It's R&B week for the American Idols and I was really dreading this week. I was sure it was going to be filled with poor song choices. Full of Al Green and Earth, Wind, and Fire re-makes...a whole bunch of karaoke. But it wasn't as bad as I anticipated. Sure, they still need me as their song selection coach, but I wasn't totally disappointed. Usher was the mentor this week and how very appropriate. This seems like a guy who would never be on this show unless he had an album coming out. Wait, he does have an album coming out. Isn't that convenient!? (Just like last week when Miley had a movie and an album coming out.) I never even thought I liked Usher that much, but I have to say... not only did I like him after watching this show, but I now have a crush on him. When I made that announcement during the show ("It's official, I have a crush on him"), my friend told me, "Ya KINDA have a crush on everyone...". Well that's semi-true, but if I am out on someone, you will know. When I'm in... Oh man, am I IN!?! Going on Idol is one of the best PR moves an artist can make these days. It made Usher less of a superstar and more of a true artist, one who is humbled and vulnerable. Of course the sunglasses inside don't help bring him down to normalcy, but then again I'm not going to tell Bono to take his glasses off, right!? Ushe is a bit of a diva and that's fine. So my new crush Usher takes the stage tonight on the results show and here's what I thought of his mentees....
Siohban Magnus (Song Choice: Through the Fire)
I absolutley love this song by Chaka Khan. I don't think I like any of her other songs. I'm not so sure I loved it for Siobhan though. Thought it was more of a Katie Stevens tune really. It was a tall order for her and she was a tad pitchy, but it was the first off-night since she's had on the show. I'd like her to stay away from this high-pitched "Siobhan note" she's trying to hit every performance. It's half-amazing, half-screeching.. I'm half-loving it and half-uncomfortable listening to it. I can't tell if it's good or if I'm scared. But she should be safe. Again, she has such amazing personal style and she's unique. As Usher said, this is the "true start for her to become a great artist".
Casey James (Song Choice: Hold On)
Good choice by Sammy Davis Jr. by Casey James. He sounded good, but I'm not really that interested. But Iwill say this: It beats "The Power of Love" from last week. I have to say though, It's not good when I turn it down... which I had to do. I found something more interesting to do or talk about. He is a very talented guitar player and he sings well. I just don't feel like there's ever going to be "a moment" with him, but give this guy the chance to write some orginal music and have some written for him and he could really do well, and I could see him as a frontman. I agree with the ladies though about him playing it safe. I say word to the "safe zone". And Ryan is starting to make me uncomfortable with his Kara-Casey comments. When he said to "Show it all" to Kara?? What was that about? Give it a rest Ry.
Michael Lynche (Song Choice: Ready for Love)
Love the placement on the stage, the lights, the guitar....and he sounded good. I don't really know the original by India Arie, but I like this song done by a man. Really smart song choice. I think this was far was Michael's moment so far in the competition. The song was a little gloom and doom, but at the same time it was honest and beautiful. I was kind of hanging on every lyric. Still not sure if he's my Idol though. No one that jacked should be an Idol. It's weird. America loves him, he'll stay around.
Didi Benami (Song Choice: What Becomes of the Broken Hearted)
Didi... our little drama queen this year. I liked her, but I wanted more. I just don't really love this song. It was a weird choice for me. It kind of just flat-lined and I wanted the big note to come faster than it did. It was a tad pitchy, and a little too old-fashioned for her. I do still love her voice and I know she will make the kind of music I will buy. The judges thought she lost her way.. .I don't really agree with that, I think she had just one week. Hopefully she's not in trouble. She'll make up for it next week...
Now... Ryan Seacrest... you deserve a slap on the wrist! I've loved him for 9 years and I was seriously mad at him. He asks Didi why she sang that song. She answered that it meant a lot to her. Then he said "but it was for a certain someone. Do you want to tell America show it was?" She answered that it just meant a lot to her. THEN he had to push again. You know those producers in his ear were going "ask her again, ask her again". Stop making her uncomfortable. Come on Ry! Enough!
