TV Review: American Idol, ITV2, Friday 28 March, 9pm

By johnberesford on March 29th, 2008 13 comments

With two of my “narrow miss for the top 6″ selections leaving the show in consecutive weeks – in the BOTTOM 6 – my overall predictions have now had a significant hole blown in them. Amanda Overmyer also left last week (no!! no!!), and although I had predicted she wouldn’t make the top 6 and she had been looking pretty samey for a while, I was sad to see her go. Chikezie was the latest to bite the microphone this week after a fairly lacklustre performance. But never mind all that – the stunning, storming, stand-out performance of the competition so far has to be David Cook’s rendition of Chris Cornell’s version of the Michael Jackson classic Billie Jean. Click through to see what I mean.

A couple of weeks ago I wrote that I could barely remember David Cook from the earlier rounds, and added “This guy needs to learn to stand out and fast.” Well, he certainly DID learn fast, and I couldn’t have been more wrong about him. Every performance he has delivered since he first stepped onto the big stage has been different, memorable and while not all have been *really* good, this week’s blew me away from note 1. I’d never even heard Chris Cornell’s version of Billie Jean before tonight, and now having checked them both out on YouTube I still prefer David’s. Props to Chris for coming up with the most original arrangement in the first place, but David Cook showed such control and power in his version, I couldn’t help but agree with Randy that it was a world-class performance that proved he could win the competition this year.

On a slightly less upbeat note, it appears the American public have not taken to Syesha quite so readily. Even though she’s among the better singers she has regularly appeared in the bottom three and seems certain to lose out in the popularity stakes despite having a lot of talent. One of the less pleasant realities of the AI experience.

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Clare

Control and power? Well, yeah, Cook’s was a decent enough performance, the lad can sing – but come on, compared with the Cornell version it was pretty damn bland. American Idol audiences probably aren’t up for much in the way of dark-dangerous-and-disturbing, though, so the pro-Cook vote really reflects nothing but the mainstream demographic of the show.
Mo

It might be a world-class-performance for AI standards, BUT never ever to compare to Chris Cornell´s. IF somebody express power in the voice as well as in the performance, than its Chris, this is what I call a world-class-performance.
Tina

I agree totally with what Clare states in her comment. How can you compare control and power between Cornell and Cook and say Cook was better? I’ve experienced, several times, Chris singing “Billie Jean” in concert. I tell you the man raised goosebumps on my arms. Chris’ performance of of “Billie Jean” is mesmerizing. I couldn’t take my eyes off him.

I suggest you go to “Youtube” and search out performances of this song by Chris at the many different venues he toured. THEN come back and talk to me about power and control.
Joao Lopes

Ill get right to the point.

it is totally ridiculous to compare David with Chris , Chris is a Rock legend and there is still to be born anyone that can take is voice like him , there are few that reached that point like freddy M and Robert Plant.
Cornell will stay in the rock History forever.I hope David as a 5% carrer time that Chris has and that would be great for him

I like he choosed that version to sing , but its not a good chooise ever! ,because doing so its like saying the covered song is is.
I can keep thinking that he did choose the song because like you many ppl didnt new and are now thinking he is the man.

I recomend you start looking to myspace,music sites etc and not spending so much time with American Idols Tv Shows.
http://www.chriscornell.ru Nickson

I do not understand… If Cook has taken song Cornell, and would make it in style Michael Jackson, thus not having lost its originality, I would vote for Cook.
But until then, version Cornell, for me remains the best!!!
And if to not joke, I am upset… Let Cook will make the third version, and will be to it for this Respect…
Lois

I thought David Cook’s vocal the other night was good. But for me it simply doesn’t hold a candle to Chris Cornell’s live version. The emotion in Cornell’s version is adequately translated in Cook’s offering, but for me it doesn’t come anywhere near the mark set by Cornell. Sorry.

Just a suggestion…if you want to praise Cook for “power and control” over Cornell, you might want to check out Cornell’s body of work first.
Chrissy

Excuse me?! David Cook better than Chris Cornell?
I think you got no Idea who Chris really is. He’s MUCH better than this American Idol Guy. And if you had hear Chris Cornell’s unplugged Version of Billie Jean you would never (yes i really mean never) say that Cook’s better than Cornell.
So i guess you only know one song of him so come on learn the Cornell History and then compare it with that new guy Cook. Oh and will see where Cook is in a couple of years. Maybe it’s worth talking about then.
S. Rice

Hey I will agree with you that David Cook stands out in the competition he is in. He has made some wise choices and I think the guy has talent and would like to see him continue and win AI.

But it really doesn’t make sense to compare him to Chris Cornell based on one youtube video you have seen. Chris Cornell singing Billie Jean live is probably one of the most sultry and powerful music experiences around. He is the master at power and control and has been throughout his career. David Cook, himself, is a huge fan and probably would agree and that is why he emulates him in the first place.

Chris consistently gives world class performances and has so for 20 years. I think David has a bit more road to travel before he gets that classification.

But I gotta say – I’m loving people not familiar with Chris’s version have been exposed to it. You won’t be sorry if you pick up “Carry On” – it is worth listening to and finding out more.
catshorty

How can you possibly compare!!!!!!!!!!!! Just coz the guy can sing doesn’t put his voice alongside someone with the power and control and sheer wonder that Chris holds. End of!
Dusty

Chris Cornell is simply in a league of his own. Not many rock singers can even come close to him. So to suggest David Cook’s performance is “better” is an opinion I simply can’t agree with.

Sure he did an admirable job, absolutely. But he is a young guy starting out in the music business. Chris Cornell, however, has worked very hard to achieve a successful 20 year career.

You cannot compare class and experience.
Jen

Hmmm…. I have checked out several live versions of Chris Cornell’s Billie Jean, and I am driven to find the album that he sings it on! What a beautiful voice. First Jeff Buckley’s Hallelujah, and now Chris Cornell! I love American Idol in that I feel like I am exposed to some really good music I haven’t heard on the radio, and I’m thankful to David Cook for “exposing” me yet again to another amazing artist. Has anyone else checked out Cornell’s album? Can’t wait to get my hands on it!
Anonymous

I think David did a great job, but for me there is no comparison between the 2. Chris is an experienced and varied artist. He’s got the most amazing and powerful voice, it has the power to send shivers down my spine!
Lily

It certainly must be flattering for Chris Cornell to be recognised with such prestige as a vocalist by this young AI performer David Cook. However, it will remain at that – Cook can never be compared to Cornell, an actual legend, an outstanding musician, and pioneer in rock history. Cornell himself did not just cover Billie Jean by Michael Jackson, but wrote an entirely new time signature, tempo, and gave it a whole new mood. I myself have been lucky enough to have witnessed live Chris’ Billie Jean performance in Sydney, and you may check it out for yourself at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oppxb_PzRQV4
Not only can Cornell SING, but he can also PLAY the acoustic guitar!

Understandably, there is nothing truly “brave” and “original” about Cook; he has merely covered a song of a cover itself. I have to disagree with Randy Jackson, who said that David Cook was possibly the “most original, most bold contestant we’ve ever had”.