Blogcritics Comments on American Idol - Gloria Estefan

Comment by lollipop on American Idol - Gloria Estefan

Mon, 1 Jan 2007 23:05:44 EST

LOL these comments about John Stevens... oops.. im two years ahead!! hehehe

Comment by TDavid on American Idol - Gloria Estefan

Wed, 28 Apr 2004 21:15:56 EDT

Has anybody here actually called in and voted for any of these contestants this year? I haven't. Why? Frankly I don't care who wins this season of American Idol, as I don't really like any of the remaining singers. John's voice is only interesting if you like the Rat Pack era. Jasmine is forgetable. Fantasia is just downright unlikeable, although she has one of the best voices of those left. Latoya is a good singer like Fantasia but she doesn't stand out like Kelly Clarkson or even Ruben or Clay did last year. Diana reminds me of Kelly Osbourne, but without the attitude and with a better voice. George seems like he is just too old, which was the original complaint, wasn't it? He is the most likeable of the group, but his voice is more geared toward a casino act than a star. Assuming this is the talent pool, I think Simon's prediction that AI had maybe three years left (two after this one) is a good bet. Talent seems to be slipping and the show is starting to sour. Maybe next season they'll mix AI with The Swan ... now there would be something!

Comment by Mac Diva on American Idol - Gloria Estefan

Wed, 28 Apr 2004 21:00:23 EDT

I don't think those of who are wondering about the race issue need to say much. The supporters of John Stevens, including the one who refuses to sign any name, are proving it is a factor for us.

Comment by i on American Idol - Gloria Estefan

Wed, 28 Apr 2004 20:55:59 EDT

Hey Scott -- way to go on the dead-on predictions this week! (Damnit.)

Comment by Mac Diva on American Idol - Gloria Estefan

Wed, 28 Apr 2004 20:44:50 EDT

Let's go back to what Steve (Boom) said. Can a gay contestant (let's assume George is for the sake of discussion) win? If so, will there be a backlash? In regard to the obvious issue of how they would know a contestamt is gay, I've heard American Idol does background investigations.

Comment by Sasha on American Idol - Gloria Estefan

Wed, 28 Apr 2004 17:04:55 EDT

I - I agree with you on several points you just made, there are plenty of successful artists/entertainers who don't have the best voices, hell Madonna even fits the bill. And yes, it is the "whole package" - ie a person who sings well but has zero personality should not win as much as a person with plenty of pizzaz but not much in the vocal department. I'll simply leave it at an "agree to disagree" state of our differing opinions on John Stevens, he obviously has plenty of fans I just don't see much talent and zero personality from him but that's me. I also agree, last night no one was phenomenal and most likely because they were in front of the Miami Sound Machine and also trying to fit into a genre of music that did not allow them to really give their own twist or personality to the performances. I think Jasmine, Diana, and John are simply young and do not have the control over their voices and training that Fantasia, LaToya, and George all have (or at least have taught themselves) ...yet. So there you go, for what it's worth, I hope LaToya or Fantasia wins this thing, but as we've all learned...you never know with this darn competition.

Comment by i on American Idol - Gloria Estefan

Wed, 28 Apr 2004 16:44:57 EDT

It's questionable whether or not Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan can carry a tune. Come on, you gotta know what I mean there? Put one of those two in front of the Miami Sound Machine and they're going to be utterly unable to meet the pitch requirements of the song. And I'm not just talking about range; Johnny Cash had a lot of songs on a lot of albums where he's slightly flat, to say the least. And I'm also kind of dumbfounded at the sudden turnabout here, at least on the part of the judges (I don't know if Sasha's thought this all along or not,) in regards to the show being a "singing contest." Simon's said VERBATIM countless times that it's not just a singing contest. He comments on peoples' outfits, personalities, and physical appearance ALL THE TIME. And now suddenly it's "a singing contest?" I agree that it's not about who we WISH could sing better. It's about who people are going to buy albums by. Really, that's what it's about. And my arguments are geared in that specific direction: a phenomenal voice does not necessarily sell albums. John CAN SING IN TUNE. He has trouble with styles that don't suit him, wherein he sings flat. When he sings songs that suit him, he sounds incredible. And I don't really CARE what he sounds like singing Motown or Gloria Estafan songs because if he makes an album it's NOT going to be full of those kinds of songs. (Unfortunately it probably won't be full of the kinds of songs I'd like to hear him sing, either, but I can always hope...) And lest there's further confusion (I dunno, maybe all the confusion's on my part...) I know what "pitchy" means, I've been a musician for more than ten years. I know when he's not singing in key, but I ALSO know when Jasmine falls all apart halfway through a song, and I have trouble understanding why the judges act like she's better than him. She's as pitchy as he is, and she's boring, to boot. One other thing, so it's clear: my favorites, and those who've gotten the most votes from me, are George and Fantasia. They've got good voices, and they're fortunate enough that MOST of the categories have suited their styles (with the exception of last night, which was not good for anybody.)

