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America’s Got Talent Season 7: Music List

Since there are three nights in Vegas I will put all the music onto the same post and update it as each day goes by:

VEGAS WEEK: JUDGES FAVORITES
Calvin Harris – Feel So Close Feel So Close - Now That's What I Call Music, Vol. 42
Jessie J – Who You Are Who You Are - Who You Are (Platinum Edition)
Flo Rida – Good Feeling Good Feeling - Now That's What I Call Music, Vol. 42

JUDGES FAVORITES
Music Sung by Female Vocalists:
Leona Lewis – Footprints In The Sand Footprints In the Sand - Spirit (Deluxe Version)
Amy Winehouse – Valerie Valerie - Back to Black: B-Sides
Johnny Cash – Folsom Prison Blues Folsom Prison Blues (Live) - The Essential Johnny Cash
Martina Mcbride – Do It Anyway Anyway - Anyway - Single
Jewel – You Were Meant For Me You Were Meant for Me - Pieces of You
Sheryl Crow – If It Makes You Happy If It Makes You Happy - The Very Best of Sheryl Crow (Digital Version)
Rolling Stones – You Can’t Always Get What You Want You Can't Always Get What You Want - Let It Bleed

Music used by Dance Groups:
Missy Elliott – Get Ur Freak On Get Ur Freak On (LP Version) - Miss E...So Addictive
Avant – Graduated Graduated - The Letter
Mims – Move If You Wanna Move (If You Wanna) - Move (If You Wanna) - Single
Far East Movement – So What? So What? - Free Wired

Music used in Novelty:
Carrie Underwood – Before He Cheats Before He Cheats - Some Hearts
Michael Buble – Feeling Good Feeling Good - It's Time
Pilot – Oh Ho Ho It’s Magic Magic - From the Album of the Same Name or Selena Gomez – Magic Magic - Radio Disney Jams 12

Music Sung by Classical Vocalists:
Il Volo – O Sole Mio 'O sole mio - Il volo
Giuseppe Verdi’s opera Rigoletto – La donna e mobile (here is the “Three Tenors” versions )
Rachmaninoff Op. 21 No. 7 – Zdes Khorosho (How fair is this spot) 12 Songs, Op. 21 (Excerpts): No. 7 - Zdes' Khorosho [How Fair This Spot] - Rachmaninov: Songs

Music sung by the Vocal Groups
Louis Armstrong – What A Wonderful World What a Wonderful World (Single Version) - Louis Armstrong's All-Time Greatest Hits
Ray Charles – Let The Good Times Roll Let the Good Times Roll - Ray Sings, Basie Swings
The Ronettes – Be My Baby Be My Baby - Be My Baby: The Very Best of The Ronettes

Music used by Youth Acts
The Jackson 5 – Blame It On The Boogie Blame It On the Boogie - Destiny
Gloria Estefan – Turn The Beat Around Turn the Beat Around - Greatest Hits Vol. II
David Guetta – Without You Without You (feat. Usher) - Nothing But the Beat

Music sung by Male Vocalists
Johnny Rivers – Secret Agent Secret Agent Man - Johnny Rivers: Greatest Hits
Tom Petty – Free Falling Free Fallin' - Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers: Greatest Hits
Goo Goo Dolls – Iris Iris - Greatest Hits, Vol. 1 - The Singles
George Strait – The Chair The Chair - 50 Number Ones
Paul McCartney – Maybe I’m Amazed Maybe I'm Amazed - Wingspan: Hits and History

Music played during Eliminations
Ludwig van Beethoven – Moonlight Sonata Piano Sonata No.14 In C Sharp Minor Op.27/2 - 1st Movement 'Moonlight - Classical Moods - 100 Top Classical Favorites of All Time
Jordin Sparks – No Parade No Parade - Battlefield (Deluxe Version)
Coldplay – Fix You Fix You - X & Y

