Paula's Ramblings 3/27

I am sick…so I hope that everyone else in the world is miserable. Here we go…

LaKisha:
Donna Summer is not an easy artist to…uhh…start out with and you did her proud, you did an excellent job.

Chris S:
That’s probably the biggest amount of criticism I’ve had for you the whole season is staying in the pocket, because it…its…it becomes like an eyesore for the audience because the audience is trying to groove with you they want to groove with you. Vocally, it sat really nice in the tonal part of your voice so that was a good choice; you gotta hear you gotta feel that beat.

Gina:
I love the fact that you are you are improving each week and you…you are coming into your own as an artist, you look fantastic, the song you picked was really great because it showed vulnerability and it also allowed you to soar with your vocals it really was your best performance so far.

Sanjaya:
Sanjaya, if you would if you had the gumption I you had the ability to just totally go for it it fits the it would fit the wackiness of the faux hawk and all that but to watch you on stage and not go for its kinda like you know its kinda like come on because you can do it if you want do it its like how hard is it you are up there, you can do it.

Haley:
Its one of those songs that that I agree with Gwen it’s a beautiful song that requires nothing other than just singing the melody and being vulnerable and just singing I kinda it kinda held more of an adult contemporary performance to that you didn’t stay younger and you should stay contemporary…pretty girl.

Phil:
It’s a good choice um its interesting there is so much personality and color to your voice when you hit the uh chorus it’s it’s like that’s where you really live, that’s where your magic is, the verses though its…kinda…it plays it safe until you you get building up to the chorus then you soar so I’d just work on build some character in verses.

Melinda:
Now you had charisma from the word go you sing you sing it tell a story from the very first word that comes out of your mouth and its fun your so joyful when you’re singing and I love when people tell stories when they are singing…and you do it in spades.

Blake:
Ohh yeah, Blake I loved what you did with the song I loved I thought it was so cool I think I think you’re taking risks and your being original and you’re making this whole competition hip cool and contemporary. I think you are the dark horse, I think you can sail in and I would like to see you in the finale.

Jordan:
And you’re adorable you’re adorable and you’re hip and you’re young and this celebrated I love seeing you in this kind of mode, you had fun up there…good for you.

Chris R:
You’re good. Chris. You’re good. Just good.

Paula's Ramblings 3/20

Shanjaya is still here…incredibly. I hope that he gets Paula to cry or at least mumble for twenty minutes as she skirts around the issue that he stinks on ice. Here we go…

[In response to Ryan’s comments]
You gotta just shake me out, have fun, picture Simon, you know, not dressed…and…you know get rid of your nerves…you can just laugh it off and picture Simon not dressed…Yes…Yes…

Haley:
Haley, you had this girlish quality about you, this was the perfect song for you and it the flirtation side of you was great, you’re adorable…you performed it tonight good for you.

Chris R:
Its all about being smart with your choices and your playing this game to win it and I am telling you another thing Chris, the arrangement, the acoustic, it just the whole thing was very sexy and charming…right on.

Stephanie:
Ok great news first cause that’s the way it is, I love the what your wearing cause its contemporary and its sex appeal…and…and…I do…and…I do think you picked the right song, minus some notes that fell off um, you’re a great singer and, um the only thing I want you to do is start going back to having that fun, I feel like that spirit of having fun might have drifted a little bit.

Blake:
You picked a song and this season I think its for Blake…I really do, I think that you have really…really raised the bar and I think that I felt like I was at a concert, I really do, I think you can release that, put that on your record.

LaKisha:
I don’t think you picked the wrong song I think you picked you made the right choice you picked the right song and…You’re a very very smart girl any time your going to sing about diamonds they are going to give you the real diamonds to wear, How many millions are you wearing? Millions of dollar…Don’t let Simon bodyguard you, we will. one million dollars, she’s wearing a million dollars worth of diamonds.
[In response to Simon’s comments]
He’s a wardrobe stylist.

Phil:
I actually think it was a real good choice of song, stop it Simon, thank you l do feel that there were some some parts that were pitchy but I feel like the emotion of the song you were right there having fun and I liked hearing the various ranges of your voice and how you played it off, I thought you actually had a great performance.

Jordan:
Each week we learn just how great you range is becoming and I do think it is, we always say 17 years old 17 years old it doesn’t matter, it really doesn’t matter a good singer is a good singer and you also a wonderful performer.
[In response to Simon’s comments]
I totally get what you are saying…Yes.

