American Idol Top 4 Idol Chatter and Idle Chatter

[GoofyforDisney3]

That finale song was written to showcase Adam's vocal range, not Kris's--a VERY unfair thing to do. The key should have been at least adjusted for Kris, a very simple thing to do!!!

Both are talented, but I am not sure Adam will win. Middle amercian may not vote for Adam, and combine that with Kris's fan base and Danny's---well Kris just may be the next idol.

Absolutely. And it was so obvious that Cara had to admit the key was too high. Hmmmm....is it possible Madame Cara insisted they both sing it in the same key? And the point of doing something like that was??? Inquiring minds want to know.
Kris is a musician, as well as a singer. I'm certain he's more than able to tell what keys fit his range. If he'd have had the option to make a change to better showcase his vocals, he would have.

Kris could easily have rearranged to song a bit so he could hit all the notes. He also would have asked for a key change if he thought he needed one. After all of the talent he's shown altering songs to suit his style, he could have done more with it. Neither contestant was going to have a moment with that song. I actually thought it sounded better on Kris.

From what I have heard, they were allowed to change it up. Both singers did sing it differently.

Exactly! Even if the song was written with a particular person in mind, it doesn't change the fact that they could change it up. If the key was to high for Kris, then why didn't HE make the call to change it? Both did a slightly different version, but maybe it just is such a craptastic song that no matter what either one did the song just sounded worse than before. Lets face it, neither of them liked the song and it is a horrible song. Please, lets not start with the conspiracy theories again. We are finally getting back to this being a FUN thread.

 

[GoofyforDisney3]

Last night I think that I finally figured out what bugs me about Adam. Besides being too theatrical for me, he never smiles or even seems happy when he's singing. He always has this painful, serious look on his face.

For the record, the sideways smile that Kris makes bugs me as well but at least he looks like he's enjoying himself.

Actually that is one thing I like about him. If he is singing a serious song (which a lot of what he has sung has been), he is in the moment and he is connecting with the song. Only a singer who is just singing the song (and not connecting) smiles during a serious song. If you go back and look at some of the videos, you will see him smile during a song if it is appropriate and fits the song.

 

[blissventure]

Exactly! Even if the song was written with a particular person in mind, it doesn't change the fact that they could change it up. If the key was to high for Kris, then why didn't HE make the call to change it? Both did a slightly different version, but maybe it just is such a craptastic song that no matter what either one did the song just sounded worse than before. Lets face it, neither of them liked the song and it is a horrible song. Please, lets not start with the conspiracy theories again. We are finally getting back to this being a FUN thread.

What makes you certain Kris had the option to change the key??? Kris is an accomplished musician. He certainly understands the basics of key. I believe if he'd had the option, he would have changed the key, no question. It's done all the time.
My opinion, only--Madame Cara and/or AI attempted to have an (aherm) "even" final song. Same lyrics, same key. Pretty bizarre.

 

[asta]

My take on last night's show:

Round 1 - Both guys did really good on their first songs. Mad World had been such a show stopper for Adam before that I think it was hard for him to reach out and grab everyone with it again. I still liked this performance. I also liked Kris's version of Ain't No Sunshine. I think this round was a draw.

Round 2 - I really liked Adam's performance of A Change is Gonna Come. It did seem like Adam was trying to hold back on the big notes, they just seemed quieter. Like maybe he was pulling the mic away or they were turning the sound down. I thought Kris just did an OK job with What's Goin On. My problem is that this song just belongs to Marvin Gaye and I don't want to hear anyone change this song up. And as much as I like Kris, he just doesn't sound as good as Marvin Gaye. After thinking about this one, it made me appreciate even more what Adam did with Tracks of My Tears. That is an iconic song for Smokey Robinson and I would think that the same would hold true for it as for What's Goin On but Adam sang it in a way that was different but just as good as the original. (Hope that made sense.)

Round 3 - I agree with everyone else. That song was just bad and was a bad way to end the night. I have to give Adam an edge on this one. The key was not right for Kris and he looked like he was struggling. He also forgot the words. I don't think that the fans of either of them would care who did better on that song.

In an unbelievable action on my part, I want to give a mention to Danny Gokey fans. I can't remember the exact time, but at one point they showed a close up of Danny and he got a huge crowd response. The judges were talking and you could tell they were clueless as to what the cheer was for.

The numbers on DI look to close to call with advantage to Kris. Should be an exciting night.

 

[GoofyforDisney3]

What makes you certain Kris had the option to change the key??? Kris is an accomplished musician. He certainly understands the basics of key. I believe if he'd had the option, he would have changed the key, no question. It's done all the time.
My opinion, only--Madame Cara and/or AI attempted to have an (aherm) "even" final song. Same lyrics, same key. Pretty bizarre.

