So on such a big night, who do the producers turn to in order to mentor the top 9? Probably someone who can relate to Elvis Presley, right? Someone who is a giant in the music biz? Someone who has the presence of the King? Um...no. We get Adam Lambert. Let me repeat that. ADAM LAMBERT. The guy who recently was on national television doing, well...you know. And acted like he's been in the business for decades and how dare anyone question the appropriateness - regardless of your sexuality - during an awards ceremony. And while I appreciated some of his performances during his run last season on Idol, I was never crazy about Adam like so many others were. In fact, I'm stunned they chose him for "Elvis Night". The only thing he's got in common with the King is his hair...and well, even that isn't a good match either. Oh, and Elvis used to wear leather pants during one of his phases, and Adam wears them all the time. Sorry - I really need to get on with this, don't I? Whatta ya want from me? :^)
OK, so here we go. TWO people are going home this evening. Big night. And the first person up is one of my favorites (and currently my older daughter's favorite), Crystal Bowersox. She is singing the first song of many this night that I don't know. It's called "Saved" and is very gospel like. It also sounds like something Elvis would have recorded early in his career. She's got backup singers tonight, and it's distracting to me. Nothing new to report here - Crystal is good. But we knew this already. Solid performance, but in some way, I feel like Crystal held back a little. Don't get me wrong - I enjoyed it, but I personally wasn't blown away. Extremely solid and professional, which is what I've come to expect, but I want even more now from her. I want to see blood, sweat and tears up there, and I'm getting something that to me was about 90% there. Listen, when you're this good, I gotta find SOMETHING to complain about, right? OK, well maybe I don't. Anyway, I'm predicting the judges loved it, and I can't blame them. It just didn't make me go as crazy for Crystal as I've done in other weeks. I will say I can totally see her getting in touch with her soulful/gospel side with this, and she should be (to quote Simon from the past) 100% safe. Although at this point, ANYTHING is possible. Who knows, she could be in the bottom 3, but wouldn't deserve to be. Randy, Ellen, Kara, and Simon all loved it. No surprise there. My grade: A (but I want A+ from her!)
We go to a commercial break with the next contestant "fake picking his nose"...well, I HOPE that was him faking it!
Andrew Garcia - who I feel should have gone home last week, and before I hear him sing, should probably go home this week - is going to sing "Hound Dog". Adam encourages him to change it up - because the way he was singing it wasn't cutting it. I agree with the runner up from last year. So what does Andrew do? He changes it by drawing out the song a little, but really bringing NOTHING to the song. He tries to inject some soul into it, but it's boring. I don't really care for it, but I will give him some minor (very) props for taking the risk of changing it up. But it's painfully obvious that Andrew's days are numbered. Randy rips into him - said it wasn't good karaoke. Ellen said she thought he pulled it off. Kara said Andrew didn't own it, and didn't feel the swagger. Simon said it was lazy and unpredictable (that's bad?) and said it was something no one wanted to hear. He AGAIN said that all of Andrew's coolness is being SUCKED out right now. Simon loves to say "SUCK". My grade: D+
Tim Urban is going to sing one of the most sacred songs in the Elvis cannon - "Can't Help Falling In Love". This song is often played at weddings, can be cheesy, and I'm a little nervous to see what Dirk Diggler will do with it. You know who did a cool version of this song? Lick the Tins, on the Some Kind of Wonderful soundtrack. Anyway, I think does a decent version of this. And he wisely avoids the falsetto at the end. Very well done - words I NEVER thought I write with regard to "T-Urban". Randy felt the same way - he was surprised that he liked it! Ellen said she is falling in love with Tim and that it was beautiful. Kara said it was her favorite Tim performance. Simon said he went from zero to hero in two weeks. He liked it. My grade: B+
Lee DeWyze is singing "A Little Less Conversation" and Adam tells him he needs to be more expressive on stage - i.e. smile more, and really perform. Again, good advice. Maybe I was wrong about Adam. Lee gives me what I didn't necessarily get from Crystal tonight. It's just that little bit extra. I like the way he changed this song up and made it his own. I really think Lee will make it (or SHOULD) to the top 4. We shall see. I enjoyed the performance also because it showed off his voice. Well done, Lee. You seem to be getting stronger each week. And no bagpipes this week!!! Randy said Lee is in the zone. He loved it. Ellen said Lee made it current, and his confidence is growing. Kara loved it - said he really went for it. Simon said he nailed the song. My grade: A+
