Tonight the Top 6 finalists performed the music of accomplished singer/songwriter, Carole King.
Carole King released an album called Love Makes The World in 2001 that included the track Oh No Not My Baby and Jacob Lusk did his best to make this song his own. He brings a lot of enthusiasm to his performance and literally bounces across the stage, but his vocals just aren't focused and controlled enough to impress.
Tapestry, her Grammy winning Album of the Year from 1971, included the track Where You Lead that Lauren Alaina did her best to inject some personality into. Where Carole has written a fantastic song Lauren, sadly, doesn't have much personality to contribute so it ended up falling flat.
I Feel The Earth Move spent 5 weeks at #1 in 1971 and Casey Abrams and Haley Reinhart made a complete mess of this fantastic song with their complete inability to sing well. There was an embarrassing amount of over-compensating going on up on the stage with unpleasant wailing, growling and screaming substituting for vocal talent. It's as if they both are blatantly admitting they don't have what it takes to just sing well.
You've Got A Friend won the 1971 Grammy for Song of the Year as well as spending one week at #1 for James Taylor. Scotty McCreery did his best to convey some depth and sensitivity with his interpretation, but it all ended up falling flat. It was an effort at showing some range, but this exposed that he doesn't really have any.
Will You Love Me Tomorrow by the Shirelles became the first song written by Carole King to hit #1 on the Billboard HOT 100 when it stayed there for two weeks in 1960. James Durbin demonstrated for all of the other contestants what it means to perform, interpret and re-invent a pop classic. James has an exceptional voice and outstanding professional stage presence. He quite literally rocked the house and 50 years later this song could be a #1 hit all over again!
The Drifters took Carole's song Up On The Roof to #5 in 1962. Scotty and Lauren's duet of this wonderful song was over before it began. It simply lacked any connection to each other or the lyrics.
Blood Sweat and Tears took Hi-De-Ho to #14 in 1970. Casey Abrams just gave us more of his self-indulgent creepy mannerisms to this performance and it was just a relief when it was over. He brings unpleasant tightness and hostility to the stage that is uncomfortable to watch.
Beautiful is another wonderful track from Tapestry and Haley simply brought it down to the level of a second rate amateur hour. She's is up there play acting the part when she just doesn't have the goods.
I'm Into Something Good was a #13 hit for Herman's Hermits in 1964. The pairing of Jacob and James for this duet was not something good. James is up there like a seasoned professional while Jacob is floundering around completely unable to keep up.
My prediction for the bottom three is Casey Abrams, Jacob Lusk and Haley Reinhart. I have to believe that at this point in the competition the public is able to tell the difference between the legitimate talent that James Durbin has and that they will be voting to keep him in the game. The rest of them can go, but this week Jacob Lusk should be the lowest vote getter.
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