American Idol @ MindSay 
carrie underwood
However, one of my friends mentioned to me this weekend that he has trouble reading them because he is illiterate and the reviews are too long for him and his short attention span.
Therefore, just for him, here's my review:
3 songs sung by each singer.
3 singers.
3 rounds.
3x3x3 is 27. That's how many songs Paula will hear in her clapping head tonight.
For the rest of the human race:
I saw on Super Nanny this week that David Archuleta's Dad has been barred from telling David what songs to sing. Apparently, Dad's big idea of doing a medley of Kelly Osbourne-Ashley Simpson tune while wearing lederhosen wasn't a big seller on the Idol stage.
I will make this short. David Archuleta can sing. But the 3 songs he did tonight were forgettable. "And So It Goes", "Without You", "Longer". Perhaps David's Dad's idea would've been memorable.
Syesha's legs were the big winners tonight. Showing off her hot bod, and singing 3 sultry tunes, "If I Ain't Got You" (one of my favorite songs), "Fever", and "Hit Me Up", Syesha proves that she deserves consideration to be in the top 2. In my mind she's more interesting than the Troll Doll.
David Cook. It doesn't matter what anyone else did or will do. "The First Time ever I saw your face". Wow. That last power note. This is why he should and will win. Because he can affect and sing.
Watch it:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=kcGhzQZrhUk
He also sang, "Dare You To Move" and "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing".
My secret? I'm an American Idol junkie. I know, I know ...... truly sad, but true.
Last night the final three sang three songs ..... the first set of songs picked out by the judges. Simon picked Roberta Flack's "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" for David Cook.
I was flabbergasted ..... what in the hell was he thinking? Out of all the tunes to pick for this awesome rocker ..... seriously ..... was he nuts?
No. He was not. I love this tune ..... always have. I love it more now. Dude rocked this tune. Rocked it. Apparently Simon knew what he was doing.
Last nights performance. Enjoy. I did.
Peace. J.
My sources tell me that Tonight the 4 remaining hopefuls get to choose songs recorded by those enshrined in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
So song choice is everything. It'll show us what kind of stuff they'll shout out us if they win. Each gets to sing 2 songs (or by Paula's math 7 songs).
Here are MY PICKS for those idolators left:
David Archuleta
Elvis' "Don't Cry Daddy"
Beach Boys' "When I Grow Up (To Be A Man)"
David Cook
Earth Wind and Fire's "You Are A Winner"
Black Sabbath's "Eternal Idol"
Jason Castro
Aerosmith's "Dude Looks Like a Lady"
Van Morrison's "And It Stoned Me"
Syesha Mercado
Madonna's "One More Chance"
Jimi Hendrix's "Foxy Lady"
The actual songs chosen by the Fox Four actually are pretty representative of the genres that make up RnR.
New Wave: "Hungry like the Wolf"
Soul: "Proud Mary"
Reggae: "I Shot the Sherriff"
R&B: "Stand By Me"
Rock: "Baba O'Reilly"
Gospel: "A Change Is Gonna Come"
Folk: "Mr Tambourine Man"
Country: "Love Me Tender"
David David does Duran Duran (Which really confuses Paula Paula). Despite what Randy and Simon say, I like it. On his second pass the Cook of the House takes on the Who with less flattering results.
Syesha's Ike and Tina Revival is fun enough but her version of Sam Cooke is such a Change from where she used to be. Remember this is the girl that could get out of Whitney and Mariah's way. We didn't know, and she didn't know what kind of singer she was. Boy, a Change really did come.
What's left to say about Jason? He scores the best moment of the night when he states that they are a few songs on the list that he was familiar with. And so, this fellow who seems confused by a bathroom with 2 sinks picks 2 songs who's meanings are difficult to discern. I have know idea what Mr. Tambourine Man is about. I betcha neither does Dylan. Jason probably thinks it has something to do with a guy who likes tiny little Oranges.
The Golden Archuleta is steady as ever. He does nothing for me but there are 11 year old girls swooning. But to me he reminds me of a troll doll.
Prediction: Da ya gotta ask?
It's time for that Idol show
Tonight we have the final five
There's just 4 weeks left
So, who will survive?
Hello, Brooklyn's Neil Diamond
There's no more Carly from Ireland
She could've sang your "America" tune
But she was given the heave
And she's gone back to not wearing sleeves
HELLO!
Welcome one and all…I expect a very big night from the 2 seventies singer-songwriter types: Our little Miss Brooke and Stoner Jason. I also expect Syesha to do well as Neil Diamond's song are often gospel tinged.
Do ya wanna know how successful Neil Diamond has been?
It's surprising.
Only 5 other artists in the history of music (The Beatles, Elvis, Barbra, Elton, and The Stones) have more Gold, Platinum and Multi-Platinum albums than Neil.
Neil has sold more albums than Paul McCartney, Paul Simon, & Neil Young combined!
Ryan sez, Each Idolator gets to sing 2 songs tonight.
The big question is: Will Jason just think the second round was just déjà vu?
ROUND ONE: (ding, ding)
Jason performs "Forever in Blue Jeans" as if he's Duncan Sheik, or Michael Penn. Not bad but not as good as Will Ferrell's version… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LU9lnmUHSUE
ROUND TWO: (ding, dong)
Jason's second song is another mellow tune, "September Morn". Turn over the pillow, and go back to sleep, Jason. And turn on your Heartlight.
What reason is there to review Mr. David Cook?. He's wrapped this thing up already.
On "I'm Alive" he mimics Neil Diamond's phrasing so well, It's scary. Stop it, David. You are just showing off now. Just rest up.
