MJ’s Take: The Top 5 Couldn’t Make Sinatra Swing
The ‘American Idol’ Top 5 tackled the songs of Frank Sinatra this week, and I was expecting so much more! The Sinatra songbook is stuffed with so many great songs, that I figured the kids would rise to the occasion, just like they did with Lennon/McCartney earlier in the competition.
‘American Idol’: On the scene for Top 5 performance night
And then it was over. We looked back at what just happened two minutes ago in case we forgot, as HCJ danced with Big Mike, and Crystal danced with Debbie. When the closing chords of the credits played, Harry Connick Junior (one last time!) stayed on stage to have a quick, quiet word with Crystal. I asked her after the show what he said. “He told me that the Sinatra girls loved [my performance], and that made me feel great, ” she told the pack of assembled reporters, but mostly me, because I asked the question. “He said he loved it, musically, it was a good arrangement, good vocals, and he said, ‘That’s what it’s about, kid.’” Indeed. Ring-a-ding, kid.
More Recaps after the JUMP…
American Idol Recap: Chairman of the Bored
Fact: A New York Times story earlier this year reported that there have been at least six murders over the last decade in the Philippines related to people performing karaoke renditions of Frank Sinatra’s ”My Way.” Tonight, however, as American Idol’s Top 5 contestants took the stage to perform hits from Ol’ Blue Eyes’ songbook, it was hard to imagine their limp performances inspiring enough passion to instigate a strongly worded e-mail, let alone a full-scale murder.
And yet, suddenly, here I am getting the urge to do exactly that. Um, not commit an Idol-related homicide! Do I really take the show that seriously? (Don’t answer that.) No, Idoloonies, I speak of the time-honored tradition of firing off bold, slightly cantankerous missives. In fact, without further ado, I’m going to write seven of ’em right now.
‘American Idol’ Recap: Lee DeWyze Steps Up On Frank Sinatra Night
With “Dancing With the Stars” beating “American Idol” in the ratings this season, “Idol” producers had to do something to woo back the geriatric viewers. So they brought out the big guns: Frank Sinatra! Except Sinatra died in 1998, so instead of wheeling out his rotting corpse, they opted for the next best thing: Harry Connick, Jr. (For my younger readers, he’s like Michael Buble, except he’s not Canadian and he plays piano really, really well.)
If Sir Anthony Hopkins’ and Rob Reiner’s attendance was any indication, “Operation: Get the Geezers Back” worked swimmingly. Producers were so happy with Connick’s involvement that they even let him say “This is ‘American Idol'” instead of Seacrest. (Although it came out more like “Ahdull, ” thanks to his Louisiana accent.)
‘American Idol’ Sinatra Night Swings With Michael Lynche, Lee Dewyze
Would Ol’ Blues Eyes have been proud? Hmmm. “American Idol” gave itself over to Frank Sinatra on Tuesday night (May 4) with decidedly mixed results. While Michael Lynche and Lee Dewyze blew the judges away with their jazzy stylings, Crystal Bowersox, Casey James and Aaron Kelly failed to impress — or, worse, simply failed.
Kelly, who avoided the bottom three last week with a respectable take on Shania Twain’s “You’ve Got a Way, ” kicked off the evening and veered away from the slow-tempo tunes that have proved to be his relative strong suit all season long. Mentor Harry Connick Jr., meanwhile, kicked the evening off with a zinger, welcoming the diminutive 17-year-old into the rehearsal space with an effusive “Big Mike!”
American Idol Recap: Clouds Gather For Casey James After “Blue Skies”
I’m looking forward to Frank Sinatra night-not just because it’s mentored by the awesome Harry Connick Jr.-but because the retro/big band theme nights generally give someone unexpected a chance to shine. (Howdy, Kelly Clarkson!) I also will try to make it through this entire recap without making any “My Way” puns. Don’t put money on it, though.
Ol’ Blue Eyes would cry if he heard ‘Idols’ sing
First of all, let me admit that I am predisposed not to like Harry Connick Jr. The dislike is entirely personal, fueled by a December working as a Radio Shack cashier at Lakeforest Mall in Maryland, a full month in which the stereos all played Harry Connick CDs on a loop. I still have nightmares where all I hear is nothing but two hours of “It Had to Be You.”
