AI9: Top 9 Redux

Since Michael Lynche got the Judges' Save last week, there were still 9 competitors this week. Two will be eliminated tonight.

Last night was Elvis night, and the mentor was last season's second-place winner, Adam Lambert. Interesting choice - since he wasn't technically the winner of last season, even though he was so far ahead of everybody else in talent and creativity that he clearly should have won. Maybe they'll bring Kris Allen (the "winner") to mentor at a later date. But I doubt it. Adam had his hair puffed up in an imitation of Elvis' pompadour, sort of. I think he was a good choice for this week, since his style is as flamboyant as Elvis' was.

Great line to take out of context: Ryan was talking to Adam about his current hit, "Whataya Want From Me" (that seems to be the correct spelling; I suppose "What do you" doesn't convey the correct mood...). Anyway, he was talking about a part at the end of the video where Adam sticks his tongue out. I haven't seen the video, so I'm not sure what they're talking about, but Adam told him he needed to stick his tongue out at this point, and Ryan said "My tongue is not nearly as talented as yours." Awkward pause, while the audience (and all of us at home) tittered.

They led off with Crystal Bowersox last night, instead of saving the best for last. She performed "Saved", a gospel song I'd never heard before. Adam talked her into using an electric guitar, and the one she selected was beautifully spangled. The song was upbeat and bluesy, perfect for Crystal; it included lyrics like "I used to smoke, I used to drink...I used to lie, cheat and steal from people's feet". She was weaker than usual on the "big bass drum" line. ("I'm in that soul saving army beating on that big bass drum.") But she's Crystal, and she did a wonderful job. I'm planning to download it. Randy loved it. Ellen loved it. Kara loved it. Simon said he could relate to the lyrics. He commended her for being original and “you didn't fall into the karaoke trap.” Ryan described her guitar as “bedazzled.”

Then they followed her up with the worst performance of the evening. Well, Crystal's a hard act to follow, but Andrew Garcia would have been terrible even if he had followed Tim Urban Blight. He attempted to sing "Hound Dog" and he was so far from musical it was appalling. In the mentoring session, Adam told Andrew he was boring, and he needed to change up the song a little. Did Andrew do anything about it? Nope. He did it slow and, yes, boring. And he sounded a little like a hound dog, howling off-key, painfully. He tried to give it a bluesy feeling, but didn't really work for me. Randy said it was not good karaoke. He didn't like it, he didn't get it at all. Ellen wished he'd put more swagger into it. She thought he pulled it off, though. Kara said “It's Elvis, you've gotta own it.” She wanted to feel more from that performance. Simon thought it was lazy, unpredictable, and it didn't feel like a star performance. He didn't get it, either. I predict Andrew will go home tonight.

Then they pulled out the creepy Tim Urban; I suppose putting him after Andrew would be expected to make him sound better. He chose the slow and syrupy "I Can't Help Falling in Love With You." During the mentoring session, Adam encouraged him to do the end in falsetto. He accompanied himself on the acoustic guitar, and the accompaniment was lovely. His voice, however, wasn't, especially on the lower notes, which is I'm sure why Adam wanted him to end on the high notes... unfortunately, he dropped back down for the last “falling in love with you” which sounded lame and weak. Randy said he actually liked it. Ellen somehow compared Tim's music to shots of tequila. She thought it was beautiful. Kara said it was her favorite Tim performance yet. Simon said he'd gone from zero to hero in two weeks. Sigh. We are never going to get rid of this creep.

Lee DeWyze gave his best performance of the season on "A Little Less Conversation." This song really rocks, and it was perfect for Lee, who showed off his gravely voice to perfection while accompanying himself on acoustic guitar. During their mentoring session, Adam said there was nothing going on in Lee's face. He needed to smile and connect a little more. Well, it worked. Lee was the most alive and animated and comfortable on the stage he has been all season. Randy said he was “in the zone, dude.” Very good. Ellen said he made it so current. He was more confident, engaged with the audience more. Kara thought he really went for it vocally. She wished he'd been a little more playful. Simon asked her “When you say playful, I mean, what do you want, kittens?” Kara said she wanted him to be a little looser on the stage. “You're not going to skip around the stage,” Simon retorted. Simon said he nailed the song, “full stop.”

