Musings
an Online Journal of Sorts

By Alyce Wilson

Copyright 2007, Fox Broadcasting

This week began the finalist competition on American Idol, and this week's theme was Diana Ross songs. Each of the contestants worked on a song and got advice from the music legend before their performance.

Starting off the evening was background singer Brandon Rogers, who did "Can't Hurry Love". He was a little ahead of the music at the beginning of the song, and while he has a nice voice, he made the mistake of forgetting his lyrics after a break to throw in some dance moves.

Judge Randy Jackson said he came out like a background singer and chided him for forgetting the words. Nice judge Paula Abdul attributed his performance to nerves but added that she didn't need to tell him what he'd done wrong. Tough judge Simon Cowell called it a let-down, saying it was predictable and the dancing was terrible. He said that he sounded like a "background singer for a background singer."

Next up, Melinda Doolittle, who has also been a background singer, performed "Home" from "The Wiz". She started mellow and grew stronger, with power notes at the end. The whole performance was classy, including the fact that she wore a simple, linen dress reminiscent of the simple clothes worn by Dorothy. Of course, being linen, it was wrinkly, which was distracting.

Randy said she was really strong and that based on that performance, he gave the girls one point and the boys zero. Paula said she is feeling so much joy on stage. It actually made Paula tear up. Simon said that she'd made a boring song fantastic and compared her to a young Gladys Knight.

In the unenviable position of following Melinda, Chris Sligh performed "Endless Love", in an arrangement that strived for a modern feel. His vocals were pure, but I kept thinking throughout the performance that he sounded like Michael Bolton. Not bad, you understand; just not exciting.

Randy said that the arrangement sounded like ColdPlay and advised him not to worry about the style of the song but just to sing it. Paula also advised against striving to be hip at the expense of the song. Simon said that he'd murdered the arrangement and turned the song into a drone. He called the performance unemotional.

Rocker chick Gina Glocksen performed "Love Child", but she was pitchy in the middle and sounded like she was shouting much of the song. Also, much of it was unintelligible because of poor enunciation, which Diana Ross had warned her about. On paper Gina looks cool; on stage, not so much.

Randy said it wasn't his favorite arrangement and that she was pitchy. He said the performance lacked excitement. Paula said she's better than that performance and told her to watch her enunciation and pitch. Simon said it wasn't terrible or fantastic. He said it was the right song for her but forgettable.

Poor deluded Sanjaya Malakar performed "Ain't No Mountain High Enough". He was flat on the low notes, his dancing was forced and he got drowned out by the band at parts. He's really in over his head.

Randy said it wasn't very good and that thank God for background singers because it was almost unlistenable. He did, however, say Sanjaya's hair was rocking. Paula called him the "sweetest soul" but told him he has to grab the audience. Simon said that if you hear a wail in Beverly Hills, that's Diana Ross watching the show. He said the only similarity to her in that performance was his hair, which this week, he'd styled curly.

Forgettable Haley "Whats-her-face" Scarnato turned in a whispery, uneven performance of "Missing You." To top it off, she wore a dress that looked like a slate gray bag, wrapped with a black ribbon near the knees. Somewhere in California, Sabrina Sloan, who lost her slot in the final 12 to Haley, punched a pillow. Hard.

Randy said she gave a valiant effort but pointed out that she, too, had forgotten the words. Paula said she looked lovely. Of course, given Paula's loopy fashion sense, if she compliments your outfit, it's lampshade time. Paula also remarked on the forgotten lyrics and her pitch problems. Simon said he didn't think it was that bad and gave her credit for improved stage presence.

Phil Stacey sang “I’m Gonna Make You Love Me”, finally showing that he's got the stuff. I still don't think he'll make it all the way, but at least for once he didn't have wild pitch problems.

Randy said the performance was boring but the vocals were hot. Paula said the vocals sounded good but said the song should have been up tempo. Simon disagreed, but said the performance was OK and that he has a tendency to shout. He said while it wasn't outstanding it was better than last week.

LaKisha Jones wisely chose "God Bless the Child", a Billie Holiday song that Diana Ross sang in the biopic Lady Sings the Blues. In the videotaped piece, Diana discovered that LaKisha's nickname for her is Kiki, and she called her that. She has a very sultry voice and listened to Diana's advice that she wear a long, simple dress, wearing a white floor-length V-neck gown that looked lovely on her.

Randy called it perfect song choice and said he loved the outfit. He complimented her for her control and said it was sensational. Paula called her a beautiful performer and said her heart comes through. Simon said that she and Melinda are in a different league from the rest. He called her performance controlled and said she was a star.

Blake Lewis put a lot of effort into rearranging "You Keep Me Hanging On", creating a modern version. His stage performance was great and the song was fresh, but his vocals suffered because he hadn't left himself enough to do.

Randy said that since it was a classic song it didn't have to be "Blakeized". He did, however, call it a performance. Paula said that he could have a hit with that song and called him a really good singer. Simon said that if you heard the vocals in isolation you wouldn't like it. He said it wasn't as good as Blake has been previous weeks.

Stephanie Edwards sang "Love Hangover", and she seemed like she might have one, down to her smeared eyeshadow and frumpy house frock. I thought she was trying too much to be sexy, through lots of suggestive dance moves, but her vocals just didn't deliver up to her full potential.

Randy remarked that she, too, had forgotten the words. He called it a good vocal but not her best and complimented her on a strong finish. He said he was waiting for the up tempo part of the song. Paula said she had strong vocals but needs to strive for better. Simon called it a strange arrangement that didn't deliver the expected part of the song. He said it was like singing an intro and said she was outsun by LaKisha and Melinda.

Chris Richardson sang "The Boss" and took control of the stage. My main complaint was that, with his light suit and yellow tie, he reminded me of what I disliked most about Elliott Yamin. He just didn't connect, but this time it was the vocals that were weaker than the performance, whereas with Elliott it was usually the opposite.

Randy said that he overdid it a bit but it was interesting. He called it half good and half bad. Paula said he nailed the blend of contemporary and classic song and liked that he played with the vocals. Simon said that if you take the personality out and listen to the vocals, it's dreadful.

Finishing out the evening, Jordon Sparks sang "If We Hold on Together" from the movie The Land Before Time. She sang her heart out, but overreached for a lot of notes. I found the performance a bit syrupy.

Randy said he was very impressed and that tonight she'd made it a three-girl race. Paula said she has a natural gift, that she's beautiful and can sing. Simon said the performance was a little bit gooey" but having said that, it was a very good vocal.

Kudos this week go to LaKisha and Melinda (no surprise there). Also safe should be Chris Sligh, Blake Lewis and Jordin Sparks. Chris Richardson has enough of a fan base that one misstep won't hurt him, as long as he brings it next week.

Sanjaya has enough of a fan base to pull him out of the fire one more week. Gina's performance wasn't great but at least more memorable, so I'd say it's between Brandon, Stephanie and Haley, all of whom forgot their lyrics, to be 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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