Idol Thoughts: Top5: Snoozin' With Neil

I do like Neil Diamond, however I was bored last night. The contestants both had two songs from a vast library to choose from, we heard from the judges once and Neil looked pretty good for his age too!
Don't forget you can purchase the full versions of the songs heard last night by clicking on the ITunes link above. We're going to break down both performances as we go along from each contestant. Up first was Jason Castro.

Jason seemed a little less charming last night, but did what he could with his song choices. In the end, I'm not sure it's going to save him. (Forever in Blue Jeans.) I enjoyed this version, it was nice to hear a different voice on it, he seemed like he was having fun with it as well. (September Morn), this version was vastly different. It was like he was trying to channel Neil while singing. He wasn't as comfortable and it may just cost him.

David Cooke second, (Alive, All I Really Need is You), the latter was his better performance for the evening. There were more emotional 'guts' to it. this guy is ready to go and sell records now. He's pretty much above and beyond the rest of the field this season.

Brooke, up next started(I'm a Believer), if there is anyone who should sing and not do anything else, it's Brooke. She seemed very uncomfortable playing/strumming the guitar and trying to stay on mic as well as on pitch. It seemed a little hokie to me. She redeemed herself nicely(I Am I Said) with her second song. Just her and a piano and a very emotional vocal. She was in her element.

David Archuletta, (Sweet Caroline, America). I enjoyed the first performance better than the second. He was having a great time and his vocals were pretty good too. It sounded like the mic popped on America about 3/4 of the way through, but solid performances from Little Davie.

Syesha needed a solid comeback week and got it. (Hello Again, Thank the Lord for the Nighttime.) The first song was poignant and a very solid performance. It was nice to see Syesha hitting some of those notes. Her second song was upbeat and had a different sound all together. She was able to put some 'attitude' into the song, which was nice to hear with a female singing.

Overall an okay night, the winners David Cooke and Syesha. The Bottom two: Brooke(that first song was pretty bad) and Jason Castro(he just didn't resonate as anything that was very memorable on the night for me.)

Check out the podcast for more on last night, and don't forget Natasha Beddingfield and Neil Diamond performing tonight on the show.

Let me know your thoughts on last night. Shoot me an email: idolthoughts@clearwire.net

Idol Thoughts: Carly No More....

I was a little upset at the vote last night as Carly heads home after last years struggles with her Visa and returning this year. Ending in the Top 6 is bitter sweet, but we'll hear from her again.
This upcoming week is Vocal Coach Neil Diamond...lots of tunes to pick from and I can't wait to see what David Cooke does....let me know what songs you would like to hear by clicking 'Comment' below.

We'll mention them in tomorrow's podcast...

thanks,
JP

Idol Thoughts: Top 6: Music of the Night...Not Too Shabby....

The theme of the evening ws the music of Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber. It was a great night to hear what the contestants did with these Musical numbers. Some stayed to form, others took the arrangements in different directions. To get the evening started was a very well dressed Syesha...
Syesha(One Rock and Roll Too Many(Starlight Express) was a great song to start off the evening. Uptempo, she showed some attitude and looked awesome and was totally having fun. This was Syesha's comeback week and did she ever need it. She needs to use this week as a confidence builder for the coming weeks to remain in the competition.
2nd, Jason Castro, (Memory from Cats), his version was lacking personality. In the end it looked as if he almost said to himself, "I'm glad that's over." He should have gone with a different song. It was boring to me. His vocal was okay, but it didn't really do that much, it wasn't memorable. Jason is definitely in the bottom three this week.
3rd, Brooke, (You Must Love Me, Evita) was more like...its starting so dull. You MUST Start Over! - this is the second time she has done this and she may be burned on it tonight. (More on this in today's podcast.) She needed to go with the flow of the song. Her performance lacked because of her starting over and her nerves completely showed. Not a great performance, but fanbase could possibly bail her out this week.
4th, David Archuletta, (Think of Me - Phantom of the Opera), was, in a way, a breath of fresh air. I could see his version and hear it on the radio. He took a theatrical song and turned it into a pop ballad. He delivered it very nicely and broke up the monotony of the night somewhat for me.
5th, Carly, (Jesus Christ Superstar), rocked out pretty good. She had fun on stage, and that's part of the game. I'm not sure that performance will keep her out of the bottom three, but David Archuletta's fanbase is bigger than her's. She'll remain in the competition, but may fall into the bottom three this week and be 'safe.'
6th, David Cooke (Music of the Night - Phantom of the Opera), was a haunting version of a signature 'musical' song. He delivered it perfectly and this guy can sing the phone book and people would buy it. He added to his rising stock last night.

