American Idol-Top Four Perform
Hear that people? Ryan says, “You must vote!” Really, Ryan? Or what? You’ll steal our lunch money and make us cry? It’s performance night, and this week’s theme is rock and roll. Will we get a rock and roll hall of fame or a rock and roll hall of shame? After a brief history of rock and roll-hey, it’s Les Paul-the contestants are ready to rock...or schlock.
David Cook sings Duran Duran’s “Hungry Like the Wolf.” I was a big Duranie back in the day (shut up, don’t judge me. John Taylor was smokin’ hot.), so I’m interested in how David will sing one of the most iconic song of the video era. Well, this is not one of his best performances, but I’m not exactly cringing either. David gives this song a slight heavy metal vibe, which is entertaining, but for the most part he doesn’t stray too far from the original. This is a passable effort, but I’m hoping David’s next performance kicks things up a few notches.
Syesha is really excited about the upcoming tour because she thinks she won’t be judged. Oh, you will be judged, Syesha, oh yes you will. She sings Tina Turner’s “Proud Mary.” Syesha makes this song very Up With People. She just doesn’t bring any grit. She’s not so much Tina Turner as she is Tina Yothers. Still, she seemed to have fun during her performance and her voice was very strong. She’s hardly my favorite, but I know lots of people find her appealing.
Jason sings Bob Marley’s “I Shot the Sheriff.” Of course, he does. I’m not thrilled with Jason’s “frat boy at the coffee shop does reggae” style. His performance did not knock my socks off. There are 500 songs in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and this is Jason’s pick? Not a good pick, Castro. Plus, I didn’t like the arrangement. The horns seemed too intrusive and overwhelmed Jason’s restrained vocals.
The Boy Who Would Be Idol, David A sings Ben E. King’s “Stand By Me.” Ah, yes, another inspirational song from the puppies and rainbows kid. David’s voice does sound lovely, but I can’t get into his High School Musical performance. To me, it’s immediately forgettable. Of course, the judges give David a tongue bath and I’m sure the tweeners can’t wait to text in their votes (and plaster their bedroom walls with posters of David).
Now it’s time for round two....
David C sings the Who’s “Baba O’Riley.” Though the song loses a bit of something being cut down to 1 1/2 minutes, I think David’s second performance far surpassed his first one. He gave the beginning a slightly soul-feel and then he fully rocked it out! And it’s good to see him with his Les Paul. Furthermore, he seemed to get into this song a lot more than his first one. He’ll make it to next week.
Syesha sings Sam Cooke’s “A Change is Gonna Come.” Did she just compare her experience on AI with the Civil Rights movement? Not surprisingly, Syesha gives one of the most potent soul songs a very pageant-like vibe. I just zone out and think of other past Idol contestants who could have sung this song better than Syesha. Fantasia and Melinda Doolittle come to mind. I know they’d connect with the song. But Syesha just looks pretty. And her tears have no effect on me. I guess I have ice water in my veins.
For his second song, Jason sings Bob Dylan’s “Mr. Tambourine Man.” A folk song is a better choice for Jason. Too bad he messed up the lyrics. I think Jason’s at the point where he just doesn’t care and he’s not giving it his all. He’s not truly Idol material; he’s a niche artist. Simon is right. Jason needs to pack up the bongs because he’s not long for this show. He’s on precarious ground.
Not surprisingly, the chosen one gets the pimp spot of the evening. David A sings Elvis Presley’s “Love Me Tender.” Did you expect the Sex Pistols “God Save the Queen?” David sounds fine, if a bit overwrought and seriously lacking stage presence. However, he’s probably the best off winning this show because he’s so clean cut, inoffensive and easily malleable-the perfect Idol winner. He makes Josh Groban look like Iggy Pop.
Well, performance night was a heaping bowl of ho-hum. All the great songs from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and this is what we got stuck with? It didn’t make me rock but it did make me roll my eyes. At this point of the game I expect so much more and I’m not getting it.