AI10 Rock, Rhythm N Blues
This evening, the contestants are going to take on the music of Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, who made their name writing for greats like Elvis Presley and Ben E. King in the 50s and 60s. The last time I remember Idol tackling their songbook was in Season 4, when the Top 5 (Carrie Underwood, Bo Bice, Vonzell Solomon, Anthony Fedorov and Scott Savol sang songs like Trouble, Stand By Me, Treat Me Nice, Poison Ivy, and On Broadway, respectively. The other half of the night was Current Billboard Hits, although tonight seems to stick to just the Leiber/Stoller Songbook.
Whether they will sing 1 song each or two, I can't be sure, but we also know that Lady GaGa will be the Special Mentor, an interesting twist after Haley was dissed by the judges for doing a GaGa song last week, and perhaps even Randy mentioned the song might have been mediocre. Wonder if he'll tell that to her face? Anyway, not sure if she is there to promote her new video or to promote her new single that just went on sale on iTunes, or perhaps both. Time will tell.
Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller with Elvis Presley Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller
Jerry Leiber & Mike Stoller with Elvis Presley; Leiber & Stoller years later.
The show reminds us that the Top 3 get to take a trip home, something that certainly heightened the emotions for many contestants. So one of those in the picture above will be going home, only to stay. Crusty helps to define the night, explaining the first round will be songs that in inspires the contestants, while the second round will be the Leiber/Stoller Songbook.
James is inspired by Journey's Don't Stop Believing. In talking about he, he sheds a tear. Wow, from the beginning he struggles with pitch. Oh my, that wasn't really very good. Steven gives him kudos for picking a popular song. Randy and Jennifer thought he did well. Again, I think I heard a different performance.
Haley is taking on the King of Pop, Michael Jackson. She will sing What About Us, for the messages inspire her greatly. She starts off nice and sweetly, and builds really well. The dong develops beautifully, and leads to a lovely crescendo. Holy crap, she just plain out-sang James, no doubt in my mind. Time for the judges, and Jennifer tells her it was a bad song choice, a wasted opportunity. Randy says it was not only a bad choice, but it was not even sung well, for she was shouting. Surprisingly, Steven Tyler steps up and tells her that they are just wrong, that she picked a great song and sang it beautifully. Randy and Jennifer try to backpedal a bit, but it is too late.
After the break, Crusty comes back to introduce Scotty The Body, and I am creeped out by Crusty discussing the kids body at all. Just sayin'. So Scotty is singing Alan Jackson's Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning) cause he thinks everyone can relate to the 9/11 song. OK, he does a fine job, but it was just so very safe. And you know, I can't help but think it was pandering. And annoying. Much like Kristy Lee Cook singing that God Bless The USA tripe.
Lauren is inspired by Martina McBride and her song, Anyway. She says that is especially inspiring in light of all the storms that have crossed through the south, and the need to rebuild. Lauren is in full voice, and is singing the crap out of this song. Good for her. Steven thinks she was great, and Jennifer is still back-peddling about giving critique, still hurting from getting boos about the Haley commentary.
Crusty puts Jennifer on the spot, and asks her who won the first round. Of course, she refuses to say anything at all. Randy says Haley lost the round, and needs to step up. You can see the resignation and anger on Haley's face. The others kinda look like they think these bozos know what they are talking about.
After the break, we start the second round with the support and guidance of Lady GaGa. Haley starts things off with I Who Have Nothing. Lady GaGa thinks she sings so well, she just needs help with the drams. She wants to add a little crazy to the song. She sings the almighty bejeezus out of the song. She scores a huge performance. Great for her! The judges are on their feet, and immediately try to take credit for the performance that on session with GaGa brought out that weeks of judging critiques couldn't. Take note, judges. Jennifer called is the performance of the season so far. Such hyperbole from a woman who really refuses to do her job, and critique. They all love Haley now, and it is almost cringe-worthy.
Scotty is up next, and the mix with Scotty and Lady GaGa, well, it isn't a match made in heaven. He thinks she is the devil incarnate. She speaks nicely of him, at least. He is singing Young Blood by The Coasters. The performance is basically cheese personified. There is no heart there. But there is some humor, at least. Randy, of course, loves it, and calls him a seasoned professional. Scotty seems lost by the Steven comments, and Jennifer is already planning for next week. Again, I am lost.
After the break, they put Scotty on to try to clean up his GaGa thing. Lauren is up next, and she is happy to meet GaGa. Lauren struggle with calling herself evil, part of the lyrics for the song Trouble. Really, is this an issue? Then why did she pick the song? This seems more a Nigel storyline. It is the song that was sung by Carrie Underwood 6 years ago. Oh, well, she does a nice enough job with the song, although she struggled a bit toward the end. Her insecurity is not appealing. The judges, of course, just love her, and are willing to crown her winner.
Well, they have James closing the night out. He will be singing Love Potion No. 9, sung by The Clovers and later covered by the Searchers. In the rehearsal, GaGa wants him to move, and dance like he was Elvis. She even gets up to dance with him. She wants him to physically engage. He is more on key with this song, but there are still moments. He pulls some of the James tricks, but I find it actually a bit on the dull side. The crowd goes wild, and once again, the judges don't seem to notice any bad notes at all.
As the recap rolls, I am reminded how differently I saw the show than the judges. I thought Haley won the night, and would struggle placing the other three. I thought she was the only one who had two strong performances. I thought James struggled, yet it went unnoticed by the judges. So I really have no clue who is even in the bottom, let alone who is going home. Just that the judges seem to want Haley out, for the were really disrespectful of her, except for Steven.