IDOL Live "Gang Blog" April 4

[tawn]

Kenny, the costmetic surgery and 900 number advocate, said something, and the message I got from it was just as important to make people "feel" the song and move them emotionally, than it is to sing every note perfectly.

I think that''s why I''m not a huge Katherine fan...she''s beautiful, has the voice and the act down pat, but she doesn''t make me believe in her at all!

But, it''s totally why I LOVE (pant snort wheeze) Chris!! He sings with such passion and emotion that it moves me! The fact that he''s totally sexy helps a teeny little bit! I went to see Matchbox 20 in concert a few years ago, and Rob Thomas has the same "thing", just puts his whole soul into the song!

I think it''s also why Bucky is still with us...he''s not fantastic, but he''s so fricken genuine!

I''m a teeny bit disapointed in Taylor''s performance! I love him when he lets loose and dances like he''s been bitten by a bee!

Kellie need to get Botox to keep her eyebrows from going up and down so much!

Elliot is good...but I find myself not wanting to watch him, and I think he should sing a Maroon 5 song next!

All in all, I was mildly disappointed with most of the performances last night....except Chris!

I think (hope) it''s Ace the Mace going home tonight...something is just "off" about that dude!

I want some of whatever Paula is on! It obviously makes everyone sound awesome!

PS. I''ve been thinking about Brownies a lot lately!? I totally blame Mara for making the subliminal connection between brownies and AI in my head!

 

[DonaBella]

I saw AI last night too and thought it was a sort of meh week as well...

I like a little of country stuff, but not much. It seemed that with the exception of Bucky, Chris, and Kellie, the others either were just ok or just meh...

Personally, I like Katharine. Her stage persona, her voice and her stage presence shows her years of experience and training. I do agree that she needs to drop the smugness with Simon though. When Kevin did it I lost respect for him. Even when Simon is right and is a total a$$ in relating his commentary, he still is the one judge that knows what sells cds. I think Katharine will stay.

I also think Mandisa, despite an obvious misfit with her song, is fine due to her fan base...I give her a 7 out of 10 on my scoring scale. Taylor did ok, but I was not terribly impressed...mostly cuz it was country...a 6 1/2 to 7. Paris was really strained in her presentation, I felt. She tried her best, but country just is not her thing, IMHO...I give her a 5 to 6. Elliot...it was ok, actually, but out of 1 to 10, I give him a 5...

Chris mentioned he was the rebel in his family to be singing rock while they sing or prefer country. I felt he did very well. I felt he conveyed alot of passion and performed very well...an 8 to a 9 on my scale...he still has room to grow to a 10. Most of them do IMHO.


For Kellie, this had better be the week she shines her best. The song was good and I also thought of how interesting that she was dressed in a corset like top considering the song and all, but personally, I wish I could look that good and wear a top like that! She sang her lil minx heart out and did an 8 on my scale...

Bucky...I just couldn''t get into his performance and had family members beg me to change the channel for his perfomance once he started singing, so i will not score him...

Ace...poor guy, Ace...he actually sounded ok except that "I am scared out of my mind to disappoint you" look he seems to have on his face alot...Despite that and a little shakiness in his performance, I give him a 6 to 7 out of my scoring scale. Frankly, I could care less what his perference is (girls? guys?)...I am more concerned about his singing. He might be the weak link though...hard to say...it depends on his fan base and how they decided to vote.

Who am I forgetting??? Oh well...I obviously was not impressed enough to remember...I know I voted and I voted alot so tonight we will see...

 

[fortheloveofdiamonds]

Date: 4/5/2006 7:43:34 PM
Author: tawn


But, it''s totally why I LOVE (pant snort wheeze) Chris!! He sings with such passion and emotion that it moves me! The fact that he''s totally sexy helps a teeny little bit! I went to see Matchbox 20 in concert a few years ago, and Rob Thomas has the same ''thing'', just puts his whole soul into the song!

Mmmmm... Rob Thomas! I saw him too with Matchbox 20. Mmmmm.. chris and Rob.. Mmmm...

