Showing posts with label Lady Gaga. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lady Gaga. Show all posts
Aliana Jester Performs Lady Gaga’s “I’ll Never Love Again” - American Idol Comeback
Performing Lady Gaga’s “I’ll Never Love Again” for her comeback performance, Aliana Jester absolutely sparkled on stage, sparkled in that dress, and sparkled with that stunning performance! Will Aliana’s stunning performance dazzle her way into America’s hearts and ultimately into this season’s Top 10 on American Idol?
Unseeen Performance: Lauren Spencer-Smith sings "Always Remember Us This Way" - American Idol 2020
Get a more detailed look at American Idol's Lauren Spencer-Smith, a Canadian vocal powerhouse that Lionel Richie, Katy Perry, and Luke Bryan believe has the IT factor. Lauren performs Lady Gaga's "Always Remember Us This Way" from A Star Is Born.
Marna Michele audition - American Idol 2020
American Idol hopeful Marna Michele suffers from muscle and joint disorder arthrogryposis and uses a wheelchair. During her inspirational audition with Lady Gaga's "Million Reasons," Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan promise to treat her no differently than any other contestant. Hear her amazing story!
Haley Reinhart Rocks “You Oughta Know” on the American Idol Top 3 Showdown
Haley Reinhart, American Idol Season 10's most versatile performer, rocks out to the Alternative Rock girl-angst anthem “You Oughta Know” by Alanis Morissette. In just one season, Haley has sung Country, Blues, 60's Rock n Roll, Soul, R&B, and now a bit of Indy/Alternative Rock. Haley's nailed songs by everyone from Patsy Kline, to Led Zeppelin, Adele, Sarah Vaughan, Elton John, Carole King, Janis Joplin and Lady Gaga, among others.
Even though Haley can sing anything, the judges made a horrible song choice for her. Not only did Haley need to change the x-rated lyrics for the PG-13 American Idol crowd, but "You Oughta Know" is not a singer's song. The rat-a-tat verses and choppy chorus in no way showcases Haley's huge vocals...nor would it showcase any singer's. The Top 3 is the time for the contestants to 'have a moment.' No singer could have a moment with this song, with it's awkward verses. Also, when "You Oughta Know" was released, people either loved or hated. Did the judges choose this to make Haley look and sound bad? After all the religious songs by other contestants, Haley would be the one to get the blame for singing an 'evil' song, not the judges who choose it. (The judges also screwed Crystal Bowersox last year with her Top 3 song. They choose "Maybe I'm Amazed" by Paul McCartney and Wings, forcing her to sing "Maybe I'm a Man" over and over, rather than change the lyrics to something even more awkward!)
But Haley loves a challenge, and she gave it her all, laying it all out in the chorus with a blast of grasp and growl ~ totally nailing it. Randy Jackson, who has been criticizing Haley for weeks, actually praised, "Those were some amazing choruses by you. I love seeing you rock out like that, in a soulful way. HALEY IS IN IT TO WIN IT!" Steven Tyler raved, "Amazing. That was so perfect. You so nailed the choruses. It was incredible. Beautiful." JLo added, "It was a really good job. The choruses, nobody can match you there, how high you can go, and how much power you can put behind your gowl. The stronger parts were the choruses."
Even though Haley can sing anything, the judges made a horrible song choice for her. Not only did Haley need to change the x-rated lyrics for the PG-13 American Idol crowd, but "You Oughta Know" is not a singer's song. The rat-a-tat verses and choppy chorus in no way showcases Haley's huge vocals...nor would it showcase any singer's. The Top 3 is the time for the contestants to 'have a moment.' No singer could have a moment with this song, with it's awkward verses. Also, when "You Oughta Know" was released, people either loved or hated. Did the judges choose this to make Haley look and sound bad? After all the religious songs by other contestants, Haley would be the one to get the blame for singing an 'evil' song, not the judges who choose it. (The judges also screwed Crystal Bowersox last year with her Top 3 song. They choose "Maybe I'm Amazed" by Paul McCartney and Wings, forcing her to sing "Maybe I'm a Man" over and over, rather than change the lyrics to something even more awkward!)
