Tuesday night, the remaining 11 American Idol contestants got a chance to sing songs from the 1950’s. As contestant Paris Bennett put it, these were songs that were written and made famous some 30 years before many of them were any thought of. Topping it all off, the contestants got an opportunity to have legendary Barry Manilow, who not so coincidentally recently released a CD featuring songs from the 50’s, arrange their songs.
First up on 50’s night, was Mandisa. I have to admit that I was shocked when Mandisa revealed that she was not that familiar with Barry Manilow’s music. I guess, I’m just not clear on how you desire to be a professional singer and fail to take notice of one of our greatest singer song writers. I mean Barry Manilow is not the type of artist I listen to everyday, but I certainly know his songs.
After meeting Barry, Mandisa quickly developed a new found respect for the legend and the feeling was mutual. Barry said he was already a fan of Mandisa’s and even stated that he was ready for her to come work with him.
Mandisa picked the song “I Don’t Hurt Anymore” by Dinah Washington. She deviated a little from Barry’s suggestion of opening the song big and then finishing it big, opting instead to open the song soft and top it off with a gigantic finale. Once he heard it, Barry agreed that he liked it the way Mandisa sang it. In addition to his other accolades, Barry said that Mandisa had unlimited range and called her one of a kind.
I thought Mandisa looked absolutely stunning. I heard on an entertainment news program that she picks out all of her own outfits. If that is true, she could always hire herself out as a stylist for plus size people. That is if this singing thing doesn’t work out for her. Although, I doubt that will be the case.
Mandisa’s soft beginning didn’t grab me, but as promised the ending was spectacular. Her performance drove the crowd absolutely wild. So much so, it was difficult for judge Randy Jackson, who was suffering from a cold, to get his comments in.
When Randy did finally get a chance to speak, he said “what a classy, great, amazing way to start the night”. He also called her performance unbelievable and warned whoever was waiting in the wings to bring it.
Judge Paula Abdul said that it can be difficult, with this genre, to be in the seat and escape but that Mandisa took her right back to the 50’s. Paula then told Mandisa that her performance was flawless and that she was a thoroughbred.
Simon Cowell, who I think secretly, has a fetish for larger women, told Mandisa that she was blossoming. He then called her performance sexy and said it was like a great stripper song. He concluded his comments about her performance by saying he absolutely loved it.
Bucky Covington was next up. He chose the song “Oh Boy” by Buddy Holly. Barry’s comments to Bucky was that the song seemed a little repetitive (Bucky’s words) and long (Barry’s word). Thus, Barry decided to arrange the song a little differently, making some changes to the keys in the process.
I’m sure Barry knows what he’s doing, so I’m left wondering if Bucky changed the song back to the way it originally was. Bucky’s rendition of the song was long (like Barry said) and boring. However, I still love Bucky’s voice and the song was really good on the end.
Randy thought Bucky picked a great song and he commended him on his mic techniques and hair. But Randy didn’t think that Bucky delivered the best vocals, although he too liked the falsetto Bucky belted out at the end.
Paula also said it was a great choice of song. Then she asked Bucky how it was working with Barry. At that point, I was like, here we go again. She has absolutely nothing to say. Since he was asked, Bucky described Barry as great to work with. He went on to say that sometimes you meet celebrities and hope they’re nice, but that they are not always. Of course everyone assumed he was referring to Simon.
During Bucky’s assessment of Barry, I saw Simon lean over and whisper something in Paula’s ear. I can only imagine that he was telling her that she is supposed to be evaluating the performance not interviewing the poor boy. That’s Ryan’s job.
Back on track Paula told Bucky that she could tell that Barry worked with him great. She also said Bucky seemed to be having a lot of fun on stage and that it was a real good song performance.
As Paula was talking I could not help but think of the fish in the movie “Cat in the Hat”. Sure she was talking, but was she really saying much.
After clearing his throat and probably trying to shake Paula’s ramblings out of his head, Simon introduced a reality check into the judging. Simon said this is supposed to be American Idol, where people tune in to see the best in the nation. Simon obviously didn’t think Bucky’s performance fell into that category, because he called it nothing more than a pointless karaoke performance.
Not surprisingly, Simon’s comments drew boos from the crowd, but when he got a chance he explained that if someone had tuned into the show for the first time and saw Bucky’s isolated performance they would go, so what.
Paris Bennett followed Bucky with her version of Peggy Lee’s “Fever”. Barry called the song a mature one for a 17 year-old to sing. He then said that Peggy Lee was cool, as in laid back, when she sang the song, but that Paris was hot (like fiery) when she sang it. The last thing Barry said about Paris was that she has an enormous career ahead of her.
I thought Paris totally looked the part. She was dressed in a beautiful yellow halter dress and had finger waves and a flower in her hair. However, I didn’t start feeling the song until the end. I know she’s just a baby, but I though she should have been more seductive with the song.
Randy said that once the song started he wasn’t quite sure where it would go. Then he remembered the jazzy performance of the same song that she gave when they first met her. Randy told her she blew it out of the box and then he gave Paris her props and he even did a little obeisance to her.
