Scotty McCreery rendered a beautiful, moving and pitch perfect performance of Alan Jackson’s Where Were You? on May 11th’s American Idol.
Listen, I am not a connoisseur of conutry music by any means, but I know a damn good heartfelt performance when I see and hear one, and Scotty, you killed it for me!
The Idol judges agree:
Randy Jackson: “Dude, I think it’s the perfect song choice for where we are as a country. I applaud you for that. You set your mark on this stage this season. You are ready for super stardom and I hope you make it.”
Steven Tyler: “That was beautiful. I ditto what Randy said. Passion…that’s really important. I see it in your eyes.”
Jennifer Lopez: “I’m just in love with you. I can’t help it. What you stand for, what you bring to your music. I can tell you know who you are. I can tell you know what touches other people. It’s the mark of someone who is meant to do this. And I’m glad we’re here to witness it.”
For his second song, he sang a more up-tempo fun song by The Coasters Young Blood. Tyler said it best, “You made Gaga’s yaya go lala. How could you do that?” HUH?
On the May 11th episode of American Idol, Lauren Alaina was sweet and composed on her first performance of Anywayby Martina McBride, dedicated to the people from the “south recovering from the devastating tornadoes last week.”
The judges melted…
Steven Tyler: “Lauren you did it again. You broke my heart. That was the most beautiful thing. Your voice is so pure and perfect and right on pitch. You deliver a song like a blue plate special. You’re the whole package. I love you.” He also said he loves the buckle on her shoes and her dress. I love you Steven T for noticing and loving shoe buckles.
Jennifer Lopez: “That was very good, I am so proud of you baby. That’s exactly what you have to do. That was a great vocal performance. That was beautiful.”
Randy Jackson: “Last week, I was a little worried, but what you just did right there, the Lauren we all grew to love, that we met the first time that we met you, America, Lauren is back in it to win in. That was hot. You know what was wrong with that performance? Absolutely nothing. That was amazing!” Here is the video clip:
On her second song, Lauren channeled some Elvis by singing his Trouble…“I am evil, my middle name is misery.” Hard to imagine our sweet little Lauren singing those lyrics…
For her first song on the May 11thAmerican Idol, Haley Reinhart screamed her way through Michael Jackson‘s Earth Song and split the judges 2-1.
After I took out my earplugs, here is what I heard the judges say:
Jennifer Lopez: “I felt that song inspired you…Here’s where we are at the competition right now. James comes out and sets the bar. He does it with a great song and everyone is up on their feet. You have to think about that when you choose a song. That song has a beautiful message. No doubt. But I want you to be thinking about that when choosing a song: What everybody else is doing.”
Randy Jackson then pulled out his “Yo, listen!” phrase which he has barely used this season, so I knew it was gonna be bad news for Haley….”Yo, listen, just keeping it really real. Where we are at the competition is who wants to win this. Who is gonna take it home. The song does not suit you. I feel like you were screaming at the top of your range the same note at the end over and over again. My opinion is I didn’t like it. I felt like you were screaming.”
Steven Tyler interrupted: “Haley, don’t listen to them…They’re both wrong. That’s what you get from that. That song showed me that you can. You nailed it. You nailed the upper register. You pushed it to the top. The audience heard it. And America heard it. Don’t listen to them.”
Ya, Steven, I heard it. And I didn’t like it one bit. And I usually like Haley. How about you all? Did your ears hurt as much as mine or did I miss something? If you missed her performance, here is the video clip:
Instead of lying down and giving up, especially after Randy said Lauren, Scotty, and James had a three-way tie for first place tie after the first song, Haley came out angry and kicking but not screaming on her second song. And as she proved last week, when she sings angry she kicks ass.
Haley’s rendition of I Who Have Nothing by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller left me (and Casey Abrams in the studio audience) breathless. It was one of my favorite performances all season. THIS performance probably saved her from elimination this week. She should send a huge thank you basket of goodies for Lady Gaga for helping her bring out the theatrics in her performance.
Jennifer Lopez: “Look what you’re capable of. It was amazing. One of the best performances of the year.” Randy Jackson: “Everybody needs a moment tonight. Baby you just had a moment right here that put you in it to win it. That was amazing. One of your best vocals ever.” Steven Tyler: “I always knew it. It was a classic moment with classic Haley. You just Reinharted your way to middle of next week. That was beautiful.”
We were down to the Top 5 on American Idol at the beginning of the night on May 5.
Here is a LIVE RESULTS AND ELIMINATION SHOW RECAP BLOGGING (EASTERN US TIME):
SPOILER ALERT:
8:00 Dramatic recap video: “They had one night…and two chances…to win your vote…” 8:01 Judges intro. Tour Tickets on sale next Friday…60 Million Votes were cast – highest number for this season 8:03 Top 5 Group Number Happy Together 8:07 The Idols cook with Gordon Ramsey – Video 8:10 Commercial Break 8:15 Lady Antebellum performs new single, Just a Kiss 8:20 Commercial Break 8:25 Video Montage of Idols Talking About themselves 8:26 Ryan Secrest is dividing Idols in two different groups: Left Side: James Durbin Right Side: Lauren Alaina 8:29 Commercial and Jennifer Lopez to perform after 8:33 Gordon Ramsey is doing test tasting with Idols 8:37 J.LO is performing On The Floor 8:40 Commercial Break 8:44 Teaser of JLo’s next song, I’m Into You
8:46 IDOLS still divided in two groups:
Left Side: James Durbin, Haley Reinhart Right Side: Lauren Alaina, Jacob Lusk
Scotty McCreery – SAFE! Ryan Asked Scotty to go stand with group he thinks is “safe”. Scotty told Ryan, “Don’t do that to me man. I can’t do that.” Ryan then lead Scotty next to James and Haley and announced that ALL THREE ARE SAFE! Lauren and Jacob are bottom two! 8:52 Commercial Break
8:56 JACOB LUSK VOTED OFF AND ELIMINATED! COME BACK TO SEE WHO WAS VOTED OFF, ELIMINATED AND SENT HOME!
