AI9 Boys, Let's Roll The Videotape

So, I was at a viewing tonight and missed the show. But when I got home, I went online to Rickey.Org and watched the performances in Hi-Def. And, once I was watching them, I thought I would do a quick something to post. Although by the time you are reading this, I will be back on the road to Philadelphia for more funeral business, so here it is.

Lee Dewyze sings Fireflies by Owl City. Wow, that so did not work for me. Come on, I really need him to hit more notes. I still don't get the Lee love. For me, he is all growl and no voice. And the song seemed pretty much like schlock to me. I am sure, however, the judges will prove me wrong [eyeroll firmly in place] Randy acknowledged pitch problems, but thought he made it work. Ellen agrees, saying pitch problems don't matter at this point. Really? Kara thought he made the song even better. Simon thought there was nothing to rave about.

Alex Lambert sings Ray LaMontagne's Trouble. This is not working for me, and I like Alex. He sings it well, hits all the notes, and was just the wrong song for him, at least sung in the wrong style. He is not of the singer/songwriter style, he is a neo/retro soul singer. I still like his voice, though. Randy liked it, but wasn't wowed. Ellen really liked it. Kara thinks it was good, but still to stiff and needs to let go. Simon agrees, and wants him to imagine Randy in a bikini.

Tim Urban sings Jeff Buckley's Hallelujah. Oh, this can't be good. He takes to the stage with just an acoustic guitar. My Lord, it isn't bad. In fact, it is kinda good. I was so not expecting this. The judges are quite complimentary, including the moment when Ellen run onstage to give him a hug.

Andrew Garcia sings Christina Aguilera's Genie In A Bottle. Interesting call, but it really isn't commanding my attention. Ultimately, for my taste, his voice isn't rich enough to do these type of performances. Randy likes his cardigan, but it didn't work for him. Pitchy in spots, which is a bad thing for Andrew, unlike Lee. Ellen thought it was nice at the end, but may be too late. Kara thought it was just not great. Simon thought it was desperate, not comfortable.

Casey James sings You'll Think of Me by Keith Urban. He has the acoustic guitar back out and a stool. I like this performance, he really is a country singer. In fact, I like it better than the original, but I am not a big Keith Urban fan. He hit all the notes, and made it sound very personal. Randy thought it was a safe choice, Casey is more of a Stevie Ray type singer. Ellen thought it was great. Kara is almost back to cougardom, and Simon liked it, but it wasn't a 'wow' moment.

Aaron Kelly sings I'm Already There by Lonestar. This is starting ugly. The arrangement is letting all his faults shine. The bottom end of his range is not good, and the vibrato is a bit torturous. Nice ending at least. Randy liked it, but thinks he has work to do. Ellen didn't love it, and Kara complains he is too young for the song, and Simon calls her opinion rubbish. But he does say the vocals were not great.

Todrick Hall sings Queen's Somebody To Love. I am afraid before I hit play. The falsetto to the song was jarring. Once the 'false' is a distant memory, it is his best vocal to date, but coming off pretty uninspired for me. Randy thinks Todrick is back. Ellen thinks he is brave, and like it. It was almost gospel to her, and she is surprised it worked. Did she never heard the song and it's many versions before? Kara thought it was very Godspell or Glee. Simon thinks he is a Broadway singer, not a recording artist.

Michael Lynche sings Kate Bush's [Although it was covered by Maxwell] This Woman's Work. He starts with a bad falsetto, and then turns to a rather bland r&b performance, before reaching for a mediocre falsetto note to close it out. Needless to say, I ain't buying what he is selling. But I have a feeling the judges will be. Randy loves it. Ellen calls it beautiful, and calls him the one to beat. And Kara cries. [I throw up a little in my mouth] Simon thinks he nailed it, and it is the best performance on the live shows. I guess you had to be there.

Frankly, that was not a great show, but it also wasn't terrible. But it left me with no clue on who is going home. There were certainly no stand-out performances for me. I would have a tough time saying who was best tonight, or who was worse. Except I have to go with the judging panel for the worst of the night. But they do say it sounds different there than on the TV, so who knows? I liked Casey and Tim [who'd of thunk I would ever type in that?!], and had issues with the rest. But I will assume on that flaming bowl of mediocracy, salted with Kara's tears, that Michael will get through, as will Lee. Casey should get through. I am thinking Andrew, Todrick, Alex and Tim will be making up the bottom of the voting, and that is as far I I can guess. And could be very, VERY wrong.

