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Will the teens or the Cougars rule the “Idol” vote?
Who will lose out this week: the teens or the Cougars?
This week’s challenge: Making the classic songs of the legendary Frank Sinatra current and their own.
Casey James and Aaron Kelly didn’t live up to it. But who makes the Top Four depends on the voting demographic. Kelly was the stronger of the two, but that doesn’t always matter when it comes to “Idol” voters.
After tonight, the Top 4 may not be obvious, but the Top 3 is and really has been perfectly clear: Crystal Bowersox, Michael Lynche and Lee Dewyze. With frontrunner Crystal having two so-so weeks and Big Mike and Lee having a great week, things could get interesting. This competition’s always been Crystal’s to lose. Have these two so-so performances (although Crystal’s so-so is still pretty great if you ask me) hurt her chances at winning Season 9?
It shouldn’t, but this is “American Idol” and last season’s surprising finale shows anything’s fair game.
With the help of this week’s mentor Harry Connick Jr. on the piano, here’s how the top 5 fared:
Aaron Kelly
Song choice: “Fly Me to the Moon”
Judges comments: Randy said he did a really nice job. Ellen said she was worried but he really pulled it off. Kara said she thought it was good but not as strong as his performance last week and that he needs to show more charisma. Simon said he agrees with Kara and it lacked conviction but was a little corny. He said Frank Sinatra was a lion, and that Aaron was like a mouse.
Overall impression: It was a decent performance, but it did not have enough wow factor at this stage of the competition. This should be the end of the road for Aaron Kelly.
Grade: B-
Casey James
Song choice: “Blue Skies”
Judges comments: Randy said it was his worst performance yet and was pitchy. Ellen said the performance was stiff and didn’t feel effortless. Kara said it took him a long time to feel relaxed and complimented him for holding notes, but he sounded like a lamb. Simon said the good news is the band was great and the bad news was he was not fantastic and he sensed he was not comfortable.
Overall impression: Casey wasn’t in his element tonight, and it this point in a tight competition, that may be bad news for Casey.
Grade: C
Crystal Bowersox
Song choice: “Summer Wind”
Judges comments: Randy said it was one of her more subdued performances and was OK but a little sleepy. Ellen said she wanted her to loosen up a little more, but this performance really showcased her versatility. Kara said it was out of her element, but her phrasing and rhythm was strong. Simon said he wasn’t sure it was the right song choice and that the first half was too jazzy, but the second was better. He said she’s had two OK weeks and she needs to be in it to win it and needs to nail it week after week.
Overall impression: Nice vocal, decent performance, but yes a bit too subdued. The last two weeks, Crystal has definitely been out of her element, but I think she has made the best of the theme. Not her best, but she’s still the best. Crystal looked lovely tonight, and let’s hope that she can get back to some “A” performances in the weeks to come.
Grade: B+
Michael Lynche
Song choice: “The Way You Look Tonight”
Judges comments: Randy said Mike threw down the gauntlet tonight and that he’s in it to win it. Ellen said Mike has the most comfort on stage and he looked and sounded the part. Kara said he managed to stay true to himself in the song. Simon said this has been a tricky night with Harry on stage and the Sinatras in the audience. He said he put himself back in the game and that the performance and arrangement really clicked.
Overall impression: Great song choice. Great vocal. This performance felt very genuine. Mike was in his element.
Grade: A-
Lee Dewyze
Song choice: “That’s Life”
Judges comments: Randy said another great arrangement and that Lee stayed his rocker self. Ellen said if this was the last night of performances, Lee would have won the whole thing. Kara asked Lee if he thinks he can win and told him to go home and write down that he can win. Simon said Harry helped bring out his personality and confidence and that he gave it 110 percent and the best performance of the night.
Overall impression: Lee came closest to making classic Sinatra a modern-day hit. Lee seemed more comfortable on stage this week and is building confidence more and more each week, which is his biggest obstacle in going to the top.
Grade: A
Who do you predict goes home this week and who’s in it to win it?
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Comments
By RM
May 5, 2010 11:56 AM | Link to this
Lee’s performance was fantastic. I felt he was the best of the night by miles. Big Mike gave a good performance. Crytal was out of her element and poor Casey was lost. Aaron gave a good performance. My fave of the evening by miles was Lee.
By Steve
May 5, 2010 11:00 AM | Link to this
Casey is gone gone gone.
By please leave
May 5, 2010 9:46 AM | Link to this
Crystal needs to go, never liked her and looks like she is changing her looks to keep in the competition! From dreadlocks to formal dresses. Crystal needs to go home soon!
By Squirrellygirl
May 5, 2010 9:27 AM | Link to this
All I have to say is Lee is not star material. He just doesn’t have the “it” factor. I’ve liked Crystal from the beginning, and I KNOW that Casey is better than everyone is saying. Last night was not his best night, but he isn’t going to be performing that type of music anyway. I hope Aaron goes home because Casey did a much better job than Aaron and Aaron makes ME nervous when he performs because he always looks like he is about to have a nervous breakdown. He is way too up tight and it’s not fun to watch, and it’s not just this week, he’s always like that. Casey is usually more relaxed on stage but he was out of his element here. Lee had a good night, but I would never buy his music. I miss David Cook!
By Sing you lungs out
May 5, 2010 9:11 AM | Link to this
I hope it is the teens. Cougars are dangerous animals and should be avoided.
By agent
May 5, 2010 8:02 AM | Link to this
Aaron or Casey will go home-out of the element, yes.But the point of the competition is to show your overall singing talents in many genres. Crystal, Lee & Mike can do it. The other two can’t as well. However, comparing Casey’s vibrato to a “goat” was just out of line at this point in the compeition-agreed?
By MacPaddy
May 5, 2010 7:10 AM | Link to this
I’m looking forward to seeing Crystal sing on the county fair circuit in northwest Ohio. Trailer Parks Forever!
By ben
May 5, 2010 6:44 AM | Link to this
Fong’s been trying to get rid of A.Kelly for weeks…She really hates the little fella… I am not so sure yet. A lot on teeny boppers are voting. It could just as easily be big Mike, he was already voted out once. Or Casey, he’s been in the bottom a bunch. I am hoping it’s big Mike.
By short.cake
May 5, 2010 2:45 AM | Link to this
I just love Casey!! The one thing that I don’t like about AI is when they are required to sing a venue that they have never and will never sing. They all do a better job when they are singing in their own element. Casey will never sing Sinatra or showtunes in the future. Big Mike—he isn’t going to rock out. Lee—not a country singer. I think it is unfair to set them up to fail. And the judges expect them to sing outside of the element and ‘make it their own’. Then they get ripped on for changing the song up. Very frustrating. I don’t have a prob with singing outside of your ‘comfort level’, that’s how you get better. But I don’t feel they should be forced to sing a paticular venue if that is not who they are. Why can’t they pick the song each week and be able to show us the great artists they aspire to be? BTW, I still love Casey…I may have mentioned that already!! LOL
By e
May 5, 2010 1:25 AM | Link to this
I agree with both of you, Casey is much better overall. its so frustrating that i’m not in america to be able to vote for him, otherwise I would be voting for Casey non-stop!!
By Whodey 308
May 4, 2010 11:11 PM | Link to this
I say send Aaron home…Casey is better than him. I’m off the Crystal bandwagon…she’s getting to full of herself. I’m rooting for Lee now!!! I think he keeps improving each week, and has surpassed Crystal.
By me
May 4, 2010 10:28 PM | Link to this
Casey had an off night but he’s still better than Aaron… send the little guy home please! Go Lee!!!!!