VEGAS WEEK: STANDBYS
Music sung by the Vocal Groups
Young The Giant – Cough Syrup Cough Syrup - Young the Giant
Christina Aguilera – Fighter Fighter - Stripped
Frank Sinatra – New York, New York Theme from New York, New York - Nothing But the Best - The Frank Sinatra Collection (Remastered)
Carl Perkins – Blue Suede Shoes Blue Suede Shoes - The Dance Album or the Elvis Presley version Blue Suede Shoes - The Essential Elvis Presley (Remastered)
Bob Dylan – Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right Don't Think Twice, It's All Right - The Essential Bob Dylan or the Elvis Presley version Don't Think Twice, It's All Right - Walk a Mile In My Shoes: The Essential '70s Masters

Music used by the Youth Acts
James Brown – Get up offa that thing Get Up Offa That Thing - Golden Legends: James Brown Live
Adele – Turning Tables Turning Tables - 21

Music used by the Aerialists/Acrobatics Acts
Lady GaGa – Marry The Night Marry the Night - Born This Way (Bonus Track Version)

Music used in the Dance Groups
The Isley Brothers – Who’s That Lady Who's That Lady - It's Your Thing: The Story of the Isley Brothers
The Turtles – Happy Together Happy Together - Happy Together
Martha & the Vandellas – Dancing in the Streets Dancing In the Streets - Doo Wop Golden Oldies Vol 1

Music used in the Novelty Acts
Elvis Presley – Rubberneckin Rubberneckin' - Elvis At the Movies (Remastered)
Lady GaGa – Bad Romance Bad Romance - The Fame Monster (Deluxe Version)
Scott Joplin – The Entertainer The Entertainer - The Entertainer
Frank Sinatra – New York, New York Theme from New York, New York - Nothing But the Best - The Frank Sinatra Collection (Remastered)

Music used by the Dancers
Chris Brown – Yeah 3X Yeah 3X - Yeah 3X - Single
Chris Brown – I Can Transform Ya I Can Transform Ya (feat. Lil Wayne & Swizz Beatz) - I Can Transform Ya (feat. Lil Wayne & Swizz Beatz) - Single
Lil Wayne – I Am Not A Human Being Right Above It - I Am Not a Human Being

Music played during Eliminations
Leona Lewis – Alive Alive - Echo (Deluxe Version)
Coldplay – Fix You Fix You - X & Y
Christina Aguilera – Lift Me Up Lift Me Up - Bionic (Deluxe Version)
R. Kelly – I Believe I Can Fly I Believe I Can Fly - The R. In R&B Collection, Vol. 1

June 26, 2012 I Written By

America’s Got Talent Seven 7: Vegas Week

This week there are three days of America’s Got Talent at 8:00pm on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

At the top of Vegas Week the judges have separated the acts into two primary groups:
Judges Favorites: are the acts that the judges believe have the best chance to succeed on the live shows
Standbys: are the acts the judges are unsure about and will see them if there are slots available after the Judges Favorites have gone through

Anyone whose name is not found under the two groups mentioned above they would not perform in Vegas and would be going straight home that day. The catch is with that though is that some acts that do not have a chance to prove their worth at all while there will be some others that were given a free pass to the Live Shows in New York. The acts that we will definitely see in the Live Shows include:
William Close: Earth Harp
Olate Dogs: Dog Act
David “the Bullet” Smith: Human Cannonball

While the Judges Favorites are performing the Standbys are required to sit in the audience and watch what happens. What I found to be interesting is that people are crumbling left and right. I am not used to seeing that for America’s Got Talent, but a major part of that could be how the show is being edited to evoke maximum drama within a one-hour show.

On Wednesday / Thursday I will post who made the Top 48 Acts (well now 45 since 3 acts got a free pass to New York) that are moving on to the Live Shows in New York, I will also attempt to breakdown who came from which group / category so we can see how they all panned out.
Read more..

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Guaranteed America’s Got Talent Las Vegas 2011 Storylines

For those of you who are new to the America’s Got Talent franchise and maybe to reality TV in general, you have to remember that the producers are trying to produce a show. One way they do that is by producing storylines into the show. Last year for example, they made sure they had a number of harmonica players on the show. Of course, you knew they weren’t going to let that many harmonica players through to Las Vegas. However, it plays out well in Las Vegas to have 3 acts all doing harmonica and the judges choose which one is going to go through.

