Top 9

Hello my Idol Watching friends! Did you miss me? For anyone who was completely confused last week, my clever husband Gary took the wheel, while I was out in California on a little vacation. So no, I have not started taking prescription drugs, and I have not "snapped". Thank you for your concern. I did, however, watch the performances from my gorgeous room at the Grand Californian Hotel in Disneyland, but tragically my daughter’s laptop died halfway through the chat. By the time I was near a computer again, Chikezie was already long gone (although that apparently didn’t stop Gary). As my friend Beth said, it is always dangerous when you let an engineer loose behind the keyboard. Moving ahead to the top nine performing Dolly Parton’s songs this week, I surprisingly enjoyed the evening. I would not call myself a huge Dolly Parton fan, but I found her song writing allowed the singers to take her music in whatever direction they needed to take it to make the performances original. On a side note, was anyone else fooled by Ryan’s April Fool’s joke? I totally was. I was working myself up into a real tantrum.

Let’s begin:

Brook White "Jolene"

Dolly thought Brooke had an honesty about her that worked in her performance. I thought vocally that she did a pretty good job. It was much better than the last couple of weeks, anyway. I kind of have to agree with Simon, not about the ensemble-I actually really enjoyed that, but about the lack of emotion. I felt like she was telling this story about possibly losing the love of her life and she had a goofy grin plastered on her face through much of the song. She also drives me a little crazy that she can’t just listen to the judges without interjecting comments. Randy thought it was not a stellar performance, but it was all right. He of course heard pitch problems. I think there were maybe 2 or 3, but overall that wasn’t the issue. Paula was incredibly deep. She said "you are who you are" and "you are Brooke White". ? Simon said Brooke had no emotion and he didn’t like the ensemble on stage with her, he thought it all looked odd. I disagree with that comment, but didn’t think she really connected with the emotion of that song. Sorry.

David Cook "Little Sparrow"

David, like Chris Daughtry before him, had an interview with Ryan prior to singing to explain where he is getting the arrangements for his music, lest there be any controversy that he is claiming they are his own. He did however work out the arrangement of this particular song, and Dolly was impressed by his vocals. David is not only extremely talented, but he is a smart contestant. He made sure that he was able to show off his range and versatility without sacrificing who he is as an artist. It isn’t like I would run out and buy this song on I-tunes, but he was remarkable and proved that he is able to take whatever genre they are working in, and make it his own unique style.

Randy thought he was hot and consistent. Paula loved his haircut and thought it was fantastic, he showed how well rounded he is. Simon said that it wasn’t as good as last week, but if he could make a song about sparrows good, which he did, then congratulations.

Ramiele Malubay "Do I Ever Cross Your Mind"

Ramiele became very shy and goofy when performing for Dolly due to being "star-struck". Dolly thought she was darling. I thought she gave more in the performance than she has in the past, but the song choice was strange and had equal moments of greatness and off-key hideousness. Randy thought it was pretty good, not great. He said, "I’m not mad at you" which I found strange and gave her a 6-1/2 out of 10 on the performance. Paula thought that she connected well in her minute and thirty seconds on stage. Simon said, plainly "well, we’re not going to remember that in 10 years time, now are we?" He felt it was cruise ship forgettable. Ramiele is out of her league in this grouping of singers. I think she will go home for this one.

Jason Castro "Traveling Through"

Dolly thought the song suited Jason perfectly, and I would have to agree. I have never heard it before, but I thought he was believable and relaxed, and I liked him telling a story. I can totally see Jason sitting on a stool doing folk songs like this one and being completely at home with his audience. He listened to his criticism from last week and stepped it up a notch, and he put more effort into his performance. Randy thought it was a good performance, and Paula went one step further and said it was one of his best. Simon didn’t like it at all, and he didn’t get it. I usually am with Simon, but I disagree on this one. That being said, I don’t know too many folk singers that could win American Idol, but being one of my favorite genres of music, I think he would have a following for sure. My sister Jenny thinks Jason looks too much like Bernard the elf from the Santa Claus movies (Tim Allen) to be taken seriously. Chris S. thinks he looks too much like Tiny Tim. Adam D. thinks he has John Travolta’s face. I really still like this guy, despite all the odd comments I get about him and I am still interested to see what else he can do.

