Last night’s American Idol saw the long-awaited exit of Ramiele Malubay, but it was also notable for many other reasons–Bucky Covington telling the country that you didn’t really need to win the show in order to have success (perhaps a ploy to make David Cook feel better about his inevitable loss to the overhyped teen dream David Archuleta), Dolly Parton awkwardly telling Simon that he was welcome back at Dollywood anytime, the Ford commercial forcing the top nine Idols to rap “It’s Tricky,” the Ramiele sandwich at show’s end. But I was most excited about the return of The Clark Brothers, the pinup-ready bluegrass trio who won 19 Entertainment’s little-watched The Next Great American Band and who I was convinced were going to be nothing more than glorified hand models within the Idol universe this season.
The Clarks went back to the well they drank from on TNGAB, perhaps figuring that so few people watched that show that a repeat performance would be OK. Here’s their kinda-manic “This Little Light Of Mine”:
It started off a little weak and the guitars could have all been better-amplified, and it continued the “praise the Lord and pass the mic” theme of the evening, but overall it sounded OK (and it got people at least a little interested in them). But did anyone notice the reaction shots from the remaining contestants and Ryan? I know it must be hard to keep a straight face up on those couches, but the facial expressions coming from stage left were somewhat distracting from the performance:
“This would never work on my morning show,” he was thinking.
And then there was Brooke White:
Is she confused because, like R-rated movies, she’s never seen live bluegrass before, or is she confused because she’s … you know … a little hot and bothered by the brothers’ bringing together love for the Lord and some fast finger-picking? It’s so hard to tell!
The Clark Brothers [MySpace]
Comment on The Clark Brothers Shine Their Light, Nearly Blind Brooke White The Clark Brothers were the most amazing act on American Idol ALL SEASON!
Wow!!! They blew everybody at my house away last night, and none of us are
country fansÂ… these guys just rocked it out!!! Any idea if they have a cd
out yet?
Thanks,
Judy in Seattle
When the idols sang “9 to 5″ during the weekly Up With People segment, I was more convinced than ever that Michael Johns should have sang that on performance night. He could have made it his own, like when Lyle Lovett sang “Stand by Your Man.”
…Bucky Covington telling the country that you didn’t really need to win the show in order to have success (perhaps a ploy to make David Cook feel better about his inevitable loss to the overhyped teen dream David Archuleta)…
They settled for Bucky because Chris Daughtry was not available for comment.
in response to brooke white’s response to the clark brothers… I GUESS SOME PEOPLE WEREN’T LIKIN’ IT! ([hoowa.org])
“Is she confused because, like R-rated movies, she’s never seen live bluegrass before, or is she confused because she’s … you know … a little hot and bothered by the brothers’ bringing together love for the Lord and some fast finger-picking? It’s so hard to tell!”
Maybe she’s confused because she never heard bluegrass so thoroughly abused? Seriously, I’m sympathetic to the concept of someone taking an agressively rocking approach to bluegrass, but the punk rhythm didn’t work, the vocal sucked, and the solos were totally out of sync.
Maybe she’s wondering what happened to their rhythm section.
The contestants didn’t like the Clark Bros. because the contestants are forced to perform bland, pop music versions of their songs (except for David Cook, who is walking that line quite nicely). The Clark Bros. ROCKED on New Bluegrass, and that kind of enthusiastic raw hormonal music is seldom seen on the A.I. stage. And they sang about Jesus. No wonder everyone was confused. But why do they make the contestants waste their precious rehearsal time learning those INCREDIBLY LAME group numbers for the Wednesday shows? It always reminds me of the Brady Bunch choreography (now cross the stage, now cross your arms). Yikes.
the clark brothers are so freaking cool. it blows my mind how people dont get it. they are either convicted or blind. anyone with any connection to God totally gets them. they are a real light in the darkness. they are so intense it changes me. i am so amazed by ashley. he is a true artist. the first time i saw them was on idol and i knew they were sent from heaven. they have the mind of God. they have my heart.
The contestants aren’t used to passionate, exciting performances. Congratulations to the Clark Brothers for the best performance of country week! I think their performance ignited a spark withing Brook’s dull little world & her body was having a melt down!! Go Clark Brothers! Thanks for showing us what a real performance is all about!!