It's country week on Idol for the Top 6 and more specifically, it's SHANIA week. The contestantst tackle the songbook of the Queen of Country music...the woman who's music crossed over from the country charts to mainstream radio and the pop charts. Shania's provided a lot of great memories over the years. There was always an occasion to listen to her, happy or sad. Back in 1999, there wasn't a girl in sight who wasn't rocking out to "Man, I Feel Like a Woman" on the radio in her car. One night after many hours of drinking, my friend taught us all to line dance to "Amy Man of Mine". I had to force a friend to get out of bed, while she ate ice cream and mourned her break-up all while listening to the Shania tune "When He Leaves You". "Up", "Still the One", "From this Moment", "Who's Bed Have Your Boots Been Under"... the woman has hit after hit. And after going through a very rough couple of years with her husband (Mutt Lange) cheating on her with her best friend, it's time for Shania to make a comeback. Seriously....Who cheats on Shania? And the woman has the best story... she grew up so dirt poor, became a superstar. Have you not seen her VH1 Behind the Music? One of the best. In addition to Idols singing her songs, Shania was the mentor this week. She was fantastic. I mean, could she be any cuter? I want her to be my Aunt Shania. She's so nice, supportive and so huggy. I just want to pop a glass of pinot grigio with her and kick back with my feet on the couch and talk about life. Is that so much to ask??
Here are my thoughts on this week's performances:
Lee DeWyze (Song Choice: Still the One)
This was the perfect song for Lee. He made it cool, he made it current, he made it a guy song...something you might hear on the radio or want to download on iTunes. And my friend who's called him "sad eyes" in the past is becoming a fan... no more sad eyes. He's smiling and enjoying himself and he brings it every week. And even though this song is one that should be played at a 50-year anniversary party, Lee still connected to it. I love Lee. I'm dialing in for Lee right now...
Michael Lynche (Song Choice: I'm Not Gonna Lie.. I have no idea what song he sang)
...which isn't a good start to this blog. If I wasn't paying enough attention or care enough to really investigate what it was... it wasn't good. So I'm thinking Big Mike needs to go home. Now, I know he sounded good and I didn't recognize the song, therefore I didn't know if he changed it up too much or too little. Maybe that's why it was a pretty brilliant choice. Overall though, it was pretty forgettable among the other performances of the night. He is in trouble.
Casey James (Song Choice: Don't)
Well, the jokes on me. I actually really liked this. One of his best so far. I loved his performance of "Jealous Guy" in Elvis week, but this beat that out. A very smart choice by Casey. It's not like he could sing "Any Man of Mine" or "That Don't Impress Me Much". They're all too girly, so it was challenging for the men this week. But a pick a song that is obscure... a ballad the ladies will love, add the blonde flowing locks, a stool, the mic and some lights, quiver your voice.. and you've got yourself a pretty solid performance. Think Casey might stick around one more week. He's stepping up his game 1 more week. Bottom 3 for sure, but safe.
Crystal Bowersox (Song Choice: No One Needs to Know)
The joke is on me again. I did not love this one by Crystal. By far not her best, but I'm not going to spend too much time dwelling on it. She's a star and incredibly talented. She deserved a week to mail in a performance and have a little fun. She just better step up her game next week, you can't get lazy on Idol and this is what that was. I kept getting nervous when she was playing the guitar that she was having issues with it. I really don't like to be nervous when I watch Idol. I like to be relaxed and enjoy myself. So, that was my biggest problem of all. She'll be back next week though - no doubt.
Aaron Kelly (Song Choice: You Got a Way)
This is Aaron's week. Country. Shania. This is his wheelhouse. When he sings in his lower register, he gets pitchy, but man.. when he kicks it into gear, he's unbelievable. Great, great choice for Aaron. I will admit, I didn't really know this Shania ballad, but he definitely made it a man's song. As good as he was in own genre, it's getting down to the wire and I think we have to say bye-bye to little Archuleta Part II.
Siohban Magnus (Song Choice: Any Man of Mine)
I'm actually really surprised how much the judges loved this. I actually did not. But I don't hate anything she does. This was the ballsiest pick of the night and definitley the most commercial. And it was the wrong choice. It was like Anooop Desai singing "Beat It" last year in Michael Jackson week. Kind of a no-no. I wanted her to pick something more obscure like "Dance with the One That Brought Ya" from the album, Shania. Or "Forever, and For Always". The dancing around the stage seemed forced for me. I like her darkness, the sweet, slow melodies. None of this hopping around the stage. I actually think she could be in trouble, but really don't want her to be. I just want her to be better at picking songs.
In Trouble: Casey, Mike, Aaron, Siobhan???
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