American Idol: Chikezie Cheesy
Last things first. If you're going to close out the show, it's a good idea to bring your 'A' game, and David Cook did just that tonight, with an intense, tightly wound performance of Billie Jean — yes, you read that right — that cut across generational boundaries, gender boundaries and any other boundaries you care to name.
David C. may not win this thing — but then again, he just might. And if he does, tonight's performance will go a long way toward explaining why.
To the start, then.
• Ramiele Malubay, Alone, by Heart.
Malubay — not my favourite singer in the room — drew the short straw and landed the dreaded lead-off position.
But, here's the surprise: Despite complaining of a weak voice from being sick — you can thank Randy Jackson for even raising the subject ("I hear you're a little under the weather, like me") — Malubay takes on Alone and does a credible job — this, despite Randy's complaints that her performance is a little "pitchy" (his second favourite expression, after, "So, check it out").
Oddly, I find myself agreeing with Paula, who credits Ramielle's "big voice," and says she's a big talent in a small package, or something like that.
You know you're in for a weird evening when Simon Cowell leads off with, "I don't think it was as bad as Randy said."
• Jason Castro, Fragile, by Sting.
Okay, now I'm fed up. Fragile is one of my favourite songs, and the only thing more foolish than trying to top Sting is trying to top Leonard Cohen. Castro pulled that one off, barely, but this one has me really, really annoyed, from the wimpy arrangement — what is it with that band? — to the faux Spanish tones. Last week, it was faux French, this week faux Spanish. Next time, how about something genuine?
Randy: "I don't know if it did anything for you for me vocally. I'm still waiting to see that jump-out vocal performance, but it was nice. It was nice."
Paula: "You're staying true to who you are, and those are the songs that are your nitch [sic]. I love Sting, and that's a beautiful song."
Yes, but if you love Sting, how is singing Fragile — badly — staying "true to who you"— oh nevermind.
continue...
David C. may not win this thing — but then again, he just might. And if he does, tonight's performance will go a long way toward explaining why.
To the start, then.
• Ramiele Malubay, Alone, by Heart.
Malubay — not my favourite singer in the room — drew the short straw and landed the dreaded lead-off position.
But, here's the surprise: Despite complaining of a weak voice from being sick — you can thank Randy Jackson for even raising the subject ("I hear you're a little under the weather, like me") — Malubay takes on Alone and does a credible job — this, despite Randy's complaints that her performance is a little "pitchy" (his second favourite expression, after, "So, check it out").
Oddly, I find myself agreeing with Paula, who credits Ramielle's "big voice," and says she's a big talent in a small package, or something like that.
You know you're in for a weird evening when Simon Cowell leads off with, "I don't think it was as bad as Randy said."
• Jason Castro, Fragile, by Sting.
Okay, now I'm fed up. Fragile is one of my favourite songs, and the only thing more foolish than trying to top Sting is trying to top Leonard Cohen. Castro pulled that one off, barely, but this one has me really, really annoyed, from the wimpy arrangement — what is it with that band? — to the faux Spanish tones. Last week, it was faux French, this week faux Spanish. Next time, how about something genuine?
Randy: "I don't know if it did anything for you for me vocally. I'm still waiting to see that jump-out vocal performance, but it was nice. It was nice."
Paula: "You're staying true to who you are, and those are the songs that are your nitch [sic]. I love Sting, and that's a beautiful song."
Yes, but if you love Sting, how is singing Fragile — badly — staying "true to who you"— oh nevermind.
continue...
Comments
Post a Comment