Vocal Masterclass Discussion For American Idol Season 12: Las Vegas Rounds -Group One Gals

February 20, 2013 by Masterclass Lady 23 Comments


20130220-154708.jpg
So, here is a neat little twist this season. The Top 40 semi-finalists have the opportunity to perform before a live but pre-recorded audience in Las Vegas.

I like this. Sort of America’s Got Talent ish. It will be interesting to see how the singers interact and communicate with the crowd. For me, this separates the real deals from the pretenders.

The first group of ten females will perform Wedensday night, followed by the first group of ten males on Thursday evening.

Then we get to repeat the same thing next week, after which we will finally have our Top 20 unless there are any twists and turns in the interim.

Performing this week (courtesy of MJsBigBlog) are:

Girls: Air Wednesday February 20th

Adriana Lotonio
AmberHolcomb
Angela Miller
Brandy Hotard
Isabel Pasqualone
Jenny Beth Willis
Kamaira Ousley
Kree Harrison
Shubha Vedula
Tina Torres

Guys: Air Thursday 21st

Charlie Askew
Chris Watson
CurtisFinch jr
Devin Velez
Elijah Liu
Jimmy Smith
Johnny Keyser
Josh Davila (JDA)
KevinHarris
Paul Jolley

Our Top 20 will evolve from these singers and they will indeed perform live in a couple of weeks, giving the viewers a chance to vote through their Top 10.

Now, I hope to live blog these shows, but, once again, I may not be home in time for the early part of both shows. I will do my best.

But, hey, that doesn’t mean you can’t get started over in the comments section, does it? Of course not! Live blog away and then I will play catch-up with you when I connect with the TV.

Live Update

  • 9:20 P.M. A little late to the party here but I have to say Angela and Isabelle knocked my socks off!
  • 9:26 P.M. Cursing at the TV at Randy’s “old- fashioned” remarks re Isabelle’s choice of God Bless The Child. All good music should be represented on this show and this song is a classic. A classic!! And Isabelle sang the bleeping whatever out of it.
  • 9:32 P.M. Amber Holcomb sings My Funny Valentine and I love her interpretation but her vocal is a bit tight. Strong, however. Standing O! Gee, Randy, last time I looked, this is an old song too but I guess you like some old songs, depending on who your favourites are.(wink! wink!)
  • 9:37 P.M. The judges will deliberate during the commercial break and decide which five girls will move on to the Top 20. I am sure Bree, Angela, Isabel and Angela will move on. Didn’t see the earlier portion of the show to make a conclusive decision on the 5th singer. Maybe Adriana
  • 9:41 P.M. All the judges were unanimous in this decision.
  • 9:42 P.M. Jenny Beth Willis is eliminated. Brandy Hotard is eliminated. Tina Torres is moving on to the Top 20. Kree Harrison is moving on to the Top 20. Isabel Pasqualone is SADLY AND UNJUSTLY ELIMINATED. Angela Miller is moving forward to the Top 20.
  • 9:50 P.M. Kamaira Ousley is eliminated. Amber Holcomb is moving on to the Top 20. Adriana Lotonio moves on to the Top 20. Shubha Vedula is eliminated.
    • American Idol, American Idol Season 12, Music, Singing, Television, Vocal Masterclass Discussion, Vocal Masterclass Discussion For American Idol Season 10
    , , , , ,

