American Idol Top 10 performances

Tonite the theme was “songs from the year you were born”.

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Ramiele Malubay - (1987) “Alone” This was just okay, a little shouty, nothing special. Ramiele’s little girl act is getting kinda old to me. Randy thought the song was too big for her (I agree), it was pitchy and all over the place. Paula said she gave her a tremendous amount of credit for doing this song when she was sick (Ramiele evidently has been sick this week). Simon said it wasn’t as bad as Randy said, he thought the first part was okay and the middle of the song was shrieky, but thinks Ramiele will make it through this week.

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Jason Castro - (1987) “Fragile” I love this song. Jason played guitar again, and I thought it was a nice, low-key performance, but there was nothing “wow” about it. Randy said it was nice and pleasant. Paula said he stayed true to who he is and was playing it safe. Simon said Jason has had two bad weeks and it’s time for him to start taking this seriously. He said Jason is potentially a winner but won’t be if he keeps doing this week after week…

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Syesha Mercado - (1987) “If I Were Your Woman” I suppose this was good, if you like this sort of big, loud, ballad-type song. I don’t, and although I realize she has a good voice, she just doesn’t connect. Randy said it was a good moment for Syesha, the best she has ever sounded, stellar, and he LOVED it. Paula said this is going to be the moment everyone remembers that Syesha became the dark horse, it was pitch perfect, brilliant. Simon said it was the best so far, but wasn’t as good as Randy thought. He said Syesha has a limit on her vocal ability, and this song was stretching it.

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Chikezie - (1985) “If Only For One Moment” Chikezie has a good voice but this was pitchy in spots, boring, slow, and I didn’t care for the song choice at all. Randy said it was old school, he didn’t love it, it wasn’t hip and cool, boring.. Paula disagreed, said it was a good throwback, great job, amazing textures of his vocals. Simon said he thought he sang it well but the performance was cheesy, that he needs to show originality and Simon misses his personality.

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Brooke White - (1983) “Every Breath You Take” Brooke missed it at first and had to start again. She started out okay and then it was kind of all over the place. This was definitely not one of her best performances. I like her a lot, she’s my favorite of the girls, but I didn’t care for this performance. Randy said he didn’t love the arrangement, preferred her without the band, and it was just okay. Paula said she enjoyed this so much more than last week and that Brooke has her own niche and is consistent. Simon said he totally agreed with Randy, the band made it sound too old-fashioed, started out fantastic, and was definitely better than last week.

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Michael Johns - (1978)“We Are The Champions” This was great! I think this was Michael’s best performance so far, he sounded great, and the crowd loved it. Randy said finally Michael believed in himself, and this was the best performance from him yet. Paula said it was a moment, a shining moment, fantastic. Simon said it was the first time he had seen star potential, Michael got it right, and that it was the only memorable performance of the night so far.

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Carly Smithson - (1983)“Total Eclipse Of The Heart” This was pretty good, I liked it and think she always does well, she’s consistent… but sometimes I think she’s trying too hard. Randy said it was an interesting song choice for her, he liked it but didn’t love it, it was just okay. Paula said she loved what Carly did at the end and that she could do no wrong tonite. Simon said something didn’t quite work, that she was so tense and uptight that he didn’t enjoy it. He said she has got to lighten up.

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David Archuleta (1990)“You’re The Voice” This was one of the worst performances of the night to me. I didn’t like the song choice, it was blah to me. Randy said it was a strange song choice, but nice performance. Paula said he could sing the phone book and we (she) would love him, Simon didn’t like the performance at all, said it was reminiscent of a theme park performance with animated characters, and that he would be amazed to find that David chose the song for himself.

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Kristy Lee Cook - (1984) “God Bless The USA” This was not as crappy as her performances usually are, still not great though and I’m still wondering how she got this far in the competition. The song choice alone will probably get her through another week. Randy said it was a great song choice, she had a few pitchy spots but it was nice. Paula said it was a good song choice, and told her to watch the pitch problems. Simon said it was her best performance by a mile, and was the most clever song choice he’s heard in years.

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David Cook - (1982)“Billie Jean” WOW.This was absolutely the best of the night! Great performance, great, great voice, brilliant! I loved it, and would buy a David Cook cd right now. I think this was probably the best performance of the entire season so far. David is consistently awesome every week. I love this guy’s voice! Randy said David Cook is the most original and boldest contestant we’ve ever had, it was blazing, molten HOT. Paula said she was blown away, it was smart, brave, and David is willing to stretch the boundaries. Simon said it was brave and AMAZING.

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A couple of standout performances to me tonite: David Cook (a million times better than anyone else), and Michael Johns, who had his best night so far. Both these guys had great performances. The rest were blah to just okay. I think Ramiele, David Archuleta, Chikezie, and the ever-present Kristy Lee Cook had the worst performances tonite, and any one of them could go home (except David A and we all know he’s not going anywhere…), and Kristy Lee’s song choice alone will probably save her for another week, so that leaves Ramiele and Chikezie in the most danger I think. Jason Castro might be in danger tonite also, if he makes it through he needs to do something to stand out a little more… What do you think? Who will go home tomorrow night?

Results show tomorrow night, 9pm, Fox, one contestant voted off.

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Thanks for reading, your comments are appreciated.