Countdown to the final 6 girls

This evening is only an hour, and the show manages to waste a good five minutes with some Ellen and Simon nonsense. Maybe it is that I am so busy wondering why Ellen is on his lap, that I don't realize that we are starting without film or fanfare and I miss the first couple of seconds of actual performance.

Katie Stevens "Break Away" Kelly Clarkson
Within in the first few moments of this song I am uncomfortable with the way it is going. It feels rushed and for the very first time, Katy does not have the strongest vocal. I love this girl's voice, but every week she seems to move farther away from what I am interested in listening to. It is a shame because she is really talented, but so desperate to please the judges that she isn't singing from her heart. Randy thought it was karaoke. Ellen thought it was a much better song choice than last week, but didn't feel the words she was singing. Kara thought she had a great radio voice, but that she didn't know herself as an artist. Simon told her that the got a ten out of ten for trying, but the song got a little gloomy. I actually thought he was telling her it sucked, but luckily he added "the energy out of it" or something like that.

Siobhan Magnus "House of the Rising Sun" The Animals
Siobhan opened acappella and had an amazingly moving vocal. She sang the song for her dad, who was in the audience and the performance was really moving and different from any that she has done so far. Randy was a huge fan and loved the surprise. Ellen is from New Orleans and she was moved and captivated. Kara loved it, but Simon was not a fan. He was waiting for another moment like she had last week. She can't scream a big note every darn week Simon.

Lacy Brown "The Story" Brandi Carlile
This song was the perfect choice for Lacy and she finally has a solid, strong vocal that connected with the audience. I still find her a very inconsistent, but I really enjoyed her control and her range, and for the first time it looked like her nerves were back under control. Maybe it is because she stayed seated? Randy thought it was so much better. Ellen thought is sounded like it was written for her. Kara thought is was a brilliant choice and said that this performance reminded her of why she was in the competition. Simon told her it was sung very well.

Katelyn Epperly "I Feel the Earth Move" Carole King
I loved this song growing up, and I think Katelyn is able to capture some of that original vibe, since she has the wild hair and she is standing at the piano My problem with it was that it didn't feel very current, although I thought she looked and sounded great. I just don't see this song coming on the heels of Coldplay. Overall, it was pretty forgettable and nothing I would download on I-tunes (If I want to revisit that song I can listen to the original).Randy didn't feel like the song had anything to do with her. Ellen didn't think it would get people to vote. Kara thought she quit competing. Simon told her he liked her hair but the performance felt like request night at a restaurant. In Katelyn's defense, she was trying to tone down the corny performance per Simon's instructions. Whatever the reason, I think this could get her bumped.

DiDi Benami "Rhianna" Fleetwood Mac
DiDi is one the contestants that I consistently enjoy every week and the judges just don't get her. I was sick for her last week after how they raked her over the coals when she had such a fantastic vocal. From the first note I am sucked in, and I thought she had a brilliant arrangement and had a perfect vocal. I am gearing up for the judges to bash her and wondering what in the world she could have done to make them not want her to succeed, but finally the judges unanimously agree with me. Kara even said it was her favorite moment of the season so far. Simon told her she was head and shoulders above the rest. I am not sure that DiDi will be able to win the prize, but she 100% belongs in that top 12 and in my eyes has not had a bad performance yet.

Paige Miles "Smile" Nat King Cole
Paige starts off a little rough, like she is singing at a funeral of a dear friend. She looks completely unsettled vocally and for the first time is pitchy, with notes going sharp right and left. The arrangement is the worst I have heard. Randy said it didn't work. It was like a banquet vocal. Ellen said the song was supposed to be uplifting, but it wasn't. Kara said it was all wrong. Simon repeated what everybody else said, BUT he said it while twisting his nipples. So there was that. Paige said she was a huge fan of MJ's and this song kept getting her emotional which made the vocal get out of control. I was a fan of MJ's music too, but seriously? On the most important night of the competition? I think Paige will be gone, which is a shame because she has a great voice and a beautiful smile (ironically).

Crystal Bowersox "Gimme One Reason" Tracy Chapman
I love this song and Crystal did not disappoint. The performance was superior to anyone elses because she already sounds and looks like someone who has made it. She brought all of the soulfulness that Tracy did, and still made it sound like her own song. I am worried about her health. She had to sit almost immediately after singing, and while she looked fearless during the performance, during the critique she looked winded and unsteady. I hope this girl is going to be able to do this competition, because she has what it takes to win it. Randy was blown away and Ellen had run out of adjectives. Kara told her she always picks the right song because she knows who she is. Simon said it was a million billionth percent for sure that she will be in the top 12 and that the competition was hers to lose.

Lilly Scott "I Fall to Pieces" Patsy Cline
I love this girl, and while this wasn't my favorite performance of hers, I thought she showed the same staying power as Crystal. It is hard to take Patsy Cline to an Indie feel, but she almost did it. Randy thought she did a good job. Ellen loved it. (Whenever we get to the last performance of an hour long, show the critique's start getting quicker). Simon thought it was brave, but it could have been risky.

So who is going home Thursday? My bet is Paige and Katelyn. There is just too much talent to ever have an off night, no matter how good you are on this particular season. I will be blogging Thursday afternoon instead of tomorrow. I have bunco this evening-so be patient with me.