    About Masterclass Lady

    Rosanne (Giallonardo) Simunovic began her musical career in Timmins, Ontario. She studied piano with Anne Pizzale and later, at an advanced level, with Soeur Anita Vaugeois (Sister Cecile of Les Soeurs De L’Assomption in Timmins). Her vocal and accompaniment skills were nurtured by her aunt, the late Dorothea Mascioli. When Rosanne graduated from O’Gorman High School, she moved on to the University of Toronto where she continued her piano and vocal studies while attaining a Bachelor of Arts Degree. She was hired as a piano accompanist for several musical companies, most notably, the National Ballet Of Canada. She presently holds an A.R.C.T. Teacher’s Diploma in Voice from the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. Rosanne has studied choral conducting with numerous well known Canadian Conductors, including Wayne Riddell of Montreal, Quebec and the internationally renowned Dr. Elmer Iseler. She has been a founding member of numerous community-based arts organizations: the Timmins Arts Council, later known as Arts & Culture Timmins, the Timmins Symphony Orchestra, and, the Timmins Youth Singers…as well as the TYS Alumnus choir, the Timmins Concert Singers. In 1987, she was also selected to be the conductor of the Timmins Board Of Education Choir, comprised of talented students from Grades 5 to 8. In 1988, she was elected to the Board Of Directors of the Ontario Choral Federation (now known as Choirs Ontario), where she served as Chair of the Festivals Committee for six consecutive seasons. In 1996, in honour of the Ontario Choral Federation’s 25th Anniversary, Rosanne was selected as one of 25 recipients of the OCF’s Distinguished Service Award for outstanding contribution to the choral art. The ceremony was presided by Lieutenant Governor, Hal Jackman. In November 1997, Rosanne Simunovic was selected by the Rotary Club Of Timmins to receive the prestigious Paul Harris Award for her years of dedication to the artistic development of young musical talent in Timmins. In August of 2002, Rosanne Simunovic was selected by the Board Of Directors of Choirs Ontario to serve as Conductor of both the Provincial Junior and Teen Choir Camps, now renamed in honour of the Camp Benefactors, Don and Lillian Wright. In November 2002, Rosanne was the one of the recipients of the Commemorative Medal for the Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, honouring her work in the development of the arts in Timmins. Under Rosanne Simunovic’s direction, the Timmins Youth Singers and the Timmins Concert Singers have been featured in numerous choral festivals and performing opportunities outside of Timmins. In 1985, they were selected to partici
    View all posts by Masterclass Lady →

    23 Responses to “Vocal Masterclass Discussion For American Idol Season 12: Las Vegas Rounds -Group One Gals”

    1. Vonnie February 21, 2013 at 9:08 am

      I liked all the girls that went through, but thought that Isabelle should have made it too…still waiting for that one to knock me socks off…

      Like

    2. Vonnie February 21, 2013 at 9:13 am

      Oh! and I like this new Vegas round…Love the judges, I think this year there are actually judges who know a little bit about music, LOL

      Keith is adorable, but has a wealth of information for each contestant, Niki says it like it is, and I find myself agreeing with her, alot, Randy is still Randy, Mariah gives a more technical approach and I like that!

      Like

    3. Masterclass Lady February 21, 2013 at 9:39 am

      Yes Vonnie. The judges are really gelling beautifully. Very intelligent remarks and so insightful. Great job! Isabelle was totally robbed though but, in reality, each of the four judges have their favourites so they have to give and take when choosing the Final Five. Can’t be easy.

      Like

    4. hunter February 21, 2013 at 10:58 am

      i haven’t watch the whole show yet, but i saw enough to see how well the judges judged. i was really impressed. i tended to agree with them except for one female who i don’t remember her name, they were falling all over her and i thought ‘huh?’. i just felt ‘grounded’ in watching the show, rather than hearing the same stuff over and over (flowery silly stuff) and being upset with it. and i really liked how nicki looked…it looked like her real hair, and she was cleaned up some. very much easier to look at her. 🙂

      Like

    5. Masterclass Lady February 21, 2013 at 11:03 am

      Yes Hunter I agree. The judges are very, very good and Nikki is more subdued and professional in her approach. They are all great in their own way. It’s going to be a good season. Plus it helps that the singers are a little older and more refined.

      Like

    6. Vonnie February 21, 2013 at 11:08 am

      I too think it is going to be a good year, and I do like that alot of the ladies last night were older, a few were still teens but for the most part upper to mid twenties…I think that says alot about the judges, they are looking for talent, not the next teen idol…

      Can’t wait to hear the guys tonight…for most of these people I am hearing them for the first time, I did not watch the Hollywood rounds…

      Like

    7. hunter February 21, 2013 at 11:47 am

      i am wondering what you thought about that female who was eliminated last week, the one with the odd name(s). she was very very much odd, and an attention seeker, and she would have gotten old very fast, but yet, i really liked her sound. i figured, mcl, that you were probably gagging 🙂 🙂 but i found her song really interesting. she played with ‘sounds’ on her guitar and reminded me of casey. that whole bit tho was so strangely edited..i thought, could her song have really been that short? it was her own song. i wish they would have let her continue through at least one more round. she never would have won.

