The sun, the moon and the stars must all be aligned just right, because it was a night of good song choices.
When it came to guest mentors, the girls seem to have the advantage. Peter Noonen was well meaning, but Lulu did a groovy job of guiding our Idol-ettes.
Haley must have drawn the short straw; she went first. Whoa! Haley is a great example of a fairly talented contestant who makes it far enough into the finals to benefit from the wisdom of the guest mentors.
Lulu gave her good advice about delivery and she found a song that was just right. After tonight, she may be the McFever of this year's contest. Simon (I saw where you eyes were looking, Cowel) called her a "naughty little thing." Gotta agree with Randy-Yo!
Chris R. hasn't been a favorite of mine, it's not so much that I don't think he's all right in his range, it just that I think he needs a bigger range to be American Idol. He'd be perfect as part of a boy band--but not so much all alone. Still, another good song choice--I liked the Latin beat-- and Simon agreed, saying it's his best performance ever.
I was so hopeful when I heard Stephanie chose
You Have to Say You Love Me but I kept waiting for her to make it happen (same as last week). It felt like she held back too much for the first half.
Even when she let loose-it wasn't enough. Not her best-but clearly, she's got a great voice. Paula said she wasn't having fun, Simon thought she'd lost her edge.
Both are onto the problem tonight, she's lost that extra special something that has pushed her performances into the top tier in the past, but, given the chance, I think she can be there again.
You know, Blake's not quite my personal cup of tea (to stick with the English theme of our mentors du jour) but I thought he was right on, baby, in spite of some trouble in the high range (am I the only one who cringed a couple times when he reached for the upper notes?)
Time of the Season was a great chance to show off his funky, edgy style and it worked. Even Ryan was inspired...is he a Blake wanna-be?? Is that a sign of fame to come for Blake?
Kiki (Lakisha) made a poor choice when she didn't take Lulu's advice. Perhaps she was unable to resist the temptation of wearingmillions ofbucks in diamonds, but the jewels sparkled more than her performance, which will not live in our hearts and minds forever.
I felt like I was at a Bond flick, only without thesilhouetted naked chicks frolicking on screen.It lacked some of the passion she's brought in the past. But is she going home? I don't think so.
Who knew Phil could rock the house? Another good song choice-we should have revisited the 60's sooner-it was one good choice after another. Paula was sooo excited! Simon said he wasn't gritty enough. Whatever.
I actually think he pulled it off pretty well, but I have to admit, while the others are finding their place-their zone--I'm still not sure exactly what his zone is. And I'm not sure Phil is either.
Jordin: Wow! She may have sung
I Who Have Nothing , but she's definitely got something. Allow me to quote my husband, "That was pretty damn good." Ditto. I continue to love Jordin, but I didn't think she could win...maybe I'm wrong.
Sanjaya made a little girl cry?!? Not grief, but Idol Adoration tears! Will the agony never end? Please, we begged the TV, stop showing the little crying girl-enough already!
Sadly, I think he lost the grandma vote tonight. Honestly, I had to leave the room to answer the phone and returned just after the song started-I was...amazed at the song choice, but you gotta admit, the kids got moxy! He gets points for giving it his all in spite of great adversity.
Simon said the look on the little girl's face said it all....but maybe the look on Simon's face said it all. Loved the hug...but please, SEND HIM HOME! (Have mercy)
I'm hurt, Gina says she tries to ignore the bloggers. Gina! Even though it's not my genre, I'm a fan! I must concur with Randy, however, it was pitchy (one of his favorite descriptions but so often true) Edgy--I agree again, but it definitely feels closer to her vibe.
Simon made Gina cry--bad Simon! Have to say, I agree it wasn't her best, but at least she knows who she is. Okay, so it's not my favorite song to begin with, but I think I like Gina-herself-better tonight than I have before. And of course, there's that hometown connection. You go, Naperville-girl!
I agree with Randy, Chris S. had a rough start, mainly I think because he wasn't prepared for the adulation of the crowd. He was trying to SING, people, back away!
Okay, so once he got past the minor confusion of interacting with the crowd and playing to the camera, things improved. I don't think it was his best, or the best of the night, but not necessarily a bad song choice.
I liked Melinda's new "do", but I worried about her choice of a slower song, even though I like the song. How foolish I was to worry. It's Melinda, she can do no wrong...or at least, not much. (she's not the American Idol--yet). I agree with Randy: great control, great vocal, what a pro.
Who's going home? As I've said before, I don't think a guy will win, so I'm not worried about any of them (sorry Phil). Barring a sudden onset of common sense among fans of votefortheworst, Sanjaya is safe.
That means Haley, Stephanie or Gina (and throw in Chris S., if we must consider a guy) are all in danger. Who will go first? Flip a coin, it's just a matter of time. Top three: still looking at Melinda, Kiki (in spite the whole diamond diversion), and Jordin, in that order, for now.