X-Factor meltdown

I tuned in for the X-Factor semi-finals. I wasn’t knocked out by the performances, but thought that 13-year-old Rachel Crow deserved to be in the finals. She was up against a young man, perhaps 18, Marcus Canty. His performance was weak and out of tune. When the judges gave their save votes, Simon and Paula choose Rachel to stay. Wow, nice surprise. However the other judges, L.A. Reid voted for a male singer and Nicole gave up her vote because she couldn’t cut Rachel. Nicole was crying over it.

Then the Host read the ‘viewers vote’ and as he announced Rachel was leaving, she crumpled to the floor as though fainting. Her mic still on, she was hysterical. Her mother, Simon and Paula all came up and tried to soothe her, but she was out of control. Then saying to her mother “You promised!” …

Excuse me, but promised what!!?? You led your 13-year-old daughter to believe she would win this show? I was very upset, remembering my daughter in pre-school losing a costume contest and her tears welling up on stage, and swore to never put my daughter in that situation again.

The idea of removing age minimums or limits may have seemed like a good idea; however, watching this young girl come apart, before my eyes, was way too much in the name of entertainment.

The X-Factor last night, for me, was not entertainment. It was excruciating pain.

Jessica Marciel
Las Vegas Vocal Training

The latest audition was a story I just had to share with you. Ken is a strong singer and presence, tall, dark, handsome, ex military, good contestant. I will admit, at first, I thought The X Factor would be something different. The clips on YouTube , from its UK edition were impressive. But, when the show announced that Paula Abdul was joining Simon, I thought “Uh Oh, here we go again…”

Well, my Uh Oh moment came true.  Before I even get to my students audition, The show became unwatchable when they had the American Idol-like, bad singers, and a guy who actually DROPPED his pants in front of the live audience. ENOUGH! I am sorry, I am no prude, but you turn away thousands of good singers for this nonsense?

My student Ken (pictured far right, with another contestant, Javon), and his wife Michelle, flew to Los Angeles, waited six and a half hours, just to get the tickets! The next day , they waited in the rain, until 7pm. Ken made it through to the next day’s rounds. That meant, another night of lodging expenses, and Michelle and Ken missing work. Something the X-Factor Producers couldn’t care less about.

Now the third day, second round of auditions,  He got his golden ticket, and they stayed over again. This time, the security was very rude to Ken’s wife, literally pushing her back.

Ken wasn’t really upset he didn’t make this third round, BUT, he was surprised that some very good singers were passed over. They took 35 people all under 35 years of age from the Los Angeles auditions. Ken is good, and he was better than the man they did take with the oxygen tank. Just sayin’…

These shows are all scripted and calculated. I wouldn’t bet your career on any of these shows.

Jessica Marciel
Las Vegas Vocal Training

When I started watching ‘The Voice” I was so excited about the concept, and the judges.  The first Battleground show was good, and made me realize that what we see and hear at first, may turn out to be not as good as we thought.  Haven’t you made a friend, and thought they were all wonderful, shared your views on the world and Bam , they change their stripes.

The problem I am having is that this great show, has turned into a “Top Chef ” kind of show.  This competition, all up to the judges, is fine, I like their opinions more than I would trust America’s vote. However, they pair two completely different singers and give them a song that only one of them is capable of doing well, giving one an edge.

I am starting to think, we need to stop all the contests. Why can’t we have a show with a format that showcases good talent, without sending them home humiliated. Why can’t we bring back a variety show, with new talent, like the Grand Ole Opry does.  I think that is what is needed. Enough reality, that  is not real, all scripted, all so silly, and irritating.  The old-time reality shows with a twist, not Carol Burnett or Donny and Marie, but new talent , undiscovered gems. Talent that can be seen and heard by promoters.

Well, that is where I stand now. I am just  not as excited as I was at first. I am glad my life is busy, so I don’t have to be entertained by anything I really don’t love. I will continue to watch. I want to see how far Nakia, Javier, and Bev, go. I also love Raquel Castro, she isn’t the best singer, but she is different, dances, and played Gertie, in ” Jersey Girl”, with Ben Affleck, so I loved her in that!

