Last week saw the contestants singing Elvis and the surprise ouster of Chris Daughtry from the show. Three remain. One will go home tomorrow. THIS is American Idol.
Opening Credits
(Teri Hatcher can do better than) Ryan Seacrest is here, and he reminds us that you need to vote to avoid your favourites going home. Of course, it wouldn’t be a show without the judges: The King, The Coach and Good Ol’ JR.
We’ve got three contestants left, and they will sing three songs each – one judge’s choice, one choice of their own, and one chosen by Clive Davis, because it’s tradition, and we can hear Clive say nothing of consequence about the contestants. But first, here’s a look at Clive. And here’s Clive in the audience!
Elliott Yamin is singing first, and Clive has chosen Journey’s “Open Arms” for him.
As we saw way back when Elliott sang “Heaven”, rock ballads are not his strong suit. He’s pitchy, off beat during the verse, but pulls out a decent power chorus. Still, poor start to the show.
Hey, there’s Leeza Gibbons.
Randy – Randy makes the obligatory “I wasn in Journey” remark, and says that Elliott worked it out.
Paula – You did a great job.
Simon – It wasn’t a great performance. You were a little stiff. You need to loosen up and start believing that you can make it to the finals.
Rating: 5/10
Kat and Taylor are up after the
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We’re back, and Clive thinks that singing R. Kelly’s “I Believe I Can Fly” Katherine McPhee can find her own sound. We’ll see.
Kat is wearing a nice green dress that flatters very well. As for the song, it’s still too Celine Dion for me – over the top and theatric when you’d think she’d go a bit more subtle on it. And she forgot some words again, to boot.
Randy – To me, it wasn’t quite the right thing for you.
Paula – You look beautiful.
Simon – I think apart for a couple of bum notes at the end, you kind of created a moment for yourself.
Rating: 4/10
For Taylor Hicks, Clive gives him Springsteen, specifically “Dancing In The Dark”. And now I fear he’s gonna get Paula to dance with him on stage.
Well, he sounds kinda like Springsteen, I’ll give him that. BUT, the vocals are really sub-par, and it was an underwhelming performance, EVEN though he got Paula to dance.
Randy – You know how to have a good time. That was hot.
Paula – You’re incredible.
Simon – That was OK, a bit pale by comparison to the original. And Paula, for your age, you look fantastic.
Rating: 5.5/10
Ad Break
We’re back, and it’s time for round two – the Judges Picks.
Elliott Yamin is the unfortunate bugger who had Paula choose his song, and its Bobby Caldwell’s “What You Won’t Do For Love”. She chose the song because he’s a funky white boy with soul.
We get a much more relaxed Elliott. He’s still pitchy though. I like the fact that he’s got more energy though.
Randy – I don’t think it was your best performance.
Paula – You just pierced through the heart.
Simon – I thought that suited you really good.
Rating: 7/10
Simon chose Katherine McPhee‘s “judge’s pick” song, and we’re headed to musical land as she’s singing “Somewhere Over The Rainbow”. He thinks it’s the most perfect song for her.
Kat starts acapella and on the floor. The arrangement forces her to really work at the lyrics and music as opposed to the trilling of the first song. Great stuff here, and it pretty much reinforces one thing in particular – Kat should sing from a sitting/kneeling position more often.
Randy – Finally, this is the best vocal of the season for you. That was brilliant.
Paula – Soak in this moment, because your element and you magic is when you don’t go overboard.
Simon – I’m very happy for you tonight because it shows you don’t have to layer it on.
Rating: 8/10
More Katherine in a little bit, but Taylor’s up after the
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We’re back, and Taylor Hicks gets a pick from Randy, and he’s singing “You Are So Beautiful” by Joe Cocker. Randy thinks it will be perfect for him. He’s probably right.
Taylor puts just the right amount on emotion into the song, but it seems a bit too subdued at the beginning for Taylor. Still, great performance from the grey-haired one.
Randy – You did the song proud.
Paula – That was a beautiful, it was incredible.
Simon – That was so far and away your best performance so far.
Rating: 7.5/10
We get to the contestant picks after the
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We’re back and Elliott Yamin has chosen to sing “I Believe to My Soul” by Ray Charles.
Elliott’s still a little off key, and I’m not feeling the same energy he had with the second song for some reason. I think Elliott’s gonna be going home unless Kat messes up her song.
Randy – I don’t believe that it was the perfect song for you but you did a good job.
Paula – You’re a funky white boy.
Simon – You’re songs are not gonna carry you through to next week, but whatever happens, you will make your mum very proud.
Rating: 6/10
Ad Break
Katherine McPhee is singing Ella Fitzgerald’s “I Ain’t Got Nothing But the Blues”.
The energy that Elliott was missing? Kat must’ve stolen it, and she’s even taken Simon’s words to heart – she’s not layering so much. Great singing, but not as good as “Rainbow”.
Randy – This was ok, I don’t know.
Paula – Your magic was “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”.
Simon – Overall you’ve had a good night tonight. I just wish we could’ve reversed the order for everyone.
Rating: 6/10
Ad Break
We’re back, and Taylor Hicks has chosen to sing Otis Redding’s “Try a Little Tenderness”. Interesting that they’ve all chosen older songs.
I think Taylor’s done well – three songs right in his wheelhouse. He gets to Taylor out on this one, and obviously, he saved the best for last here. Good stuff.
Randy – Your new name from now on is “Have a good time funky” Taylor.
Paula – You did an incredible job.
Simon – Smart choice of song, good performance, hideous ending. I’ll see you next Tuesday.
Rating: 7.5/10
Time to recap the singers, and time to start voting.
