IdolPhenomena

On February 3, 2011 it was announced that Idol will be producing the first compilation CD comprised of various contestants that have come out Idol's last nine seasons. Its scheduled release day is March 15th of this year. It entitled American Idol The Hits Vol. 1 it features the following tracks.

1. Kelly Clarkson - “Since U Been Gone”
2. Ruben Studdard - “Superstar”
3. Clay Aiken - “Invisible”
4. Fantasia – “When I See U”
5. Carrie Underwood – “Before He Cheats”
6. Taylor Hicks – “Takin’ It To The Streets”
7. Daughtry – “Home”
8. Jordin Sparks (duet with Chris Brown) – “No Air”
9. David Cook – “Light On”
10. Kris Allen – “Live Like We’re Dying”
11. Adam Lambert – “Whataya Want From Me”
12. Lee DeWyze – “Sweet Serendipity”

For a little bit more information head on over to AmericanIdol.com here.

So here it the American Idol Season 9 Finale it’s totally one of the RealityTV events a lot of people have been waiting for. I feel like tonight has a ton of hype behind it but will the two-hour finale ultimately live up to that hype?

Tonight’s Finale starts off with Ryan’s basic introductory routine…. And it leads right into the Top 12’s performance of School’s Out. Dressed in their “school uniforms” they are joined on stage by a bunch of school children with their faces painted; and to top it all off Alice Cooper. Am I the only one that finds school children and Alice Cooper on stage together completely and utterly awkward??? Wait is that Orianthi playing the electric guitar. I’m not sure that was the best way to start the night however as disappointing as the whole season has been I wouldn’t have expected anything more.

Up next was Kris Allen my least favorite of all the winners but please for the love of all things good someone needed to shut Ryan’s mic off. It totally ran into the intro of Kris’ performance. How unfortunate. This was followed by Siobhan Magnus and Aaron Kelly singing How Dee is Your Love featuring the BeeGees. Does anyone else think that Robin Gibb is totally what Aaron is going to look like in let’s say 40yrs??? – Ooo a David Hasslehoff sighting in the audience… I feel so lame for announcing this-LOL. Big Mike Takes It to the Streets with Michael McDonald. So I’m sitting here asking myself is it bad that I don’t know who Michael McDonald is??? What would ever poses the producers to have Dane Cook at the finale I will never know. However his “Simon Says” song was totally priceless and to see people like Normand Gentle, Tatiana or Christina Tolisano (Star Wars Girl) and the Brittenum Twins at the end of it totally unneeded and that Ian guy with his ‘tude totally ruined it. But my fav insult in the song was by far is, “You came across like a background singer for a background singer.” –LOL

Next the Top 6 Girls take the stage with their version of Beautiful. And yes Lacey was absolutely beautiful tonight and both her and Paige’s vocals were amazing. Oh yeah Katie totally rocked all of her solos she is amazing… and was totally my pick to win;-). The move from Beautiful to Fighter ala Christina Aguilera was amazing. But God only knows what was going on stage while Christina was singing. I didn’t know whether to think she was singing or having some weird musical spasm. But she was still amazing as ever. She definitely showed the contestants how things should be done.Whoever chose these songs must be smokin’ something … a song about collect calls really… at least that what I got out of it-LOL. Maneater with Hall and Oates… fabulous.

Now after waiting what a whole hour Crystal takes the stage with Alanis Morisette. She is absolutely shinning tonight. And I totally feel extra 90s for all the musical choices. Carrie Underwood follows up with her single Undo It. She is definitely the most amazing of all the Idol winners . I love how Kris Allen thinks he’s a car salesman ;-). My Wish totally awkward weird car video thing…. This awkward thing was followed another awkward thing… Brett Michaels and Casey James performing Every Rose Has Its Thorns…. Weird. Lee DeWyze takes the stage with Chicago. Defnitely chose some good correspondents with Janell Wheeler and Matt Rogers. I feel like my night was officially complete when General Larry Platt took the stage with his dancers but nothing prepared me for William Hung getting in on the Pants on the Ground experience…. OMG. Oh Paula you talk way to long. Your rambling makes me want to sleep however I miss it because it makes absolutely no sense. Next I would say the most emotional point in the show second to the announcement of the winner was the Tribute to Simon Cowell. Several of the past winners and finalist sang together we are one. Tonight the stage welcomed past winners Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard, Fantasia, Carrie Underwood, Jordin Sparks, Taylor Hicks, and Kris Allen. As well as past finalists like; Kimberly Caldwell, Mikahlah Gordon, Anoop Desai, Jason Castro, Melinda Doolittle, Kristy Lee Cook, Constantine Maroulis, Bo Bice, Elliot Yamin, Blake Lewis, Ace Young, Michael Johns, Justin Guarini, David Archuleta, Diana DeGarmo, Matt Giraud, Chris Richardson, Alison Iraheta and Some Blonde I Don’t Remember-LOL.

After the commercial the Top 12 minus Lee& Crystal segway into a Janet Jackson performance of her single Nothing. This is followed by a Lee & Crystal performance along with Joe Cocker of I Get By With A Little Help From My Friends. And finally after that performance what we’ve been waiting for two hours and 5 minutes to hear. Lee DeWyze is announced as this year’s winner. Personally I am not surprised I was hoping though for this to be a “girl’s year” however there’s always next year. Beautiful Day was a really good song choice for his winning single. And yet I am still partial to those new songs that have been the winners single in the past. Like No Boundaries, A Moment Like This and Flying Without Wings. But overall Lee totally deserved to win he has grown so much throughout the course of this contest. I personally can’t wait to see what the future has to offer him. I already have one of his Pre-Idol albums and I think it’s amazing so I can only imagine what he can produce with the connections this experience will provide him with. Oh yeah you can check out Crystal and Lee’s Official sites which were released today. Also watch the IdolPhenomena Blog for updates on your favorite finalists and contestants from each Idol Season.