Maybe I’ve been writing about these shows for too long, but I’ve already seen a number of these storylines prepared for Las Vegas. Here’s some off the top of my head:

Motorcycles/Bikes
-The motorcycle trick brothers with the funky bikes that jumped over stuff and got close to their friend
-The motorcycle kids that drive around in the huge ball (a really old circus act that I remember first seeing as a kid at Circus Circus in Las Vegas and was amazed)
-The BMX bike guys who do tricks on the ramp

Kid Singers
This could really be done every season, but there are a number of kid singers that will compete this year. Some of these are likely to include PopLyfe, Anna Graceman, Dani Shay, etc.

Kid Wrappers/Dancers
Lil’ T Tanner, The Sh’Boss Boys and the other kid dance crew (can’t remember their names) fit this group.

Jugglers,
Seems like there were a lot of jugglers this year. Frank Oliver, Charles Peachock and Frank Miles.

Then, of course, we’re going to have the standard adult singers, the dance crews, magicians, and then the variety acts which will always be on the show.

Watch for these storylines to play out. They’re guaranteed to happen to night and only one act per category (maybe 2 for the singers) above is likely to make it through.

Also, I must admit in my previous post about lack of stars, I did forget to mention the girl that sings with PopLyfe. She definitely has star quality as well. Although, don’t be surprised if she has to make the tough decision to go alone or with her friends. She’s definitely the star.

July 5, 2011 I Written By

More America’s Got Talent 2011 Las Vegas Discussion

Yaoi Huntress Earth has again provided commentary on the various acts from last night’s episode of America’s Got Talent that made it to Las Vegas and a few others. Here’s her write up:
Alaska (I laughed when he taught them how to do the “Alaska Dance”) and Marylee.

Geechy Guy: (Comedian) He was pretty good, more hits than misses. And his silly energy that works for him.
Vegas Week: I think he could make it unless they’re only letting one comedian in. If so he probably won’t when compared to the impressionist.

Illumni Men’s Chorale: Great twist on chorus music.
Vegas Week: Good chance on making it to the Top 40.

Soleil Rousseau: (Dancer) I respect pole dancing in a more artistic way and it was decent.
Vegas Week: Don’t think she’ll go any further.

Seth Grabel: (Magician) My new favorite for the magicians; he’s rather unique.
Vegas Week: Out of all the magicians auditioning now, I see him as the most likely to make it to the Top 40.

The BGP: (Band) I agree with Sharon, they need to find their own identity. Other wise they’re pretty good.
Vegas Week: If they can do that, it’s a very good chance.

The Art of Teknique: (Dancers) The best of the child acts so far.
Vegas Week: They usually bring in at least one kid act and they could be it.

Now I just need to convince her to write more blog posts for Pure AGT.

June 15, 2011 I Written By

Prospects for AGT Las Vegas Week per Yaoi Huntress Earth

Well, we’ve all been really busy here at Pure America’s Got Talent and so we haven’t been able to provide the commentary that we usually offer. However, Yaoi Huntress Earth has provided commentary in the comments of this post on the various day 2 acts potential in Las Vegas. Here’s her write up:

As for Day 2’s passed acts…

Echo of Animal Gardens (Animal Trainer): It was nice, but wasn’t there another bird act earlier?
Vegas Week: She’s going to have to do more if she wants to go farther. The parrot singing alone isn’t going to cut it as a Vegas act.

Mrs. Smith (Performance Artist): Sorta reminds me of Mary Ellen except with some talent and is a lot less painful on the eyes. Not a bad guitarist.
Vegas Week: Unless she can expand what she does, I don’t see her going beyond that. I’ll be interested to see what Peirs thinks.

Saint Luke’s Bottle Band (Bottle Band): Fun just for how odd they are. I would like to see them take on some more contemporary stuff next time.
Vegas Week: Their novelty might get them into the Top 40, especially if they can do a variety of music.

