DeWyze, Bowersox tops in talent and applause as expected, with Aaron Kelly coming on strong
Lee DeWyze is more relaxed and confident on tour.
This season’s group of American Idols made its Atlantic City visit this year much earlier than in past years. The tour began on July 1 so they haven’t had much time to soak in the experience and improve as stage performers. Therefore, the Idols you saw on the TV show are pretty much the Idols you got on tour Saturday night, July 10, at the Trump Taj Mahal.
Lee DeWyze and Crystal Bowersox proved to me a major cut above the rest of the competition all season long and that hasn’t changed. Siobhan Magnus was the performance artist with the wacky outfits and the big screams. Check. Michael Lynche was the big fella oozing with confidence and solid singing chops. Check. Casey James was the guitar god who did his best work wailing the blues. Check. Tim Urban was the cute one with a thin voice. Check. Katie Stevens has personality but is young and needs work. Check. Didi Benami seems lost. Check. Andrew Garcia is sweet but forgettable. Check.
Then there is Aaron Kelly. The 17-year-old seems to have matured since we last saw him. Since he no longer has to do songs outside his comfort zone, his set of country favorites ‑ “Somebody Like You” by Keith Urban, “Walking In Memphis” by Marc Cohn, “Fast Cars and Freedom” by Rascal Flatts – suggest that he could be signed to a Nashville contract and succeed right now. Kelly was the revelation of the night.
Mike Lynche also had an enjoyable set, including doing the TI rap on “My Love” by Justin Timberlake, as well as “Woman’s Work” by Kate Bush, and “Ready For Love” by India.arie.
Siobhan Magnus blasted off with her dynamic “Paint It Black” by the Stones, followed by “Spiderwebs” by No Doubt and “Stockholm Syndrome” by Muse.
Casey James brought his smokin’ guitar licks to “I Got Mine” by the Black Keys,” “Don’t” by Shania Twain and “It’s All Over Now” by the Rolling Stones. He and Lynche teamed up for their popular duet from the show, “Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman.”
The applause meter shot up for the arrival of Mama Sox, including a young man on the front row who had a sign that said “Mama Sox Rox.” Her set was dominated by the singer-songwriter vibe (complete with harmonica) that made her such an unusual Idol contestant. Bowersox opened with “What’s Up” by 4 Non Blonds, then her version of Melissa Etheridge’s “Come To My Window.” She starts the song slowly then revs up the tempo to good effect. Next was the gospel-like “Up To The Mountain” by Patty Griffin and she finished with her spin on Janis Joplin’s “Piece of My Heart.”
Now that he doesn’t have to worry about the judges, reigning Idol champion Lee DeWyze seemed much more relaxed on stage, although he still missed a few notes here and there. He opening his set with one of his popular tracks from Idol, U2’s “Beautiful Day,” and encouraged the audience to sing along with his enjoyable version of Elton John’s “Rocket Man.” The audience reaction was the strongest of the night for his beautiful rendition of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah,” followed by the smooth R&B of “Treat Her Like a Lady” by Cornelius Brothers and Sister Rose. He completed his set with “Use Somebody” by Kings of Leon.
The group finale featured the guys singing “It’s My Life” by Bon Jovi, later joined by the gals, and then the group finishes with “My Life Would Suck Without You" by Kelly Clarkson.
Was this show as good as last year’s topped by Kris Allen and Adam Lambert? No, but the top talent from the current crop of Idols showed that they just might be ready to have a hit song or two.
Country traditionalist Trace Adkins and 2005 American Idol finalist Kellie Pickler took very different routes to country music stardom but those roads have converged this summer with a successful summer tour that lands at the Taj on Friday, Sept. 2.
One of the best parts about the American Idols Tour is seeing how the performers have improved thanks to their experience of touring. Being able to relax and sing while being adored rather than judged is a major theme when the performers talk about the experience.
There are always moments on America Idol that are “what the hell happened?” shockers. Last season’s such moment was the elimination of talented diva Pia Toscano, who had to settle for a ridiculous ninth place finish on the show. However, while the moment was disappointing at the time, it worked out quite well.
Adam Lambert was outrageous in a PG-13 way while making his Atlantic City headliner debut Saturdaynight at the Borgata’s Event Center. He strutted across the stage with a delightful swagger that seemed half Mick Jagger, half Elvis.
Adam Lambert, who makes his solo debut in Atlantic City this Saturday (June 26) at the Borgata, was not your typical American Idol contestant. That was obvious from the first moment he stepped onto Idol’s Hollywood stage with his guy-liner...
As various advertisements for Idol sponsors played on the jumbo screens pre-show, anytime Adam Lambert’s face was shown, a hearty group squeal rang out across the Hall. There were lesser reactions to Idol winner Kris Allen, Danny Gokey and Allison Iraheta.
Article:
Jazz @ The Point Festival Line-up Announced
Article:
Tourism District Master Plan Approved
Article:
Stockton College's New Art Gallery
Article:
Boxing Returns to Tropicana
Article:
Golden Nugget Announces Headliners for New Showroom
Article:
Southern New Jersey Celebrates Black History Month
Article:
Make Waves for the Atlantic City Boat Show!
