AI 7 - 4/29/08 - You Didn't Bring Me Flowers Neil

Last night’s American Idol has to have been one of the most uncomfortable to watch in ages. It was all about hurry up and go, go, go. I thought I was watching “Speed Racer”. It was just completely strange.

Neil Diamond was the guest mentor and how surprising he has an album coming out on May 6th. I will probably shock many but I actually like Neil Diamond and have quite a few of the albums from his catalog. There are some great numbers and I suspect as always song choice will be interesting and scary at the same time.

Each contestant is going to do two Neil Diamond numbers which should be interesting. We didn’t get much with two weeks of The Beatles theme so I don’t hold up much hope for tonight. Luckily I am watching it on tape so I get to fast forward through so it will help and I will only have about an hour or so to vote.

On with my comments:

Jason Castro

While is he still here? Jason has chosen “Forever in Blue Jeans” and how cute he is wearing blue jeans. Given how high he is “Cracklin’ Rosie” would have been a better song choice, I realize it is about alcohol but high is high.

There is Jason doing the same ole thing, strumming his guitar, not really playing it, it is just a prop and standing center stage. The vocals were better than last week but not by much. Jason was pitchy and he had his eyes closed for most of the number which is a total disconnect with the audience and if he wants that popular vote he better be flashing those blue eyes because he won’t win based on talent. It was barely okay and was just good karaoke. There was nothing new or exciting about it.

Randy – just okay

Paula – love your lower register and then she starts rambling about his second song which he hadn’t even done, scary!

Simon – forgettable

David Cook

David was looking good. He chose “I’m Alive”. While Jason uses the guitar as a prop David actually plays. I enjoyed the performance but I don’t think the vocal was that good. His vocals were sloppy at best and he was mumbling and his enunciation sucked. It was a rocking arrangement and his performance which was full of energy and enthusiasm sold it but for me it wasn’t his best.

Randy – very good

Paula – loved it (this was after Simon asked her who her favorite was after her going on about Jason’s second number)

Simon – just above average

Brooke White

I ask again, why is she still here? Brooke was dressed pretty good tonight, two weeks in a row, hell has frozen over.

Brooke went with “I’m a Believer”. Oh come on there weren’t better songs you could choose. There is Brooke playing the guitar and she does actually play. Brooke was so overpowered by the band and back up singers I am not sure if the vocals were good or not. I think the key was a bit too low. Brooke and movement are not good. Up-tempo numbers are not her comfort zone and she did look totally uncomfortable. She was bouncing up and down; just plain strange and to see Paula up and dancing was a bit weird as well. This was barely good karaoke.

Randy – better than last week but kind of karaoke

Simon – it was a nightmare

David Archuleta

Oh god please don’t let me believe he chose “Sweet Caroline”. The kid is 17 years old he doesn’t have the life experience to make this song work. David was way too happy and bouncy for my tastes. There wasn’t an ounce of sex appeal in this song. On the one hand I will give him credit; he kept his eyes open for most of the number so he was connecting with his fan base. I thought he started off a bit rough but improved as he went along. I did like the arrangement and he seemed to be having fun and he moved more than he ever has before. It was just okay. It was safe and it was very good karaoke.

Randy – loved it

Simon – amateurish

Syesha Mercado

Wow does she look great tonight. I loved her hair and simple dress. The bare feet were over the top but oh well.

Syesha chose “Hello Again” and she brought some real emotional passion to the song. She started sitting on the stage. The mosh bit girls were there waving their hands and we couldn’t see her very well. Syesha’s vocal was the best of the night so far. She did overdo a couple of the notes but she sold this number.

Randy – strong

Simon – old fashion

Round One ended with Simon advising the contestants they are lucky they get a second chance for being the top 5 he is expecting a performance of a life time

Jason Castro

Jason’s second number is “September Morn”. This time Jason is sitting on one of those uncomfortable stools with no guitar. There is no variety in his performance. I thought Jason butchered the melody, there was no emotional impact and he looked like he was in pain the entire time he was singing. Jason is certainly not wowing me and it irritates me he is still here.

Randy – just okay

Paula – your two songs sounded too much alike, it was too safe, you need to get outside of your comfort zone

Simon – I don’t recognize you, this is not the Jason we put through, you have struggled over the last two weeks, you are not putting your stamp on anything, this was forgettable

David Cook

David has gone with “All I Really Need is You”. David started out a little rough but greatly improved. This is the David I liked, he had a rich tone to his voice, there was passion, and he was cooking on all cylinders. This was a great performance and so far the best of the night. The falsetto in this number brought chills to my spine. This was a good way to end the night for David, he took Simon’s advice.

Randy – I am a huge fan, you rock, that was hot, blazin’

Paula – I am proud of you, you pick two unknown songs and pulled it off, I am looking at the American Idol.

Simon – the first song was okay, this song was brilliant, it was like it was written today, you changed up the arrangement, current, very smart

Brooke White

Brooke is back behind the piano with “I Am I Said”. This is clearly her zone and she was better but not great. Her audible breathing is totally annoying. It was nice she took Neil’s advice and substituted Arizona for New York. Overall her sincerity sold the emotion of the song but her vocals were sloppy and she was shrieking a lot. Better than the first song but no wow.

Randy – I like your vulnerability, tough song to sing, you did well, nice job

Paula – the first song didn’t work but what you just did showed your vulnerability and who you are as an artist

Simon – I hated the first song, this was better not incredible

David Archuleta

I just knew David would pick this song. He went with “America”. I am not sure the shorten version worked for me. There wasn’t a lot to work with except for repeating the chorus. While I hate to use the often used Cowell expression but this was a total theme park performance. David’s voice is very good but he is hampered by his song selection and his youth. David had a lot of pitch problems and he didn’t need all those runs. He was not selling this song. I think this was his weakest performance of the night.

Randy – you are in your zone, another good performance.

Paula – your voice is on point, love you, your brilliant

Simon – smart choice of song

Syesha Mercado

Syesha ended the night on a high note with “Thank the Lord for the Night Time”. This was one kick ass performance. She was clapping, playing off the band and the background singers. Her vocals were spot on and she was having a great time on stage, her joy was infectious. This was my favorite of the night. Syesha just keeps improving week after week.

Randy – loving it, you are in the zone

Paula – the first song showed your vulnerability, the second song showed a different side of you, loved it

Simon – this is officially the strangest show we have ever done, you are a good actress/singer but you may be in trouble because this was not memorable


I have to totally agree with Simon it was one of the strangest shows ever. I am not sure Neil was the best mentor and he should have made several change the songs they chose.

I only voted for David Cook and Syesha last night.

Personally based on performances Jason, Brooke and David A deserve to be in the bottom 3. Clearly David Cook and Syesha are the most consistent performers now. I know David A’s fans are way too many for him to fall into the bottom 2.

I am predicting Jason and Brooke will be in the bottom 2 and I believe Jason is finally going home although Brooke is vulnerable.