Queen for a night

Queen ruled the night on the performance show of “American Idol.” The remaining eight contestants were put to the test with the challenge to perform the hits (as well as some of the more obscure songs) from this iconic rock and roll band.

Most viewers were stunned, many were excited and a few were horrified to hear what “American Idol” had planned for the contestants this week. Queen? Who would ever pair the band with “American Idol”? Would contestants be able to pull off the songs that would daunt some of the most experienced performers?

Tonight the top eight were in fine form as they belted out some of America’s favorite rock songs. “We Will Rock You,” “Bohemian Rhapsody” and “Somebody to Love” were among tonight's selections.

After a video montage recapping Queen’s history in the industry and the idol hopefuls’ first encounter with them, Bucky Covington took the stage with “Fat Bottomed Girls.” As much as I haven’t enjoyed Bucky throughout the competition, he really got into his performance. It didn’t blow me away, but he didn’t blow it either. Judge Randy Jackson said Bucky “worked it out.” Paula Abdul said she was proud that he stayed true to himself by converting the song into a country-rock song, and Simon Cowell said that while “it was a good song choice for [Bucky]...overall I would call that mediocre.”

Pretty boy Ace Young was up next with one of Queen’s most well known and well loved songs, “We Will Rock You.” The video montage showed members of Queen as less than thrilled with the artistic license Ace wanted to take with the song’s arrangement. The result: Ace’s performance was pretty terrible. It just wasn’t very believable, and he definitely didn’t rock me. Randy hit the nail on the head when he said that it was “just alright. I didn’t get it. It was like karaoke for me.” Ace’s biggest fan, Paula Abdul, edged around criticizing Ace’s performance by saying she was glad to see he knew “what time it [was]” in the competition and that he took a risk. Translation: It wasn’t good, but I can’t bring myself to say so. Simon Cowell summed things up nicely when he stated that what Randy said had been “generous.” “I thought it was a complete and utter mess,” Cowell stated. “It was ‘We Will Rock You Gently.’”

Kellie Pickler came out with one of the most difficult and “brave” song choices of the night, “Bohemian Rhapsody.” Although Kellie started strong in her audition process, her live performances have been lackluster at best. Armed with a jewel encrusted, black leather jacket and four inch stilettos, Kellie must have felt the part because she took control of the stage and rocked the house with one of the best loved songs of all times. Randy Jackson admitted that he was worried when he heard her song choice, but in the end he “was entertained.” Simon’s critique started off by telling Kellie, “You’re a very brave girl.” He then compared her appearance to “Night of the Living Dead” before saying, “On paper it should have been completely hideous, and I think a lot of people will think it was hideous, but I think a lot of people...I think it worked.”

Consummate rocker Chris Daughtry took the stage next with Queen’s obscure song, “Innuendo,” a song that Queen has never performed live. Never having heard the song before, I can’t say how Chris’ performance compared to the original. What I can say is that Chris was in full on rock mode with this performance. Overall, very good. Randy praised his performance while Paula stumbled over her own words with kudos for Chris. Simon granted Chris the title of “Best vocal tonight, the best believable vocal tonight.” But he also said he felt that Chris missed an opportunity to entertain the audience. “You could have had a moment tonight,” Simon said.

Katharine McPhee was up next with “Who Wants to Live Forever.” After a change of heart, and a change of song, Katharine chose to do the song which appeared on the soundtrack for the movie “Highlander” in 1986 rather than a more upbeat number which she had practiced with Queen. After tonight’s performance there should be no doubt in anyone’s mind that Katharine is a star. She made the song her own, hit the high notes and infused the song with the passion some of her critics have said she lacks. “You did a good job, all in all,” was Randy’s analysis for Katharine. From Simon, “Katharine, that was almost the moment...[the director and the lighting director] made you look amazing.” He also mentioned that there were some tuning problems with her performance, but said, “Overall, I think it was one of the strongest tonight.”

Up next was Elliot Yamin. Elliot chose “Somebody to Love” for this week’s selection, a song which he had never even heard before this week. During the pre-performance video it was revealed that “Somebody to Love” was actually inspired by the “Queen of Soul,” Aretha Franklin. Members of Queen stated that this was probably one of their hardest songs to perform but that they think Elliot does a good job. It started off a little shaky, a little hesitant, but, once he hit his stride, Elliot was unstoppable. Randy Jackson reiterated what Queen had said, “Probably the hardest song to sing tonight, with all the chord changes and all the stuff...There was some pitchy problems, but I tell you what, all in all I loved you man. I thought it was really, really good.” Paula agreed, proclaiming Elliot’s vocals the best of the night. Simon was less enthusiastic than Paula, but said that Elliot pulled it off.

“Crazy Little Thing Called Love” was a fitting song choice for crazy, fun-loving Taylor Hicks. He said his goal was to get back to doing what he loves to do, have fun and dance. In a performance reminiscent of early Elvis, Taylor was back in full force. A perfect song choice for Taylor, he took control (I use the term loosely in this instance) of the stage and had the audience on their feet. Randy said that the last two weeks he’s been wondering where Taylor had gone, but said that “Tonight, America, Taylor is back and he is kicking...that was hot.” Paula praised him, calling him a “breath of fresh air.” Simon was not so thrilled, however, and asked Taylor if he was drunk, “because I thought it was ridiculous.”

