American Idol S10 Top 11 Performances

March 23, 2011 By 3 Comments

Tonight America will decide who comprises the American Idol Season 10 touring company.  If you have checked out our American Idol Season 10 Top 11 Power Rankings you know that we believe Hayley Reinhart, Mia Thegia and Naima Adedapo are at risk of missing out on the tour.

One21music focuses on Christian musicians performing on American Idol.  We have previously identified Scott McCreery, Lauren Alaina and Jacob Lusk as believers on Season 10.  Based on the research and strong recommendations of our readers we have decided to add Stefano Langone to the fold.  Please keep tuned in for an article on Stefano.  Some may wonder why we care.  Please check out two early articles Why Do Christians Have All The Lame Music and How Underground Christian Music Saved Us, to better understand why a musician’s world view matters to us.

Back to American Idol Season 10. Here are our five big questions for tonight:

  • Can Hayley Reinhart pull off a season saving performance that gives her the opportunity to stick around a few more weeks and develop an identity? Hayley is a great combination of Paul MacDonald‘s style with James Durbin‘s chops.  She has not been able to establish an identity and is in danger of leaving the show tonight.
  • Will Stefano Langone continue his march from judge’s save to power rankings leader?  Stefano’s performance of the gospel plea “I Need You Now” is the best performance of the live shows.  His interpretation of “If You Don’t Know Me By Now” was the best of the week’s performances.  Is Stefano a strong contender to bring R&B back to the top of American Idol?
  • Can Jacob Lusk and Naima Adedapo control themselves enough to deliver an in tune performance?  Naima is an exciting performer who has delivered the worst vocal performances of the season.  Jacob is an indescribable talent who has not been able reign in his voice on the live shows.  Naima is in danger of going home and Jacob Lusk is in danger of losing his chance to win American Idol Season 10.
  • Will Scott McCreery and Lauren Alaina continue their march to the final three?  Scott is clearly the most popular performer on American Idol Season 10 and he has delivered each week.  Lauren stumbled a few weeks ago but seemed to regain her momentum last week.
  • What untouchable singer will Pia Toscano challenge tonight?  After Chrissie Hynde, Celine Dion and Whitney Houston in three straight weeks, it seems like Pia is determined to slay all of American Idol‘s untouchable singers.  Chaka Khan, Mariah Carey and Aretha never sang for Motown.  The only Motown untouchable I can think of is Stevie Wonder. I don’t know.

As I alluded to above, the Top 11 will be singing the songs of Motown, always a fun theme.  Join as we react “in the moment” and share our insights on the American Idol Season 10 Top 11 performances.

I love soul music.  I am more of a Stax/Volt man but who can argue with Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight and The Temptations.  The soundtrack of my childhood.  Oops, yep I am that old. Motown had over 400 songs chart on Billboard and over 50 No. 1 hits.  Randy is right, this is inspirational music.

Casey Abram is singing Marvin Gaye’s “I Heard It Through the Grapevine.”  Thankfully, Casey looks like he is feeling better.  Casey looks like a grizzly bear and is growling like one tonight.  I have heard many versions of this song.  Casey’s growling, jazz-phrased, manic performance is not one of my favorites.  I think Casey was a little over the top on a slick song.  J-Lo says he is unique in the marketplace.  The judges like the performance because it was unique and well performed.  Me not so much.

Thia Megia struggled song selection with this week.  She is trying to show some uptempo chops with “Heatwave” by Martha and The Vandellas.” Heatwave” is the right ager song for her.  Great, great singing, what a voice.  A little mechanical in parts but by far her best performance of the season.  She showed personality and chops. I agree with J-Lo that it is good to see her let go.  Randy is happy she took chances and pushes her to stretch even further.  Her performance puts some pressure on the other girls like Hayley and Naima.

Jacob Lusk is singing Marvin Gaye’s “Your All I Need to Get By.”  Jimmy Iovine is right that Jacob needs to show restraint in his singing.  One of the original Funk brothers is playing bass.  Wow.  I sit here with my mouth hanging open.  I wish I could go hug him like Steven Tyler just did.  The entire studio leapt to their feet, including the judges.  Randy said it was perfect.  The judges are fighting to compliment him. Grandma ran up to the stage to hug and kiss Jacob and now there is a parade from the audience to show their appreciation with hugs and kisses.  Jacob Lusk is back.  That was unbelievably awesome.  I just saw over 50 professional performers at SXSW 2011.  Nothing was even close to that.

Lauren Alaina is singing “You Keep Me Hanging On” by The Supremes.  This is a great song for Lauren.  Nice slow intro then Lauren steps out to pick up the tempo.  It was a good performance but she never really cut loose vocally.  Steven liked the personality she brought to the song and J-Lo liked her sass.  Randy says Lauren’s got her swagger back.  I think is was just hard to follow that storm the Jacob Lusk created.

