Now, in regard to David A’s breathing difficulties, I understand that he was ill last week, so that would explain the huskiness in his voice.

I know that part of his problem is due to his past history with vocal paralysis, but last week’s breathing was very labored during the first part of his performance. Then he settled down and started to breathe more efficiently from the diaphragm.

He is such a smart kid. He really knows how to pace himself during a performance and initiates technical decisions on the fly.

He really knows and understands the technical process extremely well.

I have a question: You mentioned David Archuleta’s more audible/louder breathing. I’ve been wondering for a while now if his vocal paralysis has anything to do with that? I’ve carefully looked for signs of poor breathing technique – such as do his shoulders move when he’s taking a breathe for instant? Except for a few times e.g. during Angels (right before the glorious run at the end), I couldn’t spot too much such hints that he’s breathing too high. Eitherway, whether he does or not his breathing always seems quite audible, especially for someone with such refined vocal skills. Do you think it’s an aftereffect of his vocal chord paralysis? And if so, how can he ever get rid of that? And does he need to get rid of it? I know a lot of people, especially his haters (how anyone can hate that kid – or anyone for that matter – is beyond me!), are bothered by it. Personally I’m not bothered by it at all from a listener’s point of view; actually I think it makes him more recognisable. I’m only concerned it’s hinting at fatigue or poor technique (and we all know where that can lead to, see Jordin Sparks!). But if it’s just a little “quirk” his vocal chords developed when he went through his paralysis, that doesn’t have any consequences, it wouldn’t bother me at all to hear him breathe. He’s human, he needs to breathe after all! ;o) And while proper breathing technique surely is important, it’s only one aspect of it all, right?

P.S.: I just wanted to say, I really love David Cook, too. But personally I think it is a little unfair towards the other contestants that he currently has an album on sale. As I understand it is a re-release he decided to do while already being in the competition? If this is true, I’m quite disappointed. He should have waited with the re-release until after the show, imho. Does anyone know if that is true?

I really do think that “anyone” thus far can make it to the top 3 with good performances and luck. Some might not be my cup of tea though (Brooke and Jason), I don’t think they are as good of singers/ performers as some of the other people but some might think otherwise.

As for Jordin, some readers have speculated about an eating disorders, as some, like bulimia/purging can cause cord damage … can it cause bleeding?

And Kelly, Kelly, Kelly …. you amazing girl! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cj6PXYp0Ds She sang for the Pope and it was lovely! The video is by Pope-TV, so it doesn’t show Kelly much, but the Pope. I’m not Catholic, so I get to ask a couple of ‘dumb’ questions LOL! Do you ever wonder if a Pope (not just this one) would really like to hear something non-religious?! What did that man give her as she was shaking hands with the Pope after singing?
This HAS to be the biggest AI accomplishment ever … could it get any bigger?! Great job, Kelly!

Anita

But, Jason seems to mostly have teeny-bobs, and sooner or later they will have to line up behind him or David A.

Brooke seems to be getting more emotional and I’m concerned (truly) that she is falling apart. She seems to be loosing a lot of weight and getting tearier (tearyer?!) each week. I adore her, and don’t want her to fold under the pressure.

Syesha seems to just ‘be there’ … I haven’t really warmed up to her and can’t tell who she is. When she doesn’t screech, I love her warm, mellow voice, but we can tell that she thinks (or likes to be) associated with the big, high, long notes. Frankly, that’s not the beauty I hear in her voice.

So, we’re back around to Carly! Maybe you were right! =)

Anita

I have sort of accepted this and it is what TPTB want. I like the David’s in the Finale but have not warmed up to Carly.

MCL, the link I left is what is the current URL. Is there a better link we should use when recommending your blog?

I haven’t had the time to listen to the studio recordings and have no doubt that the recordings are much better than the live performance.

In a studio, the singers are more relaxed and can concentrate on the vocals as opposed to the overall performance.

Also, a great recording engineer has tons of bells and whistles to clean up the final product and, additionally, the arrangement is an enhanced longer version than the live performance.

I know it’s a trashy site (with their mean-spiritedness) but they do tend to know things. I wonder what’s up with Jordin? Surely not 2 awful things at once, poor kid?

Anita

I’m glad that you give an objective approach to your criticisms though MasterClassLady. I enjoy reading your critiques.

I just wish these young singers would realize and understand the fragility of their vocal cord muscles.

Poor technique, coupled with overuse, fatigue and so on, has caused her vocal cords extreme damage.

This probably all started with the appearance of vocal nodes and, when she should have rested her voice, she added insult to injury and kept singing with poor technique.

It’s like scraping a wound over and over again until inflammation mounts.

This is so sad, really sad.

Also, I was agreeing with you AnalogHeart, that OK! is hardly the gospel! I just thought it was an interesting piece to post between shows.

Lastly, I found the little Mariah tidbit (above post) on FoxNews.com. She’s a doozy!

Anita =)

I agree with all of your comments but out of all the people that I think need to hear your criticism the most it would be Syesha. She is a good singer(I’ve seen the site Idolranges.com and she consistently picks some of the most difficult songs) but I feel if she heard what you say and picked more melodic and relatable songs she would be great.

As of right now I feel that the top 3 will be David Archuleta, David Cook and Carly Smithson. David A. will be in because of popularity(I feel Like he’s a tiny bit overrated though). David Cook will get in because he is IMO the best “Idol contestant” on there. Carly will get in the top 3 because I think she is overall the best singer in the competition.

Before I go MasterClassLady I have to ask you a question that perplexes me. Where does emotion come from? How does a singer give off that wave of emotion and that hypnotic feel to the listeners/audience? What does the audience really want to see and hear?