American Idol 6 - 4/10/07 or rather Passionless Latin

Well it was a truly uninspiring episode of Latin music last night. There were several great vocals but except for Blake their was no passion in the Latin genre. It was Blake's show last night, his was the best performance.

I had rehearsal last night so I watched the episode on tape. I still managed in an hour to get in 140 votes using two phones. I voted 30 times each for Melinda, LaKisha, Jordin and Blake. Haley and Phil got 10 each and he who should not be named got the big zip.

I have to admit I actually liked Jennifer Lopez last night and with one exception I thought her suggestions were worthwhile to the contestants. Now if they had only listened?

Fox started the show with their constant plugging with the cast of their new show "Drive" in the audience. I also laughed out loud at the sign "Shake n' Blake"!

On with my comments and predictions:

Melinda Doolittle - "Sway"

I adore this song and Melinda looked absolutely gorgeous last night, love the hairstyle, the dress was perfect although it should have been shorter. The necklace, earrings and shoes added to the whole ensemble. Melinda's vocals were absolutely spot on, perfect pitch, total control and clearly a great performer. The problem was she didn't feel the passion, there was no energy. Her words were talking about moving to the passion of the music yet she was stiff and her arms were ridge against her body. There were practically no dancing at all. There was no connection between the body and the music. Overall great vocal performance, boring performance.

Randy - another solid performance but not your best, I liked your Cecilia Cruz vibe

Paula - very smooth and sultry, subtle, sexy and beautiful

Simon - I didn't like it, this song is about personality and it was lounge-cabaret, no wow, it was lazy, wooden, the ending was good

LaKisha Jones - "Conga"

I have to say first of all I hated that dress, it was totally unflattering like they had to squeeze her into it and LaKisha doesn't have to sell her assets. The shoes were killer though and LaKisha could both move and sing at the same time. Clearly LaKisha was out of her element but she like Melinda she gave a pitch perfect vocal and her enunciation was wonderful. I heard every word. The problem again rests with there was no connection between the music and her body. While I give LaKisha chops for doing all the moving around especially in those shoes it wasn't in step with the rhythm of the song. I think this would have worked better if she had just stood and sang and perhaps "swayed". Overall great vocal, lackluster performance.

Randy - you came out had a good time, fun, you made it your own, hot

Paula - you look lovely but I didn't like it as much as Randy, I didn't feel it, it was safe, now is the time to bring out the very best

Simon - I agree with Paula, you were having fun, I am not sure the audience at home was though, the dancing wasn't good, not great

Chris Richardson - "Smooth"

Chris did not choose the right song. I understand why he did but this song is owned by Rob Thomas and no one will be able to do justice to the song. Tonight was the first night where I did not like Chris's vocals. I hate to be cheesy but there was truly nothing "smooth" about them. I am not sure what the problem was, partially I think it was the key, part of the problem is the lower register, and the band was frickin' too loud so he had to strain to be heard. The very first few lines and the ending were fine, every thing else was not. His cheesy movements were stupid as well. Loved the outfit though, he was looking good, he just wasn't sounding good. It was not a top 8 performance.

Randy - you did a very, very good job, the runs were cool (my god what was he listening too)

Paula - it was a hot, hot performance, sexy (Paula he is too young for you, reign it in)

Simon - it wasn't the best vocal but if felt more contemporary, good performance

Haley Scarnato - "Turn the Beat Around"

Why oh why do they year after year let people choose this song. It was a great disco song, Gloria Estefan made it Latin and American Idol contestants butcher it. Haley looked like a slut and every week her shorts get shorter. The girl knows how to sell her assets and perhaps she will have a bigger career as a hooker because singing his not in her future. The girl also couldn't walk and sing at the same time. The only great thing about this performance was the background singers were louder then Haley so she was drowned out. Her enunciation sucked along with her pitch, she ran out of breath more times then I could count, I was surprised she didn't faint. Those hair extensions were stupid. I had to listen to Vickie Robinson to get this mess out of my head.

