My father e-mailed me to tell me I sang “Summer Wind” better than Crystal.  I’ve got to strongly disagree with that, but thanks Dad.   Outside of a few off notes and seemingly lost melodies, I thought the night went well for the remaining five.   

American Idol: Top 5 with Harry Connick, Jr.

I thought Harry Connick was the best of all the mentors this year…a little better than Usher, who was also very good.   I also liked how he played the piano/organ with the contestants.  Harry practiced with them and he was able to bring those rehearsals to the performance.    I thought that helped the Idol hopefuls. 

Here are the power rankings from last night from best to worst.  

American Idol: Lee Dewyze sings "That's Life"

1) Lee Dewyze: He’s going to win the whole bloomin’ thing! Singing Sinatra, Dean Martin or anyone from the Rat Pack requires swagger.  Big Mike almost had it, but it came across as cocky to me.   Young Aaron tried it, but he’s just too young for it.  Casey tried, but I don’t think he’s the type of person to ‘swag’.  Lee had it.  He 100% nailed it!  This was the first time I felt Lee connected with the audience and me.  Kara asked him if he thinks he can win.  He said ‘yes’, but in a sheepish sorta way. 

2) Crystal Bowersox:  She came close with the above mentioned swagger, and I thought “Summer Wind” was very good.  It was basically straightforward, but her voice carried it.  Yet, it was a little sleepy because it was straightforward.  It was a solid performance, but I’m asking myself this question….did Crystal peak too early? Adam did last year.  Crystal might have this year….and Lee didn’t.   Also, I didn’t feel ‘connected’ to Crystal during the song.  Her eyes were closed during close-ups, and I felt it was more self indulgent than a song being sung to me.   

3) Michael Lynche:  He’s got some swagger, but not the right kind for me.  It seemed fake.  I liked the hat, the suit…the whole bit.  But the “swagger” seemed forced.  Technically, he sang the ”The Way You Look Tonight” well, but there was a questionnable note or two in the low register.  I’m not sure if he was just changing octaves or what…it seemed ‘off’ to me.  

4) Aaron Kelley:  I thought that his “Fly Me to the Moon” was drippy.  Perhaps it was the right song for a young lad like Aaron, but I still thought it was drippy.   There were also a couple of bad notes in the song, too.   I just didn’t like it. 

American Idol: Casey James sings "Blue Skies"

5) Casey James:  This might have been the last hurrah for Casey.  Much like Aaron’s drippy song, I thought this was drippy for Casey.  Except, Casey couldn’t really pull it off.  It was all trademark Casey and there were moments in the song which were great…but overall, I didn’t like it.  He had a couple of bad notes in the low register.  

Who is going home this week? I think the bottom three will be Mike, Aaron and Casey.  I think Casey will be going home this week.  Hey, someone has to go.  At this point in the competition, I think Casey’s votes may be split with Lee’s.   Big Mike probably has enough of a following right now to get by.  Aaron has that young vote.  I think Casey’s time is up.  We’ll see tonight!