Idol contestants keep toes tapping

AMERICAN IDOL, EnergySolutions Arena, Tuesday

America's most recent idols mixed things up Tuesday night, keeping some fans waiting until the very end to see their favorite singers bring new flavor to famous hits.

Opening the show with a high-energy cover of the Black Eyed Peas "Let's Get it Started," some of the final 10 contestants from the sixth season of Fox's hit reality show "American Idol" were welcomed by fans who were beside themselves with enthusiasm.

Melinda Doolittle and Lakisha Jones followed the intro with renditions of "Baby Love" and "Stop in the Name of Love," resembling the Supremes — complete with white satin gowns and synchronized dance moves. The two women delivered one of the most powerful duets of the evening.

It took some 10 songs before heartthrob and arena-favorite Blake Lewis took the stage, but once he started, he made an impact on concertgoers of all ages.

Announcing that about 80 members of his family were present, the beat-boxer and singer from Bothwell, Wash., awed the audience with his complex vocal-percussion solo. He then launched into a personalized version of The Zombies' "Time of the Seasons," which visibly hooked the teenage-accompanying baby boomers on his unique style as they danced and swayed with the youngest fans present.

Using a technique called looping, Lewis recorded his own beat live, then played the guitar and sang Maroon Five's "She Will be Loved" over the playback.

Gina Glocksen showed the extent of her range, singing everything from the World War II classic "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" to Fallout Boy's edgy "Thanks for the Memories." The 23-year-old with red-streaked hair especially shined in her country duet with Chris Richardson of "It's Your Love," by Tim McGraw and Faith Hill.

Jones effectively stole the show — and earned a standing ovation — for her belted ballad of Dolly Parton's "I Will Always Love You" (a huge hit for Whitney Houston).

Instrumental abilities not shown on the prime-time TV show were shared by almost all the idols, including Chris Sligh and Lewis playing the guitar, Richardson beat-boxing and drumming, and Phil Stacey playing keyboard.

After the intermission, Jordin Sparks, the winner of the 2007 "American Idol" competition, kept her audience waiting as she didn't appear solo until the last five songs of the show. SIinging rock anthems "Heartbreaker" (by Pat Benitar) and "Livin' on a Prayer" (Bon Jovi), the 17-year-old winner got the already enamored crowd jumping.

In keeping with the other idols who stepped out of their typical genres, Sparks played the guitar and sang Jewel's "You Were Meant for Me" as a lovely and impressive acoustic number.

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E-MAIL: mfarmer@desnews.com

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