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Top contenders on ‘American Idol’ becoming ‘crystal’ clear
It’s crystal clear who’s in it to win it … pun intended, of course.
As usual, Crystal Bowersox was amazing. But I think it’s still up for grabs who joins Crystal near the top. Big Mike has been consistently strong, but Lee DeWyze had a standout performance tonight that even rivaled Crystal’s … and if he can stay confident and true to himself, he could be one to watch.
Tonight’s show, which featured soul and R&B tunes and Usher as mentor, was full of disappointments and mediocre moments, but had a few shining moments with Lee, Crystal and Big Mike.
Who will go home this week? I’m not so sure after tonight’s performances. Siobhan Magnus, Tim Urban and Didi Benami flopped this week.
But it seems Tim Urban is untouchable — which means it could be the end of the road for another female contestant. Siobhan has had some really high points this season, so she may end up OK. That means it could be the end of the road for Didi Benami after two back-to-back poor showings.
If Siobhan’s in danger, I bet the judges really consider using their one save on her.
Tonight’s rundown:
Siobhan Magnus
Song choice: “Through the Fire” by Chaka Khan
Judges comments: Randy said it wasn’t one of Siobhan’s shining moments, but loved her conviction to take on such a daring song. Ellen agreed and said despite some rough moments it was still “dessert before the meal.” Kara said she sensed Siobhan was nervous, but that her performance was off. Kara did say, though, that at the end of the day she’s still a great singer. Simon said it sounded like Siobhan was singing while running out of breath and said it was by far her weakest performance, not a good song choice and that he’s getting tired of the screaming at the end of songs — which is quickly becoming her gimmick.
Overall impression: Siobhan fell down a few notches this week. After a few really memorable performances, this was really disappointing (I even cringed several times) and this song showcased that she may not be the contender many people thought she was. There were some highs in that performance, but the missed notes were really telling of her overall ability. This wasn’t just wrong song choice. Some of the notes were just awful.
Grade: C-
Casey James
Song choice: “Hold On I’m Coming” by Sam & Dave with guitar
Judges comments: Randy said it was a perfection choice and a great performance, staying true to himself. Ellen said it felt generic, and was perhaps too safe. Kara said she thinks he has more range and that his song choices aren’t showing what he can do and would like to see more acoustic guitar. Simon said this week was his strongest performance so far and showed a different side and sounded authentic and that he was really impressed with Casey this week.
Overall impression: Great song choice and infusion of soul with rock, which is Casey’s niche. The performance was fun with a lot of energy and was refreshing after Siobhan’s disappointing showing.
Grade: B
Big Mike Lynche
Song choice: “Ready for Love” by India Arie with guitar
Judges comments: Randy said he loved the guitar and the tender ballad and really showed his sensitive side. Ellen said that was beautiful. Kara said he did an incredible job with the song and mastered the true emotion of the song and was one of her favorite performances. Simon said this is probably the first time that he could take Mike seriously as an artist. Even though the song choice was a bit gloomy, he demonstrated the difference between originality and karaoke. He said he really believed that performance.
Overall impression: I thought it was one of Big Mike’s best performances to date. I thought that was a great song choice and wasn’t an obvious song choice for this category. It was very heartfelt, captivating and showcased strong vocal skills. Still sticking by my Top 2 prediction for Big Mike. We’ll see if it holds true.
Grade: A-
Didi Benami
Song choice: “What Becomes of the Broken Hearted” by Jimmy Ruffin
Judges comments: Randy said the whole performance flatlined and just wasn’t great. He was waiting for a moment and never heard one. Ellen said, despite being a big fan of Didi’s voice, that it was a way dramatic performance. Kara said it was overdone and that she’s so confused because Didi has lost who she is (a singer-songwriter) and her past few performances have left her puzzled. Simon said it was like “swimming in jelly” and over the top, old fashioned and off melody. He continued to say that’s a great song that has some high moments, but that version did not and that Didi has “completely and utterly” lost her way.
Overall impression: That was a snoozer. It wasn’t horrible, but it was just drab. My husband also informs me that Didi missed several words in this song (it’s one of his favorite songs of all time and his memory is amazing, so I trust he knows what he’s talking about).
