'American Idol' Tracker: Titans of song battle Andrew Lloyd Webber

Since the cornerstones of the Idoldome were set, it has been written that one day, six singers must pass this way before the show could fulfill its destiny.

In taking on the music of Andrew Lloyd Webber, "American Idol" came face to face with its spiritual creator, the man who elevated vocal performance to the level of spectacle.  History has been filled with singing competitions, but until Lord Webber transformed the stage, the idea of singing as single combat -- a combat to master one’s soul and to enslave an audience -- would have been impossible. 

But while "American Idol" may have been shaped in the passed-down image of the master, the show has needed time to work its way back to its creator, teaching its contestants to crawl before they can fly with pop tunes and songbook standards.

It is fitting then that now, seven years in, the strongest cast in "Idol" history should be chosen to fight this battle, gazing upon the unalloyed "Idol" text, opening the Arc of the Covenant and seeing whose heart is pure enough to stare into the face of creation.

And for this season, "Andrew Lloyd Webber night" will clearly mark the year’s definitional battle, the night which showed at last who is destined for "Idol" immortality (and the final three) and who has officially written a check their skills can’t pay.  Some who faltered tonight will survive to fight on, but having glimpsed the eternal and fallen short, they will never walk with the pride of the innocent again. 

As Lord Webber made clear, the challenge of tonight was not just to belt out “money notes,” but to connect with a song, with the character behind it and use it to tell a story.  Raw vocal talent has gotten them all this far, to the dizzying heights of Idoldom, but to make these last steps will call for something much more scarier -- emotional depth.

It was a night of pomp in the Idoldome, with the harp-equipped band set up on stage. Music director Rickie Minor walked the floor in formal wear and His Lordship Himself joined us in the audience.  As the evening turned out, His Lordship proved to be the greatest of Idol mentors. His Lordship actually worked with and shaped the contestants, to the point of demanding different songs, rather than merely dispensing good wishes as some previous mentors have contented themselves to do.

However, with the crowd near a fever pitch as the season enters the final stretch, tension hung in the air. The night opened with a rousing performance from Syesha Mercado -- enjoyable, and keeps her certainly alive, but ultimately, still lacking the intensity to take her all the way. 

Jason Castro and Brooke White both showed that they have risen to about where they belong.  Both had strong appeal in their niches and have won legions of admirers, but when this last push was demanded, it was a bridge too far.  Brooke in particular, seems to have the Idoldome on edge with concern for her, her fragility so nakedly on display.  After being upbraided by Paula for having to restart her version of "You Must Love Me," one could have heard a false eyelash drop clear in the bleachers.  Sadly, talented though she is, she gives the impression on coming undone in these recent weeks.

While challenges serve to bring some to their knees, they serve to bring out greatness in others.  For the front-runners -- the two Davids -- they once again managed to inhabit their songs to a supernatural degree.  But to the crowd, the night was a clear, unadulterated victory for this column’s candidate Carly Smithson, the most electrifying performer in "American Idol" history.  Tonight at last, with "Jesus Christ Superstar," everything fell into place for Carly, and it is fitting that Idol’s spiritual godfather should have warned her off a major false step and guided her to her greatest success. 

However, it must be said at this point that Carly cannot seem to get a break with the judges. Randy and Simon seem to be on a mission to deny her the just praise she deserves. Even on this night, while praising the brilliance of her work, their plaudits remained tempered, Randy claiming it wasn’t her best, and Simon delivering the very strange backhanded compliment that it was one of his favorites of the night (there had been all of four at this point). 

While I will not demand an investigation yet, and while I support the constitutional right of judges to their opinions, I demand some sort of system of instant replays, or bonus voting be instituted to recompense Carly for an undue damage done to her prospects.  But as ever, this column has complete faith in the wisdom of the electorate to make this right.

What is happening now to the contestants is that those who survive are completing the process of icon building. It is a source of fascination that in this era when fame is our ultimate commodity, the "Idol" stars draw more attention and fascination than any A-list screen actor.  I recently heard of a story of one of this season’s survivors visiting a local Westside mall -- a showbiz-friendly locale where Brad and Angelina could go underwear shopping attracting barely a raised eyebrow -- and that the "Idol" was mobbed and gawked at by seemingly the entire place.

