Wade on Birmingham

Just for Hicks: Three-for-all

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taylor hicksThe power of three was unleashed tonight on “American Idol”: three songs, three contestants, three phone numbers. Record mogul Clive Davis helped the judges pick the songs, while the singers finished with their own choices.

Birmingham’s Taylor Hicks put on some soulful showstoppers, looking like a lock with Katharine McPhee for the finals next week.

Recap after the jump …

Updated with video, elimination.

Taylor Hicks

‘You’re everything I hoped for, you’re everything I need …’

taylor hicks• Songs: “Dancing in the Dark” by Bruce Springsteen (Clive’s choice), “You Are So Beautiful” by Joe Cocker (Randy’s choice, as read by Gov. Riley) and “Try a Little Tenderness” by Otis Redding (Taylor’s choice).

• Judges say: (first song) Randy: “You know how to have a good time. Dancing with Paula, that was hot.” Paula: “I had fun with you. You’re incredible.” Simon: “That was OK, pale by comparison with the original.”

(second song) Randy: “A great tender moment … You did the song proud.” Paula: “You are a star. That was incredible.” Simon: “That was so far and away your best performance so far.”

(third song) Randy: “Your new name from now on is Have a Good Time Funky Taylor.” Paula: “I waited all season for you to sing this song. You did an incredible job.” Simon: “Smart choice of song, good performance, a hideous ending, but I’ll see you next Tuesday.”

Taylor Hicks

‘You’ve got to love her, squeeze her, don’t tease her …’

• Clive says: “You can command the stage but get into the lyric (of “Dancing in the Dark”).”

• We say: “Dancing in the Dark” was decent, playful, a solid start. “You Are So Beautiful” was amazing, the one that gets him into the finals. “Try a Little Tenderness” was another great one.

• Taylor says: (on selecting an Otis Redding song) “I’m doing it for the Soul Patrol.”

Taylor Hicks

‘You can’t start a fire, you can’t start a fire without a spark …’

• Idol thoughts: Ah, if only Birmingham native Courteney Cox were on hand to reprise her role as starstruck fan for “Dancing in the Dark” …

Elliott Yamin

  1. “Open Arms” (Clive’s choice): So-so. Won’t be the one to get him into the finals.
  2. “What You Won’t Do for Love” (Paula’s choice): Easy listening, you either love it or hate it. We’re OK with it.
  3. “I Believe to My Soul” (Elliott’s choice): Sorry, but singing soul against Taylor is a tall order, and Elliott comes up short.

Katharine McPhee

  1. “I Believe I Can Fly” (Clive’s choice): Impressive. A classic Idol choice and a crowd pleaser.
  2. “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” (Simon’s choice): A nice rendition. Probably the one that gets her to the finals.
  3. “I Ain’t Got Nothin’ But the Blues” (Katharine’s choice): Very hot. A great choice, a terrific rendition.

Taylor Hicks

Fireside chat with Clive; family fired up

Voting closes at 10 tonight.

Update: Videos and MP3s available in this directory (hat tip to Gray Charles). Rickey.org also has videos.

Update: Eliminated on May 17: Elliott Yamin.

At 7 p.m. Tuesday, Taylor Hicks and Katharine McPhee compete at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles live for the “American Idol” crown on Fox. The winner will be announced live during a two-hour finale starting at 7 p.m. May 24.

Hicks marks the fourth contestant from Birmingham to make it to the final two during the five seasons of “Idol.” Birmingham native Ruben Studdard beat Clay Aiken in 2003. Birmingham native Diana DeGarmo finished second to Fantasia Barrino in 2004. And Huntsville native and then Helena resident Bo Bice finished second to Carrie Underwood in 2005.

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