Offical American Idol Discussion Thread

[2bemarried]

I've gotten through once so far for Fantasia. Can't believe that so many people don't hear the wonderful quality in her voice. That last song was so powerful and uplifting. She did indeed NAIL IT! Diana was great on the first song and lost it on the last two....hence the reason Fantasia went light on the first one...so she could nail the other two. It's called being a performer....know when to lighten up a bit..and know when to kick it into 5th gear

Go Fantasia!!

 

[Dancind]

1:17 after the end of the show here. Not able to get through for Diana. How are Jasmine's lines?

 

[PammyK]

Except for the first song, did the people who thought Diana sounded "great" tonight have the mute button pressed when she sang? Sadly, her pitch was really iffy for the 2nd two songs. There were glimpses of great but too many rough patches for me to be able to vote for her tonight. I agree with whoever it was who opined that she gave too much for the first song and didn't have enough left to shine on the others. For me, she just didn't have the whole package working this evening.

Although I am not a fan of Fantasia's typical style, I thought she gave the better performances tonight. I hated her arrangement of the first song, but Summertime was wonderful and the final song was outstanding IMO. I could also hear her straining at times but her overall performance was better than Diana tonight so I have to give my vote to Fantasia.

Now as to whether I'd pay money to hear these ladies sing, the answer is no. But I do appreciate their talent, despite not being a fan of either lady's style.

 

[Nancy]

My kids were trying for a bit to get through for Diana...couldn't get through on any of the lines. I'm not voting at all...I wasn't impressed by either of their performances. I haven't liked Fantasia's voice since day 1...Diana I have been back and forth on during the season.

Paul Anka...why was he brought out to sing?????

I think it will be Fantasia winning it all tomorrow, not that she needs it. She'll have the record deal no matter what happens.

I wouldn't buy a CD from either of them.

 

[disykat]

ditto Pammy's post. I don't get how people are saying Diana was good tonight. I thought she was bad all around tonight. I really liked her in the auditions and feel she's gotten worse, not better. I'm very picky about individual notes - if you look at the overall song I guess she was okay, but way too many off notes for me (and I'm not talking about her one obvious one!). I guess I should feel better knowing maybe people aren't as critical when I sing as I think they'll be!

I'm not crazy about Fantasia's voice, but she is so strong vocally and she really keeps my attention by using some variety in her volume and tone quality. I do agree that singing background instead of melody on the first song was a really BAD choice and that her performances tonight didn't blow me away.

I didn't really care for the "single" but if I'm going to hear it over and over I'd sure rather hear Fantasia's version than Diana's. We've only gotten one vote through for Fantasia though - it'll be interesting to see how it turns out.

 

[Trinity721]

What the heck happened to Diana on that last one? She had some horribly flat notes, it was pretty awful. She is a real cutie though and I thought her past performances were much better than tonight. Timing, not so good...

I am also tired of Fantasia's yeah yeah yeah's... And her first song was horrible! But I did like Summertime and the AI single, she sang it much better than Diana. they say fantasia is a mix of mary j. blige, aretha, and macy gray... well i don't like mary j. or macy gray, and i don't think she's that much of an Aretha to me.

Honestly, I didn't connect with these two very much and I didn't vote, though usually i do. I don't think i'll care if either one wins, good for them... But you won't see me buying any AI cd's this year.

So we have to wait a whole year for the next AI???

 

[Robinrs]

Diana sounded pretty good in some spots but did scream a lot of her songs. She needs polishing, but since she made it this far, she will probably make it. I can't help but think her talking voice sounds like she's breathed in helium. Like some people feel about Fantasia, I feel that way about Diana. She is good but NOT an American Idol. Right now I think some people's attitudes against Fantasia will put a person who does not deserve it over the top.

It's a shame.

Latoya should've been there. I think there would've been less controversy then. Fantasia causes so much emotion, which will take her very far in this flaky business, which thrives on controversy.

I agree with Paul Anka. No matter WHAT happens tonight, Fantasia NAILED it.

BTW, that sound Believe was just plain AWESOME. Tamyra Gray should be proud!

