The 6 sing Shania

Well I liked last night's show. It wasn't 15 hours long and the people left are all relatively talented and can sing. Shania is seriously so stinkin' beautiful,,, it's irritating actually. How can her face, skin, teeth, and hair be that perfect. Was she wearing the cutest outfit while she was mentoring them?? Loved the rolled up pants.. anyways   .. let's discuss the show:

• First up was Lee DeWyze who I think is finally gaining more confidence up there on the stage. I liked his version a lot! He changed it up just the right amount to make it sound like it was his song. He does pull some weird faces like Simon said, but so did Kris Allen. Kris Allen was a side singer,,, well he probably still is,, ha. Um, he will be safe.
• Old Big Mike was up next and though he did a good job, I still do not jump up and down for him. He'll be in the bottom 3 just mainly because he doesn't have as many fans as the other contestants.
• Casey James had his moment last night. I loved just listening to him sing,, without the guitar solo's and cheesy songs. He really is a talent and I am wondering why we haven't talked more about Casey this season. I hope he's safe.
• Crystal was up next and had the most 'alright' performance of the night. Nothing stood out to me and it was sort of like a regular old coffee house performance. She's still awesome and authentic, but it didn't get me going. I do understand that coming up with 12 performances for the season would be daunting.
• Aaron Kelly had a good night too. He still sounds a bit nasally to me and like his mouth isn't opening up all the way, but his performance was solid.
• Siobhan Magnus is bordering on the irritating/excruciating line for me. She was a little breathy in her performance, maybe cause she did a lap around the whole building while she was singing. Her glory notes were a bit off, but she did try with all her might.

Did anyone else think the judges were overly nice and pleasant last night? What was up with that? Maybe they got told to make the show more positive and uplifting since they have all been cranky for like a month. I don't know.
My Power rankings for last night's performances are:

1. Casey James
2. Lee Dewyze
3. Mike Lynche
4. Aaron Kelly
5. Crystal Bowersox
6. Siobhan Magnus

I think the bottom three will be Mike, Aaron, Siobhan with Aaron going home. This is really hard though, because he probably pulled on some heart strings saying he sung that song to his mom..... This is another difficult elimination night,,, should be interesting for sure!

Inspiring

So with 7 kiddo's left in the AI competition, it's coming down to maybe 4 that I can handle anymore. Alicia Keys said the same thing every usual mentor always says,,, "if they can just connect with the song and audience, they'll be golden",, blah blah. Obviously if people connect with the song it's better. Let's Discuss:

• Casey James did a cheesy fleetwood mac that will always remind of of the 92 campaign cause bill Clinton always blasted this at his democratic conventions and the like,,, however with Casey James, I did not mind it. Bad choice for the show and him,,,?,, yes... But I still thought it was a good performance. I want him to kind of bob his head and tap his toes or something, he's always just standing.
• Lee Dewyze was next and sang "The Boxer" - Paul Simon. I enjoyed this, he sang well, and he's singing with more confidence. He'll be safe.
• Tim Urban wasn't as bad as he has been. It was just ayight for me - quoting Randy. Better Days by goo goo dolls, don't know if it fit his voice.
• Oh sweet little Aaron Kelly,,, I have a message for you. Please do not sing power ballads sung by R&B folks in which R. Kelly most powerfully lifts his arms up as if to fly to the high heavens of all that is sleazy and perverted! I hate this song.... HATE. And what's even better,,, it was in Space Jam?!!? What?? Aaron is in bottom for sure, and if by chance he is still here, he needs to stick with country. His voice wasn't bad,,, the song just swallowed him up. I really don't like watching him sing either... he has this little sway thing that is off beat every single time. I'll give him something though, he was never off key and he hit the power note at the end.
• Siobhan is weird. She has just gone down and down each week. And although last night's performance wasn't dreadful, it was just too much. I think she has great vocal potential, and she will probably do just fine in the real world. It takes her 10 times longer than most people to answer a question that Ryan asks of her,,, which makes me mad because my DVR cut off the last number in GLee because Idol ran 4 minutes over. Siobhan might be in the bottom 3 this week. Not going home though. I'm still praying and hoping she can regain what she used to do.
• Mike Lynche sang a Chad Kroeger song and it just didn't work for me, because this song needs that grit and grut in the voice such as Chad's. Hero is a great song, love it. Mike played guitar accoustic, then the strings came in and lights flashed on during the chorus. I was entertained, but just didn't get the fullness of it.
• Crystal looked great in her long evening gown cut low, performed sans instrument, and sang a capella. Three new things to switch up for this week, and they all worked. She was in tune and way connected to that song. She cried at the end and I'm sure it was difficult since she does not come off as a way emotional girly girl. She is obviously the one to beat. She's your Season 9 Idol America.....