In a recent New Yorker essay on the changing nature of stardom, David Denby discusses how stars of yore, before we knew every intimate detail of the every actor’s life, became vessels for the roles they inhabited.  He wrote: “At some point, however, an actor's looks and temperament would merge with a role that brought out, perhaps, an underlay of humor or menace, and the public would take notice, get excited, and the actor would become a star. The actor then imposed a unifying temperament on his characters; he became the characters, they became him, and any given performance offered a palimpsest of his past performances. Everything he had done since he assumed his ‘type’ trailed him like a ghost.”

In an era when we can recite more about our performers’ drunken debauchery then about what roles they have played, "American Idol" is the only star-making machine we have. It is the one place where those contestants, at least those savvy enough to feel their way through it, can -- on a stage that is at once public and yet controlled (not unlike the old studios) -- piece by piece, song by song, create personas for themselves as compelling to us today as the types inhabited by Bogart or Cary Grant in their time.   

Through rigorous song choices, performances on stage and in the filmed glimpses they offer into their families and homes, these singers can create characters that become bigger than their mortal shells. And each time they sing a number that touches the audience, that impact serves to make the persona grow and grow.

In confronting Lord Webber, the final six had their greatest opportunity yet to draw a richer, deeper shaper to their persona, and for those who rose to their challenge, they are on the cusp of a place where their stars are about to soar into the heavens to sit among the immortals evermore.

Special Note:  Please join me for an online chat tomorrow (Wednesday) at noon PDT at chat.latimes.com

--Richard Rushfield

(photo courtesy of Fox)

Comments

[groovesmoothy]

The way they're gonna fall.

1. David C. should be the winner this season. He is talented and offers the best all around package from a marketing perspective.

2. Carly gets dogged because she deserves it. She will never be a serious stage performer in spite of her stellar voice. She sounded awesome last night but as usual couldn't even speak she was so out breath after one song. She needs more than that if she's ever going to do two shows nightly in Vegas.

3. David A. belongs on Disney, not Idol. He's got a good voice but he make Clay seem cool. I taste vomit every time he gets creepy shy when little girls squeal his name. Not cute at all.

4. Syesha was the bomb last night but she is way to unpredictable and won't stay around much longer.

5. Jason (my favorite) is probably the first person ever on Idol who's album I would actually buy.

Bye-bye Brook, Paula was wrong last night but she did suck the most. I love her when she played and sang but everyone's time must come...

Overall While I have trouble arguing against the idea that this is the most talented entire group, I think it will produce one of the weakest winners. They are all talented but there are no superstars in the bunch. In the end I really hope that this year the top two get to sing songs that don't make me want to hang myself after shooting my TV. I truly thought they could never find crappier songs than those from the first 5 seasons but last year was so vial I almost didn't watch this season at all. Not only must the songs not suck but they need to tailor the songs to each contestant not just the one they want to win.

PS They jumped the shark last night after 6 1/2 seasons of dogging people for sounding too caberet/ musical theatre.

[Idler]

Is anyone else surprised that not one of the women attempted the song "I Don't Know How To Love Him", from JCSS. If I remember, it was a fairly popular billboard song back in the day.

[clemycali]

dvb I agree with you, David A is sweet like a bombon but he is so boring. Plus, I might add that teen idols have a very short life in show business. So, from a recordin company point of view he can sell 1 record, have a few hits, cover-ups, and thats about it. The 12-13 years old girls are going to look for something more grown up and the next generation of tweenis is going to see the "choisen one" as old stuff.
Personally I like David Cook but I don't know if he is enough main stream to win. But for sure he'll have a great career.

[bardgal]

While I love most of ALW's works, I have always hated Cats. I especially hated Memory until I say Betty Buckley (who sang it on Broadway) sing it on the Tonys. Then I understood: the song never worked for me because every time anyone sang it, they'd belt it. The character singing the song is a very old, very fragile cat in the twilight of it's life. Yes, there should be emotion, heart-wrenching emotion, but belting the song belies a physical strength that isn't there because there isn't any left. Strength of character, yes, strength of being, of course. That's what makes that song so simple and beautiful. Last night Jason nailed it for me. I sat on my sofa and sobbed my head off because he reminded me of my precious little boy cat who, after 15 years of loving me, I had to send to the kitty angels two years ago. He was my heart. I've already pre-ordered Jason's studio version on iTunes.