 

[mum4jenn]

Of the two considering all 3 songs for each I think Fantasia ended up with the better performance all over. Diana was better on her first song but did hit several bad notes. Fantasia was off in several places on her first song but got better as she went along. The judges will influence the votes because they have always made it known they they prefer Fantasia. BUT.... will it backfire on them and the "sympathy" vote go to Diana?? I like Diana better but Fantasia does great because of her singing style in her church. That is why she did such an awsome job on Tamyra's song. She put that "gospel" sound into it and really got into the song. I think the vote will be close. I did not vote but it doesn't really matter. Both will have success and we will be seeing both of them all over the TV all summer!!!

 

[Tess]

Voted for Diana, can't stand Fantasia. . .

What cracks me up is the judges' are interviewed and they repeatedly say how Fantasia is "unique", "different", "no one sounds like her". . .then in the next breath they compare her voice to Mary J. Blige, Macy Gray, and Aretha. Uh, correct me if I'm wrong, but if you "sound like" someone else, that does not make you "unique".

That has been my problem with this show this season--there hasn't been anyone with a style that is different from what already exists in the music industry. Do these kids have good to great voices--yep, no question. The problem is we already have enough "Divas" and, if I were Diana (or Fantasia although I think she fits the description) I wouldn't want the label.

What really, really put me off about last night's show was the Simon comment that out of 70 Idols crowned worldwide, Fantasia is the "Best" performer ever on Idol, anywhere! C'mon guys--let's get real--she's good, but the "BEST" ever-- --don't think so. If I were Ruben and/or Kelly sittin' right down front I'd have been a bit put out by that particular comment.

The Tamyra Gray song (co-written by her own admission with others)--okay, nothing spectacular, but nice. I will not be looking forward to it being played ad nauseum on the radio this summer. Frankly, I think the song was written with Fantasia in mind (and her gospel background) rather than Diana--talk about stacking the deck. Still, I think both of them brought something different to the song. Fantasia, however, seemed to have the choir "bo-bo"ing with her--the crowd was definitely loaded with Fantasia fans (as was last year's AI for Ruben).

It just seems so obvious the show/judges had picked it's/their performer early on and made every effort to back it's horse. Had the show given as much effort toward preserving LaToya--I think we may have had a different top 2.

All of this rambling now spewed, I don't have warm fuzzies for either performer, less so for Fantasia than Diana, but neither rocks my world and I won't be buying cds from either nor attending a concert that involves any of this year's AI contestants. There was no connection or affinity for any of them this time around. Sorry AI, "You got it wrong"!

 

[cheeringmom]

Originally posted by Hygiene99

Fantasia Good Name for the Next Disney Cruise Ship ... [/B]

hehehehe I agree!!

Just not exciting for me this year. Did like Fantasia's last song last night and I am not a big fan. I think she may have won the thing with that last song. I wish Diana would have chosen better songs. Didn't like them last night. I think the first time she sang them was a lot better.

This year just couldn't hold my attention like last year. I actually got up and did things while the show was on. Unheard of for last year. reading the posts seems like I am not the only one.

My guess that the next AI will be....... FANTASIA

 

[goofy4tink]

Have to say that I won't be buying either one's recordings!! I would buy LaToya's tho. I've been where Diana was last night....wondering where those awful notes came from. But, she just doesn't have the experience to get back on track right away. Fantasia just really annoys me. I can not stand her singing. Hated her rendition of "Summertime" the first time and hated it even more last night. Ah well.....I used to sing that to my now 27 y/o dd every night as a lullaby so I have a hard time hearing it sung Fantasia style!! Did send in two votes for Diana, but only two.

 

[shelbyjosh]

I am so tired of Fantasia's whiny voice!! Also, all theose "ya, ya, ya" lines that she does drives me insane. I really feel Diana did a great job and she deserves to win. Fantasia needs to go bye-bye!!

 

[Nancy]

A little off the topic of F and D...I just heard on aradio station locally that Jasmine already has signed a record deal!