Stefano Langone‘s mom went by the mansion and cooked for the Idols, yum. Stefano grew up on Motown and so he chose “Hello” by Lionel Richie.  Jimmy advised Stefano to slow down and let the intimacy of the song grow.  I never really liked this song much.  Stefano starts quietly and then tries to infuse some emotion into the song.  I am not sure it really worked. I think he tried to create the emotion rather than letting the lyrics do the work.  J-Lo advises him to connect with the lyrics and the audience.  J-Lo is a great mentor.  She told him to bring intensity to the story instead of the competition.  All three judges agreed that he needs to bring more feeling.  Steven said he peaked too soon in the song.  The judges did a good job of describing what I was feeling.

Otis Williams, one of the founding members of The Temptations is in the house.  I am geeking out!  The Temps were my Beatles.

Hayley Reinhart is singing “You Really Got A Hold On Me” by Smokey Robinson.  She is tired of being in the bottom 3 and is afraid this is her last chance.  This is not the performance she needs.  Great singing but I am not sure what she was trying to communicate.  Randy liked how she took over the song in the middle of the song.  Steven thought it was beautiful. He really liked her growl.  J-Lo is right that Hayley has the most versatile voice in the competition.  I am a fan, but I was not feeling her performance the way the judges did. If Hayley is voted off this week, I think the judges may save her.

America’s favorite Scott McCreery can sink a basket from the balconey of the mansion.  Scott McCreery has managed to sneak in Stevie Wonder’s version of “For Once In My Life” into the competition.  Scott is going to try bring Stevie’s intensity to avoid sounding like a lounge singer. Scott McCreery just performed a new country No. 1 hit.  There is now a new version of “For Once In My Life.”  Frank Sinatra, Stevie Wonder and now Scott McCreery.  Steven thought he nailed it.  J-Lo thought it was a new version of this song.  The judges did not love the singing, but Randy called him Scotty, the lady killer.

I like the interviews they are doing with the contestants as they leave the stage.  They have done this in the past but the doing just about every performer this year.

What did I tell you?  Pia Toscano is doing Stevie Wonder.  She is doing “All In Love is Fair” from the classic Innervisons album.  This week Pia is concentrating on feeling the song.  Pia has really great soul phrasing and timing.  This song could fall into lounge act territory but she keeps it in the right spot.  And another perfect, perfect singing performance by Pia Toscano. J-Lo says she needs to take control of the stage.  Randy says she is phenomenal but wants her do something other than a ballad. Steven thinks she is the closest star in the American Idol universe.  I think I know what he means?

Paul MacDonald will use his guitar to perform Smokey Robinson’s “Tracks of My Tears.”  Paul says you can’t listen to Motown without dancing.  Paul dancing? This should be good.  It is good that Paul is singing out a little more these past two weeks.  He sings it well, I am not sure the performance connects with the mood of the song.  I would have liked him to take it very slow and quiet and wring the emotion out of the song.  He did make it a Paul MacDonald song.  Randy nailed it when he says Paul is most powerful when he is tender.  Steven likes it.  J-Lo says he is the most seasoned performer.

The judges are loving the show tonight.  Randy has not said pitchy once.

Naima Adedapo may be singing for her life on American Idol Season 10. She is singing Martha Reeves’ “Dancing In The Street.”  This is the right song for Naima and she loves this song.  What a great song.  She has wrapped a tribal arrangement around the song.  This is by far her best performance and then she throws some crazy African dancing to end the song.  Maybe a little too much dancing for a singing competition but she did very, very well.  Steven and J-Lo both loved her and her performance.  Randy says all of Naima showed up.  He is right that she took her time to sing the song.  Naima Adedapo finally delivered on the promise of Naima Adedapo.

We close this show of soul music with the rocker James Durbin.  He is singing “Living For The City” by Stevie Wonder.  What a great choice from him and he understands Stevie Wonder’s original message of hope in the song. Incredible.  He is not only a mind blowing singer but he is so comfortable on the stage.  A great finale to this wonderful episode of American Idol Season 10.  J-Lo just said incredible as well.  Randy says it started a little rough but he slayed the song.  Steven says he nailed it.

Those were just 11 awesome performances.  More than half of the performers delivered their best performances of Season 10 and everyone did well.  I think Jacob Lusk took the night and maybe delivered the best performance of the season.  I thought Pia Toscano was perfect and Scott McCreery re-interpreted a classic into a new genre.  As much as I hate to say it, I think Casey Abrams was the weakest of the night.  Every one of these young performers deserve to stay on the show after tonight.

