Musings
an Online Journal of Sorts

By Alyce Wilson

Copyright 2005 Fox Broadcasting

With only four contestants left, American Idol is down to its final weeks.

Each contestant sang two songs, starting with a country song and ending with a song by Philadelphia song writers Gamble and Huff, who defined the "Philly sound" in the Sixties.

Carrie Underwood, who has a natural inclination towards country music, should have had an advantage with the first song. She kicked it off with "Sin Wagon" by the Dixie Chicks, but I couldn't help comparing it to the exuberant version contestant Amy Adams did last season, and Carrie's was lackluster by comparison, although the crowd loved it.

Judge Randy Jackson said that it was the perfect song for her and that she's ready for the charts. Nice judge Paula Abdul observed that the audience had fun. And tough judge Simon Cowell said it would have been a shocker if she couldn't get this category right, and that he'd seen her personality come through.

Next up was Bo Bice, who did the Travis Tritt song "It's a Great Day to Be Alive." Although there was a bit of a Southern rock feel to his song, reminding me of the Allman Brothers, there was enough country to meet the challenge. I felt the song really showed he can sing, and it finally sunk in why I like him so much. He's like a long lost Allman brother, down to the long hair and the laid back attitude.

Randy called it another great performance though he said it wasn't an exciting song. Paula said, "We love you," but advised him to pick more challenging songs. Simon called the song "very boring" and added it was lazy and uninspired. He said the performance reminded him of a jam in a local club.

Dizzy diva Vonzell Solomon did the Tricia Yearwood song "How Do I Live." Yet another ballad, but this one was rough. Her singing is like a doily: too many curlicues and bric-a-brac.

The judges' comments seemed to indicate something personal lay behind her performance that night. Randy said that she started rough but complimented her for picking the most difficult song to sing. Paula asked if she was all right, to which Vonzell responded she'd had a rough day. Paula said she's a beautiful performer who has grace and dignity. And Simon said she looked and sounded nervous and that she was clearly very emotional. Vonzell started to tear up. Perhaps there's been a death in the family or something equally traumatizing.

Finishing up the first round, Anthony Fedorov sang "I'm Already There." After a toneless opening, he launched into yet another sappy ballad. Although he got stronger throughout the song, he ended flat.

Randy, who's tone deaf when it comes to Anthony, said it was good. Paula called it a good performance but told him to choose more challenging songs. Simon said that he sang the song well but that the song choices tonight reminded him of a Miss Universe contest. He felt the song was gooey and syrupy.

Kicking off the Philly sound round, Carrie did "If You Don't Know Me." She seemed unsure about the song, singing flat on occasion, very quietly, and doing distracting things with her mike hand, like fluttering her fingers. The only saving grace was that, for once, she did not do a country arrangement.

Randy said it just didn't work. Paula agreed, saying it was not the right song for her. Simon, who's a bit of a Carrie fan, said it was one of the best pop songs but criticized the "appalling arrangement," which he felt came off as boring. He said the song was a complete and utter mess.

With a little funky flavor, Bo did "For the Love of Money" by the Ojays, better known as the theme song for NBC's reality show, "The Apprentice." Although sometimes it felt like he was just shouting it, he definitely got into the spirit of the song and had a lot of fun with it, getting the audience on their feet without taking the annoying tactic of squeaking "Come on, get up!" the way Vonzell typically does.

Randy said he loved it and that he hopes when he does a record that song is on it. Paula called it his best so far. Simon said he had a "terrible image" but a fantastic performance. I personally thought Bo looked good, wearing a black suit with an open shirt and some dark glasses. It might not be something Clay Aiken would wear, but it suited his personality well.

For her second song, Vonzell did a bit better, performing "Don't Leave Me This Way," which was a perfect song for her because it allowed her to do all the cutesy things she likes to do, like demand the audience get up. She really sang her heart out on this one.

Randy said she did an excellent job and that this song vindicate the last song. Paula praised her for taking risks and stretching herself. And Simon said, "You pulled out all the stops." He called it a very "manic performance," but said it was better than the first song.

Finally, Anthony sang the same song as Carrie. While some say that he did it better, I felt that he just seemed angry. He was belting it out and jabbing his finger as if he was mad. He might have been marginally better than her horrified whisper of a performance, but really it was just 180 degrees of bad.

Randy said it was a much better version of that song. Paula said he nailed it. Simon called it a better arrangement but said that you needed soul to do that song. He said it was a bit like watching Woody Allen try to play the lead in "Shaft."

If last year is any indication, Anthony may survive one more week, though it's sad to see him boot out a more deserving contestant. A similar phenomenon happened last year when Jasmine Trias made it to the final three over the far more deserving LaToya London. If Anthony's fans make a desperate ploy to save him, it will probably be Carrie who goes. Vonzell should earn a sympathy vote for her crying on stage, and Carrie's performance was lackluster at best.

More Musings on American Idol:

American Idol, Season Four

American Idol, Season Three

Copyright 2005 by Alyce Wilson

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