Little Aaron Kelly decided to do "Blue Suede Shoes." Adam told him to growl a little more, and I thought he nailed it. He was surprisingly good, walking around the stage and into the audience, much more connected with them than he has been so far. He seemed more relaxed, and I thought he was enjoying himself. Part way into the song, he did a half-time (slowed down) section. Randy liked the second half better than the first. Ellen thought he did a good job, but maybe didn't get all the way there. Kara said “you're out of your comfort zone, and I like it.” It felt more current and young for him. Simon wasn't all that thrilled; he thought it was very karaoke, and he didn't think it made Aaron sound young at all. Hmpf. I thought he did well.

Siobhan Magnus is a true Elvis fan. She even did a report on him when she was in the sixth grade. She appreciates that he came from nothing - born into poverty - and succeeded on just his talent and nerve. She sang “Suspicious Minds.” In their mentoring session, Adam thought it needed more fire. There was no fire for the first half of the song; she was very subdued. But halfway through, she switched into her powerful voice, and the song finally came to life. Randy kind of liked the whole “Supremes-ish intro”, but the slower part at the end was where it all came alive for him. “That girl can sing right there.” Ellen also liked the second half better. Kara is confused because Siobhan has two voices – the quieter one she used at the beginning of the song, and the powerful one for the second half. Simon thought she'd lost who she was. Siobhan responded, “Even I can't pinpoint who or what I am, and I've always kind of taken pride in that, I'm not just one kind of singer, ...and if I can't even label myself, I don't think it's necessary to be labeled, I just love to sing.”

Michael Lynche chose "In the Ghetto", a song Siobhan apparently suggested for him. Adam said he believed in Michael. I'm glad to hear it. This is an Elvis song that I actually remember (i.e., it was out in the 60s), and I wasn't sure Michael had captured it. I'm pulling for Big Mike, and I want him to excel on stage so that he doesn't end up getting in the Bottom 3 again. The judges liked him this week, though. Michael Lynche: “In the Ghetto”. Adam believes in Michael. I'm not sure this is the right song for Big Mike. As usual, he's singing on key, but this song just isn't the kind the audience will connect with. Randy thought it was a little sleepy, “but those were hot vocals.” Ellen's glad they saved him. Kara thought it was a beautiful song and he sang it well. Simon thought it was a “million billion” times better than last week, a terrific choice of song. (They were running out of time, and all their comments were brief.)

Somebody was holding up a sign that said “Norton, MA! Big Mike” Cool! (I grew up in a neighboring city, and my sister currently lives in Norton.)

Katie Stevens sang "Baby What Do You Want Me to Do" - a song she chose because of her frustration with what the judges have been telling her. Adam worked with her to get her to convey her anger and frustration in her performance. I thought she looked good - royal blue tunic over leather pants, some chains. She could have given a little more, though, although at least she was closer to being on key than she has been in the past. Randy thought it was entertaining. Ellen called it a “horny” song – a lot of horns in it. She thought it was great. Kara said “you showed us judges!” Simon found it loud and a bit annoying. He didn't like the song very much.

Casey James did "Lawdy Miss Clawdy." They put him on a tiny stage in the middle of where the swaybots lurk. He was cute, as usual, and his guitar work was awesome. But I didn't think his singing was up to his usual standards. Randy said another solid performance. Ellen didn't think it was as exciting as she'd like to have seen, but it was still good. Kara thought it fell short of what he was capable of. Simon thought it was a wasted opportunity with a song that was completely forgettable. But his vocal was good.

Best performance last night was Crystal Bowersox as usual. Lee DeWyze deserves a lot of credit, too. I'll probably download both of these.

Andrew Garcia was the worst by far. He should certainly be going home. I'm not sure who else will share the honor, though. My son and I both voted for Big Mike, and I hope the rest of his fan base responded, too, so with any luck, it won't be him. I still want Tim Urban gone.