Aaron Kelly is singing "Blue Suede Shoes". Again, Adam points out the best part of the singing from Aaron, and also rightly agrees that Aaron doesn't 100% believe in himself yet. He has to OWN this. The best part is this song is right up Aaron's alley - it works to his country side. The only thing he has to add tonight is the attitude. That may be a problem. I can't really take him seriously when he's warning us to not step on those blue suede shoes! Buy vocally, I think he did a fine job. And it was good to hear him singing something upbeat for a change! Enough with the ballads!! So if I just heard the song, and didn't watch it, I would be impressed. Not mind blowing, but very solid. And he does have a nice tone to his voice. It's just that the visual didn't match the vocal. Randy liked when he went bluesy towards the middle. Didn't like the beginning as much. Ellen said he did a good job. Kara said he was out of his comfort zone and liked it. Said it felt current and young. Simon didn't agree - said it sounded like someone at a high school, singing during a contest. And with the visual of it, I can see where he is coming from. But I thought vocally he was better than Simon is giving him credit for. My grade: B-
Siobhan Magnus - you know, my favorite - is singing "Suspicious Minds", and Adam thinks it's a little too sleepy. She admits he was right. Adam is kickin' butt tonight with the advice! Siobhan also says that she is most often compared to Adam and Adam says, "It's a big compliment!" I think I know what he meant, but it came out wrong. Anyway, Siobhan has the most beautiful voice left in the competition. It starts out pretty good, but nothing really that memorable. Then, halfway through, she changes the song up and decides to put on a show with her vocals. Holy crap - this girl can belt it out! It sounds nothing like Suspicious Minds at that point, but I could care less. Siobhan is quickly becoming my "can do no wrong" contestant. I suspect that there will be those that didn't care for it. But other than her performance of "Through the Fire" a few weeks ago, she hasn't had a really bad performance so far, and, like Crystal, I would be shocked if she goes home. She's just too talented to not make it further in this competition. Randy said he liked it from about the half of the song on to the end. Ellen also liked the second half more than the first half. She agrees with me - what a beautiful voice. Kara said Siobhan has two voices - and claims that the second half is the "screaming" half. Kara, there was no screaming in that performance. Yes, she's done it in the past, but not tonight. She wasn't crazy about it overall, and really doesn't like the two parts being in one song. Simon said it was like she was put in a time machine, and came back 20 years later. Thought the first part was terrible (really??) and didn't think she hit all the notes in the second half. Didn't like the performance. Wow, Siobhan REALLY doesn't like when the judges criticize her. You can see it all over her face. But I think Kara and Simon were way off. Siobhan can't pinpoint who she is at this point as a singer, and she takes PRIDE in that. Take that Kara and Simon!!! You GO SIOBHAN!! I voted like crazy for the woman tonight, and I hope it pays off by keeping her around for another week. We shall see. My grade: A (would have been an A+ if the first half was as powerful as the second).
Ya know, Ryan Seacrest is a jerk. He actually makes a crack about Brian Dunkelman co-hosting next week. Then laughs and says, "No, actually it's Queen Latifah"... Nice. Rip on poor Dunkelman. Coulda been you Seacrest!! He really is cocky these days. Ugh.
OK, next up - Michael Lynche, taking on "In The Ghetto". Siobhan actually recommended it to Michael. And he nails it. Absolutely nails it. Loved his version of this. He really has grown as an artist from when we first saw him, and proves the save last week was well worth it. I loved it! And he gets a standing O from many in the crowd. Randy said it was a little sleepy, but he said vocally it was hot. Ellen is glad they saved him. Kara loved it. And so did Simon - said it was a terrific choice. My grade: A+
Katie Stevens sings a song I've never heard - "Baby, What Do You Want Me To Do?". Adam encourages her to be angry and frustrated. She excels as the side shake of the head. And her vocals this week are pretty darn good. I liked this performance a lot - way better than she's been in the past, and I really liked the sass. Randy said nice vocals and he was entertained. Ellen said it was very horny song - meaning lots of horns in it! Said she really can sing - it was great. Kara said Katie showed the judges - she liked it. Simon didn't care for it. I disagree - I really liked it a lot. My grade: A
Final contestant tonight - Casey James - and he sings old school Elvis. I don't know if I've heard of "Lawdy Ms. Clawdy"...but it SOUNDS like an old school Elvis title. Adam wants Casey to make the song more of his own. I thought he had moments, but overall, it wasn't nearly as soulful as I thought it could have been. Good, but not great. Randy said it was solid -nothing different, though. Ellen said his voice sounded great, but it wasn't as exciting as she would have liked. Kara said it fell short. Simon said it was a wasted opportunity, but his vocal was good. I'll agree with that. My grade: B
So who will go home? Well, I think Andrew is a given. And because this is a popularity contest, I could see Big Mike going, but I don't think that will happen. I can see a shocker like Casey being booted. I actually have NO idea who else besides Andrew, but please don't let it be Siobhan or Crystal or Lee...and Big Mike and Katie earned another week.
We shall see...but it's late, and I'm tired, so I'm going to bed. Until next week...have a good one!
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