Following Savannah, Georgia it was unclear just how strong the next city would be but it was very refreshing to see the show focus on those who actually can sing only for a change. I still prefer American Idol to the other shows, perhaps quite overwhelmingly, but what I do prefer about The Voice to the other two is that they don't waste our time with all the terrible auditions. Yes, they are amusing and I can't pretend to not laugh at most of them, but at the end of the day it's still about the talent and that's what was so nice to see about this edition of the audition; even the rejected Shane Bruce still has promise and was told to come back.
1) Heejun Han - 22 - Flushing, NY (Non-Profit Organizer)
"How Am I Supposed To Live Without You?"
Steven - Yes Jennifer - Yes Randy - Yes
Steven Tyler told him he has a "very good understanding where notes should go." The surprisingly unconfident (or shrewdly false modest) Han belted out a pleasantly impressive rendition of Michael Bolton. He will be one to watch going forward and he could very well be an early dark horse.
2) Reed Grimm - 26 - Ellsworth, WI (Nanny)
"Family Matters Theme"
Steven - Yes Jennifer - Yes Randy - Yes
Singing the theme song from Family Matters, a presumed reality TV singing competition first, Reed captured the judges' attention and earned some early frontrunner like status. He showed some spunk, personality, originality in choice of audition song, and charisma. He should play very well with the people who really decide the winners of these shows - females of all ages.
MINI-MONTAGE OF SUCCESSFUL AUDITIONS:
3) Aaron Marcellus - 27 - Teaneck, NJ (Voice Teacher)
4) Chase Likens - 20 - Point Pleasant, WV (Student)
5) Samantha Novacek - 19 - Sutersville, PA (Server)
Steven - Yes Jennifer - Yes Randy - Yes
With her sister planking in front of her, Samantha got a very respectful affirmation. The absurdity of the planking aside, Samantha sang well enough to advance to the Hollywood Round; most likely without sister Patricia Bell. With the talent shaping up to be quite deep again this season, Samantha will probably be on the bubble in terms of getting out of Hollywood Week but she's still quite a decent singer.
6) Creighton Fraker - 28 - Queens, NY (Starving Artist)
(Original Song)
Steven - Yes Jennifer - Yes Randy - Yes
Randy Jackson was "kind of intrigued by" Fraker's style. I'm not entirely sure how he'd fare live but he could be a wild card. His unique singing style and eccentric starving artist persona just could captivate the voting audience. All three judges, particularly Steven Tyler, were emphatically sure about putting him thru to Hollywood. My guess is that he will go pretty far into the competition but he also could prove to be too polarizing to win it all.
7) Eben Franckewitz - 15 - Milford, OH (Student)
"Ain't No Sunshine" - Bill Withers
Steven - Yes Jennifer - Yes Randy - Yes
The judges seemed to be passively impressed but the comparisons to Justin Bieber were ridiculously over the top although his tone and voice were somewhat reminiscent of not just Bieber but more immediately, and more comparatively (from an Idol standpoint) to Jacee Beadeaux from last season. Franckewitz, just 15 years old like Beadeaux was at the time of his tryout last year, should fare extremely well with young females in particular. Look for a deep run.
8) Travis Orlando - 17 - Bronx, NY (Unemployed)
"Isn't She Lovely?" - Stevie Wonder
Steven - Yes Jennifer - Yes Randy - Yes
I don't even want to get into the updated back story because it's too angering. Orlando, the seventeen year-old high school dropout (which I immediately feared when Idol's graphics called him unemployed despite his age) was bizarrely accused of not showing passion despite being told he sang with it and after being informed he had improved since last season. This was a clear drum-up for dramatic effect by the judges and producers but you just hope that Travis has already found his way back to school, or will sooner rather than later. In the meantime, I just worry that he is too desperate for his own good but I hope to be proven wrong.
9) Erika Van Pelt - 25 - South Kingstown, RI (Mobile DJ/Wedding Singer)
Steven - Yes Jennifer - Yes Randy - Yes
The striking Van Pelt came in and aced her audition. The mobile DJ and wedding singer seems to stay busy with her crazy work schedule but she provided such a compelling vocal and personality that she should be able to advance to the live rounds barring a major faltering. She's also not too physically threatening to the knowingly catty female viewers who ultimately determine the results on the show.
10) Shane Bruce - 19 - Moundsville, WV (Coal Miner)
"Hallelujah" - Leonard Cohen
Steven - No (Not yet) Jennifer - No (Come Back) Randy - No (Come Back)
"Have you ever seen 'Shrek'? You know the 'Hallelujah' song that plays through there?"
Um...really? Oy vi. Still, you could tell the talent was there but he just got too nervous and didn't hit the notes right. He got three "No's" but he also got three "Come back next years" as well. He had a humble and positive attitude, shook hands afterwards (and set the right tone with the judges down the road), and earned the respect and even admiration of the judges. He'll be back.
11) Hallie Day - 24 - Baltimore, MD (Waitress)
"I Will Survive" - Gloria Gaynor
Steven - Yes Jennifer - Yes Randy - Yes
The once suicidal Deborah Harry (the famed lead singer of Blondie as Jennifer Lopez alluded to) look-alike brought not just one of the most compelling stories thus far in the competition; of how she was saved by music and the love of her husband but also a powerful voice custom made to fill the female rocker quota that has often been featured in seasons past but was surprisingly absent last season (James Durbin filled the male-rocker quota instead).
38 Golden Tickets Total
Some more very compelling and intriguing talent graced the Idol stage once more and even rejected Shane Bruce will probably reemerge in a future season not too far down the road. Heejan Han, Reed Grimm, Aaron Marcellus (briefly shown but we'll be seeing much more of him), Creighton Fraker, Eben Franckewitz, Travis Orlando, Erika Van Pelt, and Hallie Day all are poised for some wider fanfare. San Diego is next on the list and I fully expect to see the biggest early dark horse of them all then. Stay tuned.
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