Vocal Masterclass Discussion Thread For The Top 8 Performances On Canadian Idol
Well, that was an interesting evening of music. Not at all what I expected from these singers.
As I try to grasp for words in writing this week’s Masterclass article, please feel free to add your comments in this post.
Who were your favorites? Did you feel the singing was on par with last week’s or previous weeks’ performances? Who is the chosen eliminated one? Were you happy about the song choices? So many questions, so little time.
Overall this was a tremendously weak show. The singing was not good, folks. And the song choices? Woah! That’s another story. I think Carly and Brian rose to the occasion and I felt that Martha was not given her due from the judges. The girl can sing - give her a break already.
I will attempt to have the Masterclass evaluation up as soon as possible.
Vocal Masterclass Discussion Thread For Canadian Idol Season 5 Top 9 Performances
Hey everyone! As I am away on holidays, I thought I would start a Discussion Thread for the Canadian Idol Top 9 Performances this evening. I may be able to see the show but will not be able to write a Vocal Masterclass article this week.
Please feel free to add your comments about song selection, vocal and peformance style, vocal excellence and more. It’s your turn to “masterclass”, so have fun and be nice. Will talk to you in a few days!
Vocal Masterclass For Canadian Idol Season Five Top Ten Singers
by Rosanne Simunovic
Well, after a two year hiatus, I will be here periodically to lend Vocal Masterclass evaluations to this year’s Top 10 singers of Canadian Idol Season Five.
Next week, I am on holidays and will not be able to comment on the singers’ performances.
However, this week’s Top 10 performances nourished this article with what I hope will be enough material to carry over for two weeks. It was an excellent beginning to the fifth season of Canadian Idol and I intuitively feel that many stars will be born and mentored before the end of this season’s run.
Have a good read everybody! (more…)
Canadian Idol Season Five Announces Their Stellar Lineup Of Stars For The Top Ten Performances
It’s going to be an exciting summer of music and, with all the famous rock artists traversing the Idol stage, I, personally, will miss eliminated rocker contestant Tyler Mullendore’s contribution to the mix. I can only imagine the entertaining performances he would have presented throughout the season and sometimes that’s all we are left with in this very unpredictable show.
However, I am still very happy - not thrilled - but pretty happy with this year’s Top 10. Some have yet to evolve, but I am certain that we are in for a few artistic surprises along the way.
Here is the show’s lineup as posted on the CTV SITE.
The 2007 Canadian Idol Themes and Guest Stars (subject to change):
Top 10
Tuesday, July 17 @ 8 p.m. ET/PT (90 minutes) - “No. 1 Hits”
Wednesday, July 18 @ 9:30 p.m. ET/PT - Rihanna
Barbados-born Rihanna, 19, has landed in the No. 1 position with singles from each of her three albums. Her current hit “Umbrella” is sitting in the No. 1 spot of Billboard’s Hot 100 list. Rihanna will appear in Wednesday’s episode as she answers questions from the Canadian Idol Top 10 and shares her secrets on landing No. 1 songs on the charts before performing her hit song “Umbrella.”
Top 9
Monday, July 23 @ 9 p.m. ET/PT - “The Music of the Sixties”
Tuesday, July 24 @ 9:30 p.m. ET/PT
Tuesday night’s results episode will feature a special surprise performance and announcement in association with the “Help the Idols Build a House” charitable initiative.
Top 8
Monday, July 30 @ 9 p.m. ET/PT
Tuesday, July 31 @ 9:30 p.m. ET/PT
Theme and guest star(s) to be announced.
Top 7
Monday, August 6 @ 9 p.m. ET/PT - “We Will Rock You: The Music of Queen”
Tuesday, August 7 @ 9:30 p.m. ET/PT - Brian May and Roger Taylor from Queen
The Top 7 competitors will workshop with Queen’s Brian May and Roger Taylor on the set of the hit musical “We Will Rock You,” rehearsing with the nine-piece rock band that backs the Queen-themed production. Then, the Top 7 will join May and Taylor and some of the cast of “We Will Rock You” on stage for the musical’s show-stopping finale. On Tuesday’s show, “We Will Rock You” star Yvan Pedneault will perform with the Top 7 on the Canadian Idol stage.
