Matt had a good run and even got a couple extra weeks of screen time via this years new save option. He did well for his talent but as the show starts it's beginning-of-the-end it was time to take the 4 best vocalist and performers and put them center stage. Next week we get Slash mentoring Kris, Allison, Danny and Adam. Wonder if we will see any Guns N' Roses or Velvet Revolver covers next week? Probably not but at least this gives the idols a chance to either go old school remake like Blue Öyster Cult's (Don't) Fear The Reaper {because you can always use more cow bell] or cover something really current like Seether's Careless Whisper [yes a cover of that Careless Whisper]. In the immortal words of Mother Burgundy, Carry On Son, Carry On!
Another week, another genre which I could really do without. The Rat Pack is generally considered to be Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr., Peter Lawford and Joey Bishop, who appeared together on stage and in films in the early-1960s. Honestly, this should be Matt's week simply because of his singing/piano stylings. Hopefully someone will bring something new to this terribly old music.
Kris Allen - The Way You Look Tonight
Definitely nice vocals but not even close to his best performance to date. I agree that this shows how good his technical skills are however I would have liked to have heard a Kris-ized version. Maybe that is what "wet" means, not sure I always understand what Simon is getting at.
Allison Iraheta - Someone To Watch Over Me
I really liked how controlled her voice was on this song [and I didn't even mind the totally 60's arrangement]. It is refreshing to hear Allison bring something a little different than the smokey/rockish voice she has brought to the last few weeks. PS: The answer is YES, you can win [even if you can't].
Matt Giraud - My Funny Valentine
Not sure if I like this song choice, especially since it comes across so depressing. Maybe it was lowering of the key [or what ever] that made it come across this way. It have been technically solid but thus far my least favorite and I felt actually bored during his performance. Sorry Matt, your no Nat King Cole.
Danny Gokey - Come Rain Or Come Shine
Really liked the jazz feel and energy Danny put into this song. His voice has that something different [which I really like] and he is so consistent week in and week out. This performance is the kind of thing we have been missing from Danny for the past couple of weeks. Welcome back Danny.
Adam Lambert - Feeling Good
For some reason this performance felt too much like Broadway for our next American Idol. Ok that was some last note but [again] just not blown away by his vocals and still have a hard time figuring out what kind of album he would make. All that doesn't seem to matter, just listen to the crowd. Mooooooooooooooooo.
Least Favorite Theme: Rat Pack Week Bound For The Finals: Danny and Adam Should Go Home: Matt Will Go Home: Matt
It will be an ironic twist for Matt to be eliminated on the week that should be he bread-and-butter week.
Last night, Chuck came to a season [and maybe a series] conclusion. For those saw Chuck vs The Ring, I have only one question - Why are you letting Sam Kinison and an Indian lesbian ruin your wedding? Classic. As many people know, Chuck is on the bubble for next season and fans are not taking it quietly. A grassroots movement is underway to buy subway to signal NBC that the fans care about this clever show. Chuck himself gets in on the action:
As for me, I'm a big fan and hope to see Chuck again...
Over the summer, many films get released but I'd rather wait for the DVD release because at the end of the day I just can't see them all in the theater. Here are the best of the rest for this summer:
It seems like the summer movie season is starting earlier and earlier each year with this summer "season" dropping a few movies in April that you would normally find in theater in late May or June. Having said that, here is a list of the films I am excited to see in the theater this summer:
Last night we got our promised 2-for-1 special - Lil Rounds and Anoop Desai both went sent to the big disco ball in the sky. Should go home, will go home? Yeah it was time for them. With 5 weeks left, it looks like we are heading toward a all male final. Allison has been hanging around the bottom 3 for a while and Matt has hung on only by the magic of Simon's save last week. So the only question is will it be Adam and Danny or Adam and Kris? I'm pulling for Kris at this point because he is really the only one I can see making an album that I would buy.
Next week the contestants get to put their own spin on Rat Pack Standards not just once, but twice. This is another week that I am less-than-enthused about but maybe the Idols can make these old songs feel current as they did this week with disco.
