We Begin..

The show begins a little different this year, with Ryan looking quite conservative in a dark suit and the judges coming on to the stage as a loud speaker announces their names. Paula stays true to her cleavage as she has all season and looks all Bjork-like in her feather topped dress. As always the judges have their beginning words of wisdom. Randy tells them to bring it, Kara tells Ryan that she will have to be harder than ever to get this talented bunch narrowed down to the 2 or 3 who may have hits on the radio. Paula says don't be afraid of using the stage and don't let it consume you. (I giggle a lot when Paula starts to talk). Simon says don't forget the words, and don't be swallowed up by the stage. See? He doesn't even listen to the other judges. He then drops the bombshell that two will get the boot tomorrow night. Ryan announces that we will be hearing Michael Jackson songs. Hey, I thought no one was supposed to touch Michael Jackson and here we are for the second season in a row being stuck in a quandary.
Go figure.

1. Lil Rounds talks of Memphis music and BBQ and of her family. She chooses "The way you make me feel". The vocal is really good, but I am not digging the dancing. Now my mother has pointed out that her pants give the unfortunate illusion that she has a man's anatomy, which completely distracts me for the rest of the song. And let me tell you, she didn't word it this kindly. She is a great singer, but I am too fixated on her pants. Randy loves it. Kara says that everyone else will be nervous about what Lil just did. Paula complimented her on her softness, that she is a force to be reckoned with, oh, and something about angels. Simon thought it was a lazy song choice. He also agreed with Mom on the outfit.

2. Scott MacIntyre was next and talked about his blindness and how it led him to music. His sister is also visually impaired, which Joe and my mom noticed last week. He plays piano and sings "Keep the faith" which is unfamiliar to me, but it definitely is miles better than his last performance. I will not be buying it on I-tunes tomorrow, but it was a nice vocal and heartfelt. Kara told the audience that he just learned the song on piano this week. She loved that he delivered a hopeful message. Paula thought it was magical (giggle).Simon hated the song because nobody knows it and you can't be artistic on this show. Randy liked the song but thought the performance was too safe and old fashioned. I am not sure how dangerous Scott is going to be able to be Randy.

3.Fan favorite Danny Gokey is up next and his family footage makes him even more likable. Anyone who sings their kids homework with them is all right by me. He sings "P.Y.T." and starts off slow but breaks out into a groove. I almost get up and dance with Paula, it is that good. Lil Rounds, you officially have some competition. Paula tells him to take it all in, and some other stuff about closing your eyes and hearing a true artist, and then she cries, and Simon just starts to crack up. Simon tells him the vocals were brilliant but the dancing was hideous. He followed that up by saying it didn't matter, he was really good. Randy loved the dancing and the singing. He felt it was passionate. Kara said he sang with joy. This guy is a natural, and he will be just fine tomorrow night.

4.Michael Sarver (you know, the oil rig guy?) is next and when he picks up his little girl and she says "those are happy tears", I get a little misty. He sings "You are not alone" and it is miles better than "I don't wanna be". He has a great vocal and he is all heart up there. His performance showed his nerves, but I am so happy that he was able to have this performance. He won't win, but I hope that he gets the future he needs for his family because of it. Simon says he gave 110% and what he lacked in the vocal he made up for with passion. Randy was glad he went back to the r & b feel. Kara said that tonight showed her that he could really sing. Paula said he was likable and that he was in sti nct u ally (yes I spread that word out on purpose) perfect.

5. Jasmine Murray talks to Ryan about the glam squad and gave a glimpse of her wonderfully supportive family. She sings "I'll be there" and she looks gorgeous. There are a couple of the notes that go a little flat when she is singing them, but overall she has a pretty nice vocal. I am starting to think about this in terms of who I will remember, because for the first time there really hasn't been a singer up there that has had a horrible performance like in seasons past. So given those conditions I am not sure I will remember this particular song tomorrow. The singer yes, but the performance no. Randy liked how she mixed Mariah and Michael's versions. Kara was surprised at her great stage presence and thought she sold the song. Paula thought she had poise but a few flat notes. Simon thought it was nice control at the end but the performance was a little robotic.