So my power rankings are:

1. Crystal
2. Lee
3. Casey
4. Mike
5. Siobhan
6. Tim
7. Aaron

I think it's Aaron's time to go. Tonight is a big night with the Idol Gives Back... I'm sure we'll have some memorable performances.

2 are gone!

Well I got one of them right at least... I thought Katie would still be riding high from her Let it be performance the week before... But Andrew's time did come up... Wow,,, so tonight we have the inspirational songs with  Alicia Keys mentoring. Idol Gives back is this week so there'll be some good performances from bona fide stars out there in Music Land.

Adam Lambert still blows me away. His performance last Wednesday of "whatya want from me" was soooo good. His vocals were right on and his showmanship was stellar..... I loved the lasers... ! Who does lasers anymore?? I loved it... and P-Diddy did strobe lights a few weeks before... It's like I'm going back in time to a Middle School Dance Company Concert....! Do you know what I mean? And on a side note, Kesha performed on SNL with Glow in the Dark Paint... How cheap is that? Ha Ha

I think Adam Lambert is one of the reasons we expect more out of these contestants this year. Every week he switched it up with style, staging, and musical genres.. He was so entertaining,,, we just aren't quite getting it this year. I'm looking forward to this week... And I already predict Aaron Kelly as going home.. Because I think the tween votes are getting split between Tim and Aaron ,,, and Tim is winning the contest.

Top 9 Perform,,, again!

Elvis night sure brought out some good numbers and a few stinkers. The show has improved this week and last week for me thank goodness, it was sorta starting to feel a little drab. Well what did we think of Adam Lambert,,,,,? I thought his advice was fantastic and honest. And the comment between Ryan and Adam about his tongue,,, um, ok,, that was a little too much Ryan.. You could hear Simon in the background with his brittish snooty accent,,, "Ryan,, Ryan".. on with the show.. Let's discuss:

• Crystal Bowersox of course did awesome, she has that gospel rasp and it ain't going anywhere. She will be safe. She's just who she is and she's confident with it.
• Andrew Garcia -  I didn't hate it as much as Randy, Kara, and Simon did. It didn't do much for me, especially singing Hound Dog,  but I thought he had fun, and he had more grrrr in his voice than he usually does. I think I prefer him with his guitar. He won't last much longer. This could be his week to leave.
• Tim Urban just shocked the pants off this old girl. Where has this kid been for 2 months?? Last week and now this week,,, he did a great job. He didn't end  in his head voice thought like Adam suggested.. I think he should have. I think this is his niche,,, It was heartfelt, real, and I loved what he did on the guitar with "I can't help fallin' in love". This was one of my fav's of the night, and I can not believe I just wrote those words. He has more confidence I think,, maybe that's the ticket. I thought Ryan dancing with that dude in the background was very distracting and rude. He should have given the attention to Tim during his performance, Ryan sorta bugged me last night anyways. He seemed a little cocky and over-zealous...did he drink 5 too many Red Bull's before the show? Is he on some of Paula's Crazy Pills?
• Lee DeWyze is just turning into one of my favorites,, I just wish he would perform more. This was his best vocal I thought, but like the judges and Adam said, he needs to smile, have fun, loosen up. A little less conversation was one of my fav's last night as well. I just feel like we don't who Lee is. Entertain man!
• Oh Aaron Kelly... blue suede shoes? There is nothing current or change worthy with this song. Does anyone sing about shoes these days...? Oh yes, J - Lo singing about her louibuittons (spelling botched),, and that song TANKED! Aaron is a little out of his league I think. He tried to switch it up and be playful and light, since he had been singing ballads all the previous weeks. He has no rhythm, can't dance, and looked awkward the whole time. I was embarassed for him, and that's saying something. I think he is in some serious trouble tonight. He is a country singer and will have a nice little start to his career in a few years. He still looks like a kid, needs to go through puberty first, then tackle the industry. Just my opinion.
• Siobhan Magus - yooo hoooo!! Where are you?? She is getting lost out there in AI land. Her lower voice is sorta sleepy and old fashioned, and then she breaks into this awesome belt voice and she is it! I just don't know how she can connect the two. She may be in trouble in the next few weeks if she can't pull out a show stopper. I like the song she sang, Suspicious Minds, just wished she would have done a more current version of it.
• Mike Lynche sang "in the Ghetto" with his accoustic guitar, just sitting down, and he did great. He did not deserve the bottom vote last week and I'm glad they saved him. I'm not a huge fan, but he's better than a few of the others.
• Katie Stevens brought it all out tonight. The attitude as usual is fake and teenagery, with the head jerks and side lip thing going on, but her vocals were good. She had more confidence. This may be rude, but she should not wear tank tops,,, does nothing for her arms! (I know I am mean) She sang well, but I don't know if she has enough fans.
• Casey James sang "Lawdy Miss Clawdy" which I have never heard before. I liked his vocal and thought he pushed it a little more than he has before. I do agree with Kara however,,, he can push it even more. How would he do without the guitar? Maybe he needs to do that.... I think that would be daring and applauded. And he needs to never let his hair down again,, until it's longer.. it's just too poofy and golden. Adam suggested he needed to build up to the main part,,, a little crescendo through the song.. I don't think he did a good job listening. It was slower, softer, mellow the first stance, then all the sudden it was on.. it didn't build.