As for the rest, Syesha surprised me. Loved it.
Brooke: This is the second time she's started over. At this point, she needs to be able to wing it if she makes a mistake. Sell the mistake and make it work. She needs to step up and be a pro.
David A: I don't get it. He has a speech impediment, and is soooo boring. I was surprised by the song, because I thought him singing Think of Me would be a train wreck and it was actually good, but it was still the same thing he does every week.. boring balladzzzzzzzzzz. He also forgot the lyrics, so why do they keep giving him a pass?
Carley rocked the house and the boys (Simon & Randy) need to wake up.
David Cook. WOW. Gets better every week.

[SMith Smithson]

"In confronting Lord Webber, the final six had their greatest opportunity yet to draw a richer, deeper shaper to their persona, and for those who rose to their challenge, they are on the cusp of a place where their stars are about to soar into the heavens to sit among the immortals evermore."

Are you serious? This is a TV singing competition. It is entertaining, but it's barely art. Immortals? Geez.

This story is the definitional battle of overwriting.

[that girl]

I would buy a CD by Carly. I would buy a CD by David Cook. I would probably buy a CD by ason Castro too. I am neutral on Syesha. I would NOT buy a CD by David A. as I would expect every song to sound the same. I might download a fabulous and inspiring single of his however. But then again, I am not in the massive demographic AI is marketing too...David A is. So, there you have it. This is not a singing competition, afterall.

[Walter Walterson]

"But for those of you who think I've gone overboard, I ask you, how can you watch this dramatic spectacle, get caught up in the drama and not want to soar up to the heavens with it? Where are your hearts you people? "

Becuase this show is not in the heavens. It is a nice, fine little TV show. There ain't nothing heavenly about it. Yikes - what would your review of something really great read like?

[Walter]

With the notable exception of Syesha and maybe David Cook, it baffles me as to how the contestants knew so little about the songs they were singing. The gender bending song choices made Baron Webber visibly cringe - as it should. I know these are just kids, but come on kids! At least watch one of the millions of Webber musical dvds out there before choosing a song! Jason was the worst offender by far, followed closely by David A. and Carly. All three should have been gonged before they started.

And a more general observation, why is it that only Randy picks up on the "tone thing", and even then only part of the time? Syesha has never kept a tune, Carly is a tuning nightmare, and Brooke should take another class or two. At least the other three can carry a tune for a whole song which should be a prerequisite to get this far. Makes me wonder if you screaming fans have screamed your ears off...

[Tom]

Dear Mr Rushfield:

Simon and Randy are not hard enough on the Irish professional singer. What's amazing about her is she seems to sing staccato. Ever notice how she runs out of air? Ever notice how she cuts her "big notes" so short that the back up singers finish them for her? Look back at the last three weeks, then compare her ability to hold a note to little David, Big David or Syesha. While some say she's a big note signer, the replays just don't support that. She has run out of air and will soon run out of chances.

Best wishes for a worthy idol,

Tom

[bardgal]

groovesmoothy - I agree 100%.

[Dennis Grayson]

Hate to say it but Carly, Brook and Jason will be in the bottom 3 with Carly or maybe Brook going home tonight.

[Val]

By the way for the David Cook and Carly fans on this site, since you love them so much, treat yourselves already to their CD's they are on sale. Enjoy their established talent. David Cook shouts out loudly enough to move a building. Knock yourselves out. Don't wake up your neighbors, personally I already downloaded music I can relax with and enjoy incredible vocals from AI Itunes, guess whose DAVID ARCHULETA our new American Idol a real role model for all of us. And yes, I am in my 40's haha not a teen.

[auramac]

I do believe that although Brooke had been given the OK the first time she stopped and restarted, at this stage it shouldn't have happened again. However, if you forget the false start, what about the singing? Hers is my favorite voice, and she is my favorite.. I believe young David will eventually win, and although both Syeesha and Carly were the most ebulliant and confident I think I've seen them be yet- neither have any soul. ALW complimented Brooke on her ability as an actress- to me, she projects emotion that is already in her. No act. Most popular music today is sterile and gymnastic. You can have your Carlys and your Mariahs. Oddly enough, the person on that stage with the deepest reservoir in her voice and soul is Brooke. And it'll show up on records, when she is control of her emotions and environment. There is more to all this than just technigue.

