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Top 12 women: Little to love about these ladies
Say so long to the 1960s.
Wednesday night’s performances by the top 12 women wrapped up ’60s Week on “American Idol” — and not a moment too soon. Next week we’ll hopefully be treated to songs recorded while these 24 contestants — and most of the audience — were alive. Here’s hoping at least …
So how ‘bout those ladies? Like the 12 men before them, there wasn’t a whole lot to cheer about. Click here for video.
Let’s get to it. Here’s our take on each of the performances, in the order they were aired:
Kristy Lee Cook: “Rescue Me,” Fontella Bass. Kristy Lee was under the weather — and it showed. From the start, things just didn’t seem quite right. Her voice was off, and her eyes were squinty. Randy: “It wasn’t your best performance. You had some pitch problems all the way through. It was a little rough around the edges.” Our grade: B-
Joanne Borgella: “I Say a Little Prayer for You,” Aretha Franklin. We can’t quite put our finger on it, but there’s something we don’t like about her voice. It’s just not that strong. Some of that could have been nerves, but it’ll take a drastic improvement for her to be a contender this season. Right now, we don’t see that happening. Simon: “I didn’t like it at all. What you just did there was a very average version of a very average cabaret song.” Our grade: C-
Alaina Whitaker: “More Today Than Yesterday,” Spiral Staircase. What in the world was that? It looked like she was making out with the microphone. When she first took the stage, it was so close to her mouth that the words were hard to make out. Thankfully things improved rapidly. Simon: “I think you’re very good. This was the first time tonight I haven’t seen any nerves.” Our grade: B+
Amanda Overmyer: “Baby Please Don’t Go,” Them. The rock ‘n’ roll nurse doesn’t want to pigeon-holed — too late! — so she says she won’t be doing any Janis Joplin tunes this season. The result? She looked so out of place. Very awkward and unsure of herself. Paula: “Amanda, I just love everything you do. You’re authentic.” Our grade: D
Amy Davis: “Where the Boys Are,” Connie Francis. Such a slow song. It had a sedative effect, which is unfortunate because Amy has a great voice. Paula: “I don’t know if it was the most engaging song for you to sing. I just feel it was a little lackluster.” Our grade: C+
Brooke White: “Happy Together,” The Turtles. OK, OK … after little more than a month we’re totally over the whole hippie chick act. As other sites have implied, we doubt she’s really as sweet and innocent as she claims. A very blah, very forgettable song. Her delivery was flat. No oomph to be found. Paula: “What this competition is about is originality. That’s what I love about you. You have originality.” Our grade: C
Alexandrea Lushington: “Spinning Wheel,” Blood, Sweat and Tears. What in the world was she looking at? Alexandrea spent nearly her entire performance staring skyward. Once we got past that, we liked what we heard: a contemporary take on a classic. Randy: “You blew the doors off that. … You’ve got it. It was hot.” Our grade: A-
Kady Malloy: “Groovy Kind of Love,” Mindbenders. She’s only 18? Coulda fooled us. She looks older and has a great set of pipes. Her talent was wasted on this ’60s drivel. Clearly mommy and daddy are very supportive — perhaps too supportive. Kady looked like she was about to burst into tears after the judges dared to criticize her. Paula: “I want to see the life of you more. We want to see the fun Kady and her personality.” Our grade: B
Asia’h Epperson: “Piece of My Heart,” Janis Joplin. This girls knows how to work it. She bopped all over the stage, totally captivating the crowd. And that voice is awesome. Simon: “For me, it was my favorite of the night. You let go. You’re fun. You’re likeable. You have a good voice.” Our grade: A
Ramiele Malubay: “You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me,” Dusty Springfield. To steal a phrase from the judges, this act was “very cabaret.” The song sounded like something you’d hear during a movie’s closing credits. In other words, there was absolutely nothing memorable about it. Paula: “There’s such a beautiful range in your voice. You had a really great performance.” Our grade: D-
Syesha Mercado: “Tobacco Road,” Nashville Teens. Such a sultry voice. Very contemporary. Syesha is definitely a contender and will no doubt go far this season. Simon: “You are probably one of the most talented girls in this competition. You have an attitude. You try hard.” Our grade: A-
Carly Smithson: “Shadow of Your Smile,” Tony Bennett. Illness took a toll here. Carly looked so incredibly plain. Her choice of what was essentially elevator music didn’t help any. Randy: “Guess what? The best vocal of the past two days. The best vocals of the top 24.” Our grade: B-
Our picks for who will go home Thursday night: The judges went nuts for Ramiele Malubay, which has us mighty confused. We thought she was horrid. So we’ll pick her and either not-quite-ready-for-primetime Joanne Borgella or the uber-vanilla Brooke White.
Photos: Meet the top 24 semifinalists
Comments
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By brocktoon
February 20, 2008 10:39 PM | Link to this
You honestly thought Ramiele was the worst of the night? Seriously? D- ?
Unreal.
Otherwise, you’re way too generous with your grading scale. Remember … “C” means average. Are you compensating for some harsh grading in your school days?
And what’s with the royal “we” you keep using? Do you have a mouse in your pocket or are you just schizophrenic? From your grading, I’d guess the latter.
Joanne and Amy should go home.
By Karnak The Magnificent
February 20, 2008 11:08 PM | Link to this
I agreed with much of the grading but I think you whiffed on Ramiele. She has a nice quality to her voice and she made a tremendous connection to the song and made it work.