But Haley loves a challenge, and she gave it her all, laying it all out in the chorus with a blast of grasp and growl ~ totally nailing it. Randy Jackson, who has been criticizing Haley for weeks, actually praised, "Those were some amazing choruses by you. I love seeing you rock out like that, in a soulful way. HALEY IS IN IT TO WIN IT!" Steven Tyler raved, "Amazing. That was so perfect. You so nailed the choruses. It was incredible. Beautiful." JLo added, "It was a really good job. The choruses, nobody can match you there, how high you can go, and how much power you can put behind your gowl. The stronger parts were the choruses."
American Idol's Haley Reinhart & James Durbin together make up 13 of the Top 25 most popular iTunes singles this year.
"We’re getting down to the wire, so this is about the time when we all start to speculate on how successful our beloved contestants will be when they are done with the show. The first step to achieving success, at least for most, is fairing well in the recording studio.
The great part about Idol is we get a glimpse into what these kids’ recordings will sound like, as each week, the contestants release full-studio versions of their live performances.
So, without further ado, here are American Idol Season 10’s most popular studio recordings on iTunes:
(NOTE: Rankings are based on the number of iTunes song ratings (as well as their star ratings) and the number of file-sharers to account for total popularity)
1. “House of the Rising Sun” by The Animals — Haley Reinhart (Top 5)
What an awesome song! Just like her live version, the song starts out a capella and builds from there. She also belts out a few more big notes than in the live version (since she was forced to cut some parts out), and I honestly believe those are the best parts of the studio bit. The Animals’ version is pretty epic, but Haley somehow tops it 46 years later.
2. “Bennie and the Jets” by Elton John — Haley Reinhart (Top 11 Redux)
Haley haters: you should really check out her studio recordings. She growls a lot less! Just so you know: she doesn’t have to growl, she just does it because it adds so much character to her voice. I happen to love the growl, and even though it’s almost non-existent in this version, it’s still extremely catchy. As well as Haley sang this one live, her studio version might even be better. Her vocals are perfect and everything about it sounds really modern. It’s also quicker than Elton John’s.
3. “Rolling in the Deep” by Adele — Haley Reinhart (Top 7)
It sure does bode well for Haley that she can take the #1 song in the country, put her own twist on it, and make it sound at least as good as the original. I liked that there is a lot more variety here than in Adele’s. Her phrasing is gorgeous (she seems to be the best at that), and the liberties she takes with the runs are quite impressive. If the radio has destroyed Adele’s song for you, give this one a go!
4. “The River” by Garth Brooks — Scotty McCreery (Top 13)
This is Scotty’s first studio recording, which explains why it is so high in the rankings. The first time you hear his studio voice, you can’t help but bop your head up and down with the song. Even if you don’t like country music, he has a much deeper, richer tone than any of the current pop-country stars we have today. His lower register is showcased brilliantly in this song.
5. “Uprising” by Muse — James Durbin (Top 7)
James was a bit clumsy with the notes in his live performance of this song, and those screams actually turned screechy. I enjoy a good on-key scream, but it was a bit much. In his studio version, his notes are obviously spot-on, and there is no overcooked scream at the end. Also, his lower register sounds infinitely better in the studio than it does on the stage, which really helped make this one sound superb. He left the song virtually unchanged from the >Muse version, but I still like it a lot.
6. “Maybe I’m Amazed” by Paul McCartney and Wings — James Durbin (Top 13)
The lower parts of the song sound really nice, but when he goes into his upper register, his voice sounds strikingly thin for a studio version. This song’s ranking is a bit inflated because of James’ “shock boot”. He sang this one for his swan song, so a lot of people came back and downloaded it.
7. “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow” by Carole King/The Shirelles – James Durbin (Top 6)
For the most part, James’ voice sounds excellent in the studio. He has showcased some weaknesses live, such as a thin lower register, wobbly notes, and screechiness, but you should definitely check out his recorded stuff. Since he doesn’t have to belt it out as much in-studio, his voice has a much crisper tone, and his lower register sounds really strong. There’s a lot more substance in his recording voice, which could help him land a good contract. One thing he has to do is lose the excessive screaming in his recordings, as that’s built more for live performances, not for my iPod’s ear buds.
