American Idol Season 6 Elimination Round 1 - The Women

Can we say last night was about 1,000 times better then Tuesday. The difference between the women and the man is tremendous. Naturally they all didn't blow my socks off but then I am a tough critic. There wasn't has much drama last night either which was a good thing.

I also managed to get 100 votes in last night with the majority going to the contestants I thought were the best.

On with my comments about the performances:

Stephanie Edwards - "How Come You Don't Call Me Anymore"

Stephanie brought it home, she was a great start for the evening. I loved her outfit, the shoes were spectacular as well. She seems like a natural born performer, she was working the crowd. She has a very nice vocal tone although she had some serious pitch problems I think she overcame that issue with just downright awesome confidence and she clearly has a sexy playfulness about her.

Randy - you set it off, it was a little pitchy, but the conviction was there and the run at the end, wow

Paula - what a performer, you are a star, amazing

Simon - a million times better then last night, your best performance, good song choice, terrific performance, you came out saying I want to win

Amy Krebs - "I Can't Make You Love Me"

From high to low, poor Amy she was out of her element. Her outfit sucked, the dress was hideous. I didn't like the tone of her voice and she started out rough and her transitions weren't smooth at all. She was stiff as a board to, she looked so uncomfortable out there on the stage she made me uncomfortable. This was just bad!

Randy - middle of the road performance, safe song, didn't work

Paula - I agree with Randy, we liked your bluesy R&B feel, song wasn't a good fit

Simon - problem is that I can remember you, when you sing you have the personality of a candle, you need to stand out

Leslie Hunt - "You Make Me Fell (Like a Natural Woman)"

Leslie had a very bland outfit and I hated the boots but she has a beautiful face. In addition her song choice couldn't have been worse, I have said before don't pick a song a previous American Idol has done so well in the past, Leslie can't match what Kelly Clarkson did with this song. Her body movements were awkward and distracting. I like the quality of her vocal tone and she had absolutely great enunciation but she was off key quite a bit. She was rough at the beginning and her transitions were shaky. She did rally with the note at the end but it didn't help her much overall.

Randy - I was hoping for greatness, song was a little too big for you, if you take on Aretha you have to sing the heck out of it, it was just okay

Paula - did a great job, watch the song choice

Simon - it wasn't great, you are a nice girl but you looked embarrassed, like you were out of your comfort zone, you looked like you didn't really want to be there

Sabrina Sloan - "I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)"

Sabrina took command of the stage and this woman rocked, she has one hell of a good voice and she knows how to use it. Her performance was stunning and she had me on my feet swaying to the beat. I think she was a little off on the high note at the end but I will forgive that given the rest of the powerhouse performance. I hated her outfit though. This is the best performance so far this evening.

Randy - we finally have a competition, way to put it down, hot

Paula - standing ovation

Simon - the judges are criticized for their comment at this stage but you just proved our point, you were taking part, genuine talent, best so far

Antonella Barba - "I Don't Wanna Miss a Thing"

Poor Antonella, it appears tonight you don't want to an odd number because we have this seesaw going between high and then low performances. Let us once again talk about song selection, why would you take on a song done by a group, hello! This performance was a fumble from the beginning. I didn't like the choice of starting it sitting, it didn't work. It started out rough and it didn't get better. The woman could even get the melody right on the chorus. Her diction was atrocious, I couldn't understand half of what she was saying. This is a rock ballad but yet there was no power to it and she couldn't hit the money note either. It was a train wreck from start to finish.

Randy - it wasn't good, pitchy, bland

Paula - it wasn't great but it wasn't bad (Excuse me!) you did have pitch problems, need a better song choice

Simon - good news is you are attractive, bad news the performance did work, the song was way, way too big for you and you damaged your chances of sticking around.

Jordin Sparks - "Give Me One Reason"

Okay my odd/even theory is proving spot on so far, Jordin rocked the house. I like her, she has a wonderful, positive, personality and what a truly winning smile. She has great confidence and ultimately she has the vocal talent to pull it off and given time she will do great things given she is only 17 and a junior in high school. Jordin was an energetic performer and she has a great vocal tone. There were a couple of flat notes but she hit the high note at the end.