Top 6
Monday, August 13 @ 9 p.m. ET/PT - “Pop Rock”
Tuesday, August 14 @ 9:30 p.m. ET/PT - Maroon 5
Maroon 5 will appear in Monday’s show providing advice to the Top 6 and commenting on their “Pop Rock” song selections before performing live in Tuesday’s episode. Following the release of their quadruple platinum-selling debut album Songs About Jane, Maroon 5 have returned after four years with their follow-up album It Won’t Be Soon Before Long.
Top 5
Monday, August 20 @ 9 p.m. ET/PT
Tuesday, August 21 @ 9:30 p.m. ET/PT
Theme and guest star(s) to be announced.
Top 4
Monday, August 27 @ 9 p.m. ET/PT - “British Invasion”
Tuesday, August 28 @ 8 p.m. ET/PT - Mika
British pop sensation Mika has been compared to everyone from Freddie Mercury to David Bowie, which makes him the perfect mentor for Canadian Idol’s “British Invasion” episode. On Monday’s episode, Mika will workshop with the Top 4 as they rehearse songs, both past and present, from the UK. Then on Tuesday’s episode, Mika will take to the stage himself.
Top 3
Monday, September 3 @ 9 p.m. ET/PT - “Judge’s Choice/People’s Choice”
Tuesday, September 4 @ 8 p.m. ET/PT - Kalan Porter
Each member of the Top 3 will perform two songs each on Monday night - one chosen by Canadian Idol’s four-member judging panel, and for the first time ever, the other chosen by Canadian Idol viewers in an online poll. One week after his sophomore album Wake Up Living is released, 2004 champion Kalan Porter returns to the Canadian Idol stage on Tuesday’s results episode.
Top 2
Monday, September 10 @ 9 p.m. ET/PT - “Finale”
Tuesday, September 11 @ 8:30 p.m. ET/PT - Avril Lavigne, Eva Avila & others
The final two standing after a nine-month journey in search of the next Canadian Idol each perform three songs on Monday night’s final performance episode. Each will perform the fifth Canadian Idol single, which will be released Wednesday morning to radio stations across the country. On Tuesday night’s expanded, 90-minute results episode, the Canadian Idol Top 10 return to perform with the two finalists, along with a series of special guest stars, including Avril Lavigne, Eva Avila and a superstar to be announced later this summer.
Beginning Tuesday, July 17, Canadian Idol will be broadcast live from Toronto’s John Bassett Theatre with an audience of over 1,000 fans. Tickets to performance shows on Monday and results episodes on Tuesday are available to the general public through Ticketmaster for $5.00 per ticket (maximum four per order). Tickets are available at 12 noon ET on the Monday two weeks prior to each show.
Vocal Masterclass For Canadian Idol Season Five Top Seven Female Performances
by Rosanne Simunovic
You go girls! What a show last evening. I walked away from these performances more confused than ever. I cannot remember such a strong line-up of female singers, each representing a diverse array of genres and styles.
It appears that each and every one of these singers know who they are as artists and this is extremely crucial if they are to market their unique musical gift into a successful career in the music industry.
But for now, we must take it one step at a time as we evaluate the Top 7 female performances of the Canadian Idol Season Five series.
Next week, I will write Vocal Masterclass articles for the Top 10 in my familiar style of including “Strengths” and “Critique” assessments in the evaluation. However, these are mini-masterclasses until we get into the more serious performances of the Top 10! (more…)
Vocal Masterclass For Canadian Idol Season Five Top Seven Males
by Rosanne Simunovic
This week’s Top 7 male performances were extremely strong. All of these guys deserve Top 10 status, but we know that two will be, heartbreakingly, eliminated.
What can you do? That’s Canadian Idol and I have to applaud the judges for choosing singers that celebrate the depth and diversity of our Country’s talent.
