This is the problem as I see it – many of these Motown classics have been performed numerous times during past seasons on this show and I cannot listen to them anymore.

We really need to hear and see new and exciting songs from all genres – similar to what we saw and heard from both David Cook and David Archuleta during Season 7.

Now, in terms of pure vocal skills, no one can surpass Pia, Stefano and James – they are pretty near perfect, although Pia and Stefano could stand a little tweaking here and there in their performance skills. And, James is coasting on incredibly natural vocal ability that sometimes does not work as well for him had he came to the show equipped with stellar technique.

However, tonight’s results could be interesting. Both Pia and Stefano received some lukewarm critiques from the judges and this may or may not affect the standings during the results show this evening.

Naima was very shrewd in her song selection; her pitch problems were non-existent because the key selection was absolutely “dead-on”, highlighting the rich, contralto quality of her voice. And the dancing was outstanding.

Scotty just sounded and looked very karaoke to me and he was straining for those upper notes. He is a genuine performer and communicates fairly well, but does so while tilting his body sideways. This needs to be addressed as it makes him look very awkward on stage.

Casey and Paul just don’t have the vocal chops for this competition, although both are very musical and entertaining. However, the raspy quality in their voices really limits their expressive range and this is really important when one considers how brilliantly some of the other singers manage this characteristic in their singing style.

Haley, Lauren, Thia and Jacob fall somewhere in the middle. The performances lack a certain finesse and, in the case of Lauren and Thia, maturity and refinement. If they do remain in the competition for a long period of time, it may be exciting to watch their growth.

So, who will make the Top 10? We shall know soon enough.

Kris Allen American Idol Winner Season 8

A  new reader, who goes by the name of Ian, asked if I would review American Idol Season 8 winner, Kris Allen’s Pre-Idol music.

Of course, I was very curious to hear what Kris had accomplished before he became involved with American Idol and I have to say that this young man’s talent is very impressive.

He has really worked in his own quiet, unassuming manner to hone and develop his craft and I wish him the greatest success in his performing career. 

So, as we wait patiently for Michael Slezak to publish his five-part Idolatry interview with Kris Allen,  let us take a look at some of the performances that groomed and guided Kris on his journey toward the American Idol stage.

On Our Way Written and Produced by Kris Allen	On Our Way is a haunting number and I was mesmerized by the inherent melodic beauty of this number.Kris’s voice embraces the lyrics and melody. However, I must say that I can hear the tension in Kris’ vocal delivery. Kris has to be very careful not to push or force his vocal sound through the constriction of his throat muscles. The innate purity of his voice is so beautiful and would be further enhanced through the utilization of the diaphragm to stabilize his vocal direction and focus. However, Kris’ heartfelt emotion and sensitive artistry is just wonderful. Also, his keyboard abilities throughout this song are truly excellent .
Lovely              Written and Produced by Kris Allen	Lovely opens with powerful  instrumental music – just beautiful . However, I find that, once Kris begins to sing, his voice doesn’t have the presence or clarity that I did hear during On Our Way. Nevertheless  the composition of this song is really beautiful, extremely soulful and passionate. However I was aching for cleaner articulation skills. Sometimes the words lacked clarity and because the articulation was less precise in this song, the full energetic focus for Kris’ vocal delivery was compromised. Nevertheless, this was a sensitive and musical performance and a wonderfully composed song!
Land Of Smiles Written and Produced by Kris Allen	I loved the quiet, yet controlled guitar introduction in Land Of Smiles. Kris is such a skilled musician –guitar, piano , vocals! He has so much to offer! His voice sounds beautiful in this number and the gorgeous purity of his head voice is wonderfully highlighted during this song. I loved the cello effect he included in the acoustic mix of this song, which seamlessly segued to  the orchestral interlude midway through this number. This was extremely well done and exemplifies that he has wonderful skills as an arranger.
Somewhere Over the Rainbow         Originally Interpreted by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole	Oh my, Kris sounds absolutely amazing in this song and we are blessed with the full “Kris effect” during this performance.  Not only do we hear and enjoy his gorgeous tenor voice but also we  gain a wonderful glimpse into the brilliance of his baritone voice. He sings this song very musically and generally phrases his song very well. I am still not  a fan of the faulty breath spots in this song, although Kris manages to keep the song flowing and the momentum alive despite the breathing flaws. My only advice –don’t breathe as often, Kris – tie the words of your phrases together in one breath!
God Of This City         Performed By Kris Allen at New Life Church in Little Rock Arkansas	God Of This City is sensitively and meaningfully interpreted by Kris during this live performance. And the body language that he incorporates into this number speaks to the intensity of his Christian faith and sincerity of heart. Technically, the brilliant spark of his lower range is not as coherent as it was during Somewhere Over The Rainbow and, subsequently, this diminshes the full effect of his upper voice as well. Hopefully he will continue to work on “freeing” the tension in his jaw and neck muscles, thus enhancing the full effect of the diaphragmatic support process.

