4/1 American Idol Show Discussion - Top 20 Solos

I'm only part way through but my favorites so far are Lane and Uche.

There were some really good performances tonight but I really wish the judges would stop standing up after each one. They were not all ' standing O' worthy and it won't mean anything when a phenomenal performance comes along.

I like Madison and loved Walker's take on that Bee Gees song. Liked Jeremiah. Idk why Alejandro is so loved by the judges...great guitarist but his voice does nothing for me. Laine is cute as a button but the praise heaped on him left me scratching my head. I like Wade but have not recognized a single song he has sung. That's on me, though. Wish I had tuned in from the beginning b/c idk who half these contestants are.

The last two, Lacey and Wade, really connected with the audience. Hmmm - need to be on my radar as well.

I am a fan of both gingers Walker and Jeremiah. And I also like Eddie and Dimitrius’s voices. And of the girls Ashley is my favorite. Uche is so good Too! And Laiine (who made me think of Elvis in looks last year)is now channeling him. Laci is good. I do hate that I feel there is such a big push for Laine and Laci though! The only person I don’t like is Evelyn as her voice bugs me.

I was not surprised that there were 11 boys put in the top twenty as I always thought they were more memorable....matter of fact they could have had more. Even these 9 girls are less memorable than the boys. It is funny how the 6 they will have to drop are pretty obvious as there is a distinct line between the regular singers and some really amazing artists.

I was hoping that we got rid of the back stories....as I was getting really tired of some of those who left the show in HI. Now it is time to retire the rest and just let them sing.

I forgot to add Kate - the one quirky singer this season. They always need a Kellie Pickler to make things interesting.

I have to say I am in agreement with the ginger love. I too adore them both (Harry Potter, FTW). I still hate that I am sucked into this season.. gaaaawd! Lol Sorry in advance for the long-ness of the post.

So my faves of last night..

I am a big Laine fan, he has talent.. he can sing, he can work a crowd, and he has personality. I am only slightly ashamed to admit if my DD didn't have a boyfriend I would be trying to play matchmaker there! (But good gawd Katy, keep it in check you are pretty much old enough to be his mother)

Last night I can say I can see why Wade was let through. I love me some Kodaline so of course that may have helped.. but when he knows the lyrics, he really does sing well. I rather enjoyed that performance. His story is sweet as well, but I am at the point where ok, we know their stories now it is time to let them do their thing. Jeremiah and Ryan are both being a bit overshadowed by them.. I just want the artistry.

Jeremiah did a beautiful rendition of Dylan’s (although most know Adele’s or Billy Joel’s version) Make You Feel My Love.

I know a few don't get all the Alejandro love, but when this guy is on stage (hell even off) he’s just so “something” ... His voice may not be a super powerful one, but there is something about it that is almost intoxicating or mesmerizing and the fact that he is so down to earth is icing on the cake for me.    I could watch him play guitar till the end of my days.. it is so beautiful to watch.  

Again I have to agree with the men having a strong showing this year.

I am not feeling many of the females this year for many reasons, admittedly some are superficial... but Laci did a badass arrangement of I Want You To Want Me and I have to give her props. It is difficult to watch her sing, she does something with her mouth that is off putting for me, it’s very distracting.
Ashley had a perfect song choice in my opinion. I love her behind a piano.
I also really like Madison. She can sing and she’s got this realness about her that makes her so relatable. I can see the Kelly comparisons even if Madison has a ways to go.
I have to admit I may be starting to come around on Kate.. Sunday Morning was perfect for her. I kinda dig (lack of better phrase) this funk, even borderline reggae, thing she tosses in. I hope that she ends up with a better hair style as this goes on, like Laci’s ‘mouth thing’ her style and hat are distracting to me. I don’t know.. it just doesn’t fit her. (see superficial, eeep)

There are a lot I am just ok right now…

I like Evelyn and she too had a good song choice but how long until her vocal style is just repetitive? It’s unique to a point, I have heard others (and seen on other shows) like her but they only stick around till their novelty wears off. I truly feel that her success and advancement will be solely based on song choice, 1-2 wrong ones and she could be gone. Eddie is cute and quirky, I love The Lumineers (NEVER have I heard that song sung with so much annunciation on the words lol… took me forever to know that he was ‘sanding on the corner of Canal and Bowery’ and not Standing, then walking ‘round with Valerie) but again how long till his quirkiness becomes annoying. I like his singing, but he could be a victim of that same thing that got him here.

