American Idol "Performances" 5/15/07 *spoilers*

[Kamakzie]

Jordin - 1-866-IDOLS-01, 04, 07 - First song was decent but not her best, Second song was good too, she is my fav. Song 3, you have my vote!

Blake - 1-866-IDOLS-02. 05, 08 - First song wasn't bad. I liked the second song better too.. 3rd song was just not my kind of song..

Melinda - 1-866-IDOLS-03, 06, 09 - First song, I didn't like it as much as the judges like it, I thought I heard a slipped up note. 2nd song is another good one. Another strong one..

Overall I still like Jordin best followed by Melinda and then Blake.

Paula is a cop out when answering who's best!

[jfelbab]

I'd say goodbye to Jordan. I believe her first song was sub-par. The others were kind of old.

I liked Blake's performances tonight. Good choices and executions.

Doolittle is, as always, outstanding.

[FuzzyDolly]

Melinda deserves to win! (even if she needs to see an orthodontist)

[mostman]

Melinda and Blake.

Jordin is excellent - but she needs some more seasoning. She has a career no matter what.

Blake and Melinda are ready for the life. Now.

[jpwoof]

can someone please post the songs they sang tonight? did blake sang a robin thicke and a sting song?

[uncdrew]

Blake on the Maroon 5 tip was da joint.

Or whatever.

[LoadStar]

can someone please post the songs they sang tonight? did blake sang a robin thicke and a sting song?

ROUND ONE (Judges' Choice):
Jordin Sparks: "Wishing on A Star" by Rose Royce (Simon's Choice)
Blake Lewis: "Roxanne" by the Police (Paula's Choice)
Melinda Doolittle: "I Believe in You and Me" by Whitney Houston (Randy's Choice)

ROUND TWO (Producers' Choice):
Jordin: "She Works Hard for the Money" by Donna Summer
Blake: "This Love" by Maroon 5
Melinda: "Nut Bush City Limits" by Ike and Tina Turner

ROUND THREE (Idol's Choice):
Jordin: "I, Who Have Nothing" by Shirley Bassey
Blake: "When I Get You Alone" by Robin Thicke
Melinda "I'm A Woman" by Peggy Lee

[uncdrew]

Anyone's guess for who's going home.

I think Melinda is safe. I go back and forth on the other two. I think Jordin has the better voice, but Blake seems to have the votes.

I dunno.

[Raj]

I predict Melinda gets voted off.

Blake was OK. I liked that he sang a little on the reggae tip.

Reggae is one of my favorite genres, I am from the Caribbean after all...

[Sc0rp10n]

Holy Crap - the UPS I have my DirecTivo plugged in to died tonight. Anyone know how/where I can get a copy of tonight's episode tonight? My wife is about to go nuts! PM me please!!!

[claire_d]

Am I crazy (don't answer that, please!) or did Melinda and Jordin both pick a song they already did... while Blake went out and did a third new song? To me, he should get credit for that ... big time!

He got my vote tonight. Actually, a few of them!

[jfelbab]

Am I crazy (don't answer that, please!) or did Melinda and Jordin both pick a song they already did... while Blake went out and did a third new song? To me, he should get credit for that ... big time!

He got my vote tonight. Actually, a few of them!

I didn't recognize Melinda doing a repeat but I think Blake did and I'm pretty sure Jordan had done "I, Who Have Nothing" before.

[DLL66]

Hhhhhhhhmmmmmmmm...............Go Haley?? :D

[LoadStar]

Am I crazy (don't answer that, please!) or did Melinda and Jordin both pick a song they already did... while Blake went out and did a third new song?

You're correct. Blake's song was a new one; Melinda did her song from March 7, and Jordin did her song from March 20.

[KyleLC]

Rolls RoyceRose Royce

[LoadStar]

Rose Royce
Erm. Yeah. Sorry, copied the list from another source. Not my mistake. :) Corrected.

[stalemate]

You're correct. Blake's song was a new one; Melinda did her song from March 7, and Jordin did her song from March 20.I was going to comment on this as well. I thought they were all great tonight, but the repeat performances really kind of disappointed me.

I've never watched an entire season of AI before this. Is the repeat thing common?

