Did Kupono give a call me/vote for me sign in his intro? Ha. No shame in self-promotion apparently. Too bad it didn't work. Cat is looking fantastic, but that black strip is distracting. At least even it out with the other side. Debbie Allen as the guest judge was interesting. Better than Toni and Tyce, but not as bucc as Lil' C or as banoodles as Mia. The music was pretty varied this time around, although we had multiple repeats from previous seasons, this season, and this performance show. I was disappointed with the lack of new solos and songs during the results show night.
Onto the music recaps for the Top 10 Performance and Results shows…
Top 5 Girls Routine choreographed by Nakul Dev Mahajan
As many people have mentioned, Jeanine looked the most comfortable doing this dance. And the other J, Janette, looked fantastic as well. That music “speed-up” at the end was intense. Nakul really pushes the dancers without making them look like idiots. What can you really say about the music? I don’t know much about Bollywood, but from what I can tell, the music always fits perfectly with the story and movement.
Song: Dholna
Artist/Band: Pyar Ke Geet (soundtrack)
Where you’ve heard the song before: You may know this song if you’re into the Bollywood circuit, but I’ve never heard this song before.
Buy the video on iTunes:
Or
Buy the album on Amazon: Amazon
Kayla & Evan’s Viennese Waltz choreographed by Tony Meredith and Melanie LaPatin
Evan looks like Chuck Bass. That was so distracting, I had to watch this dance a few times. In music news, this song makes me nostalgic. The mid-90s was a memorable time for music. Ha. Again, I don’t know much about the Viennese Waltz so I guess the song was too fast for the jidges? Tony did speed up the song. I ended up really liking this waltz and I don’t normally connect with this style.
Song: Kiss From a Rose
Artist/Band: Seal
Where you’ve heard the song before: The song came out in 1994 (but lives in our hearts forever). It was on the Batman Forever soundtrack. It also made the rounds on American Idol. Chris Sligh sang this song for his audition and Jack Black “performed” this song for the Idol charity extravaganza in 2007.
Buy the single on iTunes:
Brandon’s Solo
I’m so glad we’ll be seeing a solo from him every week now. His movement was amazing. Staccato (and almost manic) and then it slowed down just in time with the music. As it was mentioned last night on Twitter, this was even better than his audition.
Song: In Your Eyes
Artist/Band: Jeffrey Gaines
Where you’ve heard the song before: This song was originally sung by Peter Gabriel. Jeffrey Gaines recorded an acoustic version of this song in 1992 and released it with his single Scares Me More. After Gaines failed to gain much success, he re-recorded the song in studio and live versions for his album Always Be. Sara Bareilles also does a cover of this song. Of course the place you should all know this song is from the movie Say Anything…. This was the tune John Cusack blasted on the boom box he held over his head (It seems that Fox thinks that posting that clip of Cusack on YouTube is copyright infringement so here’s a trailer for the movie with In Your Eyes and some boombox action at the end).
I believe Brandon used the live/acoustic version of this song (so that’s what is provided below).
Buy the single on iTunes:
Janette & Ade’s Hip Hop routine choreographed by NappyTabs
They probably shouldn’t have done a costume change. Nothing can beat Karla’s.
A magic pick? Really? Ade was definitely stronger than Janette and the judges just decided to ignore that. I have to say that I could do without this song. Forever. Just like last week, I think NappyTabs went too literal with their concept. I think they should take a short respite and get their creative juices flowing in the right direction again.
[Sidenote: And the camera, oh dear. No wonder SYTYCD never gets an Emmy nom for their camera work. Hot. Mess.]
Song: Love Sex Magic
Artist/Band: Ciara feat. Justin Timberlake
Where you’ve heard the song before: If you listen to Top 40 radio, this song has been ringing in your ears for a few months now.
Buy the single on iTunes:
Randi’s Solo
I loved her song choice, but I didn’t find her choreography particularly inspired. Not enough to make up for the atrocity that was the Paso Doble. I felt like she was dancing on top of the music, not in it. Is that possible? I like to make things up sometimes.
Song: Dream
Artist/Band: Priscilla Ahn
Where you’ve heard the song before: It was on the Disturbia soundtrack. Dream was also featured in Bride Wars and was in an episode of that joke of a show Ghost Whisperer. Recently, Nick Lazzarini, the SYTYCD S1 winner, danced to this song.
Buy the single on iTunes:
Kupono’s Solo
I liked his solo. Was it earth shattering? No. But I did like the return of quirkiness from Pono. The song gave him a good starting point for his choreography.