But I do not blame him for Tuesday’s “American Idol” performances, in which he coached the five remaining finalists through Frank Sinatra week. He tried his best, working on all the arrangements and even backing the contestants onstage, along with members of his band. “You think Shania Twain was up here doing this?” he said as part of the pre-performance video.
‘American Idol’ Tears Up Ol’ Blue Eyes
Saddling this group of ‘American Idol‘ contestants with the songs of Frank Sinatra — a smooth singer who knocked the bobbysocks off even his male admirers — seemed like a curious choice when tonight’s Ol’ Blue Eyes-themed show began, and as things wore on it started to seem more and more like a cruel joke. The master of phrasing on a show that defines “subtlety” as using a regular old hammer instead of a sledgehammer? The suave Sinatra being channeled by the perpetually awkward Aaron Kelly, or the grunged-out Lee DeWyze? It became an even worse idea as the show went on, with only one hopeful — Michael Lynche, who sings in a wedding band at home — doing the man any justice at all. (Conspiracy theorists, get your tinfoil hats ready!)
Ann Powers: Lee finds his swing on Sinatra night
It’s informative to listen to the two versions of “All the Way, ” the ballad by Sammy Cahn and Jimmy van Heusen, recorded by the presiding spirits of this week’s “American Idol.” This week’s mentor, Harry Connick Jr., took on the tune last year in a jaunty version that was all hope and sunlight, the musing of a groom watching his bride walk toward the altar. The original 1957 take by Frank Sinatra, the artist the “Idol” hopefuls honored Tuesday night, is something different. Dripping with strings, building to a full-throated, almost Italian climax, the Ol’ Blue Eyes version is sentimental. But it also carries a lot of gravitas. Sinatra takes the phrases slowly. He’s thinking. Every phrase is a further commitment. He knows what he loses by gaining this girl.
‘American Idol’ Season 9, Top 5 Perform Frank Sinatra: TV Recap
It’s that time of the season. Much of the frippery and drawn-out antics of “American Idol” have finally fallen away, leaving audiences to choose from what may be the strongest top five in the history of the show.
Harry Connick, Jr. was on hand this week, not just to mentor the contestants on Frank Sinatra night, but also to play with them — Connick, Jr. (on piano) and members of his band backed the finalists up during their performances.
Harry Connick Jr. steals ‘American Idol’ Sinatra night
Frank Sinatra Night on “American Idol” starts with a rundown of what Tweener Girls hath wrought with their text message voting:
Lee DeWyze
Casey James
Aaron Kelly
Mike Lynch
and Crystal Bowersox.
Anthony Hopkins is in the audience, in support of his new arthouse film, “The City of Your Final Destination”? Obscure! And Meathead! Apparently, in support of his tweener daughter nearby.
Blake Lewis: Connick ‘a cut above’ as mentor
Tuesday on American Idol, we were blessed with the songs of Frank Sinatra and the arrangements of Harry Connick Jr., two iconic legends in the jazz world. I knew before the show started this would be one of the most memorable nights. Connick has been one of my favorite artists since I began singing. His arrangements and piano stylings are simply perfect. This is the first mentor I’m jealous the contestants got to meet and have him critique them.
The night started off with Aaron Kelly singing Fly Me to the Moon. This is Sinatra’s most legendary song, and Kelly didn’t do it justice. The judges were all over him for it. Simon said this: “If Sinatra was a lion, then you would be a mouse.” Ouch!
Guest blogger Brooke White explains the Sinatra ‘sweet spot, ‘ offers fifth-place wisdom
First and foremost, I thought it was an interesting Tuesday night, but right off the top, you could tell it was going to be a really challenging one. There’s the whole layout of the stage, and Harry Connick Jr. and his incredible band, who are doing their thing. The contestants had to work toward fitting into that thing and finding that swing. Plus, no instruments, which means less artistic license.
Don’t get me wrong, I loved Harry Connick on “Idol.” And I’ve been a fan my whole life. I had the “When Harry Met Sally” soundtrack as a kid, and I’ve had other albums since. He’s so beyond talented. He looked like he may have been a little nervous at the very beginning – you can’t blame him, it’s such a big stage and overwhelming atmosphere – but he was a fantastic mentor. And I think having him on stage was kind of comforting, because he was there with you for the rehearsal. He has a very down-to-earth nature to him that I really liked. He’s amazing and a great choice for mentor, in my mind. Plus, I loved seeing the rehearsal!
