Review: 'American Idol' contestant Lewis shines at The Jewish Mother

Appearing on the TV talent review “American Idol” can be a mixed blessing. Sure, it seems like a great shortcut for getting into the music business, but even if you win that does not guarantee you a seat at the table of bona fide music stars. Just ask Ruben Studdard and Taylor Hicks, two winners dropped from their record contracts.

One could in fact argue that booted Idols face more challenges than opportunities, as they try to climb into the business with the tag “former American Idol contestant” hanging from them like a ball and chain.

This is the kind of struggle that Blake Lewis, the runner up from Season Six, seems to face now, which is a shame considering how fine a performer he is.

In doing a set of songs at The Jewish Mother Wednesday night, he proved himself a strong, compelling musician. Talent, he proved Wednesday, he has in spades, making his stint on the TV show seem like a failure to win a popularity contest rather than one based on quality.

Prior to his set, the tweens, kids and parents packed into the audience at the landmark little bar and restaurant grew increasingly giddy with excitement waiting for Blake to arrive (“Is he here? “Do you see him?” “Oh my God!”) and the rumored appearance of Blake’s BFF from the show, Chesapeake native Chris Richardson.

Fans were in his corner, but skeptics had reason to think this was not going to go well. His opening band was just so-so, after all. But, boy were the skeptics wrong!

Lewis showed moxy right away, opening his set with a funk and ska-influenced groove constructed by his band, the ADD. As soon as he opened his mouth, Lewis – wearing a purple shirt, white tie and matching grey pants and vest – showed he’s the real deal, wailing powerfully. He’s an energetic, joyous performer and has the kind of “magic” necessary to transfix a standing room only club crowd.

Through songs including “Know My Name” and “Surrender,” Lewis displayed a knack for knocking his funk-filled soul songs out of the park – his sound is like Maroon 5, with dirtier and funkier beats.

The beat-boxing he did over and over on “AI” has become slightly less cloying, and when he slipped it easily into his pop songs, it was downright lovable.

However, “She Loves the Way,” a song he made in front of us by beat-boxing and then “looping” the sounds to create a beat, dragged on too long. In regards to his mouth mechanics, Lewis must learn that even magicians keep their tricks short and sweet: That’s how you dazzle an audience.'

The highlight of the show should have been when Lewis invited local hero Chris Richardson on stage to do the song they wrote together, “What’cha Got 2 Lose.” However, Richardson either did not want to upstage his friend or we caught him on the downswing of one of those fantastic-to-uninspired see-saw trips he offered many times during the show.

Richardson, the consummate boy-next-door, is no doubt a budding star in his own right, but on Wednesday he seemed shy and was overwhelmed by Lewis and his band.

But it’s OK. Richardson is said to be finishing an album here and in Los Angeles, and as nearly every reality show runner-up vows, “You’ll see me again.”

While we text our friends non-stop in anticipation for that promise to become fulfilled, we do have his buddy Blake Lewis. With time, stronger material and performances like these, his journey into the big leagues of the music biz seems assured. Reality show contestants you can dismiss, but hard work and talent cannot be voted away.

Malcolm Venable, (757) 446-2662, malcolm.venable@pilotonline.com