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Danny gets a text message from Paula telling him that she has chosen Terrance Trent D'Arby's "Dance Little Sister". I googled the song and thought it was a good fit for Danny. It's an uptempo song and the flavor of it suits him. It started out almost like a monotone but that's how this song is and Danny did not choose it, so I'm giving that a pass. Then the backup singers got too loud and it was hard to hear Danny well (again not his fault). The scatting he did during the sax solo was a nice touch. All in all, not bad but not great. The judges start their crazy act right off the bat and after they've finished, Ryan talks to Danny who rambles on and on like he does so I have a feeling we might just run long again tonight.
Back in Arkansas, Kris gets a text message on his new phone that says Randy and Kara have chosen OneRepublic's "Apologize" for Kris. I love the idea of this song for him! Kris, looking all CUTE at the piano, sings a pretty straight forward version of the song and I found it quite enjoyable. Kara was disappointed that Kris stayed true to the original version; she was hoping he would change it up. This is such a current song though, I wonder how well it would have been received if he had done too much with it. Paula felt the need to point out that he had a bad note that was loud. I heard a few small glitches but nothing glaring. I can't believe Paula didn't just give Kris an A+++ for effort. I mean, if Danny gets a pass for multiple horrible, extremely LOUD notes, then Kris's should have been ignored. I call FOUL. Simon was partly right about not blaming a contestant for a song they did not choose, but he was wrong about whether it is done straight or a new arrangement is put on it - that is up to that singer. Generally more judge stupidity goes on and it's no wonder I just disconnected from the show on initial viewing. Just ridiculous and time wasting.
Adam receives his text message from Simon. The song chosen for him is "One" by U2. Simon says that he had to get permission from the band for Adam to perform the song so Bono called Simon Saturday to say that it would be his pleasure to have Adam sing it. Adam is so right for this song. He starts off slow and quiet; his voice is beautiful on these opening phrases. He starts to go stronger and builds into the glory note, and that note is not just strong, it's heartfelt (a camera shot at the judge's table shows Simon is clapping along with the other judges, something I can't remember ever seeing him do in the middle of a song, let alone at the end of a song). The next part of the song becomes very emotional. In fact, if I have any criticism, it's that it was a bit overwrought, but this song just brings out so much emotion, it would be hard to avoid that. It also seemed a bit chopped but again, he had to take a 5 minute song that relays a story and reduce it to less than 2 minutes. I have to say that each time I watch this performance, I love it more and my appreciation of it and its message is deeper.
As we wait for the judge's pronouncements, a camera shot settles on Adam's mom in the audience and she appears to have tears in her eyes, and I can certainly empathize with how she must be feeling. Randy, Kara, and Paula all extend their words of praise to Adam, while Simon says it was a brilliant performance, and if Adam isn't in the Finals, it will be the biggest upset in Idol history. I so agree! In the final comments with Ryan, Adam puts the emphasis of the praise on the song rather than his performance of it, asking viewers to focus on the beauty of the lyrics. A very classy move on his part, something I have come to expect and appreciate from Adam.
Since we are again cheated of another song from the Idols (we have always had 3 songs each from the Top 3), they have extra time on their hands I guess because they show us some film of Carrie Underwood visiting Rwanda as part of Idol Gives Back.
Danny's second song is his choice, and the one he selected is "You Are So Beautiful" by Joe Cocker. He reworked the arrangement more to his liking. The start of the song is a little pitchy but still pleasant, and the ending was impassioned. I thought his voice seemed to be showing some strain, which often happens to the Idols at this stage of competition. The judges liked it, with Simon saying it was like a vocal masterclass. Excuse me? Maybe in comparison to last week it was, but it did not go beyond pretty good tonight. Again Danny has lots to say after the judging. He really seems nervous to me.
Kris has decided to rework Kanye West's "Heartless" as an acoustic performance. The artistic interpretation of this is great; I loved it! Very nice vocal performance. I don't know what else to say. I'm so glad the judges gave him the recognition and praise he deserved for this performance.
Adam will be channeling Steven Tyler tonight, singing Aerosmith's "Cryin'". This is another really good rock performance from Adam, if somewhat more subdued than usual but it is more of a rock ballad. The problem with this song had nothing to do with Adam and his vocal performance which was as good as always; it was a backup singer gone wild. She almost drowned Adam out (well - not really - but she was just as loud) and didn't sound anywhere near as good as him. I have to think this had something to do with Adam pulling out his earpiece in the middle of the song. No sense risking having another voice in your ear throw your own vocal off. Randy, Kara, and Paula all agree that Adam would be in the Finals. Simon decides to keep it real, and says it's easy to assume that Adam will sail through to the Finals, and that the show is about finding a star, one who has earned the right to be in the Final. He wants people not to assume he will be there, but to vote for him because he deserves it based on talent. I guess Simon has visions of Daughtry running through his head. In response, Adam, humble as ever, builds up both Danny & Kris saying they both did really well, and are both incredible and talented, and he was honored to be in their company.
Adam's predicament on American idol is that the expectations for him are so high in comparison to everyone else who has been in the running this year. He doesn't have to just compete with them, he has to compete against himself. Every week he is expected to have an Idol "moment" when in truth, those moments are rather rare, which is why they are called "moments". Yet Adam is the first Idol in the running of the show who is expected to do better and better every outing and just outdo himself, so if he were to do something that is "merely" really, really good, some people would feel that he had an off night. I hope that this high level of difficulty they have placed on him doesn't hurt him in the race for the crown. Generally, Adam's really, really good performances that can't quite be called mind-blowing are still a cut above the rest.
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