With two weeks remaining in the competition, we are closing in towards the finish line of season 7 of American Idol. There are no more mentors remaining - just the contestants singing songs and trying to get the viewers at home to vote for them. Of course it always helps to sing the best they possibly can, but this year it seems to be more of a popularity contest than anything. And I hate that I'm saying that because I usually cringe to myself when critics say that about this show. But they are right about this season (except for the two David's, who I must say are the last two remaining singing talents left). Tonight, the contestants choose songs from the vast collection from the artists inducted in the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame. No, they aren't necessarily rock songs, otherwise David Cook would win this night for sure. There's a wide variety of genres of songs at the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame and I'm sure we will see more than just rock songs during tonight's show. On with the review!
David Cook - singing "Hungry Like the Wolf" by Duran Duran. A very interesting song choice for David as I never really pictured this to be a true rock song. But that is where David is always amazing at changing around the whole vibe of a certain song. He definitely brings on a more rocker-edge to the song unlike what the original sounded like. It's a decent song to show off David's rock 'n roll skills but it doesn't necessarily help him show off his usual stellar vocals. I'm not particularly blown away by it and he bascially sang it how it's supposed to be sung. However, it's very consistent to how he performs and it looked like he was having fun on stage. Not great, but definitely good.
Syesha Mercado - singing "Proud Mary" by Ike and Tina Turner. Syesha is looking very stylish and quite beautiful in her dress tonight. I tell you, ever since Andrew Lloyd Webber week, she has really turned up the heat in this competition. She is totally embracing who she is and her personality is finally coming to light. She is looking very sexy and sassy while singing this song. She is also displaying a massive amount of personality - more so than ever before! This is the perfect song choice for her, because she starts off really slow but just as in the original version, the tempo picks up part-way through and things really get moving on stage. Just as with David Cook's performance, Syesha looks like she's having a lot of fun with this song. I am very impressed with this first performance from Syesha.
Jason Castro - singing "I Shot the Sheriff" by Bob Marley. Okay, I think when most people think of this song, they are most familiar with the cover done by Eric Clapton (then again, maybe not. But at least for me, I think more of Clapton's version over anyone elses). So this should be interesting to see how Jason interprets Marley's original version. Just as the judges said, it was just okay for me. The arrangement was pretty crazy at times and Jason seemed to flounder on some of the notes. I will say this, however, he did inject a funky, soulful vibe to it and that made it interesting to listen to. He does sound "airy" at times, as if he's breathing too much while trying to sing at the same time. But I think that's actually how Jason typically sounds. I thought it was decent, but definitely not blown away. The judges absolutely hated it and it'll be interesting to see how Jason's able to compose himself for the next song.
David Archuleta - singing "Stand by Me" by Ben E. King. Great song choice for David because it's a very recognizable song and many generations of people are familiar with it. That could prove to be a double-edged sword, however. Because it is such a popular and well-known song, if he doesn't do well with it, the karaoke reference will be appropriately used. But I am confident that Archie will be able to pull this one off. It starts off really great; actually quite amazing. The vocals are superb and the Stevie Wonder-like runs he does are spectacular. And did anyone else catch the brief injection of Sean Kingston's "Beautiful Girls" into the song towards the end? That was such a genious move! In fact, as the performance ends, I get chills. It was absolutely amazing. Finally, FINALLY, a moment to rival "Imagine." It also looked like he was having fun on stage which also added to the moment. Absolutely superb.
David Cook - singing "Baba O'Reily" by The Who. So Cookie starts off round two with a song more suited for him. That's not to say "Hungry Like the Wolf" wasn't a good choice for him, but it didn't allow him to do his usual vocal masterpiece. It actually sounds quite soulful to start off and he's also playing the guitar. Usually his performances are the best when he's strumming away on the guitar. This is sounding REALLY good. It definitely blows away his first song by a mile. It also seemed like he injected more personality into this song, which is definitely a plus. I am not totally familiar with the original, but to me, this sounded much more current and contemporary. The judges are absolutely loving it and rightfully so. He really rocked out with that song choice.
