Thursday, March 27, 2008

American Idol: Songs from Year of Birth

This weeks theme, songs from the year they were born.

The best performance of the week. Born 1978, Michael Johns has resurrected back into the competition performing a spectacular medley version of "We will Rock You and We are the Champions". I loved it when Ricky Minor and the whole band was clapping to the beat of the intro song "We will Rock You". A confident strong voice, good looks, the accent, camera angle, stage lights, great arrangement = Scorching Hot Performance! In the past two weeks, Michael was kinda slipping into the safe zone but with this recent performance I honestly can say that he might have a shot as the next American Idol.

After Michael's performance, it was quite obvious that Carly Smithson was tense as she performs one of my favorite songs "Total Eclipse of the Heart". She was trying too hard. I think she left something in the bathroom which made her uptight. The permanent indention on her forehead and the screaming was just awful. The last note that she tried to stretch was just painful and a pitiful attempt to be as good as Michael's performance.

David Cook performed "Billie Jeane" I'm a huge Michael Jackson fan and I still prefer the original but David's version wasn't bad at all.

This season has definitely lived up to the "most talented hopefuls" ever produced by the famous reality tv show. I have 3 or more favorite hopefuls and it seems that I have to withdraw my earlier attempts of predicting who will win the title. You just can't zero in to one or two, a handful of them are just talented and deserving.

I so want Kristy out of the competition but she made a clever song choice with "God Bless the USA" how can you go wrong with that.

Chekizie was the one who was booted out and there were 9 left.

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t-na @ 10:27 PM| 0 comments

Sunday, March 23, 2008

Rare Occurrence in the Kitchen

Last Sunday my mom prepared a simple dish for dinner, baked fish fillet in between layers of tomatoes, olives, onions and capers. With her busy schedule she rarely cooks at home, unless my Dad is around. She was enthusiastic to cook this particular dish that she got from a friend, who served this dish in one of the meetings she attended. It was quite refreshing since I usually grill or pan fry my fish. The fish was soft and tender, the olives and capers complimented the delicate fish. I added freshly squeezed lemon juice and it was hmmm... delish! Whether fried or grilled I always liked an extra punch of calamansi or lemon juice.

Just this afternoon my mom came home with a bag of groceries. She walked pass me as I doodle in front of the computer. After 30 mins or so my tita asked me if I'd like to eat spaghetti, and I said "Yum! Spaghetti, Nagluto ka pala?" then she replied "Hindi si Mama mo nagluto". I was idle for a couple of seconds and *ping* I rushed in the dinning table and found wholewheat spaghetti with sliced bavarian cheese smokies and tomato sauce. It wasn't the usual spaghetti we have or cook, this was the first time I ate wholewheat spaghetti pasta. It was good especially the sauce but I have to get used to the wholewheat thing.

Mama and her little rare gestures really makes me appreciate her more.

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t-na @ 9:47 PM| 0 comments

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

American Idol 7: The Beatles Night



As per request this week from the Lennon McCartney songbook, The Beatles Night. I'm not a fan of the Beatles but admittedly I like a number of the songs they composed or made. Amanda Overmyer got the lowest vote on Beatles Night. Amanda is truly an authentic rocker no question about that, but she sounds the same week after week. I just don't see her as an American Idol winner. The top 10 finalist is revealed.

One performance stood out. Soft mellow voice and great acoustic Syesha Mercado sang "Yesterday" and it was her best performance to date.

The competition is getting harder every week and everybody has to pick the right songs and deliver it every night as if it's their last performance. Some of my favorites, especially Ramiel, are steadily slowly declining week after the other I hate for them to be the next to go.

Kristy Lee Cook is consistently in the bottom two, no doubt she may have a fan base since she is really pretty and easy on the eyes. But how long will her looks save her? I think she is next to be booted out next week.

