Just when I thought I couldn’t love Cat anymore, she gives us that hairstyle. Classy Lady. Excellent night of dancing. Even though we had some of the worst performances ever, we also had, arguably, 2 of the best. With the good, comes the bad, and I’ll be honest, I’d watch the Russian Folk Dance a hundred times if it meant I got to see Mia’s addiction piece and Wade’s fan-flipping-tastic thieves routine even once.
Onto the music recaps for the Top 12 Performance and Results shows…
Melissa & Ade’s Disco routine choreographed by Doriana Sanchez
Oh dear. That was like one of those rides at the fairs that you can build and tear down in 1 day. It made me so dizzy, I kinda got sick. I imagine that most people liked that disco routine. I still don’t get it. Sorry Doriana.
For once, Ade outdanced Melissa, IMO. I did like this song for a disco routine though. Good on you, Doriana!
Song: Move On Up
Artist/Band: Destination
Where you’ve heard the song before: The song was originally done by Curtis Mayfield in 1970 and then recorded by the disco group Destination in 1979. Kanye West sampled from the original version of this song for his hit Touch The Sky.
Buy the single on iTunes:
Kayla & Kupono’s Contemporary routine choreographed by Mia Michaels
Mia Michaels, your choreography is perfection. That song was nothing without her choreography and her choreography would not have been as moving without that song. Kayla and Kupono were beyond anything I’ve seen. That was intense and emotional and beautifully danced. Gut wrenchingly honest.
Song: Gravity
Artist/Band: Sara Bareilles
Where you’ve heard the song before: This song is from her most recent album Little Voices. After her hit song Love Song was released, Sara didn’t do much else in the Top 100 charts. Gravity is her 3rd single from her album. From many people's reactions from the choreography, it looks like this song may end up being her second hit.
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Caitlin & Jason’s Foxtrot choreographed by Tony Meredith
Normally this kind of song drives me insane, but I thought that it went well with the choreography. Now, Caitlin and Jason did not give me what I wanted from this routine. Nice lifts, but his movement, I felt like should have been stronger when there were horns.
Song: Minnie the Moocher
Artist/Band: Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
Where you’ve heard the song before: The song was originally recorded by Cab Calloway. Apparently this song has a lot of drug-related origins. Is there something you'd like to tell us Tony Meredith? In the movie The Blues Brothers, Cab performed this song. Minnie the Moocher was also performed by Tamyra Gray on the first season of
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Jeanine & Phillip’s Russian Folk Dance choreographed by Youri Nelzine & Lilia Babenko
Hot.Damn.Mess. Whoever thought that this folk dance was a good idea, should be
[Side Note: Dear wardrobe, please don’t dress people up as Russian nesting dolls. It’s not nice. Love, Me.]
Song: Kalinka
Artist/Band: Barynya
Where you’ve heard the song before: According to Wikipedia, this is the "best-known Russian song of all time". That doesn’t say much for the rest of the music that comes out of Russia. If you are a Detroit Red Wings fan, you may be familiar with this song. When Pavel Datsyuk scores a goal, a techno-version of this song plays. BPM. Gotta love it.
Buy the single on iTunes: I couldn’t find Barynya’s version, so here’s another version for you.
Randi & Evan’s Hip-Hop routine choreographed by NappyTabs
NappyTabs toes the line on literal dancing and touching movement every time. This time it was way too literal. I have to say that this was probably the worst lyrical hip-hop routine ever. Those arm waves that Phillip does so well, looked like cheerleading moves when Randi and Evan did them. They did bad things to a Beyonce song (one that I actually like).
Song: Halo
Artist/Band: Beyonce AKA Sasha Fierce
Where you’ve heard the song before: Beyonce did a beautiful tribute to Michael Jackson with this song. It was written by Ryan Tedder, of OneRepublic, and Evan Bogart, who has penned songs for the likes of Demi Lovato, Ashley Tisdale, Nick Lachey, Hayden Panettiere, Britney Spears, Jesse McCartney, the PCD, Sean Kingston, Paris Hilton, and Heidi Montag?! What a group that is.
Buy the single on iTunes:
Janette & Brandon’s Argentine Tango choreographed by Leonardo Barrionuevo and Miriam Larici
Song repeat much? Allison and iVan did an Argentine Tango to this song during Season 2.
Needless to say, this one was worlds away from Ivason’s tango in S2. The song has the potential to be grating on your ears, but I didn’t even notice because Brandette was cra-mazing.
Song: Libertango
Artist/Band: Forever Tango (Original Broadway Cast Recording)
Where you’ve heard the song before: As I mentioned above, Allison and Ivan did an Argentine Tango to this song. Different version though.
