LI Recap: American Idol Group 3 Live Performances

The first six have been put through to American Idol‘s Top 12 and this week the final six will be chosen. Tonight we will hear the third group of 12 sing. After that, it’s time to vote and the results show will be tomorrow, as usual. The difference comes with the Wild Card show that will be on Thursday. Some of the judges’ favorites will sing and just three more will be chosen to complete the 12.

There is some promising talent in the bunch this week, but as we have seen in the past two weeks it’s all about what they are willing to do with what they have. I am most looking forward to Scott MacIntyre, who I am guessing will be towards the end, Kristen McNamara, and Lil Rounds. Those are certainly the three that I remember the most as having a good chance tonight. On the flip side I think I am dreading Von Smith and a few others I don’t even remember, the most.

Most of all I am hoping that the judges will get it right. It seems that they are entirely erratic this season. People suck and they claim they are doing good and people are amazing and they say it’s not working for them. It’s just a weird season. Perhaps, the new addition to the judges is throwing things off. I don’t know what it is, but I’m hoping for a good night. So, without further ado, the 12 singers, their songs, and reactions are listed below.

Von Smith – 22 Yrs Old – Audition City: Kansas City, MO:
Singing: “You’re All I Need”

Dramatic and boring. God he opens his mouth and I’m already ready for the next person to start. He’s so dramatic. It’s like watching someone in a hotel that missed the bus to the musical theater event. I just keep telling myself that it’s only a minute or two, but it just won’t stop. The stupid little facial expressions that he thinks are cute aren’t helping him either. I won’t miss him when he’s gone, though his mommy likes him a lot.

The Judges Think:
Randy liked him. He thought it was hot. (He’s drinking Paula’s “Coke”). Kara thinks he’s coming into his own and he’s being more comfortable. (Aka She’s Randy’s Bitch). Paula loves him because he’s first and he’s a showman (on a cruise ship maybe). Simon felt he’s like Clay Aiken (he’s gay, is what he meant). He sang well, but he reminds him of Clay and that’s good for him.

Taylor Vaifanua – 16 Yrs Old – Audition City: Salt Lake City, UT:
Singing: “If I Ain’t Got You”: Alicia Keys

I don’t mind her voice too much, but her movement is killing me. She keeps twitching. I don’t even know why she’s moving like it’s a rock song. It’s a freakin’ slow song. I just keep watching her legs doing this erratic dance move. Maybe if I closed my eyes I could concentrate on her voice, which isn’t so bad. The performance was bad, but the song sounded pretty good overall, though I don’t know if she will make it. With only three going through you have to be the whole package.

The Judges Think:
Kara knows that she has a voice, but she wants to know who she is. (she didn’t know what to say). Paula thinks she has a gift, but she heard this song and she should have done something new. Simon couldn’t remember her from the earlier rounds (me either) and felt that a generic sound isn’t going to help her. Randy knows she can sing, but that was boring.

Alex Wagner-Trugman – 19 Yrs Old – Audition City: Phoenix, AZ:
Singing: “I Guess that’s Why they Call it the Blues” Elton John

He won’t be moving on. He is so over the top and ridiculous. It didn’t start off too bad, but then he started embellishing notes and sounded like he was coughing up phlegm. Poor Elton John. If more people sounded like this and I were him I would pull my songs from the show. Meanwhile, what’s up with the movements? He has no rhythm and the entire half turn thing is distracting if not a bit awkward. Forget singing like a dork. He dances like one. I think that he thinks he’s trying to be amusing and perform interestingly, but he failed.

The Judges Think:
Paula thinks he’s a showman. She loved to watch him. Simon didn’t have much fun listening to him though he was interesting to watch. He didn’t like the growling notes either. He’s a hamster that’s trying to be a tiger. (Good analogy, Simon!) Randy felt it was crazy the moves were wild and the song was whack. Kara liked that he was himself (that’s not a good thing in this case).

Arianna Afsar – 16 Yrs Old – Audition City: Phoenix, AZ:
Singing: “The Winner Takes it All” Abba

As one of the youngest singers in the competition it is interesting to see her pick Abba. The performance is slightly odd. Normally she sounds great, but the band and her just aren’t flowing the way they should for this song. She’s got some pitchy problems going on and she’s spending some time screaming a little more than necessary, especially considering this isn’t a horror movie.

