IDOL FINAL (continued)

Last night's final performances were interesting, though not the best I've seen from either Kris Allen or Adam Lambert. These two must be worn out both physically and mentally. Adam has the better training and experience to withstand this kind of strain, and is doing so admirably, but Kris, tired as he must be, also stood up to it well. The show seemed rushed, which detracted from the enjoyment; an extra 15 or 20 minutes could have made all the difference.

Adam's first song, a reprise from the season, "Mad World" showed off his flair for drama. Clad in a long black coat, surrounded by mist, he slowly descended the Idol, staircase, singing. The vision, for some reason, reminded me a lot of "V for Vendetta" (though Adam didn't have that hat!) Simon Cowell said it reminded him of "Phantom of the Opera", the other judges thought "Twilight" (not me - the movie!!). Adam's natal Pluto in first house, is being highlighted at present by a trine from the transiting Jupiter/Neptune/Chiron cluster in Aquarius. It came out visibly in that dramatic, rather eerie presentation. Very, very Pluto!

His second song, chosen by the show's creator, Simon Fuller, was "A Change is Gonna Come". It was a knock-out emotional performance. He sang the last line as "My change is gonna come" - I'm not sure if that is in the original lyric, but for last night it fitted so well. The song fit Adam's Aquarian Sun and Mercury too: Aquarius = change. I wonder if Simon Fuller knows astrology?

Adam's third song was a godawful composition co-written by one of the judges (Kara), to be sung by both contestants. No melody, silly words - the title is the only thing going for it: "No Boundaries". Adam did the best he could to breathe life into the dirge, and pleased Kara, at least.



Kris's reprise song was "Ain't No Sunshine". He sang it probably as well as it has ever been sung. His trio of planets in Cancer brought sincerity, heart and sensitivity to the pretty lyrics.

Simon Fuller's pick for Kris: "What's going On" wasn't ever going to have quite the impact of "A Change is Gonna Come", even though it, also, is a socially conscious song. Personally I'd have liked a little more drama here from Kris - this type of song needs hammering home, and Kris isn't a hammerer.

The dreadful "No Boundaries" song was a real challenge for Kris. He seemed to be straining. The judges said it was too high for him. A performance best forgotten, for Kris's sake, and a song best forgotten, for all our sakes!

This morning I read through a few articles and strings of comments about last night's show; putting everything together with our own impressions, it looks as though it'll be a very, very close result. Certainly there'll be no runaway winner.

Experimentally, I pulled out my tarot cards to see if they had an answer as to who will be the winner tonight. I think the cards were teasing me! I drew:
King of Cups/Queen of Coins/Knight of Cups. Two Cups cards (Water) relate more to Kris's Cancer Sun than to Adam's Airy Sun and ascendant. Air is represented by Swords in tarot terms, and there are no Swords there. Coins relate to Fire, and both guys' Moons are in Fire signs. The Moon tonight is in Aries, Adam's Moon is in Aries - is that a good sign? It's not a bad one.

Taking the series as a whole, in my own opinion it's very clear that, if there's any justice, Adam Lambert should win. Even on the evidence of last night's performances alone, Adam should win. But having read what others think, matters become very confused.

It seems that in reality, outside of my own little world, it is TOO CLOSE TO CALL.

I'll add tonight's result here, as an update.


UPDATE

Kris Allen is American Idol 2009.
I should learn to trust my tarot cards!! Yet what about QUEEN!!! Queen of Coins - will Adam finish up fronting Queen when he's free from any ties of Idol's contract?

I loved the Santana segment and the Queen segment - I think they could hear our TV in Oklahoma City, 80 miles away, during those two numbers!

Congratulations to Kris, and congratulations to Adam, who I suspect will be the bigger star in the end - just watch! Both will be fine.
And we have tickets for the American Idol concert in Tulsa in July!! Can't wait to see 'em all, in the flesh!

IDOL's FINAL ROUND - and a wee rant.

Tonight, Adam Lambert and Kris Allen will sing for the title "American Idol of 2009". I've taken a look at their charts to see whether one or other is more favoured by the planets, but first I have to get something off my chest.

