Ryan Seacrest announced that over $45 million was raised last week for Idol Gives Back, an amazing feat during these tough times. He then announced the judges and called Simon “the fountain of youth”. He did not explain it further. Ryan reminded us that the finale was one month away and that one of these six would be our next American Idol.
Tonight’s theme was pop country from the Shania Twain songbook. Shania is so cute! She said she felt responsible because the Idol’s would be singing her songs. She hoped they wouldn’t hate her if they didn’t make it through to the next round after singing one of her songs.
Lee Dewyze
Lee was the first to tackle Shania, singing “You’re Still The One.” I didn’t know that was a Shania song. It seems much older and I remember it being sung by someone else. So for me, the comparison was of the echoed memories of the song, not Shania’s version which I’ve never heard. Lee obviously poured his heart into it but I did not feel the connection. I did not feel the emotion. If I heard it on the radio I would have changed channels. Not a good Lee week for me. Randy rode the Yo bus saying, “Yo… yo… so alright, so yo…” Randy said it was one of his favorite songs of all time and that Lee started out a little pitchy but that he found a way to make it his own. He called it a “pretty good job”. Ellen said it was better than a pretty good job. Kara said that the sound of his voice on every song makes the song relevant and… good job! Simon agreed with everybody and added that it was the perfect song out of Shania’s catalog for Lee. Simon started to add more but Kara cut him off. He asked, “Can I actually finish talking?” She said yes but too late, his time was up and he never got to finish. It is irritating when she cuts him off. She already outtalks everybody as it is and I’d like to hear the other opinions.
Michael Lynche
Big Mike sang “It Only Hurts When I’m Breathing.” He’s gotten too predictable and all his songs sound the same. It didn’t move me. Randy thought he’d found his zone and called him a “great balladier.” Ellen compared him to Luther Vandross. Kara thought he’d changed it just enough and that he’d put his mark on it. Simon agreed with the Vandross comparison but thought the performance was “a little bit wet.” When asked what “wet” meant he answered “the opposite of dry” and finally said that “wet” meant “girly”.
Casey James
Casey sang “Don’t!” adding that it was a “singing song” and he didn’t think he’d sang yet (in the competition). I totally disagree. Every song he sings, he sings, and I love his voice. I always feel the connection between Casey and whatever song he sings. Randy called it one of the best Casey performances ever. I hear echoes of Tim from when the judges called something a good Tim performance. I don’t think that’s what Randy meant, though. Ellen thought he sang it like that’s where he really belongs and made reference to his Bob Seger sound. Do they read my blog or do we all just hear the same thing in his voice? Kara said if he kept doing that he’d be at the front of the competition. Simon agreed with Randy and suggested that Casey come down and give Shania a kiss (for her part in his success tonight). He came down but instead of a kiss, Casey hugged Shania. You could totally hear the love from the audience.
Crystal Bowersox
Crystal, who’d already gotten Shania to sign her guitar, said that Shania glows, that she has an aura of positive energy. I see it too. Crystal sang “No One Needs To Know” and said that the song was a message to her boyfriend. Crystal said she was dropping hints here and there and that sooner or later he’d surely “man up”. The song was about marriage and she sang it sweetly but I missed her edginess. I missed it last week, too, when she sang the gospel song. I fear for Crystal going down this road so far away from her fan base. Randy said it was not his favorite performance but that he loved seeing her try something different. Ellen echoed Randy and so did Kara adding that it was impossible for Crystal not to be good. Kara still thought she was amazing. Somehow it came out that the song wasn’t a big song like she would normally take on and Crystal answered that “bigger isn’t always better.” Simon said, “Shocker… we don’t like Crystal this week” echoing the other judges. He added that this was the only week he did not like her performance. I can think of at least one other for me… last week’s gospel tune.
Aaron Kelly
Next up was Aaron faring better than he had last week but like Big Mike he has become very predictable. It works better on Aaron, however. He has a more harmonious voice and he’s definitely got that country twang going for him. Randy said this was definitely Aaron’s wheelhouse and that he was our country artist this year. Ellen said this was going to be tough (implying a tough week to vote on). Kara noted that he really felt the words and said he was smart to change a lyric. It wasn’t clear what he’d changed and I wish she’d been more explicit for the rest of us. She’s usually overwordy but this time she wasn’t wordy enough. Simon said that the last two or three weeks he’d reallys struggled but that tonight he was like a different artist. Simon said this was the kind of record he should make and called him sincere and believeable.
Siobhan Magnus
Siobhan got to finish it out with Shania’s first number one country hit, “Any Man Of Mine.” I hoped that today was the day she’d reconnect and pick a livelier song. It was definitely livelier. I’d call it hillbilly country. Siobhan sang it well but I didn’t connect with her. At the end she hit the note, minus the screechiness, which was a first for her. I thought it was a very nice ending. Randy loved the whole punk country look with the boots. Ellen thought it was the way “to pull the Shania Twain into the station.” Kara said, “Guess who’s back! Siobhan!” I’m noticing that they didn’t really comment on the singing itself but talked all around it. Simon thought the song was perfect but that the screaming at the end was almost like she was giving birth.
My take on the night is that it’s time for Big Mike to go as he was already slated to go before the Judge’s Save. I think the Save has run its course. Of the six left, he’s the weakest link. That said, nobody is weak at this point it’s just that some stand out more than others and he stands out the least. Crystal could end up in the bottom three for swerving from her fan base again. It’s getting harder and harder to pick the bottom three. I think surely Lee and Casey won’t be in it.
Category: American Idol 2010
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