Paula said she forgot Paris was 17 with some of her moves. Paula also said Paris looked phenomenal and dressed the part. In addition, she said that Paris’ vocals were impeccable.
Simon simply said this is what you do best, referring to Paris’ performance. Simon went on to tell Paris that she had the perfect voice for that kind of song. Ironically, he concluded by saying he had nothing more to say.
Chris Daughtry was fourth up this week. Chris decided to put his own little spin on Johnny Cash’s “I Walk the Line”. Chris said he totally respected Johnny Cash’s creativity but that he wanted to try something different with the song. When Barry Manilow heard Chris’s interpretation of the song, he was blown away.
Barry told Chris. you don’t need me. Then he told the camera that of all the idols Chris seems to have a real good handle on who he is and what his strengths are.
Dressed in all black like the originator of the song, Chris belted out the heartfelt tribute to his wife about being true to her even though he’s on the road. Again the crowd went wild. Even though I really like Chris, I won’t be going out to buy his remake of this song any time soon.
Randy said he didn’t think it was Chris’ best vocals, but that he loved how Chris always puts a different spin on everything. Randy added that every week Chris knows who he is and that he doesn’t deviate from the path. Randy then said to Chris, “dude you ready.”
Paula said there were a few American Idol contestants that every week she can’t wait to hear what they’re going to sing or see what they’re going to do. Leaving us to assume that Chris is one of those few she was referring to, Paula went on to say that Chris knows who he is and never abandons that. She did actually have something prolific to say when she acknowledged that Chris should already be touring and that we should be buying tickets to see him.
Simon agreed with Randy’s statement about it not being the best vocals we’ve heard so far, but he admitted that it probably doesn’t matter. Simon then confessed that Chris was the first artist on the show that refused to compromise and for that Simon gave him a round of applauds.
Katherine McPhee followed Chris with her rendition of Ella Fitzgerald’s “Come Rain or Shine”. Barry recommended that she find someone in the audience to sing the song to. Kat promised that she would, although she said she wouldn’t reveal who she picked to be the object of her desire.
While she was singing I must admit that I almost caught a case of the McPheever. And since I bashed her outfit last week, I would be remised if I didn’t mention how wonderful she looked this week.
The first word out of Randy’s mouth was a well-deserved “wow”. Then he said it wasn’t his favorite vocal performance for Kat, because she is so good, but that it was still really, really strong. Randy also commented that Kat took a really difficult song and worked it out.
Paula said it maybe tough to pick an Ella Fitzgerald song, but only Kat could pull it off. Paula also told Kat that she looked exquisite and that she believed Kat would be one of the contenders all the way thru the competition.
Simon kept his comments unusually simple on 50’s night, but what he said had a huge impact. He told Kat that she had turned into a star and that watching her was like watching a real seasoned and great performer. He also said that her performance comes under what he calls the special category.
The Silver Fox, also know as Taylor Hicks, appeared dead smack in the middle of the show this week. Taylor also chose a Buddy Holly song. One called “Not Fade Away.”
Barry said he loved Taylor’s voice calling it a whiskey tenor. Barry didn’t like the initial ending of the song, so he sliced, diced, and rearranged it for Tay. After he hooked the song up for Taylor, Barry said that Taylor was one of the best male vocalists on the show.
I personally loved Taylor’s energy and his suit, but I was not entertained at all by his song. At least not like the audience and Paula were.
Randy said the song was not challenging vocally, but that Taylor worked it out. Paula said that someone should be shooting Taylor’s performance and making an exercise video out of it (referring to his energy). She then called Taylor fantastic and one of a kind.
Because Simon started his comments off with the words, “Sorry, but” he was interrupted by loud boos emanating form the audience. Undaunted Simon responded to the audience that if they were seeing Taylor perform for the first time and out of context, they would think, like he does, it was a complete mess. Simon then assured Taylor that he like him and thinks he has a great voice, but that his routine was like a hideous party performance.
Next up was baby girl, Lisa Tucker. She picked the song “Why Do Fools Fall In Love”. Barry thought the song started off too polite for such a powerhouse performer as Lisa, so he arranged it so it would have a powerful beginning.
I was sincerely hoping that the arrangement would be strong enough to redeem my girl from last week’s performance, which landed her in the bottom two. The key to Lisa’s redemption, in my opinion, is for her to appear to be having fun while she is singing. Unfortunately, I don’t think Barry’s arrangement was redemptive enough for my girl.
Randy thought it was a good song choice, but that the performance was just alright.
Paula complimented Lisa on getting back to her youthfulness and on the energy she brought to the performance. Paula agreed with Barry about Lisa being a powerhouse and then she told Lisa that she thought she had a big career ahead of her.
After getting Paula’s permission to judge Lisa’s singing and not dancing (referring to some remarks Paula made during Simon’s assessment of Taylor), Simon said that like Randy he thought the performance was OK. Then he said if he was being honest, there were times he felt like he was trapped in some kind of high school musical that he wanted to leave.
