June 13, 2008
Well the June 12th performance was a mixed bag again - but I have to say, those who are taking it seriously are really working their butts off and it is wonderful to watch their improvements. And if any of you have ever had to work before an audience who is just not paying attention - you would know how difficult it is for these contestants. I applaud each of them!
I know I have been cast in the role of Simon, and I really have done little to change that perception, but I do want to make something perfectly clear - I love each and every one of these singers. They get up before us week after week and put themselves on the line to entertain us. And sometimes I might come across a bit stern - but it is only because I want the best for each and every person up on that stage.
I guess last night got the best of me and I went off on Zea - but I just felt she was up there playing around and being a bit goofy (showing us her "fun" side), and I had just gotten done seriously trying to get through to Lance - who I really do believe has a nice voice, and wants to sing - you can see it in his eyes when he performs and when we critique him - he is trying - he just has so many uncomfortable habits built up by performing for crowds that cheer on the histrionics and enjoy the "Star Search" presentational style. So I go after him on that and try, in a somewhat entertaining manner, to get him to understand what I am saying - get rid of all the crap and just get in touch with the material... But then Zea comes up there and acts all silly and goofy and all I can think is, "this is a crime - Lance really is giving us his all and trying, and she is just wasting our time..." so I went off... And I felt my self getting more and more upset as I talked - it just consumed me...
Well all that said - she did come back on her next song and did a much better job. So maybe she did listen... and her fans and that better second number helped her hold her place in the contest.
But alas, poor Lance didn't - and it might surprise those of you who have been following the contest - but I am sorry to see him go... I hope he thinks about what we said and that he learns from our comments and does something with his music - passion is a huge part of art and he has a great passion for singing. Good Luck Lance!
Didn't mean to go on this long - so let me wrap up by writing, David keep going... You have grown, or maybe just got more comfortable in this situation - but you are becoming the dark horse to win this all... My best advice at this point is find the right song and really connect to it and sing it for yourself - we will be right there and it will touch us. Think about the difference between someone in a cover band doing a song, and a true artist doing an original song of their own - there is a sense of ownership and belief in the song. Learn from that...
And Sheila, what can I say - you have your own style and it is real - or at least comes across as real - and that's all that matters - you are a joy to watch...
OK - that was just some passing ramblings from me - I look forward to next week and the surprises in each performance...
You believe that Shelia's style is real. She has always been like that. It's one of the reason's I love her so much. :)
You believe that Shelia's style is real. She has always been like that. It's one of the reason's I love her so much. :)
Okay, so help me understand how it is that the judges continue to praise Sheila after that "very hard to listen too" performance of "Get Here". Granted, Miss Sheila knows how to work the crowd I'll give her that...but when it comes to the overall performance which has got to include vocal ability, David has been clearly the front-runner. It astonishes me how very critical ALL of them are of David's performances when his vocals are so much better. Why do they use the term "show-boating" for his soulful-audience involved performances and then call Sheila a genius when she is jumping off the stage doing the same thing? Please don't get me wrong, I wish nothing but good things for Miss Sheila but honestly in my opinion, she just isn't in the same realm vocally as David. I will also have to say that the sound system in this club is horrible. The corded mics are much better than that awful cordless mic and the recordings prove just that. I would truly like to hear both David and Sheila on a clear sound system in a venue that caters to their performances and not to an audience just there to order drinks
