Photo: Becker/FOX
Newly single Usher, promoting his latest album Raymond v. Raymond, pulled an Andrew Lloyd Webber on Tim Urban during last night’s American Idol, instructing “Teflon Tim” to sing to him as though Usher was an alluring lady (it wasn’t quite the come-on Webber presented to David Cook two seasons ago: “I’m a gorgeous 17-year-old girl from the chorus”). Still, Usher oozed star power and the 10 remaining hopefuls largely did not. The R&B/soul night helped a few struggling singers find renewed focus, but it failed to deliver a single outstanding, powerhouse performance and Season Nine continued its Paula-free slog. Here’s how the night broke down:
Ones to Watch:
Is it weird that the three strongest performers this season look like they could list off the five best Phish live performances of “Run Like an Antelope”?
• Crystal Bowersox changed up her style by rocking a pair of heels and playing piano to Gladys Knight & the Pips’ “Midnight Train to Georgia” without sacrificing her vocal swagger.
• Lee DeWyze’s gritty take on the Cornelius Brothers’ “Treat Her Like a Lady” made Usher say “wow” and had Simon outing him for avoiding eye contact during regular conversation. (In better news, Cowell said, “This is the night your life might have changed forever.”)
• Casey James was so psyched to be singing Sam and Dave’s bluesy “Hold On, I’m Comin’,” he was seriously grinning (when he wasn’t busting out some fierce guitar face) with good reason.
Meh:
• Usher advised Siobhan Magnus to tone down her wardrobe, but didn’t say anything about the over-the-top screeching? Her version of Chaka Khan’s “Through the Fire&...
Article Source: Rolling Stone : Rock and Roll Daily