Picture Courtesy Of AmericanIdol.Com

Who will be crowned our next American Idol?  Ah, yes, therein lies the question and it’s a biggie. Will it be the theatrical rocker, Adam Lambert, or the subdued, acoustically driven stylist, Kris Allen?

According to DialIdol.Com, the race is an extremely close one and, in the final tally, it will come down to the power of text voting.

However, in an effort to make the two-hour telecast breeze by, tonight’s show will feature an array of established talent and some of these artists will be performing with our Top 4,  Adam, Kris, Danny and Allison.  Hopefully, the remainder of the Top 13 will have a chance to shine, as well.

Scheduled to perform on the show are: Lionel Richie, Keith Urban, KISS, David Bowie, Cyndi Lauper , Jason Mraz and Santana.

And, of course, last year’s winner, David Cook, will be front and center performing “Permanent“, one of the songs from his outstanding CD. What I would give to see and hear David Cook and Adam Lambert in concert. Ah well, a lady can dream, can’t she? Or is it a crystal ball prediction? Time will tell!

So, hold on to your seats everyone, as tonight’s show is going to be a thrilling ride, one that will lead us to the final big announcement from Ryan Seacrest: “The American Idol winner for Season 8 is……”.

I will have my Masterclass article online early tomorrow. And make sure you follow my Twitter updates !

 Enjoy the show!

Oh – and don’t forget to download the Top 13 performances on I-Tunes. And, while you are there, catch a couple of songs from one of my three CDs.

More updates will be added as they come in.

Picture Courtesy Of AmericanIdol.Com

After countless auditions and numerous performance shows, The Final 2 comes down to Adam Lambert and Kris Allen. Who could have predicted this?

Certainly the extraordinarily talented Adam Lambert was the obvious frontrunner in this season’s competition and I handpicked him to advance to the Top 2 and win the the crown this year. Will I be right?

It all comes down to how well the underdog and the black horse of this competition, Kris Allen, does in his performances this week. Certainly he has a monumental fanbase – more than anyone of us realized last week while watching the clips from his Arkansas homecoming.

However, Kris has proven to be a contender, working diligently each week to improve on the previous week’s performance and his hard work has paid off!

So, it’s the gentle Southern boy, with the clean light vocals vs.the California cabaret performer/rocker/”any other genre you can think of” with the multi-dimensional artistic vocals. Quite the conundrum!

Tonight’s Top 2 showdown will feature three individual performances by Adam and Kris: Own Choice (chosen from a previously performed number), Producer’s Choice (chosen by Simon Fuller) and the Coronation Song (written by American Idol judge, Kara DioGuardi).

Enjoy the show! And, if you haven’t yet done so, visit and follow my Twitter page for further updates!

If you are having problems accessing the video, click on the americanidol.com video banner at the top of the video screen.

Want more American Idol videos? Click here.

If you are having problems accessing the video, click on the americanidol.com video banner at the top of the video screen.

Want more American Idol videos? Click here.

Picture Courtesy Of AmericanIdol.Com

Well, in just a couple of hours or so, depending on your time zone, we will know the names of the two lucky singers who have secured a spot in the Top 2 showcase next week.

I am looking forward to this announcement, as well as viewing the wonderful reception all three received at their individual homecomings this past weekend.

American Idol Season 6 winner, Jordin Sparks is scheduled to perform as well as Katy Perry.

I hope to have my Masterclass article online early tomorrow. And make sure you follow my Twitter updates !

The Masterclass Doors are now open for business! Enjoy the show!

Oh – and don’t forget to download the Top 13 performances on I-Tunes. And, while you are there, catch a couple of songs from one of my three CDs.

