Ladies' Night on Idol

Leaving the trainwrecks and human spectacle behind, American Idol segued into live performances last night with an amazingly strong set by the twelve female finalists. After several unsteady auditions and group performances, many of the ladies stepped forward with industry quality performances.

Mal put together this Malcovision feature of his five favorite singers from last night.

First up is Ayla Brown taking on "Reflections," originally sung by Lea Salonga and Christina Aguilera on the Mulan soundtrack. While the high note that landed Christina one of her first significant musical contracts eluded Ayla, it remained a surprisingly strong performance.

Next, Paris Bennett, one of the best Billie Holiday coverers to arrive in a long while, chose an Idol Standard, "Midnight Train to Georgia." While I've liked her since her first audition, I'm going to quibble with Mal's pick here. "Midnight" is not a happy, celebratory song. Running around stage with a plastered smile and nearly giddy choreography is a bad interpretive choice, in my opinion. Plus, I may never forgive Paris that Farrah Fawcett hair. What was that?

Melissa McGhee followed with a dead on rendition of Faith Hill's "When the Lights Go Down." Paula Abdul, though high as I've ever seen her, correctly praised the sultry tone of McGhee's voice and how well it worked. If you've never noticed McGhee before, don't worry. Last night was the first time America has seen her perform.

Sixteen year old Lisa Tucker proved the competition may be her's to lose as she put up paradoxically the most mature performance of the evening with "I'm Changing," by Jennifer Holliday. The judges were well impressed by the poise of one of the youngest singers this season.

For the finale, we were given possibly the best performance of the night. Katharine McPhee channeled the immortal Nina Simone with "Since I Fell For You." The daughter of a music teacher wowed the judges and the audience with the sheer effortlessness of her performance. If I had to go by last night, I'd say McPhee may well be dueling Tucker for the tiara by season's end.

Note: Anyone else think the McPhee/McGhee thing is a voting shitstorm waiting to happen?

Tonight, the guys perform live. Can hottie Ace carry a tune? We'll have clips tomorrow.

[Watch video – 8:35, WMV format, high bandwidth]

[Watch video – 8:35, WMV format, low bandwidth]

Comments

[Chad]

Ummmm..... No Mandisa? WTF!?!? A much better performance from her than from McGhee in my opinion.

[Joe.My.God.]

"coverers" ?

had to say that is, mmmph.

[Malcontent]

Yoda, have you become?

[Malcontent]

Chad: I debated on Mandisa. She was my #6 last night. I think she has a lot of poetntial, but nerves got the best of her last night, and she was (yes) "pitchy" in places.

[LAguy]

I.LOVE.MANDISA. r u kidding? there was no way she was a #6, she was a standout along with paris and katherine, she owned the song, owned the clothes, owned the stage, you cannot say that about the others.

[Robbie]

I'm not getting the Paris love here. She's been fab during the auditions - one of my favorites - but I thought last night was a serious blunder: the kind you expect of an inexperienced 16 year old. She didn't understand the song she was singing at all.

I'm a lil peeved not a single judge said a word about it. I hope she's not their pet of the season. I hate when they let things slide for certain contestants when they'd rip apart others for the same transgressions.

Joe - I'm not even sure it's an actual word. But I figured, eh, why not =) (good to see you lurkin around again, btw)

[Chad]

Mal - I question your ear. If Mandisa had any pitch problems, they were not enough to warrant being placed 6th on your list. (In my opinion :) )

Robbie - While I understand your gripe against Paris's performance, let's not forget what show we're watching here. It's not American Song Interpreter. She entertained and sang the piss out of the song. She and Mandisa can take me to church any day of the week and twice on Wednesday.

[LAguy]

Chad - Can we be Idol friends? u took the words out of my mouth

[Craig Ranapia]

Is it a contractual obligation for all Idol contestants to "emote" like they're trying to deep throat Seabiscuit?

[Paul]

My picks are pretty much similar to yours... I think this year, there is a clear divide between the great and average... no real in-between