This week’s iTunes reviews! My favorites this week are Lee Dewyze, and Casey James. I’m not gonna lie–Katie Stevens did good this week. Crystal Bowersox delivers a fine vocal, but it’s not one of my favorites…
- Siobhan Magnus – “Through the Fire” – My initial gut reaction about Siobhan–that she’s a dilettante and a one trick pony were pretty much confirmed this week with her awful live performance of “Through the Fire”. She’s got a tremendous instrument, but she doesn’t know how to use it, nor does she have any sort of an artistic identity–she just flits from style to style, uncomprehendingly. The pitch problems are cleaned up here, which is a plus, but the result is a lifeless, uninteresting rendering of Chaka Khan’s classic. I really want to dig Siobhan, I really do… – Audio Video
- Casey James – “Hold On I’m Coming” – Casey really gets his groove on, and proves he’s got some funk in his southern soul in this gritty rendition of one of my favorite sixties classics. I think Sam and Dave would approve. – Audio Video
- Mike Lynche – “Ready For Love” – Wow. I thought Big Mike delivered a very tender version of India.Arie’s sweet ballad live on the Idol stage, but I couldn’t get through the recorded version twice. The emotion Mike brought to the live version is completely absent here. Zzz. – Audio Video
- Didi Benami – “What Becomes of the Brokenhearted” – The recorded version of Jimmy Ruffin’s Motown hit almost has a country twang. If she’d sung it like this, rather than as an overwrought lounge song? Well, I’m not sure it would have saved her, but it would not have seemed so crazy. Still liking Didi’s tone, and can see hear why the judges liked her so much in the first place – Audio Video
- Tim Urban – “Sweet Love” – Well, if you like your sweet soul classics Disneyfied? This is the song for you! With the pitch problems cleaned up, this isn’t half bad, until you remember Anita Bakers grown-up, romantic take on the song – Audio Video
- Andrew Garcia – “Forever” – Andrew does a decent job with this Chris Brown joint. But, the recorded version just does not match the infectious joy of the Brown original. I wish Andrew would lose the band and do something truly acoustic. – Audio Video
- Katie Stevens – “Chain of Fools” – I’m totally on the Katie hate train, but I’m not gonna lie, Katie no Aretha of course, but she manages to put her own bluesy contemporary twist on the tune. Maybe Kara is right–pop soul is Katie’s wheelhouse. – Audio Video
- Lee Dewyze – “Treat Her Like a Lady” – After Lee’s breakthrough performance this week am I jumping on his train? Oh wait! I was already there! Welcome aboard y’all! Heh. Another TREMENDOUS vocal performance from Lee. I would have been skeptical of this song choice if I’d known it in advance–I’m not a fan of the cheesy original. But, Lee’s gutsy, passionate growl is an improvement. My favorite of the bunch. – Audio Video
- Crystal Bowersox – “Midnight Train to Georgia” – Crystal can’t sing a song badly–her performance of Gladys Knight’s tune is soulful and heartfelt. But stepping out of her box means losing some of that effortless charm that makes Crystal so compulsively listenable. Don’t get me wrong–this is good stuff, just not one of my favs. – Audio Video
- Aaron Kelly – “Ain’t No Sunshine” – It’s pleasant enough, and Aaron’s recorded vocal sounds really good, but his rendition lacks the soulful urgency of the original. Aaron’s youthful inexperience almost always shines through when he tackles adult themes. – Audio Video
