The second audition show took place in N'awlins, or NOLA as it is also known. Louisiana is the home state of The Dawg himself, or - as he might come to be known - Little Simon.
It took me a few episodes to figure out he was even sitting in Simon's seat.
The plot thickens...
First contestant was Jordan Dorsey, a 21 year old music teacher/musician.
His jazzy rendition of Somewhere Over the Rainbow gave JLo a serious case of goosebumps and the the first horse of the NOLA race was offered a golden ticket almost immediately out of the gate. With his musical background and a pretty defined sense of who he is as an artist, I think his chances of surviving Hollywood Week are quite good.
Richardson, Texas resident Sarah Sellers came next, and her generous lips caught the eye of at least one judge. I won't name names, *cough*Steven Tyler*cough*.
She sang Bob Dylan's powerful ode to unrequited love, To Make You Feel My Love and her rich, soulful vocal sealed the deal for Steven. I love her look, which borders on alternative with just enough quirk to walk the line between standard pop and a true performance artist.
Jovany Barreto was up next to sprinkle a little Latin flava on the NOLA auditions AND show off his abs to his goddess Jennifer Lopez on a bet/dare. The good news is that he had the pipes to deliver a powerful vocal performance.
The bad news, he went through with the dare, but he didn't do it alone.
(Don't say you haven't been warned...)
That little impromptu strip show aside, Jovanny made it through to Hollywood, where, though he is deliciously cut, we hope he can manage to keep his clothes ON.
Randy was surprised by his old football coach and some mementos from his youth in Louisiana, courtesy of Jacquelyn Dupree.
Jacquelyn impressed the judges with a seamless performance that displayed powerful chops with a sweet and tender undertone.
In his own "It Gets Better" video, 16 year old Brett Loewenstern didn't allow the judges having fun with him to shake his hard-won confidence. He launched into the ambitious "Bohemian Rhapsody" and his assured performance put a whole new spin on a rock classic.
I kinda want him to do well just because he's just all kinds of redheaded awesome and figured out something about himself I'm not sure I've learned in my 41 years.
Voodoo hit the audition stage after that, starting with a Mick Jagger lookalike who decided to sing Lady Gaga. With gusto.
All of which paved the way for the unexpected audition of a baby-faced, rather ordinary looking 15 year old named Jacee Badeaux.
He picked the equally unexpected soul tune, "Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay," which seemed to catch the judges a bit by surprise. It wasn't half as stunning as the voice that would ultimately pour forth out of this innocent looking cherub. He nailed the audition and won himself a golden ticket, and if he can survive the rigors of Hollywood Week grandmas *EVERYWHERE* will vote that child all the way to the top 10.
Another draw for a middle American audience is Paris Tassin, the New Orleans native who is mother to a special needs child.
Her rendition of another Idol's song had a powerful impact on Jennifer that brought her to tears. She couldn't let the day end without meeting the child that had so inspired her song.
Another large group is Hollywood bound from New Orleans, which makes it a little tougher to pin down who I think definitely *will* make it through Hollywood.
Of this group, I really liked - or more importantly remembered - Brett and Jacee. Upon a second viewing you can add Sarah to that list.
Of those I'd bet money to get through, it'd be Paris and possibly Brett.
On the whole it was a forgettable episode Milwaukee didn't have much to live up to... but manage to trump *in spades.*
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