Access Atlanta > American Idol Buzz > Archives > 2008 > July > 02 > Entry
7/3: Idols Live tour reviews and set list
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Last year, there were plenty of duets and trios and group sings. This year, just two group sings and all solo routines otherwise. Given the makeup of season seven, this makes perfect sense though I would have enjoyed a couple of cool duets, too.
A thumbs up from the Arizona Republic.
Livedaily said it surpassed expectations.
LA Times’ gushing behind the scenes look here.
Each singer did truly create a very authentic and compelling stage persona. The performers’ song choices defined their styles and highlighted the best of the vocal strengths.
Here’s the set list:
Chikezie: Donny Hathaway’s “I Believe To The Soul,” Usher’s “Caught Up” and John Legend’s “So High.”
Ramiele (snooze) Malubay: Jackson 5’s ‘I Want You Back,” Taylor Dayne’s “Love Will Lead You Back” and Maroon 5’s “If I Never See Your Face Again.” (How apropos!)
Michael Johns: Queen’s “We Will Rock You,” Dolly Parton’s “It’s all Wrong But It’s All Right” and Aerosmith’s “Dream On.”
Kristy Lee Cook: Carolyn Dawn Johnson’s “Squeezin’ the Love Outta You,” Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA” and perhaps “How ‘Bout Them Cowgirls” by George Strait (MJ and others just dubbed it “Cowgirls” so I’m not sure what it is.). Also, Wikipedia states she sings “Eight Days a Week.” I’ll fix this once I know for sure.
Carly Smithson: Evanescence “Bring Me To Life,” Heart’s “Crazy For You” and Cyndi Lauper’s “I Drove All Night.”
Brooke White: Beatles’ “Let It Be,” Feist’s “1-2-3-4,” Coldplay’s “Yellow.”
Group sing: U2’s “Pride.” Intermission.
Jason Castro: “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” Gnarls Barkley’s “Crazy” and Lovin’ Spoonful’s “Daydream.”
Syesha Mercado: Rihanna’s “Umbrella,” Alicia Keys’ “If I Ain’t Got You” and Beyonce’s “Listen.”
David Archuleta: Robbie WIlliams’ “Angels,” One Republic’s “Apologize,” Ben E. King’s “Stand By Me” and Josh Grobin’s “When You Say You Love Me.”
David Cook: Lionel Richie’s “Hello,” the single “Time of My Life,” Aerosmith’s “I Don’t Want To Miss a Thing,” Foo Fighters’ “My Hero,” and Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean.”
Group sing finale: Rihanna’s “Please Don’t Stop the Music.”
Comments
By DawnH
July 2, 2008 7:48 PM | Link to this
FIRST? WOOHOO!
By Menana
July 2, 2008 8:03 PM | Link to this
Way to go Dawn. Now we can settle down to watch SYTYCD.
By Harmony
July 3, 2008 12:03 AM | Link to this
Thanks Deirdre
Dawn, I’m glad I don’t like chocolate,ice cream or anything sweet,if I did like sweets I would probably weigh alot more than I would want too,I have no willpower!I
SYTYCD: I just can’t decide between Twitchington and Katee/Joshua.I think that I will put Mark/Chelsie in at third though.
The idols tour sounds good,too bad I won’t be going
Talk atcha later.
By ,,,=^..^=,,, from home
July 3, 2008 12:21 AM | Link to this
harmony, i’m with you on the top 3 couples… i wonder if they start switching partners next week or the week after…
Joshua is fraking INcrediBLE!
By Deirdre
July 3, 2008 7:52 AM | Link to this
Morning!
Harmony…I completely understand the ‘no willpower’ thing.
Didn’t get to see SYTYCD last night. I’ll try to catch bits and pieces of it on youtube.
By Lara
July 3, 2008 8:25 AM | Link to this
I agree with the couple choices on SYTYCD!!! They were both awesome.
By Menana
July 3, 2008 8:30 AM | Link to this
Good Morning to All!!!!!!!
At my age, I guess its a good thing I don’t care for sweets. As much as I bake for hubby, kids, grands and greats, I would definitely be as big as the side of the house.
SYTYCD: My top three are the same, leaning towards Twitchington with Katee/Joshua coming in a very close second. My pick for elimination tonight is Will/Jessica. Some of the couples had some very interesting moves last night, some that I had never seen, even on DWTS. I will say that ALL the kids on there have got the talent to dance and so far have gone out of their style of dance and have done a remarkable job of doing so. I applaud then all.
By Lara
July 3, 2008 9:17 AM | Link to this
I forgot to say - Good morning blogsters!!!
