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Country is a tough genre to do and do well. I don't like the male vocalists as they either sound like uneducated farm hands or that someone is strangling a dog.

Rumor has it that Taylor was sick last night so I would give him a pass but the song choice sucked. Plenty of opportunity to sing something with some grit and he chose not to.

Having heard Garth Brooks's version of the song that Elliott chose last night you could make a case that Elliott did a better job. Cowboys singing love songs is not a good thing. People seem to just love Brooks but I think he just sucks. No win situation for Elliott in country and as a soul/R&B guy there wasn't much for him to do there.

Chris is being exposed as a rather limited vocalist. You cannot convince me that he is a better vocalist than Elliott. Close your eyes and listen to Chris sing. Is that Fuel, Creed, Staind, Live, etc, etc?? I think Chris is far better on stage but he's got extremely limited range and he's become a stereotype in my eyes.

Buckman actually sounded good last night but he has no song diction. Another limited singer.

I've really tried on Elliot but I just don't get what people are hearing. I even rewound it on TiVo and listened again. I just can't get there. I just don't hear the depth and richness I want to hear. He's good technically but there is not enough support in my hearing of him. I think he's better than most though including Kellie, Ace, Bucky, Paris, and Mandisa (of late).

Personally, I like the tone and depth of Taylor's and Chris's voices. Personal preference obviously.

Having heard Garth Brooks's version of the song that Elliott chose last night you could make a case that Elliott did a better job.

Only someone who does not like country music could say that. Because I love country, and love Garth Brooks, I thought Elliot was one of the worst last night. Garth is a country giant.

Elliot trying to do Garth would be like Lisa Tucker trying to do a Mariah or Whiteney signature song. If it's not as good or better than the original, you lose. It was not as good as Garth's version, so to me it sounded like karaoke, and a poor version, at that.

Now, if you don't like country (and, from your comments, you don't), then you may have very well liked Elliot's version.

I had another listen to Taylor Hick's version of Country Roads. GO Here and listen to a stripped-back version. It is much, much cleaner. On second thought it isn't as bad as I said it first sounded :

http://www.overmused.com/sixapart/

I can only imagine it sounding like if they gave him full time to perform it in the studio.