Anyway, we have more important things to consider as the original reality juggernaut, American Idol, was on and tonight the Idols are teaming up with Usher to learn how to deliver a solid R&B hit for your votes.
- The first Idol to gain pearls of wisdom from the one-named wonder was Siobhan Magnus. When she met Usher, Siobhan admitted to being nervous, but was still in good enough voice to impress this week's mentor. For her R&B hit, Siobhan selected "Through the Fire" by Chaka Chan. From the first note, you could sense that this year's surprise Idol wasn't in best of voice. The song was a bit subdued to start and with her background singers on stage with her, Siobhan tried hit her famous big notes, but seemed to be doing more screeching than singing. Song over, judging time here and Randy gave her props for taking on a big song, but noted she was a bit off tonight. Ellen rambled on, said it wasn't her best performance, but compared Siobhan going early in the show to "having dessert before the meal". Kara said in spite of an off night, she is "still a great singer". Simon thought it sounded like she "ran a marathon and was singing all over the place"--he also admitted to "getting bored with the screaming at the end". After Simon's comments, Ryan opened the door for additional judging by the other three judges and they pretty much said the same thing, but with different sayings such as Ellen's "gilding the lily" comment when describing the overdone try at hitting big notes. On with the show...
- Casey was the next Idol to take direction from Usher. Casey went with a Sam and Dave hit, "Hold On I'm Coming". As Casey was practicing his song with the Usher, he forgot the lyrics, but covered them up with a clever lyric--"I forgot the lyrics" in perfect rhythm. So how would he do when it counted? Well, dressed in a blood-red shirt and playing a matching electric guitar, Casey had the crowd rocking with him as well as the brass section and three backup singers who flanked him on the left and right, respectively. I enjoyed the performance, but how would the judges view it? Randy called it "another hot night for you". Ellen felt it was "a little generic" and wished he would have sung another song. Kara went further and suggested he go beyond the limited range which he shown so far. Simon said it "was your strongest performance so far". He thought it showed a "completed different side as an artist".
- Usher's next pupil was Big Mike who brought his guitar to his master class. Usher admitted that chicks dig "a guy who can play a guitar and sing"--sounds like someone has a crush on Big Mike! :) With "I am Ready for Love" by India Arie, Mike sat on stool behind the judge's table, strummed his guitar and sang to an adoring audience full of Idol Worshippers. Randy was happy to see Mike come back to the guitar and "show your sensitive side". Ellen found Mike's performance "beautiful", but admitted that she doesn't like "people talking behind my back or singing behind my back"--cue the giggles. Kara liked the performance even though she had never heard the song before he selected it. Simon thought that he could finally take Big Mike serious as an artist.
- Didi selected "What Becomes of a Broken Hearted" due to the emotional connection she had with the song. She even shed some tears during her time with Usher which lead Usher to say he "believed her". Dressed in a lovely floor length, sparkly dress and looking very old-Hollywood, Didi stood at center stage and put her who heart into the song even going for a few Siobhan-like notes. Randy felt the performance "flat lined...it never quite caught". Ellen booed herself (as she has done before), but thought it was "way dramatic". Kara said Didi "lost your way" and longed for her to go back to her singer-songwriter roots. Simon agreed with Kara, called the performance "old-fashioned", and compared it "one of those dance shows where someone destroys a song"...not exactly an endorsement for your votes. And as if Didi wasn't feeling awful enough, Ryan badgered her to tell the world why she picked a song which is so emotional for her. When she wouldn't give in to Ryan's sick prodding (even the judges asked him to ease up), Ryan said she sang it for "someone...and we'll leave it at that". Thanks, Ryan, you have now made Simon look like a nice guy!
- Rounding out the first half of the Top 10, Tim Urban, hooked up with Usher to work on the Anita Baker hit, "Sweet Love". Usher advised Tim to picture a girl and sing to her. As Tim started singing to that special girl, he looked straight in the camera and I'm pretty sure he didn't blink for the first 45 seconds of the performance. But then he started making his way to the middle of the stage and started closing his eyes (for emotional emphasis, no doubt) and continued to butcher a great song. Randy compared it to a "singing waiter...and pedestrian...but it had no vibe" and encouraged Tim to "put a little grease on it". Ellen called him "adorable" because there is a drinking game at home where the viewing audience drinks every time she says the word, then wondered why he chose that song. Kara asked why he took the soul out of the song and then got perturbed that he was laughing through her judging. Simon said it "doesn't matter what we say...the audience is going to vote for you...and you'll be here next week". Sounds like Simon is on to the "vote for the worst" thingy.