SYTYCD: I agree with who should go home, except I like Will. Can we send Jessica home and that other really tall lanky guy with Kourtni? Or can we send 2 girls home, hee hee
By linny ,,,=^..^=,,,
July 3, 2008 9:32 AM | Link to this
I want Will to stay — but it’s time for Jessica to leave. I think that the guest judge (husband) pegged it — she’s holding HIM back! As for the guys — I’m not sure which one it is i am wanting to go — the order of my favorite of the guys alone is Joshua, Twitch, Will, Mark, and the last three i dunno (Thayne, Matt, Gev); I get TIRED of Thayne’s weird pasted-on smile. At least this week he managed to close his lips and make some OTHER expressions — but only while dancing…once he was standing still, the smile was pasted on again!
My order for the gals — Katee, Kherinton/Chelsie (leaning toward Chelsie, however), Comfort (what a surprise she’s been too, just like Joshua), Kourtni, Courtney and last, Jessica
By linny ,,,=^..^=,,,
July 3, 2008 9:34 AM | Link to this
Lara, i forgot also goooooood morning, blogsters and mushbloggians all!!
LOL, we’re on the same page about Jessica, I see … i THINK you’re thinking of Matt, but I’m NOT sure, Lara. I’m leaning that way myself!
I just wonder when they will break the partnerships. It gets reeeeeeally interesting then!
By Menana
July 3, 2008 10:26 AM | Link to this
Linny: You are right on regarding the pasted on smile of Thayne’s. It does get on my last nerve, and it looks so fake.
In my earlier post, I meant to say which guy I would like to see go and instead I lumped the couple. Jessica for sure and Thayne would be my pick for the guy. I think it is next week when they switch up partners. I read that some where. When they do switch, it should be interesting to see how they will relate to a new partner and see if they have that chemistry going for them.
Wasn’t it Chelsie and her partner that did the waltz on their second dance last night? That lift he did with her over his head was absolutely amazing. Of course, when it comes to a waltz, I am a sucker as that is one of my favorite dances.
By flats
July 3, 2008 10:28 AM | Link to this
BREAKING NEWS FOR MY BLOG FRIENDS…I’ll be back in full swing Monday.My vacation has been cut short a week.I hope this brightens yalls day and look forward to talking full time again.
By Menana
July 3, 2008 10:45 AM | Link to this
Let me be the first to welcome you back Flats. Hope you are having a good vacation. Did ya eat a hotdog at CJ’s?
By Deirdre
July 3, 2008 10:47 AM | Link to this
Time off for good behavior?
By linny ,,,=^..^=,,,
July 3, 2008 10:52 AM | Link to this
the long floating turning over the head lift? that was Comfort, i THINK … in the blues and purples… oh i don’t know, after a hard night of sleep, they all run together, LOL!!!
Either Jessica and Thayne or Jessica and Matt should go, IMHO. If they’re going to start “re-pairing” (hardyharharhar) next week, it won’t matter if couples are split up anyway, will it!
Some of the existing chemistry (like Mark/Chelsie, i think, Twitchington, and Josh/Katee is pretty amazing as it is. It’s going to be VERY hard to see Kherington matched with a shorter dancer!!! she and Twitch are physically perfectly proportioned… it will be a challenge for the choreographers to utilize some less-favorable body matches, imho!
oh.
yeah.
welcome [almost] back flats. Hope you can fit into the new, peaceful mood of the blog.
~¿@
By linny ,,,=^..^=,,,
July 3, 2008 10:54 AM | Link to this
LOL D, you read my mind… and btw, that wasn’t to be read “Welcome [almost]” … it was meant to convey “…[almost] back” [as in not quite here yet]… just in case anyone thinks i was being mean, for a change, i wasn’t :-)
By Menana
July 3, 2008 11:21 AM | Link to this
Linny: Not to worry, we knew what you meant. I think we all know the definition of “Almost”. Weeeeeell, maybe some doesn’t know….
About 1 1/2 hrs ago here at the office, we had an employee get her arm crushed in a machine. The paramedics had to cut her arm out. Let me clarify that statement. They didn’t cut her arm, just part of the machine. Hopefully, the doctors can save it. Sometimes, I wished that I wasn’t HR when accidents like that happen. It really bothers me just knowing that someone was hurt. Alot of times accidents are caused by carelessness of the employee, but still I feel for them. I don’t like to see anyone in pain.
By flats
July 3, 2008 11:34 AM | Link to this
Thanks Nana..i’m still in Lagrange.I’ve eten they’re a few times already.Man,how this little town has grown.D..I beat that charge.Linny…I’ll try.:-)
By Menana
July 3, 2008 11:48 AM | Link to this
Flats: You’re right. LaGrange has grown and with KIA coming to West Point, I expect that whole area will grow even more. When I go down to my Dad’s on the weekends, he wants me to take him to see how much work has been done at KIA.
By Deirdre
July 3, 2008 12:12 PM | Link to this
Has anybody seen any of the Idol tour performances on youtube yet? I hear they all did a pretty good job(except Ramiele)
I’ve been reading a book called Murder in Coweta County. True story about a Meriwether Co. man who was part of a family who ruled the county with an iron fist back in the 40’s and murdered a man just over the county line in Coweta Co. It’s the story of how the Coweta Co. sheriff brought the man to justice. Fascinating!
