Musings
an Online Journal of Sorts

By Alyce Wilson

Copyright 2007, Fox Broadcasting

It was a British Invasion this week on American Idol, as the 11 finalists sang 60s songs from the British Invasion groups, with advise from Peter Noone and Lulu.

This was one of the best competition weeks I've seen on American Idol so far this season, with most of the contestants really stepping up to the plate.

Anxious to prove she deserves to be in the finals, Haley Scarnato performed the Billie Davis song "Tell Him". Surprisingly, she brought some game to it, turning in a good performance with solid vocals. Her outfit of a gold lame top, brown hot pants and high heels, will probably get more attention from some voters, as would her shimmying at the end of the song.

Judge Randy Jackson called it a perfect song for her and said that it was her best to date. He said it had the "yo" factor. Nice judge Paula Abdul said also liked the performance and complimented Haley on her flirty performance. Tough judge Simon Cowell called her naughty and said it was fun and young, though a bit shrieky in the middle. He said, though, that people will be talking about more than her singing, no doubt alluding to her outfit and her shimmy.

Next up, Chris Richardson performed "Don't Let the Sun Catch You Crying" by Gerry and the Pacemakers, a sweet ballad with a guitar player joining him on-stage. He turned in a mellow, heartfelt performance, though it wasn't as exciting as some of his other performances. On the other hand, this time he learned his lesson and focused on the singing, which showed how strong his vocals are.

Randy called it another great performance and praised him for showing another side. Paula called the arrangement sexy and charming. Simon said it was his best performance, calling his control excellent and saying that the song didn't sound old-fashioned.

Stephanie Edwards sang the Dusty Springfield song "You Don't Have to Say You Love Me", and she started quiet and passionless, looking confused. I would call her overall performance robotic and uneven. She wore a strange outfit of a blue silk cocktail dress and black knee-boots that would be better paired with a more casual dress.

Randy said it was not her best and called it pitchy. Paula complimented what she was wearing, which as we all know is a warning sign. She advised her to "go back to having fun." Simon said that she's losing her edge and that the performance was like a cabaret performance.

Blake Lewis redeemed himself for last week's strange song arrangement with a dance remix type version of "Time of the Season" by the Zombies. This song was great because it gave him a chance to show off his vocals. He was very comfortable on-stage, and though some of his notes were pinched, the performance was fun.

Randy said that this week he'd sounded cool, vibey, edgy and current, and gave him props. Paula said he really raised the bar. She said he could release that song. Simon said it was a million times better than last week and that he'd made the song contemporary. He called it his strongest performance so far.

In the videotaped intro, LaKisha Jones revealed she was considering two songs, a beautiful ballad, "You're My World", and the Shirley Bassey song, "Diamonds Are Forever". Sadly, though Lulu tried to coach her otherwise, she went with "Diamonds". She has a strong voice but seemed uncharacteristically hesitant on-stage, not quite pulling off the sexy, sultry vibe of Shirley Bassey's original. I wonder if part of her decision was the fact that she got to wear $1 million worth of diamonds on-stage for the song.

Randy called it a good choice but said it wasn't his favorite performance by her. Paula said she'd picked the right song and called her a very smart girl. Simon said the performance was too old-fashioned, as if he was seeing her in 50 years time.

Perhaps in a vain attempt to shake up his image (or establish one), Phil Stacey turned in a really strange rendition of the Animals song, "Tobacco Road". He shouted most of it, trying to do it as a rock song, and as he ran around the stage in a pale denim shirt that looked, I swear, like it had big greasy stains on it (but which I think were embroidered roses), I thought, "This is just desperate."

Randy called it pretty good but said it was pitchy. Paula said it was a good song but parts were pitchy. She praised him for having fun. Simon said he wasn't crazy about it. He said it sounded like a third division bar band and said it wasn't believable because there wasn't any grit in his voice.

Jordin Sparks also tackled a Shirley Bassey song, "I (Who Have Nothing)". She has a beautiful voice, but she stood really stiffly during the whole song. When the vocals got more heated during the middle, I wanted to see her take the mic and walk around the stage, address the emotions of the song to the studio audience. Her black beaded dress looked like something out of her grandmother's closet.

Randy said the song was a very tall order and that she'd given a very controlled, great performance. Paula called her a good singer even at 17 and a wonderful person. Simon said she sang it beautifully but noted the song was gloomy and a bit depressing.

Sanjaya Malakar also chose between two songs, opting for the Kinks song "You Really Got Me", to which he gave a frenetic performance, though at times still looking like a shy kid. His vocals, as always, were weak, but this time in a shrieky way, not a whispery one. Throughout the song, they showed a little girl crying in the audience, which just goes to show why Sanjaya is still in this competition.

Randy said that Sanjaya had shocked him tonight. He said he came out of his shell and it was his best to date. Paula said it was what we've been waiting for. Simon said the little girl's face says it all. I think he meant that it made him cry, too, though I suspect in a different way.

Gina Glocksen can't help herself. Now that she's decided to style herself the rocker chick, she went over the top in a complicated, leather outfit that looked about circa 1984 and was about as sexy as a garbage bag. As she attempted to give a smoky rendition to the Rolling Stones song "Paint it Black", her overdone eyes hidden behind her too-black hair, she morphed into Goth chick. I kept thinking I was watching a second rate Cher impersonator murder the classic Stones song.

Randy said that she was the resident rocker and that it was not his favorite. He called it "just all right" and pitchy. Paula said it was way better than last week and told her to let loose and do her thing. Simon said there were moments of complete torture and that it was so off melody it was horrible. He called it style over content.

Showing masterful song choice, Chris Sligh did "She's Not There" by the Zombies. He started in the audience, and though his vocals were great and he seemed to be trying to make a connection to them, he still seemed awkward. I finally figured out who he reminds me of: Elton John. Maybe he'd be more comfortable sitting behind a piano. Still, great vocal tone.

Randy said that him coming out of the crowd made it seem like a concert. He called it a little rough because he was ahead of the beat (a frequent problem for Chris) but said he ended strong. Paula said he was dressed much nicer and that he should work the audience more. Simon said the performance was fun and, though it wasn't the best vocal of the night, it was a lot better than last week.

For all the women who chose a Shirley Bassey song this week, Melinda Doolittle showed them how to sing it with "As Long As He Needs Me". Though she said the videotaped intro that she felt out of her element this week, you'd never know it from her fantastic performance, which started small and grew to a powerful ending. Her hair was cut short in a straight bob, which is actually a cute look for her.

Randy said that tonight they'd saved the best for last. He called it a stunning performance and said she had great pitch. Paula said that she's in her own league and that she likes how Melinda tells a story with her singing. Simon asked her if she's really as nice as she seems and then said the song started boring but that the second part was sensational.

Kudos this week to Melinda, Jordan, Blake, Chris Sligh and LaKisha. Chris Richardson should also be safe, due to his solid performance and his fan base.

Gina, Sanjaya, Phil, Stephanie and Haley were the weaker performers this week. If Sanjaya's teenybopper fan base pulls through for him another weak, he might not even appear in the bottom three. Haley might have enticed a few male voters with her shimmying, except that her early placement in the show might have made viewers forget. I think it will be Phil, Stephanie and Haley in the bottom three this week, with Phil or Haley singing under the closing credits.

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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