On Wednesday (5/4) night’s American Idol, James Durbin showed us that he is a rocker–but one with a soft, tender heart.
While listening to the lyrics of Without You as performed by Harry Nillson, tears rolled down James’ face and he simply broke down. He later said he is on the show to make a better life for his family and he gets extremely sad when his family comes to briefly visit him but has to leave to allow him to work on reaching his goal and dreams.
James was again moved to tears and overcame with emotion during his live performance. Here is what the judges had to say:
Randy Jackson: “As Steven and Jennifer will attest to, this is a mark of truly a great performer. I could feel your emotion as we started, as we were watching the package, and you thinking about your family and the journey that you’re on here and I tell you man, just fighting back through the emotions, for you to give a vocal like you gave, no, it wasn’t perfect, but it was emotionally perfect…I’m telling you right now, this competition is yours to lose.” Steven Tyler: “James man, when you sing as good as you do and you can let a song get the best of you. That’s crazy time, that’s a beautiful thing. That’s as beautiful as it gets. I loved that. Pitchy at times in a strange James Durbin kinda way. Your emotions were incredible.”
Jennifer Lopez: “That’s the thing with you. Everyone knows you can sing. You’re not just the guy that can wail right into the stratosphere. You have the heart and soul to back it up. You are an artist. You are a true true artist. He’s amazing you guys. Amazing.”
Scotty McCreery gave my favorite performance of his this season on Wednesday (5/4) night’s American Idol.
His rendition of Gone by Mongomery Gentry brought the entire studio to their feet. Way to go Scotty!
Here is what the judges said:
Steven Tyler: “Scotty my man, you know [studio audience cheering loudly with a standing O] that’s what America thinks. Up until now, you’ve been a Puritan, but I swear to God I saw you dance with the devil tonight! And that’s a good thing for you. That was really beautiful. It showed a whole new side of you.”
Jennifer Lopez: “I lost it there for a second I was so excited. You just owned that stage. I heard some growling in there too. I liked it. That is some American Idol stuff right there. That’s it baby!”
Randy Jackson: “Steven Tyler,I don’t know about this dancing with the devil thing. I don’t want you to do that right now. I felt like we were sitting there concert Scotty. Who knew you could rock the stage like that. This guy is in it to win it too!”
On Wednesday (May 4) night’s American Idol, James Durbin performed like a seasoned musician once again. Not only did he impress the hell out of the judges during his performance of Closer to the Edge by 30 Seconds to Mars, he also had this week’s guest mentor, Sheryl Crow, swooning over him: “I got to sing with James, I can officially retire now!” WOAH, now, THAT’S a compliment.
Here is what the judges said:
Steven Tyler: “James man, I think you kicked that song’s ass. You know, the way you work that audience, you are ready for Freddie I think.”
Jennifer Lopez: “We talked about who’s gonna come out here and grab it, you’ve been showing us that you want it. And I know America is feeling it. We are feeling it right here. Grab it. Take it. It’s yours to take James.”
Randy Jackson: “Now you’re showing us what kind of artist you are. James is in it to win it America. This guy wants it. He wants it Ryan! He wants it!”
Steven Tylerjust admitted to being stoned every time he sits down at the judges’ table on American Idol.
Every single time.
Except instead of his usual array of drugs of the past, Tyler is now high simply on the joy of being on the number 1 show in the country – and sitting next to and breathing in the most beautiful woman in the world.
“If you think going out in front of high-def cameras and millions of people I’m not high on adrenaline, you’re crazy.” He went on to tell People, “I’m stoned when that curtain drops,” but he explained, “I just don’t snort the curtain dropping. I don’t snort J. Lo either, though I do breathe her in.”
Tyler who has been known for infamous fights with his band mates and multiple trips to rehab in the past, is now beside himself that America gets to know and see his softer, warmer, compassionate side.
“I’m on top of the world. I’m Hollywood’s little f***in’ sweetheart, basically,” Tyler told Rolling Stone. He also admitted that he took the Idol job to react to his Aerosmith band mates trying to get rid of him.
“F**k yeah. Not to show them, but that I can’t be held hostage anymore. I will be my own hostage. The band can’t throw me out.”
Sober for a year and a half, the 63-year old ex-party king is just glad to be alive. He told People: “Left up to my own devices, I probably would have been dead several times over.” You can read all about his past escapades in his memoir, Does the Noise in My Head Bother You? which will be released May 3.
which will be released May 3.
