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Taking a side trip to the lounge, the cabaret and the pageant...
Last night on American idol Tony bennett was the contstants' "mentor." Tony Bennett is the man, and I'll tell you why. Because he sings with heart and always focuses on respect for the song and specific interpretation of the lyrics. Watch him sing "Fly Me to the Moon" and you'll be asking yourself why you ever thought that was a cheesy lounge song instead of the most touching love song ever written.
Some of these contestants could take a lesson from him. Well, in fact they DID take a lesson from him, but it didn't help them all.
First I must digress and comment on three completely superficial things:
1. Was Ryan dressing like Regis Philbin on purpose? is he hoping for yet another gig, co-hosting with Kelly Ripa?
2. Randy was a bit blinged out with that shirt, and it was distracting me. My eyes, my EYES!!!
3. Simon wasn't wearing black or grey, but rather a light colored shirt with a plunging neckline. I guess he was feeling fresh and springy.
On to the singing...
1. Blake sang "Mack the Knife" (from the musical Threepenny Opera, by Kurt Weill, and popularized by Bobby Darin)
Tony advised Blake to slow down the tempo and that mack the Knife was sort of the gansta of his era, pre-rap. Blake took Tony's advice, but could have taken it further. Now, the one thing he did do with this performance is how that he can actually sing. Sustained notes. Long phrases. Good stuff. He may not be a power belter, but he has a nice voice. He skirted the edge of the lounge, but avoided stepping right in and grabbing a cocktail. And he certainly always gives things a modern, edgy feel. I agree with randy that Blake is one of the few contestants where I look forward to seeing what he chooses and how he does it because i expect the unexpected. So, what did it lack: he could have gone darker; he could have used his capacity for intensity and made it a slightly more sinister intensity. That would have given the performance more depth and more impact.
The verdict: Still safe, still the front-running guy
2. Phil sang "Night and Day" by Cole Porter
Poor creepy Phil. Usually it's his vocals that really keep him safe, but last night his vocals were not spot-on. He indulged in his occasional tendency to sound like Kermit-the-Frog, and he was even slightly off-key at various points throughout the song. Mostly, the song seemed really short, and like it didn't go anywhere. There were no levels, no moments of surprise and delight. And he really really needs to wear a hat.
The verdict: so very at risk...and probably out the door
3. Melinda Doolittle sang "I Got Rhythm" by the Gershwins
Melinda took her little 2 minute performance and made it a study in performing and making a song one's own. From the bluesy beginning, to the uptempo middle, to the slightly raunchy ending...I loved all three parts of her performance. As Simon said: what can you say? I guess I could say i didn't like the hair because it hid her already-short neck, and I think she needs to wear her hair away from her face and neck. That's it. That's my critique.
The verdict: Who can beat her? I don't know.
4. Chris sang "Don't Come Around Much Anymore"
At the end of this song Chris stepped up his vocals and his energy to really lay it out there for us. He should have given it that much 'zazz all the way through. Chris has, whatever else he may lack, an easy likable quality. This didn't wow me, but i still just liked watching him.
The verdict: other did poorly enough that Chris should be safe. but his likability factor will only carry him so far, and he need to take how he ended the song and sing that way on every single note to stay in the competition.
5. Jordin sang "On a Clear Day"
I have to say that I want more from Jordin. I am not satisfied to see her sing well, but with so much superficiality. It's not enough for me that she's young and cute and talented. I want her to step up. Fantasia was a teenager too, but she sang with the soul, the joy, the range of emotions of someone who had lived life. Jordin has tremendous potential, but she needs to do more than attack a song like "Clear Day" as