The record shows, I took the blows - And did it my way!
I'm not a fan of disco, so I'm afraid I'm really not going to like much tonight. As the show begins, it appears AI is making an effort to be quick and not run over so I too will keep my comments short.
Lil Rounds - I'm Every Woman
Still not sure what she is. Still has a huge voice, now if we can just find her voice.
Kris Allen - She Works Hard for the Money
That is how you make it your own! I could listen to this kind of disco all day long.
Danny Gokey - September
I really like Danny's talent and vocals but I haven't been blown away in a few weeks.
Allison Iraheta - Hot Stuff
Donna Summer may have won a rock Grammy, but Allison has made it a Hot song again.
Adam Lambert - If I Can't Have You
Cool arrangement and nice soft vocals however I just didn't dig the real high notes.
Matt Giraud - Stayin' Alive
I am glad they saved him last week because that was really cool and felt very current.
Anoop Desai - Dim All The Lights
Yeah he can sing but just not this song on this night. I was just bored, pink and all.
My Favorites: Kris, Allison, Matt Projected Finalist: Kris and Adam Should Go Home: Lil and Anoop Will Go Home: Lil and Allison
I am a fan of both American Idol and Fringe, which air back-to-back on Fox. These two shows couldn't be more different but they each provide entertainment in there own way. American Idol has been running long [very long in one case] which has had three interesting side effects for my DVR:
1. It has been cutting AI short based on the scheduled end time in the comcast guide.
AND
2. The Fringe recording is starting "on-time" and picking up the end of Idol.
AND
3. Fringe is being cut off because it too is ending at it's designated time, even if the local news can wait 5 minutes.
Ultimately, the long running Idol broadcasts are in effect are cutting my Fringe recordings. Hopefully Idol on Fox can get their s*&t together tonight and finish on-time.
1 year ago I was a participant and this year I had the privileged to cheer on the runners from the finish line side of the Mass Ave underpass. It was great to watch history with Ernst Van Dyk's 8th win, to witness the three way battle between Salina Kosgei, Dire Tune and Kara Goucher and to see Deriba Merga power his way to the finish. As with any major spectator event, there is always some interesting marketing ploy and this year did not disappoint, see picture below:
It was really great to walk out from a Comm Ave apartment. watch the runners go on by and then return to the stoop to grill up some delicious food. I am now looking forward to next year's marathon experience.
Purgatory Chasm State Reservation in Sutton, MA is a unique natural landmark that is believed to have its origin in the sudden release of dammed-up glacial melt water near the end of the last Ice Age, approximately 14,000 years ago. Along with the chasm, the part also boasts several miles of marked wooded hiking paths, a playground and more then enough picnic benches. If you are looking for a couple of hours of solid nature time, Purgatory Chasm is an excellent choice - especially on the first 70+ degree day in the spring. [It would also make for a picturesque fall hike]. Now get out there and enjoy the beautiful weekend.
As expected, Matt was eliminated last night and also as predicted the judges saved him for another week. I'm not going to say Simon and company didn't want to save Matt for his own ability but I think this was more just a matter of timing [I mean Simon even came right out and said Matt can't win this season]. If they didn't save Matt last night, they would have been given just one more week to use this new ability and would they save Lil if she was next to go? I think not. So for one more week we have a top 7 and up next is the dreaded disco week. This is one the weeks I wish they would do away with. Sure it gives the idols a chance to take something old and make it new again but do I have sit through another week of snoring songs? I would rather Idol do theme weeks like Songs in the Hot 100 this week or Hair Bands of the 80's but instead I will have to just suffer in silence listening to the best and worst of the disco era. Good luck to Matt and Lil.
Keeps 90% of gossip websites in business Alcoholic and threat to hotel security everywhere Net worth of $400 [& 20,000 Marlboro Miles] Loves car chases on the PCH Crazy redhead Alone on the cover of US Weekly
Idol at the movies gives the contestants a chance to sing songs from films and with Quentin Tarantino as the mentor but it's bound to be frantic at times. I have to say I was not overly thrilled with the mentor choice but it seems like he gave the idols a bit more actual direction then other musical types, which is very cool.
