American Idol has been promising the "most talent yet" and we've heard that claim so often every season we've stopped believing. But given the performances tonight from Scotty McReery, Casey Abrams, James Durbin and Jacob Lusk, I've become a believer. And we haven't even seen the girls yet.
Idol hasn't had four talented people in its cast since Season 5. Last year there wasn't even one talented artist. It's hard to believe this is the same show that has crowned drips like Lee DeWyze and Kris Allen recently.
Perhaps that's because Idol finally has three judges who seem to care about finding talent to showcase as oppose to calling attention to themselves with forced, tiresome quips (Simon Cowell, I'm talking to you) or looney tunes from C-list '80s pop singers (Paula Abdul). Steven Tyler and JLo, I applaud you on this first live show of the season. Even Randy has never been so astute and on the game. The judges' constructive criticism, engaging banter and professionalism was a breath of fresh air. Best panel in years.
Top of the class:
Casey Abrams. Could well be the most purely gifted, most naturally voiced and musically accomplished contestant Idol has found in 10 years. Though he went just a touch over the top on Screaming Jay Hawkins' I Put a Spell on You, the growls served the blues tune. No one has ever looked like Casey, 19, on Idol and no one has had this broad appeal. Win or lose, he's the real find the judges have promised. Unlike Season 8's gifted Adam Lambert, he's not polarizing or overly full of himself, either.
Scotty McReery is the heir apparent to country legend Randy Travis. And he's only 17. In fact, in terms of vocal range, style and the kind of voice one can listen to for hours on end in a swank country club, this solid country baritone is better than country star and one-time Travis heir, Josh Turner. McReery sang John Michael Montgomery's Letters From Home and made it sound like a new country standard -- a true country standard, not the kind of bland country-pop or contrived cornpone country radio favors these days. This kid is the real deal. Nashville should sign him up no matter his fortune on this program. With once-great country stars like Alan Jackson and Tim McGraw coasting on past glories with one bland, formulaic release after another, and overhyped, offkey stars like Miranda Lambert collecting the awards, the country music industry needs a voice and persona like Scotty's right now.
James Durbin has gone from the most annoying to the show's most convincing rock star. For once, James reigned in the misplaced screeching and used his high range to good effect on a Judas Priest classic, You've Got Another Thing Coming. I'd give him points for introducing the routinely bland Idol to the almighty Priest in the first place. But he wowed me with his natural flair for performance and personality on this British steel classic. He followed a handful of generic performances from some Idol hopefuls who were dwarfed by the big, live stage (Clint, Jovanny, Jordan) and proves he's got some more weeks coming to him.
Jacob Lusk was my fourth standout. He's always had a velvet smooth, beautiful voice. But his manic, over the top, nutso performances during the auditions have always made me dread his appearance on this show. Tonight, he sang the overdone A House Is Not a Home and did it as well as Luther Vandross ever did. If he can continue to sing like this without over ornamenting, he's going to become another favorite.
By comparison, everyone else can go home. Boca Raton's Brett Loewenstern is an original, but his Light My Fire was mostly a fizzle. Considerably worse, Robbie Rosen and his limp Sarah McLachlan ballad, Jordan Dorsey's ill-advised Usher cover, Jovanny Barreto's boring, seen-it-all-before Idol cliche, I'll Be (he won't), Tim Halperin's overproduced and vocally anemic Rob Thomas tune, Stefano Langone's lame Bruno Mars mauling, Paul McDonald's soulless (but curiously likable) take on Rod Stewart's Maggie Mae, and Clint Jun Gamboa's generic, passe and nerve-rattled Stevie Wonder oldie.
In any other season, Brett and
Paul and even Clint would be worth another look, that's how strong this season seems to be. If the girls have an equal amount of talent Wednesday night, we're going to be in for a fine season.
For more follow @HowardCohen on Twitter.
You NAILED it ! Seriously NAILED it.
Posted by: CARL | March 02, 2011 at 08:01 AM
Love American Idol this year. The judges are the best - its fun to watch again! Fantastic talent.
Posted by: Aleida Martinez | March 02, 2011 at 04:38 PM
Hi Howard,
It's Idol time again, and I am glad to see you are back although I miss reading your column in the newspaper over breakfast the morning after the show. I agree with you 100%. Those were the ones I picked too. I can't wait to see the girls tonight. I have my eye on a few from the auditions, but I will wait until I read your blog tomorrow morning to see if we agree.
Speak to you soon.
Judy
Posted by: Judy Palgon | March 02, 2011 at 07:41 PM
who's here for the ladies tonight?
Posted by: lane | March 02, 2011 at 08:01 PM
agreed!
Posted by: Lesley | March 02, 2011 at 08:01 PM
did the judges and ryan always get an intro like this? i dont recall
Posted by: Lesley | March 02, 2011 at 08:01 PM
i just lost the little admiration i had for steven and j-lo. that was HORRID.
Posted by: Lesley | March 02, 2011 at 08:10 PM
I already don't remember it. I can't believe this chick is doing "Summertime" on Idol. Even if it's not the Fantasia version.
