Tossing Salt Is American Idol - March 14, 2012

Tossing Salt Is American Idol
March 14, 2012

Back again with Week 2 of American Idol. Last week, it was the sounds of Stevie Wonder and Whitney Houston and after the votes were counted, Jeremy Rosado was the man voted off the Island. This week, it's songs from the year of the contestent's birth. Should be pretty interesting. And over the weekend, contestant Joshua Jones tweeted that he was gone from American Idol as well. Whazzup with dat? Guess we'll find out tonight. The judges are Randy Jackson, Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez. The host is Ryan Seacrest. And I'm Doug, the saltiest man alive. Let's just jump right into it, okay? Sounds good to me and away we go...

We started off with Philip Phillips, who performed the classic R&B number, "Hard to Handle". I didn't catch the year or artist this version came from, but this song has been around for close to forty years and it never gets old. My favorite version is from the movie, "The Committments". If you haven't seen the movie, check it out. Great soundtrack and a pretty good movie too. J-Lo said that this song was a natural for Phillip and that she loved it. Steven Tyler said he's glad that Phillip picked a song that matched his voice and character. And Randy complimented Phillip on his song choice and picking a song he could make his own.

Up next was Jessica Sanchez who did the song "Turn The Beat Around", the classic dance anthem by Gloria Estefan. I wasn't crazy with it and for the most part, the judges agreed as J-Lo said that the song was lacking and a little behind. It wasn't her favorite song, but Jessica did a good job. Steven loved Jessica's voice, but said that the rhythm was a little shady. Randy said that Jessica's voice was one of the greatest in the competition, but the problem was the song choice and Jessica needed to find something she can make her own.

Heejun Han was the next up to do the Richard Marx classic, "Right Here Waiting For You" from 1989. Han's voice just doesn't fit his look at all. J-Lo said that Heejun was struggling with this song, but really did a beautiful job towards the end. Steven commented that Heejun was so far outside his circle and wasn't a great song, but he loves Heejun's voice. Randy said that he didn't really enjoy it and that it was pitchy and Heejun seemed to run out of breath.

Elise Testone was the next up to do her version of the Al Green classic "Let's Stay Together". J-Lo said that Elise has heart and really owned the song. Randy said that "this girl is dope" and called the song "beautiful". And Steven simply said that he loved her voice.

The hairy heart-throb, Deandre Brakensick was the next up and he did his rendition of the song "Endless Love" from 1994. He wanted to do some Elton John, but Jimmy Iovine and Will I. Am convinced him to change the song choice. The man did a great job! J-Lo says that he can sing anything beautifully and it wasn't the right song for him, but it was still great. Randy agreed that it was the wrong song and called it boring and safe and said that he didn't feel the song. Steven said that it was not the ring song, but Deandre is gonna find and feel it.

Shannon Magrane was the next to perform and her song was "One Sweet Day" by Mariah Carey. J-Lo says that the song was not an easy undertaking, but Shanon did a beautiful and great job. Steven agreed that it was a beautiful and great job and noted that Shannon is at her best when she doesn't try so hard. Randy called Shannon "fearless" and said that she "had something going on" and did a "good job".

Colton Dixon was the next to come up and perform and he did an old White Lion song from 1991. And I didn't catch the name of the song (my apologies). They showed a pic of Colton hanging out with Chris Daughtry and that's pretty cool. He still reminds me of a mini-me James Durbin. J-Lo loved the beginning, even though she didn't know the song and said that Colton "looks pretty when he sings". Randy said that the song didn't matter, but Colton is consistent and in the zone. Steven said that it was the wrong song for Colton and that he didn't feel it anywhere.

Erika Van Pelt came out next and did the song "Heaven" by Bryan Adams. J-Lo wasn't crazy about the arrangement of the song, but said that Erika looked amazing and was great anyhow. Steven said that Erika was "too busy" but he loves her voice. And Randy talked about not messing up something that's not broke and the arrangement, but liked the song and said it was an "8 out of 10".

And next, we found out about Jermaine Jones and why he's no longer a part of American Idol. It seems the big boned crooner had a few outstanding arrest warrants. I guess he's not a good Lil' Jimmy after all. Oh well!

Skylar Laine was the next to perform and against the advice of Jimmy and Will I Am, she did the Bonnie Raitt song, "Love Sneaking Up On You". And guess what, she was right. She did an awesome job and nailed it. J-Lo said that she really "did her thing" and "nailed it!". Randy called her the "rocking in-house country girl" and said she did well and "rocked it!". Steven said it had so much "heart and soul" and was "beautiful".

The next to perform was Joshua Ledet, who tackled the Michael Bolton (and Percy Sledge) classic, "When A Man Loves A Woman". And the guy was amazing. J-Lo called his performance the "best thing I've ever seen on Idol", while Randy said it was phenomenal on every level and crazy good. And Steven called it a "beautiful performance". Best song of the night seems to be the opinion and I agree.

And finally, we had Hollie Cavanagh who tackled the Celine Dion classic, "The Power Of Love". And the Jan Brady lookalike did an amazing job. J-Lo said just "wow" and that it was beautiful. Steven said it was a little pitchy, but beautiful. And Randy said that Hollie had "more swag than that song" and that she blew the song out of the box.

And there you go. It wasn't a great night of performances at all. Joshua had the best performance, in my opinion, followed by Colton, Skylar and Phillip. As for who will be at the Bottom Three tomorrow night, my predictions will be Jessica Sanchez, Heejun Han and Erika Van Pelt. And I'm not sure where it's going to go after that. Jessica blew everyone away last week with her Whitney Houston song. Erika did well last week too so I'm thinking that Heejun might be the one to end up taking that walk of shame and going home. Guess we'll find out tomorrow night.

And that's it for me and American Idol, Week 2. I'll be back next week. Comments and thoughts are welcome. I'm Doug (and you're not!). Catch you on the flip side.

Ubuntu!