By edmond
February 20, 2008 11:43 PM | Link to this
Dude,
you’re comments and judgment to these american idols contestant can’t be understood to any person living in this planet. How do you sing in Mars? oh, sorry Mars is quite near, pluto I mean?
By bethany
February 20, 2008 11:53 PM | Link to this
D- on Ramiele? You guys are INSANE for giving her a grade lower than Joanne. Ramiele was the best of the night.
By trent
February 21, 2008 12:02 AM | Link to this
OMg ramiele, D-. she did great!! i’d at least give her a B+ or higher
By Carly Patterson
February 21, 2008 12:38 AM | Link to this
Carly Smithson was the best of the night and you clearly were not listening with a clean ear.
By skip
February 21, 2008 1:41 AM | Link to this
it is so much fun to watch AI, these kids are so young, I was in the business in the 60’s, made some recordings, i give myself a A for my voice, too bad AI wasn’t around then! but i do think there was more beauty, than voice, I am looking for katy malloy, to loosen up, she has a great tone to her voice, but I think michael johns is a winner, thats my pick!
By skip
February 21, 2008 1:45 AM | Link to this
tonight was a bad night for all of them, I think katharine mcphee, could have done, that connie francis song well, were the boys are! boy was that lousy, with the system, the way it is, you really can’t tell, you should only be able to vote once, AI is a joke!
By Alex
February 21, 2008 3:40 AM | Link to this
D- on RAMIELE?!? Are you kidding me? Giving Ramiele’s performance a lower grade than Amy Davis’ sedative of a performance should be a crime.
By Joy
February 21, 2008 7:26 AM | Link to this
Ramiele gets a D-? Seriously, I thought she was one of the best of the night. Showing poise and a command of the stage bigger than her 4’11” frame.
More of like Amy was the one who didn’t do too good. Watch the show again, her pitch was all over the place. She almost made me fall asleep with that performance. Yes, she could be capable of doing a good performance (blessed with a good voice). But this is about last night’s performance, isn’t it? So why give her a higher grade than Ramiele?
By Barbara Johnson
February 21, 2008 7:59 AM | Link to this
All of them were pretty bad, but I agree with the others — Ramiele was very good - actually sang the song with some restraint where there should have been some, and belted it out in the right places. A grade A- for Alexandrea? I agree with Simon on this one. She looked good but definitely lacked in the singing department (and isn’t that what this contest is about?). A grade B for Kady? Come on, Dawg, that was just awful. C- at best. Definitely agree with you on Amanda - ick.
By nick
February 21, 2008 8:00 AM | Link to this
thx for the opinions, but for the record your opinion on Ramiele is very much out of the ordinary this morning among Web reviewers. WhatNotToSing.com’s stats have her and Alexandrea currently as the best of the night: 1. Ramiele, 2. Alex, 3. Alaina, 4. Asia’h, 5. Carly, 6. Syesha, 7. Brooke; all others are at below average ratings.
By redekmanguz
February 21, 2008 8:15 AM | Link to this
D- for Ramiele? You had me mighty confused! Your rating is clearly lopsided for your favorites Asia’h, Alexandrea and Syesha.
By Stacey
February 21, 2008 10:33 AM | Link to this
I don’t understand your grade on Ramiele at all. She was the best of the night. Are you sure you got the right person in your critique?
By saidomar
February 21, 2008 10:59 AM | Link to this
Woah…Ramiele doesn’t even come close to deserving a D-….youre either crazy or tone deaf. seriously…i thought she had more control out of any of the girls that night…she could have belted it out and went crazy….but she stuck to the melody but still made it her own…she knows her capabilities and she makes the right choices…and im not just saying this cuz im pinoy.
By Tanning lotion
February 21, 2008 7:46 PM | Link to this
I think that Kady Malloy is just plain hot, has a great personality, and she can sing. She is my American Idol pick.
By Nikki
February 21, 2008 8:07 PM | Link to this
I really did not like any of the girls. And the ones that I liked the judges hated and the ones that I hated, the judges loved.
By MrSuaree
February 21, 2008 8:46 PM | Link to this
You gotta to be kidding on Ramiele Malubay getting a negative D. Are you out of your mind ? My Italian friends and family voted her Number 1. She had the best voice from high to low. Go Ramiele.
By Hayley
February 22, 2008 12:47 AM | Link to this
A D- for Ramiele Malubay??? Are you freagin serious? She had a flawless performance last night—one of the best! Ramiele not only can belt out like a soul diva, but she can also have a tender, soft and sweet voice, and still can sell out to the crowd and critics!
Austin360.com should fire Gary Dinges. I am out here!
By Karnak The Magnificent
February 22, 2008 1:13 AM | Link to this
OK, I might get penalized for piling on but after watching her performance again. I am totally mystified as to why you graded Ramiele so low. Great range, emotion - yet with restraint. She sold the song. The other great performance on American Idol with this song was Nadia Turner, she did a great job, but it was a little over the top at times. With Malubay, it seemed like she was talking right to you, she was strong, vulnerable and sizzling hot. Don’t see how that could possibly be a D-.
By Sammy
February 27, 2008 12:37 AM | Link to this
Are you serious???? You people rated Ramiele with a D- but all the others who did worse received better..? Looking at your ratings it seems as though whoever critique last weeks performance were just mesmerized by the blondie hot chicks… what an ear eh? Pay attention to the range of voices, the pitch, the feel to how the song should be sung and not soo much to the tan hot babes… okay??? Thanks.