American Idol 3, May 4: I’m With a Band!

Ryan welcomes us! Tonight is big band night!

Intro the judges. All the incumbents are present, and just the incumbents. It should stay that way for the rest of the season.

Ryan gives us a brief history of big band swing and why it’s important. Then, intro the contestants. Fantasia explains they will be doing two songs each tonight. First, a song that’s important to them, and another one to just have fun. She says she’s a bit nervous about big band, but John Stevens sat her down and showed her the ropes. Diana says they aren’t as familiar as John is with the genre, but they’ll give it a shot. George says that singing with a band just “brings out the energy.”

We shall see!

Diana DeGarmo, “Someone To Watch Over Me” and “Come On Get Happy”

Between songs, Diana says she sang “Someone” for her grandpa, her brother, the veterans, and anyone else who is in the army and stuff. Totally unconvincing.

Randy - “I’ve been a fan of yours since day one… when I see you I don’t think of age, Cowell, I think she is the bomb! You’re like a seasoned professional already. Good job!”

Paula - “You look like a classy young lady and you choose two songs that suited you beautifully.”

Simon - “I kind of agree with Randy and Paula… I think you are a 16-year-old sounding like a 50-year-old! It has no relevance to what is going on today… you are an old soul.”

Sting7 - I’m not loving these performances. Not sure why. For as talented as Diana is, and she is undoubtedly, it’s coming off as just okay. Just ordinary. She didn’t find herself in the songs.

George Huff, “Cheek To Cheek” and “What A Wonderful World”

Between songs, George gives props to an Irving Berlin classic and says “World” should remind us all of what a wonderful world (wink-wink) it is!

Randy - “You picked two great songs… I was waiting for you to go off… it was very safe… it was alright.”

Paula - “I think you are truly a champion… you’re charming as hell.” (Paula arms were obscuring her mike so it was hard to make out the rest she said. You can decide for yourself if we missed anything really.)

Simon - “I agree with Randy… tonight is about being cool… you could go on any medium size ocean liner and hear something like that. It’s true!”

Sting7 - Let’s be honest. George has probably never performed with a big band before, and probably never will again. If you are not in your comfort zone, why not be safe? George’s safe is better than most folks’ best effort! The cadence in “Cheek” was bugging me, he was clearly uncomfortable. But, his “World” was just gorgeous. It was understated and beautiful, just as it is supposed to be!

LaToya London, “Too Close For Comfort” and “Don’t Rain On My Parade”

Between songs, LaToya says she chose “Close” because it’s fun, no? Then she stammered all over “Natalie Cole,” poor thing, and said she will do a song from Funny Girl, big band style.

Randy - (standing ovation) “For me, for you, I loved you every time, but this is the type of music you were meant to sing… all the personality we’ve been waiting to see was, like, right there!”

Paula - (standing ovation) “Another type of album you can put out and sell millions… this is like the Olympics and you just won a gold medal!”

Simon - “I do mean this as a compliment, I will give it a ten out ten for a very good Broadway performance.”

Sting7 - LaToya is just amazing! She was so classy, so comfortable, so sassy, so masterful. You could not take your eyes off her, and your ears were treated too. LaToya has taken that bar and raised it again! What will Fantasia do to respond?

Jasmine Trias, “The Way You Look Tonight” and “It’s Almost Like Being In Love”

She dedicates the song to her family and friends back home, and from Brigadoon, “It’s Almost Like Being In Love.” She’s jazzing it up (no pun).

Randy - “It was a very good performance… at this point, we know you all can sing… I’m looking for dude (stomp) do (stomp) the thing (stomp)… and I’m not like wowed by you.”

Paula - “I enjoyed your second performance because you have grown so much through the competition… I enjoyed watching you, good job for you.”

Simon - “I don’t think you have grown, you’ve been consistent, tonight you’re vulnerable… I think you needed to pull something out of the hat. You didn’t. It was just very pleasant, and pleasant is not going to win.”