‘American Idol’ top 9 performance recap: five standing o’s
Phillip Phillips opted for his idol Jonny Lang. CREDIT: Michael Becker/FOX
Loading ...The “American Idol” judges fell over themselves tonight. Five of the singers received standing ovations.
With the theme of picking your idols, everyone was able to pick songs they knew really well. So everybody had a chance to shine.
Unfortunately, I just wasn’t as excited as the judges. There weren’t any disastrous performances tonight but not really anything that would have lifted me to my feet – or at least off my couch.
And a show that now should be 90 minutes with nine singers has been stretched to two hours by Fox edict. So there was a pointless “fashion” bit with Tommy Hilfiger and three medleys that showcased Heejun Han’s inability to follow basic choreography and questionable fashion choice by Skylar Laine. (I did like Hollie singing Madonna. It worked. Skylar’s southern twang was a little jarring but interesting.)
I did like seeing the comfort of two old friends, Jimmy Iovine and guest mentor Stevie Nicks, who have worked together going back to the early 1970s.
I think Heejun is going home. He did a passable job on Donny Hathaway’s “A Song For You” but I suspect the residual bittersweet taste of Billy Joel week lingers and he’s due. The bottom three? I bet it’s Joshua, Skylar and Heejun. I know folks here want DeAndre to go home but I don’t think so. Not yet. His fans will vote for him and that divisive falsetto of his.
My rankings: 1- Phillip 2- Hollie 3 – Elise 4- DeAndre 5- Jessica 6- Heejun 7- Skylar 8- Joshua 9 – Colton
Colton Dixon (Lifehouse’s “Everything”) – A snoozer of a song to me but fits Colton’s earnest approach. Vocally, I find his lower register boring and unimpressive. And even his full voice is very generic to me. Grade: B-minus
Skylar Laine (Miranda Lambert’s “Gunpowder and Lead”) – Sklyar opted for her strength: a honky-tonk rabble rouser. That’s what she excels at and she did what is a virtually note-by-note faithful rendition of this early Miranda hit. It was almost too faithful. She added nothing to the equation. Grade: B
Loading ...Heejun Han (Donny Hathaway’s “A Song For You”) – We’re back to serious Heejun after last week’s Vote for the Worst-level “My Life.” He lacks stage presence. I feel he’s too internalized when he sings something like this. It fits his voice well but I’m not sure this will inspire votes. His enunciation is distracting, too. Plus, I can’t help but think of Elliot Yamin’s version in 2006 that is hard to beat. Grade: B (standing ovation, by the way)
Hollie Cavanagh (Carrie Underwood’s “Jesus, Take the Wheel”) – She does an extremely faithful version of Carrie’s first hit. It’s sweet. Pretty dress this week, too. Couldn’t tell what shoes she was wearing. Lots of fog. Grade: B-plus/A-minus. (no standing o)
DeAndre Brackensick (Eric Benet’s “Sometimes I Cry”) -I am not familiar with this song. Falsetto tends to bore me. He does it well but it isn’t my gig. Still, this was his best live performance to date. He showed confidence and some inkling of charisma. Grade: B-plus (standing o)
Jessica Sanchez (Beyonce’s ‘Sweet Dreams”) – Beyonce has done a very slow ballad version of this mid-tempo hit live in concert. Jessica opted, of course, for that version. As usual, technically, she’s solid. Jessica is good at play acting but not good enough for me: I don’t really believe her. She is too young to truly express the pain in this song. “Tattoo your name across my heart,” she sings. Really? Grade: B-plus (no standing o)
Phillip Phillips (Jonny Lang’s “Still Rainin’ “) – Obviously, he has sung this a thousand times. But his assuredness and natural charm carries him through a bluesy rock tune hardly anybody knows. I just like watching him as well as listening to him. Grade: A (standing o)
Joshua Ledet (Mariah Carey’s version of ‘Without You,” though Harry Nilsson really owned this) – I usually enjoy watching Joshua but this was soporific. His histrionics in this case only felt histrionic. But I do appreciate that he was so into the song that he cried at the end. Grade: B-minus (standing o)
Elise Testone (Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love”) – Clearly, she is comfortable with this song and does a decent job. It’s hard to beat the energy and intensity of Robert Plant. She just isn’t that intense. It’s such a great song that this fact alone elevates Elise. And it’s clear why Nigel & Co. gave her the pimp spot. It was good but I simply don’t like her enough to care that much. Grade: B-plus (delayed standing o)
Cover it live polls
Six of the nine singers tonight had high negatives of 33% or more, with DeAndre running away with it at 66%. A lot of split decisions, especially Hollie, Colton and Joshua.
