Post by S.L. on Jul 20, 2007 20:35:16 GMT -5
Heather Ramer - "I've Got Rhythm"
Steven: It was vocally better than last week's and your tone is back to where we heard you in the auditions. The only questionable thing is at the last 15 seconds where I think you peaked a bit with that high note. So vocally, it was not as a disaster like last week. But, I think this was necessary for you to choose this song to be honest. It finally showed the audience that Heather has energy and excitement. It showed that you're not that dull. Part of a singer/performer/artist is keeping it fresh, exciting, yet maintaining who you are. I think you did it well. If you do get through to next week, hopefully the song will present Heather the best way possible because even though this performance was alright but better than past performances, I still think the perfect song can make you shine. Just ok.
Dean: Finally! someone moulds themselves to the theme instead of the other way around. You got the theatrics and the tone of the big band era right. This was the best we've heard from you in a few weeks. Nice power and expression. You're a bit of a chameleon because the tone of your voice completely changes for every different genre you do. Great job!
Charly: At least we are back to the more natural tone of yours I missed in the audition. However, the song did not work for me at all. Your voice sounded like it was trying too hard to stay with the tempo of the song.Your notes then to get shrill(shrieky) at points of the song, so I thought the key should have been slightly lowered. It sounded like a desperate performance to keep you in the competition and I don't know if it will.
Erica Roane - "Stormy Weather"
Steven: Undoubtedly in my Top 4 performances of this week, but I was hoping you add more of an exaggerated spin to this song like how Lakisha Jones made that note at the end of the song. You needed something to grab the audience's attention and I felt it wasn't done completely. You still showed yourself as a bluesy rocker, but I think you took a bit conventional root in this song, and I was hoping you'd switch it up to just make this performance stand out. It was alright.
Dean: Since the competition has started I feel like you've set yourself apart as one of the top contestants. I feel like you fell back with this performance. It was too much! You were doing too many vocal acrobatics and I just felt like it made the song sound like a big mess. There's no doubt you should continue past this week but know when to hold back and when to let loose.
Charly: You picked a perfect song to display your bluesy style. It felt honest and heartlest. Especially love the James Brown fakeout in the song. You changed up the meldoy with your runs in just the right parts. I would love to see you do different dynamics with your voice more. You have the dynamic in your voice when you go from soft to loud. But I would love to see you do a transition to get there like lever instead of turning it off and on like a push of a button. Nothing else I can say, this was a very solid vocal from you.
Heather Davis - "Feeling Good"
Steven: A lot of songs in this genre could have fit you really well. Although this song is a good song choice, there were a couple more that would have shown your skills better. The arrangement you gave me was questionable because you excluded that climax point. And plus, you're being compared to Muhammad's version of it who brought it this time...your version was just alright. There was this "wow" moment that just lost from this performance. I wasn't really set that this performance was good as last week's though. It was alright.
Dean: What I'm hearing is big band does Heather Davis instead of the other way around. I think what's been interesting about this theme in the big idol competitions is that it really seperated the versatile singers who could adapt from the ones who were stuck in their vocal style and I feel like you could have adapted more. Your vocals overpower the music and seem to be a little off pitch here and there. Also, as much as I like this song I don't think it was the right one for you.
Charly: The last two weeks, you have really opened up vocally. To be honest, you had picked a good song, but you just didn't wow me. And part of why i think that is because you still haven't showed the will to win in your performances. It was nice, sweet, but too safe. The arrangement you used didn't quite flow together. It was only OK for me. Step up and own the song like it was yours.
Muhammad Jami - "Feeling Good"
Steven: Well you finally stepped up from last week! You up-ed your game because you couldn't pick a better song for you in this genre. Your soulful style came out in this song as what this song was supposed to be...feeling good. I think you did a great job actually. This was the best I have ever heard from you; so I give you props. Now, keep on being consistent and intensify your game and you may surprise yourself of how you do. Very nice job!
