The Idols will have the opportunity to select songs that hit the top spot on any of the Billboard's many charts--Rock, Country, Pop, etc.. And tonight's mentor is none other than 17-year-old Miley Cyrus.
- The first Idol up is Lee Dewyze who chose "The Letter" by Joe Cocker. Miley's advice to Lee was to give the audience a few notes that they wouldn't otherwise expect. Lee was joined on stage by the brass section and three back up singers as well as some flashy and colorful lighting that gave sort of a jazzy-psychedelic feel. In the past Lee has struggled to make much of a connection to the audience, but I thought he did a nice job of engaging them and the crowd let him know their appreciation with lots of applause. Randy thought he "knocked it out of the box". Ellen compared Lee's performance to a pen that loses ink, but that you "lick it and it comes back". Kara thought he "raised the bar and made a comeback" and he now "owns the stage". Simon thought he sounded good, but selected a song that didn't tell us much about the type of contemporary artist he will be. Simon had a point, however the Idols are more concerned with earning votes and gaining a following and I think Lee did both.
- Paige worked on the Phil Collins standard "Against All Odds" with Miley who pointed out that she was sounded a bit pitchy--sounds like the Dawg is influencing the young one. Paige decided to start her performance seated on the steps at the back of the stage sporting a new pair of very high heels. As I listened to her singing all I could think about was how pitchy she sounded--oops! Randy called it "honestly terrible"...and I couldn't agree more. He did offer that she may still be battling to get her voice back after being sick last week. Paula, er, I mean Ellen complimented her look and credited her with not falling off her heels. Kara said it was the "worst vocal" she had ever heard from Paige and also accused Paige of not competing anymore. Simon asked Paige how she felt she did. Paige said she had fun. Simon said it sounded like "there were five of you singing" and agreed with Kara about no longer competing. Ryan asked if she had lost the competitive spirit to which she said she has struggled with song selection, but she is still looking to stay in the contest. If this is truly a singing contest, I believe we found the first member of the Bottom 3.
- Hoping to stay out of the B3 for the second week in a row, Tim Urban worked with Miley on one of the WORST Queen songs of all time--"Crazy Little Thing Called Love". Miley encouraged him to "push the limits and have some fun with it"...I recommend the same thing because he is truly working on Idol borrowed time. OMG! As he hit the chorus, he slid across the stage--FOR REAL! Who is this cat?! And now he is in the mosh pit at the front of the stage and all the while he sounds absolutely Karaoke! The song is finally over and now it's the judges turn. Randy reminded him that it is a singing contest and said the only good thing was the slide! "the vocals were terrible". Ellen said it felt "like a High School Musical audition...corny...and didn't get it". Kara said "little girls will love it" and reminded him that he hasn't "earned it yet...and hasn't sold millions of records". Simon said the "sliding around distracted from the song" and was "surprised that that was a number one song". Looks like Paige has may have company in the Bottom 3.
- Hoping to reverse an awful trend as well as meet a not-so-secret crush, Aaron met up with Miley to work on "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" by Aerosmith. At the end of his session with Miley he asked for a hug and then professed his love for her. Battling a case of laryngitis and tonsilitis Aaron walk on stage with the audience doing that silly arm wave showing their love for Idol's youngest finalist. Compared to the last two performances, Aaron sounded like a recording veteran, but let's find out how the judges heard it. Randy said he had a few pitch problems, but said "I'm a fan, I'm a fan!". Ellen credited Aaron with have a pitch-perfect voice (usually) especially "for a third grader"--which got some laughs. Kara said it was the best song selection of the night. Simon called it "very brave" and offered that "for your age, you're making yourself a bit old-fashioned" and then he all but guaranteed Aaron his spot in the Top 10. Ryan gave out his numbers and said "give it up for David Archuleta"--oh, so Ryan's getting in on it now...funny!
- Crystal Bowersox got together with Miley to work on "Me and Bobby McGee" and have Miley sign her guitar because she likes to get "powerful women to sign it". Never thought of Miley as powerful, but what do I know--I was never asked to be an Idol mentor...and I'm well past 17. But enough of that, let's see how Crystal does with the Janis Joplin classic. I'll call it good, but nothing special--unless you call standing on a Persion rug special. The audience loved it and Randy said she "slayed it...and is an American Idol". Ellen claimed clarivoyance admitting that she heard the song on the radio recently and wished Crystal would sing it--and here she is doing just that. But she encouraged Crystal to start connected better with the audience. Kara asked if she would ever put the guitar down to which Crystal said "I have big plans for next week". But before the ink could dry on that contract, Simon said he wouldn't "change a thing...I've heard Pink a version of that song...and that was just as good."
