AI 9 5-4-10 The Harry Connick, Jr. Show

We started with over 100,000 but this evening only five remain. Who will rise to the top? The good news is a superstar will be backing them up. This is AMERICAN IDOL!

We have five singers to hear and an hour to fill but the first contestant does not take the stage to perform until 15 minutes into the program, what is wrong with this picture?

Harry Connick Jr. was an excellent mentor and clearly, he enjoys this process to the point that he was a vocal coach, assisted with the interpretation, wrote the arrangements, brought his own band, and both conducted and played for each Idol contestant. I applaud this effort.

My complaint is the show seemed to focus more on Harry then with the contestants. The time spent on his comments about the process, his involvement, his inclusion in the introduction, and even in the performances took away from the contestants. I adore Harry, purchase his music, have attended some of his concerts, like what he said to the contestants yet it overkill to the detriment of the actual contestants.

I was laughing when Harry mentioned during his early clip if the contestants just sing the words and respect the melody they will be fantastic. I have been saying that from the beginning without any success.

Why was Sir Anthony Hopkins in the audience?

How cute we have Nancy and Tina Sinatra in the audience – NOT! They have a gift for Simon. Did we need to waste almost 5 minutes on this? I think not.

Let us just discuss the actual performances from the contestants as opposed to my babbling complaints about the show.


Aaron Kelly – “Fly Me to the Moon”

The beginning of the song was very good but then Aaron was on and off the actual tempo and it seemed to be all over the place. I thought he was having trouble with breath support and difficulties with his lower register. There were a couple of brilliant moments. The performance itself was boring because Aaron was very stiff and he did not seem to be having fun. Aaron’s diction was atrocious. Aaron could not sell the meaning or emotion of the song.

Randy – You are in it to win it, good job.

Ellen – I thought the piano was a little pitchy. I was worried about you Aaron but you surprised me. I did not hear any country in your voice. You pulled it off. It was a beautiful vocal.

Kara – It was good but last week’s was stronger because you came into your own. You will be here again next week. You need to learn about charisma and to fill up the stage.

Simon – I am with Kara. If Sinatra was a lion then you are a mouse. There was no conviction. Towards the end, the vocals were corny. The good thing is that people like you after you perform and you give a 100 percent so I will give you that.

Casey James – “Blue Skies”

My favorite part of the introductory video was Casey telling Harry he has listened to him his entire life. Let us tell your mentor you are old. I am not a fan of Casey’s but if he pulls something off, I have given him credit. This performance was a freaking train wreck from start to finish. When the number started Casey looked like a deer in the headlights. Casey without his guitar is scary. This performance demonstrates Casey is not a singer. The verification comes from the strained vocal, being off key, very sharp, and his vibrato was out of control. Casey was never on the melody and the band overpowered him. Casey has a range less voice. Casey needs to stick with guitar playing and leave the singing to others.

Randy – This was your worst performance ever. You were pitchy all the way through. You were out of your element. This did not work.

Ellen – I think it was a bad idea to have the piano on stage. You were stiff and there was no coolness or swagger. I agree with Randy.

Kara – You held some notes, I do not think I have heard you hold a note for more than two seconds but tonight you did. The problem though is your vibrato sounded like a lamb.

Simon – I have good news and bad news. The good news is the band was great and the bad is you were not. You looked a little embarrassed to be there, you were awkward. At least you have a booking for next week.

Crystal Bowersox – “Summer Wind”

Crystal looked stunning and the dress was fantastic. I thought Crystal looked a little uncomfortable though and this is clearly not her genre. I loved the performance anyway because Crystal is a technically flawless singer. The vocals were incredible and if I am listening to music this is what is important.

Randy – Great arrangement but this was a very subdued performance and you did not do anything new with it. It was okay but just a little sleepy for me.

Ellen – You seemed to be swallowing your words at the beginning but then you loosened up. You have so many different sides to you, which is very impressive.

Kara – This was out of your element but I liked it because your phrasing was great.

Simon – I would not have chosen this song for you, as it seemed indulgent. You have now had two weeks of just being so-so. The first half was too jazzy but it got better during the second half. If you survive, it has to be about winning and not just singing for yourself anymore. You need to nail it every week.

Michael Lynche – “The Way You Look Tonight”

I found this performance to be entertaining. “Big Mike” was in his element; he was smooth, comfortable on stage and had excellent vocal control. The ending note was fantastic. My only criticism is he had his eyes closed through the majority of the song. Mike if you are singing to your wife then let her see you. This was the best performance so far this evening.

Randy – This was an unbelievable arrangement and vocals. This is what I mean; you are in it to win it. “Big Mike” has thrown down the gauntlet.

Ellen – You are the most comfortable on stage. You looked the part and sounded the part tonight.

Kara – You found the drama of the song and took us on a journey. The great thing is you did not lose yourself.

Simon – This is a tricky night and you raised the bar. It felt like you listened and everyone was working together. Everything clicked.

Lee DeWyze – “That’s Life”

I really have not enjoyed Lee this season except for some rare performances. Lee was okay but I certainly did not love it has much as those on-site judges. There were some incredible sharp notes throughout the performance and many times Lee ran out of breath. I will give credit that his enunciation improved but still was not stellar. I agree Lee seemed a little bit more relaxed which is probably what helped him overall but he failed in reaching the glory note at the end. I will also say Lee gave up his guitar and was able to keep singing unlike Casey. This was not in any way the best performance of the evening though.

Randy – I was not sure this would work out but it did. I loved it.

Ellen – I was distracted by Harry’s Organ (really?). I think if this were the last night of performances you would have won.

Kara – I want to ask you a question – Do you think you can win? You need to go home and write 100 times, “I can win this”. This is the confidence you need because you can win this.

Simon – You should be thanking Harry because he brought out your confidence and personality. You gave it 110 percent and this was the best performance of the night.


As I indicated in my brief e-mail, I voted for Crystal and “Big Mike” only. I had predicted a Casey and Aaron bottom two with Casey heading home. We know how it turned out but I will save my comments for the results show blog.

Until next week…