Posts filed under 'American Idol'
Here are my unedited notes immediately following my viewing of last night’s Idol Final:
*****The fundamental difference between these 2 singers is Lee gets connected by singing melodies he’s changed up –- Crystal get connected by singing the words
Lee The Boxer was at best a sing-a-long — Lee didn’t seem to understand what he was singing about (on ALL songs) and The Boxer hook La da di di di di’s needed to be sung with abandonment — as I said last week where Lee left off with Hallelujah – that vulnerability — is where I advised him start last night
Last week I said Lee made strong entrances into his songs, and last night was the opposite. A singer’s entrance sets the tone of performance — you either bring us into the world of the song and we go on the ride with you OR you don’t bring us in and we remain at arm’s length at best.
Lee gets connected to a song by making the melody his own, changing it up so to speak….on Everybody Hurts and Beautiful Day he didn’t make the melody his own and that’s why the songs seemed too big for him –- both hands clutching mic during Beautiful Day kept Lee closed-off and tighter vs. arms outstretched at some point would’ve made all the difference – would have made him vulnerable, accessible
Lee needs more experience – not asking him to be someone he’s not….Lee says he’s happy – I’d work to bring that out more – it’s not about smiling, it’s about celebrating
Throughout the season and last night was no different — anytime Lee would wail in his upper range the girls scream – that’s what they’re voting for, that thrill they get from his voice, the sound excites them
Lee’s accessibility is his commercial sound which is different from Crystal’s accessibility which is her ability to connect to a lyric and allow her voice to reflect that connection
*****It’s a matter of taste and more to the point the taste of Idol’s demographic which favors Lee
Crystal was not on her voice, slightly shakey with entrance on Bobby McGee but stood her ground by breathing — good for her —
Black Velvet/2nd was in the wrong key, should’ve been lower so it wouldn’t have been so strained in upper range — in the opening phrases I could feel her anticipating walking down the staircase (in heels) didn’t help her bring us into the world of the song and keep the connection – however great to hear her sing her face off as I suggested she do last week
Crystal was really warmed up by the time she got to her final song Up to the Mountain and her voice did everything a voice can do to interpret a lyric and cast a spell over an audience
May 26th, 2010
My notes as I wrote them watching last night’s Idol:
Crystal’s not in the space of being hungry and winning
Lee’s energized and moved by the trip home he was able to infuse that feeling into his songs, more than he’s done in the past —
Casey “Ok It’s All Right With Me” (Eric Hutchinson) – he’s living on the surface, not digging deep – only way for it to work for Casey would be to make it a slow dirty groove, would’ve fit the lyric “my life continues inching along”
Crystal says she wants to have fun and get votes – “Come to my window” – harmonica intro throws her off her first line and she just said she wanted to have fun, if that’s the goal I would’ve had Crystal start more playful with the guitar swung around her back…she’s lost who she’s singing into — harmonica was in the way and keeping her closed off and awkward, not enough pay-off using it in this short arrangement – vocal was screaming, not supporting the high notes
She tells Ryan she felt “elated ” but didn’t sound it – (a song being your favorite song is not enough of a reason to sing the song) – “glad I got my mic stand, good health, good friends and my son’s healthy…that’s what all it’s about…” – No, nothing to do with the song — her voice sounded like she was resigned as she was speaking – definitely not hungry — resigned
Lee “Simple Man” Understood himself in the song, solid first line, brought us into the world, radio-ready vocal quality – off key on the high notes, bordered on screaming the higher “Simple Mans” – Lee was forcing vs. committing 100 per cent to telling the story — when you lock onto the story, the vocal happens
Lee told tells Simon he’s really happy singing the song – was this a happy person during? Lee was more lit up after the song — that’s I would show Lee — how to light up during the song
I would tell Lee to hold his last notes of his songs, don’t drop the endings, that’s the moment you leave us with – do killer vocal work on a last note, dare to stand in that light – It ain’t over til it’s over and even then it’s not over
Casey “Daughters” (Mayer) does not have the image of the girl he singing about from the top – eyes closed too much – lower range lacked warmth, he swallowed the lyric — key half- step higher would’ve helped – also I would have told Casey to sing the chorus melody like a guitar solo – this would’ve taken it to another level for Casey re connection
