|
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 Five:
Wednesday, February 16, 2005
(Hollywood Final Cut)
Guys: Best bet from tonight's male contestants: Tie: Anthony Fedorov,
Mario Vazquez.
Also interesting: Anwar Robinson.
Tips for success: Anthony Fedorov has our favorite voice but needs to step up his originality and passion.
Mario Vazquez is doing everything well except for the attitude, so keeping
it toned down so
as not to alienate middle America will be important. When it comes to star
quality, Anwar Robinson has everything the American Idol should have...except an
original sound. Material selection and originality is what it will take to
get our vote. (Remember Ruben Studdard's unexpected, wonderfully and
uniquely-executed
version of "Sweet Home Alabama"?)
Girls: Best bet from tonight's female contestants: Carrie Underwood.
Also interesting: Nadia Turner, Vonzell Solomon.
Tips for success: If Carrie Underwood steps everything up, she can
win. Nadia Turner has excellent star quality, but we have trouble remembering her
voice, so song selection and singing with passion will be key. Vonzell
Solomon probably has the best vocal chops but the least originality, so
developing her own personal style will be paramount to getting the attention
her voice deserves.
"________________sounded great, so why didn't he/she make it to the next
round?": Jaclyn Crum: Vocally, Jaclyn Crum has the chops, but concerns for
her mom's health and Jaclyn's ability to handle the pressure of the
competition and subsequent work schedule no doubt played a huge role in why
she was cut. If she
spends the next year learning how to deal with the pressure and continuing
to work on her originality, Jaclyn has the
potential to be a formidable opponent next year. Jamie Paul Koehler: J.P.
has great vocal chops and a terrific personality and presence, but just
wasn't right for American Idol. Since he's as technically vocally talented as Michael Buble, we think he'd be a great opening act for Las Vegas headliners or
could have a lucrative career as a featured cruise ship performer or singer
for private events.
Ryan Seacrest Smart Quip of the Night: Sadly, none. We love the guy,
but here's hoping Seacrest gets his Smart Quip groove back.
Tuesday, February 15, 2005 (Hollywood Semifinals Night 3)
Guys: Best bet from tonight's male contestants: Mario
Vazquez. This is exactly what we mean by making a cover tune your own.
Also
interesting: Anthony Fedorov didn't sing with the passion he's had on other
performances but is still one of our favorites.
Tips for success: Mario Vazquez should continue doing exactly what
he's doing, but watch the attitude. Anthony Fedorov has an excellent shot if he
doesn't take it for granted and steps up his game. Originality, song
selection, and singing with passion can win it for him.
Girls: Best bet from tonight's female contestants: Carrie Underwood.
She has the range, style, and star quality an "American Idol" should have.
Also interesting: Vonzell Solomon. Great vocal chops, but is her voice and personal
style original enough?
Tips for success: Like Anthony Fedorov, Carrie Underwood should step
it up a bit and not
take her voice and performing ability for granted. Now's the time to shine. Vonzell Solomon can make great strides if she works to develop an original
personal style in order to make herself more memorable.
"________________sounded great, so why didn't he/she make it to the next
round?": Sean McNeil has a great voice and personality but had one
strike against him because he didn't have an "American Idol" look. He
probably could have combated this and made it in the Top 5, but his choice
of an Elton John song was the final blow; Elton writes music for his own
unique phrasing, so his songs are notoriously difficult to sing. (When
attempting an Elton John cover song, most people either sing a copycat
vocal, which lacks originality, or they try too hard to vocalize it
differently...which rarely works due to the unique phrasing that's
already deeply ingrained in the melody. Wise contestants avoid Elton John
songs altogether, because so much can go wrong.)
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.
|
