This weekend, the Suncoast Hotel booked the local vocal group Fifth Avenue as the showroom headliner.

Fifth Avenue member, Jerry Jones, is a friend, and I went to support him, support live music, and simply enjoy the show.. The band was great, Bill Fayne, on keys and Musical Director,  John Wedemeyer on guitar, Mike Meecham, on drums, Jamie Hosmer on second string keys, and last but not least the infamous Lenny Lopez on vocals and percussion.

The audience was filled with celebrities and retired gray-haired seniors who live nearby, play the slots and see whatever show is there. The people next to us had no idea who they were seeing. The showroom was filled to capacity.

The show opened with big screen comedic bit on cavemen about how harmony started, featuring Sid Caesar. The cavemen dropped heavy boulders on the feet of people and their screams became a vocal choir. Very funny concept.

Fifth Avenue then sang us through vocalese history and did bits of songs from different decades, another clip from the Music Man with Robert Preston setting up the barbershop music segment.

A significant chunk of the show took me down memory lane. My dad was the drummer for the Hi-Lo’s (which is mis-spelled on Fifth Avenues website). I grew up on the music of Lambert, Hendricks and Ross, when Annie Ross left, it became  Lambert, Hendricks, and Bavan. I was singing “Twisted” and “Cloudburst” as a child. So, it was great to hear this music again. Are they as clean and precise as the Hi-Lo’s? No, not all the time, but the performances were superb.

The arranger Rob Hyatt is extremely talented as a vocal arranger, I just felt that some arrangements were unnecessarily complex. At times, less can be more.

I was in a vocal group, Commonwealth, and I know the hours and hours of rehearsal it takes to pull this off. We used to sing the horn parts and use fewer musicians, and had to be perfect every show. It is very demanding and I hope the audience realized just how hard these guys worked to make it happen.

The singers, Jerry Jones, Bryce Robinson, Jeff Celentano and Rob Hyatt, all have great stage presence and are funny, too.  Rob has an amazing range, went from top to bass, and Jeff has a great lead singer voice. Bryce has a great voice for theater and recording. Jerry has the mid-range, root note range with warmth in it.

Together, they do have what it takes to be a great group. Guest and new singer for the band, Tyriq Johnson joined them for Maroon Five’s “Sunday Morning”, the song they did for the TV show “The Sing Off”, they are waiting to see if they come back to do the show this coming season.

They opened with “Come Rain Or Come Shine” one of my favorite songs, and when they got to the 70′s era, Jamie and Lenny sang The Beatles’ “Come Together”.

One of the high points of the nights for me was the Fifth Dimension’s “Up, Up and Away”. Beautiful job on a splendid arrangement.

They spoofed The Jordanaires singing with no lead singer, and brought someone up from the audience to play Elvis, He didn’t know the song and it was pretty  funny when “Teddy Bear” was just back up. They killed it when they did the Four Seasons because Rob had that high Frankie Valli range.

If you get the chance to see Fifth Avenue, You will have a good time.  If you are a music lover, you will love every genre they cover, and that is many.

It all ended on a positive note for me, go on guys, Sing Sing Sing.

Jessica Marciel
Las Vegas Vocal Training

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I love that the TV show, Glee, has taken off.  The musical numbers are beautifully crafted. The talent is endless. I find the adult content in a high school realistic and brutally honest. My favorite singer {alive} is Idina Menzel, the brilliant casting of her as lea Michelle’s mother, is genious.. They sound so much a like that on the CD I can barely tell them apart.

Every cast member has their own unique talent and niche. They have infused some dancers to really make it a production everytime they do a number. Kristen Chenowith, and Neil Patrick Harris have added a lot. The coach character, antagonist, Jane Lynch can get on my nerves and sometimes I wish she would take a week off. Mercedes, the black singer is amazing, and is consistent. When they took the coach and let her run with Madonna’s Vogue, I was shocked. Even she could sing!

I think all my students should watch this show as homework, this is a study of people who know their craft. triple threats, sing, dance, act. The subject matter may be a little mature for the little ones, but if you are over 11, this show is for you. The producer, Ryan Murphy, has struck a chord with the country. He knew exactly what would work, who would would work, and gave us this magical gift, Glee.

Glee is this generation’s Fame; and they knew the formula. I’m hooked, I am even looking forward to the Thursday night re-runs starting soon. Any show that can do Lady Gaga’s Poker Face as a ballad with Idina and Lea kicking butt, is worth gold.

Watching Glee, in its entirety, or just for the music performances, is worthwhile for every singer. Both Seasons 1 & 2 are out on DVD. It’s worth the investment.

Jessica Marciel

Las Vegas Vocal Training

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I know more people who have been to a Daughtry concert, then a Carrie, or Kelly, Ruben, or Fantasia one. It doesn’t matter who wins next week. The final 10 or 12 have a better shot than the winner.

