Tuesday, Mar. 03, 2009

American Idol recaps: Lil Rounds = big success

Post 12: Lil Rounds = big success Last up: Producer favorite Lil Rounds. No suprise she gets the coveted spot of the night.

She takes on Mary J. Blige's "Be Without You." Predictably, she nails it -- offering some powerhouse belting that approaches the original version of song. She not only has indisputable talent, but some real charisma, too. A producer's dream.

I love her amended lyrics, too: "Call this show if you just can't be without me, baby."

Simon: "Brilliant."

Randy: "I think you're one of the best we've found this season."

Kara: "Good job."

Paula: "I have a sneaking suspicion we're going to see you for many more lil rounds."

Post 11: Jorge Nunez is a ray of sunshine Here's my Latin lover Jorge Nunez, singing "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me."

The Puerto Rican singer goes into serious ballad mode here, and it's not the over-singing variety I remember him showcasing in Hollywood. I've never been a big Jorge Nunez fan, but tonight's performance seems to exude so much emotion that I can't help wanting him to stick around. He really does have some talent.

Paula: "I am so proud of you."

Simon: "You're actually a very, very good singer."

Randy: "This wasn't the perfect vocal, but it was really, really good."

Kara: "It comes from your heart, I really believe it."

Post 10: Girl talk with Kendall Beard Time for Texan Kendall Beard, who goes for "This One's For the Girls."

Glad to see she stuck with her country roots. The song isn't anything amazing vocally, but Kendall seems on pitch throughout most of it and her blonde looks and bright smile give her some serious commercial appeal. The best part? Clearly, she knows who she is as an artist. Even without any "wow" moments, she's better than the confused musical identites of Taylor Vaifanua and Arianna Afsar.

Kara: "You've got that personality that we saw that we really liked."

Paula: "I think you did a good job."

Simon: "I think you probably did the right thing tonight."

Randy: "I thought it was a good song choice."

Post 9: It's raining Scott MacIntyre Here's blind Scott MacIntyre, who takes the stage sans piano to sing "Mandolin Rain."

It's an odd song choice, one I think judges would normally criticize. It'll be interesting to see if they hold back at all. It's a nice performance of a ballad, and even though it borders the boring range at times, Scott has a nice tone to his voice. He doesn't go for any power notes, but the vocal control is nice -- even if he doesn't boast a ton of range.

Randy: "The parts that were great were really, really great for me."

Kara: "You move mountains when you step on that stage."

Paula; "I am just so happy and proud that you've made it."

Simon: "I wasn't crazy about the song...but I have to say, Scott, you're growing on me. You really are."

I love how Scott requests Seacrest's token high five. Ah, memories.

Post 8: Felicia Barton channels Alicia Keys Here comes Felicia Barton, the replacement for disqualified contestant Joanna Pacitti.