AI7 - 4/15/08 - Mariah brings her "Vision of Love" to the Idol Stage

Mariah Carey paid a visit to American Idol last night and it was another evening of very mixed results. The show was not a total and utter train wreck as it could have been.

It is unfortunate we don’t to get to see more of the actual session with the celebrity coaches because surprisingly I thought Mariah made some very good suggestions to the contestants last night.

On with the review of the performances:

David Archuleta

Tell me it isn’t so, leather pants, come on David it was just way too much and what was up with his hair, did he just get out of bed in time to perform?

David chose “When You Believe”. Not a surprising choice and it worked much better for him then “Hero” which is really the song I thought he would choose but then maybe Brooke got there first.

David had some pitch problems at the beginning but then his voice really got into the groove and he has the gift of being able to sing sustained notes with great passion and this song definitely played up that gift. I was happy to see he did try to reach for the falsetto as Mariah suggested but it wasn’t very strong but at least he went for it. Overall I thought it was a very good performance and some of his normal mannerisms which irritate didn’t show up.

Randy – you took on a tough song, I was worried about tonight and boys taking on “girl songs” but if you can sing, you can sing anything and you can sing that is da bomb.

Paula – Mariah would be very proud of you

Simon – I would have bet a million dollars you would have chosen that song, it was very, very good, you have set the bench mark, performed it very well. We are not in for a lot of laughs tonight and I think it will be easier for the guys because there won’t be any comparison going on

Carly Smithson

Well thank the heavens above, Carly is dressed exceptionally well and she covered up her tattoos. The dress wasn’t that special but she looked good in it although the low neck line was pandering for some votes from the male audience.

Carly went with “Without You”. I found this to be an interesting choice because while Mariah had a hit with it, it was not a Mariah song. This is one of my favorite songs but it was Nilsson. I am sure most of the target audience wouldn’t remember that version though; oh there I go aging myself.

I also enjoyed the simple arrangement and Carly just singing in front of the piano. The performance started off beautifully but then it kind of fell apart. It was disconnected from the rest of the vocal. I also thought Carly was straining for the power notes; it was like she was holding back for some reason. There was a great note just before the bridge I really liked. It was also interesting to note the band must have done something different then at the rehearsal because Carly was thrown off for a moment and then came back to finish.

Overall I thought this was better than last week but there wasn’t any wow for me.

Randy – I like that you continue to challenge yourself, it started off rough until the middle when you got to the power notes, you need to believe in yourself, it was kind of loose, trust in your lower register, it was pretty good

Paula – I liked that you showed vocal restraint, then you swelled and soared with the chorus, I love the sound of your voice, you need to trust yourself

Simon – I wanted to hear you sing this song but I don’t think you pulled it off, I think you are over thinking everything, you are holding back

Syesha Mercado

Syesha looked great, loved the dress and the killer shoes. I am not a fan of the “fro” but at least it was tamer than usual.

Syesha chose “Vanishing” and overall did a fairly good job. She looked very comfortable on stage. I thought the vocal started off kind of rough at the beginning because her lower register was weak but then it improved as she was able to reach the higher register and her transition was smooth. Syesha can definitely sustain a note. The great note at the ending was beautiful. This performance was one of her best.

Randy – you tackled another tough song, I like that you are bold and you go for it, you did a good job, there were a couple of pitchy moments.

Paula – it was a smart choice to pick a song not many people know so you can’t be compared to it, you changed it up, it was unbelievably magical

Simon – technically it was very, very good but I think you will be hampered by song choice and run a risk.

Brooke White

Brooke actually looked very nice tonight. I see she is back sitting at the piano again. I don’t think this is a good choice for her.

Brooke went with “Hero” and she slowed the arrangement. I first have to say her breathing was a total distraction during the entire number. I totally hated the entire performance. The song was too big for her, she was all over the place, her voice was cracking and she was clearly nervous, her lips were trembling. She sounded nasally throughout and her enunciation was not very good. The unplugged version did not really help her and I think it hampered her performance. Brooke was not in control of her voice.

Randy – I liked the singer-song writing sound until the bridge, you lost confidence towards the end, it was pretty good

Paula – you are totally authentic which is wonderful, I liked the unplugged version, there were a few off notes but you can’t let that get to you, just keep challenging yourself

Simon – I don’t think you had much of a choice in doing what you did but it was like ordering a hamburger and getting just the bun, the vital ingredients were missing, the song was too big for you and you voice is not strong enough

Kristy Lee Cook

Kristy’s dress was okay but what was up with that hair, those were big time extensions and the padded bra, come on.

Kristy chose “Forever” which I thought was an interesting song choice. Kristy started rough, she has trouble with her lower register but the chorus was actually really good which surprised me. I totally hate how she is constantly blinking her eyes and what is up with the strange head bobbing. She also had an awkward stance while standing on the stage. Kristy also had some trouble reaching for those high notes. The performance was good, not outstanding but she does continue to surprise me.

Randy – it wasn’t amazing, there were some pitchy notes in the first part but towards the end you were stepping up and the note at the end, very good.

Paula – It was just the end where you stepped it up, you blew me away, I am proud of you, that could be a country hit for you

Simon – I wasn’t excited about this, you didn’t give me chills, you did the best you could but it was whiny at times, but you were quite smart with the choice of song, it wasn’t great

David Cook

David was looking good and he made a wise decision to lose the guitar and use the band.

David went with “Always Be My Baby” and boy did he do an original take on it. I truly enjoyed the arrangement. Overall it was a truly moving performance. There were a few rough notes in there but he doesn’t let it faze him, he is a great performer. I loved the ending of the song and David hit the power note, it was flawless.

His emotional reaction at the end to the song, the moment, his brother in the audience was truly heartfelt and not put on.

Randy – you are ready to make an album right now, brilliant performance, I haven’t given a standing ovation yet this season but you get one

Paula – awesome, this could be in a movie soundtrack, you are it

Simon – we went from karaoke hell to a breath of fresh air, it was original, daring, you took a risk, you have great potential

Jason Castro

Well, Jason is there doing the same old thing. He is sitting in a chair. I did not like his outfit at all. Jason was once again noticeably high.

Jason chose “I Don’t Wanna Cry”. I just didn’t get this choice or the performance. There were some very rough notes, it was boring and Jason also has breath control problems. He constantly was singing with his eyes closed as well. You have to see your audience to truly connect with them. It was just okay, a middle of the road outing.

Randy – I didn’t really like it, it was being at a weird beach luau

Paula – I would love to be at that luau

Simon – I agree with Paula, it wasn’t the best vocal of the night but it was a cool version. The guys won the night.


This was a strange evening of song selection and performances. David Cook was clearly the winner of the night with Mr. Archuleta coming in second. I would give Syesha the edge for the women.

At this point of the competition picking the bottom 3 becomes more difficult. Performance wise I would select Brooke by a mile as her performance was the worst, then Carly, Jason and Kristy.

My prediction for the bottom 3 is Carly, Syesha, and Brooke.

I believe Syesha will be heading home tonight but if there is a surprise it will then be either Carly or Brooke.

Until tomorrow…