American Idol's final Top 4 - Adam Lambert, Danny Gokey, Kris Allen and Allison Iraheta - will perform rock songs on Tuesday's show, with guest mentor, former Guns N' Roses guitarist, Slash.
I went out on a limb last week and predicted Kris Allen to take home the title, for a variety of reasons. I polled readers last week about which Idol they're voting for, and got a ton of Adam Lambert fans, but they pretty much balance out the avalanche of Danny Gokey fans I've heard from over the last couple of months. All of which means that no one really know who's going to win this season, and that's a very good thing. Any of the final four would be fine Idols.
So let's see who really rocks when the Idols perform live Tuesday night. I'll be here as usual, blogging live!
7:58 PM - It's chaos here at the Brokaw zoo. Murphy, Bandit and Scout are wrestling and barking and raising a ruckus. I'm still exhausted after a full day yesterday sitting in a courtroom for jury duty. Tonight's show better really rock or I'm going to fall asleep, even with all of the barking and Bandit tearing up newspapers.
Ryan explains that there was an accident on the stage before dress rehearsal, and one of the towers on stage began to collapse, so the contestants didn't have a proper run through. VoteForTheWorst.com reports, "Apparently Debbie the stage manager fell off a 20 foot staircase and was taken to the hospital in a stretcher."
Tonight, the contestants are teaming up for duets in addition to their solo performances. This should be interesting. Kris, Allison and Adam loook lke rockers; Danny looks a little dorky. Guns N' Roses' Slash is tonight's guest mentor; he worked with the contestants at the Roxy on the Sunset Strip. He worked with the contestants in a club setting, with full volume and a live band. Can't prepare for rock week better than that, can you?
Up first is Adam, singing Led Zepplin's "Whole Lotta Love." Clearly, Adam Lambert was born for this night. He's completely in his element, he sounds great, he looks the part, even if it's all over the top. But then again, that's Adam and that's rock and roll. He's the perfect marriage of music and theatrics. Randy says "This is the Adam that I love" and adds that no one will think Broadway when he sings rock. Kara calls him a rock god and says he should be singing 70s classic rock and 80s glam rock. Paula says he's a "whole lotta perfect." Simon says it cold have been a disaster, but it ended up being one of his favorite performaces, adding that the problem is that no one can top it. Ryan says it's the first time a Zepplin song has been performed on American Idol. I think if anyone was going to do it, Adam is the only one who could pull it off.
Allison is up next singing Janis Joplin's "Cry Baby". Allison looks cute tonight, but she must be nervous sitting under the collapsing tower. She went to Adam's hair dresser today; that's probably why she looks so good. Slash says that Allison has a natural rock and roll swagger, but that she needs to get over her fear. Good grief, this girl is talented. I can't get over the fact that she's just 17; she's a natural on stage, especially with this genre.She has really pulled ahead in these last few weeks. Randy says he didn't love the song choice and didn't think it was great. Kara says she picked the right artist but not the right song. Paula says if they ever do a biopic on Janis Joplin she's got the role. Simon says the difference now from eight weeks ago is staggering. He says she should have chosen a Queen song. She tries to explain her song choice and Simon teases her; she's so cute. He says that he likes the fact that she's arguing for herself. Simon is so ready for a cigarette that he's got his lighter in his hand while he's giving her feedback.
While we're on a commerical break, here's a little Idol news: A NY Post story reports that Paula Abdul told the Ladies Home Journal that last Thanksgiving she kicked a 12-year addiction to painkillers. She suffered chronic pain from 15 spinal surgeries; explains a lot, doesn't it? Good for herl, thought; that couldn't have been easy.
We're back with our first duet, Kris Allen and Danny Gokey singing Styx's "Renegade." They sound great together in harmony but Danny clearly has a stronger voice for lead rock vocals. It'll be interesting to see how they sound on their solos. Randy says the same thing, liked the harmonies but the individual vocals weren't great. Kara says the song "Renegade" was funny since they're the guys who help little old ladies cross the road. Paula says it was compelling. Simon says, "OK, Danny was better than Kris, how's that?"
After the break, Kris is singing something from The Beatles. And here's another bit of Idol news: the show has renewed Kara DioGuardi's contract for another season. So she's back next season. She's grown on me over the last few months.
Kris is getting ready to sing; he tells Ryan he was going to sing "Revolution" but ended up chosing "Come Together." In the mentoring session, Slash lends Kris his guitar and plays while Kris sings, which Kris says almost "made me pee my pants." You can't compare Kris and Adam, which I'm sure everyone will try to do, but Kris does a great job with the song. It was awesome. Randy says that he knows Kris isn't a rock guy but he appreciates that he picked a song that he could be himself. He loved Kris' guitar playing, even if he didn't love the vocals. Kara doesn't like it, and says he was trying too hard. Paula says it's risky to do a Beatle's song, but his signature was all over it and it's his imprint that makes it compelling and why he deserves to be on the stage. Simon didn't like it, and says it's "rather like eating ice for lunch. It'll leave you with nothing to remember afterwards," He says it was boring and couldn't top Adam. Sorry, Simon, that's comparing apples and pineapples.
