Randy said that they’ve got themselves a real competition right now but felt that the song was a little light for him.  Kara said that Kris has been true to himself since day one and she likes that Fuller picked a socially conscious song for someone like him.  Paula said that Kris tore the song up and made Marvin Gaye proud.  Simon said that the performance was too laid back for a night like this.

image © 2009 FOX BROADCASTING CR: Frank Micelotta / FOX

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Brandon Rogers
Singing “You Can’t Hurry Love”, his rhythm seems off already to me. Is it just me? My first introduction to this song was with Phil Collins and don’t think I realized Diana Ross sung it initially. I’m not a big fan of Brandon’s interpretation of the lyrical style. Again, the rhythm just seems off to me. DID HE FORGET HIS WORDS? I didn’t think Brandon would be along very long in the competition at this stage, if Sanjaya does a good job tonight may be his night.

• Randy: came out like he reverted to a background singer. It’s got to be a lot better.
• Paula: nerves play a big part, it’s not easy to do what they’re doing.
• Simon: “complete let down”. Very predictable version and arrangement. Terrible dancing. Forgot the words.

Simon telling it like it is and the audience is booing. It’s really too bad he knows what he’s talking about, I’m still amazed at the people who think Simon is some loser that’s just mean and doesn’t give anyone a break.

— Commercial Break —

Melinda Doolittle
“What do you consider the hardest part of this contest?” is a viewer question. Melinda says the high heels and dresses. Simon and Ryan are taking jabbs at each other and Simon makes a comment about Ryan knowing more about high heels. Ryan tells Simon to stay out of his closet and Simon responds with come out of it. Getting back to Melinda, Diana Ross said she gets goose-bumps when she hears Melinda sing. She’s singing “Home” from the musical “The Wiz” starring Diana Ross and Michael Jackson. My wife and I think that Melinda is probably the best singer in the competition, but the more I think about it, I’m not sure if the best singer is the one that’s going to win this contest. It may take a little bit more to push someone out in front of the other contestants. She totally is rocking this song!!!

• Randy: Maybe not his favorite performance, but super strong!
• Paula: has broken down in tears, she is so excited for her. Both are crying
• Simon: she made a very boring song, fantastic. Reminds him of a young Gladys Knight

Chris Sligh
Putting a little bit of a personal touch to “Endless Love”. He’s trying to modernize it. Diana says he needs to listen to the melody more and find the “hook” that makes it his own. He’s onstage without his glasses and that’s taking a little getting used to for him. Performance is starting off a little boring, but seems to be picking up. A little pitchy in areas I believe. He has absolutely modernized the tempo and rhythm of the song. His arrangement is showing off his range and that’s good.

• Randy: sounded like Cold Play, don’t worry about the song, just sing his heart out
• Paula: so recognizable, it’s a challenge, don’t try so hard and just let his talent come out
• Simon: murdered the arrangement, unemotional and uninspiring and keep his glasses on

This didn’t do it for me, it’s going to hurt him. I think he’ll make it past Sanjaya and Brandon, but it will be on personality and fan support, maybe not vocal talent this week.

Join us after the break for the next contestant’s performances

— Commercial Break —

Gina Glocksen
Meeting Diana and she’s a little star struck. She’s singing “Love Child”, which is another one that I’m not sure I recognized that Diana Ross was the original performer, or I didn’t realize it was Diana singing it when I heard it. I think this is a great choice of a song for Gina. The story of the song lends itself well to an edgy performance, which always fits Gina better than average. It seems like she’s screaming a little bit, but it still works for me because of the song and arrangement.

• Randy: wasn’t his favorite performance. Pitchy in spots and no excitement. Boring
• Paula: such an exciting song, much better than how she did tonight. Shouting, enunciation and pitch
• Simon: wasn’t terrible, wasn’t fantastic. Chose the right song for her. Staying in an image that suits her

Sanjaya Malakar
Diana says Sanjaya is “love” to her. “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” is his choice for performance. Diana is trying to get him to move around a bit more and just have fun with it. This was Diana’s first #1 as a solo artist. His hairstyle is a mess tonight, not sure what he was trying to do with it tonight. I think the song was a good choice for him, but I don’t think he’s really performing it even close to as well as he needs to be. It’s a high energy song, but I’m getting absolutely nothing close to that feeling from him. Judges are going to rip him apart. If he makes it through another week I’m going to be really surprised.

• Randy: stuttering, he’s just speechless. “Dude. It wasn’t very good”. “Thank God for the background singers.”
• Paula: sweetest soul and the smile [I think he's this year's Kevin Covais maybe]
• Simon: says Diana is “wailing” in Beverly Hills when she hears this. The positive comment was that he’s very brave for a 17-year old.

