Idol Recap: Jordin Sparkles and Blake hits his stride

The spotlight is on. Ryan Seacrest intones “100,000 down. Two to go. One guy, one girl and one last chance to win your vote. This is the night. This is your audience…….

THIS IS AMERICAN IDOL (and the crowd goes wild)

Ryan enters the ramp dressed for business in a pinstripe suit and tan tie. The Kodak theatre is packed for another battle of the sexes. A quick shout out to the judges reveals that Randy is doing his civil war re-enactment. Paula is channeling her inner child in black and white ruffles. On the other hand, Simon is sporting what Ryan calls “Simon cleavage” (probably inspired by Paula) in a black jacket and white shirt unbuttoned to…there. Paula’s nose didn’t look any worse for wear but I did see some tell-tale Vicodin eyes.

Next up was a video montage of both Blake and Jordin’s journey to Hollywood. The irony was mentioned that they both auditioned in Seattle AND the songwriting winners also came from Seattle. AFTER THE COMMERCIAL they tossed a coin, the winner choosing to go on either first or second. Blake won the toss and gave the prime second spot to Jordin.

The plan is that the finalists will sing one song they have not performed before, one song that they have already performed, and the song penned by the winners of the songwriting contests.

Blake Lewis

For the favorite song he’s already performed, Blake chose to go with “You Give Love a Bad Name.” This had to be MY very least favorite song he has ever done in the competition. I know that many disagree with me but I’ve known Jon for years and this is one of his ‘signature’ songs. It just doesn’t seem ‘right’ (to me) to muck it up like this. Blake is entertaining, I’ll give him that. Randy gave him a 10 on the beatbox but the singing was “just alright”. Paula feels he outdid himself. “A 10+10+10.” Simon says he’s not the best singer in the competition but one of the best entertainers.

For the new song, he chose Maroon 5’s “She Will Be Love”. This one was more up his alley but it didn’t do much for me. I think it was the song itself and not Blake. I liked the fact he didn’t mess with this song but, in this case, maybe he should have. I wasn’t blown away. His vocals were good on this one. Randy thought it was a great song and a very nice vocal. He likes it when he sings naturally. Paula thought he got into the ‘ease of the song’. Simon thought it was “good and safe” and “not as good as the last one.” He then commented that he didn’t think Blake should have chosen that song in the finale as it doesn’t make much of an impact. Again, it’s down to the song choice. Not for nothing, Blake is having fun.

The winning song from the songwriting competition, “This is my Now” was Blake’s last song. The songwriters did a great job on this song but it was a bit sappy. Blake did well on this one. No beat box, no vocal gymnastics. He kept it simple. Randy thought he did a ‘pretty good job’ but he “shouldn’t feel bad about it.” Geez, Randy that was sort of a backhanded compliment wasn’t it? Paula thought he did a great job. Simon thought it was all a bit odd and that Blake “looked a bit frustrated.” This was not his favorite music genre’.

Jordin Sparks

Jordin’s never done before song was Christina Aguilera’s “Fighter”. Christina is one of those on the “do not sing on Idol” list but Jordin did OK with it. Wasn’t her best performance but I loved the rock edge. And she hit those big notes. Randy thought her voice was ‘stellar’. Paula agreed. Simon, on a positive note, liked that she chose a younger song. But he thought the vocals were “shrieky”. He gave round one to Blake. Paula called it a tie. Randy gave the entertainment vote to Blake and the vocals to Jordin.

The song previously performed was Martina McBride’s “A Broken Wing”. I loved her softer vocals. You could feel the song. I thought she did this one better then she did the first time around during country week. Randy has loved her since day one and says she is the “most talented 17 year old singer I’ve ever seen.” “Flawless and better than the original.” Wow, better than the original Martina. Paula thinks she looks adorable and is “in great, great vocal voice tonight.” Simon very simply stated, “Now THAT was good”.

The last song of the evening was “This is my Now”. Jordin knocked this one out of the park and made it a hit. You could ‘feel’ the song and it was apparent that she did as well, with the teary, emotional ending. I liked it. I think that this is how the writers meant for it to sound. Randy thought she was the best singer tonight. “You are what it’s all about”. Paula thinks she has a lot to be proud of. Simon said that last week, he didn’t think she was good enough to make the finals but he admitted he was wrong. Wow, Simon admitted he was wrong. And he was. Then he stated that Jordin “wiped the floor with Blake on that song.” Sorry Blakers – I have to agree, even though I liked Blakes version as well.

After all was said and ‘sung’, Ryan asked the judges who they thought should win. All were diplomatic, however, Randy reminded us all -again- that this is a singing competition…so…. Jordin wins the night. Paula was noncommittal. Simon conceded that for performance, Blake took the first song but, based on the vocals, Jordin took the night.

Chris Daughtry closed the show LIVE with “Home”, backed by another video of Idol auditions. He is the reason why it doesn’t always pay to win the Idol title. Daughtry has outsold all of Season 5’s top three, including last year’s winner, Taylor Hicks. So…who has your vote? Based on performance, I think Blake won the first round (even though I really hated what he did to the song), while Jordin ran away with the second and third rounds. It will be close but I think the winner will be and should be Jordin. What do you all think?