American Idol – Recap & Review – Top 5

photo: fox

American Idol
Top 5

Original Air Date: May 4, 2010

Patricia Morris Buckley – Staff Writer
pmb@thetwocentscorp.com

Could it be that for the first time in its history, Idol will crown a winner with serious pitch issues? That’s how it seemed when the Top 5 performed the songbook of Ol’ Blue Eyes himself, Frank Sinatra.

First of all, I want to admit I’m a big fan of Frankie’s. I’ve always thought if I owned a restaurant, I’d play his music all the time. I was a little dismayed that my kids had no idea who he was and I couldn’t help wondering if the same went for the majority of the Idol’s mostly tween voters? Ah well, perhaps this show will enlighten a few of them.

Back to the point at hand; the minute the judges once again gave Crystal Bowersox a rough time for her sweet, lilting performance of “Summer Wind’ (IMO), I could tell that no matter how Lee Dewyze did, they were going to heap praise on him. And I was right.

Does it seem to you that the judges have been just a little too obvious about directing the audience’s vote this season? First, they loved Crystal and Siobhan Magnus. But when Siobhan fell out of favor, they didn’t just give her hard criticism, they practically mutilated her verbally. And she got voted off.

Then they started building up Lee. We started hearing how it would be a Lee-Crystal finale. But now they’re starting to be super harsh on Crystal. You know, the contestant they moved nights around so she wouldn’t be eliminated due to a hospital stay? The contestant they allowed to bring her own mic stand so she wouldn’t be so homesick? That Ryan talked out of leaving?

The former favorite. Emphasis on the word “former.”

So don’t be surprised if Crystal, who has out sung every contestant this year, doesn’t make it to the Nokia stage after all. And it will be a sad statement on the show, which has provided us with a final 10 that would never have made the Top 24 in past seasons. Do I have to remind you of Tim Urban?

The best evidence I have of this bias is that Crystal is the only one criticized for the arrangement. None of the contestants had anything to do with the arrangements as the week’s mentor Harry Connick Jr. took them over as part of his deal (which also meant no instruments for the contestants). Randy called “Crystal’s arrangement” “sleepy” and Simon said it was “a little bit indulgent.” Simon didn’t deserve Sinatra’s hankie that the Chairman of the Board’s daughters gave him!

But I don’t think Crystal is in danger of going home Wednesday night. Not when Casey James bombed as bad as you can on national TV. Here’s a look at the performances.

AARON KELLY: Fly Me to the Moon
I would have said this was Aaron’s last night as he’s gone further in this competition than his lack of vocal training warrants. His voice is excellent, but needs more control and maturity. In the beginning, he’s mushy on the pitch, but hits the big notes quite purely. He looks better with longer hair and the vest/tie combo. Other than the pitch issues, he does just fine.

Randy admitted he’d been worried about Aaron, but thought he did a good job. Ellen mimicked Randy’s assessment, calling his vocal beautiful. Kara said it wasn’t a strong as last week and he needed to use the stage better, but that he’d be back next week. Simon called Aaron a mouse compared to Sinatra’s lion and thought the vocals were a bit corny.

CASEY JAMES: Blue Skies
It’s obvious that Casey is lost without the guitar. He has no swing and rarely hits a note. Very, very sad.

Randy called it his worst performance, pointing out that Casey was out of his element. Ellen thought it felt safe and not effortless. Kara liked that he held notes, which he’d never done, but thought his vibrato sounded like a lamb (Kara, seriously, you’re just noticing that NOW???). Simon thought he came over as embarrassed and awkward. Harry mentioned that Casey had killed it in rehearsal.

CRYSTAL BOWERSOX: Summer Wind
Harry admitted that he had nothing to teach Crystal and praised her connection with the lyrics. It’s a very different sound for her and she sounds lovely (and looks wonderful in a full evening gown). After the judges speak, she defends her choices, which were all logical, but she shouldn’t have done it —doesn’t sit well with the voters.

Randy called it one of her more subdued performances, but said it wasn’t anything different. Ellen said that Crystal swallowed her words and wasn’t loose enough, but she was still impressed. Kara thought she was out of her element, but liked her phrasing. Simon called her performance too lazy.

MICHEAL LYNCHE: Contagious
Fun ‘50s hat and suit. He’s on tune and has got the swagger, but I’m not caught up in the lyrics.

Randy called it an unbelievable vocal, because he sung the song interesting and well. Ellen said he was the most comfortable on the stage and he sounded the part. Kara thought he found the drama in the song and did everything right. Simon thought that the first three contestants were OK, but he was fantastic.

LEE DEWYZE: That’s Life
Lee and Harry cracked jokes and seemed to get along. But Lee’s face is still blank when he sings and while he’s not as pitchy as before, he doesn’t hit them all. His voice, however, does suit the song well.

Randy said he stayed his rocker self and he loved it. Ellen thought if this was the finale, he would win the whole thing. Kara said he would win the whole thing. (See what I mean about them not being subtle?) Simon praised his confidence and giving 110 percent in the best performance of the night.

In danger: Casey for sure, perhaps Aaron.

Do you feel manipulated by the judges? What do you think happened to Casey? Is Lee going to “win the whole thing”? Give us your TwoCents…