FuggyBootnling Viewpoint:

The quest to find America's newest manufactured radio friendly unit shifter continued last night with a theme much more palatable than last week's country tunes - Motown! Yes, the soulful sounds of so many legendary artists guided by the genius of Barry Gordy...were left in various states of dereliction by a lot of singers who wouldn't know soul if they were hit in the head by a stack of Four Tops records. Though I do have to give credit where it's due, and point out that there were at least two performances where the singer in question seemed to truly get it.

Camile Velasco
"For Once in my Life"

She really didn't push through with The Big Notes...so it was flat, boring, uninspired. Nothing in her performance really carried a Motown-worthy punch. I agree with Simon - along with other mediocre performers in this competition, Camille's days could be numbered.

Jon Peter Lewis
"This Old Heart of Mine"

There was a bad sound mix on this song...an alto sax seemed to be playing right over JPL's shoulder or something. Anyway, he was his usual goofy looking self, and churned out a performance worthy of being called "amateurish" in the words of Simon. When are people going to figure out that this guy, while fun, really isn't that strong a singer?

LaToya London
"Ooo Baby Baby"

Ok...THIS is how it's done. She has such incredible control of her voice, and a real presence on stage. I believe her when she sings the song...she's not just singing lyrics, there's real emotion coming through. Plus she shows that sometimes less is more...a lesser singer might have resorted to crazy vocal gymnastics with some of the notes on that song, but she wisely kept it very straightforward. Honestly, she should win this competition.

Amy Adams
"Dancing in the Street"

Funny - all if wanted to do was sit down in the street for this song. Simply pedestrian...didn't feel like anything approaching true soul for a millisecond. Oh, and I definitely spot the Jay Leno resemblance...never did before, but now I see she must be Jay's love child. She should sue...or at least get an appearance on his show.

John Stevens
"My Girl"

My Girl? My GAWD! You know you're hurting pretty bad as a lead vocalist when the backup singers are drowning you out. I always knew this show was bad karaoke - I just didn't realize how horrible it would get until I heard this massacre of a classic song. The kid is simply in over his head.

Jennifer Hudson
"Heat Wave"

I can't decide what was the main attraction of this song - the pure sound of the backup singers, the jumpy beat of the song...or, oh yeah, Jennifer. Her voice had an impressive amount of power, she just doesn't have that certain je n'est-ce quoi that makes me go from ambivalent to...well, maybe mildly interested. Still, it was strong enough to put her through another round of this silliness.

Jasmine Trias
"You're All I Need to Get By"

Neat song choice given the guest judging...do some actual Ashford and Simpson! A little shrill in parts, but was as soulful as any 17 year old probably could be. There is a very real quality to Jasmine's vocals - it doesn't feel forced or coached, she's singing with a gift she was just born with. Not sure it will win her the show, but she deserves to be up there I'd say.

Diana DeGarmo
"Do You Love Me?"

I can't fathom what the judges saw here - I thought it was a soulless, contrived version of a classic tune that was sung about 50 billion times better in its original incarnation. Was probably of sufficient quality given the competition to get through to the next round though.

Fantasia Barrino
"I Heard it Through the Grapevine"

The best part of her song was her interaction with the band, as if to suggest that these guys may just have something to do with the quality of the song being performed. It was typical Fantasia...better than average for the night, but I still found myself inevitably comparing her to the original.

George Huff
"Ain't Too Proud to Beg"

Ladies and Gentleman, the best performance of the night. It seemed to me that the band loosened up slightly as they realized they had a decent singer to complement onstage. His cover brimmed with warmth and that odd unique tone George has to his voice. Every note was in tune, and rang true with real feeling. Along with Latoya, the only performance of the night I would ever even consider listening to outside of a karaoke television show setting.

So there you have it...some utter crap, some good quality performances, but overall a lot of mediocrity. Hopefully America will see the writing on the wall and put Jon Stevens out of his misery.
Kimba's Viewpoint:

Motown is in da house! As with every year, Motown made its splash (or piddle, depending on how you view the performances) last night on American Idol. Backed by the Funk Brothers, whose contributions to Motown have been legendary, and guest judged by 70’s sensation (and performers of one of Simon’s favourite songs, “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”) Ashford and Simpson bedecked in sparkle and long, silky hair as with most aging disco- purveyors, the night promised some good ol’ funk. Some of our top ten delivered, and some, well (donning some of Simon’s British frankness), failed abysmally.

Camile Velasco
"For Once in my Life"

First up singing “Once in My Life” made famous by one Stevie Wonder, Camille Velasco took the stage but left the audience behind. A rather precarious position to be in coming out first when she’s already struggling to hang on, Camille delivered what Camille usually delivers: a big, shaking ball of nerves. Though, to be honest, I am beginning to wonder if that shakiness in her voice is nerves at all. While her voice has an intriguing, raspy, funky vibe to it, her control is non-existent. Is it any wonder then that Paula slipped up and called her “Carmen” and then laughed it off as a Freudian slip? Freudian, indeed, but I would at least argue that while Carmen from last year sometimes bleated like a goat, she at least had better control than Camille. Simon summed up the judge’s comments by saying that she will be lucky to have one week left in the competition. I will say that she is lucky that she made it past the first week. Camille has overstayed her welcome.

