'American Idol' Recap - Audition #3

Oh City of Brotherly Love, what happened? I like Philadelphia. I have lots of family in Philly. They have amazing museums and historical artifacts. It is even home to the best donuts I’ve ever eaten in 25 years of being alive (Beiler’s in Redding Market, look it up!). But while I know firsthand that Philadelphia can produce amazing deep fried pastries, I’m not so sure it can produce amazing talent.

I’ve been feeling good about this final season of American Idol, but tonight’s audition episode was one of the dullest and least successful audition shows I can think of. In fact, the only real memorable auditioner might have been Ellis Banks, who auditioned with a Lady Gaga song while dressed in an outfit best described as Old Testament gay bar. And he didn’t get a ticket. Ooph.

Even though usually I just write about the top five, only six made it through. So I’ll write about each one in order of airing.

 Gianna Isabella

There’s raw talent in Gianna, a teenager whose mom is pop singer Brenda K. Starr. But while some of her runs on “House Of The Rising Sun” showed good vocal control and the foundation of a strong voice, it suffered from some odd phrasing and spotty vibrato. She’s young – 15 – perhaps too young to swim with the sharks on Idol. If she didn’t have a good story behind her, I’m not sure her just-above-average voice would have been enough for a golden ticket.

Isaac Cole

Isaac, a 15-year-old farm boy, is very rough around the edges vocally. I’d gander his voice is still changing and there was an immature quality to his tone that’s a product of his age. But Isaac also had an honest, homespun charm and charisma that made me stop my note taking and watch. Yes, Keith was right, he’s a “work in progress.” He needs to learn better vocal technique and find his real voice without sounding like he’s doing country karaoke. But he’s a storyteller and, even at 15, I believed every world.

Sara Sturm

My lips are moving too and they’re saying that this cute Virginia teen has a lack of stage presence and just above-average vocals. She’s the kind of performer that would win her high school talent show with ease but will get swallowed in when she gets the Hollywood.

Jenn Blossil

My favorite audition of the night was Jenn’s, a quirky Brooklynite who auditioned with Idol favorite “Radioactive.” Song choice aside, Jenn really reminded me of a mixture of two of my favorites from last year – Jax and Joey Cook. She has Jax’s raspy vocals and melancholy piano playing and Joey’s originality and indie charm. I’ll be watching out for her in the next round.

Harrison Cohen

When 17-year-old Lothario Harrison said he was singing an original song about “experiences [he’s] had with the ladies” my eyes rolled so far back I think I need to call the ophthalmologist. But I was pleasantly surprised by his song, which could actually be a radio hit. It had a catchy hook and a syncopated guitar pattern that I’d listen to again. Despite his songwriting chops, Harrison’s slightly creepy bedroom eyes and bland voice didn’t fully win me over.

John Arthur Greene

The last audition of the night went to Broadway actor John (Matilda, West Side Story) who, incidentally is married to the actress who played Rapunzel in the big screen adaptation of Into The Woods. It’s clear from his audition and his resume that John is a talented vocalist. His did a really solid job singing my favorite Keith Urban track “Somebody Like You,” especially handling the falsetto flip in the chorus. But while I was totally impressed by his voice, there does seem to be a bit of an identity issue. Is John a really authentic country singer? The runs in his cover feel more like a pop artist while his pedigree points to training in legit theater. So who is the real John? If he can truly sing as himself, we may have a real contender here.