ELLEN! As off topic as some of her comments were, I’d take her over Mary Murphy any day [Side Note: I really liked in the montage of the past seasons when Nigel smelled Mary’s water glass to see if she had anything stronger in there. We’ve wanted to do that too, Nigel]. Mia was particularly on point this time around. I do love her being on the judging panel, even if it means that we don’t get any of her fantastic choreography.
So the music for this week was…okay. Celine made a comeback and so did Imogen Heap. We had a few song repeats, and obviously the solo songs were the same for the performance and results shows. Although, Janette did change her actual choreography.
Onto the music recaps for the Top 8 Performance and Results shows…
Top 8 Group Routine choreographed by Travis Wall
I think that Travis’s choreography worked for me because he’s danced group routines on camera before. He’s very aware of what looks good and what excites the audience. I don’t think it was necessarily the most creative or most challenging dance, but it worked for me.
Song: Let It Rock
Artist/Band: Kevin Rudolf & Lil’ Wayne
Where you’ve heard the song before: You heard it a few weeks ago during a promo for S6 of SYTYCD.
Buy the song on iTunes:
Janette & Evan’s Jazz routine choreographed by Sonya Tayeh
I ended up liking this dance because of the music, I think. Sonya always picks interesting songs that have a life of their own. You add in her quirky movement and you have a routine that keeps me interested.
Song: Move (Metronomy Remix)
Artist/Band: CSS
Where you’ve heard the song before: The original song was released in 2008 and the Metronomy remix was released in both digital and vinyl format.
Buy the song on iTunes:
Kayla’s Solo
Even though we’ve heard this song before (and I normally hate that), I really liked Kayla’s solo. The control this girl has over her body is phenomenal. She still got in a lot of substance in her choreography, but it felt less frantic than past weeks.
Song: The Moment I Said It
Artist/Band: Imogen Heap
Where you’ve heard the song before: Mia Michaels did a Top 10 group routine to this song for Season 3 (The video's pretty grainy since it's from the tour, but it's all I could find). This is still one of my favorite group routines ever on this show. The song was also in an episode of Criminal Minds (the creepiest show on television).
Buy the song on iTunes:
Jeanine & Brandon’s Waltz choreographed by Hunter Johnson
My mom loved it. I thought the music sounded like slow death. You could say I wasn’t such a big fan of the routine overall.
Song: May It Be
Artist/Band: Hayley Westenra
Where you’ve heard the song before: Enya originally sang the song for the Lord of the Rings soundtrack. You may have never heard Hayley’s version before, but you have heard her on the show. Susie (the poor man’s Janette) and Marquis (the poor man’s Danny) did a waltz to the song, Dark Waltz.
Buy the song on iTunes:
Jason’s Solo
Somehow Jason has snuck in 2 TBS songs and I haven’t hated either one of them. There’s a rawness to his dancing that I love.
Song: …Slowdance on the Inside
Artist/Band: Taking Back Sunday
Where you’ve heard the song before: It’s on their album Where You Want To Be. Jason is quite the fan of TBS, seeing as this is his second song from them.
Buy the song on iTunes:
Melissa & Ade’s Cha-Cha choreographed by Tony Meredith and Melanie LaPatin
This reminded me of a "Week 1 Cha-Cha". Melissa was way too slow and Ade looked lost. It didn’t help that the song was half “Yeah” and half another song. It didn’t jive with me.
Song: Yeah (Como Goza Mi Morena)
Artist/Band: Chino Espinoza y Los Dueños Del Son
Where you’ve heard the song before: You’ve heard Usher’s version, I’m sure.
Buy the song on iTunes:
Janette’s Solo
I re-watched Janette’s solo, and I was a fan the first time I watched it, but I was not the second time. I think that it was a fantastic effort to show her versatility, but her leaps and arabesque were atrocious. A for effort. F for execution.
Song: Seduces Me
Artist/Band: Celine Dion
Where you’ve heard the song before: Melody (S1) did her Top 12 solo to this song. It’s from Celine's album Falling Into You, circa 1996. What a great album. From “All By Myself” to “It’s All Coming Back to Me Now”. That’s good stuff right there.
Buy the song on iTunes:
Kayla & Jason’s Broadway routine choreographed by Tyce Diorio
I hate to say it, but I think I liked 2 routines from Tyce. All in one night. The song wasn’t too horrible and I didn’t find the dancing annoying. WIN!
Song: Mr. Monotony (from Jerome Robbins Broadway)
Artist/Band: Kim Criswell
Where you’ve heard the song before: It’s from her album Back to Before. Sarah Brightman also recorded a version. It said somewhere that this song was cut from the film Easter Parade, starring Judy Garland and Fred Astaire. Don’t know if there’s any truth to that, but the sound of the song fits with the feel of that movie.
Buy the song on iTunes:
Ade’s Solo
For those that had problems with his solo song last week because it had no accents, Ade answered you with this song. I didn’t love his song choice, but I like that it wasn’t a repetition of something we’ve already heard on the show!
Song: Hater
Artist/Band: Various Productions Artist
Where you’ve heard the song before: Not much information on Various or Various Productions. The song had the same feel as “WindowDipper”, which Ade used for another solo.
