WWTBAM Bored

Posted: **Tue Mar 11, 2008 8:07 pm**

Comin' right up. I'll start the thread, our "reviewers" can weigh in on 2nite's show.

Posted: **Tue Mar 11, 2008 8:13 pm**

I read that the contestants had the choice of 24 songs from the "Red Album" rather than the whole Beatles Catalogue. They had to give the producers a list of three songs that they wanted to sing and then the producers would pick one for them.

Apparently this has been happening all season.

The Peter Frampton doppleganger couldn't get a song that he wanted him to sing so the producers made him sing "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do" which wasn't a great choice for him.

It's just another way that the producers can manipulate the show. They give good songs to the people they want to pimp out.

Posted: **Tue Mar 11, 2008 8:58 pm**

Well, it coulda been worse.

Tonight, the Idol kids trod on sacred ground, the Lennon/McCartney songbook. Several Idols took some big chances on arrangements. Some worked, some needed to be hit with Maxwell's Silver Hammer. Others played it straight, again with mixed results.

Spoiler

1-CHIKEZIE-"She's a Woman". This guy is really starting to grow on me. A very original and quite unexpected take on it, from the bluegrass opening to the smokin' raveup that followed it, this was a fun, explosive, and entertaining ride. A
2-MICHAEL-"Across the Universe". I'm still waiting for his "moment". In the meantime, this is the most I've liked him since his audition. A solid job with nice emotion for the lyric. A-
3-CARLY-"Come Together". I dunno. The judges loved it, my wife and granddaughter loved it, but I wasn't doing cartwheels. I mean, it was solid, every note in place, she has a powerful voice, but it was just too "showbizzy" to be real rock-n-roll. This was one that I just couldn't make the disconnect from the original enough to judge it fairly, I s'pose. Technically great, just didn't have that nasty groove to it B+
4-AMANDA-"You Can't Do That". This morning I was talking to a few co-workers about who should sing what. This was one of several I suggested for Amanda. I picked well. Not perfect, but she rocked it sufficiently to satisfy my faith in her. B
5-JASON-"If I Fell". This song doesn't work for me without the "Lennon" harmony part. It had it's charm, but it wasn't his best. Kinda like a pretty good college coffeehouse performance. B
6-SYESHA-"Got to Get You Into My Life". The Earth, Wind, & Fire arrangement. I liked the E, W, & F record. Syesha was too Vegas-y, and there were some adventures in pitchland as well. Forgettable. B-
7-RAMIELE-"In My Life".Overall, it was adequate. Too breathy...she didn't flow a single line as the original did. Every three words or so she took a breath. Nerves? Whatever, it was distracting. Otherwise, her understated take might've worked. One of Lennon's most beautiful lyrics, you'd best be on your game if you're gonna attempt it. B-
8-DAVID COOK-"Eleanor Rigby". Another one where my reaction differed from everyone else's. For me, doing the "Daughtry" thing on this one didn't work as well as it did last week on "Hello" (except for maybe the "all the lonely people" part, that sounded pretty good). I heard mucho yucky notes in the verses, as well as an unforgivable blown lyric ("Father Mc Kenzie, WEARING his socks in the night when there's nobody there"? Someone sic the Blue Meanies on this guy!). C +
9-BROOKE-"Let it Be". Rather bland. Didn't do much for me one way or another. Didn't understand the judges' raves at all. C
10-DAVID ARCHULETTA-"We Can Work it Out". Stevie Wonder version. He sounded good at times, but oh, those blown lyrics. Lots of 'em. Followed by trying to overcompensate by doing too many vocal runs. The kid's loaded with talent, but this was not a good night for him. C-
11-DAVID HERNANDEZ-"I Saw Her Standing There". This did not give me "Davidmania". Before Simon said it was "corny", I had already written the word down. C-
12-KRISTY LEE-"Eight Days a Week". Absolute crap. If Lennon hadn't been cremated, he'd be turning over in his grave. Also, she started up with the weird eye movements again. F

Kristy needed to go LAST week. She REALLY needs to go this week. But since she's the darling of the "I'll vote for anyone who even REMOTELY reminds me of Carrie Underwood" crowd, it'll probably be David H.

My standings after tonight:

Chikezie 39 pts. (yeah, I know, I'm surprised too)
Carly 37 pts.
Michael 34 pts.
David A, Ramiele, Jason 33 pts.
David C 30 pts.
Syesha, David H 28 pts.
Amanda, Brooke 26 pts.
Kristy Lee 12 pts.

