MBADC American Idol
Armchair Quarterback 2005
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.
Week Two:
Wednesday, January 26, 2005
(Guest Judge: Kenny Loggins. City: Las Vegas, NV. )
Guys: Best bet from tonight's male contestants: Mario
Vazquez. The clarity and beautiful tone of Mario's vocal makes him one of
our favorites vocally.
Tips for success: With the Boy Band thing over, material
choice and image is key. We remembered Mario's voice, but not his name or
what he looked like, so it will be especially important to develop something
memorable. At 27, the goal should be to create an image that will provide
career longevity so the young sound of his voice doesn't put him in the Boy
Band category.
Girls: Best bet from tonight's female contestants: Amanda
Avila. Close second: Mikalah Gordon. Amanda's poise, look, and
experience in front of a live audience gives her the lead with us. Mikalah
has a natural kind of "cool," like Norah Jones with an edge.
Tips for success: The slight sharpness of some of Amanda's
notes can be coached out, if it's still there with a band. The Jessica
Simpson song highlighted it, so a song by a different artist might also do
the trick. If 16 year-old Mikalah doesn't rebel, the American Idol
process will refine what
is already a good look and bring out her best vocal qualities.
"________________sounded great, so why didn't he/she make it to the next
round?": Didn't see anyone who fit this category tonight.
Ryan Seacrest Smart Quip of the Night: "As Emily celebrates, Joseph
Land looks on and takes a sip from the flask of eternal youth." This was
hilarious...But even a Seacrest Smart Quip couldn't compare when Simon Cowell, clearly smitten with Eva Longoria-esque cocktail waitress/contestant
Sharon Galvez, said, "Very good. And what are you gonna drink?--Eat--Oh,
God--what are you gonna sing?"
Tuesday, January 25, 2005 (Guest Judge:
Gene Simmons City: New Orleans, LA. )
Guys:
Best bet from tonight's male
contestants: David Brown. The voice is fabulous.
Also interesting
Jeffrey Johnson. We agree that he'd be good as a country artist. On
American Idol, it will be good TV to see how the conflict between his
religious beliefs and goals of pop stardom plays out.
Tips for success:
Choose material that you can make your own; this is what made
Jeffrey Johnson unique tonight. Choose wardrobe wisely.
Girls:
Best bet from tonight's female contestants: Lindsey Cardinale.
Tips for success:
Lindsey should do well if she continues to utilize the smokey
quality of her voice, but doesn't hurt her cords in the process. Good throat
care is especially important for those with smokey voices. (For tips, check
out our Body and Soul articles on Vocal
Care.)
"Why didn't so-and-so make it to the
next round?":
Molfetta
Twins:
Although vocally good, they weren't
as good as some of the others that had already been put through to
Hollywood, and the look was more "next door neighbor" than the star-quality
the judges were looking for. Many others who had already made it to the next
round had their look together. The attitude after being rejected sealed the
deal. They could probably do OK at the local or regional level, or, if they
have acting ability, perhaps in theater. Tips for improvement: Work
harder on vocals as individuals, and develop your look.
Ryan Seacrest Smart
Quip of
the Night:
"So after some prune juice, the judges settled back in..." Ewww.
But it sent our webmaster into hysterics.
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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