Boys and a man

The men, again watching week two the following week on tape. Seacrest--you know the way this rolls on Idol. He's like an old guy in a young man's world. Usual pre-show antics, recap last night first. Some good editing on this show though, clips are strung together pretty well. Makes good point the three youngest contestants did best, I'd add Mandisa to that list but it's interesting. Ryan adds her to the list of the best too, not sure why everyone didn't like it as much as I did.

Paula is very hands on with Simon right off the bat; usual R-S banter, Simon says unlike you we don't have our lines written for us. Ryan shoots back well, you just say the same thing every week.

Easy by the Commodores for first-up Taylor Hicks, he says being recognized is weird. Tells everyone to get up right off the bat, in nice suit. He should be singing Neil Young; gotta be careful not to be too weird. Like this song, though, good voice--question though of whether it skews too old and may be a bit sedate for judges. Not as good as last week, but I still liked it. Randy says some pitch problems, still like you. He should get together with Kelie... says definitely Lionel Ritchieish. Paula likes his outfit and enthusiasm, not crazy about song choice. He talks a bit too much. Simon says it didn't work for him, get out of the bubble, imagine you were watching it yourself, you'd just think it was average. I worry about Taylor's fan base, seems to me if it's not pumped up every week by the judges he may be in trouble.

Next is Eliott Yammin, in vest and jeans, singing Moody's Mood for Love by James Moody. Talks about his mom, seems like a good kid; she was in the hospital, says it's been hard for him. He's definitely got a memorable voice, very smooth and classic. Audience really likes his performance, plus he's relaxed and just sings. I question whether he's a pop idol, but definitely enjoyable to listen to. Good, not great. Randy says he's got a natural, amazing gift, stands up for him, calls it brilliant. Paula says it was a very hard song to sing, did Stevie Wonder proud. Simon says you need better songs to win, but growing confidence and great voice has him in position to go for the win.

Ace Young up, in striped collared shirt and jeans, singing If I'm Not Made for You. Talks about the beanie he's always got in his back pocket, compares it to someone's wedding ring. A very soft-focus song. Not great vocal quality at the start. He's definitely in danger of falling into Constantine trap of same thing every week, versus Bo, who tried new things. Voice is flat, off tonight; ugh, high part is just not good. His fans may not care, though. Randy says song shows his range, keep challenging, says he thinks he sings better than he really lets on, interesting comment. Paula says high note was surprising in a good way, agrees with Randy. Simon says he thinks he struggled on the song, will be disappointed when he listens to it later, needs to find a better song that suits his vocals. Ace says his voice is a little tired, but glad he tried it. He's much more genuine than Constantine; throws his beanie to the girls at the end per Ryan's request, they vie for it.

Gedeon McKinney next, in classic black suit, unbuttoned, singing Sam Cooke's A Change is Gonna Come. They replay his forgetting lyrics in Hollywood, says he'll never forget his lyrics again. Whoah, nice beginning to his song. Doesn't quite sustain it, but they show Ann Nesby in the crowd on her feet. A good performance, odd I didn't like it more, maybe song choice. Randy says first part not so good, ended it strong, like that he knows who Cooke is. Paula says he's smart with his selections, says she thinks we'll see him for decades. Okay.... Simon says he's a funny little thing, but Randy totally right, throwback to classic great singers, thought it was very good. Again, I definitely liked it, just didn't wow me.

Kevin Covais next, looking like the high school kid he is in stripey shirt, khakis. Singing Marvin Gaye's I Heard it Through the Grapevine. Uh, okay. Talks about how he's getting emails from all these 12, 13-year-olds. A very odd song choice, not really buying it. He may be cute, but not really getting anyone's respect with this. Problem is his voice doesn't match the way he looks, he sounds like that Ronan Tynan tenor guy. Randy says he throughly enjoyed it. Paula loves it, everyone's having a blast. Simon says this really is la la land... says he likes him, but if he heard that on the radio he'd turn it off. Ryan compares him to Chicken Little afterwards, says Paris calls him that, does a little dance.