Now, go over to our SXSW 2011 coverage to experience the largest musical event in the world.  Make sure to watch the videos in the Found Gospel at SXSW 2011 article.  The Realtives and Shake Anderson are awesome.

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Found Gospel at SXSW 2011

March 23, 2011 By 2 Comments

SXSW is a fun but grueling dash for great music.  At one21music we cover Christian musicians and there were more than 100 Christian artists that we knew about at SXSW 2011.  Our job was to allow you participate in the light that was being shined at SXSW by covering some of the Christina musicians and to scout for new Christian musicians we did not have on our site.

Every possible genre and style was on display and for every performance I watched, I was missing nearly 200 more.  By Saturday, I was exhausted and I missed my wife.  I had had enough of SXSW 2011 so I was going to limit myself to those artists I was committed to seeing.  I am so glad I changed my mind.  The Relatives, a re-discovered gospel group from the 70′s, was one of the buzz acts at SXSW 2011.  I decided to go to a free party to see them perform and then rush over to catch one night of the SXSW 2011 gospel showcase.  I am glad I did, because The Relatives were everything they were advertised to be, the gospel showcase was redemptive and serendipity hit when I stumbled upon Shake Anderson at an 11 p.m. free show I heard from a parking garage.

I will share the SXSW 2011 Gospel Showcase with you separately. But right now, I need to introduce you to two gospel powerhouses you have not seen: The Relatives and Shake Anderson.

The Relatives

Formed in Dallas in 1970 by Gean West and his brother Tommy, The Relatives cut three genre-bending singles during their decade-long run that were too freaky for the church and too righteous for R&B radio.  Combining gospel-styled shouting with elements of psychedelic soul and gut-bucket funk The Relatives were pioneers of an utterly singular sound.  They never made a splash outside of Dallas and have remained virtually unknown even among serious record collectors.

After a decade of musical proselytizing at local clubs, hotels and auditoriums and touring the gospel circuit with the likes of the Staple Singers, Mighty Clouds of Joy and the Five Blind Boys of Mississippi, The Relatives hung up their instruments in 1980.

With only a few hundred platters ever pressed, The Relatives left little evidence of a legacy. Until now. Four decades removed from their inception and 30 years after their breakup, an old 45 of The Relatives, found at a garage sale in Galveston, Texas, started the quest for Heavy Light Records to ressurect this gospel treasure.  Watch them drive an overflow crowd at the South by San Jose party to the brink of ecstacy.

Shake Anderson

Shake Anderson spent 6 yrs as the musical director for Curtis Mayfiled’s Impressions as well touring with just about every major soul act over the past 40 years.  He has played in some of the greatest concert halls and venues in the world, like Carnegie Hall, The Apollo Theatre, Symphony Music Hall, Radio City Music Hall, The Heinekin Music Hall, The Ryman Auditorium, The Buordone Theatre in Frankfurt Germany and all around the world.

Imagine my excitement when I “discovered” Shake Anderson playing a free party late in the night on the last day of SXSW 2011.  Share my joy.

Filed Under: Festivals Tagged With: , ,

SXSW 2011 Day One & Two: Long Nights/Great Music

March 22, 2011 By Leave a Comment

SXSW is always a little bittersweet for me. On one hand I always have a blast being down in the heart of Austin in the midst of a million people, hanging out with friends, and experiencing music that I wouldnt get to on a normal basis. On the other, its just exhasting to participate in the festival. There is alot of walking, not alot of places to sit, and since we cover a very specific group of artists, it takes some major preparation to be in the right place at the right time. In addition to this, I am actually working another job all week, a Spring Break day camp at a local YMCA. Despite all that, I have seen some really great stuff over the last few days, and in the middle of a great song it seems I am always able to forget how tired my feet are a thank God Im standing in the room Im in. I am blessed.

DAY 1: THE HM MAGAZINE SHOWCASE

I pretty much stayed put for this one, because it just seemed like a good idea. HM Magazine is a staple in the Christian rock community, and what most people dont know is that it is run right outside of Austin. Doug Van Pelt has been the editor and heart of the magazine for over 25 years now, so you know you are in for a good time when he puts on his own little event in the middle of the chaos that is SXSW.

and the greatest of these sxsw 2011 crowd
And The Greatest Of These was the first band we saw for the night, and if I am not mistaken they were the only none Texas band on the bill. They played a mix of metal and hardcore that would be familiar for fans of Sleeping Giant and For Today, and they got the crowd moving pretty quickly into their set. They should some diversity between their more popular chug breakdown songs and their slower building songs that gave the set a not so typical feel. Every body in the band is under 21, so Im sure we will see alot of good things from these guys in years to come.

