Musings
an Online Journal of Sorts

By Alyce Wilson

Copyright 2006, Fox Broadcasting

The American Idol finalists took on the challenge of 50s music this week, coached by legendary singer/songwriter Barry Manilow, who's recently released an album of '50s standards.

First up was Mandisa, who gave a fiery performance of "I Don't Hurt Anymore" by Diana Washington. She looked beautiful, with a great hairstyle and a dress that drew the attention upwards towards her neck. Her rendition started off sweet and then got funky with a big ending.

Judge Randy Jackson was speechless, calling the song a classy way to start the evening. He called her unbelievable and said she'd set the mark. Nice judge Paula Abdul said the performance was flawless and added, "You're a thoroughbred." Simon said that Mandisa is blossoming and called it a really sexy performance. He said he loved it. Host Ryan Seacrest even coined the pun "Mandiva".

Poor country boy Bucky Covington had to follow her, performing the Buddy Holly tune "Oh, Boy." His countrified performance was scratchy and lackluster, at best.

Randy called it a great song choice and complimented his mic technique. He also said he liked the falsetto at the end. Paula agreed that the song was a great choice. Simon said that it was nothing more than a pointless karaoke performance.

Paris Bennett performed the Peggy Lee song "Fever." She had a really classy yellow dress that had a vintage feel to it, and the song was great for her, especially when she reached the middle and she kicked it into high gear.

Randy said she blew it out of the box. Paula said that she looked phenomenal and that her vocals were impeccable. Simon said, "This is what you do best" and said she had the perfect voice for that kind of song.

Next, rocker Chris Daughtry took the stage, performing the Johnny Cash song "I Walk the Line." Dressed all in black, in tribute to Cash, he gave a rocking rendition (no surprise). The song was a little too low for him at some points, but he made up for it with a passionate delivery.

Randy said it wasn't his best vocal but liked that he did an alternative version. Paula complimented him, likewise, for being true to who he is. She said he was good enough to be touring already. Simon said it was not the bet from him but that there was an enormous difference between his and Bucky's performance. He also noted that Chris is the first AI contestant who's refused to compromise.

Katharine McPhee sang an Ella Fitzgerald song, "Come Rain or Come Shine", wearing a classy dress, much better than her previous wardrobe choices. Despite one sharp note, she had lots of stage presence. She really seems to be coming into her own.

Randy said that once again, it wasn't his favorite vocal performance but that it was really strong. Paula said, "We all love you." She said that only she could pull off a song like that and called her look exquisite. Simon said, "Tonight you turned into a star." He said it was like watching a seasoned performer and that he'd loved it.

Audience favorite Taylor Hicks delivered "Not Fade Away" by Buddy Holly. He concentrated on showmanship, dancing across the table behind the judges and with the saxophonist who performed a solo partway through.

Randy said, "Dude, you're having a blast." He said the song was not the most challenging, but "you worked it out." Paula noted that everybody had danced to his song and joked he could make an exercise video. She called him fantastic and one of a kind. Simon said that if this was the first time someone saw him, they would think it was a mess. He said that he likes Taylor and he's got a great voice but called it a "hideous party performance" and argued with Paula over the fact that it's supposed to be a singing competition, not a dancing competition.

Next, Lisa Tucker performed the Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers song "Why Do Fools Fall in Love?" For some reason, even though all the other female contestants got glammed up, she stuck with a bright-colored teeny-bopper outfit, which made her seem out of place. Her performance was similar to the previous week; with a sort of manic energy. Despite her great voice, she really didn't sparkle.

Randy called it a good song choice but said it was "just all right." Paula praised her for getting back to youthfulness and predicted she has a big career ahead. Simon said it was OK and remarked that "There are times tonight I think I'm trapped in a high school musical."

If anyone benefited from Barry Manilow's direction, Kevin Covais certainly did for his performance of the Nat King Cole song "When I Fall in Love." Under his guidance, Kevin strived to make it sound vulnerable, and although there was some pitch problems, it was a good choice.

Randy said that it's one of his favorite songs and noted there were some pitch problems. Paula said it takes a lot of courage to start sitting on stage only 10 feet from Simon and said he has "lots of moxie." Simon said that he liked Kevin but it was not the best version of that song. However, he conceded that Kevin's fans will love it.

Once again demonstrating terrific vocals but a weak stage performance, Elliott Yamin sang Frank Sinatra's "Teach Me Tonight". His delivery was sort of loungy and a little boring, even with several key changes.

Randy called it the most difficult song of the night and said "you worked it out." Paula said that she had goosebumps and that "you move me." Simon said that since this is a singing competition, he'd judge the singing, and he called it "fantastic."

Country girl Kellie Pickler chose a Patsy Cline song, "Walking After Midnight." She looked like she fell into a bottle of rouge, which was so distracting I almost didn't hear her powerhouse performance.

Randy called it a great song choice for her. Paula said, "You were a tigress tonight" and called it an "authentic Kellie Pickler performance." Simon said "You've got this right." He called it "ballsy and sexy" and said, "welcome back."

Finally, pretty boy Ace Young got a chance to redeem himself for last week, performing a jazzy version of the Five Satins standard, "In the Still of the Night." I didn't expect much from him, but he changed it up and ended with a sweet falsetto.

Randy declared "Ace is back" and gave him props. Paula said she'd counted 34 signs in the audience reading "Ace, will you marry me?" She called it a sexy, sultry performance. Simon called it "not the best vocal" but said it was one of his best stage performances.

Based on this week's performances, Bucky, Lisa and Kevin will find themselves in the bottom three. Lisa is marginally more likely to go home, because people like both Bucky and Kevin's personalities. Although musically, Bucky is more deserving of a plane ticket home.

This week showed that the top singers are stepping up their games, and this means that Taylor Hicks needs to do more songs that show off his voice, which Barry Manilow called a "great whiskey tenor." Paris has the opposite problem; she's got a great voice, but she needs to find a way to connect with the audience. Props to Mandisa, Katharine and Chris, who found the right balance between performance and showing off their vocals.

More on American Idol:

Musings on American Idol Season 5 (2006)

Musings on American Idol Season 4 (2005)

Musings on American Idol Season 3 (2004)

Copyright 2005 by Alyce Wilson

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