Nashville Star – Week 4 6-30-08
Each contestant will perform twice and in between the judges will alternately unfairly give praise where none is due, and tear their performance to shreds. It should prove to be entertaining.
The show brought the contestant’s families out to visit and Blake Shelton performed on tonight’s show. It wasn’t that great or un-cheesy.
Ashlee Hewitt Don’t Stop Believin’ (by Journey) Timid beginning on Piano. More than a few pitch problems, which we haven’t seen from her before. Maybe having her family in the audience psyched her out a little.
Ashlee Hewitt Help Me Make it Through the Night (by Tammy Wynette) Beautiful. Vocals were better this time and the best overall.
Coffey Hey Good Lookin’ (by Hank Williams) Jewel coached him to stretch out his phrases to make the song vocally interesting. I think he really nailed it tonight. Jeffrey Steele and John Rich didn’t like it and they skewered him.
Coffey Country Roads (by John Denver) Jewel was the only judge to offer notes on this song. And I could tell by his face that he was mad about the previous song’s comments. He could barely contain himself. His jaw was set and I think he was so mad he was trembling.
Tommy Stanley God Blessed the Broken Road (by Rascal Flatts) It was okay. Ballads are not his strong suit. Fast songs that make him twitch and flail appear to suit him.
Tommy Stanley Tiny Dancer (by Elton John) Brilliant! A really nice arrangement.
Pearl Heart - I don’t know who did the song they sang or the name. Don’t need to. They sucked. The judges liked it, but I think they suck too.
Why won’t anyone sing a song by say…Alan Jackson? Or Loretta Lynn? OR ANY COUNTRY ARTIST? Why won’t any of these folks sing a country song?
There is no bigger fan of this show, than me. But come on guys. Let’s pretend there is a least tangential contact with the country format. Well, back to the show….
Pearl Heart’s second song – who cares
Melissa Lawson This One’s for the Girls (by Martina McBride) Wow! I didn’t even know she could play the guitar! She was awesome. She’s my favorite. Even though, I’m saving room for Gabe Garcia.
Melissa Lawson Landslide (by Fleetwood Mac) With the Dixie Chick’s arrangement, she was fabulous.
Shawn Mayer Breathe (by Faith Hill) She’s looking better and sounding better all the time. The stylists are making her look softer and very glamorous.
Shawn Mayer Forever and Ever, Amen (by Randy Travis) some really bad pitches. Finally on a country song, though. John Rich gave her some tough love tonight. I bet that will be all the inspiration she’ll need to be over the top next week.
Gabe Garcia Dead or Alive (by Bon Jovi) John Rich likened his performances to paint drying….up until now. He’s really good just standing behind the mike. I’ve said it before: he’s the only one I’d like to sing along with.
Gabe Garcia The Fireman (by George Strait) He’s authentic and he sings soooo good. I think he’ll make it in country music even if he doesn’t win.
Bottom two:
Alyson Gilbert She’s in Love With the Boy (by Trisha Yearwood) Pitchy, Pageanty eyes. Nothing I learned on my own. I’m just copying what the judges have said. But she has the best legs in the competition. Her surprise at seeing her husband seemed forced. When he hugged her, her eyes bulged a little, like she was surprised at the affection. I bet they’re having trouble and I think that helped make her performance weird. Voters sent her home. Too bad, she’s okay.
Laura and Sophie Walkin’ on Sunshine It was gross. But they’re going on to next week. Hey, I’m always up for a trainwreck. And I don’t have to wait until the next show. Their second song had a Casey Jones written all over it.
Laura and Sophie Because of You
You've been great, I'll see you hear next week.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Nashville Star - Week 3
Nashville Star week 3 6-23-08
Nashville star went pop this week and the show opened with the Ensemble singing Madonna’s Like a Prayer. Melissa Lawson (from Arlington, TX) gave us the opening notes and was the only one who really shined. Alyson Gilbert was a very close second along with Tommy Stanley, who still is wearing a ridiculous vest and tie. My other Texas favorite, Gabe Garcia, looked decidedly uncomfortable, and that extended into his vocals. He was up first Monday night.
About halfway through the show, the pop group Dannity Kane performed their recent single, Damaged. Seems as though NBC is trying to pander to a wider audience. That goes hand in hand with the Pop goes Country. Folks I've talked to didn't care for it. I think they just took some really distinctive songs, and tried (within about a week) to make compelling, interesting, and lovely country songs. Can't be done without some time and inspiration. The lightbulb has to want to change, and I don't think Umbrella wants to be a country song.
The stylists have gotten ahold of the contestants. They're looking better. Gabe's duds have a more star-ish (read: expensive) appeal. And Shawn is looking less like Ally Sheedy in The Breakfast Club; they are softening her hard edges.
Gabe Garcia – Livin La Vida Loca (Ricky Martin) The judges liked it, though Jeffrey and Jewel thought he was a little stiff, even still. But I think, he, like George Strait, entertains best behind the microphone.
Pearl Heart – Love Shack (The B-52’s)The harmonies were terrific, much like the blend the Dixie Chicks have. I still think they move like a bunch of PTA mom’s putting on a talent show. But their arrangement was remarkable. All the judges liked it.
