American Idol 3/5

Originally written on 3/5.

It was the ladies turn to vie for the top 12. Going into tonight I thought the girls were better than the guys, but after this showing…I don't know. It was very hard to gage who will be among the dearly departed since no one did anything special. I think it will come down to past performances. If that is the case, Kady Malloy and Kristy Lee Cook will be leaving us. I was one for four last week in who should go home, so we will see.

Don't Let the Door Hit You...

Kady Malloy – Who Wants to Live Forever by Queen

Randy – "pretty good"
Paula – "your best performance"
Simon – "better than last week"…"I am still having issues with your massive lack of personality"…"you may be in trouble"…"you are like a robot on stage"

I thought she killed the high notes…she has a big voice. She is very stiff on stage, doesn't look comfortable up there.

Kristy Lee Cook – Faithfully by Journey

Randy – "I liked it"
Paula – "could be a hit for you in country music"
Simon – "your problem is that you are forgettable"…"at best I can see you coming in 10th"

She has a cool county vibe about her, but there is just no wow factor. I agree with Simon, very forgettable.

Decent…I Guess

Amanda Overmyer – I Hate Myself for Loving You by Joan Jett & the Blackhearts

Randy – "well done"
Paula – "this is who we fell in love with"
Simon – "fantastic"…"absolutely nailed that song"

She did a decent job tonight. Again, her problem is that she sounds the same on every song. I am over it already, but she does stand out.

Ramiele Malubay – Against All Odds by Phil Collins

Randy – "pretty good vocal"…"just go for it"
Paula – "you deserve to be in the top 12"
Simon – "very old fashion"…"a bit predictable"…"not jumping out of my chair on that"

She has the best vocal range of all the ladies in the competition. I really like her…Asia'h and Syesha are a close second.

Brooke White – Love is a Battlefield by Pat Benatar

Randy – "I really liked it"…"very interesting"
Paula – "very very pure"
Simon – "two weeks running, you have done a great performance"

I like what she did with the song…very intimate performance…she really connected.

American Idol 3/4

Originally written on 3/4.

The guys sounded off tonight and did a nice job. There were two terrible performances given by Luke Menard and Danny Archuleta. On the flipside you had three standout performances by: David Archuleta, David Cook, and Jason Castro.

Luke and Danny should be among the dearly departed. Nevertheless, Chikezie could help keep one of them alive.

Definitely in the Top 12

David Archuleta – Another Day in Paradise by Phil Collins

Randy – "nice"
Paula – "you are perfect even when you are imperfect"
Simon – "wasn't as good as last week"…"need to lighten up"

Another solid performance by Mr. Archuleta. I didn't really like the song but he still knocked it out. He is still the dude to beat.

David Cook – Hello by Lionel Richie

Randy – "great arrangement"…"could be a single and be a hit"
Paula – "I believe you are going to be a great shining star"
Simon – "very brave thing to do"…"I loved it"…"really hope you are here next week"

He did a great job; he really took the song and made it his own. Definitely will be around next week.

Jason Castro – Hallelujah by Jeff Buckley

Randy – "good looking out"…"[gotta] give you props"…"nice"
Paula – "[you] showed a beautiful vulnerability"
Simon – "absolutely brilliant"..."arguably one of my favorite performance of the night"…"getting better and better"

Solid performance, ending was a little shaky, but still a solid performance. I really like him. I agree with Simon, he is getting better and better each week.

Should be Going Home

Luke Menard – Wake Me Up Before You Go by Wham!

Randy – "a little bit corny"
Paula – "loved your interpretation of it"
Simon – "no chance you are going to make it through" (you gotta love simon) …"weak"…"girly"

I agree with Simon, he sucks (I'm so insightful). He is on the fast track back to Indiana.

Danny Noriega – Tainted Love by Soft Cell

Randy – "you can do this"…"come on with the vocals"
Paula – "you are real"…"got great vocals"…"spicy and sensitive"
Simon – "horrible the whole thing"…"absolutely useless"

I thought it was a terrible performance all the way around. The frustrating thing about Danny is that he can really sing. This song didn't provide him the opportunity to show off his vocals. He is in danger of joining the dearly departed. (pretty good job out of me, I had him as one of the favorites to win the whole thing)

On the Bubble

Chikezie – All the Woman I Need by Luther Vandross

Randy – "really good"..."tough song choice"
Paula – "your vocals sound really good tonight"
Simon – "don't think that worked at all"…"ok in bits"…"I don't think it was a very smart move"

I thought he did a pretty good job with the song. I agree with Simon when he said it sounded a bit cabaret. For some reason he gives off that vibe as soon as he gets on stage. However, he does deserve a spot in the top 12. I have a strange feeling that Danny might have a stronger voter turnout. I guess we will find out on Thursday.