So all in all, I thought a decent night for the kids. My power rankings are:

1. Crystal Bowersox
2. Lee Dewyze
3. Casey James
4. Tim Urban
5. Mike Lynche
6. Katie Stevens
7. Siobhan Magnus
8. Andrew Garcia
9. Aaron Kelly

Tonight Adam performs and two are going home... I'm pretty sure it's Andrew Garcia and Aaron Kelly.

Big Mike, Adam, and Elvis!!!

Well tonight is the night people.... Glee is back and ADAM LAMBERT is back.... I can't wait to see what he has to say to these sorry bunch of performers this season... OK,, that was a little harsh,, but honestly, was Adam Lambert not the greatest thing to hit Idol since sliced bread?? I can't believe they have never had another Idol back on the show either,,, I mean come on,, does Miley Cyrus know what it feels like to go through this process... Nope.. I'd love to see Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood back too! Can you imagine her on country week? Rumor has it that it will be Shania this year....

Well it's Elvis theme tonight and with 2 going home tomorrow, it is crucial that everyone brings their A Game..So let's talk about that save... I knew that, because of how well the underdogs did last week, a shakeup would be coming and boy was I right. I just couldn't say who was leaving which was odd. I didn't think it would be Big Mike though, I thought Aaron was leaving when it was just those 2 standing up there.

I'm kinda glad they used the save so that it is now out of the way on Results show night...I feel so bad watching those contestants singing for their life and getting the No answer,,, makes me feel depressed....

So stay tuned for my critiques on these 9 kids... and can't wait to see ADAM!!

Top 9 perform

I was pleasantly surprised last night with the idols. I felt like it might have been one of the best rounds of the season. I wasn't screaming and cringing (well most of the time) with the song arrangements or choices of the contestants. And that's a good thing Ladies and Gentleman. Let's discuss!

1. Aaron Kelly started off the show with another slow/serious ballad. I'm getting sick of these with him,,,,he needs to seriously put on a show next week if he's still here. The Long and Winding Road I think may have been a little too much for the country crooner. Here he is, some pre-pubescent kid, who is in some serious need of a shot of youth to prove to America that he is not one dimensional. He might be in trouble this week-
2. Katie Stevens had a really good night. She sang Let it Be which was also a great song for Season 7 alum Brooke White. And I'm thinking I may be leaning towards Simon with thinking that Katie should possibly go the country route. This may sound bad, but she just doesn't have the look, body, or personality to do the pop/r&b vibe.... think Christina/Fergie/Alicia.... you all know what I'm talking about. But if you think more along the lines of a younger Martina McBride/Taylor Swift/Shania Twain.....can you see it now? Maybe she'll really shine if they do a country week this season. This was her best performance of the season because I believed her.
3. Andrew Garcia had a great time on stage tonight. Last week really boosted his confidence making it much more enjoyable watching and listening to him. He sang Can't Buy Me Love and changed it up just enough to make it his. I'm not sure if I loved it because I love that song or if he performed it well. It wasn't bad, just alright.
   
