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‘American Idol’ 2010: Finale performances
Will Austin’s Patty Griffin help to propel Crystal Bowersox past front-runner Lee DeWyze in tonight’s “American Idol” season finale?
The dreadlocked Bowersox, a clear favorite for the majority of the season, was surpassed by DeWyze in recent weeks, at least if the over-the-top praise from “Idol’s” judges was any example. But Tuesday night, Bowersox clobbered her rival, earning solid praise while DeWyze’s performances were judged to be somewhat lacking in either vocal quality, energy or ambition. The contestants each performed three songs: a reprise of their favorite from the season; a song chosen by the show’s producer, Simon Fuller; and the song each would release as their first single, should they win.
Bowersox, who won a coin toss, wisely opted to go second and, thus, remain freshest in voters’ minds. Here’s how the performances stacked up:
Round one:
Lee DeWyze, “The Boxer”
My grade: B
Crystal Bowersox, “Me and Bobby McGee”
My grade: B+
Round two:
Lee DeWyze, “Everybody Hurts”
My grade: A-
Crystal Bowersox, “Black Velvet”
My grade: A+
Round three:
Lee DeWyze, “Beautiful Day”
My grade: B+
Crystal Bowersox, “Up to the Mountain”
My grade: A+
DeWyze’s high point was his throaty take on R.E.M.’s “Everybody Hurts.” His repeat of “The Boxer” was a little sleepier and somehow less emotional than his original performance during Inspirational Songs week, and is anyone really going to buy a cover version of the U2 song? He occasionally went off pitch — a problem he’d suffered earlier in the season — seemingly due to nerves.
Bowersox shined in all three performances. Her “Me and My Bobby McGee” offered nothing new, but she dodged a (possibly intentional) bullet by delivering the definitive version of “Black Velvet,” so often a contestant-killer on “Idol.” And her sublime and heartfelt rendition of Patty Griffin’s “Up to the Mountain” was the right song at the right time, allowing the singer to make an emotional connection with voters and leading to rave reviews from the judges.
But will it be enough?
I’m guessing not. “idol” voters seem to me, by and large, to pick their favorites early on and stick with them, and DeWyze’s rising star has dominated the show’s narrative for weeks. The juggernaut that the “Idol” judges created with their transparent effort to manufacture competitive excitement could result, for at least the second year in a row, in the less-talented singer taking the top prize (last year the bland Kris Allen — remember him? No? — took the title over Adam Lambert, who clearly had the better vocal chops).
Here’s what I think:
Should win: Crystal Bowersox
Will win: Lee DeWyze
Agree? Disagree? Sound off in the comments.
Permalink | Comments (2) | Post your comment Categories: American Idol, Entertainment
Comments
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By Terri May
January 18, 2011 3:17 PM | Link to this
CRYSTAL BOWERSOX is coming to AUSTIN, TX to perform SOON!!!
Please check out her debut cd "FARMER'S DAUGHTER"!!!
By Jason
May 26, 2010 12:46 PM | Link to this
Lee won it, dial idol takes the guessing out.