8. “All By Myself” by Eric Carmen/Celine Dion— Pia Toscano (Top 13)
Oh. My. God. This is just unreal. Everyone knows that Pia has an amazing live voice, but she is just as good here. There’s a pureness about it that is so pleasing. Her high notes in this bit are incredible. The power notes are, of course, spectacular, but her soft highs are even more enjoyable. Great build up to the finish. I can see why it cracked the Top 10. Celine Dion has a new rival.
9. “Can I Trust You With My Heart” by Travis Tritt — Scotty McCreery (Top 12)
Meh. This one puts me to sleep. It feels like he is singing the same three notes over and over again. That’s the thing about Scotty – he has such a limited range. The first couple of times you hear him, he sounds outstanding, but that fondness wears out rather quickly. How else do you explain that after his FIRST TWO studio recordings, none of his songs appear on this list until #24? And that #24 song is “Gone” – way out of the box for Scotty. Even though he can stay in his comfort zone right now without risk of penalty, he can’t do that if he wants to be a post-Idol success. He needs to keep things fresh; hopefully he realizes that.
10. “Blue” written for Patsy Cline; by LeAnn Rimes — Haley Reinhart (Top 13)
This is going to fluster the Scotty/Lauren fans, but some may argue that Haley Reinhart owns the best Country performance on the American Idol stage this year, with this LeAnn Rimes song. The recorded version isn’t quite as strong as her live performance, but it’s still great. Some people don’t appreciate the yodel, but it’s very difficult to do. You’re moving in and out of falsetto with each note, so making smooth transitions and staying on pitch can be a nightmare. But this was done perfectly. Believe it or not, this is the first recorded song I downloaded this season, and apparently I wasn’t the only one.
11. “With a Little Help From My Friends” by The Beatles — Casey Abrams (Top 13)
12. “Your Song” by Elton John; in the movie Moulin Rouge — Casey Abrams (Top 11 Redux)
13. “I (Who Have Nothing)” by Ben E. King/Tom Jones/Shirley Bassey — Haley Reinhart (Top 4)
14. “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” by The Beatles — James Durbin (Top 9)
15. “I’ll Be There For You” by Bon Jovi — James Durbin (Top 12)
16. “River Deep, Mountain High” by Ike and Tina Turner — Pia Toscano (Top 9)
17. “Living For the City” by Stevie Wonder — James Durbin (Top 11)
18. “Harder to Breathe” by Maroon 5 — Casey Abrams (Top 7)
19. “The Climb” by Miley Cyrus — Lauren Alaina (Top 8
20. “Come Pick Me Up” by Ryan Adams — Paul McDonald (Top 13)
21. “Piece of My Heart” by Janis Joplin — Haley Reinhart (Top 9)
22. “Have You Ever Seen the Rain” by Creedence Clearwater Revival — Casey Abrams (Top 9)
23. “You and I” by Lady Gaga — Haley Reinhart (Top 5)
24. “Gone” by Montgomery Gentry — Scotty McCreery (Top 5)
25. “Candle in the Wind” by Elton John — Lauren Alaina (Top 11 Redux)
source:idolheaded
The great part about Idol is we get a glimpse into what these kids’ recordings will sound like, as each week, the contestants release full-studio versions of their live performances.
So, without further ado, here are American Idol Season 10’s most popular studio recordings on iTunes:
(NOTE: Rankings are based on the number of iTunes song ratings (as well as their star ratings) and the number of file-sharers to account for total popularity)
1. “House of the Rising Sun” by The Animals — Haley Reinhart (Top 5)
What an awesome song! Just like her live version, the song starts out a capella and builds from there. She also belts out a few more big notes than in the live version (since she was forced to cut some parts out), and I honestly believe those are the best parts of the studio bit. The Animals’ version is pretty epic, but Haley somehow tops it 46 years later.
2. “Bennie and the Jets” by Elton John — Haley Reinhart (Top 11 Redux)
Haley haters: you should really check out her studio recordings. She growls a lot less! Just so you know: she doesn’t have to growl, she just does it because it adds so much character to her voice. I happen to love the growl, and even though it’s almost non-existent in this version, it’s still extremely catchy. As well as Haley sang this one live, her studio version might even be better. Her vocals are perfect and everything about it sounds really modern. It’s also quicker than Elton John’s.
