Elvis night.
And we’re down to four: Chris, Elliott, Katharine and Taylor.
Hey – as a quick aside – David told me that Monday he was listening to one of his favorite local talk radio shows, and apparently word got out on the interweb that Taylor Hicks is sometimes a topic of discussion. I mean, it makes sense…this is, after all, his hometown. David got very tickled listening to callers from all parts of the US call in and “talk Taylor” – apparently he has a pretty loyal following. Whether or not his following can pull him through for another week remains to be seen.
Anyway, two songs a piece – and bonus points, at least from me, to whomever sings “A Little Less Conversation.” Best. Elvis. Song. Evir.
Taylor Hicks –
“Jailhouse Rock” – I think this song is probably an obvious choice for Taylor. TOTALLY in his element. And I ADORED that ending. It’s a genre that suits him, don’t you think?
“In The Ghetto” – Before he even sings a note, I’m going to say this: EXCELLENT choice. And now that I’ve heard it – I love that Taylor gave a calm, controlled performance, and I thought the message of the song really came across. Loved it.
Chris Daughtry –
For what it’s worth, I’m always a little bit goobed out when reality TV people talk about “their fans.” But that’s neither here nor there, I guess.
“Suspicious Minds” – What’s up with the glasses? Okay. I was just a little goobed out when he was talking about his fans. But the glasses have sent me straight over the goobed out edge. On top of that, this performance was sort of boring to me. It felt like a warm-up.
“A Little Less Conversation” – BONUS POINTS! BONUS POINTS! I wish I could’ve seen Elvis perform this song live. That being said, I like how Chris sounded, but I feel like he missed the fun part of this song – because anyone from the South knows that this is a VERY fun song. I detect that maybe Chris was taking himself a little seriously this week. Am I the only one who feels that way? Here’s what I think it is. Elvis was a great singer AND a strong personality. Chris is a great singer – but he’s weak on the personality end, and that was painfully obvious in this song especially.
Elliott Yamin –
“I Can Dream” – A little bit of a rough start, but I think he found his groove about 30 seconds in. I know that he’s probably the favorite to be voted off this week, but I think he did an awesome job. He made it sound like a contemporary song, and on top of that he’s such a likeable guy (i.e., he doesn’t talk about his “fans” and doesn’t go all Bono on us with the sunglasses).
“Trouble” – Did anybody see how much fun the band and the back-up singers were having? My favorite Elliott performance yet. He is really, really growing on David and me. I think the underdog just may make it to the final three.
Katharine McPhee –
“Hound Dog” / “All Shook Up” – I’m a Katharine fan – but this performance was a little hyper. It seemed like she was trying so hard to be fun! We’re having fun! Everybody! Fun! Look what a fun! performer! I am! Hoping for better things in song #2.
“Can’t Help Falling In Love” – I’m afeared that this is going to be boring. Now I’ve listened. Yep, boring.
Once again, the judges seemed mystified as to why the performances were so good. Here’s the answer: THE SONGS WERE BETTER BACK THEN. It’s so clear that the musicians have more to work with, the singers have more to work with – because these songs are more than just a clever hook. There’s some meat to them, you know?
Best of the night: Elliott
Should go: Chris
Will go: Katharine
I agree Katherine will go but up until I heard the songs tonight I was hoping it would be Elliot to go. But he sure came up big. (I am on the PCoast and it is just ending as I type.)
I love Taylor’s ghetto version. that is one of my favorite songs.
I like Chris – but tonight wasn’t his strongest. But I still REALLY like him!
They are all so good – hopefully they all enjoy great careers. (yeh – don’t like it when people talk about “fans” it sounds demeaning somehow.I don’t know why.)
I’m afraid you may be right about Katharine. Hubs said “She’s gone.” I do hope she goes on to bigger and better things, though. I’ll miss her.
I also agree that Chris should go. It’s the whole yelling thing – totally not necessary on Elvis Night, or really any other time, but especially tonight.
I thought Taylor was best overall. He’s my guy. Hubs says it’s the hair. I think it’ll be a toss-up between him and Elliott in the end.
thanks for the update – we missed it, busy grandparenting, so i really appreciate coming and seeing your take on it, and like you we have tivo so we’ll eventually see it, but thats not happening tonight! Thanks!
The night just reminded me of how great of a singer Elvis really was!! I loved all of their performances — but none of them held a candle to the REAL king. You know, I can say that since I live in his hometown. I also agree about Chris — the whole fan self grandizing goobed me too!!
I am sad because I really think Katharine is leaving tonight. :(
WOW!! Chris went home. You could tell Katharine thought it would be her. Bummer for Chris. I don’t disagree with the result, necessarily, but my goodness – Ryan was so abrupt about it. Dang.
We were so surprised. I do think that Chris will have a career regardless…he is talented. I wonder what did him in, though? After re-watching last night’s performances, I think it may have hurt him that he seemed to be sleepwalking through both songs…that whole lack of personality thing.
Big things coming up for Chris down the road, though – no doubt about it.
Hey B, love your idol recaps you are so on! I just finished watching tonight’s and Ryan was a little harsh, he didn’t give us a chance to breathe. I thought for sure Kat would go home because she I thought she did poorly but then again Chris wasn’t over the top either. I don’t think it was the songs that did him in I think it was the talking about his fans. Even though Ryan initiated. Oh well, I think it will be Kat and Taylor in the finals!
I am really getting the vibe that Taylor is going to go all the way and win this thing, which is really strange. J (who is, at best, an extremely casual AI viewer–he rolls his eyes at it mostly) asked me last night, “What is it about Taylor that these people love so much?”
And, I really had to think about that. It seems that people are either really cheesed out by him, or they just adore him; there’s very little happy medium. Obviously, he’s got a great voice, but not stellar. I think it’s that he comes off as so down-to-earth; he doesn’t really try to be something he’s not.
J suspected that he has this cult of “old lady” followers, but I don’t think that’s the case. He seems to skew surprisingly young, and the freakin’ celebrities can’t wait to jump on the bandwagon (see Mandy Moore & Tim McGraw).
Have you read something about Mr. Tim McGraw liking Taylor Hicks? You can clearly understand that I need to know EVERYTHING he has had to say about Taylor. References, please.
Ok, well, my original source for this information was none other than my mom, B.C. (who said, “Tell S I’m in ‘the know’ just like she is!”). She says she can’t remember exactly where she picked up the info (I suspect Entertainment Tonight or her best friendgirl Kay). However, I have found an AP wire story dated May 9. Here is said link via msnbc:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12705972/
Your mama and Kay DO know just about everything between the two of them, don’t they? Thanks a bunch for the link – and from the looks of it last night, Rebecca Romijn is a fan of Taylor’s, too.