Shania Twain brings out the best in remaining ‘American Idol’ finalists

Shania Twain brings out the best in ‘Idol’ singers

LOS ANGELES — Not so fast, Crystal Bowersox.

The other “American Idol” finalists rose to the occasion Tuesday during an evening of Shania Twain tunes on the Fox singing contest. After weeks of unabashed praise, the show’s judges weren’t so overwhelmed with the folksy rendition of “No One Needs To Know” from the usually captivating 24-year-old musician from Toledo, Ohio. They still kinda liked it though.

“It’s kind of impossible for you not to be good,” judge Kara DioGuardi said.

Aaron Kelly, the sheepish 17-year-old high school student from Sonestown, Pa., won back the judges with his booming take on mentor Twain’s “You’ve Got a Way,” which included changing the lyrics from “the way we make love” to “the way you show love.” Simon Cowell said the passionate performance made Kelly seem like a “different artist” after weeks ho-hum endeavors.

“Tomorrow’s gonna be real tough,” Ellen DeGeneres declared after Kelly performed.

The other male singers also had no problem nailing Twain’s tunes, including 24-year-old paint sales clerk Lee Dewyze of Mount Prospect, Ill., with an edgy “Still the One,” 26-year-old personal trainer Michael Lynche of Queens, N.Y., with an emotional “It Only Hurts When I’m Breathing” and 27-year-old musician Casey James of Fort Worth, Texas, with a raw “Don’t!”

“This could be a great thing in your wheelhouse,” Randy Jackson informed James.

Siobhan Magnus closed the show by strutting across the stage and through the audience while crooning “Any Man of Mine.” Jackson later told the 20-year-old glass-blower from Marstons Mills, Mass., that he loved everything about it. Magnus ended the upbeat performance with one of her signature howls, which Cowell decided sounded like Magnus was “giving birth up there.”

Another finalist will get the boot Wednesday, leaving five singers in the competition.

On the Net:

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