[Skittles]

Did Melinda say "Randy Johnson" instead of "Randy Jackson" in the governor's office?

[Kamakzie]

Did Melinda say "Randy Johnson" instead of "Randy Jackson" in the governor's office?

Yes

[stalemate]

Yes, but the Governor read it as 'Johnson' and corrected himself. She was joking.

[murrays]

I'd say goodbye to Jordan. I believe her first song was sub-par. The others were kind of old.

I liked Blake's performances tonight. Good choices and executions.

Doolittle is, as always, outstanding.

I have to disagree. Maroon 5 and Robin Thicke just don't appeal to me, and nobody can sing like Sting. I like Blake because, as the judges said, he goes out on a limb and is original, but I don't think I would buy his music.

Melinda can just flat out sing! I love her Tina Turner attitude that comes out.

I LOVE the last song Jordin sang, "I (who have nothing)"! Her voice is hauntingly good on that song.

Blake wasn't bad, I just enjoyed the ladies performances more.

-murray

[LoadStar]

I was going to comment on this as well. I thought they were all great tonight, but the repeat performances really kind of disappointed me.

I've never watched an entire season of AI before this. Is the repeat thing common?
Not really. The final 2 week (next week) usually involves the idol's favorite performance from the season, plus the singing of the two singles. Having the repeats come this week makes me wonder what they'll sing NEXT week besides the singles..

[Jeeters]

Melinda's voice just grates on my nerves. Yes, she can belt out notes, but she just has too much vibrato all of the time. Even more noticeable if you're just listening to her and not also watching her. A CD of her vibrato would drive me insane. Also, she does best when she's emulating big voices like Aretha's. But then what's the point... might as well just listen to Aretha.

Blake as a performer is good, but as a singer, he just doesn't impress me much. I can't imagine enjoying *listening* to a CD of his songs. Although he performed well last night, a lot of it was just the energy of the music/band and his antics on the stage. Listening to those performances without watching, and his voice sounds lost against the backing music. Throw in the beat boxing he normally does (but for once kept to a minimum last night), and I really can't imagine wanting to *listen* to a CD of his music. He's fun to watch, but nobody I'd want to buy music of. I thought he had some tempo problems with his Roxanne performance: first he was singing too fast for the band's tempo, then too slow, then too fast again.

Although Jordin's song was a repeat, I can see why she chose it... An amazing performance both this time and the first time she sang it. That one song makes me want to see her win. Simon made the comment about the song being over 60 years old yet it's from the 1960's. He made the *exact* same "60 years" comment when she sang a song from Carousel a few weeks ago. I think he was confused last night with that one. I'm not sure what Simon wants out of her. Any other 17 year old contestant would just be taking on Mandy Moore's "Candy". Ugh.

My Hope:

1) Jordin
2) Melinda
3) Blake

[smickola]

I think Melinda cemented her position in the finals with three solid performances. I'm glad someone finally gave her a Tina Tuner song to sing! My problem with her is that while every performance is very good technically, there's no excitement, and every song gets the same delivery, the same mannerisms, etc. She's a one trick pony, even thought it's one helluva good trick.

Jordin is my favorite, but I'm worried after last night. I was very disappointed in Simon's choice of song for her; normally he's very good at finding just the right song that can elicit a top notch performance, as he did last year with Katharine McPhee on "Somewhere Over the Rainbow." But Rose Royce??? I've never even heard of that song...while it was good for her vocal range, it was too obscure, and I think it was unfair of Simon to criticize her for the way the band arranged it. And to criticize her after her third song for singing a song that's too old - when the song he chose for her was 20 years old, not something contemporary - is hypocritical. Seems like he wants a Melinda / Blake final.

Blake was great on the Maroon 5 song, but "Roxanne" was just bad karaoke.

[Jeeters]

Rose Royce??? I've never even heard of that song...while it was good for her vocal range, it was too obscure, and I think it was unfair of Simon to criticize her for the way the band arranged it.Actually, Simon said up front that her singing was "brilliant" during that song, but then immediately went on and on about the band's arrangement. So, unfortunately, although he liked her singing, his complaints of the arrangement, follow up by the audience booing, made it all sound to viewers as if he didn't like any of it. I do think he hurt her last night.

