We're down to the final nine and I expected a lot from the contestants with a week's worth of coaching from Tony Bennett (TB), the "King of Swing", but after watching Tony at work, I'm not so sure mentoring is his strong suit. Maybe they should have waited to bring him in to sing a duet with the winner.

First up, Blake sang Mack the Knife, Bobby Darrin's signature song. The combo showed off a very smooth side of Blake's alternative approach and I did like it, but maybe it started out too low key. Still, he built toward the end and it all pulled together very nicely. I'm finding every week that Blake proves a bit more to me that he really can sing--he's not all sound effects. (I'm saying that more and more!) Was it his best? Probably not, but he definitely didn't hurt himself.

Phil took on Cole Porter's Night and Day (I can't hear this without seeing Astaire and Rogers in my mind--but enough about Stars Dancing!) Paula said he reminded her of Frank Sinatra?!? Hey, I like Phil, but Paula, really? The little preview with TB came off painfully pitchy, but Tony really liked him (although we soon discovered that Tony really like everyone-which is one of the reasons we all like Tony, isn't it?!) Phil took the stage minus a hat! Couldn't he have worn a fedora? Or a top hat?? It would have fit the song perfectly. Maybe it's my TV, but I was having a Randy-moment, feeling "pitchy". None of the judges seemed particularly wowed by his emoting. Maybe that's it, Phil needed to punch up the emotion. These TB era songs are all about emotion, so you need to pour it on....and build to a finale.

Melinda sang I've got Rhythm--and she did! And she teared up when she chatted with TB! The song started sultry, not a side of Melinda we've seen before, then on to a frenzy, and then the big bang at the end. Wow...as usual. I wasn't crazy about the hair, but the look and the dress made her look "classic"-like the concerts at Carnegie Hall that they hold to celebrate someone's illustrious career. Melinda's barely begun and she's already a classic. Randy's right, she shows the others how to do it. Paula said her performances were a master's class for the others. Simon, apparently, is having a problem--he can't bring himself to criticize her. (Poor Simon) I think the judges just plain like Melinda.

Chris chose Duke Ellington's Don't Get Around Much Anymore. Early trouble with the words during his TB session didn't materialize on stage, thank goodness. But, as Tony told so many others, it's a story, really, so Chris needed to think about the tale he was telling. He got the words, but didn't really tell the tale. Like Blake, it was a contemporary spin on an old song, and the big punch came at the end. Along the way, I felt like he was passing time, waiting for the moment when he could make the song his, rather than making every moment his. Randy felt it was one of his best so far?? Really? Yes, hip and cool, Paula, but his best? What's Simon say?? Very good and believable...but one of the strongest? I'm just not feeling it, Dog.

Jordin sang On A Clear Day You Can See Forever which begged a tough comparison for those who recall Streisand-she hit this one out of the park. (I miss the days before Barbra went political, back when being supremely talented was enough.) TB complemented her on how in tune she was, and on her creative improvisation. From the start, Jordin took control of the song and the audience; she was feeling it and selling it. I'm sold. I love her more every week. Randy called her "The bomb" at seventeen! Paula christened her a "magnet of joy". Simon said she didn't make the song "young and current", but I think she did something more, she made it real. Young and current's great in the short term, but does it have staying power? When the alternative style moves on, something tells me Blake will move on and grow, so will Jordin...I'm not so sure about Chris.

Gina sang a favorite of mine, Charlie Chaplin's Smile. I don't know that I ever thought of 9-11 and Iraq in connection with it, like TB does...but it was Gina's chance to sing a good old fashioned sentimental song of sorts and her voice was very nice. Randy noted that it was the first time she tackled something this controlled. Simon said she was out sung by others, and I can see his point, but it's kinda hard to compare, when the songs are so different. Smile is a soft, almost sad song, so she didn't get to show-off with the really big notes. I'm worried that such an "old fashioned" performance--and I mean that in a good way!--will loose her her voting fan base who see her as the "alternative" girl choice. But they need to hang in there with her-these excursions into genres are part of the whole Idol experience-so if you love her but didn't love the song, don't give up.

Sanjaya. What can I say? TB called him "terrific"?!? His rendition of Cheek to Cheek (lots of Astaire stuff tonight-he's even wearing the white suit!) was very caberet--Simon, you didn't mention that, and you LOVE to call performances caberet. I guess you truly have given up on this kid. Sanjaya was getting into a groove, looking at the camera as if sharing a joke with all of us, "Isn't this funny, I can't believe I'm still here!" Neither can we. The crazy part is, we're all in on it! He even danced with Paula. Okay, other than that, not Idol material....but I suppose he's got another week or two in the votes. I think Randy's right, he's becoming an entertainer, a decent transition, perhaps, from annoying. Just a thought, Sanjaya seems to have exhausted all style possibilities for long hair (except ringlets!), and tonight it was a little shorter. Will his hair keep getting shorter still? If he were to actually win, would he be bald by then? At least there's that to look forward to.

Haley choose badly, I felt, with Ain't Misbehavin. TB said to just sing to one person and I didn't think she really sang to anyone. She changed tempos and keys so much; it felt messy and pitchy all over the place. Paula complemented her on how lovely she looked in green...when Paula talks fashion you know she's avoiding the truth. At least Simon faced facts, he called it "pageanty". Exactly.

Kiki picked Stormy Weather-a song you can't hear without seeing Lena Horne in your mind's eye (if you're old enough to remember Lena's signature song). TB recommended she sing it traditionally and avoid putting her spin on it. It's clear he generally prefers the traditional spin on all the songs...but the judges like the personal touch, so I'm not sure that's the best advice, Tony. Another "bomb" from Randy, Paula loved her look and Simon pulled out "sassy." Clearly, she deserves to move ahead in the contest.

Final thoughts: until common sense rules, which could take a couple more weeks of narrowing the field, Sanjaya will be with us (I predict a Dorothy Hamel cut next week) Meanwhile...I'd put Haley, Chris and Phil in the bottom three. We shall see!