 

[ckr]

I wonder if there weren't some technical difficulties last night:

During Diana's last song, the video feed froze here for a few seconds and we missed part. Did that happen anywhere else? Then, she hit those awfully sour notes. It was really out of character for her to be THAT off key. But what really struck me was when Simon was commenting, you could hear a "backfeed" type squeal. Anyone got it taped that can check that out for me?

Just wondering if that's why Diana was so bad on her last song. Poor kid.

 

[cheeringmom]

Originally posted by ckr
I wonder if there weren't some technical difficulties last night:

During Diana's last song, the video feed froze here for a few seconds and we missed part. Did that happen anywhere else? Then, she hit those awfully sour notes. It was really out of character for her to be THAT off key. But what really struck me was when Simon was commenting, you could hear a "backfeed" type squeal. Anyone got it taped that can check that out for me?

Just wondering if that's why Diana was so bad on her last song. Poor kid.

it happend through out the show for me. a little annoying too. Don't know about the "backfeed" I really didn't pay that much attention. Since we were having storms, I thought that is why the tv was wacko.

 

[damo]

Originally posted by cheeringmom
it happend through out the show for me. a little annoying too. Don't know about the "backfeed" I really didn't pay that much attention. Since we were having storms, I thought that is why the tv was wacko.

The sound quality was definitely different for Diana's last song. It was apparent from the beginning notes. There were sound issues through this entire season.

I wish one of the finalists would have been male. I have much more of an affinity for male singers than female singers. But obviously my ear isn't very good since I don't like Fantasia's style.

I think a lot of preference for and against Fantasia goes toward her style of singing. Whether she is fabulous or not has little to do with it if you cannot connect with her gospel-like style.

 

[beattyfamily]

Originally posted by ckr
I wonder if there weren't some technical difficulties last night:

During Diana's last song, the video feed froze here for a few seconds and we missed part. Did that happen anywhere else? Then, she hit those awfully sour notes. It was really out of character for her to be THAT off key. But what really struck me was when Simon was commenting, you could hear a "backfeed" type squeal. Anyone got it taped that can check that out for me?

Just wondering if that's why Diana was so bad on her last song. Poor kid.

I did noticed that everytime Diana sang, she sounded echoy (sp?). I kept hearing an echo. It was annoying and if she could hear it too, I'm sure that could affect her performance, especially since she had to follow all the praise for Fantasia.

It made me so angry when last week Fantasia got to pick heads (she quickly yelled it and didn't give Diana a chance) and won the toss. I think going second made a BIG difference. The pressure was surely on Diana with all the love for Fantasia from the judges.

 

[goofy4tink]

Originally posted by damo
The sound quality was definitely different for Diana's last song. It was apparent from the beginning notes. There were sound issues through this entire season.

I wish one of the finalists would have been male. I have much more of an affinity for male singers than female singers. But obviously my ear isn't very good since I don't like Fantasia's style.

I think a lot of preference for and against Fantasia goes toward her style of singing. Whether she is fabulous or not has little to do with it if you cannot connect with her gospel-like style.

I have an excellent ear and also tend to like gospel type music...but I still don't like Fantasia!!! She just screams and has that whiney edge to her voice. Nope, can't vote for her.

I think that Diana was having a hard time with pitch and some wrong notes (not just pitch problem there!) because she was having a hard time with the accoustics. The sound did sound funny. That could explain her problem and as I said before, with her youth she may not have been able to get back on the right track really quickly.

 

[Gwene65]

All last night I kept saying out loud to myself that who could anyone vote for Fantasia? All 3 of her songs were horrible and I am so sick of hearing her sing.


But I guess some people like whiny, nails on a chalkboard type of singing.

 

[elgerber]

I like Diana, Fantasia is just OK, she irritates me a bit. I do NOT think she is the best AI ever. I think Diana has done great the last few weeks, and with a couple more years she could be amazing. That said, I don't think either of them were fantastic last night, certainly not worthy of the finals. They needed to pull out all the stops and be superb, and they weren't. I remember Kelly Clarkson just blowing me away in the finals. I think the only CD I would buy from this season is George. I have Kelly's and Kim Lockes, and no one elses. I notice people say Diana screams alot, doesn't anyone think Fantasia screeches in her upper range???

Erika