IdolPhenomena

Ari Lennox Feat. David James - Random Heartbreaks from John Ledbetter on Vimeo.

This week’s IdolReflections is Zosja El Rhazi’s, performance of Weak from Idols Season 1. Zosja placed 10^th in the Netherlands version of Pop Idol. Weak is a song by Skunk Anansie. It was released as their fourth single from the album Paranoid and Sunburnt.

Tonight the 11 remaining Idol Finalists gave it their all as they took on the classics of Elton John but one question remains was their all good enough. Each took risks and each brought their A-Game tonight I can only hope America votes for their favorites. We wouldn’t want to see people like Casey or Stefano back in the bottom three again. There is also quite a possibility to see a bottom three of all ladies once again this time with Haley, Naima, and Thia. Make sure you’ve voted to see your favorites move into the Top 9.

Scotty McCreery started off the evening with Country Comfort. He was truly able to find his comfort zone tonight within this week’s Theme. I wonder if he will be able to in the following weeks. I feel that this was a great song choice for him. I personally never heard this song before so I looked it up. Country Comfort was released on Elton’s Tumbleweed Connection album which was released in 1970. Tumbleweed Connection was Sir Elton John’s third album to be released. I do have to agree with Randy in regards to Scotty’s performance this track could really be on his album. This wasn’t the absolute best performance of the night but overall it gets 2.75/3- Stars from me.

Following Scotty was Naima Adedapo and her interpretation of I’m Still Standing. I’m Still Standing can be found on John’s seventh album entitled To Low for Zero. It was released in 1983 and was the first album where Bernie Taupin wrote all of the lyrics. Tonight Naima chose to take a risk by performing this track with a reggae style feel. It definitely brought the song some new character, however I think this risk was taken too late. I know that reggae style music is Naima’s comfort zone and I’m sure she excels within it I just wish she had brought that to the table earlier to set her apart from the rest of the competition. Right now I feel it looks like Naima doesn’t know who she is as an artist when I believe she does. Like Jennifer Lopez said some songs are not meant to be flipped. But for your valiant attempt at being original you get a 1.75/3- Stars from me tonight.

Paul McDonald was up next with Rocket Man. Featured on his fifth album Honky Château, Rocket Man peaked in the UK Music Charts at No. 2 in 1972. It’s always refreshing to hear Paul play his guitar and sing. I love how his unique tone and phrasing is not necessarily on pitch at all times he’s just Paul. I do agree with Jennifer when she says I feel your holding back. I feel the same way like Paul has something he hasn’t brought to the table yet. Paul’s refreshing performance gets him 2/3- Stars this week. Pia Toscano followed Paul tonight with what you guessed it, another ballad.-LOL. Tonight she chose Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me which just happens to be one of my favorite Elton John songs. This song can be found on the album Caribou which was released in 1974. There’s no doubt that Pia delivers a flawless vocal each week, however tonight I felt like there was something missing. It was almost as if she was detached from the song. I didn’t feel her performance the way I have in previous weeks. For me it was just okay and therefore I’ve given it 2/3- Stars. Pia better bring it next week I am waiting to be wowed again.

Tonight Stefano Langone had chosen Tiny Dancer off of the Madman Across the Water album which was released in 1971. I was hoping to hear him sing the song Pia chose however Tiny Dancer suited him well. However, his attempt to connect with the audience was something to be desired. He did open his eyes this week but each time it looked forced and he definitely gave some strange looks at the camera. I’d personally rather see him perform with his eyes closed. Stefano’s performance was followed by Lauren Alaina. Tonight Lauren had chosen Candle in the Wind which was originally written in honor of Marilyn Monroe. The music was written by Elton John and the lyrics by Bernie Taupin. It was first released in 1974 on the Goodbye Yellow Brick Road album. Then in 1997 Sir Elton John did a remake to this track as a tribute to Princess Diana. His remake met much more success than the original. I would definitely have to agree with Randy when he said that this was the greatest Lauren Alaina performance. It was filled with so much emotion that in my opinion she hasn’t brought to any of her other performances. For an absolutely amazing performance I give it 2.75/3- Stars.
Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting is another track of the Goodbye Yellow Brick Road album. It was also James Durbin’s pick this week. As usual James gave a great show. He is such a natural on stage he definitely will be an entertainer after his Idol experience is over. His incredible performance gets 2.5/3- Stars from me. Tonight Thia Megia chose Daniel. Daniel was released in 1973 on Elton John’s Don’t Shoot Me I’m Only the Piano Player album. This has to be one of Thia’s best performances she sang the song from a different place this week and you could tell. She conveyed more emotion than she has ever before. This definitely shows that she has the confidence and potential to be a real contender in this competition, I just hope it wasn’t done too late. For this amazing performance I give her 2.75/3- Stars.

