American Idol Tour: The Idols Speak!

The Detroit Free Press has posted an article detailing interviews with five of the ten touring Idols from AI 7. David Cook, Syesha Mercado, Jason Castro, Carly Smithson and Ramiele Malubay were asked questions about the current tour, their future plans, and thoughts about being on the show. Click the link to read the story.

Pre-Idol Albums

USA Today has reported a story which reviews pre-idol recordings of six of this year's top 12 Idols. Included is a brief summary of the work on the CD, and a review of the recordings. Included in the review are the recordings of the following: David Cook, Jason Castro, Brooke White, Carly Smithson, Michael Johns, and Kristy Lee Cook. Click the link to check out the story.

Carly's Blasphemous Controversy

The New York Times has written a story about the "controversy" surrounding Carly Smithson's song choice for ALW week. I'll let you read the story and develop your own opinion. I was very concerned when she chose this song. From my perspective, not a big deal at all. She chose a song from a VERY POPULAR and VERY WELL KNOWN broadway play. However, I was very unsure as to whether the AI voting public would read it like that . . . mix that with the tattoo and the accent, and it all makes her seem very "unamerican". Completely ridiculous . . . Carly should be in the Top 5. Ugh on America. Click the link to read the story.

Carly's Blasphemous Controversy

Carly Can't Live If Living is Without Us!

Up next, Carly . . . missing The Hotness . . . Hey Carly, he says hi!
Carly thinks Mariah is a little ball of sunshine.

Without You - I'm just gonna let this one play. I really want her to rock it. Completely awesome! I'm thrilled for her. She just rocks the house. It was a BIG BALL OF AWESOME for me.

Randy thought that she did a Great job on the second half of the song, but needed to blow it out on the first part. Paula liked her restraint in the song and thought she did a great job. Simon didn't think she pulled it off. . .

I really hope they watch this over again, and hear what I heard sitting here with The Hotness. I just thought she did a great job. She showed the appropriate restraint at the right times, and really did a great job.

I also think she just looked great. The best I've seen her look.

Top 7 choices: Carly vs. Kelly

Once I saw that Carly was going to belt "Without You", I had to dig up the original . . . one of the best idol performances of all seven seasons. Ms. Kelly Clarkson singing "Without You" on the Final 3 results show from season one. This is the one performance season one that Simon called "The single best vocal of the season".

An aside: I do think that Carly could create a moment for herself with this one . . . ***crossing my fingers***

Cute Carly

Just saw this pic of Carly (I believe it was scanned from Star Magazine) online and thought I'd share it with you - here's Idol's Carly Smithson back in the day, when she was just a wee Irish lass selling sausages for Denny's! I think this is the same look in her eyes she had when Simon made the snarky comment to her at her AI7 audition, minus the sausage smile :)

The Cuteness and The Carly Rule the Roost!

Next up . . . (drumroll) . . . THE CUTENESS! Singing the DOLLY!

DOLLY thinks the Cuteness went outside of himself by choosing "Travellin Through". This is a Great Song! And, as I said earlier, this could be a moment for JC. Great, Great, Great performance. He finally looked like he was having fun! Randy thought he was pitchy, but it picked it up through the middle. Paula thought he connected, and was just great. Simon, as per usual each year during the country themed nights, didn't get it.

I swear, they either need to bury this theme night or duck tape his mouth. It really isn't fair that he criticizes every song based on the fact that he hates country music. It just drives me nuts. In addition, he decides to let us know that he doesn't think that Carly dresses very well . . . unlike a star. Sweet Lord, put him out of OUR misery!

Overall, I thought she really, really rocked!