And what makes you so certain that he didn't? From what I read the contestants were permitted to change the song arrangement, but not play instruments. I would think that if they have the liberty to change the arrangement they could also change the key. Now, I may incorrect in that; however, the main point I was trying to make is no one really knows what transpired behind the scenes and it isn't fair to say the song was written with Adam in mind and not Kris and that Kris was set up by making the song in a key that is to high for his voice. It is all a conspiracy theory and I guess I'm getting tired of reading them. Sorry for preferring this thread to be fun!

 

[troobabiee7]

What makes you certain Kris had the option to change the key??? Kris is an accomplished musician. He certainly understands the basics of key. I believe if he'd had the option, he would have changed the key, no question. It's done all the time.
My opinion, only--Madame Cara and/or AI attempted to have an (aherm) "even" final song. Same lyrics, same key. Pretty bizarre.

Both contestants said that they were trying to make the song their own, though, in pre-finale interviews. I think both versions sounded completely different... it almost sounded like two different songs. They definitely could have changed up the song but Kris just... didn't

 

[TwinsinCA]

Can't believe everyone got through 200/900 times! Did you really keep count?? I only got two little votes in for Adam.

I really kept track. I have two pages filled with tally marks. Hitting redial for 4 hours is boring, so that gave me something to do.

I remember the same thing last year where people had a hard time getting through for DC out east but out here it was no problem past the first hour. Last night I had trouble getting through the first 15 - 30 minutes and after that it almost always went through.

 

[damo]

What makes you certain Kris had the option to change the key??? Kris is an accomplished musician. He certainly understands the basics of key. I believe if he'd had the option, he would have changed the key, no question. It's done all the time.
My opinion, only--Madame Cara and/or AI attempted to have an (aherm) "even" final song. Same lyrics, same key. Pretty bizarre.

They don't sing the song in the same key. Go back and listen.

Go to mjsbigblog.com and listen to both performances. You can listen to each a part at a time and compare. They are very different.

 

[blissventure]

Both contestants said that they were trying to make the song their own, though, in pre-finale interviews. I think both versions sounded completely different... it almost sounded like two different songs. They definitely could have changed up the song but Kris just... didn't

See, I think if Kris had been given the option, then Kara would have said, "Why didn't you alter the key to better fit YOUR range?" Instead, she sort of sheepishly said (something along the lines of ) "Yea, the key was too high for you."
It was written with Adam in mind. He got the good and the bad. Perfect key for him, but the lyrics would have been cheesy even in a high school musical.

 

[damo]

See, I think if Kris had been given the option, then Kara would have said, "Why didn't you alter the key to better fit YOUR range?" Instead, she sort of sheepishly said (something along the lines of ) "Yea, the key was too high for you."
It was written with Adam in mind. He got the good and the bad. Perfect key for him, but the lyrics would have been cheesy even in a high school musical.

I doubt very much that Kara would trash Kris for not changing up her song. That would just have been asking for disaster. Again, go listen to the songs side by side and you will see that each performer changed it up quite a bit. It is really tough to tell from just listening to the songs once but after you compare them you can see that there are many differences.

I actually don't think the song is really any worse than the other coronation songs now that I have relistened a few times.

 

[Cmbar]

Both contestants said that they were trying to make the song their own, though, in pre-finale interviews. I think both versions sounded completely different... it almost sounded like two different songs. They definitely could have changed up the song but Kris just... didn't

Is there an original recording of the written song somewhere? How do you know Kris didn't change the song?

 

[ckay87]

See, I think if Kris had been given the option, then Kara would have said, "Why didn't you alter the key to better fit YOUR range?" Instead, she sort of sheepishly said (something along the lines of ) "Yea, the key was too high for you."
It was written with Adam in mind. He got the good and the bad. Perfect key for him, but the lyrics would have been cheesy even in a high school musical.

That's a good point...I noticed that something about her response to Kris' performance was off. She had a real guilty look about her. It WAS almost like she told him to do something, he did it, and it was bad.

All the judges were kind to Kris after his performance and for ONCE, I thought they did the fair thing. I thought for sure they would bash him after forcing him to sing that piece of crap and I was all prepared to be mad. They were fair, though.

 

[WDWRocksMySocks]

Personally, I really don't care who that song was written for. Bottom line, it's atrocious. I really don't think anyone could do justice to it. Truly, it was that B-A-D.

I really kept track. I have two pages filled with tally marks. Hitting redial for 4 hours is boring, so that gave me something to do.

 

[troobabiee7]

Is there an original recording of the written song somewhere? How do you know Kris didn't change the song?

He may have changed it but if he did, he has no idea what he's doing. Why would he change the song to make himself completely out of key and unable to hit the notes?? He looked like he was in pain the whole time, he really struggled. Kris has a nice voice and is a good musician, but I don't think he's good at arranging songs. The only time he did so was for "She Works Hard For the Money," and all he did was make it acoustic. "Heartless" was a completely copy of The Fray's version.

