American Idol - Top 7 - Reviewing "Saving Jessica Sanchez"

FOX must be trying to rev up the ratings. Or maybe Facebook and Google aren't doing enough to promote American Idol this year.

Because this can't be right. Seriously, It's Jennifer Hudson / Chris Daughtry all over again.

Thank goodness for "The Save". Jessica Sanchez, young and still growing (literally) in front of our eyes, just cannot go this early.

As a reminder, here were my rankings from the other night, top to bottom.
Skylar Laine
Elise Testone
Joshua Ledet
Jessica Sanchez
Philip Phillips
Colton Dixon
Hollie Cavanaugh

It's exactly as American Idol presented.

Except the wrong threesome appeared in the bottom 3!

What on earth is going on here? It's the first time this year that I've totally batted out on my prediction. 

Anyway, it sounds like I'll have to spend a couple hours every Wednesday night once more making sure that I vote. I vote for things I care about (local, state, federal elections, American Idol season 7 and 8) and when I think there's an injustice (Jennifer Hudson, Chris Daughtry). I was pretty shocked that weak in weak out week in week out Hollie would be going home finally, but this just seemed wildly off.

Just my two cents. We'll see what happens next week!

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American Idol Top 7 - Review 2012 April 11

Top 7 Review

Here we go. We now get to the part of the show where it gets a lot more difficult. The top contestants are pretty much all that's left. We've lost some of the early obvious ones who were not going to win.

There's really only Hollie left who has been consistently close to getting voted off. But that doesn't always suggest bad luck. Syesha was in the bottom a couple times and she ended up with at number 3 and a nice career.

And the theme: Anything from 2010 on...

1. Skylar Laine

She's doing Pickler? The notes were quite good. She carries the country sound really well, and actually sounded better than Pickler on this song.

2. Colton Dixon

He's singing like a colorful emo kid. He's got lots of falsettos in this piece, and he's pretty much on pitch. He did pretty well.

Duet - Philip Phillips and Elise Testone

I love this song and the arrangement worked, but I think their two voices didn't blend together so hot.

3. Jessica Sanchez

She introduced us to her Filipino family and then grows seductively into her big vocals. She's got some pipes.

4. Joshua Ledet

Pretty energetic performance. The looks and vocals were quite good.

Duet - Skylar Laine and Colton Dixon

They do sing well together. They're look like they're enjoying it, too.

5. Hollie Cavanaugh

Powered up, but sort of pitchy.

6. Philip Phillips

It was a nice sound again, but his facial ticks are now starting to get on my nerve.

Trio - Joshua Ledet, Jessica Sanchez, and Hollie Cavanaugh

It's way too low for all three of them. It sounds creepy

7. Elise Testone

Gaga song - sounded really good for her voice.

My Rankings, top to bottom:

Skylar

Elise

Joshua

Jessica

Philip

Colton

Holly

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American Idol Top 8 - Review 2012 April 4

Top 8 - Music of the 80s

1. DeAndre Brackensick

Somewhat tepid falsetto tonight to me. The scales are nice, and he looks very casual, but it's not very assertive. Why are they so into him?

2. Elise Testone

She's very polished. The slower parts were weaker, pretty flat, but her finale was very good.

Duet : Colton and Skylar
Fairly predictable Islands in the Stream. They don't really have good chemistry, but Skylar's voice matches this piece especially.

3. Philip Phillips

He's got his sound on with Genesis, but there are a couple flat notes. The weird faces and ticks are getting creepy.

Duet: DeAndre and Hollie
What is she wearing? Her voice fits the song pretty well.

4. Joshua Ledet

It's a good song choice for him, but I am starting to get biased because I think he overdoes it. Had no idea he was that young.

5. Jessica Sanchez

Like Joshua, she can over do it, but in this song she holds back nicely. Nice money notes. She's so young and sounds so good.

Duet: Philip and Elise
They really don't sing with each other, other than via harmony. Big question: Who was actually raspier? Nice sound.

6. Hollie Cavanaugh

She sounds better than last week. Well check that. Started to go off pitch bad. Better money note.