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t-na @ 10:40 PM| 0 comments

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

American Idol: Lennon McCartney Week

American Idol moved to a bigger venue, a new adjustment for the top 12 hopefuls as they try to command and let his/her presence be felt on a bigger stage. This weeks theme is from the Lennon McCartney Songbook. The judges always mentioned that this weeks theme would be a challenge, the songs are full of melody and are considered legendary hits. A number of them took risks and tried to give their own twists to the songs they selected. Risks were made and a few succeeded, some stuck to the original and shined through the night and other were just plain boring.

Some of my favorite performances were Chekizie, Carly Smithson, David Cook, Brooke White. Wasn't expecting the energy and performance he could give, Chekizie stepped up his game performing "She's a Woman" to redeem himself that "Hey I deserve to be in the top 12". I'm not a fan of Carly Smithson but this week she picked the right song and with a nice arrangement she rendered a cool cover of "Come Together". David Cook gave a solid performance with his own rock version of "Eleanor Rigby". I still have a hangover from last weeks Hello performance I think last weeks was still his best performance.

The star who out shined everybody in Lennon McCartney week is Brooke White her version of "Let it Be". I heart Brooke! Soulfully playing the piano. She is just consistent from the start while other hopefuls are just on a steady decline week after week.

After the Q&A portion one of my favorite artists Katherine McPhee performed "Something" with David Foster on the piano. Gorgeous as usual, the recently hitched Mctatas is brewing up an new album with David. I hope it comes soon, can't wait to listen to it. Wasn't surprised about the bottom three namely Syesha Mercado, Kristy Lee Cook and David Hernandez. I was hoping that Kristy or Syesha would have the lowest number of votes but David got them instead.

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t-na @ 9:54 PM| 0 comments

Friday, March 07, 2008

American Idol: The Eighties Night

Latest Idol hopefuls who didn't make the cut are Kady Malloy, Luke Menard, Asia'h Epperson and Danny Noriega.



I've been expecting it but I'm still sad that Kady Malloy didn't make it to the top 12. She has the voice but the wrong song choices she made really hit her hard. Hope she could release her own album and really showcase her beautiful voice. Luke Menard rendered or rather murdered Wham's "Wake Me Up". He started the song wrong, it was kinda awkward to watch and it was just a disaster! Somewhat shocked. She has confidence on stage and when she sings but choosing "big songs" and not delivering it, America sent Asia'h Epperson home. Asia'h is more deserving of the top 12 slot than Ayesha and Kristy. Sad, I was hoping Danny Noriega stayed in the competition for a bit longer and add a little spice. I look forward to his performances and in my opinion, he is better than Clay Aiken. He really can belt out a song, have fun on stage and look terrific on cam.

The 80's night was dominated by the Gentlemen. I have four male favorite performances during Wednesdays 80's night namely David Archuleta "Another Day in Paradise", David Hernandez "It's All Coming Back", Michael Johns "Don't You" and David Cook "Hello". As expected my favorites David Archuleta, David Cook and Michael Johns performances are superb flawless. Surprisingly impressed with David Hernandez. Despite the Dick Cabaret scandal, America choose right to include him in the top 12. I'm not a fan but I really like his rendition of Celine Dion's "It's All Coming Back", effortlessly hitting them notes.

Definite the stand out of the 80's Male Performance Night. David Cooks heart melting cover of Lionele Richie's "Hello". Cook isn't as cute as Archuleta nor as charming as Johns. But last Wednesday when he performed with his electric guitar, camera focusing on him and right dose of the fluttering eyes, my knees weakened and I started to ...M E L T... as he uttered the last verse " Hello.. is it me your looking for..." damn hotness. He had a "Constantine moment (from Season 4)" but it felt more sincere and had substance. He has to release this song in full.

Among the Girls 80's night only one performance left a good impression, Brooke White for me is the most consistent. Consistent in choosing the right songs, making each week fresh and keeping her loyal fans happy with her performance. Acoustic cover of "Love is a Battlefield" I heart heart heart Brooke!

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t-na @ 10:08 PM| 0 comments