Virginia Breeze

The boxing analogy was working pretty well as American Idol had it’s biggest night of the year. This is what it’s all about and why we have been patiently listening to “pitchy” notes and half baked versions of songs we have always loved. And things were going well until the introductions when David Cook announced that it wasn’t a competition for him. He was going to have “fun”.

If losing is fun I guess he must have had a great time last night. In any case he started with I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Lookin For. And it was a solid if predictable performance. His second song was something written for the program called Dream Big. And I am sure the writers and their families were excited about his performance of it.

And his final performance was The World I Know. This was his choice and his voice was in great shape but he should have sung Billy jean again. Perhaps he would not have had enough “fun” performing the same song twice.

If he was competing he would have done it. He would have stirred the soul of the audience by singing it even better than he sang it the first time. Perhaps that would have solved the problem of singing the same song twice.

Because there is always room for improvement on this show. But he didn’t and so he lost his best chance to win the competition. And I’m not sure he even had much fun because he cried after finishing his last performance. Why did he cry? Possibly because he threw the fight. It must hurt terribly to not show everybody what you can really do.

Archy on the other hand came out to win. He wants to win. You can tell. He sang Don’t Let The sun Go Down On Me for his first number. And the nerves were evident but then he picked it up a notch and really got into it. He goes somewhere when he sings. We just hope he will keep his eyes open so that he doesn’t fall off the stage.

For his second song he did something called In This Moment. Once again we had a song created for the event and he pretty much did the same thing that he did for the first number. Except the nerves were gone. Same genre, same emotions. And the same little girls screaming at him from the front of the stage.

And for his third song David once again sang Imagine. And while he was singing I was imagining him challenging himself in the way David Cook did earlier. David C noted that he had never performed his third song before.

But Archie did a nice job. He is totally committed to that song and he can claim the prize for being the very best vocalist of the evening. It was absolutely beautiful.

But I was vaguely disappointed by the whole thing. I would have liked either of them to sing something like Billy Jean. I would have liked to see a star born right there on the stage. And I don’t think it’s ever going to happen on this show. Because a real genius is not going to give it up. He or she might tease us a little bit during the season with flashes of brilliance but then will clam up during the finale and avoid the trap.

Archy wins tonight. He will be happy. David Cook will be happy to go off and explore on his own. But he still has to deal with the tour and singing the same songs every night. Bummer. He better have his pirate joke working really well.

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David Cook

Brilliant

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Billy Jean

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Update: So David Cook is the new American Idol! And the show tonight was inspirational in a way that last night’s show was not. I am happy that America got it right in spite of the fact that Mr. Cook played a little hide and seek last night. He certainly had Simon fooled. Apologies all around!

David did show flashes of genius during the season. And maybe he DID want to win. He certainly seemed very happy after he found out about it. Maybe he simply didn’t want to see Archie disappointed. This is one very intelligent, talented and caring person.

And maybe American Idol has learned a little bit about letting these young people go out and explore their talents in ways that make sense to them. The well documented dust up between the first winner, Kelly Clarkson, and Clive Davis may have led to some discussions in that regard. And allowing Fantasia to do her thing last week certainly gives credence to this notion.

All I know for sure is that I am very happy David C won. Archie is a nice kid and he has a bright future but he is not ready for New York, New York. He needs to finish high school in a way that Jordin Sparks did not. And speaking of Ms. Sparks it certainly was wonderful to see her back after the doctor imposed hiatus. She looks and sounds great. And so does Carrie Underwood.

The show has been over for about ninety minutes and here is what it says in Wikipedia about all of this.

The program seeks to discover the best singer in the country through a series of nationwide auditions. The outcomes of the later stages of this competition are determined by public voting by phone. The format features three judges who give critiques of the contestants’ performances in order to facilitate the voting: record producer Randy Jackson; pop singer and choreographer Paula Abdul; and music executive Simon Cowell. The show is hosted by former children’s game show emcee and television personality Ryan Seacrest; comedian Brian Dunkleman cohosted with Seacrest in season one. The American Idol band is led by Rickey Minor. The show usually airs on Tuesday and Wednesday nights in the US and Thursday and Friday nights in the UK (two days after the US airing). In its seven seasons, its winners have been Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard, Fantasia Barrino, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Hicks, Jordin Sparks and David Cook. Hicks was the oldest winner at 29, Sparks the youngest at just 17.

Congratulations David Cook. It didn’t take someone long to add your name. And congratulations American Idol on a great show. You are showcasing our young people and their talent in a very positive way.

And the final shot of the show could not have been any better if it was scripted. David Cook’s brother looking into the camera a proud and happy guy forgetting for a moment his fight with cancer.

“That’s my brother!”

Perfect.

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We are nearly at the end of the competition. So let’s get down to business.

David A sang And So It Goes by Billy Joel. This was Paula’s choice. It was a beautiful performance of a song he probably was not familiar with and he mastered it. He has such a pure voice but he needs a song that will let him show some personality.

His second song was With You, a Chris Brown song, and David chose this one for himself. It started off a little rough but he got into it by the chorus. He could learn to do an up tempo song without too much difficulty.

His final song was Longer by Dan Fogelberg and it suited him well enough. The key change helped with the emotional momentum. David’s biggest problem is his inability to convey very many emotions when he sings. Compare him with last year’s winner, Jordin Sparks, who was also seventeen and you can see immediately a vast difference.

Syesha sang If I Ain’t Got You , an Alicia Keys tune , and Randy chose this one. She did an excellent job this time hitting the strong parts and keeping it melodic. She is confident and looks amazing.

Her second song was Fever chosen by herself. It was also a terrific performance. Her personality came across very well and it was a great arrangement.