and the greatest of these sxsw 2011 jump

before there was rosalyn sxsw 2011
Next up was Victory Records band Before There Was Rosalyn. We saw them on this same showcase last year, and to be honest I wasnt super impressed then. This year they have a few new members, and a whole bunch of new songs that sound amazing. If what I heard at the show translates well into their new recordings, Before There Was Rosalyn is about to release a monster of an album. They bring a good energy live, and out of all the bands they seemed to have the most dedicated crowd.

before there was rosalyn sxsw 2011 carlos

the famine sxsw 2011 headbang
Solid State Records’ The Famine took the stage next and blew the whole place away. They were insanely good. Every member was a master of their instrument, and each song had its own distinction from the previous. They played with the crowd alot, made fun of each other, and then just tore the stage apart (then more laughing and joking). It is unfortunate that The Famine doesnt play more often because they have a great show. Be on the look out if these guys are rolling through your town, because The Famine are a show you NEED to see.

the famine sxsw 2011 point

The rest of the night was good, Firstborn From The Dead was interesting, The Shiny Darks arnt really my thing, and The Brigade put on a violent show that included audience mic scream-alongs, Zach Galifianakis jokes, and metal lyric cue cards. All in all a fun night.

DAY 2: Favorite Gentlemen Showcase

The next night I settled into Lamberts to watch the Favorite Gentlemen Showcase. I was only able to catch two bands, but both of them were awesome!

First up was O’ Brother. We saw these guys at Cornerstone this past year, and since then the band has been hard at work on a new album. The sprinkled in some of the songs from that release with songs from The Death Of Day EP. Its hard to describe the power this band commands when they play, everybody watching them was completely transfixed, and the band just never let up the whole time they were up there. If I had to describe their sound I would say it is somewhere around what Dignan or Manchester Orchester is doing, but alot heavier and more progressive sounding. I have seen them three times now and every time I am completely blown away by this band, I cant wait until their new record come out!

The guys in O’ Brother were actually nice enough to send me a track for you guys to download for free. The song is called “Division Of Man” and its from The Death Of Day EP, enjoy.

Download “Division Of Man” by O’ Brother

Next up was my friends in The Rocketboys. Featuring most of the original members, The Rocketboys plowed masterfully through songs spanning all three of their releases as a band. The raw emotion that this band emits is hard to capture in words, but The Rocketboys are a truely unique talent that was in rare form at SXSW. The crowd sang along and chanted for more songs at the end. It was a great way to end the night.

Here is The Rocketboys performing “We Are A Lighthouse”

Here is The Rocketboys performing “Islands”

The Rocketboys have also been so kind as to donate not only a track from their recent Wellwisher EP, but also a new song from The Wealthy West, singer Brandon Kinder’s solo project. Enjoy.

Download “A Narrow Place” by The Rocketboys
Download “Love Is Not Enough” by The Wealthy West

Filed Under: Festivals, MP3 Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

New Releases For March 22nd, 2011

March 21, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Brenton Brown-Our God Is Near
Our God Is Near
Brenton Brown
Kingsway Music
Contemporary
Buy NOW:
Amazon

Caedmon’s Call-Raising Up The Dead
Raising Up The Dead
Caedmon’s Call
INO Records
Folk/Rock
Buy NOW:
Amazon

echoing angels
Echoing Angels
Echoing Angels
eOne Music
Pop
Buy NOW:
Amazon

eleventyseven quota ep
Quota EP
eleventyseven
Independent
Pop Rock

green river ordinance the morning passengers ep
The Morning Passengers EP
Green River Ordinance
For Mona
Folk
Buy NOW:
Amazon

the gun show discontentment
Discontentment
The Gun Show
Indenpendent
Mosh Metal
Buy NOW:
Amazon MP3

jennifer hudson i remember me
I Remember Me
Jennifer Hudson
Arista Records
R&B/Soul
Buy NOW:
Amazon

Kirk-Franklin-Hello-Fear-
Hello Fear
Kirk Franklin
Gospo Centric
Gospel/R&B
Buy NOW:
Amazon

Michael Card-An Invitation To Awe
An Invitation To Awe
Michael Card
Sparrow Records
Folk/Worship
Buy NOW:
Amazon

preasha hillard live out loud
Live Out Loud
Preasha Hillard
World Wide Gospel
R&B/Gospel
Buy NOW:
Amazon

Ryan Stevenson-Yesterday, Today, Forever
Yesterday, Today, Forever EP
Ryan Stevenson
BEC Recordings
Dance Rock
Buy NOW:
Amazon

shawn mcdonald closer2
Closer
Shawn McDonald
Sparrow Records
Contemporary
Buy NOW:
Amazon

solomon burke and de dijk hold on tight
Hold On Tight
Solomon Burke & De Dijk
Verve Records
Soul
Buy NOW:
Amazon