Comment by Sasha on American Idol - Gloria Estefan

Wed, 28 Apr 2004 15:41:22 EDT

I - I was not implying that I am superior to anyone that watches American Idol so if that came across that way, I apologize. You made a comment that determining a contestant's talent or ability is subjective and I was simply agreeing with Eric that there are objective aspects to vocal talent that can be "judged" either by the judges on the show and/or by the audience. The point of the show as it has been so frequently stated is to find the best SINGER, not the one that we WANT to be the best singer. It is a fact that John Stevens frequently is out of tune, period, if that sounds good to you then yes that is your SUBJECTIVE opinion, so go ahead and vote for him, obviously some people agree on that with you enough for him to still be there. I have NOTHING against John as a person and I agree with whoever previously said that he has been purely mature and gentlemanly about every criticism he has received, I simply think that better singers - unfortunately for the sake of the show - have been booted off before him.

Comment by Craig Lyndall on American Idol - Gloria Estefan

Wed, 28 Apr 2004 15:34:16 EDT

I watched one performance this week and one performance last week. I find it utterly depressing that the best music they can get to have these kids perform karaoke to, includes both Barry Manilow and Gloria Estefan. Next week, I want to see the hits of Air Supply.

Comment by Eric Olsen on American Idol - Gloria Estefan

Wed, 28 Apr 2004 15:13:13 EDT

I, I retract my "idiot" claim, I get a little carried away. But again I disagree: the people you named are eccentric and not "elegant" singers but they ALL CAN CARRY A TUNE. Poor John (whom everyone agrees is a nice guy and has taken the abuse very well), can go an entire song an barely hit a note - that's why they keep talking about "pitchy." I have no problem with the character of his voice, which is pleasant if weak, but the kid simply sings off-tune much of the time, has no power or sustain, awkward phrasing, and is simply not a very good singer.

Comment by i on American Idol - Gloria Estefan

Wed, 28 Apr 2004 15:02:37 EDT

Eric said - I, you are just plain wrong (if I'm being honest and keeping it real) with basically everything. there is - of course - such thing as objective evaluation of singing ability: is the singer on key, how clear and powerful is the voice, how fluid is the phrasing? These are all real and objective. No, Eric, you're mistaken. What you're talking about is whether a singer is technically proficient. You're talking about MEASURES of a voice, but I'm talking about someone's VOICE as a whole, as an expressive insrument, as a unique instrument, and as a subject of peoples' tastes. There are technically proficient singers who bore the hell out of me, and out of a lot of people, and there are singers for whom singing a whole song on key isn't a consideration but who, nonetheless, are appreciated by audiences. Pavarotti is one of the former; but here are some of the latter: Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, Neil Young, Les Claypool, Dave Mustaine... I'm not comparing John Stevens to these people; what I AM doing is drawing your attention to the fact that people like singers for reasons beyond your pigeon-holed, "objective" judgement. Eric also said: Beyond that there are subjective matters of preference, but your man John falls flat on each of these objective fronts, has next to zero charisma, never "lives" in the song, has had exactly ONE solid performance (and he forgot words on tha one), and is a big red turd up there on the screen. People who vote for him are total, relentless idiots. Period. Alrighty then. So long as we're both clear on the apparently inarguable truth of the fact of my own relentless idiocy, I guess everything's hunky dory. So then Sasha said: I is also making assumptions that viewers have no vocal or musical experience, I (as I'm sure many) do, and I can objectively review John's performances and let you know (as the judges and most message boards have) that he is just SO BAD it is horrifying that he is still on the show. Okay, so where did I make the assumption that the viewers have no vocal or musical experience? And what, exactly, does that have to do with anything? Are you saying that a large percentage of the viewing audience are trained vocalists? Are you arguing that people who are trained musicians are going to agree with the boundaries of the narrow little box that your "objective review" conforms to? And, finally, thank you SO MUCH for granting the rest of us peons the benefit of your background as a some-kind-of-musician-or-other in offering your objective condemnation of John's horrifying singing. Next time I hear him sing I'll be sure to be properly horrified.

Comment by Sasha on American Idol - Gloria Estefan

Wed, 28 Apr 2004 14:07:53 EDT

Wow, "Fantasiasucks," you make SUCH a good point! I'm so happy that people like you exist who have absolutely no reasoning, logic, or sense with their voting/opinion and simply sit there and make an idiotic 12 year old statement like that "backlash against the divas?" - comical, at least you provided me with a laugh during a blah workday.

Comment by Scott Pepper on American Idol - Gloria Estefan

Wed, 28 Apr 2004 14:04:39 EDT

You are a very articulate and concise writer - it's like reading Eric :) That's high praise indeed--thanks, Dawn!!!

Comment by FantasiaSucks on American Idol - Gloria Estefan

Wed, 28 Apr 2004 13:57:45 EDT

You can hope all you want, but the reality is that Fantasia will be off tonight. Never mind Scott Pepper's prediction, since he has proved his predictions are utterly worthless (because he refuses to account for the voting method in his predictions). LET THE BACKLASH AGAINST THE "DIVAS" CONTINUE! HAHAHAHAHAHA!