Lys Agnes (Opera Singer): I normally have a problem with singer who could compete on any generic singing show appearing on this one, but I’ll admit she’s really good and very pretty (just love her hair).
Vegas Week: Unless she really screws up, she’s a shoe-in for the Top 40.

The Midget Dancer: As much as I like midgets, I wouldn’t have put her through.
Vegas Week: I predict Vegas Week will be where it ends.

Those Funny Little People (Variety Act): They remind me of the Zupper Stars. Cute in a creepy way for a little while, but then I wanted to see them do more. Though it was funny when they were tormenting Piers.
Vegas Week: It could go either way.

The Silhouettes (Dancers): That was beautiful and one of the best auditions I’ve seen this year.
Vegas Week: They’ll pass and if they do what they did last year with giving ten acts an automatic slot, I could see them getting it.

The Kinetic King: That was very unique and fun, but I wonder how he’d sustain a show or top that.
Vegas Week: About a 70% chance of going through.

June 13, 2011 I Written By

America’s Got Talent 2010 Top 48 Week 2 Results

The following is last night’s results episode for America’s Got Talent. Who will stay and who will be sent home. Enjoy the show!

July 22, 2010 I Written By

Let’s Stop the “Will This Act Work in Vegas?” Line

I think it’s lame that the judges mention that they need to carry on a show in Las Vegas. I think this is by design, but they need to stop it and find a new line. First of all, why should they hold the act to this standard. It’s not like they are really getting a headline show in Las Vegas if they win. I live in Las Vegas and I never saw Kevin Skinner’s name on any billboards or any headlines.

Plus, if this is the standard, then half of the top 48 wouldn’t be there. The might be extremely talented, but they don’t stand a chance of having a show in Las Vegas. Plus, the show wants to have a nice variety of talent. This stands in opposition to the idea of finding the best Las Vegas act. So, you can’t have it both ways.

I like in Britain’s Got Talent where they get to perform for the Queen. Works out much better I think. It’s a great story and provides for the variety of acts that the show wants. Especially since it’s the Queen’s Royal Variety show.

America’s Got Talent needs to find a new line. It’s just never fit very well.

July 12, 2010 I Written By

Official America’s Got Talent Forum Posting Policies Are Lame

Turns out that some of the readers of Pure America’s Got Talent (this site) have been cheating on me and heading over to the official NBC America’s Got Talent forums. Good thing I’m a forgiving guy. At least as long as they keep coming back;-) I should also make it clear that this site is a completely independently run fan site. I have no connection with America’s Got Talent, Fremantle Media, NBC or any other part of the show. I do have contact with their PR and publicity people like any other TV news organization might have. However, this site is for the fans.

Well, turns out that a number of readers from this site are reporting that their comments on the NBC America’s Got Talent boards are getting taken down. Reports are that it’s for a TOS Violation, which likely is for comments that were “inappropriate and bordered on contestant bashing.”

I haven’t been to those AGT boards in a while, but I remember they had a ton of really funky rules. In fact, that’s part of the reason I haven’t gone back. However, I find it pretty amusing that they want to try and control people’s comments even if it’s bashing the AGT contestants. Don’t they realize that by doing so, they’re just making people even more angry with the show?

I guess it’s good news for me, because plenty of those people have come to this site where they can share their feelings openly without worrying about a TOS violation. Also, don’t get me wrong. NBC and America’s Got Talent are well within their rights to remove anything that they want on their site. Just like I can remove anything if I feel like it’s in the best interest of this site. However, just because they can, doesn’t mean that they should.

I’ve been running a number of TV related blogs with open comments for the past 4 years. I’ve seen thousands of people comment over that time. Yet, I’ve only had to moderate a half dozen comments (besides the straight up SPAM comments). It just very rarely makes sense to remove comments that people have made. There’s almost no benefit.