% who liked it enough to vote, % who liked it but not to vote % not voting
Elise 80% 17% 3%
Phil 72% 19% 8%
Jessica’s 58% 29% 13%
Joshua 39%, 23%, 39%
Colton 30%, 27%, 42%
Hollie’s 25% , 42% 33%
Heejun 18% 48%, 33%
DeAndre 15% 20% 66%
Skylar 12% 56% 32%
Fleetwood Mac medley A-25% B-50% C-19% F-6%
Madonna medley A-10% B-48% C-32% F-10%
Michael Jackson medley A-3% B-24% C-45% F-27%
Favorite medley: Fleetwood Mac 42%, MJ 25%, Madonna 33%
Grade night as a whole: A-31% B-36% C- 25% F-8%
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By Rodney Ho, Radio & TV Talk
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242 comments Add your comment
Deirdre
March 29th, 2012
4:14 pm
First, I’m not so sure about the different winners. Yes, it’s possible that madly text-voting teens are monopolizing the voting but, to assume they don’t have taste in music is just not right…plus, these are the kids who are buying the music.
There was a huge difference between who the adults preferred, let’s say, in the Kris/Adam debate. Many people on this blog MUCH preferred Kris. Why? Well, let’s give Kris his due. The kid started as a total underdog and worked his way to the finals with solid and excellent performances. I still think his interpretation of Ain’t No Sunshine is one of the best I’ve ever heard.
In the meantime, Adam(who I loved and voted for) got ALL the media attention. He was EVERYWHERE and all the other Idols that year could only stand smiling in the background. Am I hinting at a backlash…well, sure, that’s possible. But, just as not everyone loved Queen’s over-the-top performances, not everyone appreciated Adam’s theatrical style. I am not saying homophobia here, I’m saying that Adam’s style is not for everyone.
So did Kris win that year because of madly texting tweens or did he win because he was less “out there”, more comfortable, less Kiss and more John Mayer?
Maybe I like to give people more credit than they deserve but I’m not sure any of the outcomes would have been different if texting was eliminated as a means of voting….some maybe, but not all.
Mercedes S.
March 29th, 2012
4:22 pm
Jenny, speaking of denseness…in the American people’s defense, look at what it’s being fed, news-wize. I remember when the morning shows on NBC and ABC were brimming with interesting news and only the occasional puff piece (for beginning anchor women). This morninng I watched ABC and except for a short interview with Julia Roberts about her Snow White novie, most of the time what was presented was of such little interest I kept the program on mute. Hysterically laughing anchor people, gossip, more gossip, and then they had somebody with objectionable hair from “Jersey Shore” spinning records and talking about himself for a good 15 minutes.
G
March 29th, 2012
4:24 pm
Jenny @3:58/D @3:52… yep! and therein lies the issue. I can’t understand why someone could possibly think Phil is a better singer than Jessica… while others can’t understand why I think Hollie is a better singer than Colton.
The biggest issue IMO is Idol isn’t just based on talent. People vote on the genre/style they feel more comfortable with, who they are attracted to, the back stories they feel compelled by, who entertains them the most, and a limited belief of what they feel is true talent. If you made a pie chart of the aforementioned, vocal talent would probably be the smallest slice.
Mercedes S.
March 29th, 2012
4:26 pm
Wasn’t it established that Kris “won” because AT&T cheated by lending multi-voting phones to people attending Kris parties in his home state?
