Country Week

Let me first say that I am not a huge fan of country week. It is not my favorite music. As Ryan gives his intro, I am struck by how odd Meagan looks, very pasty and her hair all swoopy. After a tribute to the Grand Ole Opry that culminates in Carrie Underwood being invited to join as a member, we find out that our mentor is Randy Travis.

1. First up is Michael Sarver who chooses "Ain't Going Down til the Sun Comes Up". These would be the only lyrics that I have grasped since he started. Randy Travis warned him to make sure he didn't lose the lyrics. Oh wait, I think I just recognized the words pickup truck. Oh dear. This is really not my thing at all and I can't wait for it to end. Before you think I am putting down his singing, I guess the vocal is fine. He seems very natural and relaxed on stage. I just hate this song. Randy thought it was a cool song choice but didn't think he showed anything new with his vocals. Kara was amazed that he could memorize all of those lyrics. Did he? Who could know? Paula thought it suited him. Simon couldn't understand a single word. Thank you, I was beginning to think I was just crabby.

2. Allison Iraheta is next and selects "Blame it on your Heart". Randy Travis was amazed at her vocal maturity. She rocks it out, and even though the song is spread over like 6 notes, she actually looks even more comfortable than last week. Not ever having heard this song before, I think it suits her and she sounds great. Kara was amazed at how she made the song her own. Paula thought it was "rock" solid, (she didn't do the air quotes, but she might as well have). Simon thought it was good but a bit tuneless and precocious. Randy thought it was dope.

3. Kris Allen picks a song that is a favorite of mine, "To Make You Feel my Love". Randy Travis thought Kris was a great ballad singer. I absolutely love the stripped down vocals, and for the first time I am getting why he is here. It is an extremely honest and pure performance, and I was touched. My only criticism is that they didn't need the reverb. Paula was pleasantly surprised. She loved his "vulnerability". Oh yes I did just do it again. Simon thought it was terrific. Great song choice, great control, and Simon noticed him for the first time. Randy loved the tender moments from his dawg Kris. Randy is really profound this evening. Kara didn't hear country, only Kris. While they are running the numbers Ryan can't help but poke fun at the whole "vulnerable" thing.

4. Lil Rounds is next and she picks "Independence Day" and says she is going to hold back on the R & B. What? Isn't this why she is here? Randy Travis asks her to slow the tempo down. I am not going to lie, I don't like it. She doesn't sing bad, she has got a fantastic voice, but it feels fake. Like from the outfit to the song she is trying on someone else. Even Carrie Underwood didn't sing it as good as Martina way back when, and Lil is not Carrie Underwood. Randy thought is was interesting and ambitious, but not his favorite. Kara said that everyone knows she is a great singer and she sang what she felt, so good for her. Paula thought it was "spot on". (you will be cursing at me soon, I know but I can't help myself). She also thought it would have been better if she had only sung one verse. Simon called her Little instead of Lil and said she looked like she was being forced to sing a song at a wedding, at which point Lil kind of, sort of sasses him. Simon said it just wasn't her.

5. Adam Lambert picks "Ring of Fire". I have got to hand it to Randy Travis. It takes real restraint to say "I don't know too many men who wear nail polish" when what he wanted to say is "please don't touch me". He starts off singing this weird middle eastern version of the song and it is like nails down a chalkboard for me. Not that he sings off key, it is just a painfully bad arrangement. Who would ruin a perfectly good song like this? The performance is ridiculous with the crazy eyes. Kara was kind when she said it was strange, but she liked it. Paula thought he was true to himself like an artist. Simon thought it was indulgent rubbish. When he said "what the hell was that?" it pretty much summed it all up for me. Randy thought it was 9 inch nails-like and current. I guarantee you Trent Reznor is thinking "don't drag me into this". I am equally sure that there won't be any takers at the I-store on that piece of crap. Why didn't he pick an Elvis Song? He might be needing his butt to be saved by the judges tomorrow night.

