American Idol - Mariah Carey Week
It is Tuesday, so I thought it was time for me to end my period of mourning brought about by the early departure of Michael Johns, also known as my Sweet Saucy Aussie. American Idol voters - you know I love you, but I think you have gone and lost yo’ dang mind. Now that I have said my peace, let’s look ahead to tonight’s show/potential train wreck.
Word on the street has it that Mariah Carey is this week’s Idol mentor. Given the abundance of criticism towards Syesha Mercado and her Whitney-wannabe-ish performances, is it really such a good idea for the Idols to be forced to perform Mariah Frakkin’ Carey songs? I am not exactly a fan of ”Mimi” - most of her stuff in the last ten years has consisted of collaborations with the likes of “artists” I just don’t get (O.D.B., anyone?) However, I am willing to admit that she does have an incredible talent, even if it is diminished by her lack of clothing and a pretentious personality.
I think I am familiar enough with Mariah’s music to know that the girls probably don’t stand a chance of impressing the judges tonight. Season after season, we hear pretty harsh criticism towards any attempt to perform songs originally done (or done well) by vocal heavyweights like Mariah, Celine and Whitney - so this particular theme strikes me as hypocritical. But, Ms. Carey has a CD out this week, and I am sure her record company has promotional dollars to spend - so, we lucky Idol fans get Mariah week on American Idol. Forgive me if I don’t jump out of my Mimi-approved daisy dukes and stiletto pumps.
While I know the remaining seven contestants have already selected their tunes for Mariah week well in advance of this posting, I thought I would go ahead and post what I would like to hear them sing, in a perfect Idol world…. which it isn’t, obviously. My dearly departed Michael Johns won’t be around to sing the socks off of “Bringin’ On the Heartbreak”, so boo I say.
As for the chosen seven, I would love to hear it go down like this tonight:
BROOKE - We gotta face facts… if Brooke attempts to shake what her mamma gave her, she’s dead meat. So, I would suggest that she take a ballad and Norah Jones-ify it. Maybe “Vision of Love” or “I Still Believe” - though, pretty much any Mariah song is out of her wheelhouse, so I gotta wish her luck.
CARLY - Carly needs to get that trademark Irish scowl off of her perfectly pancaked puss, and pronto. Her voice is probably the best qualified to sing poppish hits like “Fantasy” or “Dreamlover”, which would be fun to watch her attempt. But, the rock chick in Carly is a little like a weed that won’t let the pop voice thrive, so I would bet my euros that she once again goes for the dramatic, angsty ballad, hoping that America will forgive her if she sings loud enough.
DAVID ARCHIE - “Anytime You Need a Friend” or “I’ll Be There” - just ’cause… you know he will.
DAVID COOK - For me, Skully has proven that he can sing just about anything (have you heard him during the group numbers?)… Last week was a rough one vocally, so I would like to see him belt out a big, soaring melody with a little grunge around the edges - maybe “One Sweet Day” or “Without You”.
CASTRO - As long as Jason remains charming and comically aloof, he will be in like flynn for another week. “We Belong Together” has a mellow, cool groove that might be interesting - but I would delight at the sound of a breathy male vocal on a gorgeous melody like “Love Takes Time”.
KRISTY LEE - “Always Be My Baby” or “Against All Odds” seem like obvious choices, because I doubt she has ever heard any other Mariah songs. And, she already did a Journey song this season.
SYESHA - “Through the Rain” would be a good choice for me for her - the vocal is kind of whispery, and the quieter her voice, the less annoying she is to me. Except when she is holding signs up to the camera. Ugh, Broadway is calling. Be gone already, SyNOsha.
Speaking of - does anyone have the odds on the likelihood of Syesha breaking out the ol’ whistle register again? Mercy.
This entry was posted on Tuesday, April 15th, 2008 at 6:00 pm and is filed under Television, American Idol.
