• Shania and Maurice: 18-year old daughter and her 62-year old dad …Thumbs down,, Very Karaoke
• William Close: Maker of odd ball instruments… gag me.
• Opera singer Sergio, only semi-talent so far.
• Blue Man Group rip off; dressed in weird outfits,   thumbs down
• Loyalty Dance Crew: few stand outs, but not earth-shaking.
• Alan Laver: Rapper….. help me???
• Jorge and Alexa: 7-year old and daddy again? Whyyyy Whyyyy thumbs down
• Dog Ventriloquist:       nuf said!!!
• Girl who climbs things and twists.         Say, Cirque Junior Miss???
• Ben Blade: Crossbow master???         Is this the David Letterman show?
• Sanjula Vamana:     Sticks needles in his face, hey singers, still want to audition?
• Kazoo boys, thumbs down… stupid human tricks
• Miss Les AKA Bird Lady: Sings while her 22 cockatoos defecate on her and eat things out of her mouth.    No, I am serious.
• Some guy sang Proud Mary

That’s all folks!!!!

I sent real talent audition for America’s Got Talent. People on iTunes and CD Baby. Real Brian McKnight kind of singers who failed to get on? For this circus??

So, if you want a good laugh or want to gag, watch this seasons America’s Got Freakshow!

Jessica Marciel
Las Vegas Vocal Training

I just feel like they try to make it so difficult and to deprive people of sleep, when that is so important to a singer, it baffles me.

“A little sleep deprivation is good for them once in a while”

~ Steven Tyler

Really? My body is my instrument, I rarely scream like Steven Tyler does. When I do, I do it correctly with my stomach muscles, not my throat.

The lack of talent this year is amazing to me. I feel like I am watching Karaoke contest. No one yet has blown me away.

There were three strong singers from the Houston, Texas audition. One who became my student, when they had that 2-month break. Scarlett Peavey found me ion the net, and moved here to prepare for the Los Angeles American Idol boot camp. The problem she experienced was pain when singing. It was too late for her to get well, so when she went to LA with the correct way to sing from me. Her vocal cords needed anti-inflammatories and rest.

The boot camp of the Hollywood Round consisted of no sleep, exhaustion, and no rest at all, inflamed her voice more. It was not a bad thing when she got cut the third day. I told her to see an ear , nose throat doctor, immediately. He said she had over done it, and needed vocal rest.

And resting is what she has been doing since December. When she is OK we will record her and shop her and I swear she will out sell anyone American Idol produces this season. No one I’ve seen this season can touch Scarlett. Since we live in Las Vegas, we hear great talent all the time. We hear real singers, who nail it every single time we hear them.

Why is Jennifer Lopez a judge? She is a dancer and actress, who lip-syncs her records. Give me a show like The Voice that has singers for judges, and I am interested. I cannot even remember who won American Idol last year.

Former Idol contestant, Katharine McPhee, co-stars on a new TV show on “Smash“. It is a legitimate show about Broadway. The problem I have with her, is , she is a good singer but not as good as the rival REAL Broadway singer she is up against on the show.

Having sung professionally since age 12, and now, decades later, I can still sing. And as a coach, my new career, I have earned the right to an opinion.

Singers need sleep. rest, coaching, multi tasking, dancing, and ‘IT’ these people need ‘IT’ and I haven’t seen ‘IT’, this season. That’s why I don’t watch American Idol on a regular basis. It is painful to see a good show devolve into a hot mess.

~ Jessica Marciel

Love, Peace, and SOUL

Jessica Marciel
Las Vegas Vocal Training

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