3. “Rolling in the Deep” by Adele — Haley Reinhart (Top 7)
It sure does bode well for Haley that she can take the #1 song in the country, put her own twist on it, and make it sound at least as good as the original. I liked that there is a lot more variety here than in Adele’s. Her phrasing is gorgeous (she seems to be the best at that), and the liberties she takes with the runs are quite impressive. If the radio has destroyed Adele’s song for you, give this one a go!
4. “The River” by Garth Brooks — Scotty McCreery (Top 13)
This is Scotty’s first studio recording, which explains why it is so high in the rankings. The first time you hear his studio voice, you can’t help but bop your head up and down with the song. Even if you don’t like country music, he has a much deeper, richer tone than any of the current pop-country stars we have today. His lower register is showcased brilliantly in this song.
5. “Uprising” by Muse — James Durbin (Top 7)
James was a bit clumsy with the notes in his live performance of this song, and those screams actually turned screechy. I enjoy a good on-key scream, but it was a bit much. In his studio version, his notes are obviously spot-on, and there is no overcooked scream at the end. Also, his lower register sounds infinitely better in the studio than it does on the stage, which really helped make this one sound superb. He left the song virtually unchanged from the >Muse version, but I still like it a lot.
6. “Maybe I’m Amazed” by Paul McCartney and Wings — James Durbin (Top 13)
The lower parts of the song sound really nice, but when he goes into his upper register, his voice sounds strikingly thin for a studio version. This song’s ranking is a bit inflated because of James’ “shock boot”. He sang this one for his swan song, so a lot of people came back and downloaded it.
7. “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow” by Carole King/The Shirelles – James Durbin (Top 6)
For the most part, James’ voice sounds excellent in the studio. He has showcased some weaknesses live, such as a thin lower register, wobbly notes, and screechiness, but you should definitely check out his recorded stuff. Since he doesn’t have to belt it out as much in-studio, his voice has a much crisper tone, and his lower register sounds really strong. There’s a lot more substance in his recording voice, which could help him land a good contract. One thing he has to do is lose the excessive screaming in his recordings, as that’s built more for live performances, not for my iPod’s ear buds.
8. “All By Myself” by Eric Carmen/Celine Dion— Pia Toscano (Top 13)
Oh. My. God. This is just unreal. Everyone knows that Pia has an amazing live voice, but she is just as good here. There’s a pureness about it that is so pleasing. Her high notes in this bit are incredible. The power notes are, of course, spectacular, but her soft highs are even more enjoyable. Great build up to the finish. I can see why it cracked the Top 10. Celine Dion has a new rival.
9. “Can I Trust You With My Heart” by Travis Tritt — Scotty McCreery (Top 12)
Meh. This one puts me to sleep. It feels like he is singing the same three notes over and over again. That’s the thing about Scotty – he has such a limited range. The first couple of times you hear him, he sounds outstanding, but that fondness wears out rather quickly. How else do you explain that after his FIRST TWO studio recordings, none of his songs appear on this list until #24? And that #24 song is “Gone” – way out of the box for Scotty. Even though he can stay in his comfort zone right now without risk of penalty, he can’t do that if he wants to be a post-Idol success. He needs to keep things fresh; hopefully he realizes that.
10. “Blue” written for Patsy Cline; by LeAnn Rimes — Haley Reinhart (Top 13)
This is going to fluster the Scotty/Lauren fans, but some may argue that Haley Reinhart owns the best Country performance on the American Idol stage this year, with this LeAnn Rimes song. The recorded version isn’t quite as strong as her live performance, but it’s still great. Some people don’t appreciate the yodel, but it’s very difficult to do. You’re moving in and out of falsetto with each note, so making smooth transitions and staying on pitch can be a nightmare. But this was done perfectly. Believe it or not, this is the first recorded song I downloaded this season, and apparently I wasn’t the only one.
