American Idol 6 4/3/07 "The Standards"

Time is flying by and there are only 7 more weeks of Idol left of Season 6. Last night we had Tony Bennett spending time with the contestants. I am not sure he had much constructive criticism for the contestants but oh well.

I had my first play rehearsal last night for the play I am directing so I had to watch the show on tape, which is faster because I could fast forward through commercials and useless banter. I only had 50 minutes to vote but I managed 95 votes on two phones and yes once again I voted for everyone but he whose name should not be uttered. LaKisha, Melinda, Jordin, Gina, Blake, and Chris got multiple votes from me.

On with my thoughts:

Blake Lewis "Mack the Knife"

Blake chose the right song for this theme, it fit his style perfectly. I really liked Blake's ensemble, it was good for the song as well. I really enjoyed Blake's performance, he started out slow but he kicked it out by the end. While there were some pitch problems at the beginning it was in the right key, he was connected with the music and band and he knows how to cover, he doesn't freeze if there is a problem. Blake's enunciation was great as well. I understood every word which is important for songs with lyrics. Blake was definitely getting the audience pumped. I liked the arrangement and how Blake was able to bring a modern feel to the number.

Randy - very good, I love your cool jazzy vibe, perfect song, some pitch problems but you worked it out, I liked it

Paula - you showed pizzazz, it was hip, cool

Simon - good choice, good performance, I would give it 7 out of 10, the band 8 out of 10.

Phil Stacey "Night and Day"

Poor Phil having to come out after such an energetic performance was not good. I was so happy Phil actually dressed up for the occasion and had time to get his clothes pressed. I liked the song choice and overall Phil did a good job with the song. His vocals were actually pretty good, it was a bit rough at the beginning but he found the center and hit all the big notes. The problem is there was no fun or joy in the performance. It lacked energy. It was just plain boring but I was impressed by Phil tonight based on the vocals.

Randy - interesting choice, sang it well, hit the big notes but there was no connection with the song, no passion

Paula - you remind me of a young Frank Sinatra but you still need to have more joy, warmth, just not only in the chorus

Simon - "Which Frank Sinatra are you referring to?" I think it had all the joy of someone singing in a funeral parlor, it was dark, gloomy

Melinda Doolittle "I Got Rhythm"

I just have to say that while I liked the dress itself and the color, the actual design with the shoulder material leading into a belt type design around the middle was terrible, it made Melinda look pregnant. I did like her hair tonight. This was a great choice of song for Melinda and she performed it well. I have to agree with Simon the beginning was not good and there was a couple of times that the band left Melinda behind but the second half was out of the world. Melinda is just a great performer.

Randy - what I love about you, is you come out and provide a lesson in singing, this is how you do it America

Paula - it was a master class, there was a beginning, middle and end, it was flawless

Simon - I didn't like the beginning, it was a bit cabaret, the second half was great, it was fun, you showed personality

Chris Richardson "Don't Get Around Much Anymore"

Another great song choice and his ensemble was great as well. I enjoyed Chris's performance. I thought his vocals were good, he does have trouble with the lower register but he stayed within the middle tenor key for the most part so there were only a few issues. Chris was working the audience and the up-tempo beat was good because it kept the audience engaged. Vocally the men are doing well tonight.

Randy - you came out with a vengeance, one of your best performances this season, hot, very cool, young and hip

Paula - no compromising, you were yourself, you made it cool, great eye-contact, best performance bar none

Simon - very good, very believable, you made the song sound hip, one of the strongest performances of the night

Jordin Sparks "On A Clear Day"

Right here, right now I am going to say I think Jordin could go all the way and actually win this competition. This was another stellar performance, she totally blew me away. It was the best vocal of the evening so far, bar none to quote Paula. Jordin is so controlled, every note, every facial expression is flawlessly and effortlessly produced. I got chills. I will be paying to download this song and video so I can enjoy it in the future.

Randy - we have some heat going on tonight, fire, it was da bomb, it was controlled, you are a pro and at 17

Paula - you are a magnet of joy, hip coo, I am so "frickin" round of you, I love you

Simon - you sang very well but it was very old fashion and traditional (I totally disagree with you on this one Simon which is pretty rare - I thought it was young and vibrant and a better version than Barbra Streisand which had been my favorite until now)


Gina Glocksen "Smile"

I adore Gina but tonight's performance was not as perfect as last week. I did not like her style tonight and it distracted from the message of the song. Mr. Bennett explained the song to America. Gina was in control of her vocals and overall did well although she struggled with the key change and there were a few flat notes. My real problem is there was no joy in the performance, Gina smiled on a occasion but this is a song about someone urging others to share in their happiness and I was not feeling it, I was feeling sad. I didn't feel she was connecting just going through the motions.

Randy - very nice controlled performance

Paula - flawless, understated, beautiful and sentimental

Simon - can't rave about the vocals because others came before and out sang you.

Sanjaya Malakar "Cheek to Cheek"

Did I miss that this was disco night, I think John Travolta wants his Saturday Night Fever outfit back, come on. I don't even know why I waste my time commenting. To use a song from earlier in the evening, watching Sanjaya and the rest of the group is like Night and Day. Everyone else is in such a different league then Sanjaya. This is just like watching a bad high school talent show. This performance was over the top and the flirting with Paula was just sickening by anyone standards. Sanjaya's vocals were all over the place, his voice is weak and shaky at best. There were a couple of moments when he connected with the song and music but it was so short lived. I will just "Cry" with Johnnie River to keep with the theme of the week. SANJAYA MUST GO!

Randy - I can't comment on the vocals anymore, you are a great entertainer (oh please that was not entertainment, at least I didn't pay money to watch)

Paula - I get why people love you, you are charming, the vocals were off

Simon - let's try a different tactic this week - "incredible"

Haley Scarnato "Ain't Misbehavin"

Can that dress have gotten any shorter and the slit across the chest any lower? It was tacky and just plain pandering to those horny teenage male voters. I enjoyed the choice of starting from the audience but Haley should have spent time listening to Tony about what the song is about but oh well she knows how to maximize her assets. I felt the performance was cheesy and the vocals weren't strong enough. This was just awful.

Randy - good week for you

Paula - green is a good color for you

Simon - you have great legs, the style of music was good for you but the performance was a bit pageantry

LaKisha Jones "Stormy Weather"

Another great song choice and LaKisha was looking good! LaKisha did start off a little flat and it took her a couple of beats before she connected with the music but after that rough start it was a powerhouse performance, she was showing attitude and she has a powerful tool in that voice. The battle of the divas between Melinda and LaKisha was 50/50 tonight.

Randy - loved it, perfect song for you, there were a few pitchy problems, da bomb

Paula - sounded beautiful

Simon - it was sassy and great


Over all it was a really good night for the majority of contestants but unfortunately someone has to go home and probably not the one who should.

I want to just say Sanjaya is going home but I just don't believe it.

I will predict the bottom 3 will be Gina, Phil, and Haley.

I am fearing for Gina this week but I will predict that Haley is the one who is going to be heading home.

Until tomorrow.....