S14.E02: Auditions #2

[Tara Ariano]

The conclusion of the two-part Season 14 opener features preliminary auditions.

[bilgistic]

Posted in the wrong thread.

Edited January 11, 2015 by bilgistic

[BogoGog24]

Top faves from tonight were Garrett (blind guy) and Savion. Other favorites include Trevor (science geek) and Gina (the chick who played that drum kit thing).

Most of the others either were good but not wow to me, or they were just not that great. That woman who came in with her little girl… I feel like they put her through because of the kid. Had she not had the kid with her I feel like they'd have said no. She was okay but nothing great. Naomi (Tequila Tuesdays woman) had an actually amazing voice but she needs to dial back the theatrics and the quirkiness. I felt her quirkiness was forced.

There's a couple people from this episode who make the Top 24 that I wasn't impressed with at all.

Didn't like Lovey at all. She was too nasal and I felt she was trying to imitate Ariana and failing miserably. I'm hating this trend of quirky female singers that sound like little girls, especially since most of the time it is forced. Anyone with that voice, especially if it's forced, I immediately won't like.

I'm happy Savion came back this year. He looks and sounds so much better. I've always loved his humility, whether it was waiting till he was ready to audition, no matter how old he was, or asking the judges for a critique even though they said he was great, I've always loved that quality about him. He deserves to go far this year.

Garett was awesome. Loved his confidence and coolness. And he has a very recordable sounding voice.

[drafan]

Sooooooooo sleep-inducing. They better have some good ones hiding in the wings.

 

It's really pathetic when someone 28 seems old.

 

No baby-girl voices. It's annoying.

 

Those judges had no idea if someone was "back' from a previous year until they read it off the script in front of them.

 

No more contestants with self-proclaimed "bubbly personalities". They should be eliminated as soon as they announce it.

[Sugar]

Well, nothing else was on, so I figured, "why not?"

 

Still love Harry.

 

Liked "Somewhere over the rainbow" guy. I thought it was genuine, and I realized I was smiling halfway through it.

 

Also liked the girl who sang One Republic, I think she tried out 4 times? Really effortless runs, and like Harry said, she was completely in time. Not easy to do live - I'll bet a ton of "pro" singers couldn't do what she did.

 

LOVED the piano duet with Harry. Man, that guy is so freaking talented..

[Rick Kitchen]

I loved Trevor Douglas.  He was so geeky and yet talented.

[Lonesome Rhodes]

All too infrequently, I get to enjoy a moment of revelation on this show.  Garrett, from Phenix City, Alabama (old haunting grounds of mine) provided this tonight.  Can y'all imagine what Randy would have made of him?  Or what he would do to him if he ever got his mitts on him?  Well, for one night anyway, I got to see and hear the real deal.  He may not go far, but he is what AI should be about as much as possible.  If the jidges were faking their joy, they surely deserve the millions they are each getting.

 

I got the absolute opposite vibe from busker dude from White Horse.  He just does not have the musicality and tonality to merit a break like this.  He may yet develop such, but he is the classic Simon "Karaoke" contestant.  Harry did try to put a stop to it, but it seems TPTB had other ideas.  Dude looked anointed to me.  JLo checking her boxes = AI shenanigans, in my opinion.

 

Savion has talent.  The problem is his stylizing is Stevie Wonder.  Nothing can meet that standard.  It is a losing proposition for me.  Harry tried to school him.  I just don't see it happening.  

 

I was surprised that Zach was so underwhelming and that he was the first KC wannabe.  What a waste of time.  I'm surprised he even made it past the original bus audition.  They are usually pretty tough to get past.  I would have bet anything that Naomi was a joke audition.  Then she sang.  Wow.  I hated that the jidges chided her for showing her bigtime range of voice and performance.  These folks get one shot.  One.  Make it count.  She did.

 

I loved Jhameel.  I didn't like his voice.  However, it is so rare to find skin art with ancient archetypes driving it.  I didn't for a second believe it was just an affectation.  If he fooled me, more power to him.

 

Finally, Jess is good.  I know. 

[mojoween]

Lauren (I think that was her first name) Lott may be the most beautiful woman I have ever seen on this show. Her voice was ok but she is stunning.

