news & notes...
It's down to the final five - where has the time gone? - and people are still buzzing about the surprise ouster of Carly Smithson in the sixth position when most agree that Carly was on a rebound after some weak early-season performances and Brooke White is on the downslope, especially after her second do-over in six weeks.
Was it her song choice? Some people think so. After all, Jesus Christ Superstar is a 38-year-old rock opera and if one doesn't know the story of the character who is singing the title song, asking the questions the song does, the standalone lyrics might be off-putting to some. We went through this four decades ago after all.
While I do agree that some voters who might have voted for Carly could have changed their minds, something just tells me that most undecided voters might have rushed to save Brooke in her moment of trouble. This show is not new. Voter behavior is not new. We've all become accustomed to the need to save the downtrodden one after a blunderous performance, which is why, more often than not, struggling singers have been booted after giving, sometimes, the best performance of their tenure.
It might have been the song. But I don't buy it.
It's Neil Diamond week for the remaining five, and, if tradition serves, each of them will be singing two songs. And there are more than enough Diamond songs from which to choose. I'm going on record now to say that whichever one of them choosesDr. Brother Love's Travelling Salvation Show, will get all of my votes. So, who should sing what?
Ratings for this season have been down. But that's down on the American Idol scale. They're still ratings that any other show on the planet would sell their mother for. And some people think they know why, including the lack of a Sanjaya and the tragic lack of nekkid pictures on the internet.
I knew there was something missing this year.
And while we're waiting for Tuesday, and since yesterday's Clay/Ruben finale aired on AI Rewind has me waxing all nostalgic, check out Michael Slezak's 15 greatest Idol performances, complete with video and including this season. And then, for giggles, treat yourself to the 10 worst.
That should give us all something to pass the time until performance night.
Was it her song choice? Some people think so. After all, Jesus Christ Superstar is a 38-year-old rock opera and if one doesn't know the story of the character who is singing the title song, asking the questions the song does, the standalone lyrics might be off-putting to some. We went through this four decades ago after all.
While I do agree that some voters who might have voted for Carly could have changed their minds, something just tells me that most undecided voters might have rushed to save Brooke in her moment of trouble. This show is not new. Voter behavior is not new. We've all become accustomed to the need to save the downtrodden one after a blunderous performance, which is why, more often than not, struggling singers have been booted after giving, sometimes, the best performance of their tenure.
It might have been the song. But I don't buy it.
It's Neil Diamond week for the remaining five, and, if tradition serves, each of them will be singing two songs. And there are more than enough Diamond songs from which to choose. I'm going on record now to say that whichever one of them chooses
Ratings for this season have been down. But that's down on the American Idol scale. They're still ratings that any other show on the planet would sell their mother for. And some people think they know why, including the lack of a Sanjaya and the tragic lack of nekkid pictures on the internet.
I knew there was something missing this year.
And while we're waiting for Tuesday, and since yesterday's Clay/Ruben finale aired on AI Rewind has me waxing all nostalgic, check out Michael Slezak's 15 greatest Idol performances, complete with video and including this season. And then, for giggles, treat yourself to the 10 worst.
That should give us all something to pass the time until performance night.
posted by jennifer at 8:21:00 AM
26 Comments:
If David Cook does Dr. Love's Traveling Salvation Show, just give him the title now.
David Cook is the only one who could handle that song. (And last time I promised all my votes, my fave sang it, so I thought what the hell...)
Actually if Cook sings Dr. Love you'll have to take over this blog, driller, because I will faint dead away from pure ecstasy.
I just bought the entire ND collection on iTunes. It's most of his 60s/70s stuff. Good stuff. Great memories.
Hey Girl... I thought I'd drop by.. I miss ya.. I went to your old journal... and then remembered that you have this AI blog.. Love the David's and I'm glad that Carly is gone... drop by.. Lisa
http://journals.aol.com/lisita15/lisita15/
I'm sorry for the drive-by comment, but I just thought I would let you know the song is called "Brother Love's Traveling Salvation Show", not Dr. Love..
Brooke will sing "Solitary Man" & "Kentucky Woman" and I think this because these are songs she can sing along with while playing her guitar..
Syesha will choose, this is a tough one, "Hello Again" & ?
David A sings "Be" and "If you know what I mean"
Jason Castro sings "I am..I said" because it's sorta screams his name.. and maybe "Red, Red Wine" So fitting with his dreads..also "Yesterday's Songs" with his guitar.
David Cook could very well sing "September Morn" and Maybe "Love on the Rocks", and or "Play Me".
I really thought about this because I am such a Lover of Neil Diamond! I grew up with his music, and I hope I picked the right songs, I've been trying to match them up all week. I Can't wait until Tuesday!
Kendi
Drive by anytime and I promise you'll find more stupid mistakes. And here I been singing the song all day. :o)
Listening to my Neil Diamond Anthology as I type...
I can hear the Final 5 singing any combination of the following:
DC - Holly Holy (PLEASE let him sing this!), Love on the Rocks, BLTSS, I'm a Believer, Play Me
Jason - Morningside (with his guitar), Red Red Wine, Brooklyn Roads, The Story of My Life
Arch - Be (at the piano), Play Me, Angel Above My Head
Syesha - You Don't Bring Me Flowers, Thank the Lord for the Nighttime, Hello Again
Brooke - Brooke-lyn Roads (ha!), Shilo, Song Sung Blue, Beautiful Noise, Forever in Blue Jeans
I wonder how many of them *haven't* heard of Neil Diamond...
