Musings
an Online Journal of Sorts

By Alyce Wilson

Copyright 2005 Fox Broadcasting

According to host Ryan Seacrest at the beginning of American Idol last night, going into the show, only one percent separated the three contestants.

I think last night could change that.

Each of the last three contestants performed three songs. The first was chosen by record producer Clive Davis, who will produce the record for the winner. The second song was selected by the contestants, and the third by the judges.

Vonzell Solomon started off the evening with a song chosen by Clive Davis, "I'll Never Love This Way Again" by Dionne Warwick. It was the sort of power ballad she likes, and she threw a lot of flourishes into it. It was the sort of performance by her that gets on my nerves because I feel it's so fake. She was also wearing a dress that made her look like she was wrapped in a black satin sheet.

Clive said she had a strong voice, but he did warn her to be careful about smiling during a song about heartache. Vonzell seems to have only one emotion: a bright smile. Judge Randy Jackson said she's one of the better singers but that the song was pitchy. Nice judge Paula Abdul said she has beautiful range, that it was pitchy at points and ended great. Tough judge Simon Cowell noted she seemed very nervous and there were a number of bum notes in the middle.

For Bo Bice, Clive selected Elton John's "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me." He began with a hushed, breathy beginning, building throughout. Clive said he really captured the song and that it was heartfelt and passionate. Randy said, "Tonight you're forever in the Dog Pound" and that he could do anything. Paula called it pure brilliance and magnificent. Simon said it was great, that he preferred him doing this kind of song to rock songs. He said Bo was coming into this round as the favorite.

Next up was Carrie Underwood, and for her, Clive chose Roy Orbison's "Crying," which was also once covered by K.D. Lang. Compared to Lang, who has a real instinct for performance, Carrie's version seemed forced. Every week, she reminds me more and more of Lisa Marie Presley, from the haircut to the flat affect. Even though her voice is better, her stiff performances barely make up for it. Although this was one of her better performance, despite being flat on the end note.

Clive said she did a strong job and captured the sincerity, but said he would have liked to see the spark Roy Orbison gave the song at the end. Randy said it was one of her best vocals. Paula said it was haunting and called the performance subdued. And Simon said that he would have loved it to be stripped down even more and that her performance was a little wooden. He announced Bo had won the first round.

Next, Vonzell's choice was "Chain of Fools" by Aretha Franklin. It was a bit of a forced beginning, where she did her standard, "Put your hands together." Of course, the audience remained seated. She smiled inappropriately throughout the song. She has a good voice but no substance. Clive called it a soul classic and remarked that she'd done a spirited pop version. He felt she'd missed the soulful essence of the song. But Randy said she'd had a good time and it was a perfect song choice for her. Paula said the song has been performed by many American Idol hopefuls but none had performed it with such gusto. Simon said that she has the likeability factor going for her.

Bo took a real risk with his choice, "Within a Dream" by Badlands, opting to sing it a cappella, which has never been done before on the show. The effect was mesmerizing. He stayed in tune, which is more than some contestants can do with a band, and he filled the room all by himself. Clive said he took a real risk, that it was bold and courageous but he'd pulled it off. He predicted they'd have a great time making an album together. Randy complimented him for returning to how he began the competition, singing a cappella, and that it was courageous. Paula said, "You truly are a gift" and that he had a wonderful soul. Simon said he may have just put 34 musicians out of work.

Carrie was forced to follow him with her choice, "Making Love Out of Nothing at All" by Air Supply. Yet another wooden performance. She seemed unsure of herself at times and was often ahead of the band. What's worse, she even shouted part of the song. I think she was losing her stuff. Clive said that song is special to him because he produced it and that her voice had soared. Randy said, "You can definitely sing." Paula called it a great choice and that she'd got power in her voice. Simon said she'd had a good night but the first song was better. He added she may have pushed it too much in the middle.

The last round of songs were chosen by the judges. For Vonzell, Simon chose "On the Radio" by Donna Summer, which was the kind of sunny dance song she likes. She did another of her on-stage moves that really bothers me, which is wagging the finger in a "No-no" gesture to the audience, again at an inappropriate moment. Clive said that she was totally in her element, that Simon chose a good song for her and she delivered. Randy said it was fun and he enjoyed it. Paula told her to keep having fun. And Simon said he echoed every word of Clive Davis.

Bo did a song chosen by Paula, "I Can't Get No Satisfaction" by the Rolling Stones. Surprisingly, with an upright rock standard, he found a way to show off his voice. He even did a funky, sensual section in the middle that got the audience going. Clive said he really nailed it, with the right spirit and the right attitude and that this had been his night. Randy said he felt like he'd been at the Bo concert and that he'd rocked the house. Paula said that people had one more week to watch him for free and after that they'd have to pay. Simon said that he'd had a very strong night but that this particular song was lightweight.

Finishing up the night, Carrie did a song chosen by Randy, "I Feel Like a Woman" by Shania Twain. This was a good song for her, because it's the sort of country pop that she feels comfortable with. But again, she resorted to shouting during the middle and while she tried to loosen up on stage, still seemed stiff. Clive said that Randy was right, that country pop was her element and that she'd nailed it. Randy said he loved it and that "you did your thing." Paula said that it would be tough to decide between the girls. And Simon said that the first part of the song she'd seemed out of her element but that it should be enough to get her into the final.

As far as which person should leave, it's difficult to say. Simon predicted Carrie will make it into the final, and that's possible, especially if people are tiring of Vonzell's forced, plastic cheerfulness. Also, Carrie performed two songs that did a better job of showing off her vocal talents ("Crying" and "Making Love Out of Nothing at All").

I do think Vonzell is about equally talented, so it will probably come down to personality for the voters. But it could just as easily be Carrie's turn to go, if people have decided that this show is about pop music and not country pop.

More Musings on American Idol:

American Idol, Season Four

American Idol, Season Three

Copyright 2005 by Alyce Wilson

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