Big Lizards:Blog:Entry “Idolatry Thoughts”

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May 2, 2007

Idolatry Thoughts

Hatched by Dafydd

I'm deliberately stomping all over Dean Barnett here, because he never got around to posting one of his "Idol Thoughts" posts -- the lazy, slovenly lout. (Say what you will about Barnett, his personal hygiene doesn't quite live up to the Al Sharpton standard.)

I've been watching American Idol from the top-ten point this season (and last season, and the season before that). Yesterday's show was "Bon Jovi" night... and I must confess right off the mark that I know very little about the band. But I was surprised that I recognized all but a couple of the songs.

In fact, now I'm motivated to get a BJ CD or two... can anyone recommend a good one for someone who has heard the music but isn't really familiar with it? Thanks, I knew you could.

I absolutely thought the best performer was LaKisha, who performed -- warning, I don't know the official names, so I have to guess from the lyrics -- "This Ain't a Love Song." In the past, I've considered Melinda the best singer; and technically, she was last night, too. But I just liked LaKisha's gospel-like rendition of this song, which is one of the two I've never heard before.

Melinda was good with "Have a Nice Day," the other one I've never heard; but honestly, I really, really liked Blake's bizarre performance of "You Give Love a Bad Name" much better (again, that may not be the title, but you must be able to figure out what song I mean). I've heard that song sooooo-oooooo-oooo many times on the radio that I was heartily sick of the thing; but Blake's version was very fresh and original.

In fact, even Jon Bon Jovi himself -- who tutored the Idolators, along with the keyboardist from the band, didn't catch the name -- was very skeptical about Blake's interpretation. He was politely trying to dance around saying "you're a weirdo, and you're wrecking our song!" But dang, did Blake nail it! I really enjoyed it; I liked it better than the original, but that could be due to familiarity breeding ennui.

Melinda was third best, to my ear; she sang the heck out of her song, and it was a tough song; but I didn't get into it as much as I did Blake's and especially LaKisha's.

Below that, it gets a little dicey: Chris did a fairly good job with "Wanted: Dead or Alive," workmanlike but unspectacular. Phil did about the same with "Blaze of Glory," which I've heard once or twice before. Non-memorable, at least his performance.

But the lowest spot -- I was very unpleasantly surprised -- was 17 year old Jordin Sparks, who struggled her way through "Living On a Prayer." While I've loved some of her singing in the past -- especially "You'll Never Walk Alone" last week, which left audiences screaming for less -- last night, I agreed with Simon (as I generally do, except when he's too generous): It was a miserable performance. She couldn't even remember the melody.

Because nobody was bounced last week (it was charity day, so they extended a week's worth of welfare to the contestants), two will be eliminated tomorrow. I'm almost dead certain that Jordin will be one of them; she was inexplicably the bottom vote-getter last week and would have been eliminated but for unearned grace. Her performance last night clinched it; consumatum est. Tomorrow, Jordin sleeps with the fishes.

But I don't know who goes with her. I think (I hope!) it will be either Phil or Chris; the other three were all first drawer. If I had to pick solely on the basis of the singing ability, I think Phil did a marginally better job than Chris, so the latter should go.

But it has nothing to do with singing, really; it actually is a popularity contest... and I don't know which of the two is beloveder.

So those are my predictions, and I'm standing by them. Dean Barnet can go jump in the River Jordin (yes, that's a pun, not a typo) for missing his beloved Idol Thoughts post; maybe when he sees this, he'll belatedly toss something up... but no matter what he says, you'll all know it was because he was prodded by a grotty lizard!

Hatched by Dafydd on this day, May 2, 2007, at the time of 5:32 AM

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Comments

The following hissed in response by: Watchman

If they told the truth last week, Jordin wasn't necessarily the lowest vote getter, as Ryan specifically said it was random at the beginning. And the fact that they received so many votes last week (nearly double the normal total) slants the results. Since most people thought Jordin did great then when more people voted, she's unlikely to be endangered by a really bad job last night. The other effect of last week is that it makes the normal predictors--dialidol, etc--much less reliable by overwhelming the exit poll model. I think Chris and either Phil or Lakisha are in trouble tonight.

Blake is not the best singer by a long shot, but he's going to have an incredible career as a producer/arranger if he wants it. He can put a spin on a song better than most of the people making a living at it.

The above hissed in response by: Watchman at May 2, 2007 9:00 AM

The following hissed in response by: charlotte

I don’t admit to watching AI.

But, Melinda’s by far the best true singer who can communicate music and message, altho’ her song choice isn’t always memorable. LaKisha is talented and her voice as dark and husky as she, but her range of genre seems limited. Jordin’s got great chops and a future, but she’s fallen down on choice and delivery the last couple of times.

Like I said, I don’t watch the show.

The above hissed in response by: charlotte at May 2, 2007 1:05 PM

The following hissed in response by: KarmiCommunist

Are you breaking your own rules here?!?

The above hissed in response by: KarmiCommunist at May 2, 2007 1:07 PM

The following hissed in response by: Dafydd ab Hugh

Karmicommunist:

Are you breaking your own rules here?!?

Uh... huh?

Dafydd

The above hissed in response by: Dafydd ab Hugh at May 2, 2007 1:57 PM

The following hissed in response by: KarmiCommunist

Dafydd playing 'innocent':

Uh... huh?

Anyway, i can’t find the rules now; however, seem to recall that making ‘Threats’ was against the rules here. Imagine what poor ‘ole Dean Barnett must feel like right now, after experiencing your brutality ‘first hand’, and then having to face more of your merciless “stomping” of his flesh/bones/? in the future.

The above hissed in response by: KarmiCommunist at May 2, 2007 3:33 PM

The following hissed in response by: scarecrowstrawberryfield

I liked Blake's performance too. That was original. Since there are so many singers out there, one must make a song original for himself. If Blake sounds just like Bon Jovi, why should we listen to Blake? Well, he gave us something new.

I still like Melinda. But I agree, Lakisha was great last night.

The above hissed in response by: scarecrowstrawberryfield at May 2, 2007 4:07 PM

The following hissed in response by: habu

Blake may not win the big enchilada but he's got the "it" factor that Hollywood looks for. I see a bit of James Dean and Steve McQueen that could develop if given the right material.

He gave that song a real ride last night and did it with his usual "kool" The kids a winner.

The above hissed in response by: habu at May 2, 2007 4:31 PM

The following hissed in response by: habu

Jordin will be the biggest hit apres Idol. At 17 she needs to shed some pounds but she is a beautiful woman with some great pipes who will have more than her share of offers from Hollywood, NFL players, NBA plyers,MLB players..she's hot

The above hissed in response by: habu at May 2, 2007 4:35 PM