Standards with Tony Bennett: Top 9

Time to start another evening of Sanjaya's hair...if he has a 'bowl' style, KFC will give him free KFC Bowls for a year...(read that on Ken Tucker's site from USA Today). Solid piece on Tony Bennett...Blake up first....
Blake, "Mack the Knife", solid performance from Blake, nice to see two slow to medium tempo tunes in a row from him, he's gettin into it, like the dance moves, nice on the close...Judges: Randy, very good way to start, perfect song for him, Paula, personified pizzaz, a hipcat, just cool, Simon, good choice of song, give him 7/10, band 8/10. Nice start to the evening from Blake.
Phil and Melinda next....
Phil, "Night and Day", another slowdown, which is good. seemed a little sluggish at the start, liked what he did with singing the song title, showing off some range toward the end. Nice job. Judges: Randy, interesting choice, sang it good, didn't feel any passion, Paula, reminiscent of a young Frank Sinatra, have more joy, Simon, had all the joy of somebody singing in a funeral parlor, completely and utterly gloomy and slightly dark.
Melinda, "I've Got Rhythm", slow and sultry from Mel, very comfortable on the stage, she's on all her notes, like the band tonight with her too, and back to the slow for the close, she's brought it home tonight, outta the park for Melinda. Judges: Randy, gives everyone a lesson in singing, this is how you do it right here, Paula, like a master class, Simon, thought the second half was fun, doesn't think they'll ever be able to criticize her.
Chris Richardson and Jordin up next.
Chris, "Mr. Saturday Night", good stage presence, good start to the song, he's singing with some emotion tonight, good close. Judges: Randy, came out with a vengence, very cool and young and hip, Paula, made it hip and cool, Simon, made it hip and worked out out very well, one of the strongest tonight.
Jordin, "On a Clear Day", she's on pitch, nice beginning, she's singing from the heart, like she's giving advice to a friend who is down. She seems very comfortable on stage, great note on the close. Wow! Look out for Jordin...Judges: Randy, we got some heat up here, that was the bomb again, Paula, you are this magnet of joy and you exude it on stage, I'm just so freakin' proud, I don't know what to say, Simon, thinks she sang it very well, but was very traditional and old fashioned. Jordin is one to watch in this competition, I've said that before and I'm sure I'll say it again. Gina and Sanjaya up next. I mentioned in the podcast about the 'rockers' this week on the show, what will Gina do?
Gina, "Smile", I like what she did with her hair tonight, she was singing with some emotion, but didn't get into it till about 3/4 of the way through. Not a bad song for her. Judges: Randy, that was a very nice controlled performance, Paula, a flawless performance, sentimental, Simon, had two other females tonight with better vocals.
Sanjaya, "Heaven", well, it's Sanjaya, he's very smiley tonight, ooh and he dances with Paula, well he's the one who's had the most fun tonight so far, he managed to pull off a rather solid vocal too! Judges: Randy, can't even comment on the vocals, turned into a great entertainer, Paula, I get why people love you, your charming, Simon, uh, lets try a different tactic this week, incredible.
Haley coming up next, which means Lakisha closes the show again this season and has a chance to top Melinda this week.
Haley, "Savin' My Love for You", liked the off stage start, shows she's comfortable, she's having some fun with the performance and is hitting her notes, another great female vocal tonight! Judges: Randy, fits her vibe, Paula, did I tell you green is a good color?, Simon, I think you've got great legs, a good style of music. Not a bad performance from Haley, if it was earlier in the night, I think the judges would have been more enthusiastic. Lakisha to close the show next.
Lakisha, "Stormy Weather", nice sultry start for Lakisha, great vocals. Judges: Randy, love this, saved it all for the middle and the end, Paula, sound beautiful, Simon, that was a sassy great performance.
Back with the recap in a few, a good night overall for everyone!