Posted: **Tue Mar 11, 2008 9:04 pm**

T_Bone0806 wrote:Well, it coulda been worse.

Tonight, the Idol kids trod on sacred ground, the Lennon/McCartney songbook. Several Idols took some big chances on arrangements. Some worked, some needed to be hit with Maxwell's Silver Hammer. Others played it straight, again with mixed results.

Spoiler
1-CHIKEZIE-"She's a Woman". This guy is really starting to grow on me. A very original and quite unexpected take on it, from the bluegrass opening to the smokin' raveup that followed it, this was a fun, explosive, and entertaining ride. A
2-MICHAEL-"Across the Universe". I'm still waiting for his "moment". In the meantime, this is the most I've liked him since his audition. A solid job with nice emotion for the lyric. A-
3-CARLY-"Come Together". I dunno. The judges loved it, my wife and granddaughter loved it, but I wasn't doing cartwheels. I mean, it was solid, every note in place, she has a powerful voice, but it was just too "showbizzy" to be real rock-n-roll. This was one that I just couldn't make the disconnect from the original enough to judge it fairly, I s'pose. Technically great, just didn't have that nasty groove to it B+
4-AMANDA-"You Can't Do That". This morning I was talking to a few co-workers about who should sing what. This was one of several I suggested for Amanda. I picked well. Not perfect, but she rocked it sufficiently to satisfy my faith in her. B
5-JASON-"If I Fell". This song doesn't work for me without the "Lennon" harmony part. It had it's charm, but it wasn't his best. Kinda like a pretty good college coffeehouse performance. B
6-SYESHA-"Got to Get You Into My Life". The Earth, Wind, & Fire arrangement. I liked the E, W, & F record. Syesha was too Vegas-y, and there were some adventures in pitchland as well. Forgettable. B-
7-RAMIELE-"In My Life".Overall, it was adequate. Too breathy...she didn't flow a single line as the original did. Every three words or so she took a breath. Nerves? Whatever, it was distracting. Otherwise, her understated take might've worked. One of Lennon's most beautiful lyrics, you'd best be on your game if you're gonna attempt it. B-
8-DAVID COOK-"Eleanor Rigby". Another one where my reaction differed from everyone else's. For me, doing the "Daughtry" thing on this one didn't work as well as it did last week on "Hello" (except for maybe the "all the lonely people" part, that sounded pretty good). I heard mucho yucky notes in the verses, as well as an unforgivable blown lyric ("Father Mc Kenzie, WEARING his socks in the night when there's nobody there"? Someone sic the Blue Meanies on this guy!). C +
9-BROOKE-"Let it Be". Rather bland. Didn't do much for me one way or another. Didn't understand the judges' raves at all. C
10-DAVID ARCHULETTA-"We Can Work it Out". Stevie Wonder version. He sounded good at times, but oh, those blown lyrics. Lots of 'em. Followed by trying to overcompensate by doing too many vocal runs. The kid's loaded with talent, but this was not a good night for him. C-
11-DAVID HERNANDEZ-"I Saw Her Standing There". This did not give me "Davidmania". Before Simon said it was "corny", I had already written the word down. C-
12-KRISTY LEE-"Eight Days a Week". Absolute crap. If Lennon hadn't been cremated, he'd be turning over in his grave. Also, she started up with the weird eye movements again. F

Kristy needed to go LAST week. She REALLY needs to go this week. But since she's the darling of the "I'll vote for anyone who even REMOTELY reminds me of Carrie Underwood" crowd, it'll probably be David H.

My standings after tonight:

Chikezie 39 pts. (yeah, I know, I'm surprised too)
Carly 37 pts.
Michael 34 pts.
David A, Ramiele, Jason 33 pts.
David C 30 pts.
Syesha, David H 28 pts.
Amanda, Brooke 26 pts.
Kristy Lee 12 pts.

Spoiler

I thought Brooke's was better than Ramiele's - there was some emotion there - otherwise no real differences from t-bones notes. Kristy Lee may have done the worst performance in Idol History - Maybe on Last Comic Standing it would have worked. While she should go, as long as it is her or David H. I won't complain

tribelet 1 was somewhat more interested than I expected = she had seen the movie "Across the Universe" so many of the songs were familiar.

Posted: **Tue Mar 11, 2008 9:05 pm**

PlacentiaSoccerMom wrote:I read that the contestants had the choice of 24 songs from the "Red Album" rather than the whole Beatles Catalogue. They had to give the producers a list of three songs that they wanted to sing and then the producers would pick one for them.

