Idol Watch

[the links no longer work, sorry! thank you, copyright laws!]

I have been loving the American Idol season this year, even if I haven't been posting my faves, but I just couldn't skip out on last night's performances. Wow.

First off, the category was THE BEST! Songs of the Rat Pack. What's not to love? Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr.-- I love the new crooners, too-- gimme some Harry Connick Jr. or Michael Buble. Love them all. Anyone who has been around when my cell phone has gone off will attest to its flavor of ringing. (Hubby's dedicated ring is Mambo Italiano, a Dean Martin classic). With that in mind, I was excited for the performances, but not totally sure how all would do. Well, they all did very well, but here are my top 2.

Danny Gokey was my favorite out of the gate. He lost his wife a few months before auditions and I have a soft spot for emotional guys. Then he sang. That voice is the type that always makes me melt. Love it. Lately I have been a bit disappointed in his performances-- he's been somewhat out of his element. Not last night. If you love that era of movies and dress and schmoozing coupled with a tremendous bluesy feel, you are in for a treat. Come Rain, Come Shine.
(singing starts at :55)



And then there is Adam Lambert. This guy can really sing. He is definitely Elvis-esque, and that is tremendously fun. He has a background in Broadway and is the ultimate performer. This was a fun rendition of Feeling Good. Oh, and that boy has got his swagger on. Big Time. Enjoy!

It's BaAack!!

To whet your appetite...

David Cook's Audition for American Idol



And Paul Pott's audition for Britain's Got Talent



Catch you on the flip-side!

American Idol David Cook!

Okay, so I am almost a week late with this update! wow. I didn't see that coming-- I mean, I pictured myself blogging this ten minutes later. Anyway, life gets in the way sometimes, as it did this past week.

So, I actually 'heard' the results via a text message from my daughter Stephie. I was rocking out at The Police concert, and missed watching the Results Show live.

I was totally excited that David Cook won! Woo Hoo!

Don't get me wrong, I am DEFINITELY a David Archuleta fan, and always will be. He has an amazing, pitch-perfect voice. He sings with great control and emotion, and nearly always moves me with his music.

When it comes to the music that I listen to, David Cook is more my style. There was only one song that I didn't care for in the whole competition. I love the fact that he is a self-proclaimed 'word nerd.' Too cool.

So without further ado, and without much in the way of clever repartee, here is the clip if you missed it. {forward to 2:15 to avoid the pre-results ramble, if you like}

The Perfect Finale

I have been wanting it for months. My absolute two faves to win this American Idol season are David Cook and David Archuleta.
And what to my wondering ears should be heard?... Battle of the Davids. Excellent.

David Archuleta is adorable. Sweet. He has almost perfect pitch every time. He sings beautifully. You name it, he can sing it. He is sweet, he is adorable... wait, am I looping? Here he is with Love Me Tender. Sing it, Davey!♥



David Cook, well, COOKS! He is the most amazing rocker/balladier. wow. He can rock out just about any song- even the most unlikely Andrew Llody Webber or Roberta Flack! He has moved me to tears a few times. This past Tuesday was no exception with First Time Ever I Saw Your Face. I'm telling you. It moved me. (this is the one, Marie ☺)



Next week will be killer! I can't wait to see them battle it out. I think that the cream has definitely risen to the top.

Farewell, Brooke

Dear Brooke,
We love you. You are amazing. We have loved you from the moment you challenged Simon to bring you over to the dark side.
You have such a wonderfully raspy-sweet voice and you just absolutely ooze niceness. When you are in your groove, you bring out our Inner Hippie. You certainly can do a mean Carly Simon, Carole King and Pat Benatar and yet your are so tender at the piano. You have often brought us to tears.
We are sad to see you go, but hope that in your leaving it means that we will be hearing a CD from you really soon.
With love,
Your Adoring Fans

Sadly, American Idol says good-bye to Brooke White. I have liked her from the beginning. Here are a few of my favorites. Enjoy.

