Sleepy Eyed Whiners of the Deep: DVR Blogging Idol: Baker's Dozen

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

DVR Blogging Idol: Baker's Dozen

Tonight the competition really begins as the final 13 Idol contestants perform: Pray my battery lasts.

Some random thoughts:

Do you ever wonder if Randy has a limited wardrobe?
Who will get the pimp spots, and who is screwed by going in the first group?
2 hours. 26 minutes of singing, 30 minutes of commercials, and an hour of nothing.
Need to get through this quickly so we can see if Russell fails on his Redemption Island effort.
The washer squeaks so much I can't hear anything.

Lauren Alaina - Ouch, spot 1. I think she's popular, so this may not hurt her. Some Shania Twain song. Seems pretty uninspired to me. Steven has it right, not "kick-ass" enough. Randy and J-Lo echo.
Casey Abrams - Joe Cocker's "I Get By With a Little Help From My Friends" - If I hadn't heard Joe Cocker do this, I would like it more. I think it's a good performance, solidly on key and suits his voice and vibe. I'm not blown away like J-Lo, but Randy says unbelievable and exciting. Get the idea the judges like Casey.
Ashton Jones - One of the judges picks does Diana Ross. I am not familiar with the song, but she seems screechy to me. This spot is not going to help her. No one really loves it.
After 5 minutes of commercials, we are given, Paul McDonald, who will sing a Ryan Adams song. I have to say, I am not a fan of this guy, and he sounds like he's sick. I am going to say what America is thinking - "Awful." Steven Tyler loves everyone. J-Lo likes the moves. They're not smiling at him, they are laughing at him. Randy loves who Paul is. I DON'T get it. Well, actually, I DO get it, but, I don't like it.
Another 4 minutes, and Pia Toscano is next. Now, it helps that she's the hottest of the contestants (and can sing), but the number 5 spot is a crap hole. Uh oh, Celine Dion. Some of us remember when this song was original, and not by Celine Dion. That means we're old. Simon would say, "It's very karaoke, I think you're in trouble." But, these judges are forgiving, so they say instead, "really beautiful," (J-Lo) "You have such a natural gift, I love it," (Randy) and "You just slammed it." (The new Paula).
James Durbin idolizes Paul McCartney and will do "Maybe I'm Amazed." Actually, I do like this version, and it's a little more like I think the Beatles (the late '60's Beatles) would have done this song. He's not helped by the mid-pack position, but Randy, for good reason, loves it. As do the others.
Haley Reinhart - One of those forgotten girls. Stuck mid-pack, I think she's quite good, as this seems a very difficult song. Will people remember it? I think Randy has it perhaps right, that it's boring...
Jacob Lusk - R. Kelly? Really? Is he going to rape someone? Ok, I have to admit, when Jacob sings, he is one of those singers that send chills up the spine. I loved the gospel touch to this. Really something. Randy has it right.
Moving into the homestretch, next up is Thia Megia - who will sing Smile. There's no doubt that she has a very nice voice, and this moves to a jazzy vibe, which I think works ok for her. Simon would complain that it's an old person's song. He'd be right.
Stefano Langone - is going to do a Stevie Wonder song. Dangerous (that's not the song), it's the strategy. He's approaching pimp spot, which is an indication the producers want him to stick around. Stevie Wonder rarely is a good choice for contestants, and I feel the same way here. The fact that he couldn't break into the top 10 last week means he's not THAT popular with the fans. Judges pimp him. I don't really know why.
Karen Rodriguez - is going take a Selena song and my only question - is it going to be in Spanish? I just don't think it's that good. She's the first contestant I have felt was really, really in trouble. If J-Lo is downplaying it, it really did suck. They all agree, suckfest.
Scotty McCreery - Seems like something's wrong with the microphone. I don't think this song really fits Scotty's voice. I like him, and I love his voice for country music. I don't think this song worked and I hope the country fans keep him in, and he's aided by the number 12 spot. Steven Tyler makes no sense, you know that. Judges loved it and I wonder if the acoustics in the theater were better than what translated through my TV.
Naima Adedapo - Umbrella - She's got the coveted pimp spot, for someone who was saved by the judges and I didn't think deserved it, that's an indication the producers want her around and think she needs a boost. This may just be me, but I hated it. Seemed off-key, arrangement was weird and she's weird. Simon would detest this. If she were not in the 13 spot, I'd say goodbye to her.