Sanjaya:
Yeah! I know, that’s what we’ve been waiting for…well at least we have been waiting for, you know what just go for it just go for it, you went for it at least you had fun up there…Good for you.

Gina:
First of all I think ti was miles better than last week that’s the first thing, I thought you were way way better, second of all I think that this is really what you have fun doing and I think you are going to have a…more fun when you let even more loose and do your own thing and honestly you picked Simon’s favorite song, well it ain’t paint it purple, it wouldn’t be paint it purple, I am just saying, you wouldn’t.
[In response to Ryan’s comments]
Don’t abandon who you are, dont abandon who you are…that’s it.
And just work on your vocals and feel free.
[In response to Simon’s comments]
Feel free to go for the notes…Gina you did great.

Chris S:
A little…a little a head of the pocket…but other…other than that first of all I think you are dressing much nicer I like the fact that you are working the audience but really feel free to, like, be more personable with the audience…Other than that I thought you were really good. Oh, yeah, and jumping down slapping Simon’s hand, whatever.
[In response to Simon’s comments]
I know, he could have taken the mic stand and really jabbed you…I told you.

Melinda:
Yeaga, yeah…you are in your own league my dear, you really are, you tell a story with the song and there is a beginning middle and end and its not forced it just is and its beautiful.

Paula's Ramblings 3/13

First night of the big show. I liked during the intro that they didn’t mention or show Rueben….oops. I guess he has been disavowed. Its Diana Ross night and I am curious to see what she is looking like these days. I was hoping that she would be a trainwreck, but she was well-spoken and looked pretty ok. On with the ramblings…

[In response to Ryan’s comments]
I think we have a great variety…I think that, uh, the girls have been shining but I think the guys are ready to come into their own now.

Brandon:
Its not easy to do what you’re doing…especially the first night out here and I know nerves play a big part of it going into from a small in the round now into big big big concert hall like this…but umm….You know Brandon we don’t need to tell you what you did wrong, there are many things that you do right and, uh, I think that you’ll warm up into this.

Melinda:
Melinda, just watching you…I just…I feel you’re just feeling so much joy and it’s exciting I feel I’m one big goosebump and I’m just so excited for you because look at you, I mean, this is it for you…this is it for you…you’re…you’re sailing through.
[In response to Simon’s comments]
When you see her crying like that…yeah.
[In response to Ryan’s comments]
She’s feeling like she, um, had an out of body experience.

Chris S.:
Well, that song is a is that song is so recognizable and its such a beautiful love song and sometimes I worry that your trying ultra hard to be ultra hip and cool…and sometimes you can just let the melody play, listen to the lyrics, sing the song cause you have a really nice voice…I worry less of trying to fit into some kind of contemporary thing here.

Gina:
Uhhh…well it such an exciting song, I mean that song is like a feel good you cant help yourself, you wanna get up…I feel then you’re much better…then…how you did…tonight and I feel like at times you were shouting and and enunciation and pitch were kinda off.

Sanjaya:
Sanjaya, I can understand why Diana said your pure love because you are you are the sweetest soul you smile and it it warms peoples hearts it really does. I mean, it wasn’t that you you sang on pitch its, I understand what Diana was saying, you have to start it off where you really gotta grab the audience and when a song like that happens you gotta just let go and that’s the thing we try to say you gotta exploded with your with your vocals now you gotta really jump out with reckless abandon and go…You look adorable though and he didn’t do a bad job.
[In response to Ryan’s comments]
He doesn’t listen to us anymore.

Haley:
Well, I’ll start with saying you look lovely tonight. Yeah, you heard that. But Haley that is probably not what you wanna hear right now, you know, its it’s uh the same thing with Brandon, it’s a brand new day up here forgetting the words is never a great thing to do and your pitch ay ya yay, you’re still adorable, you know, this is hard this is a hard thing.
[In response to Haley’s comments]
Half the time the audience doesn’t know…they don’t know anything.

Phil:
We were discussing that while you were performing your vocals sound very good…I just, that song, I just, were feeling it needs to be a little up tempo and it would’ve been a more exciting performance but other than that Phil you have strong vocals you really do. You really do.

LaKisha:
You’re a beautiful performer you’re a beautiful girl and your heart comes through when you sing and that’s the most important thing you can posses as an artist.

Blake:
No, I understand what you are saying totally and I I do agree, to a certain extent, but there is a difference I feel between what Blake did and Chris did and I think that what what seeing you and letting the audience see how you actually work it out and you think about it, I think that you could have a hit with that again, I really do. And you’re a good singer too.
[In response to Simon’s comments]
You know what is interesting, you don’t have to change Motown sound…you don’t have to change anything.

