MASTERCLASSLADY.COM

By: Rosanne Simunovic
I thought that the Top 3 singers, David Archuleta, David Cook and Syesha Mercado were just outstanding this week. A little nervous perhaps, but very good indeed!

Some songs worked beautifully, others didn’t. However, all in all, these singers justified their presence in the Top 3 showcase. Although we lost some wonderful singers along the way, no one can dispute the outstanding vocal ability of these three talented young artists.

Agree or disagree? Read on and feel free to comment. But, remember, please be nice!  (more…)

Quite a show tonight. Quite a show! I thought the two Davids were mighty nervous but Syesha looked like she was having a blast. And the American Idol agenda was all too obvious, but, then, why should we be surprised at this point?

So, once again, you are invited to voice your comments. However, just a gentle reminder to new visitors: please be respectful and constructive in your commentary. Let’s agree to disagree - or agree, but let’s also be civil in the process.

I am going out on a limb here. I think the Top 3 performances are going to be spectacular.

I love the Judges’ song choice for the singers. Although we do not have full confirmation of the other two songs that the singers will be showcasing, I thought the judges did a remarkable job in the song selection process.

David Archuleta: Judge’s Choice (Paula Abdul): And So it Goes by Billy Joel
                                    David’s Choice: With You by Chris Brown
                                    Producers’ Choice: Longer by Dan Fogelberg

David Cook: Judge’s Choice (Simon Cowell): The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face by Roberta Flack
                         David’s Choice:Dare You To Move by Switchfoot
                         Producers’ Choice:I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing byAerosmith

Syesha Mercado: Judge’s Choice (Randy Jackson):Alicia Keyes’s If I Ain’t Got You
                                    Syesha’s Choice: Fever
                                    Producers’ Choice: Hit Me Up by Gia Farrell

Thought I would add a Mother’s Day thread. I think we all need a little break from American Idol, at least for a few hours anyway!

Hope all of the Moms out there are being treated like royalty. I am proud to be a Mom and a Grandmother. The picture I have inserted with this thread is one that was taken at my 60th - yes, 60th - birthday in November 2007. My beautiful grandaughter, Kyra Christine, was a huge addition to the celebrations.

She is truly the light of my life - well, along with my daughters and my husband. But she is a special light if you will - has that extra twinkle. And I cannot forget my daughter and hubby’s dog, Chase. She and Kyra are inseparable.

Please feel free to send along your pictures and Mother’s Day events. I will add another Top 3 American Idol thread this evening, but, for now, it’s all about the Moms out there!

By: Rosanne Simunovic
Well, I am back once again and I thank all my readers for their “get well” wishes. I thoroughly appreciated your feedback and comments after Neil Diamond week. That was a great show, wasn’t it? Great performances and Neil Diamond was THE MAN on the Results show last week. Brilliant performance!

However, this week, we are concentrating on our diverse Group of Four in their interpretation of two song selections from the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame. I thought that this was a good showcase and there were some performances that, to me, were the best I have ever seen on this stage.

Agree or disagree? Read on and feel free to comment. But, remember, I am still recuperating, so please be nice! (smile) (more…)

Well, let’s hear your comments. Was there a moment or two or three during this evening’s much anticipated Top 4 showcase?

I was thrilled with the singers tonight. This was the best I have heard any of them sing in a long while. Bravo and Brava~ Vocal Masterclass will be up in the next day or two.

What say you readers?

Although I am still feeling the repercussions of this evil flu virus, I am slowly trying to gain some sense of normalcy in my life.

Therefore, I thought I would start a new discussion regarding our Final Four: David Archuleta, David Cook, Jason Castro and Syesha Mercado - four truly distinct singers whose performances will render an interesting and diverse ride for the viewers.

The Rock and Roll genre is also diverse enough that each of the singers should be able to find songs that truly address their singular style of performing, while highlighting the strengths of their distinct vocal ability.

However, I will be very interested to see which of these singers will capture the moment on this stage with astonishing and stimulating artistic performances. This is where it is going to get very interesting, as I think all four singers are more than capable of giving artistically honest and musically solid performances.

Song choice has never been more important and we shall see who has done their homework or not.

C’mon Tuesday. My Vocal Masterclass fingers are ready to roll.

I have been so sick here with some wicked flu and thought that nothing would garner any strength or comment from me for a while. Additionally, I wasn’t able to watch the Top 5 show because of my malaise, but this morning, after reading all the vague “Paula-Jason” comments on my Vocal Masterclass Discussion Thread, I figured I must have missed a doozy of a telecast!

Paula just never stops , does she? Critiquing Jason’s second song before it was even performed? I thought this was the most incredible “Paula” event I have ever seen, superseding the “Corey Clark” debacle as well as the time that Constantine Maroulis was unexpectedly voted off the Season 4 line-up. When his elimination was announced, there was Paula, weeping uncontrollably in the arms of Randy Jackson. It was quite the spectacle.

This lady should quit her day job -or, in the case of American Idol, her questionnable job as a judge - and sign up for a reality-based sitcom. The ratings numbers would be gangbusters

However, all kidding aside, can she, along with the Idol honchos, find it in themselves to issue an apology to the person who was unfairly maligned by this nonsensical mess last evening - Jason Castro? I truly hope so. It should have happened last evening, but, I suppose, the shock value was still too fresh.

But, to go on all the talkshows today and simply cover her huge guffaw by more excuses, without taking Jason’s feelings into account, was, to me, unconscionable.

Yes, I had my brief laugh this morning and it bouyed my stuffed up spirits for a small span of time. But then, the reality of what she had done emerged on Jason’s confused and deflated face. Is it no wonder that he had trouble delivering his second song? I still think that this song would have been a marvellous moment for him, but Paula and the Idol franchise dashed whatever confidence remained in this young performer.

I am looking forward to the show tonight. I really love Neil Diamond. I was fortunate to see him in concert years ago and he staged a superb show. He is a passionate, intense performer and absolutely adores and respects his audience.

So, I think he will give these singers excellent advice on what it takes to arouse and stimulate an audience with authority and conviction.

I am now entering week two with this horrible cold and flu virus. I have re-arranged my teaching load here, but I am still pretty wiped.

I will do my best with this week’s Vocal Masterclass and have it online ASAP.

By: Rosanne Simunovic
Personally, this week’s show was one of the highlights of the American Idol 7th season. The opportunity to watch and learn from Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber’s interaction with the Top 6 was indeed an exciting and memorable one.

I thought Andrew Lloyd Webber was absolutely amazing and tirelessly patient with these singers. What an opportunity for these 6 young vocalists to remember and take back with them once the show completes its run in May.

I am running late this week, so let’s get to it, shall we? (more…)