Blogcritics: Comments on American Idol: All Aboard the Bo Train!

Comment by Sticker

Thu, 2 Jun 2005 07:48:38 EDT

calist--- Carrie will have a great career with fans like you

Comment by calist

Thu, 2 Jun 2005 05:06:15 EDT

anyway , i love carrie more .. she is beautiful , kind , talented ... i love her the most because of her friendly ...i will support you forever carrie , you are always the 1st idol for me ! i love you

Comment by Sticker

Thu, 19 May 2005 22:42:32 EDT

Sarah, Yep, I've watched every season of American Idol. I just came a little late to the party in Season One because I had to be hogtied first. After that, I got hooked. Don't think I missed an ep yet, although I have to admit to it being a chore mostly last season. In my book, there have been relatively few goosebump-inducing performances over the years. Of course, by definition they don't come around every day anyway. You are right: Kelly and Clay regularly lifted the forearm hairs, Ruben and Fantasia more often than not (for me). I especially loved Ruben's voice, but I couldn't dig his debut cd too much, precisely because I felt cheated on it not highlighting his vocals. I felt I could hear any singer dish that stuff. If the suits get smart (please read my piece here - and I would love to know your musical bio, too), they will find a stream for Bo that reaches a LOT of people. They won't confine him to one genre, but let the beautiful waters of pop and rock and on and on mix together in that big baritone of his.

Comment by Sarah

Thu, 19 May 2005 21:05:22 EDT

Sticker, Have you watched every season of American Idol? If you have, you might remember that Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard, Clay Aiken and Fantasia did not have any deficiencies to overcome vocally. They were giving people goosebump performances early on in the season. This year basically was the weakest by far. I only pick Bo as the potential winner, as I think within his genre, he actually is a very good singer. It just doesn't happen to be my taste in music. Also don't like the shades, hair or clothing choices. Having said that, he pulled at my heartstrings on his trip back home when he got very, very emotional. I kinda like that in a guy; especially a rocker.

Comment by Sticker

Thu, 19 May 2005 19:29:51 EDT

narisha- re your observation about Carrie and her mostly non-existent falsetto: I'm convinced that's why I keyed in on what I called the "window-breaker note" she hit on the national anthem in her homecoming vid. She's got it in her. I think all of her deficiencies can be corrected with time. If she does that, she'll be a star.

Comment by narisha

Thu, 19 May 2005 18:21:53 EDT

As I have said in the past, Sticker, you rock! Bo brought it home--showing all he's got. The main thing he's had over all the contestants is S-O-U-L. And that has nothing to do with Olympic riffing, dog whistle notes, or volume. It's about letting your true insides emanate outward for all to see. Oh yeah, & he's got TALENT, too. If he didn't have both talent & soul, he would never have been able to pull off that a capella song. No way. My problem with Carrie has always been her utter lack of soul. She's so wooden! But slowly her voice has been creeping up & annoying the hell out of me lately---for all the reasons you cite...but one more. Clive, for the most part, seemed overly sedated until he noticed that "Crying" was missing falsetto. Bingo! I'm sure she has one--but it seems to be virtually unused. Instead of using her head voice, she opts to belt instead--which in the long run is death to a singer. I hope she gets with a good voice teacher SOON! I think Carrie is young & sheltered & it shows in her singing. Perhaps in 10 years or even 5, she'll develop her own style & have full use of her voice. But for now she's a bit of a Barbie. At least Vonzell brought more soul to the table. I'll miss her. But Bo's got my vote & always has...

Comment by narisha

Thu, 19 May 2005 18:21:15 EDT

Comment by Mir

Thu, 19 May 2005 17:14:19 EDT

I'm late writing in here. Sorry! I'm just glad to see that I am not the only person who said, "wow", when Bo finished singing Tuesday night. I looked at my family members, who had all gathered at my house to watch it, and said, "Thats it. The competition is over. Bo has won." Thats exactly how I felt and continue to feel. If you can go out and do an acapella version of that song and nail it?? You are worthy of many titles, including, The Next American Idol. Peace Out!

