AIV recap, Semi-Finalists, Guys x 10 (03/01)

So the gals weren’t overly great last night. Some were downright offensive. I’m not that hopeful for the guys tonight because they are top-heavy. They have a few real good ones and some stinkers.

01 – Taylor Hicks, Easy (The Commodores)

The only funny part about Taylor’s intro was that he called his beanie/ski cap a “toboggan.” Never heard it called that before. Then again, I had never heard a soft drink referred to as a “pop” before I was out in Ohio. And they call any soft drink in Atlanta a “Coke.” They’ll ask you want a Coke? And if you say yes, they ask what kind? Funny stuff. He didn’t blow us away tonight, but I really still like Taylor. Although his “whoo’s” are kinda Tourette’s-like. I guess we’re just lucky that they are Ric Flair “whoo’s” and not cuss words. My wife didn’t know if he was trying to change the song up or was flat and Randy verified that he was pitchy. Paula still loved his enthusiasm. Not her favorite song, but he is still one of her favorites. Simon didn’t think the song worked. You know I forgot to mention Taylor’s harmonica riff when he was walking to his chair during the one on one’s to be named to the final 24. I’ve heard so many positive comments from people about that. I’m banking that Taylor will bring it better next week. And he must be the happiest person on the face of the earth. Not that that is a bad thing.

02 – Elliott Yamin, Moody’s Mood for Love (James Moody)

First off, in addition to the whole Seth Green, Adam Sandler, Eminem thing, Elliott reminds me of an elf. I had no idea what this song was, but man, did Elliott sing it well. He was silky smooth and buttery and all of that. It was surprising. I think he’s in it for the long haul. Randy said he has a natural amazing gift and gave him a standing O. Paula complimented him because it was a difficult song to sing (with all the scats and runs). Simon called it a great performance and that he’s grown in confidence. I was thoroughly impressed tonight.

03 – Ace Young, If I’m Not Made For You (?), Daniel Redding (?)

I apologize. I missed the name of this song. Maybe I was too excited to hear Ace perform. My palms get all sweaty and I get nervous like a little school girl before he performs and gazes into the camera. Maybe he’s singing to me. Oops. Did I just type that? That was supposed to be a conversation in my head only. But seriously, I am very secure in my manhood (although my wife may start to wonder now), but how pretty of a man is Ace? TiVos across America are going to break because so many women (and maybe some men) will be replaying Ace’s performances over and over and over again. His intro explained the beanie in his back pocket superstition. Randy was glad that he chose that song because he’s a sensitive singer and hit the falsetto thing. He claims that Ace sings better than he leads on. Whatever that means. Paula called it another good week and also praised the falsetto. Simon thought he struggled with the song. Eh, Ace won’t be on thin ice for a long time. As long as he doesn’t sing anything heinously wrong, he’s safe to the final 4.

04 – Gedeon McKinney, A Change Is Gonna Come (Sam Cooke)

Let’s get this out of the way. Gedeon needs to smile more. Gedeon sang the song well, but it’s such an old song. He’s got a big voice and is supremely confident though. His confidence puts me off a bit. At the end of his performance, you could hear Mandisa say “that boy can sing!” Randy called him a great natural performer. Paula called him unique, which is funny because over the course of the season, she’ll call every single person unique. Simon called him authentic and said that Gedeon really fits in that era of singers. I could see that. I could see him on American Hot Wax or playing Sam Cooke on an episode of “American Dreams.” The jury is now out on Gedeon for me. I think he’s a good singer, but I’m not digging his confidence at this point.

05 – Kevin Covais, I Heard It Through the Grapevine (Marvin Gaye)

I’m really conflicted on Kevin. He’s a nice kid and very likeable, but c’mon, he’s not your next American Idol. The judges (well, Randy and Paula) fawned over him, but the reality is, they have such low expectations for him that anything he does is okay with them. Will sang very well later in the show and the judges didn’t praise him. Kevin didn’t really even sing this song that well. His performance looked like a bobblehead up on stage. Like his feet were stuck in glue or gum. And he moved like that hula girl that you’d put on the dashboard of your car. It’s almost like the gals, judges (except for Simon) and audience were laughing at him and not with him. Randy really enjoyed the performance and said “my boy can blow.” Paula called him infectious and when she looked around, everyone was smiling. Simon called Kevin likeable, but if he heard that song on the radio, he’d turn it off. I totally agree with Simon. People are being influenced by the singer and not the song sometimes. Nice kid. He’ll be safe tomorrow night, but shouldn’t last too much past that.