Instead the way to deal with those comments is to address them in an open manner. The problem is that it takes some real skill to do it effectively. I’m guessing that the board moderators for the official AGT forum don’t have those skills (or haven’t been given them). So, it’s just easier to make a rule for them to remove the comments. I personally only draw the line when people start making personal comments about other people’s comments or vulgarity of any sort. That’s just unnecessary.

While it feels like removing the comments will make things better, it ironically usually makes things worse.

As such, you’re certainly welcome to make critical and heartfelt comments about America’s Got Talent on this site. In fact, we’re happy to see when you do. That doesn’t mean we will agree with you or that other readers will agree with you either. We can be adults and disagree about topics. Unfortunately, that’s a talent that America seems to be sorely missing.

July 10, 2010 I Written By

Some Very Unhappy America’s Got Talent Viewers

Every season there’s always a number of viewers of America’s Got Talent that are angry that their favorite contestant was sent home in Las Vegas. This is normal. When you become a fan of someone and then you don’t get to see them anymore it’s a sad thing. However, this season it seems that America’s Got Talent may have gone too far. The comments I’m getting are streaming in with people that are more than just sad fans, but with viewers that are extremely upset over the choices.

Here’s a sample of the comments people have sent me (plus check out the ones I posted previously):

From Britton…
I have no contact or relations with anyone involved in this show. I am offended about the people tha. Went through to LA and the people that were left out! 2 come to mind that went through: the wailing banshee on the piano and the hand whistler???? Come on Vegas acts?!?! You sent the indoor kite flying kid home before theses “acts”? I will never watch this show again! You have ruined this show and it no longer will be on my tv. Good job guys! I liked this show too! Farewell!

From Hunter…
This season is the worst by far! The judges pick groups based on “talent” when the reality is, there is none! When they send a group of no good air band players and the woman with the red hair who cannot sing or play the piano there is something wrong! They send through the people who have NO talent and send home the ones that DO! You have lost a viewer America’s Got Talent. Its disappointing that such a great show has such terrible judges.

From Emy…
We are very disappointed with the selections this year & may give up on watching. You are passing up real talent for…..I don’t know what. Old ladies that are NOT entertaining. The last straw was the magicians. The ones you sent home should have stayed. The ones going to HW are…..not entertaining. Then tonight you broke our hearts by sending the homeless veterans home. OH…I the little guy with the huge voice but you kept the guy in all the robes. I think someone besides the judges is making the decisions believing they will help the ratings. They are wrong…you are losing us. Losing us even though there is nothing else to watch. Guess we’ll go for a walk. Tell the guys in charge to leave the judges alone. and quit putting the acts in categories’. If there’s 12 great dance acts then fine. That’s better than watching 3 great acts & 5 ridiculous ones. I know you’ve done that every year, but it seems to be worse this year. Believe it or not, I’m a very positive person…..but you’re giving me a headache.

Plenty more where this came from I’m sure. Just so it’s clear. I’m just a fan of the show like you. I’m as disappointed as most of you. It’s utterly shameful that they put “the wailing banshee on the piano” through to LA. I’m blaming Howie. Maybe we do want the Hoff back (j/k).

This said, I’m not boycotting the show, because there are still some incredible acts that are on the show. I’ll be watching those acts and no doubt America will have its revenge when we vote her off. If we don’t, then I’ll have lost all faith in America. Thankfully I’m not too concerned with this. Plus, we can all band together and turn off our TV sets when “the wailing banshee on the piano” hits the stage. I’d say hit mute, but…well you get the point.

Let’s hope the producers are listening. Can America vote someone out of Hollywood before she even performs?

