Patty Griffin Leads Crystal Bowersox "Up to the Mountain" (VIDEO)

I will admit, I had never heard of Patty Griffin. Then, the Dixie Chicks recorded a version of one of her songs "Let Him Fly" that brought me to my knees and I scrambled to find out who she was.

But, Patty Griffin is like that. She comes from way down deep in her soul and sings with the kind of raw emotion and feeling that is rare. Yet, Crystal Bowersox managed to capture that for herself last night when she sang Patty Griffin's mournful, spiritual, ballad "Up to the Mountain" for her third song on the American Idol finale, last night.

It's not the kind of song you can bounce off the top of your head. To feel the punch of what it means you have to dig deep into your gut. Really deep. Patty Griffin songs demand it.

Crystal Bowersox certainly dug deep last night. So deep, in fact, that she probably pulled the rug of momentum right out from under Lee DeWyze whose performances were deeply disappointing.

Hear Crystal Bowersox Sing "Up to the Mountain" Here

At this rate, I suppose it doesn't really matter how good Crystal was or how disappointing Lee was. Because, most people have already made up their mind and have cast the votes for the one they want to win. But, make no mistake about it, Crystal Bowersox is an artist with heart and soul and the kind of ability to connect with who she is that only comes along every now and then.

But, again, it doesn't matter who wins American Idol tonight. Both Crystal Bowersox and Lee DeWyze are incredible musicians and artists who have already achieved what most musicians and artists only dream about.

Unfortunately, the future of American Idol is uncertain with the co-creator and mastermind behind the show, Simon Cowell leaving. But, if you're going to go out, go out big, I say and Simon Cowell should be commended and thanked for mining the talent of two powerhouse performers like Crystal Bowersox and Lee DeWyze.

Sources:

Youtube
Patty Griffin.com
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