Baby boy, Kevin Covias, followed baby girl. Barry said that Kevin was the sweetest of all of the contestants and he was thrilled with Kevin’s song choice. Kevin selected the great love ballad “When I Fall In Love”.
When Barry heard Kevin belting out the song, he told him he wanted him to be more innocent. So he arranged the song so Kevin would sound more vulnerable while singing it.
I was really trying to keep an open mind about Kevin and I found myself liking his performance of this song much better than any of the other ones I’ve heard him perform. Of course, I absolutely love this song. In fact it was one of the ones played at my wedding. Even so I wasn’t blown away by Kevin’s performance. Let’s just say I liked it. I liked his new glasses as well.
Randy said the song was one of his favorites of all times and that Kevin did a pretty good job with it, Although, Randy did point out that there were a couple of pitch problems in the song. Randy went on to say that there’s something about Kevin that he liked and that he saw a bit of himself in Kevin. Kevin liked the comparison and said he liked Randy too.
Paula joked that it took a lot of courage to start the song sitting 10 feet from Simon. Then she said what she liked about Kevin is that he had more moxie than most people she’s met in her entire life (that probably explains why she hasn’t met Mr. Right). She wrapped up her comments by stating that she adored Kevin and that he did another great job.
Simon expressed that he liked Kevin because he’s like a man that takes the criticism well. Next Simon bluntly told Kevin that he wasn’t going to say it was the best version of the song that he ever heard. However, Simon said that Kevin’s “audience” is going to love that version.
Appearing in the number nine spot this week was Elliot Yamin. Although familiar with his music, Elliot admitted that before working with him he wasn’t a big fan of Barry Manilow’s work. His tune quickly changed, though, and Elliot is now a bon a fide fanilow.
Elliot chose the song “Teach Me Tonight” and he aptly took Barry’s advice to stop just singing the words and crawl into the lyrics of the song. Barry said that he thought Elliot sings great, but that he had to keep reminding him to caress the words.
After working with him, Barry said he thought Elliot got what he was trying to teach him. And from the first not Elliot sang I would have to agree. I loved the way Elliot sung the song. I also would like to say I like the way Elliot’s hair, which I couldn’t help but notice he is letting grow out, looked. I’m also convinced that I saw a glimpse of the initial results of what I imagine will eventually add up to an extensive amount of dental work in his mouth.
Randy said “dude you chose probably the toughest song tonight” and “you worked it out.” Paula told Elliot that he gave her goose bumps. She added that Elliot moves a lot of people, her included, and that he was so needed in this competition.
Simon said this is a singing competition. Allow me to judge you singing, it was fantastic.
Kellie Pickler, who couldn’t buy a clue with a million bucks, followed Elliot. Although, the 19 year-old did have enough sense to call her grandfather to ask him what song he thought she should sing for 50’s night. What’s more she had the good judgment to take his advice. Grandpa Pickler picked the Patsy Cline classic “Walking After Midnight” for his grandbaby to sing.
Barry, whose from Brooklyn, said he was not that familiar with Patsy Cline and other country songs from the era, but that he could tell from Kellie’s singing of the song why everyone in the country world loves it.
I, like Randy, thought it was a great song choice for Kellie. I thought she was sexy and seductive and gave a really good performance. Randy also liked the little wink she gave to Simon during the song.
Paula told Kellie that she was a tigress tonight and gave a true, authentic Kellie Pickler performance. Simon simply said that Kellie got it absolutely right tonight and that her performance was ballsy and sexy. Of course, Kellie still thinks Simon thinks she’s a naughty little mink jacket. Can someone please send this girl the definition of minx?
And now the moment everyone, especially audience member 7 year old Sammie, has been waiting for. It was finally Ace Young’s turn. His little blue-eyed and golden haired fan even got a chance to introduce him.
Ace chose “In the Still Of the Night” as his 1950’s song. Barry thought we’d all be disappointed by Ace jazzing up the song. After hearing what Ace had done to it, Barry said he thought we’d like what Ace did to it. Barry also advised Ace to end his song with that famous falsetto that makes us all melt.
OK, the beginning was not jazzy enough for me, but the middle and the end was just as Barry predicted it would be.
After Ace’s performance, Randy said “dude, Ace is back tonight.” Randy then commended Ace for putting something fresh and new on a classic.
Before delivering her comments, Paula pointed out that she counted at least 34 signs proposing marriage to Ace (I guess she left hers at home). Paula then said that Ace’s performance was probably the sexiest, sultriest performance that he’d done this season and that it was amazing.
Simon said Ace’s performance didn’t showcase the best vocals of the night. This remark drew thunderous boos from the audience. Simon continued with a big but, I don’t think that matters; you’re not going to be in the bottom three tonight.
Of course that begs the question to be asked about who will be in the bottom three. To which I would respond Lisa, Bucky and Taylor. I think Taylor will escape elimination and then it will be down to Lisa and Bucky. Unfortunately I think my girl will be kicked off, although I really hope it is Bucky.
