>*Spoiler Alert – here are my thoughts on the contestants’ songs tonight. If you’d rather be surprised…don’t read this until after you’ve seen Tuesday’s show. Thanks!
Here we go, y’all! Soul and R&B week.
1. Siobhan Magnus (Through the Fire) – I’m really glad that Siobhan took Usher’s wardrobe advice…especially on a show like this, it really pays to give the audience what they want to see. As for the song….surprisingly, this isn’t doing it for me. I’m interested in what the judges have to say. It sounds so shrieky, like she can’t hear the band properly. It definitely picks up in the end, when she’s able to belt it out…but this wasn’t great for me.
Randy: Big song, but it didn’t quite catch on pitch-wise. Love your courage, though.
Ellen: You knew you were off….and freaked out a bit. But, starting off the evening with you is like dessert before the meal.
Kara: The lower register wasn’t quite there…but you’re entitled to one off night.
Simon: It sounded like you were singing while running a marathon – so out of breath. You sounded all over the place, and looked all over the place.
2. Casey James (Hold On, I’m Comin’) – Casey is getting smarter as the weeks go by. I could hear this on his album. The stage is a little busy with all those brass players and back up singers…but it’s working. He’s having fun, and it’s infectious. Great job!
Randy: Perfect song choice!
Ellen: You’re consistent – you’re always good. It felt a little generic, though.
Kara: Show us MORE. Go back to acoustic guitar and just sing – show us what you can do.
Simon: This is the strongest week you’ve had so far.
3. Big Mike (Ready for Love)- Off to a good start! I have to say, though – I’m ready for something OTHER than a love song. Granted, it’s Soul and R&B week…but still. He’s starting to look like a one-trick pony. (Of course, if he hadn’t chosen a love song, the judges probably would have skewered him…) All that said…this is melting me. I’ve never heard the song, but he’s obviously got the crowd into it, and he has a gift – he can connect words so that it makes every chick in the room sit back and think of her OWN romance in her life. He’s like mood music!
Randy: Like the guitar, very sensitive song…you are in the ZONE. Loving every performance!
Ellen: That was beautiful – I loved it!
Kara: I’d never heard the song before this week, and you did an incredible job. It was tasteful and lovely.
Simon: This is the first time since you’ve entered the live show I can take you seriously as an artist!
4. DiDi Benami (What Becomes of the Broken Hearted?) – KILLER DRESS. Seriously – if you’re gonna be broken hearted, you might as well look KILLER doing it. (Am I right, ladies?!) She looks great…but I don’t think the song is a great showcase for her voice. She pulled out a few great lines (‘Tell me! Tell me!’) that I think really sold it…
Randy: The performance kind of flat-lined for me – never quite made it.
Ellen: It was dramatic, and I’m a fan…but I thought this was over-ly dramatic and not your best performance.
Kara: It’s over-done girl. You’ve lost your way, and I don’t know who you are anymore.
Simon: It was like swimming in jelly – so old-fashioned, over the top and off melody. It just didn’t do it. You’ve completely and utterly lost your way.
5. Tim Urban (Sweet Love) – Urgh. The beginning is rough for me. Those big ol’ eyes staring down the camera….he needs some lessons from Big Mike on singing a believable love song. The song is also a little out of his range. I can hear his “gotta get those low-note” tricks, because I used to use them when I was a singer as well. If you can’t hit a low note strongly, you add a little *growl* to the beginning of it. (Go ahead – go back and listen. You’ll hear it several times in the first few phrases alone.) The end of the song was better, vocally, but got really old-fashioned for me. Like…a Sintra-poser almost?
Randy: Kind of got a singing-waiter thing going at the beginning. But…at least you sang in tune! Just…swag-less.
Ellen: You are adorable…but that was rough. It was a tough song to sing, but you were walking like you were sneaking into a bedroom. We can see you! You don’t need to be so sneaky.
Kara: It’s like Broadway and Vegas…you took the soul out of the song!
Simon: Inappropriate song – like a mouse picking a fight with lion. You can’t win! But it doesn’t matter because you’re gonna smile, they’re gonna vote for you…and you’ll be here next week, so…good job!
6. Andrew Garcia (Forever) – This is..better than he’s been in a while! The suit is still a bit weird for me, but the cello and the box drum add a cool vibe to this song…and it’s really working for me! It’s current, it’s easy, not forced at all. Great job, Andrew!
Randy: Andrew is BACK. Love the outfit. You turned this song into your own. Best one in a long time.
Ellen: You did a great job, and I LOVE when you smile.
Kara: Nothing makes me happier than to say that is one GIANT leap in the right direction.
Simon: Miles better than what we’ve heard from you in the past couple of weeks. Only problem is, as a person, you come over as very boring.
7. Katie Stevens (Chain of Fools) – Hrm. An interesting one. It feels old-fashioned to me. (And…umm…the outfit? A little bizarre from the waist down. ‘nuf said.) I really don’t know what to say! She’s belting this out….there was one little note in there that sounded a little like Christina Aguilera…but the rest of the song was just a little weird for me.
Randy: Performance was a little disconnected…but it was the best vocal of the night. Like a young Christina in a weird sort of a way. Find a way to connect it all. (Glad I wasn’t imaging the Christina!)
Ellen: Wish the song was a little more current.
Kara: Best vocal performance for you. But go back to being young and commercial.
Simon: It as pretty good, but rather robotic. I wouldn’t have taken on that song.
8. Lee Dewyze (Treat Her Like a Lady) – Man, I love this guy’s voice. I’m not sure he’d be any more convincing…if he was more confident. Does that make sense? This is a perfect song choice for him. It’s got soul!
Randy: UNBELIEVABLE! Best I’ve heard you in weeks.
Ellen: There ya go! Now the night’s started.
Kara: You brought the song into your world, it could have been on your record.
Simon: I’ve always believed in you, but I want you to go home and watch the show back and remember – this is the night your life may have changed forever.
9. Crystal Bowersox (Midnight Train to Georgia) – I dunno…the piano might have been a mistake. Oh, never mind. That was just the beginning. Now she’s standing up with no piano…there’s our girl! She’s rocking this, and she’s plenty confident without that guitar. Atta girl. (And that little silent mouthed “I love you” at the end? SLAYED me.)
Randy: Love the outfit, you did that song proud.
Ellen: You’re never not good, and that was another side of you. You are really competing now.
Kara: I’m so glad you took that risk. There are so many things about you that I love.
Simon: Song choice was sensational, vocals at times were amazing. Cons: the back up singers made it feel old-fashioned, and the piano made it feel a little over-thunk.
10. Aaron Kelly (Aint No Sunshine) – A little pitchy at the beginning. I’m holding my breath…I KNOW he can do this. C’mon! It’s just not coming together for me. Pitchy, never hit that “moment.” He was so much better in his video.
Randy: It was just a’ight for me.
Ellen: Good song choice, good job.
Kara: I liked it, didn’t love it. Thought it could have been higher, more energy.
Simon: That was like a cupcake compared to Lee’s “main course.” It wasn’t as good as last week, but there’s no chance you’ll be leaving this week.
This is getting really hard to pick my bottom two – a few of the contestants really surprised me tonight! (Andrew Garcia anyone?!)
So…my picks to go home are…..DiDi Benami (sorry, girl! You got out sung.) and…well, Simon’s got to be wrong about either Tim Urban or Aaron Kelly. My gut says….Aaron. I think he and Tim might be fighting for the same votes. Not sure, though.
Urgh! I did not expect it to be this hard to choose this week! What do y’all think??? Am I off my gourd completely?
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