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Idols prove tonight that two is better than one
Some excellent duets made up for some really lackluster solo performances tonight on “American Idol.”
Tonight’s episode included individual performances by the Top Four contestants and duets all in keeping with the theme of movie songs.
This week’s mentor Jamie Foxx, actor and R&B performer, challenged the contestants tonight to prove whether they are still contestants or if they are artists.
The results were mixed based only on tonight’s solo performances due to some odd song choices. But the duets were much stronger. The contestants were much more relaxed and in their element.
Taking the entire season into consideration, Casey James should be the one to go home tonight. Casey has had a few bright moments this season and still has some potential for a recording career, but vocally, he doesn’t measure up to his competition. A little experiment for the Casey fans: watch a Casey performance with your eyes closed. There’s a huge difference between Casey and his three competitors vocally. Nothing against Casey. He’s been a great contestant. Now’s the point of the season where someone we really like has to go home.
But … Casey’s good looks and charm certainly may be enough to win get him into the Top 3 over Big Mike, who has been in the bottom three on many occasions and nearly went home had it not been for the judges save. Mike’s R&B style may not attract a mainstream following.
This is “Idol,” so really, anything can happen.
Here’s a look at the solo performances:
Lee Dewyze
Song choice: “Kiss From a Rose” by Seal from the “Batman Forever” soundtrack
Judges comments: Randy said Lee did nothing with that song to prove he’s an artist and that overall it was just an OK performance. Ellen said Lee could have done more with the song, but that Lee is in general so good and sang the song well. Kara said that is one of the most difficult songs to sing and that there were a few out of tune moments but that overall, Lee is still great. Simon agreed with Randy that the performance lacked originality and said there are so many brilliant movie songs he could have chosen to make his own, and that tonight’s performance was verging on karaoke.
Overall impression: This was Lee’s weakest performance of the season. Randy and Simon said the song choice was wrong. Despite a couple off notes early in the song, Lee managed to deliver an overall good vocal. It just didn’t bring anything special.
Contestant or artist? Contestant based on this performance. But from week to week, Lee has managed to make songs his own. This was his first major miss on the Idol stage, but his past performances should carry him through to next week and in all likelihood to the finals with Crystal Bowersox.
Grade: C
Michael Lynche
Song choice: “Will You Be There?” by Michael Jackson from the “Free Willy” soundtrack
Judges comments: Randy Jackson said he didn’t love the gospel vibe with that song and that the performance was just all right. Ellen said you can’t go wrong with the sound of a choir behind you, but that it was a predictable performance. Kara said she wanted goosebumps again and that she didn’t feel that tonight and that he played it too safe. Simon said he did give 100 percent, but questioned the song choice.
Overall impression: It’s hard to take on Michael Jackson. This was another mediocre performance on a night when everyone should have been out to prove they want to take home the title. Strong vocal, but not a lot of star power.
Contestant or artist? Contestant based on that performance. We have seen Mike’s ability as an artist several times this season.
Grade: C
Casey James
Song Choice: “Mrs. Robinson” by Simon and Garfunkel
Judges comments: Randy and Simon couldn’t resist the Kara,“Mrs. Robinson” comparison. Randy said the performance was cool and laid back but not too different from the original. Ellen said she wished Casey would have changed the song more. Kara said Casey showed was fighting to stay in the competition and that it was a good song choice. Simon said he didn’t think the song or performance had the substance required for him to compete tonight and that it was a little bit lazy and that he could have made more of an impact. He also said this was one of many strange song choices tonight.
Overall impression: Casey needed to deliver a Grade A performance to compete. I don’t think he did enough, but he may have a strong enough fan following to carry him through one more week.
Contestant or artist? Contestant based on tonight’s performance and overall.
Grade: C
Crystal Bowersox
Song choice: “I’m Alright” by Kenny Loggins from “Caddyshack”
Judges comments: Randy said it wasn’t his favorite performance of hers, but she showed she is an artist. Ellen said she made the song better than the original. Kara agreed that she took the song and made it better. Simon said after that performance that Crystal is back in the game after two so-so weeks.
Overall impression: Was she ever really out of the game? Two mediocre weeks on a Crystal scale are way better than some strong weeks on others’ scales.
Contestant or artist? Artist.
Grade: B
The duets:
Lee Dewyze and Crystal Bowersox
Song choice: “Falling Slowly” from “Once”
Judges comments: Randy said a great song and that their version could be a hit right now. Ellen said they were the new Capt. And Tenille. Kara said one of her favorite moments of the season and they had chemistry and support on stage and brought out the best in each other. Simon said that was a fantastic song.
Overall impression: Lucky for Lee the duet followed his very mediocre opener; he may have redeemed himself. That was a great vocal pairing and that’s who I’d like to see in the finals.
Grade: A
Casey James and Michael Lynche
Song choice: “Have you ever really loved a woman?n” by Bryan Adams from the “Don Juan DeMarco” soundtrack
Judges comments: Randy said the guitar playing was excellent . Ellen answered “Yes” (ha, ha). Kara said the duets tonight were incredible and better than all of the solo performances. Simon said we should give the artist T-shirts to the duets tonight, which where way better than the solo performances.
Overall impression: Definitely the weaker of the duets tonight, but a decent performance and way better than their individual performances.
Grade: B
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What did you think of tonight’s performances? Who deserves to make the Top 3. Who do you want to see in the finale?
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Comments
By agent
May 12, 2010 7:14 PM | Link to this
Agreed, song choices this season have been sleepy at best-with the exception of some of Crystal’s performances, ie “Bobby McGee”.Casey just isn’t that good and should have never made it this far anyway, the look on his face all last night was “i’m out”. Mike is good, but Lee & Crystal should be the top 2, with Chrystal winning it all.She’s CONSISTENTLY good.
By Squirrellygirl
May 12, 2010 3:45 PM | Link to this
I liked Lee on the duet with Chrystal, but I didn’t care for his solo. I loved Casey’s solo. Sorry, but I believe his solo was 2nd best, w/Chrystal’s in the lead. I thought the duet w/Mike and Casey was fantastic. But I do believe Mike is the weak link and should go home. He’s been in the bottom 3 so many times, and I think it’s time to end it. Lee is off and might go home, but he has a lot of fans that will probably vote to keep him there. Casey should not go home. I believe it should be him and Crystal as the final two. Crystal is great and should win the whole thing, she does have the best voice.
By lams
May 12, 2010 11:46 AM | Link to this
I read the ratings were down for this season. That is probably because all of the songs are slow and boring. They should call this the year of the ballad.
By Mr. Magoo
May 12, 2010 8:22 AM | Link to this
I think Casey was the weak link Tuesday and deserves to go home. My top 3 for the night: 1. Crystal, 2. Big Mike then 3. Lee.