Standards night doesn’t do much for me. I think it’s because the songs are from before my time and I don’t have a lot invested in them or feel much of a connection to them. Now my grandmother on the other hand, she was probably rockin’ out to the show from her hospital bed.
In order from my favorite to least favorite performances:
It’s nice to see some more personality out of Melinda Doolittle. I like her better when she does the more upbeat songs. She’s one of the only consistently strong vocalists week after week. However, I have a nagging feeling Simon will find something to criticize her about before the season is over. He’s just too good at it not to.
Another solid performance from Jordin Sparks. Her vocals were very controlled and strong. There were a few spots where I felt like she was borderline yelling. She’s the one to give Melinda a run for her money the rest of the season. Y’all don’t need me to tell you that though.
Blake Lewis was a well-strategized way to start the show. Again, not awesome vocals, but his enthusiasm and versatility continues to charm us all. Fancy foot work…but WTF was he wearing?
Sorry to say it, but Lakisha Jones is just a one trick pony to me. Her style is so predictable each week and she’s already sang a Billie Holiday song. If we don’t see any originality some time soon, she’s going to be gone in the next few weeks. Maybe a bottom three spot at the results show would be a good wake up call for her. She needs to do something soon, because the others are outperforming her.
Was Ryan trying to pimp Chris Richardson out to Paula? Ala Corey Clark. I thought he did pretty good tonight. The hat allowed him to keep the JT vibe he’s been trying so hard to channel.
Gina Glocksen was just eh for me. The Celine Dion ballad worked better for her than this one.
Hailey Scarnato was able to use her sex appeal once again. Someone has to each season, right? She did a decent enough job. But decent is not enough to keep her arounf much longer.
Someone let Sanjaya Malakar know you’re not supposed to wear white before Memorial Day - that’s all the time I’m giving him - and even *that* is too much.
If Phil Stacey worships Tony Bennett so much, then why the hell didn’t he follow his advice to make the song more upbeat? Maybe we wouldn’t have all nodded off if he had sang it that way. Stealing a “Simon” here: Forgettable.
Southerner
Standards night could have been worse. I agree that Melinda was the best (plus, I thought her hairdo was the best she’s had so far) Sanjaya dancing with Paula was more frightening than the faux-hawk. Someone needs to tell Phil that he looks like a serial killer with that bald head. Seriously - last night looked like he was performing at the prison talent show. Scary!