 

[fortheloveofdiamonds]

SPOILER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!





I am soooo dissapointed. I really loved Mandisa and I thought she really deserved to stay. I think the only person who should have been in the bottom three for last night was Paris. I think Mandisa, however, has a bright future in Christian pop. I know that I would totally buy her CD. I totally respected her song choice last week, "Praise Him." Some called it indulgent. I, however, viewed it as the complete opposite of indulgence. She used to song to praise the man who is responsible for putting her on that stage and for nothing else. She didn''t care if the judges or the people liked it. She did it to praise God and I respect that. I also respected the way she went out. It wasn''t her time, but I know He has big plans for Mandisa. God Bless you Mandisa! I am proud of you!

 

[monarch64]

I''m really not disappointed, even though I hate to see her go. I have thought from the beginning that she had bigger, better things to do in this life than wind up all "hollywood-ized." I really think that when one of the celebrity vocal coaches (can''t remember if it was Stevie or Barry Manilow) told her to call them if she didn''t win, that kind of showed the average fan that she was going to make it no matter what, so i think from there her votes slowed a little.

I admire her spirit and poise. And she''s a great singer!

 

[mrssalvo]

shock...that''s all I can say..I''m shocked..maybe disappointed is a better word

. I really liked her and think she''s one of the best singers up there but her song choice last night did her in

. I agree FLOD, she has a bright future ahead of her if she uses the platform AI has given her.

now i''m

b/c I have to listen to MACE sing yet another week or more due to Queen being the songs for next week..bucky might go next

 

[E B]

Boooooo, America! Boo.

 

[decodelighted]

Date: 4/5/2006 9:35:59 PM
Author: fortheloveofdiamonds

Date: 4/5/2006 7:43:34 PM
Author: tawn
But, it''s totally why I LOVE (pant snort wheeze) Chris!! He sings with such passion and emotion that it moves me! The fact that he''s totally sexy helps a teeny little bit! I went to see Matchbox 20 in concert a few years ago, and Rob Thomas has the same ''thing'', just puts his whole soul into the song!

Mmmmm... Rob Thomas! I saw him too with Matchbox 20. Mmmmm.. chris and Rob.. Mmmm...

THAT IS SO FUNNY!!! When I FINALLY got to watch last night''s show, during Chris''s performance I said, quote "You know, he just always sounds good. He should be the lead singer of Matchbox 20 or something. I just like listening to him."

I think you''re right ON! He has that "thing".

Snark to come.

 

[E B]

*chants*

Snark, snark, snark!

ETA: FTLOD, who was the other person in the bottom 3?

 

[sk8rjen]

Oh, I am really really genuinely sad about this one. I want her to have a successful career and I don''t think she needs to win AI for that, but I would have liked her to continue to gain popularity. I fear with this many weeks left, a lot of people will "forget" about her (not me). What will America be up to next?? How I hate being addicted to this show!

jen

 

[fortheloveofdiamonds]

Ebree: The bottom 3: Paris, Elliott and Mandisa.

 

[mrssalvo]

Date: 4/5/2006 10:31:04 PM
Author: fortheloveofdiamonds
Ebree: The bottom 3: Paris, Elliott and Mandisa.

i''m with ebree..boo America...boo

 

[E B]

Elliott in the bottom three?


BOOOOOO AMERICA!

 

[MINE!!]

I agree with Ebree.. Boo America.

I know that I am not in the majority here... but I could just not stand Elliot''s "Yodel" last night in his singing... UCK!!!

 

[decodelighted]

Okay ... I still have to go back & read this whole thread, but I had to chime in a couple more things first.

After watching "Country Night" ... I picked the bottom three to be Elliot, Mandisa and Ace. 2 out of 3 ain''t bad! Mandisa was early in the night & forgettable (a killer combo). Elliot doesn''t connect with the audience and Ace has been in the bottom 2 twice?? I''m sorry to see Mandisa go but, honestly, don''t think she''s been "herself" the last two or three weeks. It seemed to me like she gave up ... been peeking at those numbers, saw Kellie & Chris & Taylor heading up the leader boards & realized she didn''t have a shot at winning. I''m not really mad at America ... who was worse really? I know some thought Taylor did not have his best night, but I gots news fo'' ya ... he came in FIRST in this week''s DialIdol poll -- above your dear CHRIS my pretties.