Grade: C
“Teflon” Tim Urban
Song choice: “Sweet Love” by Anita Baker
Judges comments: Randy said there were pluses and minuses and first sounded really pedestrian, but he sang in tune. There was no connection. Ellen said that was a tough song to sing and he was walking like he was sneaking into a bedroom. Kara said he was Broadway at times, Vegas at times and that he took the soul out of the song. Simon said it doesn’t make any difference whatsoever what we say. It was a completely inappropriate song but it doesn’t matter because the audience will vote for you so “well done.”
Overall impression: What a weird song choice for Tim. It was so loungy and sort of like elevator music. Tim really belong on a tween show like one of those boy band comedies you find on Disney or Nick. The staring into the camera without blinking was creeping me out, too. Simon’s assessment was dead on and was the highlight of my day. Puh-lease send him home.
Grade: D+
Andrew Garcia
Song choice: Chris Brown’s “Forever”
Judges comments: Randy said this was his best performance in a long time and he turned a dance song into his own. Ellen said it was such a strong performance and that he was smiling again. Kara said that was a giant leap in the right direction. Simon said it was miles better than what we’ve heard over the past couple weeks. The only problem said as a person he comes across as boring and that he needs to start showing some personality because I know nothing about you as a person and that personality is as important.
Overall impression: Yeah! Andrew, finally got it right. He rebounded from some really mediocre and even poor performances. This was genuine and gave us a feel again for what Andrew would be like as a recording artist. He seemed more relaxed and more comfortable on stage. As for Simon’s comments on personality? Kris Allen managed to pull it off last year, and he was just as reserved.
Grade: B
Katie Stevens
Song choice: “Chain of Fools” by Aretha Franklin
Judges comments: Randy said the performance was a little disconnected, but vocally was one of the best of the night. “You’re like a young Christina in a weird sort of way.” Ellen said she has a Snookie poof and a great voice. She wished the song were more current and that she always sounds so mature. Kara said this is one of your best vocal performances, but I agree you have to make it young and commercial. Simon said the Christina comparison was crazy and that he thought it was pretty good, but that she came across as robotic and cold and that it was very “Star Search.” Simon once again disagreed with Kara’s assessment that Katie belongs in the R&B genre. Randy said she’s pop with a R&B slant.
Overall impression: It wasn’t bad at all, but she’s no Aretha. She really set up the judges to deliver all of their classic critiques. And I’m surprised they were as kind as they were. But then again, compared to Tim, Didi and Siobhan’s train wrecks, Katie was phenomenal.
Grade: B
Lee DeWyze
Song choice: “Treat Her Like a Lady” by the Cornelius Brothers
Judges comments: Randy said that was unbelievable and his best in weeks. Ellen said “now the night’s started” and the best performance of the night. Kara said it could have been on his record and was amazing. Simon said he’s always believed in Lee and had some frustrations because Lee didn’t believe in himself. Simon encouraged Lee to watch tonight’s performance and it could have been the night that changes his life forever.
Overall impression: Competition’s on! Lee blew just about everyone out of the water tonight. He has such a powerful voice and finally showed some real energy and confidence. The judges have been saying for weeks that Lee needed to have a moment, and he definitely had his tonight.
Grade: A
Crystal Bowersox
Song choice: “Midnight Train to Georgia” by Gladys Night
Judges comments: Randy said Gladys would have been proud and it was another great performance. Ellen said she’s always great and she showed another side and that she’s in it to win it. Kara said she is so glad she took that risk and that she’s excited for what she can do next week. Simon said the choice of song was incredible and that she needs to stick with her identity and that she seemed uncomfortable with the piano. He urged Crystal to stay true to herself because she’s authentic and one of those rare contestants who really knows who she is.
Overall impression: Crystal is just excellent. She did seem a little nervous without the guitar and with the piano, but she managed to deliver a powerful vocal and powerful overall performance. She is the one to beat for sure.
Grade: A
Aaron Kelly
Song choice: “Ain’t No Sunshine” by Bill Withers
Judges comments: Randy said it was an all right performance. Ellen said it was a good song choice and good performance. Kara said she liked it but he could have done more with it. Simon said compared to some of the other performances of the night like Lee’s, which were the main course, that was like a “cupcake.” I love Simon’s commentary.
Overall impression: Decent performance, but overall it lacked the “wow” factor we saw with Crystal and Lee. But Aaron is consistently good. He should have no worries.
Grade: B
Who was better tonight — Lee or Crystal?
Who was worse — Tim, Didi or Siobhan?