Randy - unbelievable talent, you can do it, there is no song too big for you

Paula - great song choice, sounded tentative at first, you had fun - go for it

Simon - I have seen a big change in you, agrees with Randy you have a good voice, your song choice is terrific and if you push yourself I think you can really surprise people

Nicole Tranquillo - "Stay"

Nicole performer number 7 failed to measure up. I did not enjoy this performance and although I am being repetitive her outfit sucked as well. These contestants desperately need my help as a stylist. This vocal performance was unremarkable and she was totally off key for the majority of the song. Nicole also had enunciation problems, I just could not understand her the majority of the number and if I am listening to a song I want to hear the lyrics clearly. Nicole is another singer who shouts or screams rather then letting the melody carry her voice.

Randy - it wasn't working, I didn't feel it, it was rough

Paula - I am impressed by the notes you hit, it wasn't the right song but you can sing

Simon - it was indulgent, aggressive, looked fake, unnatural and over-rehearsed, you can sing but song choice is important

Haley Scarnato - "It's All Coming Back to Me Now"

Haley finally broke my odd/even theory. Do these contestants never pay attention to prior seasons, you just can do Celine Dion, it never works and Haley tried but failed. Haley though had a hot outfit and she has good performance skills but the vocals weren't spectacular which they have to be to attempt Celine. Haley could not hit the high notes and I think her voice was cracking at the those same notes. Haley also needs a lesson in breathing skills because if you don't have the breath you can't hit the power note baby. However, she does have a nice vocal tone when she was on the melody.

Randy - just okay, good song choice because Haley has a Broadway-ish voice, didn't do anything special with the song

Paula - nice job but was hoping for a different song

Simon - you sounded 40, it was like being at the final number at a reasonably good hotel performance, too old fashion, you have a good voice

Melinda Doolittle - "Since You've Been Gone"

Melinda, wow what a surprise. This was one kick ass performance, there was energy and the girl can work the crowd, oh baby! Melinda was having fun and what a fantastic soulful voice. Every part of this vocal performance worked, she was spot on and I understood every word clearly. I was swaying to the beat and she had my feet a dancing.

Randy - you proved it, you blew it out, what confidence, you are a natural

Paula - you are a frontrunner, a fire cracker

Simon - over two nights, he has seen people with little talent and a lot of arrogance you are the exact opposite, incredible singer

Alaina Alexander - "Brass in Pocket"

Alaina is not in the same league as some of the other women. This was just another horrible train wreck. Alaina does not have the vocal control for this song, she doesn't have the range to make it work. She was incredibly sharp for most of the number and she couldn't get the power notes. Her performance skills were not too shabby, there was passion in her performance it is just sad her vocals didn't match.

Randy - it really wasn't great, a little pitchy, didn't do anything different with the song

Paula - didn't make the song your own, you didn't go for it, I didn't feel it.

Simon - you kept singing "I'm special" but you aren't. you shouldn't have picked it, you are not a bad singer but right now you are going to have to rely on your looks not your voice

Gina Glocksen - "All By Myself"

I personally really like Gina and she does have a great voice, it has a really rich quality to it but I am not sure this was the right song for her but I really liked the arrangement. She had some problems with the high notes throughout but surprising the ending note was truly amazing. Her performance skills are good, she was confident and having fun. The crowd really liked her and she can play to the camera.

Randy - when you started I wasn't sure it would work but you surprised me, you have a big voice

Paula - you picked the right son for your voice

Simon - you showed us a different side, I don't think you hit the big note

Lakisha Jones - "And I am telling you I'm Not Going"

Lakisha brought last night's show to an unbelievable ending. The woman can sing, she was one very powerful kick ass voice. Lakisha's performance actually gave me chills and it takes a lot to impress me. Every other contestant paled in comparison, she took command of the stage and knocked this number out of the ball park. My only concern was breath control but she hit those high notes even with that problem. She had me on my feet and I was singing along with her. Lakisha was with out a doubt the best of the evening and compared to the men she is right now the front runner to go all the way.

Randy - I do love you, you laid it out

Paula - you have so much to be proud of, you belong here

Simon - to correct someone earlier on, THAT was the right note. I am tempted to tell the other 23 contestants to book their plane ticket now and head home, Lakisha you are in a different league from everyone else


My prediction for the two eliminations for the women are without question Amy and Antonella with Alania just a bit behind. There is no doubt the two singers going home will have their names start with an A. If there are any surprises it could be Leslie or Nicole.

Until tomorrow!