Crystal: Remarkable performance tonight
I've been following this thread over the past few months since my wife got me interested in Crystal Bowersox. Never been a fan of American Idol, have only seen bits and pieces before, has always seemed too much of a karoake contest to me. (Too many Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Luther Vandross, etc. wannabes.)
Crystal is the first I've been aware of on American that had the vocal qualities and style of a Janis Joplin, Sheryl Crow, Bonnie Raitt, Joan Osborne, Kim Richey, etc. And yes, I liked very much that she played the guitar. She just has that "Rocker with soul" troubadour quality.
I'll be shocked if she doesn't win. Her performance tonight was remarkable. The emotional intensity, sensitivity, versatility, vocal character, pitch control, and dynamic range of the moods she weaved with her voice were masterful.
Bottom line: Tonight Crystal sang like an established, seasoned, and skilled professional, but with a ton of heart and soul. She used her voice like an instrument. For me it was "no contest".
Crystal deserves to win.