4. Michael Lynche brought the dramatics again last night. It was a good performance of Eleanor Rigby but it wasn't my favorite. I just don't know if I like him as a performer and star. He's a great personality blah blah blah,, but do I want to see him up on stage or listen to him on the radio...? Not sure about this one yet. Some weeks yes, some weeks no.
   
5. Crystal Bowersox hammered out the old Come Together on her gee-tar and did a marvelous job as usual. Some crazy instrument apparently that I've never heard of, got a lot of attention from the panel. Let me look that one up - didgeridoo?- Hmm. Not sure that thing was necessary. She also seemed to have more fun up there on the stage and get into the post song Ryan/Simon banter thing that happens every show.
   
6. Holy Tim Urban Batman! Where the heck did this come from is what all of America and the judges are saying, as they scratch their heads in awe! He really did a great job of singing All My Lovin' with his electric guitar. The arrangement was right on and his vocals were right on. Oh dang it Oh man,,, now I have to say that I really liked this one. He didn't seem as uncomfortable as he has every other week this season, and it just fit. Hmmm, as much as it pains me I believe that he is safe this week. eeeek!!
7. Casey James you are my light! I believe this was his MOMENT that cemented him into this thing. This was his BEST performance and one of my FAVORITES of the season 9!! He was so raw and connected to the song and lyrics of Jealous Guy which I have to admit I am not that familiar with. Casey James is a star people and he just proved what he can do. No more 80's cover band comparisons or wedding singer type cuts. A real artist was shown! I loved it...!
8. Siobhan Magnus had an alright performance. It was a very difficult song to sing with the breathing, phrasing, and keeping it low key. Across the Universe was a bit sleepy to me, as Randy Jackson pointed out, but I still like her. She needs to have a stellar performance next week to bring her back into the game. I still feel Wicked Game was her best vocally.
   
9. Lee Dewyze tackled Hey Jude and did a good job out there. He was interacting with the crowd, smiling, and singing it quite well. However, the bagpipes?? Really?? What was that for and was it necessary? It may be something people will talk about around the water cooler, but for me, it was a little bizarre. He's having fun out there which is a nice change.
   

Well that's it for the kids this week. My power rankings for the Top 9 based on last night's performance:

• Casey James
• Crystal Bowersox
• Lee Dewyze
• Katie Stevens
• Michael Lynche
• Tim Urban
• Siobhan Magnus
• Andrew Garcia
• Aaron Kelly

This is going to be a difficult bottom 3 because there will be some newcomers to the bottom. Who will be eliminated? Man, I honestly don't know - because I feel that everyone up there has specific fans - So I am going out on a limb and saying that either Katie or Aaron will be going home. I think the save will seriously be contemplated tonight as well. We'll see.... chat tomorrow!

Results -

And Didi Benami has been asked to leave the dance. Honestly, she caved and crumbled! She is a way better artist than what she did on the show. I hope she can really tune into who she is and wants to be, cause I think she could have a chance.

Usher, Ruben, and Diddy performed.... Yes - all can go by the single name and be well known. Ruben it turns out has turned into a vegan and gotten way skinny. The song was so boring but you gotta admit that teddy bear is sure happy to be on stage. Usher was alright,,, not sure I'm liking the OMG over and over again,, Diddy I actually liked... took me back to my good old days in the late 90's..mo money mo problems is all I gotta say about that.

Well I nailed the bottom 3 again,, a thank you very much - but I think the vote for the worst campaign for Tim Urban is making him stay in the game. You know that he's not even taking the competition seriously at this point. He really doesn't want it, nor does he deserve it. We are sort of dwindling down on our really sucky people that nobody wants to see anymore... everyone left has a pretty good fan base... so I'm thinking Katie or Tim is gone this week,, and they haven't even performed yet! That's just what I'm thinking.

Stay tuned tonight for the Lennon/McCartney collection which they've already done... 2 seasons ago they spent 2 weeks on the Beatles. Chat later tomorrow!