American Idol Season 14 Hollywood Night 3

12 02 2015

Group Night Continues

1385015_10154925704030601_1985407597453397698_nLast week’s episode ended with contestant Alexis Granville who was about to pass out on stage right before they were about to sing for the judges. After she gets the all-clear from medical personnel, “Sal’s Gals” tries once again to perform. Sal Valentinetti did well with his part but it sounded weird with his voice with this song. I had mixed feelings about Alexis’ performance as well. Jax, someone I love, sounded weird too and the weird drama in the performance was odd. It was like all these voices just did not belong together and it was a bad song choice. Alexis and Jax go through. Sal, Kelley Kime and ? are cut. I really like Sal. He has a kind heart and he should come back next year.

Emily Brooke in the group “Three to One Brunette” has food poisoning. Keri Lynn Roche, Jake Black and Riley Bria developed a backup plan in case she couldn’t perform. I enjoyed the entire group seeing “With A Little Help From My Friends.” All of them are through.

The next group all went to college together at Belmont University. They form the group Boulevard (Blvd). They change up the song “Since You’ve Been Gone.” Cody Fry, Rayvon Owen, Piper Jones and ?. I didn’t like the arrangement. It dragged. I liked Rayvon out of this bunch. The song was not suited to Cody’s voice and Piper was a little off in the beginning. Harry liked the arrangement and was his favorite group of the day. Everyone is going through.

“Team Yup” sings “Love Runs Out.” Tiffany Stringer is the only showcased singer in the group and I don’t recognize any the three guys joining her. Tiffany is from Southlake, Texas. I didn’t like what I was hearing and neither did the judges as no one makes it through.

“Vital Signs” performs next. Will their vitals be strong or will they go into cardiac arrest? They sing “I Want You Back” but will they be wanted back? Adanna Duru sings first. The judges liked her during the auditions but I didn’t see the magic there. It was average. There are better and more unique voices in the competition this year. Cindy Maslov is not shy about saying she is in this for herself. She voice is about the same as Adanna. Denise Napoli is a Sayville girl and I won’t let my high school rivalry with them cloud my judgment. (Patchogue Medford HS here baby). It too sounded very similar to the others. Camille Peruto was the only voice that got my attention. Adanna and Cindy are through; Denise and Camille go home.

Daniel Seavey, Qaasim Middleton, Trevor Douglas and (woot!) Savion Wright. “LKYCO” is their group name (Ladies Keep Your Clothes On). Awesome! What happened to Trevor? Poor Daniel looks terrified. “The Story of My Life.”  It was a weird arrangement but I feel good they are through. And they are!

Hollywood Anderson was caught up in the experience and flirting with all the ladies. “Team No Sleep” seemed to be an appropriate name. Hollywood didn’t perform his captain duties to Laurel’s approval so she assumed control and seemed to be bossing people around. He sang first and he sounded exhausted. Laurel Taylor Taunton didn’t sound any better. Amber Kelechi needs a few more years for her voice to mature. I stand by my statement that the judges felt sorry for her and thought by allowing her to come would be a gift. Monica sounded terrible and Brittany didn’t get a solo part. Oddly, in the end, Amber sounded the best of the bunch. Hollywood and Monica go through.

Alexis Gomez sounded great in her group. Loren Lott still is not doing anything for me music-wise. Quentin Alexander did well in his group. It appeared they and their entire groups made it through.

Lovey James, Jess Lamb, Kory Wheeler and Karla Davis sing another one of those songs I am sick of—All About That Bass.”  They made me forget that I hated that song. I loved all their performances. Kory and Karla did not make it through. I am sorry. That was the wrong call. They deserved those spots and Hollywood and Monica in the other group did not.

“Rocky’s Crew” consists of Rocky Peter, Rich, Tanya Mackenna and Trent. Tanya is the only one going through to the next round.

A lot of cuts follow of many unnamed contestants but include Cindy Jo Scholer, the bear killer.

Team “Soul Connection“’s Heatherle Spires did not want to be in the group anymore. She seems to be upset that the group went to sleep and she doesn’t feel they have her back. She refuses to sing with them (so she says to the crew). She has to sing. They start off “Grenade” sounding great. Also in the group were Erika David, returning contestant Sarina-Joi Crowe, and Adrianna Simon. I thought Sarina-Joi stood out but all the ladies sounded good except for Adrianna. The only one who does not make it through was Heatherle.

Mark Andrew, Vanessa Andrea, Katherine Winston and Alex Shier sang together. Mark is my favorite but they sounded wonderful together. Mark, Katherine, and Alex are through.

In another group, Angelica and Tion make it through. Jelly and Regina make it through in their group.

“Grenade” is performed by yet another group. Jackie Nese did not sound good in this song. Maddie Walker did not either. I don’t recognize the other two. Jackie is the only one going home in her group. She is gracious about extending support to the rest of the group.

“Garrett’s Girls” include Garrett Miles. He sounded a little off his game. I know he didn’t make it through but I think his ‘girls’ did.

