism and teaches him how to behave youthfully but Chik's response was still as old-fashioned as his defiance of his plan of wearing his orange suit again.
Simon didn't appreciate David Cook's snotty -ungrateful response to him when he said DC's intro film was not appropriate and that he didn't have charisma.
David Cook's retort was "unfortunately, I don't have to win you over now, I have to win the people". Simon answered back with "by now I think I know the rules; it's an opinion". There was an obvious clash there and that to me became a cross on Simon's shoulder. One advise to David Cook: lose the attitude of a 15 year old and have some humor, will you? Why not say, "I could agree with you on the film and next time I will try to move around and work the audience and the ladies or maybe wear my hot pants rather than just stand here doing my thing" That would have been number one on Simon's mind tonight as he goes to bed.
I agree with Simon, though, on the commercial sense of a new rock star. A rock star's image must be rugged-sweaty-earthy-like, not the nerdy type. But Paula rescued David saying, "girls like smart guys". Unfortunately, male machos might find that hobby quite strange although admirable.
Simon likes to keep Danny Noriega a little longer by saying that Danny stands out in a crowd and looks good on camera. It was nice of Danny to agree with Simon's comment on him last week and derided his facial retort, only, now is kind of "ISH". Simon liked it and smiled. That's why I won't be surprised if Danny comes back next week. Simon watches for interesting behaviours and "current" characters but not the (Luke)whiny- (Chik)obnoxious- (Michael)stubborn- (David C) snotty ones. Up to that end, he felt all trodden over, and relieved by another Archuleta great performance, he pours all his heart out to David A. by saying that "he is the one to beat and there are 19 miserable contestants after that." (much like what he said of Lakisha's "And I am Telling You" last year)
Paula - This is only the second time I've seen Paula shed tears or breaking down into tears - one for Melinda Doolittle's performance of "Home" and David Archuleta's "Imagine". She gave a standing ovation to David Hernandez's performance tonight. Paula's favs are DA, DC, and DH. The boys definitely moved Paula. She said David Cook is "the real deal", and she thinks David is "headed for superstardom".
Randy - He is, again, struck by DA's vocal maturity. He has emphasized this twice already. It was like commenting on Melinda's being a resident PRO last year. I fear that one day the public will wake up realizing that they have exhausted hearing this comment over and over again and DA would lose his appeal. Moreover, Randy's comment on Luke Menard's vocals as "Theatrical" was so accurate!!
________________
One step lower from last week
Robbie Carrico - should be warned that he has exhausted his definition of a rock star. Even if he could sing rock songs, he doesn't have that RAW rock voice and attitude. It's nice to know, though, that he is the cousin of Patsy Cline on his mother's side (it was revealed in my local tv news). But, David Cook is the rock star of this season. signed, sealed, and delivered. And, Bill, I agree with you on DC even outshining Daughtry in the vocals. I believe it.
Michael Johns will have to step up because his voice is cracking with this song tonight. I love Fleetwood Mac but I have to say that the song didn't define his vocals or created a personality. He was flat with his high notes. Simon's comment of poor song choice was his way of trying to keep Michael in the spotlight. Michael defended his choice of the song but I thought he could have said, "I understand what you're saying, thanks". Simon could now think that MJ might be difficult to coach. I thought MJ has some limitations after all.
Jason Castro may have chosen a not so-vocally defining song for his vocals, but I believe in his musical sense. Paula is right to encourage him to sing without the guitar next time, which is refreshing to note because that was a clue that Jason has some investments he could draw from to cover whatever he lacked tonight. He needs to come back big next week, though, and define vocally who he really is.
____________________________
Winner of Contestant Background Film:
David Archuleta's Film - showing Kelly Clarkson listening to him singing when he was 11 years old - a great early affirmation of his gift.
brb
American Idol is ready and ripe for a ROCK STAR-- David Cook - All Right Now.
Also, for the youngest male POP STAR -- David Archuleta - Imagine.
And the third David-- David Hernandez - Papa Was a Rolling Stone
Listen to David Archuleta's "Imagine" -
....yohoo-ooo....
