America actually got it right this week on American Idol, by sending Jason Castro home, where, let’s face it, he wanted to be anyway. Somehow, Jason didn’t seem to care anymore either way, with rumors running around that he was weirded out by all the attention/fame he’s been getting lately (150 balloons, random affection from female fans). Jason should have gone weeks ago, but now, the lone girl (Syesha Mercado) and the two Davids are in the final stretch.
It was Rock and Roll Hall of Fame week and there was really nothing too exciting or out of the ordinary other than Jason screwing up the one Bob Dylan song I learned in high school (“Tambourine Man”), and later doing a version of “I Shot the Sheriff”. David Cook did “Hungry Like the Wolf”, by Duran Duran, and all I could think about was Duran Duran doing the song overlaying his version. Later on, he did “Baba O’Riley” by The Who, and that was much better and much more suited for his style. And for the most part, it really seemed like another pretty comfortable week for David.
Earlier in the day, I absolutely knew in my heart that Syesha was going to bust out with some Tina Turner and “Proud Mary”. It wasn’t bad, as it’s really difficult to improve upon previous versions of the track by Tina or Elvis. However, she has been having great weeks in terms of star power, style and finding her element, and that included the proud diva edition of “A Change Is Gonna Come” by Sam Cooke. She really has improved and even though I see her as more of an incredible Broadway superstar instead of a contemporary artist, I’m glad she’s still in this competition to at least prove that Jason was beatable.
David Archuleta did a rather pedestrian version of “Stand By Me”, which is bland as a choice, but then did Elvis Presley’s “Love Me Tender”, which was a very smart choice for him. David is charming, adorable and can’t seem to ever know what to say when put on the spot. To his advantage, however, as I said last week, he never gets called for staying within his comfort zone, unlike the others.
YouTube Video of the Week
The Gossip, live in Liverpool, performing “Standing in the Way of Control”—great energy, and great sound!
Thank you for reading; make your moment your breakthrough.