Crystal “Maybe I’m Amazed” she’s nervous, voice is shaking, needs to breathe – voice is a bit shot and she’s forcing it – had not decided who she was singing to, with the gender bender lyric ‘maybe I’m a man…in the middle of something HE doesn’t understand” not “I” which is what she sang — she hadn’t worked out the lyric as metaphor – this fed this unevenness b/c Crystal doesn’t usually compromise but she did there – Crystal wasn’t grounded w/o guitar — grounded is a physical thing not theoretical — Crystal you must feel your feet on the stage as you’re working the stage, keep those knees loose, don’t lock them when your standing – and at the end of the song on the lyric “help me” — Crystal you should be reaching out for help while singing that – vulnerable and hungry
Lee “Hallelujah” good entrance vocally into the song; great take on the lyric ‘hallelujah’ had me at hallelujah — made each big hallelujah his - ran out of air on the last one BUT THERE WAS AN ABANDONMENT TO WHAT WAS REHEARSED AND that made magic possible – Lee, where you ended with Hallelujah is where you must start a song, with that level of openness b/c when you do, the unknown is possible and that magic will be there for you — would have Lee hold the last note forever – choir was not necessary but didn’t take away from – the song elicits emotion on it’s own and Lee was set up with lighting – still has pitch problems but better overall b/c of connection
May 19th, 2010
My private notes re Idol unedited:
Here’s where we are at — 3 important facts
-Producers gave America the pay-off early and let them know what a Crystal/Lee Final would look and sound like
-Casey will benefit from his duet w/ Mike- they had a friendly rapport, knuckle punch at end of song – told Mike’s fans that Casey’s cool – Mike’s votes will roll over to Casey
-The fact is Voters want surprises in a finale – this season, still waiting for that Breakout Performance “Show MoJo” (Andrew G’s “Straight Up” – David Cook’s “Billie Jean,” Adam Lambert’s “Mad World”) – I’ve Coaching for these final 3 that’ll unleash the beast
Crystal – top dog
-her talent and poise are in a different league
-picks songs that personally resonate w/ her and delivers those in connected fashion
-is her own woman and stands by that and the artist that she knows she is
My Breakout Performance Coaching for Crystal:
-give one Diva performance; stop resisting going big and just show that your vocal instrument cannot be denied and is incomparable this season, sing your face off
-To that point pick a real Girl Power song — this could fire up the ladies voting block in her favor
-also on the opposite end of the spectrum, pick a song that shows deep vulnerability — could win some over, her confidence can be off putting to some
-sing high in your head voice, even a bit breathy – would be breathtaking and beautiful and would speak to voter’s hearts – “girl next door”
Lee - under dog
-David Cook , Kris Allen paved the way, a new day…dudes w/ guitars are kings -Idol biggest voting block, ladies of all ages love an attractive dude with a guitar
-his raw voice, especially let loose in his upper range is very commercial and reminiscent of Caleb Followill, Lead singer of Kings of Leon, who had big hits last summer
-His shyness (his insecurity seems to have been beaten into him) is very endearing to voters
My Break Out Performance Coaching for Lee:
-Swing your guitar around your back at times, this would open him up, make him feel like a rock star and keep him connect to his guitar
-stomp out the exact beat with your right foot (Lee’s foot taps the floor lightly and randomly) – would release a real passion and improve pitch because he’d get out of his head
-raise the keys of his songs as much as a whole step – be more exciting vocally and help the verses, because he’s so conservative emotionally
Casey - real under dog
-nice voice, has more nuance and emotion in his voice than Lee
-suffers guilt from taking off his shirt to get on the show, just happy to be here attitude doesn’t get the job done
-it’s not about the hair BUT it could be….
My Break Out Performance Coaching for Casey:
-work the hair, open your shirt…will get votes BUT more importantly will free him up vocally and persona-wise and help him channel his inner rock star because it’s there
May 13th, 2010
Lee DeWyze, Alex Lambert, Andrew Garcia and Casey James are the interesting voices of the Top 12 on American Idol. Alex’s nerves wouldn’t strangle him if he put his body into the performance. “Body talk” will free up the voice and cause a more authentic vocal. Lee needs to work on his pitch when he’s holding notes. How you do this is to imagine your actually “lifting” the note with your hand. Andrew should sing a half-step down from where he’s used to singing. This will give him a little room to play without worrying about what he sounds like. He’s listening to himself right now and that’s why the performance felt flat. Like Andrew, Casey should have brought the key down a bit. This would allow him attack his vocals without being “maxed-out” up top. There’s a subtle strained feeling to his upper range vocals in the higher key that prevents him from focusing on telling the story with passion. These four men have voices that would record nicely. Andrew Garcia has Idol potential.
