This week’s iTunes performance reviews. Let’s get right to it, shall we?
Fave out of the bunch: Adam Lambert’s heart-wrenching “If I Can’t Have You.” Honerable Mentions: Anoop Desai’s “Dim All the Lights”. Wish the arrangement for Kris Allen’s “She Works Hard for the Money” had been kept simple–but still like the vocal. And I enjoy Allison Irheta’s “Hot Stuff” when I can block out the subject matter.
- Lil Rounds – “I’m Every Woman” by Chaka Khan – Rickey Minor is quoted saying Lil’s performance in rehearsal was “jaw dropping”. And I have to say, this is one of her better recordings. For once she manages to put her own spin on the tune. If this had come earlier in the competition, she probably would have performed with more confidence and gotten better critiques from the judges. – iTunes
- Kris Allen – …She Works Hard for the Money by Donna Summer – The addition of strings sorta turns this tune back into a disco song–kind of a latin-rock-dance tune with the addition of more instruments. But if you liked Kris’s vocal on the live track–you’ll still love this – iTunes
- Danny Gokey – …September by Earth Wind and Fire – Wow. We got a full-on gospel track here, including Danny engaging in a little mid-song testimony.. Seriously. This is a definite shout-out to the Christian base. I’ll say I’m not really digging this song being spiritualized Danny style, and just leave it at that. iTunes
- Allison Iraheta – …Hot Stuff” by Donna Summer – Listening to young Allison sing this entire tune, it becomes absolutely clear to me that a 16 year old has no business singing this song. Yes, she sings the hell out of the song, convincingly. And, yes, I am squicked out. – iTunes
- Adam Lambert – …If I Can’t Have You by Yvonne Elliman – I love the way he changed up the verse of this song. So beautiful. Similar to Cook’s “Always Be My Baby”, the torched-up version of the song highlights the poignancy of the lyrics. I’ve heard this song so many times, but it never made me want to cry until now. I bitched about the arrangement of the live version, but those problems are resolved here. iTunes
- Matt Giraud – …Stayin’ Alive by the Bee Gees – I’m not totally buying Matt as disco boy. I’m also not feeling his falsetto. Those first couple of notes bring him into “dying cat” territory. Matt only grabs me when he’s singing straight-up soul and souled-up pop. I’m not digging the Timberfake routine so much – iTunes
- Anoop Desai – …Dim All the Lights by Donna Summer – Aw. I’m feeling a little nostalgic for Anoop. He didn’t always look confident or commanded the stage, but his voice, particularly his mid-range, records just beautifully. The arrangement highlights his smooth vocals, which sound gorgeous here. – iTune
