...the river Jordan that is!
I thought due to the amount of passion she had(s) for the American Idol experience and the emotional delivery of her new song, she was a perfect choice. I loved seeing the big group hug at the end.
Let me comment on some of the highlights and low ebbs of the evening...
First of all, I loved the choice of “I saw her standing there” as a duet for Blake and Jordan. How cute... “She was just seventeen...”
LOVE Kelly Clarkson and her new Janis Joplin rocker thang. Wow... and to think Renee Zelwegger is signed to play Janis in a new movie on her life? I think they should re-think it and then we can see another Idol winning an Oscar.
Um... Carrie Underwood... ditz, flat, the overused pitchy and DULL!!!!! Definitely was the winner in a way off year.
Taylor... didn't like the first song but loved him in the Beatles tribute.
I thought for sure Paul McCartney would make an entrance or at least, Ringo... oh well.
The best part of the evening was Melinda (or rather, Melinder as Simon would say) singing with her former Employers, BeBe and CeCe Winans.
The second best part of the evening was Tony Bennett. He sings the song very understated and just when you think, “huh, pretty good for an eighty year old... but yeah, I guess I can see that he is starting to get weak and rough around the edges...” He just let's out with these big power notes that absolutely delighted and freaked me out. I grabbed my heart and screamed when he did this. WOW!!!!!!!
Low ebb... Bette Midler. Yikes. Why did she have to do that so very banal “hit” song of hers. I really do not like this side of her. I like the sassy brassy side and she could have really tore the place up. What if she had done “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” with the girls? Or ANYTHING else than... “Fly..... FLYYYYYY..... FLYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY” and it was just horrible. I think she was having trouble hearing. You could see her trying to adjust her mic volume on the battery pack thing behind her. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE me some Bette Midler... but she was off. She looks great though.
Sanjaya... still just can't stand him and I think he's obnoxious. Later in the evening the news was doing a live interview with Gina from Chicago and right in the middle of an answer to a question, he just barges in and interupts and takes the spotlight. Slap that kid. Go home. And that little weird crying girl too. Ichhhhh!
So not to end on a negative note... Love, light and joy for the experience that is American Idol.
Can't wait for Melinder's album.