      Like

    8. hunter February 21, 2013 at 11:52 am

      and…in the same vein, about ‘strangeness’, or ‘out of the norm’, there are two people who stand out but i don’t think we’ve ever heard them perform: the guy who dresses as a female, and the guy with long hair (dreads i think) who has scarves in his hair. they’ve continued in the competition, they obviously stand out by appearance, but i’m wondering how they will sing. and then there is the guy who wears the turban. i think we did hear him sing and he seems more integrated. lots of quirky characters that have gone forward, yet the strange girl didn’t. maybe she was too camera hungry, or caused too much disruption?

      Like

    9. Masterclass Lady February 21, 2013 at 12:18 pm

      Overall, hunter, quirky scares the producers because they can move attention away from the “chosen one or ones”. Also, they are extremely difficult to market once the show ends.

      You remember, Taylor Hicks from Season 5? I loved him but the AI people clearly did not “get him” and then the marketing post-Idol fell through the cracks. He is doing extremely well now because he is very savvy and knows how to market himself.

      Like

    10. janey79 February 21, 2013 at 12:34 pm

      In a word, for me it’s Kree. I’ve never replayed an Idol performance (except David A’s) until last night. I agreed completely with Keith on his commentary. The minute she opened her mouth, I was hooked – it’s her effortless ability to get into the song that captured me. I’m really excited to see what she will do in the upcoming weeks.

      MCL, I agree with you about the judges! I had my doubts when the line-up was first announced but I think they’re doing a great job. I also appreciate how the thoughtful comments of the three newbies force Randy into being a better judge. Haha, he actually has to work for his paycheck now.

      Like

    11. hunter February 21, 2013 at 12:51 pm

      janey, i agree, i thought randy was better because his partners are better. 🙂

      Like

    12. Louise February 21, 2013 at 1:23 pm

      I haven’t had much time to watch Idol lately, but saw a little last week and some of the performances last night. I agree with all of your comments about the judges. It’s so refreshing that they’re actually commenting about technical aspects of the performances. So far, so good. I have hopes for a really good season.

      Like

    13. Vonnie February 21, 2013 at 1:34 pm

      It is so good to be back in idol conversation again with all of you…Thank you MCL 🙂

      Like

    14. Masterclass Lady February 21, 2013 at 1:46 pm

      Hey Vonnie, Janey, Hunter, Louise and all. Nice to be back too. The show looks extremely promising this year and may finally attract a broader base because the many of the singers are older and much more confident with their singing style.

      However, I am not on the Kree bandwagon. I just cannot get excited about her. Sorry. Looks like the show and the fans love her so this may be a loooong season for me in this respect. There are too many other singers that have impressed me before her. However, I am staying objective here. We shall see how she does when she reaches the Top 10 because, ultimately, that is where she will land.

      Like

    15. janey79 February 21, 2013 at 2:00 pm

      MCL, I love our little debates and disagreements, never be sorry! You’re correct, the Top 10 is very telling. We shall see if she wins you over.

      Like

    16. Masterclass Lady February 21, 2013 at 2:47 pm

      Thanks Janey! Let’s see what evolves over time. Fair is fair. I think her low key personality will endear her to the viewers, however. Over time, maybe I will be one of them. 🙂

      Like

    17. Gene W February 21, 2013 at 5:20 pm

      Hi Rosanne, Vonnie, Louise, Janey, and Hunter,

      I’ve enjoyed following your updates so far this season but Idol has been mostly an irritation to me until last night. The same old bait and switch, soap opera, sudden appearance and disappearance of contestants has gotten way too stale. I’m still wondering what happened to (Colton’s sister, Skylar Dixon. She must have gotten lost at the airport in route to Hollywood. But last night we got to see full performances from each of the contestants with a live audience and actual judging, so life is good.

