American Idol Report, April 15

Well, I was quite surprised and quite wrong last week when Michael Johns got sent home. Tonight is Mariah Carey night. I'm not sure she has a big enough catalog for the Idols to cover. Actually, that means I don't know her songs very well. Randy produced Mariah? I did not know that.


David Archuletta

When You Believe
He's one of those singers who shouldn't talk. Because he's really annoying when he talks. Are those pants leather? Is David turning bad boy? Nah. He's just playing dress up.
Well this song is perfect is for David. Very sappy and syrupy. He absolutely hits the “big notes” the best of all of the contestants. Wow, even a little falsetto. I have to give him credit for that. Very good job on the song, although I don't like its style. Grade: A

Simon probably made a good point saying that the men may have an easier time than the women because of the comparison factor. I say probably because I don't know enough of Mariah's songs. Does Mariah write songs? Or are they just doing songs that Mariah sang? Probably the latter, but I'm not positive.


Carly Smithson
Without You

I would think a rocker girl like Carly would have grown up hating Mariah songs. Well, this isn't a Mariah song, its a Harry Nilsson song. Its a good one, but can be overdone. So did Mariah have plastic surgery, if you know what I mean? I don't like her changes to the original. She's change some of the accents and emphasis. I'm not familiar with the Mariah version of this song, but prefer the original arrangement. I don't like her low notes on the slow parts. Grade: B-



Syesha Mercado
Vanishing

Ok, Mariah says she wrote this one. Syesha is the one who I think will fall prey to the comparison game. Although she's very pretty with beautiful skin like Mariah, she doesn't have the voice. Of course, I could be wrong. A lot of people like Syesha and I may be under-rating her. Cool beard on the piano player. I think Syesha is more of a print rather than an original. There's just a little bit missing. It was ok but I just can't love her performances. And I can't tell you why I don't. Grade: B.

Simon: I think David Archuletta has stolen the show and he's the one to beat.
Paula: And Syesha.
Oh come on Paula: Even if you love them all, they're not all going to win. Quit saying that everyone's an A+.
My daughter was in her first judged ice skating competition (great job, Ivy) and I asked her: who do you think is a more helpful judge? Paula or Simon? And she said Simon with no hesitation whatsoever. I learned that kids are competitive and when they win a trophy, they want it to be for being the best, not for participating. So Paula, its ok to think that one contestant is better than another. After all, there would be no show if all 100,000 entrants won.

Brooke White
Hero

Another singer who shouldn't talk. Gosh, she's annoying.
Another Mariah penned song. Just sing what you're feeling. Great advice. How do I sing that my knee hurts. Sitting at the piano is definitely better for Brooke that standing at the microphone. Just a mediocre performance as far I'm concerned. Kind of getting breathless at parts. Ooh, I heard a bad note there. She's just talking her way through it and it sounds like she's getting out of breath. I'm gonna give it a C+. Of course, I'm not a Brooke fan, so you have to keep that in mind.
Every ounce of you is totally authentic to who you are and that is so beautiful.
Tomorrow's question is what part of the hamburger was missing from that song? Simon says the meat, Randy says the condiments.

Kristy Lee Cook

Forever
Wow, Mariah is building up Kristy's performance in the pre song filming. Nice dress. I don't think she hits the low notes well. But the chorus sounds good. Kristy has really improved since the God Bless the USA performance. Verses are only so-so. Chorus is good. I may have to remove her from my “Who should go home” line. Grade: B
Wow, her frown says that she didn't like Simon's criticism much at all.
News preview is about the Pope's visit. Wonder who he wants to win.

David Cook
Always Be My Baby
Seems to be going for a Pearl Jam thing here. Like Kristy, he's a bit wobbly on the versus. He's also a little too subdued on the chorus. Now its getting better as he's going for some big notes. I think the arrangement needed to rock a little more, but his big notes saved it. Grade: B+



Jason Castro
I Don't Want To Cry
As I listen, without watching carefully, Jason sounds slight. His voice doesn't grab your attention. And he's doing the same arrangement that he always does. The breathy vocals backed by the gypsy sounding acoustic guitar. He makes over every song and every genre into the same style of arrangement. So to me, it sounds tired. Grade: C



I'm starting into my Reality Show withdrawal now. As the number of contestants dwindles, the show gets less interesting. And I get a little depressed about it. Next week we'll be down to 6 and I find half of them (at least) annoying. So its kind of bittersweet for me.
Does anyone know if Simon Cowell has ever met Gordon Ramsey? Now that would be a cataclysmic (spelling?) event. I don't think Great Britain was big enough for both of them, so they had to come to the US.


Rankings:
1. David Archuletta
2. David Cook
3. Kristy Lee Cook
4. Syesha Mercado
5. Jason Castro
6. Carly Smithson
7. Brooke White

I can't believe I have Kristy up to third place. But with the exception of David and David , the others have not risen to the occasion.
So Paula has heard 7 contestants and loved all 7. Guess in her mind, everyone's tied for first.

Bottom 3: Carly Smithson, Syesha Mercado, Brooke White
Who should go home: Brooke
Who will go home: Carly