Idol Recap: Blake gave love a REALLY bad name and Jordin is living on a prayer

This should prove to be an interesting week – Jon Bon Jovi mentoring the kids who are performing his songs. I am personally acquainted with Jon – and I LOVE his music – so this week is high on my “watch” list.

I’ve spent the better part of the last couple of days trying to figure out who would pick what song. I definitely see Melinda and Lakisha leaning toward the ballads. Be honest, can you see Mel getting into “Bad Medicine”? She may be technically on the mark but somehow I can’t see a connection between Melinda Doolittle and 80’s pop hair music. Lakisha either.

Jordin, I think, may do well – but it will depend on her song choice. Phil may surprise us all again. Since his recent success with the country sound, I can see him trying “Who Says You Can’t Go Home”. This is a song that Jon performed with Sugarland that is high on the COUNTRY charts.

Blake will more than likely do either “Wanted Dead or Alive” or “Blaze of Glory”. I picture him in that ‘old west’ type of vibe. But a caution: these songs do not take well to beat-boxing. Chris will also more than likely take on a ballad, although I’d really like to see him try “Runaway”.

Will the kids go out in blaze of glory or will the songs go down like bad medicine?

Last week there was a sigh of relief as one by one they heard they were safe. But this week, two of them have to go. Who has the chops? THIS IS AMERICAN IDOL!!!!!!!!

New Jersey native Antonella Barba was in the audience in support of her fellow New Jersey-ite, Jon Bon Jovi. Gina was also there, probably wishing she were on stage to rock out. Sucks that she had to sing standards and disco when all she wanted to do was rock her heart out. Gina, remember this: Chris Daughtry.

Ryan enters in a halo of light (why haven’t I noticed that before?), dressed all in black with no tie and a shirt button undone. Don’t forget the stubble. Evidently he is channeling his inner Don Johnson.

A BIG thank you is sent out for the donations last week for Idol Gives Back. Our donations, together with those of the corporate donors, raised almost 70 million dollars. That is a lot of food and medicine for those in need, no matter what anyone says.

A quick introduction of the judges revealed a rather sedate Randy wearing a blue button down; and a very conservative Paula who is making up for last week’s over-exposure. Simon is back to his basic blah, er black. Had it not been for traces of sunburn, he might be mistaken for the Prince of Darkness.

Next is a retrospective of Bon Jovi’s career. I remember attending many of those concerts. This was back when rocker guys looked hot AND sounded hot. There were none of the head-shaven, shirtless, sweaty and goatee’d demonic screamers that are out there today. Take note: Over 3,000 concerts played to over 40 million fans in over 50 countries. He’s sold over 120 million albums. AND STILL GOING STRONG TODAY!

Here is an off-topic funny. Waaaaay back in the day, after Runaway took off, Jon and the boys played a large club in upstate New York. After the club closed, Jon, Tico and David were hood ornaments laying on the hood of my friends’ car, hanging on to the windshield wipers for dear life as we sped along the main strip of town at 4 a.m. A couple of years later, I lost a Lee Press-on fingernail in his now-famous mane of hair. Don’t ask.

Jon, along with keyboardist David Bryan, practiced around the piano. Jon’s advice? Be sincere in the delivery. Make the songs your own and “wrap your arms around the lyrics.”

Phil Stacey – Blaze of Glory.

Phil is stoked. “Holy Moly, I’m jamming with Bon Jovi.” He even admitted he used to stand in front of the mirror singing this song into a hairbrush (hairbrush? Phil?) In the practice, Jon said that Phil just knocked this one out of the ballpark, “nailing every single note like it was on the record. He entered walkinv through the audience, not really working the crowd by focusing on the song. I really hate to say this but for the first time I felt those goose-bumps J-Lo was talking about a couple of weeks ago. He hit this one “out of the ballpark.” I don’t care what anyone says, Phil really IS a good singer. Once he got that shot of confidence, he’s just gotten better. The hair stood up on the back of my neck. Randy, after reminding us all that he played bass on the original, said that this was Phil’s “best appearance ever on the show” and “that was da bomb.” Paula called it “the best opening we’ve had all season long.” It was most definitely memorable. Simon thought it was just “OK”, that he “didn’t hear any authenticity”, the middle “was like a bad actor playing a role”, followed with the admonishment that Phil hadn’t done enough to last next week.

I usually agree with Simon, but not this time. IF Phil does leave us on Wednesday, he will not be leaving on a bad note.

Jordin Sparks – Living on a Prayer

Jordin was nervous and said “oh my gosh my mother is going to flip out”. She’s the one who introduced Jordin to Bon Jovi and his music. Jon acknowledged that her song was a hard one to sing and that they had to work on the melodies a bit, BUT said he couldn’t sing that well at 17 YEARS OLD!! (Do you hear that Randy?)

Jordin came out rockin’ Gina’s red highlights, skinny jeans and yellow pumps and accompanied by a guitarist and bassist. I love Jordin but this was not her night. She was weak on the verses and screamed some on the chorus. The main thing I noticed was that she was really uncomfortable with the genre. I give her kudos for not playing it safe with a slow song but maybe this was the time she should have.

Randy thought it was “interesting” and acknowledged she is not a rocker. Paula gave her credit for going for it even though it was a bit out of her range. But ended it with “Your hot!” Simon said her look was like something out of the Addams Family and the singing verged on shrieking. While he conceded that she was at a massive disadvantage being given guys rock songs to sing, he ended with “It was terrible to be honest with you.”

