American Idol Top 4 performances and results

Tonite, the final four contestants sang songs from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s list of “500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll”.

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David Cook – “Hungry Like The Wolf” This was good, but not one of his best. I love his voice, but to me, he didn’t seem to ever really connect with the song. I was kinda disappointed in this song choice…and something was missing in his performance tonite. Randy thought it was an ok choice and a solid performance, but just okay for David. Paula said David’s Hungry Like A Wolf left her with a big appetite, and that watching him grow and flourish was remarkable. Simon said he thought it was good but a bit copycat, and that it was good enough to get through another week.

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Syesha Mercado -“Proud Mary” I think she started out way too slow with this song, and then speeded it up way too much. It was okay for me, but not a standout performance. She seemed to be having a lot of fun though, and I like her much more lately than I have in previous weeks. Randy said what a difference a couple of weeks makes, and that she was in the zone. He thinks she’s heated up late in the competition, right when she needs to. Paula said she looked like a star, with a magnetic voice and presence on stage. Simon said it was just a bad, shrieky version, and a bad impersonation of Tina Turner. Syesha interjected that she “had fun”, and Simon said, “Good. I didn’t”.

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Jason Castro – “I Shot The Sheriff” I may be the only person in the country who thinks this, but I liked this. I thought it was very good, he was more energetic than I’ve ever seen him and connecting more with the audience, he looked comfortable and like he was enjoying himself. But, OH, did the judges ever HATE this! Randy said it was really karaoke and nothing special, and not good for him. Paula said that she had never seen him perform with more connection to the audience but she wasn’t crazy about the performance. Simon said it was “utterly atrocious, the arrangement was atrocious, the singing was atrocious”, and that he didn’t know what Jason was thinking in performing -this- song, a BOB MARLEY! song. Wow.

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David Archuleta -“Stand By Me” I totally knew David Archuleta would sing this song tonite. It was good, predictable, and sounded the same as he always sounds. Sweet, but not my favorite. The melody sounded a little weird to me at times. Randy said at least there’s one guy who hits the stage to perform to win it, it was “hot mad vocals, dude, that was hot!”. Paula said she admired the way he delivered, and that he took their advice and the advice of Andrew Lloyd Webber in (using his eyes to connect with the audience), and she thinks he’s “seasoned”. Simon said David could have “whistled a song and it would sound better than (Jason Castro’s) performance”. He went on to say that although David struggled a bit at the end, it was still the best so far.

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David Cook -“Baba O’Riley” A great, great song, and David did a good job with it. He sounded great, started out very slow and then rocked it. I love him, but still, I think something was missing in his performances tonite, I don’t know what it was, just something was off a little. I was very slightly disappointed with both songs, although he is definitely my favorite. Randy said this was more like the David Cook he loves, it was great. Paula said she just wants more David Cook, and thanked him for sharing his soul. Simon said, “Welcome back, David Cook”.

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Syesha Mercado -“A Change Is Gonna Come” It was good, not perfect but very, very good. I think this was one of her best performances so far. Randy said he loved her first song tonite but didn’t love this one as much. He said he didn’t love the arrangement and felt the song was “trying to be something it wasn’t”, and that she felt disconnected. Paula stood up and clapped for her, and said how Syesha orchestrated her vocals was beautiful. Syesha was crying by this point. I think she was hurt and shocked by Randy’s criticism. Simon said he agreed with Paula and that Randy got it utterly wrong.

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Jason Castro -“Mr. Tambourine Man” Still shaken up by the bus that ran over him after his first performance, Jason sounded pretty good with this, except for forgetting the lyrics once. He played guitar, and I liked his performance. I like him. Randy said he was not in the zone tonite. Paula said, “it is what it is. It didn’t blow us away”. Simon said Jason should pack his suitcases. After getting slammed last week for a song he hadn’t even sang yet, and now being told to pack his suitcases, I think it’s no secret that the judges want rid of Jason Castro.

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David Archuleta -“Love Me Tender” Good performance, sickeningly sweet and tender. Another night, another ballad. Really though, it was good, just not my preference at all. I just don’t like his sound. Randy said it was another good performance, the “hot vocals of the night right there!” Paula said it was one of her favorite performances from David, and that she felt his heart. Simon said he crushed the competition tonite.

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After tonite’s show, I think: 1) Jason’s going home this week, 2) David Cook was the only one tonite to sound “rock and roll”, 3) David Archuleta can sing sappy ballads, and 4) It’s obvious who the judges want to win. What do you think?

Update – May 7
After nearly 51 million votes, Jason Castro was eliminated tonite. This was definitely not a shocker. Even though it was expected, I’m still sad to see him go. But after the feedback he has had for the past few weeks from the judges, Jason was probably relieved to go.

Musical guests tonite included Bo Bice (one of my very favorite Idol contestants ever!) and Maroon 5.

Next week, the Top 3 have their home town visits.