Again, if he makes it through another week, whomever is voting for him have completely lost their mind. I believe that’s agreed on our poll as he is by FAR the number one vote getter to go home this week.

— Commercial Break —

Haley Scarnato
Another viewer question, “Where is the craziest place you’ve ever sung?”. Haley says it’s here, right here right now tonight on American Idol. It’s so intense tonight! Haley has picked “Missin’ You” for her song. Diana is trying to get her to project her voice more and really come out with it. Diana recorded the song following Marvin Gaye’s death as a remembrance of him. Showing a wee bit of cleavage this evening with her dress choice. Get those votes any way you can, but I don’t think she’s got anything to really worry about this week. I don’t like her arrangement and performance of the song. It’s, as Simon would say, “forgettable”.

• Randy: gave it a valiant effort. forget some words, pitchy in places, nerves
• Paula: looks lovely tonight, forgot words, pitch issues, still adorable
• Simon: didn’t think it was that bad. Wow! She had real presence up there and “we will remember you”

It’s amazing to me how Simon can sometimes pull a complete twist out of the hat and shock you with his opinion of something, but that’s one of the reasons I like him.

Join us for Part II

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Phil Stacey: 29 from Jacksonville, FL
Phil Stacey sings “I Ain’t Missing You At All” by John Waite. I still think this guy is one of the top voices in the contest, still not sure about how far he’ll go, but I’d say he’s got at least 2 or 3 weeks left. He’s really doing a great performance of this song. He’s definitely got it together tonight, but he wasn’t too bad last week in my opinion.

• Randy – that was hot, showing everyond his power
• Paula – likes his tone and says she can hear him right now on the radio
• Simon – very popular, but completely “unoriginal” voice. He’s really looking for something unique, not a “very good karoake singer”

— Commercial Break — 

Interviewing in the “red” room, Sundance says his friends told him to be less “crappy”. I agree, he really needs to turn it on and show us what he did in the original auditions.

Jared Cotter: 25 from Long Island, NY
Singing a little Marvin Gaye and coming out strong with “Let’s Get It On”. I can’t hear this song without immediately thinking of an episode of “The King of Queens”. If you watch it, you’ll know what I mean. Jared’s taking a step up this week. It’s good to see the guys starting off stronger than last week. Not sure if Simon’s going to like it though, and he said to be a littler riskier from last week. He’s doing a good job though.

• Randy – little pitchy, but liked the face move
• Paula – good looking guy, Paula is losing it, too much innuendo
• Simon – appreciates the attempt, but reminded him of the “Love Boat”, as a cabaret singer (Jared follows it up with “That would have been a great love boat man”)

A.J. Tabaldo: 22 from Santa Maria, CA
Dedicating his song to his mom and dad and singing Michael Buble’s version of “Feeling Good”. I like Buble, and A.J. isn’t doing too badly of a version, but is cracking on a few areas moving across his range. We’ll see

• Randy - so much better than last week, proves he’s got skills
• Paula – real, real, real, real good voice. Like’s seeing the change
• Simon – actually “nearly, very good”. Tuning problems. Made himself different and stand-out with some personality

— Commercial Break —

Sanjaya Malakar: 17 from Seattle, WA
He’s dedicating his performance to his grandfather who died when he was five and wears his wedding ring on stage. Singing “Steppin’ Out” with a little jazz, swing kick. Not sure he’s doing enough. Still can’t believe he was won of the top guys in votes last week. Not sure what he’s going on. He’s not bad, just not in the same league with the majority of the other guys in the group this year. Strong voice, but Simon will say he’s “forgettable”.

• Randy – nice kid, really weird, bad high school talent show. Really didn’t work for him.
• Paula – sang on pitch, sounded good, old soul, but needs to pick songs that celebrate his youth
• Simon – some ghastly lunch where the parents asked the children to sing. Very weak. A little weird and absolutely no impact.  

He picked the song to dedicate it to his grandfather, just may not have been the best decision.

— Commercial Break —

Chris Sligh: 28 from Greenville, SC
Dedicates it to his wife who has supported him through all the times he’s wanted to give-up and quit. Singing “Trouble”, and I’m not sure who sings it (Lindsey Buckingham, remade by Coldplay?). He’s doing a great job. I just love his personality and attitude. We’ll see what the judges say though.

• Randy – even better than last week, big voice, he’s got skills, good song choice
• Paula – watch your pitch, getting ahead of the music
• Simon – tonight he was a “very good singer” which is why they put him through

Ryan reminded me that Taylor Hicks did that song last season. Definitely a song that would fit Taylor’s Soul Patrol style.

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