11. “With a Little Help From My Friends” by The Beatles — Casey Abrams (Top 13)
12. “Your Song” by Elton John; in the movie Moulin Rouge — Casey Abrams (Top 11 Redux)
13. “I (Who Have Nothing)” by Ben E. King/Tom Jones/Shirley Bassey — Haley Reinhart (Top 4)
14. “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” by The Beatles — James Durbin (Top 9)
15. “I’ll Be There For You” by Bon Jovi — James Durbin (Top 12)
16. “River Deep, Mountain High” by Ike and Tina Turner — Pia Toscano (Top 9)
17. “Living For the City” by Stevie Wonder — James Durbin (Top 11)
18. “Harder to Breathe” by Maroon 5 — Casey Abrams (Top 7)
19. “The Climb” by Miley Cyrus — Lauren Alaina (Top 8
20. “Come Pick Me Up” by Ryan Adams — Paul McDonald (Top 13)
21. “Piece of My Heart” by Janis Joplin — Haley Reinhart (Top 9)
22. “Have You Ever Seen the Rain” by Creedence Clearwater Revival — Casey Abrams (Top 9)
23. “You and I” by Lady Gaga — Haley Reinhart (Top 5)
24. “Gone” by Montgomery Gentry — Scotty McCreery (Top 5)
25. “Candle in the Wind” by Elton John — Lauren Alaina (Top 11 Redux)
source:idolheaded
American Idol's Lauren Alaina Performs “Anyway” on the Top 4 Show
Lauren Alaina, American Idol Season 10's Sweet Southern Belle, performs “Anyway” by Martina McBride on the Top 4 Show.
Tonight's celebrity guest mentor was the outre Lady Gaga, and the theme for the first round of songs is "Songs that Inspire". "Anyway" is an inspirational song based on a favorite poem of Mother Teresa's, written by Kent Keith, which he originally titled, "The Paradoxical Commandments". The meaning of the song is...no matter what puts you down in life, do not give up, do it anyway. At the 2007 Country Music Association Awards, "Anyway" was nominated for Single of the Year and Song of the Year awards.
Lauren looks gorgeous! She took the advice Sheryl Crow gave her last week (which she disregarded then), and stood at the mic and just sang. And drew the audience to her with her luminous singing! Amazing, beautiful performance. Her emotions shined through, and Lauren's leaving her past insecurities behind and breaking out of her shell! Perfection. The crowd and all three judges loved it!
Steven Tyler, a Lauren groupie, raved, "Lauren, you did it again. You broke my heart. That was the most beautiful thing. Your voice is so pure and perfect, and right on pitch. You deliver a song like a blue plate special. And I'm in love with the buckles on your shoes. And I love that dress. You’re the whole package. I love you."
Jennifer Lopez praised, "That was very good, Baby. I’m so proud of you. I really do feel like you’re listening to what we are telling you. Everything we're telling you is to help you get into the final. That was exactly what we’re talking about. That was exactly what you have to do. It was a great, great vocal performance."
Randy Jackson added, "Last week I was a little worried. But what you just did right there...the Lauren that we all grew to love, the Lauren that we met the first time we met you...America, Lauren is BACK IN IT TO WIN IT! Yo, that was hot. That was everything! You know was was wrong with that? Absolutely nothing! That was amazing. And a great time to do it."
"That song means so much to me. Any person who's ever had anything bad in their life can relate to that song. It's so inspirational," Lauren told Ryan Seacrest.
Tonight's celebrity guest mentor was the outre Lady Gaga, and the theme for the first round of songs is "Songs that Inspire". "Anyway" is an inspirational song based on a favorite poem of Mother Teresa's, written by Kent Keith, which he originally titled, "The Paradoxical Commandments". The meaning of the song is...no matter what puts you down in life, do not give up, do it anyway. At the 2007 Country Music Association Awards, "Anyway" was nominated for Single of the Year and Song of the Year awards.
Lauren looks gorgeous! She took the advice Sheryl Crow gave her last week (which she disregarded then), and stood at the mic and just sang. And drew the audience to her with her luminous singing! Amazing, beautiful performance. Her emotions shined through, and Lauren's leaving her past insecurities behind and breaking out of her shell! Perfection. The crowd and all three judges loved it!
