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It’s Andrew Lloyd Webber night and I have the flu. So, I will be watching the show from the comfort of my bed. I love his music and nothing - I tell you - nothing will deter me from experiencing this show.

Hopefully, the performances will cure all ills - especially mine - because I want to “Masterclass” these performances in a very big way.

I will have the Top 6 Masterclass article online late Thursday. If not, then sometime on Friday. I had to re-organize my schedule because of this annoying little virus, so please bare with me.

Here is the song list -not necessarily the order-courtesy of TMZ and MJs Big Blog. The order is now official.

Syesha Mercado — “One Rock & Roll Too Many” from “Starlight Express”
Jason Castro — “Memory” from “Cats”.
David Archuleta — “Think of Me” from “Phantom of the Opera”
Brooke White — “You Must Love Me” from “Evita”
Carly Smithson — “Jesus Christ Superstar”
David Cook — “Music of the Night” from “Phantom of the Opera”

MCL Note: I find it interesting -and it gave me a chuckle -that the two Davids both chose music from “Phantom Of The Opera”. And so the race to the Finale begins. I love it!

Comments anyone?

When I listened to the opening refrains of “Ave Maria”, I was actually worried. Kelly sounded a bit breathy and fragmented within her approach to her phrase lines.

However, Kelly being Kelly, the end result was absolutely glorious. She added some lovely vocal embellishments during the second verse of this song. Yet, in the end, it was Kelly’s genuine grace and poise that stole the show.

Hope you enjoy it.

By: Rosanne Simunovic
The Top 7 singers performed exceptionally well this week, and, on a couple of occasions, I was pleasantly surprised by some of the performances. I thought Mariah Carey was absolutely wonderful with the singers, providing constructive and positive support to all of them.

It cannot be easy to work with this year’s crop of vocalists -they are so diverse in style and substance. So I highly commend Mariah Carey for her fine work with these singers. I think that all of them flourished under her guidance and advice

Brava Mariah! (more…)

I really loved tonight’s show - but, until my Vocal Masterclass article is completed, I will refrain from voicing my favorites. However, I will say that Mariah Carey seemed like a wonderful mentor - very supportive and kind to all the singers.

Please share your comments.

By: Rosanne Simunovic

What a jam-packed week. Idol Gives Back has become bigger than ever and the performances, collages and tributes last evening were outstanding and deeply moving.

But, I am here to discuss the Top 8 performances of inspirational songs. It was, generally, a pretty solid night of singing, but some of the singers looked incredibly exhausted. I am sure that the schedule leading up to this week’s theme has been extremely hectic.

It is difficult to imagine how the singers manage to select, arrange, rehearse, memorize and perform these numbers, given that they have so many other obligations to fulfill while they are on this show.
I don’t think I was on the same page as the majority of the viewers and/or judges, but, it’s there for the asking – after the jump. (more…)

I thought that the singers performed very well this evening, but,once again, I am confused over the judges’ treatment of Syesha. It is a real head scratcher and it is blatantly clear that the judges do not have a strong affinity for this young lady. Their comments have become personal and subjective and in no way address the outstanding performance she rendered during this evening’s Top 8 showcase.

As I work ahead on this week’s Vocal Masterclass article, I welcome your comments in this thread. Who were your favorites? Were the judges on or off target? Who gave the vocal performance of the night?

By: Rosanne Simunovic

Well, this week’s showcase was a mixed bag of tricks, wasn’t it? I was trying to decide whether this theme should be labeled a musical misdemeanor, but then some singers very noticeably elevated Ms. Parton’s music in a gigantic way.
I am late posting this week, so, let’s get to it, shall we? (more…)

I am experiencing some problems with the Wordpress.Com format and so there has been a delay in the Vocal Masterclass article for the Top 9 show.

Please check back often. The article is done - it is just not formatting properly on this site.

Hang in everyone and thanks for your patience

I am quickly adding this post, as I am packing and organizing for an early flight back home tomorrow. I did watch the show and thought that it was just 50/50 for me in terms of the performances. Either the singers performed immensely well or they just “sleep sang” their way through Dolly Parton’s music.

It was not the most enjoyable show from this season’s American Idol series, but there were definite standout performances.

And the judges are really starting to show their personal preferences, aren’t they? That’s all fine and well, but to call a superb performance subpar seems a wee bit subjective and “eye rolling”ridiculous.

I am flying back from vacation tomorrow, so my Vocal Masterclass article probably will not be online until Friday. In the meantime, have at ‘er and leave your comments - the long and the short of it -at your discretion.

Who is leaving us tonight? I think we may have a shocker on our hands. Between the negative commmentary from the judges and the less than adequate performance last evening, does this mean that Jason’s time on Idol is approaching the final phase?

All of the other singers have showed tremendous growth and promise in the last few weeks but Jason has remained artistically and vocally stagnant. He has a very relaxed and intimate vibe to his singing style that would work extremely well in a smaller environment - a nightclub or coffee house. However, on the Idol stage, it really does not translate in a monumental way to the live and viewing audience.

Also, Brooke White had some problems last evening. Even if she didn’t encounter the false start during the opening of her song, she didn’t establish an emotional connection and, additionally, the song choice was less than inspired. It did not suit her style.

Let me know what you think. For now, I am off to enjoy the sun and sand in the beautiful state of Florida. Yes, I am a Canadian, but, when I am vacationning here in the sunny state, I am truly an American at heart.