And finally she sang Hit Me Up, a Rhianna song, It was a solid contemporary performance and ended a great night for this girl. After tonight she absolutely belongs in the finals.

David Cook sang First Time Ever I Saw Your Face a gift from Simon. It was a tough challenge and he met it with a contemporary rendition of a great classic.

He then sang Dare Ya To Move chosen by himself. I had never heard this song and did not much care for it. David was pitchy in the beginning and it went on from there but as a whole it did not work well.

The producers chose I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing by Aerosmith. It was a good song choice for him but he hit a bad note at the end. Other than that it was a good solid performance from David if a little predictable by this point in the competition.

None of the contestants were at their very best having to learn so many songs plus visit their hometowns for all the shenanigans there.

Who will be leaving? It’s a tough choice. It seems unlikely that David A will go since he is the best singer. Syesha is the best entertainer and she should definitely stay. David Cook is the most inventive singer but he has a problem with consistency. He is like Blake Edwards in a way although their styles are vastly different.

Last year Melinda, the best singer, went home in third place. If history repeats itself David A should be leaving us. David Cook will be the 08 Blake and go home second.

Syesha will be this year’s Jordin. Lots of personality and a great voice. The entertainer wins in the end.

Will it happen? We will see!

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I have this fantasy about what is going to happen tonight on American Idol and would like to share it with you.

Ryan comes on and says “This………….

They go to commercial.

Ryan is back on screen (5 minutes later).

…………..is American Idol”.

Later in the show (much later).

Ryan is about to announce who is going home.

He says “David Cook”

“You will be leaving us”.

The audience gasps. Grown men cry. David goes into his Phantom of the Opera mode and screams at the top of his lungs.

“NOoooooooooooooooo”.

Simon stands up and says……..

“This is atrocious. This is a miscarriage of justice. Jason! Where is that little *&^%$%*! twit ”

“Listen Goldy Locks I told you to pack you bags. Something has gone wrong with this show. It is no longer a singing competition. David Cook I am right behind you. Goodbye Everybody! Paula you’re coming too.”

Ryan says “What are you saying Simon?”

Simon says ” I quit! That’s what I’m saying.”

The audience rises to its feet with a deafening round of applause.

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So let’s see what actually happened last night.

David Cook sang Hungry Like the Wolves and gave a solid performance. For his second song he did Baba O’Reilly and this was more original. He put the Cook spin on it and if you like him you loved it.

Syesha Mercado sang Proud Mary and once again came out to perform. The first part was subtle and sultry while the second part was a bit karioke but still managed to be fun.

For her second song she sang A Change Is Gonna Come and left it all on the stage. The big parts didn’t come out well. They were a bit screechy and she needed to go for understatement especially in the end. Unfortunately nobody on AI has ever figured out what understatement means. They all believe you have to bend the roof rafters in order to impress.

Her emotional commitment to the song however cannot be denied as she broke down in the middle of Paula’s critique. Sam Cooke where are you when we need you?

Jason Castro was a disaster. He sang I Shot the Sheriff and he gets points for standing up there and smiling while the judges landed some body blows. He then sang Mr. Tamborine Man and Bob Dylan was turning over in his grave. Oh wait. He’s still with us. Well he was turning over on the sofa then and yelling into the pillows.

David Archuleta sang Stand By Me and gave a winning performance. Then he sang Love Me Tender and put the exclamation point on the winning performance. He really is a prodigy as Neil Diamond said. And he is such a charming kid.

The only question is whether David or Syesha will face David and lose in the finale. Syesha keeps coming on like a rocket and may actually get there. But David is the probable runner up.

And Jason needs to pack. Unless my fantasy comes true tonight and Simon quits the show.

But that’s not likely to happen, is it?

Was Neil Diamond reading from a script? It sure looked like it to me. He really should get into politics as long as he can take his script writer with him.

Jason Castro sang Forever In Blue Jeans and I was not impressed. But someone else thought it was a solid performance if not memorable.

Solid as in solid waste maybe.

He then sang September Morn and hit a few really bad notes. Someone I know thought that he or she had a “few peaks into something almost brilliant”. Were there fireworks last night? I must have missed them. I went to bed early.

David Cook sang I’m Alive and had the right attitude for the song. But he didn’t sound great last night. I didn’t build the song and he looked like hell. Another off night for the Davidmeister.

He also sang All I Really Need Is You and it was a mixed bag. The softer parts were terrific but the rocking part was again too screamy. His voice had too much grit (pollen maybe?). We continue to wait for a great rejoinder to Billy Jean.

Brooke White sang I’m A Believer and it was light and fun but forgettable and slightly irritating. I’m sure I have seen something like this in one of those campfire scenes in a horror movie right before the devil jumps out of the weeds.

For her second song she did I Am, I Said and it was much better. It was perhaps her finest performance. The judges liked it. I liked it. And America probably liked it. Maybe it saved her from going home this week. Who else might go home instead?

Jason comes to mind.

David A sang Sweet Caroline and found an inventive way to get around the extremely low range. It was an excellent interpretation and his voice is sterling.

He then sang America and got off to a shaky start. But when he hit the bridge it was great and his own ending wrapped up a too short song with all the emotion of a full blown rendition.

And finally Syesha Mercado sang Hello Again. It was a great arrangement and sounded a bit like a contemporary ballad. Her voice sounded great and she had a beautiful smile throughout looking very relaxed and confident. What did Sir Lloyd do to this girl? She is a different performer and hopefully will be in the final three.

Syesha is turning into a wonderful story. I hope she makes it.

She also sang Thank The Lord For The Nighttime and once again looked and sounded great. It was a fabulous song choice and she put a lot of newfound personality into it.

Syesha wins tonight! David A is a close second.

We will see what happens.

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