The top five take on familiar fare on American Idol

A double dose of 60’s tunes and British Pop was the order of the evening on American Idol.

And with Little Steven Van Zandt as the guest mentor. Woot!

Part of the kicker of this episode was the fact I am familiar with not only every single song that was sung, but especially with some of the ’60’s tunes: “You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me” and “To Love Somebody.” My mother (who was a semi-professional singer) used to break out in both those tunes over and over again as part of her repertoire, thus their familiarity to me.

Let’s take a look at what the Idols did this evening …

Hollie Cavanagh “River Deep Mountain High”
Hollie shouldn’t have “acted” that song. It came across disingenuous, but everyone still loved it — all three judges, the entire studio audience.

Phillip Phillips “The Letter”
I absolutely loved the look on Phil’s face after the performance and just before the judges began their critique. There was a definite “You gonna criticize that one? Huh? Huh? Huh?” appearance that seemed almost a challenge. Well, no need. Not only uniquely Phillip², the tune won over everyone.

Skylar Laine “Fortunate Son”
“Knock On Wood” was Skylar’s original pick. Jimmy didn’t like it, Steven didn’t like it. Mixing it up and switching songs may not have been the thing to do, however. She should have rocked the bejeebers out of this song and put it on the map, but Skylar fell very flat despite her peppy take on it.

I thought Phillip and Joshua’s team up on “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin'” was going to be a slam-bang of a duet. But it turned out rather sappy and uneasy as the began. At the stop was where it really got good. The playfulness was genuinely smile-worthy to watch. It was far from an ear-catching performance — it didn’t even hint at any “Top Gun” references — but it was a winner when all was said and done. The thing that would have really put this thing over the top was if the guys had swooned at the girls standing in the pit. Oh, the hearts they could have stolen doing that …

Jessica Sanchez “Proud Mary”
Talk about a performance that was overplayed … this was just that performance. Too much cheesiness to begin with at the start, too much hipping and hopping on stage and too many plays that harkened back to Tina Turner which simply didn’t work for Jessica. She’s much better at the slower, powerful diva-esque tunes.

Joshua Ledet “Ain’t To Proud To Beg”
A little bit frantic, but this was a song right in Joshua’s wheelhouse. No doubt about it. He lent it his temperament and it responded well to him, thank you very much.

And that was the first half of the show. Next up, the Brit Pop section …

Hollie Cavanagh “Bleeding Love”
She did an excellent rendition of the tune. We’ve seen Hollie continue to grow week after week, so I’m doubtful we’ll see her be eliminated tomorrow … not with a performance like this. It could very well have swayed votes her way.

Phillip Phillips “Time Of The Season”
This performance was fantastic on many, many levels. The facial expressions as Phil tried to hit the high notes. The fact he oozed the song with attractive smarminess. The lackadaisical manner in his presentation. Man … I certainly hope we see Phillip in the finals.

Then, we have the gals come up for their trio,  “You’re Love Keeps Lifting Me Higher.” I called it as I saw them begin: Jessica was going to fail on this effort. And she did. Hollie out-shown her like there was no tomorrow. If you remember, this same thing happened when she performed with Hollie and Joshua a few weeks ago during the first Top 7 performances before she got saved. She just hasn’t been in a group situation where she’s come out with a cherry on top yet. And time is precious … I just don’t think it’s going to happen.

Skylar Laine “You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me”
She put in some *umph* and a touch of country twinge on this original English version by Dusty Springfield. There was strain in Skylar’s performance, but she gave it enough character to win over the judges.

Jessica Sanchez “You’re Are So Beautiful”
I don’t know … it sounded like the very end of a cheesy movie to me. Complete with the end credits rolling up the screen. And with the guys who took their dates to the film champing at the bit to get the hell out of the theater. Jessica’s version of the song didn’t do anything for me. Now … lest folks think I’m completely and totally down on her, let me state for the record (again) that there is no doubt whatsoever of her talent or her range or her abilities at the age she is. She’s just not connecting for me on any level and she doesn’t appeal to me musically in the least. Could we see yet another attempt at her being not only at the bottom of the pack, but finally eliminated for good?

Joshua Ledet “To Love Somebody”
For not having ever heard or committed this song previously, he certainly did put out an emotive, “Joshua-esque” version of the piece from way deep down. Passion, indeed.

I think we have the makings for yet another upset with Jessica getting the boot once more … this time without any safety net.

Notes:

• Whoa! Really … ??? JLo didn’t know “The Letter” … ?!? And, by the same token, Steven didn’t know “Bleeding Love” … which seems a whole lot more realistic coming from the blues/rock background he does. But … really: “The Letter” … ?!??
• How could you not love the back and forth sniping between Jimmy Iovine and Steve Van Zandt? Heck … they might make a spiffy reality show …

Quotes:

“He’s the person in my life that tells me I’m wrong the most … besides my kids.” — Jimmy Iovine of guest mentor Little Steven Van Zandt

“You aren’t afraid to wave your freak flag.” — Steven Tyler to Phil Phillips post “The Letter” performance

Clacked by Michael Noble
on May 03, 2012 @ 01:21 EST5EDT