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Alright. Here are my thoughts on Tuesday night. Don't read on if you are in another time zone or another country and haven't seen the show yet. Well, you can if you want to, but you have been warned! ************ Keep in mind, if I say something bad, it is not "bashing". It truly is “constructive criticism”. I sing and while I do not consider myself Idol material (for many reasons other than low self confidence) and I am not a music teacher, I still have an opinion and I would like to know what y’all think.
AYLA BROWN – How many times have I been to talent shows and heard some girl belt out “Reflection”? I guess I can add another to my list and frankly, this wasn’t one of the more memorable performances. I believe that she would have done better with another song. Not a “safe” one, but not one with such a high demand, either. When a song is over sung, that is when you have to really own it and do better than anyone else has with it.
MELISSA MCGHEE – She really surprised me tonight, probably because Idol hasn’t given her any air time. I could tell that she really put her heart into her singing and the Faith Hill song she chose fit her range. I feel that if she is voted off, now that she has some air time on Idol, she can do well on her own.
STEVIE SCOTT – What can I say? It’s obvious that she has had vocal training and she can handle notes well. The problem with the song that she picked is that she seemed too timid. The verses were fine quiet, but once she got to the chorus, I say go ahead and belt it out. Show that vocal strength! Be Mme. Butterfly!
MANDISA – I enjoyed her performance and I especially liked how she turned that Heart song into her own and ran with it. I love Heart, so maybe I’m biased… She is definitely one of my top six picks.
PARIS BENNETT – “Midnight Train To Georgia” might not have been the best song choice for the moment, but what she lacked, she made up for in stage presence. She was working the audience and bouncing around and, well, she’s just plain cute. I can’t help but like her. She’s been one of my favorites from day one. If she doesn’t make it all the way, I hope that Grandma could help her out, because I don’t want to see her disappear.
KINNIK SKY – She has a sultry voice that I like. I actually enjoyed her performance. Simon made the comment that she was going to be shown up by younger girls. That may be true, simply because most of the pop market is dominated by them, but I really hope she strikes it out on her own somehow.
KELLIE PICKLER – This girl… I can’t figure her out. First, she strikes me as an airhead. I think I see a sweet side of her and she has the pity factor going, but that’s not what American Idol is about. She has a natural singing voice, but she needs training. I hope she can take this experience and go get herself some. Take her “Pick Pickler” war chant and get some lessens, then sign some contracts. Natural talent may get you to the top 24, but voice lessons really do help.
HEATHER COX – It sounds like she still has laryngitis. It could have been problems with nerves too. The Idol needs to own the stage and perhaps when she controls her nerves she can try again… or accept a contract that could come her way. Who knows?
BRENNA GETHERS – err… I don’t even remember what she sang. Sigh. Maybe I’ll come back later. Was it the Stevie Wonder song? Maybe that’s why, because I was almost lulled to sleep. Harsh, I know. I’m sorry.
LISA TUCKER – Oh boy. I can’t remember what she sang either. Can we come back to her?
BECKY O’DONOHUE – I like the song she chose and like her, one of my first memories of dancing around and singing was with this song, only, it was on the radio. She just needs to work on the strength of her voice. Again, some vocal coaching and I think she can do well later… elsewhere, would be my guess.
KATHARINE MCPHEE – Last but not least, if I wasn’t her fan already, I am hers now. I’m so happy about how her voice has matured, so much so that I’m afraid of becoming one of those scary fans with a shrine. I’ll kiss your Doc Martins! Let me kiss your Doc Martins! The only problem I may have with her is how she “popifies” some notes. Y’know, like when you turn one tone into twenty pitches. In that case, less is more, right? I’ve never been a fan of when a pop star takes a song and adds twenty minutes to it just because she added extra frosting. I want cake and frosting, not frosting and cake… I’ll be back… there’s too much blood in my caffeine stream…
But she’s still my favorite! Remember my shrine comment? I don’t care what happens. She’s my Idol!
Katharine McPhee fans around the world