Allison Iraheta - I Don't Want to Miss a Thing
Started off a bit choppy and got better as the song went on. Unfortunately, I feel like this was just a good copy of the original. I would have liked to hear her do something not so orchestra based.
Anoop Desai - (Everything I Do) I Do It for You
I think Anoop is really starting to take this seriously. In this case, I liked he didn't do much to the music and what was his take was his slightly drawn out vocals. Another week with good execution of his own melody.
Adam Lambert - Born to Be Wild
I liked most of his vocals, save the really high screaming parts. Cool arrangement where the band looked like they were really having fun. He again puts on the performance that the crowd loved [and some will hate].
Matt Giraud - Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman?
Good vocals but not great. Lost it a bit in the middle but the piano work sounded [and looked] great. Maybe just not a great song choice for the funk soul brother. Matt could really be in trouble this week.
Danny Gokey - Endless Love
Grabbed, Wowed, and Slayed. Really liked his vocals on a very pretty song which did get better as it want along. I too would have liked to see a little more unique arrangement but a straight cover was still really good.
Kris Allen - Falling Slowly
The only song I didn't know, which might be unfair in comparison. Kris's vocals were spot on to the music and he sang it so softly. I was a bit bored but his tone made it totally listenable.
Lil Rounds - The Rose
For a girl with huge, powerful voice Lil showed great restraint holding back her power in both the beginning and the end. I thought her soulful twists were good but could have been great with maybe a different song selection.
Cream Of The Crop: Anoop, Adam, and Danny Bottom Of The Barrel: Matt and Lil Should Go Home: Lil Will Go Home: Matt
Will He/She Be Saved: We are getting close to where they can no longer save anyone so I wouldn't be surprised if this is the week they decide to save someone like Matt.
After 6 years of using [and abusing] my pc, it was finally time to reinstall the operating system. Moving of all of my data from the on-board hard drive to the USB hard drive took most of the morning, mostly because I have been lazy over the years with my locally stored data. But what a time saver having a 250 GB portable drive makes. No cd back ups at all. Next came the drive format which I think is key in a reinstall to get you back to nothingness. Then I turned to my XP reinstall disk and watched that work for the next 30 minutes. And then the real work begins. Drivers, my wireless card, Firefox, anti-virus, Plug-Ins, Office. You just don't realize how much software you have installed over the years because it is all just there for you. I stopped last night with a long list of items to install today like WinAMP, Sonic Recorder, and Photoshop. Now if I can just figure out why I have no sound, I'd be in business.
Scott MacIntyre didn't win Idol but the visually-impaired singer, songwriter, and pianist won our hearts. It may seem that he has accomplished so much in the past 6 weeks but when you hear he has already self recorded and released 5 albums and has a bachelors degree from Arizona State University, a masters degree from University of London and has been accepted to both Oxford and Cambridge University for further graduate-level education maybe Idol is just the icing on the cake instead of the only thing he has going for him. In any case, good job and good luck [not that I think he needs it].
Next week should be interesting because for one thing it is being listed as Idol at the Movies which I assume is referring to songs from popular films. This should give the Idols another opportunity to a very wide range of songs. But the other thing that should be entertaining at the least is their mentor - Quentin Tarantino. Yeah that Quentin Tarantino [of Pulp Fiction fame]. I know he works really hard on the music for his films but I'm not sure how much vocal or arrangement advice he can provide. It should be Mother F*&^%ing interesting...
Born on date week again gives the contestants a big range of songs and styles to choose from. But can they select songs that fit their voice? Hmmmm 1971 it would have to be Joy To The World by Three Dog Night just because it was the #1 song of the year but I digress.
Danny Gokey - Stand By Me
This is by far my least favorite Gokey performance this year. It wasn't until about 2/3rds the way through the song that I didn't fell like I was watching a B performer on a cruise ship. The arrangement was horrible and only got tolerable at the end where I think Danny's style finally arrived.
