I actually had something resembling a life last night, so The Wife and I didn’t get around to watching the eight remaining women perform on American Idol until this evening. Given that we cut down to the Final Twelve this week, the pressure was definitely on.
Katie Stevens
Breakaway by Kelly Clarkson
It’s always dangerous to perform a hit by a former American Idol contestant, especially one from Kelly. The performance is naturally compared to the original, and it rarely compares well.
Katie’s version doesn’t break this trend. It was pitchy, and she missed notes left and right. By far the worst we’ve heard from Katie.
The Wife pointed out how bad her lower registers are, and wondered why Katie keeps picking low songs.
The performance was just bad. It made it very clear that she doesn’t have the vocal control she needs. Get some voice lessons, Katie.
Siobhan Magnus
House of the Rising Sun by the Animals
Loved the a capella opening. Hopefully, Katie is paying attention so she can hear what the lower registers of her voice should sound like.
Siobhan built the song nicely. I loved every bit of it.
Lacey Brown
The Story by Brandy Carlisle
I really like Lacey’s voice, but the song was a bit big for her. Other than some pitch problems here and there, I liked the performance.
The Wife suggested she should perform Eva Cassidy’s version of Fields of Gold, if she’s given a chance.
Katelyn Epperly
I Feel the Earth Move by Carol King
Decent performance, but there was nothing modern or memorable about it. The Wife thought it was very seventyish, and I thought it was very forgettable.
Katelyn is in a lot of trouble.
Didi Banami
Rhiannon by Fleetwood Mac
I loved the simplified version of the Fleetwood Mac hit. Really loved.
Kara calls it the best performance of the night, which is wrong (Siobhan was better), but it was rather good.
Paige Miles
Smile by Charlie Chaplin
Paige’s tone was ok, but her nerves caused her major problems. She had shaky notes everywhere.
The Wife thought it sounds like something we heard on our last cruise, and said it felt like we should be dancing in the ballroom.
That makes for three very bad performances this week.
Crystal Bowersox
Give Me One Reason by Tracy Chapman
Again, I love the simple opening. “Damn, I like her,” says The Wife.
When she really opened the song up, it was amazing. She just knocks it out of the park every week.
Lilly Scott
I Fall to Pieces by Patsy Cline
The Wife can’t remember anyone on American Idol performing a Patsy Cline song before.
And after Lilly’s rendition of the 1961 hit, I’m not sure anyone else will do so again anytime soon. It was pitchy, hooky, and just bad. She tried to make it current, and it just didn’t work.
For some reason, the judges (other than Simon) really liked the performance. They clearly heard something different than I did.
The best two performances of the night were Crystal Bowersox and Siobhan Magnus. Crystal was probably better, but Siobhan definitely closed the gap this week. Didi Benami was third, but well back from the other two.
The worst performances of the night were Katie Stevens and Paige Miles. Paige has VoteForTheWorst.com backing her, so she might be safe, but I think Katie is probably gone.
Katelyn Epperly was the next worst performance, but she might survive by virtue of her performance in previous weeks.
I liked Lacey Brown’s performance, but the weaker performances in previous weeks might have her in trouble.
The sunshine pumping from the judges might have saved Lilly Scott, but it wouldn’t surprise me if she went home.