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Access Atlanta > American Idol Buzz > Archives > 2006 > July > 05
Wednesday, July 5, 2006
7/6: Idol tour opens in New Hampshire
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
MJ (of blog fame) and Whitney Matheson of USA Today’s Pop Candy fame both attended last night’s opening tour of American Idol. Katharine McPhee couldn’t perform due to laryngitis, according to AP.
According to MJ here, the sound was muddled from the 14th row. Hopefully, they’ll fix that problem down the road. Last year, I heard there was some sound issues, too.
Anyway, Mandisa opened. (This is the first time the 10th place person didn’t start the show.) She sang “I’m Every Woman” and “If I Was Your Woman,” according to MJ. I’m not sure what that second song is.
She sang “I’m Your Angel” with Ace, who then sang “Father Figure,” then Maroon 5’s “Harder to Breathe.”
Lisa Tucker did “Signed Sealed and Delivered” and “Your Song, followed by “Someone Saved My Life Tonight.”
Paris joined her for TLC’s “Waterfalls.” Then Paris took over and sang “Midnight Train to Georgia,” which I expect will rock the house in Gwinnett August 3 and Sept. 12. She followed up with “Crazy in Love.”
No duet between her and Bucky, who opened with “Superstition,” then went into “Drift Away.”
He and Kellie did “You’re the One That I Want” from Grease. She then did her best tune from the show “Walkin’ After Midnight,” followed by “I’m the Only One,” which you may have heard on “Rock Star” last night, too.
Following intermission, Chris Daughtry came on to do “A Whole Lotta Love,” “Wanted Dead or Alive” and a shortened version of Styx’s “Renegade.” Elliott did “Savin’ Me” by NIckelback wth Chris, who played a guitar.
MJ said Elliott sang a song called “All My Love.” Not sure who that’s by if she has the title correct (Whitney over at USA Today has it as “Never Too Much.”) Then it’s “Trouble” and his best tune “Moody’s Mood for Love.”
Naturally, we’re missing Kat and the song list might change by the time they get here but I’d assume at least 90% of it will stay the same.
The guys, Elliott, Ace, Chris and Bucky, came on and sang “Patience” and dedicated it to her. MJ has some titles wrong cos she says Mandisa, Kellie, Lisa and Paris sang “I’m a Woman.” That isn’t a song title I know. Then “Man! I Feel Like a Woman!” which they did on the finale. (Whitney of USA Today just has it as the second song.)
Taylor finally came on with “Jailhouse Rock,” like he did on Leno. He then did Bob Seger’s “Hollywood Nights,” a song he couldn’t get cleared on the show. Then it was Wilson PIckett’s “Do You LIke Good Music”) and “What’s Goin’ On.” He then did “Living in the City” and “Don’t Let Me Down.” That’s the most songs a single person has ever sung on the “Idol” tour, though I suspect he added a couple of tunes to fill in the missing gap that is Kat.
He did the lousy single “Do I Make You Proud,” then “Takin’ it to the Streets.”
The finale was a group sing with “We Are the Champions” and “Living in America.”
Whitney over at USA Today’s Idol Chatter recounts the concert her way.
7/5: Rock Star Supernova
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Rock Star, the rock version of American Idol, is back on CBS tonight to seek a lead singer. This time, they’re creating a new band with Tommy Lee of Motley Crue (who loves the camera, mouthing the words to “Piece of My Heart” while Jill Gioia is singing), Jason Newsted of Metallica and Gilby Clarke of Guns ‘n Roses, with Atlanta’s Butch Walker producing. Again, they’ve found some great talent. They even have some guy who’s famous in Iceland, though he comes off a bit too smarmy and Vegas-y.
The worst? Phil Ritchie doing a so-so version of Cult of Personality by Living Colour. “I just felt like your stage presence lacked that strength and confidence,” said Dave Navarro. “You were kind of pitchy,” said Clarke, channeling Paula Abdul. (Later, Clarke stole another one from Abdul by telling the punkish Lucas, “You made that song your own,” after he did Billy Idol’s “Rebel Yell.”)
The best? I just watched Delana and wow, she did an incredible version of Nirvana’s “Lithium.” Her intensity and stage presence is undeniable. If a woman is going to win this, she’s definitely the one to keep an eye on. Others to watch include Toby, Josh and Patrice.
Two Georgians are on board. Dana Andrews, 22, of Augusta does the well-worn “I’m the Only One” by Melissa Etheridge, which has been sung at least a couple of times on “Idol.” She’s got a great soulful voice with just enough edge that you could see her front a rock band. Sure beat Kellie PIckler’s version. Would she work with Supernova? Probably not but you never know. She’s safe though for now.
“I thought your voice was awesome,” guest Butch Walker. “Especially being 22, most people can’t sing their way out of a sack without autotuned in a studio and pitch is fixed. Your pitch is great.” (I wish he had chosen to be a full time judge because he’s colorful and articulate but he bowed out because he doesn’t want to be known as a TV show judge.)
“You’ve been an incredible gift and we’re watching it develop before our eyes,” Newsted said.
Chris Pierson of Atlanta. “Music was an outlet for all I was going through,” he said after an injury took him out of baseball. He sings “Roxanne.” He does an extremely different version from the Police original. He rocks it up but it doesn’t look like the band is liking it. I don’t think he’s doing too badly. But my initial feeling is he isn’t going to win this with the morbid looks on the faces of Tommy Lee & Co.
“I was not a huge fan of that,” Navarro said. “That song showcased how limited your range is.” Ouch!
“Did you change the arrangement?” Butch asked him.
“The old arrangement is not current. I wanted to go a little more rock with it.,” Pierson said.
“You have to be careful how you rearrange a classic,” Butch said.
“It’s cool to change a tune and rock it up. Unfortuantely, that one sucked, Chris. Sorry, man.” Clarke said.
Chris will be in the bottom three and he’ll likely be the first one booted though I really found Phil the weakest. The early bottom three were Chris, Phil and Magni. That’s fair.
7/6: Kellie/Constantine no longer an item
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
People has the scoop on how the Kellie/Constantine pairing fizzled from Constantine’s point of view..
“We were hanging out and talking all the time and I haven’t spoken to her in a while, so I’m not really sure what that’s all about,” Maroulis told People. “I don’t know if it’s her being too busy or thinking that she’s a big star now or something. I’m not really sure what the whole situation is.”
