Yes... I watched American Idol...the word: "underwhelming".
You would think with this week's theme of "songs that inspire"- there would be equally inspiring performances.
But... for the exception of 2 performances ... the awesome performance of Somewhere Over the Rainbow by Jason Castro.
Hands down the highlight of the evening!
..The borderline "well done" Angels...by David Archuleta..
The rest were at best "okay".
Disappointing... It was an odd evening when Simon seemed kinder that usual...David Cook looked surprisingly thinner with continued improvement on his hair... but handicapped by his Michael Jackson inspired white jacket (yuck!) and a less than stellar performance... Michael Johns looked very European chic with and unavoidable hotness and unfortunately a poor song choice... as for the rest... do we really care?
In a competition where song choice is incredibly important... I thought I would suggest a Top 5 list of songs that should have been considered by the 9 wannabe an Idols...as well as who would have been wise to sing them:
1. One name: Bob Dylan Knockin on Heaven's Door, Times Are A Changing, Like a Rolling Stone- Brooke White ( a quiet version of any of these would have been cool). Want something sweet and whimsical? Lovin' You, Minnie Ripperton.. but don't try to do her high note of "ahhh".. instead do a whispered "hmmm". You want inspiration? Try this:
In 1976, Riperton revealed t0 Flip Wilson, who was guest hosting for Johnny Carson on The Tonight Show, that she had undergone a mastectamy due to breast cancer. At the time of her diagnosis, Minnie found out that her cancer had already spread to the lymphatic system. Despite her grim prognosis, Minnie continued touring in 1977 and 1978, and became the national spokesperson for the American Cancer Society 1978-79 campaign.
Eventually the cancer took its toll, and by June 1979, Minnie was confined to bed. She entered Cedar Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles, California for the last time on July 10th. On Thursday July 12, 1979, Minnie Riperton died peacefully in her husband's arms. Her family inscribed her headstone with a lyric of her most famous song, "Lovin' you is easy cause you're beautiful. from WikipediaI doubt there would be a dry eye in the house given the quality of Brooke's voice.
2. Wake Up Everybody - by Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes - Syesha should have been all over this song! Another option for her would be anything by Corrine Bailey Rae... Like a Star would have been a stunner... a memorable performance... something she has yet to do.
3. You Only Get What You Give- by The New Radicals - David Cook could have done an amazing version of this and nailed it. You want to rock?! Van Halen, Dreams... would have rocked the house!
4. Change the World by Eric Clapton - Michael Johns all the way. This would have won it for him. Now.. the big rock song... Aerosmith was not the choice... Pride from U2 would have been IT. Start soft almost acoustic and then build to the finish.
5. Hero, Mariah Carey - Carly Smithson's name is all over this! It is a happy song that could have really showcased her voice! If she insisted on Queen - she should have sung You're My Best Friend.
Okay, I have not said anything about Kristy Lee Cook's options.. let me just add a bonus suggestion..one thought.. Barbara Mandrell once did a song called I Was Country When Country Wasn't Cool.. I think Kristy could have brought down the house with that one.
My vote is still riding on Michael Johns to pull it off... but David Cook will do a Daughtry and be the most successful.
Toodles!
