Sinatra's 'That's Life' a boon to DeWyze
Best of the night.
That's life for Mount Prospect rocker Lee DeWyze on "American Idol" right now.
Saved once again for the final spot of the evening, DeWyze's gospel-tinged version of the Frank Sinatra classic "That's Life" gave the judges something to cheer about.
After a night of mostly lackluster covers, DeWyze found a way to make the song sound relevant and work with his voice.
The performance was bolstered by a snappy arrangement by guest mentor Harry Connick Jr. It was the only cover of the evening to feature Connick Jr. on the organ.
"Another great arrangement by a Louisiana boy," said judge Randy Jackson. "You stayed your rocker self. I loved it. I loved it."
Judge Simon Cowell loved how Connick Jr. was able to bring out DeWyze's personality.
"You gave it one hundred and ten percent and I think, for all of us, it was, by far, the best of the night," Cowell said.
Is it possible DeWyze could upset the Crystal Bowersox victory that's been predicted all season?
Judge Kara DioGuardi thinks so.
"I want you to go home and write 100 times I can win this thing. Because that's the confidence you need," DioGuardi said. "Because you can."
As for Bowersox, she suffered through another subpar performance. Her cover of "Summer Wind" took awhile to catch fire.
"I think you've had just an OK two weeks," Cowell said. "I expect better."
But Michael Lynche was strong on "The Way You Look Tonight." The tune was a perfect fit for the natural crooner and he nailed it.
"Unbelievable arrangement. Unbelievable vocal. Michael is in it to win it!" Jackson said.
Not sounding in it to win it was blues boy Casey James. His "Blue Skies" was panned by the judges and Ellen DeGeneres called it his worst performance.
Look for him to go home tonight as one Idol is voted off. "American Idol" airs at 8 p.m. on Fox.
<p class="News"><b>Lee DeWyze sings "That's Life"</b></p>
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<p class="News"><b>Crystal Bowersox sings "Summer Wind"</b></p>
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