Tim Urban (Song Choice: Sweet Love)
Ah Tim Urban. From the very start, I could already tell you this song was going to bore me. BUT... I laughed. I laughed through most of it. Not that he was that bad, but with the deer in headlights look and that he is not old enough to even relate to what he was singing about. This was a really really boring song choice. Just because it's R&B week, it doesn't mean everyone has to go back to the 1970's.. I mean, we do have R&B in THIS decade. Michael Jackson, Beyonce, Justin Timberlake, Boys II Men, Alicia Keys... what is wrong with the people? Do not sing Anita Baker or Patti LaBelle songs on this show. I repeat, don't do it.
Tim actually sounded fine, but the problem was I either blogged or talked during his whole performance. Man, this kid can take a punch and still laugh about it. He has the best attitude. And he is super cute. But be cute at home. You're time on Idol is done.
SIdenote: my new crush Usher was pretty darn funny when he asked Tim to picture him as the woman he was singing to. Who knew... Usher is funny
Andrew Garcia (Song Choice: Forever)
Andrew is baaaaack. Back in his element. The cellos, the violins, and the drums. I really liked it and finally someone who is picking a current song!! Now, I have heard a version of this song and it's been done acousticly by Boyce Avenue, but I don't think Andrew knew that and I know he made it original on his own. "Forever" is a great song. I just have a hard time getting past the "double your pleasure, double your fun" line and always think about the Wrigley spearamint gum commerical. I agreed with the judges, Andrew really needs to show his charisma and he needs to kick that into high gear. We know he's cute and funny, but just needs to show it more.
Katie Stevens (Song Choice: Chain of Fools)
Good song for her voice. We FINALLY see the power in her voice. Although, this song has been done on Idol by one Fantasia Barrino (note: I did NOT vote for her) and she was well known for it. I think Kat McPhee did it too. It's an Idol staple. Didn't love the big band thing, but she's back in her comfort zone and she made it look so easy to sing. I still want her to raise the bar though as this song was kind of an obvious choice for her. She needs to stay current and she was right... R&B pop is where it's at for her. Could be in the bottom 3. She does need to work on her personal style... I don't love all the heart necklaces and earrings.. too much. It's a little Forever 21 at the prom for me.
Lee Dewyze (Song Choice: Treat Her Like a Lady)
I didn't know this song before and I loved it. AND you can be damn sure I'm going to trot right on over to iTunes to buy it. Because that is what I do. It made me want to download it and that's when you know you have a good performance on this show. I'd say Lee had his moment. The guy has an incredible voice and just needs to make a record. I'm a HUGE fan. Still wish my friend would stop calling him "sad eyes" though.
Crystal Bowersox (Song Choice: Midnight Train to Georgia)
SO proud of this girl. The heels, the piano, the performance. Perfect song for her. I mean seriously... SIGN HER. I already see her on Divas Live with Kelly Clarkson, Sherly Crow, Etheridge and company. I got a little nervous when she was at the piano though. I just wanted her to get it right, so I held my breath a little. When she got up though is when she really nailed it. And then my friend and I started the group clap. HELLO, we gave her the group clap!! You don't get so involved in a performance that you clap from your couch and cheer it on. Sign her! And she's also getting prettier and prettier. I think she's just a true original beauty. Love the Bowersox.
Aaron Kelly (Song Choice: Ain't No Sunshine When She's Gone)
Not Aaron's best by any means, but I do love the kid. This song was Kris Allen's coming out party last year, so he had some mighty big shoes to fill. And it was a little early to sing this song. If it was a couple seasons ago, maybe. But Kris JUST sang it with the piano too and it was his big moment on the show. Aaron still seemed under the weather. Also, the jacket and the hair were making me laugh. I think they were trying so hard to make him look R&B, and we know that he isn't. It just didn't work for me. Not my favorite performance from Aaron, but America loves him.
In Trouble: Tim Urban, Katie Stevens, Casey James
Could this be Tim's last performance or will the teeny boppes vote and save him!?
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