'Idol' show offers contrasting styles

By David Lindquist
david.lindquist@indystar.com

Contrary to "American Idol's" reputation for fluff and fantasy, Thursday's concert at the Indiana State Fair offered a significant study on two charismatic performers and their contrasting styles.
"American Idols Live"

• Where: Toyota Trucks Grandstand, Indiana State Fair.

• Bottom line: Hicks and Daughtry transcend talent-search expectations.

The standouts in question were season-five champion Taylor Hicks and fourth-place finalist Chris Daughtry.

Because reigning champions traditionally close the "Idol" franchise's concert dates, Daughtry had first shot to sing in front of an estimated audience of 12,000.

Although Daughtry no longer is competing for audience votes, his song choices still aim for the jugular.

The North Carolina native opened his solo segment with a surefire epic in Led Zeppelin's "Whole Lotta Love." Although he lacked the vocal range of Robert Plant, Daughtry's swagger did more than enough to sell the song.

When full-throated renditions of Bon Jovi's "Wanted Dead or Alive" and Styx's "Renegade" came next, the night's parade of talent-search contestants momentarily resembled an authentic rock concert.

Plenty of attendees probably left the fairgrounds wondering why Daughtry didn't win the "Idol" title. On the other hand, he's been saved the embarrassment of singing in car commercials.

The "Soul Patrol" portion of the program arrived when Hicks dashed through Elvis Presley's "Jailhouse Rock" and then delivered a manic, double-time version of Bob Seger's "Hollywood Nights."

The velocity of "Hollywood Nights" didn't fit with Hicks' TV persona. Perhaps he's ramping up to challenge Daughtry's live intensity, or maybe Hicks is blazing through his victory lap because he's unsure he deserves it.

Despite some wear on his voice, Hicks found a manageable pace for most of Stevie Wonder's "Living for the City." But by the song's close, he had accelerated to revival-tent fervor.

At his most wild-eyed, Hicks tackled "Takin' It to the Streets" -- a tune popularized by the Doobie Brothers. Lost in the moment, Hicks grabbed a tambourine to hit, a harmonica to blow and a corner of the stage for some unorthodox dancing.

For showman Daughtry, music is a vehicle to stardom. For shaman Hicks, music is the star. There's something to admire in each approach.

Nine "Idol" finalists rather than 10 performed in Indianapolis, because illness sidelined Mandisa. Many of the singers raved about the show being the first open-air performance of their tour.

The production wasn't without its cheese factor, as evidenced by group encores of "We Are the Champions" and "Living in America."

Earlier in the night, all nine finalists were given the opportunity to shine:
• While Elliott Yamin was a crowd-pleaser in his Peyton Manning jersey, he might be wise to seek out catchier choruses and fewer songs of tongue-twisting soul.

• As expected, Kellie Pickler poured on plenty of Southern charm. While her singing was passabile, Pickler's Minnie Pearl-meets-Goldie Hawn personality engaged the audience.

• Lisa Tucker impressed when singing Elton John's "Your Song." Tucker accompanied herself on electric piano, and she devised different vocal phrasing than what's heard on John's version.

• Paris Bennett proved to be the evening's surprise disappointment. Low notes in TLC's "Waterfalls" and Gladys Knight & the Pips weren't suited to the teenager's voice.
• Bucky Covington spent too much energy on an upbeat rendition of Stevie Wonder's "Superstition," and then failed to nail a song better suited to his happy-go-lucky roots -- Dobie Gray's "Drift Away."

• Ace Young filled an important role as high-note specialist among the male singers. He carried the final stretch of Guns N' Roses' "Patience," which was performed by a quartet of Daughtry, Yamin, Covington and himself.

• As for season five runner-up Katharine McPhee, she was limited to singing just two songs following a recent bout with bronchitis. There was nothing new here, as "Idol" fans already had caught McPhee singing KT Tunstall's "Black Horse and the Cherry Tree" and Judy Garland's "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" on multiple occasions. McPhee also offered some unfortunate stage banter. Because the fair gave her a chance to pet some barnyard animals, McPhee described herself as an L.A. girl who wished she were as "country" as her Hoosier audience.
At that comment, every jaw in the house dropped -- allowing the blades of grass to fall from our mouths.

Call Star reporter David Lindquist at (317) 444-6404.

Thanks for the article, Karen! I was about to post it myself but you beat me to it!

enjoyed it up to the last chris quote. i think it was a low-blowing, and obviously contradicting thing to say that chris is a true rocker and how could he not have won, but then say for the showman that he is, music is just a way to stardom and for taylor music is the star. on one hand he is saying there is more to chris(that back up his talent of singing---quote on quote...the X factor) but then i kind of feel that hes saying taylors music is a star alone. maybe i am reaading to much into this but i just want to say that, and i believe we as chris fans will all say, even with the something about chris that makes him so spellbinding and distinctive....his music is more than just a great voice, its an addictive sound that makes us all feel something when listening.
***CHRIS-O-HOLICS***STAY ALIVE***

Plenty of attendees probably left the fairgrounds wondering why Daughtry didn't win the "Idol" title. On the other hand, he's been saved the embarrassment of singing in car commercials.

The velocity of "Hollywood Nights" didn't fit with Hicks' TV persona. Perhaps he's ramping up to challenge Daughtry's live intensity, or maybe Hicks is blazing through his victory lap because he's unsure he deserves it.