MBADC American Idol
Armchair Quarterback 2006, Season 5 (Week 2)
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 career.
Week Two Auditions
Episode airing Tuesday, January
24, 2006 (Greensboro, NC)
Based on the auditions, we have two favorites in tonight's episode.
Kellie Pickler (Hometown: Albemarle, NC) who reminds us of Carrie
Underwood, but even better, because her sound doesn't just come from the
heart, it comes from deep in her soul. She has a great look already, and if
her stage presence is there on performance nights and she isn't affected by
the media attention or what comes with the Hollywood scene, she can be a top
contender.
Paris Bennett (hometown: Fayetteville, GA) is only 17 years old but
has presence and poise that seems well beyond her years. But more than that,
what we like most is Paris's phrasing and the unique, slightly smokey
quality that would take most singers years to acquire. Her soft speaking
voice reminds us a little of 1930's movie actress Butterfly McQueen and
combined with her personality, makes her even more memorable. Because she's
so different, we voted Paris Bennett our Voice of the Night.
Also interesting: Tyra Juliette Schwartz (hometown: New York,
NY), whose beautiful variations on "In the Still of the Night" and work
ethic impressed us. Whatever happens on Idol, if she blends well with
others--and given the control in her voice, we think she can--she can
probably make a very good living as a backup singer. Kendra Winston
(hometown: Greensboro, NC) also got our attention for throwing a cool
variation into her song, and we like her tone and the slight edge that comes
out on certain notes. If she gets hold of the nerves and watches her pitch
and timing (it was a little rushed), we may be seeing a lot more of her.
Ryan Seacrest Smart Quip of the Night: "No flipping!" (in a
voiceover during a clip of an out of control contestant's gymnastics.)
Episode airing
Wednesday, January 26, 2006 (San Francsico, CA)
Based on the auditions from tonight's
episode, when it comes to the technical aspects of singing, Katharine
McPhee (hometown: Sherman Oaks, CA) has it down. We liked her clear
voice and pretty tone, and if she brings out her stage presence, she can do
well. We agree with Simon in that she's "very current," but we'd like
to see her bring out more of her own originality (in terms of either look or
sound). For tone and clarity alone, though, we're naming her this episode's
Voice of the Night.
Also interesting: Jayne Santayana (hometown: Vallejo, CA) has
the look of an American Idol, as well as the sound. If she keeps her
pitch on target, chooses songs that work for her range and style, and does
well in live performance, she'll be a strong contender. Shawna White
didn't make the best choice by electing to do a Broadway wailer of song for
a pop competition, but redeemed herself with Alicia Keys' "Fallin'." With
good song selection and live performances, we think Shawna White may
surprise a lot of people, and had she started with "Fallin'" we may have
named her this episode's Voice of the Night.
Ryan Seacrest Smart Quip of the Night: Nothing spoken, but the care
with which he affixed a contestant's number to her stomach had us almost
rolling on the floor.
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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