Carly Smithson "Here You Come Again"

This song was actually written for, not by Dolly, but she thought it suited Carly’s voice even better than her own voice. I think Carly has been sort of lost in the middle of the group all of these weeks, but tonight she showcased her voice very well. I enjoyed everything up to the Idol power note that keeps happening at the end of every one of Carly’s performances. It isn’t that she sings them poorly, but they are unnecessary, and cause her to make that excruciating face. Overall I really liked it. Randy thinks it is one of the best of the night. Paula things she is glorious and an amazing talent. Simon thought it was good, not great, and people at home expect great. He also told her what I am sure everyone has been thinking, and that is to have a sit down with her wardrobe person. That outfit did not flatter her at all. Ryan asks Simon what his problem is, and Simon says "I am not going to lie, if I don’t think it is great, I’m not going to say it is great".

David Archuleta "Smokey Mountain Memories"

Poor David has spent some time in the press over the leaks that his father is driving him so hard it is going to ruin the poor kid. He actually brings Dolly to fighting tears (she doesn’t want her eyelashes to fall off) during his performance for her. I think he gives a credible, heartfelt, powerful vocal. Someone must have had a talk with him about the lip licking, because it is getting better. David sings beautifully and despite what happens on this show, the young man should achieve greatness. Randy thought it was the best of the night. Paula loved his amazing beautiful aura. (?) Simon thought his song choice this week was "right on the money".

Kristy Lee Cook "Coat of Many Colors"

Dolly thought Kristy Lee would make her mom proud with her song choice. She definitely looks great, and delivers one of her best vocals to date. She captured the essence of Dolly better than anyone else did. I can’t say that I ever care to hear that song again, but in trying to give her an objective ear, I can’t find too many faults with the performance. I just didn’t like the song. The problem isn’t really Kristy Lee, but the company she keeps this season. When you put her up against the David’s, or Carly or even Syesha, I think she pales in comparison. That doesn’t mean she couldn’t have a successful country music career. Look at Kelly Pickler. Randy thought it was her wheelhouse. Paula thought she looked stunning. Simon thought that last week was better, and that this song was pleasant but forgettable. I think she could land in the bottom three again.

Syesha Mercado "I Will Always Love You"

Dolly really likes the way the Syesha combines her version of the song with Whitney Houston’s. She is in a gorgeous yellow dress sitting on the edge of a Grand Piano. She starts off pretty strong, but in the end when she hits the way too long power note, I think she is a hair sharp and it about sends me off my seat. My problem with Syesha is that everything feels very rehearsed and manipulative and I even get the feeling she is practicing her facials in the mirror. I think she would do fantastic on Broadway where that kind of acting is necessary, but in this venue it feels false. Randy thought it was pretty good. Paula thought she looked beautiful and loved the velvety quality to her voice. Simon thought the first half was good and the second half paled in comparison to Whitney. He didn’t think the song choice helped her and went so far as to say he wished she hadn’t gotten it. I wouldn’t go that far. I do think she could land in the bottom again, but she shouldn’t go home after that performance.

Michael Johns "It’s All Wrong, but It’s All Right"

Dolly hopes Michael becomes a star so she can write some songs for him. Thank you for bringing the blues back! I loved, loved, and loved it. This was my favorite of the night. What else can I say about it? I enjoyed the ensemble playing with him on stage. I loved the vocal, and thought the performance was fantastic. Randy thought it was blazing hot. Paula said "you are a rock star, a blues star" and Simon said it was the best he had heard him sing. Good for you, you hot sexy Aussie!

I thought the best of the evening were Michael Johns, David Archuleta, Carly Smithson, and David Cook. I think the bottom three will be Ramiele Malubay, Kristy Lee Cook, and Syesha Mercado, with Ramiele going home. Of course, don’t take my word for it, tune in tonight…