Shania Twain's American Idol: a Really Tight Competition

Ryan Seacrest opened the show by announcing that "Idol Gives Back" raised over $45 million which will help children in the U.S.A. and all over the world. A tribute to tonight's mentor, 5-time Grammy winner Shania Twain, the "one who made country pop" was shown, then Shania told the 6 Idol contestants that she wrote her own songs and wants to see them make the songs her own. Shania acknowledged that it would be hard for the guys to sing her songs, but said it wasn't hard getting the guys in the groove.

Lee Dewyze was up first singing "Still the One." Shania said "he's just got this fantastic style that needs to come out and not be buried by his guitar." The audience was quite enthusiastic. So were the judges Randy thought he found his sweet spot, Ellen thought he made it his own, and she said Lee couldn't look cuter. Kara thought it was a good job and Simon agreed, adding it was the perfect song out of Shania's catalog.

Shania told Michael Lynche "you're one of those guys who can sing the phone book but don't take that for granted." He sang "It Only Hurts When I'm Breathing." Shania had tears in her eyes. Randy said he was "really in the zone" and Ellen compared him to Luther Vandross. Kara thought he put his mark on it and Simon said the Luther Vandross comparison was spot-on, though he thought the performance was a "little wet." He said that meant a little bit girly. Ryan questioned Shania about the tear in her eye and she said Big Mike really got to her. Great compliment for a great performance.

Casey James decided to show a side of himself that no one had seen before by singing "Don't." Ryan gratuitously chose to remind him of bombing last week, but Casey took it humbly and said he looked at his past performances and saw that he hadn't offered anything different and meant to do so this week. Shania was sensing a little lack of confidence but helped him. Randy felt it was the best Casey James performance ever. Ellen also thought it was his best, and Kara said if he keeps doing it like this, he'll be right up front in the competition. Simon thought it was his best as well and suggested he come down and give Shania Twain a kiss. He did ... uh, no he didn't. He didn't hear the kiss part.

That, folks, was a rarity: All of the first three contestants all highly praised and Mamasox, the favorite so far, hadn't even appeared yet. Well, whaddya know -- she was up next.

Crystal Bowersox sang "No One Needs to Know," which she dedicated to her boyfriend saying "He'll man up some day." The judges were less than bowled over, although they all said they loved her. Simon was a little less kind, but clearly, a country Crystal doesn't win out over a Janis Joplin R&B Crystal for them. "Bigger isn't always better," Crystal said -- twice. Maybe the judges read the American Idol message boards, and just wanted to prove them wrong. (They were saying Crystal could come up to the mike and burp and the judges would say she took it to a whole new level.)

Aaron Kelly sang "You've Got a Way." Shania said "it suits him beautifully." She told him to end where he knows he feels safe and good. Shania was quite thrilled with his performance. Randy said it was his "wheelhouse." Ellen said it was going to be tough tomorrow and she thought he really showed a lot of emotion. Kara concurred and Simon thought the last two or three weeks, he struck out. Tonight, Simon said, he was like a different artist and it felt sincere and believable and was well done.

Siobhan Magnus sang "Any Man of Mine." Shania advised her to put some attitude into those lyrics. She had Shania clapping along. The judges were loving this one too. Randy loved her punk country look and big notes. Ellen thought she pulled the "Shania Twain into the station." Kara said "Guess who's back!" Simon thought the song was perfect and began to criticize her screaming at the end, but Randy shouted him down, saying it was great. Simon said it was almost as if she was giving birth up there if we were to hear that note in isolation.

It is a really tight competition this week, but someone will have to go home and not be in the Top 5 tomorrow. This is the order in which I liked the contestants:

1. Siobhan Magnus, "Any Man of Mine"
2. Casey James, "Don't"
3. Michael Lynche, "It Only Hurts When I'm Breathing"
4. Aaron Kelly, "You've Got a Way"
5. Lee Dewyze, "You're Still the One"
6. Crystal Bowersox, "No One Needs to Know"

Performers on elimination night will include Rascal Flatts, Sons of Sylvia, Lady Antebellum and Shakira.

Sources:
American Idol 9 on Fox 4/27/10
American Idol Message Boards

More Season Nine Coverage
Frank Sinatra Week 5/4/10
American Idol After Simon Cowell 4/30/10
Casey James Rocks (Video) 4/29/10
American Idol Top 5 Revealed 4/28/10
Shania Twain's American Idol 4/27/10
Inspirational Songs (Alicia Keys Mentors) 4/20/10
Lloyd Price Gives Casey James Props 4/19/20
Elvis Week 4/13/10
Lennon/McCartney Songbook 4/6/10
Soul and R&B Week 3/30/10
Billboard No. 1 Hits 3/23/10
Stones Week on Idol 9 3/16/10