Real Kato Blog: American Idol, Week 1: The Women

12 women compete to avoid elimination, and they do much better than the guys.

Stephanie: 9/10.
It's very polished. A little bit safe, but good, and dead on key. Randy loved it. Paula says it's a great performance. Simon says it's a million times better than the guys.

Amy: 6/10.
Her voice seems thin. It's a boring song, and she's pitchy. Randy says it's boring and middle-of-the-road. Paula agrees. Simon says she has the personality of a candle, and that he won't remember her.

Leslie: 6/10.
She's a little pitchy. Her voice isn't big enough to sing "Natural Woman". She'd be better off singing folk songs; maybe Janis Joplin or Stevie Nicks. Randy says the song is too big. Paula says to watch what songs she picks. Simon says she looks embarrassed, ungainly, and out of her comfort zone.

Sabrina: 9/10.
It's a bluesy song, which suits her style. The singing is pretty strong. She's got an odd look, but maybe talent can get past that. Randy loved it. Paula loved it. Simon says she's showing the desire to win with talent, and that she's the best so far.

Antonella: 5/10.
She's tentative and pitchy. An Aerosmith song is just too big for her. Randy says she's pitchy and bland, and that her look doesn't match the song. Paula notes some pitch problems. Simon says she's an attractive girl, but the song was too big and just didn't work for her.

Jordin: 9/10.
Tracey Chapman is a good song choice, if a little safe. She finishes very strong, though. Randy says her voice is big enough, and that she should look to challenge herself more. Paula says "go for it". Simon says she's got a very good voice, so she should push herself.

Nicole: 7/10.
This performance is just a little weird. She's not great in the low register; she's pitchy and nasal. She hits the high notes, though. Randy says it's not her vibe. Paula says she hits notes that are "out of this world". Simon says it's indulgent and unnatural.

Haley: 8/10.
Celine Dion? Big shoes to fill. She does okay until the chorus, where her voice seems small. Randy says it's just OK. Paula says "nice job", but she heard the song in Hollywood and wants to hear something new. Simon says she sounded like she was 40; it was like hearing the last song of the night at a reasonably good hotel.

Melinda: 8/10.
Aretha. I hate to say it, but a black woman singing an Aretha song in a gospel style is a little too stereotypical. It's the kind of thing you'd see at a "House of Blues"; it's good, but predictable and unoriginal. Randy says she blew it out, and she has a natural gift. Paula says she's a firecracker, and a frontrunner. Simon says she's the opposite of some contestants who are arrogant but not good singers.

Alaina: 6/10.
She sings "Brass in Pocket", and it's pitchy and breathy and very karaoke-ish. Randy says it was pitchy, and not great. Paula says she didn't make it her own. Simon says it was a mess: the song says "I'm special" but she wasn't.

Gina: 8/10.
The song is a kinda theatrical. It's good, but not great; some of the top notes are a little shouty. Randy says he's surprised by her big voice, and that it was nice. Paula says it's the right song. Simon says he likes seeing a different side of her, but he doesn't think she hit the big note.

Lakisha: 10/10.
Ok, wow. She's got a really strong voice, and this is an energetic and powerful performance. Randy says she "laid it out". Paula says this is where she belongs. Simon says she's in a different league, and that 23 other contestants might have to think about packing their bags.

Standings:
Lakisha: 10/10
Jordin: 9/10
Melinda: 8/10
Haley: 8/10
Gina: 8/10
Stephanie: 9/10
Sabrina: 9/10
Nicole: 7/10
Amy: 6/10
Leslie: 6/10
Alaina: 6/10
Antonella: 5/10

Permalink