Vast Wastrel
March 29th, 2012
4:30 pm
@Bill G. – Yes Badfinger wrote and did the original Without You but I think we could agree that Nilsson did the definitive version. Badfinger didn’t even release it as a single. Before he burned out his voice with cigs and booze he had one helluva voice. Nilsson did exactly what the judges on AI have asked countless times. He made the song his own. The writer’s version or even the original release by a non-writer is often superseded. Leon Russell wrote Superstar but I only remember Karen Carpenter singing it, which leads to…
@highlander – Agree fully that in this case that Leon Russell as the writer did the definitive version and I never even mentioned it BTW. I think in part his original is the definitive version is because it was so personal as a love song to Mary. Just as no one can cover Clapton’s Tears in Heaven with the same emotion even though he isn’t the greatest vocalist out there. Which leads to…
@Deirdre – I fully agree with what you were saying about the different types that gain notoriety. To me there are vocalists whose voice is a beautiful instrument, stylists who can envelope you into a song without the greatest voice and pop idols. Rarely do the 3 converge.
Deirdre
March 29th, 2012
4:31 pm
Mercedes, that was “established” only in the minds of the Adam fans. AT&T had been holding voting parties for BOTH Kris and Adam…..as they had for Clay and Ruben, Carrie and Bo, Archie and Cookie, and so on. There was nothing new about what happened there. Adam fans, just like Clay fans cannot accept that Adam could have lost fair and square.
Sam-A
March 29th, 2012
4:31 pm
Mercedes: What was the “menu” on your double-header movie fest yesterday? And were they good?
Rodney Ho
March 29th, 2012
4:32 pm
I don’t judge “Idol” by whether someone is a better singer than the other. I base it on who is entertaining me more. There are a lot of great singers but boring performers. Being a technically good singer doesn’t equate to star quality. That’s why there are so many stars who aren’t great singers per se but are great entertainers. If someone happens to be a great singer and entertainer, that’s a bonus but hardly the only qualifying aspect in the grand scheme of things.
Jenny
March 29th, 2012
4:33 pm
True D, you do have points there. Kris *was* good. He clawed his way up, and I fully give him his due. I bought “Ain’t No Sunshine” and probably another one or two of his from iTunes.
My husband (who wanted Danny Gokey to win, and also liked Kris) couldn’t stand Adam most weeks. To him, Adam screamed. But though he didn’t like him, he did admit that Adam was very talented and should’ve won. And literally every other adult I know who watches the show thought Adam was robbed.
His style was not for everyone… but my point is, whether you liked him or hated him, Idol hasn’t seen someone with that level of talent since probably Carrie. His talent was obvious even to those who didn’t like his style.
And though Kris was good too, it really was a clear injustice. I mean, Simon couldn’t even bring himself to applaud for Kris.
I don’t know. To each his own, everyone’s taste differs… but Kris’ win was a clear W-T-F moment. Even Kris responded to his win with “It should have been Adam.”
And that’s the issue. I truly believe that if Carrie or Kelly were on the show today, they couldn’t win. Even their incredible talent would lose out to a boy.
And the tweens may be buying (some of) the records, but they also think people like Jessica Simpson are talented…. given that, what are we supposed to assume about their taste?
Deirdre
March 29th, 2012
4:34 pm
Let’s get Leon Russell’s version on here…another perfect example of a guy whose voice isn’t great but his singing is:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvazuyF6eXw
Deirdre
March 29th, 2012
4:36 pm
Jenny, if you take a poll here, you’ll find a number adults who didn’t like Adam and didn’t think he should win.
Jenny
March 29th, 2012
4:37 pm
G — quote: vocal talent would probably be the smallest slice — so sad, but so true.
Mercedes @4:22, I know! Couldn’t agree more. And @4:26, yep, that’s what I heard too…
(KIDDING, D! 
)
Jenny
March 29th, 2012
4:38 pm
D, really about the poll and Adam? That surprises me.
Deirdre
March 29th, 2012
4:38 pm
Just saying, there’s a large number of people who would have thought Adam’s win was a “clear injustice” to Kris. Different strokes for different folks.
Deirdre
March 29th, 2012
4:42 pm
Jenny, people who liked Jessica Simpson are pretty much grown up now.
And yes, there were people on here who believed that Adam didn’t sing as much as he screeched, they just didn’t like him. And they didn’t vote for him. And they are all adults!