Duet: Joshue and Jessica
Quite a good sound to it. Looked good together

7. Colton Dixon

Good song choice. That was a pretty good interpretation and only had a couple weird notes.

8. Skylar Laine

Excellent. Best of the night.

Top
Skylar
Jessica
Joshua Colton

Bottom
DeAndre
Elise
Hollie

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American Idol - Top 9 - March 7 2012 - Recap and Review

Top 9 - American Idol
Stevie Nicks is the guest mentor

1. Colton Dixon

Too slow and boring start. He's trying to build up a ton of intensity, but the song isn't helping. One flat note. Not his best. Not getting why the judges are loving him so much.

2. Skyler Laine

She really has the country sound down. She's almost Carrie in her performance style and sound. Excellent

Trio of Colton, Philip, and Elise - Doing Fleetwood Mac
Colton sounds good here. Elise has the look but her dancing is too bouncy. Philip is a touch flat as he impersonates Joe Cocker (I think he feels awkward without a guitar).

3. Heejun Han

Adam Pascal look out because Heejun has your sound down. Surprisingly touching and sensitive. Impressive to say the least.

4. Hollie Cavanaugh

Although the sound of her voice is pleasant enough, it wasn't enough. The flat notes aside, she did better on the lower notes and sounded weaker on the big notes.

5. DeAndre Brackensick

The whole song is done in a strong falsetto, which may sell albums and get on the radio. I usually don't think do well with Idol voters, though.

6. Jessica Sanchez

The vibrato is now starting to get on my nerves. But her sound is quite strong even for a song that is potentially underpowered. Made me think of Celine Dion. Star quality through and through.

Trio Heejun, DeAndre and Joshua - Doing Michael Jackson
Joshua and Heejun seem good for this style but surprisingly DeAndre doesn't sound as at home until he got to do falsetto. TAs a group, there is no feeling of cohesion like the earlier trio, especially when it comes to ugh that dancing.

7. Philip Phillips

Man I love the sound of his voice and his rock sound. I feel like we're already watching his actual concert.

8. Joshua Ledet

Another emotional performance for the night. He sounded better tonight than on previous nights.

Trio of Skyler, Hollie and Jessica doing Madonna
Hollie still sounds weaker than the others to me. Skyler doing pop is surprisingly pitchy and awkward.

9. Elise Testone

Zep? Really? Wow, she pulled it off. Not sure she America wants to see Zep on Idol, but that was a fun, sexy performance. Even the screams worked, and well.


My Top (no particular order)
Skyler
Jessica
Joshua
Philip
Elise

My Bottom (no particular order)
Colton
Hollie

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American Idiot - March 24, 2011 - Ahmanson Theatre, Los Angeles, CA

This production of American Idiot impressed me. Typically, I strongly prefer London or Broadway productions over the national tours, but this particular show was executed particularly well.

I last saw American Idiot in July 2010, with the most impressive John Gallegher Jr as Johnny and Tony Vincent as St Jimmy. In this production, Van Hughes (who took over on Broadway) and Scott J Campbell as Tunny were particularly impressive.

The music is of course the main draw of the play. I still think the book is on the weak side and director Michael Mayer's decision to excise some dialog to let the music shine still rankles me. Not that I don't enjoy a rock opera, but a persisten drumbeat of nihilistic rage can IMHO be buttressed by some choice prose sans angry ennui.

Nonetheless, I am stunned that they crammed most of that enormous set from the St James theatre on Broadway into a traveling show. I still love the way the actors move an enormous scaffold, transforming it from a rock altar to a bus in mere moments.

I thought St Jimmy wasn't as menacing and evil under Joshua Kobak, but because of that, it was more apparent (despite the weak dialogue) that St Jimmy was really Johnny's expressed Id. I don't know why I didn't notice their matching jackets at the nightclub before, but in this production it helped highlight the psychological problems that a drug addled youth experiences.

Dancing still stellar. I love the choreography, especially during the sensual and scary scene with the drugs. And of course, who can't express elation - fantasy or not - at a good aerial ballet between Tunny and Extraordinary Girl.

