Motown Night

(Here’s the performance show recap from Howard!)

Motown Night
American Idol Season 8, Top 10 Performances

I went to see Tom Goss in Philadelphia tonight so I didn't see the live show. And, by the way, it was well worth it - I love Tom so much. He was fun, and Mandy & I had dinner with him and a few other fans before the show. I bought his new CD - and we listened to it on the way home and loved it. He also dedicated a song to me during the show - one of my favorites, 'Legacy of You.'

So, I made it home and immediately went to Rickey.org and watched the videos. I saw just the performances, and not the judges comments or the video packages. So these are my thoughts... It was too late when I got home, so I didn't vote at all. Hopefully, America doesn't screw it up.

Matt Giraud - Let's Get It On
Was OK. I was fairly unimpressed. Started out better than it finished. And I have absolutely no desire to get it on with him... I wish he would have stayed at the piano, even if he oversang when he did.

Kris Allen - How Sweet It Is
Incredibly sweet. I like this performance very much. Showed some real personality and put his own spin out there. He could have gone with the James Taylor version, but he didn't.

Scott MacIntyre - Can't Hurry Love
Wow. He often falls behind the music. Has an odd thing - he reminds me of Stephen Bishop, with that thin voice of his. Only Bishop hit the notes.

Megan Joy - For Once In My Life
That was not good. You really have to hit more notes than you miss. Phrasing is better than before. She is a lovely girl, at least.

Anoop Desai - Ooh Baby Baby
Wow, that was rather old fashioned and lazy. Bring something new to it, Anoop! Really karaoke and the falsetto in the chorus was thin and slightly off. Disappointing.

Michael Sarver - Ain't To Proud To Beg
Didn't like that at all. The cheese factor was outta control. He is reminding me of Taylor Hicks, with a better voice but lacking charisma, soul and breath control. Totally lacking.

Lil Rounds - Heatwave
Odd. She is so dated, and not in a nice retro way. I get the feeling she can't interpret at all. What she did, she did well, but not that interesting.

Adam Lambert - Tracks of My Tears
Have to mention the look - it is truly interesting. Very different, looks appropriate for the song and the era, but in a hip, retro way. Wow, that was an amazing opening. Nice interpretation of the lyrics, is truly connected to the song, and is taking it home. This is a great performance. He absolutely nailed the ending. That was close to perfection.

Danny Gokey - Get Ready
Unimpressive at the start. Is not doing anything interesting with the song. Why is he dancing with the back ground singers? I can't tell if he occasionally runs out of air, or if it is a misguided choice. Comes off as a bit amateurish, like he is buying into his own press pimping. Not liking it.

Allison Iraheta - Papa Was A Rolling Stone
Looks very pretty tonight. Great start - showing the strength and depth of her voice. Keeps it going, and builds some steam. I am liking it. Completely nails the ending, that was fantastic.

Recap - Well, I didn't see it, so I will recap my thoughts. Not a great night in Idolland, but not a terrible one. For me, only 3 people delivered tonight. The rest, varying shades of disappointment. Adam won the night with a nuanced and beautiful performance. I would put Allison in next, with what could be her best to date. Then I would put in Kris, who stretched himself some and really delivered. Matt, Lil, Gokey and Anoop come next, is whatever order. They were all rather unexceptional to me, and did little to go beyond the song. Then comes Scott, who wasn't very good but at least didn't make me think of a train wreck. Speaking of which, then Megan. That was awful. And last, I would say Michael Saver, for his inability to figure out he is not an R&B singer, as tonight clearly showed.