AI4 recap, Finalists x 10 (03/29)

Whew! Was that a collective sigh when Mikalah finally got the boot last week or what? If you ask me, it was 3 weeks too late, as she should’ve been gone before the finals started and Amanda should’ve been in the final 12. But that’s just rehashing old news.

We finally figured out how to get the recap done quicker. We now let Jared stay up and watch with us. The kid loves music. He has a routine that we (him and I) do. He hammers on the piano and I play his kid’s drum set. When we stop, we bow and he says “thank you very much.” I’m trying to get him to add, “you’re too kind.” We’ll see how that works out. Jared hasn’t quite grasped the whole concept of commercials yet though. Every time they come on he asks where American Idol went.

This week’s theme is “songs from the ‘90s,” which is okay for me, but I can’t wait until they do the ‘80s, if they ever do.

01 – Bo Bice, Remedy (Black Crowes)
Bo came out rockin, as usual, this time with a big cow print cowboy hat and a reddish-orange velour shirt. It’s funny because his hat was pretty low on his forehead and Jared kept saying, “can’t see.” He did his usual rocker, run around with the mic stand performance. Walked across the judges’ table this time and put the cow hat on Paula’s head. I’m warming up to Bo. Like him better than Constantine now. Didn’t really know this song that he sang, but he’s cool with me. Randy said that he’s glad he’s back rockin’ it and he’d love to see a rocker win. And that the performance was hot. Paula adores him and said he did an awesome job. Simon said that he didn’t like the song and that it was something that you’d see at a wedding. Bo should be safe until about the final 5 or so.

02 – Jessica Sierra, didn’t know the song title (LeAnn Rimes)
Jessica mentioned the Dixie Chicks in her intro and it made me think that she looks like one of them. The short, chubby one. I didn’t really know this LeAnn Rimes song. She should’ve picked the Con Air song. That would’ve been better. She wore a lavender blazer but her hair was WAY too flat. Had jeans on that had bleach marks on them. I had a pair of jeans in college that had an actual acid bleach spot on them. I was wearing them in a Chem lab and a guy next to me spilled his beaker on my pants. Burned a hole right through them. Had to go to the health center for some cream (it was Cowell Health Center, not BALCO) to rub on it. No major damage, but it did add some flair to my wardrobe. And it was that first Chemistry class, combined with a Physics class my first semester at Cal that convinced me that I wasn’t digging the science classes to go into pharmacy. Little did I know that I’d eventually become a pharmaceutical rep, but stranger things have happened. Randy said it wasn’t his favorite song choice, but that she sang it well. The song didn’t feature any big notes that she could’ve hit. Paula said the song didn’t showcase her vocals. Simon said that she doesn’t have the likeability factor like some of the others. I’m split on Jessica because I think Simon is right. If she doesn’t blow you away with a song (like she did last week with the Bonnie Tyler song), she doesn’t have the following to keep her around. She may be on the bubble tomorrow night.

03 – Anwar Robinson, I Believe I Can Fly (R. Kelly)
This song reminds me of “Space Jam.” That Michael Jordan movie. It also reminds me of that statutory rapist (allegedly) R. Kelly. Kelly is a Chicago guy and I think that he actually used to live down the street from me. I had heard that his house was an old church that he converted into a huge house. I think it was down Sheffield a bit, by a Carolina BBQ place called Brother Jimmy’s. I hear that Brother Jimmy’s isn’t there anymore, which is a shame because the ribs there were awesome. I think that I took just about everyone who came to town there. This song also reminds me of Glen Rice. Remember when he had that unbelievable stretch with the Hornets when no one could guard him? Was MVP of the All-Star game. I saw a feature on him and he said that he would sing that song before every game to get himself pumped up. Then he got traded to the Lakers for Eddie Jones and he disappeared. Got hurt and never was the same. Glen Rice also reminds me of Michigan hoops when he used to wear those long lycra undershorts that almost went down to his knee, but wore the John Stockton short shorts over them. Still can’t believe they won it in ’89 with Steve Fisher as their coach. He took the team over when Bill Frieder took the Arizona State job before the tournament started and they canned him and handed the keys over to Fisher. Anyway, back to Anwar. I’m losing my love for him. My wife thinks he’s too nasal-sounding now. And this song choice. Done way too much. It’s so trite. It’s almost as though this was too predicable of a song choice. I was disappointed. I guess it’s because I’m just tired of this song. Although Anwar reminds my wife of a ‘70s cartoon character. He really could’ve fit into the Fat Albert cast. Especially with those bell bottom pants he always wears. I’m not hating on him yet, but he’s not my favorite anymore. Randy (complete with the shirt with 3 buttons on the neck) said that his “lower register was pitchy” and that he “hits the high notes to the crowd on his side.” My wife concurred. Paula said that she has never heard such an incredible and original rendition of that song. Simon said that Randy was spot on. The first half of the song was not good enough. I think Anwar is safe, but I don’t think he’s going to win now. He’s really laid an egg the last 3 weeks.

