David Archuleta’s coach Dean kaelin joins us in the studio to talk about yesterday’s American Idol show. David will be joining FOX 13 on Friday May 7.
Utah’s ‘American Idol’ finalist could be singing the national anthem Friday night before the NBA playoff game between the Jazz and Los Angeles Lakers.
David Archuleta, a 17-year-old Murray High School student, has earned rave reviews on the Fox TV show and is among four finalists.
The field will get smaller by Wednesday night.
Archuleta’s appearance at EnergySolutions Arena was announced on the Jazz Web site. But team spokeswoman Linda Luchetti says the NBA still must approve it.
Tuesday night, the final four took on the huge selection of “500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll.” This was the night that was supposed to be David Cook’s, after all he is the “resident rocker” of the group. Oddly enough, the night was owned by the 17-year-old “pop sensation,” “lil’ David”(as Seacrest likes to call him). Let’s break it down by performances now:
4. Jason Castro
As Simon stated, Jason should pack his suitcase. He tackled two “Bob” songs. The first, “I Shot the Sheriff” by Bob Marley was slightly awkward, especially when he tried to dance amd bob his head. Did anyone else notice that?
His second song, ”Mr. Tambourine Man,” by Bob Dylan, I thought was a better choice. I actually thought he sang it pretty well, but he did commit the ultimate ‘Idol” no-no by forgetting his lyrics. Although, he is the third contestant to do that this year following in the footsteps of Brooke White and David Archuleta. Whoops! It’s hard not to like Jason because he is so charming and laid-back, but he will go home Wednesday.
Grade: D
3. TIE between David Cook and Syesha Mercado
David Cook
Did anyone else expect more out of DC tonight? His first song, as Simon said was a bit of a copycat version of Duran Duran’s ”Hungry Like the Wolf.” He sang it pretty well, but had some trouble hitting those lower notes. He also sang with a more nervous energy than he has in the past few weeks.
However, David seemed more in his element with ”Baba O’Riley” by the Who. I do agree with Randy in that something weird was going on with him tonight. He definitely will survive and I fully expect he will be on his A game next time.
Grade: B
Syesha Mercado
Once again, Syesha has proven why she is the last female standing. She has such a strong, powerful voice that causes one to have goosebumps when she sings.
Her first song ”Proud Mary,” by Tina Turner was quite theatrical, which seems to be her nitch. I don’t know if it was the best choice because she did not get to show that powerful voice.
She definitely redeemed herself with the second song, ”A Change Is Gonna Come,” by Sam Cooke. She truly connected with that song for various reasons as she stated and we saw her completely lose it when Randy told her she tried too hard. Surprisingly, Simon and Paula both loved it and Syesha seemed to calm herself down after hearing Cowell’s approval.
Grade: B
1. David Archuleta
“Lil David” had the best night by a mile or as Simon said “he crushed the competition.” His version of ”Stand by Me” by Ben E. King was excellent because he truly made it his own and connected with the audience by opening his eyes, as Paula pointed out. His vocals were also outstanding.
For his second choice, David sang the more subdued “”Love Me Tender” by Elvis Presley and I don’t think it was quite as good as the first because of the lack of vitality within his vocals.
One slightly negative thing to say about David is that he sometimes chooses songs that may be a bit too mature for a person his age and in the process loses some of his youthfulness. No harm done, though. He definitely rocked and had the best night of the remaining competitors.
Grade: A
I am still thinking that it will be a David vs. David final, but both men better be at the top of their games next week because Syesha is on fire right now.
What do you think? Do you think Jason Castro will be the one packing or do you think there may be a “huge shocker” in store for us?
Watch and listen to David Archuleta singing “Stand By Me” and “Love Me Tender” performed during The Top 04 Performances (Rock N Roll Hall of Fame Week).
Proceed to the downloads on the forum.
View the episodic stills and screen captures in the gallery.
It’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame night on American Idol tonight. Which seems oddly appropriate, somehow, in this strangest of Idol seasons — fine one minute, not-so-fine the next — because there’s only one true rocker left in the bunch.
And, no, it ain’t David Archuleta.
Those Idol fans with long memories — long enough to go back, way back, all the way back to this time two years ago — will remember that it was at about this point in Idol’s season that consensus critics’ pick Chris Daughtry was told his Idol journey was over. Daughtry, the sole hard rocker to make the final four that year, exited the stage — and immediately went on to sell a gadzillion CDs. He’s still selling them, to hear the music charts tell it.
This time, music fans, and not just Idol believers, can only hope the same doesn’t happen to David Cook.
But it might.
Right now, this is the other David, David Archuleta’s, Idol to lose. In a terrific — if somewhat angry — post on The Huffington Post, that noted archival site for all things Idol, culture critic Chez Pazienza said as much, noting: “David Archuleta’s going to win American Idol — you may as well get that through your head right now.”
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Listen to David Archuleta’s Top 05 studio version of “Sweet Caroline” in the audio player.
What do you get when you add three weeks of Archie sign language and a loving family? Over the past few weeks, all the Arch Angels have noticed David giving us the sign (hand over the heart) and we are proud to know that our goal to let us know that we matter has reached him. But what is greater than knowing that even his family will do it for us.
“Mama” Lupe Archuleta, alongside Jeff and relatives, decided to show us the love tonight as well by showing us the sign…and not the one that they made. We ARE the Arch Angels and we WILL make sure that nothing gets in the way; but who doesn’t love cookies?