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American Idol Top 5 performances and results

Top 5 with Neil Diamond

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Neil Diamond is the mentor this week, and the contestants sing songs from his vast catalog. The show was extremely rushed tonite, Paula was ridiculous, and I think this was the worst show of the season so far. They should schedule an hour and a half show when 5 contestants have to sing two songs each. Instead of commenting after every performance, the judges waited until all 5 contestants each sang one song before giving their critiques.

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Jason Castro “Forever In Blue Jeans”  I liked this a lot. He did very well, and his voice sounds so nice especially in his higher range. I enjoyed this performance very much. Randy said it was just okay. Paula said she “loved his lower register” but that “the second song, I felt like your usual charm wasn’t — it was missing for me. It kind of left me a little empty”, and then she said that “the two songs made me feel like you’re not fighting hard enough to get into the top four.” oh wait, Paula, he’s only sang one song so far…! After absolute silence for a moment, Randy says that she meant that only for Jason’s first song. Paula looks blank and then says “Oh my god, I thought you — I thought you sang twice!”
She was reading from notes she had written for Jason’s second song before he even sang it! Unbelievable. She needs to get it together. What an awkward few moments in the show, and I’m sure it affected Jason’s second performance.
Simon said Jason’s performance was forgettable.

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David Cook “I’m Alive”  This was pretty good, although I don’t think it was as good as some of his other performances. I loved his second song, and this one was just okay for me. Something was missing, he didn’t seem to connect completely with the song. I love David’s voice but I didn’t care for the arrangement on this one. Randy said it was very good. Paula said it was fantastic, and Simon thought it was just above average.

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Brooke White “I’m A Believer”  This was also just pretty good. I love Brooke, love her voice and her style and I think that if she would just loosen up and let go a little – - she would be awesome. She just looks so darn scared up there. Randy said it was better than last week but still a little karaoke. I don’t know what Paula said. Simon said it was a nightmare.

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David Archuleta “Sweet Caroline”  This was a mess. He sounded off key in parts, was all over the place, and I didn’t care for it at all. Randy said it was the bomb (what?!) and Simon said it was amateurish. Again, I don’t know what Paula said. She was really out of it tonite, even more so than usual.

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Syesha Mercado “Hello Again”  I didn’t care much for this song, and didn’t care much for her performance. Randy said it was nice and she had strong vocals. Paula (later) said her vulnerable side was beautiful, and Simon said it was forgettable and old fashioned.

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Jason Castro “September Morn”  Jason’s second perfomance tonite was also very, very nice. He’s easy to listen to and I liked it a lot. Randy said it was okay, just an “okay-whatever performance” and definitely wasn’t the best. Paula said it was safe and that he really needs to get out of his comfort zone. Next week she’ll be telling him he needs to get back to what he does best. Simon said “we don’t recognize you for the past two weeks”, that he struggled through both songs tonite and both were forgettable.

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David Cook “All I Really Need”  Great performance by David Cook. I loved this, and for me, it was the best performance of the night. He’s very, very good and he can sing anything. I really think he’s one of the best if not the best singer ever on Idol. Randy said he was a huge DC fan and that he rocked the house tonite. Paula said she was proud of David and that he was the only one who was able to pull it off tonite, and that she felt like she was already seeing the next American Idol. Simon said that it was brilliant, and that he made the song feel like it was written this year, and that it was smart and well done.

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Brooke White “I Am I Said”  I absolutely loved this performance. She has a beautiful voice and she sounded confident and relaxed during this, really one of the best of the night and the best by her in weeks. Randy said it was one of the tougher songs tonite and she did a nice job. Paula said something about how she had fun and then shows her vulnerable side and that it works. Whatever, Paula. Simon said he hated the first song but that this performance is the Brooke we like, it was a million times better, well done.

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David Archuleta “America”  When I heard it was Neil Diamond week, somehow I just knew that David Archuleta would choose this song.. It was better than his first performance but still, definitely not one of his better performances. His voice cracked at one point and I was disappointed in little David tonite, I didn’t really care for either song. Randy said that for a young man, David was in the zone tonite and it was another good performance. Paula said his voice was on point, she loves him, and that he was brilliant. Simon said it was a smart song choice, it “ticked all the boxes”, and was very good.

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Syesha Mercado “Thank The Lord For The Night Time”  Too much screaming for me in this one. I didn’t care for it at all, it was boring and I lost interest quickly. Randy said Syesha is finally realizing who she is and that he liked her “in this”. Paula babbled blah blah blah blah blah blah blah. I didn’t understand a word of it, but I think she liked Syesha’s performance tonite. Simon said it was a chaotic night and that Syesha is an actress/singer, and that she may be in trouble this week. He said it wasn’t a memorable second song like some of the others had.

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All in all, this was definitely not one of the better shows of the season. It was so, so rushed, that there wasn’t time enough to enjoy it and I felt stressed by the time it was over. Paula was so incoherent it was ridiculous, and the judges were way too hard on Jason Castro (I liked both of his performances tonite!) and as always, David Archuleta was over praised and over hyped.. Surely Syesha will go home this week. I loved Brooke’s second song tonite, so I hope she stays another week. After tonite’s fiasco, Paula Abdul is the one who should be sent home this week.

