Sinatra theme throws 'Idol' hopeful
'Idol' Top 5 Sinatra Night: Chairman Of The Bored
All season long, the "American Idol" judges have harped on how important it is for the contestants to come across as "current" and "relevant." But then they've made the contestants warble decades-old songs by Elvis, the Stones, and now, this week, Frank Sinatra. Perhaps the judges have been hoping for a "wow" cover-song moment as we'd seen in past seasons, like when Blake Lewis beatboxed Bon Jovi, David Cook roughed up Lionel Richie, Adam Lambert radically remade Johnny Cash, or Kris Allen took on Kanye West. But such moments have been frustratingly few and far between in Season 9. And they were even fewer and farther on this Tuesday's Sinatra-themed show, since the top five contestants--who arguably aren't quite up to par with the aforementioned Idols to begin with--weren't even allowed to play guitar. Frontrunners Lee DeWyze, Crystal Bowersox, and Casey James have all been quite guitar-dependent throughout this season, so this restriction hindered them greatly (especially in Casey's case). But more importantly, such instrumentation may have helped the contestants bring Sinatra's old-fashioned tunes into the 21st century, so it's too bad that wasn't an option.
Alas, no. Instead, the finalists had to put on wedding-usher suits and perform with a traditional big band, with Harry Connick Jr. as their mentor. How on earth were they supposed to sound current and relevant under these conditions? Why were they not allowed to remake Frank's classic songs in their own modern style? That would've been more interesting.
Well, honestly, Harry was perhaps the best mentor of the entire season, giving some solid advice, showing way more personality than most of the contestants combined, and taking a much more hands-on approach: He even played with the band and orchestrated all the musical arrangements. I bet past mentor Miley Cyrus never did that! But despite Harry's valiant efforts, the "Ol' Blue Eyes" theme still made for a rather boring ol' episode. It made me wish last week's castoff, Siobhan Magnus, was still around to do her promised version of Sid Vicious's "My Way." Oh well. As Sinatra himself once said, that's life.
Anyway, here's how the top five did:
Aaron Kelly - Young, geeky Aaron had his work cut out for him trying to recapture the smoothness and swagger of Chairman of the Board, and most of the time he was more like Chairman of the Bored. But, as always, he gave it his all during "Fly Me to the Moon"--like a merit-badge-bedecked Boy Scout, Aaron always tries his best. And he almost always delivers a pitch-perfect (if not particularly exciting) vocal, and this night was no exception. "Beautiful vocals!" raved Ellen DeGeneres. "You pulled that off!" declared a relieved and pleasantly surprised Randy Jackson. Simon, a huge Frank fan, was less thrilled--"If Sinatra was a lion, you were just a mouse," he told Aaron flatly--but he did point out Aaron's likability factor. "People like you after you perform, because you do try hard, and I'm going to give you that," Simon admitted. Will likability be enough to keep Aaron in the competition another week? We shall see.
Casey James - This season's blues-guitar heartthrob sang "Blue Skies," but after this, his "Idol" forecast looks bleak and gray. Casey is the most guitar-reliant contestant of Season 9, and perhaps of all nine seasons of "Idol"--the man and his six-string are rarely seen apart. So having to perform this week sans axe was clearly a major struggle for him. He looked awkward and "embarrassed," according to Simon; sounded like a "bleating lamb," according to Kara DioGuardi; exhibited no swagger and seemed downright uncool, according to Ellen; and somehow managed to make the orchestra sound out of tune, according to Randy. The judges were all right in their assessments. Randy was also right when he declared this to be Casey's worst performance of the season. I think Casey even agreed with the judges; he chuckled sheepishly at their comments and hardly protested. He just seemed antsy, like he was ready to rush backstage and pick up his guitar again. Sadly, Casey's lack of guitar revealed all his shortcomings, and I'm afraid this song might have been his surprisingly early undoing. On the bright side, Casey told Ryan Seacrest some dude in his local band back home offered him a $50 club gig, and next week, Casey--with guitar firmly in hand--may be available to accept that booking. Ouch.
Crystal Bowersox - This season's one remaining quirky girl was also very out of her element, all dolled up with an unnecessarily fussy pageant hairdo and mermaid prom dress (although her single dreamcatcher feather earring was a nice granola-girl touch). She definitely fared better than Casey--her voice sounded pristine and not at all like, er, livestock--but her version of "Summer Wind" was hardly her best effort to date. It was "just all right for me," to borrow a Randy turn of phrase. Randy himself used one of his other pet phrases and called her performance "a little sleepy." Ellen thought Crystal needed to loosen up more. And Crystal's biggest supporter, Simon, told her, "You've had two okay weeks now. Now it's about being in it to win it. I expect better." I expect more from her, too--especially at this late a stage in the game.
Michael Lynche - Sometimes Big Mike comes off as old-fashioned and theatrical, but on Sinatra Night, such tendencies were big advantages--not drawbacks. Michael was clearly comfortable with this theme, dressed in a smart suit and Timberlakian fedora as he smoothly and seductively crooned "The Way You Look Tonight." He seemed primed to go into the studio and record an album of standards with Harry Connick Jr. tomorrow--and if he did, it'd probably sell. "Mike is in it to win it! This is what it's about! You threw down the gauntlet tonight!" Randy howled with delight. "You did everything right!" Kara concurred. And even Simon--never an easy man to please, but especially critical on a night dedicated to his favorite singer--was impressed. "The first three performances have been okay, and now, with you, that's all changed," said Simon, adding, "You've put yourself back in the game." Sinatra Night couldn't have come at a better time for this often-at-risk contestant.
Lee DeWyze - Rocker Lee sang "That's Life," a song once smarmily and charmingly covered by David Lee Roth. And while Lee didn't exactly demonstrate Diamond Dave-level showmanship, I was surprised by just how comfortable and confident he seemed onstage with Connick, who seemed to bring out Lee's best. Unlike his fellow rock dude Casey, Lee didn't seem at all lost without his guitar, in a suit, and singing such grandma-friendly material, and his gruff vocal delivery did actually make "That's Life" seem a little modern. This was far and away the best--and most "current," most "relevant"--performance of the night. (Simon said so, and he was right.) Said Randy, "You stayed your rocker self. Even though the band was playing, I could hear the guitar with it." Kara told him, "You can win this thing." And Ellen went so far as to say, "If this was the last night of performances, you would have just won this whole thing." I must say, there was a triumphant vibe in the air once Lee was done. It was an upbeat end to an otherwise dreary evening.
So, now it is prediction time. Well, if I base my prediction on performances alone, then there is little doubt that Casey will go Wednesday night; even he would probably admit he was the worst of the bunch this week. The only thing that will save him will be his devoted fanbase of hot-and-bothered housewives, or the goodwill he amassed from previous superior performances. But let's face it: He was great on Shania Twain Night, and if that performance wasn't enough to keep him out of the bottom three, then he's a goner for sure this week.
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