Singapore Idol

Just watched the finals and I must say I was pretty impressed. The general standard of both finalists is high, and it is heartening to see such talent in Singapore.

Both Jon and Hady put on stellar performances, but Hady was so obviously superior vocally, you feel sorry for Jon when they both sang the song specially composed for the grand finals - "You Give Me Wings". While Jon's version was subdued and almost pedestrian (or euphemistically, "sincere" according to Dick Lee), Hady's was rousing and infinitely more inspirational. It was certainly a worthy closing performance to the entire competition, as if he had already won the competition. It reminded me of Kelly Clarkson's "A Moment Like This" in the first season of American Idol. If the competition could be judged on that song alone, Hady would have won hands down.

But to give Jon some credit, the song is more suited for Hady, whose wider vocal range puts him at an advantage. It would have been impossible, or out of character, for Jon to attempt the high notes like Hady did, hence it is only to be expected that his bassy voice is going to be a letdown. Which makes it so remarkable that the show's producers chose that song in the first place since it's inherently biased toward one contestant.

But besides the vocal delivery, Hady's rendition was also superior in that he made full use of the choir to give a nice "twist" to the song when they entered toward the end of the song, unlike Jon, who just sang with them. That made the song sound so much more polished and professional.

Whatever the case, like the judges put it, both are deserving finalists each with his own merits - a charismatic rocker versus a groovy crooner. Whoever wins will not be a disgrace to Singapore.