It’s a Very Special Television Event as American Idol Gives Back … after taking so very, very, very much. The Top 6 share their “Life Anthems” with us — and from what we’ve heard of their rumored song choices, it’s going to be a loooong night. Join the Idol Chat judges in praying that we will be spared tunes like “The Wind Beneath My Wings” and “We Are The World” or — gasp — a visit from Sally Struthers.
GLORIA CHEEVER: What a beautiful thing American Idol is doing! I usually don’t vote; however, tonight was different. I hope all of you picked up the phone and placed your votes for these disadvantaged children. They are our future, after all.
BRANDON GARCIA: “The calls you make will not only save your favorite contestants, they will also save lives,” Seacrest said. Sounds a little far-fetched to me. I wondered where exactly in Africa he and Simon were — pretty big place, you know. I can say this: The contestants really wrung their greeting-card-level “life anthems” for all they were worth.
“Change The World” (Eric Clapton) *Watch the original
GLORIA CHEEVER: I really liked his rendition of this wonderful Eric Clapton song. The beginning was a little shaky, but he still did a really nice job, especially at the end. I think he has really improved. SCORE: 8
CHRIS BENITEZ: Chris Richardson, I’m just not a fan. In fact I can’t tell you that much about today’s performance because I got bored and I kinda got distracted. His voice is similar but not up to par with guys like Adam Levine from Maroon 5 and Justin Timberlake, so what can he accomplish? He got a pretty good reaction from the judges so I think we will see him another week. SCORE: 6.5
BRANDON GARCIA: This song would have been much better had it not been the theme to Phenomenon starring John Travolta. Chris upped the sweetness level enough to make us forget about his hissy fit last week — but not about the pitch problems, which only got worse. He couldn’t restrain his white-boy dancing urges, and he looked like a bank teller who just got fired. Overall it’s an improvement, but not a big one. SCORE: 5
“There Will Come A Day” (Faith Hill) *Watch the original
GLORIA CHEEVER: This performance moved me to tears. She did an amazing job with making this sound her own. I completely agree with Simon, she made us believe that she recorded that song! She’s in it to win it! SCORE: 10
CHRIS BENITEZ: There is no doubt it was good. I don’t think it was one of my favorite Doolittle performances. She needs to step it up from here on out. I think I’ve discovered one thing that troubles Melinda. She has trouble reaching those high notes, the ones Jordin hits. I don’t think it really matters though since she is very professional and it took like the whole season for me to even notice this. Melinda is very rarely pitchy!!! That is something I think Jordin can work on. Melinda can do a lot in the world of music, live or recorded. SCORE: 8.5
BRANDON GARCIA: I knew we were in for the Gospel Channel treatment sooner or later. Melinda’s story-telling talents were in full effect, even if the story was sort of your run-of-the-mill inspirational torch song. Simon called the performance a vocal master class, but except for a subdued beginning and end, I thought it was a pretty pedestrian effort from Melinda — meaning still pretty decent. Her stylist deserves a huge bonus come payday. I want more Gritty Melinda next week though. SCORE: 6.5
“Imagine” (John Lennon) *Watch the original
GLORIA CHEEVER: I really liked this! I love this song, first of all, and I think he did it justice. It was a subtle performance. I don’t think he needed to do anymore than what he did with it. SCORE: 7
CHRIS BENITEZ: This is one of those songs that doesn’t need any type of fancy vocal work; in fact people probably get annoyed of that. So with that said I think Blake did a good job. A little sad with his vocal tone and facial movements, but I enjoyed it more than I enjoyed Chris’s performance. SCORE: 7
BRANDON GARCIA: This song makes me think of what an Oxycontin overdose would be like. Blake thinks it’s about “coming together as one in an ideal world.” … That’s deep stuff, Blake. His idea of sincerity is keeping a somber face and wearing a jacket made from a burlap bag. The performance was passable, but like the judges said, it really didn’t go anywhere. Anyone else sick of the close-ups? Blake needs about 3 lbs. of collagen in his lips and a new hair color, maybe black like his longlost twin sister Ashlee Simpson. SCORE: 5
“I Believe” (Fantasia) *Watch the original
GLORIA CHEEVER: I still think that the Jennifer Hudson rendition she did at the beginning was better. I thought she did a beautiful job with this, but I have never heard this song before. I’m not sure what the judges are referring to, but I can say she has had a long strain of bad comments and weak performances. I think she’s headed home. SCORE: 6
CHRIS BENITEZ: Lakisha was very pitchy, again. Can she go home tomorrow?? It’s very possible. The power she has vocally is just one thing you need to be a great performer/singer. She needs more than that and she has not lived up to it. Hey it’s been a good ride for her anyways, maybe she will get a record deal regardless. To be honest today’s performance really wasn’t that bad, she just needs that right song and that right showing. Maybe it will happen. SCORE: 7.5
