Adam Ginsberg and the American Idol Finals Part 1

O idol

kay I admit it, I’m an American Idol fan – and I’ve been a fan since the first season. I look forward to the auditions each year and love the top 12, which is really when the season begins.

This year, while everyone has said this is the most talented American Idol group ever I’ve had to disagree to a point. I do think, if Adam Lambert was not on the show, this commentary might be true. However, this season Adam Lambert has been the runaway favorite.

After 8 seasons I’ve gotten good at predicting the top five finalists, as many long time Idol observers have…but this year Adam Lambert being in the final was an obvious choice. Each week there was the “top group” and then there was Adam – really in a league of his own.

Some people love Adam Lambert and some people hate him – that’s true of anyone who achieves any level of success. However, in my humble opinion, Adam Lambert is the clear choice to win season 8 of American Idol and has been since the start of this season.

Let’s talk about the show tonight.

Adam begins with a great performance of “Mad World” – showing a different side than his theatrical rock performances that everyone has been accustomed to hearing him sing. Kris also had an excellent first song of the night on the piano singing “Ain’t No Sunshine,” – but he sounds so generic with his music.

Tonight each contestant sings 3 times each: their favorite performance from the season, a song show creator Simon Fuller chooses and the winner’s single co-written by Kara. Let’s hope she’s a better song writer than she has been a judge. What happened to the song writing contest from previous seasons?

Both Adam and Kris had a great start to the night. Two Men. One title. Who will be the next “American Idol”?

Round 1: With all due to Simon’s comment that Kris won the first round, I’m going to suggest that the first round was a tie.

For his second song, chosen by Simon Fuller, Adam Lambert sings the Sam Cooke classic “A Change is Gonna Come.

This guy is simply amazing. The range and control of his voice goes far beyond anyone that has ever competed in 8 seasons of Idol. This guy is going to be a major star in the music business. His command of his voice is truly remarkable. Yes, he’s a bit theatrical, but that’s okay. As far as a singing competition goes – he’s not on another level, he’s on another planet. And, the ovation from the audience is deafening. As Randy Jackson said: “You can sing your face of and that was unbelievable”. Paula gives Adam a standing ovation and says: “that was the best performance I have heard you sing this season, ever ever ever ever!”

Simon Fuller selects “What’s Going On” by Marvin Gaye for Kris to sing. Kris sounds good vocally and on the guitar, but it’s a little “coffee house” for me. Actually, it sounds like something I’d hear on a Sunday afternoon walking down Venice beach or on the 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica – with a performer having a tip box on the ground in front of them and a small crowd reaching for $1 bills.

Crowd is excited – but definitely not the same reaction as what Adam received. Good, not great.

Round 2 -I agree with Simon: Adam “a million percent.”

Adam takes a stab at “No Boundaries,” which is co-written by Kara and I like it. But perhaps I’m biased because I like everything that Adam sings. I think he can have a #1 hit with this song. It clearly shows that Adam can sing almost anything from rock to soul to pop music. Not sure I love the silver pants.

Kara looks pleased with herself. Oh Lord, I was hoping we would make it through a finale without hearing the word “pitchy,” but it’s not to be thanks to Randy.

I think Paula managed to give a critique without even commenting on the song and that actual performance. That takes talent. Simon says the show has found “a worldwide star” in Adam – that’s the best way to sum up Adam Lambert.

As someone who speakers to thousands of people on stage, it’s awesome to see how Adam Lambert can remain relaxed and at home on the stage.

It’s official: I predict Adam Lambert is the next American Idol.

Kris sings Kara’s song – No Boundaries – and it was bad. I mean really bad. To say that this was not Kris’ best performance is an understatement. It appeared at some points he was forcing the notes and at one point it looked like he forgot the words.

It’s great to compare Adam Vs. Kris when they sing the same song – it shows the stark differences between the two.

Even Kara appears to be almost apologetic and acknowledges that the song may have been too high for him. It seems like all of the judges are already saying goodbye to Kris.

Kris says he and Adam decided they weren’t coming out tonight to compete but just to give a good show? Well, that is a problem. Hey Kris, this is a competition and it sounds like you’re already conceding victory.

So, we have to wait 24 hours and a painfully long 2 hour finale to hear the announcement of the season 8 winner of American Idol. At this point, it really doesn’t matter. Both contestants will make records – and Adam’s will outsell all American Idol starts from the last 8 seasons…he’s just that good.

Let’s hope the American public does the right thing – votes for Adam Lambert to be the next American Idol. I’m confident in the American people!

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