So here we are at the finale - FINALLY! LOL! Personally, with the exception of a few other memorable Idol performances, I wish that we could have heard Lee DeWyze and Crystal Bowersox exclusively the entire season. To me they were the only two that had any type of winning potential in the first place. I feel I would like to give props to Big Mike though, who I still believe has a lovely voice along with that big heart, and was constantly underrated. As a whole however, I have to agree with most of the whiners and complainers that this season was indeed a very strange season. It certainly had a group of nice kids, but boy did it lack talent and spark.
But the finale is all about Lee and Crystal. And if you ask me, they are two very talented artists with mountains of potential still behind them. I think they have both suffered rough spots this season - that has been obvious. Lee's natural shyness, especially at first, took away his ability to express emotion and connect with his audience. Crystal had a similar flaw, but I don't think it was shyness as much as it was being socially awkward in front of so many people - I think she still is in fact. And many interpreted her coming across as aloof. But the girl literally transforms when she performs, like she enters another world and becomes the song she is performing. I think it's an amazing thing to watch, but it can also leave her disconnected with her audience. So both Lee and Crystal took the judges seriously and worked hard to improve and yet stay true to themselves. They both deserve congrats for how far they've come, and no matter how dorky this sounds, I consider both of them winners.
Time to talk about their actual performances!
Lee..... oh Lee..... My gut reaction was WHAT HAPPENED??? He could have taken the night but he didn't.
The songs he sang were:
- The Boxer
- Everybody Hurts
- Beautiful Day
All genius song choices that Lee should have been able to conquer beautifully - I was thrilled when they announced each one. And pained watching each one. Here is Lee, with one of the best male voices I think American Idol has ever had, whose fan base seems to have skyrocketed within the last month, who I felt had possibly even passed up Crystal in popularity....... giving poor performance after performance on his very most important night. They were all dull and mournful. He was disconnected. He showed little emotion. He was even off key in some places. Ugh... As the British say, I was completely gobsmacked. And really sad for Lee.
Crystal....... was a force not to be reckoned with. She took that Nokia Theater and put it in the palm of her hand.
The songs she sang were:
- Me and Bobby McGee
- Black Velvet
- Up To the Mountain
Looking absolutely stunning during every performance, Mamasox reminded us - and the judges - why we fell in love with her in the first place. Because she is unique. Because she is so captivating. Because she draws everyone into her version of whatever she is performing. Because she makes us feel that song with her. Because she has passion. Because she knows exactly who she is. As much as I love Lee, I would so love to see Crystal win this. They both have great stories. They will both go on to have amazing careers. They both deserve it. But to see Crystal as a favorite for the majority of the season, and then be tossed aside for a while...... that was hard to watch. Crystal came back like a phoenix to claim it, and claim it she did. WOW.
