Musings
an Online Journal of Sorts

By Alyce Wilson

Copyright 2007, Fox Broadcasting

LaKisha Jones and Melinda Doolittle

The top 12 ladies got their shot on American Idol last night, singing a song of their choice.

Compared to the men's performance the previous night, they knocked it out of the park. Several even dared to take on songs by Aretha Franklin, two successfully and one not so much.

First out of the box was Stephanie Edwards with the Alicia Keys song, “How Come You Don’t Call Me Anymore”. She kicked off the night right with a soulful rendition with powerful vocals. At a key part in the song, she dropped to her knees, raising the bar that much more. What's more, she looked outstanding in a knee-length dress with an empire waist. The only problem was some strange, pained facial expressions.

Judge Randy Jackson said that she'd definitely started off different from last night. He said she was a little pitchy in places but had unbelievable conviction. Nice judge Paula Abdul called her a star. Tough judge Simon Cowell said it was a million times better than anything the previous night and complimented her song choice.

Amy Krebs struggled to follow that performance with a weak-kneed version of the Bonnie Raitt tune, “I Can’t Make You Love Me”. I'm afraid the lyrics were self-fulfilling, because everything from her wispy vocals to her lackluster physical presence added up to her being totally forgettable.

Randy called it boring and too safe. Paula agreed, saying she preferred her when she was bluesy and this song was too sentimental. Simon said she has the personality of a candle, and that two singers later everyone would forget her.

Next, Leslie Hunt turned in a quirky performance of the Aretha Franklin song, “You Make Me Feel (Like a Natural Woman)”. While she put her own flavor on it, there was something off about her performance, something weird in her eyes. She just couldn't connect. Cute boots, though.

Randy said the song was too big for her and that it was just OK. Paula said she did a great job but cautioned her to watch her song choice in the future. Simon said it wasn't great but that she was a nice girl. He commented that she was definitely out of her comfort zone.

Sabrina Sloan stepped up to the stage to school Leslie in how to sing Aretha, with her smoky rendition of “I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)”. She had great vocal control and whipped up the audience, which almost made me forget about her very strange outfit of a granny-looking sheer lacy top over skinny pants.

Randy said this was finally a competition and called her the one to beat. Paula gave her a standing ovation. Simon said that she was the best so far and clearly had a desire to win.

Sadly for Antonella Barba, she not only had to follow Sabrina, but she'd chosen the Aerosmith song “I Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing”, which clearly wasn't in her vocal range. Consequently, she was shaky, and pitchy in the beginning, only getting a little more solid as she got more comfortable.

Randy said it wasn't good, pitchy and bland. Paula acknowledge the pitch problems but called her amazingly beautiful (always the kiss of death, when Paula compliments something other than your vocal abilities). Simon said the good news was that she was attractive but the bad news was the song was too big for her.

With an unusual song choice, Jordin Sparks took the stage next with Tracy Chapman's “Give Me One Reason”. Now, I'm a big Tracy Chapman fan, and based on this performance, this girl isn't worthy to work as a roadie, handing Tracy extra guitars. She tried for a light jazz version but for most of the performance, it sounded like her mic wasn't even on.

Randy said she has a natural talent and told her to challenge herself. Paula said that she started out tentative but then came into her own. Simon said that she has a great voice but needs to push herself.

Nicole Tranquillo opted for the little known "Stay", delivering a weirdly disjointed performance full of flat notes and jerky movements. Truly an embarrassment. Sorry, but I don't care if she's from Philly. I just couldn't vote for that.

Randy said that the song was "not your vibe" and called the performance rough. Paula said that she hit some high notes but that it wasn't the right song for her. Simon called it indulgent and aggressive and said it looked fake, like it was over rehearsed.

Taking on another diva, Haley Scarnato sang Celine Dion's “It’s All Coming Back to Me Now”. Her performance was warbly and very old-fashioned. Viewers across the nation took a bathroom break.

Randy said it was just OK and called her voice "Broadway-ish." Paula said she did a nice job but criticized the song choice. Simon said she sounded 40 and the performance sounded like one at a "reasonably good hotel."

Talk about gutsy, Melinda Doolittle sang “Since You’ve Been Gone” by Aretha. She showed she was up to the challenge, with strong vocals and oodles of stage presence.

Randy said she blew it out of the box and that she has a natural gift. Paula said she's a front runner and a firecracker. Simon said she is an incredible singer and he hopes she does well.

Ill-fated to follow Melinda, Alaina Alexander gave a breathy rendition of the Pretenders song “Brass In Pocket”. About the only thing she had going for her, frankly, was her looks.

Randy called it "not great" and said she was pitchy. Paula said that she didn't make the song her own. Simon said that the lyric "I'm special" was ironic, because she wasn't. He called the performance a mess and said that she'd have to rely on her looks to make it through.

Gina Glockson lost me as soon as she launched into the Celine Dion song “All By Myself”. I've never been a Celine fan, and her delivery was outdated, along with her 80's rock chick black jacket and extreme hair. Bored now.

Randy called her a "big girl" with a "big voice." I guess that's a compliment. Paula complimented her powerful voice. Simon said it showed a different side to her but that she "didn't quite get there."

I couldn't imagine a more perfect pairing of song and singer than “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” from Dreamgirls, made famous by Oscar-nominated former Idol contestant Jennifer Hudson and song with conviction, passion and even, yes, sweetness, by LaKisha Jones. A soft-spoken young mother off-stage, she owned the stage and didn't suffer from the first-night nerves that wrecked other performances. I even have to rave about her outfit, a sexy red and gold halter dress with empire waist that showed off her bodacious plus-sized curves.

Randy said that he loved her and that she reminded him of Kelly Clarkson. Paula said she has a lot to be proud of and she's where she belongs. Simon said that he was tempted to tell 23 people to book their tickets home!

Kudos go to LaKisha, Melinda, Stephanie, and Sabrina. Those with the most to fear are Amy, Antonella and Alaina. Oh, and the guys, unless they step it up.

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

February 2007 Index

Musings Index

What do you think? Share your thoughts
at Alyce's message board (left button):