I was so relieved tonight when Casey Abrams took the stage and actually just sang. He was less crazy and more an artist this evening. This performance displayed another side of him as a performer and he truly cleans up well.-Just Sayin. Definitely my favorite Casey performance thus far I give him 2.75/3- Stars for his version of Your Song. Your Song was released in 1970 on Elton John’s self-titled album.

Tonight, thou I hate to admit it Jacob Lusk was for me the best performance of the night. He didn’t over sing which made the song so beautiful. It’s my favorite Jacob performance since God Bless the Child. The song was just enough Jacob and for the first time in a long time I agree with the Judges about one of Jacob’s performances. Like Steven Tyler said you slayed me there for I give you 3/3- Stars this week. Great job Jacob, keep it up!!!

Last performance of the night was done by Haley Reinhart. Having chosen Bennie & the Jets this was also a song featured on the Goodbye Yellow Brick Road album like so many of tonight’s song choices were.-LOL. Haley without a doubt gave an outstanding performance tonight. Still not too fond of the growl but it was the right way to close the show, overall I give Haley 2.5/3- Stars. So based on popularity based on how I feel that the contestants have been received by the public I would say this week’s Bottom 3 or should I say Bottom 4 based solely on popularity would have to be Thia Megia, Stefano Langone, Naima Adedapo and James Durbin. However, taking in consideration all of the performance of last night I am leaning towards a possible elimination consisting of Naima and Thia. Personally I would hate to see Thia go because I feel she has more to offer I just feel like it is her time to leave the same can be said about Naima. The only way your favorites will move onto next week is by voiting so followers if your favorites don’t make it to the Top 9 ask yourself the following, Did I Vote???

Slow Dancing In A Burning Room by John Mayer


Star Spangled Banner

So this it’s Elton John Week what would you like to hear your Top 11 sing. We’ll definitely hear some of his popular songs Wednesday night and we may even hear some songs that I would consider less popular. Here’s what I would like to hear the Top 11 sing…..

Stefano Langone – Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me from the album Caribou 1974

Why: This is one song I’ve wanted to hear Stefano sing for awhile maybe this week’s theme will provide that opportunity.

Casey Abrams – Bennie and the Jets from the album Goodbye Yellow Brick Road 1973

Why: Casey strikes me as a Bennie and the Jets type of guy. -LOL

James Durbin – Crocodile Rock from the album Don’t Shoot Me I’m The Piano Player 1973

Why: I think James would do a great job with this song by making a little bit more current and more rock.

Pia Toscano – Sorry Seems To Be the Hardest Word from the album Blue Moves 1976

Why: It was hard to pick a ballad for Pia to sing this week. I can’t help but think that after she was asked to sing something that wasn’t a ballad she is still going to pick something that she can deliver a flawless vocal with.

Paul McDonald – Amoreena from the album Tumbleweed Connection 1970

Why: I think Paul’s unique voice would bring a lot of character to a song like this.

Naima Adedapo – Blessed from the album Love Songs 1995

Why: I can’t help but want to hear Naima sing something that’s more slow and subdued. I just want to hear her voice with a mic and the spotlight on her.

Lauren Alaina – Love Letters from the album Duets 1993

Why: I picked this song for Lauren because it’s a duet with Bonnie Raitt which I thought it would be perfect for her to put her own country stamp on it.

Thia Megia – Your Song from the album Elton John 1970

Why: I would love to hear Thia do an acoustic version of this song just her and a guitar. I think it would be a risk to do this but she has the talent and potential to do this but I wonder if she has the confidence.

Jacob Lusk – Circle of Life from the soundtrack of The Lion King 1994

Why: I can’t help but think Jacob is going to pick this song to showcase his big voice.