04 – Nadia Turner, I’m The Only One (Melissa Etheridge)
Nadia’s such a rocker. She must’ve been surprised to be in the bottom 2 last week. But then again, I thought her performance was awful. It’s almost as though she thought that she was safe and decided to just have fun with the Cyndi Lauper song. It goes to show you that you have to perform every single week now. Now that Mikalah is gone just about anyone can go now. It’s that close. She definitely got back to her roots here and sang a song that matched her. Cool outfit, as usual. Funky belt. Gold all over the place. Randy said that she isn’t the greatest singer, but a great performer. How do you take that backhanded compliment? Paula said that she was miles better than last week. Simon said it was a 1000% improvement over last week but that she should be slightly nervous about that song because it was not a great melodic song. I think she’ll be okay tomorrow night, but needs to step it up again like earlier in the competition.

05 – Constantine Maroulis, I Can’t Make You Love Me (Bonnie Raitt)
Couldn’t remember who sang this song, but my wife remembered that (Sistah) Robi Kahakalau sang it. It was funny because in the intro they were asking each contestant what they remembered about the ‘90s and Constantine mentioned the Seattle grunge scene. Then he comes out singing this Bonnie Raitt ballad. Talk about your non sequitur. I thought the song was okay. He showcased his vocals, but it was so subdued and if felt as though the audience gave him a reluctant standing O. What bothers me about Constantine is the cheesy glances that he always gives to the camera. It used to be the opening of one side of his jacket, but he’s cut that out. Now it’s those darn glances. And the nose wrinkle too. That bugs. The judges, however, loved him. Randy said it was his best vocal performance. Paula said that she was glad to hear the male version of that song and that it was his best vocal performance (you know, she should go first so that she doesn’t copy Randy all the time). Simon said that the thinks he did better than Bo tonight. It looks as if Constantine will be around for awhile, so I better get used to those facial expressions…

06 – Nikko Smith, Can We Talk (Tevin Campbell)
Boy, what ever happened to Tevin Campbell? Looking back, this was his only real hit. But it was a good one. Back in the early ‘90s I was big into the R&B crooners like (as previously stated) New Edition and Boyz II Men, but also lesser knowns like Hi-Five and Riff, who sang in the movie “Lean On Me.” Funny story. I was in an interview for an alumni scholarship for UCLA and they asked me what I thought about the actions of Joe Clark and I said, “do you mean, Jack Clark? Because I love Jack the Ripper.” Needless to say, I didn’t get that scholarship and made a better decision to go to Cal… Anyways, I always say, “if I didn’t see it on SportsCenter, it didn’t really happen…” Is it me, or did Tevin Campbell look like Tyus Edney? Back to Nikko. Paula, again, was the only one standing during his performance. Nikko was good tonight though. Wore a black tee and a white leather jacket, both of which were air brushed on. A little different than the black on black on black he’s been wearing recently. Nikko’s really proven himself in this competition since given a second chance. Randy called him most improved and that he blew it out (that’s a good thing). Paula said that he makes her proud to sit where she is sitting (I think that’s a good thing). Simon called him a breath of fresh air, but then kinda dogged him saying that it was just like the original. But it really wasn’t he changed it up quite a bit. I was a fan of the song and also of Nikko’s performance. I’m hoping he lasts a lot longer in this competition.