Alyson Gilbert – I Think We’re Alone Now (by Tiffany) She had some pitch problems John Rich didn’t like it; he wanted her to do an up-tempo, rock version. I wish she’d done the slow version she wanted to do, because she has such a pretty voice. However, she was stunningly beautiful and I wish my legs looked as good has hers.
Ashlee Hewitt – You Drive Me Crazy (by Britney Spears) She’s the one to take it all the way. The song was so country, it was virtually unrecognizable. She’s got the whole package; looks, sound, stage presence. She’s charming and already had some fashion sense, and she just keeps improving. I think that’s an unbeatable formula.
Coffey – Umbrella (by Rihanna) I don’t care for the way Coffey keeps trotting out his daughter for the “Aww-factor.” The audience went crazy but I think he’s a little cheesy. The judges weren’t super supportive, and the talking at the end of every phrase was too much for Jewel.
Laura and Sophie – PYT (by Michael Jackson) Well the frilly dresses didn’t make their performance seem less like a slumber party (a criticism from the judges last week). Musically it was wonderful. But artistically and stylistically, kind of lame.
Shawn Mayer – Bye, Bye, Bye (by Insync) The judges have very harsh in their criticism of Shawn. She started off with a very hard edge and a very black look.
Melissa Lawson – True Colors (by Cyndi Lauper) Dude, she is Awesome! And she’s lost 67 pounds! It’s amazing that she’s under such stressful conditions and away from her support system, and she’s losing weight while competing. It’s not just a little inspiring
Justin Gaston – Girls Just Wanna Have Fun (by Cyndi Lauper) He’s cute, but no singer. This was his best performance.
Tommy Stanley – She’s a Maniac not very country, but very creditable. He moved less like a member of the Lollipop Guild tonight. He really worked the stage well, even though it was too rock.
Nashville star went pop this week and the show opened with the Ensemble singing Madonna’s Like a Prayer. Melissa Lawson (from Arlington, TX) gave us the opening notes and was the only one who really shined. Alyson Gilbert was a very close second along with Tommy Stanley, who still is wearing a ridiculous vest and tie. My other Texas favorite, Gabe Garcia, looked decidedly uncomfortable, and that extended into his vocals. He was up first Monday night.
About halfway through the show, the pop group Dannity Kane performed their recent single, Damaged. Seems as though NBC is trying to pander to a wider audience. That goes hand in hand with the Pop goes Country. Folks I've talked to didn't care for it. I think they just took some really distinctive songs, and tried (within about a week) to make compelling, interesting, and lovely country songs. Can't be done without some time and inspiration. The lightbulb has to want to change, and I don't think Umbrella wants to be a country song.
The stylists have gotten ahold of the contestants. They're looking better. Gabe's duds have a more star-ish (read: expensive) appeal. And Shawn is looking less like Ally Sheedy in The Breakfast Club; they are softening her hard edges.
Gabe Garcia – Livin La Vida Loca (Ricky Martin) The judges liked it, though Jeffrey and Jewel thought he was a little stiff, even still. But I think, he, like George Strait, entertains best behind the microphone.
Pearl Heart – Love Shack (The B-52’s)The harmonies were terrific, much like the blend the Dixie Chicks have. I still think they move like a bunch of PTA mom’s putting on a talent show. But their arrangement was remarkable. All the judges liked it.
Alyson Gilbert – I Think We’re Alone Now (by Tiffany) She had some pitch problems John Rich didn’t like it; he wanted her to do an up-tempo, rock version. I wish she’d done the slow version she wanted to do, because she has such a pretty voice. However, she was stunningly beautiful and I wish my legs looked as good has hers.
Ashlee Hewitt – You Drive Me Crazy (by Britney Spears) She’s the one to take it all the way. The song was so country, it was virtually unrecognizable. She’s got the whole package; looks, sound, stage presence. She’s charming and already had some fashion sense, and she just keeps improving. I think that’s an unbeatable formula.
Coffey – Umbrella (by Rihanna) I don’t care for the way Coffey keeps trotting out his daughter for the “Aww-factor.” The audience went crazy but I think he’s a little cheesy. The judges weren’t super supportive, and the talking at the end of every phrase was too much for Jewel.
Laura and Sophie – PYT (by Michael Jackson) Well the frilly dresses didn’t make their performance seem less like a slumber party (a criticism from the judges last week). Musically it was wonderful. But artistically and stylistically, kind of lame.
Shawn Mayer – Bye, Bye, Bye (by Insync) The judges have very harsh in their criticism of Shawn. She started off with a very hard edge and a very black look.
Melissa Lawson – True Colors (by Cyndi Lauper) Dude, she is Awesome! And she’s lost 67 pounds! It’s amazing that she’s under such stressful conditions and away from her support system, and she’s losing weight while competing. It’s not just a little inspiring
Justin Gaston – Girls Just Wanna Have Fun (by Cyndi Lauper) He’s cute, but no singer. This was his best performance.
Tommy Stanley – She’s a Maniac not very country, but very creditable. He moved less like a member of the Lollipop Guild tonight. He really worked the stage well, even though it was too rock.
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