Listen to the streaming song: HERE
Melissa and Ade’s Waltz choreographed by Ron Montez
Who doesn’t love some Mary J.? It definitely made the waltz better. Plus, Karla did her solo to this song a few weeks ago and that reminds me how good she was. This didn’t feel like a waltz to me. Especially because Mary J. Blige’s version of the song was used. It was nice, but nothing spectacular.
[Side Note: I call all of my friends muffin, so when Mary Murphy called Nigel an English Muffin, it made it okay that she screams like a banshee.]
Song: (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman
Artist/Band: Mary J. Blige
Where you’ve heard the song before: Karla did her Bottom 3 solo to this song Top 20 week. Different version of course. Mary J. Blige's version of the song was in the Fox tv series New York Undercover.
Buy the single on iTunes: I could only find the video for this song on iTunes
Kayla and Kupono’s Broadway routine choreographed by Joey Dowling
Although, I didn’t love the song choice, I think Pono and Kayla did what they could with it. It wasn’t the strongest song from West Side Story, so I found it hard to get into the actual dance. Costuming also didn’t help much. I think they wasted a lot of the good W.W.S. songs on Vegas week. Those 2 songs would have been perfect for Top 5 guys and Top 5 girls routines.
Song: Dance at the Gym
Artist/Band: West Side Story (The New Broadway Cast)
Where you’ve heard the song before: This isn't the most well-known song from West Side Story, but still memorable if you've seen the musical. This new Broadway revival of the show has gotten rave reviews, so it might be worth buying a ticket if you can get to NYC.
Buy the single on iTunes:
Caitlin & Jason’s Lyrical Jazz routine choreographed by Mandy Moore
I appreciated the song. I just don’t get the two of them. They’re two soloists.
Song: Show Me Heaven
Artist/Band: Maria McKee
Where you’ve heard the song before: It was on the soundtrack of the movie Days of Thunder, starring Tom Cruise. The song came out in 1989 and was on the movie soundtrack in 1990. Still lovin’ the 80s Mandy!
Buy the single on iTunes:
Phillip & Jeanine’s Jive choreographed by Tony Meredith and Melanie LaPatin!
Back to the show, looking very svelte, Melanie! I love me some Bette Midler, especially after watching her on Kathy Griffin’s show a few weeks ago. I would have rather had Phillip in Army Green, but other than that, the song went well with the choreo. It definitely wasn’t as good as the judges made it out to be.
Song: Stuff Like That There
Artist/Band: Bette Midler
Where you’ve heard the song before: It was originally recorded by Betty Hutton. Bette recorded it for the movie For The Boys, which also starred Midler. Kelly Clarkson sang this song on Idol as well.
Buy the single on iTunes:
Randi & Evan’s Samba choreographed by ANYA AND PASHA!
That was tragic. Randi and Evan have seriously under-whelmed me. As much as other choreographers have tailored their steps to dancers, Anya and Pasha did not. Plus, they picked, quite possibly, the most annoying song I’ve ever heard on this show before. I feel like there wasn’t even any kind of beat for Randi and Evan to make their movement pop. But even if there was a better song, I’m not sure Randi and especially Evan could have pulled it off.
I couldn’t find this song on iTunes or Amazon. Sorry!
Song: Ritmo De Bom Bom
Artist/Band: Jubaba
Where you’ve heard the song before: It was in the movie Dance With Me, which starred Vanessa Williams.
Brandon & Janette’s Jazz routine choreographed by Wade Robson
Are there even words to explain what went on here? Just the song made this routine my favorite of the night. Wade is brilliant and endearingly quirky so when you pair him with Brandette things can get a little out of hand.
Song: Ruby Blue
Artist/Band: Roisin Murphy
Where you’ve heard the song before: It was on the first Grey’s Anatomy soundtrack. Wade is no stranger to Roisin Murphy and because of him, neither are we. Her songs have been spread over 3 seasons, starting with Ramalama (Bang Bang), which we'll be seeing soon, Night of the Dancing Flame danced by Neil and Lauren, and now this song. Apparently Ruby Blue was in the movie Make It Happen, the poor man's Step Up.
Buy the single on iTunes:
Top 12 Results Show Music Recap
Top 12 Group Performance choreographed by
An out-of-the-ordinary song choice for NappyTabs. I didn’t hate this routine, but I also didn’t love it.
The part at the end where they were all clumped together looked like something a cheerleading squad would do. I would know, I cheered for 3 years. Don’t tell anyone.
Song: Seven Nation Army
Artist/Band: The White Stripes
Where you’ve heard the song before: You can see a long list of artists that have covered this song here. On another note, the Blue Band at Penn State (WE ARE…PENN STATE!), plays this song at football games. Had to get a plug in for my Alma Mater.