The last group to perform was “Violet Vixens” who sing “Somebody To Love” by Queen. Joey Cook fell apart during rehearsals and she forgots her lyrics during her performance but cleverly covers it up by inserting her own words that the people hearing her mess up–well it’s all in their imagination.  That was a cute cover. I like Joey’s uniqueness and I hope she goes through. Shannon Berthiaume sounded great. Naomi Tatsuoka dropped the drama from auditions and that allowed me to enjoy the beauty of her voice. They didn’t show the one girl singing solo. I hope the three they did show make it through. They are all through.

Solo night tomorrow!





American Idol Season 14 New Orleans Auditions

25 01 2015

1385015_10154925704030601_1985407597453397698_nThe tour stopped in Harry’s hometown of New Orleans but things didn’t start out in a good way.

The only reason Drew Plaisance age 23, got through to the judges was because his second cousin used to babysit Harry. He brought pictures to prove it. He said Harry would run around playing piano and would never shut up. He tries to sing “P.Y.T.” by Michael Jackson but that has to be one of the worst auditions they have shown in recent years. This is followed by a string of terrible.

In walks New Orleans’ salvation, Angelica Joseph but she is called Jelly. She tackles Adele and does really wonderfully. I love her hair too. Three yeses.

Tiffany Stringer from Southlake, Texas is a bundle of energy. She won’t make it to the top 12. She has a decent voice but there was less singing and too much pop. Harry said it felt really “drill team” to him. Vocally it was not strong enough. Keith said it was entertaining and he says yes. Harry is a no. Jennifer Lopez loves her and says yes.

What does the next contestant say in the box before the judges? That he needs to go to the bathroom. Too funny. Grayson Turner, at age 15, from Spartanburg, SC sings an original composition. I like him. I think the young girls will go crazy. Jennifer says he has a passion that he was born with. Harry thinks his sound is original (but I immediately thought Rob Thomas. He is going to Hollywood.

Yoga instructor Sarah Quintana, a 28-year-old from New Orleans sings jazz while Harry plays the piano. She sounded awesome. Harry likes her but doesn’t think Idol is the way she should be going. She appreciates his honesty but she still wants to go to Los Angeles. The judges all laugh. She looks like a young Susan Sarandon the more I look at her. Harry says no. Jennifer said that although she sounded good on the song, she doesn’t think she could win Idol so it is a no from her. Keith would have said yes, but the two no responses invalidates his vote.

Harry took us on a tour of thru Ninth Ward that was devastated from Hurricane Katrina. He partnered with Habitat for Humanity to build 80 new homes there. Harry is an amazing human being. Quentin Alexander comes from the Ninth Ward but works as a retail associate. He sings ‘Royals” by Lorde. I would say yes. I liked most of it. Harry says he has a great voice and great style. He can push further and take risks. Jennifer agrees. Three yeses!

Mikey Duran went to the same Jesuit High School and is now at LSU. He sings an original composition “My Demise.”  I really like his voice. Keith loves the song. Jennifer said he surprised her with his voice. It was unique and really beautiful. Absolutely yes from all three judges.

The next three ladies think they have what it takes to be the next new artist on the radio. Returning to audition is Nalani Quintello, a 19-year-old student from Orange Park, Florida. Nalani went to the final judgment but was cut before the top 10 were announced. Tori Martin, a 20-year-old, Azle, Texas musician belts out a country song. I like her singing but not her headband (I am not on the headband bandwagon). Twenty-four-year-old teller Hope Windle from Hot Springs, AR hopes her country crooning will get her a ticket. Hope got two yeses from Keith and Jennifer but Harry says no. Tori gets a ticket. Nalani gets another try for Hollywood.

Alexa Chapa makes it through on her blues song.

Ricky Dale Hendricks has the perfect country name according to Harry. He sings “The Thunder Rolls.”  It is average. I don’t see Idol in his future this year. He is only 17 so he has many years to get better. Keith thinks he has natural talent but it is flying all over the place right now. It’s like getting a phenomenal car but you don’t know how to drive it yet. Jennifer liked the way he moved his body , the way he smiled within his song, and the way every lyric made him feel something. Now he needs to get his voice to feel all that. Harry says he still sounds like a young man. Only time or putting him in an arena where the big dogs are help that? He gets three yeses. Harry wants to see him in a ring with Mike Tyson. I think his ear is going to be bit off by the other contestants frankly.

Dakota Suarez is drag queen called Bianca Jade. He hails from Falfurrias, Texas. I was rooting for him but his voice was not there for Idol. Harry says he has a nice voice but not an incredible voice. Jennifer says yes. Keith is the deciding yes vote.

Adam Lasher, age 27, is Carlos Santana’s nephew. He sings an original song. I like it a lot—bordering on goosebumps. Keith loves his voice and artistry. Harry loved everything. Jennifer does too. It is a YES!

Erika Washington is from Mobile, Alabama tackles Beyoncé’s “Halo.”  I love her voice. Goosebumps! Harry thinks she has a gift. An easy yes to Hollywood.

And that wraps up New Orleans. San Francisco is their final stop next week on their road to Hollywood.