I'm having trouble finding words to describe how I feel about last night's stop in Birmingham. Plain English just can't do it justice. And, since my Latin is a little rusty, I think I'll have to use the beautiful language of sarcasm to describe my thoughts. Birmingham was soooooooo great.
Wow, I was sooooo surprised to hear them say the whole city had turned out to audition. They've never said that before. 11, 000 people, though, that seems like a low number ... Paula, Randy and Simon seemed pretty normal. Better than normal, in fact. I don't think I've ever seen Paula so normal in all the auditions thus far. I was sooooo surprised to see she didn't make it to the next day's taping.
As usual, the songbirds were out in full force, and boy-oh-boy there were some really fine specimens this time. Topping the list was Margret Fowler. Mmmmmm, mmmmm she had me humming Akon's Smack That from the moment she popped on screen in that big golden Teletubby outfit to the moment she left. I can't believe Simon wasn't into it -- and I can't believe she's really 50! I guess there's no love for children's TV has-beens.
Other standouts were Erica Skye, who kept alive my favorite episode tradition of singing when everyone else says stop; Diana Walker and how much "I Luh, huh, huved" your version of Saving All My Love; and Brenda Patterson, who, no, doesn't sound like Bubba from Forrest Gump at all.
There were some other, ehh, descent singers, I thought. Tatiana McConnico ... she was OK. I'm sure she had no idea she'd be going on the next round by the look on her face. Chris Sligh was pretty dull, but hey, he could sing, so off to Hollywood he goes. And the list goes on ... blah, blah, blah ...
Back on the subject of favorites, though, I'd have to say the one thing I have to congratulate American Idol for is turning all of us into critics. I think that's the one thing that music has been lacking in that past years. I love it when people come up to me and say, "I'm a big fan, but I thought your pitch and phrasing was a little off during Elton John week," or something like that. I think that's what I miss the most actually.
Above all, I love how Idol took me out of my boring life of passive listening and into the magic land of music analysis. (Yeah, I know, even Z-list celebrities have it rough.) So a big hug and a kiss to you, American Idol! See you tomorrow.
[Jon Peter Lewis was a contestant on the third season of "American Idol." He has just released his debut album, "Stories From Hollywood." Visit his Web site, jonpeterlewis.com.]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
1-31-2007 @ 12:19PM
Michelle said...
your little AI commentaries always amuse me :) and i have to say, i almost always agree with your take on things. i missed last nights episode [sad!] but i knew your blog would catch me up, so thanks!! :)
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1-31-2007 @ 12:18PM
jake said...
did anyone else think that the long haired girl was REALLY good. I felt like Simon and Randy made a mistake letting her go
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1-31-2007 @ 12:20PM
Jeff Denton said...
Sorry Jon, but your recaps don't hold a candle to these: http://dontgetmestarted-lindasharp.typepad.com/
Do yourself a favor and click over to see how a recap is REALLy done!
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1-31-2007 @ 12:24PM
Marc said...
The long haired girl was just ok. She didn't suck by any means. But could you honestly see her in the same league as a Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, or Katherine McPhee? She's not that strong. Even if they sent her to Hollywood, she never would have made it to the vote. There are so many better singers already moving on. She had a nice voice, but a nice voice isn't enough.
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1-31-2007 @ 12:43PM
Kathy Colon said...
Seventeen year old Nichole Gatzman got beat! Simon said she is old fashioned and sings through her nose. I wouldn't care if she sang through her eyeballs her singing was awesome. Simon and Randy made a mistake on this one. I usually agree with Simon but he screwed up this time. She definitely has the potential and should have been put throw do the next round. She is alot better than other people who have been put through to the next round. Don't give up Nichole try out again.
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1-31-2007 @ 12:48PM
Kathy Colon said...
correction to previous comment not "throw do"... meant "put through", also I agree with the comment about the girl with the long hair...the hair was weird but her voice was pretty good
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1-31-2007 @ 12:49PM
Jackie said...
Jeff Denton's constant publicist spam comments should be removed.
I like your writing, JPL (and find the spammed site longwinded and droning on and on). However, I disagree with you on the Birmingham auditions. I didn't care for "Big Bird" and it forced me to list Simon's t-shirt as my top Most Notable of the Odd.
You thought Chris Sligh was dull? Yikes! He's my new favorite! I'll be waiting to read your take on tonight's auditions.
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1-31-2007 @ 1:47PM
Porchland said...
Simon's teeth look sparkly white, but about those boobies....
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1-31-2007 @ 2:48PM
Kira said...
You know I love your recaps JPL... I don't even bother posting over on the other one now, just wait for yours.
I'm still trying to figure out that wacky gal with the baby voice, but the great singing voice... she was a trip.
I think Paula is trying to match the contestant's wackoness....
The long haired girl was just ok. She is right though... she sings like a Disney princess.
The Jack Osborne guy sounds good, but he's not amazing or anything. Its just we get so few good singers to hear, that even good singers sound great!
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1-31-2007 @ 2:20PM
malren said...
"I'd have to say the one thing I have to congratulate American Idol for is turning all of us into critics. I think that's the one thing that music has been lacking in that past years. I love it when people come up to me and say, "I'm a big fan, but I thought your pitch and phrasing was a little off during Elton John week," or something like that. I think that's what I miss the most actually."
Ha, ha. ha. Very funny. No, wait, the word I'm looking for is droll.
We've all always been critics - we simply used our wallets to let artists know we weren't interested. Now we have an open publishing medium with which to specify why. Don't like the public reacting to your..."talent?" Don't sing in public. Problem solved.
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1-31-2007 @ 6:14PM
Kat Okon said...
Like OMG! I soooo loved your blog today. You are soooo special JP. And I'm like soooo happy you get to watch all these amazing auditions and tell us spot on what happened in them. You are like the greatest person ever! *Jumping up and down clapping hands* Yea!!!!!
te*he* MUAH!
So I take it, the shotgun was looking pretty inviting last night then... for love of your music, I hope tonight you fare better. :)
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