It’s Simon’s favorite week on American Idol — Country Music Week in celebration of the Grand Ole Opry. I grew up on that stuff. Of course, modern country music barely resembles the country I grew up on, but I still have a soft spot in my heart for country music of any era. The great Randy Travis is this week’s celebrity mentor.
Michael Sarver, appropriately, is up first. He’s singing Garth. It’s a good song choice in that it’s fun and upbeat, but it doesn’t really show off his vocals, although that may be a good strategy for him. Randy’s on my page. Well, it seems like all the judges are on my page, and Michael is defending himself which I find really tacky in a contestant. Movingrightalong.
Allison Iraheta — Blame It On The Heart: This chick could sing the phone book as far as I’m concerned. She’s great. Good song choice, way to rock out country music night. Okay, so Kara needs to stop copying me and get her own comments. She just said Allison could sing the alphabet.
Kris Allen is singing some song I’ve never heard of. I’m falling asleep. The judges loved it. Go figure. I can’t believe how Simon is fawning over him. Am I the only one who totally tuned out?
Lil Rounds — Independence Day: Martina is my very favorite of the modern country singers, and I love this song. It’s not bad, but it’s not Lil’s best performance. It’s obvious to me she’s not quite in her element. She seems a bit hesitant and uncomfortable.
Adam Lambert — Ring of Fire: Johnny Cash with a Middle Eastern twist. Mmmm’kay. Randy Travis is practically speechless. I, on the other hand, have plenty to say. It’s one thing to take a risk; it’s another to desecrate a sacred piece of country music. This is too theatrical, even for me. But I have to say, like him or not, this guy is truly amazing. Kara’s cracking me up. She sounds as confused as I am. I think Simon just summed it up quite nicely, “What the hell was that?” ::SNORT::
Scott MacIntyre — Wild Angels: Seems like Randy’s trying to be nice but isn’t real sure about this one. And now I see why. Nope, this isn’t doing it for me. It’s better when I don’t watch the facial expressions, and I feel mean saying that but…
Alexis Grace — Jolene: I hate this song because all my life (well, my young life in Virginia; people don’t do it up here in Yankeeland so much) people have tried to pronounce my name this way. ACK. There were a few weak moments, but overall it was pretty good I guess. Kara nails it when she tells her she lost her edge in this one.
Danny Gokey — Jesus Take the Wheel: That’s quite a tribute Danny just got from Randy Travis. What’s with the white jacket? Hahaha. Simon says he looks like he’s going on a polar expedition. So yeah, it was a quintessential Danny Gokey performance. He hasn’t had a bad night yet, although I can’t say this one stands out. He may need to change it up a bit to keep his lead.
Anoop Desai — You’re Always On My Mind: Okay, hi. Anoop is TALL. He’s taller than Randy Travis. This is a nice switch from last week. He’s still not my favorite Idol contestant but this was a huge improvement over the past few weeks.
Um. Paula. You might not want to lean forward in that dress. K’thanks.
Megan Joy — I Go Walking After Midnight: I don’t know which is more distracting — that strange voice inflection she’s got going on, the tattoo, the funny twisty thing she does with her hips, or the fact that she’s clearly not wearing a supportive undergarment. Okay, I just found out she’s been in the hospital for the flu. Holy heck, I take it all back. That was impressive. But I still don’t get the funny way she pronounces her words when she sings because she doesn’t do that when she talks. Does she? Maybe I’ll just shut up now.
Would someone please split up Simon and Paula? No one is entertained.
Matt Giraud — So Small: That was really quite good. I haven’t really been a fan of his till tonight.
So who’s going home tomorrow night? I don’t recall it EVER being a tough call at this point in the competition, but there’s really no one I want to see go. I don’t think I’d miss Scott MacIntyre or Anoop in this competition, but I don’t see America voting them out this week. So I think I’m gonna predict Michael Sarver goes home tomorrow.
What say you?
I agree about Megan. As soon as she was done I thought, “what a train wreck THAT was!”. And then Randy had to go and say it wasn’t the train wreck he thought it would be, and I said “What? Are we listening to two different people here?” (I did. I talk to the TV all the time.) And then when they mentioned she had the flu, I was able to forgive her. Heck, I don’t even sound that decent on a good day!
