Maybe it was because it's the reprise of Idol Gives Back and we've lost a freshness, a joie de giving we enjoyed last year...or maybe the Idols are just tired (or maybe I am), but I found tonight's show lacking in inspiration, on the whole. Yes, as the judges told Larry King last night, it's a talented Top 8, but I was bored by a good half of them tonight and befuddled by song choices. I've settled on two performances that actually did command my attention, two that weren't great for me by performers that will certainly survive this week anyhow, and 4 that IMO could end up in this week's B3.
Jason and (OMG!) KLC actually got me this week. The UKULELE -- gasp -- made it's first appearance on American Idol with "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" and who better than Jason Castro to be it's escort. Yes, the song sounded much like Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's original version, but Jason infused some of what the French call, "I don't know what" into it, rendering it captivating and magical for me. Randy called him Dude (surprise) and said it was blazing hot, Paula pronounced his song the perfect choice, and Simon said it was fantastic. Jason's Excellent Adventure continues!
KLC did a favorite song of mine and did it well. I, too, recall Martina on that very stage one year ago singing "Anyway" and KLC surprised me with her solid take on this powerful song. Gold eyeshadow (AGAIN) aside, KLC may have sung her way into the T7 and outta the B3.
The Two Davids were kinda just there for me this week, but we know they aren't in danger of elimination. When I watched it again, I could see where Rocker David was trying to go with his "Innocent" but it fell short for me, a little disorganized and flat. I don't think I recognized Little David's song "Angels"even though Simon said it was one of the greatest pop songs of all time (can someone help me out here?) He sang it well enough but I didn't connect with it.
My four for the bottom three: Michael, Syesha, Carly and Brooke. First off, Micheal's turn to go first and that worries me. Again, the ascot. I admit that I'm not a fan of "Dream On"and Micheal just didn't convince me otherwise. Randy wasn't feeling it, Paula loved it (course) and Simon thought it was a good performance, but like he said on Larry King last night, he doesn't like the Rocker Micheal at all, and thinks he should stick to the R&B/blues stuff. I agree.
Syesha worried me GREATLY with her pronouncement of song choice, AGAIN, but she did a great job with it. But like Randy said, I agree about the lack of connection....we all remember Fantasia's performance of her winning song, "I Believe" , ahem, when she WON the whole dang thing, and how can you connect with the song outside of that? Simon was right to ask, who are you and what are YOU all about?
Carly, again, gets prettier every week, but I don't buy the whole rocker shtick, and didn't tonight at all. Hated the outfit, hated the song, Queen's "The Show Must Go On"...and she DID sound angry....trying to convince me that the show must go on reminded me of the old saying,"Pull yourself up by your bootstraps!" Meant to be inspirational, but isn't.
Finally, Brooke got the pimp spot, but I don't know why because she was downright b-o-r-i-n-g. Yes, her performance of Carole King's "You've Got A Friend" showcased her folk side, and yes, she dressed the part as always, but Simon was right: "Pleasant, but not original." Agreed.
What did you think? Was Paula squeezed into a size zero dress, or what (and not in Chico's sizing, if you know what I mean). Will you watch Idol Gives Back tomorrow? And what's up with all that gold eyeshadow?
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2 comments:
I agree that Jason and KLC gave the best performances, although in Jason's case I am not sure if it was him or the fact that he duplicated a version of that song that I absolutely love. In any event, he saved himself. KLC is a diamond in the rough, and although she will not win this thing, she will get a record deal. As for the bottom, it should be Michael, Carly and Brooke, and I am ready to see Carly go. I agree with Simon that she is in trouble. Michael better find his niche soon, and Brooke needs to pull it together. The emotions were endearing early on, but you are on the cusp of stardom, sweetheart, so time to suck it up and play the part. As for Syesha, one of my favorites, she may not know who she is yet, but she can sure sing. Syesha gets what Brooke does not: the goal is to bring a tear to the audience's eye, not for the audience or the moment to make the performer weep. Syesha has delivered in the tear duct department (mine, not hers) two weeks in a row. And finally, Paula has returned to her formerly pathetic self. Ugh.
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