"Week Three": July 25-27, 2005
We started with 15
wannabe rockstars. Today, we're down to 12. Now it's
time see what they can do on stage. Brooke notes that
each performer is one bad performance away from saying
goodbye. How will that affect tonight's performances,
though? Let's go to the stage.
First up, a girl who can
do no wrong. Last week, she proved that she can do rock,
grunge, AND ballads. Singing something completely
different, "Gimme Some Lovin'," here's Jordis Unga!
What they say: Dave
calls her on the dropped line... "But who cares? You
made it work." Tim also calls it... "but you still
pulled it off. Outstanding."
What we say: She was
taking notes during the stagecraft clinic, but she
should've taken notes during the lyrics clinic. Oh well,
at least she got some lovin' from the INXS dudes.
Next performer stared
down the bullet twice only to get back up both times.
It's time for some "Superstition." It's time for Suzie
McNeil! What they
say: Dave says that she looks hot. "You have grown so dramatically." Andrew
likes the harmonica and the fact that Suzie can listen to the band's ideas.
What we say: "C'mon,
let's get funky!" Yeah, that was real funky alright. And
for what it's worth, she's got some dangerous hips.
Ouch. Heh. Will it be enough to save her from the danger
zone this time? It'll be a close call. But one thing's
for sure... nice harmonica job.
Last week, you put the next singer in the zone of
no name, but she fought her way back for more. Will she revisit that
ill-begotten zone? Let's see what Jessica Robinson can do with "Because the
Night". Preface: I never liked this song.
What they say: Dave's gotten used to seeing the dancer, but this week, she
delivered the song and was way more successful... BUT she was also very pitchy.
Still, "Vast improvement." What we say:
Jessica didn't make me like that song any more than usual. She looked really
uncomfortable up there. And the tone really wasn't there. And she touches
herself a little too much. You're either overcompensating or being Celine Dion...
either way, you're in a world of hurt.
Another risk taker on deck, as we see the Thunder from Down Under take on a
self-arranged "Lola". From Sydney, here's Mig Ayesa, who begins the performance
by saying "London, be strong," referring to that week's bus bombings. That's
class right there. It'll get'im a few votes.
What they say: Dave thought that it felt like a
strip show, but he gets the girls screaming, and he gets the job done, albeit
without some abandon. Andrew says he's got control, and wants to see what he can
do with some vodka in his system. And there goes the shirt. "That's more
abandon!" What we say: I like the reggae
mixup on this. Another born performer here, as Mig makes the song his own. Not a
bad prance either. Last week, it was our
next singer and his guitar. This week, it's just our next singer. Time to see if
Brandon Calhoon can get "Tempted". Here he is.
What they say: Dave says he has character, and the
timbre was perfect, but the pitch was all over the place. Jon says he struggled.
"Just relax." Kirk notes that they have a vocal clinic coming. IF he can survive
that long. What we say: Another lyrics
flubber. Ugh. And the tone was all over the place. This song is melody driven,
and he's having problems comprehending that. That will cost him, I believe.
Energetic stage presence
and vibrant vocals... sounds like only one person, but
can Ty Taylor prove that he is the whole package with
"Everybody Hurts"? Let's watch.
What they say: Dave thinks he saw someone who wants
to be a member of INXS. Garry calls it awesome and "an example of what happens
when a great singer meets a great song."
What we say: The tone...
Check. The pitch... Check. The mood... Check. Ty is
indeed la package totale. Although he sounds more suited
to the American Idol crowd, not the rock crowd... But
then again, that's just me. I think he was right on.
Call it four for four.
Next up... Butterfly girl. Tonight, the butterfly
goes after "If It Makes You Happy." Here's Heather Luttrell.
What they say: Dave says he's used to Heather's
"Atlanta Heat"... and he didn't feel it. Heather says she was sick. Kirk said it
was "very shaky" and hopes that it's due to being sick.
What we say: Pitchy and
painful. She's gone from the highest of highs last week
to in deep doo-doo this week. Probably because she's
sick, I don't know.
Boldness and creativity = game on for JD Fortune,
as he tries to muster his way through "We Are The Champions." The proper
version. Thank you, JD. What they say:
Dave gives props to... the house band. As for JD... he wasn't THAT much less
cocky... until he points out that "it was for everyone." Jon notes that he was
off, but brave choice of song. JD blames it on his sister, whom he hasn't seen
in two years. Garry believes that he didn't so the song proper justice.
What we say: Stared off
... well, off. Continued better, but not by much. JD
holds it together, but it's not up to his snuff.
After making a deal that
almost backfired last week, our next performer gets her
own choice of song. That song... an unplugged "Give A
Little Bit". That singer... Deanna Johnston.
What they say: Dave thinks that she had something
special, but this wasn't "all the way strong." Andrew thinks that she doesn't
know the full strength of her voice. Jon says "You have a great voice. Just
trust it." What we say: Reminds me of
Melissa Etheridge, but not. It's not half bad, but at the same time, I know she
can do better. She knows how to play the crowd up, though.
Next up, a chick with three solid performances
under her belt. Can she muster a fourth? We'll see as we see Daphna Dove "Rock
the Casbah".
What they say: Dave says
she looks phenomenal, but she couldn't show off her
range, doing her a disservice. Tim wasn't pleased. Jon
shoots straight.... "You just murdered that song."
What we say: A full-length ballroom to sing "Rock
the Casbah"... I am now confused. Aside from that, the chorus was one note off,
and it just threw the whole chorus into disarray. Other than that, it was
okay. But scared money don't make money.
Down to two more rockers. The first up, two-time bottom 3er Tara Sloan tries to
avoid danger with "Suffragette City". What
they say: Dave calls the performance "a little cute." Garry thinks she loves the
song.
What we say: Props to
doing something different and getting the crowd up on
their feet. But she seems to be doing more performing
and less vocalizing. You need to do both in harmony if
you want to get the job done.
Dave believes that the music of Nirvana is sacred,
so if Marty Casey knows what's good for him, he won't mess "Lithium" up. He
better not. I love that song. What they
say: Dave just says "Great performance. I don't think it was vocally your best
performance." Garry notes the power you generate by standing still. "I thought
you pulled it off very well." Jon digs it, saying that he's in sync with the
band. What we say: Is it me or does he
look eerily like Kurt Cobain? Anyway, he sure does the song proper justice.
Think Marty gets the performance of the night award. Meanwhile, here's how
everyone stands up today... ROCK STARS:
Jordis, Mig, Ty, Marty
ROCK SOLID: Suzie, Deanna, Tara
BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE: Jessica, Mig's shirt, Brandon, Heather, JD,
Daphna But what did you say? Time for...
the results.
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