Randy - for me, keeping it real, it was really karaoke, I could have gone in to any bar and heard it, I didn't feel it at all

Paula - this was not a singer song, it was a fun song, you had fun (Paula just say it, she can't sing)

Simon - very good tactic of wearing as little clothing as possible is working for you, you can't win based on your voice so all you have is being fun, the vocals were rushed, couldn't understand any thing you had to say (yeah Simon!)

Phil Stacey - "Maria, Maria"

Phil poor Phil. I was not digging the outfit. I HATED the jacket and it so clashed with the shirt. I guess everything doesn't go with jeans. Heaven help us. Phil's vocals were so flat it was scary. He looked like he was in pain for the whole song. Phil was not connecting with the music, there was no heart or soul in this performance. We won't even go into how bad the ending was. Total disappointment.

Randy - not your best, I agree with Jennifer, you didn't connect with the passion in the song, boring, you have a good upper range

Paula - good vocal except for the end

Simon - you are a nice guy, good choice of song, there was no originality, it was flat and lifeless, your voice cracked at the end, not excited about it at all

Jordin Sparks - "Rhythm is Gonna Get You"

Loved the outfit, she was hot, hot, hot. Jordin had the same issues as Melinda and LaKisha. A totally controlled vocal, pitch perfect, enunciation perfect but there was no passion in the rhythm. Now I think Jordin succeed better the my other ladies with respect to movement but it was staged, not naturally flowing from the music. Great vocal though! The best so far this evening.

Randy - absolutely wonderful, great, you got it no matter your age, the "yo factor"

Paula - authentic, out there having a good time

Simon - it was just okay, you are a good singer but there was no progression tonight

Blake Lewis - "I Need to Know"

Blake chose the perfect song and he so listened to Jennifer's advice. His outfit was perfect for the song, he was looking good. Once again Blake wisely chose to stick with the music and not put any real improvisational runs. Blake actually connected with the song, there was passion, his movements were in the rhythm and his vocals were spot on perfect. It was a flawless performance and truly the best of the evening so far. I think this was his Idol moment. To quote Jennifer's advice he was so trying to pick up a girl. This is the only performance which got me out of my chair dancing to the music.

Randy - best song choice of the evening, hot performance

Paula - very smart performance, excellent choice of song

Simon - best choice of song tonight, best performance so far

oh my god, they left he who should not be named to the very end - heaven help us all - "Besame Mucho"

S.M. looked ridiculous, it was lackluster and I did not enjoy the choice of his sitting. I don't want to be crass but will be because there were times given how he was sitting and some of the harsh expressions I thought he was sitting on a toilet taking a crap. His vocals weren't there and I don't know if he was truly singing or not because the band was too loud and he was totally mumbling the entire thing, I didn't understand a word and it isn't just because I don't know Spanish. There was also no passion in the number, he was not connecting with the song. The fake (yes I say fake) mustache and goatee were ridiculous and did not help in trying to butch him up. I will say it again, it was like a bad high school talent performance and the overly tacky pandering to the camera totally ruined the performance for me. I so wanted to go vomit after watching it.

Randy - you are the smartest contestant, it was actually really good (oh heavens put me out of my misery)

Paula - very, very nice

Simon - I couldn't understand a word of it, you sang like a 14 year old, it wasn't horrible


Given the total lackluster performances by everyone I am not sure it is a question of who will be in the bottom 3 but who shouldn't be there. It was such a crazy night.

The bottom 3 will be interesting but I am going to predict Phil, Haley and he who should not be named although I am also on the edge of a another surprise appearance by Chris and even one of my favs like LaKisha.

Unfortunately given that he who should not be named was given the money spot I don't think he will be eliminated. In fact only once has it happened where the performer with the money spot was eliminated and it was to Anthony in Season 4. S.M. will be sent back safe.

My prediction is that Phil will be heading home tonight.

Until tomorrow.....