Gettin My Recap On . . .

Ok, so, I will hold off on the rankings for a little bit. I need to mull over what I think was THE BEST overall night of the competition - HANDS DOWN! I am so happy with how amazingly good ALMOST everyone performed. It is not difficult to pick who I think was the worst of the bunch, BUT I think it will be difficult to pick who America will actually send home. In addition, I am SO torn about America's bottom three . . .Ugh!

Will be back later.

P.S. I hope the results in the top 9 are the same as they have been the past few years. Where they put the idols into three groups of three (Top vote getters, Middle, and Bottom). That might give us an idea of how everyone is actually placing. LOVE IT!

The Reincarnation of Michael Hutchence . . . Excuse Me I Need A Moment . . . Alone

Up last, INXS' Michael Hutchence, er, I mean Aussie Mike! He is singing It's Not Right, But It's All Wrong . . . I think that's the title, but I'm blogging afterwards . . . whew . . . Sweet Lord. Anyway, here he goes . . . I don't even know that I can come up with anything clever here. Simply said, he is sex on a plate...in a bowl... on a platter... You name the place and he will be there . . . as sex. SWEET TASTY DELICIOUS GOODNESS . . . Y'all know!

Randy thought it was amazing, and that he has turned up the hotness. Paula thinks he sounded great and looks HOT! Simon thought it was RIGHTEOUS . . . ok, he didn't really say that . . . He did say that it was his best performance.

I believe it is safe to say that after two consecutive great weeks, Aussie Mike has regained his frontrunner status.

Kristy Lee Cook and her Coat of Many Colors!

Here comes the comeback kid, Ms. Liberty herself, KLC! She has chosen to sing "Coat of Many Colors". THE DOLLY thinks that she has made the song her own. Here she comes . . . not again like Carly . . . but she is beginning. Might I say, she looks stunning and sounds pretty good. Very, very pleasant. I'm impressed. . . she gets a little better each week.

Randy thinks that this is her genre. Paula thinks she has found her niche and this is her best performance. Simon thinks that last week was her best week, and that she was just kind of pleasant tonight.

I think KLC is in trouble. I think she was good, but I think she is in trouble.

Lil David Produces A Smokey Mountain Miracle!

Lil David's gonna sing a little Smokey Mountain Memory. THE DOLLY is lovin Lil David . . he produced somem DOLLY tears. Lil David needs to produce here, not that I even think that he will even kind of be in trouble, but he is slowly losing his frontrunner status... Just gonna sit back and listen.

Oh Ma Gah. . . he produced the goosebump moment that I've been waiting for . . . those notes at the very end was just spectacular. Infreakingcredible! Absosmurfly Stupendous!

Simon thinks that Little David is BACK! Dawg . . . and stuff. I think he is saying that the performance possessed the oft mentioned "Yo Factor" circa AI 6. Paula thought he was fabu! Simon thought he was "Spot On".

In short, Lil David is back, y'all!

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!

On the good ship, Ramiele

Up next, is the little engine that used to could . . . Ms. Ramiele. She's scared and Dolly thinks she is cute and has picked a song. Oh goodness, the camera angle is not good for her.

Ok, her vocals are a bit better this week than the consistent holler of Heart. However, just kind ok. Randy gave it a 6.5/10. Paula thought she connected. Simon thought it was cruise ship worthy.

Overall, eh . . . just eh.

Come See the Softer Side of . . . Rocker David

Rocker David is up next. He is singing "Little Sparrow". I'm not terribly familiar with this song, but I'm hopeful. Ms. DOLLY HEARTS him . . . as we do her. From the beginning of this performance, I am happy. This is simply beautiful. I was a little scared for him, but he is absolutely solid. Randy thinks that he is always original. Paula like his haircut, and Simon thinks that it wasn't as good as last week, but it was good if he can make a song about sparrows good.

Overall, I think we successfully saw the softer side of Rocker David.

