MBADC American Idol
Armchair Quarterback 2008, Season 7
American Idol, from
the perspective of a former national-level talent booker, demo screener, and
performance coach: who we like in the
competition, what works and what doesn't, what contestants can do to improve
their chances of success, and advice you can apply to your own career.
Editor's Note: Much has been made in the media about some of this year's
contestants having had label deals in the past. After much discussion, we at
MBADC made a conscious decision not to use this as a factor when rating each
contestant's performance in the MBADC American Idol Armchair Quarterback
column...including the new "most signable" section.
Season 7
Top 24: The Top 12 Girls
Perform Songs From the
60s
Air date: Tuesday, February
20, 2008
Kristy Lee Cook:
Kristy Lee Cook's version of "Rescue Me" was OK, but not great in terms of
the vocal. It lacked spark and just sort of plodded along, so the lyrics
weren't believable. She has good presence, but needed to put more passion
into the song. Tips for success: Match your energy to what the lyric
demands. Is it passionate? Is it desperate? Tell the story like you wrote
the words yourself.
Joanne Borgella: Joanne Borgella's version of "I Say a Little Prayer" was pitchy and had a weak vocal. The camera likes her, but the
vocals just weren't there. Ouch. Tips for success: Get the nerves
together and sing better, because we liked her in the auditions.
Alaina Whitaker: Alaina Whitaker's version of "More Today
Than Yesterday" had a good vocal. She started off oversinging it a little,
but got it together. Performance-wise, although she could have used the
stage a bit more, she had good energy and overall it was a much better
version of this song than Chikezie's version on the previous night. Tips
for success: Use the whole stage to engage every member of the
audience--especially on a dynamic song. Watching concert video of Jon Bon
Jovi, Shania Twain, and Celine Dion can help show you how.
Amanda Overmeyer: Amanda Overmeyer's version of "Baby Please Don't Go"
wasn't bad, but it was a little rushed and mediocre, compared to what
we know she can do with her voice. The problem? The scatting wasn't
top-notch, and the song didn't highlight what she's great at:
power belting. (Frankly she should have been the contestant to do "Spinning
Wheel" or "Tobacco Road".) Tips for success: Song selection, song
selection, song selection.
Amy Davis: Amy Davis's version of "Where the Boys Are" was pitchy, the
arrangement dragged on, and the song wasn't the best selection for her
voice. The camera likes her, but that's just not enough. Tips for
success: Knowing what your voice is capable of, and what it's not, is
key in selecting the right song.
Brooke White: Brooke White's version of "Happy Together"
had a cool arrangement; we liked the way she phrased the song.
Unfortunately, it was really pitchy in places. But we're willing to hear her
again, because her auditions were very cool. Tips for success: Don't
take this as a slam (it's not), but with her sunny disposition, Brooke would
probably make a very lucrative children's performer, a la The Wiggles. As
for American Idol, song selection will be key here.
Alexandrea Lushington: Alexandrea Lushington's version of "Spinning
Wheel" had a good vocal until she got to the high parts, where she was
really pitchy. But we like the tone of her voice a lot; she sounds a little
like Natalie Cole. Performance-wise, she has good energy and presence. What
we weren't crazy about was the song selection and arrangement: it
came off a little like a Love Boat cruise ship extravaganza. Tips
for success: Song selection, song selection, song selection...
Kady Malloy: Kady Malloy's version of "A Groovy Kind of Love" had a
great arrangement, and was and excellent vocal until she hit a couple of
clinkers at the end. But overall, it was an excellent interpretation of how
to make an old song current, and she could record and release that
arrangement today. Kady's the real deal. Tips for success:
Vocal consistency, and continuing to have good songs and arrangements will
be key. Kady has potential written all over her. Now she has to do
it.
Asiah Epperson: Asiah Epperson's version of "Piece of My Heart" was a
karaoke bar kind of performance. It wasn't bad, exactly, but definitely not
our favorite performance of the evening. The problem? It was an unsuitable
song for her. Tips for success: Liking a song isn't enough; it also
has to fit you as an artist.
Ramiele Malubay: Ramiele Malubay's version of the Dusty Springfield
classic "You Don't Have to Say You Love Me" had a good vocal, but a terrible arrangement by the Bland Band at
the beginning of the song. But we love her voice, and the camera loves her. Ramiele is one of our favorites this season; she reminds us of an Asian
Whitney Houston, when Whitney was first starting out. Tips for success:
Song selection is key, along with finding her inner artist to go with
her voice. If she does that, she can win and have a successful post-Idol
career. If not, we don't think she'll make top 3.
Syesha Mercado: Syesha Mercado's version of "Tobacco Road" didn't
highlight the best parts of her voice. She has a great voice, but she can do
better in terms of song selection. Despite a good vocal, this one didn't
make her memorable. This girl isn't a rocker, so...why? Tips for
success: The right song and arrangement can make you memorable, if you
have a great voice. The wrong one can make people completely forget you.
Know who you are, and choose a song that fits.
Carly Smithson: Carly Smithson has a great voice, but now what?
Who is she as an artist, what kind of music does she want to do, and
where does she fit in to today's music industry? That's what the song should
tell us, and it didn't. We agree with Simon in that Carly's version of
"Shadow of Your Smile" was very
cabaret...which isn't a good thing when you're searching for a recording
artist for today's music industry. (That's what was said about some of
Katharine McPhee's performances, and although she won, Katharine McPhee
didn't sell and was dropped by her label.) Tips for success: Who are
you as an artist? What kind of music do you want to do? Where do you fit
into the industry? That's what your song selection should tell the audience,
as well as execs who are looking to sign someone.
Most signable: Based on tonight's performance, we'd sign...No one yet,
but we'd want to hear more from Kady Malloy and Ramiele Malubay.
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.
American Idol
Armchair Quarterback |
