Thaindian News

Apr 21 (THAINDIAN NEWS) Last night on American Idol was the first night of “Idol Gives Back” week, and “Inspirational Songs Night.” For tomorrow night’s show, not only will it be an elimination of one of the seven remaining contestants, but also will be the ‘Idol Gives Back’ show of this season. Simon Fuller has made it known that Bill Gates has a surprise in store for the show, but would not let us in on what it is.

Casey was first up last night with his version of “Don’t Stop Believing.” It was not all that great, but it was also not really memorable. Kara didn’t like it.”It’s like jam band,” she says. She wishes that he would go back to being like he used to, when he did “Jealous Man.” Simon thought it was a poor and lazy song choice.

Lee came next with “The Boxer.” “It’s really about artists this year,” says Randy, “and I think that you are a great artist ready to make great music and I think you’re going to have a big career, man.” Kara thinks he’s had his “moment” tonight. “Even though we’re only two in, that was the best of the night,” said Simon. “That was sincere, it was emotional, it was inspirational… You actually made it sound as if it was written a week ago. … Brilliant.”

Tim sang “Better Days” by the Goo Goo Dolls. Randy thought it sounded karaoke, I thought it was great. Ellen compared him to the soup of the day, but she didn’t like the soup. Simon felt it was a little bit of a let down.

Aaron sang R Kelley’s “I Believe I can Fly” and did a pretty good job. “You got a huge voice,” said Randy. “You did a good job with such a giant song.” “If we’d heard that on the radio, I would have turned it off in 10 seconds because it wasn’t very good,” says Simon.

Siobhan was next, with her performance of “When You Believe.” Randy felt it was okay, and Kara felt it was too dramatic, but she loves Siobhan, Simon wasn’t fond of it either. It was not a bad performance though and this girl has an awesome voice.

As for “Big Mike”, the one who took the only save which the judges can give out for the entire season, he did “Hero.” He didn’t do a bad job, although I am not sure it was a great song choice for someone who has already been sent home once. “You held your own with it, dog,” says Randy. “We’re short on time, so I’ll just say you did a great job with it,” says Ellen. Simon did not like it, because the song was from “Spiderman.”

And then came Crystal. You may remember that she almost went home not too long ago, and has been feeling very homesick. She began the song “People Get Ready” a Capella. She was very powerful, and as usual, absolutely amazing. She broke down into tears before her song was finished. “That is how you do it,” said Randy. “To me, it was in a completely different class from everything else we heard tonight,” said Simon. Crystal then shared with everyone that the reason she had burst into tears was that her father was in the audience for the first time.