Here''s my super weird rank-da-monium:

#1 - BUCKY (holy cr*p, never thought I''d see THIS day, he was *almost* *almost* - gasp - sexy??)
#2 - KELLIE (holy ta-tas, Fancy''s shirt almost let her down)
#3 - CHRIS (holy smokes, hose me down, Hot Stuff)
#4 - PARIS (holy helmet-hair ... Simon was right on ... her best in a while)
#5 - TAYLOR (holy heart-breaker, even Meh Taylor is still "My Taylor")
#6 - ELLIOT (holy meh-mic, at least he listened to Kenny & stopped his vocal gymnastics)
#7 - ACE (holy Emo ... but sounded okay-ish-ie, kinda?)
#8 - MCFEE (holy hyperactive ... what was McPhee mainlining? Melted down Beauty Pageant pep pills?)
#9 - MANDIVA (holy homeward bound ... sniff ... good ride my curvy sista. Back to back-up singing.)

And I had a little personal revelation tonight, wherein I predict a TAYLOR victory. Here''s my thinking. Chris is clearly a star ... but a star like Rob Thomas or that Coldplay singer married to Gwynie or that other guy married to Gwen. He''s a LEAD SINGER of a BAND. He IS a STAR. But TAYLOR is an ORIGINAL. Think James Taylor. Jimmy Buffet. Van Morrison. Ray Charles. He''s a songwriter. He stands alone. He''s got an individual kind of personal charm that''s winning over America even more so than Chris. I think it''s because he''s a SOLO ARTIST (unlike awesome but band-leader-ish BO BICE and CHRIS)

CHRIS & TAYLOR finale? TAYLOR to win? Discuss.

 

[Mara]

Oh I'm so disappointed tonite....I could NOT BELIEVE when they had Mace, Bucky and Kat sit down and M, E and P were the bottom three. What was America thinking? I had Mandisa to go AFTER like 4 more people. I can't believe it!! Gosh and Elliott and Paris? Never could have called it, honestly. Seriously I think M can go onto greener pastures but I didn't feel like it was her time.

Taylor and Chris as the final two? I can believe it. But I think Chris would win in that scenario. Why? Because (and this is important ot remember and sometimes even I forget)...as people are eliminated, the people who were voting for them have to go somewhere. aka Mandisa's voters may go to Paris now. I just think that more people like and can relate to Chris than Taylor in general..I think Taylor is like a niche market but Chris is like a mainstream product. Guess we'll see?!!? The way it went tonite who knows what can happen next.

 

[monarch64]

Oh Deco, darn you for comparing Taylor to *Jimmy Buffett*!!!! There is no comparison! EEK!

Anywhoo, I think you were dead on with all of your predictions, and I loved reading your synopsis of the latest episode.

I agree, we can compare Taylor to a young Buffett, but really, he is nowhere near Buffett status in the realm of Buffett fans (such as I, the biggest Parrothead the Midwest has ever seen.)

I am confessing now to being a huge part of the Soul Patrol. However, until Taylor gets some good ole age and experience on him besides his N.O. stint and AL upbringing, AND does some songwriting, novel writing, etc. he will never come close to JB for me. I do hope that he makes it in some way though. I would love to pass my love of JB onto my kids in the future and also my love of TH. He undoubtedly is the closest to being the next best thing.

I have a yearnin'' to fly down to the Keys right now...

 

[decodelighted]

Date: 4/6/2006 1:53:58 AM
Author: monarch64
Oh Deco, darn you for comparing Taylor to *Jimmy Buffett*!!!! There is no comparison! EEK!