Steven Tyler, a Lauren groupie, raved, "Lauren, you did it again. You broke my heart. That was the most beautiful thing. Your voice is so pure and perfect, and right on pitch. You deliver a song like a blue plate special. And I'm in love with the buckles on your shoes. And I love that dress. You’re the whole package. I love you."
Jennifer Lopez praised, "That was very good, Baby. I’m so proud of you. I really do feel like you’re listening to what we are telling you. Everything we're telling you is to help you get into the final. That was exactly what we’re talking about. That was exactly what you have to do. It was a great, great vocal performance."
Randy Jackson added, "Last week I was a little worried. But what you just did right there...the Lauren that we all grew to love, the Lauren that we met the first time we met you...America, Lauren is BACK IN IT TO WIN IT! Yo, that was hot. That was everything! You know was was wrong with that? Absolutely nothing! That was amazing. And a great time to do it."
"That song means so much to me. Any person who's ever had anything bad in their life can relate to that song. It's so inspirational," Lauren told Ryan Seacrest.
American Idol's Haley Reinhart Sings Lady Gaga's “You and I” on the Top 5 Show
Haley Reinhart, American Idol Season 10's sexy, sassy ingenue, performs “You and I”, an unreleased song by Lady Gaga, for her first song on the Top 5 'Now~and~Then' Show. Haley gets a sit-down with host Ryan Seacrest where she explains, "Jimmy Iovine came to me, and he was really excited about this song. He said, "This isn't released yet, she does it at her concert. It's an amazing song. I think you would do a good take on it." Especially if I could get her blessing on it, speak to her and see if it's all right...I got to speak to Lady Gaga, and she was excited as well." Multiple Grammy Award winner Sheryl Crow helped the Idol finalist during rehearsals, as this week's celebrity mentor. Sheryl said, "I think Haley doing Lady Gaga, a song that isn't even released yet, is a super bold choice. I think she's definitely going to have a moment with this song." "She's got it," says Jimmy, "and taking on this song is just another way to show she's got it."
Haley looks fantastic, starting the song posed on the stairs. And she sounds great! With her huge vocals, growls and raspy voice, this song is the perfect choice for her. This is one of Haley's best performances, and a song like this really showcases the direction Haley should take as a recording artist after Idol. The audience is totally eating it up, though the judges don't look too thrilled.
Jennifer Lopez criticized, "I love the way you sounded, especially at the end. You had some good moments within the song. I’m just not sure it was a cool idea to do an unreleased Lady Gaga track. I'm just not sure that was the best advice Jimmy gave you. At this point in the competition, when you have Scotty and James comin' out, doin' what they're doin'. I mean you just have to showcase yourself to the best you can every time, with songs that people are really going to connect to and love. And I just want you to do that because, again, you have such a great voice that I want you to come out and have that great moment every single time. And you've given us that before, so I know you can, with some really, really great songs. For me, it would have been a better choice to choose something everybody knew, that really showcased you in a better way. I'm sorry, baby."
Randy Jackson added, "I’m not sure it’s that great of a song, and I'm sure you could have thought of other songs. I always think about you more in the Joss Stone way. It’s so risky to come out with a song no one's familiar with. You're a great singer, you proved it at the end of that. I don’t know if this whole thing did you any favors. The good thing about tonight is that you have a second song later."
Steven Tyler, who obviously heard the same performance I did, (as I have no clue why JLo and Randy dissed Haley so hard...) praised, "I think you put all of Haley...your range...in it. I loved it. I don't know the song. When someone can take a song they don't know and make it work, that's a beautiful thing. Hard thing, risky thing to do here. But I love what you do. I think you're just one perfect song away from being the American Idol."
Haley looks fantastic, starting the song posed on the stairs. And she sounds great! With her huge vocals, growls and raspy voice, this song is the perfect choice for her. This is one of Haley's best performances, and a song like this really showcases the direction Haley should take as a recording artist after Idol. The audience is totally eating it up, though the judges don't look too thrilled.