Comment by Sasha on American Idol - Gloria Estefan

Wed, 28 Apr 2004 13:28:58 EDT

You can say whatever you want about Fantasia if you don't like her personally, but she is one of the only (in my opinion one of two) contestants left who A) has a solid, unique, and controlled voice and B) personality, she absolutely deserves to be up there until the final 2, she has performed consistently and brings something that four of the six left do not have like I said above, a unique personality. I hope we are not UPSET over a tribute to Fantasia tonight, but rather breathing a sigh of relief to John's tribute.

Comment by Dawn on American Idol - Gloria Estefan

Wed, 28 Apr 2004 13:21:03 EDT

Excellent roundup again Scott. You are a very articulate and concise writer - it's like reading Eric :) I feel sorry for John Stevens. He is trying his best and is clearly outmatched when he steps out of his very limited comfort zone. BUT, his success isn't some kind of white supremist movement, it's his age, his look and the underdog factor. I thought last week's outcome was initially racist, but with futher analysis, clearly the issue is the fan base (lots of young girls) and the fact that he stands out for being so OBVIOUSLY goofy. Jennifer will get a deal anyway, and I am sure John will finally be gone, and ultimately relieved. He should be proud for having such a great attitude.

Comment by Hey Scott on American Idol - Gloria Estefan

Wed, 28 Apr 2004 13:19:56 EDT

One quick note: Don't forget that Justin Guarini was a HUGE favorite to win AI1, and then when it came down to the final 6, 5 and so forth Justin plummeted. Fantasia is AI Season 3's version of Justin. The overwhelming favorite going into the finals, but is turning into a huge bust. She'll be off tonight. Sorry Scott.

Comment by The science of idol on American Idol - Gloria Estefan

Wed, 28 Apr 2004 13:17:44 EDT

When are they going to have Big Band night? We already had soul, motown, Elton John, and now Gloria Estefan...these are all genres picked so that John Stevens will do bad...look at how Stevens did in movie night: WONDERFUL. Give him a big band night (Which they did in season 1 of AI...don't forget that Gloria Estefan has been done before on AI before you start saying that AI should do repeats) and Fantasia will clearly go and Stevens will prove he has a great voice we all love. Stevens fans don't like him because of looks or age. They want that CLASSIC voice that nobody else who has EVER even auditioned for American Idol, any season, has. IS THAT SO WRONG? IS IT SO WRONG to not want another diva??????? Is it so wrong to want a guy who sounds AWESOME singing songs from the 40's and 50's? Many people like that sound and YEARN to have that sound in mainstream music today. Sorry, but I don't see ANYTHING wrong with that, and "America" doesn't either especially with JHud off last week and probably Fantasia tonight.

Comment by AI is my religion on American Idol - Gloria Estefan

Wed, 28 Apr 2004 13:08:52 EDT

Don't forget how PATHETIC it was for Fantasia to keep mentioning Jennifer (3 times precisely) during her performance. She is DESPERATE to get Jennifer Hudson fans to vote for her instead of Latoya. Everyone saw this desperation, and while you'd like to think the country loves Fantasia, most of America doesn't care for her. I hope you enjoy tonight's "Tribute to Fantasia Burrino."

Comment by AI is my religion on American Idol - Gloria Estefan

Wed, 28 Apr 2004 13:06:23 EDT

Just face reality Scott, you can't predict worth cr@p when it comes to AI. Face it: Your precious FANTASIA will be off tonight. You don't like it? Get over it. Fantasia fans don't vote the way other people's fans do. That's just life.

Comment by Sasha on American Idol - Gloria Estefan

Wed, 28 Apr 2004 12:37:39 EDT

Couldn't have said it better myself Eric, I is just plain wrong to say it again. I is also making assumptions that viewers have no vocal or musical experience, I (as I'm sure many) do, and I can objectively review John's performances and let you know (as the judges and most message boards have) that he is just SO BAD it is horrifying that he is still on the show. He's still up there when people with OBJECTIVELY superior voices are not, that is not the point of the competition.

Comment by Eric Olsen on American Idol - Gloria Estefan

Wed, 28 Apr 2004 12:21:41 EDT

Thanks P

Comment by Phillip Winn on American Idol - Gloria Estefan

Wed, 28 Apr 2004 12:02:18 EDT

Well put, Eric.

Comment by Eric Olsen on American Idol - Gloria Estefan

Wed, 28 Apr 2004 11:56:51 EDT

I, you are just plain wrong (if I'm being honest and keeping it real) with basically everything. there is - of course - such thing as objective evaluation of singing ability: is the singer on key, how clear and powerful is the voice, how fluid is the phrasing? These are all real and objective. Beyond that there are subjective matters of preference, but your man John falls flat on each of these objective fronts, has next to zero charisma, never "lives" in the song, has had exactly ONE solid performance (and he forgot words on tha one), and is a big red turd up there on the screen. People who vote for him are total, relentless idiots. Period.

Comment by Mark Saleski on American Idol - Gloria Estefan

Wed, 28 Apr 2004 11:56:44 EDT

i want John Stevens to win it all because, oh my gawd, the commenters will go 'effin' crazy here on blogcritics. more fun than the pirates thread, best guitarists and other 'mature' topics combined.