AI Recaps-March 20th
The Top 11 Perform
This performance night is British Invasion Night. Now to my Generation X self, the British Invasion included Duran Duran, Culture Club, Depeche Mode, and the Eurhythmics, and other MTV luminaries (back when MTV showed videos-yes, kids, videos, not reality shows featuring snotty girls and their sweet 16 parties). Actually this is the British Invasion of the 1960s. Rock bands like the Beatles, the Stones, the Who, and singers like Dusty Springfield and Petula Clark started a youthful revolution and anything British became fab.
British singers Peter Noone and Lulu guide our American Idol contestants through the British invasion songbook. Peter worked with the guys, and Lulu worked with the girls.
Haley (Tell Him)-Well, who knew Haley could bring some spice to the sugar? I’ve often complained that Haley is too much of a Disney princess for my liking, but tonight she got really saucy and had fun with the song. She seems to be getting more comfortable on stage, and I liked the vocals. She finally got more aggressive with her performing. And if I had legs like her, I’d wear hot pants too. This was a great way to start the show.
Chris R (Don’t Let the Sun Catch You Crying)-I’ve been harsh on Chris R in the past. He really isn’t one of my favorite contestants, but I thought he did a good job with this song. He didn’t sound as nasally as in the past, and I liked that he didn’t leap all over the stage (then again, the song doesn’t really require it). He delivered the song straight and showed a very controlled and soulful side to him. Plus, he made the song more current.
Stephanie (You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me)-Stephanie claims the hardest part about getting ready for an AI performance is choosing a song. Well, I’m not sure if Stephanie chose the right song. I don’t think this was her best performance. She seemed off-pitch in parts and she didn’t seem to connect with the lyrics. But then again, who can sing this better than the late Dusty Springfield?
Blake (Time of the Season)-If Blake is beat boxing, then it must be Tuesday night. I really liked the tone of his voice during this song. He made it very current with a slightly edgy vibe. This performance was lots of fun and I think quite memorable. But somewhere a golfer is missing his pants.
LaKisha (Diamonds are Forever)-Outfitted in an emerald gown and millions of dollars of bling (lucky girl), LaKisha sings this Bond movie classic. She gave a decent vocal and I loved her power belting in the end, but it didn’t have something. I thought it wasn’t contemporary enough and I was hoping for more oomph from LaKisha. I’ve preferred her in early weeks.
Phil (Tobacco Road)-Well who knew Phil had a rocker side? I liked Phil’s energy during the song and his upper register sounded top-notch. But Simon was right in that Phil lacked grit for this song. He needs more of a bad boy vibe, and he just doesn’t have it. Remember when the season 5 guys sang this song during the finale? That was awesome.
Jordin (I, Who Have Nothing)-Jordin claims the song that best describes her is “I’m so Excited.” Well, I’m so excited after seeing Jordin’s performance. I was afraid this song would be too mature for her, but she belied her years by truly understanding the lyrics. She understood them, felt them, and emoted them. And her voice sounded superb. I got goosebumps. Amazing. AMAZING!!!!
Sanjaya (You Really Got Me)-No, Sanjaya, you really don’t got me. This song is supposed to be a bit dangerous in some fashion, and Sanjaya is a dangerous as the Snuggle fabric softener bear. Yes, he had a lot of energy in his performance, but his vocals were just meh to me. However, Ashley’s tears prove that Sanjaya is getting the Libby Lu vote. Well, he won’t get my Sephora vote.
Gina (Paint it Black)-Gina says AI has made her stronger. I was not happy with this performance at all. I’ve always loved this classic Stone’s song, but Gina truly disappointed me. She wasn’t always on the melody and I think her tongue stud is keeping her from enunciating the words. Plus, Gina didn’t come across as a rocker girl; she came across as a girl trying to be a rocker girl.
Chris S (She’s Not There)-Chris S enters from the audience, yet doesn’t really seem to relate with them. I thought Chris’ voice sounded great. He’s very consistent vocally week after week. But I thought he lacked a bit of energy. However, this performance was better than the travesty of “Endless Love” last week. But “Fro Patrol?” Could we try to be a bit more original, m’kay?
Melinda (As Long as He Needs Me)-Melinda initially felt out of her comfort zone singing a British invasion song. Yea, right. She can sing anything. Melinda made this song so sultry and torchy. Her vocals were stupendous and like Jordin she understood the lyrics, felt them, and emoted them. She really told a story with her performance, and that rarely seems to happen on AI. My hair stood on the back of my neck. This was yet another star-making performance from Melinda, and the perfect way to end the show.
In the end, the British invasion show went well. My favorites were Jordin and of course, Melinda. I was wonderfully surprised by Haley and Chris R. I was expecting more from Stephanie, Lakisha and Gina. And as for Sanjaya, the less said the better.
I was in tears!!!!! 
and same with Jordin and Melinda.
The nose, the mouth, the way he sings.
to "U2 by U2" being prominently displayed on the coffee table too. Nice touch 
