I missed the first five minutes of the show (was on-line with my telephone company), but I didn’t miss any performances. Tonight’s music: the tunes of Lennon and McCartney.
First up, Syesha with Got to Get You Into My Life. I wasn’t crazy about the arrangement. She sang it well though, so we’ll see how it stands up against the others. I thought the judges were right that she looked and seemed nervous rather than confident.
Chikezie was next up with She’s a Woman. Says he’s putting a "little funk on it." He did at that with the banjo and tambourine intro. Then he blasted out. Wow! How courageous. (I’m so glad he stayed instead of Danny.) The judges loved it, big time.
Ramiele came in with a more sedate and soulful In My Life. Pretty but no pizzazz. Judges called it "safe" and "boring." I agree.
Jason was next up, and I hoped he would do great with If I Fell. I liked it, but as I watched, I could already hear the judges saying "too safe" and "boring." (Yep, that was Randy and Simon; Paula loved it.) I think he’s going to have to "fire up" the performances now that we’re in this stage of the competition. Definitely good enough to make it through the judges say, and I agree. This kid is one of my favorites (and a blog reader says he has led worship at his church in the past).
Forty-five minutes into the show, we arrived at Carly. Her intro says she sings Come Together every week when she performs at home, so that was her choice tonight. She looked and sounded very comfortable, and it was a good song choice for her. Judges loved it.
David C. was up next, and he chose to sing Eleanor Rigby. He changed it up a lot, definitely rocked it. I figured the judges would love it, but I wasn’t connecting with it. Just didn’t impress me. Maybe I know the original too well. I came of age to Beatles music, after all. Yep. Judges loved it. (Paula rambled.)
Like Jason before her, Brooke chose to play an instrument (his was guitar; she was on piano). Her song choice was Let It Be. A good one for her particular voice. Too safe? I liked it although wasn’t blown away. Funny, the judges didn’t mention "too safe" or "boring" this time. Simon even called it brilliant.
Forty-five minutes left, and here came David H. He chose I Saw Her Standing There, one of the Beatles early tunes. I was about 11 or 12 when I first heard this song. I liked what David did, but I think Randy was right that it was a bit overdone (trying to do too much with a simple song). Simon really panned it.
Here comes Amanda with You Can’t Do That. She shouts it and I can’t always understand the lyrics. I really do not like her style/vocals. Nope, I didn’t like this at all, and I don’t care how often Paula declares how talented she is.
Michael doesn’t rock this week. He chooses Across the Universe and gives a soft, soulful performance. A little bland at the start, but I liked it. Randy and Simon both found it "sleepy" and "bland."
Kristy Lee does a country version of Eight Days A Week. Hmm. I’m a country fan as most of you who read my blogs about Idol know. This was not a good idea. And her ending was nothing short of atrocious, IMHO. I think Kristy is in danger, along with Ramiele. The judges universally disliked it.
Side note: Ugh. Could we stop this silliness of Ryan attacking and insulting Simon? And it is Ryan who instigates these exchanges. Not only that but it is terribly unfair to the poor contestant who is standing there while it is going on. It’s dumb and childish and does not add to the show at all. Somebody rein Ryan in because, despite the way Randy and Paula laugh and seem to encourage anything that tweaks Simon, it just makes Ryan look dumb and petty and idiotic.
David A. brings the show to a close with We Can Work It Out. I would say this was his weakest performance of the season. He said in the intro that he was really nervous, and it showed. Even some pitchy spots and some faltering on a couple of lyrics. Not bad enough to put him in danger, but not great. Judges pan it.
I have mixed feelings about this week. None of my favorites were stand-outs, but none of them were the worst of the night. I think Chikezie was the true stand-out this week. Going home tomorrow? Most likely Kristy Lee, although it could be Ramiele.
-rlh-
