Haley has to open the show? Crap, that’s not good at all. I like her, but she’s too forgettable to be that early in the show. I can feel her leaving already, and I’m not ready for her to leave. Because, I like her. Whoa…”picture Simon not dressed.” It’s a family show, people! Family show!

OOOOOHHHH!!! BRITISH INVASION!!! I’m sorry. I’m excited about this. Last season TOTALLY should have had a Beatles night. Except the Beatles tend to be kind of restrictive with their catalog, so we might not actually hear too many (which is why they had to make it British Invasion rather than exclusively Beatles).

Haley Scarnato
song: Tell Him
original performer:

Sweet! She was confident, sassy, and with it. Absolutely the PERFECT song choice for her voice and style. (Not to mention a MUCH better costume than last week…) Very, very nice, and hopefully enough to keep her around. I may have to vote tonight. ;) Hee…Simon’s crushing on her still, no matter what he says.

Chris Richardson
song: Don’t Let the Sun Catch You Crying
original performer:

Well, the coach’s video comments aren’t exactly encouraging, are they? Well, I liked it. I think he got the melody in there just fine–of course, I haven’t heard the original. I wish he would be a little less nasally here and there, but overall, very nice. The arrangement was great, too.

Stephanie Edwards
song: You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me
original performer: Dusty Springfield

Nice. There was a tad bit of roughness, but I think it was intentional; her choices on the way to sing the song. But still, it was good. I still need to know what’s wrong with “cabaret” performances.

Blake Lewis
song:
original performer: The Zombies

Sexy! Oh, family show. My bad. Yeah, I don’t really have anything else to say. That was great. And I need to go, uh, calm down…. Interesting that tonight’s show is so great (so far) and last year’s 1950s night was the best night…clearly, there’s something about songs from the 1940s-1960s that’s better than current songs. Not in specific cases, but overall–I just think they have better and more flexible melodies.

LaKisha Jones
song: Diamonds are Forever
original performer: Shirley Bassey

Heh. Second week in a row of not taking the coach’s advice… And this is a James Bond song. I’m sorry, but that really amuses me for some reason. I’m loving the lights this year. I don’t remember the lighting design being so ubiquitous last year. I think she should’ve gone with the other song. I mean, she’s good as usual, but not “wow.” The little clip of Lulu singing “You’re My World” impressed me more, and LaKisha could’ve blown it out.

Phil Stacey
song: Tobacco Road
original performer: Nashville Teens

He’s trying a little too hard to out-Daughtry Chris Daughtry. Chris is better. But Chris isn’t in this competition, and that was a great performance for Phil. Great song choice, again. Perfectly in his range. Wait, what? Simon thinks he may be in trouble tomorrow night? I seriously doubt it.

Jordin Sparks
song: I Who Have Nothing
original performer: Shirley Bassey

She hasn’t got a boyfriend, but she’s wearing a ring…is she trying to scare them off? Really, really good. Totally felt that. She’s moving right up there for me. (Although, so far, I pretty much like everyone tonight.) Hee…Simon, the fact that you want to jump off a bridge means she did a good job. :p

The wild side of Sanjaya? I’m scared. Seriously. Someone come protect me.

Sanjaya Malakar
song: You Really Got Me
original performer:

Dude, why the inset of the little crying girl? Sanjaya, stop trying to dance. It’s a disaster when you do that. And they’re still on the little girl?! Should I know who she is? Well, okay, that’s probably the best performance he’s done. Not saying a lot, but yeah. A lot better than earlier ones. Um. I’m totally confused by the little girl. Is she just overwhelmed by being at the concert?

Gina Glocksen
song: Paint It Black
original performer: Rolling Stones

I’m gonna have to seek out some Lulu recordings now. :) I’ve only heard “To Sir With Love,” I think. Good song choice, again. See, they have no trouble picking forty-year-old songs…just contemporary ones. I think she needs to work on her breath control, and that sort of thing…she does fine standing there, but when she starts moving, she tends to lose her place a bit. But I do overall like her.

Chris Sligh
song: She’s Not There
original performer: The Zombies

Woo! Mic stand as weapon! :) Nice. I tell you what, I’m gonna expand my ’60s musical repertoire beyond the Beatles and the Beach Boys. Yet another hit tonight.

Melinda Doolittle
song: As Long as He Needs Me
original performer: (from the musical Oliver!)

Awesome song choice! I love this song. Even though, you know, in the context of Oliver! the character is talking about staying an abusive relationship, which I really don’t get behind. But beyond that. OMG, crying girl again. I’m getting actually concerned for her… And of course, Melinda’s awesome. She’s really got leagues more maturity and experience than most everyone else.

Predictions are really hard this week…almost everyone was good!
Best of the Best - Blake, Jordin, Chris R., Melinda, Chris S.
Going Home - Hopefully Sanjaya. I’d predict Stephanie and…Gina for the other two bottom slots. Now I’m going to throw a few votes Haley’s way.

Posted in American Idol, music, television