Stop reading if you haven’t watched last night’s American Idol and think you’re somehow going to get through the day without a SPOILER…We good?…You gone?…Okay. Matt Giraud’s performance of "My Funny Valentine" was my favorite Idol goodbye ever. It made me understand exactly what Simon Cowell meant in his critique on Tuesday, when he said that Matt was the only one in the Top 5 who really got the genre. There was an ease and a patience in his vocals last night, the kind of f— it all freedom that most of us only get after we’ve had a few drinks. (Very Rat Pack.) He caressed those notes, killed those runs, and made you feel the words he was singing. That’s what standards are about — creating a mood. They take you to another time, and yet, remind you that some emotions (oh hell, it’s always love) are timeless. Maybe that prose is a little too flowery for you. All I’m really saying is that as someone who’s seen Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Diana Krall, Michael Feinstein, and Michael Bublé in concert, I appreciated Matt’s vocals last night. Seeing the judges’ standing ovation and remaining Idol contestants’ reactions to it, I know I’m not the only one. But since I couldn’t find a clip of it on YouTube this morning, I’m starting to question it. It was one of the best Idol goodbyes, right?
More American Idol:
Michael Slezak recaps last night’s show
Adam B. Vary: On the scene at the Top 5 results show
Michael Slezak’s five-part video interview with Anoop Desai
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I felt the same way about Matt’s exit performance. I only wish he had performed ‘My Funny Valentine’ that well on Tuesday night’s show.
Matt will be missed, especially with Gokey left in the competition. Gross!
I can’t listen to My Funny Valentine without hearing Jimmy Fallon as Harry Connick Jr. being harrassed by James Van Der Beek and Tracy Morgon with a lazer pointer.
I totally agree! I thought it was the best goodbye ever! I do think that if he had done that Tuesday he would still be on the show today! I loved his performance and those runs killed!!
The shock wasn’t that Matt went home. He should have gone home 2 weeks ago. His performance last night was so much better that it was the night before. The shock was that Adam was in the bottom two. I’m glad he was, but it was still shocking. Maybe he won’t make the finals.
http://www.joenothetube.com
You saw Frank Sinatra in concert?! How old were you? Or were you referring to Frank Sinatra, Jr.?
Bye Matt,
We’re gonna miss you.
http://americanidolexposed.wordpress.com/
It was good. Maybe as good as Carly’s you-can-kiss-my-a** rendition of ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ last year.
Nope. Sorry. Have seen Buble (and HCJ) in concert, and that made Tuesday night Laughable. Listening to the greats just puts in perspective exactly what kind of talent these kids have. P.S. Nothing can stand up to Buble’s fabulous concert-only rendition of MFV.
No thanks.
To BrandonK:
Frank Sinatra’s only been dead for 11 years. If she saw him when she was, say, 22, she’d only be 33 now.
Glad to see him gone. He looked confused between The Fray, J.T and a bunch of others. Never seem to found HIS style.
http://tvdonewright.com/2009/04/30/upfront-preview-how-leno-will-hurt-nbc/
Mandi, you rule ! I thought Matt’s version was much much better on Wednesday than on Tuesday, for sure. Althoug, even if it was really good, I’m still happy he was the one who got the boot instead of Adam.
Now, there’s only one thing left to say : Put the “go” in Gokey !
Matt was good last night but someone had to go and that’s tough. I like Matt and he could become a recording artist that could sell a million records.
Personally, I see Allison who could improve enough to run second to Adam. She has that power house voice which has what it takes to make it to the finals and overtake Chris. Of course, everyone has their own opinions and I value others.
Through the magic of DVDs you can see almost anybody in concert now.
I believe ALL of contestants are very talented. It comes down to which flavor you like the best. Matt did have some pitch problems when he sang on competition night, much better on his closing night. Natalie Cole did too but I like her a lot.
There’s no real loser here, some have a little more maturing and guidance necessary, but it really is a good group…I hated to see Matt go.