Song: Marina Gasolina
Artist/Band: Bonde do Rolê
Where you’ve heard the song before: I’m not at all familiar with Bonde do Rolê, so I’m not sure where you would have heard this song before. Kupono has a soundtrack of his own.
Buy the single on iTunes:
Jeanine & Jason’s Contemporary routine choreographed by Travis Wall
Nate’s prediction seems to be coming true and to be honest, I’m not mad. Travis Wall’s choreography was fantastic and Jeanine and Jason were technically and emotionally spot-on. This piece had the same honesty and rawness that Mia’s piece had, only it wasn’t as angry. It was powerfully heart-wrenching and it almost gave you that ache in your chest when you lose someone. Really moving.
I’m glad Debbie Allen said we’d be seeing this on the road. That’s enough to get me to buy a ticket for the tour. This routine and the addiction piece, and I’m sold.
Song: If It Kills Me (The Casa Nova Sessions)
Artist/Band: Jason Mraz
Where you’ve heard the song before: If you took my advice from last week and got his CD, We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things, you’ve already heard this song. If you didn’t, then do it this week!
Buy the single on iTunes:
Melissa’s Solo
I know some people liked her song choice, but I’m not so sure it went with her movement. I thought the song called for something a bit more grounded, and her movement is very…up (it makes sense in my mind). I was less impressed with her solo this week.
Song: Gabriel
Artist/Band: Lamb
Where you’ve heard the song before: It’s from their album What Sound released in 2001.
Buy the single on iTunes:
Evan’s Solo
I’ll definitely miss his solos when he’s gone. In a sea of contemporary/jazz dancers, Evan’s movement and music are a breath of fresh air.
Song: Zing! Went the Strings of my Heart
Artist/Band: Rufus Wainwright
Where you’ve heard the song before: The song was originally done by Hal LeRoy and Eunice Healey, but was more famously recorded by the lovely Judy Garland. Frank Sinatra also recorded a version of this song. Rufus Wainwright recorded this song live for his album Rufus Does Judy at Carnegie Hall.
Buy the single on iTunes:
Kayla’s Solo
Even though I’ve had my fill of this song for the rest of my life, I thoroughly enjoyed Kayla’s solo. She had the right amount of intensity and joy to go with the song.
Song: Rock Your Soul
Artist/Band: Elisa
Where you’ve heard the song before: This song is a crowd favorite in the SYTYCD world. Sabra danced her Top 6 solo to this song and Courtney did her Top 6 solo to this song as well. Someone during the audition process this year used the song. It was never shown, but
Buy the single on iTunes:
Randi & Kupono’s Paso Doble choreographed by Toni Meredith and Melanie LaPatin
From a distance Randi looked like Shawn Johnson. That wig was almost as bad as the dance itself. Again, I don’t know Paso, but it seems like the song didn’t really go well with the choreography. I’ll leave the music and choreo assessment to Joanna. :)
Song: Dies Irae
Artist/Band: Karl Jenkins
Where you’ve heard the song before: This hymn/poem/song has more history than I care to wrap my brain around. Go to Wikipedia to find out more information. Karl Jenkin’s version comes from his album Requiem.
Buy the single on iTunes:
Ade’s Solo
His movement quality is fantastic. Every single beat in the music was used. It was hard to tell because the music didn’t have a hard bass line, but I liked his solo overall.
Song: Unchained Melody
Artist/Band: The Righteous Brothers
Where you’ve heard the song before: It was featured in the movie Ghost. Need I say more? Also Kellie Pickler and Clay Aiken sang it on Idol (not together). Find out more about the song here.
Buy the single on iTunes:
Jeanine’s Solo
I don’t know, Jeanine. I wasn’t crazy about the song choice because I think her movement lends to a different kind of song. Especially since this song was already used this season, I’m not sure this was the best choice for her.
Song: Violento (Up Mix)
Artist/Band: Bailongo!
Where you’ve heard the song before: Are you having déjà vu because Jeanine already danced to this song this season. It was a train wreck the first time around, so naturally you’d want to use the song again.
Jason’s Solo
Points for the song choice, but I would have liked a bit more in his solo. As we know, picking a good song is half the battle, but putting substantial choreography with it is just as important (probably more).
Song: Train Fare Home
Artist/Band: Muddy Waters
Where you’ve heard the song before: It’s from his album The Real Folk Blues/More Real Folk Blues.
Buy the single on iTunes:
Melissa & Brandon’s Broadway routine choreographed by Tyce Diorio
I have to say, for Tyce, I didn’t hate this routine. Or maybe it was Brandon’s gymnastics that really sold me. I loved the song. One of my favorite Broadway pieces ever on the show.