Comment by Natalie Davis

Thu, 19 May 2005 16:17:11 EDT

Count me in for pancakes! I'll enjoy them whatever happens: to celebrate a Bo victory or to console in the event of America choosing a lovely, sweet-voiced child over a polished, soulful, American-roots-music-revering rocker. Do the right thing, America. Vote Bo.

Comment by Mike

Thu, 19 May 2005 15:12:49 EDT

There's a lot of current artists who wouldn't make it past the first auditions.

Comment by Sticker

Thu, 19 May 2005 10:23:13 EDT

Karin, It's always good to remember how incredibly stressful this competition must be. Makes you more appreciative of what the contestants do deliver. There's a joke in the industry that P. Diddy needs 3 days notice before he can get on stage to sing "Old MacDonald Had a Farm." I bet there are a lot of established artists who could not go on stage with a song, out of their genre, that they had to learn in 2 days.

Comment by Karin

Thu, 19 May 2005 09:26:36 EDT

Bo is definately my pick... be real though...none of the contestants are losers or they wouldn't have come as far as they have. We tend to forget somthing...just because we tune in to see them sing doesn't mean it's all fun and games's . these folks have been on one hell of a journey and must be worn the hell out not to mention stressed to the max .. i'm sure it can't be easy learning songs you've never heard before and then trying to perfect them and then put yourself out there for all the world to judge you. When it comes down to talent, stage presence, marketing, ... I can't help but think Bo is the best bet. He is a true star and hey, he's got one fine personality to boot.. ever notice he never forgets to acknowledge the band and back up singers after each time he performs.. Bo is a true man!

Comment by Anne Ferranti

Thu, 19 May 2005 07:21:04 EDT

I agree with you about Bo. I can't wait to buy his CD whether he wins the competition or not. His singing on Tuesday was fantastic!!!

Comment by Mickey

Wed, 18 May 2005 20:41:47 EDT

I have been watching AI for a long time now , and honestly speaking Bo is by far the best singer in the history of this competition. If there was a contest between the winners of the past AI contests and Bo , Bo would win. However , that does not necessarily mean that Bo will win this competition. Why ? The winner of this competition is decided by a voting system in which a person is allowed to vote as many times as he or she would like to. Now , as a student working part time I hardly get to vote once. And I am sure there are a lot of people like me who like the show but cannot be bothered to vote. So that means the fate of Bo lies in the hands of the section of the population that lays greater stress on the 'likeablity' factor rather than on pure singing ability. Going by singing ability alone , Bo is a total pro compared to the two girls who really are just kids. No contest there. But as far as the 'l' factor goes , who would you pick ? The cute little girl with the sunday school face or the dirty hairy bearded rocker guy ?

Comment by Sticker

Wed, 18 May 2005 19:37:12 EDT

oh, you bad, keefer! tee hee

Comment by Keefer

Wed, 18 May 2005 18:08:34 EDT

I totally agree with you, Sticker. I think that both Paula and Randy are guilty of telling the contestants "bad choice of song" because it's a "wimp out" when they should just tell the contestant they weren't good at all. Former contestants like Nadia and Constantine made interesting and brave choices in their songs and pulled their performances off brilliantly (or at least the majority of their performances in my opinion). This leads me to believe that AI does have their song lists up to par, however... Maybe having judges pick this late in the game is not a wise decision. I was just wondering if that fax to Bo had Paula's number on it... hardee har har

Comment by Sticker

Wed, 18 May 2005 17:16:52 EDT

Keefer, I think there's another prob with the judges picking songs (besides that, except for Satisfaction---which how could that ever go horribly wrong?) is that it's another way the judges can influence---or BE PERCEIVED to influence the competition. A really stupid song could torpedo a contestant's chance of winning, while a really great song certainly wouldn't hurt. I know Mr. Jackson would say, "Dude, dawg, the thang is that the mark of a great singer is the ability to sing anything well." True enough. But then why are they always carping on song choice? Yes, a really great singer might have been able to do something with "Man, I Feel Like A Woman," but even so, it was the wrong song at the wrong time on the wrong contestant at the wrong point in the competition. I'm not suggesting the judges were doing anything other than trying to pick a "good" song for the contestants, but they sure leave themselves open to rumblings about their motives if the song choice seems obviously bad to the whole rest of the world.

