Tuesday, April 20, 2010

GOT! TO! HAVE! A! CEL! E! BRA! TION! Time to play mentor for the Idol final seven. Based off the list of approved "inspirational songs":
Crystal Bowersox: "The Boxer," Simon and Garfunkel. Has never been performed on the show, and she's got the earnestness and phrasing to sell it.
Lee DeWyze: "Your Love Keeps Lifting Me (Higher and Higher)," Jackie Wilson. If the Horns of Idol leave him alone, it's a strong song for him to sell.
The Outlaw Casey James: "Up Where We Belong," Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes. Yeah, he could have fun with this.
Aaron Kelly: "Angels," Robbie Williams. A rite of passage for a certain slice of the Idol performing demographic. Either that or Enigma's "Return to Innocence," because why else would it be on the list?
Michael Lynche: "You've Got A Friend," Carole King. Just a guess. Fits his acoustic side.
Siobhan Magnus: "I'll Be There," The Jackson 5. About time for her to hit another home run, so why not scale Mt. Mariah?
Tim Urban: "Don't Dream It's Over," Crowded House. Fits within his limited range and demeanor.

23 comments:

  1. Genevieve10:36 AM

    I'd like to see Crystal do "People Get Ready," along the lines of Eva Cassidy's version, but done her own way, as she does so well.  "The Boxer" could be lovely, though. 
    Your suggestion for Lee is a good one, especially since they've said he should show his playful/happy side more.

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  2. You just want to see the Archuleta fans go goofy when Aaron does yet another song that YDA performed in Season 7.  But I would put money on him being the one most likely to do a repeat performance of a song.

    There were a bunch of more modern pop-rock songs on that list.  I'd like to see someone select one of those---there have been so many older themes these finals, and I'm ready for something younger.

    I love Don't Dream It's Over.  Do you really have to wish Turban on it?

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  3. I was in the car not long ago and thinking I would like to hear someone from American Idol take S&G's "Homeward Bound" and grunge it up a bit.  If this were a couple of seasons ago, David Cook.

    Crystal could make the "li-li-li"s in The Boxer a wonderful, beautiful thing.  I hope she chooses it.

    And while we're on a Simon & Garfunkel kick, let's let Siobhan do an Aretha take on "Bridge Over Troubled Water," organ and all: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DBl5gAs6WI

    Totally from left field, I'd love to see Siobhan go disco fabulous on us and get into "I'm Coming Out."

    And I'd be happy to hear Michael Lynche take on "Lovely Day" as some sort of folk soul hybrid.

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  4. Adam C.10:47 AM

    I don't know from AI, but if someone could pull off "Higher & Higher" half as well as the impromptu version Brooooce did to close out the Spectrum last year, then that person ought to stick around for another week.

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  5. girard3111:03 AM

    @Genvieve -- Funny you brought up Eva Cassady, because I was just thinking who she reminds me of, although she has nowhere near the range.

    I would kill to see someone tackle "The Boxer" because that's such a great song, and it could make someone jump up in the comp by nailing it. That being said, it's probably too late for big risks. Everyone's so tightly packed behind Crystal, that I doubt anyone (Save Siobhan) would leap out there.

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  6. Paul Tabachneck11:12 AM

    Nobody sees Bowersox breathing life into "Hands?"  ....Because, GUYS.

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  7. A strange coincidence occurred as I opened the post and began to read your comment, Eva Cassidy's "People Get Ready" came on my ipod; odd timing.

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  8. Anonymous1:04 PM

    Don't ask me why, but when you said "Hands" I originally thought  of Breathe's "Hands to Heaven."  (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1gwDA2NJeQ) And then I was lost in reminisces of middle school dances.  And then I REALLY wanted Bowersox to rock my world with a cover.

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  9. I think it might crush my Crowded House/Neil Finn-loving heart to unlease Turban on Don't Dream It's Over.

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  10. Fred App1:48 PM

    "Higher and Higher" is not only a great inspirational song, it's a great song, period, and I'd love to see someone pull it off. Same thing with "People Get Ready." Crystal would be great for that song (she's great for every song), but I could see Big Mike pulling it off, too, or even Casey if he can recreate his soulful "Jealous Guy" vibe. Personally, I'd rather see Crystal do "I'll Stand By You." Crystal-as-Chrissie-Hynde has wonderful potential.

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  11. I fear Turban might go for "What a Wonderful World."  I really hope not.

    I'd like to see someone (Lee? Casey?) take on "I'll Stand By You."  That could be pretty cool.

    "Hands" is a great song, but I can't hear it without thinking of the version the NYC radio stations played after 9/11, with the news clips dropped into it. A Crystal version might just do the trick.

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  12. Jim Bell3:29 PM

    Adam, really good mentoring with one exception.  No Cocker for Outlaw Casey James.  Nobody should do Cocker who might be seen to be trying to imitate Cocker since this will always result in an unfavorable comparison unless you are Belushi (and he's still dead along with Francisco Franco) or me when I'm really really drunk and then I believe I sound just like him.  Jury's still out on whether I'm right.

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  13. Watts5:10 PM

    Guest was me at a different computer. And I've been singing that song since I posted.

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  14. Robin5:15 PM

    I'd like to see Casey James to sing "Everyday People" in front of a drumline.  Gotta respond to Lee's bagpiper somehow.

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  15. Jenn.6:02 PM

    I think this is exactly when someone needs to take a risk.  David Cook probably secured his spot in the finals with his Top 7 (Always Be My Baby) and 6 (Music of the Night) performances.  Blake Lewis probably secured his spot in the finals with his Top 6 performance (You Give Love a Bad Name).

    There aren't that many votes being cast this year, compared to past years, and I suspect that a couple of contestants are sucking up a lot of the votes.  [That said, constant vigilance, Crystal fans!  Constant vigilance!]  That makes each week a bit of a crapshoot.  Want to end up higher in the ranks than Turban, and to increase the odds of a record contract?  The time to be timid is over.

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  16. Katie6:55 PM

    and now i follow your lead
    perhaps a little johnny hates jazz next?

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  17. SPOILER:




    *Someone* is singing The Boxer tonight.  Not sayin' who.

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  18. noweasels8:20 PM

    And nailed it.  LOVED IT.

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  19. Jenn.8:32 PM

    The boyfriend needs to get off of the phone so that I can start watching Idol.  Dammit.

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  20. girard318:46 PM

    It just dawned on me that "The Boxer" is hardly an inspirational song because doesn't the protaganist quit? What kind of inspiration is that?

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  21. Carmichael Harold8:58 PM

    SPOILER:

    Wow, Genevieve, you called the song (and, I think, the version) for Crystal.

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  22. Genevieve10:12 AM

    Yeah, I wondered about that too - I love "The Boxer," sang it all the time in high school, but I'm not seeing the inspiration in losing one's resistance to a pocket full of mumbles, such are promises.

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  23. Genevieve10:13 AM

    It just seemed so right for her!  And I think she sang it somewhat similarly to Eva Cassidy's version, but not identically, it had Crystal touches, which is what I was hoping for.

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