Stephanie:
Is there a reason why you didn’t do it, I think everyone was waiting cuase we all love that song and wait for that was there an artistic choice for that? But that is what arraging is for. There I mean you have strong vocals but you know keep keep going, you have strong vocals, you have strong vocals.

Chris R.:
Umm, I I thinik out of all the guys you nailed the blend of bringing contemporary into and and it was fun the…there is a song that back in the day, Dan Hartman, instant replay vibe and it was and it was one of the best dance songs and you kinda…turned it to that direction. You played with the vocals, you did a great job.

Jordan:
As I’ve said before you are a natural gift. You are like a breath of fresh air and your beautiful and you can sing your little heart out. I wasn’t that familiar with that song but it doesn’t matter cause you drew me in right away.

Paula's Ramblings 3/7

Jordan:
The energy that you brought to the stage today and I just think that your getting better and better and better and you are like exploding coming into your own artistry its unbelievable I think that you’re going to be here for a long long time.

Sabrina:
For me there is just one thing that is consistent…you can sing sing sing and you gotta gorgeous…your voice it it just soars and it and it just pierces through and you got amazing instrument and you look beautiful tonight and its just a whole different energy tonight, you’re just a great singer.
[In response to Simon’s comments]
If you’re performing at any hotel I’ll go there.

Antonella:
Um, I think it was the right song choice for you and where you stand right now with your range um. Bottom notes gotta kinda have to watch out for when you hit into the higher range its when your magic was there but I think you picked the right song.
[In response to Ryan’s comments]
Ok gets let to a warmer place.

Haley:
Well I am sure that’s a difficult critic to hear…no yo in it…um…but it is I think the kind of artist that you are that’s a song that you sang well um may not have been our favorite song but you sang it well and you look great up there…that’s a good thing.
[In response to Simon’s comments]
Horrible…Haley…
[In response to Haley’s comments]
Haley you always haven’t gotten bad comments
[In response to Ryan’s comments]
I think its tough with the girls I think anyone’s game up there right now

Stephanie:
I thought you were darn near flawless…I think you have to watch a little bit slightly falling behind in the music and staying on top of the beat but you have a beautiful voice and you have great showmanship and you…uh…command on the stage and you did a great job.

LaKisha:
You’ve already made us love you, you don’t have to run anywhere, you’re going to stay right here and you’re going to work on being the next idol.
[In response to the audience]
I would never have known.

Gina:
I completely agree this is more or less who I imagined you to be…watch I know it gets excited with the band and everything but watch by not over-singing cause you fall flat alittel bit but other than that this is the style that suits you best.

Melinda:
Melinda, did you ever think…did you ever think that you would be up on this stage right now getting the adoration the applause… you are so phenomenal you are so likable, you’re lovable you’re brilliant on stage and your its like I cant wait…every week I just wanna see what’s next little rabbit you’re gonna pull out of your hat. You’re fantastic…fantastic.

Paula's Ramblings 3/6

This week we were blessed with one of the most awkward Paula moments. She was trying to be nice to Sanjaya, who by the way is one of the greatest train wrecks in history, and she blabbered all over the place.

Blake:
A...A...As we were talking, as I was saying…to both of them, I didn’t recognize that song either but what’s great is…I was interested and that’s hard to do when you don’t know a song and forgive me, I didn’t know it, but I was totally in there on this was really cool. Good job.

Sanjaya:
Uh..Sanjaya. I…I don’t I…I don’t agree completely Randy…I…I…I don’t agree completely. I think that the guys around you are helping you push to strive to do better because you you have a lot of older guys around you that are a little more experienced um, I would just I would continue to get out of your comfort zone but still keep the sincerity of your voice, I don’t know, I really don’t know what else to say other than just keep keep trying. Cause I am trying not to be rude. I just want you to kinda raise your game.

Sundance:
Midway through you really kicked into your Sundance groove and that’s that’s what makes that’s your unique quality and you really pulled it out on this one tonight you did really really well. Really well.

Chris R:
And you picked a great song too because there’s there’s that intonation in your voice. Too that lends itself to kind of a pop country, you just adapt it well and you picked a great song.

Jared:
Um, Jared I this is just my opinion, I think you need to work on coloring up the way you sing and its one thing to have great energy and have fun but there is tender moments where you could go to your falsetto, there;s moments where I feel that sometimes you shout the entire song through and singing on key is great but I would love to see different emotions.
[In response to ryan]
So far yes, I think you need to really pull it up though and try different things.