You're So Vain


Love is a Battlefield


Let It Be

Idol Watch

I totally missed last week because of Lilly's tooth-dangling episode... but caught the gist on tv.

No real surprises there. I only feel that it is a shame that Kristy Lee Cook went out when she was actually getting better each week. I think that she was finding her own as a country/pop singer, and was doing a nice job of it.

This week was Andrew Lloyd Webber week. Wow. Talk about intimidating. "Umm... yes, hello your Lordship, please allow me to massacre your song for you..."

Jason Castro is still adorable. Bless his baby heart, he had no idea that Cats was about, well CATS!
Of course his quote on Lennon-McCartney week got me into a fit of giggles, too. He sang, Michelle, ma belle.
And said something like this- don't take a big drink of a fizzy drink right now- "I didn't know it was french. I just thought it was, you know, 'mah bell.'" {in Texan drawl} Oh, we laughed hysterically about that for a while!!! Gotta love him. He can grin his way into our hearts on those days where the song just eludes him. So, this week he did Memories, probably one of the most well-known songs of Lord Webber, and, well, he kind of botched it, but his fans didn't let him down and we will be hearing from him again next week. Please bring your guitar, Jason. We can't resist it!


Brooke White lost the lyric and started over. It was a lackluster performance. Her fan base is huge, so she is staying with us. I have to say that I sent a few mercy-votes her way because I really like her Carly Simon/Carole King vibe. It brings out my Inner Hippie.

The Davids Dominated the Night!

Below is David Archuleta's take on Think of Me. Being a total Phantom of the Opera fan, it really moved me. He shook it up and made it his own, and for me, even though I am a Phantom purist, it was truly amazing.  

David Cook surprised us all by not rearranging The Music of the Night. I was a little worried because it didn't have his stamp on it at first, but it was so totally moving, and as Randy said it was a "molten hot lava bomb!" Enjoy



Syesha Mercado was amazing. She really hit it with her Broadway style. I think that she will do great in the Big Apple, but she is just not my idea of The American Idol.
It's almost an after-thought that we are saying good-bye to Carly Smithson. I used to really like her. She has an amazing voice, but I am just not feeling it.

Angry Eyes

Well, Sunny Side Up is putting on her 'Angry Eyes' today!

I just can't even believe the Elimination on American Idol last night!?!

Okay, I know that the competition is tough this year. I knew that it was going to get sticky soon. I knew that I would start getting sad since I have a few favorites. We can't all be winners-- I Get It. But,

Come, on... Michael Johns?!? Are you kidding me? This is some kind of joke, right? First time in the bottom three and out? He was absolutely stunned.

He has such a Huge Voice. He definitely seems like he could be a front man for a band and sell records now. He took on songs by The Doors, Simple Minds, Queen... and he nailed them. He has Star Quality. And an amazing amount of Charisma. The good looks and the Aussie accent do everything to recommend him as a celebrity. I most definitely disagree.

Michael Johns,

American Idol just won't be the same without you. I hope that you are signing a record deal right now. We'll buy them. We'll love them.

G'day, Mate.

It's All Wrong, But It's All Right

Goosebumps

I actually have a lot of other things going on in my life besides American Idol, truly I do. But, I am enjoying this season so much that I get totally excited about it.

I am telling you that last night's performance by Jason Castro was AMAZING! Wow. Goosebumps. Tears. You name it, I had them.



David Archuleta's performance was terrific. He is definitely the one who probably has the lion's share of the votes. Popular young phenom.


David Cook rocked it out last night, though it wasn't my favorite performance. It didn't move me, so I was somewhat disappointed. Though, I believe that he is a shoe-in for the top 4.



Michael Johns' was great, too. I mean how can you go wrong with 'Dream On?' (Yes, much to the chagrin of my hubby, I am a closet Aerosmith fan)

Tonight is Idol Gives Back. A special American Idol where specific Charities are highlighted and you have the opportunity to donate.
Some of the charities are:
The Children's Defense Fund, The Global Fund, Make It Right, Malaria No More, Save The Children, U.S. Programs and the Children's Health Fund.

