Farwell to Brooke

I am actually relieved to see her go! The girl was falling apart in front of us, and it just wasn't funny. I'm glad that she left being proud of the performances that she did and knowing that she is stronger than she thought she was.

Now about the group number??? What was that mess?!? Who had the bright idea to have DA sing "Pack up the babies and grab the old ladies and everyone go"! Too funny. And why was DC the only one you could really hear when he soloed, hmmmm.

Oh well, on to Rock-n-Roll week, looking forward to what should be some really interesting performances.

The Top 5 Do Neil Diamond

So tonight brought us the music of Neil Diamond and it was interesting to say the least. Here's what I thought of the performances:
Round 1

• Jason Castro - Forever In Blue Jeans - It was just there. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't great either.


• David Cook - I'm Alive - It was better than good, but somehow not all that I am used to getting from him. Although I do have to admit that as I listen to it while I am writing I like it more now than I did then.


• Brooke White - I'm A Believer - A little to frantic and frentic for my taste, but at least she managed a little smiling.


• David Archuleta - Sweet Caroline - Umm who thought this song would be a good choice for him??? The "pitchiness", strange phrasing just sort of ruined this for me.


• Syesha Mercado - Hello, Again - Wow, she can really sing when she isn't trying to over do the whole diva note thing. I am enjoying her more and more. Poor Sysesha this probably means she is going home.

So my top pick for round 1 was Syesha with David C. a close second. And lest we forget the disaster that is Paula, I really wonder what drugs she is taking and if there is any way to get some. I have some people I'd like to confuse.
Round 2

• Jason Castro - September Morn - This could have been great, but of course all of Paula's premonitions came true and it was in general very blah.


• David Cook - All I Really Need Is You - Loved it! I miss the big notes from him, but the music, the lyrics, the performance was all just so perfect. And we got guitar in both performances!


• Brooke White - I Am I Said - I liked it. It was sweet and vulnerable like all of her best performances. I wish I was more hopeful for her future in this competition, but I think she is more than ready to leave at this point.


• David Archuleta - America - Eh! It's not that it was badly sung, or even a poor song choice, I am just over the ballady, heart warming, Disneybot already.


• Syesha Mercado - Thank The Lord For The Night Time - Wow, I liked this one too. She really is coming into her own on the Idol stage, now the question is - is it too little too late?

And round 2 goes to David C. with Brooke and Syesha turning in memorable performances as well. Looking forward to tomorrow night and the results.

Top 2: David Cook, Syesha
Bottom 2: David Archuleta, Jason Castro

Bye-Bye Carly

Wow we say good bye to Carly as 6 becomes 5. I'm going to miss her, I didn't always like watching her but I always enjoyed listening to her songs afterwards. Next week it is Neil Diamond week and the contestants are doing 2 songs, should be interesting.

The Top 6 Do Andrew Llyod Webber

I must admit I have really been looking forward to this since the theme was first announced. I was definately a theatre geek in high school and just adore Webber's musicals. Overall I was not disappointed with the performances.

David Cook was my favorite of the night. A straight up performance of "Music of the Night" was the last thing I expected, and once again the unexpected was fabulous. Fantastic vocal control, tone, texture, and the boy oozes charisma.

David A., Carly, and Syesha all crowded in wanting to be second; but I think Syesha took it on pure surprise factor. I really liked her, she looked happy and alive, it wasn't a ballad, and she sounded great. David A. surprised by actually making a diva song work, and for making a broadway showtune sound like it could play on pop radio; although I was just a little disappointed that he didn't drift quite as far from his comfort zone. And thank you ALW for helping Carly find her comfort zone! "Superstar" was the perfect song for her, and even with some lyric flubs she was fun to watch on stage.

Brooke and Jason wrap up the pack and I will put Brooke last just because I think the poor girl is actually ready to go. Jason delivered another boring, uninspired performance that left me wondering just how long his looks can keep him in this. Poor Brooke, she didn't perform horribly after the restart; but who gets 2 restarts in one season. During the judges comments I wondered if she was going to throw up and then flee for her life, perhaps it would be better if she had.

top 3: David C., Syesha, David A.

bottom 3: Carly, Jason, Brooke

Top 7 Do Mariah Carey

So my expectations for this night were not high, too many times we have all heard the judges warn against doing Mariah and now the producers have backed the top 7 in a corner and put the diva gun to their heads.

Surprise, the guys delivered solid performances. David A. was predictable but note perfect and not hard to watch. David C. blew me away and I just know that I will be listening to that performance for hours this coming week. Jason started and ended good, which made the strain on his voice in the middle a little less noticable.

Now for the girls, can we say train wreck. Carly could have been good, if she had just managed to let go, I like her despite this and keep rooting for her breakout performance. Syesha overstretched herself once again and totally missed the mark. Brooke tried to reach beyond herself and fell kind of flat but not so much so that I have stopped loving her, I am still amazed at how much I like to listen to her between shows. And then there is Kristie, I swear that this was one of her best performances and I know that should mean something, but it doesn't I just want her to go away so that we don't lose anymore good contestants.

