Category: CD Reviews (Page 298 of 399)

Last night’s “American Idol” featured visits home by the three remaining contestants. As each arrived in their hometown for a rally, they also were greeted by their mayor who read a fax from a respective AI judge, giving them a song choice for last night. After that, the show’s producers chose a song for each singer, and then they were allowed to choose their own song to wrap up a trio of performances. Melinda Doolittle continues to prove that she’s got what it takes to win, and I think by now I’m convinced that she is the best singer this competition has ever seen. Will America agree? That remains to be seen. But here is a recap of last night….

Jordin Sparks arrived home in Phoenix and was told by her mayor through Simon Cowell that she would be singing Rose Royce’s “Wishing On A Star.” It was pretty good but not really spectacular. And at this stage, it needs to be spectacular. Randy said it was very good and Beyonce-like, and Simon said Jordin sang it brilliantly but that he didn’t like the arrangement. Jordin’s second song was the producer’s choice of Donna Summer’s “She Works Hard For the Money,” which I thought was kind of uneventful. Randy said it was “hot,” Paula said it was “fantastic,” and Simon again said he didn’t like the arrangement. Finally, Jordin closed out her night with “I Who Have Nothing,” an older song that I thought she knocked out of the park. Randy and Paula both thought it was great, and Simon said he loved Jordin’s voice but that this song was an odd choice and sounded “pageanty.” Simon has said this many times about Jordin throughout the season, and since he said it last night, it may cost Jordin a spot in the finals.

Blake Lewis went home to Washington state and his mayor (who looked like he was 12) read Paula Abdul’s choice of “Roxanne” by The Police for Blake to start with. I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised, though it was about 5 steps lower than Sting’s range. Randy said it was a great performance, Paula said Blake did her proud, and Simon simply said it wasn’t as good as Sting (honestly, no one can sing that song like Sting). Blake’s producer choice was Maroon 5’s “This Love,” accurately (and somewhat frighteningly) predicted by my wife. Well, it was so good that I think Blake may have secured a spot in the finals. Randy said it was a good vibe for Blake, Paula said he was in his element, and Simon said it was better than “Roxanne.” Then Blake closed with his own choice, Robin Thicke’s “When I Get You Alone,” and I thought it was all over the place (more because of the song choice and not Blake’s performance). Randy said he liked the Maroon 5 song better but Simon really dug it.

Melinda Doolittle was home in Nashville and Governor Bredesen read a fax from Randy Jackson, that began with, “Check It Out…” His choice for her was Whitney Houston’s “I Believe In You and Me,” which of course was amazing. Randy said he chose a Whitney Houston song to really challenge Melinda, and that she answered that challenge. He added that Melinda should win this thing. Paula said it was fantastic and one of Melinda’s best so far in the season, and Simon said that Round 1 went to Melinda. Her producer’s choice was Ike & Tina Turner’s “Nutbush City Limits,” and Melinda really tore it up in a good way….even like a young Tina, which is really saying something. Randy said it was “stellar” and Simon said it was “brilliant.” Finally, Melinda closed out the show with her choice, “Woman,” which she performed earlier in the season. Randy said the three performances showed Melinda’s versatility, Paula said she was stepping into the spotlight, and Simon said Melinda consistently delivers.

Okay, so to recap, Melinda is in first place by a mile. Her spot next week is all but guaranteed. But then it gets dicey. I thought for the last month or so that Jordin was going to battle Melinda in the final, but after last night I don’t think that will happen. I think she is going home tonight, because Blake was just that much better on Tuesday. I think that Maroon 5 song pushed him slightly past Jordin. We’ll see what happens, but we could do far worse than a final of Blake and Melinda. It’s two singers with very different styles. But I’m getting ahead of myself because America does love Jordin, too.

Tonight’s very painful hour-long results show looms. How will they fill it up? For starters, I bet Ryan Seacrest is in front of that farmer’s market right now interviewing people to get their take on last night. Ugg.

See you all tomorrow….