Stars and Celebrities who will be gracing the Idol Stage include:
Robin Williams, Celine Dion, Forest Whitaker, Billy Crystal, Dane Cook, Kiefer Sutherland, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale, Jennifer Connolly, Elliott Yamin, Fantasia and Amy Adams join previously announced international talent and sports figures Bono, Brad Pitt, Reese Witherspoon, Miley Cyrus, Mariah Carey, Eli Manning, Peyton Manning, Fergie, Chris Daughtry, Carrie Underwood, Annie Lennox, John Legend, Snoop Dogg, Maroon 5, Heart and Gloria Estefan.

So tune in!

Idol Watch

A few surprises this week. A few of my faves didn't shine as bright as I might have wanted, but there was one performance that I will never forget. David Cook really rocked it out. Who knew this side of 'Billie Jean?' Wow. Loved, loved, loved it! The Michael Jackson cover had me at 'hello' -- and speaking of which, did you catch his version of the Lionel Richie song? For your listening pleasure, I have included both.

Billie Jean


Hello


Honorable Mention: Michael Johns. Love me some Queen.

Sent Home: Poor Chikezie. There were a few others who should have gone first.

Idol Watch

American Idol. You know you love it.

The big winner of the night was David Archuleta!

He did a crystal clear version of 'The Long and Winding Road.' Yes, it was a little bit safe, but I think that he now has his confidence back from his lyrics amnesia of last week. Phew! The YW Pres. breathes a sigh of relief that Everyone's Favorite Mormon Boy was on top last night.{grins}

Love love, love Michael Johns, but he really did lousy last night. Ack!! The guy can sing Queen and Simple Minds, but The Beatles had him baffled. So sad. He is definitely a contender, though, so I look forward to next week. He is not in danger of elimination by a long shot.

Brooke White, our other LDS Hopeful; not-so-much last night. She looked a little lost up there without her guitar or piano, and she did a bit of the LDS shuffle, that looks very out of place on the Idol Stage. She definitely has amazing talent, but missed the mark just a smidgen last night. Sniff, sniff.

Our Resident Rocker, David Cook, definitely has a horse in this race. He has been doing amazingly well. He is crazy talented, but last night wasn't quite as magical, and Simon let him know that, 'I don't think that you were as good as you think that you were...' Classic Cowell. Love it.

Okay, this is our local boy Jason Castro, and he really is amazing. I don't know that he has the 'idol' factor, but let's just say, if I were 20-something, I would be swooning over his soft voice, gorgeous grin and amazing eyes! My mom would have something to say about the hair, but... come one, have you ever seen dreads look so amazing?

Lastly I would like to talk about Chikeze. Funny name; serious singer. I have been hot and cold on this guy. He does Luther Vandross very well. He croons like there is no tomorrow. For a few weeks he fell on his face- I actually was wishing that he would go, but I am back to liking this very talented, happy-go-lucky guy.

But... tell me, is it just me, or does he look like Isaac from the Love Boat?

Mormon American Idol Hopeful?

Okay, Okay, so now you know. I am an Idol watcher. It's true.

Now I have to say that before last season I only watched a few episodes of the first American Idol season. But last year, I started watching it with my big girls and we had a fabulous time! We got to sit on the couch and laugh and cheer and tear up together, twice a week for 4 months! Now, those of you who don't have teenagers (probably all of my audience) don't know what gold that is, but you will.

So we have been anxiously awaiting this season. They have been waiting for the entertainment, no doubt, but I have been waiting for my Big Girl time.

There were many stinkers, and a few gems. Brooke White was a definite shiny, bright moment. I am sure that she must be LDS; raised in Mesa, AZ and she's never seen an R-rated movie. Hmmm....

Enjoy the clip!
(you may want to scroll down and pause the background music first- I don't know how to turn it off without deleting it!)



The Sunny Side: A mormon Election Hopeful and a mormon American Idol Hopeful in the same year? It's going to be a wild ride!