Does anyone remember when American Idol started years ago how often Simon Cowell and other judges commented on a contestant's performance by saying "we're searching for the best singer here ... ". Remember that? Well when did it all start changing? When did the voting public stop listening to the singing and start voting for looks and heaven knows what else!
Last night America sent home the second last of the real singers on the show: Michael Lynch. Maybe Mike lacked the belief that he could win but damn it, he sure could sing. Apart from Crystal and that young Aaron they sent home last week (duh?) he's the only one who sings with passion and feeling, who gets right into his song, just the way really great singers do. That's what made Patsy Cline great years ago. That's what set Adam Lambert apart last year. Passion! Soul! If a singer's not feeling it, neither will the audience.
Casey's great on the eyes but where's the voice and the passion? Lee DeWyze is okay on the eyes but he's off key, "pitchy", hard on the ears and if one's being honest, really has nothing new to bring to the music scene. You hear voices like his everywhere. Who needs another one? Only Crystal Bowersox comes close to being an American Idol in that she sure can sing, isn't pitchy, is versatile (sings jazz as smoothly as she screams out rock) and feels her songs, week after week, even when it's not her chosen style. But, even as I say that, she's missing something too. Did Adam Lambert set such a precedence last year that all others fall short now? No wonder Simon's leaving. Not worth staying if this is what the search for the best singer comes down to. Certainly not worth watching any longer.
I don't know. Things sure have changed. Way back when, even as recent as 10 years ago, if someone, even a singer/songwriter, walked into a record label hoping to land a deal, they had to have way more to offer than a good face and great voice. Labels were looking for that "it" factor that set an artist apart. They needed charisma or something that made people pay attention and say "whoa...what was that?!" That's what Adam Lambert did to us last year. Even shrieking Siobhan had it to a lesser degree. That straight-haired blondie they sent home earlier in the eliminations after she butchered Patsy Cline's song, had "it". And sure, music history is full of singers who became famous not for their voices (think Rod Stewart's gravelly delivery or Willie Nelson's nasal tones) but they had "it"! Honestly, I don't think that any of the final three have "it".
So, today I see the big announcement in my local paper for the American Idol tour, scheduled for our town on July 5th. Would I buy a ticket for this tour? Starring whom? There's not a star amongst them! Last year there were too many stars to choose from. This year? Yawn ...
Good luck Michael. Look at Daughtry's success. Good luck Crystal. You're the only one who should win this year. As for us, the viewing public, I can't wait for AMERICA's GOT TALENT to kick off at the beginning of June. At least it gets acts worth our time and our votes.