American Idol: The Top 7

Tuesday, April 18, 2006

This week's American Idol takes songs from the great American songbook. These are the song standards most of us have grown up listening to. With this week's musical guest, Rod Stewart to guide them, the top seven contestants remaining in the competition battle it out for the six remaining spots left. We'll find out who will be sent home tomorrow night, but for now let's talk about tonight's performances.

The show opened up with Chris Daughtry. It is no secret that Chris is one of my favorites in the competition. In fact, he might be my favorite. When Mandisa was sent home, I put a lot of hope in Chris making it. Katharine is also a favorite, but each week Chris has just amazed me with his performances. This week was no exception. He switched things up and took a giant leap out of his genre, and he succeeded. All the judges complimented on his performance this week, and I definitely think we might be looking at our American Idol.

Next up we had a classy Paris Bennett take the stage. Each and every week, she changes her look to match the genre, and this week she looked like total class. Her song was another old favorite, and I agree with the judges when they said this was her best performance of the competition. The standards just suit her voice, but you have to wonder if that makes her the right singer for American Idol. The Idols go on to sing in popular genres. Just something to think about.

Taylor headed out on stage after a commercial break, and he sang what is probably one of my favorite songs of all time. Sam Cooke takes me back to my childhood when my mother used to play her Sam Cooke tape over and over, day after day. I think he did a great job with the song, but it is very hard to top Sam Cooke, and this probably wasn't my favorite performance so far.

Elliot Yamin came out next and this another singer that this genre fit just perfectly. I hadn't been feeling him too much the last couple of weeks, but the minute Elliot hit the stage tonight I knew this was his night. I do agree with Simon that something was missing from Elliot's performance, but I don't know if it was personality.

Kellie took the stage without a commercial to give her time to prepare following Elliot, and I wondered how she would do here. She is the country firecracker. I'm not sure if this is one of her better performances. Last week, I thought she did well with Queen, but in past weeks she has not amazed me. This was one of those performances. The ending to her performance particularly didn't do much for me.

Ace Young hit the stage next, and he has a good voice. I don't know what it is about him though. Early on, I really liked him. My brother walked in while I was watching, and he said that Ace reminded him of a Vegas style entertainer. He does remind me of a lounge performer, and that makes me ask the question if he's right for American Idol. He has a good voice, but I don't know if he is the right one for this competition.

Katharine McPhee closed out tonight's show. She is my other favorite in this competition, and she has this uncanny knack for picking a song that is perfect for her. She did that here once again. She has an amazing voice, and I see her going to the finale. I don't know what I will do if both Katharine and Chris make it to the end!

Tomorrow night Rod Stewart performs and we learn who will be sent home. Tonight, the contestants made that choice very hard, but in my mind I see Kellie going home this week. Here are the songs performed on tonight's show:

Chris Daughtry: What a Wonderful World - Louie Armstrong
Paris Bennett: These Foolish Things - Nat King Cole
Taylor Hicks: You Send Me - Sam Cooke
Elliot Yamin: It Had To Be You - Harry Connick Jr.
Kellie Pickler: Bewitched, Bothered, And Bewildered - Ella Fitzgerald
Ace Young: That's All - Nar King Cole
Katharine McPhee: Someone to Watch Over Me

Check out my entertainment news blog at Media Village for the latest in American Idol news. The latest this week can be found here.