LATIN LOSERS
I don't think there has ever been a latin night before. Has there? I think tonight we learned why. And I developed a greater respect for Latin singers.
I happen to love Latin music. I don't speak a word of Spanish, but when Ibraham Ferrer came out with his first CD after Buena Vista Social Club, I listened to it over and over. At some point, I found out there were lyrics printed somewhere but I made a point to avoid them. It's just beautiful rhythmic music and I don't have to understand the words to know what it means. The first time I heard that Robin Thicke song, lost without you, it was a version that had a female singer doing a verse in Spanish, I thought, what a great song. I've heard it since without the Spanish verse and I thought it was just okay.
And, as somebody who loves Latin music, I thought tonight's show was painful. For the most part, the singers chose the least truly Latin songs imaginable. Three of the four women sang Gloria Estefan songs. Nothing against Gloria Estefan, but she's Latin Adult Contemporary and if any of those women sang the English equivalent of those synthetic disco songs, they would have been totally dissed by the judges. As it was, two of them kind of were. Melinda (the only one who sang a non Gloria-tune) and Lakisha got some long-awaited disrespect. Inexplicably, Jordin, who looked good but didn't even seem to be trying, was praised. The one lesson I learned last night is that Conga and The Rhythm is Gonna Get You are two different songs. But not by much. I thought Lakisha gave hers a little more oomph. Jordin was just slow.
Haley did okay for her. I thought the speed of her song would kill her, but she kept the beat. Did nothing vocally over that beat, but she kept it. The legs looked good, but what was with that make-up, and instead of dancing at all, she just walked a lot. She would have done well to stay in one place but move around a little in that space.
Two of the guys picked Santana songs off the same album. In other words, they took the guy who melded Latin to Rock and crossed over with it to a rock audience and then took songs he recorded as a senior citizen in duets with Robbie Williams and Wyclef. Very Latin!
Phil to me is just a slug. Good pipes, but no soul. And on a night like this, when his voice betrayed him (twice by my count) he's got nothing. It was work to listen to that song. I kept waiting for somebody to sing one line of Spanish in a Latin song. Phil was my greatest hope, I don't know why, maybe be cause he was in the service, I thought he might speak a little Spanish. After Phil, I vowed that if anybody would sing a little bit of spanish they would get my first vote of the season.
Between the good male singers, as usual, I liked Chris better and the judges liked Blake better. But they did like them both. I thought Chris took a good song and made it his. I thought Blake slowed his song down too much and I didn't feel it was that passionate.
But still no Spanish, until Sanjaya. In this case, they saved the best for last. I said I would vote for the first person to sing in Spanish, and so I voted for Sanjaya. That's why I voted for him the first time. But I voted for him twice more because I thought he sang really really well. And I didn't like the fact that even Ryan is hating on him now.
On the other hand, if you hate Sanjaya, you'll be pleased to know that it took me only five dials to vote for him three times.
Still I think he's good for another week. I think it will be Haley and Phil in the bottom again along with either Melinda or Lakisha. I think Phil is going home.
Comments
ugh- what a horrible night. not sure I'll ever be able to listen to latin music again. I may even give my gardener the cold shoulder this morning.
So, a few thoughts. First off, how great was J Lo? Loved her- she really is just "Jenny from the block". Thought Melinda nailed a lot of my disinterest in her when she told Jenny that she is not sexy at all. It's true, there is nothing sexy about Melinda. And when I shell out $75 to see a pop star at the Forum, I want sexy. LaKisha is a big girl, but she is sexy. It's a big difference, especially with them going back to back. And how does Simon comment each week on Haley's legs, but LaKisha's cleavage goes unmentione? and what's with paula and her "well, you look great" comments? I wish LaKisha had come back with "don't condescend to me, bitch". But must admit I kind of liked Paula's hair last night. (do I lose a point in the pool for saying that?)
Alright, on to the real issue- who were those losers that Sanjaya's sister was hanging out with? How did they get past security let alone into her arms? Sanjee is going to be a star. And if his hottie sister had a clue, she could probably turn all this into an acting career, or a spokemodel, or that weird host woman at the golden globes. But someone needs to get ahold of her and steer her away from the trailer. Maybe Jessica Simpson's dad. or the person who molded the Olson twins. Or someone from the Disney Channel.
I may soon have to say goodbye to my pool lead- not a good night for LaKisha or Jordin. Maybe the pool gods will give me another week or two, but I feel it slipping and have taken my bid off that condo on Hanalei.
-steve