BRANDON GARCIA: LaKisha made a huge mistake by choosing this song. Even though it’s one of the more listenable Idol winner tunes, it is, as Paula said, a monster of a song. Like the judges said, LaKisha allowed for a direct comparison with Fantasia’s version — and anyone that remembers it knows how much better Fantasia’s was. To her credit, LaKisha performed with grace and emotion, and I was convinced she “believed” in … well, whatever she believed in. But Fantasia had a full gospel choir complete with baptismal robes when she sang it in the Season 3 finale. LaKisha’s version was underwhelming, not to mention there were some real howler notes. On the plus side, she’s never looked thinner or more ravishing — nice way to go, don’t you think? SCORE: 5
“The Change” (Garth Brooks)
GLORIA CHEEVER: This is another performance that moved me to tears! I think he did a beautiful job with this. I agree that he should move into a more country genre; it suits him. I really like him, and I think he has an amazing voice (especially when he keeps his tongue forward, which he didn’t do tonight). SCORE: 9
CHRIS BENITEZ: He sounded pretty good after the first few lines. I don’t know if it’s enough though. I think it could be Phil’s week to head home. He has a strong chest voice but once again, what can he do that Clay Aiken can’t do better? I like his style and attitude, he seems like a nice guy. We will see. SCORE: 7.5
BRANDON GARCIA: Phil’s earnest, good-hearted personality is finally translating into earnest, good-hearted performances. Vocally, he still has trouble finding his footing with the notes — I had to literally put my ear to the TV to even hear the beginning. On stage, he’s becoming more commanding, and he’s wisely using his large, expressive eyes as a performance tool. Phil has a lot going for him at the moment; too bad he picked this song, a stepping stone in Garth Brooks’ fall from grace. Maybe in Phil’s, too. SCORE: 6.5
“You’ll Never Walk Alone” (from the musical Carousel) *Watch this dude’s version
GLORIA CHEEVER: This song is so beautiful! It’s from Carousel, and I absolutely love it! And yes, another song that moved me to tears! This was an amazing performance! Ironically, earlier in the week, I convinced a student to sing this on our next recital. A beautiful choice for her, and a fantastic choice for Miss Jordin! SCORE: 10
CHRIS BENITEZ: If she didn’t have the pitch problems then I think it could have been one of the best vocal performances on American Idol. But I think on the playback Simon and Randy might hear those pitchy notes and take those comments back, at least Randy. It was still pretty great. I’m gonna give Sparx the best of the night award. Doolittle needs to bring it next week; from here on out it’s between Jordin and Melinda. SCORE: 9
BRANDON GARCIA: Jordin consistently gets off the hook when she screws up royally. The judges called this performance “fantastic,” “one of the best vocals in Idol history.” Wah?! Sure, it was sorta heart-warming to see Jordin bring herself to tears. But what about the singing? What about those notes that sounded like a 50-car pileup on Expressway 83? This was easily the worst of the night, even counting Blake. SCORE: 4
CHRIS BENITEZ: Jordin and Melinda
GLORIA CHEEVER: Jordin
BRANDON GARCIA: Melinda. Phil and Chris tie for second.
CHRIS BENITEZ: Chris and Blake
GLORIA CHEEVER: LaKisha (and it wasn’t really that bad)
BRANDON GARCIA: Jordin, based on singing. Blake, based on outfit, performance and face.
CHRIS BENITEZ: Phil
GLORIA CHEEVER: LaKisha
BRANDON GARCIA: Blake. Tough week to call since everyone was pretty much at the same mediocre level. The grim reaper has been dying to make LaKisha the Shocking Elimination of the Season, but I have a hunch it’ll be Blake tomorrow. It could just as easily be Phil.
I personally can’t believe they got the permission for Blake to sing Imagine. Perhaps all that money they’re raising for Africa is actually going to go to John Lennon’s estate, or whoever owns the rights to that song now…
OK, I want to know who is advising LaKisha. Can it be she truly is incapable of picking the right song for herself? She should be asking our very own Brandon G for advice. He’s been hitting it dead on for her with his picks. I’m at the “I’m gonna shake you, girl” stage with her. Unless she pulls some seriously good vocal insanity out of her hat, I think she’s gone next week. Sad, because her instrument is so much better than Blake or Phil or Chris or, yes, Jordin.
Speaking of, Jordin still needs breathing lessons. Beautiful range, tone, passion, the works. But her breathing stinks. She should listen to Sinatra — never heard that man suck in air. Let it be a lesson for her. Could be an affectation, too. Dramatic emphasis. Whatever it is … STOP, for the love of music, STOP!
Is it possible that Phil could get into the final three by hitting a few big notes at the end of each song, while the beginnings are miserablly boring and the middles only marginally better? Puh-LEEZE. If I wanted to listen to that all the time, I’d buy a Celine Dion CD.
Blake’s “Imagine” wasn’t bad, vocally. At least, what I heard of it. When I woke up, he was done already.
As for Chris … still cute as a button. Still marginally talented. Still could have a career because the teeny boppers will “heart” him.
Melinda … good, as always. Tired of saying that. Sort of wish she’d cough up an oyster or something to give us something different to say about her.
By the way, I like Sensitive Simon. Definitely hot. (No snickering, Brandon G!)