Top 3: David C., David A., Jason

Bottom 3: Kristie, Brooke, Syesha

IGB and Spring Break Don't Mix

While on one hand I am glad I didn't have to shuttle my daughter off to bed a little early 3 nights in a row in order to watch IGB having her here 24/7 doesn't leave time for much else. Not that I really wanted to write about this disaster of a week.

The Tuesday performances were overall uninspiring. I love David Cook but the whole arrangement fell flat and the only uplifting moment was the message on his hand. Carly and Michael gave decent vocal performances but the performances left something to be desired. Syesha is once again do a combo performance this time trying to blend Diana & Fantasia ~ NOT! Both David A. and Brooke delivered solid if boring and predictable performances. And Kristie and Jason, yeah they were there too.

Wednesday night started off fun and I had no real delusions about what most of the show content was going to be; but that didn't stop me from being just a little bit annoyed when they started trying to shove religion down my throat in the process.

Tonight the catastrophe continued with a replay of last night's most blatant religious pitch and then some more heart wrenching clips of children in desperate need. Then in an amazing twist the first five out are safe, go Cookie, and Michael, Carly, and Syesha are left hanging in the wings. What possesses America to leave the likes of Kristie, Syesha, and Jason while dumping Michael I don't think I'll ever understand. Till next time.

Good Bye to Ramiele

I really am sad to see Ramiele go, she has a lovely voice; but I think that people miss the voice because she lacks stage presence and confidence. I am absolutely shocked that Brooke was in the bottom 3, we listen to her performance alot in our house. Well until next week...

AI Does Dolly Parton

Well, Dolly was just as sweet as she could be and I can't imagine that she was any real help in the development process for the contestants, as she had not one single negative thing to say. Brooke got cheated by the judges as her performance (excluding inappropriate smiling) was better than the judges gave her credit for, and no one really had time to enjoy poor Michael's performance as time was running out. Syesha truly has a death wish trying to blend the worst of Dolly & Whitney to make a truly jumbled version of "I Will Always Love You". My guess is Syesha or Ramiele will go home just due to lack of support.

Top 3: David C., Michael, Brooke
Bottom 3: Syesha, Ramiele, Jason

Songs From Their Birth Year

In general I would think it was a wise move to pick fairly well known songs since they are at least 16 years old by the time you are singing them, but at least 2 people picked songs I've never heard before?! I liked Ramiele & Syesha, and except for a few minor things felt that Carly & Brooke did well also. Kristie deserves mention for being beyond smart and choosing the ultimate patriotic country song to almost guarantee her a few more week in the competition. Michael was great for the first time in just about forever and then there was David C.! Wow, thank you Ryan for pointing out that it was Chris Cornell's version, who cares David killed it and gets extra brownie points for doing it at the end of the show.

Top 3: David C., Michael, Syesha

Bottom 3: David A., Chikezie, Jason

The Top 12 & Songs From Lennon & McCartney

It was a strange night, I thought most of the contestants did well but unlike the judges I really enjoyed the performances that were closer to the originals. Brooke was fantastic and Ramiele was note perfect. Chikezie sounded good but looked a little like he had taken dancing lessons from Taylor Hicks. Amanda was shouty and mumbly as usual and Kristie didn't really pull of her country version of "Eight Days A Week" but she did get my attention. Poor David A. I feel so bad for him, it was obvious from the beginning that he was uncomfortable and once he lost the lyrics he just never got ahold of the song again. I'm not to worried for him at this point though as he definately has the popular vote, my guess is Syesha has had her last chance.

Top 3: Brooke, Ramiele, Chikezie
Bottom 3: Kristie, Syesha, David A.

Top 8 Girls Do The 80's

I don't think the 80's were as kind to the girls as they were to the guys, but overall it wasn't a bad night. Kristie totured "Faithfully" and Kady was way out of her league with "Who Wants to Live Forever", but the rest (even Amanda) had good performances. Brooke surprised me once again with how good she was, it was a smart song choice and she owned it.

Top 3: Brooke, Ramiele, Carly
Bottom 3: Kristie, Kady, Amanda

Top 10 Girls Do The 70's

So, it wasn't a great night; but as a long time Idol fan I have heard worse. There's seems to be an almost universal problem with singing softly, and pitchy was the word of the night. The only performance that was utterly and horribly awful was Amanda, just a nightmare, she really is so much better than that. And Kady came close with a song she had no business singing. My only other biggie is that Brooke and "You're So Vain" are NOT meant to be together. She may have the right voice, but no one singing that song should be bouncing, smiling, and annoyingly happy! I really liked Kristie, she surprised me with how well she did tonight.

Top 3: Alexandrea, Kristie, Ramiele
Bottom 3: Alaina, Kady, Amanda