Dean: I dunno, I feel like everyone is more hung up on trying to sound conventionally "impressive" instead of trying to sound authentic... and maybe it's a personal thing but I just don't like when people try to sing these standards with all kinds of vocal acrobatics. You didn't sound bad Muhummad. You just gave the impression that you lack the ability to be flexible vocally. You were singing a jazz song with a rock sensibility.
Charly: Muhammed, that was your best vocal perfomance to date. And the style you put on was simply amazing and smoky. You were still able to maintain your own style, and make it work so well for the big band style. I thought that this was the best overall performance of the night. NOW, you have to keep competing vocally at this level and beyond as I think you could be the dark horse in this competition.
Laura Broad - "Summertime"
Steven: Another great performance. I kinda disagree with Charly saying the problems of the 1st part because I think you were pretty d**n consistent throughout the song. Your dynamics kicked it up from your low notes into the high powerful falsetto you did. Seriously, someone has to do something very very magical to beat you in this competition. Your version is near up there to Fantasia's and Leona Lewis's version. Spot-on vocals, lots of feeling, emotion, stylish, original, and just another fantastic job.
Dean: As beautiful as your vocals are here I would have liked to hear you do a bit more of a big band thing with your voice so it was more of a throwback then just another modern cover of "summertime." Your voice is incredible and striking and it was one of the best performances of the night but still a touch too modern for the theme methinks.
Charly: Laura, the journey you took me on had me spellbound when it came to the second half of the song. I was a bit worried, because the first half did not flow as well as the second half did. This may be your weakest performance in my opinion, but your worse is still pretty d**n amazing. You delivered once again, a very powerful, dynamic vocal. And your voice screams out star quality.
Tracy Lynn - "Ease My Mind"
Steven: I'm actually kinda dissapointed because I know you have this great talent. It's not the matter of the singing but the lack of trying to do something out of your comfort zone. There are clearly songs that would have accentuate your smooth tone like "What Are You Doing For The Rest of Your Life", "Someone To Watch Over Me", "What A Wonderful World." You knew we had originals week next week (oopsies...lol). So I felt you should have done something out of the comfort zone, and sing probably something that would make you great at. I think you could have aimed for those soft, gentle big band/standard songs and nail them. The only big-band-ish thing was the piano/violin. Although, the song had feeling, and you sang it well, I felt it was just the wrong thing to do.
Dean: I understand this is an original song. Being a singer/songwriter I can understand your desire to promote yourself as an artist but I think this might have been the wrong theme to introduce a song like this one. While it's beautiful it's not really representative of the theme and it stands out but not really in a positive way. You're still one of the top contenders in my books, but tonight left me with a question mark.
Charly: Its a beautiful song and beatifully sung, but i don't hear the big band-i-ness in it. I am afraid it may come across as a cop-out to the actual genre and label you one-diamensional. Its great to take risks, but it didn't pay off here.You are great at what your do best....now I am basically waiting for you to raise the stakes and rise above your own style. As great as it is, it could be deemed too
Regina Beasley - "Blues In The Night"
Steven: Wow...this genre was meant for you. I think you took advice in a way that no you didn't have to show that power by belting for 790 seconds but by showing the stronger sides of your voice through this performance. It was really jazzy, soulful, and a nice 20s 30s feel to it without making it so old-fashion like how Michael Buble modernizes some of these classics. If you were born like 120 years ago, there's no doubt you would be up there with Etta James, Ella Fitzgerald, Nat Cole...this was your personal best performance, and I just loved how you made this performance with that feel without making too old-fashioned for the audience and me. Great job!
Dean: You and Heather got it right! People have a hard time with big band standards because they require restraint and skill. You have to hit notes, not happen into them while doing trills and vocal runs. Though your performance might not have been the most polished or the one with the biggest notes, it showed an appreciation and an attempt to understand and conquer the genre. Kudos!
Charly: You finally connected to a song through your personal emotion in my opinion. I feel that jazz/ and big band is your element. LOVED the scats and I wish there was more. You are also raising your game. Now, I'd try to see if you can connect with a wider audience with your distinct style.