After the break, Danny Gokey is singing Aerosmith's "Dream On." Slash says that Danny is naturally talented vocally, but he picked a tough song and he needs to hit that last note to make it work, because everyone will be waiting for that. Thankfully, he's changed his clothes; that red shirt looked stupid on rock night. I love Danny, but this song sounds like every other song he's sung; when the vocals go into that falsetto range, he kind of screeches. It's good, but not really something I want to remember. I'd rather have ice for lunch. Randy says he knows this isn't his genre, it was alright, but he gives him an A+ for effort. Kara says he took the swagger and edge suggestions, but he took it a little too far. She says she likes growth and taking chances and he did that. Paula says it wasn't the right song, but she's still a huge fan and gives him an A++ for going for it. Simon says the last note was like watching a horror movie, like a scene from "Friday the 13th" and over the top. (Someone in the audience has a sign that says "Simon Cowell King of Common Sense" - Simon says, "I agree." Me too.) Danny says he didn't think it was that bad so he needs to go back and listen to it. Ryan reminds the audience that Danny is the only contestant left who hasn't been in the bottom three.
Next up, a duet with Adam and Allison. This can't help but be fantastic; you have the two rockers teamed up. I wonder how much these duets will influence the voting. Adam and Allison clearly have an edge over Danny and Kris.
Adam and Allison are singing Foghat's "Slow Ride." These two are without question the best tonight, and I'd even go so far as to say Allison rivals Adam for the best tonight. Clearly, either Danny or Kris is going home tomorrow. Randy says they should do a duet on their albums. Kara calls them rock god and rock goddess. Paula says they're a perfect blend and they're totally in synch. Simon says in the battle of the duets, they win, and says that Adam may have given Allison a chance to staying a competition with that performance. I don't think she was going anywhere anyway. Adam and Allison have their arms around each other and he says she's like his little sister.
As they do the recaps, one thing really stands out to me: I wouldn't listen to Aerosmith or Foghat, but I'd listen to the Beatles. So I think Kris is going to appeal to those viewers who like "softer rock" for lack of a better phrase. The question is: who were the better classic rockers? Adam and Allison, of course. So is Danny in trouble this week?
We'll find out tomorrow! Join me live for the results show.
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American Idol Poll: Who Would You Vote For If The Finale Was Today?American Idol Winner Prediction - I'm Going Out On A Limb With Kris Allen
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I don't know if it would have been considered "Rock" or not, but I think Kris would have sounded much better singing the Beatles song "Yesterday"
Allison, thanks for catching that. By the end of the show, I was exhausted, LOL. I think Allison may actually have bested Adam at his own game last night. She's a lot better than she's been getting credit for, and she's really come into her own the last couple of weeks!
Joanne
host of the GS blog
Nice blog. One minor point, Randy did not Danny "an A+ for hitting the high note." Randy gave Danny an A+ for effort. Danny didn't get close to the high note.
I not a big Danny fan, I prefer Adam then Kris, but I don't wish him badly. I hope that someone who knows Danny will help him make better song choices for the last 1 to 2 weeks of the show. He doesn't seem to understand his vocal range or style very well and could really benefit from some advice.
I think that Adam will win but, if not, I agree that Kris is the one to watch.
Here's my theory: if the final two come down to Danny and Adam, then Adam wins hands down. BUT if the final two comes down to Kris and Adam, then Kris has a more than good chance of stealing it away. Here's why: If Kris gets voted off, his fans are likely to vote for Adam rather than Danny, based on my reader polling (and my gut hunch). But if Danny goes, his fans are more likely to vote for Kris than Adam, thereby giving Kris a much bigger edge. If it comes to Danny and Kris? Yeeesh, it's a tie, LOL.
Thanks for pointing out the comment - I was typing as the the judges spoke, but you are probably correct and the A+ was for effort. If people in the room are talking to me I can get distracted, LOL. I agree that Danny was no where near that high note; I'll change it!
Joanne
host of the GS blog.
Hey, all, I wonder if you'd mind helping me out with an article I'm doing for World Net Daily? I just need to include a couple of viewer comments, and you all have so much insight. You can leave your comments here. Just a note - I will need to use your name so I may have to contact you via the email you input when you leave a comment:
1) If you're a Christian and voting for a contestant, or have been and he/she has been eliminated, how much does/did your faith play into your decision about who to support or not support?
2) If you're not a Christian, does the discussion about faith influence your voting at all?
3) If you're not a Christian or have never listened to Christian music, has listening to the Christian contestants on this season's show made you more or less likely to give Christian music a listen? Why or why not?
4) If you're not a Christian or do not attend church, has the portrayal of the Christian contestants on Idol made you likely to attend church? Listen to a Christian who wants to talk about their faith? Turned you off even more to Christianity?
5) If you're a Christian or church/ministry, how have you used American Idol for outreach to your community? Have you held "Idol nights" where everyone gets together to watch?
6) Anything else you want to share?
Thanks!
Joanne
host of the GS blog
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