American Idol – Week 3

Well, hot on the heels of week 2, where Randy Jackson declared to the world watching that we have a “hot competition” on our hands, this latest set of live performances paid homage to the sounds of Motown, with each contestant having to sing a Motown classic from yesteryear, for the American public, and the judges.

Weeks like this can always pose problems for contestants, as they are forced to deal with a style of music which is often (a) not their cup of tea, or (b) a sound which they cannot sing, or which is out of their style as artists. It is always difficult, and for me, should really be scrapped, to allow artists to grow, develop, and mature, as they shouldn’t be expected to sing something which doesn’t fit their vision as an artist, and which just won’t work with the tools they have at their disposal.

It is because of weeks like this that the contestants get branded karaoke at times, and struggle to tailor their skills to the distinct style and genre of music they are forced to sing.

This time round was no exception.

Casey Abrams opened the show doing Marvin Gaye’s classic Heard It Through The Grapevine, but fell someway short of the mark, and Thia put in a good shift on a Martha and the Vandellas track.

The standouts for me this week were hard to pick really, with it being such a distinct genre that doesn’t suit any of the acts that are in this competition really. The only contestant who can sing Motown to the level it deserves is gospel singer Jacob Lusk, and the rest of the acts should stick to the their own styles, as that is what makes this one of the most exciting and unpredictable seasons of Idol yet. However, these themed weeks will continue, and great acts will struggle.

What is clear already is that every act has a distinct style and would do well as an artist in their own right, and in their own field. My concern is that a lot of them will get lost on the way to the final, so long as the themed weeks are so restrictive.

Paul McDonald struggled to meet Adam Lambert’s high standards on Smokie Robinson classic Tracks of my Tears, and Stefano did a non-Motown Lionel Richie song which was a little strange.

The best performances for me were James Durbin (looking ever more the rock god), Pia Toscano (who is looking ever more the superstar as the weeks go by), Scotty McCreery (with that authentically brilliant voice), and Jacob Lusk, who completely slayed on a rousing version of Marvin Gaye/Tammi Terrell track You’re All I Need To Get By. Steve Tyler branding him a “little Luther” in the process.

Lauren did well once more, and is a little star in the making too, Naima got the right mix in a sing/dance mash up of Dancing In The Street and Haley did well also, after being in the bottom two the week before.

In a shock twist, Casey Abrams ended up bottom of the viewers vote (clearly out of his depth on motown week, and suffering from the fact he had to go on first out of 11 acts), but was given a stay of execution by the panel who elected to utilise their one judges save of the entire season, and keep him in the competition. Casey was clearly shocked and taken aback, thinking his fate had been well and truly sealed by coming bottom of the pile. He survives however, and I am sure that he will put in a solid shift next time, as he battles to avoid the same fate again. It was a wise choice from the judges, as he has a lot more to offer in the competition, and Motown was clearly never going to be his strongest week.

Special guest slots this week saw Stevie Wonder duet with the “Idols” and then sing Happy Birthday for Steve Tyler, Sugarland playing a catchy country-pop number, and Jennifer Hudson making her return (although, granted, she bored me a little and I had to fast-forward in the end).

Next week is all Elton John songs, which could pose a few more problems for contestants out of their comfort zone.

No more judges save though for the rest of the season, and two contestants will be eliminated next week, so it is definitely all to play for, and they will all need to come out fighting, to avoid the same fate as Casey this time round.

Gripping stuff though . . .