Jennifer Lopez criticized, "I love the way you sounded, especially at the end. You had some good moments within the song. I’m just not sure it was a cool idea to do an unreleased Lady Gaga track. I'm just not sure that was the best advice Jimmy gave you. At this point in the competition, when you have Scotty and James comin' out, doin' what they're doin'. I mean you just have to showcase yourself to the best you can every time, with songs that people are really going to connect to and love. And I just want you to do that because, again, you have such a great voice that I want you to come out and have that great moment every single time. And you've given us that before, so I know you can, with some really, really great songs. For me, it would have been a better choice to choose something everybody knew, that really showcased you in a better way. I'm sorry, baby."
Randy Jackson added, "I’m not sure it’s that great of a song, and I'm sure you could have thought of other songs. I always think about you more in the Joss Stone way. It’s so risky to come out with a song no one's familiar with. You're a great singer, you proved it at the end of that. I don’t know if this whole thing did you any favors. The good thing about tonight is that you have a second song later."
Steven Tyler, who obviously heard the same performance I did, (as I have no clue why JLo and Randy dissed Haley so hard...) praised, "I think you put all of Haley...your range...in it. I loved it. I don't know the song. When someone can take a song they don't know and make it work, that's a beautiful thing. Hard thing, risky thing to do here. But I love what you do. I think you're just one perfect song away from being the American Idol."
Adam Lambert Calls American Idol Hopeful Haley Reinhart "Top-Notch"
American Idol Season 8 runner-up Adam Lambert was never one to soft-pedal -- not when it came to his performances on the show or his opinions on everything from drugs to sexuality to Lady Gaga. It's one of the many reasons we love him.
And as Season 10 winds down, Adam clearly has a lot to say about the Top six finalists, first and foremost, his current favorite: Haley Reinhart. "I love Haley so much because musically and vocally, she's doing things that are at a top-notch level," he told THR at Wednesday's ASCAP Pop Music Awards, where Adam introduced Songwriter of the Year winner Max Martin. "It's incredible how Haley makes it look so easy and effortless. Plus, she's having fun up there. I don't feel like she's working so hard to prove herself or to prove a point. She's just singing and taking joy in music."
But when it comes to Haley, Adam does take issue with judges Jennifer Lopez, Steven Tyler and Randy Jackson -- he doesn't think they foist enough positive reinforcement on the girl. "I wish the judges gave her a little bit more praise because what she's doing is technically superb," he says.
Similarly, Adam also senses a sort of supreme musicality in Casey Abrams, but is a bit skeptical of the shtick. "The thing about Casey is, the judges will go, 'We like your quirkiness,' and now it's almost like he's parodying himself a bit," says Adam. "I think he's so good, and then he starts grunting and I'm like, 'Why? You don't even need to do that.' I get distracted by it. But I think Casey's got vocal and musical genius in him. He's so talented."
The constant comparisons of James Durbin to Adam have no doubt been a thorn in the side of both singers, but now the senior "Idol" says, he's "kind of over" James. "I think he's got talent and passion 100%, but I feel like he's trying way too hard," Adam opines.
"Also, his niche is so limited with the metal. When he did that "Heavy Metal" song [by Sammy Hagar], James was note-perfect. He was on pitch, which is usually kind of an issue, and I think he sounded really good but it felt like a copycat. I didn't feel like I was seeing an original artist yet. And I'm not saying he doesn't have that in him, but it hasn't been showing. Whereas Haley and Casey, they're bringing a little more legitimacy to it. They're more grounded in their own voices. When they did that jazz duet, that was nuts! They give off a good vibe."
He also advises the contestants to pay attention to what the seasoned music business veterans have to offer -- they are, after all, there to help and guide them. Says Adam: "Yeah, you can stick to your guns, like James did when he was arguing with Jimmy Iovine, but I also feel like, 'You're new to this, dude. Listen up!' "
Clearly, he's given these issues a lot of thought, but like countless "Idol" viewers, for Adam, other cast-offs are already a thing of the past. Pia Toscano, for instance. "I liked Pia a lot, but then she got a little one-note," Adam explains. Her elimination, like many of the females who saw their fates sealed early, comes with the demographic territory. "It's just the way things are."
Anyway, it really doesn't matter who wins, says Adam who credits Haley for "putting herself on the map and making her talent known." Besides, he adds, "It's all about relationships and hopefully she's forged some. It doesn't matter what place you end up [in the competition], I'm a testament to that.
source:Billboard.com
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