Syesha Mercado - singing "Change is Gonna Come" by Sam Cooke. Wow, a change of wardrobe for Syesha and she's looking even more elegant than before. I tell ya, she really looks great with her hair straightened like that. So Syesha chooses a ballad for round two which allows her to take her time on the vocals and hit those powerful notes littered throughout the song. She's definitely having no trouble with this one and it appears she knows it well. She is clearly showing off her vocal power with those higher notes, albeit sounding a bit strained at times. She also sounds a bit screechy but not nearly as bad as earlier in the competition. This might not have been quite as good as her first song choice - but it is still a very solid performance.
Jason Castro - singing "Mr. Tambourine Man" by Bob Dylan. I was really looking forward to Jason's take on this song because "Mr. Tambourine Man" is a true classic. But partway into the song, he makes a terrible blunder - one we've seen fairly recently on "Idol." Jason forgets the lyrics to the song!! The first two words I write on my notes for Jason's performance are "He's sunk." And I thought he was doing quite decent up until that point. After that, I really didn't pay much attention to the performance because honestly, what's the point? His first song was just okay and forgetting the lyrics to his second song will not help him at all. Now if his first song was superb, maybe, then maybe Jason could be saved. But two performances that are just blah will not cut it. I really don't see how Jason could be spared after this week.
David Archuleta - singing "Love Me Tender" by Elvis Presley. From the rumor mill in Internet-land, Archie is actually doing a cover of this song by Norah Jones, which will be more of an acoustic sound. I'm actually kind of nervous for David because I don't want him to see what happened to Jason throw him off. He starts off the song in a different position than usual; sitting on a stool in the center of the stage. He is singing the song ... well, quite tender, actually. It shows off a more vulnerable, pure side to him (not that he already isn't). It's basically acoustic but with the piano playing in the background. David comments in the video prior to his performance that he's never tackled a truly "romantic" song. But he definitely pulls this one off without a hitch. He had a bit of a hiccup with the last note which was quite high for David's standards, but he's definitely going to be okay. By far, the best two performances of the night and just as Simon said, he crushed the competition. Way to go David!!
My goodness, I am more pumped after tonight's American Idol performance show than I've been in some time. I guess it's probably because David Archuleta did so great tonight and I am absolutely ecstatic that he did so well. In my last blog, I said that unless Archie really blows away the competition, David Cook will win it. Well I am happy to say that tonight, David A. blew away the competition and he is once again the favorite to win! Oh man, the David vs. David finale is going to be so epic, especially if these two keep duking it out the next couple of nights. So for tonight's Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame night, I'll give it a rating of nine out of ten. Have I shown off enough Archie love for one night in this blog? I know, I know, I shouldn't be so blatent with it, but this is one night I've been waiting for for awhile. It's great to see David Archuleta finally step it up and blow away the competition. I don't want to say he hasn't been great since the top 12 because he has (okay, except for "We Can Work it Out"). But I think he's been too consistent and hasn't really mixed up the arrangements of the songs or made them original much. However, after tonight, nobody can say that now. Here's tonight's contestant rakings!
#1: David Achuleta - best of the night (by a mile!)
#2: David Cook
#3: Syesha Mercado
#4: Jason Castro - eliminated (eliminated - 5/7/08)
So there you have it; the top 4 is now in the books. And if the voting holds up and Jason is sent packing, we won't have an all-male final three like I had originally thought a few weeks back. Syesha is waaaaaaaay more deserving to be in the top three than Jason, so if Jason is spared tomorrow, I will call blasphemy like you've never seen. It's time for people to vote for people with the best vocals each and every night they perform. That is so crutial at this stage of the game. Vote for David Archuleta, vote for David Cook, and vote for Syesha Mercado. But for the love of god, DO NOT vote for Jason Castro. He deserves to go after tonight!
Be sure to check in tomorrow after the results for an update to this blog. Until then, see you next time!
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