Comment by Keefer

Wed, 18 May 2005 17:08:36 EDT

Sticker, So right on about the song choices. Before, I was complaining, "why are they letting these guys pick their own songs?" After last night, I was complaining, "why did they let the judges pick these songs?" Oh well, damned if they do and damned if they don't... LOL At least it seemed as though the competition factor was stepped up notwithstanding the song choices.

Comment by jarboy

Wed, 18 May 2005 16:34:09 EDT

bo is the first person in this contest ever to deserve to be called 'idol." it is like he is true olympic gold and all the rest are special olympic bronze, at best. kelly, clay, fantasia, ruben, vonz -- might be good enough to earn solos in their high school choirs, but get off the world stage, losers.

Comment by Sticker

Wed, 18 May 2005 16:28:45 EDT

Leslie, There were people who thought the a cappella version was a gambit of some sort and some people just don't dig a cappella singing. There will always be a variety of opinions and that's good. But I took it the same way you did: Bo declaring that he wants to win, here, here's how I sing.

Comment by Sticker

Wed, 18 May 2005 16:26:36 EDT

Rose, Thank you for your kind words. I think many writers think they are extra-cool and so end up the opposite. But, anyway, I just do my thing, call it as I see it, and I'm glad you and others enjoy reading what I write.

Comment by Natalie Davis

Wed, 18 May 2005 13:53:05 EDT

Regarding polls, the many I have seen (before last night's astounding Bo performances) are about split -- half go to Bo and half to Carrie. Personally, I think Bo's singing last night (described wonderfully by the poster) did the job. As the final note of his a cappella rendition of Badlands' tune died away, I said to Spousal Unit, "Bo just won this thing." And I believe he did: Bo Bice, in my mind, IS the American Idol, and perhaps the best of the bunch.

Comment by Natalie Davis

Wed, 18 May 2005 13:49:48 EDT

Mr. Newton, you have stated your theory over and over again. And over and over again. And over and over again. We hear you! Many of us have disagreed. It isn't that we don't understand what you are saying -- we get your message all too well! -- the fact is, however, that we reject it and find your theory disgusting. Why can't you accept that? I wish I could say that I thought so much better of you, but that would be a lie.

Comment by Leslie

Wed, 18 May 2005 13:43:32 EDT

I'm warming the griddle Sticker! I think Bo going a capella was not a show of arrogance on his part but more like a defining characteristic of the confidence in himself. I think it was Randy who commented that it's clear Bo is in this to win and it's the reason he WILL win. I got a little bent lastnight as I watched one of my local newscasts from Portland, OR - they were doing a poll about who'd come out the winner. Bo was at 39%, Vonzell at 12% and Carrie at 49% by the program's end. I had to remember people in Oregon are mostly counrified folk so obviously Carrie would be their choice. Oregonians are not best known for the contents of their brains - no offense. I'm betting my fellow Californian comrades are Bo all the way. I think it would be interesting to actually see the geographics of the votes.

Comment by Rose

Wed, 18 May 2005 13:40:14 EDT

I read quite a few articles about the "song competition" last night of AI. This one is the best so far. You eloquently and accurately described what happened and what is was like when Bo sang a cappella. This shows what an intelligent and thoughtful person you are. Most other writers and people I've talked to and comments I've read are so jaded or whatever that they are incapable of describing it as "a thing of beauty" as you wrote.