American Idol 5, Encore CD Reviewby LauraBelle
Every season of American Idol releases its own CD where those in the final ten or twelve (when the show first started, there was only a top ten), and sometimes a group song or two. At one time there was a theme applied to the entire CD, but with this season's CD, there is no theme, other than it being "Encores," meaning it's the best the artists have to offer. There is also no group number, but then again, the top twelve only did one original group number, and it was a little dull, to say the least.
Melissa McGhee starts the CD off, singing What About Love that she sang the week she surprisingly made it into the top twelve. With this song she found the right genre for her voice – rock. Melissa struggled with this a little during performance night as it was pitchy at times, so it's somewhat surprising that this is considered her "Encore" song. Regardless, she sounds much better here on the CD than she ever did on the show.
When everyone heard that the first week of the final twelve was going to have a Stevie Wonder theme, no one gave Bucky Covington much of a chance of sticking around. Somehow, though, his performance of Superstition ended up being one of this best songs, and good enough, to be Bucky's Encore song. He sounds much the same on the CD as he did live on the show. He's one of those what you see is what you get guys.
We were waiting for it every week of the final twenty-four, waiting for the week Mandisa would finally let loose with the great power and talent she was hiding inside. She finally pulled out all the stops the week she performed I'm Every Woman. It was one of those you sit and watch next to your jaw which is residing on the floor. The Encore CD version of this, though, is way overdone. Don't get me wrong; it sounds like something you'd hear on the radio, but they processed her terrific sound so much, that's we lose some of the magic of Mandisa's beautiful voice.
Chris Daughtry sounds ever more marketable on the Encores CD with Wanted Dead or Alive than he did with with it on the first night of the final twenty-four, if that's at all possible. Even Simon Cowell had been saying after several of Chris's performances, that they were the only ones of that particular night that would stand up in the real world. This is no way sounds like a guy that entered a televised talent contest hoping to be seen and heard. It's not surprising that after his surprising dismissal in fourth place that he's already entertained at least one offer to front a band, that of Fuel.
In a case of delivering all his eggs in one basket, Ace Young had what many perceive as his best night of the whole competition on the first night of the competition, singing Father Figure. Many fans kept waiting up until Ace was voted out halfway through the finals to hear another song such as this one. It wasn't that he faltered; he simply couldn't seem to top the success he had with that song. Until the Encores CD. He finally tops that success by doing an even better version of that song. Then again, I believe he suffered from a performance anxiety, so of course, on CD, he can top any of his live performances, and make the switch from the enigmatic performer he was to the one we searched for.
Takin' It to the Streets is classic Taylor Hicks. He answers a very important question on the Encore CD. Is he still just as enjoyable when we're not watching him and can only listen? Yes, emphatically yes. And for those that are often put off by his "antics," perhaps it will help them hear the voice that was there all along behind the dance moves. Taylor first sang the Doobie Brothers hit in final 24, and like Mandisa started showing more of that performer we knew was hiding somewhere in there.
No one can deny listening to Lisa Tucker, that the girl can sing. She was never able, however, to find her own personal schtick. That's something the seasoned performers have that the youngsters just don't seem to get a grasp of. Singing Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I'm Yours, the second Stevie Wonder song on the CD, she sounds even more terrific that she did performing it live, however, there's still something missing, that we struggle to be able to put our finger on.
Kellie Pickler knows her own capabilities. It was only after she was forced out of her comfort zone in the finals that she began to struggle some. Somehow, she's a stronger personality as a performer than she was speaking to the judges and Ryan Seacrest on the show. She seems much more strong and in control in song. Walkin' After Midnight was one of those performances where she knew who she was as a performer, and so did we. Although her voice seems a little higher on the CD than I remember from the show.
I have wavered in my support for Elliott Yamin, but it was Moody's Mood For Love that first turned me into a fan, and made me realize, along with many others, that this boy could sing. It fits perfectly in the genre of who he is as a performer, and you can tell as he sings it each time, whether in the final twenty-four, live during the results show last week, or on the CD, that the song was a favorite of his long before he dared to dream of becoming an American Idol.
Just like with Elliott, I've wavered in my support for Katharine McPhee. Quite honestly, she has a gorgeous voice and face. But like with Vonzell Solomon last year, it takes a little more than that, and she needs to remember to always convey the song she's singing. Not every song needs to be done with a smile. With Think, the Aretha Franklin classic, her attitude, whether good or bad, seems to somehow match up with this song, and carry it even further than her voice does. When she truly has fun, and doesn't just have a smile painted on her face, so do we.
Like with Lisa Tucker, Paris Bennett could never find her niche either. Again, this girl can sing, sing like nobody's business. Yet every week, this chameleon of a performer took on a different persona and look, making it impossible to connect to her, as we didn't know who the real Paris was. Her first performance of the final twenty-four was Midnight Train To Georgia, and we saw the easy comparison to a young Gladys Knight. Listening to this song on the CD, I actually did find myself forgetting that I was listening to someone other than Gladys. If you're looking for Paris, you won't find her, but if you're looking for a stunning performer that makes you say wow, you will.
I kept thinking that Kevin Covais, dubbed Chicken Little by Paris Bennett, was in a little over his head, especially by the time he got to final twelve. I still believe that, and think in ten years, he could be another Elliott Yamin, someone who is much better than you expect him to be. This guy is only missing some maturity in his stage performance, and at times a little humility as well. When I Fall In Love was thought by many to be his best performance, yet it was also the song that found him voted out of the show. Someday, when he's an adult, and has fallen in love, and experienced the things in life he has yet to, this will be an amazing performance.
One of my favorite things about these American Idol CDs is reading the liner notes. Most of them thank TPTB of American Idol and 19 Entertainment, and quite a few thank God as well. In fact Chris Daughtry had said in his original Idol interview he would thank God first if he won, and while he doesn't win the whole shebang here, he still thanks God for this gift, and his fans know he truly is gifted. Ace Young thanks a certain group of his fans, known as Ace's High Rollers, that are continuing on his humanitarian causes, raising and donating money in his name.
Mandissa adds more to the argument of whether this is the best final twelve so far, as she thanks the "slamminest, craziest, most singinest top twelve ever." I have to say listening to the CD, I agree. Often on the American Idol CDs I find myself skipping over some of the songs. Not this time. It is truly a good time, in its entirety. Throughout the CD we find not only the best group of vocalists, but also the best mix of personalities.
Pick up the American Idol Season 5 Encores CD at Amazon.com - it's available May 23rd, but you can pre-order it now.
Wanna get your hands on a copy of this awesome CD? We're giving away five American Idol prize packs, so check out our contest page for details!
Read more about American Idol here LauraBelle's Blog
Comments on American Idol? You can email me at LauraBelle@realityshack.com
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