This week, contestants are singing songs which inspire them. That leaves a pretty wide range of songs, so it should be interesting.
Michael Johns: “Dream On” by Aerosmith.
Wow, this is really good. I love that song, and it’s nice to see it performed by someone who looks handsome (unlike Stephen Tyler, one of the ugliest frontmen in the history of rock). It was a little pitchy when he was singing the high loud notes, but other than that, it was fantastic.
Randy said he’s looking for who could win the competition, he thought it was a good choice, but there were pitch problems. He got booed. Paul said he sounds as good as he looks. She says he was unbelievable, and the song fit him perfectly. Simon said it was a very good performance, but he doesn’t like it when he does an impersonation of a rock star, he prefers soul/r&b from Michael. Michael said the song was good for him because his dreams are coming true.
Syesha Mercado: “I Believe” by Fantasia
She looks good, and the song fits her voice. This girl can sing. She hit a note that very few people can hit, too. I really, really liked it, it was like being at a concert. It wasn’t Fantasia, but there’s only one Fantasia.
Randy said she didn’t have the special connection that Fantasia has, so it was just okay. He said Fantasia has “attitude” when she sings that song. Paula said not many people can take on songs like that, and that Syesha made the song her own, it was beautiful. Simon says “of course there’s going to be a comparison. He said she sang it very well, but it lacked the “big big wave of emotion”. He wants to find out what Syesha is all about, even though she sang it very well.
This year of Idol really is much better than previous years, based upon the first two performances tonight.
Jason Castro: “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” from The Wizard of Oz
He’s playing a ukelele. I’ve heard this version somewhere before. He’s really good, but he always is. It’s not blowing me away, though I do like it a lot. It’s just kind of boring compared to what the others sang, even though it was very, very good. At this point, everybody has to blow away the audience in order to advance in the competition.
Randy said it was the hottest so far tonight, “blazing, molten hot”. Paula says he has the most definitive sound, and she loves that version. Simon asked if it was the version on the internet (it was) and said it was “fantastic”.
Kristy Lee Cook: “Anyway” by Martina McBride
She has a sparkly shirt on, it’s very pretty. She’s such a pretty girl, and it’s a pretty song; she seemed very into the song, and was even smiling slightly as she was singing. The song seems to be meaningful to her, which is cool. I could imagine that song on the radio, and even though I’m not a big country fan, I loved that song.
Randy said there were a couple of pitch problems, but it was very good. Paula said she outdid herself tonight, it was her best by far. Simon says she was “very, very good indeed”. He said she looks like a star. He said it was a good choice of song, she’s appealing to her audience.
David Cook: “Innocent” by Our Lady of Peace
He’s wearing a strange white jacket. He can really sing, but I’m not sure about this song. The background singers were too loud, they were drowning him out. It was good, but I’m not sure if it was good enough to get him through to the next round.
Randy said he’s a huge fan, but this wasn’t one of his strongest weeks. Paul said he is well-defined by being the whole package, and he’s “it”. Simon didn’t like it very much at all. He thought it was a bit pompous, he didn’t like the jacket. Simon said this was his weakest performance, not anywhere near as good as the last two weeks. Paula noticed he had written “Give Back” on his palm.
Carly Smithson: “The Show Must Go On” by Queen
She looks better than usual tonight, the makeup looks much, much better. She can sing, but Freddy Mercury she’s not; then again, he was such an original that no one can match him. Still, she’s doing better than usual, and I think part of that is because she looks so much better than usual. It’s kind of confusing, because she didn’t seem to be in with the song. And I still hold against her that she’s a plant, of course, LOL.
Randy said it was just okay for him, it was disconnected. Paula said her voice is pretty perfect, but she didn’t feel engaged. What the hell is Paula wearing? Her breasts are crushed and spilling out the top, very weird. Simon said she looks good. He said it was an unusual choice of song, she over-sang it to the point that she lost control of the song, and it was an angry performance which was out of kilter with the evening. He thinks she might have a problem now, he seems to be saying she might be eliminated.
David Archuletta: “Angels”
He’s playing piano, which is a nice touch. This is not as good as he usually is, it seems like he doesn’t have the true emotion, but that’s been a problem with him all along, in my opinion. He’s obviously talented, and I like the performance. I think a big problem with the lack of emotion is that he’s just a kid, so he doesn’t have the experience which would add the true emotion.
Randy loved it, this was his hottest moment the whole season, “crazy hot”. Paula said it was fantastic. Simon said it was best song choice of the night so far, it’s one of the best pop songs, period. He thought it wasn’t good vocally, because it was nasally, but he will sail through to the next round.
Brooke White: “You’ve Got A Friend” by Carole King
She’s cute, she always is. It’s a nice song, but it’s not a song which would show off anyone’s singing ability, unfortunately, and she is no exception. I’m not impressed, to be honest, even though I like her.
Randy thought it was okay, Paula liked it, Simon thought it was just okay.
That’s it. I have to say, there are better contestants this year, than I’ve seen in a long time for American Idol.