Brandon:
I think it was pretty phenomenal we haven’t heard that in any of the competitions, uh, so far I think you are really really getting in there and proving why you belong on that stage.

Phil:
Its just its you’re absolutely right Randy when you started off the the lower part of your register it gets chancy and its always like o uh o wait there its that comfort zone cause when you hit those big notes and they swell they are beautiful. Odd choice of song for me, I don’t feel like…I don’t feel this was your best performance.

Chris S:
Um…oh boy, I don’t know it wasn’t my favorite performance. I’m I’m feeling like Chris you gotta keep, keep rising above For me this was just kinda like middle of the road Also I feel like also vocally and everything you just gotta stretch a little more and take some risks. Actually, I liked last week better.

Paula's Ramblings 2/28

2/28/2007
Boys did some singing and they did a pretty good job. I liked Sundance’ performance and I think he is goofy enough to make it.

[In response to Ryan’s comments]
I think they are ready and they look gorgeous…my gosh!

Gina:
Well, if you watched last season, two seasons ago…Carrie sang it um and we were really surprised then but MAN! Excellent job. Really good. Be proud of yourself.
You look beautiful…this song is rock…says who? Look at the necklace, wait a minute. Tattoo necklace great dress beautiful jewelry you look awesome, but, you know what, do take fashion advice from Simon.

Alaina:
Alaina its…its…its hard because there were…it’s a hard song to sing…the pitch and you probably couldn’t hear it from where you were…it was a little bit off. Having said that it’s not nearly as bad as this guy is saying. Trust me. And and and…
(In response to Simon’s comments) I still think you are adorable, you look beautiful. LET’S TALK ABOUT HOW WONDERFUL ALAINA IS! (...when Simon and Randy are arguing.)

LaKisha:
You gotta remember you’re LaKisha…the woo woo! I loved it. And I love you.

Melinda:
For me that was just astounding. You phrased that song…so beautifully, so differently, so out of this world, I applaud you.

Antonella:
Well Randy, I..I don’t think their less then one percent can sing like Celine…having said that, I think Antonella…you made leaps and bounds from last week. Honestly I do.

Jordan:
Jordan, there is something about you that is infectious…you just know that you are…you’re just a good…good…good human being. And that I am saying that besides the fact, yeah, this is a singing competition, but that goes without saying you are one brilliant talented girl, that has the ability to really…really come into her own, I know you are going to be around for a long time.

[In response to Simon saying that they are in competition]
Whatever…unbelievable that that they could uh actually be friends.

Stephanie:
It’s very silent because they pretty much disagree with what you have to say Randy…I think you are fantastic brilliant and its hard to do something that so many people are in love with Beyonce I think so many people are going to be in love with Stephanie Edwards right now.

Leslie:
I don’t know Randy what are you going to say?
I love I your being you your back in your element of what you are doing…
(In response to Simon’s joke about how Leslie sounded like Paula while she was scatting) Then you know what...that was funny though.
(In response to Simon saying that she will not be remembered) I disagree I disagree what I think is we all like different flavors of ice cream and she is a different flavor that is very unique. (To Simon) He is frozen sour pickle juice and I would never have that.

Haley:
I wanna say leaps and bounds better than last week and I think this is more you more having fun and we get to see your personality. A lot better and, yes, it is a song that has a lot of background vocals but you know what, I still think you were so much better than last week.

Sabrina:
She showed her voice last week too and I loved it last week. I just love you, you are fantastic, you are a big contender in this competition. Bravo!

Paula's Ramblings 2/27

2/272007

Boys are back and they have something to prove. I wonder what advice Paula has…let us see.

[In response to Ryan’s comments]
They have to just have fun, own a song….Hey! have fun….you guys are celebrities now.

Phil:
Every week I’m hearing how great the tone to your voice is and I can hear you right now on the radio.

Jared:
Oooh, maybe when Jared does it (to Simon)…Jared, you are a good…shut up Simon…you are a good looking guy, you really are, that’s the kind of song that you don’t have to push on…well uh no pun intended…you know what I mean….I better….Oh you don’t know what I am trying to say, oooh no you don’t.

AJ:
Yeah! Props Props to you guys (to the band)….very very nice and AJ you have a real real real real real…real…good voice and I love seeing the change and and seeing you expand in different areas its actually very refreshing.