Deirdre
March 29th, 2012
4:44 pm
Singing talent is in the ear of the listener. Deandre’s fans were pretty pizzed off at me this morning. Because they thought he was GREAT. And they aren’t all little girls with crushes…actually none of them were.
Jenny
March 29th, 2012
4:44 pm
I know, D. Jessica Simpson was just an example. I guess a more current example would be that terrible Ke$$ha… it sounds like a cat screeching!! My point being, some of the things that kids today think are good music, are just sad. (And yes, I know that makes me sound ancient. But it’s TRUE!)
Jenny
March 29th, 2012
4:49 pm
and D @4:38 — I simply cannot imagine anyone thinking an Adam win would’ve been unjust to Kris, so we’ll agree to disagree there. We’re good at that.
Deirdre
March 29th, 2012
4:49 pm
I think the 2 best singers should be obvious to everybody. But that’s just who I like. You like 2 different people. G likes 2 different people. Sam and Harriett and Rodney and everyone else here has different opinions on who the best, most talented singers are.
That’s how it is in the rest of the country, too. G says Phil isn’t talented. I say he is. Neither one of us is wrong because talent is subjective. I think Elise is a way better singer than Hollie. Some people would think I’m nuts. Others would agree.
Talent is in the ear of the listener.
Deirdre
March 29th, 2012
4:50 pm
Tomorrow, Jenny, I’ll introduce you to people wh though Adam should have been eliminated long before the finals.
Sam-A
March 29th, 2012
4:52 pm
T’is true Jenny. But thankfully, actual “music” seems to be making a return, thanks to some of the good groups, our Kelly, Adele, even Gaga to a certain degree. And the (not really) country stuff like Lady Antebellum helps too. I can actually flip from my oldies stations to Star 94 and B 98 and hear some pretty good songs (along with some dreck of course).
MyPatootie
March 29th, 2012
4:55 pm
As for “G’s” comment earlier pitting The Voice VS American Idol, I have watched “Voice” for the first time this year from the get-go and enjoy it more than I thought I would. The biggest problem with TV is that the judges have too much control over who advances. A great example of that was the other night when the young country boy(17 or 18) from GA was up against the Spanish(?) female street singer. I have no idea why Blake Shelton paired those two, and even worse why he would give them a reggae song to sing in their duet. BS(yeh, I know, perfect fit) basically sealed the young guy’s fate right there. The song was perfectly suited for her but completely foreign to him. That’s not the only time something like that has happened, but was the best example so far. Even though the ratings have fallen off, I still think AI is an all-around better show than all the others. I personally think the show would get a bump up in the ratings if they would get rid of these 3 current judges. They are mostly “clones” of each other, and ST seems to be off in space sometimes. Probably a reason for that!
G
March 29th, 2012
4:57 pm
I understand what some of you are saying in terms of a great voice vs entertainment value. I think James Brown is one of the greatest soul entertainers and innovators ever. His music transended generations, even into hip hop. However, I think that David Ruffin is a better soul singer than James Brown. Bobby Brown was probably the last great r&b entertainers (no singer) that was around.
I happen to think that Michael Jackson was good at everything. But Whitney Houston was a powerhouse vocalist much like Celine, and all you have to be entertained by is……their voice. Mariah……her voice.
When you guys get a whif of Nicki Minajs’ performance tonight………….I feel a few Fantasia references will follow.
pam
March 29th, 2012
4:58 pm
the show was awesome…….i would like to hear phillip sing “where did you sleep last night” the unplugged nirvana one even though the the original lead belly one is wonderful as well
Rickster
March 29th, 2012
5:00 pm
Oooh! ME!! ME!!
Jenny
March 29th, 2012
5:01 pm
I know, G’s comments earlier made me think I need to be watching the Voice!
Gotta run… but it’s been fun debating this afternoon!
I’m hoping to be home to chat during the show tonight too!
Rickster
March 29th, 2012
5:01 pm
Pick me, your queeness!!
I never would have put “the guy who came in second to Kris Allen (you know, Kris, the guy who actually won?”) through to Hollywood in the first place!!