Jessica Marciel
Las Vegas Vocal Training

The first round last night went to Cee Lo’s team and he chose Nakia and Ty both excellent singers. Hate to see either one of these guys go. The song he chose for them “Closer.” Ty had a rough start, but gained his ground later. Nakia just nailed it. NO contest, so sorry because Ty has a smooth really serious voice.It went to Nakia. Got one right!

Blake was next, Josh and wife Nicole, and Jarod were going to battle. Jarod is one of the strongest they have so I felt for Josh and Nicole. Jarod got it, thank you, pure raw talent.  Josh and his wife sounded very weak compared to their Battleground comrade!

Adam was next with his team. Adam has one of the BEST singers Javier Colon. When I heard him, wow, it was amazing. He was paired with Angela. Angela didn’t stand a chance with Javier. he nailed it, and got it, and will be hard to beat.  Adam has a strong team, he was slow to fill it and had a good opinion every time he got someone, they had something special.

Christina was next and chose Beverly, and Justin,  Beverly is very strong, Justin strong enough if he were not in a competition!

The song was a rocker song by the Who, something foreign to Justin. He did his homework and fought a very hard battle, tough fight, held his own, but Beverly is a force, a force that will be hard to beat.

I am still enjoying this show so much, the talent is there, the concept  is great, and I just can’t wait for Tuesdays. So bring it on next week guys, I am watching, and listening, loving it!

Jessica Marciel
Las Vegas Vocal Training

This is the first elimination night. This is what makes this show a “TV” show. Suspense, and people you really like, go home!  They compete in a boxing ring… really great idea.

The first team was  Christina’s, she chose Frenchie, and Taralyn, who knocked me out with her audition on “Breathe” on the first show.. This was a GREAT performance, Taralyn tore it up. Frenchie has a nice tone, is strong, but Taralyn tore my heart out.

I was so sad that Frenchie won this one , Taralyn should have gotten it.

Blake was next, and chose, Tyler and Patrick.. Patrick killed in the auditions, with “Live like you were Dyin” But, Tyler killed it with “Hey Soul Sister” But, it went to Patrick. I hated to see Tyler go. The problem here is, they are all good!

Adam was next with help from Adam Blackstone who is Maroon Five’s Musical Director. Adam chose 16 year old Casey, and Tim. Two different styles. Neither one of them impressed me much. Tim is a solid pro. He will always work. Singing   “Leather and Lace” a good one for Casey, she has nasality. Tim was OK, but this wasn’t a good song for him.  But these two, are not winning the season, so I’m not committed to them. Adam chose Casey. I don’t get it.

Cee lo said something interesting. He said, Casey sounded like Stevie Nicks. She was all excited, “Oh, thank you.” Then he said, “That”s not a good thing. You want to sound like you!” And yet, she won over the more experienced Tim.

Cee Lo had the next pairing, Vickie Martinez and Nicki Dawson with Pink’s “Perfect”. This is a great song, I love Pink.  Cee lo was a good coach. Of all the singers, he is the least singer of them and he was the best as far as advice. I like Cee Lo I want to work with him!   I am a Nicki fan myself. No contest. I am watching live, so let’s see what happens.  The prize of staying goes to………VICKI I have lost my touch ya’ll.

That is tonight’s show, a lot of really good people went home. But , like Idol,, we will hear from these people again. I have no doubt. Thanks for reading my blogs, thank you so much for your comments, goodnight, and sleep tight.

Jessica Marciel
Las Vegas Vocal Training

I can’t wait for tonight’s episode, where I hear that is got heated when the first elimination took place. I’ll be blogging it.

Ok, now I know. It isn’t in my mind, I am not going crazy. Michelle McNulty is the casting director for “The Voice”. She has said, they were looking for real artists. She went everywhere, clubs, YouTube, rehearsal studios and personal contacts.  They were promising the judges that they would not be listening to people that were so bad they would have to be mean, or cruel to them.

It is an open secret that casting agents have people who recruit performers for these shows.  McNulty admits there are so many great singers out there that have not been tapped, and she wants to find them. The team pursued former American Idol singer Frenchie, who because of nude photo’s had been eliminated.

