You’ll all be happy to know that David is taking this opportunity to fine-tune our TiVo settings, not that I’m, you know, ANXIOUS or anything about tonight’s Idol, not that I haven’t been looking forward to this all day, not that I didn’t FLY down the stairs when I finally got Alex to bed so that I could WATCH MY SHOW. :-)
Ah, all done now…and it looks like it’s going to be three songs per contestant tonight: one chosen by Clive Davis (Whitney Houston’s producer before she had the meltdown), one chosen by the judges, and one chosen by the contestants.
Elliott Yamin –
“Open Arms” – A Journey song? Really? Yes, really. And while this song does remind me of every awkward social experience I had in junior high, it was pretty good. Could’ve been really cheesy – and it’s certainly nothing I would want to buy – but Elliott did pretty well with it.
“What You Don’t Do For Love” – I do love this song that Paula chose for him. It seemed like he was dragging, though – and screaming, too. But I love to hear Elliott sing some of the older R & B songs – they really suit his style and his voice.
“I Believe To My Soul” – Funky and fun and everything good right here. If I could download his version of this song right now (legally, of course), I would listen to it over and over and over. Great arrangement, great vocal. Loved it.
Katharine McPhee –
“I Believe I Can Fly” – I cannot STAND this song. But somehow she made it sound like the big finale for a Disney heroine. And y’all, the more I hear Katharine, the more I wonder if she’s going to be a great leading lady on Broadway instead of a best-selling recording artist. David says that she pushes too hard – and I think he’s right. It seems like she’s trying to do all kinds of fancy stuff – but she sounds better when she’s understated and subtle.
“Somewhere Over The Rainbow” – Perfect. Perfect song. Perfect arrangement. Perfect performance. Perfectly beautiful. And did she remind anyone else of Sarah MacLachan? So subtle and elegant and perfect. LOVED IT.
“I Ain’t Got Nothin’ But The Blues” – I love this song choice. It was FUN FUN FUN. I think Miss McPhee may have secured her ticket to the finals.
Taylor Hicks –
“Dancing In The Dark” – I am SO not a Springsteen fan (I know, it’s un-American). And this song is, well, okay. When you consider that the song bored me to tears when it was a hit, it’s probably not much of a shock to discover I didn’t love it tonight. Would’ve been better if he had pulled Courteney Cox on the stage to dance with him. ;-)
“You Are So Beautiful” – I thought this was a really romantic and sweet version of this song. I didn’t expect to like it, but it came across as so sincere, so genuine, that it actually brought a little tear to mine eye.
“Try A Little Tenderness” – Hallelujah and Amen. I will be listening to this performance LOUDLY in mere minutes – and dancing spastically throughout my house. David actually didn’t like it at all, but he’s not a Taylor fan like I am. I, on the other hand, ADORED IT.
By the way, the judges were out of control tonight and totally on my nerves. And Paula? Paula, Paula, Paula.
Should go: Elliott
Will go: Elliott
Best of the night: Katharine’s “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” – but Taylor’s last song was mighty fun indeed.
You get extra credit points for spelling Courteney Cox’s first name correctly…but I would expect no less. :)
EW.com has been whining (not the website literally, but its writers) about how this year’s Idol hasn’t had that “moment.” Katharine’s “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” might have been it.
BooMama – please forgive me for posting a random and unrelated comment. I thought I’d e-mail, but did not see an e-mail link in your profile.
I was wondering if you would consider posting a photo of yourself. Or, if there is one in the archives that I have somehow missed, would you please direct me to the post?
Just curious.
taylor simply must win. he must.
Katharine is amazing but she is so NOT humble. Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, total Divas but HUMBLE divas! I like Elliott,and I really hope it is him and Taylor!
My pick? TAYLOR!!!!!!!!!!!!
Soul Patrol!Woo!
Oh yes, I am such a dork that I am having a huge Soul Patrol party next week! When you call my cell phone I have the AI ring tone. When it rings, the caller hears Taylor Hicks singing instead of a ring. Yep, I am a total DORK.
Once again BooMama I think you’re ‘in the Dog Pound’ cuz, “we got a hot one tonight!” You are right on…Loved Kat and Taylor tonight, I agree Elliot will go tomorrow.
I’m still watching the final show of Survivor. So thanks for catching me up on what I’ve missed on AI. We’re a week behind on that and likely wont get to watch the vote tonight. I’m still thinking Chris should have won, but the one I want to win never does – kiss of death if I vote for them!
I knew, missing AI, I could just go over to your blog and see what happened.
I hope the girl wins. Taylor is just horrible. I was talking to somebody last week and he said that Taylor played at his sons frat house at GA. That is what Taylor needs to be doing.
It may be a guy / girl thing, because D. doesn’t like Taylor, either, but I love him. I think he’s great, and I think he’s real. That’s why so many people respond to him, I think – because he’s genuine. Or if he’s not, he’s a mighty fine actor. :-)
I TRIED to vote for Taylor and it was BUSY the WHOLE time!!! I loved his Bruce song and the second was incredible. You’re right, Kat nailed rainbow!!! Of course, Judy Garland’s version can’t ever really be touched. That Simon chose it shows how well he really knows music. Of course, I’m a HUGE Il Divo fan and he handpicked them too!!!
Hey, stop the world and get off. I actually tuned in to (some of) AI last night.
I’m with brother on this. I covered my face during Taylor’s last song because I was so embarrassed. I couldn’t look at him. Egads!
I’m with Stacy and Sister on this one too. Talented yes, but PAINFUL to see on stage! Not that the other two “knock” me down.
SOUL PATROL! I was hoping that it would be a all guy finale. Shucks!
SOUL PATROL, Amanda. :-) I really, really hate to see Elliott go. Looks like it’s gonna be a close final two – especially if the votes are as close as they were tonight. I do think Taylor will be more likely than Katharine to pick up Elliott’s votes.
I got a little teary-eyed seeing Elliott go back to his hometown. And I’ll vouch for the fact that there were Taylor fans ALL OVER B’ham last week – Southerners get behind their own, no doubt about it.
Also, seeing Gov. Riley reminded me that last year when he came by our church’s Katrina shelter, Alex screamed at him first, then said, “Hey. Ya want some peanut butter?”
And Bubba – don’t get too close to Taylor when he’s singing, cause HE’LL knock you down, for sure. :-) He did the Merritt “Two Bits” dance last night at the end of his final song – cracked me up.
BM, when you’re greeting someone with the phrase SOUL PATROL, and then putting their name behind it…as in “SOUL PATROL,AMANDA!” it let’s me know that you’ve lived in Alabama too long…since this is the land where every sports call-in show phone call begins with one of two greetings: “WAR EAGLE, COACH” OR “ROLL TIDE, COACH.”
Maybe, just maybe, Taylor will be able to bring Alabamaians together with one universal greeting: “SOUL PATROL, (insert name of fellow Alabamaian)!” We can dream, we can dream.
WAR EAGLE / ROLL TIDE / SOUL PATROL, Daphne!!!
Yep. Been here too long. ;-)