6. Kris Allen talks about his beautiful wife of five months and how it is hard to be away from her. He sings with his guitar "Remember the Time" and I am thinking this Michael song is a much better fit than "Man in the Mirror" was. I don't really hear the guitar, so that seems a little silly to me. Mom points out that there sure aren't many lyrics in this song. Overall, I think he sounds pretty good, but I am not sure I really like the song. This guy is really darling, and he looked much more comfortable with his guitar and I enjoyed him, despite the lack of lyrics. Kara loved him with his guitar and points out that he helped the other contestants prepare during the week. We now have a small interruption where Paula accuses Simon of trying to undress her. Then during her critique she makes this weird fist and goes cross-eyed. (I am giggling again). Simon thought the song was interesting as did Randy.Simon thought he should have kept the wife under wraps for a few more weeks. Randy said "very well job done".

7. Allison Iraheta's family clip showed her giving this hysterical department store performance for like 20 people. I loved the shaky dad video. She selected "Given to me" and for the first time I am not thinking that someone is doing a Michael song. It sounds like she wrote it herself. She has that rocker rough quality, but she is raw and very believable. Paula thinks it's mind boggling that she is only 16. Simon says it was a good performance, very confident. Randy said she was born with it. Kara says she distinguishes herself by being the rock girl.

8. Anoop Desai is next and he chooses "Beat It". First let me say that I love this guy. He is the guy next door. Unfortunately this song only points out his vulnerabilities and doesn't showcase his voice. He is a darling guy, but up against this line up, it isn't enough. Paula thought he shouldn't have touched that song. Simon thought it was horrible and light weight. Randy said wrong choice. Kara felt disconnected from Anoop. He stays composed and says he would love to come back and try again.

9. Jorge Nunez shows his large family in Puerto Rico and then delivers a very bubble gum performance of "Never can say goodbye". Don't get me wrong, he has a beautiful voice, but the smile is too much and the song is not made current. I was pretty much bored to tears. Randy thought it was old fashioned. Kara thought he lost his emotional connection. Paula has love for him, but I got the impression she wasn't blown away either. Simon said it was bad. Like the Michael Jackson song.

10. Meagan Corkery is up next and points out her brother in the audience who looks just like Philip Seymour Hoffman. She looks gorgeous, but the minute she says she is singing "Rockin Robin" I am nervous. Let's just say, I am not a fan. I think I have watched one too many 6-8 year old kids dance to it at dance competitions. She sounds on key, and has a really unique and great voice, but I really hate this song. I am thinking the chicken dance on Arrested Development as she Caw Caws it at the end. (For those who haven't watched that show-you need to). Kara said she injected her personality. Paula loves her quirky, unique tone, but she was missing it most of the song. Simon said it was a stupid song choice and thought the performance was awkward. Randy agreed.

11. Adam Lambert is next and talks about how trying to make it in this industry has given him a thick skin. He chooses "Black or White" and he rocks it out. He is a total performer, and I find myself so captivated that I forgive the couple of notes that I don't find perfect. I also am close to forgiving him for the black nail polish. But not totally. While his performance was a ten, the vocal at times was a little crazy for me. Paula is falling all over herself she is so worked up. While she is flailing around, I notice a large crystal cube hanging from her wrist. Was that there all night? She rambles so long that the last singers of the night will get no time for critiques. Simon said it was in a totally different league. Randy said you could make a record right now. Kara hoped MJ was watching. (I really doubt that he was.)

12.Matt Giraud was next and he sang "Human Nature" while accompanying himself on the piano. I think he showed off his great range and falsetto, but he showed his nerves just a little bit. He definitely gives the song his spin, and has a really solid vocal.By the end of the song he got secure and I thought sounded really great. Overall, I think is was just hard to take the mood down a notch after Paula's "manic spell" about Adam. Plus, the judges are totally rushing through poor Matt's critique. Randy said it was awesome. Kara loved it. Paula was blown away. Simon said it was a good solid performance. The end, now get off the stage.

13. Alexis Grace has a pretty wild looking daddy, but her little girl is about as darling as they come. She picks "Dirty Diana" and she attacks the performance. Almost a little too much. She has a really strong voice for a little thing,and while at times it I didn't care for the way she interpreted the song, the girl has mad skills. Kara said she was a naughty girl and she liked it. Paula said "watch the over singing" and Simon said it wasn't as good as she thought it was. Randy said good not great. At this point my DVR was finished taping, despite how fast the judges tried to finish on time, so no recap at our house.

I have not a clue how many they will put in the bottom, but my bottom 4 are Anoop, Jorge Nunez, Michael Sarver and Meagan Corkery (sorry-I love her but hate Rockin Robin). I think Anoop and Jorge will go home. This is going to be a hard season to call, but I promise to keep at it!
Tune in tomorrow...Get blogging Gene....