Kevin's LEC

Another exciting night is coming up with American Idol and the Top 5. Should be a good showing and I look forward to seeing what our top five will bring us. Harry Connick Jr is the mentor tonight and Frank Sinatra songs is the subject. Connick sounds like he will be helping our idols interpret the songs and make them their own. Connick wrote the arrangements for the Idols.

Aaron Kelly kicks it off with Sinatra song “Fly me to the moon”. Great soft and warm beginning. I’m feeling the connection and wow am I impressed. I don’t think Harry Connick Jr. Deserves all the credit. You are singing this piece wonderfully. I’m a Sinatra fan and love your interpretation and version. Absolutely stunning. Randy Jackson commented that you did a really good job. Ellen Degeneres thought the piano Connick Jr. was playing was pitchy but it was wonderful. Kara Dioguardi thought it wasn’t as strong as last week and that you need to work on your charisma. Simon Cowell agreed with Kara and felt that it didn’t have the conviction. However you do try hard.

Casey James Follows up with “Blue Skies” and is a big fan of Harry Connick Jr. It isn’t always about the lyrics sometimes it’s about the groove. This is one of my favorites. Interesting kick of the song. Almost feel like the kick seems slow great voice and way to belt it out but not my favorite rendition. Almost came across as an imitation. Randy felt this was your worst performance ever. It was pitchy from the beginning. Ellen Degeneres felt the piano on stage was not good. Your performance felt very stiff and agreed with Randy. Ellen Degeneres it took to long to warm up and relax. At least you held the some notes for a few seconds but you sounded like a lamb. Simon Cowell good news band was great but you didn’t feel comfortable.

Crystal Bowersox comes up next with “Summer Wind”. A different clear quality to your voice I haven’t heard before. I like it. Your a diva of a different type. There is an obvious connection to the song. Own that stage and relax a tad. You have a great vocal package and need not worry tonight. Don’t hesitate to play the stage and the audience. Randy states it’s not one of your best and a bit sleepy. Ellen felt you were swallowing your words and wanted you to loosen up a bit. Kara it was out of your element but I liked it and loved your phrasing. You showed you could hold your own. Simon I love this song but felt the song was a bit self indulgent.

Michael Lynche follows with “The way you look tonight”. Finally someone starting to own the stage a bit.  Great slow start and I loved the way you picked up tempo a bit.  Don’t be afraid to use the whole stage.  Your quality and purpose seem clear.  You may need to watch your pitch in some areas.  Other than that a spectacular job and dare I say one of the best of the night.  Randy agreed with you are in it to win it.  Ellen  commented that you seemed to have the most comfort on stage and had a lot of charisma.  Kara showed us that you took us on your journey.  Simon this has been a tricky night and you changed the night and I loved that you listened and everything worked fantastic.

Lee Dewyze finishes the night off with “That’s Life”.  Sounds like it’s a great song for Lee let’s see if you pulls it off.  Great start to song and you have the swagger.  Keep it up and relax.  Decent emotion but not certain if the connection is as strong as it could be.  I am loving your second half better than the first.  This is what I was looking for as far as swagger and charisma.  Great Job.  Randy another great arrangement and you stayed your rocker self he loved it.  Ellen at first she was distracted by Harry’s Organ and if this was the last night you would have won the whole thing.  Kara asked Lee if he thinks he can win.  You need the confidence.  Simon really liked that Harry was able to bring out your personality and confidence and by far the best performance of the night so far.

All in all if I personally had to rate the contestants based on tonight’s performance it would come down to Michael Lynch and Lee Dewyze in the lead by miles followed closely by Crystal Bowersox and Aaron Kelly with Casey James bringing up the tail.

Time for American Idol Results for April 28, 2010.  I missed the first part of the Rascal Flats performance but it is always a joy to see what happens.  Ford video  has to do with vampires should be interesting.  Cool setup for the video.  Poor Mike.  LOL he was smart to order the xtra garlic pizza. They were able to joke at Ryan’s part in the new Shrek Film.  Ryan will be splitting our top 6 into three groups of two.

Siobhan Magnus recap Simon gave comment last note sounded like you were giving birth.  Is joined by Lee Dewyze Ellen loved your stamp and Simon thought it was the perfect choice for you.

Aaron Kelly found your wheelhouse according to Randy Jackson. Crystal Bowersox joins Aaron and was told last night that her performance was not one of the favorites. 

Michael Lynche Kara loved how you put your mark on the song, Simon said it was wet and girly.  Casey James joins Michael and consensus from last night is that it was your best performance to date.

Bottom Three are revealed to be Michael Lynche, Siobhan Magnus, and Casey James after a tense few minutes.  Of the three the only one whom I personally feel should be there, based solely on last nights performance is Siobhan.  For me the two performances that seemed to weigh in as lowest were Crystal and Siobhan.  As I commented last night these were the only two that I felt fell short of their marks.  The only reason for Siobhan is that she just did not seem to show the strength that the lyrics and song called for.  Yes she made it her own however delivered what was in my mind delivered a weak character that belies the strength the song speaks of.  There seemed to be no conviction in what you were singing and thus made it a poor performance.  Again that is solely my opinion. 

We just found out from Ryan next week is Sinatra.

Sons of Silvia are performing now and to critique them as I would the contestants , well there not doing bad.  Having a bit of time trying to understand the lead as he tends to mush his words.  Great tone and emotion, even without knowing the lyrics I’m enjoying the performance.  Electric Violin don’t see enough those around anymore. Just noticed the lead has great vampire veins on his forehead if he ever wants to do a Ford Commercial. I need to look this group up as I do believe they would be a decent addition to any country fans collection.

