The phone lines are now open as the latest season of the popular varity show is now underway. This year, voting is sure to be tough as demonstrated by tonight's first group of eight semi-finalists. At the end of each show, viewers are allowed to call in and vote and the top two from the next eight shows go on to the final competition round and compete for the American Idol title. There is also a wild card week where previously eliminated participants have another chance at the big time.
I will stick to the comfortable format I created last year to share my views of this year's fresh faces and their levels of talent as well as offer the judges opinions and any juicy gossip that errupts during this third season of American Idol.
To vote for the following performers, dial 1-866-IDOLS-## (their corresponding number)
#01 Diana Digarmo - "I Got The Music In Me" - This 16 year old Georgian most definitely had the music flowing through her! Refreshing and youthful, her voice is in contrast very soulful!! I was impressed as were all three judges.
#02 Marque Lynch - "Wind Beneath My Wings" - (Missed his age and occupation, I think he's from Mississippi) Marque offered a very soulful rendition to one of my favorite songs, he had a super vocal range and fabulous stage presense. He wasn't bad lookin' either ;) After only two performances, I'm already deeply impressed and a little nervous about my own vote. Marque dedicated the song to his mom which the crowd and I loved, but Simon wasn't as impressed with. He felt the song choice was an "ultra-safe" one, a pattern that continues through out the show. Randy noted his growth as a performer since their last meeting and Paula said she was proud of him.
#03 Ashley Thomas - "Crazy" - Ashley's a 23 year old mortgage broker from Irvine, CA. From the moment she began singing I thought, if she's anything like me, she's been singing that song since she was at least 12 years old... So yeah, it was good for ten years worth of practicing! Otherwise I totally agreed when Simon when he said he felt like he was at a rodeo. Of course Paula didn't agree with that. My final opinion is that tonight was the last we've seen of her until she gets offered a talk show ;)
#04 Katie Webber - "Flash, Bam, Alakazaam" - Katie's a 22 year old college student from Santa Cruz, CA. Tonight she wowed and dazzled the crowd with a funtastic jazz nummber. Folks, I was impressed, she's my number two choice tonight in fact. I just felt she was amazingly fresh and chose a perfect song to display her range and spark! Simon said it reminded him of the Jazz Club singer in the movie "Lost In Translation" which incidently had me lost in translation, but that's another post for another time. Anyhow, it was still a compliment since one of the only things I remember about the movie was the group's name Salsalito and their performance of Scarborough Faire!
#05 Erskine Walcott - "Open Arms" - Can we say name change? I would if I were this 23 year old Las Vegas dancer and singer (duh ;) I felt like I was watching Karaoke on TV which is a bit worse than being there in person!! I felt if he was going to choose such a simple song as Open Arms, then he could've given it more of a personal touch than his attempt. I was not impressed and the judges weren't too enthusiast either, Simon marked it another "safe" choice.
#06 Jennifer Hudson - "Imagine" - This 22 year old from the southside of Chicago pulled my attentions completely away from the writing pad, so I only have a few notes, LOL Awesome performance, Lennon's "Imagine" always brings tears to my eyes, and her powerful version filled me with pride!! Unfortunately, Randy wasn't blown away, but Simon noted the crowd's enthusiasm which she provoked with her emotional rendition of the powerful icon of a song. She asked Simon if he liked her outfit...he said that leather and nurses have always been at the top of his list...and she came back with, "You'd better not come to my hospital Simon" and was shooed off the stage before opening her mouth any wider. I'm a stickler for presense and manners, so even though her performance was ace in my book, her attitude knocked her down to #3 for me :(
#07 Matthew Metzger - "Walkin' In Memphis" - This guy's going for his second attempt at the desired idol title, but I only see him Walkin' home to Cinncinnati, Ohio tomorrow after his number isn't pulled from the hat. The vocals weren't strong enough for Randy or me for that matter, Paula was blindsided by "that spark" that Simon recognized to be similar to Clay's...so the young ladies voting might over-rule me on this one, but my opinion is simply, YAWN!
#08 Fantasia Barrino - "Let's Give Them Something To Talk About" - Can we all just say WOW!!!! I couldn't write, she had me from the very first note to the very last, hooked and wanting more!! She definitely has a Macy Gray quality to her voice-- whether she wants to admit it or not! The fact is, it works for her! Her stage presence was professional and endearing, the absolute best performance of the night and season so far! Can you tell who my number one pick is?? ;) Paula said this year's show needs her, and Simon says she doesn't even need this show!! Ladiess-- she's that powerful!
So that's it guys and dolls...come talk to me about our favorite show!! Let's get this party started right, RIGHT...let's get this party started CRAZY!!!
>SpaceCase<
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