Musings
an Online Journal of Sorts

By Alyce Wilson

Copyright 2005 Fox Broadcasting

The theme for last night's American Idol was songs from the year the contestants were born. This was another broad category for them to play with.

Nadia Turner started off with "When I Dream" by Mac Davis from 1977. It was a ballad, and even though I'm a bit of a Nadia fan, it wasn't outstanding.

Judge Randy Jackson said he doesn't even know that song, that it started out rough and it was just OK. Nice judge Paula Abdul said that Nadia looked stunning but that she wasn't crazy about the song. And tough judge Simon Cowell said the song was the equivalent of musical wallpaper. You notice it, but you don't remember.

Bo Bice did Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Free Bird" from 1975. It was similar to his other performances, rocking out and appearing very comfortable on stage. The only problem might be that he hasn't been showing range. Randy said he loved the song and that Bo could have a hit with it. Paula said, "I'll see you at the finals." And Simon said there was a huge part of the audience that would say, "What is that?" He criticized Bo for running around the stage.

Up next was Anwar Robinson, who sang "I'll Never Love This Way Again" by Dionne Warwick from 1979. I didn't have high hopes for that song, but he made it a lot more interesting than Dionne had. Randy said that technically he's the best singer and that it was a great song. Paula said he's consistently pleasing to the ear and called him mesmerizing. Simon said it was one of his better performances, that he's like a blanket, comforting and safe.

Anthony Fedorov did "Every Time You Go Away" by Paul Young from 1985. I would have to say it's better than I've heard him sing so far. Finding out that he was born in 1985, though, helps make sense of the sort of song choices he makes. I think he simply is young and inexperienced. Anyway, Randy said, "You did your thing." Paula said it was much better than last week. And Simon said that last week was the low point but this week was very good.

Vonzell Solomon performed "Let's Hear it for the Boy" by Deniece Williams from 1984. She had a lot of fun with it, and I think she's growing as a performer. Randy said it was another great performance, that it was excellent. Paula said she was adorable and that it was the right song for her. She noted that she'd sung it higher than Deniece Williams had. Simon said it was a good song choice. He added that before he'd thought Vonzell would leave before Nadia but now he thought the opposite was true.

From 1976, Scott Savol picked "She's Gone" by Hall & Oates. It started a little low for him, but he got better and finished strong. And more importantly, perhaps, Daryl Hall and John Oates were actually in the audience watching, and they gave the performance two thumbs up. Randy said that it started rough but that once he hit the chorus he brought it home. Paula said that he did awesome. Simon said that he's a nice guy but that there were more bum notes than good ones and on the whole it wasn't very good.

Attempting once more to break from her country roots, Carrie Underwood did "Love is a Battlefield" by Pat Benetar from 1983. It was a high-powered but one note performance and not entirely convincing. Randy said that even though she messed up the lyrics, the song was all right. Paula said that she rocked and the song was OK. And Simon said she probably needed do this song but that it was like watching a kitten that wants to be a tiger.

Finally, Constantine Maroulis rocked out with an abbreviated version of "Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen from 1975. Randy said he'd give him a 10 for his showmanship and a seven for his singing. Paula said that he's now the one to beat, and Simon called it astonishing.

As much as I hate to say it, I think Nadia Turner is the most likely to be eliminated this week. She's had too many lackluster performances, and it didn't help her to choose a song people wouldn't recognize. Although I think Anthony Fedorov will be voted off soon, I think he redeemed himself with last night's performance and may even manage to stay out of the bottom three. Scott Savol might find himself there again, despite Hall & Oates' applause. His performance started out weak, in contrast to many other performances that were strong from start to finish.

More Musings on American Idol:

American Idol, Season Four

American Idol, Season Three

Copyright 2005 by Alyce Wilson

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