Buy the song on iTunes:
Janette & Evan’s Rumba choreographed by Tony Meredith and Melanie LaPatin
That song was so slow I wanted to fall asleep. Maybe that’s why Evan had heavy eyelids. I thought the Idol crossover was nice. I’m just feeling apathetic about this routine.
Song: Heartless
Artist/Band: Kris Allen
Where you’ve heard the song before: I think I would have preferred The Fray’s or Mia Carruther’s version of this song but Kris Allen will do. Too bad the dance was so tragic because the song got Kris Allen a lot of praise when he sang it.
Buy the song on iTunes:
Melissa’s Solo
I didn’t get her solo. Not even a little bit. I never feel like she’s dancing to any kind of music. Maybe she’s concentrating too hard on not slipping all over the place.
Song: Heads Will Roll
Artist/Band: Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Where you’ve heard the song before: It’s the second single from their most recent album It’s Blitz!. More importantly than this song, Karen, from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, lends her voice for a track on the upcoming soundtrack for Where the Wild Things Are, one of my favorite children books ever!
Buy the song on iTunes:
Jeanine & Brandon’s Pop Jazz routine choreographed by Laurie Ann Gibson
I wanted to believe that there was no story, but with the song title and the camouflage, I just don’t buy that. As Leee said, that was like a really good NappyTabs routine. I’m surprised NapTabs didn’t get to that song first. Good on you Laurie Ann cause I loved what you did with it!
[Side Note: We got no boom boom kats (of Laurie Ann's Making the Band days), but we did get a wah ga ga ga ga. It’ll have to do.]
Song: Battlefield
Artist/Band: Jordin Sparks
Where you’ve heard the song before: Jordin performed the song on Idol with Ryan Tedder, one of the writers of the song. I believe that Ryan Tedder, somehow, has a hand in writing 80% of the songs used on SYTYCD.
Buy the song on iTunes:
Evan’s Solo
As much as I didn’t like him in either of his routines tonight, I really enjoyed his solo. He is pure joy when he is dancing his own style and he picks exactly the right music. Loved it.
Song: Old Devil Moon
Artist/Band: Jamie Cullum
Where you’ve heard the song before: Naturally, this song is originally from 1947. Although Melissa may be the oldest years-wise, Evan is obviously the oldest music/dance-wise. Sinatra, Tony Bennett, and Judy Garland all did versions of this song. It is from Jamie's album Heard It All Before.
Buy the song on iTunes: The best I can do is the Frank Sinatra version. Jamie’s CD with this song was released before he had a record deal, so copies are rare.
Jeanine’s Solo
Jeanine must just pick her solo music from songs that have already been used on the show. That’s boring for me, muffin. Do better next week. As far as the dancing goes, she didn’t really use the song as much as I would have liked. There’s some piano in there that she just danced right over. After seeing Mia’s choreography to this song, I was left feeling a little cold with this one.
Song: Let the Drummer Kick
Artist/Band: Citizen Cope
Where you’ve heard the song before: Lauren and Neil did a Mia routine to this song. It was in Accepted and Coach Carter/ It also appeared on TV during Entourage, Cold Case, and CSI:Miami. And last but not least, it was in an Acura commercial.
Buy the song on iTunes:
Melissa & Ade’s Contemporary routine choreographed by Tyce Diorio
What can you even say about this routine? I realize that some viewers were not huge fans of Tyce using the SYTYCD stage for such an emotional and personal piece because it leaves the judges in a position where they cannot negatively critique the dance without seeming coldhearted. I would wager a guess and say that even without the back-story, the judges would have had many accolades to say about this routine.
Song: This Woman’s Work
Artist/Band: Maxwell
Where you’ve heard the song before: Allison Holker (S2) did her last (rather emotional) solo to this song and Katee Shean (S4) did her Top 10 solo to the MTV Unplugged version of this song. The song was originally by Kate Bush. It is on the Love and Basketball soundtrack.
Buy the song on iTunes:
Brandon’s Solo
Weird. I just added this song to my playlist for the gym this week. I like high-energy songs for him. Plus we got to see him try to one-up Ade with a round-off, back handspring, back handspring, back layout.
Song: Ain’t Nothing Wrong With That
Artist/Band: Robert Randolph & the Family Band
Where you’ve heard the song before: It’s on the soundtrack for Grey’s Anatomy, Stomp the Yard, and The Game Plan.
Buy the song on iTunes:
Kayla & Jason’s Hip-Hop routine choreographed by Shane Sparks
FINALLY! Welcome to decent hip-hop with a back-story, friends! That’s how you do it.
Song: They’re Everywhere
Artist/Band: Izza Kizza
Where you’ve heard the song before: It’s from his album Kizzaland.
Buy the song on iTunes:
Top 8 Group Routine choreographed by Mia Michaels
Wow Mia. That was awesome. I love A Chorus Line in the first place, so add her pseudo-Broadway choreography and you have routine-gold.