One thing struck me with this cast in particular. Hughes, Campbell and Kobak had abs and bods of steal. Nice as eye candy, but Johnny and St Jimmy just don't strike me as characters who would think of doing crunches all day long. A small distraction, but it did affect my view of the characters.

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American Idol - Top 10 - March 21 2012 - Recap and Review

American Idol - Top 10 - Billy Joel Night

P Diddy was funny and Tommy Hilfiger was weird.

1. DeAndre

Only the Good Die Young. His voice was ok. Too light in the loafers. And the dancing wasn't exactly impressive.

2. Erika

New York State of Mind. She looks like Adam Lambert with her new hair. Vibrato doesn't match the song, to me.

3. Joshua

She's Got a Way of Talking. Sounds nervous, until he went into his Gospel sound. But I wasn't enjoying the Gospel interpretation.

4. Skyler

Shameless. Another number that was pushed which made it offkey. What is going on tonight?

5. Elise

Vienna. It's the first song tonight where she wasn't trying to overdo the song. Sounds good.

6. Phillip

Moving Out. An interesting take. Almost didn't recognize the melody, but I liked the sound. Vocals were much better than last week.

7. Holle

Honesty. She's always belting out. It doesn't offer enough of a build up. She has some pitch issues here.

8. Heejun

My Life. Now that was a funny albeit unconventional way to start off his song. He's really starting to enjoy the entertaining part. His voice though wasn't at his best. Oh nice change up towards the end.

9. Jessica

Everybody Has a Dream. She has a killer voice. That's all. Best vocal so far tonight.

10. Colton

Piano Man. Great stage. He's really into this song and it shows.

Top
Jessica
Phillip
Colton
Elise

Bottom
DeAndre
Hollie
Skyler

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American Idol - Top 11 - March 14 2012 - Recap and Review

Top 11 - Year they were born

Oops. A little undisclosed criminal past brings an end to Jermaine Jones.

1. Phillip Phillips
Nice rock sound again. He's moving like he didn't even have any surgery. Pretty amazing. Only a couple notes that wandered.

2. Jessica Sanchez
That was an amazingly energetic performance for a 16 year old. And that little pause was wonderfully dramatic.

3. Heejun Han
Passable sound, but it could be ramped up some. At least he fixes the notes that start flat.

4. Elise Testone
Nice sound for her voice. Good smokiness.

5. Deandre Brackensick
Glad he changed song but this was still sort of safe and tame. A couple odd notes

6. Shannon Magrane
Not loving the song. Straying flat again this week

7. Colton Dixon
I'm not sure about the song, but it works for his voice.

8. Erica Van Pelt
Oy stop the flat phlegmy sound

9. Skyler Laine
Seems like she has this one down. Mostly on pitch and good sound.

10. Joshua Ledet
He picked a really good song for his voice this week His best song that they've shown

11. Hollie
A good song for her but a couple of flat notes.



Top
Joshua
Phillip
Jessica
Elise
Skyler

Bottom
Erica
Shannon

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American Idol - Top 12 - March 7 2012 - Recap and Review

Men do Stevie and Women do Whitney

1. Joshua Ledet

Interesting sound. More gravel and soul. The dancing looks awkward to me though. Nice scat.

2. Elise Testone

Glad she changed her song but sounds like it was too last minute. The performance is so so. Some of the lower notes are too breathy and she's trying too hard.

3. Erika Van Pelt

Hmm, a couple flat notes to me. Nice build up. Controlled, though might be overly so.

4. Colton Dixon

Nice and sensitive performance. Sounds more on tune when he's not going reedy. Great finish.

5. Shannon Mcgrane

Was sounding ok, but an important note was very icky. Pretty lightweight to me.

6. Deandre Brackensick

His sound isn't my favorite, but he was good. I liked his rhythm and tempo for the piece.

7. Skyler

Good ramp up from a weak start. A strong finish. She impressed

8. Heejun

He's a pretty funny guy. Surprisingly tender tone. Couple odd notes and too safe, but good.

9. Holle

I like her tone but she seemed tentative in the middle. Nice money note with a lovely turn to tender.

10. Jeremy Rosado

It was awkward to me. It didn't feel quite there.