Filed Under: New Releases, News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

American Idol Season 10 Top 11 Power Rankings

March 20, 2011 By 3 Comments

Big changes are afoot on American Idol Season 10. Dark horses are making a big push to be noticed and some of the early favorites need to pick up their games.  On Wednesday night, Stefano Langone, who had to sing for his life in the wild card round, took the night with his updating of the soul classic “If You Don’t Know Me By Now.”    Early favorite Scott McCreery and rocker James Durbin continued to reveal shades of their skills with solid performances of smart song choices.  Casey Abrams‘ health and Jacob Lusk’s oversinging pushed them to the middle of the pack.

So sad for American Idol.  After three male winners in a row, the top five spots in American Idol Season 10 power rankings go to guys.  Have you noticed that their have been no guys at risk so far?  It looks like it is up to Pia Toscano or Lauren Alaina to push through this bevy of future male pop stars.

American Idol Season 10 Top 11 Power Rankings

  1. James Durbin- I am coming to believe that James Durbin is the best singer on American Idol Season 10.  As he avoids the heavy metal rocks songs he loves so much, he continues to demonstrate a range and personality in his voice that all of us had doubted.  Listen to him sing in the group numbers, it is effortless.  As I watched the recording of Wednesday night’s performance it seemed to me that his singing is so natural that he can focus all of energies on his performances.
  2. Scott McCreery- He is the most popular among the live audiences, in the voting estimates and in page views on the Internet.  Scott McCreery is the guy in school who everyone followed and who was equally nice to the jocks, stoners and geeks alike.  The guy is just likable and we will surprised if he does not win American Idol Season 10.  He is also a very good singer, with a unique style, an easy stage personality and enough self assurance to cause Jimmy Iovine to back track on some comments he had made in the previous week.
  3. Stefano Langone- He has a great sense of song which enables him to personalize and update songs while respecting the original.  This is the second time in three weeks that he has stolen the show.  Stefano has a chance to rival Scott for American Idol Season 10 heart throb and he rivals the best performers of this season.
  4. Casey Abrams- It was obvious that Casey was unable to fully work through his interpretation of “Smells By Teen Spirit” before Wednesday night’s performance.  Casey is a brilliant and thrilling interpreter of song.  Can his health hold up to rigors of American Idol?
  5. Jacob Lusk- Jacob is a once in a generation kind of singer.  Each of the last three weeks he has shown flashes of his vocal and interpretive brilliance, the kind that makes the hair on your neck stand up.  However, that brilliance has been wrapped in pitch problems and unnecessary screaming.  Jacob needs to dial back his histrionics and show some subtlety, or he will not fulfill his American Idol destiny.
  6. Lauren Alaina-  She did not come back as strongly as I thought she would after the previous week’s lazy performance, but she did start the road back.  To be fair, she was working with the flu so her energy level was a little down.  For Lauren that brings her personality down to the rest of us.  Lauren will continue to grow throughout American Idol Season 10.  We are going to be privileged to watch this little Georgia cheerleader grow into a professional musician.  It is clear that she has the personality, self-confidence and drive to make that happen.
  7. Pia Toscano- You gotta give Pia Toscano credit.  She is fearless.  After Chrissie Hynde and Mariah Carey, last week she took on Whitney Houston. Once again she proved that she can sing with the best of them.  However, the rhythm ate her up.  She seemed uncomfortable and wooden. Pia Toscano is a Top 5 contender but she needs to prove she can sing more than ballads.
  8. Hayley Reinhart- The judges did not give her much love but I thought her performance was marvelous.  We agree that Hayley does need to declare her musical style more clearly.  I think America is confused and have expressed that confusion by sending Hayley to the bottom 3 each of the last two weeks.  She needs a defining performance this week or we could lose one of the most talented singers in American Idol Season 10.
  9. Paul MacDonald- “I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues” forced Paul to sing with more range and expression than anytime in this season.  While his illness caused him to miss a few notes, it was encouraging to hear him work outside his tight mannerisms.
  10. Thia Megia- Another song sang beautifully by a young lady with a beautiful voice who is probably not mature enough yet to have the emotional expressiveness necessary to compete with these guys.
  11. Naima Adedapo- Just the opposite of Thia, Naima Adedapo is all personality and risk and excitement but she has not been able put together a song on key.

This is the week that the touring company is solidified.  Can Naima, Thia and Hayley do enough to take the next step in American Idols Season 10?  Join us Wednesday night as we live blog the Top 11 performances of songs from Motown.

