It's Idol Gives Back week and we're looking for inspirational performances from the remaining seven contestants. I think this is probably one of the more tricky weeks to pick a song, because you need one with a message and an individual needs to deliver it in an inspirational way. If one of them sings it in a typical fashion and they do not connect to the message within the song, the importance of the night can be lost. Tonight's mentor is Alicia Keys, who has done a large amount of charity work herself. Doesn't it seem like Idol is bringing more and more mentors back into the fold each and every week? I remember after season six, they felt there were too many mentors and it was taking away from the contestants themselves. Now it seems we're seeing more and more mentors again. Not that it matters, really. Because either a contestant sings well or they don't - regardless if there's a mentor there or not. Anyways, on with the recap!
Casey James - "Don't Stop" by Fleetwood Mac : Up first tonight is Casey James and he picks a classic Fleetwood Mac song. Hmm, "Don't Stop" as inspirational? Sure, it has potentially moving lyrics. But I don't think it quite fits the mold as an inspirational song. I am not in the least inspired by this performance. Honestly, what is Casey doing on that stage? It's the same performance style week after week and it's getting old. I think he needs to change things up - two weeks ago he performed "Jealous Guy" in such a passionate, soulful, and earnest way. We need to see something like that again and not the same rocking bar-scene performance. This week he could've had another performance like "Jealous Guy" and it would've fit the theme perfectly. Missed opportunity there.
Lee Dewyze - "The Boxer" by Simon and Garfunkel : Next up is Lee and he chooses an amazing song. I am a big fan of Simon and Garfunkel and "The Boxer" is one of my favorite songs of theirs (next to "Bridge Over Troubled Water"). I just hope Lee doesn't screw it up! And he doesn't and even gives the song a bit of a different sound to it - a more modern feel. He's clearly much more connected with his song than Casey was with his and this is what performing inspirational songs is all about. You pick a song with a great message, connect to the song, and make the audience feel that performance. I actually prefer Lee when he's not shouting so much and I can't wait to hear the longer rendition on his iTunes recording.
Tim Urban - "Better Days" by the Goo Goo Dolls : The ever-improving Tim Urban is up next (but will he ever be great?) with an inspirational song from the Goo Goo Dolls. I like the choice of song by Tim but the performance was not executed as well as it could've been. It starts off rather under whelming and he seems to struggle with the lower notes in his register. It gradually gets better but it's still lacking a spark. His phrasing is still not the greatest and he's still a pretty mediocre vocalist. I wasn't all that impressed with the arrangement of the song, either, as it was kind of all over the place. It was just okay for me and he didn't propel himself any higher than he already has this season.
Aaron Kelly - "I Believe I Can Fly" by R. Kelly : "High School student" Aaron Kelly is next with another head-scratcher of a song choice. I guess I am not a big fan of this song, particularly on the Idol stage. I know it's been song a few times previously on the show and nobody has really done well with it. Aaron follows that trend and it falls flat for me. Speaking of flat, there's definitely some pitchiness here and there. Honestly, I think it's just too big of a song for him. Yes, I applaud him for picking such a gigantic song but at this stage of the competition, effort isn't good enough. When he tries hitting some of those higher notes in the song, he struggles. Definitely not a stellar week from Aaron, again.
Siobhan Magnus - "When You Believe" by Whitney Houston & Mariah Carey : Siobhan was once considered a front runner in this competition and many were envisioning a Crystal-Siobhan finale in May, including myself. But Siobhan has been derailed a bit lately and I think the conflicting criticism from the judges may be to blame. This week, I thought her vocals were quite good. There were a couple of times where her voice didn't quite sound right to me - even a bit nasally. But this is probably the best she's sounded in a good three weeks. I do agree in a sense that her recent song choices have made her become more old fashioned and she may be embracing more of a broadway feel. I guess I would like to see her return to tackle a song like "Think" which she did quite well with earlier on.
Michael Lynche - "Hero" by Chad Kroeger featuring Joey Scott : I guess I don't understand why Michael needs to pick up practically ever celebrity mentor he meets when giving them a hug. Don't you think he needs to be more restrained and gentle? That's one of the gripes I have of Big Mike. As for his performance, it was good, but I wasn't jumping up and down over it, either. I wasn't a fan with the way it started when he gave it a more acoustic feel, and then I didn't care much for when the tempo picked up and it turned more rock-ish. I just don't feel it was the right song for Mike. It didn't fit his voice and I feel it was another missed opportunity for him.
Crystal Bowersox - "People Get Ready" by the Impressions : So Crystal is sans the guitar tonight (no instrument of any kind) and is stepping outside of her comfort zone. It worked for her a few weeks back (even with playing the piano) so why shouldn't it work this time around? I wouldn't say it was a perfect vocal for her but it was awfully close. Honestly, now this is an inspirational performance. What a way to end the night. Crystal gets all emotional when noticing her dad in the audience and it's truly a touching moment. I really think this has the potential to win over a lot of people about Crystal who may have been on the fence about her. I mean, what more can you say? She's already a consummate professional and she's the most deserving to go all the way.
Top 7 Performance Rankings:
1.) Crystal Bowersox
2.) Lee Dewyze
3.) Siobhan Magnus
4.) Michael Lynche
5.) Casey James
6.) Tim Urban
7.) Aaron Kelly
Going Home: I have done a terrible job picking the eliminees this season, so I am sure I'll get this wrong, too. But based on vocals last night, I'd have to say Aaron Kelly will get the boot. He just has not stepped it up the past three weeks when he absolutely needed to, even delivering mediocre, karaoke-type performances. Tim Urban is definitely a lock for the bottom three but I don't foresee his journey ending quite yet. And don't be surprised to see Casey James in the bottom three, but he still has a strong-enough fanbase that should keep him in this for a week or two longer.
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