Steven: It was vocally better than last week's and your tone is back to where we heard you in the auditions. The only questionable thing is at the last 15 seconds where I think you peaked a bit with that high note. So vocally, it was not as a disaster like last week. But, I think this was necessary for you to choose this song to be honest. It finally showed the audience that Heather has energy and excitement. It showed that you're not that dull. Part of a singer/performer/artist is keeping it fresh, exciting, yet maintaining who you are. I think you did it well. If you do get through to next week, hopefully the song will present Heather the best way possible because even though this performance was alright but better than past performances, I still think the perfect song can make you shine. Just ok.
Dean: Finally! someone moulds themselves to the theme instead of the other way around. You got the theatrics and the tone of the big band era right. This was the best we've heard from you in a few weeks. Nice power and expression. You're a bit of a chameleon because the tone of your voice completely changes for every different genre you do. Great job!
Charly: At least we are back to the more natural tone of yours I missed in the audition. However, the song did not work for me at all. Your voice sounded like it was trying too hard to stay with the tempo of the song.Your notes then to get shrill(shrieky) at points of the song, so I thought the key should have been slightly lowered. It sounded like a desperate performance to keep you in the competition and I don't know if it will.
Erica Roane - "Stormy Weather"
Steven: Undoubtedly in my Top 4 performances of this week, but I was hoping you add more of an exaggerated spin to this song like how Lakisha Jones made that note at the end of the song. You needed something to grab the audience's attention and I felt it wasn't done completely. You still showed yourself as a bluesy rocker, but I think you took a bit conventional root in this song, and I was hoping you'd switch it up to just make this performance stand out. It was alright.
Dean: Since the competition has started I feel like you've set yourself apart as one of the top contestants. I feel like you fell back with this performance. It was too much! You were doing too many vocal acrobatics and I just felt like it made the song sound like a big mess. There's no doubt you should continue past this week but know when to hold back and when to let loose.
Charly: You picked a perfect song to display your bluesy style. It felt honest and heartlest. Especially love the James Brown fakeout in the song. You changed up the meldoy with your runs in just the right parts. I would love to see you do different dynamics with your voice more. You have the dynamic in your voice when you go from soft to loud. But I would love to see you do a transition to get there like lever instead of turning it off and on like a push of a button. Nothing else I can say, this was a very solid vocal from you.
Heather Davis - "Feeling Good"
Steven: A lot of songs in this genre could have fit you really well. Although this song is a good song choice, there were a couple more that would have shown your skills better. The arrangement you gave me was questionable because you excluded that climax point. And plus, you're being compared to Muhammad's version of it who brought it this time...your version was just alright. There was this "wow" moment that just lost from this performance. I wasn't really set that this performance was good as last week's though. It was alright.
Dean: What I'm hearing is big band does Heather Davis instead of the other way around. I think what's been interesting about this theme in the big idol competitions is that it really seperated the versatile singers who could adapt from the ones who were stuck in their vocal style and I feel like you could have adapted more. Your vocals overpower the music and seem to be a little off pitch here and there. Also, as much as I like this song I don't think it was the right one for you.
Charly: The last two weeks, you have really opened up vocally. To be honest, you had picked a good song, but you just didn't wow me. And part of why i think that is because you still haven't showed the will to win in your performances. It was nice, sweet, but too safe. The arrangement you used didn't quite flow together. It was only OK for me. Step up and own the song like it was yours.
Muhammad Jami - "Feeling Good"
Steven: Well you finally stepped up from last week! You up-ed your game because you couldn't pick a better song for you in this genre. Your soulful style came out in this song as what this song was supposed to be...feeling good. I think you did a great job actually. This was the best I have ever heard from you; so I give you props. Now, keep on being consistent and intensify your game and you may surprise yourself of how you do. Very nice job!