Article:
Tony Bennett
Is Back
1. Anonymous said... on Jul 12, 2010 at 09:34AM
“Last year people were lining up to see Adam Lambert who is selling out his headlining tour this year. Please do not include Kris Allen for the reason Season 8 was so popular. Not only did Kris's state cheat to win, people walked out on him after Adam's set every night. Adam has sold over a million albums worldwide and "For Your Entertainment" is still going strong when Kris sold hardly more than 300,000 albums, the lowest of any Idol so far.”
2. Anonymous said... on Jul 12, 2010 at 10:27AM
“Adam lost because America voted against a gay person. Can a gay person ever win American Idol?”
3. ShellyD. said... on Jul 12, 2010 at 11:11AM
“Wow, where did you sit at this concert? I was there, and not only did a ton of folks start packing up to leave after Crystal's set, a bunch of people left after Casey sang! This was the second show for me this year, and I gotta say that Siobhan, Aaron, and Casey are THE HIGHLIGHTS of the entire show. I liked Crystal and Lee on the show, but both of them come off really, really boring in concert and neither of them are as good as they were on the show. I'd say Lee is a real nice guy, but his singing isn't good at all. And all of Crystal's songs sound just alike when she sings. The good thing about going to the show is it opened my eyes to the REAL talent of season 9....and the top 2 aren't included in that at ALL anymore.”
4. JerseyGoil said... on Jul 12, 2010 at 11:15AM
“Lee DeWyze missed a "few notes?" LMAO, try MOST NOTES. This guy just isn't going to make it. I stayed for his first song, then ran for the exit as fast as possible. I thought SINGERS were supposed to be able to carry a tune....not DeWyze...not only is he not able to carry a tune in a bucket, but he seems to have lost the bucket somewhere along the way too. And we just thought Kris Allen had low sales....just wait until this guys CD comes out and it's going to be a disaster. The tour isn't doing Lee any favors at all...just making it WORSE.”
5. ACAddiction said... on Jul 12, 2010 at 11:31AM
“Chica, were we at the same concert? I've been to 8 out of 9 of the Idol tours (skipped season 6 because it was such a joke). This was the WORST Idol concert I've ever attended. After watching it (or suffering through it is more like it) I can't believe that out of a hundred thousand or so who auditioned this is the best they can do. IT WAS AWFUL. No wonder LiveNation keeps on cancelling tour dates. This tour isn't going to do a thing to improve Idol in the public eye next year. I predict drastic drops in Idol ratings for season 10. Wish I'd saved my money for Simon's X-Factor tour. Even if it produces an act of hamsters playing violins, it will be more entertaining than the season 9 Idol tour.”
6. Jennifer C said... on Jul 12, 2010 at 12:06PM
“I got reports from family I dropped off for the show - daughter 19 that goes to a concert a month or so thanks to winning a college scholarship and having extra money for other things - said Aaron and Casey were great. Aaron improved so much and she isn't really into country but said "he is a real deal, unbelievably good."
Highest praise went to Siobhan Magnus from daughter, BF, and younger son. When they go to a concert, they expect a show --not a singer sitting on a stool. And they said Siobhan was absolutely spectacular Live. Truly committed, completely bombastic and entertaining and showing sooo much that she had utter joy to be there. All want "more Magnus" down the road.
I liked Crystal, Lee, Siobhan, and Casey in the competition - but none of the kids were thrilled with Crystal. They said Crystal was good but boring - they had no interest in her "old stuff" and wouldn't go to a concert with her OR Lee. (Who apparantly had 2 numbers they liked but "not enough energy")”
7. Brianna said... on Jul 12, 2010 at 09:20PM
“Love Siobhan Magnus!!!! She rocks my music world!!!! Sing it girl.”
8. blue said... on Jul 14, 2010 at 06:06PM
“i ,was at the show,and i call it a show bucause it was not a concert.tha best singer and,or performer was siobhan magnus.she highly got the crowd going,and gave 3 great song performances.she was moving around the stage,and seemed way into her songs than all the others.the next best was aaron.he chose country ,and it seemed to be right up his ally.and then casey was also good,he connected with his songs,and was getting the females excited.all the rest seemed just either boring or just ok,and not overly excited to be at the show.so,there is my take on the american idol concert.siobhan....aaron..casey.these 3 should be able to have a huge fan base,and hopefully all 3 deserve record deals by someone.they were head,and shoulders better than all the others.”
9. Anonymous said... on Aug 7, 2010 at 08:00AM
“Anonymous #1, Still bitter are we. There was no cheating going on and if you believe that, it is your loss. Adam is destined to be a star no matter what and Kris is very good. Now they both have a place in what they love doing, and there is room for both. Adam is a risk taker and the public was not ready to take that risk with him. Homosexuality was not the reason Adam lost. Many people did not know for sure that Adam was gay. America got it right. This year lacks the pizazz that season 8 had. Kris and Adam TOGETHER, put that out there.This season of idol has none of that. The comradeship is missing. And so is the singing ability that the previous season had. The entire top 10 of season 8 have a recording contract of some type. No other season of idol has had that. Season 8 was exceptional, and it was not due to any 1 person. They all have a future. Who cares who sells the most.They make more than most of us doing what they love. Best to all.”