Brooke White is . . . Brooke White!

Alright, y'all, here we go. It's April Fools Day. . . and cue the requisite joke from La Seacrest! Up first is Brooke White, and Dolly thinks she's genuine. We HEART DOLLY! Brooke is singing "Jolene". I am so excited about this performance. Here we go, oh look, Brooke is utilizing the McPheever's box beating guy from Black Horse and the Cherry Tree circa AI 5. I'm digging this set up with the band and the back up singers. I think Brooke sounds solid and looks really good. To the judges: Randy thought it was ok, but a little pitchy. Paula thinks that Brooke White is . . . Brooke White . . . and Simon thinks she lacked emotion and some other stuff that got drowned out by the Idol music.

I kind of think they were harsh on her. I liked it. I liked the song, the look, and the band. Thought it kind of rocked.

David Cook is my lover . . . :)

David Cook will bring up the rear . . .ahem, I mean close out the show. He had quite a large skull as a child . . . may explain his current hairstyle choice.

I swear the Cooks are cheestastic this evening. Let's see if David Cook can pull off "Billie Jean" like KLC did Lee Greenwood. Ok, he's doing an emo-induced version. He is re-working this in such a wonderfully cool way. Wow! I don't know what else to say . . . wow.

Randy thought it was a got joint! Paula can't sit down . . . for reasons we won't mention on a family friendly blog . . . Simon, thought it could have gone either way . . . He nailed it. Absolutely fantastic.

I don't know what else to say here. Just abso-smurfly-brilliant. He is oh so talented. And, he kind of lost the smugness :)

wow

A recap to follow.

Kristy Lee kicks it patriotic style . . . And, I do mean KICKS IT!

Ok, so KLC is up next and Rocker David is last. I am putting them together because they have chosen the most cheestastic songs. KLC is singing "God Bless the USA". This has the potential to be fabulously cheestastic OR drowning in Velveeta bad! Here comes KLC . . . I'm sort of nervous . . . because I have kind of learned to like her. Ya know, each season I find one person who is not going to win . . . who remains in the competition despite all logic . . . and they kind of become who I want to root for - not to win, but to root for. I kind of think that performance keeps her in the comptetition.

Randy thought she was a little pitchy, but in good voice. Paula, because she hates pretty blondes, thinks it wasn't her best performance. Simon thinks she was very good and that it was perhaps the most clever song choice he has ever seen.

I gotta agree. YOU GO KLC!

Lil David with the Great Big Voice

Lil David is up next . . . and . . . there is his girlfriend. She's adorable, but seems to be a might bit taller than our lil bit. Anyhoo, David A. is singing a song that I'm not sure anyone has ever heard of . . . . "You are the voice" by David Foster. He is in brilliant voice... absolutely brilliant voice. He has one of the most purely clean songs I have ever heard. Strange song choice for me, but it is hard to argue with that voice.

Randy thought it was a strange song, but that he could sing anything - in brilliant voice. Paula, again, didn't know the song, but thought he was brilliant. Simon hated it, and thought it sounded like something you would hear at a theme park.

Ugh. I did not love the song, but I heart lit David and his great big voice.

An aside, could be a brilliant move if David Foster watches Idol.

Aussie Mike and Irish Carly FLAT OUT ROCK THE HOUSE!

We come from a land down unda . . . next up is, Aussie Mike. A little bit of info from mum and dad! Singing, "We are the Champions". Starts off with a rockin rendition of "We will rock you" which merges into "We are the Champions". Not even gonna mince words here . . . THAT WAS ABSOFRACKINLUTELY AMAZING! He rocked the house! No one is even close. Potentially one of the best performances of anyone the entire season.

Randy thought he FINALLY connected with the right song. Paula was so struck by his performances . . . or something . . . to speak clearly (I don't blame her). Simon thinks he finally connected, and is the first time that he saw "star".

Nothing else to say. No adjectives can enhance how wonderful this performance was. Finally!