AI9 Ladies Race Toward The Finals

With four more hitting the road last week, we are down to the final 16 on American Idol. Most seem to have shook off the nerves that were so problematic that first week, but one can only assume it is not really getting any easier for them. Only two-thirds of the contestants remain, and four more will be leaving this week before the finals begin, and lucrative tour slots are sewn up.

In his book Inside The Music, Canadian Idol winner Theo Tams (@theotamsmusic) talked about how quickly bonds were made in the pressure cooker of Idol, friendships that would last far beyond the experience. He stated, 'Over the course of the competition, I realized that Canadian Idol was going to be so much more than a singing competition for me.' That is what the current 16 are going thru, all to leave one standing in a matter of a couple of months, like Theo was over a year ago. With eight ladies remaining, and only six make it to the finals with a chance to make the tour. The pressure is on, and only performing at your best will make it relent.



Crusty comes out to tell us about the night, Ladies Night, and add some additional tension to the situation. Simon reiterates the high states of the night, adding to the pressure. Katie Stevens starts the night singing Kelly Clarkson's Breakaway, the first single from the album of the same name. Wow, there are a few tough notes on this one, but she is coming alive on the chorus. The bottom end of the song is tough for her. Randy was not impressed. Ellen thought she fell short. Simon tried to be polite, but not positive. Rough start for Katie.

Siobhan Magnus chose to sing House of the Rising Sun, the 1964 hit from The Animals. She is taking it on a more blues route rather than rock. She can certainly sing, and makes it look effortless. There were some glorious moments in that performance. Randy loves her, and Ellen thinks she is spectacular. Kara loved it, Simon, not so much. Kara backtracks, and can't figure out what artist she is - Kara, she is Siobhan. And we go straight to Lacey Brown singing The Story, Brandi Carlise's 2007 single. She is exuding quirk. Both Randy and Ellen think it her best to date, and Kara agrees. Simon thought it was good, but perhaps forgettable. As there are a couple of other quirky girls to come, Simon might be right.

After a commercial break, including a GLEE tease, we get Katelyn Epperly singing Carol King's I Feel The Earth Move. There are a couple of weak notes, and times when she seems to fall a touch behind the music. She seems far less connected than she was last week. Randy was not impressed, nor was Ellen. Kara felt it was uninspired, and Simon agrees. But both Randy and Simon compliment her hair.

After another break, Didi Benami brings her guitar to sing Rhiannon by Fleetwood Mac. She slows it down a bit, but is doing well, and captures the quirky texture of the song well. She was really good. Randy liked it, but was not bowled over. Ellen really liked it. Kara thought it was one of the best of the season so far. Simon thought it was a great moment, and the best of the night.

Paige Miles sings Charlie Chaplin's Smile, opening with a lovely voice and just a piano. On the second verse, they add some percussion and a smooth jazz feel. I liked it. Randy didn't at all. Neither did Ellen. Kara thinks it was all wrong. Simon agrees, and predicts it is the end of the line for Paige.

Breaking out some Tracey Chapman, Crystal Bowersox sings Give Me One Reason, one of my favorite Tracey songs. And Crystal is bringing it home. She is in great voice, and felling the song to the fullest. It sounds personal and current. Outstanding. The judges, rightfully so, are loving this. And Simon declares her the one to beat this season.

Another break, and Lilly Scott breaks out the Patsy Cline. She sings I Fall To Pieces, a trademark song of the great singer. Lilly brings her trademark quirk, and so much confidence. I think she was really good. She updated the song, and made it current. Randy, Ellen and Kara really like it, but Simon isn't so sure, and thought it risky.

Crystal had the standout performance, and Siobhan and Lilly were also good. Didi stepped it up tonight. That leaves, for me, four singers with two slots open. Katie, Lacey, Paige and Katelyn are most liking vying for the last spots in the Top 12 for the ladies, and it is tough to say what will happen. And what if there is a surprise? Could Simon be right, and singing Patsy Cline has put Lilly in danger? We won't know until Thursday night.