[Grover Liese]

Pretentious, orotund blather.

[Michelle]

I too really enjoy Carly's performances - her voice is beautiful, and she delivers strong confident performances. Unfortunately, she cannot get a break from the judges. I don't understand it. I also fear, as mentioned by Jose, that Carly will make it to number 3rd at best, as did Melinda Doolittle (which killed me, I loved her performances!). Sayesha did brilliantly last night (that was a first). And Jason and Brooke, blegh - someone send them home!

[Tom Skinner]

I love Carly's voice in the middle registers---it's rich and wonderful. But when she belts it out up high, it's like nails on a chalkboard. And the judges have noticed, more than once.

[frank mara]

I love music and all artistic talent but totally disagree with you. This year lacks good singers. Syesha cannot sing well. Jason tries but misses as a singer. Brooke is such a poor singer it says something when she is in top six. Carly also rubs me the wrong way and her screaming is not singing. Last night was loud but the notes were atrocious. The two Davis's are the closest we get to singers. David Cook is original and sings well. He did not try to be original last night. David A is superlative in many songs and was original last night. As he matures he will become a huge star.If they were not on American Idol no one would like to hear Syesha, Jason , Brooke and especially not Carly. I hope next season will be better.

[The David's have it]

Syesha deserved a bit more praise than your article indicated. The David's remain strong. I'm not going to even comment on how out of their element Brooke and Jason were. As for your girl, Carly, you might want to play back your DVR. She started out strong and I thought "Okay, finally the performance I knew she had in her will reveal itself tonight." Then she forgot the lyrics, started to sing off-key in a sort or screetch mode. Sorry, I don't think it was the performance you wanted it to be.

[PEPPER]

As I see it:
1. David Cook
2. Lil' David A. (aka 'the Beav')
3. Syesha
4. Carly
5. Brooke
6. Jason

Jason goes tonight, I think. He needs to stick with the ukelele or with songs that fit his skill set. He will do well as time progresses. Brooke unfortunately has allowed the stress and her anxiety - and her not overly hidden dislike of Simon: she has let him affect her too much - get to her and it is hurting her. Too bad because she is indeed very talented and will succeed professionally. Carly, my favorite, reaches a note pitch, which transitions her vocals to screaming. She is indeed good and can make it to the top three, but Syesha's performance last evening showed that she has a spot on Broadway (Remember Dreamgirls, the movie version?).

OK: David A. Every time I see him, the theme song of "Leave It To Beaver" comes to mind. There isn't a performance that occurs, with Randy comencing with the gushing whereby lil' David flips into his "Aw shucks, golly gee, Wally" ,feet shuffle performance. That's tough to watch, because he is over-rated by all three "judges (there really is only one who may qualify for that moniker). I suspect that they see david A. as "Money": more than the otehrs. As others have noted, he will do great on the Disney Channel and at Disney World, but sooner or later the 12 and 13 year old girls have got to get off their cell phones, keying in their votes for him, and finish their homework.

David Cook did well; he has training for broadway-type songs and it showed. I was surprised because I did not think that he had the 'stuff', but he did well with his own version which sounded remarkably like broadway renditions that I have heard.

Carly: Her stock can rise if the camera stops panning over to Mr. Tattoo. He is gawd-awful looking and she loses votes as a result. (I am assuming that the votes are the prevailing force, but the executive producers really have the final say.) Ergo, Carly's husband is hurting her chances.

Kids: Please stop your incessant voting for 'The Beav" - go clean your rooms!

[ck]

I thought Brooke would sing "I Don't Know How to Love Him." Too bad no one told her to. She would've sung it beautifully and saved herself some embarrassment. Starting last week Jason proved his limitations. He's a pleasent coffee-house singer, that's it. He reminds me of Livingston Taylor, James' brother. Carly performed well for Carly, but she shouts; her voice never sounds pretty. David A. is boring and showing his youth more and more. Syesha did great and likely will be cast in a Broadway play. The only one who has sung a variety of different songs in a variety of ways throughout this competition is David Cook. And he's done them ALL well, some brilliantly, in fact. The top two finalists should been David Cook and Michael Johns. With Johns gone, everyone one pales in comparison to David Cook.