American Idol—- 04.17.07 (aka Goin’ Up The Country)

Posted Apr 17, 2007 by Chris Kuhn

Updated Apr 17, 2007 at 09:04 PM

This week, we’re going country on American Idol (FOX/Tuesdays) and crooner Martina McBride offers her words of wisdom to the singers. Hopefully, her words to Sanjaya are go home.

I’ll be blogging away and offering my take on the performances as I watch and of course, ragging on the judges (and why not?!). But don’t forget to share your thoughts here or at the American Idol Forum. That’s what this Idol Talk is all about.

So let’s get the wagon wheels rolling…

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Phil Stacey
”Where The Blacktop Ends”

I Say – He sounds surprisingly at home doing country. I wouldn’t have guessed it. And we all know country music is pretty accepting of bald male singers, right, Mr. Chesney? I still think he’s vulnerable but he at least he did what he can to stay in the game. Not bad, Phil.

Randy – Tells him he could have a career in country music.
Paula – Says she loved him from the beginning of the song and throughout.
Simon –  Tells him he loved the song choice, style of music and that he saw some personality.
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Jordin Sparks
”Broken Wing”

I Say – What a brave lady, crooning away a Martina McBride-sung tune. She starts out a little nervous but I can tell that she’ll hammer it as it builds, and I’m not disappointed. She sounds wonderful as always. I’m not sure if country is the best genre for her but I’m convinced she’s the only singer in the bunch who can sing anything. As usual, she’ll be getting all of my votes tonight.  Goosebumps, once again, for me. She is the best. Period.

Randy –  Says it was another great performance and she blows him away.
Paula –  Calls it a fantastic job and loves how she told the story.
Simon – Tells her it was the first time since he met her that he believes she could win American Idol (where were you earlier, Simon?)
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Sanjaya Malakar
”Something To Talk About”

I Say – Last time I checked, Bonnie Raitt was regarded as blues not country, but whatever. Sanjaya offers his usual bland take on a hip song. Yep, it’s lost its entire cool factor. And what’s with the doo-rag? He looks like Rhoda Morgenstern. Actually, now that I think of it, Valerie Harper would probably do a better rendition of this number. Please, somebody put us out of our misery and get this kid outta here.

Randy –  Calls it really bad karoake.
Paula –  She tells him he loves adversity (and I think she means controversy).
Simon –  Tells him it’s horrendous and that it was as bad as anything from the auditions.
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LaKisha Jones
“Jesus Take The Wheel”

I Say – Martina may love her voice but I don’t. I think it’s a bit pitchy and her tone doesn’t suit the song. She sounds sing-songy and breathy, not really keeping up with the tune. When she gets to the hardest part to sing – the high notes – she’s doomed. “Jesus, take the mike, take it from her hand.” It’s just bad and she should be in the bottom three with Sanjaya and there’s still room for one more. Anyone? Anyone?

Randy – Tells her it had some pitch problems (gee, you think?)
Paula – Agrees with Randy and says she was shouting.
Simon – Compares it to eating a hamburger for breakfast – it just didn’t go together.
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Chris Richardson
”Mayberry”

I Say – Opie, is that you? Man, I wish it were. It starts out rocky and I really like this kid and want him to do well. But ewww.  He gets better as he gets going. He does have a nice tone but I really do not like this song. I think he should have gone with Keith Urban rather than Rascal Flatts. Maybe “Memories of Us.” Can you imagine Justin Timberlake singing “Thank God, I’m a Country Boy?” Me neither, and there you have it. Chris, you are in bad shape tonight.

Randy –  Tells him he didn’t feel any connection or emotion.
Paula –  Says the joy and the love of being on stage didn’t come through tonight.
Simon –  Calls it a very non-descript, nasal, tinny vocal that made no impact.
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Melinda Doolittle
”Trouble Is A Woman”

I Say – I’ve never heard of this song and neither has Martina McBride (gulp – that would worry me, if I were Melinda). She seems like a different person up there this week and it’s not just the hair. There’s an attitude, a confidence that she’s sending tonight that is refreshing after all of these weeks of shy, meek Melinda. I think the judges will love it and she definitely is one of the two strongest performances tonight, along with Jordin. Now accept the compliments and stop shrugging them off. Lift your head up and be gracious.

Randy –  Calls her their resident pro.
Paula –  Says she liked it, I think (her feedback gets more and more forgettable every week)
Simon –  Asks her to lose the surprise when he complliments her and tells her she was fantastic.
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Blake Lewis
”When The Stars Go Blue”

I Say –  I’m glad that he doesn’t try to do this song country. This is the style he needs to stick with – Keane, Snow Patrol, maybe even a little Deathcab for Cutie. There’s no reggae riffs or beatboxing, just a soft, sweet sound and he’s doing a nice job. I don’t love the song, but I think his rendition is true to his own style. I still believe that he, Melinda and Jordin would make a nice final three. I don’t like him but I think he’s marketable and deserves to be in the finals.

Randy –  Loves that he knows who he is and stays true to that.
Paula –  Says it was a great song for him.
Simon –  Tells him he didn’t jump out of his chair but that it was okay
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What did you think of tonight’s performances? For me, it’s an easy choice. Jordin was the best and Melinda, second-best but I can understand Melinda fans staking claim that her solid rendition was tops. I was surprised by how well Phil did in the country genre and proud of Blake for not trying to be a country singer, which he isn’t. But LaKisha, Chris and Sanjaya—- you should be tomorrow night’s bottom three.

Tomorrow night, one of these young singers will be sent packing. Stay tuned…