TELEVISION: American Idol Recap (04.27.10)

It’s country night on IDOL!  More specifically, it’s Shania Twain night.  The Top 6 will take on the country diva’s greatest hits.  When I looked on iTunes I was surprised to see that Twain had more than 50 songs!!!  She should be a good mentor for the IDOL crew.  If there is one night that Aaron Kelly should shine, tonight is it.  Country is his genre, but stranger things have happened, right?  Okay, enough chit chat.  Time for some tunes…after the jump!

LEE DEWYZE — “You’re Still The One” — Shania tells Lee to not get buried by his guitar.  She tells him to start with his vocal and piano only.  And man, does it work.  You really hear how strong Lee’s voice is.  I can so hear him on the radio.  If he doesn’t win, he still has huge potential.  Great version of this song.  Randy says, “Midway through the song…you found your sweet spot.”  Ellen says, “It always sounds like your version…and you couldn’t look cuter.”  Kara says, “Look how far you’ve come!…It wa a good job.”  Simon says, “That was absolutely the perfect song out of Shania’s catalog to do.”

Michael Lynche — “It Only Hurts When I’m Breathing” — Shania tells him to make the connection.  We have others tell Mike that too.  I don’t know this song from Shania, but I’m not loving it from Mike.  For me, it’s just okay.  He’s a good singer, no doubt, but I don’t love this.  Randy says, “You did a great job and yo’e really in the zone of who you are.”  Ellen says, “It felt like Luther Vandross…I thought it was beautiful.”  Kara says, “I always feel that you go to that place that connects to you…great job.”  Simon says, “I thought the performance was a little bit wet… it was a little bit girly for you.”  Everyone has a good laugh over “wet.” 

Casey James — “Don’t” — Shania thinks Casey may lack some confidence.  I think this is the song that shows what a great voice Casey has.  This is probably the strongest we have heard him vocally.  I’m not familiar with this song, but I like Casey singing it.  I feels right.  Randy says, “For me, this is one of the best Casey James performances ever.”  Ellen says, “I think it was your best performance to date.”  Kara says, “Artists do not hide the good, the bad, the ugly…and that’s what you showed us tonight.”  Simons says, “I think this is probably your best performance so far.”

Crystal Bowersox — “No One Needs To Know” — Shania says Crystal needs to be more upbeat when singing the song.  Crystal is just flawless.  She is clearly the front runner and proves tonight that she can sing anything.  I love her falsetto moments in the song.  They’re great.  Randy says, “It wasn’t my favorite performance, but I liked it.”  Ellen says, “There is just nothing you can’t do…but it wasn’t my favorite performance.”  Kara says, “It was believable.  It wasn’t the best.”  Simon says, “Shocker!  We don’t like Crystal this week.”

Aaron Kelly — “You Got Away” — Shania says he is always preoccupied with hitting the note and don’t be.  Aaron does such a great job with this song.  This is one of Shania’s best songs and he delivers it with such tenderness and sweetness.  And his vocals just shine!  He’s 17.  Remember that!  Randy says, “This is your wheelhouse…and dude, you did a really good job.”  Ellen says, “The amount of maturity you showed tonight…good time.”  Kara says, “You really felt those words.   Simon says, “The last two or three weeks, you struggled.  Tonight, you were like a different artist…you did really well tonight.”

Siobhan Magnus — “Any Man of Mine” — Shania tells her to put attitude in the lyrics.  First, I have no idea who is dressing Siobhan, but PLEASE STOP.  She looks ridiculous.  Siobhan has a great voice, but I don’t like her on this song.  I feels too Disney.  Shania was gritty when she sang it.  Siobhan is not gritty.  Of course, she has her signature high note, which is always great, but I think that was the only thing that was great.  Randy says, “I loved it.  I loved it.”  Ellen says, “Way to pull the Shania Twain into the station.”  Kara says, “Guess who’s back?  Siobhan.”  Simon says, “I really like that song…but it was almost like you were giving birth up there.”

So who is going home?  Keep in mind, that I am never right, but I think Michael Lynche is in trouble.  Although tonight is hard b/c everyone was so good, but Big Mike I felt the least.  We’ll see tomorrow night. Until then…