Next week, I will write Vocal Masterclass articles for the Top 10 in my familiar style of including “Strengths” and “Critique” assessments in the evaluation. However, these are mini-masterclasses until we get into the more serious performances of the Top 10.
Have a good read everybody! (more…)
Some Good Things Never Last: A Masterclass Performance
So, I was browsing the internet today and look what I found. It’s a much younger Debra Byrd, Voice Coach for American Idol and Canadian Idol, singing with Barry Manilow at the piano, with Dana Robbins on saxophone. It was recorded live in 1988.
This song mesmerized me . It was a spectacular performance and a testament fto everything that is conducive to creating memorable performances: the passion, the artistry, the superb musicianship and authenticity of all three performers.
Ms. Byrd should point this year’s crop of Canadian Idol singers in the direction of this video. It teaches and inspires and, hopefully, the audible and visual experience of this video performance will ignite a flame, emphasizing all that is necessary to creat a “star search moment” on stage.
Enjoy and please feel free to comment.
Vocal Masterclass For Canadian Idol Season Five Top Nine Females
by Rosanne Simunovic
So, I decided to write an abbreviated Vocal Masterclass article for the Top Nine ladies of Canadian Idol Season Five. I feel that, for the most part, they needed a wee bit more direction than their male counterparts.
However, the judging this week was very good and, although I didn’t agree 100% with all of the comments, I felt that, generally, our team of four judges gave constructive and timely critiques that many of these singers should take to the bank.
Next week, I will write a Vocal Masterclass article for both the Top Seven guys and the Top seven gals, but until then, here is my evaluation of last evening’s performances. (more…)
Canadian Idol Season Five:Our Top Nine Male Singers Start To Shine
Well,well, well! Last evening’s Top 9 Canadian Idol showcase was a very pleasant revelation indeed. The remaining nine male vocalists decided it was time to “kick it up a notch”.
Given the extremely abbreviated performance time frame, I was treated to a glimmer of the future when this year’s Top 10 is a finalized product.
If I had to choose, based on last night’s performances, I would move Liam, Jaydee, Tyler, Andrew and Dwight to the head of the class with Greg Neufeld as an alternate. I felt that, vocally, these singers displayed a wonderful blend of unique vocal style and substance.
And, looking into my crystal ball, I am almost certain that Liam, Jaydee and Tyler are a lock for the Top 10. These three young singers have many factors moving in their favour - they are talented, they are distinctive and they exude oodles of personality when they perform. You’ve got to love it!
However, this is all based on theory - it is the voting process that will determine the end result. Whatever happens, it will be a strong Top Ten this year.
However, my advice to Clifton and Matt - please work on your stage presence in an effort to establish stronger communication with your audience. You both have wonderful voices, but the buck stops there. You must visually and audibly inspire your listeners in a memorable way.
Lastly, Brian Melo - I am “on the fence” concerning your performances over the last two weeks. Unlike Clifton and Matt, your problem is not your stage performance, but rather your vocal technique. If you remain in the competition next week, make certain that you rehearse and hone your technical skills, so as to avoid an erratic vocal line that is presently affecting your pitch and vocal presence. However, you brilliantly commanded the stage and your stage posture at the opening of this week’s number was superb and dramatic. Loved it! Now work on your voice.
I will be commenting regularly throughout this competition and will be contributing Vocal Masterclass articles for the Top 10 performances.
To view my Vocal Masterclass article on the Top Nine female singers, click here!
Please feel free to comment and become part of the vocal masterclass process.
Top 22 performance episodes air Mondays/Tuesdays from 9 - 10 p.m. beginning June 25
Top 22 results episodes air Wednesdays from 7:30 - 8 p.m. beginning June 27
Top 10 week one airs Tuesday, July 17 from 8:30 - 10 p.m. and Wednesday, July 18 from 7:30 - 8 p.m.
Top 10 shows move to their regular timeslot on Mondays from 9 - 10 p.m. and Tuesdays from 8:30 - 9 p.m., beginning July 23
Visit CTV.ca to confirm local broadcast times.
Visit SirLinksalot: Canadian Idol for all current Canadian Idol links