Winding Down

Two more nights to go, and I’m having withdrawals already. Tonight, the hopefuls sang three songs each: one song chosen by a judge; one song selected by the contestant and the last song chosen by the producers.

Round One -- Judges Pick

OK, so I missed the first 10 minutes of tonight’s show (long story), so someone will have to fill me in on lil D’s performance.

But I came in just as Syesha sang Randy’s pick for her: Alicia Key’s “If I Can’t Have You”. I thought she did a good job –she sounded youthful and contemporary. It was a song everybody knows. Good pick.
Randy: I thought this was a good pick for you; you did an amazing job. That’s why you’re in the top three.
Paula: blah blah blah
Simon: You sang it very well, but I wish Randy had chosen a song that didn’t force you to sound like the original. But you look amazing. [Translation: we can sell the heck out of your body.]

Simon chose Roberta Flack’s “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” for David Cook, who was obviously shocked when the choice was revealed. To Simon’s credit, it is one of those folksy ballads that can be interpreted a number of ways –which is David’s strength.
Johnny Cash put a twang to it
Leona Lewis put some English soul to it
And true to form, David put the DC spin on it.
Randy: I wish Simon hadn’t picked something so predictable and traditional. I want the rocker. [I don’t think Randy was listening. The edge was definitely there.]
Paula: blah blah blah
Simon: one of your best performances. [I disagree –not the best. Let’s not forget “Hello” from 80s night and “Always Be My Baby” from Mariah Carey night.]

Round Two – Contestant’s Pick

OK, if there was ever any doubt that David Archuleta is NOT ready for prime time, his performance of cutie patootie Chris Brown’s “With You” was proof. He looked uncomfortable. The dancing was pitiful. It just all seemed so contrived and forced -- like Taylor Hicks trying to sing Bobby Brown. For those of you who have not heard of Chris Brown (and I can’t imagine who you are), this is how that song is supposed to sound.
Randy: I applaud the fact you’re trying something young and hip, but it wasn’t believable. [true dat!]
Paula: …
Simon: It was a little like a Chihuahua trying to be a Tiger, It’s not really you. It was a bit awkward – the dancing. [Translation: You’d never make it on MTV.]

Syesha chose “Fever” by Peggy Lee. OK, my issue now with Syesha is that she’s talking too much. She spent three months barely saying a word and now she’s chatty Cathy. “I wanted to use the cherrrrrr,” she purred. She’s too old for the baby talk. And out of all the songs in all the world, she chooses a song originally written in 1937. Now, she’s been singing Whitney and Mariah all competition long, but tonight she goes old school??? I’m reminded of Katharine McPhee’s writhing- on-the-floor performance of “Black Horse and the Cherry Tree.” True –sex sells. But Beyonce’s sexiness sells today, not Eartha Kitt’s.
Randy: interesting choice [translation: what’s with the sexy thang?] but you sang it well
Paula: repeat of Randy, which is basically what she does
Simon: You’ll regret that choice. Instead of showing your contemporary side, you gave a cabaret performance. [too bad]

David chose a song I’d never heard of “Dare You to Move” by a band I’d never heard of, Switchfoot. The only issue I had with this choice is that for the first time, he chose a song that he absolutely did not have to alter to fit his style. This song IS his style.
Randy: wasn’t your best tonight. A little pitchy. [dude!]
Paula: …
Simon: not the best melodic song. All three of you had an OK middle round…

Which brings us to Round Three: producers pick

Lil D was given “Longer” by Dan Folgerberg. This is soooo him, which doesn’t say much. It’s like the Dem primaries – forget the delegate count; who’s the most electable? In this case, who will sell records? Not this guy. Also, was it just me or were the background vocals amazing on this song?? I think the backup singers stole this show.
Randy: you could sing the phone book; another hot one from you
Simon: not going to criticize you; however the song and lyrics were horrible. Something you choose for a 90 year old and you’re 17. [my point exactly …] But you’ve done enough to get into the finals. [unfortunately so]

Syesha sang Gia Farrell’s “Hit Me Up” from the Happy Feet soundtrack. After this breathy performance, I’m not sure Sy Baby is ready for prime time either. If Beyonce can dance full-throttle in heels for three hours while singing live, surely Syesha can sing three songs (not even consecutively) without running out of breath. Come on!
Randy: just OK
Simon: Better than the second song, but [and I’m paraphrasing here] not good enough to make it to the final two.

David Cook sang Aerosmith’s “I Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing” (from the Armageddon soundtrack) Now, I love, love, love Aerosmith so he could have just mouthed the lyrics and I would have been happy. But he did a good job. All the judges were on target here…
Randy: predictable [true]
Paula: testimony to amazing songwriters like Dianne Warren (who was in the audience). We’ll see you in the finals [true]
Simon: David Cook wins tonight [absolutely]

So who wins next week … I don’t know. I really don’t. America will either vote with their hearts (lil D) or heads (DC). The only thing is –for me—David Cook is not really an amateur. He’s already had a professional singing career –first as lead singer of Axium, voted best band in Kansas City in 2004 (lisa, is that a blog post?) and then as a solo artist. It’s like when the Olympic basketball Dream Team beat up on all those poor countries during 1992 games – just didn’t seem like a fair fight.