The Judges Think:
Simon felt the performance was absolutely terrible. The song was too big and it felt like he was at a funeral. He likes her, but this was just awful. Randy felt she tried to over compensate because of her age. It’s wasn’t good. Kara loved her in the beginning, but tonight it was dark and depressing. Paula felt there were some bright moments, but she believed the song was old fashioned and the song was melody, so she might have done better sticking to that.

Ju’Not Joyner – 26 Yrs Old – Audition City: New York, NY:
Singing: “Hey There Delilah” lain White T’s

This is one of my favorite songs, though I am not sure how much I love the Bryan McNight vibe that came with Ju’Not slowing the song down. Not only that it reminds me of Jamar, who did this song and got kicked off even though he was one of the best on the show. I am not denying that he can sing. He’s hitting the notes, but he made it a vastly different song and it’s not working for me. I think the biggest problem will be remembrance based on this version of the song, though I wouldn’t have a problem voting for him if none of the other guys can step it up.

The Judges Think:
Randy liked that he took a Plain White T’s song and pulled through. He loved it. Kara liked the spin on the song. She thinks he will be even better next time. Paula wanted the lil’ boy. She liked that he changed it up and felt it paid off. Simon felt it was better than he thought it was going to be. He felt it would have been better if he would have stripped it all down.

Kristen McNamara – 22 Yrs Old – Audition City: Louisville, KY:
Singing: “Give Me On Reason” Tracy Chapman

I have to stay that I didn’t expect this one. I like Kristen’s voice and the control that she has. I love the smoky, soul feeling that she’s got going on. I don’t know that this was a good song to do just because it’s very repetitive. I can say she showed her voice off, but the “Yeah’s” and exposition make me feel like she’s back at the Karaoke Bar, not in her own performance. The screaming final notes were a little off, too. Still, one of the better-ish girls.

The Judges Think:
Kara likes her hair and thinks she’s a great singer, but she should have done Pink or Kelly Clarkson. It wasn’t a perfect song, but it showed her voice. Paula likes her with Kelly Clarkson, too. Simon likes her voice, but he’s puzzled by the outfit. He doesn’t know who she is or if she knows who she is. Randy felt the song was safe, but she tried to be too safe.

Nathaniel Marshall – 18 Yrs Old – Audition City: New York, NY:
Singing: “I Would Do Anything for Love” Meatloaf

Nate claims he’s the drama queen, but wants to show people he’s much more than that. The fact that he chose this song just makes me want to laugh. He gayed it out. It’s disco-fied with cheesy dancing and the whole nine yards. My biggest problems with the vocals are that I can hear the drama pouring out of his soul. It’s just over the top. I can see why no one has done this song on AI. It takes a certain something to do this song and he doesn’t have it.

The Judges Think:
Simon thinks he would do “that”. Some people will like it and the majority will think it was excruciating. The headband kills him (me too!). It was a weird song choice, but people won’t forget him, so that’s nice. Simon likes his fun side. Randy doesn’t get the song choice. He thinks he can sing, but doesn’t see him doing Meatloaf for a living. Kara likes his voice, but if he wants to be taken seriously he needs to take a serious side if he makes it through. Paula loves him and thought he was awesome in Hollywood Week. This was the Boy George in Meatloaf and that wasn’t cool.

Felicia Barton – 26 Yrs Old – Audition City: Louisville, KY:
Singing: “No One” Alicia Keys

Felicia is known for not making it, but then being called back when Joanna was cut. This is the second Alicia song tonight and it’s one of Alicia’s better songs. It’s hard to top what she does and while she’s certainly trying I don’t know that she’s doing it. She’s got some pitch issues going on and in her power notes she comes off as screaming. I think she really should have picked another song. This one didn’t do her one single favor. She just managed to show why she was cut.

The Judges Think:
Paula thinks she’s got an unbelievable gift and she’s glad that she’s on the show and stays. Simon liked the first half better than the second. He didn’t like it as much as Paula. Randy likes her and her voice. He thought it was hot. Kara likes her look and her presence. There were some pitch problems but she noticed her and that was good.

