Last Tuesday night, 2010 American Idol front runner Crystal Bowersox reached for the sky and grabbed the stars with her inspiration song choice The Impressions’ People Get Ready. She even broke into tears on the last note causing judge Randy Jackson to jump up from his seat and give her a standing ovation. But on Tuesday April 27, a week later, she failed to move the judges with her rendition of Shania Twain’s No One Needs To Know.
For the first time in six weeks, since the elimination rounds started, the dread-locked Bowersox received luke warm praises from the judges. Her performance was not up to scratch. The song, she said, was for her boyfriend who was seated in the audience. Will America be lenient or will the voters send her packing? Tonight will tell.
The Show
Host Ryan Seacrest announced that the Idol Give Back episode aired on Wednesday April 21, 2010 had raised more than $45 million dollars. At that staging, Tim Urban, was voted of the show. He also announced the upcoming American Idol's Summer Tour. Tickets will go on sale on May 14.
This week’s mentor was former Idol judge and country music pioneer Shania Twain. The-five-time Grammy winner wrote and sang all her songs. The four male and two female contestants will choose from among her songs for the night’s competition. Twain said she didn’t know what to expect from “guys singing my songs.”
First up was the paint salesman Lee DeWyze with You’re Still The One. Twain said he had a fantastic style that needed to be brought out. He started on a pitchy note. Randy Jackson was a bit worried when he started the song but “midway you made it your own song, pretty good job,” he said. Ellen DeGeneres said it sounded like his version and Kara DioGuardi said he had come very far. Simon Cowell said it was the perfect song for him out of Twain's catalogue.
Up next was Michael Lynche, the father, with It Only Hurts When I Am Breathing. Jackson said he really hit the zone and if he kept up that kind of performance in the future there would be a wide open space for him. DeGeneres said it felt like Luther Vandross was singing. DioGuardi said he had changed it enough to put his mark on it and Cowell said it was spot on and a good analogy of Luther Vandross. He thought it was a bit wet, meaning, a bit girly for Lynche. Seated behind, Cowell, in the audience, Twain became teary eyed.
Construction worker Casey James was next with Don’t. Jackson said it was one of the best Casey James' performance. “I hope you really learn something,” he gushed. DeGeneres agreed with Jackson. DioGuardi said “an artist does not hide the good, the bad and the ugly and that’s what you did with that performance, you did not cover it up. If you keep doing that you will be at the top of the competition.” Cowell said it was probably his best performance. “You were singing the song and it didn’t feel like somebody else's song.” He suggested James kiss Twain and she leapt from her seat and went for the kiss as he approached, on the cheek, of course.
The mother, Bowersox was next. The song she sang was a message to her boyfriend. Jackson said it wasn’t his favourite performance but he was happy one of the contestants did more of a country version. DeGeneres said Bowersox was brilliant and agreed with Jackson on the performance. DioGuardi said it was believable but it wasn’t her best. Cowell said: “We don’t like Crystal this week. I thought it was limp. I didn’t feel any conviction from you. I thought the song was a bit forgettable compared to the other songs, this is the only week where I haven’t liked your performance.”
Aaron Got Away
High school student Aaron Kelly amazed with his performance of You’ve Got A Way. “Dude, you did a really good job,” Jackson said. DeGeneres said it was going to be tough because everyone was doing well. DioGuardi said he sang as if he was really feeling the words. Kelly added that he had sang the song for his mother who was in the audience. Cowell said he did really good and was a different artist. “This is the kind of song you should sing if you are going to make a record.”
Glass blower Siobhan Magnus ended the show on a peppy note. She performed Twain’s first number one country hit Any Man Of Mine. Jackson loved her pop country look and her performance. DeGeneres said it was a good way to end the show. DioGuardi said “guess who’s back “and Cowell said the song was perfect but the screaming at the end sounded like she was giving birth on stage.
The boys had a great night. The girls were just okay. But one of them will be going home tonight. Who will it be?
Sources
USA Today Idol Chatter
Fox Channel 5 Reality TV
Americanidol.com
Susan Gosine - Hi. I'm Susan Gosine a freelance writer based in New York. After 20 years of working in the newspaper industry and amassing a wealth of ...