Sorry but I never did see what people saw in Matt, although I wanted to. He just has a regular voice. No star quality to his voice or to his appearance.
I LOVE Matt, and his performance was amazing (on both nights), but how could you forget the most memorable Idol exit performance ever?:
LaToya London – “Don’t Rain on My Parade”
Defiant, classy, and vocally superb, you were almost expecting Jasmine Trias to spontaneously combust because she was so unworthy to be in the Final 3 over London.
Matt was AWFUL both Tuesday & last night. He ruined every song he sang with his god-awful falsetto and overkill runs. Also, he came off as cocky.
It was excellent. I was at first just super-relieved Adam wasn’t going home, but then was really taken with Matt’s performance. His best two performances were his farewell and his singing-for-his-life. I guess he’s better when either *super* pressured or totally free.
Cheers to his future career.
Yes, you’re right Mandi! You can’t find a Youtube clip of Adam’s “Tracks of my Tears”, either… I wonder if Fox is forcing them to be taken down. Which sucks, because they don’t put out DVDs of the seasons (which they SHOULD!!!! I’d buy every single one.)
Adam – I think you are half right. Matt wasn’t confused. He WANTS to perform The Fray, Coldplay, etc. style songs. He performs better with soulful, bluesy, jazzy material. Unfortunately it seemed like he couldn’t get the two to mix.
You can find videos of this season on MJSBIGBLOG.com Go check it out, you’ll be impressed!
His post-elimination performance was very good Mandi. Unfortunately, performance night it was a mess.
S: That is one of my favorite SNL skits!
Mandi: I don’t want to rain on your parade, but comparing Matt Giraud to Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Diana Krall, Michael Feinstein, and Michael Bublé is a little like that old saying “one of these things is not like the other.” Sure, he’s a good singer, but does he have the timeless quality and “it” factor of those other performers? I say no.
I have seen Michael Buble in concert twice, and I find it very hard to believe Matt could ever put on a show like that. He just doesn’t have the charm or the vocal talent. He seems to have cronic pitch problems. On the other hand, Buble’s voice can fill up a 16,000 seat auditorium without a microphone or amplifier. Every time he closes the show acappella, I’m blown away.
Nope, sorry, he was way pitchy and screechy. Worse than the night before when he was merely blah.
And yes, FOX is forcing YouTube to pull Idol clips. I was looking for some yesterday from earlier in the season to send someone and they were all gone.
Mandi dear: Matt is a very sweet person & a very good singer as well but let ’s get real! His version of “my funny valentine” although clearly sung with sincerity, was not that great. Comparing it to performances by Sinatra, Bennett, Krall & Buble is just laughable!
Totally agreed Mandi! Matt’s exit was by far one of the most touching and spot on vocals in this season’s elimination…he even sang better than his actual tuesday performance! seriously you guys gotta go back and listen to the exit song by him again. It’s GORGEOUS!! It was so much more heartfelt…if he only sung like that on performance night…oh, and check out his studio version of My funny valentine. He makes a funkier and hippier version to michael buble. Love Matt, and will miss Matt…
What r u guys listening to? Matt’s exit performance hit every single note and his falsetto gave me goosebumps! i adored it! He is one of the few in this season that can riff and do runs effortlessly. Definitely someone will sign him on.
I felt so emotionally connected to Matt’s rendition last night it left me teary eyed. I thought so that he sang it better as his swan song than in the competition. And it was clear what Simon was referring to in his phrasing.
Matt is brilliant and talented but under rated because of not being included originally but as wild card because of that unfortunate Viva La Vida. He should have been consistent choosing bluesy and soulful numbers.
He has more to offer than Danny or Kris with the right song choices. Will miss Matt.
It was a brilliant farewell performance by Matt. Yes, it gave me goosebumps as well. More power to you, Matt. We’ll miss you. Please keep to your soulful numbers. If only you did, you would be a stronger contender among this 8 season as the best group vocally. You captured me from your Georgia On My Mind. Human Nature was so good, so smooth. We like you so much and will miss you.