In previous posts about Adam Lambert I have deliberately never mentioned sexual orientation - it ain't at all relevant, and his is certainly none of my or any other blogger's, commentator's or journalist's business. Those in higher places, and with more clout, obviously consider it theirs though. Ryan Seacrest and someone called Perez Hilton reportedly discussed it on Seacrest's radio show. If true, this has seriously besmirched my previous admiration of Ryan Seacrest and his professionalism. Bill O'Reilly has had a couple of attempts to stir this pot, and, surprise, surprise, threw religion into the mix as well. Writers and commenters all over blogland just refuse to leave this topic alone.

What's up America? You are supposed, by your own reckoning, to be head and shoulders above and beyond the rest of the world, yet some of you gossip and bitch like schoolkids about such irrelevancies as sexual orientation at the slightest opportunity. This is century 21! Wake the f...k up at the back there!! Some of the stuff I've read could quite easily be construed as sexual harassment!

On a calmer note, this comment from fellow-Brit, and fellow Aquarian is pleasing: Robbie Williams from his myspace blog:

“Adam Lambert is my personal bestest Pop star right now…..If you haven’t been watching American Idol check him out… he’s the real deal in fact if there was a Singing Olympics and the US where sending Michael Buble and Adam Lambert I wouldn’t even try out for the UK team…”

(Michael Buble is actually Canadian, but the thought was there!)

A Jupiter/Neptune conjunction, joined by asteroid Chiron, the mythical Wounded Healer, is above us right now, in the astrological sector of Aquarius. I'll leave it to others to decide what, if any, significance there might be in Chiron's position.(Chiron's glyph looks like a "k" atop "o"). Jupiter and Neptune, together, are saying "dream big!" That's exactly what Adam and Kris are doing.

Below is a chart showing today's transits (where the planets are right now). The chart set for this evening in Hollywood.




The astrology: Both Adam and Kris have planet(s) in Aquarius, though neither has a close connection to the exact degrees where the Jupiter/Neptune/Chiron conjunction now lies. Still, this Aquarian link could speak to how the two guys have made it this far - benign Jupiter, the lucky planet, will have been close to their natal Aquarian planets over past months.

Below is Adam's natal chart. He does have a couple of tricky transits going on just now: Transiting Saturn at 14 Virgo is in irritable quincunx aspect (150*) to his natal Mercury in Aquarius -not a helpful link, especially to his communications planet. This might have something to do with the gossipy scenario mentioned above. Transiting Mars at 21 Aries lies opposite his natal Saturn and Mars in Libra - this could either lend energy (Mars) and stability (Saturn) tonight, or something less helpful. That opposition certainly smacks of keen competition.





In Kris's chart, a 12 noon version below, comparing with the transit chart showing today's positions: transiting Saturn at 14 Virgo is in helpful trine to Kris's natal Venus (planet of the art and music)at 14 Taurus. That will be good for Kris. Transiting Pluto at 2 Capricorn is sextile natal Pluto at 2 Scorpio and conjunct natal Neptune at 2 Capricorn - but these are a generational aspects, affecting a whole age group; still though, these are much better than challenging aspects at this point.



Kris will need all the help from the planets that he can get, because Adam is a huge, flamboyant natural talent, while he, Kris, is quieter, his style more subtle.

Adam, too, could use some help from above, to counteract adverse gossipy publicity. I've been among Adam's supporters from the start. He is the most talented, versatile and charismatic singer I've seen on any talent show, here or in the UK - and I've seen a lot of talent shows! Until the past few days I've felt confident he'd be the winner. Now though, I'm not quite as confident. Talent and charisma aren't always enough to impress those with small minds.

It'll be close. The result will be announced tomorrow evening during the finale, when several well-known performers will also be on the bill....Lionel Richie, Carlos Santana, Cyndi Lauper, Queen Latifah, Black Eyed Peas, Keith Urban, Jason Mraz and previous "Idol" winner David Cook.

It's reported that Kris and Adam have become firm friends, their families are supportive of both their own son and each others' sons. That is so good to know. I doubt that either contestant will begrudge the other's win, and both will have careers previously beyond their wildest dreams, whatever the outcome.

It's pure Jupiter/Neptune!

