Katie Stevens struggled during her time on season nine to define herself stylistically. Strutting around the stage confidently, she made a case for herself as a belter with Christina Aguilera's "Fighter." Though it didn't amount to much more than an straight copy of the original version, Stevens worked up a pretty good head of steam. Speaking with her before the show, she expressed a desire to follow in Aguilera's footsteps. Covering Demi Lovato's "Here We Go Again" as her first song seemed to hedge the bet by reaching out to a much younger audience.
Tim Urban was next and sent the younger females in the audience into delirium. Urban's good looks and winning smile should assure him some work in Disney musicals or perhaps Broadway. As an arena rock performer, however, I'd say his prospects are definitely more limited. "Better Days," an old Goo Goo Dolls number, was a decent choice but Coldplay's "Viva la Vida" was a bit of a stretch. He sang well, in as much as all the notes were pitch perfect. But he didn't bring anything original to his interpretations.
A surprise elimination during season nine, Siobhan Magnus opened her set with one of her signature songs from the competition, The Rolling Stones' "Paint It, Black." Magnus, clearly out to make a dramatic impression, brought a high level of energy to her performance. Amidst a haze produced by smoke machines, she stalked the stage with a natural performer's confidence. While it was a great way to kick up the sagging energy level following Tim Urban's lackluster offering, she didn't maintain it with her other two songs. No Doubt's "Spiderwebs" seemed out of left field, leaving the audience rather nonplussed. Attempting to reestablish some modern rock credibility with Muse's "Stockholm Syndrome" was a sensible idea, but she over sang the song considerably.
Even so, Siobhan Magnus seized the spotlight in a way few of the finalists did during the concert. When I asked her before the show about her previous performing experience, she mentioned musical theater as an influence in shaping her style. Her various 'battle of the bands' contests, performing with her rock group Lunar Valve, also built confidence as a performer. It showed last night.
Article comments
1 - Isabella Eckstine
A very honest and objective article about the Season 9 tour. I went to see the show a few weeks ago, and I was truly impressed by Casey James with his powerful performances and guitar skills, and of course by perfect vocals of the "great" Crystal Bowersox. Therefore, I agree with your conclusions, that Casey James is indeed the new big star of the season 9 tour. It was a shame that he wasn't given enough credit by the lame judges. Rock on Casey!!!!
2 - Vicky
What I find interesting is more is said about Casey's guitar skills rather than his vocals. Unless I missed something, it is a singing show. I went to the Newark show and felt that Lee and Crystal got the most cheers and had the best sets.
3 - The Other Chad
Vicky - I think your point applies more to the television show than the live concert. At this point, these ten new artists are able to present their skills more according to what they consider their strengths.
4 - Mandy
Casey is definetly the star of the AI show. Saw him in CT and he was amazing!!
5 - me
Casey can be in a band wth his guitar but his vocals don't stand out as a lead singer. It was Lee and then Crystal all the way!!!!
6 - Nadia
I wasn't so into idols this year, but after seeing Casey James live at one of the earlier shows, I am now a big fan. He is an extremely talented musician. But it is obviously something that people wouldn't appreciate on idols. Singers are easily available, but musicians like Casey is scarce. People keep on talking about his guitar playing because it is so special, it is not something you come across everyday. However there is nothing wrong with Casey's singing, he has a nice distinctive tone to his voice. On idols his vibrato often got in the way of the enjoyment of his songs, but since he has left idols he has completely lost the vibrato, which makes his voice sound more powerful. I think it also speaks volumes that Casey is the only contestant, other then the top two, who has gotten a record deal. Eventhough this season has been touted as one of the worse and eventhough American Idol has changed from Sony to Universal, and eventhough there were concert cancellations. They obviously see his potential and appeal, which is something that will properly be more appreciated by people who dont watch American Idol. American idol has helped Casey a lot, but it was properly never really the perfect medium for his talents.
7 - Kathy
Casey is okay but I am a big Lee fan and like his style of music much better. He is a real singer/songwriter and I love his emotional connection to his songs.
8 - Terri S.
The author of the above review did, indeed, make mention of Casey James' vocal skills and said this about it in his review: "His vocals were excellent as well, arguably more convincing than anything he did on the television show." Also, Casey James has authored many songs and is just as real a singer/songwriter as any of the others on this tour. As far as emotional connection to the song is concerned, you'd be hard pressed to find any on this tour as emotionally connected to the song as Casey James is. Add to this James' obvious excellence as a musician and performer, and one finds quite the complete package in the artist Casey James. A complete package such as James would be considered the ultimate in talent in the music business. Further, it is also my opinion that Casey James has a great, perhaps even huge, future and career ahead of him in the music world. This is not to say that the others don't, as I do feel it's possible that any of the 10 finalists could be successful in this regard, and it is already known that both Lee and Crystal have signed contracts, as well as Casey James.
My commenting here is not to boost Casey James as much as it is to address those who feel they need to be negative towards Mr. James in order to further their Idol's credibility. This is so unnecessary. The contest/competition is over, and, if the powers that be in the music business see fit, there is room enough for all 10 to have careers as recording artists.
One should not let one's bias cloud one's reasoning.
9 - Eileen L
Casey James really did steal the show. All the idols sounded great, in fact the show is awesome and so much better than some people have given it credit for being. But Casey James simply shines on stage and gains so many new fans at each and every concert. We love you music man!
10 - Terri S.
Since I have already given what I consider to be my reasonable, unbiased opinion above, I will now give my reasonable, biased opinion....Casey James is the most amazing artist/musician/vocalist/performer I have ever seen! He shines bright like the star he is and steals the show every time he takes the stage! Simply put, he rocks! All of the idols on tour truly do sound great and put on a fantastic show, and I think the 10 finalists from Season 9 are, in my opinion, some of the best to come out of American Idol....but Casey James is exceptional, extraordinary, incredible, unbelievable, awesome. amazing! I can't wait to see all the great things the future has in store for him! You are the best ever, Casey Everett James!!!!
If you get the opportunity to see the show, in the short time that's left in its schedule, go and see it....it really is a fantastic show....you won't regret it!
11 - Katie
Sorry you all, not getting all the Casey love. I saw him in concert thought he was good but not that great. Would be good in a band but not lead singer material. Lee and Crystal were the standouts for me.