By KPH
July 3, 2008 12:41 PM | Link to this
Hey everyone, D. I havent read the book but I did see the movie and it was very good. Menana when is the KIA plat going to open? It should be a big boost for the Georgia economy.
By Menana
July 3, 2008 12:57 PM | Link to this
Before I enter the following, I will apologize for the length, but I felt each of us can learn from it. For those who don’t care to read it, jusy skip it.
“KEEP THE FORK”
There was a young woman who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and had three months to live. As she was getting her things in order, she contacted her Pastor and had him come to her house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes.
She told him which songs she wanted sung at her service, what scriptures she would like read, and what outfit she wanted to be buried in.
Everything was in order and as the Pastor was preparing to leave the young woman suddenly remembered something very important to her.
“There’s one more thing.” she said excitedly. “What’s that?” asked the Pastor. She replied, ” This is very important to me. I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand.” The Pastor stood looking at the young woman, not knowing quite what to say. “That suprises you, doesn’t it?” the young woman asked. “Well, to be honest, I’m puzzled by the request,” said the Pastor.
The women explained her request. “My grandmother once told me this story, and from that time on I have always tried to pass along its message to those I love and those who are in need of encouragement. In all my years of attending socials and dinners, I always remember that when the dishes of the main course were being cleared, someone would inevitable lean over and say, “Keep your fork.” It was my favorie part because I knew that something better was coming…..like velvety chocolate cake or deep dish aplpe pie.
So, I just want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand and I want them to wonder “What’s with the fork?” Then I want you to tell them: “Keep your fork. The best is yet to come.”
The pastor’s eyes welled up with tears of joy as he hugged the young woman good-bye. He knew this would be one of the last times he would see her before her death. But he also knew that she had a better grasp of Heaven than he did. She had a better grasp of what Heaven would be like than many people twice her age, with twice as much experience and knowledge. She KNEW that something better was coming.
At the funeral people were walking by the casket and they saw the fork placed in her right hand. Over and over, the Pastor heard the question, “What’s with the fork?”. And over and over he smiled. During his message, the Pastor told the people of the conversation he had with the young women shortly before she died. He also told them about the fork and what it symbolized to her. He told the people how he could not stop thinking about the fork and told them that they probably would not be able to stop thinking about it either.
He was right. So the next time you reach down down for your fork, let it remind you, ever so gently, that the best is yet to come. Friends are a very rare jewel. They make you smile and encourage you to succeed. They lend an ear, share a word of praise and they always want to open their hearts to you. Show your friends how much you care. Remember to always be there for them, even when you need them more. For you never know when it may be their time to “KEEP YOUR FORK.”
Cherish the time you have, and the memories you share….being friends with someone is not an opportunity but a sweet responsibility.
Again, I apologize for the length of this post.
By linny ,,,=^..^=,,,
July 3, 2008 1:21 PM | Link to this
beautiful story, Menana, thank you for passing it along. I intend to send it to a Pastor friend of mine and to my hubby :-)
By Menana
July 3, 2008 1:34 PM | Link to this
D: I saw the movie and it was very good. Johnny Cash played the part of the sheriff. You may find this hard to believe, but hubbys boss’s uncle was the one to commit the murder.
KPH: The first car is schedule to roll off the assembly line fall of 2009.
Linny: Glad you liked the story, although after I re-read it after it posted, I saw some typos. Sorry about that.
By harrietth
July 3, 2008 1:41 PM | Link to this
Just dropped in to say hello. D, I read that book years ago, and it had my interest from the first page. I was on the edge of my seat as I read it. Great book, and great story. As is usually the case, the movie did no justice to the book at all.
We are looking like rain for the afternoon. I was just walking across the campus and the clouds are gathering. We are supposed to have rain for several days in a row. And, D, I was asking about Lake Lanier’s level, and then I read in an article where it is still endangered. I hope it will rain some there, but not enough to spoil anyone’s 4th outing. Anyone doing anything interesting for the 4th?
By Deirdre
July 3, 2008 1:42 PM | Link to this
Menana…what a lovely story!
Is your husband’s boss a Strickland or a Wallace?
By Menana
July 3, 2008 1:51 PM | Link to this
I don’t know his last name, just his first.
Well, closing down for the week-end, so I am heading home in a few minutes.
Everyone have a safe and happy 4th.
Please, Please, DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE. I want all of you back safe and sound.
Bye for now.
By Deirdre
July 3, 2008 1:52 PM | Link to this
harrietth, Menana and KPH…we have a good friend who was living in Meriwether Co. and was about 10/12 years old when the murder happened. he’s promised to give us the scuttlebutt that was going on at the time after I finish reading the book. He also said he would take us on a tour. I’ve been to Greenville and Newnan many times and can just picture a lot of things while I’m reading.