6. Scott MacIntyre chooses "Wild Angels" and Randy Travis suggests that he speed the tempo up a little. As he sings I am thinking that he looks really comfortable and that his vocal is better. He has some rough spots, and his falsetto is a little painful, but he is true to himself with the song. Problem is, what is this song? He just finished singing and if I hadn't written down the title I couldn't recall one thing about it. I think that Scott did the best that he has the capacity to do. He just isn't a superstar.That being said, there are really no bad singers left in this competition, so I did enjoy it. Paula says it is another impressive performance, but she wants him away from the piano and not to use it as a crutch. Sure Paula, maybe they can choreograph a few steps for him WAY at the back of the stage so he doesn't get carried away and we have an Idol incident. Simon says he needs a song choice that is memorable and tells Paula that she is disrespecting him and that Elton and Billy sing behind a piano and no one tells them it is a crutch. Paula is not pleased, but lacking a command of the English language, just says "your being disrespectful" and then hits him and pouts. Randy is looking for crazy vocals and tells Scott that once again, he was too safe. Kara wants him to up his game.

7. Alexis Grace is up next and picks "Jolene" which Randy Travis is quite impressed with. I am expecting her to do well, but the awkward walk down the steps seems to have started us off in an odd place. She is also picking really awkward places to take her breaths and it is causing weird phrasing. The big high note was painful, but other than that she sings on key. I think I was just expecting her to blow me away so I am slightly disappointed. Randy thought it was just okay. Kara thought it wasn't edgy enough. Paula thought it was effective because (you guessed it) she was "vulnerable". Simon thought it was okay but it wasn't original. She chats comfortably with the judges and says if America sees fit to bring her back she will bring back the edge. She has a great voice, and I think she will be back.

8. Danny Gokey is next and butchers "Jesus Take the Wheel" in rehearsal with Randy Travis. I don't know anything about Randy Travis as a singer, but as a gentleman I am impressed. All night he has been so complimentary of our little Idols, and I am really impressed with what a nice man he is. Whatever nerves Danny needed to work out in rehearsal, he did, because his performance is fantastic. I felt it through the TV. He is consistently good at picking songs that not only showcase his voice, but who he is. Kara was not wowed by the first half but loved the second half. Paula disagreed and loved how he built the story. Simon agreed with Paula (they are all made up now) and thought he was fantastic but asked him if he knew it was 80 degrees in LA because he was dressed for a polar expedition. Randy thought he needed to support his notes in the verses. Whatever Randy. Some of these guys would love to be Danny having a rough week.

9. Anoop Desai is next and picks "You Were Always on My Mind". Randy Travis is initially worried, but was in love with his arrangement. I was too. It was so much better than last week, and really showcased not only his vocal range but his ability to connect with the audience. It was surprisingly simple, but very good. Paula said "Anoop is back" and that she was proud of him. Simon said from zero to hero in one week. He picked a good song, and it was one of his favorites from the whole night. Randy told him this was why he was wanted in the competition and that the arrangement was dope. Kara said he took a classic song and had the best performance of the night with it.

10.Meagan Corkery picks "I'll go Walking After Midnight" and Randy Travis thought it was totally unexpected and original. I have to admit I am intrigued when we see the clip of her in rehearsal because it sounds great. Then when she starts singing I am thinking that this is not remotely in the same key she just sang it in on the clip and she appears to be struggling a little. She is styled extremely glamorous, and this song is definitely a good fit for her personality. She is able to bring the jazzy quality, even in the lower key. Randy loves it. Kara says she is amazing to get up with influenza and perform. Paula goes one step further and says she has been in the hospital with influenza b. Simon says it was so much better than last week, but not to let them style away her quirkiness. I am thinking let this poor thing sit down. I hope she goes through, because what a terrible disadvantage to have to perform when you are that sick. I thought, considering what she was going through, it was fantastic.

11. Last up is Matt Giraud and he sings "So Small". Randy Travis thought he made the Carrie Underwood classic his own. Before he starts we see Paula smelling (licking?) Simon's arm? This was a great performance start to finish, and he is getting better and better as he gets comfortable with that big stage. It is passionate and an original take, and I love it. I thought he had star quality up there, and that the song was perfect for what he wanted to do with it. Kara loves it too and calls him an artist. Paula tries to say authenticity, but alas, she can't. There is some other babble about heart piercing? Simon thought he out sang Danny Gokey and said that Matt reminded him of Michael Buble. He also said it was one of the best performances of the night. He was Randy's favorite of the night. In Randy's words "baby, you got it going on".

Ryan says it best with "we have got a competition here". It is an amazing night of singing with the exception of a few.
Bottom three are Scott, Lil and Adam. I pick Scott to go home, but if one of the other two go it will be interesting to see if the judges use their save this early on.

I won't be watching until Thursday,(fox tickets) but promise my comments then. Tune in.....