Posted by: lane | March 02, 2011 at 08:15 PM
i liked it
Posted by: Lesley | March 02, 2011 at 08:17 PM
I did too by the end
Posted by: lane | March 02, 2011 at 08:19 PM
this one is good too
Posted by: Lesley | March 02, 2011 at 08:20 PM
not bad but are any of them "American Idol"?
Posted by: lane | March 02, 2011 at 08:21 PM
Randy is finally giving constructive criticism. People are gonna call him out for trying to be like Simon tho
On a side note: I dont think JLo wears enough makeup
Posted by: Lesley | March 02, 2011 at 08:21 PM
lot of sizzle no steak?
Posted by: lane | March 02, 2011 at 08:28 PM
yuck. something weird about her. awkward. trying too hard to be sexy. v broadway.
Posted by: Lesley | March 02, 2011 at 08:29 PM
hubby just pointed out that randy's even sporting the simon vnecks now...
Posted by: Lesley | March 02, 2011 at 08:30 PM
Que?
Posted by: lane | March 02, 2011 at 08:31 PM
she hasnt realized you dont sing Mariah on Idol? and is this American Idol or El Nuevo Idol?
Posted by: Lesley | March 02, 2011 at 08:31 PM
I hope next week it's Guantanamera. I've always wanted to know what the American words are.
Posted by: lane | March 02, 2011 at 08:33 PM
what the hell are these judges smoking? she was awful.
Posted by: Lesley | March 02, 2011 at 08:34 PM
"Singing in Spanish is beautiful" -maybe so but the fact that you suck doesnt get lost in translation Jlo!
Posted by: Lesley | March 02, 2011 at 08:36 PM
this girl is good. i see the bette midler thing
Posted by: Lesley | March 02, 2011 at 08:41 PM
I wish Evan was here.
I'd say "Marla Hooch, what a hitter!"
Posted by: lane | March 02, 2011 at 08:41 PM
I had to google that but excellent League of Their Own ref!!
Posted by: Lesley | March 02, 2011 at 08:43 PM
they did a commercial of all the pretty girls in the league and they did a shot of Marla Hooch from a mile away and said "Marla Hooch, what a hitter!"
Posted by: lane | March 02, 2011 at 08:45 PM
is it lazy if I say she reminds me of Diana Ross?
Posted by: lane | March 02, 2011 at 08:48 PM
hehehehe
Posted by: Lesley | March 02, 2011 at 08:48 PM
didnt love it. like dreamgirls lite
Posted by: Lesley | March 02, 2011 at 08:50 PM
since J-Lo also said it, obviously it was lazy
Posted by: lane | March 02, 2011 at 08:51 PM
this girl looks like she's on the wrong show--#toddlersandtiaras
Posted by: Lesley | March 02, 2011 at 08:56 PM
dumbass, if you're going to sing an Idol winner, don't suck.
Posted by: lane | March 02, 2011 at 08:57 PM
oof
Posted by: Lesley | March 02, 2011 at 08:58 PM
randy is finally useful
Posted by: Lesley | March 02, 2011 at 08:59 PM
i think this song also falls into the category of mariah/whitney...
Posted by: Lesley | March 02, 2011 at 09:01 PM
hey they deleted it because I said t*ts!
Posted by: lane | March 02, 2011 at 09:01 PM
lane--huh? where? what?!
this girl has a good voice but this song on her was sort of like a little girl wearing shoes too big for her
Posted by: Lesley | March 02, 2011 at 09:03 PM
I said Randy is the shark's t*ts this year! And they deleted it!
Posted by: lane | March 02, 2011 at 09:04 PM
was it an auto delete or something? That's weird and ridiculous!
Posted by: Lesley | March 02, 2011 at 09:06 PM
why is every show going Glee? house...grey's...overkill
Posted by: Lesley | March 02, 2011 at 09:07 PM
what's Hawaiian for coma inducing
?
Posted by: lane | March 02, 2011 at 09:11 PM
that was one of my fave songs from the Fame soundtrack and I thought it was very pageant-like
Posted by: Lesley | March 02, 2011 at 09:14 PM
that was very Universal Studios Mardi Gras
Posted by: Lesley | March 02, 2011 at 09:15 PM
So far I like the janitor and the toilet cleaner best. go figure.
Posted by: Lesley | March 02, 2011 at 09:16 PM
you have the zaftigness of Kelly and the twang and Carrie
Posted by: lane | March 02, 2011 at 09:16 PM
twang of Carrie
Posted by: lane | March 02, 2011 at 09:17 PM
has anyone seen kelly lately? she's sorta like janet jackson with her weight. up/down
Posted by: Lesley | March 02, 2011 at 09:18 PM
can we pick all guys for the top 10? This show sucked.
Posted by: lane | March 02, 2011 at 09:23 PM
i agree lane. zzzzzzzzzzzzz
Posted by: Lesley | March 02, 2011 at 09:26 PM
if Pia Toscano married Rich Little, she'd be Pia Little
if she married Ronnie Lott, she'd be Pia Lott
Posted by: lane | March 02, 2011 at 09:26 PM
Thanks Judy,
Alas, Idol Watch won't have a print component this year. Only the blog and my live commentary on Twitter.
Thanks for your support, tho.
Posted by: HoCo | March 02, 2011 at 10:31 PM