American Idol season 3: Greatest Soul Classics

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Free Music Notes for American Idol season 3: Greatest Soul Classics

Free Music Review: Most of the Idols At the Top of Their Game
Hit: 5 Stars

1. Fantasia Barrino- "Chain of Fools"
Tasia is at the top of her game in this upbeat track, which doesn't pack the emotion of "Summertime" but comes with double the fun. She provides crisp, clear vocals, and captures the attitude of the song extremely well. It's an uncharacteristically subdued performance for Fantasia, but packs a punch nonetheless, and is a great way to start the C.D.
A

2. George Huff- "Me And Mrs. Jones"
This performance is what I consider to be the ultimate example of the perfect song choice. When Soul Week came about, I prayed that George would sing this song, as it's perfect for his voice. And here it is. And it is good. George applies a silky smooth touch to the song, creating a fluid masterpiece in the process.
A

3. Diana DeGarmo- "I Heard It Through The Grapevine"
Like I said, I had reservations that after Fantasia's performance, Diana could do this song justice, but she most certainly does. She delivers in a big way, showing off her range in a song that doesn't exactly leave room for belting. The song has just the right amount of sass and perk to contain Miss DeGarmo without boring her or the audience. The arrangement of the song could definitely use some work, it's a solid performance and keeps the flow going in an already excellent album.
B

4. LaToya London- "If You Don't Know Me By Now"
LaToya pulls out all the stops in a true diva worthy performance, but really, did we expect anything else from her? It's a performance tailor fit to LaToya's specifics, gives her plenty of room to show off her impressive range, and while others seemed to be holding back on their performances, LaToya goes full throttle and puts her all into it. Whether or not LaToya won American Idol, she's definitely moving on to bigger and better things.
A

5. Jennifer Hudson- "Neither One Of Us"
Our fifth track comes courtesy of Jennifer Hudson, who's improved by leaps and bounds over the competition. This is a song I hadn't heard prior to this album, so I really had no idea what to expect. Jen doesn't display the amount of polish that came with "I Have Nothing" and "Circle of Life". However, it's still a very solid entry, and in true Jennifer style, she sings the heck out of it. Not that I'm complaining- that's what does, and that's why I love her.
B

6. Amy Adams- "You Make Me Feel Brand New"
Of all of the singers, Amy was the only one who was chosen to reprise her Soul Week performance, even though it was met with mixed reviews from the judges and audience, and was considered to be wholly mediocre. It has to be stated that Ms. Adams does an immeasurably better job on the song the second time around. It's much more of a sultry and much less loud performance than her original version of the song. In the end, one of the best on the album from one of my favourite finalists.
B

7. Matthew Rogers- "Sittin' On The Dock Of The Bay"
I don't know. Maybe I was spoiled by George's outstanding performance of this same song, but in an album full of talent, Matthew just isn't good enough. The lack of power in his voice also becomes evident, and overall, it's just a very cheesy, very Matt performance, and a dip in the road of what is otherwise a very well rounded album.
C

8. Jasmine Trias- "Midnight Train To Georgia"
Jasmine handles the song ably, and manages to inject much of the passion she displayed in her early performances into the song. Like Fantasia and Jennifer, she captures of the song's mood very well. Jasmine does a fine job of not over or under-singing, and in the end, punches out a fantastic performance that is worth a second listen.
A

9. Jon Peter Lewis- "My Girl"
The popular JPL falls victim to a bad song choice. Overall, it's a very bland, boring track, and JPL hit's a very rough note during the end of the song that still, after the third listen, catches me off guard and makes me cringe. Jon could have done better then this performance, which is mediocre compared to some of the other gems on the album.
C+

10. Camile Velasco- "Until You Come Back"
I must say, it's a very palatable and pleasant offering from Ms. Velasco, who, while she doesn't show the range of a LaToya or a Jennifer, gives a mellow and laidback performance that is definitely one of her best. An unexpected treat from a largely underrated singer.
B

11. Leah LaBelle- "Betcha, By Golly, Wow"
I believe that everyone in the world is genetically predisposed to hate this song. But, to my surprise, the first Idol to get the axe does a great job with an awful tune. It starts off, well, soulful and continues such. Leah actually has a very pleasant voice that we remember from her first audition in New York, but sadly, rarely got to see afterwards. It's a cross of the best traits of Camile's, Jasmine's, and LaToya's voices. It's performances like this that make me wish Leah had stuck around longer.
B

12. John Stevens- "You Are Everything"
Much to my shock, he gives a mature and pleasant performance of a song that's not from fifty years ago or completely wrong for his voice.is much better than John's Soul Week Performance of "Lately", and much more soulful.
B

13. Ensemble- "Ain't No Mountain High Enough"
Very overly George, Fantasia, and LaToya centric. And coming from a fan of all three, that's not a compliment. John, Leah, and Matt seem to be missing in action. It's rather overpowered, also. It's a good way to end the album, but I wish that it didn't highlight specific performers as much as it does. A different song would have been nice, too.
C+

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