Jon Peter Lewis
"This Old Heart of Mine"

Next came the all-time biggest American Idol conundrum ever. How on earth has Jon Peter Lewis made it this far in the competition? Is it because he looks like he stepped out of an episode of the Dukes of Hazard? Is it because his unwillingness to take the competition too seriously endears him to Americans? If so, I think that charm may be wearing thin. While Jon increasingly becomes a little more serious about this competition each week, his voice is lagging behind. His voice simply isn’t strong enough. Though I’d rate “This Ol’ Heart of Mine” as one of his best performances so far (though certainly not most entertaining; I got a good chuckle at his ludicrous Elvis impersonation a few weeks back), I still felt as though his performance wouldn’t have even impressed me in a karaoke bar full of loutish, drunken frat boys. I agree with Simon: awkward, horrendous, amateur.

LaToya London
"Ooo Baby Baby"

But what a way to relieve the abused senses: strolling out looking beautiful and cool, Latoya London was simply elegant. She toned down her powerful instrument into something melodious and sweet, she showed style and originality, sensuousness and control, and darn it, I like her hair! I think the longer style distinguishes her from Fantasia, which in the long run will be a good thing since the two are undoubtedly headed for the finish line.

Amy Adams
"Dancing in the Street"

In contrast to the subdued elegance of Latoya, Amy Adams came next with her vibrant pink hair and bounced through a fun, energetic version of “Dancing in the Street.” As long as Amy stays away from the high notes, she has a powerful voice, and so I was thinking that Amy had knocked another solid performance…that is until the last 5 seconds of the song. What on earth was that? Atrocious. For a brief few seconds, we were treated to what Martha Reeves might have sounded like if she were a Smurf. The judges agreed and also voiced my own thoughts that though fun and solid, it was boring. Safe. There was nothing in it to make Amy stand out (except for the smurf choke at the end, of course). Her sense of humour, however (Jay Leno’s sister?), will keep her on for a couple weeks yet.

John Stevens
"My Girl"

And now for our program intermission… Oh wait. That’s just John Stevens. I can see John Stevens becoming a verb: “I was so tired, I just John Stevensed and had a great night’s sleep.” The guy is BORING. He’s loosened up on stage a tad, and his clothing choices and jumped from the 1930’s to the 1950’s (progress!), but John, John, John. He has no “oomph.” He doesn’t even have the “oom.” And to add insult to injury, though Randy doles the term “pitchy” out to anyone he doesn’t like, in this case he was dead right: not only was it sleep-inducing, it was painful to listen to as well. Stevens is my pick to go this week, and perhaps that is what Simon was referencing when he was interrupted. He mentioned Camille, and I think he might have been about to say that John just gave Camille a chance to stay in this competition one more week. I think that may be the case.

Jennifer Hudson
"Heat Wave"

Up sixth comes one of my personal favourites, Jennifer Hudson. When I hear that her song of choice is “Heatwave,” I cringe and remember Kimberley Locke’s less than stellar performance of the same song last year which landed her in the bottom two. But immediately, Jennifer proves that “Heatwave” is the perfect song choice for her. She’s energetic and bouncy, and her sometimes strange facial expressions fit the up-tempo song (maybe I’ve watched “Sister Act” too many times). Though her control is not as refined as someone like Latoya’s, she is entertaining and can sure hit her notes. The judges are torn, waffling between the performance being “over the top” and “manic” to “really good.”

Jasmine Trias
"You're All I Need to Get By"

Following Jennifer comes Jasmine Trias, the second Hawaiian to grace the stage (she’s the one with the flower, not the one with the perpetual tri-coloured wristband). Though she wavers a bit in the beginning and the back-up vocals overpower her a tad, she finds her voice and struts her stuff. Though it’s not the incredible performance we saw her give a few weeks ago, it is certainly better than last week’s dismal attempt. Ashford gives the performance of one of his songs (“All I Need to Get By”) a thumbs-up and Simon calls it one of the best of the night.

Diana DeGarmo
"Do You Love Me?"

Not to be outdone, Diana Degarmo hits the stage and brings us back to the glory days of “Dirty Dancing” (I carried a watermelon, anyone?) with her rendition of “Do You Love Me.” Though the spoken beginning is a little cheesy, and her dancing and facial movements border on the brie of doo-wop, Diana belts out a solid performance. I can’t help but think that it all seems a tad too high-school talent-show-ish when Simon voices the exact same thoughts. Though the other judges protest and reiterate what a strong voice Diana has, I have to agree with Simon: this competition IS about more than a voice.

Fantasia Barrino
"I Heard it Through the Grapevine"

Rounding the last bend, on to the finish line, here comes Fantasia Burrino. Okay, I have never liked the attitude of this woman. But, fellows, she can SANG. Despite picturing dancing raisins in my head, I couldn’t help tapping my feet to her funky, entertaining performance of “I Heard It through the Grapevine.” The reason why Fantasia will either win or get really close to winning this competition is because she feels the music. She grooves to it. She plays with it. She makes it hers. I loved how she jived with the band, how she didn’t need to over-sing to be entertaining. Fantasia has got “it,” and I look forward to seeing more from her.

George Huff
"Ain't Too Proud to Beg"

Last to take the stage is the one I thought the night of Motown was made for: George Huff. Good ol’ George didn’t let me down. What a deep, husky voice he has. How smooth it sounds when he sings “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg.” He surprised me too when he hit that high note in the middle of the song (“sweeeeeeet”)—the man has range. And let me tell you, whoever his stylist is needs a raise! They are working wonders. The man I watched last night looks like the son of the man we saw in the auditions. He’s looking funky, he’s singing wonderfully—George is my male pick to make it the farthest.

If there is justice, the bottom three will be Jon, John and Camille. But knowing the wacky voting style of America this year, I have a feeling that I will be surprised tonight.