Musings
an Online Journal of Sorts

By Alyce Wilson

Copyright 2007, Fox Broadcasting

This week on American Idol, the theme was songs by Tony Bennett, which proved to be a good thing for the nine finalists, who found lots to work as they sang standards.

Unlike Gwen Stefani the previous week, Tony Bennett had fewer negative comments to make about the contestants. Then again, that could be because they felt more comfortable with his songs.

Starting off at the top of his game, Blake Lewis performed "Mack the Knife" with a saucy flair, showcasing his honeyed vocals. He was dressed for the part in a light blue jacket with cornflower blue shirt and matching tie and gray plaid pants, a look that was both contemporary and classic, much like his singing.

Judge Randy Jackson called it a good start for the evening and said he dug Blake's cool jazz vibe, though he noted a couple pitch problems. Nice judge Paula Abdul said that he personified pizzazz and called him a hep cat. Tough judge Simon Cowell called it a good choice and said he performed it well, but only gave him seven out of 10.

Creepy Phil Stacey sang "Night and Day" in a dark pinstriped suit that made his pale bald head seem to float above his shoulders. The man looks more and more like a PhotoShop creation every week. He started out wavery and passionless and then grew bigger with his vocals. While his voice could be considered good, he lacked something.

Randy called it an interesting choice but commented on his lack of passion and said it felt disconnected except for the big notes at the end. Paula called him reminiscent of a young Frank Sinatra but said he needs to show more joy, more personality. Simon said he had all the joy of somebody singing in a funeral parlor.

Melinda Doolittle proved that she's got the stuff when she sang "I've Got Rhythm". Her vocal was amazing, but her stylist seems to have quit, as she was squeezed in a too-tight flowery dress that was all wrong for her body shape.

Randy said he loved the interpretation and said, "This is how you do it." Paula said she could teach a master class on singing and called her vocal flawless. She predicted number one songs and sold-out concert halls. Simon said that he found the first half of the song more cabaret but the second half was great and fun. He jokingly complained that she doesn't give him enough to criticize.

Chris Richardson performed "Don't Get Around Much Anymore". In both his vocal and his clothing choice, he made me think, "Good, but not as good as Blake." He dressed more casually, in distressed jeans with down suspenders (do young people still do this? that's soooo '80s); a black shirt, vest and hat. He got more comfortable in his performance in the second half of the song.

Randy raved that he'd come out with a vengeance and called it one of his best, cool, young and hip. Paula said he has true artistic integrity and called it his best. Simon called it very good and very believable. He said that he'd made it hip and was one of the strongest tonight.

Next up, Jordin Sparks sang "On a Clear Day". She gave a much more animated performance than the previous week, with great tone and a big ending. I wasn't keen on her outfit, though, of a white blouse and a too-short vest. Her pants were also too tight across the butt. She needs to find some clothes that fit.

Randy said that she'd turned up the heat and she was the bomb. He called her a pro. Paula said that she was a magnet of joy and that she was so proud of her. Simon said she sang very well but didn't make the song young and current. Instead, he called it old-fashioned.

Gina Glocksen keeps choosing songs that I love, which means that I compare them to other performances, usually to her detriment. This time it was the classic Charlie Chaplin song, "Smile". Despite the title, this is almost a melancholy song, a song about rising above bad times and smiling despite tragedy. Tony Bennett hit the nail on the head when he said when he thinks about this song, he thinks about 9/11 or the death of soldiers in Iraq. Gina, sadly, didn't seem to get it and smiled broadly through much of the song, as if she was singing the silly "Put on a Happy Face" from Annie. Once again, she was a fashion disaster, in a black shapeless dress that was cut too short, so that as she sat on the stool it made her thighs, in black fishnet, look thicker than they probably are.

Randy called the performance very nice and controlled. Paula called it flawless, which makes me think she didn't listen to the lyrics at all. She called it understated and sentimental, which I think she meant as a compliment. Simon said that he couldn't rave about the vocals because two other girls had just outsung her, to which Gina replied weakly that the contest was about having different types of singers. Yes, but it's a competition, Gina!

The contestant who will not die, Sanjaya Malakar, sang "Dancing Cheek to Cheek" with slicked back hair in an oversized white suit that made him look like David Byrne. He was more comfortable in his performance, even dancing with Paula, but we all know he's not here because of his singing.

Randy said that he couldn't comment on the vocals but that he's become a great entertainer. Paula said that he's charming but said the vocals were a little off at the beginning. She thanked him for the dance. Simon, who clearly thinks Sanjaya should be gone, said, "Let's try a different tactic this week. Incredible!" A nod to the fact that contestants often receive sympathy votes after being trashed by the judges.

Haley Scarnato, who has realized she's in this competition because of her looks, wore a green sequined, low cut mini dress. Don't want to lose any male votes, after all! Every week she looks more and more like Nikki Cox from the NBC show Las Vegas. She pranced around the auditorium in her short skirt and attempted a saucy performance.

Randy said that it was a good week for her in terms of song choice. Paula said that green is a good color for you. Simon chided them for not commenting on her singing and then said that she's got great legs. He called the performance a little pageant-y.

Finishing the night, LaKisha Jones sang "Stormy Weather", ignoring Tony Bennett's advice not to add a vocal rift at the end. She gave a powerhouse performance in a floor-length black, lace evening gown.

Randy said she was perfect but then commented she'd had some pitch problems in the beginning. Randy said she looked gorgeous and sounded beautiful. Simon called her sassy and said it was a great performance and that she was back on form.

Kudos go to Melinda, Blake, and Jordin, with a nod to Chris. We all know who truly belongs in the bottom three, but unless there was a huge backlash against the Sanjaya phenomenon, the bottom three will include Gina, Phil and possibly Haley, with Phil the most likely to be packing his bags.

More on American Idol:

Musings on American Idol Season 6 (2007)

Musings on American Idol Season 5 (2006)

Musings on American Idol Season 4 (2005)

Musings on American Idol Season 3 (2004)

Copyright 2006 by Alyce Wilson

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