Idol Thoughts Top 12(12-7) Week 1:Diana Ross Tribute Week

Alright, the “Fro Patrol” sign was clever…Sanjaya’s look tonight…a Perm? Perhaps he’ll have a Michael Jackson “Pepsi” accident and be bald next week. Nice piece on Diana Ross and off we go with Brandon.
Brandon, “Can’t Hurry Love”, great stage presence..like the look, fits the song. He seems like his tempo is off from the band. OUCH…forgot the words, or missed from the tempo..well looks like Sanjaya’s safe and he hasn’t even performed yet..BIG stage, something to get used to…Judges: Randy, forgot the words Paula: nerves, many things he does right Simon: complete letdown, very predictable version, dancing was terrible. No star quality, no originality…I feel I have to agree with Simon…Melinda next. But before, gotta love the Idol banter…
Melinda, “Home”, nice entrance, good stage presence, her notes are on, very soulful performance, great performance, we’ll see but that’s gonna be tough to beat. Judges: Randy, still really strong, was hot. Paula, feeling so much joy, so excited, this is it(need I mention Paula is falling apart. Simon, remind me of a young Gladys Knight, very good. Melinda seems shell shocked that she actually hit the notes that she hit and she sounded great. Again, gonna be tough to beat.
Chris Sligh, “Endless Love”, liked Diana’s thought about finding the melody. We’ll see..seems a tad nervous on the “big stage”..the arrangement of the song is interesting, managed to pull it through in the end I thought. Tough song for his ‘Rock’ voice. Seemed a little “show tuney”. Judges: Randy, not worry about the sound, was a mess. Paula, worry less about trying to fit into something contemporary. Simon, took song and turned it into a drone. Unemotional, uninspiring, keep the glasses…Gina next…
Gina, “Love Child”, good stage intro, on key, solid stage presence, liked how the band gave her some good mic time by bringing it down a little. Song fits her voice well. She did a solid job. Judges: Randy, it was pitchy, didn’t feel any excitement. Paula, feel good, much better than how she did tonight. Simon, wasn’t terrible or fantastic. Chose the right song for her, is a little forgettable….Gina did the right song for her voice, but seemed to play it safe, a good idea to get used to the crowd, but she shouldn’t do it too often. Sanjaya up next.
Sanjaya, “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”, well, seems like he’s grown up a little, but is struggling with the stage a little. Vocally he’s okay, nowhere NEAR Melinda..Judges: Randy, wasn’t very good. The hair is rockin, Hair idol he’d be great. Paula: you smile and it warms people’s hearts. Simon: when you hear a wail in Beverly Hills, that is where Diana Ross is watching this show. Very brave…it’s tough for Sanjaya, the guy is seventeen and I don’t think has come into his voice yet...Haley next…
I hope that Haley rebounds from the poor performance from last week. She is lucky to have a place in the Top 12 and I think she knows it.
Haley, “Missing You”, great song for her..could potentially be the best of the night. It’s an okay start for her, ouch, flubbed the words, not good. It’s funny what the big stage does to performers, the long note was nice. I’m disappointed with her tonight, she knows she could have done better. Judges: Randy, gave it a valued effort, sounded nervous, was pitcy. Paula, look lovely tonight, still adorable. Simon, didn’t think it was that bad, think she had real presence, looked like a star, nerves got the best of her. Thanks Simon for making Haley’s night. He’s spot on though, her best is yet to come, minus the nerves.
Six down, six to go Phil is next…back in a sec…