Song: One
Artist/Band: A Chorus Line (Original Broadway Cast)
Where you’ve heard the song before: If you’ve ever danced, there’s a chance you have performed to this song before. I know I did. Ha. Not sure if the musical is still touring, so go watch the film, A Chorus Line. Look out for Cassie, who is played by Alyson Reed, High School Musical’s Ms. Darbus!
Buy the song on iTunes:
Montage of 5 Seasons
I really liked this song. I liked it even more when I got to watch some of my favorite, and less than favorite, dancers in a wonderful montage. If I never see Jessi Peralta again, I’ll be more than happy. Ugh.
Song: Light & Day/Reach For The Sun
Artist/Band: The Polyphonic Spree
Where you’ve heard the song before: The song was featured on the TV shows Scrubs and Las Vegas. There is also a film clip on the DVD of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind that featured the song. If you enjoy that movie, here’s a strange music video of “Light & Day” with clips from Eternal Sunshine.
Buy the song on iTunes:
Jaimie Goodwin & Hok Konishi’s Hummingbird routine choreographed by Wade Robson
I feel like Jaimie has grown as a dancer since her season. Hok has definitely gained confidence since the first time they performed this dance. As with most dances, I wasn’t as moved as I was the first time, but it was fantastic to watch all the same.
Song: The Chairman’s Waltz
Artist/Band: Memoirs of a Geisha (soundtrack)
Where you’ve heard the song before: I hope you’ve read Memoirs of a Geisha and seen the movie.
Buy the song on iTunes:
Heidi Groskreutz & Travis Wall’s Bench routine choreographed by Mia Michaels
I loved this routine the first time around. I think that part of what was so endearing for me was Heidi’s struggle with Mia’s choreography. Without that video package to intro the dance, it lost some of its luster. I still loved the hand touching through the grates paired with the music, but other than Travis’s obvious growth as a dancer, it wasn’t as good as the first time.
Song: Calling You
Artist/Band: Celine Dion
Where you’ve heard the song before: It’s from the movie Bagdad Café originally. Celine performed it live in Olympia in 1994.
Buy the live album on Amazon: This song is from a live album from 1994. You can buy it here.
Kayla’s Solo
Song: The Moment I Said It
Artist/Band: Imogen Heap
Buy the song on iTunes:
Jason’s Solo
Song: …Slowdance on the Inside
Artist/Band: Taking Back Sunday
Buy the song on iTunes:
Janette’s Solo
Song: Seduces Me
Artist/Band: Celine Dion
Buy the song on iTunes:
Brandon’s Solo
Song: Ain’t Nothing Wrong With That
Artist/Band: Robert Randolph & The Family Band
Buy the song on iTunes:
Ramalama (Bang Bang) choreographed by Wade Robson
This time around it starred Ivan Koumaev, Martha Nichols, Travis Wall, Heidi Groskreutz, Allison Holker, Dmitry Chaplin, Donyelle Jones, Benji Schwimmer, and of course Wade. No Ryan, who was originally in it, or Natalie, who did not perform this during season 2 due to an injury. Some people said that they would have rather not had Wade in it. I actually loved seeing the creator of the dance in the piece. Plus, it was an excuse to see Wade move to an amazing song.
Song: Ramalama (Bang Bang)
Artist/Band: Róisín Murphy
Where you’ve heard the song before: It was in an advert with Anne Hathaway for Lancome. And of course, it was in the second season of Grey’s Anatomy.
Buy the song on iTunes:
Katie Holmes’s Broadway Performance choreographed by Tyce Diorio
She didn’t sing live, which is a problem for me, but not many people sing live on this show. I like what she did and does for the DizzyFeet Foundation, but I would have rather seen past contestants pay homage to Judy Garland (besides Mark and Josh being back-up dancers). If anyone else had gotten up there and done what Katie Holmes did, they would have been laughed out of the studio. Don’t give her special treatment because she’s married to Ding Dong. Shankman says that Judy Garland did less dancing in her original so to lay off Katie Holmes. The judges keep saying that it was for the children and foundation, but there are other ways to raise awareness about the foundation and give back to the community. You want Dizzyfeet to be taken seriously and accredit dance teachers and studios? Then don’t use Katie Holmes as your premiere example of what we can expect from you. Sorry to rant about it but everyone is up in arms about the fans critiquing the “fantastic” Katie Holmes. Give me a break. Was it horrible? No. But it definitely wasn’t Oscar winning. The show was nice enough to support Nigel’s foundation, but using the 100th episode to showcase Holmes was a bit of a let down. I would have rather seen some of our favorite routines from past seasons. Song: Get Happy
Artist/Band: Katie Holmes
Where you’ve heard the song before: Judy Garland performed it in the movie Summer Stock. Ella Fitzgerland, Frank Sinatra, and Rufus Wainwright all did covers of the song.
Buy the song on iTunes:
Janette’s Goodbye Montage
Song: Already Gone
Artist/Band: Kelly Clarkson
Buy the song on iTunes:
Jason’s Goodbye Montage
Song: On Your Own
Artist/Band: Green River Ordinance
Buy the song on iTunes:
1 comment:
Susie (the poor man’s Janette) and Marquis (the poor man’s Danny)
OH MY GOD!!!
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