Song: Aquarius
Artist/Band: Hair (The New Broadway Cast)
Where you’ve heard the song before: At the end of The 40 Year Old Virgin there is a lot of frolicking done to this song. This is another song that has a long history http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aquarius_%28song%29. All the way back to the 60s, Melissa! Hair will be going dark for one performance in the fall to support marriage equality.
Buy the single on iTunes:
Janette’s Solo
It’s so hard to judge Janette by herself. I didn’t like the song either. I’m very Negative Nancy tonight.
Song: This is Miami
Artist/Band: Sander Kleinenberg
Where you’ve heard the song before: There isn’t much history with this song. I wonder if the music people gave the song to Janette or if she already knew about it.
Buy the single on iTunes:
Top 5 Guys African routine choreographed by Jeffrey Page
Newsflash! Evan is short and not African. I loved the intensity and force of this routine. The music was just powerful enough to take their movement to the next level. Plus Evan was not as tragic as expected. Pono took the fall instead.
Song: Balant Funk
Artist/Band: Ayanda Clarke and Shawn Kelly (his name appears as Shaun Kelly in most places)
Where you’ve heard the song before: This song is off the radar of the Internet.
For the solos and song, I just listed the song and artist info with a link for iTunes. Nothing fancy since you can scroll up for the actual information about the songs.
Top 10 Group Performance choreographed by Wade Robson
Can’t get Michael Jackson? We’ll settle for Janet. That wasn’t your typical Wade, but what is typical for him, really? I appreciated the lighting and the draperies, but the dancing lacked a bit of the Wade quality that we’ve all grown to love. Overall it wasn’t the worst group routine ever, but it certainly wasn’t the best.
Song: So Much Betta
Artist/Band: Janet Jackson
Where you’ve heard the song before: It’s from her most recent album Discipline.
Buy the single on iTunes:
Molly Gray’s Audition
She was just okay. She looks a bit like Kelli Baker, Bonnie Story’s daughter. Or maybe I wasn’t really paying attention. We’ll see if she makes it to Vegas or not. Big cliffhanger!
Song: Against All Odds
Artist/Band: The Postal Service
Where you’ve heard the song before: The song was originally sung by Phil Collins and this version appears in the movie of the same name. Mariah Carey did a cover solo and with the Irish band, Westlife. The Postal Service did a cover in 2004 for the movie Wicker Park. Their cover ranked 8th on the list of the NY Post’s 100 Best Cover Songs of All Time.
Buy the single on iTunes:
Randi’s Solo
Song: Dream
Artist/Band: Priscilla Ahn
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Kupono’s Solo
Song: Marina Gasolina
Artist/Band: Bonde Do Role
Buy the single on iTunes:
Melissa’s Solo
Song: Gabriel
Artist/Band: Lamb
Buy the single on iTunes:
Ade’s Solo
Song: Unchained Melody
Artist/Band: The Righteous Brothers
Buy the single on iTunes:
Black Eyed Peas Performance
That was a painful 4 minutes. There were flailing people in the background that were obviously labeled as “dancers” erroneously. Fergie looked a hot mess and was carrying around some sort of furry baton. The singing wasn’t so hot, and I’m not even sure it was live. I’d like to see more dancing. If Desmond Richardson would just come back every week and dance for 30 minutes, I think the results shows would be more bearable.
Song: I Gotta Feeling
Where you’ve heard the song before: The B.E.P. have been dominating the charts these past few weeks. I’m sure you’ve heard this song.
Buy the single on iTunes:
Randi’s Goodbye Montage
Song: Already Gone
Artist/Band: Kelly Clarkson
Buy the single on iTunes:
Kupono’s Goodbye Montage
Song: On Your Own
Artist/Band: Green River Ordinance
Buy the single on iTunes:
So we're down to our Top 8! I'm so excited about Ellen, I don't know how I'm going to make it through the week!
3 comments:
You gotta hand it to the BEP, they are the masters of the infernally catch summer hit song.
I do not get the repetition of the solos by the bottom 4 dancers. Since two of them are not going home, it doesn't give the viewers a chance to see them anew and I think that hurts their chances of getting more votes next time. Oh well, I am not the producer.
The less said about the paso music the better.
LOL! No Natalie, that sign Pono did is called a shaka, it's a Hawaiian thing. :D But totally understandable interpretation!
Momo - The B.E.P. know how to market music. I'll give them that. I'm guessing since they film the performance shows on Tuesdays this year instead of Mondays, the dancers have less time to learn the group number and can't really choreograph new solos by Thursdays?
Margot - Ah I see. Haha. He shouldn't have held it that close to his ear then! Bad Pomo! ;)
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