Hee hee. Well ... I didn''t mean he was at the LEVEL of Jimmy Buffett at all. But I think he has the potential to be. I''ve listened to some of the Soul Patrol songs Taylor''s written & think he has that "solo artist" vibe that''s best represented by some of the ESTABLISHED, AWESOME icons I named ... Sorry Parrotheads! Didn''t mean to imply Taylor was pushing JT out of his Florida enclave & grabbing the proverbial the margarita shaker ..... yet

.

 

[monarch64]

Date: 4/6/2006 2:04:35 AM
Author: decodelighted

Date: 4/6/2006 1:53:58 AM
Author: monarch64
Oh Deco, darn you for comparing Taylor to *Jimmy Buffett*!!!! There is no comparison! EEK!

Hee hee. Well ... I didn''t mean he was at the LEVEL of Jimmy Buffett at all. But I think he has the potential to be. I''ve listened to some of the Soul Patrol songs Taylor''s written & think he has that ''solo artist'' vibe that''s best represented by some of the ESTABLISHED, AWESOME icons I named ... Sorry Parrotheads! Didn''t mean to imply Taylor was pushing JT out of his Florida enclave & grabbing the proverbial the margarita shaker ..... yet

.

You are cracking me up deco! I didn''t mean to imply that you were trying to replace JB with some Taylor at all. Well yes I did. Hee hee, anyway, I thought your post was full of wisdom and excellent thoughts. I have to say, if the AI producers EVER talk JB into doing a celebrity vocal coach thing I will stop watching both of them right then and there. I know JB doesn''t have the exact originallity of days past, what with commercialism and all, but I remember when nobody knew him, and I am one of those music snobs who likes to keep her favorite "obscure" artist to herself, you know???

 

[decodelighted]

Date: 4/6/2006 1:52:13 AM
Author: Mara

What was America thinking? I had Mandisa to go AFTER like 4 more people. I can't believe it!! Gosh and Elliott and Paris?

When the Sweetie asked me who I thought was a goner, after I'd predicted Ace, Mandisa & Elliot in the bottom 3 --- I thought Elliot, NOT Mandisa. But now that we know the "verdict" it kinda makes sense to me. Mainly 'cause she was early in the show & all the other gals outshined her (with the possible exception of Meow McPreen.)

Taylor and Chris as the final two? I can believe it. But I think Chris would win in that scenario. Why? Because (and this is important ot remember and sometimes even I forget)...as people are eliminated, the people who were voting for them have to go somewhere.

Good point. I haven't really done the math about who's fans will go to whom. It just occured to me that TAYLOR seems more mobilizing ... with more passionate fans, if not MORE fans overall. You only need one fan that dials 10 times for every nine "single dialers", to win. Also, I think Chris appeals to young, hip, but Top 40 fans ... where Taylor could arguably get young/old/sophisticated/country/soul/blues/jazz/oldies lovers ... plus I personally plan to dial ONE MILLION TIMES. Wake up & smell the kiwi!

 

[Mara]

I don''t EAT KIWI....Taylor Lover!! I''m strictly a LEMON PIE FAN.

Actually, this makes me curious actually, who here on our little PS AI-microcosm actually votes right now? We don''t vote til the last 5 or so...assuming that our ''fave'' is still in there. So we haven''t voted just yet...still figuring out who will be left at top 5 or so and if one of our faves will be in there. Kind of a funny way I know.

When we voted last season for Baby V, when we finally started voting, I was a 10 timer voter kinda gal. I figured if I was gonna vote finally I''d do it up right! And after she went, we voted for Carrie!

 

[mrssalvo]

ooo, Deco, too funny what you said about the Chris/Taylor final. I was just discussing the show with my sister last night and said that was my prediction

. She''s only 27 and doesn''t quite "get" the Taylor thing but i told her he is such a popular personality, as well as a great performer, and women, grandma''s included love him. I agree with Chris being a "band" man and Taylor being able to handle flying "solo." I think Kellie could keep creeping her way up but I don''t think America will go for another blond country gal so close to choosing Carrie last year.