      My favorite of the night was the young girl who sang Aretha Franklin’s “Ain’t No Way” like a seasoned pro. This was the first time I recall seeing Adriana Latonia, the 17 year old from Alaska. Do any of you recall seeing her before? I’m sure a lot of short attention span TV viewers would find the performance boring and I’m surprised Randy didn’t say it was old fashioned, but I thought her performance was like a well superb. She never rushed the song or abused the audience with a vocal gymnastics. She worked the stage like she was born there, with ease and comfort moving close to the judges, and then closer still but not letting them distracter from giving attention to the larger audience. You could see she offered a slight smile to Keith and after that, they had a great shot from over Adriana’s shoulder of Mariah singing the backup lines as she sang the lead. The deep rich tone coming out of this 5 foot tall girl was pretty impressive. I did not like the way they made it appear that she and Shubha were in a neck and neck race for last place. All five contestants are on equal footing at this time and that should have been made clear to the audience.

      I would have liked for Isabelle to stay and would likely have cut Tenna. Kree has been interesting too me largely because the contestants that I have liked the most in the past have come from families, who were involved in musical styles that I like and their influence shows in the contestants style and song choices. Kree’s Mom liked Otis Redding, Al Green and her Dad listens to Stevie Ray Vaughn. That’s a pretty good combo. Last night she was just ok. I thought the judges over praised her. Krystal Bowersocks (sp) and Kelly Clarkson both laid down much more memorable versions of her song. I think she has better to offer, so we will see. Amber gave quite a performance, but again, it pales in comparison to Melina Doolittle’s version.

      I believe they will soon have too many girls whose styles are very similar. I’m afraid that the end result will be that the votes for girl contestants will be diluted and the purdy boy will win again.

      I’m very surprised that the judging panel has come together the way it has. I knew that Keith was a solid performer and a highly skilled musician but I am surprised at how broad his knowledge is and how articulate he is. He is also very witty. My only impression of Nicki prior to Idol was an extremely poor one but she too has impressed me this year. Her behavior seems to be regulated by or at least related to, what she is wearing. When she looks normal, she acts normal. I hope they change the arrangement of the panel so that Mariah isn’t always working with the two words in the English language, plus the expanded Dawg lexicon that the other three haven’t already used. Randy is definitely feeling the pressure of his new companion’s superior skills and, so far it has caused him to raise his game as you guys have said. I hope the soap opera is over; I have no interest in seeing highly paid professionals acting like children.

      Like

    18. Vonnie February 21, 2013 at 8:04 pm

      Hi Gene…

      I liked Adrianna too…last night was good! I’m glad that I didn’t watch Hollywood rounds, Vegas is so much better!!!

      Feels like the first day of school…and we are back ready for a great year!!! 🙂

      Like

    19. hunter February 21, 2013 at 10:07 pm

      gene, i agree about keith. also, i love how he is so emotionally expressive…i.e., his face just says it all about how he feels about a performance. also, i love how he kind of harmonized with certain of the singers during auditions.

      Like

    20. Gene W February 22, 2013 at 12:23 am

      Hunter,
      I like those things about Keith as well. I’m not a big fan of his pop style of country music but he is an outstanding guitarist. His playing style lacks a signature style like a few others that come to mind but he is very good. Watching him play reveals the same effortless style that we see in his judging style. It seems to come to him naturally.

      Like

    21. James February 22, 2013 at 12:31 am

      As I have stated in previous posts, I would have NEVER selected Nicki and Mariah as judgs! I am still less-than-impressed after the little ‘lip-sync’ flub during the AI11 finale. You all know who would be my AI judges[I would have appointed Randy head of the new AI recording label: He has expressed interest in working with them ]:) I am still uncertain whether I will be watching this season. Imagine hiring Michael Sarver as a staff songwriter/singer[I understand he has now writter over 2000 songs) and seeing what would ferment at the new King Records.

      AI is STILL in need of some SERIOUS adult supervision!

      Like

    22. James February 22, 2013 at 12:32 am

      MCL:

      BTW, did you ever get the article I wrote about my VIP ‘meet and greet’ with the AI11 Top Ten?

      Like

    23. James February 22, 2013 at 12:33 am

      I will be waiting.

      Like