Idol Chit-Chat

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Danny Gokey CD Review: Is He Back in the Love Column?

noreply@blogger.com (Angela Henderson) — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 04:29:00 +0000

Has there ever been an Idol contestant that I have had more of a love/relationship with than Danny Gokey? I don’t think so…

I absolutely adored him from the get-go last year, and then I did a complete 180 and viciously turned against him, even declaring I would do whatever I could to keep him from the finals. And then I met him and he looked into my eyes with that earnest face that you just can’t deny and then took the stage with that gutwrenching performance of “What Hurts the Most.” It was really hard not to like him after that.

But then he went and recorded a country album, and I don’t like country, which should have placed him back in the hate column. So why am I going to Amazon.com as we speak and ordering the CD?

Because I love it. I know I’m in shock too…

The CD gets off to a rousing start with Danny’s current single, “My Best Days Are Ahead of Me.” The fun continues with “Like That’s a Bad Thing.” And then it’s the catchy chorus of “I Still Believe” with the lyrics “Never saw a man walk on water/Never met a man who walked on water/But I still believe. I should have recognized that those catchy lyrics came from the pen of Kara DioGuardi.

Danny doesn’t hit his first ballad until four songs in with “Tiny Life” and it’s beautiful with a gorgeous key change toward the end. The tempo immediately picks up with “Get Away” before coming back down with the original first single from the CD, “It’s Only,” written by the guys from Lady Antebellum. It’s no “Need You Now,” but it’s still good.

The CD falters just slightly with “Life On Ya” because of a weak chorus, but you soon forget that with the best song on the CD, “Crazy Not To,” which has hit written all over it. The lyrics of “My friends say I’m crazy if I do/Aww, but look at you ,look at you, look at you/Oh ,I'd be crazy not to” has music montage written all over it—and I mean that as a compliment.

Danny shows some grit with the hard-charging “Be Somebody” before closing the CD with the song custom-made for Danny, “I Will Not Say Goodbye” with the chorus “I will curse, I will pray, I’ll relive everyday/I will shoulder the blame/I will shout out your name/I will laugh, I will cry, shake my fist at the sky/But I will not say goodbye/
I will not say goodbye.” But even though it may sound like it, the song—written by Lari White, Chuck Cannon and Vicky McGeehee—was not written for Danny as the credits say it was written in 2007. But Danny sings it as if it was.

The biggest problem with the CD is that no matter how good it is—and it is good—it’s not that original. I don’t really hear anything that would separate Danny from the rest of the male country singers on the radio today.

But hopefully, the fine folks at RCA Nashville will find a way to do that and prove me wrong. Because I’m rooting for Danny to succeed…

That’s right gang. He’s back in the love column…for now…

“My Best Days” is available now. Danny will be performing his new single on tomorrow night’s results show…

Photo Credit: Sony Music Nashville

So Who's Going Home?

noreply@blogger.com (Angela Henderson) — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 03:06:00 +0000

So who’s going home? If it’s based entirely on performances, it will be Haeley Vaughn and Didi Benami. But since we know that’s not the case, who will it really be. I think it will be Didi for sure—which is a bummer because I really like her. But as much as I want it to be Haeley, I think her cuteness will get her through leaving the door open for Paige Miles to leave after the judges’ lukewarm reaction to her performance.

And Crystal Bowersox could be in trouble too if people think she’s safe and don’t pick up the phone. I intend to do everything I can to keep that from happening right now…

So what do you guys think? Who do you think is going home? And do you think Simon and Ryan will kiss and make up before tomorrow night’s show or will there be more icy stares?

Remember the results are tomorrow at 8 on FOX…

Siobhan Makes Us "Think"

noreply@blogger.com (Angela Henderson) — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 02:55:00 +0000

Siobhan Magnus, “Think”: 16
Yeah, that note was great and everything but she just does not have enough street in her voice to pull that song off. And that ending was terrible.

Final thoughts in a minute…

Paige Walks "Away"

noreply@blogger.com (Angela Henderson) — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 02:44:00 +0000

Paige Miles, “Walk Away”: 18
There was a little bit of disconnect between Paige and the song, but I thought it sounded pretty good. The key change in the middle was off, but I like how she changed up what syllables she put the accents on.

Katelyn Puts Ellen to Sleep But Not Me

noreply@blogger.com (Angela Henderson) — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 02:33:00 +0000

Katelyn Epperly, “The Scientist”: 18
This girl continues to impress me. Yes, it was nearly depressing but it was gorgeous. She had great presence with the piano too.