As Ms. Paula Abdul starts to critique David after his first song, she says the oddest thing (well, not odd for Paula). She says to David, "The two songs made me feel like you not fighting hard enough to get into the top four". When it was pointed out that David has only sang once so far, she adds, "Oh my god, I thought you sang twice!"
"All I really need Is You" is David's second number (or the 14th for Paula) and it's typical David with a surprise falsetto at the end. Give the boy the prize already.
Brooke White. High hopes for Brooke. And yet I don't believe her on "I'm a Believer". Classicly Juice Newton but not in a good way, tonight.
And although her second vocal on "I am…I said" was much better, weren't the vocals forced? The autobiography from Neil, doesn't work for Brooke. Replacing the lyric "New York City" with "Arizona" was pretty bad, but using the 3 syllable "Arizona" instead of "Phoenix" when the words "New York" pop up a second time is worse. And then to top it, she knows the line "Lost between 2 shores" can't work for 2 states next to each other. I'm sorry to pick on this point, but this was just a poor choice. She am…she said, "bottom two"
David Archuleta. "Sweet Caroline" has been a hit at bars and sporting events for decades. Of course, David hasn't been to a bar (legally) yet, and his idea of a sporting event is Toy Story on Ice. Here's a version for all my readers that are Yankees fans: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VWa4GOAqTI&feature=related
Sorry, that was mean. Wo! Wo! Wo! So Good! So Good!
David was his usual pleasant, good and polishingly boring self.
For his second number David croons, "America".
TRUE STORY FROM TOOT'S LIFE: I once sang this song at a big box store's grand opening on a stage in front of dozens of confused and sickened potential bargain hunting customers.
Afterwards a panel reviewed my performance.
Randy told me that I was "just a'right. It wasn't feeling it. And trust me I wanted to."
Paula said, "Of the three songs you sang tonight the fourth one was certainly the best."
Simon said, "It was 'Orrible, and Amazing at the same time. I mean, you are a cross between Uriah Heep and the Dixie Chicks. It was impressive. Now excuse me as I throw up into Paula's cup…Can someone please call me a lorry so I can get out of this dump?"
I actually won 2 tickets to see Neil Diamond at the Meadowlands for my vocals. And then security escorted me (forcefully) out of the store.
Tonight, Syesha moves beyond the cloning she usually does. Her version of "Hello" reminded me of Kelly Rowland (from Destiny's Child). That's a fair assumption of Syesha. She'll never be a Beyonce, but certainly she can be a secondary singer.
Her second tune, "Thank the lord for the night time" was some good old Girl Grouping fun. Half 'Martha and the Vandellas' and half 'The Commitments', I thought this was a winner. Certainly better than Simon gave her credit for. And her dress was a success. If she is gone this week and Jason stays, I'm gonna not gonna Thank the Lord for the Nightime.
prediction: Jason and Brooke. Aww, Cracklin Rosie make me smile and kick off Jason
Idol has had the habit in the past of bring along mentors that could also the grandparents of the Idolators. Many of these previous mentors hadn't had a hit since Elvis was alive.
Today was different. Not only was this recording artist still prevalent, but she had just broken the record for most #1s by a solo artist. Mariah's 18 number ones in the US topped Elvis' 17 last week.
Mariah is probably one of the worst female role models in the world. Think about it. Here's a woman who is one of the most gifted vocalists of all time (In my book #3 after Whitney and Aretha). She is extremely talented – unlike most divas, she writes the vast majority of her songs. And she is naturally beautiful. So, why does Mariah need to come off like a high-cost hooker looking for Client #9? Am I right?
Tonight, a couple of songs Mariah didn't write start off the show.
First there's David Archuleta singing, "When You Believe". This Oscar winning theme song originally done by Mariah and Whitney was from the animated "Prince of Egypt". Incuriously, the song didn't chart in Egypt. Unsurprisingly, it went to #1 in Israel. Happy Passover!
Simon mentioned that he had a #1 hit with this song last December back in Britain. Simon was referring to producing the winner of the talent show, X-Factor: Leon Jackson. It's no secret that Simon wants David A to win this show. And now we know why. Check out these photos of Leon and David I found. Don't they look like the same kid?
I know gas prices are getting ridiculous but Carly needs to fill 'er up. Almost every week she runs out of gas before the end of her song. Tonight she sings the classic Badfinger hit "Without You" written by two guys who went on to kill themselves. Has Carly hung herself with this poor performance?
Each week Syesha has screwed herself by mugging for the camera and picking the most popular song in the artist's repertoire. Tonight, that has all disappeared with her cover of "Vanishing", I song I remember well from Mariah's debut CD. No mugging and a controlled version of a song most don't know. And she looks great, again. Maybe she's been reading my reviews.
The mismatch of the night. "Hero" – not the song for our little Miss Brooke. As simple as this song Brooke can't pull it off.
"Forever" is one of those plodding 90s ballads that Kristy lee takes and countrifies it with a fiddle or two. By next week a lot of people down in Arkansas will be hoe-dancing at their weddings to this song. Speaking of which…have you watched CMT's REDNECK WEDDING yet? Hilarious…especially check of Gail and John's shindig. It will remain with you "Forever"
The contest is over. As of tonight. I am declaring David Cook the winner. His version of one of Mariah's catchiest tunes "Always be my baby" seals the Idol prize. It's not his best vocal but it's done deftly enough that yeah he made it his own (I don't see any covers he could be copying). This shows that David can handle anything with skill and poise.
Prediction: Carly, Brooke, Jason. Stop squeezing the Juice…bye bye Brooke.
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