I'll be honest, seeing as I know that songs have been changed that rapidly from contestants (For instance, they changed Hollie and DeAndre's duet to "I'm so excited" day of performance..) that I honestly would guess it's Jimmy who is lying.

I think it's possible that this song was one Lazaro was considering (probably didn't learn it, just had the sheet music) and that Idol told him he would be performing it that night.

I think he's very sympathetic and very genuine..he's just not as talented. But I blame the judges (who should have sent him home before voting) not him.

Too bad about Amber, but I saw that one coming. I wish they had shown us rankings again.

Jessica's song...meh. It'll probably do pretty well. It reminded me of a JLo song, actually. It's a song a young girl would sing. Jessica's talent isn't going anywhere, and I'd rather see her be commercially successful now so she has more freedom later.

Meh, not overly impressed with Jessica's single. It sounds much too run-of-the-mill to me. Ho-hum.

(03-21-2013, 10:13 PM)mercfan3 Wrote: It's a song a young girl would sing. Jessica's talent isn't going anywhere, and I'd rather see her be commercially successful now so she has more freedom later.

She's going to be appearing on Glee. I think the single will see a boost from that. Look at all the Disney princesses that have successful singing careers due largely to the television exposure they have received.

(03-21-2013, 11:32 PM)Miguel Wrote:

(03-21-2013, 10:13 PM)mercfan3 Wrote: It's a song a young girl would sing. Jessica's talent isn't going anywhere, and I'd rather see her be commercially successful now so she has more freedom later.

She's going to be appearing on Glee. I think the single will see a boost from that. Look at all the Disney princesses that have successful singing careers due largely to the television exposure they have received.

I was not particularly a fan of Jessica Sanchez, but that song she did last night with Neyo probably will do pretty well as it has all the key elements needed for a hit song today. I saw some Twitter complaints that it was too "old" for her, or did not match her vocal style from Idol, but if it is a hit, no one will care.

Which brings me to what might have been. What if "Oh My" had been Haley's first single, and it was introduced on the live Idol stage (and not previously recorded like "Free") in the same manner as the Jessica song.... With a full band featuring horns booming out the notes, the "Listen Up" CD cover behind her, and an appearance by B.o.B. who is one of the biggest rap stars in America. And, of course, Haley knocking it out of the park. Can you imagine the sales of "Oh My" that night, the radio adds, the anticipation for "Listen Up"....

As noted, all water on the bridge...sigh....

But the good news is that Haley is clearly still welcome on Idol and is much beloved by staff and the new Idols (even Randy gave her a hug) and as someone noted, she can use that stage in the years to come to launch new songs. Maybe even this year!

Haley apparently seeing a sales boost from Casey's appearance.

Per Carlos:

^ I especially like the 5 stars (2,283) for Haley's Listen Up and only 4 stars (391) for Rihanna's Unapologetic. Haley will never have to apologise for creating a masterpiece!

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(03-22-2013, 11:38 AM)rmd1064 Wrote: Which brings me to what might have been. What if "Oh My" had been Haley's first single, and it was introduced on the live Idol stage (and not previously recorded like "Free") in the same manner as the Jessica song.... With a full band featuring horns booming out the notes, the "Listen Up" CD cover behind her, and an appearance by B.o.B. who is one of the biggest rap stars in America. And, of course, Haley knocking it out of the park. Can you imagine the sales of "Oh My" that night, the radio adds, the anticipation for "Listen Up"....

As noted, all water under the bridge...sigh....

So true rmd...and like a bridge over troubled water - "Oh My" might have been as big a hit as that Simon & Garfunkel classic.

I noticed you have two Listen Up collectibles for sale at Amazon.com

(03-22-2013, 09:13 PM)ISCAT4HALEY Wrote: MAE, I totally agree with you. I think that Casey’s natural gift enabled him to accomplish musically all that he has. I also believe that it takes hard work to cultivate and sustain that gift. I could be wrong since I don’t have or do either.

You are correct, Casey, has put in some work to be as good as he is, but for someone as naturally gifted as he is, it's hard to know where gift ends and practice began. I suspect, at least in his bass playing (and how that "spills over" to other areas), it is in technique.

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(03-21-2013, 09:34 PM)Tusk Wrote: Very pretty performance of "Here There and Everywhere" by the gals. Kree and Candice sounded especially good.

Getting harder to ignore my annoyance that Lazaro might last two, maybe three more weeks, if not more
(Especially if it costs Amber)

Finally, I've heard this performance ("Here There and Everywhere). Actually, it's more than a "very pretty performance." It's got some depth, and is a good (by that, I mean solid, not superficial) arrangement that showcased each voice, but also displayed how well they blend together (which is a feat, in itself!) when they harmonize.

Wow! Really, these 5 women sang this song so well that: 1.) first, they sound like they've been singing together forever; and 2.) they should usurp the name Fifth Harmony (because they actually did harmonize!!!!) and should start shopping that recording.

Regarding your annoyance about Lazaro: you are not alone.

^ I had to go check it out. It has some nice parts. I wish AI would quit cutting every song short.

(03-20-2013, 08:09 PM)Tusk Wrote: Watching over at Mjs, Haven't seen Candice's, but IMO Amber did the best with the riskiest song choice. I thought she had the best cover of the night,and liked some of the choices she made that made it just a little more her own.

I've been wanting to root for Kree, but she's not compelling enough, nor Angela or Candice, for me. Amber's performance tonight makes me think I could like her above the rest.

Amber's performance was one of the few this season that I will listen to again. I know the song well and like it. I find very few Beatles covers that I like but that was one of them. She sounded great, was connected with the song and told the story with emotion.

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(03-24-2013, 07:30 PM)danzeb Wrote:

(03-20-2013, 08:09 PM)Tusk Wrote: Watching over at Mjs, Haven't seen Candice's, but IMO Amber did the best with the riskiest song choice. I thought she had the best cover of the night,and liked some of the choices she made that made it just a little more her own.

I've been wanting to root for Kree, but she's not compelling enough, nor Angela or Candice, for me. Amber's performance tonight makes me think I could like her above the rest.

Amber's performance was one of the few this season that I will listen to again. I know the song well and like it. I find very few Beatles covers that I like but that was one of them. She sounded great, was connected with the song and told the story with emotion.

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danzeb, I'm so glad that you, like a minority of us, recognize how good Amber's performance was. It's true -- she didn't help herself by looking so uncomfortable during her performance (at least in the beginning).

But the arrangement was excellent: slightly different from the original, but still recognizable (if one knew the song), but it allowed Amber the opportunity to infuse her "Amberisms."

I was pained when she was in the Bottom 3. She probably was as well.

It's fascinating and revealing regarding the "mantra" on some of the AI blogs that viewers don't want to hear the same thing, year after year. And, yet, this song, and more specifically this performance of a song that has not been "overdone" on AI -- as good as it was -- simply didn't seem to register (with most viewers, anyway).