Another busy day and evening around the Sharp Casa, so I’ll keep this precap short (remember, I write this part ahead of the show)...
I love when people come together to make something special happen for someone else.
According to reports, David Cook’s brother, Adam, will be in attendance tonight and tomorrow night. As most people know by now, David’s brother recently suffered the setback of a second diagnosis of brain cancer. He is undergoing aggressive chemotherapy and as much as he has wanted to fly out to California to support his brother, his health has simply precluded that from happening. Doctors have said he is too ill to travel commercially.
Enter family, friends, and big hearted businesses...
Adam and his wife, Kendra, flew Sunday to California, accompanied by medical personnel – the private charter jet, medic, and nurse all paid for by Clarion Health of Indianapolis
They are staying at a hotel directly across from where Idol tapes – the cost being absorbed by B102.7 radio station in Terre Haute.
Laughter may indeed be one of life’s best medicines, but so, too, is the presence of those we love.
Kendra has said, "The excitement of seeing his spirits lifted so high has been wonderful."
THIS is what I mean when I tell my kids that the good people of the world still outnumber the bad. THIS type of outpouring, support, and willingness to step in to make this extraordinary trip possible is the heartwarming, human, beautiful kind of story that typically gets drowned out by the constant political pissing contests, war reports, and terrorist alerts in which we have become so mired.
My thoughts and prayers are with the Cook family as they continue to support Adam in his fight to beat his cancer back into remission. And my thanks are with everyone who has made David’s and Adam’s reunion possible. You done good. Not just for them, but for every decent person who stumbles into the potholes of doubt about just what this world is coming to.
Now onto the recap...
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With the warning that it is "down to seven, and up to you", Ryan reminded us that T.I.A.I., not T.P.I.R.
No big wheel, but lots of big cheese tonight: Randy, whose daughters apparently now make his jewelry. Every week he is showing up in some new bead kit ensemble. Tonight it was the addition of a necklace to go with the bracelets. I swear he’s going to show up with Bo Derek cornrows before the finale. Ahhh, the things we do for love (and our kids); Paula, who appeared to be wearing her own hair, actually looked quite understated and lovely in an off-the-shoulder plum number – she was a veritable vision of purpleness - a well coiffed eggplant; Simon Scowell again channeled Michael Kors in basic black.
Ryan then intro’d the theme for the night – The Songs of Mariah Carey – on the surface, a truly big mountain to climb, at least in my humble opinion. Despite her Paula Abdulesque behavior swings in recent years, there is no denying the talent she possesses.
I well remember the first time I heard her on the radio, and then rushing immediately out to buy a cassette for the car (yes, a cassette – it WAS 1991, you know). I lived on Kauai, and every day on my way to work, with the top down on the Miata, I would crank I Don’t Want To Cry and Love Takes Time, singing so loud I damn near woke up the dormant volcano on the next island.
As the video package stated, she has an enviable five octave range which translates into some seriously high octane songs. She has sold over 160 million albums, and recently surpassed Elvis for most #1 hits by a solo artist.
Now I adore Elvis, but I have also loved so much of what she has recorded, so Mariah? Thank you, thank you very much.
The kids had their mentoring sessions with her over the weekend, and Mariah referred to American Idol as "the boot camp of all boot camps", vocally speaking, that is. I think some Marines at Camp LeJeune would argue that getting shot down by Simon is far preferable to dodging actual bullets.
First up was Puppy Love, who admits to being scared to meet Mariah, channeling Wayne & Garth with a "not worthy". Mariah called his choice of When You Believe "really moving" and said his "singing is just beautiful."
On stage, for the first time, David looked like an edgy teen (well, edgy for him) and not like he was dressed for a holiday portrait at Sears. He was wearing a deep red, graphic Tshirt and leather pants?!?!
Loved Kendall’s comment, "I didn’t know Mormons were allowed to wear leather pants."
Don’t get your magic underwear in a twist – she was just joking and still loves him.
He started out powerful, full of purpose, and seemed to be connecting, but then it was almost as if he had a moment where he struggled with the proper breath control and phrasing. No matter, he finished strong – although that attempt at a falsetto was as weak as a used teabag.
Oh, and he only licked his lips once. Methinks he has been talked to by Stage Daddy.
Randy said, "Dude, if you can sing, you can sing anything, and YOU can SING!" and then called it "da bomb"; Paula said she thought David made Mariah "proud, very proud"; Simon agreed it was "very, very good" and that he "performed that very, very well."
I don’t think Puppy has very, very much to worry, worry about tomorrow night.
AFTER. THE. BREAK we returned to Ryan occupying the Chat Chairs with Carly and talking about how emotional everyone was about MYchael leaving last week. Carly was honest, "We weren’t expecting that." She then went on to basically say the rest of them are as boring as watching paint dry. Apparently MYchael was the life of the party.