Apparently this has been happening all season.

The Peter Frampton doppleganger couldn't get a song that he wanted him to sing so the producers made him sing "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do" which wasn't a great choice for him.

It's just another way that the producers can manipulate the show. They give good songs to the people they want to pimp out.

It wouldn't have been the "Red" album, which was a"greatest hits" record for the years of '62-'66 (the "Blue" one covered '67-'70). Several of the songs tonight were from the later years.

But they WERE limited to a list of 25 songs. They even mentioned that. So yes, they were really restricted on song choice.

Ryan incorrectly stated that "Let it Be" was the last Beatles single. Uh-uh. That would be "The Long & Winding Road".

Well, technically, it would be the second single from the Beatles Anthology "reunion" sessions, "Real Love", I s'pose.

Posted: **Tue Mar 11, 2008 9:36 pm**

T_Bone0806 wrote:Well, it coulda been worse.

Tonight, the Idol kids trod on sacred ground, the Lennon/McCartney songbook. Several Idols took some big chances on arrangements. Some worked, some needed to be hit with Maxwell's Silver Hammer. Others played it straight, again with mixed results.

Spoiler
1-CHIKEZIE-"She's a Woman". This guy is really starting to grow on me. A very original and quite unexpected take on it, from the bluegrass opening to the smokin' raveup that followed it, this was a fun, explosive, and entertaining ride. A

Agreed. Surprising and fun and just a terrific job.

2-MICHAEL-"Across the Universe". I'm still waiting for his "moment". In the meantime, this is the most I've liked him since his audition. A solid job with nice emotion for the lyric. A-

Nope, can't agree here. Dull is too nice a word. C+.

3-CARLY-"Come Together". I dunno. The judges loved it, my wife and granddaughter loved it, but I wasn't doing cartwheels. I mean, it was solid, every note in place, she has a powerful voice, but it was just too "showbizzy" to be real rock-n-roll. This was one that I just couldn't make the disconnect from the original enough to judge it fairly, I s'pose. Technically great, just didn't have that nasty groove to it B+

I'm of two minds on this one. While I liked her performance, I hated the arrangement (which is what I think you were saying above). Not sure I'd give it as high a grade as you....More like a B- for me.

4-AMANDA-"You Can't Do That". This morning I was talking to a few co-workers about who should sing what. This was one of several I suggested for Amanda. I picked well. Not perfect, but she rocked it sufficiently to satisfy my faith in her. B

Agreed, across the board.

5-JASON-"If I Fell". This song doesn't work for me without the "Lennon" harmony part. It had it's charm, but it wasn't his best. Kinda like a pretty good college coffeehouse performance. B

Agreed again.

6-SYESHA-"Got to Get You Into My Life". The Earth, Wind, & Fire arrangement. I liked the E, W, & F record. Syesha was too Vegas-y, and there were some adventures in pitchland as well. Forgettable. B-

I gave her a solid "B", but I agree she was a bit too Vegas-y.

7-RAMIELE-"In My Life".Overall, it was adequate. Too breathy...she didn't flow a single line as the original did. Every three words or so she took a breath. Nerves? Whatever, it was distracting. Otherwise, her understated take might've worked. One of Lennon's most beautiful lyrics, you'd best be on your game if you're gonna attempt it. B-

Again, dull is too kind. I'd say "lifeless". C, at best.

8-DAVID COOK-"Eleanor Rigby". Another one where my reaction differed from everyone else's. For me, doing the "Daughtry" thing on this one didn't work as well as it did last week on "Hello" (except for maybe the "all the lonely people" part, that sounded pretty good). I heard mucho yucky notes in the verses, as well as an unforgivable blown lyric ("Father Mc Kenzie, WEARING his socks in the night when there's nobody there"? Someone sic the Blue Meanies on this guy!). C +

Hated it, hated it, hated it. It's almost like he didn't bother reading the lyrics to see whether it would FIT with a rock treatment (IMO, it doesn't). A travesty. D-.

9-BROOKE-"Let it Be". Rather bland. Didn't do much for me one way or another. Didn't understand the judges' raves at all. C

I disagree completely. When you have a song as perfect as this, you don't go messin' with it. I thought she did a marvelous job with it. A-.

10-DAVID ARCHULETTA-"We Can Work it Out". Stevie Wonder version. He sounded good at times, but oh, those blown lyrics. Lots of 'em. Followed by trying to overcompensate by doing too many vocal runs. The kid's loaded with talent, but this was not a good night for him. C-

Yet again, I'm still trying to figure out what anyone sees in David A. I thought this was a complete and utter mess. If you have to pick a song you don't know, at least take the time to learn the damn lyrics (and the fact that this is one of my all-time favorite Beatles songs makes it worse), rather than analyzing where you think the runs should go. Getting lost in the tempo just made it worse still. F.