Dean: I dunno, I feel like everyone is more hung up on trying to sound conventionally "impressive" instead of trying to sound authentic... and maybe it's a personal thing but I just don't like when people try to sing these standards with all kinds of vocal acrobatics. You didn't sound bad Muhummad. You just gave the impression that you lack the ability to be flexible vocally. You were singing a jazz song with a rock sensibility.
Charly: Muhammed, that was your best vocal perfomance to date. And the style you put on was simply amazing and smoky. You were still able to maintain your own style, and make it work so well for the big band style. I thought that this was the best overall performance of the night. NOW, you have to keep competing vocally at this level and beyond as I think you could be the dark horse in this competition.
Laura Broad - "Summertime"
Steven: Another great performance. I kinda disagree with Charly saying the problems of the 1st part because I think you were pretty d**n consistent throughout the song. Your dynamics kicked it up from your low notes into the high powerful falsetto you did. Seriously, someone has to do something very very magical to beat you in this competition. Your version is near up there to Fantasia's and Leona Lewis's version. Spot-on vocals, lots of feeling, emotion, stylish, original, and just another fantastic job.
Dean: As beautiful as your vocals are here I would have liked to hear you do a bit more of a big band thing with your voice so it was more of a throwback then just another modern cover of "summertime." Your voice is incredible and striking and it was one of the best performances of the night but still a touch too modern for the theme methinks.
Charly: Laura, the journey you took me on had me spellbound when it came to the second half of the song. I was a bit worried, because the first half did not flow as well as the second half did. This may be your weakest performance in my opinion, but your worse is still pretty d**n amazing. You delivered once again, a very powerful, dynamic vocal. And your voice screams out star quality.
Tracy Lynn - "Ease My Mind"
Steven: I'm actually kinda dissapointed because I know you have this great talent. It's not the matter of the singing but the lack of trying to do something out of your comfort zone. There are clearly songs that would have accentuate your smooth tone like "What Are You Doing For The Rest of Your Life", "Someone To Watch Over Me", "What A Wonderful World." You knew we had originals week next week (oopsies...lol). So I felt you should have done something out of the comfort zone, and sing probably something that would make you great at. I think you could have aimed for those soft, gentle big band/standard songs and nail them. The only big-band-ish thing was the piano/violin. Although, the song had feeling, and you sang it well, I felt it was just the wrong thing to do.
Dean: I understand this is an original song. Being a singer/songwriter I can understand your desire to promote yourself as an artist but I think this might have been the wrong theme to introduce a song like this one. While it's beautiful it's not really representative of the theme and it stands out but not really in a positive way. You're still one of the top contenders in my books, but tonight left me with a question mark.
Charly: Its a beautiful song and beatifully sung, but i don't hear the big band-i-ness in it. I am afraid it may come across as a cop-out to the actual genre and label you one-diamensional. Its great to take risks, but it didn't pay off here.You are great at what your do best....now I am basically waiting for you to raise the stakes and rise above your own style. As great as it is, it could be deemed too
Regina Beasley - "Blues In The Night"
Steven: Wow...this genre was meant for you. I think you took advice in a way that no you didn't have to show that power by belting for 790 seconds but by showing the stronger sides of your voice through this performance. It was really jazzy, soulful, and a nice 20s 30s feel to it without making it so old-fashion like how Michael Buble modernizes some of these classics. If you were born like 120 years ago, there's no doubt you would be up there with Etta James, Ella Fitzgerald, Nat Cole...this was your personal best performance, and I just loved how you made this performance with that feel without making too old-fashioned for the audience and me. Great job!
Dean: You and Heather got it right! People have a hard time with big band standards because they require restraint and skill. You have to hit notes, not happen into them while doing trills and vocal runs. Though your performance might not have been the most polished or the one with the biggest notes, it showed an appreciation and an attempt to understand and conquer the genre. Kudos!
Charly: You finally connected to a song through your personal emotion in my opinion. I feel that jazz/ and big band is your element. LOVED the scats and I wish there was more. You are also raising your game. Now, I'd try to see if you can connect with a wider audience with your distinct style.