Where as many don’t get the Wade or Alejandro or even Laine praise… I don’t get the Uche love. Can he sing? Yeah he can sing. Katy was right there is nothing subtle about him. He is waaaaay too extra for me, and that says a lot because I loved Adam Lambert. I have no problem with some OTT stage presence but when you have as many stage personalities as Sybil does voices in her head fighting to get out, it makes it hard for me to really grasp who you are and become invested. He is way too all over the map for me. Maybe he will stop being the “Wedding Singer” and start being Uche and I could like him more. I see him more on Broadway (and I don’t mean that as an insult) than I do on a pop stage. That being said he has talent, and can do well but he needs to gain some focus.

As for the Meh..

Bumbly.. SMH… even having not watched this show for many seasons.. I still know some things:

1. never sing Unchained Melody for Simon (in the past)
2. never sing another judge’s song
3. never sing Whitney
4. and never sing Mariah.

Mariah has a 5 - 6 octave vocal range (some debate.. at one point I heard 8 but that was YEARS ago) Bumbly so does not. I am still a bit confused why she made it through when others who had a better voice and better stage presence and ok superficial here again, didn’t dress like a 1980s mid-range escort.

Raghu, Raghu, Raghu.. sigh.. BAD song choice. Hayley Williams, has a decent octave range too, 3-4 if I recall. This was not a song that showcased it. I like Raghu but last night was a warmed over meh for me.

Riley Thompson is another one that didn’t pick the right song. That is a heart wrenching subject so a smiling 16 year old and it only clash. That IS my all-time fave Dolly song so seeing her strut and smile like she was at a beauty pageant was not a good fit. She may be a “cutiepatootie” but she doesn’t sit right with me at times, like she’s trying too hard to be a grown up or something. I find her voice pretty average, there are a hundred other female country singers like her out there, Laci has more going for her in that arena. That sequined short number form Hawaii was kinda scary, and her disconnect from the song is something that will hurt her in the end. She was another I didn’t think should have been moved along.

I have nothing much to say about the self-proclaimed hippy that “is going to win a “Nobel peace prize’ other than nice outfit, bad song choice, and do something more with your hair too. That color and her skin tone do not go well together. I am not saying that to be nit-picky, or mean, but it makes her look ill and I think she can do so much better.

Sorry for the massive post, maybe THIS is why I don’t watch this show anymore lol. I get tooo into it.

Awesome and thoughtful post FireWoman! Thank you for sharing all that detail.... waiting for my husband to watch with me as he's really into it too.

Saw this on another site, thought you might be interested:

March 6th, 2019
Last night on American Idol ~ (day off) I was just ready to push “Guide” for the next hour and on walked this quiet soft spoken guy and something about him ~ said “Don’t change the channel.” When he started to play the first chords ~ I started to cry~ I cried all through his guitar song and all through his piano song.

My prophecy~ He will play and sing across the great stages of the world. He will play with 60 piece orchestras and he will play alone. I felt, as did the judges , that I was suspended in some sort of magical grace that was just simply overwhelming. My tears did not stop until he stopped.

So, Alejandro, let me welcome you to the grand stage that will be your home for the rest of your extraordinary life~

Love always,
Stevie Nicks

I am not sure where he fits in but I have never seen anyone play guitar like he does, & just watch the amazement of Luke's face & you know the guy has something very special. He seems to be able to play bass, rhythm & lead all at the same time & then he might be even better on piano. He certainly has a huge future in my opinion.

He was home schooled and self -taught on guitar and piano, so not even a teacher to push him onto a stage. I’m all in on this guy but don’t think he’ll win this pop contest. That’s why I hope someone helps him along. LOVE the Stevie Nicks quote. ❤️

Laine was amazing this past week! I love him, and loved him last year too.

This year's group is great, in general. I hope they don't mess up the final 14 by getting rid of some of the outstanding ones, in favor of those who might make "good TV."

Off-Topic to your sidenote: I wondered about the girlfriend as he hasn't mentioned her in awhile. I haven't seen today's show, but yesterday he still looked gray.

According to the Guide, AI will split the contestant duets into 10 on Sunday and 10 on Monday. There will probably rehearsal footage which takes time so the split is necessary.

Looks like live shows start the following week.

I heard that and thought it odd. I doubt Kelly will be pushing any suitable mates at him after that. He really must be marriage adverse or the bearding speculation is in play.


After this post we should move any reports or speculation to Misc. Celebrity News.