Why? Because the winner is under contract and has to record what they tell them, and won’t make a dime until the CD is released, and touring. OK, they probably give an advance for living expenses. The big number they can make for the CD,, drum roll,,,,,,, 100,000$ That is it.  That is not a lot of money. Not for being an American Idol!

The final 12 will make some money on the Ford commercials, and the short summer tour. Then they are on their own. The lucky ones, probably, Mike Lynch, and perhaps Casey, will be recording. No One will be as big as Adam Lambert.  So, Casey went home tonight, and that is right. He didn’t deserve to be in the finals. But I’m not buying those CD’s. I am buying the good stuff. There are enough little girls who will buy Casey‘s CD’s. That is our freedom as a nation, someone for everyone.

I am hoping that next season is more exciting, more surprising, and that whoever replaces Simon will be someone who helps and advices. I wish the Producers would change and let the voice coach’s actually HELP the contestants and not tie their hands.

I am guessing this will be a very close race next week. Lee has closed in on Crystal big time, and I am not sure she could emotionally handle winning. My guess is she is missing her child very much. She seems fragile to me. She reminds me of Janis Joplin, a small, talented, shy little girl, to whom fame came on blasting and blaring. I met Janis backstage at HAIR, when I was just 18.  She was a regular girl. Small and sweet, and much prettier than her pictures.  Whoever it will be next week, I will be very very busy getting people ready for the auditions coming soon to a town kind of near you. It is a busy crazy time for me, and I will start my vitamins tomorrow!

Jessica Marciel
Las Vegas Vocal Training

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The facts are in, Mike and Crystal were in the bottom two. These are the strongest singers in the competition. This is a telling verdict indeed. This is what happens.  The demographic is between 10 and 17-year olds. These are the oners who text and call over and over again. This is why Casey is still in the race.  This is why  people bought Hannah Montana for so many years and are growing up with Miley Cyrus and sticking by her.

It is a sad thing  when being just all right is good enough to become a big star and sell out concerts. I still believe that the stongest ones will out sell the winner. Example: Daughtry, he didn’t win, but he is the 3rd best selling Idol there is. Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson are the two top selling  Idols and they have  enormous talent.

It isn’t the winner who gets the long career, winning is a short step to opportunity, and a chance that few get. But the national exposure you get from being on this show can make or break you. Be ready when you audition to knock America’s socks off.

Fantasia was on the show tonight, not very impressive, has not done a thing for three years, and she was a winner. look at Jordin Sparks, she is very successful. She is amazing and I love her songs.

I won’t be sad and I am not too surprised about Mike leaving.  People like myself were not burning up the phone lines or texting. Sorry Mike, but you  will be fine. I will be expecting great things from you.

Jessica Marciel
Las Vegas Vocal Training

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First of all Kara looks good tonight with no bling. Second, Jamie Foxx will be fun.

I liked Mike singing the theme song from “Free Willy”. The judges were jerks. Crystal and Lee are dueting, how exciting, not. Lee really lost me with Seals, “Kiss from a Rose” He needs to redeem himself. Lee and Crystal did “Falling Slowly” from “Once”, never heard of it. Kris Allen did it last year, never heard of it then either.

The judges just can’t seem to have anything original to say. The same old stuff every week.

Casey did “Mrs. Robinson” and it was OK. Did he shave? he looks different. Isn’t it time for him to go?

This season is so boring. There isn’t a great singer among them. They called Lee and Crystal great singers, I think they are drinking too much Red Bull. The country is drinking too much something to be still voting. The one thing I agree with Simon on the song choices tonight are just crazy bad. Songs from “Caddyshack”??? Pulleeze.

If Mike doesn’t win, then I give up. He is the only hope of having true success.

So far, everyone but Mike should go home. The only good thing about tonight is that Glee is on next. If I am not bolding the names tonight, it’s because I’m having bold issues with the laptop. I just want to hear the great singers on Glee and find out who goes home tomorrow.

Will I be voting? Umm don’t think so. Come-on Glee is on!!

Jessica Marciel
Las Vegas Vocal Training

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The only good thing about American Idol tonight is Harry Connick Jr.. Can’t wait for him. The opening number is usually  pre-recorded and pretty good, but once in awhile, thought, hmm, this must be live because it was out of tune?

I’m going to skip all the hooplah on Lady Ga Ga, thank you. Better part of the show was showing rehearsal, and the stand in judges, a black man, a blonde, a brunette, and a white guy!! Very funny bit.

The contestants did a medley of Harry Connick songs, clever. The songs were pre-recorded, so it was great.  Harry Connick was OK, He is very funny, good actor, prefer him on films now.  Now we  have Michael Buble?  Is that mean?  But he is adorable and funny so he can stay.

So  the  drum roll  please:  Aaron says bye bye. Bye Aaron, you were one lucky guy to stay this long.

Jessica Marciel
Las Vegas Vocal Training

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