But now onto the Idol final 2 showdown. In case you haven't read anything I've written, but are reading this anyway, let me clarify my position. At the beginning of the season, I wanted a woman to win. The guys of the past seasons have not nearly become as important to pop culture as the women, so let's get more success under the belt of Idol. But as the season progressed, the female talent just felt more vapid, less mature or real, or maybe I have just become so much older than 11 years ago when this all started. And so I loved Elise, but Colton, Joshua and Phillip became who I was most excited to see.
So now we have Jessica and Phillip which in my mind is very interesting. The powerhouse voice who is sixteen and still immature in her character and not very original versus the cool kid who is a true musician but maybe is too cool to make a powerhouse impact on the music industry landscape. Does Phillip need to win? I don't think so. But I hope the judges and the votes reflect who really can be the next American Idol. Wow, I am taking this super seriously today.
So finale show opens with an always touching montage of the journey and drive of Jessica and Phillip. They have moved into the Nokia (memories of my past treks there and my former 5th row seat for the Cook / Archuleta showdown). 3 rounds, Simon Fuller choice, contestant's favorite song of the season and then the new song.
Jessica begins with Simon Fuller's unoriginal choice of Whitney's "I Have Nothing." Good styling again. Natural wavy hair, a black mesh over nude gown. She is in good voice, but I wish she had taken this in another direction. As always, no twist. Nothing wrong with it, but nothing excited me and the song was super short. Judges will react after the round is over. B+
Phillip takes the stage with Simon's other unoriginal "Stand By Me." Aha, but this GENIUS turns it into a whole new song. Like I have never heard it. It is moving, emotional, intimate and completely new. Oh and can I say cool? Can't wait to hear the complete version. DOWNLOAD!!! A-
Judges comments: JLo in a gorgeous jet bead black one shoulder gown, says the two are very different, the powerhouse versus the modern day crooner. Randy says Round 1 to Jessica but basically the judges say almost nothing. This is dumb. Why have judges if now their opinion doesn't count? Simon would never have let that happen. Oh after the break, JLo agrees with Randy. Whatevs, I think her bun is slicked back too tight.
Jason DeRulo comes out to sing a Coke song that the fans wrote. Or something like that. He stands on a fold out chair. He can't get a better prop that that for the Coke sponsored song? Oh but then the backup dancers come out full force. Apparently Jason DeRulo is a mad dancer and he can also sing into the mic without putting the mic to his lips. Oh I'm sorry, that is called lip synching. Wow, by the end he got to stand on a platform that rises out of the stage!
They love showing Shannon, daughter of the baseball player, unusually tall former contestant in the audience. Wait, now the song is in an actual Coke commercial right when they go to break? Uh oh, I think I like it now. Gosh they know how to get me.
Jessica chooses "The Prayer" which landed her in the Top 24. That was the round where we saw the judges meet with them individually to tell each they were in or that this was the end of the road, dawg. Fabulous voice quality, especially the ending. It was absolutely wonderful. I have never seen Celine sing it better. Oh I'm sorry, was that not Celine singing? What? It was the exact arrangement, though. I was totally fooled. A- (look the voice was awesome, just not original).
I don't need everyone to reinterpret everything, but I just wish she had one more moment of originality for her to be a contender. Like when she did that Beyonce song, that was original - she showed capability.
Wow, Phillip is doing Movin' Out? Shocked. I do not think that the first time he did this was his best performance, not his worst, but not his best. He should had gone up tempo. Midnight Hour, that would have been it for me. Or Thriller from the very beginning! But you know what, this worked. Oh boy, there is the sax playing girl again. He loves her. He definitely put his jam all in. Very slick. And look if his fans love him, they love this. It is Phillip Phillips. B+
Round 2 judges: Steven says, Jessica took it again. Audience booed that big time. Randy says even round 2. JLo gives round 2 to Phillip, that it was more authentic and Jessica has done hers before. I'm happy they are into Phillip, but I don't understand their comments. I want to hear Jimmy's opinion!!!
Jessica's original song "Change Nothing." What a weird melody. God, can we bring back Kelly Clarkson's "A Moment Like This?" What does this song have to do with winning? Randy says he does not love the song but that she made more out of it, is good. But she should have added more urban influence, that she should not have picked a pop ballad. Did she have a choice? JLo suggested she develop a backbone to say no or give it a twist. So the judges finally speak with them face to face and only give critique to this last song? Okay so in explanation Jessica admits she picked the song and I am completely justified in all of my critique. She is not yet an artist. Just a voice. C
Phillip's original song "Home." Starts off sweet and intimate, the voices layer in, the rhythm picks up, the drummers enter and Phillip creates a melodic enchantment. A magical journey. This is the winning song. And just like that each element is removed and we are left with Phillip and his voice and his artistry. This is the America Idol. Standing O from the judges. Only one of the night. Steven doesn't want to sit. Randy loves the song, Phillip, the production, the band, a true artist's performance. JLo loved how different is was and said there is nothing on the radio that sounds like him (umm yes he sounded like Mumford and Sons but I will get to that). Steven says "By virtue of your vulnerability and style, you have made the world our home, my friend...I think you are the man." Me too Steven. Me too Steven. A+
Loved how they complimented each other at the end. Very sweet. And here comes Scotty McCreery. Yikes his voice is not in top form.
So I'm excited about tomorrow night. I obviously have a strong opinion about who should win, but I also am happy to see talents like Elise, Phillip, Joshua and others get a chance. If they can make success happen, really happen, all the better. I hope I helped.
Jessica -- B+, A-, C
Phillip -- A-, B+, A+
One more thought. I do not believe there is one completely original artist out there. Artists by definition are inspired -- by others, by things, by sounds, by whatever. Originality can exist even in homage or inspiration. So for me, if these amateur contestants can be compared to great artists, that does not lessen their value. Jessica can sing like Celine or Whitney or Mariah, she has an amazing range and incredible talent. What she lacks is artistry, the ability to convince me that she is inspired by these artists but
knows how to have her own voice. Phillip of course reminds me of Dave Matthews or Mumford and Sons tonight, but not in mimicry or for lack of originality, simply in inspiration. And so he has defined his own voice.
Look how riled up I am!
Final moment of the night, Phillip on stage with Ryan, just taking it in, looking at each and every audience member. That is why I love this show. It is about a dream and watching it come true.
Don't be ashamed of your obsessions or that you are going to seriously recommend Phillip's new song as your best friend's wedding song. Seriously.
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