American Idol Review – Top 5 – Neil Diamond
Posted on 01. May, 2008 by Per Bristow in American Idol, Performance, Singing
Neil Diamond week this week. How did the contestants manage his songs? Watch the video and read my comments here…
Jason Castro – Forever In Blue Jeans
If one already likes Jason, this was okay. If you have never heard him before, I’m sure you wonder what the fuss is all about. It didn’t do much for me. I’m sure you could have done it just as well. However I’m not sure anyone would have been able to make that song all that interesting.
David Cook – I’m Alive
At least I can’t say “I’m sure you could have done it just as well” to this. David did a good job, but it’s tough to really get things going when they only have such as short time on stage. This was a lively rocking song, and I really feel it would benefit him more if he didn’t play the guitar.
Brooke White – I’m A Believer.
Interesting. Through almost the entire song I was wondering why she sang it in such a completely wrong key for her. It was way too low for her. She did it obviously so that she would be able do those wails at the end. Was it worth it? I don’t think so. This is why it’s so important to develop range of the voice. Do you want to sacrifice your performance just so you can sing some high notes at the end? That low key might have worked in rehearsal when she sang more laid back, but then in performance when she added more energy, there was nothing much she could do in that low range.
David Archuleta – Sweet Caroline
Last week a I asked for him to do an uptempo song and here it was. Thank you. Pretty nice. I’ve written a lot about how great he is at really interpreting the song and living it. The next step for him is to break out and be more spontaneous and work off the crowd and allow surprises to happen I saw a glimpse of it her, but only a glimpse. He can definitely get a lot freer. Good job though.
Syesha Mercado – Hello Again
Nice and authentic as usual. She is the best at working off the crowd and being spontaneous. I didn’t feel the song was all that exciting though.
Jason Castro – September Morn
This I liked much better than the first song. Average vocals, but at least I felt he was vulnerable. An introspective song that he connected quite well with. Funny that his introspective songs have been better lately.
David Cook – All I Really Need Is You
This I can hear as a single. I’d love to turn this on when I’d be in the mood for it and I hope he records it. I felt it. I really felt it. Actually, I want to hear it again, right now.
Brooke White – I Am I Said
Nice. Much better than the previous song. She connected quite well with the song and it fit her voice much better.
David Archuleta – America
Great vocals. It really comes down to personal taste here. He is so consistent, which is a great a strength bit is also his weakness. He has an enormous fan base, which I am sure he will have for years to come. I am sure he is also going to lose fans because his expression, vocal style, arrangement, and movement becomes very familiar. He is young though and four weeks left of American Idol is not the time and place to start experimenting.
Syesha Mercado – Thank The Lord For The Night Time
Cool. She is really having a good time. She’s really performing and really going for it. Very nice. I agree with Simon that it’s not all that memorable though.
All in all it wasn’t a very exciting week. David Cook’s performance of "All I Really Need Of You" stood out in my opinion. What did you think?
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15 Responses to “American Idol Review – Top 5 – Neil Diamond”
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[...] Per Bristow wrote an interesting post today on American Idol Review – Top 5 – Neil DiamondHere’s a quick excerptI am sure he is also going to lose fans because his expression, vocal style, arrangement, and movement becomes very familiar. He is young though and four weeks left of American Idol is not the time and place to start experimenting. … [...]
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SKN
01. May, 2008
I feel like David Archuleta is just phoning it in. Every weeks he is OK. Nothing great, nothing awful. If he wants to earn a spot in the final two, he’s got to really wow them next week.
Cindy
01. May, 2008
I have to say up until that night I was a Brooke fan. I had to agree with Simon that “I’m a believer” was a nightmare. I really was cringing watching it. All the rest were mediocre except for David Cook.
Amanda
01. May, 2008
David Cook, who I normally really like, didn’t impress me with “All I Really Need Is You”. I love that song but I don’t think he did a good job with it. We’ll see how things go, but I’m not too hopeful.
Ronda
02. May, 2008
I just don’t see how Jason keeps hanging on. His was a very lackluster performance this week, not good after last week’s fiasco.
Brooke’s second song suited her and thought she did a good performance.
Liked David A. with Sweet Caroline, but he is really so predictible.
David C. was the best, but not as memorable as usual.
Elicia
02. May, 2008
David C. is my favorite this season and I think that he did the best that night. I do not think it is the best that he has done this season but it was the best performance that night.
Jason shoudl have been gone along time ago and I am not sure what keeps him there.
Kattosha
05. May, 2008
American Idol started out as a great show, but now its simply a popularity contest. It reminds me of the ‘talent’ contests in highschool where the popular kids always won.
Courtney
06. May, 2008
American Idol just isnt getting me this year. I dont like the week themes when they make you choice from one person. This year is tough on who is going to win though, David Cook seems to be the led.
candice
06. May, 2008
David C did a fantastic job during Neil Diamond week, and so far, he is my favorite to win.
Griffy
06. May, 2008
David Cook is my personal favorite. And I didn’t like him or his cocky attitude at first. I’ve come to look foreward to his performance each week. The others are all kind of ho hum and predictable to me.
Janie
06. May, 2008
At this point, I am pretty much biased. I thought that most of them did karaoke performances. I really love David A. and I am hoping and thinking that he will win it.
Tracy in Ohio
07. May, 2008
Syesha Mercado was my fav this week. She seems to put some oompf into her songs. The others this week just seem to be out and doing their “job”. Not too much excitement all the way around though.
Jan Laliberte
07. May, 2008
I agree. Jason has his place. I can understand that he could always make his living with music. However, he’s not the super star type of person. He is the type you might see as a folk singer in clubs around the nation. He is attractive to many people and has his fans. But he will never really be a super star.
AlyceOwens27
25. Jul, 2010
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