I love her. I love her attitude. She takes criticism for what it’s worth and with the proper humility. “This was my week to have trouble”, she said. Based on tonight alone, she’d be in trouble but thanks to combining votes with her performance last week, she’ll be around for the finale.

After the break, Lakisha is with Ryan for a viewer question but refused to sit down so she could “show her slim side.” The question: “What kind of training have you had before the show?” The answer was that she had no training other than singing in church.

Lakisha – This Ain’t a Love Song

Kiki admitted she only knew of Bon Jovi from what she saw on Oprah and had never listened to his music. Huh? She found the ‘soul singers song’ and Jon is glad she found the track. This is her time to shine and Mr. Bon Jovi will bet money that she isn’t going home this week.

She looked hot AND slimmer in tight black jeans and black strapless top. The red lace defined her shape and drew attention to her, ahem, assets. Jon was right…….this was a great song choice. She really put raw emotion into it. What I liked was that she didn’t try to “rock” it. She just sang it. Randy cheered that “Lakisha is back” and that he loved the way she sang at Simon like she had something to prove to him. She started rough – pitchy – but by the middle she “blew it out the box”. Paula thinks that bottom tone of her voice is your “money in your pocket” and she gave it “sumpin, sumpin.” Simon: “Lakisha, I could actually kiss you after that.” AND He DID. He loved that she rose to the challenge and absolutely nailed it. She did.

Blake – You Give Love a Bad Name

Jon said it was an “adventurous rendition.” He has to “sell his interpretation of a song that a lot of people know and don’t want messed with.” In other words, “don’t f&*$ with MY song”. Blake concedes he is taking a risk. Jon feels that Blake is really rolling the dice. Then he said, and I quote: “Sixteen measures of him not singing on a show that is supposed to highlight singing makes me wonder.” Me too.

First of all – the look. The wannabe rock star get-up did not work well with the grandpa pants. I have to close my eyes. I have to give the kid credit for having monstrous cojones, but it was horrible. I HATED IT!!!!! The only part of the song that he sang straight was the chorus. The rest was an unidentifiable mess of beat-boxing, as well as electronically-induced noise. He rolled the dice and threw craps on this one. Sad, but there are some of those that will actually like this drek – those who hate rock music and those who think that Blake is God. Blech!!! Randy gives him the award for the most original version of a song ever on Idol. Paula thought he really put himself out there and that it was “Blake’s night.” Yeah, he’s a MAN, Paula. We get it, so slide your fanny back up into the chair. Simon said half the audience will hate it and half the audience will love it and this is what will keep him in the competition.

What am I missing? I’m certainly not that old. Maybe I’m a purist but I don’t think Jon’s original can be improved upon. Period. End of story. If it was up to me, Blake would most definitely be one of the two watching their Idol journey tonight.

Welcome back. This is Ryan Seacrest with Justin Timberlake for a viewer question. “What do you tell yourself before you walk out on stage in front of millions? At a loss for words, Chris Timberfake answered “just have fun.” Two things: Since the contestants know the question well in advance, WHY did he blunder and blubber his answer? Also, Chris, if you are going to roll your eyes at the mention of the Timberlake comparison –STOP TRYING TO LOOKSINGDRESSDANCE LIKE THE MAN.

Chris Richardson – Wanted Dead of Alive

This is one of Bon Jovi’s best known songs. Jon called singing this song a “daunting task” I guess it was because the kid couldn’t remember the words to save his life. When asked what he could do for his performance, Mr. Bon Jovi simply said to find the “blue note” and “sell the emotion.”

Backed by a screensaver that resembled an ameoba on acid, Chris had a rough beginning. It is evident that he is NOT a rocker and Daughtry’s version last year was much better. He didn’t find that “blue note” or many of the other ones either. Of course, it was nasal. Oh, and Chris - the white belt has to go. Give it to Blake. It goes well with his grandpa pants. I was not thrilled with this one. It was better than I anticipated – definitely better than Blake’s – but I really was NOT crazy about it. At least he respected the song and the artist and didn’t dick around too much with the melody. Randy thought it was “nice.” Paula doesn’t think he has anything to worry about. Simon thought he did as much as he could possibly do with the song but doubts it is enough for him to stay another week. Me neither.

Melinda – Have a Nice Day

Last, but certainly not least, Melinda has her time with Jon. She tells him she is soooo bad at rock and that she is just learning. He thinks he can teach her because she’s already “got the soul and the pipes” – she just “has to own it.” And “bring it to church”. Our Melinda loves church. Oh — love them “rock on” horns.

This woman can sing anything and she DID bring that soul to the table. Even though she seemed a bit self conscious rocking out, she gave her most animated performance to date. She even played off the musicians. I am so GLAD it wasn’t a ballad and that she took a little bit of a chance. Randy didn’t think it was her best performance but it was definitely a great one with a little “Tina Turner attitude.” Paula thinks Mel is a rock star and Simon agrees, stating that she resembled a young Tina Turner and was “vocally in a different league from everyone else.”

Before the rehash of the night’s performances we are treated to a telecast of President Bush and his wife shouting out a special thanks to all Idol viewers and all the celebrities for their generous support of Idol Gives Back. Even the prez is a fan.

Based on MY opinion, I’d send home Blake and Chris. BUT, since my thoughts and the general publics are decidedly different, Phil and Chris or Lakisha may be leaving us. Jordin, for the first time, may be in some danger, but last week’s voters will keep her in.

For now, I’ll just wait in anticipation for the live performance Bon Jovi. Until then……………………..