Taylor’s performance was so good, in fact, it had those in attendance at Mike & C’s Family Sports Grill in Fayetteville’s “American Idol” viewing party cheering him on; including Paris Bennett’s family, who was there to cheer on their idol.

Paris Bennett closed out tonight’s show with “The Show Must Go On.” Audience’s could expect an awesome performance from the powerhouse who is a mere 17 years old. The pre-performance video included this from Queen guitarist Brain May, “The thing about Paris, is she’s damn good!” He also said, “I like everything about Paris, I think she’s fantastic.” Paris’ response, “That was the highlight of my life, being on American Idol.” In a fitted black outfit, black boots, black gloves and yet another new hairstyle, Paris emerged tonight as a fierce competitor. There was nothing immature or inexperienced about Paris tonight. She once again proved that not only does she deserve to be in this competition, but she will be a singing sensation with or without the title of American Idol; she is already a star performer. Randy said that it was a little rocky for him in the beginning and middle, but also said she “worked it out.” Paula’s take, “The whole country and every single rock group is finding out that you are the powerhouse that you are. Keep on rockin’.” Simon was dazed and confused by the end of the show. His only remark to Paris, “I found it all a little weird.” I guess that’s what happens when you manage to remake yourself week in and week out as Paris has done. She comes out with a fresh look and a new style every week. She doesn’t get bogged down in trying to fit into a character type to get her through, she’s honest and fun.

One more “Idol” hopeful will end their run on the show during tomorrow night’s one hour results show at 8:30 p.m. on Fox. Who will stay and who will say goodbye? It’s down to the final seven tomorrow.

My take on Idol

Submitted by Michael Boylan on Wed, 04/12/2006 - 7:57am.

I hadn’t watched a full episode of “American Idol” since there were bad people still on the show, but I’ve been trying to follow Paris as best I could. When I heard they were singing the songs of Queen this week, I knew I would have to watch the entire episode and I wasn’t disappointed. It was a very entertaining episode and that may be because I really like Queen’s music.

The show opened with Bucky singing “Fat Bottomed Girls,” and he did a respectable job with it. The song has a southern rock tinge to it and Bucky did right by it. I’m not a fan of his and I wonder if he and his brother keep switching places and confusing America.

Ace followed with “We Will Rock You” and had the audacity to ask Brian May to change the arrangement. Ummm, Ace, that song is played in sports stadiums of all sizes all over the world. It might be the most famous song by Queen and could be one of the most widely known songs in the universe. Don’t mess with “We Will Rock You.” He did and it stunk. I’m sure he’ll be safe though because teenage girls swoon over him. Enjoy the Tiger Beat crowd while it lasts. Eventually, all those girls grow up and move on.

Next was what I thought would be the biggest train wreck since..... a really big train wreck - Kelly Pickler doing “Bohemian Rhapsody.” I’ll bet she doesn’t even know what either of those two words mean. I think Pickler is cute but haven’t been a big fan of hers. She did a good job last night though. The beginning was great, her look worked for me and the rocky ending wasn’t her fault, but the fault of time constraints messing with the transitions.

Chris sang “Innuendo, a song that nobody had ever heard of and did a fine job. I was a bit disappointed though because he could have done “Stone Cold Crazy” and really rocked the house. His song choices, when I’ve seen them, have been a bit suspect. For example, he chose a really crappy Creed song a few weeks ago. He should ask someone else to pick his songs for him if he wants to keep moving on.

Katharine did “Who Wants to Live Forever” from the “Highlander” soundtrack. In high school, my friend, Justin, used to play that soundtrack over and over so I knew the song and since I hadn’t heard it in years I really enjoyed it. It felt like a big “Idol moment” but I wonder if that big, belting a song out formula is going to win this year. Considering who is left in the competition, only Katharine and Paris are in that category and I have the feeling that the winner won’t be either of them. I just don’t have that much faith in the “Idol” voters.

Elliot did “Somebody to Love,” and while the judges liked it, I thought it was off. It is such a great song and I think he missed the mark. I like him though and hope he gets another chance.

Taylor did “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” so that he could dance again. Taylor, Dawg, it ain’t like you’re Michael Jackson. You dance like I dance, which is like my legs are glued to the ground and if I really move I might fly off the face of the planet. The song fit his style, which I find borders on club singer to wedding singer - albeit a really good wedding singer. Simon called it ridiculous, but I’d settle for calling it silly.

Closing out the show was Paris with “The Show Must Go On.” In the bottom three last week, Paris seemed to be singing aggressively, which worked. It was like she was daring people to put her in the bottom three again this week. In my opinion, she sounded the best of all of the contestants last night and looked like a young Tina Turner. Paris, week after week, shows her versatility and I think she still has a chance to go far.

My bottom three of last night were: Ace, Elliot and Taylor and I hope Ace goes. My top three were Paris, Kelly and Katharine.

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