Lot to say so let me get right to it in the order of appearance.
Danny #1 –inspired choice of Introducing The Hardline According to Terence Trent D’Arby (one of my all-time favorite albums) by Paula – I'm mad at myself for not thinking of it because he and Danny are so similar vocally – but HORRIBLE choice of song!!!! Why not Sign Your Name or Wishing Well? Or almost EVERY other song on the album but that one! Upbeat and dance-y is not where Danny lives. Paula - do you not recall what he did to September during disco week? Mediocre performance – no fault of his – and I thought the jazzy rather than funky soul arrangement hurt Danny even further.
Kris #1 – a disaster. I have thought all season that Apologize would be a great song for him and I was wrong. He couldn’t hit the high notes and you HAVE to hit those in this song. It was pitchy in the lower notes and whiny, otherwise. And he brought zero artistry to the song. (At this point, my bet looks good)
Adam #1 – One by this season's Number One. The winner has been declared. Look, I know some won’t like it and, frankly, I wish he had kept up the restraint he had in the beginning of the song. He is unreal when he is controlled. But this performance was still way above the rim and way the best of Round 1. Oh, you did notice that I called for a big U2 song in my last post? If Paula or Simon leaves the show (as rumored every year), have the Fox people call my people. (Except that I have no people. I have two teenagers and a bunch of their animals.)
Danny #2 – You Are So Beautiful was, indeed, beautiful. The patented Danny slow start, great middle, wow finish. Randy is right – Danny has mad vocals. And this time, the arrangement was perfect. [Editor’s note: I had Joe Cocker on my suggested song list but left him out as I had so many songs for Danny, already.]
Kris #2 – Dude! That was sick! Kanye? Dude. Risky - like his Donna Summer joint during disco week – and TOTALLY worked. Ack! My bet isn’t looking so good now. (Sad side note – the Fox station in Scottsbluff went out so the Kris Lovin’ Ladies missed the whole show. Are you kidding me? You CANNOT lose transmission during the hour of the week’s #1 program!)
Adam #2 – GOOSEBUMPS!!!!! Note to Danny – THAT’S how you hit THE note in a song! Great song choice for him (still think Journey is better) as it legitimately combines a bluesy restraint with over-the-top wailing.
On merit it’s Adam, then Danny, then Kris. But Idol is not a meritocracy. Last year’s presumptive favorite, Melinda Doolittle, went out this week. And the other presumed favorite, David A., didn’t win, either. So you can’t count Adam in or Kris out. Tomorrow’s results show should be VERY interesting.
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2 comments:
I could just say "I agree", but I have a couple of slight opinion differences...
1) I am in the camp that wishes that Adam stayed a bit less-screamy for One (in the middle section). Even with the 4 seconds I wish were removed, it was a star performance.
2) My mother has already let me know I'm crazy but... I didn't love Adam's second performance. I was excited about Aerosmith but thought that it just didn't sound as good as the original.
3) Danny's Beautiful gave me chills. I forgive him the first song because it clearly wasn't the best style choice for him.
My summary... Adam is the largest "star", but Danny's is the voice I want to hear and would buy. He is my Melinda of this season. (But hopefully he makes it to the finals.)
PS Regarding Kris...his performances are forgettable. The smile only goes so far.
I must agree with Jenny's summary.
Danny's "You are So Beautiful" was beyond beautiful. I STILL get chills. I think I have replayed it a dozen times. SO memorable. It is my fond desire that THAT number will be on his first cd/DVD done JUST as he did it last evening.
Simon was right: a vocal masterclass!
It, indeed, was masterful.
I will be downloading the video version AND the single as soon as iTunes gets it up.
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