Musings
an Online Journal of Sorts

By Alyce Wilson

Copyright 2007, Fox Broadcasting

Blake Lewis and Phil Stacey

The first round of the semifinalist competition in American Idol began last night with the guys singing a song of their choice.

Many of the men were clearly nervous, though several of them show potential and a couple showed some real stage presence and talent.

In the unenviable spot of opening the show, Rudy Cardenas started the night with the Edgar Winter Group's "Free Ride". He had good tone but sang so much of the song in falsetto it sounded like Wayne Newton. And much like Newton, he was very comfortable on the stage, dancing to the beat.

Judge Randy Jackson said that he "got the party started" but that he found it "really corny." Nice judge Paula Abdul said he'd started off fantastic and she thought they'd never had anyone start so lively. Tough judge Simon Cowell said he'd never heard Rudy do anything unique. He called the song dated and forgettable.

Next, Brandon Rogers sang a classic Michael Jackson song, "Rock With You." Unlike M.J., though, he's got a smoky voice reminiscent of some of the great Motown artists. The song fell apart in the middle, though, probably due to nerves.

Randy said it was a little pitchy and counseled that he "doesn't have to do so much" with the song. Paula agreed, giving the former background singer a boost with the proclamation, "You're a lead vocalist now." Simon said that, while he's a very good singer, the song choice was safe and predictable.

Sundance Head tackled a song by one of my favorite groups, The Moody Blues, "Nights in White Satin." Unfortunately, he was clearly nervous, and while he overemphasized his diction, he couldn't access the emotion of Justin Hayward's vocals in the original.

Randy criticized him for abandoning his bluesy vibe and said the performance was pitchy. Paula said he'd picked the wrong song and that the pitch was all over the place. Simon said that he'd shown he had a great voice in the auditions but that tonight he'd sounded very old-fashioned, giving a flat performance, like "Dad at a wedding."

Taking on the George Michael song "Careless Whisper", Paul Kim gave a mediocre performance, pitchy in places. He was too reliant on awkward hand gestures like pointing at his bare feet when he sang the lyric, "guilty feet have got no rhythm." Personally, I'm already tired of the bare feet thing, which I think he was hoping would make him stand out.

Randy said that he has one of the best voices but the song start pitchy and the falsetto didn't work. Paula said he oversang the song and didn't find his center. Simon advised him to wear his shoes next week, since this was a singing competition. He called it a third rate version of the George Michael song.

Aiming for a more contemporary song, Chris Richardson sang "I Don't Wanna Be" by Gavin DeGraw. He had fun with it, bouncing around, which was a little distracting, but his voice was strong and definitely the best of the show to that point. His old man style suit, though, just didn't fit.

Randy proclaimed that the show had just started. He said it wasn't his best but that he brought his own flavor to the song. Paula called it a great arrangement and said it was fun watching him. Simon said he really liked his soulfulness when he auditioned but that he sounded very small in that song. He called it a bad vocal.

Reaching back into the vault, Nick Pedro sang the Richard Marx song, "Now and Forever". It was weak with poor stagecraft, which jibes with the poor song choice.

Randy noted that he was nervous and said that it was boring. Paula said that it fell flat. Simon said he didn't think it was that bad but acknowledged that Nick had lost his spark and was very nervous.

Striving to show off his vocals, Blake Lewis performed Keane's "Somewhere Only We Know". There was a purity to his voice, although he faltered on the falsetto. He definitely showed potential and was very comfortable on stage. I look forward to seeing what else he does.

Randy said he dug it and that it was good he was different. Paula said she was really proud of him and that the vocals were spot on. Simon said it was not the best vocal he'd ever heard but that he was the first contestant that night who sounded like 2007.

Sanjaya Malakar sang "Knocks Me Off My Feet" by Stevie Wonder, with a recurring lyric, "I don't want to bore you with this". That is precisely what he did, though, with a weak and dreamy performance. It was like a '70s high school talent show.

Randy said that it was not very good and that the Stevie song was too hard for him. Paula said that he's a sweet soul and there's an easiness about him, but he needs more force in his performance. Simon called it dreary.

I'd had high hopes for Chris Sligh after watching the auditions, but his version of Mute Math's "Typical" was a little too much like a fat Goth kid trying to impress his buddies. He needs to take it to another level and really capitalize on his potential if he's going to make it to the finals. He also made the mistake of insulting Simon, which doesn't bode well. Viewers tend not to support contestants who mouth off to the judges.

Randy said that he rushed a little but called him the dog. Paula said he was anything but typical. Simon said that his humor had got him here but that this performance was like a "weird student gig."

Jared Cotter, a Brian McKnight wannabe, predictably chose a Brian McKnight song, "Back at One". He delivered a little soufulness but was trying a bit too hard to be that sexy R&B singer.

Randy said he was pretty good but didn't like the ending. Paula said she likes more up tempo songs for him. Simon called it unadventurous and a bit nasally but remarked that he looked good.

The first genuine surprise of the night was A.J. Tabaldo performing the Luther Vandross song, “Never Too Much”. He had Paula dancing to the upbeat song and delivered a surprisingly strong vocal, given his lackluster wardrobe of a white T-shirt and jeans.

Randy said it looked like he was having a blast and that it was pretty good. Paula said he can definitely sing and told him to go for it. Simon called it good but not great, "a theme park performance."

Finishing off the night, Phil Stacey sang Edwin McCain's “I Could Not Ask for More”. He started so poorly that I actually wrong "WEAK!" in my notes. But halfway through, his nerves must have dropped off, and he showed he could sing. I definitely think he has a lot of potential and deserves to move on.

Randy said that it started rough but was the best of the night. Paula said that the chorus opened up but the beginning was shaky. Simon called the beginning "monstrous" and simply OK at the end. He said that comparing him to past contestants, he didn't nail it.

On a weak night, kudos go to Brandon Rogers, Blake Lewis, Chris Sligh and Phil Stacey, with a nod for A.J. Tabaldo and Chris Richardson. They may very well be your top six, but we'll see what next week brings.

Most likely to go home this week are Paul Kim, whose tired voice and ridiculous bare feet make him seem like an amateur, and Nick Pedro, who was completely forgettable. Sanjaya is cute and seems nice, and the teeny-boppers will probably vote for him, so he'll probably get another chance. Sundance Head probably deserves to go home, but enough viewers have seen his potential in previous weeks that they're probably likely to attribute this first time out to nerves.

Overall, the men better step it up in future weeks. This week was nothing to brag about.

More on American Idol:

Musings on American Idol Season 6 (2007)

Musings on American Idol Season 5 (2006)

Musings on American Idol Season 4 (2005)

Musings on American Idol Season 3 (2004)

Copyright 2006 by Alyce Wilson

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