I can also see how Mandisa got the boot, but it still makes me sad

I hate it when someone gets voted off prematurally in my world. This happened a few years ago with Latoya London. Loved her, and she said goodbye weeks before her time

.

off to go and change my fantasy idol

 

[eks6426]

Maybe it was the jeans that did Mandisa in. Even my 9 year old son said, "Mom, I thought you said light colored jeans make your butt look big?" Seriously, I think Mandisa can sing and she will do better without being in the AI machine where they will force her to change.

This year is really bland compared to the past. It was nice to finally hear a different side of Chris. I think it will all depend on which age group votes the most. I liked Chris''s slow song but the fast rocker songs get on my nerves--I''m 34. My 16 year old bonus son likes him. My 50 something parents hate him. So, who votes more the older crowd or the younger crowd? My best is the younger crowd votes many times whereas the older crowd might vote 2 or 3 times tops for their favorite.

 

[Cailet]

Awww - I was sad to see Mandisa go - but way happy that Elliott gets to stay!! And to see Paris in the bottom 3 was kind of fun too!

Next Week is QUEEN? For reals? It is either going to be really really interesting or really really painful.
Maybe both....

hmmm - a Chris and Taylor final would definitey be interesting!! Although - I''m seeing it going Chris'' way - and here''s why: Taylor is a very stylized singer. He''s a little quirky and has a whole lot of personality and performance abilitiy going. Chris is HOT, seems really down-to-earth and appeals to a wider crowd. I think when the other folks start falling out most of the votes are going to fall to Chris.It seems to me that folks who currently vote for Elliott, Kat, Bucky, Ace I think would be more likely to vote Chris. Just because if you are voting for any one of those kids you are obviously not voting on "quirky personality".


what would be really funny is if Kellie wins - does an album for country - and we never see her again. Then Taylor and Chris both get their own deals and come out with something actually good. You''ve all heard what the previous "winner" gets to sing right? Those songs always suck - so let someone else have them and let our boys do their own thang. Not that I want to see either of them go - but what would be best for their careers??

 

[littlelysser]

You know, I was surprised that Mandisa went, but here''s the thing. I don''t think she made very good song choices the last two weeks. The Christian song was alright, but she had an opportunity to really belt out something that connected with a lot of people...and she didn''t. And the song last night was just not that good. And I just don''t think she had a crazy voting block like some of the others did.

For example, momoflittlelysser, LOVES mandisa! Totally Momma-Puffy-Hearts-Her. Well, she called me last night bitching up a storm about the fact that Mandisa was gone...and how she wasn''t going to watch anymore because it was a stupid popularity question...blah blah blah...

And then I asked her if she voted. Her response? a very quiet, "shut up" (in an entirely kidding tone of voice) So I told her that because she didn''t vote, she didn''t earn the right to complain. She told me to shut up AGAIN, but she knew I was right.

So yeah.

 

[littlelysser]

And don''t EVEN GET ME STARTED ON QUEEN NIGHT.

They are one of my favorite bands of all time. ALL TIME. Like sacred favorite. Like so talented that the thought of Kellie "I''m a stupid dumb mink that sucks" Pickler singing one of their songs makes throw up in my mouth. No no no no no no no no.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.

Don''t know if any of you watched the Concert for Life which came out after Freddie''s death...but moral of the story, it ain''t easy to sing a Queen song, and there were all legit performers.

Predictions for songs:
Chris - Stone Cold Crazy.

That is all I got for now.

POOOOO.

 

[Cailet]

Date: 4/6/2006 1:29:23 AM
Author: decodelighte

And I had a little personal revelation tonight, wherein I predict a TAYLOR victory. Here''s my thinking. Chris is clearly a star ... but a star like Rob Thomas or that Coldplay singer married to Gwynie or that other guy married to Gwen. He''s a LEAD SINGER of a BAND. He IS a STAR. But TAYLOR is an ORIGINAL. Think James Taylor. Jimmy Buffet. Van Morrison. Ray Charles. He''s a songwriter. He stands alone. He''s got an individual kind of personal charm that''s winning over America even more so than Chris. I think it''s because he''s a SOLO ARTIST (unlike awesome but band-leader-ish BO BICE and CHRIS)

Rob Thomas IS a solo artist now.