July 7, 2010 I Written By

Reactions to America’s Got Talent Las Vegas Week

I’ve been getting a lot of messages from people about last night’s America’s Got Talent Las Vegas week decisions. I think that’s a very good sign for the show. If it’s completely quiet, then that means that people don’t care. Here’s some of the comments I was sent…

From Betty & Jerry…
Judges made mistakes tonight 2 people were sent to hollywood and should have been sent home 1. the woman who yodles 2. the guy who pretends he’s a magician We would be ticked if we paid money and this is the talent we got. Neither of these people even warrant $5.00 ticket. YOU SENT THE YOUNG FELLOW FROM PUERTO RICO HOME. Big time mistake. THIS GUY HAS TALENT AND HIS VOICE WARANTS THE GOING VEGAS SHOW RATE. Not much you can do about the 2 disasters you sent through BUT YOU CAN CALL THE PUERTO RICO SINGER BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We are retired professionals living about 6-7 months a year in our Huntington Beach CA home. Caesars Palace was a client during my professional career interfacing with top management in Century City. Both Hollywood and Vegas entertainment has been and continues to be a big part of our lives – it brings lots of enjoyment. VEGAS IS GENERALLY OUR CHOICE CITY FOR NEW YEARS. BRING THE YOUNG MAN TO HOLLYWOOD.

I agree about the yodle lady being a mess and I have no clue why she went through. They definitely took the wrong magician too. I’ll write a post about this later. What a travesty indeed! Same with the Puerto Rican singer. He was far from perfect, but better than that other freak show guy. Ugh!

From Sylvia…
I can’t believe they sent the kite flyer home and kept the Old Painted Lady that cannot sing. That is just a miscarriage of there judging abilities and almost makes me want to quick watching the show. There were so many acts that were 100 times better than she was and it makes no sense why they kept her. This is suppose to be a talent show. She did not even stay within the 90 seconds which they said was something that is an automatic disqualification. What are they thinking?????????

The “Old Painted Lady” I LOVE IT!! I’m not sure how much control the judges had versus the producers. I can’t help but wonder if they didn’t just do it for the effect. No doubt she won’t make it through the audience voting. She’s awful. The only good part to her act was when she was “hitting” on Nick and seeing his reaction.

From Rin…
Tonight they showed the elimination round for the 48 spots. The judges eliminated a young singer, I believe his last name was Aponti that had a beautiful voice. They put thru the woman with wild red hair and horrendous make up. She also sang and banged on a piano. They shattered this young mans dreams and put this crazy person thru. Why in the hell do they do this. It is so unfair and not funny at all. I hope more people complain about this because as they are always saying, “IT IS ABOUT TALENT’ then they go and do something stupid like tonight. Please fix this. make this show what it is supposed to be. I am so angry with all of the judges.

As you can see from this post, you’re not alone. Carlos Aponte is his name and I wouldn’t be too concerned about him. Not making the show might be the best thing that happened to him. Then, he’s not under their contract. It’s just unfortunate since I would have much rather seen him perform on the show than a number of other acts.

From Matthew…
Americas got talents will never be watched again withing my house hold. Due to the shame shameful choices to the finals of the entire episode in Vegas 2010. Dont know who two britsh twits thinks they are they dont know talent and select there nazi friends over AMERICAN talent. And for Howie is a shame your no longer a canadian with taste, talent, humor.

Ok, let’s not bring race/ethnicity/nationality into this. It’s just not a factor (or at least one worth discussing). Plus, let’s not have the judges take the full brunt of the blow. I’m sure the producers are involved as well. Also, every year there’s a group of people that say they’re done watching this show based on their decisions. I don’t think that will ever change. It’s an impossible job which is guaranteed to make people angry. Yet, it still leads the summer ratings and people still watch it since the talent that does make it is fun to watch.

From Elena…
about 5 or 6 acts that are not suppose to make it to Hollywood…the man in black suit…the comedian, he is not funny at all…next is the lady that plays the piano and can not sing…the other was the hand singing old lady…she might have a heart attack on stage…the magician…funny but not worth of my money to watch him in Vegas…the girl black girl that looks like Rihanna…can really sing and the best singer out of all the singers there…i can not believe she did not make it…come on judges…wake up already…you are putting in the people that we do not want to see…if this is how u pick…i will never watch that show again…

Hmmm…an old lady having a heart attack on a live show. I wonder what that would do for ratings. I agree with you about the Rhianna look alike. She was a good singer and should have been put through. Although, I think the guy singers have it this year and not the girls. Although, the singing sisters are still my favorite. They better make it or else.

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