Greetings, friends! I'm Darci Monet, singer/songwriter/freelance writer and this is my weekly critique of the Idol contestants' performances. I don't bring up what I do for a living to make anyone feel inferior; rather just so you know where I get my opinion at all. I welcome everyone's opinion who cares to share, as long as we keep this a bash-free thread in all ways. So here's my gut-reaction, one-listen-only review for this week.
Was it only a week ago that we said goodbye to Bucky? Feels like longer...probably cuz I had a pitstop in loverly Nashvegas for a long weekend. Flew in to surprise my friend and co-writer Levi Kreis (his link's in my profile) at his tour stop on Saturday at Douglas Corner. It was a great show, but aside from that, I met up with lots of friends I hadn't seen in awhile. Also wrote a few songs for my upcoming CD, which is REALLY exciting. It's gonna be good stuff.
But enough about me...there's that theme song. But before that, Ryan with his ridonkulous attempt at making another catch phrase this year. I guess since "Seacrest Out" didn't stick, his "THIS...is...Aaaammmmmmmmerican Idol" is the next try. It's a little weird, Ryan. Seriously dude...you're attractive, you're personable, you're kinda witty...just be you. That'll work, I promise. It worked for ya on the radio and all.
Seriously, producers. WHY do the contestants have to sing standards? Now...I LOVE them...but how much fun would it have been to watch them tackle Rod Stewart's rock stuff? Man...a golden opportunity completely missed.
Chris is up first with "What A Wonderful World", a song I LURVE. And wow...I'm already surprised at how downright pretty he sounds even on the first phrase. I'm trying to decide if I want him to crack a smile or not...oh, oh, oh...there's one! Lookie here, his voice is lilting and soothing and his vibrato relaxes a bit in this nice, warm place he's singing in. And there it is...a gorgeous performance, I thought. Not much else to be said.
And here's Paris looking like she's going to a job interview. Like the hair; could do without the suit. "These Foolish Things"...this is a style Paris should be able to throw down. If she doesn't, she might actually be going home before Ace. And she's not going to disappoint. She is way too young to sing with such depth of soul on this type of music, but somehow it's there. Didn't miss a pitch, sang like it was as easy as drawing a breath, embodied the style in her physical performance. She was spectacular. I'm with Randy, her greatest night ever. If she put out a CD of standards, I'd be first in line to buy it.
How can the rest get any better than these two have been so far???
Maybe Taylor can do it. Buuuuttttt...I don't know if he can do it with "You Send Me". Guess we'll see. And HEY-OH!!! He tricked me! He keeps it cool through most of the tune, singing easy and breezy...then that coda kicks in and out of nowhere he just THROWS IT DOWN! That was totally cool, I loved it. GREAT arrangement. Did Simon say "MAGIC"??? WELL HAYULL YES, IT WAS!!!
Man...the bar's been raised. Elliott has a lot to live up to now and I think he'll be able to do it. And yes, he did. What a perfect tune for his voice and he settled right into the style performance-wise. He had nothing to be nervous about tonight and it showed as he sang. A really, really nice performance. I hope it's enough to save him for another week. If it doesn't, he can at least go out with flying colors. Yeah thanks, Simon...you just put the nail in his coffin with that "lack of personality" statement. Gawd, what a jerk.
Oh yippy, it's Peppy Pickler. And this one's just FULL of surprises...she starts the first half of the song just stunningly. With a delicate, pure tone, clear as a bell, looking lovely, appropriate stage presence and facial expressions...and I'm begrudgingly starting to think, "Hmmmm...maybe she's a better singer than I thought." And then she went down the crapper. She lost breath control, pitch, and her nerve. No Simon, the SONG isn't boring (shut your trap about things you know NOTHING about, I'm over you with that stuff!), it was the contestant making a mess of a great classic tune. But I'm sure we're stuck with her for a few more weeks, thanks to Simon blaming the song instead of her.
Ace is going to be singing "That's All", a song I love to hear my friend David Johnson sing (who coincidentally has taken lessons from Katharine McPhee's mother). So I'll tell ya right now...I'm biased already. Sorry. But at least I'm admitting it. Ace, save the pony tail till when your hair is longer. Nice suit, though. And I believe Ace just did the very best he could possibly do with his pitch problems, utter lack of breath control and nasal timbre. It wasn't terrible by any means, in fact he did quite a good job, but in the shadow of most of the other performances of the evening, he pales quite a bit. I am VERY happy though that he got some props from Simon. His reaction was adorable; he deserved a little ego boost. I just personally think it isn't enough to keep him. But hey...I've been WAY wrong before!
And to close it, the lovely Katharine who oughta be sitting prettier tonight than any other night in the entire competition. If the child of a cabaret teacher can't kick some serious butt...well...then no comment. I LOVELOVELOVELOVE "Someone to Watch Over Me." Do it, sister. Well, she looked stunning and sang beautifully (wee support issues here and there) and did indeed seem like "a returning pro", as Simon said. But I didn't really think she outshined everyone quite that much. I thought that with few exceptions everyone really brought it tonight. She was great. Greater than EVERYONE? Mmmmmmm...not to me. But she's so safe after that anyway, so the debate is kinda useless.
As a side note, I thought Rod Stewart did a remarkable job with the contestants as well. I think he knows a little more about singing than some might give him credit for (including myself, though I've always rather enjoyed him, even if I wasn't quite a "fan" per se)!
Well, there it is, campers! Now I need to curl up on my couch and hit the sack early so I can shake off the remainder of this jet lag. What did you think of the goings on this week?
~Darci Monet
Professional vocalist/songwriter/freelance writer Visit my profile! "Any girl can be glamorous, all you have to do is stand still and look stupid." ~Hedy Lamarr
ProVocalist said this in post #1 : Katharine Greater than EVERYONE? Mmmmmmm...not to me. But she's so safe after that anyway, so the debate is kinda useless.
100% in agreement. She was good, but I certainly didnt think she was better than everyone.
Of course thats just my opinion....I could be wrong. (Dennis Miller)
"You might be the toughest little whacker. . .but in my world, you're about as worrisome as a cloudy day." (Dutch Dooley)
Darci, as always, I loved reading your review. Great takes on each of the contestants. And like I said in a few different places... this should have been Rod's songs... major screw up on the shows part... but, it was still a great show tonight.
:::>^..^<::: ~*~The Journey is more important than the end or the start~*~ :::>^..^<:::
But seriously...Chris in the bottom three? AND Paris after she sang so well? But not Pickler? Glad I didn't watch the results...I'd have given myself an ulcer...
~Darci Monet
Professional vocalist/songwriter/freelance writer Visit my profile! "Any girl can be glamorous, all you have to do is stand still and look stupid." ~Hedy Lamarr
I enjoyed her personality at first, even though I never thought she was a terribly gifted singer...but now I'm just irritated. Enough is enough.
~Darci Monet
Professional vocalist/songwriter/freelance writer Visit my profile! "Any girl can be glamorous, all you have to do is stand still and look stupid." ~Hedy Lamarr
04-19-2006 05:32 AM
