Crystal Vs. Lee: We Pick Their Best And Worst ‘Idol’ Performances
After two years of all-male final rounds, American Idol voters have finally sent a lady to the big showdown. But who will win? The indie-ish rocker with the guitar or the other indie-ish rocker with a guitar? Below, we prepare for the big finale with a ‘tale of the tape’: we picked out the best and worst performances from Season 9 finalists Crystal Bowersox and Lee DeWyze to show how truly great each can be (especially when they nail their song choice) and to remind everyone that even a future Idol winner can sometimes deliver a mediocre performance. Let’s get ready to RUMBLE.
CRYSTAL BOWERSOX Best Performance: “Me And Bobby McGee” (Top 11) There’s nothing not to like about this Janis Joplin cover. Crystal starts it off slow and wistful, and gradually builds the song to become a bouncy, honky-tonk jam we can’t stop dancing to. Mama Sox is in full force here, rocking her acoustic guitar and hitting every note perfectly. Best of all, Crystal looks like she’s having fun up there! Almost as much fun as we’re having watching her.
Runner-Up: “People Get Ready” (Top 7) From the a cappella opening to Crystal’s emotional near-sob at the end, her performance of Curtis Mayfield classic (from “Inspiration” Week) had all the makings of an Idol “moment” on stage. It was tough to pick between this and “Me and Bobby McGee” as Crystal’s best, but all this performance was lacking was Bowersox’s guitar, and a slightly better last note. (Yes, we know she was busy emoting, but we still wish she delivered a stronger finish to an otherwise outstanding performance.)
Worst Performance: “Can’t Always Get What You Want” (Top 12) Okay, Crystal has never given a bad or cringe-worthy performance. But her Rolling Stones cover wasn’t overwhelmingly exciting or all that different from the original, so we’re putting it as her worst. That alone should say a lot about how strong an artist she’s been all season long.
LEE DEWYZE
Best Performance: “Treat Her Like A Lady” (Top 10) Not only does Lee stay in tune during the whole song (something he’s had problems with all season long), he gives a powerful, rockin’ performance, his grizzled, raspy vocals at their best. We think this is the type of music Lee will (or should) record now that he’s destined to get a record deal whether he wins or loses next week.
Runner-Up: “Hallelujah” (Top 3) Lee (and Simon) proved us all wrong. We eye-rolled at the thought of hearing “Hallelujah” yet again on the Idol stage, but Lee blew us away with this take on the gorgeous Leonard Cohen song, utilizing a backup choir and finally finding his “moment.” And what timing to give one of your best performances of the season — the week when it matters most.
Worst Performance: “Kiss From A Rose” (Top 4) From the first pitchy note, this performance was just totally off. We’ll forget you ever sang this, Lee, but we’re not sure Seal will be as forgiving that you butchered his song.
After reviewing both Lee and Crystal’s best and worst performances, who do you think deserves to be crowned the winner of Season 9? And who do you think will score the highest album sales? As history has shown us, those are two very different things, indeed.
While you think about who you’re voting for next week, we’re going to support both contestants by revisiting their lovely duet of “Falling Slowly” from the Top 4 performance week. Aww.
