'American Idol': Top 5 take on the Rat Pack
The surprise mentor for this week's American Idol -- with the Rat Pack theme -- is Jamie Foxx. He talks to the Top 5 about how the singers of that era were communicating a lifestyle, not just a song.
Kris Allen is up first. His song choice is "The Way You Look Tonight." He delivers an understated, clear-voiced performance. He starts out slow, and then the band and the tempo kick up a little in the middle, but he finishes smoothly. Randy Jackson says he likes to see at this point "who's in it to win it," and he thinks tonight was Kris' best performance so far. Kara DioGuardi says he set the standard really high today and calls him a "dark horse" in the competition. Paula Abdul says he has made the transition to sophisticated gentleman and contemporary crooner. Simon Cowell says he isn't as enthusiastic as the others, though it was good. He calls it "wet" and compares him to a spaniel. Then he says he doesn't think Kris can win this competition. I don't know about that, and neither do the people buying iTunes tracks.
Allison Iraheta turned 17 yesterday. She's going to sing "Someone to Watch Over Me." During practice with Jamie, she talks about how she's too young to have a boyfriend, so he tells her to think about how her family watches over her during her performance. It's nice to hear her taking a rather traditional approach to the song since we've mostly heard rock-vibe performances from her. Randy says she sings like Pink, but "with like 9,000 more octaves." In short: He loved it. Kara says it was a gut-wrenching rendition, and "if that doesn't land you in the finals, I don't know what will." Paula says it was good to hear how she approaches a ballad, adding that she had an alluring and tender sensibility. (Paula totally has a writer this season, don't you think?) Simon asks if she thinks she can win, and she says she believes they all have the chance.
Matt Giraud is stoked that it's Rat Pack week, saying that he studied jazz. His song tonight is "My Funny Valentine." It's a little rough -- he has a bunch of patches where he's totally flat, though the end half is pretty strong. It's a little late in the competition for that, though. Randy says that is one of the hardest songs ever, but for him it was a little bit pitchy. "It didn't quite come together for me." Kara says tonight, he has to be the leader of the pack, but he didn't seem emotionally connected to the song. He balks. Paula loves the changes he made to the song. She thinks it was pure and simple and excellent. Simon disagrees with Randy, saying that it was "the only believable, authentic song I've heard tonight." Oh, whatever. He's just trying to make them look less dumb for using the judges' save on him.
Danny Gokey is taking on "Come Rain or Come Shine." He starts out very straightforwardly, but goes a little jazzy with it about halfway through. It really works for him (and the crowd). Randy says he was worried it was a safe choice, but then he realized Danny could have an album of songs like that and win. "This is a singing competition, and you can sing!" Kara says he brought the Rat Pack swagger tonight, and that he finally showed his creativity. Paula: "Stellar, stellar performance." Simon says he came out to prove a point, and he did -- with his vocals and his performance.
Adam Lambert is doing "Feelin' Good" with a rock edge. It's Adam-ish, which is to say big, theatrical, calculated, technically proficient. I still wouldn't buy his album. But I know the judges disagree. Randy says it was "a little theatrical, a little too drama-filled, a little too Broadway," but still good. Kara says he is confusing and shocking and sleazy and superb. Paula says watching him is like watching the Olympics, "and you're Michael Phelps." (Thanks for the search term, Paula!) Simon says complaining about Adam being theatrical is "like complaining about a cow mooing." He adds that Adam makes it clear that he wants to win and has a point to prove every week.
I think Matt's toast. And maybe Allison, even though I thought she was pretty good tonight.
What say you?
Comments
Actually, Adam's my favorite. I'd go see him in concert anyday. But Danny blew it out of the park tonight, as far as I'm concerned. I LOVED the bluesy sound. Allison was my third pick, Kris fourth, and Matt is going home. At least that's my guess.
Posted by: daisyaday | April 29, 2009 12:37 AM
I like Allision she the best and the she will be the WInner I like her a lot
I want Allision to win,
and the loser is bottom two is Matt and Danny dokey Kris out for good and My Sister really like Adam Lambert he is a great Singer Ryan please let Allision stay
Posted by: Bich Lien Tran Singapore | April 29, 2009 1:09 AM
You might not buy his records BUT he is the most itunes downloaded singer today.....everyone wants to hear more. Tonight he performed perfect Rat Pack era......again a genius presentation. There is a huge difference between just "singing" and moving people with song. He is the real thing.
Posted by: chipitasgirl | April 29, 2009 1:39 AM
Close your eyes and listen to them. These were the top people. I can't believe it, but I actually agree with Simon. Matt G. took some risks with the notes and shined!! I really enjoyed his performance more than any of his previous ones. Kris Allen surprised me with a sensual and sexy vocal. It was not over the top, but he got my attention tonight. Kris connects with the audience like Adam. Both are adorable!! Adam and Danny were just all right tonight. Overall everyone did a pretty decent job. Too bad the save is already used. At this stage all are putting up a good fight. Adam is still my favorite and should win American Idol based on consistant and incredible perfomances week after week. Personally, I feel Allison or Kris should be in the number 2 spot, not Danny. Danny is so over rated and sounds the same on all his songs to me. My rankings for tonight:
1. Kris A.
2. Matt G.
3. Adam
4. Allison
5. Danny
Posted by: Patti | April 29, 2009 4:02 AM
Sorry Matt, only the great Melinda Doolittle has rights to that song on that stage. You and Kris will be in the bottom two. (How come Adam ended the show)? I guess their want him to win. Bet cha... Next week, two will be on one side and two on the other. Showstopper Adam will be 'The Choose One' to stand at either place. That tee shirt has been worn.