Frank Sinatra’s songs, Harry Connick, Jr.’s band hamper already-weak final five Idols
Having Harry Connick, Jr., work with the final five and arranging the contestants’ versions of Frank Sinatra songs was inspired: He’s hilarious (“you think Shania Twain was up in here doing this?”) and insightful, and gave them good advice while entertaining us, which is a challenge for many mentors.
Alas, his on-stage big band thing failed the five finalists, three of them in particular, as it didn’t give them a chance to “do their thing, ” to paraphrase the judges parroting themselves. And, okay, Lee was good, and Mike was good, and Crystal wasn’t bad, but this wasn’t anywhere close to Adam Lambert’s “Feeling Good”, or for a more direct big band comparison, Kris Allen’s “The Way You Look Tonight” or Allison Iraheta’s “Someone to watch over me”, all of which were part of last year’s final five Rat Pack episode.
Top 5 Recap- Casey’s Baaaad Rendition of Sinatra Is Decidedly CapriCorny
So this week the Idol contestants are told they should interpret Sinatra songs in their own style but let Harry Connick Jr. do the arrangements for them. And they’re clearly singing Sinatra songs so that they can finally show once and for all that they can sell records in today’s industry. I mean… Why the hell are we doing Sinatra week again? Oh yeah, Simon likes him. Simon also likes Leona Lewis and Il Divo so clearly the guy shouldn’t be trusted for an opinion anyway. But Casey’s memorable performance made a last minute switch for Goat for the Worst and the night was kept interesting… barely. You’re welcome, Idol.
Luck Be A Goat Tonight: AI 9 Top 5 do Sinatra
Tonight is Frank Sinatra night on American Idol. Harry Connick, Jr. even came over to help, as Old Blue Eyes has been dead since 1998. It might be an alright show, except for the fact its American Idol and this year’s contestants may very well have no soul and have chosen the most stereotypical Sinatra songs of all time — outside of New York, New York and My Way, the latter of which Siobhan Magnus had planned on wrecking had she made it to the Top 5.
Seacrest is wrong about one thing. Sinatra’s popularity DID wane during his illustrious career. His Oscar-winning role (Best Supporting Actor) in From Here to Eternity was largely viewed as a comeback for the singer. But you know what hasn’t waned? Harry Connick, Jr.’s looks. The man ages magically. (Wait. He’s only 42. Oh well, he’s still aging beautifully.)
“American Idol” recap: Casey James is no Sinatra
Tuesday night’s “American Idol” featured the music of ole blue eyes, Frank Sinatra. Now, most know that Frank Sinatra is a legend, one of the original Rat Pack and, most importantly, Simon’s favorite singer of all times.
But my first question was, “How will these contestants know who Frank Sinatra was and, the challenge, how would they be able to ‘get’ him?” Did they need a quick course in Sinatra 101? Was there a time capsule available so these contestants could go back sixty years to try to ‘get’ him? Did someone need to explain to them what a “crooner” was?
I felt a big time set up coming on for those innocent unsuspecting contestants who had dazed looks on their faces. But those “American Idol” producers are smart cookies. They brought in as mentor, the infamous Harry Connick Jr., the closest contemporary singer to Sinatra.
What, You Say Harry Connick Wasn’t a Contestant?
Elvis. The Beatles. The Rolling Stones. This year’s batch of “Idol” theme weeks have been pretty aspirational, to say the least. What’s on deck, “The Songs of Jesus”? Hopefully that will come next week; last night they trudged their way through the songs of the great Frank Sinatra.
My dialing finger has been retired since Siobhan’s elimination, only making appearances for matters of great importance, like ordering pizza or calling psychic hotlines. But last night my finger hovered precariously over the familiar keypad, ready to vote again after being let down so many times this season.
Kimberley Locke: Crystal, Casey, and Aaron “Did Not Work For Me” on Idol
Kimberley Locke came in third place on the second season of American Idol (behind Clay Aiken and Ruben Studdard). Since then, she’s appeared on Celebrity Fit Club, and released a new single, Strobe Light, a collaboration with Randy Jackson, on April 6.
I was excited to see two of my favorites on the show tonight: Harry Connick Jr. and Frank Sinatra. I wasn’t sure if these contestants could do this genre justice and, in my opinion, only two of them did: Big Mike and Lee.