- Next up was Andrew who chose Chris Brown's "Forever". When Andrew first met with Usher he showed tons of nerves and forced Usher to take off his signature shades and asked Andrew to get real. That swift kick got Andrew in the right frame of mind as he headed to the stage where Ricky Minor, a box drummer, and the string sectioned joined him on and near the stage. The judges have been very hard on Andrew pretty much since he did his special thing with Paula's "Straight Up", but as I was listening to Andrew I thought he might have found a bit of the magic again. But how did the judges hear it? Randy started by saying "Andrew is back" and said he "loved the outfit...and it was your best performance for a LONG TIME". Ellen said Andrew is back and then gave him some dental advice. Kara called it "one giant leap in the right direction". Simon said it was "miles, miles better than we've heard from you in the last few weeks", but called his personality "boring". He encouraged Andrew to start showing some personality which caused a bit of a riff between Andrew's mom and Simon--don't worry no punches were thrown, but there was some hugging.
- When Katie got together with Usher she said it wasn't the first time she met the heart throb. According to Katie, she met him during a visit to Epcot, but his bodyguards wouldn't let her take a picture with him--and then he reminded her that she wouldn't get any special treatment from him. But how would the audience give her any special treatment (in the form of votes) when she took on Aretha's "Chain of Fools"? Randy thought Katie's performance "was one of the best of the night" even though it was a bit disconnected and compared her to a "young Christina". Ellen liked the performance, but wanted her to "make it a little younger and more current". Simon thought Randy's comparison to Christina was a bit premature and then continued his disagreement with Kara regarding the type of artist Katie should be--Simon says she should go country while Kara thinks she would be better as an R&B/pop artist.
- Leon "Lee" Dewyze was asked by Ryan how he was going to "create a moment" as suggested during last week's show by the judges. And then Ryan told the world that Lee is suffering from walking pneumonia. Lee worked on "Treat Her Like a Lady" by Cornelius Brothers and Sister Rose. Usher encouraged Lee to have confidence and believe in himself "otherwise no one will". When Lee hit the stage he started slow and built to a nice crescendo and then dropped it back down to a simmer before hitting the chorus a second time and putting his stamp on a great R&B classic. The crowd loved it, but Lee still looked a bit worried about the judge's comments. But he needn't fret--Randy praised the performance as his best; Ellen and Kara echoed Randy and Simon went further suggesting Lee "go home, watch the show back, and realize that tonight is the night your life has changed". Looks like Lee had his moment!
- Crystal had a surprise for the judges and audience tonight, but she wasn't able to hide it from Usher for he suggested she play the piano and sing her song selection, "Midnight Train to Georgia" by Gladys Knight. So with the cat out of the proverbial bag, Crystal took to the stage seated behind the Idol grand piano and flanked by three back up singers (just like the Pips!). When Crystal is on--which is every week save one a couple of weeks ago, she is definitely in a class of her own. Randy loved the performance, as did Ellen and Kara. Simon thought it was great "although with the back up singers it seemed a bit old-fashioned", and cautioned her to not "let this process suck the life out of you". Crystal tried to defend her decisions, but I think she missed Simon's point--he even said she is the one Idol who actually knows who she is and he doesn't want her to lose that identity.
- The last singer tonight, Aaron, got together with Usher to work on Bill Withers' "Ain't No Sunshine". As they worked on the song, Usher encouraged Aaron to really emphasize the part of the song where he sings "I know" over and over and over--and to make it special. A great piece of advice, but how would it translate when it was for the votes? Randy said it "started it a bit rough". Ellen liked the song choice and showed good confidence for 11--yet another age-related joke. Kara wasn't over the moon for it and Simon said it "wasn't as good as last week", but pretty much guaranteed Aaron's safe return for another performance next week.
With all ten performances in the can, it's time to select the Bottom three. This week I believe Tim, Didi, and Andrew are in trouble. Tim will likely survive due to the "worst" vote, so that leaves Didi and Andrew to sweat it out...and I believe Andrew will go home despite a strong performance.
Tune in tomorrow night to see how your votes were tabulated and who will be around next Tuesday for another round of judge's comments. Until then, I will continue watching TV so you don't have to.
Charlie
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