07 – Anthony Fedorov, Something About The Way You Look Tonight (Elton John)
Anthony changed it up a bit tonight. No glasses, a lime green shirt (which made him look pasty, by the way), big belt. Shirt was cool though. Double buttons instead of single ones and huge cuffs. A different color might have had a better effect though. He was a bit pitchy with the song though, but he did try to let go and not be so cautious in his singing. Randy called it a’ight. Paula said he did a great job. Because she did not expound on that, it meant she thought he sucked. Simon called it, in parts, excruciating. I wouldn’t go that far, but I really think Anthony is in jeopardy tomorrow night.

08 – Carrie Underwood, some country song (Martina McBride)
Didn’t know the title of the song, but boy can Carrie sing country. What a voice! is what my wife said after her performance. And that she is very likeable. Good hair this week. Last week was such a shock. I can’t believe that I didn’t liken her to Sandy being made up at the end of Grease. Looked just like her, especially the hair. Now Sandy wore black with tight black pants. Did they actually have lycra in the ‘50s? Or was it called something else? Randy called it a great performance and the best vocal of the night. Paula said that she loves it when she sings country. Simon said that she has something different. The “it” factor. Carrie was very good tonight, as she has been throughout most of the competition. I’m jumping on her bandwagon now. I was always a fan of hers, but now I’m riding shotgun on the wagon.

09 – Scott Savol, One Last Cry (Brian McKnight)
I’m a huge Brian McKnight fan too. His first hits (One Last Cry and After the Love) were great. I think his first album was his best. He also had a song on there called “Never Felt This Way” that would be a great first dance song for those of you yet to get married… I had a buddy at the Bulls who claimed that he was going to have Brian sing that live at his wedding for his first dance. Don’t think it happened, but it was a nice thought. It seems as though all of McKnight’s CDs after the first had only 1 or 2 good songs on them, which means, I guess, that only a Greatest Hits CD would be worth purchasing. Doesn’t surprise me Scott did this song. He’s got a nice falsetto (my wife’s observation), but was a little pitchy at the beginning. Scott always does the reach to the camera, which I notice, but it doesn’t bug me as much as Constantine’s antics do. He always does the finger point to the temple too. Just observations, not complaints. Randy called it an ambitious song (which, as we know, means he didn’t pull it off) and he ended it well. Paula said she was vibin’ wit it. Simon called it karaoke-ish. My wife calls him the haku-jin (Caucasian) Ruben. Scott may be on the bubble tomorrow.

10 – Vonzell Solomon, I Have Nothing (Whitney Houston)
First off, my son has a crush on Vonzell. He actually remembers her name. She’s a pretty girl, so I guess he’s got good taste already. Vonzell came out with long, curly hair and a black prom dress. She sang the song exactly how Whitney would on stage. Not moving much, just raising the arms for effect every now and then. Pretty much a copy of a Whitney performance, but don’t take that the wrong way. Vonzell has a huge voice and it matched the song. She didn’t really sing it any different than Whitney, but then again, as we learned last year, you can’t sing a Whitney song different because Whitney sings it the way it should be sung. I’m just glad it was this song and not “I Wanna Dance With Somebody.” By the way, that Bodyguard soundtrack is good. In addition to the Whitney songs, there are a few good songs by Lisa Stansfield and S.O.U.L. S.Y.S.T.E.M. Randy called it a great performance. It was sharp in some spots, but he says she keeps getting better every week. Paula said America is falling in love with her. Simon said he was worried about her doing a Whitney song, but she pulled it off.

To sum up the night. Top 3 performances: Carrie, Vonzell, Nikko. Bottom 3: Anthony, Jessica, Anwar. Don’t know how the voting will go, but it won’t surprise me to see those bottom 3 in there and maybe Scott or Nadia.