American Idol May 4 : Harry Connick Jr. Mentors; Top 5 Perform Frank Sinatra Songs; It's a Disaster

American Idol 2010 Season 9. Tuesday, May 4, 2010. The judges are Randy Jackson, Ellen DeGeneres, Kara DioGuardi, and Simon Cowell. The host is Ryan Seacrest. This week's mentor is Harry Connick, Jr. The songs are the songs of Frank Sinatra- each song custom-arranged by Harry for each of the Top 5 singers. The guests are Frank's daughters Nancy and Tina Sinatra. Here are the contestants' performances in order of occurrence-

Harry said American Idol's teen Aaron Kelly has a sweet voice. Aaron sang 'Fly Me to the Moon'. Randy said Aaron was young but had done 'a really good job'. Ellen said, "It was a little pitchy." She also said the vocals were beautiful. Kara said the performance was not as strong as last week's. She told Aaron that he needs more charisma. Simon said Frank was the 'king of cool' and he had swagger and believability. He said Aaron's vocals were corny- and if Frank was a lion, you are a mouse.

American Idol's blond hunk Casey James sang 'Blue Skies'. Randy said this was Casey's worst performance. And it was pitchy. Ellen didn't care for having the piano on stage. She said the performance was very stiff and did not feel effortless. Kara said she's never heard Casey hold a note more than two seconds before. She said he sounds like a lamb and he needs to work on his vibrato. Simon told Casey, "You weren't fantastic." He thought Casey was awkward and came across as embarrassed. Harry said Casey had' killed it two hours ago'.

American Idol's amazing Crystal 'Mommasox' Bowersox also disappointed with her version of 'Summer Wind'. Randy called the performance was one of her more subdued. Ellen said it sound at first as if Crystal was swallowing every word but if this had been the first time she had ever heard Crystal, she would have found her impressive. Kara liked Crystal's phrasing. Simon said the first half was 'too jazzy' but the second half was better. He told Crystal that she's had two okay weeks.

While Shania Twain songs brought out the best in American Idol's singers last week, the Frank Sinatra songs are bringing out the worst in them tonight, so far. This is no reflection on mentor Harry Connick, Jr., who is fabulous.

Wearing a hat à la Frank Sinatra, American Idol's big man Michael Lynche sang 'The Way You Look Tonight'. Randy was beside himself with excitement. He told Harry, "Unbelievable arrangement." He told Mike, "Unbelievable vocal, you're in it to win it!" Ellen found Mike's version very smooth. Kara liked said Mike had found the drama in the song but didn't lose himself. Simon said that the first three performances were okay but that's all changed with this one. He said, "Everything worked. Fantastic. Well done."

American Idol's Lee DeWyze closed the show with 'That's Life'. He's back to sounding like a screech owl. Randy though loved it. Ellen said, "At first she was distracted by Harry's organ." (Laugh). She told Lee that if this had been the last night of performances, he would have just won. Kara told Lee, "You can win this thing." Simon really liked Lee's performance. He called it the best of the night.

The votes will soon be in- two hours to vote. Wednesday, tomorrow, night will yield the elimination results. Out of four guys and one girl, the only singer not in trouble after tonight's performances is Michael Lynche. Without the unpredictability and creativity of Siobhan Magnus, the show is stale and boring. If it weren't for Michael 'Big Mike' Lynche, tonight's show would have been a total disaster.

Related articles:
American Idol 2010 Elimination April 28: Siobhan Voted Off; Top 5: Crystal, Lee, Aaron, Casey, Michael;
American Idol April 27: Top 6 Perform; Shania Twain Mentors; Siobhan Magnus Brings Down House;
American Idol 2010 Elimination April 21; Tim Urban Voted Off; SAFE: Crystal, Lee, Siobhan, Michael;
American Idol Top 7: Undisputed Queen Crystal Bowersox Breaks Down; Siobhan, Lee, & Tim Inspire;
American Idol Elvis Night with Adam Lambert; Crystal, Siobhan, Jedi Tim, Lee Rocked!;
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