Kelly Clarkson still America's No. 1 "Idol"

As hard as it may seem to counter critics who chide "American Idol" as little more than glamorized karaoke, original "Idol" Kelly Clarkson offered a convincing argument to the contrary in front of a capacity crowd Tuesday night.

Singing "Breakaway" from the middle of the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater accompanied by nothing more than an acoustic guitar, it was a chance for the multiplatinum phenom to get up close and personal with a crowd that has helped make her America's sweetheart songbird since winning the televised competition in 2002.

"Take a risk, take a chance, make a change and breakaway..." she sang, the lyrics to the title track of her sophomore release soaring into the nighttime sky and offering an explanation, of sorts, for the 70-minute set that they would help bring to a close. In stark contrast to the cheeky dance moves and packaged pretenses that mark the "American Idol" television empire, Clarkson seemed determined to stand on the merits of her soulful tones and compelling vocal eloquence, rather than the upbeat frenzy of her many radio hits, including standout closer "Since U Been Gone."

AC/DC's "You Shook Me All Night Long" rattled the rafters as the house lights went out, and the deafening roar of the predominantly female crowd reached a fever pitch, but Clarkson subdued the venue by opening the set with the raspy texture and moody ambiance of "Addicted." The midtempo bounce and punchy chorus of "Behind These Hazel Eyes" offered an invigorating rush that carried through bluesy rocker "Maybe" and the pop-rock, feel-good anthem "Gone."

It was the middle of the 14-song set, though, that offered the best insight into where Clarkson may be heading as "Because of You" exposed a fragile dynamic to her pristine vocals and charming pop sensibilities. When a curtain dropped and exposed a swampy, Southeastern twilight -- complete with an onstage dock -- Clarkson's passionate cover of Ray LaMontagne's "Shelter" and soulful run through the title track of her debut release, "Thankful," offered every indication that the singer is more than just a made-by-TV nightingale. A zydeco vibe fueled "Home," which culminated into a hard rocker that offered the perfect lead to Clarkson's breakout single "Miss Independent."

So inspired was the performance, and so capable and impressive the vocals, it was easy to forget that Clarkson was discovered by a nationwide TV audience. That is, until she performed "Go," a throwaway track she claimed to have wrote "with Ford," which was accompanied by a longform commercial masked as a music video airing on the background screens.

Corporate sponsorship notwithstanding, Kelly Clarkson far exceeded her"American Idol"expectations.