And actually his solo stuff has attracted more praise than his Matchbox 20 stuff. I could totally see that happening for Chris as well. Start off leading a band then ditch the band once he builds his fan base

Ok let me start off by saying that I really like Taylor. I''m not quite to puffy hearting him yet. And I agree - Taylor is interesting, charistmatic, a great performer.But Original? Maybe for American Idol - but really my bf said Taylor mimics a lot of the old school guys (James Taylor, Joe Cocker, Chris Christopherson -- and excuse me cause I''m not super familiar with those guys'' performance styles - the bf is the fan).

Not that that is a bad thing - and in this day it definitely makes him stand out from the rest. My only thing is that this country usually hates or ignores any music that is new, different, not like the rest of the crap they play on MTV. How many songs on MTV are like what Taylor would write/perform? I just don''t think that his career will be that great if he has to do it as "American Idol". They pretty much control everything you do from the moment you win till your contract is done. And they try to make you as mainstream as possible- that would spell doom for Taylor I think....
Just my $.02

I would still love to see those 2 battle it out though....

 

[fire&ice]

Well, I certainly didn''t see it coming & I still CAN''T believe it! HELLO America - Mandissa CAN sing! I can''t help but think it was her outfit that did her in.

O.K. -I asked this question before to no answer. When they "group" the idols does it mean anything? For example Kellie, Chris & Taylor.....vs Bucky, Ace & Katherine...vs the bottom three Elliott

, Paris & Mandissa. Are we to assume that Kellie, Chris & Taylor are the top three & the others ranked in the middle?

I wish Mandissa all kinds of success because that girl can sing! I LOVE her voice.

Yes, I try to vote each and every week with little success. I''m trying to put my money where my mouth is. Is there any secret to voting?

 

[fortheloveofdiamonds]

Date: 4/6/2006 9:47:47 AM
Author: littlelysser


For example, momoflittlelysser, LOVES mandisa! Totally Momma-Puffy-Hearts-Her. Well, she called me last night bitching up a storm about the fact that Mandisa was gone...and how she wasn''t going to watch anymore because it was a stupid popularity question...blah blah blah...

And then I asked her if she voted. Her response? a very quiet, ''shut up'' (in an entirely kidding tone of voice) So I told her that because she didn''t vote, she didn''t earn the right to complain. She told me to shut up AGAIN, but she knew I was right.

I love your mom just as much as I love you! She must come to snark! lmao!

 

[decodelighted]

Date: 4/6/2006 9:59:40 AM
Author: Cailet

Date: 4/6/2006 1:29:23 AM
Author: decodelighte
But TAYLOR is an ORIGINAL.

Original? Maybe for American Idol - but really my bf said Taylor mimics a lot of the old school guys (James Taylor, Joe Cocker, Chris Christopherson -- and excuse me cause I''m not super familiar with those guys'' performance styles - the bf is the fan).

My only thing is that this country usually hates or ignores any music that is new, different, not like the rest of the crap they play on MTV. How many songs on MTV are like what Taylor would write/perform? I just don''t think that his career will be that great if he has to do it as ''American Idol''. They pretty much control everything you do from the moment you win till your contract is done. And they try to make you as mainstream as possible- that would spell doom for Taylor I think....

Welllll ... I didn''t say it would be best for Taylor''s CAREER to win .... just that I think he''s gonna. I kinda agree that it would be a harder slog for him than CHRIS ... but some weird cats have found favor with the MTV/VH1 audience (John Mayer, Gavin DeGraw, Damien Rice, even Dave Matthews comes to mind)

And just because he has some performance quirks of old-school icons, doesn''t mean HE''s not an Original. Taylor''s bringing back a kind of soulful, blusey, folksy but HAPPY music & joyful delivery that seems completely fresh in its new incarnation - not to mention - long overdue. Other CHRISes are already all over the Top 40. Dats all I''m sayin.

And I LIKE Chris. I think he IS a star & will continue to be. I''d buy Chris''s albums, but I''d rather go to a Taylor concert.