11. Jessica

This is a very risky song. Lovely control. A bit much on some vibrato tricks and too fast on them, but money notes are pretty darned good.

12. Philip Phillips

Great sound for this piece. Good interpretation and entertaining.

My tops:

1. Philip
2. Jessica
3. Skyler

My Bottom:

1. Shannon
2. Jeremy
3. Elise

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2012 Feb 29 - Top 12 Girls American Idol

Top 12 Girls

1. Chelsea Sorrell

Country girl with a gun. Singing in a Carrie Underwood fashion. Slightly flat. Score=50

2. Erika Van Pelt

Blond deep alto. Going for that fierce What About Love thing. Nice. Score=70

3. Jen Hirsh

Agoura Hills girl. A couple of off notes but a good smoky sound. Nice money note. Score=65

4. Brielle Von Hugel

Surrounded by the boys. She's doing the Dock by the Bay. Somewhat pitchy and trying too hard to look sultry. Score=45

5. Hallie Day

Has a husband. Sort of a Marilyn Monroe gal. Nice money note. Smokey sound. Score=60

6. Skyler Laine

Another country girl from a tiny town whose family owns the store. Energetic and good sound, with a fine money note. Score=75

7. Bailey

She was not on pitch at all. Score=30

8.

Texas girl Started pitchy but righted itself once she could start belting. Money note wasn't my fave.

9. Haley Johnson

Looks like a valley girl but sang Sweet Dreams in a deep alto. Not a good choice for me. Not at all on pitch on that money. Score=25

10. Shannon Magrane

16 yo girl whose Dad is a former baseball player. Not sure why she's trying to look and sound older. Nice gospel sound but lacks big pipes. Good money note. Score=60

11. Jessica Sanchez

Flipican? Nice sound, good buildup, and a good stage presence. Money note was ok. Score=70.

12. Elise Testone

Smokey sound doing soul. Was somewhat off but had a good tonality. Score=55

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2012 Feb 28 - Top Guys American Idol

13 Men

1. Reed Grimm

Geek from a family of singers. Not a great song choice for me, but he sounded good. His dancing is sort of Taylor Hicks, which is a touch goofy for me. They liked his song choice, but we didn't recognize it. I thought he was trying to make himself memorable already. Score=60

2. Adam Brock

Looks like a bearded accountant. He has a large black women inside him he said. White Chocolate? It's a nice sound, but fairly safe. Score=55.

3. Deandre Brackensick

Dreadlock Germanic kid. He's going falsetto. It's uneven. He didn't nail his money note. The judges are loving everyone. Score=30.

4. Colton Dixon

Shaggy haired kid whose sister lost out last week. Starts out on the piano and his voice seems reedy. Going for the rocker vote but seems light in the boots for that. Score = 50.

5. Jeremy Rosado

"Care bear" guy who's a bit light in the loafers. I did not like this safe performance. It was uneven to me as well. Score=45

6. Aaron Marcellus

Voice teacher with a retro fedora. His voice is okay but his performance is somewhat forced. Good money note. Score=55

7. Chase Likens

Good-looking Country singing student from Marshall University. Seemed pretty safe. Score=50

8. Creighton

I think he thinks he's on the fabulous side. Ok, he did Cynde Lauper's True Colors with a reasonable sound. Score=55

9. Philip Phillips

Handsome pawn shop guy. Doing Phil Collins with a very bluesy sound. A couple of odd notes but entertaining. Score=65

10. Evan Franckowitz

Young kid from Cincy with a Bieber vibe. Had an off note right at the start. Not a good song choice. He's flat and very tentative. Score=45

11. Heejun Han

Asian guy who's kinda funny. Seemed somewhat tentative but I like the sound of his voice. When he's singing Angel, it's hard for me to separate it from David Cook's awesome rendition. Score=52

12. Joshua Ledet

Southern guy who misses the crawfish. He's got a big gospel sort of voice. Nice money note.

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American Idol Finale 2011

A country/teen finale

This is the first final in a few years where the finalists weren't who I expected. James left early. But at least this is a reasonable competition, if a bit dull in being an entirely country competition.