Buy the single on iTunes:
Season 6 Montage
Song: Let It Rock
Artist/Band: Kevin Rudolf & Lil Wayne
Where you’ve heard the song before: DWTS used this song. News to me. Also, an assorted group of networks used this for sports commercials. My favorite would of course be the usage for Philadelphia Phillies during the World Series playoffs! Oh and Quest Crew used it on ABDC. I miss Hok and Dom AKA D*Trix.
Buy the single on iTunes:
Teddy’s Audition
Cute kid. I kinda tuned it out once I realized there wouldn’t be a guest dance performance tonight.
Song: If It Kills Me
Artist/Band: Jason Mraz
Where you’ve heard the song before: It’s from his latest album. If you’re like me, you already own Jason Mraz’s newest album We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things. If you don’t, you should buy it. Besides having the catchy tune I’m Yours on it, it also has a fantastic duet with James Morrison. Incidentally, Gabe Bondoc, a ridiculous singer, does a cover of their song with his fellow musician A.J. Rafeal.
Buy the single on iTunes:
Caitlin’s Solo
Nate said it best. She was defeated during that solo. I think that’s what makes or breaks a contestant on this show. I think back to Martha during Season 2 and I can’t help but think that the pressure from the judges just gets to some contestants and they end up losing it for themselves.
Song: Stand By Me
Artist/Band: Playing For Change
Where you’ve heard the song before: The song was originally done by Ben E. King. David Archuleta sand it on Idol, John Lennon did a version, and Bon Jovi and Andranik Madadian recorded a version, partly in Farsi, for the 2009 Iranian election protests. The version Caitlin used is done by Playing For Change, a music project, that helps build music schools around the world.
Buy the single on iTunes:
Jason’s Solo
I don’t remember anything particularly mind-blowing about his solo, but it was adequate enough to keep him in the competition.
Song: Calm Touching
Artist/Band: Evaline
Where you’ve heard the song before: It’s from Evaline’s album Postpartum Modesty: A Portrait of Skin.
Buy the single on iTunes:
Jeanine’s Solo
She seemed way to comfortable doing her solo. To the point that she knew she didn’t have to try because Caitlin was always going home. I didn’t love the song repeat, but after 5 seasons, there are bound to be contestants and choreographers that pick the same song.
Song: Baby’s Romance
Artist/Band: Chris Garneau
Where you’ve heard the song before: Matt Dorame did one of his Bottom 3 solos to this song. I believe this was the song that Matt mentioned that interview about the Music Lady.
Buy the single on iTunes:
Phillip’s Solo
As weird as The Fifth Element is, I liked the song.
Song: Diva Dance
Artist/Band: The Fifth Element (soundtrack)
Where you’ve heard the song before: For those brave enough to watch the movie, you’d remember this song.
Buy the soundtrack from Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Fifth-Element-Eric-Serra/dp/samples/B000000WE5/ref=dp_tracks_all_1#disc_1 or watch the Diva Dance from the movie http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0qy3JHz6X0.
Melissa’s Solo
So I really loved Melissa’s solo, but I was finding it hard to remember it after the fact because of the ridiculousness that follows her. It was a weird song choice for a ballet/pointe solo, but she made it work and her technique won out.
Song: Kashira
Artist/Band: Kodo
Where you’ve heard the song before: You’ve heard Kodo before, even if you’ve never heard this song. Jonathan did his solo to a Kodo song the week he was eliminated.
Buy the single on iTunes:
Ade’s Solo
My man just came out of left field with that solo. Way to make people pay attention, Ade. You’re no crane lift for girls, you can daaaaance. I thought the song choice was odd at first, but it didn’t matter. Jeanine did it last week and Ade did it this week.
Song: WindowDipper
Artist/Band: Jib Kidder
Where you’ve heard the song before: Travis Wall did a solo to this song at Nuvo.
Buy the single on iTunes:
Kelly Rowland and David Guetta’s Performance
There is something to be said for lip-syncing. It would have saved me a lot of wincing during this performance.
Song: When Love Takes Over
Where you’ve heard the song before: It’s David Guetta’s newest single and it’s slowly gaining popularity in the U.S.
Buy the single on iTunes:
Caitlin’s Goodbye Montage
Song: Already Gone
Artist/Band: Kelly Clarkson
Buy the single on iTunes:
Phillip’s Goodbye Montage
Song: On Your Own
Artist/Band: Green River Ordinance
Buy the single on iTunes:
That’s all for this week! Enjoy your weekend and I’ll see you back here for the Top 10!
1 comment:
Alison and Ivan's "Libertango" was the version performed by Bond (http://www.amazon.com/Libertango/dp/B000V6PZYY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dmusic&qid=1247458141&sr=8-1)
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