Not even the lead singer for Aerosmith, j-lo, and “Yo-Yo” Randy Jackson could stop the madness of prime-time television last night. Even though watching American Idol is like observing a weird, neon version of club-time karaoke at Ryan Seacrest”s house, if you”re a fan of music in general, then the show eventually sucks you in… It”s almost trance like. Most of the American Idol contestants that are lingering on now really do have talent and fate only knows what kind of record deal or therapeutic barbiturate awaits their future, but last night America made a mistake.
The only person to be saved by the judges this year was Casey Abrams, saved not because he was handsome or just had a talent that needed grooming, the kid was a gifted pokies online musician. He quoted Jazz greats like Oscar Peterson, re-introduced pop fans to the up-right bass, and showed off a stage presence way ahead of his biological tenure of 20 years. Anybody that can sing a Ray Charles song then jam on a melodica in front of a national audience probably has a career in entertainment. If TV and movies really are a reflection of art then maybe Casey”s impact will be felt on the next generation of musicians, the world could use more bearded up-right bass players.
That said, if you need some live music relief, head on down to Saint Rocke tonight as Joe Purdy sings his own style of American bread folk songs, he goes on stage around 10pm. If you want to blow it out to a wildly popular Journey Tribute Band, then make a date for DSB at BriXton tomorrow night. If you need a quiet respite from your troubles then head out to Old Tony”s this weekend and let the melodic tunes of Evyn Charles float around in one of the South Bay”s best 360 degree, fish-bowl bars around. Cheers.