Tuesday night's American Idol featured the music of legendary singer/song writer Neil Sedaka, and the contestants choice of classic 60's songs. While Kim Locke, Trenyce and Josh Gracin wait for their probable elimination from the remaining five, one has to evaluate the two probable finalists, Clay Aiken and Ruben Studdard. This show is American Idol, so who is more apt to fulfill that title, and do it justice?
Ruben Studdard started with the classic "Ain't too proud to beg" and his performance was his usual soulful self. He had the judges falling over themselves, and the Ruben fans in the audience chanting the "Ruuuuu-ben" call. But he brought little to the stage in terms of presence, and his disturbing fashion choice was , sadly, reminiscent of an old leather couch.
Clay Aiken's first song was the great Foundation's hit "Build Me Up, Buttercup", and he had all the stage presence and schmaltz usually associated with television variety shows (Wayne Brady, I'm looking at you!). But Aiken continues to prove that he could take any song, "make it his own", and do all the subtle things that one has to do to convey more than just singing the song. The judges also loved this song, and Aiken showed a little quick wit with his repartee with Simon Cowell, who questioned what the song was all about. Aiken gave Cowell a good natured jab at the song's British origins, once again showing the audience that he's quick on his feet and has a great sense of humor.
The second half of the show was dedicated to Neil Sedaka songs. Ruben Studdard sang "Breaking up is hard to do" (the slow version), and I knew he would choose that song days before the show, as he is so predictable. He did a great job singing the song, but continues to not listen to the lyrics, and try to convey their meaning. Ruben will have to work on this if he wants the audience to fully embrace the emotions of certain song choices. He would smile through Roy Orbison's "Crying", not feeling the song, and that has to be addressed.
Clay Aiken finished the show with a haunting rendition of "Solitaire", a song recorded before by such musical legends as The Carpenters and Elvis. The dramatic lighting and camera work only added to the image of longing that Aiken chose to convey. The women in my vicinity had to be scraped off the floor after that performance. The judges were awestruck, and Sedaka was teary, and proclaimed that Aiken had done the best version of his song, which is pretty amazing considering the previous artists who recorded it first. If Aiken doesn't become American Idol, at least the legends will be lining up at his door to sign and produce him.
Kim Locke was good, great if she were in last year's competition. Perhaps she and Ruben should look up Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis, Jr., and form a new version of the Fifth Dimension. Trenyce was bizarre, channeling Tina Turner one moment, and Toni Tenille the next. I was looking for the Captain. Josh Gracin continues to look constipated, and hopefully the public agrees, and provides relief by eliminating him this week.
Back To Aiken vs. Studdard: The next American Idol. Aiken continues to look like a complete entertainer in every sense of the word. This unlikely sex symbol is generating heat world wide, with fans as far away as Holland, New Zealand, and a strong contingent of Canadians, who dub themselves "Claynadians", following his every move. Studdard has his fans with his 205, representin', velvet teddy bear, etc. thing goin' on...but are they fanatical enough to call his line with the fervor of The Clay Nation in the coming weeks? One has to wonder. Unless he can come up with a little more stage presence than an outreached arm and dimples, Studdard may be better suited as a studio artist, with his marvelous voice. Aiken, though not everyone's cup of tea, already has a strong female fan base, and with that, the men usually come around eventually. The New Websters Dictionary may have Clay Aiken's picture next to the word entertainer in the next edition.
The future is bright for both Aiken and Studdard. They'll just continue down different paths once the show is over. Not a bad thing, just different. And for once, bigger may not be better.
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