Scotty McCreery – Sweet Painted Lady from the album Goodbye Yellow Brick Road 1973

Why: I would love to hear Scotty’s countryesque take on this song.

Haley Reinhart – I’m Still Standing from the album Too Low for Zero 1983

Why: This song is perfect for Haley to showcase her husky growly voice and possibly work the stage a little bit more comfortably.

What do you think??? What do you want to hear tonight?

So I know it’s almost a day later but here are my thoughts about Thursday night’s results on Idol. After 30 Million votes tonight would truly be a shocker. So as usual the show opened with a group song but god was the first portion of it ghastly as Simon Cowell would have called it. It wasn’t until Stevie Wonder came out on stage with the Idols that it got much better. However prior to performing Signed, Sealed, Delivered the Idol’s butchered Ain’t No Mountain High Enough. The melody was someplace else and none of them stood out in that performance. I attribute the amazingness of the second part of the opening number to the phenomenal Stevie Wonder considering the Idol’s just sang back-up to him. So after Stevie graced the stage it was time to wish Steven Tyler a Happy Birthday. The Idol’s presented him with a multi-colored cake that totally looked like plastic to me and a tie-dye image of him on canvas. This is followed by one of those Ford commercials we all love-LOL. Was it about recycling or a car… beats me.-LOL So now for some results first three center stage are Lauren, Pia and Scotty all of whom are safe. Then Sugarland performs their single Stuck like Glue. I love Sugarland but my gosh what was Jennifer Nettles wearing. I wanted to cry for her it looked like she got dressed in the dark. That outfit was totally clash city. Next we see a spot on how wrestling has become a welcomed past-time in the Idol mansion (btw. The Idols no longer live in the mansion apparently its haunted) And now it’s time for Paul and James who are the biggest wrestling fans in the house to hear their fate. While Ryan is making up some fluff about how their not safe out comes Hulk Hogan. Paul and James are flabbergasted. I thought James was gonna crap his pants- he was so surprised.-LOL. In the meantime Hulk lets the boys know their safe but not without throwing Ryan off stage into the “audience.” Then Hulk rips his shirt off … that’s no surprise. Ryan hands over Huk’s shirt to James who had a kid in a candy store look on his face. Awkward. Next center stage are Jacob, Thia and Stefano. Jacob is safe an apparently receives a kiss from Steven Tyler I thought it was just a hug. That would be awkward moment #2. Jennifer loved that Thia took a chance this week and she wants Stefano to connect more with the song and the audience. Both are great singers but both are in the Bottom 3 this week. The next three contestants up are Naima, Haley and Casey. The first sent back to the couch is Naima. Apparently all that originality on stage did well with both the Judges and America. That left Casey and Haley. Randy loved Haley’s bluesy growl and Steven thought Casey was a whole lot of perfect. However, America did not and Casey would round up this week’s Bottom 3 Finalists. Haley was apparently shocked it looked like she was already mentally prepared to go home. Up next Jennifer Hudson returned to the Idol stage with her new single Where You At? Hudson like always does an incredible performance, however the lyrics in the song are not the best. But I feel she could even make the phonebook sound amazing. Oh and George Huff returned to the Idol stage singing back-up for her. This week’s Bottom 3 are Thia, Casey and Stefano. Definitely a shocker I was anticipating three ladies with either Naima or Haley going home. I am curious to find out what America truly thinks about the Top 11 Finalists. Thia is the first to return to the couch because she is safe. Now it’s down to Casey and Stefano. Ryan announces that Stefano is safe which means Casey must to sing for his life to remain in the competition one more week. Sing I Don’t Need No Doctor, Casey takes the Idol stage with his usual swagger. Before he can finish the Judges use the one save of the season to keep in the contest. I personally was shocked. Casey is a crazy talented singer but every time he sing I feel like he’s yelling at me through the TV. Casey was so shocked that they chose him that he said, "Oh My F*cking God." This was definitely an overly dramatic ending for this weeks show. Which means it will only continue next week as we say goodbye to 2 finalists instead of 1. Next Wednesday the Top 11 Finalists bring us songs by Elton John. My song choices for them will be up within the next couple days. This will also be the first year that the Top 11 Finalists will be going on Idol’s Summer Tour- bet you weren’t expecting that! Don’t forget after the Idol results be sure to tune in to Flash Mob ;-)