Musings
an Online Journal of Sorts

By Alyce Wilson

Copyright 2006, Fox Broadcasting

Paris Bennett and Katharine McPhee

In the first round of the semifinalist competition for the 2006 American Idol season, the women competed, singing a song of their choice.

The lowest two vote getters will be cut on Thursday night. The rest have a chance at being one of the six finalists.

Considering this was their first night in front of a live national TV audience, many of the contestants were clearly nervous. This meant that any contestants who managed to overcome their nerves and turn in a solid performance stood out as exceptional.

Starting off the evening by setting the bar high, Mandisa performed "Never" by Heart, because she said she wanted to show that "sisters can rock, too." She was very comfortable on stage, even though she was a little pitchy during the chorus and belted it out to the point of almost shouting. However, her performance was strong.

Randy called it a good song choice and said that it showed her personality, despite a couple sharp moments. Paula called it phenomenal, commenting that Heart is a challenging choice. Overall, she called the performance magnificent. Simon agreed with Randy that it wasn't a perfect vocal. He said she has an unbelievable personality and that she'd just laid down the gauntlet. Plus, he said he expects to see her in the finals.

Taking a softer approach, Kellie Pickler performed "How Far" by Martina McBride, a love song she dedicated to her Dad. Her opening was weak and unsure and a little pitchy. Moreover, she was really flat on the chorus.

Randy called it not her best performance and said she showed her nerves on the high notes. All in all, he said it got better at the end. Paula called the choice unpretentious and complimented Kellie's likeability. She said she sang her heart out on the chorus but has to sing strongly throughout.

Becky O'Donohue sang "Because the Night," a song she says was on the first CD she ever owned. While she has a nice smokey voice, her phrasing was strange and she needed to work on her enunciation.

Randy said she was having a good time on stage but that her performance was loud and uneven. Paula gave her props for her charm and the way she commands the stage but admitted the notes were off and she seemed nervous. Simon called the performance slightly better than he'd expected. He said that visually, she's a 10 but vocally she's a 6.5.

Ayla Brown took the stage with "Reflection" by Christine Aguilera from the "Mulan" soundtrack. She started out soft and uncertain and then got into it, turning in a beautiful, light ending.

Randy said he hasn't expected her to be as good as she was and called it an ambitious song. He commented that her voice cracked on a run but that she'd closed the song nicely. Paula also said she was pleasantly surprised, remarking that the song showed vulnerability and that she knew how to work the microphone. Simon said that while she's a hard worker she's got limit, and this song showed what they were. But he complimented her for investing it with some emotion and said it was one of her better performances.

The perky Paris Bennett, who's already something of a fan favorite, sang the Gladys Knight song "Midnight Train to Georgia." She was very comfortable on-stage, dancing to the song and engaging the audience. What's more, her voice is strong and rich.

Randy exclaimed, "We've got a hot one, America." He said that she looked like she'd been doing this her whole life and called the performance amazing. Paula also gushed, "You're my idol." She called her a "firecracker" and an "Energizer bunny" and complimented her on avoiding a "wardrobe malfunction," when she'd pulled up her sleeveless top, which had been about to fall from her energetic dancing. Simon agreed that she was strong and said that she was a reminder of what it takes to win. He agreed with Paula that she reminded the judges of previous AI winner, Fantasia Barrino.

Stevie Scott, who is trained in opera, chose an opera song, "Forever Love." Even though this genre was supposed to be her forte, she was weak, uncertain and wobbly on the vocals.

Randy remarked that even though the song was different, sung mostly in falsetto, it didn't capture his attention. He called is soft and nonemotional. Paula said she was very brave to take on this song and complimented her for being different. Simon, however, was stronger in his criticism, saying that she'd messed up and that the performance was like being at a horrible Sunday brunch and a child gets up and sings out of tune.

If Paris has become a fan favorite, Brenna Gethers is the opposite. Her diva-like cattiness during the Hollywood auditions have endeared her to few people other than Simon, who has said he admires her spunk. She chose the Stevie Wonder song, "You Are the Sunshine of My Life," saying that she wanted to show her softer side. Strangely, even though she said that she was singing it for her mother, she sang the song in a very fake way, with lots of preening and posing, as if she was singing it for a romantic lover. She also made the mistake of cutting Simon off in the middle of a compliment!

Randy said that while she's the "girl with attitude" she'd chosen a very safe song. He said she needs the attitude. Paula, however, said that she'd chosen a good song because humility is needed to counteract negative buzz. She said it showed a sensitive side that can redeem her. Simon, however, said there's no need for Brenna to eat humble pie. On the other hand, he called the performance horrible. He said she's like a wild little cat that somebody put mittens, a hat and a gloves on and said her performance sounded like something from "some ghastly hotel."

Heather Cox, who hasn't received much camera time to date, turned in a shaky performance of "When You Tell Me That You Love Me."

Randy said that he thought she'd choose a song that would really impress the judges, since they had put her into the final 24 despite a problem with laryngitis. But he said the song was boring and pitchy. Paula agreed, saying that it was started rough and was "not great." Simon called the performance forgettable and said that she had over enunciated.

Performing Faith Hill's "When the Lights Go Down," Melissa McGhee Her voice has a dusky quality and her singing was strong, although she was a little off on the ending.

Randy said the performance started rocky but she worked it out and saved the song. Paula called it a shining moment for Melissa, saying she took a popular song and made it her own. She called the performance amazing. Simon said that before she sang that song, he wouldn't have remembered her. But while she sang it well, she said she was a bit lifeless when she sang.

Teenage contestant Lisa Tucker powered through her rendition of "I Am Changing" by Jennifer Holliday. However, a careful listen to the song reveals it was uneven. She even talked some of it instead of singing. It was like her voice was changing. While her voice is strong, she made the mistake of trying to just power through it.

Still, Randy said it was one of the most ambitious songs and that, while it was rough, she worked it out. Paula called her a "precious little gift" who "lights a fire inside my heart." And Simon said that she'd just made the girls who are five or six years older than her look ordinary. He said that she had real potential in the business.

Kinnik Sky performed "Get Here" by Alita Adams. While the performance started fine, she got too harsh near the end of the song.

Randy said it's difficult taking on a stylized song, because people will compare her to the original singer. In this case, he gave her a 6 for her performance. Paula said she looked stunning. She said while it was a powerful performance, there were "a few sharp notes." She complimented Kinnik's showmanship. Simon said the problem was not being sharp. The problem was that they'd seen one or two stunning performances by much younger contestants already. He called the rendition "very cabaret."

Last but not least, Katharine McPhee gave an unexpectedly solid performance of "Since I Fell for You" by Barbra Streisand. She took a song by a very well-known singer and made it her own.

Randy complimented her as being "another hot one." He said she has a natural talent and that he loved it. Paula called it a great performance and that she gave it her all. "Everything about you is fantastic," she gushed. Simon said that there were four very good vocalists that evening and she was the best.

Overall, the standout performances were Katharine McPhee, Paris Bennett and Mandisa. Lisa Tucker and Melissa McGhee demonstrated their potential but need to step it up the next week or they'll continue to be overshadowed.

Considering how much the American public already dislikes Brenna Gethers, she might be on her way home Thursday night. But if history is any indication, we're probably stuck with her for at least a couple weeks, as big personalities tend to survive just because people find them interesting. In that case, Becky O'Donohue and Stevie Scott should be packing their bags.

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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