American Idol – Channeling the R&B

So we have Usher mentoring the American Idol contestants on a night of Soul and R&B, do we?  

Granted: Usher isn’t Mylie Cyrus.  But that’s a good thing.  Because, instead, the contestants listened for a change … actually took a little direction.  And for the most part they came out ahead.

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly.  Shall we?  Someone cue the Ennio Morricone theme, if you please.

The Good:

Casey James “Hold On I’m Coming” Sam & Dave:  Well … he was doing fantastical until the backup singers (ooooff) chimed in.  Casey ripped it up and evoked that Sam & Dave vibe. (And the backup singers weren’t the only ones tossing in unwantedness. Ellen did her share, too: “You know you’re safe … but … you can do … and it was generic … but you have to … there needs to be more … still, it was good … but there could be …” Ellen, seriously: Make up your damned mind, already.)

Michael Lynche “Ready For Love” India Arie:  Breathy … but emotive and deep-felt. Big Mike looked and felt tons better than his “When A Man Loves A Woman” of the previous week.

Andrew Garcia “Forever” Chris Brown:  Hot damn. Andrew finally redeemed his ownself. Finally. Finally. The guy stepped it up and figure out he’s still got it. The singing was somewhat raw and rickety, but he was miles above what’s come before. (And yes … I said that to myself minutes prior to Simon mouthing same during his critique.)  Andrew: Finally.

Katie Stevens “Chain Of Fools” Aretha Franklin: Done time and again by an Idol contestant …. but done well here for the most part.  News Flash:  Katie didn’t look lost for a change.

Lee DeWyze “Treat Her Like A Lady” Cornelius Brothers & Sister Rose:  Funk, funk and funk. Performed raspily and with some sandpaper dog lick. That’s just the way Lee should have sung this song. Now … aren’t you glad he delivered it like that? Yes sir, yes sir: He wailed on this one.  And everyone noticed.

Crystal Bowersox “Midnight Train To Georgia” Gladys Knight & The Pips: No guitar, but a halting piano (Look, Ellen!  A real piano!) and stilettos.  And she still sounded fine.

Aaron Kelly “Ain’t No Sunshine” Bill Withers:  A touch uneven, but Aaron pulled it out.  He even listened to mentor Usher, took the advice given and socked it to us — as much as he could.  To his benefit.

The Bad:

Didi Benami “What Becomes Of The Brokenhearted” Jimmy Ruffin:  Here’s the perfect example of a song that is way, way too much for an artist. Not too big for someone, just too much. A song not suited to Didi in the least.  This puts her in the Bottom Three come elimination.

Tim Urban “Sweet Love” Anita Baker:  Why was I laughing uncontrollably while dear Tim was singing to me? Why was he picturing me as the person to whom he was performing? Why did I end up on the floor laughing my ass off, yet unable to take my eyes off my television screen, wondering when Tim was going to pinch that loaf? He was bending over so much during the performance, I thought he was going to have an accident. Good googily moogily, that was horrific.  Bottom Three again, Tim.

The Ugly:

Siobhan Magnus “Through The Fire” Chaka Khan:  The braids. The Bumpett. The nose ring. The tattoo. The designer goalie boots. The bleeding gash of an outfit. And the warbling. Oooooooooh, the warbling. This was just not the night for Siobhan.  This performance dumps her right in the middle of the Bottom Three with her buddies Didi and Tim.

The Bad and The Ugly?  They’ll be sweating it out in the Bottom Three.  And it wouldn’t surprise me if it’s Didi who’s left holding the short end of the stick come elimination.  But Tim, well … Tim’s got the golden ticket back home.  All that slinking around on stage during his performance akin to someone with tail tucked ‘tween legs will be his undoing, me thinks.

Clacked by Michael Noble
on Mar 31, 2010 @ 10:00 EST5EDT