And to criticize her after her third song for singing a song that's too old - when the song he chose for her was 20 years old, not something contemporary - is hypocritical.Worse - the song he chose is just shy of 30 years old. Her song - just 15 years older.

[JLucPicard]

Was it the band's arrangement? Seems like every time Blake did something a little different, he got kudos for his arrangement. So is it the singers doing the arranging, or the band, or both? If the arrangement was bad, maybe that does lie with Jordin.

Having said that, I DO want to see Jordin win it all, and I don't think she did anything last night to hurt her chances.

I want to see Blake bid farewell tonight.

And it is very obvious that this is NOT a dance competition. :) Not a sweet step in the bunch, but there doesn't need to be either - just an observation. :D

[pick-me-up]

Not feelin the love for Jordin here. Every song she sings is 'so so' until that climatic point in the song and then BANG she hits the note....you know.....the same one she sings in every song. It's that one comfortable, big note that immature singers abuse. Then the little run at the end. It is very misleading to the 'lay' musician that we have serious talent and I don't swoon over the whole '17' thing. She has shown signs of inconsistency, as well as immaturity.....she somewhat likes to call Simon (since he is the only one with balls) out on his critiques....like the typical sassy teen and why is it they allow her to talk back more than the others? She seems to get a rebuttle after every song. I can see her recording some for the Disney Channel, but its now time for Jordin to go home. Time to bounce :D

[jradosh]

Jordin was the worst of the three last night which is too bad. I'd have preferred that she got better and could compete against Melinda in the final. But she was weak during the soft parts of her songs, and a bit 'pitchy' as far as I could tell. She'll have a great future if she continues to train and doesn't try to turn pro right away.

Melinda was the tops and should win it all. Blake had a great night but isn't anywhere near the same league as Melinda.

[TAsunder]

I'm just not feeling it for blake anymore. His style has worn on me. Melinda sounded the best last night, but I still prefer Jordin's vocal style over Melindas. I'm hoping blake goes, although I think it's more likely to be melinda or jordin.

[uncdrew]

I don't like the repeat performances. There are like 250 songs written in the last 20 years -- choose a new one.

I also don't like the Broadway type stuff. To me, American Idol should be more pop and rock and roll. Less showtunes.

So Jordin got a double thumbs down from me.





And did Melinda completely forget the words at the beginning of the third song? Yikes. I'm surprised they let that go. That stuff gets you voted off almost immediately in earlier rounds.

[murrays]

I don't like the repeat performances. There are like 250 songs written in the last 20 years -- choose a new one.

The way I see it, they have 6 days to select, arrange, practice and perform first one, then two and now three songs along with their other duties. This week, they threw in a trip home which effectively took 1+ day(s) from that time.

I don't necessarily like the repeats, but I completely understand why they chose them.

-murray

[claire_d]

The way I see it, they have 6 days to select, arrange, practice and perform first one, then two and now three songs along with their other duties. This week, they threw in a trip home which effectively took 1+ day(s) from that time.

I don't necessarily like the repeats, but I completely understand why they chose them.

-murray

I totally get what you mean about the time crunch thing, but what I'm saying is Blake should then receive like a huge boost for taking the time to learn/arrange a whole third song. He did (I CAN do simple math!) 50% more work than the others!

I was just suprised that none of the judges pointed this out, you know?

Plus, I sort of get the feeling that Blake does his own arrangements, and the others maybe get some help or have it done for them.

Go Blake! :D

[uncdrew]

The way I see it, they have 6 days to select, arrange, practice and perform first one, then two and now three songs along with their other duties. This week, they threw in a trip home which effectively took 1+ day(s) from that time.

I don't necessarily like the repeats, but I completely understand why they chose them.

-murray


I understand it. Just don't like it. It's like seeing a rerun.


... and these people love music and probably listen to music constantly. I'm sure they have dozens of songs memorized to choose from, perhaps making it a bit easier on them.

[jlb]

I think Jordin has the most raw talent and will go far int he industry. I think Melinda should win.

