American Idol – Top 5 review
Posted on 03. May, 2009 by Per Bristow in American Idol, Performance, Singing
American Idol – top 5. We certainly have five great performers in the running. They also had an exceptional “mentor” this week. If you saw the show you got a glimpse into why it is not without reason Jaime Foxx is such an exceptional actor and performer. Here, together with the links to the videos, is my take on this weeks’ performance ….
Kris Allen – The Way You Look Tonight
Jaime Foxx said it best. Kris is not there to win the “Throat Olympics”, he is “just there”. He is who he is. He accepts it and is confident about who is. He didn’t to anything fancy, but he is present, honest and he becomes very likeable.
http://www.americanidol.com/videos/season_8/performances/kris_allen_the_way_you_look_tonight
Allison Iraheta – Someone To Watch Over Me
Now that is passion. Talk about sharing her soul. She is always so genuine and vulnerable. Perhaps the most vulnerable performer of them all.
http://www.americanidol.com/videos/season_8/performances/allison_iraheta_someone_to_watch_over_me
Matt Giraud – My Funny Valentine
Hmm… I didn’t feel this one on the same level as, for example, Allison. I felt he became too focused on notes and rhythm this time, rather than allowing himself to become caught up in it emotionally and honestly express the song. In the first couple of lines he was trying to do too much, and then unfortunately it became more about showing off his voice rather than expressing true love.
http://www.americanidol.com/videos/season_8/performances/matt_giraud_my_funny_valentine
Danny Gokey – Come Rain Or Come Shine
The ending was superb. I loved it. He totally went for it and let loose. The beauty is that it is always the ending we remember. It’s the emotion we are left with at the end of the song that counts. Now we remember the confidence and swagger that the judges talked about. On the other hand, if the ending hadn’t been there, it would have been a very different story. Danny has yet to be totally comfortable behind a mic stand and I am surprised that he has chosen to use the mic stand the last three performances. The awkward movements, eyes wandering about, hands fiddling around with the mic stand in the beginning, comes from nervous/ self-conscious energy and not the expression of the song. But again, with such an ending we couldn’t care less. Bravo. Let’s skip the mic stand next time, Danny
http://www.americanidol.com/videos/season_8/performances/danny_gokey_come_rain_or_come_shine
Adam Lambert – Feeling Good
The star has done it again. Adam is always having fun. It was perhaps a little over the top this time in the theatrical department, and I can see how it might tick some off, but theatrical in Adam’s world is still never about being fake but always about being genuine (as I’ve written about in previous posts). Adam will win the vocal Olympics and he knows it, but he doesn’t use his voice just to show off. He still makes it real in the context of the song.
http://www.americanidol.com/videos/season_8/performances/adam_lambert_feeling_good
What do you think?
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Jasmine
05. May, 2009
I must admit that it was sad that Matt Giraud left, but I think that we have some really good performers in the running. Jamie Foxx was GREAT! He really brought out the best in these performers even though some of his methods were unconventional as with Danny. I enjoyed last week. This week, I wasn’t as pleased however.
LoLo
05. May, 2009
I agree Jamie Foxx was a fantastic mentor and just shows what a difference that can make to performances. Through his coaching+ Danny’s hard work I was blown away with Danny (until now I’d found Danny very disappointing and this time he rocked). I think its a real shame Matt went, and may be because some judges found it difficult to appreciate the Funny Valentine tune, which sounds an odd key if you don’t know it. Alison needs some serious voice help and she is in danger of trashing and causing permanent damage.Adam great – but could we have some chest voice and different dynamics to high vulnerable v wild belt sometime? All said and done great season though and I wish everyone well.
John Wicks
05. May, 2009
And let’s not forget Adam’s very cool rendition of that Tears For Fears song (their first hit I believe?) “Mad World.” I think he has a great handle on his vocal technique and accordingly I feel his voice will stay the course for the long-haul.
I wish all the contestants the very best of luck for the future, especially in this current musical climate.
marilyn
04. May, 2009
okay, I give in! You are right. He was just my favorite and I’m a mom…wanted to protect him. ha I have never picked a winner on AI except for Carrie and Jordan but Jordan didn’t have much competition! My favorite last year was Castro. Now do you understand? It’s not the voice to me as much as the soul….But you guys are right. I’ll shut up.
Maria
04. May, 2009
I agree with Jordan. No ripping that I can see. Go back and read Per’s previous blogs about these singers and see that Matt has been getting great reviews in the past.
I think Matt has been great some weeks and not so great other weeks… like most of them. I am sure he’ll have a great career in music though.
I think most people will agree that Adam has an exceptional presence, but then again he may bug people too…
That’s the beauty of it all – we all have different opinions
Jordan
04. May, 2009
Where is Per ripping anybody apart? He starts off by saying that they are five great performers and then gives his opinion that Matt wasn’t as emotionally connected with the lyrics as some of the others? How is that “blasting” someone? I only see one person blasting another person on this page. I thought Per’s opinion was very constructive and sound and I can see what he means. Matt would probably agree too. I’ve sang many times realizing afterwards that I was not as connected as I could have been. I realized my focus had really been on the difficult notes and passages ahead of me. After doing Per’s course I realized how in my head I had been about notes and rhythm and am now being able to express much freer and have become a far better performer(while singing even more complicated runs and rhythms). It’s simply more fun to sing these days.
marilyn
04. May, 2009
Ginny…the course is for fun, not serious. I have children older than those kids are. I sing only in my car! I was trying to make a point…We all know that Adam is the best singer on the program but it’s the whole package and I was trying to make a point. These kids read these comments and I hate for him to rip any one of them apart. Matt is a very talented guy as are they all so I just wanted him to give Matt a little credit as well. BTW….I plan on staying home.ha
mand
04. May, 2009
adam again blew me away hes in a different league to the rest of the performers can,t wait for his first album reminds me of the lead singer of steel heart amazing !
Ginny B.
04. May, 2009
Bravo for the comments about singers . We can agree or not but I find it very stupid that somebody said He will leave your course because you have a different opinion. If you cannot take critics you better stay home and not trying to sing anyway….So it`s not a lost.
Voila…
Lorna Kelly
04. May, 2009
From the moment Adam sang “Ring of Fire” I knew that he had exceptional talent. Surprisingly Simon waved him off without recognising his greatness. This young lad has it all and he will win – (certainly in my book he is the winner). Sure he does risky things with his voice, but he does not put up vocal barriers, he charges through them with confidence and I really admire that. I only hope for his sake that his voice will hold up for a long career. I like the other singers and they all have something special and I wish them all the best. They will all have careers anyway.
I am a classical recitalist and have taught singing for 35 years and ironically would have never allowed Adam to make those sounds in my studio,(!!) but in his field he shines.
John Wicks
03. May, 2009
Have to say that I think there are some really great singers in this current competition, but I feel that Adam is truly exceptional, a cut above the rest.
An inspiration to us all for sure.
Lori Greif
03. May, 2009
Re: Adam Lambert
He may be over the top and theatrical, but so are great artists that are truly talented and creative. He has it all. He isn’t just “having fun”, he knows exactly what he is doing and stays focused all the time. He has style and finesse. This young man will move up in the ranks with all the great performers.
marilyn
03. May, 2009
Geez, you ruined it. You blasted my favorite, now I don’t like you and don’t want to finish the course!
marilyn
03. May, 2009
I think you have no idea what matt Giraud is about. He was absolutely the best they have had on that program in a long time. I’m taking your singing course but give me a break. Matt? He is wonderful in more than one way and in no way does he show off. He might try to please others more than himself but who wouldn’t in his position. You need to listen to more of his music.