MBADC American Idol
Armchair Quarterback 2007
American Idol from
the perspective of someone who's booked artists at the national-level: who we like in the
competition, what works, what doesn't work, what contestants can do to improve
their chances of success, and advice you can apply to your own performances.
Season 6 Top 20: The Top 10
Girls Perform
Air date: Wednesday,
February 28, 2007
Gina Glocksen: Gina
Glocksen's version of Heart's "Alone" had a really nice variation on the
first verse. She was a little pitchy on the chorus, but it was a good song
for her voice and range. Like Simon, we weren't crazy about the dress,
though; it just doesn't go with a rocker chick singing a rock ballad.
Tips for success: When it comes to your image, consistency is
important when you're building an audience. Wearing a dress one day and rock
and roll clothes the next is confusing to the audience who's trying to get
to know you: which image is more comfortable? Reinvent yourself carefully,
after you've firmly established an audience.
Alaina Alexander: Alaina Alexander's version of the Dixie
Chicks' "Not Ready to Make Nice" was pitchy, and the weak vocal was
additionally hampered by a weak arrangement by the Bland Band. Her
Mariah Carey hand movements were also distracting. Image-wise, she looked
good, but it's a singing competition. Tips for success: Being
remembered for someone else's hand movements is never a good thing. Watch
performance footage of yourself and practice in front of a mirror to break
yourself of the habit of copying someone else.
LaKisha Jones: Gladys Knight and the Pips' "Midnight Train to
Georgia" was a good song selection for Lakisha's style, range, and power.
She was off on the first verse, but it got much better. As always, she had
excellent stage presence...but we didn't like her clothes. Tips for
success: With her big, seasoned voice and her excellent stage
presence, Lakisha needs elegant clothing to tie it all together.
Melinda Doolittle: Melinda Doolittle's version of the Sinatra
classic, "My Funny Valentine" was excellent. Wow and bravo! We wouldn't
change a thing. Tips for success: The key to success on an old
standard is to sing it as if you wrote it, and as if you want to
share it with the person you wrote the lyrics about. Feel it, and make each
person in the audience feel it.
Antonella Barba: Antonella Barba's version of Celine
Dion's "Because You Loved Me" was warbley, pitchy, and very high school talent
show. After singing poorly on a Diane Warren-penned Aerosmith song last
week, now she's trying a Diane Warren-penned Celine? Tips for success:
We do not recommend this route, but the leaked risqué photos are
probably Antonella's blessing in disguise: singing is not this girl's thing.
But we don't think we've seen the last of her.
Jordin Sparks: Jordin Sparks' version of Christina Aguilera's
"My Reflection" wasn't great, because it was too much song for her. But, we
agree that at 17, she has huge potential for the future, based on other
performances. Tips for success: Song selection, song
selection, song selection.
Stephanie Edwards: Stephanie Edwards version of Beyonce's
"Dangerously in Love" was a little off on a couple of parts, but what
worked, worked pretty well. We like the tone of her voice a lot, but we
agree that directly copying Beyonce's delivery isn't the way to go. We have
a Beyonce already. Tips for success: Be original, instead of
singing songs of the artist you sound like (especially note for
note-for-note renditions). The reason your neighborhood likes it is because
your neighborhood doesn't have anyone but you who can do that. The industry
does have someone who can do that--the original artist!
Leslie Hunt: Leslie Hunt's version of "Feelin' Good" was
pitchy in spots, but there were some elements we really liked about it,
especially at the beginning. Perhaps a better vocal arrangement might have
helped. Tips for success: Arranging the song to
highlight your best attributes is key. You don't want to have all your best
stuff at the beginning, but you also don't want to make them wait too long.
Try different ways of doing the song to see what works best, then stick to
it.
Haley Scarnato: Hayley Scarnato's version of Whitney Houston's
"Queen of the Night" was screechy in places, and although it had good
energy, it wasn't of the caliber that an American Idol's performance should
be. And, as Simon said, singing Whitney Houston is the "singer's peril."
Tips for success: Song selection, song selection, song selection.
Singing Whitney is never a good idea, because any comparison of your version
will be judged as inferior to hers.
Sabrina Sloan: Sabrina Sloan's version of Whitney
Houston's "All the Man that I Need" had some really nice moments, but a few
clinkers. Sabrina's voice is big and powerful, but she really needs to
develop more presence onstage, because although she looks great, she's still
not memorable, even when she sings well. Tips for success: 1.
See Haley Scarnato, "Tips for success" above. 2.
Bringing out the thing that's unique about you and makes you memorable
is vital to your success.
We voted for: Melinda Doolittle.
Ryan Seacrest Smart Quip of the Night: None.
American Idol
Armchair Quarterback
The MBADC American Idol Armchair Quarterback is intended as commentary and
is not affiliated with Fox Television, American Idol, or its producers or
judges in any way. Tips should be taken as a suggestion only and are not
intended as a substitute for qualified vocal coaching or artist management.
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