 

[FergieTCat]

The problem was Simon stated that David A won the finale contest. But the next day he said he thought that the Cook fans may have shot back at him. Now just in the last few days Simon has said that Kris could pull this out. Now he has said this after the results of last week. I think that what they have seen is that Kris' votes have been besting Adams. I don't think it was as much of a fluke as everyone thought that Adam landed in the bottom one week. I think Kris did more to stop Gokey than Adam, but now it seems he may have what it takes to take it from Adam.

Lots of the polls ask who do you think will win AI. But that doesn't necessarily translate into votes. So Adam may be in trouble. Dial Idol only has them 1.12% apart with Kris in the lead. The problem is that Kris was in the lead the entire night. So it will be close but right now it looks like Kris has the advantage. I think Simon is indeed back peddaling on Kris. He has said repeatedly in interviews and shamelessly during the show that Adam will be the winner. His talk last night about "no matter what we have found an international star" was said because I believe he knows Kris has a shot of beating Adam.

I guess we will have to wait and see. Plan to add time to the Tivo!

Thanks for that well-thought out response!

I am very impressed with Adam and I truly hope he wins. I know he's a showman and that's why I like him. Before anyone criticizes him for being "too Broadway" remember it takes alot of talent to perform on Broadway.

Since I live in New York City, I am waiting for the day when I can see him perform live in the "Good Morning America" or "Today Show" concert series.

 

[TiggWDW]

Where are all the Adam fans? I just got through like five times in a row! That's not a good sign. In Clay's season I didn't get through until two and a half hours into the voting time.

I got through once for Kris at the very beginning and then every time after that I got a busy signal until about 2 hours into the voting.

 

[scottny]

Never posted before but wanted to say

GO ADAM!!!!

 

[blissventure]

Thanks for that well-thought out response!

I am very impressed with Adam and I truly hope he wins. I know he's a showman and that's why I like him. Before anyone criticizes him for being "too Broadway" remember it takes a lot of talent to perform on Broadway.

Since I live in New York City, I am waiting for the day when I can see him perform live in the "Good Morning America" or "Today Show" concert series.

I've been around musical theatre majors for many years. I absolutely appreciate their talent. Making it to Broadway is a huge accomplishment. I still think Adam's talent is best showcased there.
Adam may have success in both worlds-as an artist and as a stage performer. One of the best things he's done is to open the door to AI to more musical theatre folks. The judges won't be able to just dismiss them anymore.
Lucky you to have the opportunity to see the live concert series!

 

[troobabiee7]

Thanks for that well-thought out response!

I am very impressed with Adam and I truly hope he wins. I know he's a showman and that's why I like him. Before anyone criticizes him for being "too Broadway" remember it takes alot of talent to perform on Broadway.

Since I live in New York City, I am waiting for the day when I can see him perform live in the "Good Morning America" or "Today Show" concert series.

I agree! I HATE when people write off (or just completely put down) a singer for being "too Broadway." Have you ever actually seen a Broadway show?! These aren't exactly random karaoke singers they find on the street and say, "Hey, wanna be on Broadway?" There are people who works their butts off for YEARS in hopes of maybe someday making it to Broadway. You have to be a triple threat and have the stamina to pull off performing at 100% night after night. Speaking of which, performing day after day after day to sold out crowds of people who paid upwards of $110 a ticket to see you isn't exactly something to scoff at

And just an FYI - Adam and Kris will be on the Today show early next Thursday (May 28), performing in Rockefeller Plaza. Can't wait!

 

[MrsMud]

Things I Didn't Like:

Making them re-sing a song from a previous night - It's tough to recapture the moment although Kris probably did better this time around.

Producer's Pick - one last attempt to pimp Adam. (He did a terrific job with it, btw) If they cared, they could've given Kris a comparable song.
I'm also disappointed in the way the show has been produced all year long. It has seemed kind of "flat". I don't know nearly as much about the contestants as I did last year.
The Craptastic Coronation Song - I don't think there are enough adjectives to fully describe how bad this is. Talk about wordy! As Adam was singing, I kept thinking this was written with Danny in mind. It kind of makes last year's "Magic Rainbows" line not so bad, right?
...
Regardless of who wins tonight:
Adam - will have worldwide appeal
Kris - will have a promising singer/songwriter/arranger career ahead of him.

I'm surprised at your take on the Producer's picks; I actually thought the opposite. I thought Kris's song was more current (not that either of them are really current but I'm sure 3 generations have at least heard Kris's song, while Adams would be unknown to the younger generation). Also I thought Adam's song was a horrible choice for his style/voice, although he did really well with it. What's Going On was a great choice for Kris, IMO, but I didn't like the arrangement at all. Too much guitar strumming made a deep, serious song sound too upbeat. Just my opinion of course, I just find it interesting that we saw it so differently.

Can't wait for tonight, but more to see them both perform one last time than to find out who wins. As many have said, it really doesn't matter at this point.