You may say I'm a dreamer but I'm not the only one .....(the first time he sang it)
this is the most poignant part of that song that moved me, and possibly Paula. He sang it just a little differently but I felt him quite distinctly. I grant him the all-around goody goody boy singer that could win this thing.
Simon's comment was for the ladies to put up a fight tomorrow. Bring it on, ladies!!
LOS ANGELES TIMES
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Who is David Archuleta, really? Aside from the next American Idol, that is. In this second round of Boys' Night, the dewy teen pulled out so far ahead of the competition that we might as well all go to the gym Tuesday evenings for the next few weeks.
Risking "Imagine," a song forever wedded to the Liverpudlian nasality of a certain martyred Beatle, Archuleta defined what "Idol" means by "making it your own." Without denting his aura of innocence, he switched up the melody, inflecting it with soulful touches that had Paula's upper lip visibly moist. She called him a superstar, Randy said it was one of the best "Idol" vocals ever, and Simon called him "the one to beat." True to form, the Chosen One feigned mild astonishment, like a child gazing in wonder upon his birthday cake.
But don't let this 17-year-old "Star Search" veteran fool you, America. Archuleta's blessed, no doubt, displaying an effortless musicality that nearly recalls the grace of the young Michael Jackson. But his "Imagine" was all worked out. And, by the way, borrowed.
Unlike Blake Lewis, who gave the song an effectively straight reading last season, Archuleta's young enough to not be weighed down by Lennon's legacy. (Also, as a Mormon, he's unlikely to espouse the song's agnostic ideal -- that's the real reason he didn't sing its early verses, with the line about "no religion, too.") But he'd have to be Mozart to have come up with that artful arrangement. It takes experience to so subtly rethink a song embedded in our shared consciousness.
The person with that experience was Eva Cassidy. The Washington, D.C.-based Cassidy was a deeply intelligent singer with a wide-ranging repertoire who gained only local fame before dying of melanoma in 1996, at age 33. Her recordings, and her tragic story, led to a wave of Eva-mania in the late 1990s, but it didn't last. Few people remember her now -- except singers, who treasure the subtlety of her arrangements and her pristine voice.
Cassidy recorded "Imagine" in the style Archuleta basically copped; you can hear the original here. And he didn't just happen upon this version lying on the stereo in the "Idol" dorms. This video clip shows Archie waxing wise on the song at age 13, on the morning show "Good Things Utah." Notice, he hits those same high notes. Cassidy's recording had been available for around two years.
It's no sin to borrow another's arrangement -- Chris Daughtry pilfered Live's version of "I Walk the Line" in Season 5, and Carrie Underwood got her Faith Hill on for "Piece of My Heart" in Season 4. Daughtry's was the more egregious move, since he got called all kinds of original for it and initially didn't speak up. And did he pay? Au contraire. Live frontman Ed Kowalczyk cast his unofficial vote for Daughtry, and the band even performed with him on the season finale. I guess ripping off a washed-up post-grunge band is a bold move in "Idol" terms.
But not as bold as imitating a long-deceased jazz-pop songbird.
The flaw in Archuleta's artistry is his complete lack of affect beyond bashful awe at everyone's enthusiasm. Chalk it up to youth, except this isn't how a real kid acts. Prematurely booted Josiah Leming acted like a real kid: he cried, got angry, traded overconfidence for desperation. Archie is a creature of the stage -- an interpreter of his own life -- and that makes him just a little hard to trust, or love.
When he's singing, though, he's golden, no matter whom he imitates. So maybe this is a singing competition after all.
-- Ann Powers
(Photo courtesy of Fox)
IN RESPONSE TO THE LA TIMES ARTICLE
Remember SOTR when Kat sang someone elses' interpretation? I don't see what the big deal is, they are all basically singing like other people at this stage anyway. This article is unecessarily critical of a copycat show to begin with. The thing that matters is that he was able to sing it like he did, many of the others on Idol this year wouldn't have been able to do such a great job! David's my boy!
It's not a big deal...unless they are given...and accept...credit for the interpretation ala Daughtry. Kat was never given credit for it, and when asked, was quick to mention Monheit and Cassidy as influences. None of the judges credited David A with the arrangement if I remember correctly.
Arch is golden, I grant you that.
I agree Sh