I really felt sorry for Vonzell this time. It was almost pathetic. Such a sweet and pretty lady, but with as much soul as Anthony Fedorov. I think she’d make a lovely backup singer for a Motown Diva, but she has a long way to go to get a clue about singing from the heart. I attribute her off-key problems in the first song to nervousness. Generally, she doesn’t sing so bad. I was surprised, though, to hear Mr. Magic Ears say that she hit all the notes. Maybe his ears aren’t so magical anymore.
Carrie is so beautiful that it’s almost hard for me to hear her, but her voice has such a wonderful tone that I do anyway. Unfortunately, her stage manner is amateurish and, as people say, wooden. If she cannot “get it” by next week, she’ll have to settle for second place.
I was doubly stunned, first by Clive’s choice of DLTSGDOM — “Oh, no!” I cried out, “They’re going to sabotage Bo with a song choice!” — but then again by his masterful and beautiful rendition of it. Elton composes songs that are beautifully melodic but difficult for ordinary mortals to sing. The a cappella was very good, although he seemed to be a bit lost at the end, not quite sure how to close it. Definitely refreshing, though, to have nothing but a voice and a single light from above. Nicely done. Satisfaction was probably a stupid choice, but hey, it was Paula. Unless he runs into the audience stabbing children with a Klingon blade next week, Bo is the next American Idol. Thanks, America, for putting boy-band voices to bed once and for all. After forty years, maybe rock ‘n’ roll will return.
I read these threads all the time but don’t post very often…I’d like to jump in this time, though.
I think it was just awful for Clive Davis to mention KD Lang’s version of “Crying.” Not a good image to have in your head when you listen to someone else sing: Carrie just cannot put that much emotion into a song and have it come over.
When I heard that Randy had Chosen “I Feel Like a Woman” for Carrie, my first thought was, “She will never be able to do this any credit as a performer.” She was not bad, but she is just not a stage performer.
I thought there was something wrong with Vonzell’s voice, too…a kind of burr or rattle. Not her best night. They also failed to mention that Fantasia did “Chain of Fools” last year and (I thought) was fabulous.
I was surprised Bo sang a capella. Lots of nerve and a really memorable performance. Sigh…
Ugh. I like Bo too, but all this gushing and wanting to see him naked and junk is making me want to vote for Carrie. Reminds me of the Claymates, who inspired me to vote for Ruben.
Agreed. Bo really is the best singer. The groupie-style gushing and swooning just really turns me off. Even so, I’ll still vote for him, because he is the best singer.
I thought he made the kd lang reference to explain that this is a song that transcends Roy Orbison. . . that a female singer can do it, too. Carrie didn’t match either Orbison or lang, but she was OK.
It was definitely Bo’s night last night. If he doesn’t win the whole magilla, there’s something wrong somewhere.
Since this was a judge’s pick, I assume the festering boils are for Randy?
Or did you expect Carrie to refuse to sing this song?
Randy: Carrie, please sing “I Feel Like a Woman”
Carrie: Randy, I’d love to, but Wile E from the SDMB will wish festering boils upon me if I do. Can I sing something else?
Highlight of the night (ok, not really…) was the old white guy telling the young black girl that she doesn’t have enough soul to sing Aretha. But I guess if you’re Clive Davis you can pull it off.
“Crying” is another Best.Song.Ever, but it didn’t help Carrie’s rendition to chop the middle out of it. Loses the crescendo build-up.
Did anyone else think that “Crying” was shorter than the other songs. It seemed like she started, then she was done. jsc1953, I agree that it lost something. It was my second favorite performance of hers (Alone is #1), but it could have been so much better if she was allowed to sing more of it.
Bo kicks so much ass. Singing a capella is such a brave thing to do and he pulled it off like a pro. Mmmmmmm…he’s yummy. Sorry Mr. Bunny. If you can have your Carrie, I can have my Bo.
I kind of think that was the intention, too, but I can still remember how powerful KD’s rendition of this song was, and that memory “right up in front” as I watched Carrie didn’t do a thing to help Carrie. I do like her voice a lot, but she needs some “stage seasoning” to get the performing thing down.
Everybody talks about Bo’s stage presence and Vonzell’s stage presence…for me it is a real part of the package since my first exposure to her was on television. Way back in the day, I adored James Taylor long before I ever saw him sing on television. I adore his music but I would not say he is much of a “showman,” per se. He is very comfortable onstage, though, which carries somehow doesn’t seem to be one of Carrie’s assets. Maybe that’s the issue…being intriduced to someone in a primarily visual medium distracts from the voice and the emotional impact that is primarily aural.
Of course, I am a graphic artist and I tend to evaluate visuals first if there are any, making radio/cds the optimal medium for me to actually listen to music.
It’s okay, I’m over it now. I apparently just needed something to have a hissy fit over this morning, and that ended up being it. Now I’ll just go back to being the only straight female Idol fan who’s not fantasizing about Bo’s naughty bits while she’s watching him sing. You people are sick. Sick, I tell you!
Vonzie (that name is so dumb) is probably going out tonight. But she’ll get something, with some training she’ll be great. Same with Carrie, she’s straight from the farm and Bo has been singing for a while, you can tell the diff. I liked Carries ‘On The Radio’ which I’ve heard but never really listened to–it’s actually a real well written song which surprised me. Beat the heck out of Donna summer imho.
I thought Bo was good on the first two, but blew the last one. He came in way too early at the start and his voice was kinda flat. On the other hand, what the hell do they have a huge orchestra playing behind Satisfaction? Strings, and stuff?? Eleanor Rigby definitely, ‘Satisfaction’? Sheesh.
Carrie is not straight from the farm. The show has been deliberately avoiding mentioning anything that detracts from that Laurie Williams image, like the fact that she has toured with a band. She may not have quite as much experience as Bo, but she has enough that it may be that we’re seeing her Peter Principle level of ability.
Ah, memories of the one play I was in during High School, Oklahoma!. Jody McBrayer was Curly. Good Times…
On an Idol note, the letter carriers in the Tampa area watched the show at a sports bar and cheered Vonzell on. I’ve heard of going postal before, but this is ridiculous…
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