I had a feeling that he was going to get the boot. But I don't know, it was truly difficult to figure it out. They were/are all equally talented. Sure enough, it was pretty much down to a neck and neck and neck vote. Each were floating around 33% percent of the countries vote. They all appeared overwhelmed, Kat grasping onto the guys, most likely all of them realizing that whatever the outcome, they are all equally popular with the country.
I mean, let's get real here, what this show is coming down to is the fact that it is about talent, yes, but it is a meter to be able to see what kind of music the country is into. These kids want to be able to have a life beyond this show winner or not and it really comes down to WHO will buy their (eventual) CD's.
Here is what I think about each of the three:
I like Taylor Hicks. He isn't very original though. I mean, when he sang “Dancing in the Dark” he pretty much sang and sounded exactly like Springsteen. I like it when he takes the song home at the end in his big bluesy way. He will sing the song along and it doesn't seem like it's going to be any different than the original version and then he takes a left turn. Hated the falsetto thing he attempted on “You Are So Beautiful.”
Katherine has only one problem. She doesn't take advice very well. The judges keep telling her not to do these big Whitney/Celine songs and she keeps doing them. She CAN go up there and do that sort of thing but in small doses. It's when she is singing in an Eva Cassidy manner that she shines. Her “Rainbow” was perfection. Seriously, was one of the best versions I have heard of that in years. It had a little bit of every famous version and then her own additions. She needs to stop trying to blow us away with power and let the audience crawl up onto the stage to her, sit next to her on the floor as she croons one on one. I do like her dynamic up-tempo's like “Think.” That's when she can blow the roof off the theater if she pleases. She is also absolutely gorgeous.
Now, it's Elliot who I think is the best vocalist of the entire competition. My main reason for deciding this is that he is the most original. Every guy who sings songs from the American Songbook sings them like Sinatra. They ALL sound like Sinatra. NOT Elliot. Elliot is truly original.
He is extremely sophisticated on all levels in his performing. The way he dresses, the songs he sings, I think it's a bit over the American Publics heads. I hope he goes on to record. He really deserves to and needs to. The music industry NEEDS someone like him.