Lilly Brings a "Change"

noreply@blogger.com (Angela Henderson) — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 02:20:00 +0000

Lilly Scott, “A Change Is Gonna Come”: 19
I took off one point because there were some slight pitch problems, but it was really strong.

And the director finally found Vera…

Michelle Takes A Risk

noreply@blogger.com (Angela Henderson) — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 02:10:00 +0000

Michelle Delamor, “With Arms Wide Open”: 17
I thought this was a great choice and I disagree with Randy. She did do enough with the arrangement, she just didn’t hit all the notes. The ending was bad and she looked a little lost on that last note, but she gets points for effort. If she had nailed all the notes it would have been brilliant.

And no, that was not Vera Wang that the director cut to when Simon mentioned her…

Didi Underwhelms

noreply@blogger.com (Angela Henderson) — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 01:59:00 +0000

Didi Benami, “Lean On Me”: 13
It’s interesting that she said she didn’t know the meaning of indulgent in her taped piece because that was the very definition of indulgent.

And when did Kara become the mean judge? Wow!

And I think I saw another look from Ryan at Simon when Didi started crying. I say we just let them fight it out. It would be way more interesting than the performances…

Katie Tries to Young Up

noreply@blogger.com (Angela Henderson) — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 01:46:00 +0000

Katie Stevens, “Put Your Records On”: 15
Katie has such a powerful voice and I’m not sure that song really showed it off. It was good, but…

Wow, other than getting that one song title wrong, Kara is really on it tonight…

Did I just say that?

Lacey Takes Kara's Advice

noreply@blogger.com (Angela Henderson) — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 01:33:00 +0000

Lacey Brown, “Kiss Me”: 14
I hate to say it, but Kara was right about the choice. However, the performance just didn’t work for me. I’m not sure why, it just didn’t.

And I’m feeling a chill in the air between Ryan and Simon. Aren’t you?

Haeley Butchers Miley Cyrus

noreply@blogger.com (Angela Henderson) — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 01:22:00 +0000

Haeley Vaughn, “The Climb”: 11
Okay that was probably a little harsh, but that ending was terrible. It was a horrible choice because she looked silly singing it with that smile and those dance moves. And it was too high for her so it sounded like she was filled with helium. Plus, the arrangement was terrible.

Yikes! What was that death look Simon just gave Ryan when he tried to stick up for her?

Crystal Makes Simon "See the Light"

noreply@blogger.com (Angela Henderson) — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 01:12:00 +0000

FINALLY! No one stepped on Ryan’s open. Maybe that’s a good omen…

So what was wrong with Crystal? I have no idea, but I did read a report on the Internet that she is diabetic…

And I’m sorry I have to say it. Simon looks hot in that gray Henley…

Let’s get it started…

Crystal Bowersox, “Long As I Can See the Light”: 20
I LOVE her! I don’t really know the song, but it was awesome. I am SO glad she’s here tonight.

And did anyone else hear Crystal tell Simon that she loved him and “he deserves it” during her taped piece about his giant trailer? She’s awesome.

So Who's Going Home?

noreply@blogger.com (Angela Henderson) — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 03:07:00 +0000

First of all, before I tackle the question at hand, can we talk about how good that recap made Alex Lambert look? If that’s all you saw you’d think he was amazing. It couldn’t help Jermaine Sellers, though…

So who’s going home? If it was solely up to me it would be the same two I picked last week—Tim Urban and Jermaine Sellers. Tim is completely out of his league. And Jermaine just REALLY needs to go. His attitude is just slightly more ridiculous than his singing.

But since it’s not solely up to me, I think Tim will manage to stay because the girls like him. I think it’s Todrick who’s in trouble after getting thrashed by the judges two weeks in a row (a thrashing I didn’t agree with by the way). But I think Jermaine may have cost himself when he told Simon he knew what God wanted and the audience will show him the door. If Jermaine manages to squeak by again, it could be John to go.

What do you guys think? Who do you think is going home? And are you feeling the love for any of these guys or do you just think they seriously need to step it up?

Remember it’s the girls tomorrow night at 8 and the results on Thursday at 8. We’ll see you then…

Simon's Guy Lee Closes the Show

noreply@blogger.com (Angela Henderson) — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 02:56:00 +0000

Lee DeWyze, “Lips of An Angel”: 17
It was a perfect song choice, but it had some pitch issues. If he tackles those nerves, he’ll be amazing. And Simon adores him. I think he sees dollar signs.

Tim Gets "High"

noreply@blogger.com (Angela Henderson) — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 02:46:00 +0000

Tim Urban, “Come On Get High”: 14
This was a perfect song choice for him, but I just still don’t get it. I still don’t know why they chose him over Thaddeus. I’m not even sure he’s that good of a singer. I guess the girls just really like him.