Sanjaya:
Well, Sanjaya I think…I Well first of all you sang on pitch and that’s you couldn’t say pitchy he cause you were you were in pitch…you are 17? right? You have an old soul so you must like songs that that e e e I love music of that genre. I just find it odd at such a young age to do that…(Simon asks if she liked the performance) I like songs from that genre and I do think…(Simon asks again) I don’t like you. I do like you Sanjaya I think that it would be great to pick songs that are that celebrate your youth. Tell us?

Chris S:
I liked it too and I thought any kind of dedication to that as a wife that musta felt good. Watch your pitch a little bit and watch getting ahead of the music a little bit other than that you are real awesome.

Nick:
Yeah you know I I love the tone of your voice and when when we heard you sing fly me to the moon it was great and that was kinda like a throw back to that when you auditioned. Just let go you you don’t have anything to worry about just go for it.

Blake:
You know what Those were a lot of props you gave him. And and come on you know, look it you your smart with this you are making smart choices your unique there is no one else like you in this competition. Way to go! Way to go!

Brandon:
I…I Brandon I disagree because I think that if you pick a song that you can feel and you can sing your I felt your heart, you don’t have to over sing, you got a beautiful voice and you know what…no one can tell you how it feels to dedicate something to a woman that inspired you. (In response to Simon) Its not rubbish! I disagree.

Chris R:
I love that you dedicated that song…did did she does your grandmother even know what geek in the pink…well seems like you’ve dedicated it to Simon then…Says big geek…

Sundance:
Yeah! You did! Sundance you gotta, you gotta bring it like that every week, no week is safe, your range, I didn’t know you had range like that, you are awesome…that’s like the best vocal we ever heard from you…amazing amazing.

Paula's Ramblings 2/21

Now it’s the ladies turn. Paula had a great performance on Tuesday night. Lets hope that it continues.

[In response to Ryan’s comments]
I don’t think they let me down, you know its always rough the first night I think that you learn after the first performance where you gotta go and where you have to pull back and where you have to push forward… He’s really happy.

Stephanie:
First of all…Stephanie what a performer you are! My God, I don’t think any of us got see anything and falling to the knees, you are a star, my God. Look at you amazing, way to go, great performance!

Amy:
Um, Amy, I um, gonna have to agree with Randy. I…I feel that you made us you impressed when you were in your early auditions you were bluesy you had an R and B feel and with a song like that uh its its very sentimental its very meant to be soft and breathy and I felt like you pushed for it.

Leslie:
I…I think you did a great job…Leslie. However, watch the songs that you pick because…because you uh you are a real good artist there and in your earlier auditions you shined more with the songs that you picked.

Sabrina:
Sabrina and a valley girl at that. Yeah! Standing ovation. Awesome! Way to go! Whew!

Antonella:
It may not have been great but it wasn’t bad, you had some you had some pitch problems first of all you look, you look, you are an amazingly beautiful girl. And you know what and it’s about song selection and you picked songs earlier in the competition that suited you a little bit better, but you didn’t do bad honey.

Jordin:
And and the good thing is that you are already starting to go there, and it was a great song selection. You kinda were a little tentative at first but you came into your own and it was fun. You you you do have that natural talent. Go for it. Go for it. Go for it.

Nicole:
I don’t…I don’t know…guys? I don’t know…no, no, no, I tell you right now…I don’t know how many people can hit…the…notes…that…Nicole…just…hit. I don’t know about you. But that was a performance, but that was, God, Out of this world, and I am not kidding it may not have been the right song, but you can sing, you can sing. It may not be a song that you like but it was a good song.
She’s got amazing vocal range and control and to…it may not have been the right song but my, god, she’s a great singer.

Haley:
Um, I think you did a nice job, I do. I think you did a nice job Um, I was hoping that maybe you would have selected a different song since we did hear it during Hollywood week. But you still did a good job and you look nice.

Melinda:
No more background singing, you are a front runner you are a front runner and you are a firecracker too, unbelievable. Big, big performance!

Alaina:
I think what you are trying to say is that she didn’t make it her own possibly, quite possibly. No, because she didn’t take the song and you didn’t go for it and you didn’t put your umph in it and I didn’t feel it sweetheart. I am sorry.

Gina:
It was the right song to sing tonight because you got a lot of competition out there and because you have the big powerful voice. Right song.

LaKisha:
LaKisha, you have so much to be proud of, you have so much to be proud of coming out here on the stage especially and the way you felt coming into this competition, this is where you belong honey, this is where you belong.