06 – Jose “Sway” Penala, Overjoyed (Stevie Wonder)

You’ve got to give it to Sway for busting out the white leather Member’s Only jacket. Gone was the pimp fedora (which was a good move). He shoulda gone with the Kangol hat last week. Is Kangol hat redundant? That reminds me of when I was first riding along with my old partner Kim Bui, who is Vietnamese. I was showing her where some doctors were and I said “there is Doctor Bac Si Nguyen.” She started giggling and I asked her why? I had just called him Doctor Doctor Nguyen, as Bac Si is Vietnamese for Doctor, and not his first name! I don’t know why, but Stevie Wonder songs seem really popular on American Idol. I guess it depends on which song you sing because gals shouldn’t pick any Whitney Houston or Mariah Carey songs, but the guys seem to pick a lot of Stevie. Are his songs easier to sing? Are there just a lot of them to choose from? I see the gals picking Celine Dion a lot too. Anyway, all this text was just to delay the bad write up on Sway. It was sad. The gals were giving him the “golf clap” after he was done. Like they were clapping because it was the polite thing to do. Randy said it wasn’t as good as last week and that the song was hard to make it his own. Paula called him disconnected and not in the zone. Simon called it “how not to do well,” pure karaoke and zero originality. I think Sway’s gone tomorrow night, but for the record, I think he’s WAY more talented than Kevin, but just not as popular.

07 – Will Makar, Lady (Kenny Rogers)

I think that Will looks like Logan Lerman, who played Bobby in the now cancelled WB show “Jack & Bobby.” I mentioned this show last year as one of my favorites, but it never found its audience and the plug was pulled. It was a brilliantly written show though. I won’t go on and on about it, but I was really sad to see it go. Anyway, in his intro he was mentioning how cool it was to meet Justin Guarini. Really? I hope America doesn’t hold that comment against him. Will showed a very nice voice during this song. I thought it was a bit subdued, but my wife loved it. And she was very upset (livid, almost) that the judges praised Kevin’s shoddy (at best) performance and didn’t praise Will’s. He did show a different side of his voice. One that many didn’t know he had. Randy called it just alright. Paula said he had a nice tone to his voice and he controlled it nice, but it was a safe song choice. Simon called it an audition for Cats. Then Seacrest molested him on stage. Poor kid. I think that he should be okay tomorrow night, but we’ll see. He definitely is the best of the youngsters (Will, Kevin and David).

08 – Bucky Covington, The Thunder Rolls (Garth Brooks)

Not a country fan. Because of that didn’t know if he changed up the song. If he sang it well or not. I can’t connect with Bucky. I hope he’s gone soon. Randy praised him for the Dirty South and said he knows exactly who he is. Paula said he’s finding his place in the competition. Simon called him a support singer for the bigger stars. I couldn’t agree any more. Nice guy, but there is no way he wins this competition.

09 – David Radford, The Way You Look Tonight (Frank Sinatra)

And various other artists. My favorite version of this song is the one on the Father of the Bride soundtrack. There’s a version on My Best Friend’s Wedding too, but it’s not as good as the Father of the Bride one. And David’s version was probably the worst ever. He’s a total throwback to the Rat Pack, but he was totally nervous tonight and I really didn’t feel it. If he lasts past tomorrow night, he will officially become my John Stevens. Why do they put a crooner through every year? They never make it. They stay longer than they should. Really, would you buy a CD by David Radford? His intro story about forgetting his belt and having to use his mom’s car phone charger was pretty funny though. Randy said he was bored and listened to the band more. Paula said she’s seen him perform better with other songs. Simon said he lacked charisma and confidence and that the band was too much to accompany him on this song. He’s a good looking kid and it would disappoint me, but not surprise me if he made it past tomorrow. He should be gone though.

10 – Chris Daughtry, Hemorrhage (Fuel)

I guess this was a great performance. I’m just not that much of a rocker and really can’t appreciate his performance. He sounded good, but I’m not familiar with the song and don’t know how it stacked up against the original. Chris reminds me a bit of TAPer Neil Robbins. Maybe it’s just the bald head. Everytime Chris performs though, it seems like a lot of screaming. Like Sam Kennison. Randy loved it. Said he’s right where he’s supposed to be. Paula called it amazing and a magic moment. Simon called it the only performance that would stand up in the real world. I guess he was good tonight. I’ve got to think he’s pretty safe tomorrow.

Overall, it wasn’t a great night. I think Chris, Elliott and Will were good. Taylor, Ace and Gedeon were worthy of praise. Sway, Kevin, David and Bucky were all worthy of bottom feeder performances in my book. If I had to pick my final 6 guys, it would be Ace, Taylor, Elliott, Chris, Gedeon and Will.