And what was up with Simon defending him? I agree that he did take the judges’ advice to heart and handled their criticism with class but he did not do “great.” What is Simon up to?

Aaron Tries to Get Cute

noreply@blogger.com (Angela Henderson) — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 02:34:00 +0000

Aaron Kelly, “My Girl”: 13
Okay, maybe that was a little harsh but it just didn’t work for me. It should have because he’s young and it’s cute but it just didn’t for me.

Andrew Disappoints Again

noreply@blogger.com (Angela Henderson) — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 02:23:00 +0000

Andrew Garcia, “You Give Me Something”: 15
I don’t like this mellow Andrew. There’s something about the tone of Andrew’s voice and the way he breathes that just didn’t work at the end of his phrases. And honestly I think the only way he’s going to make the judges happy is to just rip out “Straight Up” next week.

Jermaine Plays the God Card

noreply@blogger.com (Angela Henderson) — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 02:12:00 +0000

Jermaine Sellers, “What’s Goin’ On”: 12
I am SO over Jermaine. First he came off terribly in his taped piece (Cocky much?). Then he did a 60s protest song in a preppy sweater and bowtie. And finally he strutted all over the stage like he was the king but only delivered a mediocre performance. He clearly thinks he’s WAY better vocally than he is.

And did he really play the God card? Did he really say that Simon might think he’s going home but “I know God”? It’s time for you to go home dear…

“One trick that means something.” Wow Kara. That was good…

Todrick Upsets the Judges Again

noreply@blogger.com (Angela Henderson) — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 01:59:00 +0000

Todrick Hall, “What’s Love Got to Do With It?”: 18
Am I the only one who likes this guy? I also liked this arrangement and thought it was kind of hot. He missed more than a few notes, but I still liked it.

Alex Takes a Big Leap

noreply@blogger.com (Angela Henderson) — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 01:48:00 +0000

Alex Lambert, “Everybody Knows”: 15
I really feel for Alex because I would be more nervous than him, but he missed more than a few notes. However, he has a really interesting tone that I really like.

And notice how Simon mentioned he wishes he could be picking his songs? If I’m not mistaken, the judges pick the songs on “The X Factor”…

Kara Turns On Her Man

noreply@blogger.com (Angela Henderson) — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 01:36:00 +0000

Can we stop for a minute and ponder Casey’s revelation that he hasn’t had a TV for most of his life? I just can’t comprehend that…

Casey James, “I Don’t Wanna Be”: 17
The guitar playing was great, but the vocals were weak. He almost appeared to be out of breath most of the time. And he seemed to be faking some kind of rocker voice. But I don’t think Kara needed to be so harsh. Maybe she promised that to her husband.

And I hope tonight’s show means that they’ve listened to America and Simon will now always go last…

John Is Better, But...

noreply@blogger.com (Angela Henderson) — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 01:22:00 +0000

John Park, “Gravity”: 14
WAY better than last week, but it just came off so blah. And that’s really all I can say about that.

And why is Ryan pimping for him so hard? He’s just exposing Ellen’s inexperience…

Big Mike Wows the Judges

noreply@blogger.com (Angela Henderson) — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 01:12:00 +0000

So we were all set to see the girls, but now it’s the guys instead…

Let’s get it started…

I’m wondering how this affected the guys’ rehearsals. And would people PLEASE stop stealing Ryan’s thunder during his intro…

Ryan tells us that Crystal Bowersox had to be taken to the hospital and under doctor’s orders cannot perform. I REALLY hope she’s okay tomorrow…

And I like how Ryan said the guys “agreed” to switch nights. Like they had a choice…

Now Randy is on the end with Ellen in the middle with Kara. What are they up to now? Make up your minds…

Simon says the girls are ahead of the guys by “a smidge”…

Time to roll…

Michael Lynche, “This is a Man’s World”: 18
It was a flawless vocal, but I thought it came off a little cocky. And I thought the song had too much music and not enough singing. And did it seem a little long to anyone else?

Breaking News: Guys and Girls Switch Their Performances

noreply@blogger.com (Angela Henderson) — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 20:54:00 +0000

This just in from FOX…

This week’s performance schedule will be switched for this week only. The guys are performing tonight and the girls will perform tomorrow night.

The press release says it’s “due to medical issues which would prevent Crystal Bowersox from performing tonight.”

Since Crystal is my fave, I’m cool with that. I just hope she’s ok…

More on this tonight, I’m sure…