Jose 'Sway' Penala next, either he'll be great or horrible. Overjoyed by Stevie Wonder, his usual white top and jeans. Says it was great having his parents together in the audience, been years since he's seen them together. He's also a likeable guy, very open look. Not sure why he always sings high. He does have a pleasing quality to his voice, but performance seems just okay. Randy says not as good as last week, hard to do a Wonder song. Paula says he seems a bit disconnected tonight, not in the zone. He says maybe just having an off day, Paula says you still have a lot of talent. Simon says this is exactly how not to do well, just karaoke, no originality, unforgettable. He says it may have been the wrong song choice to Ryan--he's definitely a different kind of performer, not as cagey as many of the others, exactly why his fans will keep voting for him.

Will Makar in blue shirt black pants, doing Kenny Rogers' Lady. Okay.... Not sure he has the gravelly voice or the presence for it. Says it was cool meeting Justin Guarini. Hmm, it's not his normal voice, but nice beginning, may just be the song though. Soaring vocals are well-done. Bit flat; his mom voicing lyrics along with him. Eh, another okay performance, not that believable. Randy says you gotta do something more than this, it was just allright. Paula likes his tone and performance, but too safe and bland. Simon says like audition for Cats, his target audience of 11-year-old girls will adore it. Randy tells him at end to sing his heart out, loosen up. Will cracks up at something Simon says about Ryan that's not very funny--get off the stage quick--betraying his kidness.

Bucky Covington in non-descript cream sweater and jeans singing Garth Brooks When the Thunder Rolls. Says he doesn't understand the food in LA, things are too weird. Wow, good beginning, very nice tone, quiet and in control. I like this. But unfortunately things get choppy, song isn't that melodic, becomes like something you'd hear in a bar. Randy says some pitch problems, but he did his thing. Paula says the beginning was very nice, he's finding his place. He says he's listening to the judges, learn and grow. Simon says he likes him, finds him very sincere, not playing to soundbites. But comes across as a support act to the bigger stars. True, he's kind of too nice and content, needs some Ayla Brown in him. He lets Ryan makes fun of him for his food tastes; should hammer him down.

David Radford talks about no belt in the auditions, takes his mom's car phone charger. Okay.... Singing The Way You Look Tonight, in classic suit. But not sung that well, just kind of put out there. He has a decent voice, but does nothing with the song, performance or vocal-wise. Utterly forgettable, and safe. Can see him trying to push the buttons, but feel nothing. Randy says he was bored, in your comfort zone. Paula says he's performed better with other songs, didn't connect. Simon says no charisma, no confidence--nervous doesn't work, we feel uncomfortable. He just lies to Ryan at the end about how he feels confident and good about his performance.

Finally, Chris Daughtry in stylish green short-sleeved top, doing Fuel. Says he's been spending all his time living the dream, instead of all work all day. Man, he's so powerful and in control, he's gonna win this thing, can bring in a whole new audience. Crowd totally into it, he belts it out, great performer. Thousands of women are thinking his wife is the luckiest woman in America. I think the song's okay, but his performance is quite good. Randy loved it, said this could be on the radio and up on the charts right now. Paula asks if he knows how good he is, he says only when you tell me. She says you're amazing, calls it a magic moment. Hmmm, I don't think so, it was very good, but not great. Simon says there have been a lot of compliments tonight, but this was the only performance which stands out in the real world, in a class of his own and every guy should be looking up to him. He's definitely got the winning attitude, won't lose the mano-a-mano part of the competition.

It's interesting, at this point I think it'll be him, Paris, Kelie, Ayla, Lisa or Mandisa, and maybe Ace or Taylor or one of the sweet-singing guys at the end. A very diverse group with really nothing in common, except they're all pros at what they do, know themselves well.

Taylor Hicks, 1
Chris Daughtry, 10
Gedeon McKinney, 4
Eliott Yammin, 2
Bucky Covington, 8
Will Makar, 7
Jose 'Sway' Penala, 6
Kevin Covais, 5
Ace Young, 3
David Radford, 9

Frame grab of Chris Daughtry by C. Gomez via Flickr.