Too bad Carly is gone. I can TOTALLY hear her sing "In My Lifetime."
This should be a good week. The kids have a lot of songs to pick from and their great song!
I'm not even going to try and guess who will sing what. So far this year my guesses haven't been off.
Is "guesses a word?"
Dori
This should be a good week. The kids have a lot of songs to pick from and their great song!
I'm not even going to try and guess who will sing what. So far this year my guesses haven't been off.
Is "guesses a word?"
Dori
I can hear Jason singing Song Sung Blue. But I can hear that from Brooke too. And either of them could choose Morningside.
I can hear Archuleta doing I Am, I Said.
Carly was supposed to do Sweet Caroline, so I can hear Archie doing that one too, as a departure from his ballad addiction.
David Cook would kill me if he chose Play Me.
I don't have a clue for Syesha.
I hope Jason does NOT do Song Sung Blue or any other such folksy song that will sound the same as he always does (which is great, but still, he needs to mix it up and ROCK OUT with one of ND's super coolest songs taken up a notch or two)...If he has a boring performance, he'll be the next to go.
Folky is Jason, he's in his element.
I'm not sure having a theme every week is doing them any favors. I don't see why they have to be able to sing every type of song. You are what you are, Rocker, Country, Blue's etc.
But saying that there are always surprises. I remember Phil Stacey from season 6, and Randy telling him, Dude countrys your thing.
Looking forward to Tuesday!
Dori
I can't even begin to guess what they'll pick, but I just hope the night isn't a train wreck.
On a totally different topic, thanks for the link to those Idol performances, Jennifer. Some of my personal faves were on there: Daughtry's "Hemorrhage", Kelly's "Stuff Like That There", and Elliott's "A Song for You." Great stuff. I enjoyed re-watching those.
I did not, however, rewatch the Worst, although I glanced at the list. Camile scarred me for life with "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road." I don't think I could live through that again.
I have been looking forward to this for the whole season. Neil Diamond is awesome, he is a brilliant songwriter and a fantastic performer. I have a feeling he will be a great mentor for the kids.
If David Cook sings "Play Me" I will vote for him for 2 solid hours. I am so nervous that he is going to lose out to all the "Archie" tween fans. I hope these kids are blown away by their introduction to the genius that is Neil Diamond.
Hello all...
Love this Blog (and Dave's)
Love this show...
and I consider myself to be pretty cultured/knowledgable about lots of different types of music... classic, modern whatever...
But does anyone else realize how rarely we get to hear the kids sing songs from nowadays?? If they are looking for a new pop star, shouldn't we hear more of today's new pop?? I realize most of the fun lies in hearing what new singers can do with old songs, but I am all for some more modern themes.
ANyone with me?
Carly would probably have had the guts to tackle "I (Who have nothing)". Syesha might but maybe to soon after the Jordin version.
How about "Solitary Man" for David C., but with a slower, grittier tempo?
Do the songs have to have been written by Diamond, or just hits he's had? If the latter, David A. could kick serious butt with He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother!
On Dolly night, they could do either, so I would guess the same rules apply.
You know...when Carly started singing the other night I instantly smacked myself in the head and yelled, "Oh Carly NO!" All those "church folk" they won over with the gospel tune at the end of Idol Gives Back and now she's up there looking like the tattoo'd demon seed and singing against Jesus. At least her hair wasn't as scary as Amanda's. But really...Ma and Pa Baptist catch sight of her husband on a few episodes and then she sings THAT song. Oh my. Yes, I am cultured enough to have seen Jesus Christ Superstar live on stage...but that song, taken out of context, is going to cause a riot along the bible belt. Poor Carly. I'm going to miss her.
Porcupine Pie anyone?
LOL..I Love Neil Diamond..this can really go anyway.
I do think there are SO many songs to choose from... ND is a brilliant song writer and there are man covers of his songs for them to choose from too.. Can't wait.
I totally disagree about the "church folk" Carly connection. It's not like the church go-ers all voted for her the previous weeks leading up to her last performance. If the vote worked by voting OFF the least favorite, instead of voting FOR your favorite it would be different.
Me thinks that there are simply those (in the press) out there that want to stir the pot with controversy.
Can't wait 'til tonight!
I love the blog, Jennifer! Thank you! I was once a blogger and I know it's not easy!
I don't think Carly was eliminated because she upset the fundy Christians; remember, we don't vote to kick someone off and I don't see many of them voting for her in the first place.
I think several weeks of not living up to her potential finally caught up to her. Plus, since she had what was the best performance of the night, many of the casual fans might not have voted for her or, as you mention, voted for Brooke out of desperation.
Of course, if you subscribe to the belief that the votes don't count, you could argue that 19E is eliminating The Arch's competition going into the finale and setting him up to win.
I'd like to hear Jason sing "Play me" I think he could do it well. I hope nobody sings "I Who Have Nothing" (didn't even know Diamond wrote that) I think Jordin's rendition is my favorite performance of any season!!
I'm going to miss Carly tonight!! I'm hoping Brooke will sing her final song(s) and that we say goodbye to her tomorrow!!
Neil Diamond didn't compose I (Who Have Nothing). He covered it though.
thanks Jennifer.. I didn't know he covered it either !! :=)
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