It was soooooo refreshing to hear everyone sing the standards tonight. It was like I heard some of them for the very first time! I'm in the minority, I know, and I fully expect some of you to beat up on me, but it was pure joy to hear GOOD music for once. It may very well have been the best American Idol show in its five-year history. It certainly was for me.
I'll rate the performances on a scale of 1 to 10.
Chris did a great job and it's so nice to hear what he sounds like when he sings music instead of noise. He was a 10, for sure.
Paris, who up till now was not one of my favorites, may have turned in the best performance of all. Paula took the words right out of my mouth. I was thinking that she would make a fabulous album if she sang songs from that genre. I LOVED her rendition of "These Foolish Things." She rates an 11 for her performance tonight.
Taylor, who I have been luke warm on, was amazing. Definitely a 10 tonight.
Elliott was fantastic and rated an 11 too! Simon was wacko for calling out his lack of personality. In some previous weeks, that was apparent. Tonight I thought he showed lots of personality and his singing was terrific. It wouldn't surprise me to see him in the bottom three, only because most of the others were so good, but he deserves to hang around a few more weeks. He has great voice.
Kellie did the worst job of the group tonight, but I still enjoyed her performance. She definitely fell off in the second half of her song and was offkey a bit. The judges saw that too. I expect her to be in the bottom three tomorrow. She gets an 8 from me.
Ace rated an 8-1/2 from me tonight. I thought he'd do a little better than he actually did. He gave it a good shot, but I expect to see him in the bottom 3.
Katharine was fantastic. The reason for that was that she is simply the best singer in the group, and she was singing the kind of music that best suits her, not a bunch of loud screaming that I will never understand what so many people see in it. Her voice is so pure and near perfect. I don't know whether she will win the Idol title because there are so many rocker types voting, but in my book she is head and shoulders better than anyone there. Definitely an 11 tonight!
I have said this in the past and I reiterate. I wish American Idol producers would spin off a second show called "American Rock Star" and let the contestants show what they really sound like when they sing music instead of noise. That way, there will be something for everyone - those who appreciate decent music and those who thrive on listening to screaming voices and jumping torsos.
Today I had the opportunity to talk to two younger members of my family who are "rock apologists." To my amazement, both of them said precisely the same thing I said last night; i.e., they not only loved the show and the music, they thought it was the best "Idol" show they had ever seen.
I rest my case. To those who may have slept through it, so sorry.
04-19-2006 06:26 AM
