May I Offer You a Wine List?

o let's quickly run through the unimportant things first so we can get to the thing we really need to talk about today: Danny Gokey.


Rock night is an odd theme choice as rock music typically doesn't showcase the kids of voices that do well in this competition.  But I like that music, so if nothing else it was good to hear some of those songs again.  Also, I have waited and waited for there to be duets on Idol and that part I really enjoyed.  We all know the entire point of introducing the concept was to allow Adam and Allison to sing together (and close out the show because, let's be honest, the producers are running out of creative ways to have Adam Lambert close the show) but I was also pleasantly surprised by the Kris-Danny performance. Although, I will say that I would put Renegade on that list of songs no one else should touch because Chris Daughtry had a memorable moment with it in Season 5.


I cannot believe Slash sold his soul to consumerism and agreed to be a guest mentor on American Idol.  This recession is obviously hitting the music industry pretty hard.  He provided one of my favorite moments of the night, though.  When Randy told Adam that he and Slash should make an album together the look on Slash's face said, or rather screamed, "over my dead f***ing body."  Hilarious.


But most everyone rose to the challenge, although there were some really strange song picks. (Note to Kris Allen: if you're going to cover a Beatles song, don't pick one with a well-known cover by Aerosmith).


So... speaking of people who shouldn't sing Steven Tyler, let's talk about Danny!  I hardly know where to start.  That was the most awkward performance on Idol since Danny Noriega sang Tainted Love.  The whole thing was doomed from the start.  He walked on stage wearing a pinstripe vest and a button-up shirt looking like he was about to hand you a wine list.  Adding a couple of big silver necklaces does not take you from waiter to rock star.  You also knew it was going to be bad when the best that Slash could say was "its success would come down to what he does in the moment" which roughly translates to "if he sounds like he did in our rehearsal, I will feel bad for America".  I just don't know what he was thinking.  He wasn't doomed this week like Kris was to be given a genre he really couldn't do much with.  There are plenty of rock songs he could have chosen.  Why he felt that was necessary is beyond me.  Like I said, I wanted him to read the specials to me, not scream at me and have a spasm on stage.  My friend Laurie, a big Danny supporter all season long, called me at the end of that performance and could not speak for two minutes because she was laughing so hard.  I feel like that says it all.


Who I want to go home:
Danny


Who I think will go home:
Hot Boyfriend (Kris)