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Comments
By agent
March 31, 2010 2:32 PM | Link to this
Crystal & Mike=consistency and good song choices. Siobhan showed what I have been saying for 3 weeks now…she is not the talent everyone thinks she is. Lee was very, very good this week. Bottom 3-Didi, Tim, and Katie. Tim should go home, but I think that Didi will be sent off
By Ray
March 31, 2010 1:22 PM | Link to this
Crystal is a skank, and needs to go. Michael is a fake, and probably beats his wife.
By Squirrellygirl
March 31, 2010 11:32 AM | Link to this
Sorry for the multiple posts. It wasn’t intentional.
By Squirrellygirl
March 31, 2010 11:28 AM | Link to this
Crystal is better than Lee, but Lee had a good performance last night. Crystal should win Idol. Siobhan had a rough nite, but I didn’t think she was bad enough to get the kind of criticism she received. I am tired of the yells at the end of her songs. She doesn’t need them. What Siobhan needs is a voice teacher or someone to guide her. But isn’t that what Idol is all about, getting better every week? I don’t think she’ll be leaving this week, at least I hope not. I was not as impressed with Andrew as the judges were. He’s okay but a tad boring for me. I liked Mike last night. His singing moves me. I still don’t see him winning Idol, though. Tim will be around another week because he has a following. I love his smile and attitude. He’s not going to win so he might as well enjoy the ride. He made it to the top 10. I think Aaron had a rough nite, and I noticed several off key notes during his performance. I’m betting he’s having voice problems because his voice didn’t sound as full and I noticed he coughed after singing. I hope he’s around another week to redeem himself. Casey is consistently good and should be in the finals with Crystal, possibly Siobhan and Lee, maybe Mike. Katie was better than usual, but not good enough to go much farther in the competition imo.
By Squirrellygirl
March 31, 2010 11:28 AM | Link to this
Crystal is better than Lee, but Lee had a good performance last night. Crystal should win Idol. Siobhan had a rough nite, but I didn’t think she was bad enough to get the kind of criticism she received. I am tired of the yells at the end of her songs. She doesn’t need them. What Siobhan needs is a voice teacher or someone to guide her. But isn’t that what Idol is all about, getting better every week? I don’t think she’ll be leaving this week, at least I hope not. I was not as impressed with Andrew as the judges were. He’s okay but a tad boring for me. I liked Mike last night. His singing moves me. I still don’t see him winning Idol, though. Tim will be around another week because he has a following. I love his smile and attitude. He’s not going to win so he might as well enjoy the ride. He made it to the top 10. I think Aaron had a rough nite, and I noticed several off key notes during his performance. I’m betting he’s having voice problems because his voice didn’t sound as full and I noticed he coughed after singing. I hope he’s around another week to redeem himself. Casey is consistently good and should be in the finals with Crystal, possibly Siobhan and Lee, maybe Mike. Katie was better than usual, but not good enough to go much farther in the competition imo.
By Squirrellygirl
March 31, 2010 11:26 AM | Link to this
Crystal is better than Lee, but Lee had a good performance last night. Crystal should win Idol. Siobhan had a rough nite, but I didn’t think she was bad enough to get the kind of criticism she received. I am tired of the yells at the end of her songs. She doesn’t need them. What Siobhan needs is a voice teacher or someone to guide her. But isn’t that what Idol is all about, getting better every week? I don’t think she’ll be leaving this week, at least I hope not. I was not as impressed with Andrew as the judges were. He’s okay but a tad boring for me. I liked Mike last night. His singing moves me. I still don’t see him winning Idol, though. Tim will be around another week because he has a following. I love his smile and attitude. He’s not going to win so he might as well enjoy the ride. He made it to the top 10. I think Aaron had a rough nite, and I noticed several off key notes during his performance. I’m betting he’s having voice problems because his voice didn’t sound as full and I noticed he coughed after singing. I hope he’s around another week to redeem himself. Casey is consistently good and should be in the finals with Crystal, possibly Siobhan and Lee, maybe Mike. Katie was better than usual, but not good enough to go much farther in the competition imo.
By Mandie
March 31, 2010 9:37 AM | Link to this
um who voted for Crystal to go home? are you deaf? she is by far the best one there!
By Henry
March 31, 2010 3:27 AM | Link to this
None of this matters. God will decide who wins this, not pimple faced punks calling on their cell phones.