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Access Atlanta > American Idol Buzz > Archives > 2008 > March > 25
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
3/25: Idol top 10 performance night, Melinda Doolittle in Atlanta today
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Things started a little shaky but this was a fun night.
Theme is songs from the year they were born. It ended up being a melange of very very obscure tunes and very very famous ones. Kristy Lee Cook, by the way, saved herself by embracing Lee Greenwood and wrapping herself in the American flag. Gotta admire smart song choice! And where did David Archuleta dig that song up?
As for tomorrow, the choice is easy for me: Ramiele went first, should go home and will go home. The others in the bottom three: Chikezie and Jason Castro.
My top 10 in order: 1- David Cook, 2- Carly Smithson, 3-Michael Johns, 4- Syesha Mercado, 5- Brooke White, 6- Kristy Lee Cook, 7- David Archuleta, 8- Jason Castro, 9- Chikezie, 10-Ramiele Malubay
First up: Ramiele Malubay (“Alone” Heart) — This is what you call an insanely stupid move. Pick a song that season four Carrie Underwood made her own, that was one of her best performances of the year, one that made me think, wow, this girl doesn’t even need to sing country and sound great. Then Carly Smithson sang it in Hollywood and blew it out, too. Ramiele was truly pitchy and just plain awful. Apparently, she’s sick, which didn’t help matters. Randy: “It’s a little too big of a song.” Paula: “I’m really glad America has heard you sing… you barely have voice right now.” Simon: “It wasn’t as bad as Randy said. First part of the song was okay. Then it got shrieky and shouty. After last week you managed to survive, you’ll get by on that performance.” C
Jason Castro (“Fragile” Sting) This was not a hit by Sting. It’s a very subtle, low-key tune. It fits Jason’s ouvre perfectly and he does fine with it. It feels very coffeehouse and probably won’t move the needle in terms of building his fan base. Randy: “I love that song… that was a very good choice of song. I don’t know if you didn’t do anything vocally different.” Paula: “You played a little safe in your zone.” Simon: “You’ve had two bad weeks. I think it’s time you take this a bit more seriously. Everything about it was too laid back and not in your own world.” B (Jason admitted his guitar playing was a little sloppy and that he could have practiced more!)
Syesha Mercado (“If I Were Your Woman” Stephanie Mills) This was not a pop hit either and was barely a top 20 hit on the R&B charts. In other words, way obscure. It’s not a terribly bracing song either but she sings it well with heart and conviction. Randy: “This is the best you have ever sounded to us. Stellar. I’m shocked. I’m lovin’ it!” Paula: “This is going to be the moment everybody remembers where Syesha flipped it and becomes the dark horse and sails on through.” Simon: “It was definitely the best so far. I don’t think the end was as good as Randy thought. There’s a limit to your vocals and that stretched it.” B-plus/A-minus
Chikezie (“If Only For One Night” Luther Vandross) Another truly obscure that didn’t even hit the top 40 on the R&B charts in 1985. It felt dull and ordinary. Randy: “It was boring, dawg.” Paula: “You did a great job with the textures of the your vocals.” Simon: “I think you sang it well. Having said that, the performance was very cheesy.” B-minus
Brooke White (“Every Breath You Take” Police) Phil Stacey sang this just last year and it was okay. I don’t mind her trying it because she’s nothing like Phil Stacey. She false starts (nerves!). She’s also back behind the piano, her safety zone. She’s looking a lot like Meredith Baxter with the straightened hair. It’s a beautiful rendition. I really got into it. Randy: “I thought the front part was pretty good. When you got to the bridge, I didn’t like the arrangement when the band came in.” Paula: “I enjoyed this performance so much more than last week.” Simon: “I totally agree with Randy. If you had stayed on the piano, it would have sounded much more cool. Good enough to keep you in for another week but you have to work this out.” (I liked it, even with the band.) A-minus
MIchael Johns (“We Will Rock You/We are the Champions” Queen) He was very competitive as a child. “When I was little, I thought I’d be a tennis player. Then at 15, music found me and I ain’t sad.” Will Michael ever smile when he sings? He’s perpetually deadpan. Vocally, he was top notch this time around until near the end when he sounded a bit strained. But overall, another good - not great - performance. Randy: “Finally, you believe in yourself and used that big old voice. Dude, that was the best performance since you were on this show.” Paula: “This was your moment, your shining moment.” Simon: “This is the first time with you I saw star potential.” B-plus/A-minus
Carly Smithson (“Total Eclipse of the Heart” Bonnie Tyler) She was named after Carly Simon. She had monstrous curly hair as a child. “I always wanted to be a pop star like Madonna or Kylie Minogue,” she said. I love this song so much. It’s so cheesy but for me, also totally ninth grade. It’s a great over-the-top tune for Carly’s pipes and her overly serious facial expressions. Bravo! Now would she ever smile while singing? Randy: “I liked it, didn’t love it. Wasn’t quite the right song for you.” Paula: “I loved what you did at the end. That’s showing you are willing to go out there and stretch yourself.” Simon: “Something didn’t quite work because you were so tense and almost uptight… you need to lighten up there.” A-minus/A (Wow—Randy didn’t pimp her out for once!)
David Archuleta (“You’re the Voice” David Foster) I have no clue what this song is! I don’t see any evidence it was even a single in 1990. It sounds melodramatic but he sings it with authority. Randy: “A strange song choice. If you can sing, you can sing whatever.” Paula: “We’re all trying to figure that out.” Simon: “I actually didn’t like the performance at all. It was reminiscent of a theme park performance. It’s one of those ghastly songs with animated creatures with you and everyone joins in together. It’s not you.” B-plus I just found some info on the song here. It was a hit in Australia for John Farnham in 1987. re-recorded by Foster in 1990.
Kristy Lee Cook (“God Bless the USA” Lee Greenwood) Kristy goes country and picks one of those signature patriotic tunes. You must stand and put your hand over your heart NOW! Must vote for Kristy! She starts really low key but picks it up nicely with the chorus. I can sense Simon throwing up in his mouth. This really feels like a country fair. Hey, she’s still far better than Haley Scarnato! Vocally, very very good. Randy: “It was a very nice performance.” Paula: “A very poignant, respectful song. To me, I’ve seen better performances but your voice is much stronger.” Simon: “Your best performance by a mile! That was the most clever song choice I’ve heard in years.” B-plus
In the pimp spot: David Cook! (“Billie Jean” Michael Jackson) He’s been strumming a guitar since he was two. He goes for an acoustic rock version of this classic. This is the Chris Cornell/Audioslave version — not truly “original” per se, people. People keep comparing him to Daughtry but I think he’s more versatile and has great stage presence. And better vocals. That note near the end was amazing. Randy “You’re the most original, bold contestant we’ve ever had. You might be the one to win the whole lot!” Paula: “I’m blown away. I can’t sit down!” Simon: “That was brave. It could have either been insane or amazing. I have to tell you it was amazing.” A
In other “Idol” news, here’s Melinda Doolittle’s appearance info Wednesday:
AMERICAN IDOL’S MELINDA DOOLITTLE TO VISIT KROGER IN ATLANTA ON MARCH 26 TO HELP CELEBRATE EDY’S AMERICAN IDOL SLOW CHURNED® ICE CREAM AND ATLANTA’S IDOL FANS
WHAT: American Idol star Melinda Doolittle will visit with Atlanta’s Idol fans, provide autographs and pose for photos at Kroger.
WHEN: 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 26
WHERE: Kroger, 3559 Chamblee-Tucker Road, Atlanta, GA 30341