Important Update: Top Two Are:  Kris Allen and Adam Lambert

Picture Courtesy Of AmericanIdol.Com

Each year, I find the Top 3 show to be the most nerve-wracking show of the entire season. Personally, I have always believed that Final 2 are the true stars of the the current American Idol season. The gala Finale centers around their individual and combined talent, allowing them to sell their musical package to an international audience one more time before the winner is announced.

Therefore, it must be a little more than upsetting to have reached this Top 3 placement in the finals, then realizing that, because of a shortage of votes, you have been deprived a coveted spot in the Top 2 showcase.

However, Daughtry, Jennifer Hudson, Kellie Pickler and Jason Castro would beg to differ and it is through their example that the eliminated singers should turn to for inspiration and guidance. This is only one stepping stone – albeit it a huge one – on the road to success and each of the singers have to take what they have learned and experienced on American Idol and build more steps. Hard work and determined effort – that’s what it takes to become a star and that will never change.

Best of luck to Adam, Danny and Kris. It has been an immense pleasure to write these Vocal Masterclass articles for you.  And to my readers,  thank you once again for your lively and thought-provoking commentary.

Enjoy the show! And, if you haven’t yet done so, visit and follow my Twitter page for further updates!

Picture Courtesy Of AmericanIdol.Com

I thoughts Slash did a wonderful job with the singers last evening. He certainly impressed me with his intuitive and experienced understanding of how these rock songs should be performed.

I  enjoyed the rock-themed show  – more than I thought I would! I loved the inclusion of duets into the format – it added increased dimension to the show and was, for various reasons, extremely revealing.

Daughtry is scheduled to perform tonight, as well as Paula Abdul. Talk about your two extremes, but I am looking forward to both performances.

I hope to have my Masterclass article online early tomorrow. And make sure you follow my Twitter updates !

The Masterclass Doors are now open for business! Enjoy the show!

Oh – and don’t forget to download the Top 13 performances on I-Tunes. And, while you are there, catch a couple of songs from one of my three CDs.

Update: Season 5 American Idol winner Taylor Hicks plus Natalie Cole and Jamie Foxx are scheduled to perform.

Picture Courtesy Of AmericanIdol.Com

Tonight’s Top 4 show has the potential to be an exciting showcase. The remaining Top 4 singers, Adam Lambert, Allison Iraheta, Danny Gokey and Kris Allen, will be performing one solo and one duet.

This is a first for American Idol and probably the most exciting new feature implemented into this year’s innovative format. It will allow the viewers to evaluate the singers with a new set of criteria, one that draws attention to the complete fusion of the duet partners through every aspect of their performance.

Was one singer stronger? How cohesive was the blend? Did they add harmony to the framework of the original composition and, if so, did they stay in tune? What about the dynamics -was one singer more expressive, the other less so? How well did the singers interact with each other?

These are the questions that will be going through my mind as I observe the singers in the innovative duet format this evening. I can’t wait!

Tonight’s guest mentor is former Guns ‘N Roses guitarist, Slash and he has been tweeting his positive impressions of the Top 4 singers. We shall soon see if his predictions carry weight, but I am expecting a great deal from the singers given the spirit of the genre.

Best of luck to all the singers and to my readers, enjoy the show! And, if you haven’t yet done so, visit and follow my Twitter page for further updates!

Important Update: The singers are performing without benefit of a dress rehearsal due to a terrible accident involving the production’s stage manager this afternoon on the Idol set.

Our prayers are extended to her for a speedy recovery.

Picture Courtesy Of AmericanIdol.Com

Last evening, Jamie Foxx was a wizard with the singers. I thought he was a superb mentor and demonstrated strong interaction with each of the singers. He seemed emotionally invested in all of them and truly wished them the highest degree of success in their performing careers

Overall, it was an enjoyable evening of performances and I thought the band, under Rickey Minor’s superb direction, played an enormous role in the musical success of the Top 5 performances.

I am still a little confused about the guest performers for tonight’s show. Therefore, if someone could enlighten me with confirmed spoilers, I would deeply appreciate this. When I know more, I will update this topic with the information.

I hope to have my Masterclass article online early tomorrow. And make sure you follow my Twitter updates !

The Masterclass Doors are now open for business! Enjoy the show!