Kris Allen - All She Wants to Do Is Dance
Solid performance on a song which I thought was a bad song choice. Kris did really put his mark on this classic 80's track. I have to agree with Randy the horns were a bit much but [again] I think this song tells us what Kris will and won't be.
Lil Rounds - What's Love Got to Do with It
Editors note: Called it! This week again Lil shows that she can sing but only as a copycat without much originality. Is she gonna be a Celin clone? Tina clone? Or a Whitney Clone? Not sure at this point and she'll begin to loose people if she continues down this path. Does she not see the other contestants "making it there own"?
Anoop Desai - True Colors
Could Anoop be emerging as a contender? Great rework of a very popular song and I really love when there is a gender switch which makes the song really feel new. This is much more like what I think Anoop would be like as an artist. Singing songs like this could take him further than the Usher like tracks which don't work.
Scott MacIntyre - The Search Is Over
I think the search is over for this weeks eliminated contestant. No only was it unoriginal the vocals sounded worse then things I have heard at the local bar on karaoke night. Sure I'm impressed he can play piano and guitar but I think his run has come to an end. PS If this is your punk side coming out,put it back.
Allison Iraheta - I Can't Make You Love Me
This goes to show that sometimes, a simple cover works when you can really sing and the song only needs your own tiny little inflections to own it. It was nice to see Allison holding back her powerful voice and showing she can be soft and tender when the song calls for it. So far the best of the night.
Matt Giraud - Part-Time Lover
Fantastic song choice and I thought the funk based arrangement matches who Matt is as an artist. Not the strongest vocalist but his style and straight is this kind of song. I think performance got Matt back on track into the top 5. Note to Paula, O is technically not a word.
Necessary Rant: Damn you American Idol for running long. My DVR did not capture any thing after Matt's performance so no childhood stories nor any of Adam's performance. Why are they having such a problem with time management this year? It is beginning to piss me off and I don't think any TV show can do things to alienate their already shrinking audience. Heck they might even want to embrace the technology, it's not going away and only becoming more popular. Ok, I feel better now, sort of. Here is a posting of his performance for those who also missed it last night.
Adam Lambert -
Adam continues to surprise me in the with his vocals and unique stylings. The song was haunting, in a good way, and I was very glad to hear him keep the vocals in check and not go all squealer at the end. He has become the clear on favorite to win.
Cream Of The Crop: Allison and Adam Bottom Of The Barrel: Lil and Scott Should Go Home: Scott Will Go Home: Scott
Will He/She Be Saved: I can't see the judges wanting to keep Scott around another week but if someone like Anoop or Kris ends up out tonight don't be surprised if they use their new AI given power to save.
On May 31st in 2006, I posted here about finishing my first day of employment with Kubotek USA so it is only fitting that I note the end of my employment. Today I was let go because of downsizing and reconfiguration of the business. It is sad to be asked to leave on very short notice for a job you enjoy and from people that you have worked with over the past 2.5+ years without much of an opportunity to say thank you and goodbye. But I do understand the needs of the business and something had to be done to get the sales and cash flow back on track, it's just too bad I had to be sacrificed in the process along with 3 co-workers. Typically a 4 person layoff doesn't sound too bad but if you think of it as 10% of the work force, it tends to give you pause.
Anyway, for those I didn't get the chance to personally see before my departure, let me say it now - Thank you for working with me and good luck with all of your future endeavors. My next job is too look for a job. Anyone hiring a Customer Service/Technical Support Manager here in Massachusetts?
In a not-so-surprising move, the judges would not even consider discussing if Megan should be saved or not. She had a good run and I think with some coaching, lessons, management, writers, and producers she could maybe make a run at a record contract. Or at least, take her American Idol experience and create a left arm tattoo telling outlining her entire AI journey from Salt Lake City, Utah through the upcoming summer tour.
