Yup, I watch it and love it. So-called music fans who hate it need to lighten up. It's silly. It's a candy bar. It could be much, much better, but it's what I need at times. And isn't it great to see Paula all screwed up on a regular basis?
And...Simon loves to say it, but he knows--it’s so NOT a singing competition. It’s entertainment, and sometimes barely that. But--how is it that these contestants get what may be their only chance to perform in front of a shockingly large audience—and they play it safe? Don’t they know you’re supposed to take risks while you’re young? Most of them are going home early, so why not let it all go and rip into a song you love (assuming they can get permission to perform it), and tear it up! Taylor Hicks connected with folks last year--at least in part because he (usually) seemed passionate about the music, and wasn’t afraid to look like a dork. Ah well…Makes me respect last years first loser, Bobby Bennett, who did “Copacabana” for his grandmother—what the heck, why not? Do something you can feel good about 20 years from now. To use the sports cliché, leave it all on the stage…I expect more of the “play-it-safe” disasters this evening. Thank goodness, I’ve got to work tonight, so I can tape it and fast forward through the Whitney Houston numbers…
That said, here’s my top five from last night:
1. Blake Lewis. Don’t know the song, but he seemed to really connect to it and that came across. My wife thinks he looks like a young Morrissey, so let’s hope they finally get around to doing a New Wave, or 1st Wave night, so he can do a beat-box version of “Meat Is Murder”.
2. Chris Sligh. Yeah, the song was rather lame, but he pulled it off with more energy than any other contestant did. He suggests he has a strategy, and he’s clearly the brightest contestant yet, so he’ll be interesting to watch. He’ll certainly get the Xian rocker votes, which should get him to the top 5. Look for him to shave his head if he gets to the finals, and maybe develop stigmata.
3. Chris Richardson. Big drop off from 1 & 2, but he was decent
4. Phil Stacey. The start was dreadful, but he got it together where most never did.
5. no one. Really, all the rest were tragically flawed, if not dreadfully boring.
First to go: Sanjaya Malakar. His sister “gave” him the song. She must be bitter. Sounded like he’d only heard it yesterday, or the day before. No energy—heck, he’s 17! He should be jumping out of his skin!
Biggest disappointment: Sundance Head. Makes you realize how bad some of the Moody Blues’ songs are—as songs. As recordings, unique to the band, they rock. In the wrong hands—awful. Mr. Head’s lack of savvy will do him in much earlier than necessary. Too bad. He should have done “Treat Her Right”.
No comments:
Post a Comment