However, to quote my wife, "Blake will win since he is likely to be the most marketable and most well liked by all the young kids voting."

FWIW......

[TIVO_GUY_HERE]

Not a watcher of AI, but I did see Kelly Picker in concert this weekend. She was really good.

[TonyTheTiger]

My money's on Melinda and Jordin for the final, even though I thought Jordin was a little weaker than usual this week.

Blake's run his course and the song choices didn't really showcase anything unique.

I loved the fact that when Melinda sang Nutbush City Limits, she sounded like....Melinda - and not Tina!!

[pick-me-up]

Blake's run his course and the song choices didn't really showcase anything unique.


And Jordin did? :confused:

[NJChris]

And Jordin did? :confused: Jordin sang the same old, same old ... like many contestants of past seasons. It's gotten boring to me. That's the main reason I want to see Blake in the final 2. There's more energy in his arrangements ... I tire of ballady singing....

[LoadStar]

I stand by my opinion from a few weeks back:
- Jordin has unbelievable potential, but potential it is. She could use at least a year or two to really mature into a huge superstar, IMHO. She's excellent now with some raw edges.
- Melinda, on the other hand, is a little too perfect, IMHO. Over-polished to the point of being somewhat mechanical. Personally, I don't get a lot of "soul" or "feeling" coming from her work. Her sound isn't really all that current, either, another knock against her.
- Blake is fairly current sounding, and an excellent performer. Vocally he's not a powerhouse, but I don't think that's necessary to be a pop star. One can dispute how current the "vocal turntable-ism" and beatboxing is, but it at least places his sound in the last 15 years... that's current as far as pop goes, particularly with as often as pop music dips into the "retro" category.

Given this, of the remaining contestants, I'd vote for Blake for the winner, or at the very least, for the most commercial success immediately after the show. Picture him fronting a band doing something like Maroon 5's latest single, "Makes Me Wonder." It too has a rather retro feel, almost disco like, and I think it'd be a perfect match for his sound.

[TonyTheTiger]

And Jordin did? :confused:

I didn't say she did, but she'll get the "eye candy" vote.

[LoadStar]

I didn't say she did, but she'll get the "eye candy" vote.
I dunno. Listening to the radio, Blake actually has a stronger "eye candy" vote with the women than Jordin has with the men. Some of the female radio hosts were just gushing about Blake.

Jordin's not ugly by any means, but she's not particularly pretty either, and she's kind of a giant.

[jeffsinsfo]

I didn't like Jordin's version of "She Works Hard For The Money" at all. Her "Wishing On A Star" was okay but not stellar.

Blake's "Roxanne" was pretty bad. I liked his other two songs even though they were only vaguely familiar to me.

Melinda did a good job with each of her songs, but none of her performances wowed me. I really didn't like her singing "I Believe In You and Me," but I think that's more because I don't like that song at all.

It will be interesting to see who goes home tonight. If I had my druthers, it would be Blake and Melinda in the final two. I think that it's more likely that Blake will leave tonight, though.

[pick-me-up]

I didn't say she did, but she'll get the "eye candy" vote.

eeeeeesh :eek:

[Chapper1]

I think Melinda goes tonight. I just think she lacks a bit of that personality that both Jordin and Blake have. I think at this point, it may bite her in the ass. Plus, I see Jordin and Blake having commercially successful albums, where not as much for Melinda.

[vman]

For the first time, I really don't have a huge preference for this year's winner. In the past I have always clearly preferred one or two singers, and have always had a strong preference in the finals. This year, I don't dislike any of the final three, and they all have their own strengths and weaknesses. I couldn't even bring myself to vote last night, since I'd be fine with any of the three.

[goMO]

Although I think Blake's voice is the weakest of the 3, I still like him and wouldn't mind him winning.

One thing that has bothered me from Day 1 with Melinda is that she is a *professional* backup singer. Something just doesn't sit right with me that she is really already in the business, and is PAID to sing. I know that probably most of the singers are in bands and stuff, but that seems more local, and for some reason, she seems like more of a pro than an amatuer.

Jordin has a very pretty smile, but jeez, she is a big girl.

