It's getting easy to tell men from women: On "American Idol," the women are the ones who can sing.
In each of the first two weeks, the guys have managed only one memorable singer -- Casey James last week, Michael Lynche this week. The women, by comparison, bring great cascades of talent.
There was Crystal Bowersox, the day after she'd been hospitalized; she gave a wonderful, gospel kind of feel.
So did Siobhan Magnus. She dared to tackle Aretha Franklin and succeeded. A year ago, Danny Gokey tried a primal scream and was voted out; tonight, Siobhan made her scream a primal pleasure.
I also liked Katelyn Epperly. Stripping away the blaring lipstick from last week -- good suggestion, Kara -- she sat at the piano and turned a Coldplay song into an intimate pleasure.
I liked Paige Miles and Michelle Delamar a little and tolerated some others, including Didi Benami's belief that the soulful "Lean on Me" is a jolly-peppy song.
But most of all, I loved (yet again) Lilly Scott, this time for her fresh take on "A Change is Gonna Come," one of the greatest songs ever.
The judges usually tell people not to tackle a song that's too big, from a star who's too big. Tonight, however, we saw Aretha Franklin and Sam Cooke conquered. For some singers, nothing is too big.