What did you think of the show tonite? Did you vote?

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Results, April 30
Musical guests were Neil Diamond and Natasha Bedingfield.

After more than 45 million votes last night, Brooke White is eliminated tonite. I was so sad to see her go! I loved her style and wish her much success. I know I’ll be buying anything she records.

The show was all about damage control for Paula Abdul tonite, and not a word of apology to Jason Castro. The show never addressed the fact that it must have been difficult for Jason to have to perform a song that had already been completely slammed by Paula before he even sang it. Paula is not the victim here.

Next week’s theme is rock ‘n roll.

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American Idol Top 6 performances and results

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Tonite’s mentor is Andrew Lloyd Webber and the contestants sang songs from his catalog of musical theater.

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Syesha Mercado, “One Rock and Roll Too Many”
This is definitely her thing. She had a great performance, the best from her so far for me. She looked beautiful, showed a lot of personality, and her voice was great tonite. Randy thought it was her best to date, Paula said it was good, and Simon said it was very sexy, one of her strongest so far, and she showed masses of personality.

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Jason Castro, “Memory”
Well, he sang this with a lot of emotion, he’s very charming, and I didn’t think it was all that bad.. but Randy said it was a trainwreck and was too big of a song for him, with too much melody. Paula thought it was a wise song choice and that in many ways he made it sound like a pop ballad.. or something like that. Paula babbled tonite, more so than usual. Simon said it came over as a young guy being forced to sing a song for a wedding that he didn’t want to sing and that he was miserable throughout the performance, and that this isn’t Jason’s type of music. No kidding, Simon.

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Brooke White, “You Must Love Me”
Brooke started the song, forgot the lyrics, and had to start over again. You know, I thought her voice sounded very good for most of this song, it was emotional and I felt it. But, oh the judges hated it. Randy said it wasn’t great and that vocally it was a little tough. Paula said she must never stop and start again like that (“it’s live television”), and that she was a great enough artist to pick up the pieces after this, and she liked that Brooke didn’t overact during the song. (?) Simon said it was dramatic, and that she was so tense her voice was straining by the middle of the song.

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David Archuleta, “Think of Me”
Mediocre and definitely not one of his best, and I think he forgot some of the lyrics again at one point in the song. Frankly, I find him boring and his voice grating sometimes. His tone is monotonous to me, and my attention wanders when he’s singing. I didn’t care for this, and I wish he had waited a few years before auditioning for American Idol, I just think he’s too young now. Randy said it was the bomb and that he is definitely the one to beat. Paula gushed that it was absolutely perfect. Simon said it was pleasant but one of his weakest performances to date, and that it was forgettable.

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Carly Smithson, “Jesus Christ Superstar”
Great performance by Carly tonite! Her voice sounded great, she showed a lot of personality and energy, and it was one of the best of the night for me. Randy said it was definitely good. Paula said she loved so much that it was unexpected and she loved what Carly did with the chorus. Simon said that although it was a little shouty in the middle, it was one of his favorite performances of the night. Simon seems to always throw in a little criticism for Carly, even when he likes her performance.

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David Cook, “Music of The Night”
Wow, this was fantastic! David definitely proved tonite that he’s more than capable of singing something other than rock. This guy can sing absolutely anything! This was the absolute best of the night by a mile. Randy said it was an amazing vocal performance, molten hot! Paula said this song proved how well rounded a performer David is and that it sounded fantastic. Simon, kind of raining on the parade and definitely stingy with praise tonite, said that he preferred David’s grittier side but that he made the best of the song he was given.

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My top three tonite were David Cook by a mile, Carly Smithson, and Syesha Mercado. Worst of the night for me were Brooke White, Jason Castro, and David Archuleta. I’m betting that the chosen one won’t be anywhere near the bottom three though, and that either Brooke or Jason will go home. I hate to see either of them leave. Or, if it works out the way it did last week with Kristy Lee Cook, then Syesha Mercado will go home tomorrow night. We’ll see. I’ll update this same post with the results tomorrow night.

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Update April 23: Well, this was definitely a surprise to me. Carly Smithson and Syesha Mercado are the bottom two, and Carly is eliminated. Too bad for Carly, I thought she was very good last night (and tonite) and has had a lot of really good performances, and I would rather it have been Syesha this week. At this point though, all of them are good and it’s hard to see any of them get eliminated now… it will be a surprise every week.

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Next week the mentor is Neil Diamond.

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American Idol Top 7 results

Bottom three were Syesha Mercado, Brooke White, and Kristy Lee Cook. After almost 36 million votes, Kristy Lee Cook is finally eliminated. Wow, this was kind of a shocker for me, since I thought she was better than usual this week, but I’m glad she’s finally gone! This is what should have happened weeks ago. Too bad so many others, including Michael Johns, went before her!

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Mariah Carey and Elliot Yamin were the musical guests tonite. Elliot was great, as usual.

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