Lovey no. Just no.

[Alison]

Lovey was HORRIBLE. I get that she's marketable, but holy hell, she was nasally and nearly as marble-mouthed as Ariana Grande.

Loved Jess - partially because I like when contestants have some life experience/have finished going through puberty and also for the awesome piano duet she did with Harry.

[jimmora]

Lovey was HORRIBLE. I get that she's marketable, but holy hell, she was nasally and nearly as marble-mouthed as Ariana Grande.

Loved Jess - partially because I like when contestants have some life experience/have finished going through puberty and also for the awesome piano duet she did with Harry.

 

It was a horses**** performance in the second act, horses***....I'm totally embarrassed and I'm totally ashamed.  Coaching did a horrible job, Lovely did a horrible job.  It sucked, it stunk.

[Rhondinella]

Trevor Douglas is your winner y'all.  I know it's still early, but, honestly: 16-year old white guy with guitar who looks like he belongs in One Direction AND has the adorkable factor?  Plus seems talented? Yeah.  Live it. Love it. Learn it.

[Jynnan tonnix]

Trevor Douglas is your winner y'all.  I know it's still early, but, honestly: 16-year old white guy with guitar who looks like he belongs in One Direction AND has the adorkable factor?  Plus seems talented? Yeah.  Live it. Love it. Learn it.

I could see that happening. He's definitely one of only a handful I actually remember from the two nights combined

 

I also liked Garrett a lot, and was intrigued by the guy who sang "Over the Rainbow". It seems as though he has too much of the advertising/jingles approach ingrained in his head because there was quite a bit of overkill here and there, but I really liked the tone of his voice when he brought it down and was impressed with his control. He has a good personality and an interesting face which could probably grow on me.

 

Naomi had some of the same problems as far as overkill, but I do get that she had little time to prove what her voice was capable of. I don't know that she's American Idol material, but I liked her a lot as well. She will probably get the "Broadway" critiques, and I could see her doing very well there. I've never quite understood why being "Broadway" is a kiss of death on Idol because it's all about people who can really sing and be effective on stage, and one would think that those would be desirable qualities in an Idol, but I'm old and what do I know?

 

I liked the girl who was trying out for the fourth time as well...it's hard to imagine that they didn't put her through previously, but I suppose she didn't fit the script. Or she has done some heavy-duty improvement. She IS only 19, so I suppose she might have just needed a bit more time to come across as ready. But by that sort of logic, how in the heck does someone like Lovey go to Hollywood ?

 

There were a couple more I didn't hate, but can't remember them offhand.

Edited January 9, 2015 by Jynnan tonnix

[jimmora]

Trevor Douglas is your winner y'all.  I know it's still early, but, honestly: 16-year old white guy with guitar who looks like he belongs in One Direction AND has the adorkable factor?  Plus seems talented? Yeah.  Live it. Love it. Learn it.

 

Trevor Douglas, let me tell you something, he sounded pretty good right?  The Voice cut him before they want to camp.  The Voice cut him before they want to camp!    He looked pretty good for American Idol.  Maybe that shows you the difference between our show and theres.

[Rick Kitchen]

Trevor Douglas has a lot of videos on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/user/trevordouglasmusic

[jimmora]

Trevor Douglas has a lot of videos on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/user/trevordouglasmusic

What do you guys think about that?  Pretty good indication.  The Voice won't even bring him to camp, s***, he looks like the star of the day for Idol.

[Kromm]

ADHD is a serious condition.

 

Nevertheless I wanted to punch that guy.

[crocosmia]

I really liked several from tonight.   Naomi came out all gimmicky and kooky, but wow, her voice was stunning in its depth and range.    I wonder if  she does all the silly stuff because she doesn't have the kind of Carrie Underwood looks that Idol sometimes slobbers over.    She may have over-compensated for the lack of blond-beautiness, but I couldn't help but like her and be impressed by her voice.

 

Trevor has the cute nerdy factor that will either make him endearing or annoying if he goes far in this show.   

 

I really liked Garrett.  He has a voice and style that are easy to listen to and a sweet personality.  When he sang the song from "Selena,"  I actually teared up a little, just because it sounded so pretty coming from him.

