American Idol Recap: Crystal Vision
4. Didi Benami
Bludgeon me with the nearest beach umbrella, because I mostly liked Didi's take on the ancient Bill Withers standard "Lean on Me." There were pitch problems, to be sure, and the song itself is no showstopper, but Randy's admonition about choosing "deep-rooted soul"? Stupid. Or Simon's headmasterly evisceration? Unfounded. Didi gave us stage presence, generally professional vocals, and her brand of torch-singing, and if she's eliminated tonight instead of Haeley Vaughn or Lacey Brown, I start a Johnny Tremain-like march on the CBS lot.
3. Katelyn Epperly
Ellen blew it when she blathered on about the slowness of Katelyn's "The Scientist." For a contestant who seemed to lack definitive identity before this week, Katelyn nailed the Coldplay jam with urgency and restraint, two qualities that most of the gentlemen performers have yet to combine.
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louis, love your writing... love your passion!
Perhaps if you had switched Lilly's position with Katelyn's, we'd be closer in sentiment. What was it about Katelyn's decision to make The Scientist even more lugubrious than it originally was (though I love the original) and then end it on a strange loud incongrous high note that seemed like a good idea to her? Her power is in her belter voice, not her gift for reinterpretation. Siobhan has a strong voice as well, but no soul. She needs to steer away from Aretha and head towards Aerosmith. And, Lilly, well she provides Idol with something I admit I didn't know it needed... the look of a frosty Leather Tuscadero and the voice of a modern day Blossom Dearie. How strangely endearing.
You know how protective I am over Leather Tuscadero. Lacey Brown is like backwoods concession-stand Pinky.