FOX News: The Next American Idol

"...Simon chose "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" for McPhee, and before she sang it Simon hoped she'd have the aforementioned "moment."
She did not disappoint. But I'm sorry, it was better when I played it back with my eyes closed.
Katharine McPhee has such a wonderful voice, but her performance is so affected it's very difficult for me to like her. Not to mention the fact that her pose laying on the stage floor was already cemented in "American Idol" lore by Fantasia last season.

Randy Jackson chose Joe Cocker's "You Are So Beautiful" for the king of the Soul Patrol.
Finally. Ever since Hicks' audition, when Simon was berating Paula and Randy for liking the silver haired crooner and Hicks mumbled, "hasn't this guy ever heard of Joe Cocker," I've been praying for him to do a Cocker song...Taylor pulled it off, and the judges I think surprised even Taylor. They said it was his best performance ever.
The difference between Taylor and the rest is that he is an artist. It's apparent that music moves him. That is something that cannot be faked, or compensated for with humility (Yamin), or longing looks into the camera (McPhee).
Wanting to be there and absolutley, positively having to be there are not mutually exclusive.

The contestants themselves picked their final song of the night.
Elliott didn't do himself justice. He picked Danny Hathaway's version of "I Believe," originally done by Ray Charles.
At this stage of the competition, he needed to blow the audience away with a familiar song. That was not the one. Simon Cowell was the only one to tell it to Elliott like it is...
Katharine McPhee did "I Ain't Got Nothing But The Blues," by Ella Fitzgerald.
Randy seemed insulted that McPhee continues to sing songs that were made great by legends in the business. Part of me agrees with that sentiment — how dare she think she's that good? But then again, if she doesn't believe that she's that good, who will? It's a catch 22.

Artists should never judge themselves, however, and by arguing and giving flabbergasted looks at the judges like they wouldn't know a good singer if they ran over one, probably won't help her in the long run.

With "Try A Little Tenderness," it's all over but the last episode for this season's "American Idol." Taylor Hicks is the next American Idol."

As it should be.
Groove on Soulman.