Originally posted Sunday, April 21, 2019 by RODNEY HO/rho@ajc.com on his AJC Radio & TV Talk blog
“American Idol” used to vote in R&B singers a looong time ago. In fact, Ruben Studdard and Fantasia won back to back seasons two and three. Since then, only season 12 winner Candice Glover was able to take home the crown.
Now, it appears, they can’t even get into the top seven. The “Idol” voters, I presume are now older and less diverse, based on viewership numbers.
Dimitrius, a classic R&B singer with a really stupendous voice and deep connection to what he sings, couldn't make the cut two weeks in a row, even though he deserved it. He did a great job tonight but since this is live voting, I don't think the performances tonight matter all that much.
Uche, a fabulous R&B performer with some pitchy issues in his voice, was also left out again. He didn't really help himself out tonight but again, it probably wouldn't have mattered if he had channeled Prince out there.
The judges have one save per season and chose not to use it on either. I don’t think it’s because they don’t like them. It’s because they realize America isn’t going to vote for either of them.
By the way, if you can’t stand Disney, tonight was not for you. It’s ABC, owned by Disney. They promoted Disney parks, Disney movies, Disney earwax. You couldn’t escape Mickey and his brethren.
This is similar to last year when three of the four wild-card picks were immediately cut on Disney night, also a coast-to-coast live voting situation.
Overall, it wasn’t quite as bad a night as I anticipated. I also forgot that I actually like some Disney songs. The first three performances were underwhelming to me but the final seven ranged from pretty good to excellent.
My ranking of the top 10: 1- Wade 2- Madison 3- Dimitrius 4- Jeremiah 5- Walker 6- Laine 7- Alyssa 8 - Uche 9-Laci 10- Alejandro.
Uché: "Eye to Eye" from "Goofy" movie. This is a completely unfamiliar song to most folks. That shouldn't necessarily hurt him but after the high standards he has set previously, this one was relatively forgettable. Vocally, this felt sloppy. Katy admitted she wasn't a fan of the song. The fact he was cut is not surprising, unfortunately. Grade: B
Laci Kaye Booth "I See the Light" from "Tangled." These Disney songs are so saccharine to me. This isn't Laci's fault. This is a very pretty and sweet. Not my taste. She was unable to do much with it. Disappointing. Grade: B
Alejandro Aranda "Remember Me" from "Coco." His voice is so languid, so whisper-like, I can sometimes get lost in ennui if the song doesn't quite work. While I really felt the meaning of the song while watching the film, he strips it down so much, I don't feel much of anything. The judges burbled over him. He's safe no matter what. Grade: C
Alyssa Raghu "Colors of the Wind" from "Pocahontas." She has been waiting for a break-out moment. This one was her strongest performance to date and she emoted better than she has in the past. I didn't think this was enough to get her into the top eight but alas, it was. She just made the cut. Grade: B-plus (Negative points to Ryan Seacrest for bringing the "Sauce" joke up both before and after her performance.)
Wade Cota "You've Got a Friend In Me' from "Toy Story." Louis Armstrong, eat your heart out. He picked this ideal Disney song, one I really do like. And he sang it pitch perfect (thanks Rebel Wilson!). I had to jump on the Wade train after that performance. Grade: A
Dimitrius Graham. "You'll Be In My Heart" from "Tarzan." He thought of his mom and it showed. He sounded lovely and he brought multiple levels. I hoped this was enough to keep him around but it wasn't. Shame. Grade: A-minus
Walker Burroughs "When She Loved Me" from "Toy Story 2" It's such a sad song and he captured it well. It was a clean performance that ensured his move forward, if the performance even mattered that much. (He strikes me as "Idol" voter catnip.) Grade: A-minus/B-plus
Madison Vandenburg. "How Far I Go" from "Moana." She has the best natural voice in the top 10. Disney plays to her strength. This song enables her to bring drama and big notes. One nice thing about her is she never screams. She goes big without belting too much. My favorite Madison performance in awhile. Grade: A/A-minus
Laine Hardy "Oo-de-Lally" from "Robin Hood." He gives this song the necessary New Orleans kick and it's pure fun. Rebel tells him to loosen up his lips and enunciate more and it helps. Grade: B-plus/A-minus
Jeremiah Lloyd Harmon "Candle on the Water" from "Pete's Dragon." Staying in the closet has Jeremiah a bit stiff. Rebel wants him to loosen up. At least his sister showed up for the theme park trip. This song has tinges of gospel to it that Jeremiah is able to work with. He is belting out and he can pull it off. He isn't quite loosey goosey but he's working on it. Grade: A-minus
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