Usher was the Idol mentor this week, and he truly did his job. The level of performance was so improved, that one wonders, why don't they have more mentors like him, working with these people with greater intensity. Usher was able to inspire almost everyone to be at the top of their game for Soul and R&B night with the exception of a few disappointments, like the usually great Siobhan Magnus, who just wasn't on her game. “Every performer has an off night, and you’re entitled to one,” Kara DioGuardi said.
Casey James' performance of Hold On, I’m Coming by Sam and Dave had Usher calling him a rock star. Casey on his electric guitar got the best response from Simon, calling 'it his best performance yet!"
Michael Lynche had Randy Jackson giving him props for returning to the acoustic guitar singing Ready for Love by India.Arie. Usher directed Big Mike to connect with the back of the house, which he did, and he was rewarded for it.
Didi Benami was one of the contestants who didn't manage to take the mentoring she was offered. Her rendition of What Becomes of the Brokenhearted, was once again a little too theatrical and left the judges without anything good to say.
Usher really worked with Tim Urban trying to get him to feel his way through Anita Baker's Sweet Love. But, “Teflon Tim”, as Ryan Seacrest is calling him, couldn't seem to bring any of that soulfulness with him on to the stage . Didi and Tim could be in trouble.
Andrew Garcia got what he so desperately needed -- a good performance! The judges had lost all confidence in him, and Andrew was feeling it. Garcia chose Chris Brown's Forever, and when he was struggling in rehearsal Usher just told him to "stop and connect", leaving this week's mentor to say "it made me love Chris Brown's song even more." And if that wasn’t enough, Ryan dragged Andrew’s mother over to Simon to show her support for her son.
Katie Stevens chose Aretha Franklin's Chain of Fools, which Randy thought was "one of the best vocal performances of the night" saying she was “like a young Christina (Aguilera).” To say the least, Simon did not agree.
Lee Dewyze performed with walking pneumonia, but the best medicine for him was Usher telling him "you have an incredible voice man, own it!" Dewyze’s Treat Her Like a Lady was by far his best performance yet, and Simon declared it the "moment" Dewyze’s life may have changed forever. Every judge was blown away, as was ISH!
Crystal Bowersox was great as always. Her big surprise -- a piano instead of a guitar and, oh yeah, stilettos! This woman never disappoints. Usher called her "a sweetheart", her performance of Midnight Train To Georgia was truly inspired. The judges loved that Crystal changed it up, but Simon a Bowersox purist likes her just the way she is...
Aaron Kelly closed the show with Ain’t No Sunshine When She’s Gone, although Simon said there was absolutely no chance he would be going home this week, Cowell didn’t love the performance.
The true star of the evening was Usher!
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