the bottom three this week...Brooke, Jason and Carly..who heads home and Brooke's 2nd "Do Over" will be among the topics discussed in the podcast. Don't forget you can purchase any of the performances by clicking on the ITunes link at the top of the page and we'll catch you on Friday with your Post-Week comments.

Let me know your thoughts. Click 'Comment' below....

JP

Idol Thoughts: Top 6..Composing a Masterpiece?

This week it's coach Andrew Lloyd Webber. Think Phantom of the Opera....What do you see the contestants performing this week. Let me know below...

JP

Your Idol Thoughts: Favorites and Firsts....

There was a caller this past week who asked the judges their first albums they bought. So I thought we would use that as a forum this weekend. Click 'comment' below and tell me the first album you bought, or your favorite song or album. If you have a story about it, share it as well.
I'll include it in an upcoming podcast or as a topic for the next 'Idol Thoughts Live' show...

JP

Idol Thoughts: Top 7: Can We Carey a Tune?

For the first time this season, Idol stepped into the world of today..well, more along the lines of about 15 years ago, but it was better than it has been. Mariah Carey was the vocal coach and some of her biggest, and not so biggest hits were performed. (I'm really glad that one one chose to do 'Glitter'.
Before we get into the performances, don't forget you can purchase any of last night's performances by clicking on the ITunes link above. Getting it all started last night was David Archuletta.

(When You Believe) - probably not the best performance I've seen from him, but it was solid. The teenie bopper vote will more than likely put him through, but he is a choice for me for the bottom three this week.
2nd, Carly, (Without You), this performance was the beginning of people sounding like Mariah..almost till the end. However her performance was pretty good and she looked like she was getting into the emotion of the song.
3rd, Syesha, doing a song not as well known as the others, (Fantasy), her song choice was a little awkward, I understand she is trying to get away from the more popular tunes, but it may have cost her the competition. Vocally she was very good.
4th, Brooke(Hero), she did a great job with the performance, but I think America is getting tired of tired, slow sounding Brooke. I do realize this is her bread and butter, but do something original and different, or go home. (She may not have much of a choice soon on the latter)
5th, Kristi Lee, (Forever), I enjoyed this performance, the 'countrification' wasn't necessary and her high notes were awesome. It was the better of the female performances of the night, if nothing else it was the most upbeat.
6th, David Cooke, (Always Be My Baby). OK, David is ready to go and sell records he is in a totally different league from the other six. It was totally brilliant and at times haunting. He made it his own, which is what the show is all about.
7th, Jason, (I Don't Wanna Cry), it was not a bad performance, I liked the almost latin flair it had, ir reminded me of a Jason Mraz song with his vocals. Solid performance.

I want to know your Thoughts on last night. Click 'Comment' below and tell me who's continuing on and who's leaving.
The bottom three this week...pretty easy...Syesha, Brooke, and David Archuletta.
Who's headed home. Check out the podcast listed above....

Idol Thoughts: Fun Weekend and The Top 7

First off, thanks to all you who listened and participated in 'Idol Thoughts Live' - our first live show...we're going to do it again in a few weeks...look for details soon.
You can listen to the full show by clicking on the Blog Talk Radio logo on the right.

As far as this week, Brooke needs to step it up or she may be going the way of Michael, Ramiele and those before them. More on the podcast above.....

JP

Let us know your thoughts on the 'Live' show by clicking 'Comment' below.