With Mariah, Carly rehearsed Without You. Now, technically, that is not a Mariah song, but a Mariah cover of a Harry Nilsson song, which if we’re being truly nit picky was a cover of an obscure Badfinger song from their 1970 album No Dice.
Harry had great success with it, but Mariah knocked it out of the park. Again, that five octave range, something Harry couldn’t reach even if his undercarriage were being squeezed in a vice.
Mariah cited Carly’s "powerful voice" and said that she was "more than doing it justice."
Looking lovely in a deep navy dress with an even deeper cut neckline, a black teardrop necklace pointing south, Carly stood on stage alongside the piano and began singing. It was a very controlled, steady opening, and I literally was leaning forward waiting for the moment when she was going to blow the roof off.
It never came.
Yes, she opened up, but it seemed more screamchy than powerful, like she was reaching, but not quite being able to grab hold of the vocal brass ring.
As they cut to the judges, Simon and Paula seemed to be squabbling, unaware that their mics were on, and before Randy could begin, I SWEAR it sounded like Simon said to her, "You won’t admit when you’ve got a boner."
Go ahead and laugh. I TIVOed back three times, and I still come up with the word BONER. I know that can’t possibly be it, so if you have better ears, help me out here...
Randy liked that Carly "challenged" herself with the "big song", but said the beginning "was not quite loosey goosey for me" and that it was just "pretty good"; Paula liked the "restraint" and then how she "swelled and soared"; Simon said he had wanted to hear her sing this song, but that "I don’t think you pulled it off", that she is "capable, but over thinking."
Another break and it was Syesha’s turn to meet Mimi. Choosing a lesser known song, Vanishing, Mariah called her "amazing" and "really cool, very composed."
With the piano man working overtime, Syesha stood at his side, and was her usual gorgeous self in a form fitting gold cocktail dress, and another pair of earrings which threatened to take an eye out if she swung her head too hard.
And as she sang, I had to admit two things: 1. Smart choice because I did not know the song, so I was finally not comparing her to a massive diva, and 2. WOW – she was absolutely strong from start to finish.
That’s the most I have enjoyed her singing since her audition. Well done.
Randy liked that she was "bold" and then said "you did a good job ... all things considered" (Ahh, Randy, nice way to shake someone’s hand and then kick them in the balls.); Paula called her "extremely smart" and said that her performance was "unbelievably magical"; Simon called it "technically very, very good indeed" but questioned choosing a song "not many people know."
I disagree. I think she will be in the Bottom Three, but will probably squeak through based on people simply enjoying her performance and not being able to compare.
Note: At this point in the show, did anyone else notice that Paula seemed to be hiding behind her hair and slurring her speech? Kind of drowsy, loopy?
Another break and Brooke was sharing the chat chairs to remind us that DARN IT! we made her miss her sister’s wedding this past weekend. Hmmmmm ... Superstardom on the most watched television program in the universe, or an ugly bridesmaid’s dress and rubber banquet chicken ... decisions, decisions...
Mariah helped her work out Hero, and called Brooke a "genuine person". That’s nice. I prefer my people genuine too. I don’t like those prefab, preservative stuffed, imitation kind. It’s kind of like that pretend "crab" in a California Roll – it’s just missing something... sheesh, I’m tired, where was I?
Ahh yes, Brooke. She opted to stay at the keyboard again, which serves her well, as walking, dancing, any type of movement involving her limbs, seems to trip her up.
In a black dress, shot through with silver thread, she actually looked pretty amazing tonight. Risque even – for Brooke – after all, this dress had a V-neck! Her hair was loose, wavy – and she seemed comfortable with her one shoe on, one shoe off self.
Now, I am not a huge Brooke White fan – she’s a little too bland for me – but I actually enjoyed her performance tonight. Look, I am impressed with anyone who can play an instrument OR carry a tune, and when a person can do them at the same time? WHOA.
Randy called it "kinda cool", "pretty good"; Paula babbled that "every ounce of you is totally authentic to who you are and that’s a beautiful thing" (Yes, Paula, so are balanced meds...); Simon said it was "a bit like ordering a hamburger and only getting the bun ... there was the vital ingredient missing" and added that her "voice isn’t strong enough to carry that song."
And then Randy couldn’t resist chiming in that, "NO, the meat was in the bun" at which point Brooke broke out her petulant, disappointed Nanny face – the one that asks, "Oh dear, did you just pee in your big girl panties?"
Randy rambled on about the burger being there, but the condiments being MIA, and Paula hollered, "Where’s the beef?"