11-DAVID HERNANDEZ-"I Saw Her Standing There". This did not give me "Davidmania". Before Simon said it was "corny", I had already written the word down. C-

Good God, make it stop! Awful song choice, awful arrangement, awful performance. But still marginally better than David A. D-.

12-KRISTY LEE-"Eight Days a Week". Absolute crap. If Lennon hadn't been cremated, he'd be turning over in his grave. Also, she started up with the weird eye movements again. F

Another travesty. If Archuletta hadn't stolen my "F" (I try not to give more than one per show), she'd have gotten it. Oh, what the hell, it's worthy. F.

[/b]

Posted: **Tue Mar 11, 2008 9:49 pm**

Spoiler

I liked the understated deliveries of Jason and Brooke. I like that they are not perfect but that they get what the songs are about. As Brooke was finishing, I said to roomie that she had dreamed of doing that song all her life. Then in the interviews, that turned out to be true. That kind of connection is more meaningful to me than more melodic accuracy. Now and then, I mean. They still have to hit most of the notes. But remember the end of "You Are So Beautiful To Me," when Joe Cocker drops his note? That's endearing, and so are these two.

I agree Jason's song will be slightly better when he gets someone good to do the harmony (but I am buying it tomorrow anyway). I'd like to hear it with Amanda, actually. I think her voice would add something interesting as a backing vocal. It's not the same kind of voice, but Rory Dodd's biggest music moment is the backing vocal on "Total Eclipse of the Heart" - I could see Amanda doing the same.

Chikezie was astounding.

I liked Carly but I don't get Michael Johns.

David A. should have ignored the judges' advice to go uptempo, and done "Yesterday," at which he would have shone. Maybe it wasn't on the list,or maybe everyone was afraid to try it. You screw that up, it's over.

Everyone else was varying degrees of boredom or sucking. Mostly just boredom. I did think the country arrangement had a chance, but it turned silly very fast. A real country artist might do well with it, or probably already has. Paula mentioned Lorrie Morgan.....

Posted: **Tue Mar 11, 2008 10:26 pm**

For the third week in a row (I think), Brooke White was far and away my favourite. I admit I might be swayed a little by the piano, but I have never cared for Let It Be that much. And I didn't even like her in auditions.

Colour me crazy, but I thought the C&W 8 Days a Week was far less jarring than the bluegrass earlier in the show (to be fair, I only saw the beginning of that).

I loved Ramiele the first week, but she has been a steady disappointment ever since. Biased, yes, since this is one of the most beautiful songs ever and I can hardly ever hear it without crying. Except tonight, when I just wanted the dirge to be over. On a shallower note, I was so bored that I noticed that she makes duck lips all the time (not just when singing) so that's another annoyance.

Saw part of Jason and I agree with the coffeehouse description tbone gave. Just once, I want him to let go. Although it struck me last week how much he resembles John Travolta and I can't think of anything else in his interviews (but not his performances).

I'm with Caro, wtf does everybody see in Poop Face Archuleta? And there are what, maybe 12 words total in that song? Stevie Wonder, my bahonka.

I either didn't see the other ones or they were so average that I can't remember them. Oh, except for Stripper Dave. That was bad, which made me sad because I like him.

Posted: **Tue Mar 11, 2008 10:47 pm**

fantine33 wrote: I'm with Caro, wtf does everybody see in Poop Face Archuleta? And there are what, maybe 12 words total in that song? Stevie Wonder, my bahonka.

Nothing, tonight.

Otherwise, earnestness and a nice tone.

Posted: **Tue Mar 11, 2008 10:57 pm**

After visiting the iTunes store to pre-order Jason's song and buy Hurricane Smith's "Oh Babe" (LOVED that one back in the day), I am pleased to report the Number One download right now is Jeff Buckley's version of "Hallelujah".

I like that Idol reminds us of great songs (whether or not they're performed well by the contestants). Anwar Robinson did a passable version of Dionne Warwick's "I'll Never Love This Way Again" but it made me want to hear hers, which I bought.

Posted: **Tue Mar 11, 2008 11:12 pm**

Spoiler

Kristy has to go after that mess. I don't trust her fan base though, so I'm sending votes to all eleven others. If Kristy survives then I'll say it's Amanda that goes.