Another one they pursued was Javier Colon, who was dropped by Capitol, after two albums. {I know how that feels}   The casting agent promised everyone would be good, very good, or great.  This is why I love this show. I love that it is not a three-ring circus.

Jessica Marciel
Las Vegas Vocal Training

The X-Factor has not begun, yet I have my distaste for it already. Paula is a judge… again! Please, save me. Not just that, I have two students who have been through 2 and 3 audition segments and  did not make the cut. These are real singers, not potentially good, but real good, ready-for-primetime good.

The shows that I have faith in, are ‘The Voice’ and the “Sing Off’   These are shows that showcase real talent. Not someone in a E T costume, then it is just a freak show.  I find the superstar coaches on the ‘The Voice’ are really honest, helpful and not just showing up.

I’ve had it with the Simons, and Paulas. They did a good job the first give years, but all good things must end. I would never want any of my students to sing for Simon, I just don’t think he is qualified. He likes ‘Il Divo’ and that’s fine, but it gives you an idea of his taste. Classical!  Good luck with pleasing him.  ‘America’s Got Talent’ is its own entity, jugglers against singers? I enjoy it, Michael Grimm deserved to win.

I remember ‘Star Search”.  that was a great show, but we have evolved and ‘The Voice” gets my vote!

Jessica Marciel
Las Vegas Vocal Training

They will compete with teams, and eliminate contestants from eight down to four people.  Mark Burnett of “Survivor”, is the producer. I have a new respect for him,, I am so thrilled that the screening of these singers has been thoughtful, and caring.  Very few people did not cut it and I agree that they were not ready.  But, no one has been really bad!!

The premise is four superstar judges have their backs turned, and they listen to a voice, and if one or more is interested in coaching and working with them, they turn around. If 2 or more turn around, the singer has  to choose which singer to work with.

The wonderful judges, Cee Lo, Christina Goddess Aguilara, Blake Shelton, and Adam Levine. The concept is their backs to the singers so they need to impress right away. Then, the judges fight for their fav singers to be on their team, and the final teams will compete.

These judges cannot see the singers so it is fantastic that it is the voice that turns them around, or not!  There was a married duo, They were so surprised to hear two voices,  that all of them turned around, but being from Nashville, they choose Blake Shelton to work with them.

I love that breathe control, and phrasing, is important.  They can FEEL emotion without looking at a face and being distracted. It is about time, that the voice is more important than performance.  I pretty much agreed with most picks. The judges are fighting over these hopefuls, they want to work with them, what a wonderful theme and opportunity for a young newbie to have to choose between all these great stars.

Thank you for “The Voice”, now I have something to blog and write about and look forward to. I will be a critic of every choice once the show gets going with the finalists. I’ll give me opinion, and let you know what I think of everyone. I am so glad that Producers picked decent judges that have talent, can not only sing, but really know the business inside and out.

Country, R&B , Rock, Pop, it’s all covered. Adam Levine from “Maroon Five” is an incredible singer, he was without anyone on his team, at ten o clock, but an hour to go, he got more than the others! Cee Lo is so hot, now, thanks to his writer, Bruno Mars, that he the one they want to work with unless they are country, then it’s Blake.

All four judges turned for a country singer, who really was great. Patrick, he was the second contestant..  He was a younger, kind of plain-looking guy, they all wanted him.   He chose Adam!  How wonderful, you see, now he will get a chance to do something different.  It is a great concept.  Adam and Cee  Lo got the best singers I thought.

A surprise was  a contestant, from American Idol, eight years ago, Frenchie we all remember her. I thought she was a little off but they turned around and chose her, Christina got her on her team.

She said something though, she said “Never give up on your dream.” Even if you aren’t the best, or the cleanest singer, keep at it,, because there is someone for everyone. You may like Cher, and I may like Alicia Keys. It is a personal thing. I think you should tune in to The Voice, and enjoy the fun and competition

that goes on between the judges.  It is very amusing and  not a waste of time!

Jessica Marciel
Las Vegas Vocal Training