Ms. Carly is next with "Total Eclipse of the Heart". And once again . . . BRILLIANT! Not a lot to say here. She was on key and to quote the winner of Project Runway "THAT WAS FIERCE".

Randy . . . didn't like it, and thought she was off key at the end (Did Jason C. give Randy some of the skank weed tonight?). Paula thinks she was terrific (strangely, I have found Paula to be spot on, KLC not withstanding, for most of this season. Simon agreed with Randy . . . what is in that coke cup.

Ugh on the judges!

By far the best twosome of the night! Hands down!

Ms. White tickles the ivories . . . and is arresting!

We're back with sunshiney Brooke White. She is singing the Police classic "Every Breath You Take". A little misstep at the beginning. Just Brooke and a piano = POTENTIAL brilliance. I'm a big fan of the artist with the piano. I really really liked this performance. I think that she, once again, has such a great awareness of the boundaries of her voice.

Randy thought the first half of the song was great, but the back half of the song was a little old sounding. Paula thought that it was much better than last week. Simon thought the first half of the song was fantastic, but she should have stayed on the piano by herself the entire time.

Overall, I gotta say, I really loved this performance. I think it is interesting that they complained about her incorporating the band, but, as I recall, their complaint about Love is a Battlefield was that she didn't incorporate the band. I too would have loved just her and the piano. . . but that's me. I love the performer with just the instrument. Overall, great job!

And, break!

Mr. Ezie . . . is cheesy

And we're back with Ryan reminding us how and when to vote . . . and go.

Cue Chekezie Ezie! He is gonna kick yet another Luther song, "If only for one night". First impression: He's on pitch with the appropriate inflection of soul . . . but something seems a little awkward to me . . . can't quite put my finger on it. Mr. Ezie continued on in the same manner through the rest of the song.

Randy thinks he was kickin it old school . . . in a bad way. He thought it was boring. Paula thinks he upped the tempo, did a great job, and demonstrated the textures of his voice. Simon, thinks he sang it well, but it was cheesy... Chekezie ... he thought it was a copycat performance. Simon and Randy agree . . . finally.

Overall, it was good, but on the okay side of good for me. I might be hanging out on the island of unpopular opinion on this one.

And break . . .

The DredLocked Cuteness and The New Darkhorse!?

And we're back . . . I wonder if Ryan will ever be able to say the name of our country without using the aMERican pronunciation. Anyhoo, here comes Jason Castro . . . as y'all may know, I heart him and his "dreamy" eyes. Tonight he is singing "Fragile" by Sting

Ok, so, I don't think many people will know this . . . I went through a Sting phase in high school, so, I'm very familiar. Cuteness was mostly on pitch . . . occassionally he slipped, but for the most part he was good. Randy loves the song, but doesn't know if he did anything different to the song. Paula thinks he was safe, but is in his "niche". Simon thinks it was kind of a hot mess, and that he sounded kind of like he was strumming outside of a subway. Potentially a winner, but needs to take it more seriously. Jason, in his kind of cannabis induced looking state, can "kind of dig where he is coming from".

Overall, kind of a meh performance. He was on pitch, but kind of boring. I STILL HEART HIS GUTS!

Next up, Ms. Syesha. She is singing Stephanie Mills' "If I was your woman". Initial impressions are that she is in good voice, but WHY isn't she wearing a slinky dress to sing this song. This is a first for Syesha, in my opinion, SHE WAS BRILLIANT! IN-FREAKING-CREDIBLE!

Randy thinks it was HOT! And that he was "surprised" that she did so well. Paula thinks that America will remember this as the moment that Syesha turned it around and became the darkhorse. Simon disagrees and thinks that she has limits to her voice, and that this song stretched it.

Clearly, the best performance so far. Two weeks running, I have definitely been impressed. I think she rocked the house . . . but, girl, please think about your choice of song when picking your wardrobe . . . slinky and sexy would have made this performance absolutely perfect.