I can’t believe the finale is here already. It’s funny, when they’re in the initial audition shows, it seems like forever until they get to Hollywood. Then suddenly we’re at the finale.
Going into the finale, I have to say, I think Lee has a leg up on Crystal. She’s amazing, but she started out strong and leveled off, whereas Lee had potential from the beginning, but he’s really grown. They both have a similar style, so I’m calling a tight race. It really comes down to tonight’s performances.
And tonight we have a special treat. I’m going to include my son’s impressions of the show. He’s 10, and he’s a huge Idol fan.
Round One: Contestant’s Choice
Lee chose to sing The Boxer, the Simon and Garfunkel number that he sang during Inspiration Week. This is a great start to the night. His performance is even better than I remember. He seems totally caught up in the moment. Randy wants more energy but I’m sorry, that was awesome. Ellen agrees with me, that it was even better than the first time. Simon wants more passion. Phbbbt. I felt the passion, Lee!
D’s take: “It was pretty good.”
Crystal chooses Me and Bobby McGee from Billboard #1 Week. Janis Joplin — good choice for her. Oh she’s putting up a good fight. I might have to give Round One to Crystal. Randy says it was dope. Ellen loves how she fills the stage. Kara says she has fire in her belly tonight; she loves it. Simon says this brings us back to when we fell in love with Crystal. I totally agree. I’ve been waiting for Crystal to make her comeback, and she picked just the right night.
D’s take: “It was a tiny bit better than Lee’s.”
I give Round One to Crystal.
Round Two: Producer’s Choice
Simon Fuller’s pick for Lee is Everybody Hurts. This should be good. I like how they’re giving them longer to work out the arrangements tonight. So often they don’t have time to really get the song out, but Lee’s milking this song for all it’s worth. I love this, but by this point, I’m feeling like he really needs a big finish. It’s pretty much the same volume and the same intensity throughout. He needs a song that has an impressive climax, or Crystal just might show him up.
D’s take: “It was okay.”
Wow. Tough crowd.
For round two, Crystal is singing Black Velvet. It’s another solid performance from Crystal, and I love how she shows her range. It was a bit screechy in parts, but it worked. She’s on fire tonight. The judges love it.
D’s take: “I liked it.”
I’ll call Round Two a tie.
Round Three: Their Single
Beautiful Day is the single they will release if they win.
Hey wait. This is U2. This isn’t some cheesy song someone wrote just for this purpose. Now that’s a change for the better, if I ever heard one.
This should be a perfect song for both of them. It will be interesting to see how they change up the arrangements.
Oh Lee, I can see your nerves. Let go, dude. Just let go. You could win this thing, but your nerves are getting the better of you. And again, it’s all about the same intensity, the same tone, the same range. He needs to build to something.
Oooooh, guys, I don’t KNOW. I thought Lee had a leg up coming in to this competition, but if Crystal pulls this one off, she’s got it in the bag.
Kara thinks Lee got swallowed up in the song, and I tend to agree. But I also agree that he belongs here tonight. Simon has some really kind words to say, but he basically just told him (or didn’t tell him, but we all understood) that he’s not the front runner at this point.
D’s take: “I think that was the best performance of the night.”
Crystal’s singing Up To The Mountain. Okay, now I’m really confused. In years past, the finalists sang the same song for their single, but evidently they’re really changing things up this year.
Crystal is center stage on a stool with her guitar, and I’m feeling like we’re watching the next American Idol.
Okay, I could not blog through that. I just sat here and watched, entranced. That was kind of climax I was talking about.
Randy summed it up nicely with “this is one of the greatest performances and at the perfect time on this show.” Yep. Pretty much.
D’s take: “I hated it.” LOL! LOL!
Are we really related? I guess there’s no accounting for taste.
I give Round Three to Crystal, hands down.
I say Crystal’s got this trophy in the bag. Lee just didn’t shine tonight the same way she did. Somehow, the Crystal we loved during the first half of the season made her comeback just in the nick of time, and I predict she’s the next American Idol. Lee will do well. They both have successful music careers ahead of them, but I think Crystal will be taking the trophy home tomorrow night.
What say you?
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I say Crystal is AMAZING! That last song was unbelievable. I felt like you, like I was watching a real performer, someone that already knows what they want to do and the direction they want to go, someone that is ready to cut an album and hit the road on a concert tour. I really thought Lee would bring it home, but he just didn’t compare to her tonight.
Honestly , all I kept thinking last night was how annoying Kara is and how much I wish she was leaving and not Simon!
I have to say Crystal’s last song won me over. It was amazing.
well I voted to crystal…I think Lee has grown the most and has done a great job, that said I also think he is a lot like daughtry and cook and I don’t think we need another one on the radio right now…
Crystal has stayed true to who she is, didn’t do as much growing because she didn’t need it.
I just posted these same thoughts over at Boo Mama’s, but I still think Lee is going to win. It has to do with marketability. I think America likes the gravely-voiced rocker, and I think they will vote for another one. Crystal was hands down better than Lee last night, but it’s the whole season that I think people will take into account this time, not just one night’s performances.
Lee just tanked last night. I voted for him, but Crystal had the better night other than the dress she wore during “Black Velvet” which was awful on so many levels. Stylist for Mamasox, please? So how long into the finale will it be before we get a 6 minute version of “Pants on the Ground”?
Yeah, she totally blew Lee out of the water. But I still like him better.
I’ll be fine whoever ‘wins’ – they’ll both do great I’m sure!