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The Civil Wars at SXSW 2011

March 19, 2011 By 1 Comment

The Civil Wars SXSW 2011

So The Civil Wars made quite a splash at SXSW 2011.  They played two and three shows a day for the entire festival.  It is a good thing they did, because throngs of fans followed them from location to location.  Their official SWSW 2011 showcase was mobbed by industry insiders and was such a hot ticket the our press pass could not get us in.  However, one21music was fortunate enough to catch The Civil Wars at an outdoor party held in the parking lot of The Hotel San Jose.

The Civil Wars is the white hot, big buzz collaboration of Christian musician Joy Williams and John Paul White.  Sorry ladies despite the strong resemblance that is not Johnny Depp.  They ride their high, transcendent harmonies through songs about the dark backwoods, old time gospel raves and even a covers like Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean” and the traditional “You Are My Sunshine.”  Joy Williams lives-up to her given name.  She is one of the happiest people I have ever seen on stage.  The Civil Wars give off an old west traveling medicine show vibe to their music and their harmonies are transcendent.

We are so glad we ere able to see The Civil Wars at SXSW 2011.  Since you could not be there we would like to give you a taste as Joy and John performed a new song for us on that sunny day.

The Civil Wars Sing “O’Henry” at SXSW 2011

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American Idol Season 10 Top 12 Results

March 17, 2011 By 1 Comment

One step closer to the American Idol Season 10 touring show.  From 12 to 11 we go tonight and, then we are there.  Join us as we watch Ryan herd one unlucky Idol from the couches to the stool and then to their exit story.  Who will it be?

There is disagreement at the one21music ranch on the performances last night.  Chuck thought Stefano Langone took the night with his updating of the soul classic “You Don’t Know Me By Now”.  Wifey thought we had a three way tie between Scott McCreery, Paul MacDonald and Jacob Lusk.

I think we both agreed that Karen Rodriguez, Naima Adedapo and Hayley Reinhart did not improve their chances of making the American Idol  Season 10 tour.   We expect to see them in the Bottom 3.  We think Naima Adedapo‘s consistently uneven performances should end her time on American Idol.  We are concerned that Hayley Reinhart may have run out of chances to define herself as an artist.  However, we are predicting that Karen Rodriquez sings her final song on American Idol Season 10 tonight.

But is is now time to see what happens, so settle in while we walk you through the American Idol Season 10 Top 12 eliminations.

Tonight Lee DeWyze will be performing his new single and the Grammy award winning group, The Black Eyed Peas, will be singing their latest hit. But first our 12 idols perform.

And so Ryan begins the elimination with a little Irish music.  I would say this may not be the time for frivolity.  He calls Jacob Lusk, Casey Abrams and Lauren Alaina over to the hot spot.  Jacob and Lauren are safe.  We are thrilled.  Casey is also safe and joins them on the couch.

Next up Hayley Reinhart and Paul MacDonald.  One is safe and one is in the bottom three.  So let me guess.  I was right.  Hayley goes to the stools and Paul to the couch.

I always liked Lee DeWyze and I pray that his career will be fulfilling.  I do have to say that had he competed this year, he might not have taken the trophy.  Such a nice guy and he tells the group just to remember why they began this journey in the first place.  Because they love to sing!  So win or lose, they will be fine.

Ryan calls Scotty McCreery, Pia Toscano and James Durbin over.  He immediately sends Scotty back to the couch. Yes!  All three of our believers are safe for the time being.   Pia is also safe.  Ryan draws things out with James.  He banters back and forth with Steven Tyler, who is quite funny tonight.  James is safe also.

Stefano Langone and Naima Adedapo are up next.  Naima joins Hayley on the stools and Stefano goes back to the group.  Karen Rodriquez and Thia Megia will hear their fate and are called onto the stage.  Thia is safe and so our pick for the bottom three is correct this time.  So who will go home tonight and will the judges vote to save that person?

The world premiere performance of Just Can’t Get Enough will be performed by the Black Eyed Peas.  They dedicate the song to their friends in Japan.   Always an interesting group. 

The critical moment is here.  After the nation wide vote, Naima Adedapo is safe this week, Hayley is safe and Karen will have to sing one more time.  Karen will sing Hero. 

It is always so difficult to see one of these very talented young people go home.  But alas it is a contest and the judges do have to make hard choices.  They decide not to save Karen tonight.  Hopefully Karen has made an impact  in the music community and will have the chance to sing again.  We wish her the very best here at One21Music.com and we look forward to covering the remainder of the contest with each of you.  Thanks for joining us.

