It’s too bad that Jessica isn’t performing in Las Vegas with the winner. Then, I would have had a good reason to buy tickets to the show.

Thanks again!
Jocelyn

Al, if you’d love to be a guest blogger to offer a european perspective on the show I’d certainly welcome it.

Jessica Price I won’t argue, because you’re just dead wrong. Sure she could use some vocal refinement, but you can’t train talent and the wonderful sound that comes out of her mouth.

The Russian Bar was originally in the circus and America’s Got Talent is about variety acts, so they’re perfect. I think a full 90 minute show might be hard for them, but they were extraordinary since I’d never seen that done before.

Eli’s definitely not even close to some of the great piano players I’ve heard, but once again this isn’t about technical talent. This is about the entertainment value he provides. Not to mention his performance of Walking in Memphis is definitely one of the top 5 performances on America’s Got Talent and every bit as good as the original.

Yes, I am insane about Holly Hardin. She made me laugh over and over again. She was memorable and I’m giving her credit for that.

The Wright Kids almost made my list, but would have been 6th for sure. My guess is they’ll stick to their popularity in the bluegrass arena and no more.

Donald Braswell, not a star on his own, but would be great to watch on stage with a bunch of other talents. When he sang phantom he was every bit as good as the Phantom I saw on broadway.

Neil Boyd does have something unique about him. However, he never progressed since the beginning. In fact, I’d say his first performance was the best one he gave on the show.

The country singer girl (I think you mean Sarah Lenore) had a great voice, but was shouting way too much. Needs to learn to control the voice.

Baton Boy was fun, but when I thought about Samoan fire knife dancers I decided he wasn’t as good as I thought.

Martial arts girl was fun, but nothing more than a side act. Like I said previously, I’d love to see her on the boat at Treasure Island in Las Vegas.

I’ve been watching from the Netherlands (yes I’m Dutch).

Seriously now: Jessica Price is not an artist by ANY stretch of the imagination. Her singing is very mediocre, she uses a too strange pronunciation when singing, to make any phrase sound good. She seems to sing with a ‘throaty’ sound which I find absolutely appalling.

The Russian Bar Trio has an interesting act, but it’s a variety act man! The would do well as part of a circus.

Eli Mattson: I can understand this choice, he is one of the better performers on the show. Still, his piano playing is VERY mediocre, as is his singing. His emotional projection is primitive. The sound of his voice offers opportunities but the primitiveness of his emotional projection renders the performance, well… Nightclubbish.

The dance act: I won’t even comment. This is just a personal distaste, so I can’t judge on an artistic level.

Holly Hardin: Are you insane? Or perhaps you need some new glasses. If you call a female looking like that “not bad on the eyes”, you’re making me go “oh, them crazy americans” AGAIN!!! Stranger still, is that you would find the excessive naivety appealing… DUDE!!! Her presence was funny because it was SO sad that it was funny.

My personal favs: The Wright Kids (for sentimental reasons AND artistic potential), Donald Braswell (for similar reasons), Neil E. Boyd (good singing, versatile) and the country singer girl that got booted out (she has a really good singing voice). Baton boy I like because of his professionalism. The martial arts girl for the same reason. We’ll see her again someday in the movies probably.

Feel free to respond by email if you feel so inclined.

Greetz, Al.