AI 9 3-3-10 Elimination Round 2 - The Women

Last night the guys took the stage in a last minute switch. It is time for the girls to answer back. It is on! This is AMERICAN IDOL!

I will be skipping the judge’s portion because it is so unnecessary to recap what occurred the night before. Let us listen to some singing producers.

Crystal Bowersox – “Long As I Can See the Light”

While we do not learn, what is wrong with Crystal she is clearly ill and the woman was on some heavy medication. I just have to say this was one freaking awesome performance. Crystal’s vocal was flawless. She let the simple power of her voice take control and she let us in on the ride. I loved what she did with the arrangement and her phrasing was perfection. This was a truly fantastic and memorable performance.

Randy – Even though this is a reality show, truth is reality and you are truth. You are not trying to be anyone else, you can come out week after week, and this girl will be there. I love you. This was a hot performance.

Ellen – I love your pure, raw, natural talent. I was scared for you but I am so glad you are here. There was nothing forced or pushed.

Kara – You completely recovered from last week and remain focused. You brought your performance to a new level.

Simon – I know how sick you were and you came out without playing the sympathy card and gave an incredible vocal performance. I “misunderestimated” you (please Simon proper English). This is like the moment with Kelly Clarkson where we knew we had a serious artist. Congratulations.

Haeley Vaughn – “The Climb”

This was an inspired song choice it is just too bad Haeley does not have the vocal skills to make it work. This was a f*^king awful performance. Haeley was never in harmony with the music, she had incredible breath issues, and the transitions were sloppy and sharp. This was my fingernail down the blackboard moment. I wanted to mute this so bad to ease my pain but I suffered for you dear reader but it was the hardest thing I have done in awhile.

Randy – I need to keep this real for you. The whole thing did not work for me. It was so pitchy and excruciating. You had no connection with the song.

Ellen – Haeley never stop smiling because it is adorable. I did not feel the connection to the song. This is a beautiful song.

Kara – You have the Alex Lambert factor with people rooting for you but unfortunately, you need a year to work on strengthening your voice.

Simon – I do not want to make this worse but the performance was a complete and utter mess.

Lacey Brown – “Kiss Me”

Lacey seems to have conquered her nerves because she appears to be more comfortable on the stage yet the performance was just off for me. The vocals were not horrible but it was just dull and boring. I was glad when it was over.

Randy – I think it was a good song choice but during the whole thing all, I could see where the words running at the bottom of the screen (yes he means it was karaoke).

Ellen – I think the performance was adorable. It sounded good.

Kara – Last week you lost what is special about you which is the tone of your voice, you are a good vocal stylist and this song brought it back but you really need to step it up.

Simon – This was marginally better than last week but I feel you are just taking part in a competition rather than highlighting you as an artist.

Katie Stevens – “Put Your Records On”

I think the entire song was in the wrong key for her and her vocals were very inconsistent. There were some good moments but it was mostly bland and boring. Katie has no power in her lower register.

Randy – There were some bright moments when you reached your upper register right after the bridge but the first part of the song was pitchy.

Ellen – I liked it and you have a great voice but I still want to see you act younger. I do not want to hear something found in a dentist office.

Kara – I think you opened up at the end of the song. Your song choices may sound good on the radio but do not have the same impact live. I am waiting for you to have that moment but I am still pulling for you.

Simon – This is very frustrating. I am glad you took our comments but if she came to his record label, he would tell her to get more experience and tell me what kind of artist you want to be. You need to make this decision.

Didi Benami – “Lean on Me”

The beginning of this was very flat but it improved once the tempo increased and she reached the chorus. In the end, the performance was simply boring and uninspired.

Randy – I would not have chosen this song for you. It did not work.

Ellen – I love your voice and presence but agrees this was not the best song choice.

Kara – This was not good. It was just poor karaoke. We lost what is unique about your voice.

Simon – You wasted a fantastic opportunity with a generic performance.

Michelle Delamor – “With Arms Wide Open”

I just have to say I hated and I cannot stress how much I hated her outfit. On the other hand, I loved this performance. I think this was a bold choice of song and Michelle changed it up enough to make it her own. Michelle’s voice sounded great even with the couple of sharp notes. The vocals made me pay attention, which has been a rarity this evening.

Randy – There were a few pitch problems and you did not do enough with it so it fell flat. I think your outfit is hot and makes a point that Vera Wang is in the audience (this matter why?).

Ellen – You do look fabulous and I think you did do enough. I forgot it was a rock song. There were a few pitch problems and while you have a great voice, it all most worked but not quite.

Kara – This was my favorite performance you have given. It was not technically perfect but it felt believable.

Simon – I agree with Kara. The first half was stronger than the second was. I realize we sometimes give contradictory advice but you at least got 80% of this right.

Lilly Scott – “A Change is Gonna Come”

I totally loved this performance. I liked the funky arrangement and she made the song sound original and new. Lilly is definitely a contestant to watch as long as she makes appropriate song choices. She needs to tone down the make-up though.

Randy – You are one of the most unique contestants. This is a tough song to sing but you worked it out. This is my favorite performance of the night so far.

Ellen – I do not know what “it is” but you definitely have “it”.

Kara – This is your first moment and you will change the game forever.

Simon – You are a crazy little thing, this is how you make yourself relevant. I thought it was good but I am not as enthusiastic as the others are. I think Crystal was better.

Katelyn Epperly – “The Scientist”

The evening is finally picking up. I found this to be a beautifully haunting stripped down version. I think the song really demonstrated what a great voice Katelyn has. This was a stellar performance. I definitely had my wow moment here.

Randy – This was too slow and I think it fell off at the end a bit but I really liked it.

Ellen – I think the song was slow which would be great if I was babysitting and you put the baby to sleep.

Kara – I rather love you. You have an incredible voice but your genres are all over the place. We need to know what kind of artist you will be.

Simon – I think you made a smart choice but you can be corny when performing. This was a million times better than last week.

Paige Miller – “Walk Away”

Paige why oh why would you choose to sing this song, are you crazy? This is a song performed by Idol Kelly Clarkson as well as one written by Kara. Do these contestants never learn? Technically she sounds good at least until she reached the bridge then it fell apart. I thought the entire performance seemed off.

Randy – I like your “rocker with soul” but I was not in love with it since there were too many words.

Ellen – I loved it because you changed just enough to make it yours.

Kara – I can see the soul-rock thing working, however, this is an angry song and you were having too much fun and smiling. Where is the anger and grit?

Simon – You failed to choose the right song. I continue to be frustrated.

Siobhan Magnus – “Think”

Where has Siobhan been hiding her awesome voice? I was pleasantly surprised with the powerful voice Siobhan demonstrated. The control she was exercising was unbelievable. The last note was Adam Lambert fantastic. It was utter perfection. This was a great way to end the evening. Siobhan made me sit up and really listen to her.

Randy – This was bold to take on Aretha and it was the “dope”.

Ellen – I loved it.

Kara – I cannot get over that awesome note.

Simon – I think you are a strange person, which is a compliment. I think parts of the song were terrible to me but that big note was incredible.

With some very rare exceptions, this was another boring semi-final round. The only performers who really make me want to listen to them are Crystal, Lilly, and Siobhan. Michelle and Katelyn were good tonight but they along with everyone else are in serious danger.

I managed to get in 301 votes and all of them were spread out between the contestants listed above.

Clearly, Haeley and Katie gave the worst performances of the evening. I think though they along with Didi will get sympathy votes.

My gut tells me Lacey and Michelle will be going home Thursday night.