Back from break and Ryan is flirting with the crowd again.  At least this time it’s with a couple of ladies.  Lady Antebellum is performing now.  I love the gentle tone in her voice.  Loving the entire arrangment from vocals to overall balance and composition.  You definitely know how to best utilize dynamics.  Feel there could be a bit of a stronger connection between both leads.  The male singer seems to be conveying a lot more emotion.  Now that were at the end the connection is there.  I wish I know how to suggest to make the connection stronger sooner.  There has to be a way to do it without necessarily facing the audience.  Excellent performance overall and one that I would enjoy seeing.

After the break we’ll be back with Rascal Flats and Shakira for her song Gypsy.  Harmonica intro is uniqe and and eye catcher.  Beginning of the song the vocal seemed a bit rough but you were able to pull it together at the chorus and I started to enjoy it even more.  Love the duet with Rascal flats.  Emotion and connection with the audience, band and partners seems elegant and solid.  Wonderful combination.  Loved the harmonica at the end.  Great performance.

Back to the results we have Mike, Casey, and Siobhan.  Mike indicates tonight is different as everyone had a good night last night. Ryan reveals Mike is safe leaving it down to Casey and Siobhan.  They love stalling for time by plugging in irritating commercials.  Come on it’s time already let’s here who’s going home.  Alright here we go we are back from break and Siobhan is going home while Casey James is safe.

I’m satisfied it seems to fit what I saw from the performers last night.  Siobhan stay true to yourself and you are a star keep going and I look forward to hearing your name in future tied to good things and big dreams.

It’s time for the top 6 to perform.  It’s my favorite week country and with Shania Twain.  Should be a great week for Aaron I look for especially good things from him.  All in all the performers should be able to knock it out.  I agree with Shania it should be a great show. 

Lee Dewyze kicks it off with ‘Your Still The One’  and advises him not to be buried by his guitar.  Great start and you are successfully making the song your own.   Great song choice and you pulled it off fairly well.  Not a wow performance for me but good.  Randy Jackson states one of his favorite songs of all time.  It was a bit pitchy at the beginning but half way through it was a pretty good job.  Ellen thinks you did better than a pretty good job.  Kara everything about the song is so relevant and though it was a love song thought it was a good job.  Simon felt that was the perfect song he could have picked. 

Michael Lynch follows with ‘It only hurts when I’m breathing.’  Very emotional song according to Shania.  Let’s see what you can do.  You know what I love about you is the simplicity and that it is you and us.  There are no props for you rely upon for comfort and I realize that is what is happening with a large number of your colleges.  Wonderful connection and heart felt performance.  Sounds great and looks good to me.  Well done best of the night so far for me.  Randy states you have found who you are.  Ellen comments that she was nervous and felt that you really got into it.  Kara one of Shania’s greatest gift is how connected she is when she sings.  That is what she likes about you.  Simon knows what Ellen meant and felt the performance was a bit wet.  A little bit girly for you.  Shania felt you were very emotional and that you got here.  What better praise could you get?

Casey James has a tough act to follow and has chosen to do so with ‘Don’t’.  Shania feels like you are lacking a little bit of inner confidence.  Love the calm beginning and the emotional connection is getting there.  I was a little worried that you would be cheesy with the performance and am glad that your not.  It’s coming together really well and I find myself enjoying more with each chorus.  Great show you have redeemed yourself for weeks of repetition that was getting to be a tad trite.  Welcome back to the competition in my eyes.  Randy says for me it’s one of the best Casey James performances ever.  Ellen repeats what Randy stated.  Kara you should everything and did not hide it with the guitar.  Simon thinks last week you weren’t taking part in the competition and this week agrees with Randy.  This is your best performance in the competition by far. 

Crystal Bowersox has some great performances to follow and will she continue the night of wonderful performances?  Singing ‘No one needs to know’ is a challenge and one of my favorite songs impress me.  Interesting staccato start.  Using at the beginning the first time was great the second time it was confusing.  Don’t seem to feel the emotion as strong as the previous performances.  It just didn’t work for me as well as the others.  This had to be a tough week for you and well it just didn’t work for me.  Randy loved the acoustic base but not favorite song of the night.  Ellen there is nothing you can’t do.  Not Ellen’s favorite performance either.  Kara impossible for you not to be good and it was believable but not your best.  Simon we don’t like Crystal this week.  Something you would expect at a coffee shop and it was limp.  Did not feel the connection nor the performance.

 Aaron Kelly has a chance to get this train back on track and I know you have the capability to do it.  Singing ‘You got away with me’ and Shania felts it suits him perfectly and advises him not to worry so much about the notes you will hit them.  From the first not I feel the connection and this is what Shania was referring to.  You seem completely at ease and are just telling the story, which in my opinion is your strongest gift.  Absolutely excellent and you revived the show after Crystal’s performance.  Randy this is your house and you did a really good job.  Ellen this is going to be tough, every one is doing wonderful.  Kara completely agrees with Ellen.  Simon honestly states that the last two to three weeks you really struggled, however tonight you were like a different artist.  This is who you are it felt sincere and believable.

Siobahn Magnus closes the show with Shania’s first number one hit ‘Any Man of mine’ .  Good choice about attitude and I think you can pull it off.  Starting off weak.  Not feeling the attitude and power you need to do better than that to pull this one off.  It’s coming across as a bad karaoke version.  I am not impressed and feel you have taken several steps back tonight.  I’m not certain but I think I even heard some pitch issues.  It almost feels like you may have rushed to just get this together.  It was just bad for me especially the self indulgent ending.  Randy loved it.  Ellen way to pull it in to the station.  Kara guess who’s back.  Simon  Really liked the song felt the screaming may have been a bit long almost like you were giving birth.