THE IDOL PACK sing THE RAT PACK

If what I've read is correct, American Idol this week has a theme which pleases me no end: "standards made famous by members of the original Rat Pack".

Adam Lambert, Danny Gokey, Kris Allen, Allison Iraheta and Matt Giraud will take us on a nostalgic journey through what could be some of the best ballads ever written - or then again, their choices might turn out to be surprisingly inappropriate.

This is my own favourite genre - "the standard" sung, or swung, with either a jazzy swagger, or deeply felt wrenching emotion - especially as it was portrayed by my all-time greatest idol, Frank Sinatra. Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Junior, other singing Rat Pack members, also have their own repertoire of great songs from which the contestants could choose.

It's interesting that we have three contestants with Sun in Taurus in the final five. (Taurus is ruled by Venus, planet of music and the arts). I'm still rooting strongly for Adam and his quirky Aquarian styling - he is unique! Susan Boyle - eat your heart out!!


Let's see now - Adam Lambert, my favourite of the Idol Pack: early Aquarian with Moon in Aries (me too!) What would suit him this week, a slow moody ballad or a swingin' swaggerin' song? He has done a couple of slower, moody heart-wrenching songs in recent shows, it's probably time for something more up-tempo. I'd love to hear him sing "I'm a Fool To Want You" - he won't, it's another slow one. He could work up "Witchcraft" into something special with his own brand of pizzazz though - or "I Get a Kick Out of You", "I've got you Under My Skin" - all would bend to Adam's quirky styling. Or how about the ubiquitous "My Way" - very Aquarian! Or Sammy Davis's "I've Gotta Be Me"?

Danny Gokey: Sun in Taurus, Moon in either late Leo or early Virgo - my second favourite. He has the voice and attitude to do justice to almost any Sinatra song. I hope he chooses Sinatra. So many lovely songs : "It Was A Very Good Year", "September Song", "Laura", the list is endless for a singer like Danny.




Kris Allen, Gemini/Cancer cusp, is fairly light, middle-of-the road-ish, can sing well, though is not often breath-takingly good. He could manage either moody ballad or swaggering style: "Fly Me To The Moon", "Summer Wind", "Girl From Ipanema" - would all be good choices. Dean Martin's "Arriverderci Roma" would be something a bit different for him - though hardly a "standard" in the true sense.

Allison Iraheta, another Taurus Sun, but this Taurus has attitude! She reminds me of a young Janis Joplin. Difficult choice here - "Ain't that a Kick In the Head" springs immediately to mind - it was sung by all 3 of the Rat Pack, at different times I think; I like Sammy's version best. "Somethin' Stupid" might work for her, I guess, or even "My Way". I can't imagine Allison singing a ballad, but she could suprise us - she should, to display her versatility. What if she comes up with a really smoky version of "It's quarter to 3, noone in the place 'cept you and me....." (One For My Baby and One For The Road) - but that would hardly be suitable for her tender 16 years!

And so finally, to Matt Giraud, the third Taurus Sun, with Moon more than likely in Aquarius. He has already worn a hat, almost Sinatra-style, for his performances on several occasions. He's quite capable of doing a creditable version of any swinging song made famous by the Rat Pack Members: "Baby Won't you Please Come Home" (Dean Martin), Chicago (Sinatra), "I've Got To Be Me" (Davis), alternatively he's capable of something slower and moodier - "My Funny Valentine", "Drinking Again", "All My Tomorrows"......sigh!

I really don't care what they choose to sing - it's all good, and they're all good enough to do justice to some of the best songs ever written!

This, I shall enjoy!


UPDATE

What they sang, in this order, and my marks out of 10 (written down before the judges spoke)

1. Kris - The Way You Look Tonight - 7
2. Allison - Someone to Watch Over Me - 9
3. Matt - My Funny Valentine - 6
4. Danny - Come Rain or Come Shine - 8
5. Adam - Feeling Good - 10

Simon Cowell seems to be trying to get rid of Allison, for some peculiar reason, trying to direct viewers' votes. She was definitely second best after Adam tonight. Adam is simply amazing.!!

I thought the band was too loud over Danny's song - badly balanced, otherwise it might have sounded a lot better and worth 9.