Doing her own thing

A big night for the final five. Everyone sings two songs--one from the year of their birth, the other from the Billboard charts this week. If you haven't already, check out the New York Times' long piece, How a Hit Almost Failed Its Own Audition. It's just an illustration of how stupid television executives can be.

Elliott first, 1978, Lights of Broadway. Struts--oddly--down the catwalk at the start, in camel-colored suit top and jeans. Not a great song choice; doesn't have that sweet tone, an element of pressing. Randy is like rough start, got it together, nice. Paula just echoes Randy. Simon says not your best, a bit disjointed, lucky you have another shot. They're just speeding through, both songs and comments.

Next Paris, in chic dark jeans and cream top. She needs to do really well tonight. Born in 1988, doing Prince's Kiss, totally different song for her she says. Cute baby pictures. Wow, such attitude in this song, very Fantasia-ish, and fun. Not vocally-stretching, but definitely plays to her perfromance abilities. Curls hide her face from some camera angles. Jiggles and dances a little, it's cute. So confident, so well-done, not oneof those wow! songs, but definitely good. Randy doesn't like it that much, just says it was nice. Paula doesn't say much. Simon says it was screechy, and annoying. Uh-oh.

Chris' song from 1979, not sure if they say what it is; in his usual black. Slow, stretched-out start, then it kicks off. His usual rocking performance, powerful and all that. Randy loves it, Paula says outstanding etc. Simon says a million times better than first two, great choice of song, too.

Ugh, Katharine, in tight brown leatherish dress. From 1984, Take a Look at Me Now; she's off, missing notes. Controlled, powerful voice but it dips and fades. It's oneof those powerhouse songs, she's much more sophisticated than Paris so her song choices tend to be better for her voice, just not that enjoyable. Randy says some problems, was okay, key too low, not quite right for you. Paula says not her favorite performance. Simon says it was a mess, song ran away from you. Apologizes for being wrong last week? She admits she didn't do well, says I always know. Simon adds at end he may have mispoken, not one of your best performances, not it was one of your best performances, it's all confusing.

Taylor, 1976, Play That Funky Music, White Boy. Oooh, crazy Taylor is back, paisley shirt, and just dancing. If he's gonna go down, he's gonna go down his way. Fun, energetic--not great vocals, but song is limited too. That could be like his anthem. Totally 'dancing,' Paris has gotta be watching this and just laughing. Ryan is cracking up. Paula says you're back. Simon says like a bad wedding performance.

Back, a commercial for Billboard. Funny, they mention the top song, Bad Day, which totally owes its spot to AI since it's played when someone goes home (maybe someone will sing it). Promo ex-Idol Kelly Clarkson. Elliott first, singing Home, just sitting on a stool. Boring; it's nothing special at all. Some nice tone moments towards the middle, but it's like he's in an old folks home. At the end he forgets to stand in front of the judges for comments, the panel's cracking up. Randy likes the tender side, says nice choice. Paula likes the richness of his voice. Simon says he's worried about the song--and its 'I wanna go home' lyrics, not enough of a wow factor. Then dismisses him, run back to Ryan. Hmm....

Paris, doing Being Without You. Costume change, cami. Hmm, she's--bleeped?! Crazy. If she's going out, she's going out on her terms, it's an aggressive song. She tells crowd to come on, but nobody does nuttin... no audience response really. Too black, too strong, maybe. Randy says some pitchy things, but you rocked it, hard to take on Mary J. Blige. Paula wanted her more of her own take on it. Simon says he thinks she did rather well with it. It's sometimes hard to go crazy for Paris, she's so much her own person and is so different from performance to performance, is probably the most real artist out of all of them.

Chris does I Dare You. Well, more of the same, it's just okay for me to borrow Randy's phrase. Randy's laughing, voice is giving out a bit, song is a little high, song not quite right. Paula still loves him. Simon says your voice was really going, gotta watch yourself, not good. Long day, says Chris.

Third song in a row, Black Horse and Cherry tree, Katharine. Starts out sitting, in turquiose top. It's like a novelty song; fun, but I don't know. She's off-key too, and so playing to the camera. Still on her knees, this has gotta be a first. Song kindof boring, and she's just like shouting the words. Randy's like that's more like it. Paula likes the choreography. Simon says it's a strange show... liked it better than first, more personality, different. Bare feet and all.

Taylor, after break. Doing Something, the Beatles song. Slow, and tender, to show another side. Hmm, I like it--soulful, and he's like totally in control. Really playing to his fans tonight. Wailing though, not on-key at all. Sedate, almost boring performance. And so off. He does look like George Clooney. Randy's like good song choice, but that's it. Paula says it was tender. Simon says clever song choice, easy to forget with all your barminess that you're a very, very good singer.

At the end, they all say it was erratic. I don't know, think Paris is probably gone--don't see too many of Kellie's voters going to her. And she didn't hit it out of the park, tonight. Oh well, for the first time this year, I'm voting. 1-866-436-5702/07.

Paris I, 2
Taylor I, 5
Paris II, 7
Chris I, 3
Katharine II, 9
Chris II, 8
Taylor II, 10
Elliott I, 1
Katharine I, 4
Elliott II, 6

Photo of Paris by C. Gomez via Flikr.