I swear, Clara Peller would smack that woman upside the head with her purse. Clara didn’t suffer beefless burgers or fools lightly.
Kristy Lee had her chance with Mariah next, working on Forever, which you could immediately tell was heading down a dusty country lane. Mariah even said KLC gave her "goosebumps." And I don’t think Kristy dropped ice down her back – it was a real compliment.
That poor piano player continued to toil away on the darkened stage, and Kristy looked beautiful in a gold, wrapped bodice, knee length dress, her hair long and straightened.
From the musical arrangement to the twang in her voice, she infused the song with country flair and emotion. Granted she never moved from where she started, but it actually served to keep the focus on her voice, which sounded strong for the second week in a row – especially her finish.
Bottom three? Maybe. Maybe not. She has had two good weeks in a row now...
Randy cited a couple "pitchy notes in the first part", but said she "definitely started stepping up towards the end"; Paula said she was "blown away" and that Kristy could have "a hit with it in country western world." Then she went and stepped in it, saying "Mariah can leave it on to the younger generation and still have fans."
I’m sure Meems enjoyed having Ms. Abfool call her old on national TV.
Simon cut in with "it didn’t give me chills," "a bit whiney at times," and "it wasn’t great."
Paula then shlouted (Shouted + slurred), "Allllll the gurls look BOOOtifool tonight!"
All right Nigel – who had the butterfly net last?
Another break and David C worked on the unusual selection of Always Be My Baby with Mariah. Even she was "surprised by his choice" but said that he "did something different that could be a hit for him."
Looking like he just got done tending the bar at TGI Friday’s – his shirt untucked, vest unbuttoned, tie loose – David stood at the microphone, singing slowly, steadily building up, and then WHAM! – he decapitated poor Matilda, dragging her headless body across the stage, as he worked the crowd and finished out the song.
It was brilliant. I haven’t liked every single thing he has done in the past, but this was worth heading to iTunes to download. I loved the pace of the song, the gravel in his voice, the emotion, every single part of it.
And it was all made even more perfect by the quick shot of Adam standing in the crowd and clapping for his brother.
Randy said, "You are ready to make an album, you’re a hot recording artist." Then, he did what he has not done all season – Randy stood up and gave a contestant a Standing O; Paula said the song "could be in a movie soundtrack right now – you’re IT!"; Simon stated that he felt like he was "coming out of karaoke hell into a breath of fresh air." He added it was "original, daring, it stood out by a mile, this is the sign of a great potential artist – someone who takes risks."
And at that point, David began to tear up and covered his face – he glanced a couple times in his brother’s directions and the tears were ready to spill over the eyelid dams.
Nice moment for both of them.
One last break and we returned to someone holding a neon green SIMON FOR PRESIDENT sign in the crowd. A sign which Ryan immediately grabbed and ripped in two. Now lest you think he destroyed some little tweenie’s poster board and marker work, you should know that the majority of those signs you see people waving are made, and handed out by, the production staff prior to the show.
I know, I know – sorry to burst your bubble. But while I’m at it, Big Bird isn’t really a bird either...
Dreads snagged the money spot this week and rehearsed I Don’t Want To Cry with Mariah. My initial reaction was NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! That song was so BIG, so full of emotion, and vocal range – I just did not envision a way the soft spoken, yet DREADfully handsome Jason could rework it.
Sitting on a stool (like Brooke, he is physically constipated – no movement for him), backed by a trio of musicians, Jason wore JEANS, a black T-shirt, JEANS jacket, and my 1984 prom date’s Capezio jazz shoes.
Aside from his quirk of singing out one side of his face, like an adorable stroke patient, I thought he reworked the song well, stripping it down to its basic emotion. He made it a JASON song.
Randy said that for him, he "didn’t really love that – like a weird beach luau, weird for me, didn’t get it"; Paula disagreed and said, "I’d love to be at that luau listening all night long"; Simon actually agreed with Paula, saying that while it "wasn’t the best vocal of the night" it was a "cool version" and that the "guys completely won the night..
Watching the video snippets of the performances, I have to agree. Maybe they did better because they didn’t feel the threat of being compared vocally to Mariah? Nah. I just think they are a better bunch of singers over all.
My guess is that our Bottom Three will consist of Carly, Syesha, and Brooke. And if I had to send one home, my money would be on Carly before Syesha.
So what do you think? Did they do justice to the Mariah Carey songbook? Which of the kids is going to bed tonight singing I Still Believe I have a shot, and who is Slipping Away? Who will be thanking us for having Treated Me Kind, and who will simply be Vanishing? And while I'm asking questions... Who thinks Paula would actually admit it if she had a boner???
Chime in, and I’ll see you here Wednesday night for the results!!
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