Digital Brainwaves

American Idol 8 – Top 36 group three (delayblogged!)

Mar 3, 2009 That's Hot

Starting to blog this as it’s still airing. Updating as I watch, about an hour and a half or so behind the live show to start!

• Tonight, the final performances to make the top twelve on the first run. The remaining three positions will be filled by Wild Card performances on Thursday.
  1. Von Smith (22, Greenwood, MO) – “You’re All I Need to Get By” – Good strong start to the show. At the very beginning, I would have told him to take the mic out of his mouth; he had it too close and was overpowering it. He quickly improved it, though, and finished out in impressive fashion. Great start!
  2. Taylor Vaifanua (17, Hurricane, UT) – “If I Ain’t Got You” – Right from the first lines, it’s evident that Von isn’t a fluke — this is going to be a very strong group of twelve this week. Taylor could be recording now with that performance.
• I was a little distracted during Hollywood Week, so I didn’t hear her sing this before. I think the judges were a little harsh on this performance. Maybe it sounds different in the studio.
• Alex is working out, so he can “fill out a shirt” like Simon. Umm…. :p
  3. Alex Wagner-Trugman (19, Studio City, CA) – “I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues” – It certainly was distinctive, and entertaining, but I’m not sure it was a good singing performance. I’m not sure Alex will go on.
• Did Ryan actually break the microphone? Whoops… :p
  4. Arianna Afsar (17, San Diego, CA) – “The Winner Takes It All” – Arianna sings “the first ABBA song ever live on Idol.” The performance sounds restrained at the beginning, especially when she’s going through the note runs. As she got to the end, she started doing better, but this showing probably won’t do her any favors.
  5. Ju’not Joyner (26, Bowie, MD) – “Hey There Delilah” – I suspect this song gets overplayed, but I like it. However, there’s not much vocal range in it. Looks like Ju’not is trying to add some with this arrangement, which helps. This is definitely an interesting arrangement, adding an R&B element to what could otherwise be a throw-away pop song. Good show.
• Tonight’s TMI award goes to… Ju’not.
  6. Kristen McNamara (23, Napa Valley, CA) – “Give Me One Reason” – Weird note early on, but not too bad. The arrangement is running a little faster than I’d expect. Kristen’s definitely got a voice, and she seems to be coming out of her shell more, but she’s not 100% there yet.
  7. Nathaniel Marshall (19, Malone, NY) – “I Would Do Anything For Love (But I Won’t Do That)” – Nathaniel’s pitchy in a few spots. This seems like a safe performance — it doesn’t stand out.
• “Simon, would you like a garter on your head?”
  8. Felicia Barton (26, Virginia Beach) – “No One” – Felicia was cut during the final eliminations into the top 36, but returned to replace a disqualified Joanna Pacitti. She sounds pretty good tonight, though she falls short on a few of the high notes. I’m liking the performance overall.
  9. Scott MacIntyre (23, Scottsdale, AZ) – “Mandolin Rain” – I didn’t remember this song by name until Scott started singing it. He’s a little pitchy here and there, but improved as he went through. I’m not sure he’d make the top 12 just on this performance, but he seems to have the fan base in the studio, and will do well if he continues, especially if he gets back on the piano.
  10. Kendall Beard (24, Lufkin, TX) – “This One’s For the Girls” – Okay, I expected a higher-pitched voice from that face. She seems a little under-pitch when the backup chorus comes in, and it’s not the best vocal, but it isn’t horrible, though the last few notes went a little wonky.
  11. Jorge Nuñez (21, Carolina, PR) – “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down On Me” – One of my favorite songs, and a strong vocal. You can tell there’s an accent (no matter what Paula says), still, but it’s easily overlooked, and just as Simon says, an accent isn’t a bad thing. Good work from Jorge.
  12. Lil Rounds (24, Memphis, TN) – “Be Without You” – I’m curious to learn whether that’s a real name or a pseudonym, though they make it sound real. Regardless, Lil can sing, and does a great job, even tossing in a lyric calling for votes. Simon looks nearly stunned. Great performance.

I voted for: Von (1), Taylor (2), Ju’not (5), Kristen (6), Felicia (8), Scott (9), Jorge (11) and Lil (12)
Prediction
Moving on tonight: Felicia, Scott and Lil

Some really good showings tonight, but unfortunately, only three can go on. Results tomorrow night!