I would have previously acknowledged his talent, but after what Adam did to Johnny Cash tonight I’d like to send his butt home. Oh. My. Goodness. That was horrible. Clearly he’s not a country singer, which is fine. But neither is Lil, and she didn’t feel the need to slaughter a classic. If he can’t show more respect than that for a HUGE artist like Johnny Cash, then he shouldn’t be there. You don’t have to like the genre to respect it. (Like how I acknowledge his talent without enjoying t myself) Huge thumbs down for Adam.
I thought Megan sounded very Amy Winehouse.
I’d send home Adam out of sheer annoyance, but I suppose really it would be Scott. I don’t think he has the chops to be there, he’s on the sympathy vote.
Oh and Kris’s song is pseudo-country.
“To Make You Feel My Love” is a song by Bob Dylan. It appeared on his album Time Out of Mind. It has been covered by Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood, Billy Joel, Neil Diamond, Joan Osborne, Luka Bloom, Josh Kelley, Timothy B. Schmit, Kelly Clarkson, Mick McAuley and Winifred Horan (from Solas), Emily Loizeau, Bryan Ferry, Mary Black, Jasper Steverlinck, Ruarri Joseph, Phil Keaggy and Adele.
Adam’s song was the creepiest thing I’ve ever heard! But Megan has GOT to go!!! (and then Scott next week…)
I don’t like Paula and I can’t even believe she is still a judge.
If I had to guess I would say Michael is going home as well. I have no words for Adam’s performance but I think people will want to see more of him.
I was actually able to watch all 2 hours last night without taping. I even let the kids off the hook for our 20 minutes of reading (bad Mom!) I pretty much agree with you except there’s something about Scott’s music that I like.. he’s not perfect but I think he could be very good, his voice is very soulful to me.
Danny’s probably my favorite. There’s just something about him I like.
I agree Michael is probably going or maybe Lil based on her performance last night. I was really surprised at her song choice. It didn’t suit her in the least in my opinion
I think Scott or Michael will go.
I’m sorry, but I still like Megan LOL – not to win, but I just like her unique sound – I said it before, but I think you either like her or hate her LOL – she really looked like she felt just miserable last night
I’m sick of the Paula/Simon junior high teasing act!!
Our fav of the night, I think would be Matt
~TidyMom
I only saw parts of the show tonight but I loved Kris. He sang “Make You Feel My Love” which Garth Brooks sang for the Hope Floats sound track but was originally (I think) a Bob Dylan song. One of my favorite songs ever! I can’t believe you didn’t know it
After your recap, I’m sorry that I didn’t see the whole show!
Before this week, I really couldn’t stand Adam. Kind of hated him a little bit, which is irrational and unChristianlike of me. But still. I did.
But last night? When he desecrated Johnny Cash and all? Yeah…kind of liked it.
I have no explanation.
Also…I just have to say…I love Kris, I love that song, and I loved his performance.
And it has nothing to do with me thinking he’s cute. Okay? Nuthin.
Well, maybe a little.
I am so freaked out by Adam I can’t even stand it. But I think he’ll stay.
I’m think I’m missing something about Kris. I think he’s very vanilla. O.K. singer, but everyone out there is O.K. . . . or better.
I hate to even say this, but I hope Scott goes home tonight. I’m uncomfortable for him every time he goes out there. And I don’t think he sings very well. He reminds me of the really bad Christian music singers of the ’70s and ’80s.
Sarver’s time is up… welcome back Noop… Adam was a bit on the creepy side… enjoyed Danny’s song, but more because I just love that song… Matt G – WOW!… my favs are still Danny & Allison to be top two… Adam’s up there, but last night was just a little too weird for me… and Matt G & Noop both are back in this competition… it’s going to be a week to week fight from here on out!
You didn’t like Kris? I love Kris – he’s such a cutie. And I thought he did a great job this week. I think the rest of your summary was right on. Oh, and Megan’s most annoying feature is DEFINITELY that stupid swaying dance she does — can’t stand it!!! I think either Michael or Alexis is on the way out this week…
“It’s one thing to take a risk; it’s another to desecrate a sacred piece of country music.” I agree COMPLETELY!!!
LOVE your recap! Is it bad that I really cannot understand *why* Scott is still there? He is soooooo boring and frankly, I think his voice ummm…kinda stinks! He definitely should have been in the bottom instead of Allison (that girl can rock). And yah…Adam’s rendition of one of my favorite Johnny Cash songs was…well…bizzaro. But it captured my attention and I’m mesmerized by him. Totally.
Again, love your recap. I’ll be back next week to see if we still more or less agree
!
I’m picking Matt Giroud. I’ve been a Danny fan all along, but I’m picking Matt!!