This week on Idol…

 Now that we are down to four, the question is no longer if they can sing but now it’s more about what style of music the voters like more. This week each contestant performed two songs and the theme was the music of Barry Gibb of the Bee Gees. Though the Bee Gees were the best in Disco, let me just interject that there is a very good reason Disco music died. Need I say more?

 Melinda, the “adult R&B” contestant was first and fifth. Her first song, “Love You Inside and Out” was also done by Latoya London in season three, so I was curious to see what Melinda would bring to the table since her vocal range is lower than Latoya, but they both share musical precision. The songs is not difficult to sing, so it’s all about the tone and enunciation. Melinda did not miss a beat and turned in another precise performance, but for the first time this season for me she didn’t infuse as much variety as she normally does. She often uses the bottom and the top of her voice more fluidly and takes more risks with minor notes. She was quite somber, perhaps saving her big guns for the second number. The second song was the Melinda I am more accustomed too. Singing “How Can You Mend A Broken Heart” which was done by MarioVazquez season 4 and I believe by Ruben Studdard on season 2. I know Ruben has it on his debut release. She started off a little awkward in her phrasing which made me wonder where she was going to take it. She took it to the limits of her range, sustaining quite possibly the highest note I have heard her hold all season. Once again she displayed that she is a true professional, who is prepared for any challenge put before her.

 Blake, the “contemporary with a throwback 80’s approach pop/urban” player started off with “You Should Be Scratching….oops I mean Dancing”. It’s no secret that I find Blake’s use of “beat boxing” gimmickry, and tonight he decided that he would over indulge in the “art form”. To add insult to injury there was an annoying echo effect placed on his microphone. All that was missing was a computer and drum machine, which I am sure, will be OVER employed when Blake records his project. I might be making more of it that is there, but in my opinion Blake is a prime example of everything that is WRONG with modern day “music.” Some may think it is “creative” and “fresh” and I view it more a as distraction from his less than stellar vocals. The funniest moment for me was when Paula exclaimed that “only Blake can do it” and then Ryan proceeds to “scratch” just as well. Clearly Paula doesn’t get out much. I will say Blake has a good ear for “production” but it was misused on the first song. The second song was less on the beat boxing but forgettable and his high notes have a very annoying quality to them.

 Lakisha, “the choir diva in the making” entry is really starting to look very pale next to the other finalists. From a marketing perspective, Lakisha is in a horrible place. What she really needs she can’t obtain. That would be a higher voice. If she had a higher voice her “perceived” screaming would not come across that way, but since she doesn’t whenever she pushes for “range” it comes across “loud”. I think she did “Staying Alive” for her first song. It was mediocre as usual. Her second I can’t even remember so I guess that sums up what I thought of it. Her time is up. The most she can hope for at this point is a few guest appearances on some gospel projects.

 Jordin, the “perky teen pop diva” is now in a prime position to win the competition. She has what the “buying” demographic wants; big voice, pretty face, high pitched voice, nice amount of vibrato, versatility, will need dance lesson (but we can hire some dancers behind her to cover that) and personable. There you have your winner. For American Idol the buying public this year will mirror the voter, which clearly was not the case last year when Taylor Hicks won. I can barely remember the two songs she did, but it doesn’t matter. If I hadn’t even seen the show I could pretty much reenact her performance.

 The Results

 Well it was no surprise to anyone that Lakisha was going home and I know I have given her my fair share of grief this season, I do wish her success in her career. If she puts out something that I enjoy I will definitely buy it.

 So now we are down to the final three and the singing competition is over. Now Idol will start making sure we a re emotionally engulfed in the final three and we will see their hometowns, their old teachers and quite possibly pictures of their first tooth. Quite frankly there is nothing more vocally they can do, with the exception of Melinda. She still hasn’t fully displayed her “running” or “rolling” technique. She gave a quick peak at it on her first performance at the end of the song, but hasn’t used it at all since then. I wonder if she will bring that out now or stick to her formula of enunciation, tone, and phrasing.

 Not much more Blake or Jordin can do, so again it’s now down to who America really likes.