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American Idol Season 10 Top 12 Performance Live Blog

March 16, 2011 By 1 Comment

Time for another edition of the gauntlet to the American Idol Season 10 touring company and then, ultimately, to a new American Idol.   If you checked out our American Idol Season 10 Top 12 Power Rankings, you would know that Casey Abrams, James Durbin and Pia Toscano have delivered consistently good performances, that we believe that Christian musicians Scott McCreery and Lauren Alaina are our favorites to win and our favorite performer is Christian musician Jacob Lusk.  If you didn’t check out our power rankings, well make that a habit in the future.  We generally publish them over the weekend.

The Idols theme this week is the always favorite, “songs from the year you were born”.  From all reports, Casey Abrams is out of the hospital and will be able to perform.

As Chuck stated in his SXSW 2011 preview yesterday, I will be in downtown Austin tonight and tomorrow night so the live blog will be written by another member of the One21music team: wifey.  She sits next to me each week and tells me what to write during the performance shows so I guess I am just the typist.  Tonight you get to see wifey’s unfiltered reactions.  She is much more musically astute than me and more empathetic to the performers so enjoy.

The wifey here.  I tell him what to write?? hmm. Okay, perhaps somewhat truthful.  Anyway, I am delighted to cover American Idol tonight as our team spends the week reporting on all the Christian bands performing at SXSW.  It looks like we will be spending 2 hours together tonight. Wonderful.  American Idol will be helping Japan by donating sales from song downloads.

Here are our top 12 and Casey Abrams is onboard.  That’s good.  Naima Adedapo, born in 1984, will begin the show tonight.  She will be singing What’s Love Got to Do with It.  Naima looks very rock and roll and puts her personality into the song.  She certainly has her own style and I like that she is outside the norm for American Idol.  Steven says she has a sorcerer’s grasp for melody, Jennifer says her pitchiness is hurting her and Randy agrees that her vocals were all over the place. Perhaps not a stellar way to begin the show.

Paul McDonald, of the amazing teeth, was also born in 1984 and will perform Elton John’s I Guess That’s Why they call It the Blues.  He is having throat issues this week.  Paul is fun to watch perform and he is such a natural.  Will he crazy dance tonight?  No, he is a little more subdued.  He is doing a great job.  Jennifer says he has so much soul and star quality, the cold didn’t deter him.  Randy says he was pitchy and Steven says he defines a cool dude in a loose mood.  Do you just shake your head and wonder about Tyler sometimes?

Thia Megia will sing a song from 1995.   She wrote her first song when she was 6 years old named I Will Always Love you.  Cute little girl.  Sweet pictorial.  She will sing Colors of the Wind.  She is singing with a bit more passion this week.  Good for her.  She really does have a wonderful quality to her voice.  Very nice.  Randy says go with a different type of song, it was boring.  Steven asks if this is who she thinks she is.  Jennifer loves the quality of her voice, but says she has been too safe in her choices.

James Durbin’s Mom says he has always had perfect pitch and reveals to America that he did have a doll when he was little.  Those Moms.  Sometimes they just share too much.  He will sing the 1989 hit I’ll Be There For You by Bon Jovi. What twist will James put on this song?  James is rocking it.  The judges are loving him.  Steven asks him about the dolls.  He tells him not to get too “poppy”.  But he loves it.  Jennifer says he was great and  he makes her want to sing along. Randy says he made the song his own. Very tastefully done. 

Hayley Reinhart is up next.  Hayley’s parents are musicians also. She will sing I am Your Baby Tonight.  Very jazzy take on the song.  She has such a smoky, sultry quality to her voice.  I liked it, but lets see what our judges say.  Jennifer says her voice is good, but she is a little unnatural in her performance.  Ryan wipes the red lipstick from her chin.  Yes, we are live.  Randy is confused as to what personna she wants to follow and Steven wants to hear more Janis Joplin blues from her.

Stefano Langone’s family is also involved in the music business.  His choice for tonight is 1989′s If You Don’t Know Me by Now.  Jimmy tells him to remember the words.  Let’s hope he does.  Stefano has a nice voice and certainly seems to do a wonderful job on this song.  Very strong performance.  Randy says the best performance tonight so far.  Steven says it is over the top and Jennifer says he could take the contest.

Pia Toscano’s family calls her a little diva.  She began singing at a very young age and apparently Whitney Houston was a favorite.  She will perform Houston’s Where Do Broken Hearts Go?  Wow, another big singer this week.  Can she handle it this time?  Good job.  I don’t care for this song as much, but she certainly can sing.   Steven says she nailed it and Jennifer was glad that she performed an uptempo song.  Randy feels she is in it to win it.

So finally, one of our believers, Mr. Scotty McCreery is up next.  Wow, he was an Elvis impersonator as a child. Funny stories and pictures.  He will sing Travis Tritt’s Can I Trust You With My Heart?  He plans to stay country.  I really do love his voice.  So amazing that he is so young.    His personality is really coming through.  Great vocal range on this one.  Jennifer says she loves that he pushed it out at the end.  Randy is happy that he is taking chances to hit longer and higher notes.  Steven says it was really good.

