American Idol 10 Top 11 – iTunes Performance Downloads!

Motown songs from the 60’s were some of the greatest records ever made. It’s tough to listen to them cheapened up by the paint-by-numbers quicky Idol production.  They just pale badly in comparison. Some of these tunes are produced better than others.  The worst are Thia and Stefano’s. The best–Casey, Lauren, and James.  Pia, Naima, Jacob and Lauren have the best vocals. Download the tracks below.

American Idol 10 Top 11 performance recordings are available to download from iTunes:

  • Download the Top 11 Performance Collection for $6.99iTunes
  • Casey Abrams – “I Heard it Through the Grapevine”  – The recorded version is not as growly and  a little jazzier. I like Casey’s phrasing when he’s got his vocals under control –  iTunes
  • Thia Megia – “Heatwave” – Sleepy and dull, just like her live performance.  The arrangement sounds like a K-tel knockoff. –  iTunes
  • Jacob Lusk – “You’re All I Need to Get By” – One thing that bugs me about Jacob’s voice is his vibrato, which sounds almost staccato at times.  Still, when he’s calmed down and restrained, he’s got a very unique and powerful voice. –  iTunes
  • Lauren Alaina – “You Keep Me Hanging On” – The live version had a country twang that’s barely discernible in the record.  Still, the vocal here is quite good.  She’s got pop/hac potential.  iTunes
  • Stefano Langone – “Hello” – The phrasing is even weirder on the record than it was live.  It’s like some wacky lounge tune. I’d assume it was a parody if I didn’t know better.  Stefano ends the recording with a spoken “I love you”. I laughed out loud. Yes. It’s that bad.  iTunes
  • Haley Reinhart – “You Really Got a Hold on Me” –  Haley’s got some soulful, growly vocals going on. I like parts of her performance. But I wish she would get down and dirty, rather than play the sex kitten –  iTunes
  • Scotty McCreery – “For Once in My Life”  – Maybe I was so focused on Scotty during his live performance, I didn’t notice the terrible arrangement. Scotty’s personality and confidence made this song work on the Idol stage.  Here, the clicky clacky backing track and tinkly piano does Scotty no favors. – iTunes
  • Pia Toscano – “All In Love Is Fair” – Pia’s vocals are perfect, she records beautifully. She’s a hit…if only it were 1992.  iTunes
  • Paul McDonald – “Tracks of My Tears” – Paul’s unique, folk inflected vocals need to be produced in an organic environment, rather than in the canned and souless world of UMG production.  That’s why I prefer his live performances (imperfect as they’ve been) and his pre-Idol music to these Idol recordings. –   iTunes
  • Naima Adedapo – “Dancing In the Streets” –  The first part of the song is straight-up Motown, and Naima’s vocals are sensational. The transition into the afro-pop deal is a little weird without the visuals. Actually, it was pretty weird WITH the visuals, but live, it was fun to watch. On record, the transition just seems strange. –  iTunes
  • James Durbin – “Living For the City” – I’m totally on the Durby train! Who woulda thunk it?  James’ vocals on the recorded version are full of rock and soul.  I like them even better than the live version. –  iTunes
About mj santilli 34860 Articles
Founder and editor of mjsbigblog.com, home of the awesomest fan community on the net. I love cheesy singing shows of all kinds, whether reality or scripted. I adore American Idol, but also love The Voice, Glee, X Factor and more!