April 7, 2004 - At the Red Piano

Fantasia Barrino set the bar high, starting off the night with "Something About the Way You Look Tonight." Elton said that she should have a record contract and that it was the best that song had ever sounded. Fantasia really played the audience, clearly comfortable on stage.

Judge Randy Jackson said she reminded him of a young Aretha Franklin and that she was very good. Nice judge Paula Abdul said, "There's nothing about you I don't love" and called her "fantastic" and "brilliant." Simon said, however, it was her weakest performance so far and that he loved her but that he felt she'd screeched part of the song.

Fantasia was unfazed and said she'd had a blast performing.

JPL, Jon Peter Lewis, was up next, performing "Rocketman." Elton's pre-show assessment was that he was "crazy" but had good pitch and that that was what could put him in the finalists. But his performance was flat, and he didn't seem to get into it much.

Randy complimented his jacket but vocally, that he seemed nervous and shy. Paula said that the song was full of range and that he'd reached up, with the implication that he hadn't quite hit it. Simon called the performance average and said Jon needs voice lessons. As negative as that may seem, at least it shows he sees JPL's potential down the line.

Then was Jasmine Trias, who performed "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me." Elton had predicted she would do a good job, and she gave a powerful, soulful rendition.

Randy said it was a good song and her best yet performance, although she was flat on some of the high notes. Paula agreed she was "pitchy" and suggested she stick with songs where she can show a range of emotion, rather than just powering through. Simon simply said it wasn't good enough and that it was average.

Next, John Stevens took a chance with "Crocodile Rock." Elton said that, because it was a novelty song, he'd have to really sell it. But once more, John Stevens seemed a little wooden and nervous on stage.

According to Randy, it was like one of the worst high school plays he'd ever seen. Paula said the pitch was off, although she complimented him for breaking out of the box and having fun. Simon said that performance, for John Stevens, was like "Plan 9 from Outer Space" for director Ed Woods.

Camile Velasco performed "Yellow Brick Road." Elton said that she seemed really good, but she was so emotional about meeting him that it was difficult to predict how she'd do. Her enunciation and phrasing were odd.

"Shaky and pitchy" was how Randy described the performance. Paula said it was not the right song for her and that it was shaky. Simon said that somewhere in Las Vegas, Elton John was throwing his TV out the window. He said, "You're gone. It's the end of the road for you."

George Huff took the stage next with "Take Me to the Pilot." Elton said it was an unusual song choice that a lot of people don't know. But that was the right choice for George, who made it come alive.

Randy said he gets better every week. Paula said it was in the pocket and that he's a "singing machine." Simon said, "You're unique" and thanked him for saving the night's competition from being a horrible karaoke competition.

True to character, Diana DeGarmo did "I'm Still Standing." Elton pointed out that this song choice, like last week's "Do You Love Me?" was a very "sassy" choice. Her performance seemed rushed as she seemed to desperately try to connect with the audience, walking down the aisle slapping fives with people.

It was not her best, Randy said. Paula said she could tell Diana was under the weather but that she was still a powerful singer. Simon said he had nothing to say, which seems a very bad sign.

Then was LaToya London, who did "Someone Save My Life Tonight." Elton said she is "impeccable" and that he's astonished she was in the bottom three last week. She started off a bit off-pitch but finished up strong.

Randy said she was singing great. Paula said it was one of her best. Even Simon mentioned her hair looked better than last week, when he compared it to a dead cat. He also said it was a good performance, although he said the first two-thirds of it was a performance you'd hear at any wedding.

Finally, Jennifer Hudson performed "Circle of Light." Elton said she was the one, of all of them, that just blew him away and that her voice was astonishing. True to form, she powered through the song.

Randy called it the best performance of the night, as well as the best she's ever had. Paula said, "Don't fall off the road. This is who you are." And Simon said it was the first time she'd proven why she deserved to be in the final 12.

Now, as far as everybody's chances, a little run-down:

Fantasia did a superb job and is in no danger. Jon Peter Lewis, however, may finally find himself in the bottom three, if people decide his personality doesn't outweigh his admittedly average singing.

Jasmine Trias gave a strong enough performance that she should have bought herself another week. John Stevens, however, came close to being pulled into the bottom three last week and may find himself there this time, if people begin to realize that he's a nice boy with a nice voice but just doesn't have star quality.

This time, I'm sure that Simon is right and it's Camile's turn to go, although I have to commend her for giving a more relaxed performance and for reclaiming her personal look, her own urban, relaxed style.

Diana DeGarmo could find herself in the bottom three if personality trumps performance again and either John Stevens or Jon Peter Lewis benefit from loyal voters.

LaToya London gave a strong performance, and hopefully people learned last week that they had to vote for her if they wanted her to survive.

While before, Jennifer Hudson was in the bottom three twice, and seemed on her way out, she's probably resurrected her chances with a stellar performance.

This time around, those who have to worry are Jon Peter Lewis, John Stevens and Camile Velasco, with Camile the most likely to leave. The wild card will be Diana DeGarmo, if her "sassiness" has begun to wear on voters.

Whoever is eliminated should be proud of having made it this far, beating out literally thousands of American Idol wannabes. If it is Camile's turn to go, at least she got to meet one of her own idols, Sir Elton John.

Other Musings by Alyce on American Idol:

American Idol Index

Moral:
Elton makes it seem much, much easier than it is.