Deirdre
March 29th, 2012
5:07 pm
Jenny, meet Rickster. He wouldn’t have voted for Adam if I’d paid him. And he’s an adult…most of the time.
Deirdre
March 29th, 2012
5:10 pm
Just a reminder. I will not be live OR slow blogging tonight but will appear later in a brand new segment called Deirdre’s Words of Wisdom!
Deirdre
March 29th, 2012
5:11 pm
Or, as my husband puts it….she’d argue with a french fry!
G
March 29th, 2012
5:21 pm
@D. I think that Phil is a fairly talented musican…….not vocalist. The guy doesn’t “entertain” me at all. Nigel couldn’t pay me to vote for Phil. LOL!!!
Jenny
March 29th, 2012
5:25 pm
Hi Rickster! I’m Jenny and I’m an Adam addict. And to think, I usually love your comments…
(just kidding… still do.)
D, I know, I would debate a french fry too. And I’m stubborn as they come, just ask my family. You can always just tell me to shut up. I won’t take offense.
Vast Wastrel
March 29th, 2012
5:32 pm
@G – And I’m not opposed to falsetto but there is a fine line between good and evil. Good and it has a timbre that sounds effortless. Bad and it sounds breathy like an amateur flute player and it easily misses the pitch. Great falsetto singers to me include Smokey Robinson, Eddie Kendricks, Curtis Mayfield, Freddy Mercury, Prince… There are many but not all appeal to me. I was never a big fan of the Bee Gees for example. To me Deandre has no appeal as a singer and I couldn’t care less about his hair, well if he wasn’t bouncing and flipping it all the time as his hook it wouldn’t anyway. To each their own and he is simply not my cup of tea. Do I think he will be eliminated anytime soon? No. I was a teenage DJ in an era with hits from Sean Cassidy, Bobby Goldsboro, Tony Orlando… I nearly gagged with every spin but vive la différence!
Highlander
March 29th, 2012
5:42 pm
“The only one of this group who definitely should not have won is off-key Lee….and that’s just an opinion, too. There are lots of people who would argue in his favor.” – D, 3:41pm
Evidently, none of those people bought his CD!
And thanks, D., for the Leon link. He’s been a favorite artist of mine since an Army buddy of mine introduced me to his music years (and years and years) ago.
robert
March 29th, 2012
5:54 pm
Love and agree with Jenny’s comments; She can take JLo place, and actually be a judge.
Silly Me
March 29th, 2012
7:00 pm
Phil Phillips is definitely trying to be like Dave Matthews…..fail. Casey Abrams last year tried to do that growling and you see where it got him. If Phil wants to win, he has to sing and stop growling. Also…his moves aren’t as cool as Dave Matthews…i.e..stop jacking up that one shoulder in a constipated shrug and just relax. Stop twisting your face as you growl a note you cannot possibly reach.
Mercedes S.
March 29th, 2012
7:42 pm
Vast, thank you for NOT putting Deandree and the BeeGees in the same sentence…
Jenny
March 29th, 2012
10:17 pm
Awww! Thank you, Robert!
L J
March 30th, 2012
3:00 am
Joshua has so much soul…I totally got the “goosies” too. Saved the performance on the DVR So beautifully black, and soul and gospel and ENERTAINER OMG I believed that song and that man..he has the style to go all the way no matter what happens on American Idol…
Paul J
March 30th, 2012
4:54 pm
Well, my vote is for Jessica! For me she’s a pop belter! when you listen to her singing without watching the video, you would really think that it’s Jennifer Hudson who’s singing. Her voice is like Jennifer’s, the tone and the wave!
http://www.advancedpressureandgutter.com
Sharon Christian
March 31st, 2012
3:02 pm
Deondre already sounds like a R&B star. Just set back and wait for your contract to come looking forward to buying your music. Don’t change your voice to be an idol. Be true to yourself.
Michael
April 2nd, 2012
4:26 am
I think Elise and Jessica will be the final 2. They both have solid performances. Jessica is amazing, Elise is becoming a force. I hope this time around 2 women battle it out at the finals as the current women group are great this season. I am rooting for Jessica Sanchez. She’s just so consistent.