Smallscreen Features

Adam Lambert and Kris Allen top American Idol performers

By April MacIntyre Apr 22, 2009, 15:30 GMT

Kris Allen matches Adam Lambert for arrangement originality. Allen sang Donna Summer’s “She Works Hard for the Money” on acoustic guitar and it was just brilliant. Allen was so low-key in the beginning but has cleverly used every episode of this competition to prove himself worthy. Photo from FOX

Adam Lambert and Kris Allen blew the lid off Disco night on "American Idol."

So much so, that I am now completely convinced they will be the final two.

Disco diva and Boston girl Donna Summer's tracks were wheeled out by three contestants, as some made the songs their own and others did stepped-up karaoke versions of Chaka Khan.

Lil, I am talking to you.

Judge Randy Jackson seemed to exert a bit more serious tone and hailed Lambert's stunning performance of a Saturday Night Fever song, saying he (Lambert) was ready to go now, as in out "there", as a viable artist touring and recording.

Kris Allen matches Adam Lambert for arrangement originality.  Allen sang Donna Summer’s “She Works Hard for the Money” on acoustic guitar and it was just brilliant.  Allen was so low-key in the beginning but has cleverly used every episode of this competition to prove himself worthy. 

Adam Lambert acts the star already; he is coiffed, styled and becomes the character in the song he sings. He reminds me of K.D. Lang, Elvis and Tim Curry, all in very good ways.  People are just born stars, you can't just fall into it or train for it, and he is one.  Paula damned near cried while he sang, and his performances for me hearken Bowie's "Lady Stardust" lyrics:

People stared at the makeup on his face
Laughed at his long black hair, his animal grace
The boy in the bright blue jeans
Jumped up on the stage
And lady stardust sang his songs
Of darkness and disgrace

Now, with Kris and Adam being the fierceness of Idol, there is the wild card of a teenager, 16 year-old (16!) Allison Iraheta who also sang a Donna Summer song, “Hot Stuff.”  She slowed up the tempo and rocked it out.  Will she win this? Doubtful. But she has such a phenomenal rocker's voice, her future is set.

Danny Gokey sang Earth, Wind & Fire’s “September.” Already expressed my feelings for Danny in past articles; he has a huge fan base but I am not part of it.

The Idol doldrums include Lil Rounds, who sang Chaka Khan’s “I’m Every Woman,”  last week's saved by the bell contestant Matt Giraud, who sang “Stayin’ Alive.” And then there is Anoop Desai, singing Summer's “Dim All the Lights.”