American Idol Review – Top 6 – Andrew Lloyd Webber night
Posted on 25. Apr, 2008 by Per Bristow in American Idol, Performance, Singing
This week Andrew Lloyd Webber was the guest "coach" on American Idol. I have had the pleasure of working with some of his material as well as met him personally as I was Rum Tum Tugger in Cats for a year and have also sung Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar. However, I was puzzled that American Idol brought him in. In the past, singers have been critized for sounding "too Broadway", so why this move? And who would be able to pull off an Andrew Lloyd Webber song?…
Syesha Mercado – One Rock’n Roll Too Many
The personality that I wished for to really sparkled tonight. It was great to see her like this. Kudos to Andrew Lloyd Webber to help her get that side out. Awesome vocals and performance. I liked it even better the second night when she went out into the audience and really took charge. More of that and she has a great future ahead.
Jason Castro – Memory
Look, Jason just can’t sing out. He has very little power. He can’t sing long phrases without squeezing the sound, so he always has to cut notes and phrases short. He has very limited range and barely no dynamics. I would say his is probably the most limited voice that has ever gone this far in American Idol.
And yet… I loved this. It was the wackiest song choice ever, but I felt it. I was engaged in the song. I felt his pain. In fact, I was drawn in like never before when he sang. Now, I’m positive that if Jason were to develop greater freedom and strength to his voice, his personality would shine even more. He would be able to play more with his voice and express himself even freer. Having said that, there are many known and unknown singers who can sing amazingly well, but nobody on this planet could sing Memory the way Jason sang it. If that’s good or bad is up to you.
Brooke White – You Must Love Me
I was quite certain that this was the song she would choose. It’s one of the few Webber songs she could handle vocally. This song requires more acting skills than singing skills, and her acting was quite good. She connected quite well with the material, which it seems Andrew Lloyd Webber was a big part in helping her do. The fact that she stopped and started again wasn’t a big problem for me. Sure, I went “oops” like everyone else. However, it showed vulnerability and added to the dilemma of her character. In a way it also showed a “take charge” professional mentality. Good for her.
David Archuleta –
In a sense he made it easy for himself by turning an Andrew Lloyd Webber song into a David Archuleta pop song. And he’s good at it. I’m not sure it is to his benefit though. The longer the competition goes I have a feeling he might loose ground. It’s possible people will feel that they have heard it already, as he has similar approach to many songs. I hope he goes for a more up-tempo song next week and surprises us with something different.
Carly Smithson – Jesus Christ Superstar
Give a hand to Andrew Lloyd Webber to get Carly going. We should realize that there is a reason why Andrew Lloyd Webber is as successful as he is and it’s not only because he writes music. This was Carly’s best performance in my mind. Her “shouting” was for once appropriate for the song. She really went for it with joy and was more outgoing than normal. She finally broke out of her “showing off her voice” habit and opened her eyes and sung out for once.
David Cook – Music Of The Night
Aaah, look at that… He finally let go of the mic stand. Thank you. Didn’t you find him more approachable? Now, in a song like this, which is a character singing to one specific person, it’s fine to not wander or use a lot of different focus points. However, they way he did it worked well since it’s a concert situation and not within the musical. David is probably the one singer I most look forward to seeing each week for the mere fact that he often surprises, while being authentic.
Note on yesterday’s show:
Last week I mentioned Leona Lewis. It was great to see her in action this week. She’s an amazingly authentic and passionate singer and it was a true joy to watch and hear her last night.
Overall I give Andrew Lloyd Webber my vote for the most productive guest so far who has really helped the artists.
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25 Responses to “American Idol Review – Top 6 – Andrew Lloyd Webber night”
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[...] Per Bristow wrote an interesting post today on American Idol Review – Top 6 – Andrew Lloyd Webber nightHere’s a quick excerptThis week Andrew Lloyd Webber was the guest “coach” on American Idol. I have had the pleasure of working with some of his material as well as met him personally as I was Rum Tum Tugger in Cats for a year and have also sung Jesus in … [...]
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mnguy
25. Apr, 2008
Who would have thought Syesha could have been in the bottom 3 this many times and not get the booot
Mary
25. Apr, 2008
Great week, mostly great performances, but it’s odd that the two worst performances don’t land the singers in the hot seat. I am tired of this talent contest turning into a popularity thing. It’s time Idol went to a onve-vote-per-person format — America voted off the wrong person this week! And you are soooo right about Archuleta. When is he going to sing something different — and with his eyes open for a change.
Sam
25. Apr, 2008
I really enjoyed the guest judge, I thought he brought an interesting perspective to the judging and it was a nice change of pace.