1. Scotty - Gone

He's ripping this one like he did the first time he sang it.

2. Lauren -

This was a good choice for a reprise, though you can tell there are some laryngitis issues.

3. Scotty -
George Straight picked one of his songs for Scotty to sing. Not sure it's the right sound. It was pretty sleepy. Nice to see him play the guitar.

4. Lauren - Maybe it was Memphis

Good song choice by Carrie Underwood. I can hear the weakness in her voice but she carried it off well.

5. Scotty - Love you this big?

This will be his single if he wins? It's such a sleepy ballad? Are they trying to take him down? One bad note.

6. Lauren - Like my mother does?

Kinda pandering. Oops, painful note. A few off notes in there to me.

Hmmm... I think the better songs were Lauren's but in terms of vocals, I do think Scotty did a slightly better job.

I'll be happy with either kid.

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American Idol 2011 Top Five

American Idol Five Finalists

1. James Durbin
Sounded somewhat flat in a few places. He fits the 80s rocker style. Don't enjoy the song.

2. Jacob lusk
What a screaming, sharp, painful performance. I muted it

3. Lauren Alaina
Good song choice. Safe but fun performance. Liked it

4. Scotty McCreery
Went down range again. He worked the crowd. Loved his vocal play

5. Haley Reinhart
Some parts were good, but uneven. Not sure I liked the choice.

6. James Durbin
A ballad? Good range if slow. Ah there's his trademark scream. Emotional but imperfect.

7. Jacob Lusk
I don't get the falsetto and baritone swapping. Still flat. Please no more

8. Lauren Alaina
Nice when she got out of the quagmire low notes

9. Scotty McCreery
Slow Scotty again. This is his sweetspot but was almost too low. He's Boricua?!

10. Haley Reinhart
Nailed it. The glides were excessive but more than appropriate

1. Scotty
2. Haley
3. Lauren
4. James
5. Jacob

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American Idol - April 27 - Six Finalists

Carol King Week

1. Jacob Lusk
His vibrato just seems to mask his flat and sharp notes to me. I just am not not there with him.

2. Lauren Alaina
A not sure about the song selection. Doesn't seem like one that set her apart.

Haley + Casey duet
Was just ok. Should have had a lot more zing.

3. Scotty McCreery
One of my favorite songs. Good high note. Ooh, nice ending. More range than I imagined.

4. James Durbin
Yowza. From one odd note to one great high note after another. Aced it.

Lauren + Scotty duet
Oh this is adorable

5. Casey Abrahms
Well that was different. Fine on its own merits, but the interpretation was odd to me.

6. Haley Reinhart
It was all about sex but vocally it was weak to me.

Jacob and James Duet
Oh this is not a good combo of voices. Who came up with this? James wailed fine I guess.


So, in order of my voting:
1.James Durbin
2. Scotty McCreery
3. Casey Abrahms
4. Lauren Alaina
5. Haley Reinhart
6. Jacob Lusk

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American Idol - April 20 - Seven Finalists

1. Scotty McCreery - Swingin
Oh hello, that's fun to watch, though rather safe.

2. James Durbin - Uprising
OK he really is a straight Adam Lambert & David Cook merged. Theatrical. Sang "Uprising" but could have been called "Up an Octave".

3. Haley Reinhart - Rolling in the Deep
Competent. Not thrilled by the song choice, workable.

4. Jacob Lusk - Dance with My Father
America clearly likes Jacob, but seriously, I'd like him to do something different or else I'll just keep dwelling on the 2 or 3 flat notes, including the money note.

5. Casey Abrahms - Harder to Breathe
I liked it: unexpected, energetic, stretched. But will his supporters like it?

6. Stefano Langone - Closer
Another competent performance. Not memorable but workmable.

7. Lauren Alaina - Born to Fly
Energetic, mostly on target. Forgettable song and interpretation

Casey
Scotty
James
Lauren
Haley
Stefano
Jacob

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American Idol - April 13 - Eight finalists

1. Paul McDonald - Old Time Rock N Roll
His voice is too thin and reedy for this song. I don't think it worked for me.

2. Lauren Alaina - The Climb
Sounded lightweight to me. The money notes were good but the breathing was off.

3. Stefano Langone - End of the Road
Not fun to hear. Well the money note was good. But what an odd vibrato.

4. Scotty McCreery - Across My Heart
This song is dreamy with his voice. A sleepy choice, but he sounds good. Good money note.

