The cool and the crazy

Guys try to survive tonight. Blogging live, for once.

They get to Gedeon McKinney right away; talks about how people may not know he paints as well as sings, in an oddly robotic way--he and Ayla would have interesting kids. In classic brown suit with shiny pink shirt, singing When a Man Loves a Woman. A safe choice, but pretty good for his voice. Puts himself into it, long last note, good performance, not great but good. Randy says it was allright, as an old soul you know who you are, liked last note. Paula liked him too, says he's a total throwback and a true showman. Simon says you are quite odd, aren't you, asks him about the significance of his painting. Says it was a bit cabaret, over the top, but I like you because you're interesting, you're growing on me. Simon respects him. In a near-crazy moment he tells Ryan he picked the song because of all the women in his life, he knows how to love them--then explains he's talking about his mom, grandmother, etc.

Chris Daughtry talks about his hair and lack thereof. In standard cool shirt and jeans. Very earnest-looking, man he is so gonna win, every girl is voting for him. He's so comfortable up there, a great voice, knows exactly who he is and sings his heart out every time. They all kindof sound the same, though. And performance is just emoting to the judges, not much interaction with the rest of the audience. But as usual he's very good. Randy says you know who you are and your voice, rock on. Paula says you're already a star. Simon isn't as impressed, said it was a bit indulgent, song was boring--don't get too insular, too seriously, try to be broader. Simon is always right. Afterwards with Ryan he shows a bit of impatience, says it's time America saw what he's all about in response to why he should be in top 12.

This guy burns; he's like Paris in that regard, her personality makes it come out more smoothly with her but both of them have singing in their blood, this isn't some silly competition for them to be gamed the way Katharine and Ace come across. It's interesting, I'd put Taylor, Gedeon, Mandisa in that group too of people who would die without music.

Kevin Covais next, claims he sometimes even enjoys rapping to Kanye West. Then sings a very earnest, sappy song, Starry Starry Night--but it's what he does best, it's sweet and melodic. Sounds a bit like Peter/Paul/Mary doing Puff the Magic Dragon. The other guys are kindof just listening. He's got the look into the camera down pat. Randy bursts out laughing about the clip, then says it was a weird song choice but you can really sing, nice performance, I like you. Paula says she's got nothing but love for him, keep going with the ballads, everyone's got a smile on their face, it was so sincere. Simon is gonna skewer him... says it's like watching puppies play, but it was very juvenile, more like 11.

Ryan chats with Taylor, asks how his life has changed, he says he met an artist he's always loved. But next is actually Bucky Covington, who says he's got a twin, Rocky. Going country, but seems a bit off in beginning; country shirt and jeans. He's got a nice, resonant voice. See what the chorus is like; hmm, it's not bad, he's trying to grab center stage per Simon's comments last week. Putting some passion into it, it's a bit like the country equivalent of Daughtry's performance, not as smooth but by design. Randy says you know who you are like the others, not bad, not sure it shows off your vocals enough. Paula likes how he's unpretentious, his raw untapped talent... shouldn't he have tapped it by now? Simon says it was okay, nothing you can't hear in any bar, not exceptional, okay's not good enough. Out comes his twin brother, it's funny, wow, except for his brother's thicker mustache they're eerily the same.

Will Makar, who says he recently started studying Japanese, says in Japanese 11-year-old girls of the world, unite! Playing off Simon's comment that that seems to be his target audience. Ugh, bad song choice, How Sweet it Is, just blah. In hipster sportcoat and jeans. It's not a bad voice, just nothing distinctive about him; not great energy, just a decent performance. Randy is like oh God, that was not good for me, a bad karaoke performance, below-average. Paula totally disagrees, says she's a fan, claims all the guys are stepping up, thought it was great. She's nutso. Simon thought it was totally average, but at least you got the middle-aged vote, pointing to Paula, hmm, that's all he says. She claims he has a distinct voice, and is a good performer--odd that Ryan asked her to make the case for him to be in the top 12, I guess he's the male equivalent of Katharine when it comes to AI, they wanna seee him move on.

Taylor Hicks, wearing an Easter bunny costume in the clip. In camel sportcoat and jeans; Taking it to the Street, wow, he does this weird dance thing that's like swinging one arm in a circle, but it's kindof fun to watch, crowd likes it, he's really gyrating. But vocals aren't that great, although he goes totally spastic at the end and people like it, it's fun--JPL redux, although of course not as great, long ovation from the crowd and Paula. Randy says a great song choice, good vocals, not best, but dancing was really hot. Paula says she's gonna use those steps, loved the performance, says she's blown away, so much fun. Simon says you single-handedly could kill the music video industry, loved the song, says it was the best performance so far--had fun and stood. He yells his trademark odd phrase, Soul Patrol. Fun guy, totally reminding me of George Huff.

Eliott Yammin, who says he has 90% ear loss in his right ear, it makes sense. My gosh, what a great, sweet voice, gives you chills, Heaven. In standard black, jeans. Wow, he can really sing, the tone is amazing. So different from Taylor, totally affecting in a an opposite way--he's controlled, deliberate, and oh-so-good and relaxed. Randy says he always looks forward to hearing him sing, it was great. Paris stands up in the front row for him. Paula says you're amazing, spazzes out about him and the rest of them. Simon thought it was a cop-out, first time felt a disconnect between him and the song, he seemed uncomfortable, more of a soul voice, copycat. Hmmm... interesting. I can see what Simon's saying, but the truth is he sounds so good doing the song,

Ace Young earnestly talks about how he's worked a lot of odd jobs to pay the bils and is quite the handyman. Hmm, he's wearing the beanie, black shirt and jeans, busting out into the falsetto with a Michael Jackson song, Butterflies. He must feel a bit threatened, gotta bring out the big guns. It's okay, not blowing me away in terms of how enjoyable it is to listen to. Got everyone shrieking, and dancing though. Randy says it was hot; Paula thought it was better than original. Simon is like eh, you made that work, but parts of vocal weren't great.

Eliott Yammin, 7
Taylor Hicks, 6
Ace Young, 8
Gedeon McKinney, 1
Chris Daughtry, 2
Bucky Covington, 4
Kevin Covais, 3
Will Makar, 5

Frame grab of Taylor Hicks by C. Gomez via Flickr.