February 25th, 2010
Crystal Bowersox, Lilly Scott, Haely Vaughn and Didi Benami have the most interesting voices of the Top 12 girls on this season’s American Idol. Lilly and Haely could uncover and polish their star quality by using the guitar not only as a prop. Better guitar technique would immediately improve their vocals and establish a clearer stage persona. Crystal Bowersox’s version of “Hand In My Pocket” would have been stronger if she had simply pronounced the “H” in hand. Also, with the time limitations, she should not have played harmonica this week. Better to have spent that precious time singing. Bowersox’s talent is obvious although she needs to make a conscious vocal choice to be thrilling. Didi Benami’s star would rise by not laying back in her attack. You can still sing chill and not disappear by using your mouth when you’re delivering quieter vocals. Out of the gate, all four girls are of interest as potential recording artists, though not as Idols.
February 24th, 2010
Ellen’s gig is being funny and she never disappoints. In her Idol debut last night, she struck the right balance of humor and a pointed kindness in her advice to the nervous singers. She’s a pro but needs to explore how her voice is relevant on the show. The reported tension between Ellen and Simon will make for good press but ultimately the show, as of last night, still lives or dies by a massive audience getting behind these unknown singers and, while he’s at the judges table, what Simon says. I’d encourage Ellen to have a musical opinion on the vocals. That would be interesting to hear. Even entertaining. Paula Abdul, with all due respect to the Grammy winner, weighed in season after season on singer’s “vocals” despite the reality of how her own vocals were really produced in the studio during her heyday. Did this fact make her opinion/advice re live vocals any less valid? Perhaps for some but it was interesting to hear. And it was wildly entertaining. If you’re at that judges table you must comment on the vocals and the musicality of the performance. People still counter Simon’s harsh criticisms with “what does he know, he’s a record exec.” You don’t have to be singer to respond to a music great or disaster. Think of the millions of music lovers worldwide that respond in a moment with everything from goosebumps and swoons to fierce downloading when they love what comes out of a singer’s mouth. And when they don’t love the vocal, they don’t buy or download — the clearest and harshest judgment of all. Ellen will always be funny, it’s natural. But when Ellen Degeneres, Idol Judge says whether she’s buying the singer’s vocal or not and why, that’s when she’ll find her own voice on Idol.
February 10th, 2010
Kris emerged as a popular singer on a popular American TV show. Adam is a star poised for the world’s stage. One is soft rock, one is everything rock. Yet what’s striking is how alike both singers are — they share some admirable qualities that are in short supply in today’s market. Both remained true to their visions of themselves all season. Both kept taking chances that were connected to their vision as opposed to being random. Both never relied on gratuitous vocals and movement to get their points across. Both made a real stab at being grounded while singing in the circus that is Idol. Kris and Adam also have “singing 101″ bad habits that are in high supply in today’s “record first, figure out the live thing later” mentality of young singers. Kris’ yelling of high notes, his undeveloped falsetto and wavering pitch and Adam’s deep gasps for air between phrases were on display right to the end.
In fairness to the judges, they must and only can react to a true live performance. In fairness to the viewers, they must and only can react based on what’s translated through the plasma — live, but once removed. Big difference.
That said, the world will have the final say.
May 20th, 2009
Danny is at full steam and always at full steam when he sings uptempo. He sings in the highest key possible with no room up top to play. No surprise. He said last night that he feels pressure and comes out and shakes it off. Exactly. And that’s how he sounds: like he’s shaking something off. Great instrument aside, he doesn’t use his voice to his or the song’s advantage. You can hear, especially on his ballads, that he pushes for emotion rather than allowing the vocal to come from emotion.
Kris has struggled with his falsetto all season and last night was no exception on “Apologize.” Also the vessels in his neck looked like they were about to pop. No surprises there. Then Kris sang Kanye (Kanye doesn’t sing Kanye) and pulled off yet another one of his surprising arrangements, his typical yelling of high notes and wrong key aside.
Adam over did it by a mile on “One”. No surprise — he’s had those missteps all season. But then he was right on the money with “Cryin’” — again, no surprise. Watch him when he’s standing there 2 seconds before the first note comes out of his mouth — you’ll see someone in a class all by himself. He had the burden last night of bad background vocals in both of his songs and seemed unphased by it. His voice is like a Mack truck that rolls over anything in it’s way, including bad singers.
Since his audition, Adam and his relentless voice have been THE story. Danny’s remained extremely likable in his awkwardness and has had real moments — moments, not entire performances while Kris’ looks, demeanor and choices have really helped him gain popularity.
As of last night, the biggest surprise of this Idol season is there have been no surprises.
May 13th, 2009
Previous Posts