Five on Friday Set 36

Posted: Friday, October 01, 2010 by Travis Cody in
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Happy October! 


Like the new banner?  I made it all by myself, with an assist from Google Images for the skeery Jack-O-Lantern.

Here's something just a little different from me this week.  I'm going to the video for Set 36.  I just wanted to show you that American Idol does have the ability to find and showcase real vocal talent. 

These are some of my favorite female vocalists from the program.

La Toya Londa, Season 3.  Although she has only released one CD since Idol, Love & Life in 2005, she has appeared to rave reviews as Nettie in the stage production of The Color Purple at the Cadillac Palace Theatre in Chicago, from 2007 to 2010.




Mandisa Hundley, Season 5.  She has released 4 studio albums since Idol, which have been extremely well received.  In 2008 and 2010 she was nominated for a Grammy in the category of Pop/Contemporary Gospel.



Nadia Turner, Season 4.  She has released only 3 singles since her time on Idol.  She did record a full length CD, but unfortunately it is languishing without a label and remains unreleased.


LaKisha Jones, Season 6.  Although she made it through to the Top 4 before being eliminated, many said she set the bar too high for herself with this performance, which came at Top 24 (Top 12 women), making it her very first performance for viewer votes.  It's definitely a WOW moment.  She released a CD in 2009.

Melinda Doolittle, Season 6.  Taylor Hicks is my favorite Idol, but Melinda Doolittle is a very close second.  I think she is amazing.  She has released an EP and a full length studio CD.  The performance in this video is widely considered to be one of the all time best in the history of American Idol.



I want the Idol producers and the reorganized judging panel to find us some real talent for the upcoming Season 10.  I want to get back to the anticipation I used to feel.  I want to be compelled to watch and to vote.


Nigel Lythgoe returns as executive producer, so maybe I'll get my wish.  Also, I'm told that the addition of Jimmy Iovine as an in-house mentor is an excellent change from the weekly guest mentors.  Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez join veteran Randy Jackson on the panel.  Season 10 premiers in January.


As always, if you'd like to join us in the musical fun, the guidelines are basic and simple.

1. Grab the banner, make your post title Five on Friday, and be sure to link back here.
2. Go to Playlist.com to make your play list of five songs. You may choose a particular theme to share with us, or post random tunes if that's your vibe for the day. You can simply post the play list, or you can add a little summary about what you are sharing.
2a. Don't feel restricted by the tracks listed on Playlist.com. And don't be discouraged if the Embed code won't work. You're welcome to use any type of media to share your Sets.
3. Be sure to sign Mr Linky so everyone can visit your Set.
4. No tags, but feel free to invite your friends to play along if they need a post topic on a Friday.

Go forth and enjoy music!

12 comments:

  1. Oh wow... you actually remember the contestants so well. Your entry jogged my memory, though...

    I do wonder how idol is going to be without Simon and his sarcasm.

  1. Anonymous says:

    How Melinda Doolittle did NOT win boggles my mind. She can sing the pants of most Idol contestants.

    AI has lost it's appeal for me. The last 2 years... well, I don't even remember them.

  1. Anonymous says:

    wonderful choices Travis! Have a great Friday.

  1. Love the header. Melinda Doolittle is a big favorite with me and singing one of my all time favorite songs really hits the spot.

    There's a noticeable twang over at my place today.

  1. Akelamalu says:

    Just goes to prove there's some REAL talent out there. :)

  1. Don't think I've ever watched an episode of American Idol. trying to remember. Lana has watched for some of the great singing though.

  1. I LOVE your header! I'll be back to watch them tonight, but I do have to say that I'm a big fan of 'I'm Every Woman'.

  1. Linda says:

    I love the new header and shall most definitely use it next week if I remember to do a pre-post being that I shall be schlepping around Maine next Friday!

    Like Barb I stopped watching AI, for me it after Adam Lambert's season as it just always seemed like more of a popularity contest versus who could really, really sing well. I get the feeling it may not be around much longer the way things are going.

    Great choices for this week and those are indeed some marvelous singers - especially Melinda Doolittle; I wish I had 1/4 of her talent but alas, I can't carry a tune in the proverbial bucket!

  1. Will watch later as I can't see the videos. I think I know which you selected, but will be anxious to check them out.

    I went video this week also, since I did not have time to do a mix myself and playlist certainly did not have the songs I wanted!

    new header = SWEET

  1. Unknown says:

    Mandisa is incredible...she sings gospel now and has a powerful voice. And Melinda was always one of my favorites - I have her first CD and I love it!

  1. Anonymous says:

    Trav: Great memory jogger. I didn't catch the first seasons of Idol. It wasn't until Officer Friendly died and Goodnight and I just chilled in front of the tv that I saw it. So some of the names are not familiar to me. I'm with you though - I hope the anticipation comes back. I picked Soul Patrol right from the get-go. Missed all the rest til later in the competition. And Mandisa was a classy lesson in dignity. Thanks for sharing.

  1. j says:

    I'm trying to be super quiet so I can't watch the videos. rrrr. Maybe I'll go borrow my kiddo's ipod ear phones.

    I hope you have a great week Travis!