AI:I’ve Got Soul (the top 10 R&B/Soul edition)

A short play-by-play recap of last night’s “American Idol” for those three people in the country who aren’t bored silly by this season. (I am not one of those three people.) The theme of the week was R&B/Soul and the mentor was Usher, who seemed pretty into the role of mentor and did a fairly decent job. At least he understands that 80% of the contestants this year fail to connect with both their song choices and their audience and urged them all to personalize, embody, and sing the songs with genuine emotion and conviction. Good advice, Usher!

Ready? Here we go:

Siobahn Magnus “Through the Fire” Usher: “She’s got the voice.” He asked about her wardrobe and advised that she not have so much going on with the wardrobe that it took the focus of the song and her singing it. Good advice, man. I feel like you’ve watched Siobahn before! • Nice vocals at beginning • In her higher register when she’s singing the chorus, it’s one big vocal mess • Big note was nice but only AFTER the modulation. Before that, it wasn’t quite the right note • Pitch problems throughout • Big notes were not quite there Randy: “a little all over the place” Ellen: Loved it, but not the best performance Kara: Parts worked, but lower register isn’t strong enough (totally disagree. Her pitch problems were when she went higher.) Simon: “So all over the place”

Casey James “Hold On, I’m Coming” by Sam and Dave Usher: “I’m impressed with him.” “He has a tool to go to, which is his guitar.” (At first I thought he was calling Casey a tool. . .) • Like the red guitar • made me remember why I liked Casey in the beginning • Don’t know if it’s original b/c I don’t know this song • Casey’s best vocal in the competition so far. Randy: “Hot night for you.” Ellen: Loved the vocals; felt a little generic Kara: Want to see more range Simon: Strongest week so far

Michael Lynche “Ready for Love” by India Arie Usher: Make sure you project your energy. • At the beginning, I feel like he needs to clear his throat a little • pretty song, but a little boring (I found myself staring blankly at my bedroom wall during the performance • Don’t feel the emotion because his eyes are closed during all the close-ups and emotional parts • Nice vocals, though, esp. the run at the end Randy: “You were in the zone. . .but it wasn’t exciting.” Ellen: Beautiful Kara: Incredible job Simon: First time I can actually take you seriously as an artist

Didi Benami “What Becomes of the Brokenhearted?” Usher: Didi sings for him, then bursts into tears. Usher’s response: “Honesty is what the audience looks for . . .while you’re performing. You gave it to me after.” • Dressed like this is a pageant • Move, move, move! Dont’ just stand behind the mic! • don’t feel the emotion until the very, very end • vocals are good Randy: Performance flatlined for me Ellen: Way dramatic; not the best performance Kara: Overdone; you’ve lost your way Simon: Over the top and off melody; you’ve lost your way

Tim Urban “Sweet Love” by Anita Baker Usher: “When he first started, I didn’t believe him.” So he asks Tim if he’s ever been in love and Tim says he has, but I don’t believe him, either. Usher says, “I hope he makes a connection with the person he’s talking to.” • Not the stairs! Overdone! • Tim’s vocals have improved • not sure he’s doing what Usher advised • emotionally, this falls flat Randy: There was a whole singing waiter thing. Sang in tune, but there was no vibe. Ellen: Why?! Kara: Broadway and Vegas at times; took the soul out of the song Simon: Inappropriate song

Andrew Garcia “Forever” by Chris Brown Usher: “I could tell he was nervous.” Advised AG to stop overthinking and just play the song and connect. • Feel like he’s a little sharp at points in the beginning of the song • better than past weeks • I want to feel something so badly, but I don’t • better vocals, just OK for me Randy: Andrew is back! Ellen: strong performance Kara: One giant leap in the right direction Simon: Miles better than the last couple of weeks, but you come across as boring

Katie Stevens “Chain of Fools” by Aretha Franklin Usher: “Energy is good; voice is good.” Advised Katie to connect with one person in the audience and tell the story. “She’ll do well if she can personalize it.” • Why did she pick this song? Is she setting herself up for failure? • She keeps doing a dumb head shake thing while saying “chain of fools,” I think to try to make us believe she gets these lyrics and has lived them, but I’m not drinking the Kool-Aid • A little sharp in places • Nice vocal runs toward the middle • I just don’t connect with her. I don’t believe that she feels/connects with/can legitimately sing this song b/c she hasn’t lived it. Randy: “Disconnected vocals” but “one of the best vocal performances of the night.” (If anyone can explain how Randy’s criticism doesn’t contradict itself, I’d appreciate it.) Ellen: Vocals are great, but it’s not a very current song Kara: R&B/pop is where you belong (disagree. She belongs in her high school show choir); good vocals Simon: Pretty good, very robotic

Lee Dewyze “Treat Her Like a Lady” Usher: “Lee’s performance . . . was a special treat.” Incredible voice, he just needs to own it. “If you don’t believe it, they won’t. • He’s had walking pneumonia! • I love this performance! • Finally, good vocals and a bit of emotion and connection • He and David Cook should hang out • I still feel like there was a little bit lacking in the emotion/connection area. He can do more. Randy: Unbelievable! Ellen: Best performance of the night! Kara: Amazing! Simon: This is the night your life may have changed forever.

Crystal Bowersox “Midnight Train to Georgia” Usher: Incredible story there for her. “Make the piano playing second nature and you’ll be incredible.” • Nice vocals • Stop looking at your hands! Let us see the emotion! Look at the camera! Look at me! • connection/emotion gets better when she gets up from the piano • Nice high notes • Fairly straightforward performance • nice job Randy: Another great performance Ellen: You’re always great. Wonderful! Kara: So glad you took that risk! (playing the piano rather than guitar) Simon: Song choice was sensational, but don’t let this competition suck the personality out of you.

Aaron Kelly “Ain’t No Sunshine” Usher: He must hit the “I know, I know, I know” part. “Give me theatrics; personalize it!” • I worry when people sing this song, mainly because I’ve heard it done and done very, very well. I love Nashville artist Will Hoge’s version and it makes every other version pale in comparison for me. • vocals are pretty good, a little unsure at the beginning • “I know” part is good, but not great • nice ending Randy: started rough, got better Ellen: good song choice; good job Kara: I liked it; not in love with it Simon: Wasn’t as good as last week, but OK.

Best of the night: Lee Dewyze

Going Home: sadly, Didi, I think

Who should go home as soon as possible? Tim, Andrew, and Katie