As for next week, we are going to be entertained by the Year They Were Born song choices for our Idol contestants. Below are my suggestions for their song selections [taken from the #'1 of their birth year]:
Kris Allen (1985) - Everybody Wants to Rule the World by Tears for Fears Anoop Desai (1986) - Addicted to Love by Robert Palmer Matt Giraud (1985) - One More Night by Phil Collins Danny Gokey (1980) - Sailing by Christopher Cross Allison Iraheta (1992) - Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me by Elton John Adam Lambert (1982) - I Love Rock 'n Roll by Joan Jett Scott MacIntyre (1985) - Can't Fight This Feeling by REO Speedwagon Lil Rounds (1984) - What's Love Got to Do with It by Tina Turner
First I wanted to ask, what's with the announcer for the judges? Kind of cool and definitely different but that change seemed to come out of nowhere. Anyway, this week the Idols get to choose #1 Downloads so we should get songs that are very current and very popular - at least popular to those how download music from the web.
Anoop Desai - Caught Up
Anoop certainly came out with a tone of confidence even if his vocal skills doesn't quite match his attitude. Overall a straightforward and very karaoke-esque like cover. I think my problem is every time I see Anoop, I am expecting Harold to pop out on stage.
Megan Joy - Turn Your Lights Down
And the karaoke continues. I actually felt bored watching Megan try to put her style on a Bob Marley song. I couldn't agree more with Kara that this song was bad a choice but even more it might be the worse choice of the season for any contestant.
Danny Gokey - What Hurts the Most
Even though the arrangement was really a straight cover, Danny covered it very well. Good control and solid vocals on a terrific song. Certainly the best of the night so far [and by a mile] but of course so that tonight that's not saying much right now.
Allison Iraheta - Don't Speak
For a girl who can totally rock, I'm not sure I like this song selection. I felt she ran some of the lyrics together in the front end of the song but straightened out a bit by the end. I agree with Paula that I liked her playing the axe but I wish she played it for the whole song.
Scott MacIntyre - Just the Way You Are
Brilliant song choice unfortunately the vocals were not quite as good. The best part of the song was the very good piano work. I guess he was legato [which I had to look up in the dictionary] so good for him for being "smooth and connected; without breaks between the successive tones."
Matt Giraud - You Found Me
Not sure if it was the sound system in the auditorium, but the beginning sounded awful. Unfortunately, it didn't get much better throughout the song. It's really sad [for me] because I thought he would go far but I'm not sure this helped his cause.
Lil Rounds - I Surrender
I don't know this song but I was underwhelmed by Lil this week. She has a huge voice that I don't think it filled this song very well. I guess this is just another bad song choice. Have we had any really good song choices?
Adam Lambert - Play That Funky Music
Cool [and funky] arrangement and I have to admit Adam is really an original - love him or hate him. I liked the first half of the song but the really high pitched sections I could have done without. PS Adam, great shout out to the band. That should help you down the line with more arrangements.
Kris Allen - Ain't No Sunshine
No Randy, this was the best performance of the night. Unbelievable arrangement. Controlled and nearly flawless vocals. And even had a touch of crowd participation on a song that would typically not be that engaging. Kris really did make something old new again.
Cream Of The Crop: Danny, Adam, Kris Muddling In The Middle: Allison, Lil Bottom Of The Barrel: Anoop, Megan, Scott, Matt Should Go Home: Matt Will Go Home: Megan
Will He/She Be Saved: I don't think Megan [or Scott or even Matt at his point] would be saved by the judges.
Purgatory Chasm State Reservation in Sutton, MA is a unique natural landmark that is believed to have its origin in the sudden release of dammed-up glacial melt water near the end of the last Ice Age, approximately 14,000 years ago. Along with the chasm, the part also boasts several miles of marked wooded hiking paths, a playground and more then enough picnic benches. If you are looking for a couple of hours of solid nature time, Purgatory Chasm is an excellent choice - especially on the first 70+ degree day in the spring. [It would also make for a picturesque fall hike]. Now get out there and enjoy the beautiful weekend.