Peace.

American Idol 2/27

Originally written on 2/27.

It was the girls turn tonight, and for the most part they did a good job. However, there seemed to be a common theme among the judges having to do with poor song choice. Before I co-sign that sentiment, I have to say that I am the furthest thing from a 70's music buff, but there has to be better songs. But then again what do I know.

The Good

Carly Smithson – Crazy on You by Heart

Randy – "it was alright"
Paula – "amazing job"
Simon – "much better than last week"…"incredible singer"…"the girl they have to beat" (last week he said she was overrated)

I like her voice and I thought she gave an energetic performance.

Brook White – You're so Vain by Carly Simon

Randy – "really good"…"don't know if you brought anything new to it"
Paula – "perfect song choice"
Simon – "loved it"…"perfect song for you"…"it connected"

I thought it was a perfect performance. She really came into her own tonight.


The Not So Good

Amanda Overmyer – Carry on Wayward Son by Kansas

Randy – "it wasn't the right song choice"…"you need to keep it 'bluesy'"
Paula – "you can dance"…"not the right song [for you]"
Simon – "everything felt contrived"…"couldn't wait for it to finish"

I thought it was terrible, and I like her. She tried too hard and was not herself. The problem with her is that she only has one sound, and after a while it gets boring. Hope she gets another week though.

Kady Malloy – Magic Man by Heart

Randy – "it didn't work"
Paula – "you have many hidden talents"…"let yourself go"
Simon – "[it] didn't go anywhere"…"frustrating"

She didn't start well at all…not a good vocal. You have to be able to walk down the stairs with out looking down if you are going to use them to make your entrance. She seemed to struggle with putting the different aspects of her performance together. Kady should be among the departed, but she is a pretty girl and will probably skate on that.

It is hard to project who will be among the departed, since the bottom two performers have decent size fan bases. I feel that Amanda has her rock peeps looking out for her and Kady has her looks. Someone else will end up getting screwed, but that is life I guess.

American Idol 2/26

Originally written on 2/26.

The guys squared off again and were a big disappointment in my opinion. There were only three good performances all night: David Hernandez, David Cook, and David Archuleta.

The rest of the performances can all be categorized as mediocre. I think Jason Yeager and Luke Menard had the weakest performances of the night. Both will be among the dearly departed. (i was one for four last week…i know nothing).

The Good

David Hernandez – Papa was a Rollin' Stone by The Temptations

Randy – "this is the David Hernandez we fell in love with"
Paula – "unbelievable"…"perfect"
Simon – Best vocal of the night (at the time, Mr. Archuleta didn't perform yet)

I thought he had good stage presence and a nice vocal.

David Cook – All Right Now by Free

Randy – he is the "real rocker from the group"
Paula – "you got it"…"loved it"
Simon – "solid"…"[doesn't] have a lot of charisma"

I though he looked like a rock star during his performance. (what do i know about rock) Was really comfortable…wasn't forced…very natural.

David Archuleta – Imagine by John Lennon

Randy – "one of the best vocals I have ever heard on this show"
Paula – "one of the most moving performances I have seen"
Simon – "[he was] one to beat"

He clearly had the best performance of the night. He looks like a pro on stage. The chicks love him; that alone will carry him deep into the competition.

Should Be Leaving Us

Jason Yeager – Long Train Runnin' by The Doobie Brothers

Randy – "very pitchy"
Paula – "fun to see this side of you"
Simon – "Awkward"…"ordinary"

I agree whole heartedly with Simon. His dancing during the performance came off as awkward. The vocal was very karaoke to boot.

Luke Menard – don't know the name of the song

Randy – "pretty good"
Paula – "really a great week for you"
Simon – "mistake"…"no charisma or personality"

I thought the whole performance came off as whiney, very annoying. Has potential, but I don't think he will get another chance to prove himself.

American Idol 2/20

Originally Written 2/20.

It was the ladies turn to sing tonight. Only four people really stood out: Alexandrea Lushington, Asia'h Epperson, Ramiele Malubay, and Syesha Mercado. The rest of the contestants could all be categorized as mediocre. No ones performance was horrendous, so it is going to come down to who has the most fans from Hollywood week. With that being said, I think Kristy Lee Cook and Joanne Borgella will be members of the dearly departed.

Stood Out

Alexandrea Lushington – Spinning Wheel by Blood, Sweat, & Tears

Randy – "blew the doors off that one"
Paula – "took control of your performance"
Simon – "I didn't get it"…"didn't think the vocals were great"

I think that everyone in the building liked her except for Simon. I thought she was great and brought a lot of energy. She is a true performer and wants to put on a show.

