Tonight’s theme is songs from the movies. What’s the greatest soundtrack of all time? Curtis Mayfield’s work on Superfly gets my vote. It’s a masterpiece in how he arranged traditional strings and horns found in John Williams’ scores with a soulful vibe, wah-wah guitar and his sweet angelic voice. “Pusherman,” “Freddie’s Dead” and “Superfly” will not be picked by any of the four finalists. There’s just something so tepid about their choices and performances this season. They dare not touch the hem of Mayfield’s greatness.
Ryan stands by the monitor and reminds us that of the four faces, only one will have their dream realized in a few short weeks. Casey James better just close his eyes and pray for a swift Tudors style elimination. The man has zero business getting this far. The judges look rather sedate at the table. There’s a lifeless lull at the start of the show that could be mistaken for tension. Ryan warns us that tonight will have two duets along with their solo numbers. Why? These kids have their group songs pre-recorded and auto-tuned. Can they do it without faking it?
Jamie Foxx mentors the kids through songs of the music. The man’s singing career is based on a voice processed like electronic Velveeta. How important is music to movies? The truth is music emotional covers up lacking performances by hack thespians. How can a guy who walked in the shoes of Philip Michael Thomas talk about being an artist? Maybe he was good in Ray, but he’s in Valentine’s Day.
Jamie Foxx gets right in Lee DeWyze’s face as he sings the song. He’s doing Seal’s “Kiss From A Rose” from Batman Forever. Lee’s making better eye contact, but his vocal limitations are showing. There’s sandpaper moments when he hits a patch of rough notes. He’s not that spectacular even with a rather weak song. Randy dismisses him as bringing nothing to the song. Ellen wishes there could have been more done to the song, but he was good. Kara thinks he got lost and out of tune, but is still great. Really? Simon goes on about the brilliant songs that could have been chosen. Simon writes it off as karaoke.
Michael Lynche talks about the pressure of wanting to get in the Top 3. The survivors of this week get parades in their hometown. He craves it. Jaime attempts to loosen up Big Mike with a dance. He can’t get the lyrics right at rehearsals. Big Mike has chosen Michael Jackson’s “Will You Be There” from Free Willy. He’s picked a song about a killer whale. He does the semi-falsetto to get Jacko range. The bridge does a drastic jump that sounds like they lost a page of music. He hits a big note, but there’s just something off. It sounds like what he would have done at the rehearsal. Randy didn’t love it since he didn’t choose an R&B song. Ellen loves the classic movie Free Willy. It’s predictable to her. Kara wants goosebumps, but didn’t feel it. Simon has no idea what Free Willy is. Guess he’s used to paying for his Willy. He willingly declares Big Mike gave it 100 percent.
The duet is Lee DeWyze and Crystal Bowersox on “Falling Slowly” from Once. They have them face to face with the microphones nearly touching. This is one of the great musical moments in a film. They sound much better on the chorus when they get loud. The duet’s better than Lee’s solo performance. Randy thinks it could be a hit right now. Ellen calls them the new Captain and Tennille,. Kara’s favorite moment of the season. Simon calls it fantastic. What a rarity. Guess we know who the judges don’t expect to see in the bottom two. Still doesn’t touch the original.
Casey James has chosen Simon and Garfunkel’s “Mrs. Robinson” from The Graduate. He’s playing some sort of mandolin guitar with a warble in his voice. He’s like a sexy Tiny Tim. This is as equally forgettable as last week’s song. He’s extremely lukewarm in his performance. Sounds like Eddie Vedder after drinking a case of cough syrup. Randy wants to know why he picked the song and then gives Kara the business. Ellen liked that he changed it up. Kara gets asked by Simon what The Graduate is about. Guess if the movie wasn’t referenced on The Teletubbies, Simon doesn’t know it. Simon thinks the song didn’t have substance in the performance.
Crystal Bowersox wants to punch up the night with “I’m All Right” by Kenny Loggins from Caddyshack. Jamie gets in her face too. She does it soft at start with the acoustic guitar. The drummer has lots of cowbell on his mini-kit. She gets her usual gospel feel to the pop confection. The back up singers kick in the harmonies except they’re kept off the main stage. The performance needs their energy of movement behind her. Just got show the beat. Best of the night, but still lacking that extra gear. Randy likes it. Ellen thinks she made the song better. Kara agrees and terms her an artist. Simon has no idea about Caddyshack, but thinks she’s back.
Casey and Big Mike return to duet on Bryan Adams’ “Can You Really Love a Woman” from Don Juan DeMarco. They don’t so much duet as get out of the other guy’s way. They wait for the chorus at the end to harmonize. They look like the lost the third Amigo as they each play their acoustic guitars. Not exactly the performance that will make callers forget their earlier efforts. Randy thinks Big Mike saved it with his sexy vocal. Ellen admits she loved a woman. Kara says the duets were better than the solo performance. Simon agrees.
Tonight is another tepid affair with no major surprises. I can’t get too excited over any of the performances. Once more nobody left it all on the stage.
OSCAR
Nobody
GOLDEN GLOBES
Crystal Bowersox
RAZZIES
Michael Lynche, Lee DeWyze and Casey James
Guess who should be going home – Casey James. But since Michael Lynche spoke about how having a parade in his hometown is his goal. America seems to like busting dreams. Michael Lynche will get axed a second time.