5. Casey Abrahms - Nature Boy
Nice mood music. A couple of odd notes. Another odd choice.

6. Haley Reinhart - Call Me
Weak start. I like the sassy style but it was more screachy than melodic.

7. Jacob Lusk - Bridge Over Troubled Water
Ouch he slips flat on money notes. Agree with advisors: corny.

8. James Durbin - Heavy Metal
I don't care for the choice. His scream was flat. He performed it well otherwise.


Scotty
Casey
James
Stefano
Lauren
Haley
Paul
Jacob

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American Idol - April 6 - Nine Finalists

1. Jason Lusk, Man in the Mirror
They love this guy, but it sounded so karaoke to me. The hip grinding also didn't match the song.

2. Haley Reinhart, Another Piece of My Heart
That was ripping fun.

3. Casey Abrams, Have You Ever Seen the Rain
Quirky interpretation. Most original so far

4. Lauren Alaina, Natural Woman
Interesting country feel to a very difficult song

5. James Durbin, While My Guitar Gently Weeps
He really is sort of a butch Adam Lambert. Nice money note. It worked for me.

6. Scott McCreery, That's Alright
Tonight, Mad magazine's Alfred E Newman sang an Elvis tune and teenie bopper girls rushed the stage. I was surprised that he gave such an energetic and fun song

7. Pia Toscano, River Deep Mountain High
Lots of energy for singing a duo song as a solo. I liked the Glee version more.

8. Stefano Langone, When A Man Loves a Woman
It was sort of over the top on that one.

9. Paul McDonald,
Ho-down music for rock and roll

James Durbin
Scott McCreery
Haley Reinhart
Casey Abrams
Paul McDonald
Stefano Langone
Pia Toscone
Lauren Alaina
Jason Lusk

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American Idol - March 30 - Eleven Finalists

Elton John night

01 Scotty McCreery - Country Comforts
Love his sound, though it didn't sound at all Like Elton John. The song itself wasn't one of the best, but he did it well.

02 Naima Adedapo - I'm Still Standing
Did it reggae, with a couple of odd notes. Not sure why she chose to do it this way.

03 Paul - Rocket Man
Didn't do anything for me. Seemed strained and not very melodic

04 Pia Toscano - Don't let the sun go down on me
Somewhat pitchy, started too strong and so couldn't go any higher. Good vibrato

05 Stefano Langone - Tiny Dancer
Good choice, though his vibrato seems unnecessary

06 Lauren Alaina - Candle in the Wind
Nice interpretation, close by enough variations. Great sensitivity.

07 James - Saturday Night
Rocked it out pretty well. Entertaining. Sort of a straight Adam Lambert

08 Thia - Daniel
Nice interpretation but it wasn't exciting or memorable. Hey she said Kuya!

09 Casey Abrahms - Your Song
Hmmm seemed just a little too karaoke to me

10 Jacob Lusk
Huge song and just overwrought to me

11 Haley - Benny and the Jets
I like her interpretation and sound


#1 Scotty
#2 Lauren
#3 Haley
#4 James


#9 Casey
#8 Thia
#2 Naima

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American Idol Final Competition

Well, another season has come and gone. This time, we are able to say that the show survived the loss of Paula Abdul. In a slightly predictable way, Ellen has shown that she can be nice and supportive, but even more than Paula provided real, constructive information that could help guide the contestants.

And as they introduce the judges, the remind the audience that this is Simon's last week on the show.

Hmm some mixup there. I think Crystal dropped her Mike and the director had her positioned in some odd way. Lee looks shell-shocked, like a deer staring at headlights, but only more panicked.

There are three rounds. The first song will be contestant selected, the second will be producer selected, and final song will be their first released single should they win the competition.