Posted by: Brice | April 29, 2009 5:22 AM
I said it last week and I will say it again now. Allison is in trouble because she has the lowest fan base of the remaining contestants. I like her, but even if she survives this week, she is not going to win. Unfortunately, "Screech" Lambert is probably going to win.
Posted by: Scooter | April 29, 2009 7:32 AM
Ok, I'm a huge fan of Adam and still believe he is technically perfect. However....
Danny was far superior last night. Adam once again strayed from the original theme of the night and I think it cost him.
Allison's vocals sounded rough, Kris was forgettable and Matt was not up to par with the others, though I do think he made a good effort.
Oh, and Jamie Foxx? Didn't like him at all.
Posted by: GBA1 | April 29, 2009 8:45 AM
If you want to go by who's CD I would buy, which is the goal of the competition, I would buy Matt's or Allisons. I wouldn't buy Danny's because he sounds the same every song and Adam, well, fun to watch, but I couldn't listen to him sing back to back. I disagree with you about Matt. He probably will go home but will not be the loser. I think he's the one who's going to put out the CD's. Go Matt!!
Posted by: Maria | April 29, 2009 8:57 AM
I think Adam is the best one in there and he is going to win !!! Sorry to burst your bubble or anyone else. Matt or unfortunately Kris is gone tonight. Its going to come down between Danny and Adam but we all know who is better !
Posted by: Nancy S (Louisville, Ky) | April 29, 2009 8:57 AM
Can it be any more obvious that the fix is in for Glambert? Week after week, he's slotted in the coveted last or second-last position--he's never in the dreaded first timeslot. The judges gush superlatives over every over-the-top drama queen move he makes, while ignoring his glaring faults. He gets his choreographed entrances on the grand illuminated staircase, special lighting, special graphics, a fog machine, and damned near every other effect Fox can conjure up to make him look like he's starring in a Hollywood blockbuster.
Gokey and others are "karaoke?" Might help if the producers gave them lighting and production values better than you'd expect to see in a karaoke bar...
Posted by: Ted | April 29, 2009 9:44 AM
Simon was in Bizarro World last night; saying pretty much the opposite of what you might expect his criticism to be.
Posted by: joe | April 29, 2009 9:48 AM
It is becoming obvious to me that no matter what Allison does, Simon does not want her to win.
He continues to find ways to nitpick EVERY little thing about her. He can't fault her singing, so he goes after her clothes, her persona, her will to win...
I mean, seriously...can there be a clearer more mean-spirited (in my opinion) attempt to undermine a contestant's chances?
He always makes sure to find fault.
Sadly, it looks like it may work.
As for Matt, PLEASE! He was not good. He was the only one that did not sound like he was 'in it to win it'...sad.
Posted by: Walter Hollman | April 29, 2009 10:07 AM
I've got to say that I enjoyed that. Of course I'm sort of geezer-ish and still listen to Frank Sinatra's "The Main Event" (an album recorded live at Madison Square Garden) on vinyl.
Who goes home? Not Adam. I think everyone else is at risk.
I think there was some manipulative judging (ok, more manipulative than normal) going on last night. Simon's comments on Allison and Matt were, to me, more blatantly an attempt to influence the vote than an honest critique of the performance.
SKK - kudos for staying on the job last night. I know that, with what happened at The Sun yesterday, your mind was certainly (and understandably) elsewhere.
Posted by: Bucky | April 29, 2009 10:11 AM
I thought Allison was just fantastic. I thought it was shocking, even for Simon standards, what he said to her after the other 3 praised her. It looked like it broke her heart. Does he have some sort of personal grievance against her? Is she just not pretty enough for him, or does he not like the way she dresses? Who knows - but I thought she looked gorgeous last night and I hope she stays another week.
Posted by: Susan W. Johnson | April 29, 2009 10:11 AM
Usually I think Simon gives a pretty fair assessment of the performances. But he was way off on Kris and Matt. I think Kris is an outstanding talent and absolutely has a shot at winning the same way David Cook did last year. Matt, who I like by the way, was not strong.
And Sarah you hit the nail on the head for me with Adam. I will never buy one of his albums either. There's no question that he can sing. But week after week he creeps me out.
Posted by: Allen | April 29, 2009 11:22 AM
I had exactly the same thought about Paula: she SO has a writer this season. She's been sounding articulate and logical and even intelligent. I think this season's final five are all incredibly talented and any one of them is as good as lots of previous years' winners. I take comfort in the thought that the exposure they've gotten thus far will mean that they can probably get recording contracts even if they don't win.
I think Adam is an amazing entertainer, but if I was buying an album for listening pleasure it would probably be Danny's.
Posted by: banjomom | April 29, 2009 11:50 AM
My prediction on the top five:
1. Kris
2. Adam
3. Danny
4. Allison
5. Matt
Posted by: Allen | April 29, 2009 11:55 AM
I actually think Danny can win this now.....as for Adam...is America bored with him now?....we shall see...
Posted by: Ray Barcia | April 29, 2009 2:44 PM
To Ted: Adam is always last because it wouldn't be fair for any of the others to follow him!
To Susan: As someone sugested, Simon may be trying to influence the voting by dissing Allison who was clearly 2nd best last night! She looked and sounded fantastic last night and, believe me, she will have a verrrry sucsessful recording career even if she leaves tonight.
Posted by: Jay Berg | April 29, 2009 4:43 PM