Amanda
25. Apr, 2008
I love Andrew Lloyd Webber, so I was really happy about this show. My favorite was David Cook’s “Music Of The Night”. I think that’s a hard song to sing but he did amazing. He’s typically not my favorite but he might have won me over after that performance!
Lucy
25. Apr, 2008
I thought Syesha did a great job. I have to admit though, I haven’t watched this season’s American Idol as closely as the previous ones. At the beginning of the season, it seemed like most of the singers were just singing the words, but not putting any emotion behind them.
Samantha
25. Apr, 2008
I have to say I’m sooo done with Jason Castro. Yes he’s cute and charming but I’m amazed it’s gotten him this far. His voice is limited, as Per mentioned, and personally what has tired me the most and really gets me is that he does the same thing every week. It’s gotten boring and predictable. Surprised none of the judges have mentioned anything lately. Also on Thursday when he made it through he had such a “I don’t care” attitude….c’mon.
sullivana
25. Apr, 2008
I was so angry at the results this week! Carly should NOT have been voted off. I think that Jason Castro OR Brooke should have been the ones to go. Moreso Brooke because she messed up her words. Carly is such a better singer then both of them.
Nana
25. Apr, 2008
I don’t think bringing Andrew lloyd Webber on and having the kids sing his creations did anyone any good.
I didn’t appreciate watching him and I think he is from a different world than these kids. They are pop singers.
Aida Svenson
25. Apr, 2008
All I can say about Carly’s eviction is JESUS CHRIST, She’s a SUPERSTAR! And that babbling Brooke! I may like my buns with mustard, lettuce, and pickles hold the burger, but she should have been singing YOU MUST HATE ME because I am so tired of her. She is the most boring singer on this show. Please send her home. Why do they continue to vote her on? She’s like Sanjaya without the tall hair.
Aida
SilverzSolutionz
26. Apr, 2008
I believe that this blog is very informative and also having Andrew Lloyd Webber on American Idol was a breath of fresh air, I am British and It was so nice to see input and advice from a master.
Cindy
27. Apr, 2008
Although I liked Syesha’s performance on that night I believe that, prior to this, she was not really doing that well and was not sticking out as much as the rest of the performers. Because of this over-all performance factor, I believe she should have left rather than Carly. Carly had many more strong performances before this and did great with Superstar. Maybe, people did not like the song itself because of discomfort with religion.
Dalamine
27. Apr, 2008
I love Andrew Lloyd Webber, so I was really happy about this show. My favorite was David Cook’s “Music Of The Night”. I think that’s a hard song to sing but he did amazing. He’s typically not my favorite but he might have won me over after that performance!
Joel
27. Apr, 2008
I can’t beleive Brooke wasn’t even in the bottom two. Carly was one of my favorites, I hate to see her go.
Candace
27. Apr, 2008
David Cook rocks! He is definately the most talented one and deserves to win this competition. If he doesn’t, it won’t matter. He’ll be putting out albums and they’ll sell more than whoever does win. I love that American Idol gives honest talent a venue to be discovered and a stepping stone to make it in the business – serviously, it doesn’t even matter if the best man (or woman) wins. Ever since the top 24, my favorites were David Cook and Michael Johns. I look forward to seeing (and hearing)what they both do after Idol.
Cookie
27. Apr, 2008
No, Brooke needed to go after her mess up at the beginning of the song. She needs to go period. I’m tired of her.
Audmac
27. Apr, 2008
I think it is going to be a tough competition from here on out. I think all of these performers are doing great. This is in my opinion one of the best lineups we have seen yet. Keep up the great work!
K.B.
27. Apr, 2008
David Cook is my absolute favorite on this season of AI- he’s phenomenally talented, and more importantly, he’s interesting. The other David (David Archuleta) is certainly vocally talented, but he bores me to death.
CallieJ
28. Apr, 2008
I love, love, love David Cook – all the way, baby!!!!!
Daniel Smith
29. Apr, 2008
The latest post is very informative even if the reader has missed the latest episode of American Idol. The videos add some more entertainment and the structure of the post is well though out as it is easy to read and the purpose is easy to see.
Tkayz
29. Apr, 2008
I am watching American Idol right now and I have to say I think one of the girls are going to get the boot. My prediction is Brooke goes home.
Robin F
29. Apr, 2008
I know Jason has very limited vocals, but I love what he sings! He has this very minimimalist aura about him but somehow he makes his performances sweet. He definitely cannot sing just anything like some of the other contestants can, but I really believe he can carve out a niche and be successful in a Jack Johnson sort of way.
lovecalculator
07. May, 2008
I love David Cook!! He is my favorite and he is THE BEST!