Here is a recap of American Idols Live at Target Center on Tuesday, in order of appearance:

Michael Sarver Songs: I’m in Love with a Girl by Gavin DeGraw; Closer by Ne-Yo

He was more of a hyped cheerleader than a charming singer. What happened to his natural country bent? And enough with the “make some noise” and “let me here you scream.”

Megan Joy Songs: Put Your Records On by Corrine Bailey Rae; Tears Dry on Their Own by Amy Winehouse

Ms Utah Ink was all dolled up (including plastic gems glued onto her tattoos) and didn’t flail her arms as she strutted in some serious heels. She was OK on the first song but a hoarse, unfocused train wreck waiting to happen on the Winehouse.

Scott MacIntyre Songs: Bend and Break by Keane; A Thousand Miles by Vanessa Carlton

One bland obscure choice and one wise choice by this piano man. He tried to assert his personality between songs but an impression of Simon Cowell was off the mark.

Lil Rounds Songs: Be without You and Just Fine by Mary J. Blige; No One by Alicia Keys; Single Ladies by Beyonce

She was vocalizing and not singing, and seemed rushed. Ultimately, she came across like an ordinary lounge act.

Anoop Desai  Songs: Always on My Mind by Willie Nelson; Mad by Ne-Yo; My Prerogative by Bobby Brown

His attractive, soulful voice impressed even though the ballads were a bit boring. His Prerogative was overwrought but he still showed potential.

Matt Giraud Songs: Too Hard to Handle by Otis Redding; Georgia on My Mind by Hoagy Carmichael; You Found Me by the Fray

What a pleasant surprise. He did a rock-star turn with the Black Crowes version of Too Hard to Handle, including a Jerry Lee Lewis-like piano break. He was predictably soulful channeling Ray Charles on Georgia and very assertive on the Fray piece. He’s grown by leaps and bounds since the TV show.

Megan and Lil/Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You by Frankie Valli… Vocally, it was a train wreck (plus Megan started laughing uncontrollably). Is this song the right duet choice for these two women?

Scott and Matt/Tell Her About It by Billy Joel…. dueling pianos was fun.

Michael/Suspicious Minds by Elvis Presley…Why?

Anoop, Matt, Scott,Michael, Meg, Lil/Beggin’ by the Four Seasons. This was a nice vocal workout and effectively staged. A solid close to a largely underwhelmingly first act.

Allison Iraheta Songs:So What by Pink; Cry Baby by Janis Joplin;Barracuda by Heart

What a rock-star turn. She demostrated her bravura voice on TV but she showed much more confidence in concert. If Giraud was a surprise, Allison stealing the show was the biggest surprise. Knockout voice, presence, command and control. I got goose bump during Cry Baby.

Danny Gokey Songs: PYT by Michael jackson; Maria Maria by Santana; What Hurts the Most and My Wish by Rascal Flatts

The hip jacket with epulets looked out of place on the pride of Milwaukee. He tried too hard to sell the uptempo tunes, complete with a mock Ricky Martin dancing on the Santana tune. But Gokey totally delivered on the Rascal Flatts ballads. He has a big-time voice and a bright future as a televangelist.

Adam Lambert Songs: Whole Lotta Love by Led Zeppelin; Starlight by Muse; Mad World by Tears for Fears; Slow Ride by Foghat (with Allison); Life on Mars w/ Fame w/ Let’s Dance by David Bowie

Loved Glambert on TV when he proved he was hands down the most talented contestant ever on “Idol.” In concert, though, he got a bit too theatrical as if he was trying to act like a rock star instead of just singing like one. Fame got a little too swishy/campy. A Queen or Kiss song might have been a better choice.

Kris Allen Songs: Heartless by Kanye West; All These Things That I’ve Done by the Killers; Ain’t No Sunshine by Bill Withers; Bright Lights by Matchbox Twenty; Hey Jude by the Beatles

He was warm, earnest and forgettably innocuous as he played guitar and piano. Even though this was the strongest Idols Live lineup thus far, it wasn’t because of this year’s winner. 

Ensemble: Don’t Stop Believin by Journey w Steam’s Na Na Na Na Goodbye  

This entry was posted on Wednesday, September 2nd, 2009 at 2:01 am and is filed under American Idol, Concerts, Main. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.