American Idol March 23

Casey Abrams -- "Heard it Through the Grapevine," Smokey Robinson and the Miracles; Marvin Gaye.

I like the original better. I think he hammed it up too much. This is one he could have sang straight and it would have been great. tonight is was just weird.

Thia Megia -- "Heat Wave," Martha and the Vandellas.
I thought this girl could sing anything but just perferred to sing Disney classics pitch perfect. Now I see she is really limited. and she is a little conceited. Bottom 3 for sure.

Jacob Lusk -- "All I Need to Get By," Marvin Gaye.
He has been terrible for two weeks but tonight he was "back". I knew he reminded me of someone and now I know who. Louis Armstrong.

Lauren Alaina -- "You Keep Me Hangin' On," Supremes.
I thought it was a terrible song choice until I heard her sing it. Top 3 for sure.

Stefano Langone -- "Hello," Lionel Ritchie
I actually learned something from the judges this week. I could not put my finger on his problem until they commented. Here is what they said:

•Steven Tyler: "Pull back a little bit, and you'll be fine."
•Jennifer Lopez: "Let's talk." She wants the intensity to come from his heart breaking (per the lyrics of the song) not because he wants to do well. Needs to connect more with the song and the audience.
•Randy Jackson: "The only thing you're missing is connection."


Haley Reinhart -- "You've Got a Hold on Me," Smokey Robinson and the Miracles

The middle part when she started growling was cool but she is just shaking her cute little butt around like Eve with forbidden fruit behind her back- I don't think she will go this week but definately bottom 3.

Scotty McCreery -- "For Once in My Life," Stevie Wonder
I didn't know they were going to make this kid sing out of his genre. I thought it was going to be the disaster I feared was coming; but they all get to work with good producers at this stage of the competition and he pulled it off- actually did a country version of this classic. Again. I'll say that this kid is learning every week and if he can just stay ahead of the challenge, he could go very far. He doesn't have a great range or maby his range is just scaled way down there in the lower register.

Pia Toscano – All In Love Is Fair- Stevie Wonder
The judges have it right. She just stands there like Roy Orbison belting out a perfect ballad. What's not to like? But this song contest is looking for someone to idolize i guess so she better start wiggling around the stage a little.

Paul McDonald – The Tracks Of My Tears Smoking Robinson
I don't know what else to say about him. I think he sounds the same no matter what he sings. i don't think he has much upper register especially if you compare him to almost anyone else except Scottie.

Naima Adepapo – Dancing In The Street
good song choice. She sang it great- she and James Durbin will keep the tour bus wheels spinning. She was once botton 3 but I wouldn't put her there this week but then I don't vote either.

James Durbin -- "Livin' for the City," Stevie Wonder
Wow! This kid is ready to tour right now. Great voice, great range, great musical personality. Top 3 easily.


My top 3 are James Durban, Jacob Lusk and Lauren Alaina
Bottom 3 are really bottom 4 in any order: Thia Megia, Paul McDonald and Haley Reinhart and Stefano Langone.
I have to put Stefano in there because I think he may not be able to overcome his habit of getting to the top note just because he can and then forget to "interpret" the song. He's technically good but I don't really enjoy listening to him.

"Imagination is more important than knowledge." - Albert Einstein