Stayin' Alive Without Fallin' Asleep

The night overall lacked an energy. The top performers of the night were Melinda and Jordin. Jordin's best performance of the season may have been tonight, "To Love Somebody".
Blake totally missed the mark with, "This is Where I Came In". Lakisha too had some issues with her songs tonight. It seemed like the toll of the season is getting to everyone. The bottom two(since three at this point isn't really fair). I agree with Simon in that it's Blake and Lakisha.
Since I won't get to a podcast for the wrap this week due to travel, I feel that Blake will be headed home tomorrow night, which will leave three ladies to battle it out for the title of Idol 2007.
Enjoy the week, we'll be back on Monday with a written preview for the Top Three with the podcast returning after the vote for next week's show.

Top 4: Barry Gibb, Vocal Coach

Wel, it's the BeeGees Night on Idol....two performances for each contestant...up first Melinda, "Love You Inside Out"...strong start to the night, loved the bridge..another solid start from Mel...Judges: Randy is yeah or nay, Paula can't figure out what to say, Simon said it was a backup singers performance, which is pretty dead on....
Up next, Blake, "You Should Be Dancing", kinda strange for Blake, the song never really took off. Judges: Randy, didn't like the beatboxing, Paula didn't like it, Simon, terrible. Not the best from Blake and playing with three women he should know better.
Third of the night, Lakisha, "Stayin Alive", she slowed it down.....interesting...vocal was solid, not sure I like what she did with the song. Judges: Randy, not impressed, Paula, thought it was a downer, Simon, verging on scary.
Jordin up next..."To Love Somebody," she was very comfortable on stage, the best performance of the night so far, and the judges agree. After the first four the Bee Gees are putting me to sleep.
Round 2 starting with Melinda. "How Can You Mend a Broken Heart," solid vocal, another master class, the second half was impeccable. Judges: Randy, much better, Paula, liked it, Simon, the second half should put you into the semi finals.
Blake up next, "This is Where I Came In", like the techno beat on the song, vocal is solid, but I personally don't know the song. I'm not sure that was the best song choice for Blake going into the Top Three next week. Judges: Randy, better than the last one, Paula, sang spot on key, Simon, don't know what that song was. I think Blake may be out tomorrow night. Lakisha up for seconds...
Lakisha, "Run to Me," good start for Lakisha on Round 2, nice to hear her voice, as opposed to the screaming in past weeks. Solid from Lakisha, liked the little squeak at the end. Judges: Randy, that was good, Paula, your still a champ, Simon, I think you and Blake are vulnerable tonight. Jordin up last, with not a lot of time for her.
Jordin, "Woman in Love," love the dress, she' s singing with the emotion in every word, she definitely did justice to that song...Babs would be proud. Judges: Randy, it was pitchy, Paula, I Love You Anyway, Simon, it was pageanty.
The recap in a few...not a great night on Idol, these guys and gals had great song to choose from. Barry Gibb, a legend in his own right and it missed.

Bon Jovi Night: Good Days, Bad Days, and NICE Days...

The night started and ended with a bang. Phil got the night started, Blake was amazingly original, and Melinda was vocally on par for the best performance of the night, Jordin did her best with what vocal ability she had, Chris had a little urban vibe going and Lakisha rebounded from last week, but will it be enough to keep her around for another week.
My bottom three, Chris, Lakisha, and Jordin. One will be safe and we will lose two tomorrow night. It is the point in the season where fairness takes a back seat to ability and you have to do your best every week, regardless of the theme and it may shock someone tomorrow night.
Who is headed home, the podcast will be up soon.

Bon Jovi Night: Top 5

Well, after a close call and might I say ratings saver, no one was voted off last week during "Idol Gives Back", which means more singing of Bon Jovi or Bon Jovi inspired tunes tonight...and off we go...
Up first, Phil, "Blaze of Glory", well he sounded good in the vignette. Phil starting out in the crowd with a great tune. Seems very poised tonight. One of the better performances of this season, nice to hear Phil's voice in his range. Judges: Randy, other than country week, your best performance on the show, Paula, you were living your inner kid up there, best opening we've had all season long, Simon, thought it was okay, didn't hear any authenticity, don't think you've done enough to last till next week. Phil did great and has enough fans now to pull him through next week, I think.
Looking forward to lots of filler tonight, with six performances and lots of extra time.
Jordin up next, "Livin' on a Prayer," Jordin has that total Pat Benatar rocker look on stage, but a little taller of course...she's trying to bring some emotion to the song, she would be doing a lot better moving around the stage and playing off the crowd, she tried to pull it together for the close. Judges: Randy, the verses were rough, wasn't your best, Paula, went for it knowing it was out of your range, Simon, it was like something out of the Adams Family, the singing was out of control, verging on shrieking at times, it was terrible.
Lakisha up next, and this may very well be her swan song. "This Ain't a Love Song," she's started well, looking for the big voice to show up, this is one of Bon Jovi's hit songs, but it's not as big as some of the others, the only problem is it's repetitive. She did a great job with it.
Judges: Randy, she's back this week, Paula, you did give everyone a little somethin somethin, Simon, I could kiss you after that. (and she did). Blake up next.
Blake, "You Give Love a Bad Name," I sense some beat boxing tonight...interesting start, I liked it...like the beat for the song..Blake sounds good, seens pretty comfortable, and he's kept with the main part of the song. He's totally put HIS personality into the song and I think he pulled it off. Judges: Randy, the award for the most original of a song ever on American Idol, that was hot, Paula, the biggest leap of faith, this was amazing, Simon, that was the right thing to do, took a massive risk, this is what is going to keep you in the competition this week.
A wow for Blake, that was awesome!
Chris next..."Wanted: Dead or Alive," Chris seems to have a Garth Brooks look in his eye tonight, he's doing okay, but the tune isn't really doing much for me, unfortunately. He didn't do anything really to make it his own, the complete opposite of Blake, which may send him home.
Judges: Randy, did your thing, liked it, Paula, turning out to be a great night, Simon, did as much as he could do. Melinda closes the show...."Have a Nice Day," well, it sounds like yet another vocal schooling from Melinda....and it is! Nice to hear a female vocal on this song, she's bringing some soul to this song. She's like a mini Tina Turner, nice job from Melinda. Judges: Randy, a great performance, liked the Tina Turner attitude, Paula, you were singing your heart out, your a rock star!, Simon, thought it was like a young Tina Turner, in a different league tonight.
Recap of the evening coming in a few....