In about 30Mins from now they will start the finale show; reflecting on lasts night’s performances their both stars in their own right. They’ve come so far and we’ve enjoyed watching them weekly. Whether it be watching Lee’s growth week –to-week or admiring Crystal’s consistency. Each contestant I feel deserves to win because each in my opinion is truly artist. They both have a lot to offer the public and the music industry. Since about the Top 5 part of the season I’ve had my mind set on a Lee/Bowersox finale. Before this point I did have some other thoughts but now I don’t feel they matter. There are both confirmed performances and rumors that have been surrounding tonight’s finale for the past week. One thing I know for certain is that I am excited to see the Top 12 reunited on that stage. I can’t wait to see their performance. I know there are tons of Idol alumni at that show tonight and as a fan… of the show for a long time I wish I was there doing what I love to do; which is meeting them and seeing where Idol has led them in their career today. But unfortunately I will be one of the many people watching from home – But that’s okay too. So with that said I know I have been failing to do my regular posting which is not affiliated with the current running AI show however as we go into the summer…. I promise to bring that stuff back to the IdolPhenomena blog as well as all those rumors/spoilers about next year’s up can coming season of American Idol Season 10. On another note from me here at the blog I wish Lee, Crystal, the Top 12 and all of the guest performers good luck for a great show… break a leg. ;-)

So overall I am not that surprised when tonight’s final verdict had Casey James going home. Ever since Siobhan started to pick some weird songs and Katie getting voted off I’ve had my eyes set on a Lee/Crystal season finale. However, at first my first notion was to say that Crystal would come out on top. Now I am not so sure and yet I still want her to win. Since day one she’s been consistent and hasn’t compromised but in contrast Lee has a grown so much after these several weeks I feel like he deserves to win as well. Decisions decisions decisions. In my opinion the Top 3 performances were each in their own league. If they were to crown a winner at the end of this week’s episode I would say hands down Lee DeWyze would be my choice. Although his song choice wasn’t the most popular or current the Leonard Skynard song totally suited him and you could tell that it meant something to him. Simon’s choice for him of Hallelujah was absolutely amazing and reminded me so much of a finale performance. Crystals performances tonight were very much her. Come to My Window by Melissa Etheridge I would say was a great choice but an awkward arrangement. While the song Ellen chose for her was a great all around performance. And with Casey you could tell was totally burnt out and in a way I feel like his performances displayed him just as a good voice. It was almost as he had given up and come to the realization that he would not make it to the finale. At this point it could possibly be anyone’s win and in my opinion it really will come down to popularity and if America decides if it likes consistency or the growth of an artist. Unfortunately I will have to watch the finale via my DVR because I work both the performance and results nights. But I think we are in for an amazing finale show. OH and just because this season has almost come to close that doesn’t mean you stop following me ;-).

Overall this songs from the cinema thing was a huge let down. Under the tutelage of Jamie Foxx I think his t-shirt giving would be a precursor to the results night as he gave out his artist or contestant t-shirts. Lee started the night off with Kiss from a Rose by Seal. Not his absolute best, but I don’t think he is in danger of going home. Big Mike was next with Michael Jackson’s Will You Be There from the movie Free Willy. And yes Simon Free Willy was about a whale an Orca to be exact and all of its four installments were too. – LOL Horrible song choice by far… however Lee’s choice was just as bad. Now for the first duet which was Crystal and Lee performing Falling Slowly. This was an absolutely amazing performance… dare I say it foreshadows events that happen during this year’s season finale. As you can tell I am totall all about a Crystal/Lee finale. - ;-). Casey took that stage singing Mrs. Robinson…. Bad bad bad. Out of all the solo performances my favorite of the night was that of Crystal Bowersox. However, I still didn’t think it was her best. Last of the night was the duet for Have You Really Loved A Woman. As performed by Casey and Big Mike… this was totally their attempt to stay in the competition. And Ellen’s response to that was, “Yes I have loved a woman.” – Oh Ellen you’re so funny. So know I am contemplating the results and I feel it really is a tossup between Casey and Mike. However I’ve been thinking about how America’s voting habits were as would say interrupted by the judges save I feel that some of these themes were totally geared towards Katie’s voice whom I had seen as the winner for some crazy winner. Me and my crazy thoughts….. an hour until this hour long results show… I wonder what this will be like. Wow that intro dramatic. Is it completely wrong to say I never liked Fantasia and tonight just emphasized that more. Her bieberific hair and that horrible song… what is she thinking???? Casey the first to make the Top 3 interesting….. Aww Daughtry I want to see you live again J Their performance was absolutely amazing. Lee is safe next … no surprise there. Up next Bon Jovi performing Superman. What an incredible performance…. So good. Is it premature to say congratulations to Crystal and goodbye to Big Mike @9:48PM ???? I would like to thank America for agreeing with met @9:53PM Thanks for making me not look stupid ;-). GoodBye Mike. You’re an incredible talent that’s right you shouldn’t be there … I hope I don’t sound like a big a-hole the judges save thing was a big joke this year. It totally just messed up things in my opinion. However, I expect great things from Michael Lynche. That’s right sing that whale song. Oh yeah and I luv this Will Young song ;-) (Leave Right Now). Next week everyone get ready for Crystal, Lee and Casey this year’s Top 3.