Scott MacIntyre – 23 Yrs Old – Audition City: Phoenix, AZ:
Singing: “Mandolin Rain” Bruce Hornsby

I don’t think I have heard this song in years. Scott definitely has a nice voice. He seems a lot more comfortable at the piano, but I can’t say that I blame him as that’s pretty common with musicians. He had an issue with some notes, but overall it wasn’t bad. America loves an underdog on AI, so something tells me that Scott will be just fine when it comes to the results show tomorrow.

The Judges Think:
Randy loves the great parts and the big notes even if there were some small problems. He loves the passion and thinks he did well. Kara thinks he moves mountains. He’s passionate and doesn’t make excuses. It’s from the heart. Paula is happy and proud he’s here. He’s a genius with the piano and he’s one of the finest. Simon wasn’t crazy about the song, but he feels Scott is growing on him. Scott is the only one that Simon is going to remember and he’ll be shocked if he doesn’t make it through.

Kendall Beard – 23 Yrs Old – Audition City: San Juan, PR:
Singing: “This Ones for the Girls” Martina McBride

Kendall is the resident County girl this week. Martina was a good choice, because she’s country but it’s got a little pop kick to it. I don’t remember Kendall at all from Hollywood, but she’s not bad. The high notes were a little off and she started off a lot better than the middle of the song was. She’s cute but she needs to lay off the high notes. I am not sure the girls (any of them) have made a big impression on me so far. I forgot most of them already, so she might have a little hope. We shall see.

The Judges Think:
Kara likes the personality, but there were some flat notes going on. She likes the personality though. Paula loves the outfit. She did a good job. Simon thinks she did the right thing. She’s cute and likes country. He couldn’t wait for it to end once the middle came on (I agree). It would have done her better to pick something better suited for her. Randy loves Country and liked the song choice. The real issue for him was the notes being off.

Jorge Nunez – 20 Yrs Old – Audition City: San Juan, PR:
Singing: “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me” Elton John

This is the second Elton song tonight. I think that’s more than I’ve heard in all the seasons of this show that I have watched. It’s so odd to hear someone with an accent sing this song. He isn’t bad, but the up close camera angles and the dramatic facial expressions are working on me. The power notes are kicking. I am just wondering if he’s going to have a big enough base to get through tomorrow. I would have liked to see him sing something else, but he was pretty good with what he had. If there were more going through I wouldn’t doubt him going through, but with only two possible men (assuming the third isn’t female) I don’t know if he will work it out.

The Judges Think:
Paula was so proud of him. She’s just so happy she wants to squeeze him. Simon thinks he should be who he is and he’s a good singer. Who cares about the accent. The accent is all but gone because they recommended he kick the accent. Simon regrets that now. Randy thinks he did great accent or not. Kara thinks he was born to sing.

Lil Rounds – 23 Yrs Old – Audition City: Kansas City, MO:
Singing: “Be Without You” Mary J Blige

This is a great song and if anyone has the voice for it, it’s Lil Rounds. The beginning sounds great. She’s the first girl to come up where I didn’t see any immediate problems. There were a couple possible girls but Lil Rounds is working it out. It’s obvious that she wants this. She’s believable, she’s got the voice, and she’s working the crowd. I would be utterly shocked if she doesn’t take the votes for the top female. She certainly deserves it, though the final note was a little screamy. That’s my only complaint.

The Judges Think:
Simon thought it was brilliant. His favorite performance. She’s one of the best singers they’ve heard. Randy thinks she’s one of the best. He loved it. Kara thinks she’s a powerhouse and she’s great. Paula thinks she’s first class and she thinks that she’s gonna be around for more lil rounds.

Don’t forget to vote America and we’ll see who gets through tomorrow!

Technorati Tags: American Idol, Round 3, Season 8, Singing, Reality Competition, Von Smith, Scott MacIntyre, Taylor Vaifanua, Nathaniel Marshall, Lil Rounds, Kristen McNamara, Felicia Barton, Arianna Afsar, Alex Wagner-Trugman, Jorge Nunez, Ju’Not Joyner, Kendall Beard

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