1. Lee Dewyze, The Boxer, #01, #03, #05
Oh I absolutely love his rendition. I've played it on my touch over and over. His voice adds a really sensitive and pained dimension to the song. Oh it's abridged. I've been used to the full song version on iTunes. The judges seem to think it was a bit laid back but I thought he did well.

2. Crystal Bowersox, Me and Bobby McGee #02, #04, #06
This is one of her awesome songs that I also play over and over. Ooh a nice key change and a crowd-encouraging come on. The judges seem to want all sorts of energy and excitement, but I found the excitement to be a tad over the top. But it was still one of her best renditions of the show.

3. Lee Dewyze, Everybody Hurts
The judges will hate this laid back song I'm sure, but he is handling it well. Hmmm not sure about a couple notes there. Nice ending, but this is really a placeholder song to me in comparison to his past weeks.

4. Crystal Bowersox, Black Velvet
OK so that had a real rock sound to it and she really had a wonderful comfort with it. That final note had tinges of Gokeyscream in there, but it wasn't a deal breaker. The judges loved it emphatically.

5. Lee Dewyze, Beautiful Day
He's doing the U2 song with an orchestrated pop sound. He looks all comfortable walking around in his red converse sneakers. The song itself is pretty tame and he's ramped it up some. A couple of odd notes at the beginning (but that has never been an issue in the past for him). He's actually smiling and working the crowd some this time around. Good closing.

6. Crystal Bowersox, Up to the Mountain
She's doing an acoustic guitar sound which makes perfect sense, since this is the first single she'll release if she wins. This is a classic Crystal folk-country sound. Gorgeous sound and totally unique sound. Awesome money note, and probably the best performance of the night. She's practically in tears.

I love both these two. Crystal more at the beginning of the season, Lee more towards the end of the season. But tonight, if I had to say, was Crystal's night.

Now, more Simonloving by everyone.

Interesting, a final song by performer Will Young. Not sure why they're not ending with the contestants, but Idol is Idol.

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American Idol Final 4

American Idol Final 4

Jamie Foxx is our guest host, and we're going to be doing movie music.

#1,#5 - Lee DeWyze, Kiss From a Rose

It wasn't his best performance. Surprised that he took a rather simple song and didn't do much with it. Disappointed in him, but he's still one of my favorites to go forward.

#2,#6 - Michael Lynche, Will You Be There

Not exactly a good song for me with Michael. It wasn't something that rang out.

*** Crystal Bowersox and Lee DeWyze in a duet, Falling Slowly

I loved Kris Allen's version, but as a duet, this was really a lovely, well down performance. The chemistry was perfect and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

#3,#7 - Casey James, Mrs Robinson

Oh a Jason Castro moment, what with the uke. This is a nicely delicate rendition, though the sweetness does take off some of the best parts of the social edge, rendering the song rather safe and tame.

#4,#8 - Crystal Bowersox, I'm Alright

That was rather good, thank heavens, because she was somewhat disappointing the last couple weeks. I'm glad she shined and shouldn't be concerned this week.

*** Michael Lynche and Casey James in duet, Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman

It's very plain and predictable, without any sizzle. They're basically just singing at the same time, rather than singing a duet.

My rankings:
1. Crystal #4,#8
2. Lee #1,#5
3. Casey #3,#7
4. Michael #2,#6

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American Idol Top 5

Harry Connick Jr is the guest mentor on Sinatra night. Surprised that he helped do the arrangements for the contestants.

1. Aaron Kelly, Fly Me to the Moon

It's a decent sound, if a bit boy band. I like the arrangement but Aaron really sounded a bit slim to me on this.

2. Casey James, Blue Skies

Pitchy first notes. Hmm, this isn't very good unfortunately. Maybe it's because he's missing his guitar.

3. Crystal Bowersox, Summer Wind

Crystal changed the start enough that I did't even recognize the song at first. She sounds ok, but the genre isn't really good for her.

4. Michael Lynche, The Way You Look

I love this song, but his phrasing just isn't for me. His breathiness might be what sets me off.


5. Lee DeWyze, That's Life

Wow, I never would have expected him pulling off Sinatra, but he sounds wonderful.b


Lee #05
Crystal #03
Aaron #01
Michael #04
Casey #02

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