Rockin' Out on Idol

Well, just a few minutes away to Bon Jovi night on Idol....I think Lakisha is really in trouble this week, regardless of song...we'll find out in a few minutes.....

Idol Gives Back: Emotion, Another Master Class and A So-So Fantasia Impression

Idol Gives Back kicked off tonight on Idol, with some great heartwarming looks at poverty in Africa and here in the States. The performances were inspirational, emotional and heartfelt. It was a great start to the night from Chris and it ramped up to the close of the season from Jordin and possibly the best performances ever on the show.

So, who is in the bottom three. After some great performances and down to six, it’s going to be tough to find a bottom three. Lakisha will be there this week for reasons explained and she did a song that is too fresh in the minds of fans of Fantasia. Big big mistake on that song. The other two…although Phil did a great job tonight and is starting to get some praise, I am afraid it may be too little too late for Phil, the other girls will be safe so that leaves either Blake or Chris. Blake was solid on “Imagine” and has built up more of a fan base over the past weeks than Chris, which should put Chris in the bottom three with Lakisha and Phil this week. Who is headed home? Be sure to listen to the podcast shortly…

Idol Gives Back Performances(Top 6)

Well it’s a night of hope and compassion with Idol Gives Back. Bono is mentor, should be a fun evening. Nice piece to open the show with Coldplay’s “Trouble”. Tonight with two numbers per contestant. Chris Richardson up first

Chris, “Change the World,” good use of his vocal range, he’s put in some of his personality, nice start to the night. He’s very comfortable, nice job. Liked the rise at the end…Judges: Randy, for the first time in a long time, that was great, Paula, you did fantastic, great song choice, Simon, kinda feels like the competition starts tonight, good vocal, more soul in it, did really well. Melinda up next.

Melinda, “There Will Come a Day,” once again, a master class from Melinda in the period of a few minutes. The band did a great arrangement. Nice to hear an urban vibe to a Faith Hill song. Judges: Randy, you have arrived, Melinda is here, Paula, there’s no one like you, your magical, Simon, it wasn’t a copycat performance, it really was a vocal master class. Blake up next.

Blake, “Imagine,” …my girlfriend just put a magazine over the screen so I don’t know if I’ll be typing correctly…forgive me if anything doesn’t quite look right from this point on…Blake has a cool look going into the song tonight. He kept to the standards of the song and did a nice job with the song. It’s a night of compassion, so do I dare say Blake played it safe…no, but I can think it. Judges: Randy, great choice of song, performance was alright for me, Paula, first real sensitive performance from you, enjoyed it, Simon, felt sincere, didn’t go anywhere, you sang it with sincerity. I agree with Simon, Blake picked a BIG and very well known song and its hard to do anything unique with that.

Lakisha up next, “I Believe”, from Fantasia, she started out well, it’s tough to not compare her to the original. I think Lakisha is in trouble this week. Judges: Randy, had some pitch problems, did like it, Paula, a powerhouse of a vocalist, hard time comparing it to Fantasia, Simon, it was very emotional, having an issue with the shouting.

I think Lakisha is in trouble of heading home this week. She’s been playing it safe for a few weeks now and I think it’s going to catch up to her.

Phil next, which means Jordin closes the show.

Phil, “The Change,” going for some Garth Brooks. It’s nice to hear Phil in his lower range, I think this is where he is at his best vocally. He’s comfortable and singing with some emotion tonight. Nice job from Phil, but is it enough? Judges: Randy, since last week your back again this week, nice vocal, Paula, feel like you’ve found your comfort, this was your best, Simon, I really like you, came back with confidence, good choice of song.

Jordin up next to close the show, “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” great vocal to start, liked the falsetto, she’s got some emotion in that voice tonight, solid vocal tonight, best of the night, nice close to the show. Judges: Randy, one of the best vocals ever on this show, in six seasons, Paula, picked an amazing song, very haunting, did a lovely job, Simon, well, unlike Randy I thought you were fantastic, brilliant.

A solid night by all tonight, but who is headed home…the wrap of the night in a few.