I liked Chikeze performing second. After his performance he was off the chopping block and I enjoyed watching the others switch up the expected elimination order.

Posted: **Wed Mar 12, 2008 5:26 am**

Ritterskoop wrote:
fantine33 wrote: I'm with Caro, wtf does everybody see in Poop Face Archuleta? And there are what, maybe 12 words total in that song? Stevie Wonder, my bahonka.

Nothing, tonight.

Otherwise, earnestness and a nice tone.

To me, earnestness is a detriment. I also don't think his voice is anything special but, then again, I think three of the greatest singers ever are Willie, Kristofferson and Dylan, so I'm probably not the best judge.

You mentioning earnestness gave me another E word and made me realize that I also get a sense of entitlement from him and that turns me off, especially when one doesn't have or hasn't done anything to merit it.

I think one of the reasons that I like Jason so much is that I get the exact opposite vibe from him. But, who knows, he could be a total raging ass off stage and David could be the sweetest, most humble thing ever. I'd like more candid footage in the show rather than just showing photo sessions and canned interviews. But, AI, thy name is scripted.

Posted: **Wed Mar 12, 2008 11:54 am**

fantine33 wrote:
Ritterskoop wrote: To me, earnestness is a detriment. I also don't think his voice is anything special but, then again, I think three of the greatest singers ever are Willie, Kristofferson and Dylan, so I'm probably not the best judge.

All three of these are folks I think are brilliant writers who should sing as little as possible, so yeah, we are unlikely to agree on musical tastes.

That does NOT mean I think my tastes are better. Seriously. It is green beans and white beans, or whatever. Simple preference, or "what you get used to".

Posted: **Wed Mar 12, 2008 5:00 pm**

I've been enjoying the competition so far this year and feel it has been stronger than the last couple years. I'm so annoyed that votefortheworst has succeeded keeping Amanda in the race. I think she's a one-trick pony who should go, but after last night I think Kristy should go b/4 Amanda. Hopefully, her fan base isn't that big that she gets to stay.

Last night I thought Chikezie and Carly were the best. I was astounded when Simon couldn't remember Kelly Clarkson's name or Carly's. What's in the Coke glass?

Posted: **Wed Mar 12, 2008 8:55 pm**

Just saw the results on the east coast.

Spoiler

Oh, well. T-Bone was right. We must put up with that godawful Kristy Lee voice again. Barring an out-of-the blue good performance or a switch by the VFTW crowd, she should be gone next week.

Posted: **Wed Mar 12, 2008 8:56 pm**

Spoiler

I am sure that David would have lasted longer if his past hadn't been revealed.

Posted: **Wed Mar 12, 2008 9:05 pm**

PlacentiaSoccerMom wrote:
Spoiler
I am sure that David would have lasted longer if his past hadn't been revealed.

Spoiler

or if he could sing. Still, if Kady's looks could not save her, how is Kristy hanging around?

Posted: **Thu Mar 13, 2008 4:23 pm**

Well, it was really not that big a surprise. He has not lived up to his potential and poor choice of songs is a bad recipe for success on this show. I thought he was going to do much better overall. I don't know that he would have made the top three or four so it's academic as to who gets picked off until they reach that point.

In the past, didn't they eliminate by twos until they hit the top six? I don't remember a top 11 or top 9 in past seasons.

Posted: **Thu Mar 13, 2008 7:25 pm**

Sir_Galahad wrote: In the past, didn't they eliminate by twos until they hit the top six? I don't remember a top 11 or top 9 in past seasons.

At least in recent seasons it's always been one out a week from the top 12. I remember Jordin Sparks' best performance, I Who Have Nothing, was Top 11 week.

.

Posted: **Fri Mar 14, 2008 6:20 am**

I saw the show last night.

The little guy forgetting the lyrics? Really?!?! Nerves and pressure is mounting.

I was bored often.

No one was fabu, if you ask me.

Posted: **Fri Mar 14, 2008 8:35 am**

peacock2121 wrote:I saw the show last night.

The little guy forgetting the lyrics? Really?!?! Nerves and pressure is mounting.

I was bored often.

No one was fabu, if you ask me.

Whenever they sing those slow numbers with no emotion or personality, I get bored. Unlike others I didn't get Jason. Michael or Brooke's performance as great interpretations. But, I thought Carly, Chikezie and David Cook were terrific. I would have loved to hear them do the entire songs and not just 1:30 versions. I thought the three of them were "fabu."

WWTBAM Bored

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Idol Chatter-The Fab Twelve