 

I also liked Savion (again) and the guy who sang "Somewhere Over the Rainbow."    That song is so overdone, but he did well and showed a voice with a lovely tone.  

 

Jess is likable-quirky.   I enjoyed her creativity, and I think she's cute and will look really pretty if the stylists get hold of her -- not that she needs it.   I like her natural look just fine.   I loved her ease on the piano, especially when playing the duet with Harry.

 

Harry rocks.

 

"Lovey"?   Oh, please.   I dislike pretentious stage names, especially when they're attached to people of little talent.    That goes double for the guy with the painted face and dissertation on OCD.   Sheesh. 

 

The gal who brought her kid in as a prop did not impress, either.

 

Can't remember anyone else, though I do think this was one of the better audition shows.   I like it so much better now that they're showing more of the talented people and fewer of the jokesters and sad sacks.

Edited January 10, 2015 by crocosmia

[Shades of Red]

I'm glad Savion came back.  I haven't looked at any spoilers but I'm throwing my hat into the ring that he's the guy with the dreadlocks in the top 24.  He's wearing a touque in all the audition material which looks like it might be hiding hair.  Just a guess on my part. 

 

I liked the "Somewhere over the Rainbow" guy.  He reminds me of someone but I can't figure out who?

 

After watching the first two shows I have to wonder how many get through to the top that aren't agreed upon by all three judges.  Harry certainly didn't vote "yes" for too many of the ones that got through did he?  In fact, I think I heard Jennifer say to one of the contestants that they could say Harry had voted for them and that was an accomplishment.  I'm curious to see if the top 24 are all contestants that all 3 judges liked or if anyone managed to surprise them (okay, surprise Harry). 

[riley702]

 

Never mind, I found it.

 

I liked Garrett and Naomi. Actually, Naomi gave me chills and I said out loud (to no one) "Damn, she's really good!" Hope to see more of them.

Edited January 10, 2015 by riley702

[MrsMoltisanti]

Oh American Idol, you keep pulling me back in.  I have to admit, it's Harry.  Love him.  These judges make me laugh during this part of the show.  Tequila Tuesday on her knees was just weird.  I can see her getting cut when they can't rein her in or make her see how to adjust the nuance.   Was it just my imagination, or did I see the winner guy from last year (forgot his name already) standing outside the door when the older piano playing lady came out with Harry and the golden tickets?

[backformore]

I have been paying less attention to this show recently, and there's something I don't get. Auditions I have seen in the past, singers are unaccompanied. Then, they started letting auditioned bring a guitar. This year,at least two auditions, the piano player is prepared and plays the song. This is obviously set up ahead of time, but also obviously not available to all singers. What is that about?

[BogoGog24]

Was it just my imagination, or did I see the winner guy from last year (forgot his name already) standing outside the door when the older piano playing lady came out with Harry and the golden tickets?

 

Ha, I thought the same thing! But probably just a look-alike. 

 

 

I have been paying less attention to this show recently, and there's something I don't get. Auditions I have seen in the past, singers are unaccompanied. Then, they started letting auditioned bring a guitar. This year,at least two auditions, the piano player is prepared and plays the song. This is obviously set up ahead of time, but also obviously not available to all singers. What is that about?

 

This year they decided to let singers be accompanied by piano if they wanted. I'm not honestly sure how they set it up, if they tell Michael ahead of time what song they are doing and he makes sure he has the music, or they can only choose from the songs he has/knows. They basically are allowed to: sing a cappella as usual, accompany themselves on guitar, accompany themselves on piano (as Jess did), or have Michael accompany them on piano.

[Padma]

Second episode. I just can't get used to how many people they send to Hollywood who are not very good (my list pretty much agrees with Harry's although one he sent through on this one--can't even remember now if guy or girl, much less the name--surprised me.) They emphasize looks so much more than talent with some of these people (like that first black woman who was gorgeous but in no way belongs advancing in a singing competition).

 

At least they've mostly stopped humiliating people like in the old days (the red haired guy yesterday was one exception), but "It's about more than your singing and you've got a great look" just doesn't work for me when they are not even giving thousands of people with real talent a chance.

 

I -do- like the new option to have accompaniment. Once auditioners know this for the future, performances will improve.