Oh – and don’t forget to download the Top 13 performances on I-Tunes. And, while you are there, catch a couple of songs from one of my three CDs.

Update: Season 5 American Idol winner Taylor Hicks plus Natalie Cole and Jamie Foxx are scheduled to perform.

American Idol Season 8 Top 5 Performers

I cannot even fathom that the singers will have difficulty finding a song that will add dimension and scope to their musical skills and performing talent. The words and the music from this catalogue of music are truly classic, both elements creating a cohesive union.

So, let the tribute to the Rat Pack Era begin and, in the process, I hope that we hear some really creative and inspired performances tonight!

Best of luck to all the singers and to my readers, enjoy the show! And, if you haven’t yet done so, visit and follow my Twitter page for further updates!

L-R Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Peter Lawford, Joey Bishop and Sammy Davis jr. (seated)

I decided to add a pre-show blog topic about this week’s widely anticipated American Idol Top 5 show, featuring music from the legacy created by the artists from the Rat Pack Era.

The major singers from this signature musical time period were pre-dominantly male and enormously talented. The key male figures were Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Joey Bishop, Peter Lawford and, my absolute favorite, Sammy Davis Jr.

Later on, some illustrious female singers jumped on the Rat Pack bandwagon, including Shirley MacLaine, Lauren Bacall, Angie Dickinson, Marilyn Monroe, and Judy Garland.

The music, written and performed by the composers and artists respectively, is timeless and memorable.  The lyrics are absolutely exquisite and the melodies are refreshing, entertaining, inspiring and truly exceptional. 

Additionally, the melodic and lyrical structures are interwoven in a manner that encourages and motivates a singer to not only shine during his or her performance, but also establish a very strong emotional connection with his or her audience.

Therefore, I am anticipating the very, very best from all five singers on Tuesday.  These songs  present them with a perfect musical canvas on which they can color their voices with exquisite nuance and impeccable artistry.

However, once again, it will come down to song selection and, also, proper key selection and song arrangement.

Hopefully, we will see a uniformed Top 5 showcase, one that encourages all five of the remaining singers to solidly illustrate to the the viewing audience the depth and dimension of their musical skills and artistry.

Picture Courtesy Of AmericanIdol.Com

W ell – tonight’s the night. Two singers will be eliminated this week and, based on performances last evening, it’s hard to make the call.

However, with a double elimination, we should gain insight into who has the strongest, most determined fanbase. A shocker elimination is definitely a possibility or it may just end up being the inevitable end of the  road for some singers.

However, the big news is the appearance of Season 7 Top 2 Finalist, the incredibly talented David Archuleta. Man, have I missed him!  I am extremely excited to see him perform tonight and also anticipating Season 6 winner, Jordin Sparks.

I hope to have my Masterclass article online early tomorrow. And make sure you follow my Twitter updates !

The Masterclass Doors are now open for business! Enjoy the show!

Oh – and don’t forget to download the Top 13 performances on I-Tunes. And, while you are there, catch a couple of songs from one of my three CDs. (shameless self-promotion – couldn’t resist. haha)

Picture Courtesy Of AmericanIdol.Com

Tonight’s Top 7 show will be hot! hot! hot! Get out your dancing shoes everyone, because it’s Disco Fever night and and the Idols are going to get down and boogie on that stage.  

I hope that all of the singers are up for the challenge because disco music can be difficult for some. You really need the vocal chops, the rhythmic flair and, obviously, the choreographic skills. 

However, now that I think of it, Donna Summer was extremely stoic on stage whe she performed, but her voice transcended her quiet persona. She poured all of her energy into her vocal skills and became a star in the process.

Nevertheless, this approach won’t work in tonight’s competitive atmosphere for votes  - each singer must display the depth of  his or her  performance skills or their showcases will lack excitement and drive.

Best of luck to all the singers and  to my readers, enjoy the show!  And, if you haven’t yet done so, visit and follow my Twitter page for further updates!

Picture Courtesy Of AmericanIdol.Com

H ere we go again. Another results night, another elimination. Any predictions? Well, I know it won’t be Adam or Danny – neither have been in the bottom 3. So, everyone else is “up for grabs”.

I am really looking forward to Jennifer Hudson’s performance this evening. What a roller coaster ride of heartbreak and fame this young lady has had to endure and still she survives with dignity and grace.  She is such an exceptional role model for everyone.