Karen Rodriquez says she gets her talent from her Mother.  Her Mom is a sweetie.  She sends her heart to her little girl.  Karen will sing 1989′s  Love will Lead You Back by Taylor Dayne.  She is so pretty.  Karen sings very confidently tonight and does include the Spanish lyrics. She sang a bit flat to me but seemed to end it on a good note.  Randy says it was better than last week.  Steven loves her ethnic “what it isness”.  Jennifer says even though she seemed nervous, she attacked the song.

Next up, Casey Abrams.  So happy he is able to perform tonight.  His parents are a hoot.    He will sing Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana.  He says he likes to take risks with the songs he selects.  He is playing his guitar.  Such a talented performer.  And so my rock roots show up as I find myself liking this.  He seems a little manic in places though.  Angry Casey??  Steven thinks he is crazy and talented.  Jennifer felt it was a bit screechy at points.  Randy is most impressed that he puts art first, then commerce.  Says he is fearless.

Our girl, Lauren Alaina, is wearing a mask and has the flu.  Lauren and her Mom look just alike. Wow.  She is singing I’m the Only One by Melissa Etheridge.   She has changed some of the arrangement, and plans to take back the judges’ favor this week.  She is not quite as strong with the low notes but is definitely hitting the rest of this.  Lauren is so cute and seems to be so relaxed on stage.  She has a strong quality to her voice.  Jennifer says it had a country flavor and she made it her own.  Randy thinks it was so nice and states that she is  back.  Steven says she is a shining star. 

Jacob Lusk will close the show out tonight.  Apparently his Mother thinks Jacob got his talent from her and that she can really sing.  She’s cute.  Jacob will perform Heart’s Alone.  He is taking a step out tonight with a rock song.  I am just amazed at this guy.  Such a big voice.  A little off pitch in places, but I definitely have chill bumps.  Randy says he was a little sharp but rebounded and loves that the end was so tender.  Steven says his Mom gave him the moxie to be what he is and something else about the gospel having a baby.  What?  Jennifer loves that he gives himself completely.

Well, that is it for tonight.  I am constantly awed at the wonderful talents and music that God gives us.  I may not be able to sing like these fabulous contestants, but God has blessed me with the ability to hear them and I am amazed.  What a blessing.  Thanks for checking in with One21Music and we will meet you here again tomorrow evening to see who will go home. 

 

Filed Under: American Idol Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Craziness at One21-SXSW and AI

March 15, 2011 By 2 Comments

This is one of the best weeks of the year in Austin.  The world has descended on Austin for South by Southwest 2011, the largest music industry conference in the world.  More than 2,000 bands and musicians will perform more than 10,000 shows in four days.  We have found nearly 100 Christian musicians performing at SXSW 2011 and One21music will cover as many of them as we can.  We will give you a little insight into what is like on the street at the epicenter of popular music, share some photos from the shows and let you experience some of those shows through our eyes.

Christian Musicians Performing at SXSW

Eisley
The Civil Wars
O Brother
Cold War Kids
Denison Witmer
Damian Juardo
The Ambassador
Shad
Brooke Fraser
The Almost

This is only a small fraction of the shows Christian musicians will be performing. There are more than 30 gospel and hip-hop artists will be playing over three days, at a venue that neither Ian nor I will be able to get to. Tomorrow night Ian will be covering HM’s hard core showcase featuring The Famine, Before Their Was Roselyn and The Brigade

Please check out our SXSW coverage from the last two years to get ready.

You may ask, how can you cover SXSW and American Idol Season 10? Well, I have convinced wifey to offer her insight into the Top 12 performances.  So join us live tomorrow night for more musically astute and empathetic insights into American Idol Season 10.

Filed Under: Festivals Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

New Releases for March 15th, 2011

March 14, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Al Green-The Best of the Gospel Sessions
The Best of the Gospel Sessions
Al Green
New Haven Records
Gospel
Buy NOW:
Amazon

arthur alligood i-have-not-seen-the-wind
I Have Not Seen The Wind
Arthur Alligood
Independent
Folk
(available through Arthur Alligood’s webstore)

gordon gregory between redemption and the pain
Between Redemption And The Pain
Gordon Gregory
Independent
Contemporary
Buy NOW:
Amazon

i am history visions
Visions
I Am History
CI Records
Mosh Metal
Buy NOW:
Amazon

onward to olympas the war within us
The War Within Us
Onward To Olympas
Facedown Records
Metal
Buy NOW:
Amazon

Filed Under: New Releases, News Tagged With: , , , ,
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