'Idols' not always up to the Cowell standard
Kelefa Sanneh / New York Times
Usually these "Idols Live" concerts are pretty predictable. You get one "American Idol" winner and a whole bunch of, um, nonwinners, singing well-known songs without, to say the least, improving upon them. And you get preteenagers and their minders, screaming contentedly. But earlier concerts on this year's "American Idols Live" tour, starring finalists from the 2006 season, have been something else altogether. At the Continental Airlines Arena in New Jersey, two of the singers found effective ways to make an impression: one wasn't, it seemed, all there.

Let's start with Taylor Hicks, the 2006 winner. Men and women, boys and girls showed up to this family affair with homemade T-shirts that advertised his gang, the Soul Patrol. But their fearless leader didn't seem fit for command. Hicks, a 29-year-old white guy with graying hair, is dedicated to an oddly old-fashioned version of soul music. He often adds a few grunts and exclamations to prove he's feeling it. But at this show, he offered almost nothing but grunts and exclamations. One chestnut after another -- "Sweet Soul Music," "Jailhouse Rock," "Don't Let Me Down" -- met the same gruesome fate. Hicks rephrased some songs, delivering the lyrics in gulps, and often made the words nearly unintelligible. The response was, by the evening's standards, muted -- that is, less than ear-splitting. Has this year's favorite been working, or playing too hard? Hey, though Hicks may not know nuance, people do love a winner.

While Hicks' performance was memorable, Elliott What's-His-Name's (a fave with cheek-pinching moms everywhere) rendition of the Luther Vandross hit "Never Too Much" was not.

At least Chris Daughtry, the clear fan favorite who just purchased a house upwards of $690,000, sounded as if he was having fun as he howled an energetic "Whole Lotta Love." He makes a more appealing rock Idol than Bo Bice. (Remember him?) Daughtry can flat-out sing, and his unique heavy-metal wail has a cool trilly effect that sets him apart.

These are just a few of the favorites and finalists who perform Thursday night at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit. Perhaps, this earlier New Jersey concert was just a warm up. Perhaps, Hicks has lost the ability to create intelligible words altogether and, maybe Elliott Yamin will surprise all and show a bit of heart.

At the recent Tampa, Fla. concert, some of the performers sounded much better live than they did trying to impressive judge Simon Cowell. Will Kellie Pickler, who recently reminded fans of her recent past as "a roller-skatin' waitress at Sonic," also turn this G-rated concert into PG territory? In July, the singer's small but loud voice, improved by a winsome twang, filled the room with a faint but unmistakable whiff of sleaze.

Near the end of the New Jersey show, Hicks took a break as the finalists gathered to sing "We Are the Champions" (as if they didn't watch the show). And perhaps they are, after all "Idol" devotees will likely follow their favorites through fire, continuing to make "American Idol" the No. 1 show in the nation, that titanic topic of watercooler hubbub for five straight seasons.

The St. Petersburg Times contributed to this report

Wasn't this review ran before? Chris' part sounds familiar, like they just added the house tidbit. I still love hearing great things about him though.