And then there’s Miley Cyrus! Oy! Double oy!  What an irritating excuse for talent this young lady has become. Sorry Miley fans, but she is just unbearable to watch -in interview segments and as a performer.

I am running behind here and hope to have my Masterclass article online early tomorrow.  And make sure you follow my Twitter updates to see how I am progressing with the article and with life in general. haha

However, the  Masterclass Doors are now open for business! Enjoy the show!

Oh – and don’t forget to download the Top 13 performances on I-Tunes. And, while you are there, catch a couple of songs from one of my three CDs. (shameless self-promotion – couldn’t resist. haha)

Tuesday’s Top 7 show will feature songs chosen from the movies. Whee! What a ride this will be! I can only imagine the potpourri of songs that will be showcased in this televised show. Given the theme, there should be something for everyone and all the singers should have blast with this great format. 

And, Quentin Tarantino is the guest mentor – he’s one tough cookie, so I hope the Idols are ready for his brutal expertise.

I was offline all of yesterday because of technical issues, so it feels good to be back online. Thanks to all of you for your wonderful commentary in the most recent blog topics. It is always very much appreciated and, in my absence yesterday, your presence kept this site fresh and current! (now I’m starting to sound like Simon)

Also, I will be quite honest here, but Scott’s MacIntrye’s absence from this show will be dearly missed. His determination, his humor, his exceptional musical gifts and his extremely refined and genuine work ethic added dimension and relevance to this show’s format. I hope to write more about Scott in the next week, so stay tuned.

Enjoy the show and, if you haven’t yet done so, vist and follow my Twitter page for further updates!

Updated 7:30 P.M. Eastern: Song Spoilers!

Picture Courtesy Of AmericanIdol.Com

W ell, who is leaving us tonight? Methinks that it’s a guy. It’s time! Ugh! The show is going to get ugly from here on in. Wonder when the judges will use the “save” option? Tonight? Never?

However, on the bright side, the charming Kellie Pickler from Season 6 will be gracing the American Idol stage this evening. She will be singing her new single, “Best Days of Your Life.”

I love this gal! She has such a sparkling personality and her laidback, innocent humor puts a smile on my face every time I seen and hear her. Never change, Kellie!

The Masterclass Doors are now open for business! Enjoy the show!

Oh – and don’t forget to download the Top 13 performances on I-Tunes. And, while you are there, catch a couple of songs from one of my three CDs. (shameless self-promotion – couldn’t resist. haha)

Picture Courtesy Of AmericanIdol.Com

Tuesday’s Top 8 show will celebrate the songs that were released during the birth year of  each of the Top 8 singers. So, basically, we are going to boogie to songs from the 80′s, as most of the singers were born during that decade.  

Only 16-year-old Allison Iraheta will be eligible to sing a song from the 90′s and, according to her age, it must be a song from 1992.

There is a great discussion topic happening over at Idolforums.Com – it gives you an insight into some of the songs that may or may not be performed by the singers.

But, don’t be a stranger. Come back here and share your views and bring some Idolforums.Com buddies with you.

After last week’s solid showcase of performances, I think these singers are coming into their personal artistic zone and moving the competitive thermostat to an all time high!

Enjoy the show! It should be a good one!

Picture Courtesy Of AmericanIdol.Com

I am not here, but my blog topic is. Ahh – the wonders of technology and the fabulous WordPress.Com blogging format!

As I am traveling and will be in and out of dentist chairs (ugh!)  and wedding apparel stores ( my daughter is getting married in December) over the next  few days,  I am not unable to supply a full Vocal Masterclass article for the Top 9 performance show last evening.

However, I did add a mini-Masterclass article here yesterday, after the performance show was over. You can either add your comments there or continue commenting on this blog topic in anticipation of the Results show.

And as I will be missing David Cook’s performance on the show tonight, as well as Lady Gaga’s, you can bet I have my DVR set to record it. However, please add your comments and let me know what happened. I love my Cookie and wish him all the success in the world.

The Masterclass Doors are now open for business! Enjoy the show and, as Seinfeld said: “Look To The Cookie!”

Oh – and don’t forget to download the Top 13 performances on I-Tunes. And, while you are there, catch a couple of songs from one of my three CDs. (shameless self-promotion – couldn’t resist. haha)