- Miley admitted to falling in love with Big Mike as he sang "When a Man Loves a Woman" to her during their mentoring session. So channeling his soulful, romantic side and joined on stage by a piano player and a string quartet, Mike set out to woo all the ladies and give the guys something to think about. In past performances Mike has shown a level of arrogance that I have found off-putting, but tonight I thought he showed some constraint and offered an honest performance that lets us see the type of artist he is. Randy agreed with me and said Big Mike can "sing the I don't know what out of who you are everytime you hit the stage"--and I'm NOT paraphrasing! Ellen felt it was "a safe choice, but it was like driving the speed limit". Kara said he hit all of the notes, but called it "boring" and with "too may riffs". Simon said he made it "very loungy", but said he had lots of charisma. Mike is likely safe, but he split the judges which means he has some work to do.
- Trying to secure his place in the Top 10, Andrew chose Marvin Gaye's "I Heard it Through the Grapevine". While working with Miley, he was having a difficult time remembering his lyrics, so Miley suggested he loose the guitar and loosen up a bit. So sans guitar and joined by Ricky Minor on bass and three backup singers, Andrew set off to win votes--he even threw in a bit of moonwalking during a few bars of non-singing time which I'm sure will rub Simon the wrong way. When the song ended and the judgin' began, things went from bad to worse. Randy said "it wasn't good...the wrong song". Ellen said she loves him, but that performance isn't going to get new votes. Kara said he needs to find the "Straight Up" moment because he is missing something. Simon said "maybe we over rated that moment in hindsight, it wasn't like we were listening to Beethoven for the first time"--wait a minute, Simon, this is a singing competition and I don't remember any Beethoven songs having lyrics...but I digress. Simon went on to pretty much verbal-spank him and accuse him of "not knowing the type of artist" he is. Looks like we may have the third member of the B3...
- Matching Miley year for year, 17-year-old Katie Stevens went to meet with the established pop start. Katie asked for advice on how to deal with negative comments (like those she has received from the judges)--I say toughen up, young Katie and enjoy your chance on the biggest stage a girl your age could ever have. And speaking of big and girl, Katie selected Fergie's "Big Girls Don't Cry" as her Billboard #1. I wan't blown away by the performance and neither was Randy, but he liked that she is listening to the judges and trying to be younger. Ellen said it was her "best performance to date". Kara heard pitch problems, but that she is finally in the right lane--pop with R&B leanings. Simon noted that meeting Miley was the best thing for Katie and disagreed with Kara (again) about the type of music best suited for her (he still believes she is a country singer). He ended by saying she had a good performance.
- When Casey met Miley he admitted to being a fan...of her dad's! And then they worked on his performance of "The Power of Love" by Marin's own Huey Lewis and the News. So with his electric guitar he set off to rock the house. Casey was joined on stage by Ricky on Bass, Ricky's lead guitar guy was on Casey's right, and the horn section was above him adding a real News feel to the song. Randy admitted to being a fan and said Casey is "probably the best musician ever on Idol" but he wasn't a fan of the song selection. Neither was Ellen. Kara told him he is "in a zone!". Simon was Negative Nelly and wondered aloud what Kara is listening to..."it was old fashioned and exactly like Huey Lewis' version 25 years ago". To help explain how two people can hear the same song so differently, Simon simply said "I'm English". Now that makes sense!
- Tennessee natives Didi and Miley got together to work on "You're No Good" by Linda Rondstadt. Didi asked Miley if she ever gets nervous...uh, yes, she may be a pop princess, but she's also human...or is she?! Didi chose to do a jazzy version of the song and slinked around the stage while Ricky Minor worked the stand up bass while Ricky's lead guitar guy was strumming an acoustic guitar sitting on the stage. Randy liked the look and idea, but felt she struggled with pitch. Ellen struggled with Didi's song choice. Kara wondered if she was trying to be someone else. Simon picked up on the irony of the lyrics and didn't think it sounded like her. For her part, Didi said she fears being pigeonholed and wanted to show her other sides--hopefully the other side isn't her back side walking off the Idol stage for the last time.
- Closing the show with "Superstitious" was Idol's own odd-ball, Sioban--and I mean that in the most positive way. Sporting a make over verging on unrecognizable and being joined by what looked like most of the Idol band, Sioban took full advantage of being the last voice the audience will hear before dialing and texting with their votes. Randy gave her mad props. Ellen evoked Oliver asking for "more please". Kara said it "wasn't your best performance, but the end note...how do you not say that is amazing?" Simon said that the audience will be split--some will love it while the other half will hate it. Then he made a plea with 10 of the 11 Idols to "start pushing yourselves, make better song selections, and making yourselves relevant...because tonight wasn't good for me"...cue the boos!
BTW: The one Idol not subject to Simon's warning was Crystal--the same Idol he warned last week to not get the crown fitted for her head just yet.
So with eleven performances in the can and the phone lines open, it's time for me to pick the B3. I believe Paige, Tim, and Andrew will find themselves in danger of going home with Tim finally getting his walking papers...or at least he should.
Tune in tomorrow to find out how your votes affected the Summer Tour and to hear Miley perform on the Idol stage.
Until then, I will continue watching TV so you don't have to.
Charlie
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