[jfelbab]

I stand by my opinion from a few weeks back:
- Jordin has unbelievable potential, but potential it is. She could use at least a year or two to really mature into a huge superstar, IMHO. She's excellent now with some raw edges.
- Melinda, on the other hand, is a little too perfect, IMHO. Over-polished to the point of being somewhat mechanical. Personally, I don't get a lot of "soul" or "feeling" coming from her work. Her sound isn't really all that current, either, another knock against her.
- Blake is fairly current sounding, and an excellent performer. Vocally he's not a powerhouse, but I don't think that's necessary to be a pop star. One can dispute how current the "vocal turntable-ism" and beatboxing is, but it at least places his sound in the last 15 years... that's current as far as pop goes, particularly with as often as pop music dips into the "retro" category.

Given this, of the remaining contestants, I'd vote for Blake for the winner, or at the very least, for the most commercial success immediately after the show. Picture him fronting a band doing something like Maroon 5's latest single, "Makes Me Wonder." It too has a rather retro feel, almost disco like, and I think it'd be a perfect match for his sound.

+1 Very good analysis. This is exactly as I would call it.

[stiffi]

Jordin's not ugly by any means, but she's not particularly pretty either, and she's kind of a giant.

Has anybody seen Deuce Bigalow? Everytime I see Jordin next to Seacrest, I have to yell "Behemoth!, Keep it in the Circus!!!"

[Havana Brown]

I'm starting to lose the Blake love. If it comes to Melinda and Jordin I'm going with my curly headed sistah! I do think if it's down to two girls that Melinda will get the black vote, just like Sangina got his. I think that's how Ruben won, even though I think that Clay was better.

[MN_TiVo_Fan]

For the first time, I really don't have a huge preference for this year's winner. In the past I have always clearly preferred one or two singers, and have always had a strong preference in the finals. This year, I don't dislike any of the final three, and they all have their own strengths and weaknesses. I couldn't even bring myself to vote last night, since I'd be fine with any of the three.


+1

[Kamakzie]

I think I cared more for the performers of last year much more than this year.

[LoadStar]

Yeah, even though I prefer Blake, I've still got a big "meh" for all of them. I wouldn't buy any of their albums, and would probably flip the station on the radio if their song came on to see if there was anything better on.

[jpwoof]

Yeah, even though I prefer Blake, I've still got a big "meh" for all of them. I wouldn't buy any of their albums, and would probably flip the station on the radio if their song came on to see if there was anything better on.

listen to americanidol.com extended studio recordings... blake's music is something i would listen to among the 3 finalists.

[Philly Bill]

I didn't say she did, but she'll get the "eye candy" vote.

I'm tired of looking at that thing in her nose.

[Philly Bill]

What happened to Clive Davis this year? I thought this was the week he was on and picked a song?

[jpwoof]

from zabasearch.com (predictions only... spoilers for others maybe)

"ZabaSearch projects the voting outcome of the last 6 American Idol shows of each season.
ZabaSearch projected correctly every time in 2006 and is 4 for 4 in 2007 with two shows to go"

--from the site

http://www.zabasearch.com/ai_stats.php

[Jesda]

Misleading bar graph. They're within a percent of each other.

[Raj]

Jordin has a very pretty smile, but jeez, she is a big girl.

She is? I think Ryan Seacrest is something like 5' 6" and skinny so Jordin ends up towering over him, making her look bigger than she actually is.

BUt then again her dad is a football player.

[LoadStar]

She is? I think Ryan Seacrest is something like 5' 6" and skinny so Jordin ends up towering over him, making her look bigger than she actually is.

BUt then again her dad is a football player.

It's not just her height, though she is a tall woman (I'd guess she's right around 5'11" to 6'1"). She also looks fairly "big-framed" for a female - she's got a fairly large upper body, broad shoulders, etc. Hearing that her dad is a football player doesn't surprise me... that's very likely who she gets it from.

ETA: This article (http://www.azcentral.com/ent/tv/articles/0328gl-idol28Z18.html) claims she's 6', which wouldn't surprise me, obviously. I think she's probably a hair under that, actually.

[Jeeters]

Plus, see usually wears heels or pumps adding yet another couple inches.