“Better” throws a NYC reference in the first line —
nice.
HA at this line from Jefferson Airplane’s “White Rabbit”: “hop
on the VW bus; we’re going to take you to psychedelia town.” I’m not used to hearing such a strong voice
this close! Most of my bands aren’t
driven by vocals — not ones like these.
“The Letter”: worthy of Joe Cocker and Keira McMenamin.
HA at Haley’s comment: “It’s getting hot in here.” James Porter and Matt Fender (and presumably
Nelly) concur.
Wooo at Haley taking off the sunglasses; she’s immediately
more connected with the crowd. Linking
“Can’t Find My Way Home” to her traveling band parents adds more. I like how it doesn’t overdo the vocals.
“Wonderland” exists.
“Good or Bad”!! I’m
such a slave to guitars. The guitarist
has a(n admittedly strong) solo at the end, and suddenly I love the vocals, the
dancing, everything.
“Check Please”!!!
What a sly reinvention of “Shout”!
The guitarist is on the ground too — and none of it feels like a gimmick!
Aww, she’s jealous of the 60s too. https://youtu.be/Z4Px9m4E5qM
“Time Of The Season”: Whoa, the dreadlocked pianist has a
great voice.
Awww, a song she co-wrote with Casey Abrams, “Bring The Love Back.” Not worth falling off the stage,
but solid. I take that back: the
acapella bookends make it worth it.
She jokes(?) that she offered “Somewhere In Between” to
Quentin Tarantino.
“Sunny Afternoon”: a Kinks cover. Nice restraint and “can I hear” snaps at the
end.
“For What It’s Worth”: It’s familiar and relevant, so it was
powerful. Love the way the guitarist
literally creeps the guitar upward during the “it will creep” line.
Nice body rapper and vocal runs during “Baby It’s You.”
Awww at the tenderness of “Can’t Help Falling In Love.” For me, a little overmodulated in parts, but
I enjoyed it.
“My Cake”!!!! Went
around the circle with solos for the entire band! The drummer, keyboardist, and BASS GUITARIST
were sick. Haley’s vocal power brought
the whole thing together. Co-written by
Casey Abrams.
“These Boots Are Made For Walkin’” features a slick new
black outfit.
Awww at the shoutout to James’ Postmodern Jukebox. She’ll be on tour with them in Europe.
The fact that she does not mention American Idol once strikes me as disrespectful and immature. It brings the show down a quarter-grade for
me, but I’ll end on the following positive performance…
“Creep”!!! So many
details: power notes, head swirls, one NY reference, one F word, and several
understated/unexpected growls. Nice.
Grade: A-
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