Asia'h Epperson – Piece of My Heart by Janis Joplin

Randy – "Impressed"
Paula – "Really good Moments"
Simon – "favorite of the night"

She was one of my favorites from tryouts through Hollywood week. I like the slight raspiness (is that a word) of her voice. Seems to have fun out there. I really liked what she did with the song. She is going to be a tough out.

Ramiele Malubay – You Don't Have to Say You Love Me by Dusty Springfield

Randy – "that was hot"…"very classy"
Paula – "force to be reckoned with"
Simon – "out sang every single person"

I like her, she doesn't try too hard…has the best voice of all the ladies.

Syesha Mercado – Tobacco Road by Status Quo

Randy – "powerful voice"…"I really liked it"
Paula – "joyful"…"fun"
Simon – "terrific"

I agree with Randy her voice is very powerful and I really like her hair.

Should be Going Home

Kristy Lee Cook – Rescue Me by Fontella Bass

Randy - "rough around the edges"
Paula - "good performer"
Simon - "song didn't suit you"…"robotic performance"…"didn't get anything from it"

I thought it was a very low energy, could be because she was sick. However, I don't like that she tried to use the sickness as an excuse. She is cute girl, so she might end up surviving.

Joanne Borgella – I Say a Little Prayer by Aretha Franklin

Randy – "shaky"…"unsure"
Paula – "have to pull it together" (pretty strong remarks for Paula)
Simon – "I didn't like it at all"…"very average"

I thought she seemed nervous. This is American Idol...it's go time...you have can't be scared now. I think she is going home.

American Idol 2/19

Originally written on 2/19.

OK so the guys went first and did a decent job.

I thought the best three performances of the night were given by David Cook, Robbie Carrico, and Jason Castro.

David Cook - Happy Together by The Turtles

Randy said he "worked it out"

Paula thought he was good

Simon said he "almost made it believable"

I thought the song started out a little rough but he got better as it went a long. He has pretty good energy. Doesn't have one of the better voices in the competition, might hurt him down the road.

Robbie Carrico - One by Three Dog Night

Randy said "nice version of the song"…"you moved me baby"

Paula said "vocals were in the pocket"

Simon said he was the "only performance that had any semblance of making sense"…"only current performance"..."struggling with his authenticity"

Like the rock vibe that he gives off, seems really comfortable with what he is about. He is someone to keep an eye on.

Jason Castro - Daydream by The Lovin' Spoonful

Randy said he had "pitch problems"…"was alright, didn't blow him away"

Paula said he "did blow [her] away"

Simon said "In the top two performances of the night"..."just got it"

I voted for him. I thought he gave the best performance of the night. I like his vibe. He looks really comfortable on stage. I think he will go deep into the competition.

Now for the Bad.

Chikezie

Don't know the name of the song he performed.

Randy said "needs to sound younger"…"you can sing"

Paula said "Infectious"…"very nice job"

Simon said he "hated the whole performance"…"suit was hideous"…"very old fashion"

I thought Chikezie committed a cardinal sin on Idol. He tried to go toe to toe with Simon. If you are going to do that you have to make sure that everyone else likes you. Unfortunately for Chikezie I think America agrees with Simon. He will be among the departed.

Luke Menard – Jailhouse Rock by Elvis Presley

Randy said "very pitchy"

Paula said "not best song choice"

Simon said "Forgetable"

I agree 100% with Simon, this guy made no impression whatsoever. He will be joining Chikezie as a member of the dearly departed.

Differing Opinions

They loved David Archuleta. He sang Shop Around by The Miracles.

Randy said he thought it was "brilliant"

Paula said "very brave and bold"

Simon said "When you got it you got it"…"best performance of the night"

I didn't think he was anything special. Maybe he will grow on me. The chicks seem to like him though.

The ladies sound off tomorrow, talk to you then. Peace.

American Idol

American Idol is back again, Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 8 on FOX. There are a few people that stood out to me during the auditions:

Asia'h Epperson

Right now she is my favorite to win it. (might be her kiss of death, last year this time I thought Mr. Pony Hawk himself would win)

Danny Noriega

You wouldn't expect his voice to come out of his body. His personality could potentially become annoying and could cause him to lose votes. But with that said, I still think he has a decent shot.

Syesha Mercado

Has a really powerful voice. It gave out on her while she was in Hollywood, but recovered well enough to impress judges. Hopefully it holds up when America decides.

Well now that I have mentioned these three contestants in my blog, I am sure that they will all bomb. Guess we will find out on Tuesday night. Stay tuned.

You can check out the rest of the contestants at

www.americanidol.com/contestants/season7/