American Idol 6 - 5/8/07 An Evening of Gibb

I have to say I totally enjoyed watching the show live or at least not tape delayed. On the other hand it was not a good show for most of the contestants. It should be an interesting results show.

I thought Barry Gibb gave the most interesting comments so far and at least actually dealt with the music more than any other mentor; it is just sad most of the contestants did not listen.

I was in my hotel room in Baltimore voting using my cell phone and the hotel phone. I did vote for the entire two hours and the lines were really busy. I only managed a very small 935 votes last night. The majority went to Jordin, then for Melinda and about 200 for Blake. I adore LaKisha but I did not vote for her to be explained below.

On with my comments and predictions:

Melinda Doolittle - "I Love You Inside and Out"

This was probably the worst Melinda performance ever hands down. I thought it was not a good song choice and she really didn't follow Barry's advice. I did not like her relaxed outfit with jeans, it didn't suit the song. There was a hesitation in her performance, like she knew she was off. I thought the band was overpowering and Melinda was not wowing me to quote the judges. I don't think she hit a bad note but the passion of the song wasn't there at least not for me.

Randy: I'm looking tonight to see who’s in it to win it. It was a solid performance, but not exciting.

Paula: It’s hard to critique you because your vocals are always spot-on. I'm looking for something that will make me say wow – maybe styling? Maybe song choice?

Simon: I think Paula was trying to say she wasn’t impressed. I expect incredible, and this was more of a backing vocalist’s performance. You are better than that, and I look forward to your second song.

Blake Lewis - "You Should Be Dancing"

I loved Blake's jacket and I think I could pull that off matched with a very cool tie I have. I enjoyed the dancing in the performance but that is about all. I did enjoy the fact Blake attempted the famous Gibb falsetto but the results were not making my feet dance. In trying to maintain that falsetto his tone and pitch were totally off. Luckily dance music is not about the vocals but the beat which he did maintain and I did like his beat boxing. Blake is an accomplished musician but this was not a good choice for him.

Randy: Sometimes the beat boxing works, but tonight it didn’t. I thought it was corny, it was like a “weird discothèque in some foreign country.”

Paula: I think it started shaky and that your pitch was off. Your beat boxing showed true musicianship. You proved that you are unique.

Simon: I agree with unique, but I hated it.

LaKisha Jones - "Stayin' Alive"

I loved LaKisha's outfit but she did not follow Barry's advice. Poor LaKisha could not get to the higher register she managed in the rehearsal room. I think the arrangement hurt her, the back up singers were hitting all the power notes and LaKisha was shouting which totally caused her problems in the second number. If you shout that much your voice is going to go. I have to say her enunciation was actually very good given the tough nature of the song. LaKisha though was having fun on the stage which is what got the audience engaged.

Randy: This is a weird night. These songs have great melodies, he isn't necessary to change them up so much. You tried too much.

Paula: You have to gauge the audience, they wanted to dance but the slower tempo brought the mood down.

Simon: “No kiss tonight, baby.” I think she was shouting and the performance was “verging on scary in parts.” Not great tonight so far.

I have to interject I did love Ryan's line about Simon not calling back after the first date. I laughed out loud on that one.

Jordin Sparks - "To Love Somebody

Jordin looked great and she rocked the house. The best performance so far. It was a great version and she stayed true to the song. I thought it was a spot on vocal. Jordin singing is wonderful. I would totally buy this song and will. It is also rare praise when the original artist tells us he thinks that although lots of people have done the song, he hasn’t heard a greater version than Jordin’s. Finally a good performance.

Randy: weird night, it was the sort of the best vocal of the night, I liked your soulful Mariah/Aretha vibe you were giving off, it was very controlled, you are in it to win

Paula: you look beautiful, and no there is no doubt, it was the best vocal.

Simon: best song choice, best vocal, "we're back in the competition"

Melinda Doolittle - "How Can You Mend A Broken Heart"

Melinda was pretty shaky when she started out and did you notice how she held on to the railing as she was walking down the ramp, I guess she thought she would fall off her high heels. Her outfit was much better for this number. I liked this better than the first performance but it still didn't wow me except for the final note, that was definitely perfection. I have to agree with Randy it has been a strange night and mostly because the contestants did not follow their mentor's advice.

Randy: Much better, beautiful ending, you are still our resident pro

Paula: Beautiful vocal, a throwback to Stephanie Mills. But vocals isn’t all it takes to be a great performer, you still need to wow us

Simon: The second half of the song put you into the semifinals.

Blake Lewis - "This is Where I Came In"

This must be an obscure song when I don't recognize it and I have all the Gibb records. I will have to look through my vinyl (I am aging myself again) when I get home. I definitely liked this performance better than the first one. Again the dancing was spot on but given the obscure nature of the song I don't think Blake scored any more points with the audience when he should have been wowing us. He should have gone with "Jive Talkin'" like I said last week.

Randy: It was better than the last one, but it was making me jump up and down, you don’t have to beat box every time

Paula: “But if he can, he can.” you are the “contemporary rebel.” I don't know the song, but I enjoyed it, you also sang spot on key

Simon: The song was “completely tuneless” , not a good night for you, not a good performance, weird choice of song.

LaKisha Jones - "Run To Me"

I will give LaKisha chops for her dress, it was awesome but once again she did not follow Barry's advice and she definitely failed. LaKisha was shouting for most of this number and did not get to the higher register with the first chorus as she did in the rehearsal room. All of the shouting caused her to strain her vocal cords and that horrid, hoarse note at the end was my fingers on the chalk board moment. LaKisha has much power but she doesn't let the music push her to the power note she forces her voice to get there. It was this number which determined for me not to vote for her. She had the potential of blowing us out of the water but she could not sustain.

Randy: your voice broke, but otherwise good

Paula: you shouldn’t beat herself up about that note, you are still a champ.

Simon: Better than the first, but still not great. You and Blake are vulnerable.

Jordin Sparks - "Woman In Love"

When Barry Gibb indicated in the tape that he feels Jordin could be the greatest female recording artist of all time it is high praise indeed. I absolutely loved this performance and truly feel it contrasted from her first and verified what a great vocalist she is. I totally disagree with the judges. Jordin looked great in that dress (which was designed just for her) and it did not make her look old. Jordin, a mike, and her singing is all she needs. I believe the night definitely belonged to Jordin.

Randy: It wasn’t your best performance, it was pitchy throughout, a tough song to sing.

Paula: it was not your best

Simon: It was old-fashioned and pageant-y, you are 17, you need to sing younger

There is no doubt in my mind that Blake and LaKisha will be in the bottom 2. I suppose there could be a total upset with a Melinda and LaKisha bottom 2 but I can't really imagine it happening and I just don't believe Jordin will be in the bottom 2. While it wasn't Blake's night given how spectacular he was last week I think he has an advantage being the only male left. I am predicting LaKisha will be going home tonight.

Until later....